what i like about...ti_ckles

Oh no, I can't believe that it's been a month since I last posted on this blog. I'm really sorry about that. I have been busy with other things but that should not be an excuse!

So to get down to business... I am now into "ti" in this notes series. I paused a little longer when I reached this note. I could not think of a "ti-" right away. Anyway, I finally thought of "ti_ckle".

Yes, I love tickles. In fact I am very ticklish. It's so easy to activate my funny bone. You can tickle me with a story, with an actual tickle, or even with just a look. Ha ha ha. My husband loves to take advantage of this weakness of mine. He tickles me with looks! Ha ha ha.

I love it when something tickles my imagination. I can go places with this!

Tickles are subtle, but they produce wonderful results. Every time something or someone tickles me, I feel happier, lighter, and eager to start a new day.

I love tickles!

What I like about ... la-ughter

Do-re-me-fa-sol-la...I am now in my "la" day and immediately "laughter" came to mind. I must confess that I love to laugh. I laugh at every chance I get. I also come from a family who loves to laugh. So every time we have some family gathering, you can be sure that there will be laughter.

There was even one time that some people got scandalized at our laughter. Why? Well, it was the wake of my father and all my aunts and uncles were there. We were telling stories and reminiscing about Tatay (father), so naturally there were some funny stories. And how can you tell funny stories without laughing?

"Laugh and the world laughs with you"
"Laughter is the best medicine"

These are just two of the most remembered sayings about laughter. I talk about these in my new hub "Laugh and the World Laughs with You". Please check out the following link: http://hubpages.com/hub/Laugh-and-the-World-Laughs-with-You

What I like about Sol-itude

It has been a while since I last wrote in this blog. So many things have transpired since my last post. However, I am keeping to my last theme here which is to use the notes in finding about what I like. So I started with “do – re – me – fa” – and I am now in “sol”. I immediately thought of solitude.

I sometimes need solitude in my life. I actually seek solitude especially after several hectic and stressful days. I need solitude to get in touch with my inner self, with nature, with the universe, and with God.

In solitude, I find peace, regain my energy, and regain my focus.
In solitude, I am filled with gratitude of my many blessings.
In solitude, I begin to dream new dreams and build new hope.
In solitude, I find myself, I find God.

That’s why I like solitude.

What I like about ... fa_bles

Image from: http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0210200/ancient_greece/aesop.gif
Who has not encountered fables in his/her childhood? I grew up having Aesop Fables as part of my book and comics collection. I still can remember the stories and the lessons we learned from these fables.

Who can forget "The Ant and the Dove" or "The Ant and the Grasshopper" and their respective lessons about helping each other or preparing for days of necessity?

What about "The Boys and the Frogs"? I can never forget the lesson from this story. That's why it took me a long time before I got used to pithing a frog for dissection. I actually got sick when I got my first frog and we were taught how to pith it. Ah, but this is not the point of this blog, so enough of that.

Anyway, there is "The Crow and the Pitcher" and "The Hare and the Tortoise"...
Oh, I can go on and on about my favorite fables but I think you got the point.

Fables are part of our childhood it's true, but the lessons we learned from them, we bring with us to our adult life.

That's why I like fables. Their stories are simple but their lessons are deep and have far reaching effects.

What I like about ... me_mories

"Memories, light the corners of my mind
Misty, water-colored memories of the way we were..."

When I was thinking of what "me" to write about, that line from Barbra Streisand's song from the movie "The Way We Were" came to mind. I started reviewing my memories and I realized that I have mostly happy ones.

We usually speak of fond memories, happy memories because as the song says ... they 'light the corners of my (our) mind'. We rarely speak of sad memories because we don't want to remember things or incidents that make us sad. However, we do (at least I do)remember embarrassing memories because we can laugh about them during retelling.

I must admit I'm a sucker for happy memories. I actually collect them somewhere in my memory brain and I take them out when I need cheering up. It's always good to stash these memories so we can withdraw from them anytime that we need something to "warm the wintry nights". Don't you agree?

So go make your own memory bank. The interest is compounded daily!

What I like about ... re_ady mixes

Thank God for ready mixes!

I used to make my own mixes but that was before ready mixes became popular. Now, I rely on these time savers all the time. I'm no chef, so I don't have to prove anything or use a secret recipe. I only need to open a box or a sachet or a packet of these wonderful mixes and viola...a tasty dish or a yummy cake comes out!

Want to bake?...there is a ready mixed recipe for your favorite cake, whether it's 'Devil's Food Cake' or 'Chiffon Cake'.

Want to cook 'adobo', or 'mechado', or 'kaldereta' or 'kare-kare' or any other dish you can imagine? There is a ready mix for it. This is especially true here in the Philippines. Ready mixes industry is a thriving business here. New mixes are introduced into the market almost every month and companies, big and small, are joining in on the fun.

My son's girlfriend told me once that I have the best tasting beefsteak she has ever tasted. I think it wasn't just to get into my good side. I think she really meant it because she did not only have 2nd or 3rd servings, she even finished the whole dish down to the last drop of sauce! I never told her it was because of the ready mixed 'beefsteak'! She will discover for herself in due time. Ha ha ha.

So is it any wonder why I love ready mixes?