Hello all of you out there,

Let me tell you what thisblog is going to be all about.. Its going to be all about my family..

Ever been in a situation where you are in the drawing room, just listening to your family talk about one crappy topic after the other, and then aruguing about the silliest of things, that you are sure is even below the level of your 4 year old nieces and nephews, and you want to scream and explode, but you cant? 

NO.. YES.. MAYBE???!!!!

My Extended too big a family

Well i have been there far too many times, and thus this is going to be a blog where i m going to bitch about them like hell, share all of their dark secrets out here, dont bother about capitalizing anything, and basically vent out, so that i may keep my sanity the next time i am with them.

So here goes nothing..about to unveil to the world the dark secrets of a pakistani middle class family.. hope you find a glimpse of your own in here so i may less pathetic!

I can’t believe how shitty holidays are when you’re by yourself. I never imagined I’d spend yet another Thanksgiving alone, but here we are. This year has been an insanity. Yesterday night, I’ve been back in Portland for a full year. What have I accomplished? To answer that question, I’d have to spend a lot of time, just thinking about everything that’s happened this year. So, while I try to process all of this information, let’s list the major events of the last year, shall we?

• A few months after I returned, I broke up with Trevor.
• I fell in love with the youngest boy I’ve ever fallen for.
• I got my GED and attended my first real term of college.
• I met Alex and Modiva with Anjelah.
• My dog died in my arms sometime in June.
• Early July, I lost Modiva to the government.
• Mid July, I started becoming a regular coffee shop kid.
• Which ended up with my friends Marshal, Gib, Lloyd, Captain, Professor, Christopher, Mat, Bryan, Brian, Jeff, etc. etc.
• Sometime after that, I became a regular at 20th and Belmont on Monday nights.
• Ended up kicking out my roommate and dear friend, Anjelah.
• I fucked around and lost a few friends, and gained a few more.
• I got accepted to The Art Institute of Portland.
• I lost touch with all of my family, including my grandmother, my father, my mother, my siblings, and my entire adopted family.

Ahh, in reality, I’ve lost a lot, and gained so much more. I think this past year has been quite slow and I’ve progressed more than I expected to. When I was releashed in August of 2008 from the institution, I thought I’d never be close to the same person, never be able to be happy again. I’ve surpassed that standard by becoming someone who realizes that life is pretty shitty sometimes, but most of the time, life is so fucking mind blowing. Everything around me has just been excellent.

And lately, I feel as though some of my intelligence is returning. I seem to of lost a great deal of it while I was locked up and drugged. I know that before I started trying to drink/drug myself to death, I was quite the literate child. I had read well over 2,000 books and I had surpassed my fellow classmates in a faction of the time I attended high school. I mean, within a month, I was introduced to the lovely idea of honour roll and graced that school with some excellent test scores. However, since then, I’ve felt like I’ve been loosing parts of my memory and some of my very important opinions. I took a vow that I would do whatever I could to regain some of the knowledge that was lost due to the effects of the governments treatments. So go me, I get to win this round for this year, I guess.

Let’s watch how this next year goes before we throw a huge tizz.

This place is a prison and these people aren’t your friends

Inhaling thrills through $20 bills and the tumblers are drained

And then flooded again and again. – The Postal Service,

Man, there has been something insane going on within the confinement of my brain. I’ve been flat ass broke for a couple months here; with few breaks of money in between, but still. I guess maybe I am irresponsible about money. But honestly, in the bottom on my heart, I don’t think I’m being dealt a fair card in this situation.

To help my mental state a little bit more, I’ve been keeping to myself much more and thinking. Thinking about life; about plans; about how when I wake in the morning, I wish I had fresh squeezed orange juice; about how I wish my friends would help me out a little bit more; about how stupid I am for relying on my father; etc. etc. etc.

The more I sit by my lonesome and ponder everyday mysteries, the more I can feel my sanity being sucked out of my soul and throw into oblivion by an invisible Dementor. Since I’m watching myself type all of this down, I feel as though I may be losing more of my mind than originally thought; seeing as though I just used a noun that exists only in a fantasy-based novel by J.K. Rowling.

A dear friend of mine just recently had a lovely smoke-out early in the morning with my other friend and myself. He was describing how he enjoyed how ‘normal’ we both were to him; and how much he liked us versus the people he had deeming ‘not normal.’ Most people who I’ve told this story to were slightly appalled and thought I would of taken offense to this statement. However, what most people don’t seem to understand is; I’m a tad bit crazy in my head.. I guess I can be the only one who knows this for absolute positive, but then again, if anyone else lived in my head for as long as I’ve lived in mine, they’d believe they were crazy too. Being referred to as ‘normal’ made me feel like other people might not see actually how crazy I really am. Like maybe I’m tricking all these people around me into believing I’m ‘normal,’ whatever that means. I suppose I just felt a little dash of pride, forgive me.

Today I encountered a nice young man who seemed to be moving in an extremely peculiar way. I just assumed he was moving awkwardly to Andrew Gorny’s guitar playing. Awhile went by and I didn’t notice anymore, but he seemed to notice me more. He began speaking very slowly, then very quickly. Once or twice, he moved his head around closer to my ear, like he thought I couldn’t hear what he was saying. Eventually, I learned he had just eaten five mushrooms four hours prior to our meeting. He mentioned that it was his first time tripping and how insanely high he felt. I thought he may be trying to figure out what was reality, when he picked up his bag, said his goodbyes, and traipsed off into the downtown streets of Portland. The only real response I could come up with was to just slightly smile and nod my head knowingly. I imagine I’ve appeared that way to strangers before. I faintly remember several trips in public, feeling nothing but euphoria.

• Ahh, how the days drag on without you, love. I miss you like I miss walking next to the ocean. When I touch your face, look into your eyes; I see the clouds blowing and I can almost hear the waves beating against the barrier between my mind and yours.

Quite personally, forever is unconceivable.

It’s more dangerous when every second could be your last.

November 11, 2009 – 05:01am

I guess this is the end.

Possibly the end of you and me,

Possibly just the end altogether.

Regardless – I’m done with this scene, boy.

Here we come, future.

We went to the highland this morning which my brother hasn’t been since he left school. We had a good time especially on casino. We are quite hopeless when come to gambling but still able to make a gain.

I have taken a couple of day off because my brother is back with his newly “registered” wife. Picked them from the station and seafood for dinner. They had a good rest and we are now at the twin tower. I sent them to Aquaria and while I have coffee at Starbucks outside. My brother is so typical not into doing anything at all.

It’s so nice to hang out with them. I don’t think I had a lot of chances like this. In fact we never spend time like this since high school since we both left home.

Seeing him getting married is a dream come true for me.

Yesterday night threw my entire world for a spin. It all seemed so typical. I was pretty lazy, so I stayed home the entire day and Anjelah came to bring me my jeans. It all went like it before had; And she left. My grandmother had walked into my room; she was grey, in the face; and sounded like hell. Eventually, she got around to saying that she has a terminal illness, and was diagnosed in March. The doctor’s gave her three to four months to live, but she’s still alive.. But I’ve never seen her look so sickly and pale. She’s 57, she’s not supposed to die.

I can honestly say I’ve been through a lot of rather traumatic events; I’m still sane enough to carry on a conversation, I’m still able to wake up in the morning, and sleep at night. But in my lifetime, I’ve never experienced someone so close to me dying. I mean, my dog was torn apart and I held him when his heart stopped beating; But this is a little different.. This is the one person in my family that I can afford to be close with. This certainly is a dream – And isn’t happening to me.

The first question that posed itself in my mind was; Do I still continue on with my life, go to school, move out and keep on living? Or should I put everything on hold, stay out in Beaverton, and take care of her? I don’t know what to do, I know that I care about her, but I don’t want to keep on waiting to start my life. If I choose myself over her, does that make me a bad person? Should I stay out of school? Should I become the care-giver to her?

These questions keep spinning around in my mind, and I can’t seem to shake the fact that I just want to start running in the opposite direction, without stopping. It pains me to write that, and it pains me to feel that way; But I don’t want to keep denying myself, because of the other people who surround my everyday life. The next question that I stumbled upon was; Should I tell the rest of the family? She said rest of the family wouldn’t give a shit, so she didn’t tell anyone. I would love to call bullshit, I would love to say my family all cared about one another. However, if I said that, I’d be lying. I phoned my sister, Alyssa, to ask her to come to Portland to be with me. When I told her what was going on, her reaction was neutral. She didn’t freak out like I had done, she didn’t sound too bothered by it, actually. And to be quite frank, neither did my mother. This is one of the most disappointing things about my family, but sadly, it’s all true.

I may still be in shock from hearing this from my grandmother, but honestly, I don’t even want to start fully coping with it. I figure that if I just try to get to a better place before I really pay attention to reality, then I won’t lose as much of my mind. Maybe that means I’m in denial, maybe it means I’m intelligent, maybe it means I’m stupid, maybe it means I don’t care, and maybe it means I care too much. Whatever it means to you, or to me, I just don’t care right now.

A form of introduction:

My name is Gabriel – I am the eldest of four siblings which include my two brothers, Valdor and Mornay, and my sister Melanie. Our mother, Marieta, is aging in the nearby seaside resort village called Betty’s Bay. Our father, Trevor, died in a car accident about 17 years ago. But more biographical details later.

Today Valdor turns forty-one. He farms apples and pears in Elgin, a smallish but lucrative farming area, approximately one hour’s drive east of Cape Town.  

Valdor and Mornay have been feuding have maintained an inimical, yet silent stand-off for almost three years. The reason for the dispute is of no real significance and I may speak of it later. For now, however, the situation stands.

Mornay, although he does not own it, lives on a farm too, a stone’s throw from Valdor’s. As I don’t often get to Elgin, I will therefore take the opportunity to visit Mornay, who I am sure, has not been invited to the party.

I am, as I write, about to depart with my friend Fran for the farm and the celebrations.

Is there a possibility that I could initiate a reconciliation? Is it my responsibility as senior sibling, and nominal patriarchal figurehead, to meddle?

I shall update.

Hallo Ihr Lieben,

nachdem ich nun von einigen gefragt worden bin, ob ich denn wiederkomme habe ich nun endlich den Antrieb gefunden dies zu tun. Ich kann gar nicht erklären, warum ich so lange nicht hier war. Ja, es ist einiges passiert und die vergangenen drei Monate (wahhhhhhhhh so lange ist mein letzter Artikel her) waren nicht ganz stressfrei – aber daran lag es nicht.

Ich bin kein Mensch, der diese “Abschiedsartikel” favorisiert – zumindest nicht für mich. Ich wollte einfach kein großes Aufhebens darum machen, dass ich nicht hier bin. Außerdem war das – also die Auszeit – auch gar nicht geplant. Es ist einfach passiert.

Aber nachdem ich von so vielen wunderbaren Menschen vermisst werde hat mich die “Sehnsucht” gepackt…

Jetzt will ich Euch also erstmal auf den “neusten Stand” bringen – dann werde ich erstmal “nachlesen” was ich verpasst habe (wobei ich schon ab und an gelesen habe, so ist das nicht) und dann werde ich manchen Erlebnissen auch noch einen “eigenen Artikel” widmen (so z.B. den Flitterwochen, aber da muss ich – das steht schon seit August auf der To-Do-Liste – erstmal Fotos sortieren).

 Flitterwochen

Am 23. August ging es ja nach Thailand und Kambodscha – erst ein paar Tage Thailand, dann eine Rundreise durch Kambodscha und dann noch eine Woche auf die wunderschöne Insel Koh Chang.

Die Flitterwochen waren wunderschön, aber auch sehr anstrengend. Nicht nur, dass es verdammt heiß und sehr sehr sehr luftfeucht war – nein, es war emotional sehr aufwühlend. Natürlich wussten wir – so naiv sind wir nicht – dass wir in ein Land fahren (ich spreche hier von Kambodscha) welches eines der ärmsten Länder der Welt ist. Ich war nun nicht das erste Mal in einem armen Land und dachte eigentlich, ich sei “vorbereitet” und “Emotional gewappnet” auf/für das was uns dort erwarten würde. Weit gefehlt… Ich habe noch nie in meinem Leben solche “emotionale Achterbahnfahrten” erlebt. Kambodscha ist ein wunderschönes Land, die Menschen sind sehr herzlich und offen. Ja, sie sehen (auch wenn uns das – an unseren Standards gemessen – vielleicht verwirrt) glücklich aus. Einen Menschen lachen zu sehen, der in einer kleinen, löchrigen Hütte haust und oftmals nicht weiß, wie er das nächste Essen bezahlen soll, lässt hoffentlich niemanden kalt.

Zumindest ist mir in dieser Zeit wieder einmal bewusst geworden (natürlich weiß man das eigentlich, doch wenn man hier in Deutschland ist verdrängt man das oft genug) wie wichtig Entwicklungshilfe ist und wie glücklich ich mich schätzen kann, dass ich in diesem Land geboren bin. Alles was für uns so selbstverständlich ist kennen diese Menschen oftmals nicht einmal vom “Hören-Sagen”.

Die Bilder dieser Tage haben mich den ganzen Urlaub über begleitet und ich glaube, dass ich sie auch so schnell nicht vergessen werde. Dafür sitzen sie zu tief und mein Schamgefühl und meine Beklemmungen zu tief. Ja, ich habe mich regelrecht dafür geschämt, dass wir – als reiche Touristen (und im Vergleich zu den Menschen in Kambodscha sind hier fast alle reich) – in dieses Land kommen und jeglichen Komfort genießen und die Bevölkerung dort in größter Armut lebt. Auf der anderen Seite ist dieses Land so sehr auf den Tourismus angewiesen, denn anders als z.B. Thailand kann Kambodscha nicht vom Reisanbau leben und hat auch sonst keine “Bodenschätze” oder andere exportfähigen Güter.

Zu diesem Teil der Reise habe ich noch einen längeren Text geschrieben – den stelle ich ein, sobald ich ihn “wiedergefunden” habe.

Die letzte Woche auf Koh Chang war dann das totale Kontrastprogramm. Natürlich sind die Menschen dort – gemessen an unseren Standards – auch nicht reich. Aber sie leben dennoch vergleichsweise gut vom Tourismus. Unser Hotel war einfach nur wunderbar.
Aber schaut doch einfach selbst!

Wir haben die Woche dort sehr genossen und das Hotel und die wunderbare Insel haben mich damit versöhnt, dass der Schatz sich strikt geweigert hat auf den Malediven zu flittern.

Also: Wer Tipps braucht darf sich gerne vertrauensvoll an die Sommerschwester wenden!

Krank

Es kam wie es kommen musste – direkt nach den Flitterwochen wurde ich krank. Ich war nur drei Tage wieder arbeiten als ich Abends (nachdem ich mich schon den ganzen Tag mies gefühlt hatte) plötzlich hohes Fieber bekam. Da ich bekannt dafür bin, dass ich mir immer sehr große Sorgen mache, hat der Schatz mich in die Notaufnahme gefahren. Was ich da erlebt habe hat sowohl mich als auch meinen Hausarzt entsetzt. Der Arzt dort hat ernsthaft vermutet (und es auch in den Befund geschrieben), dass ich Schweinegrippe habe. Allerdings hat er weder irgendwelche Tests gemacht noch Medikamente verabreicht. Nichts. Er hat mich “nur” an meinen Hausarzt verwiesen. Da bin ich auch gleich am nächsten Morgen hin und dieser war ziemlich erbost und hat über seinen Kollegen geschimpft wie ein Rohrspatz. Er hat dann auch einen Abstrich gemacht. Allerdings war es Gott sei Dank nicht die Schweineprippe sondern nur ein vergleichsweise harmloser grippaler Infekt. Außer dem hohen Fieber hatte ich auch keine anderen Symptome. Trotzdem war ich eine Woche krankgeschrieben. So etwas hasse ich ja. Natürlich habe ich mich dran gehalten, denn ich wollte ja niemanden anstecken. Aber nach drei Tagen ging es mir eigentlich schon wieder gut und das Fieber war (selbst nach Reduktion der Medikamente) auch schon wieder verschwunden. Man sitzt dann “nutzlos” zu Hause rum während sich im Büro richtige Berge anhäufen. Krank sein ist wirklich nichts für mich… Aber es gibt nun einmal Dinge, die kommen einfach vorbei ohne das man sie eingeladen hat. Offensichtlich habe ich zumindest niemanden angesteckt. Wenigstens eine gute Sache!

New Home – New Castle

Ja, wir haben eine neue Wohung gefunden. Wir sind richtig richtig glücklich und erleichtert.

Hier die Fakten:

- 90 qm²

- 4 Zimmer (ein großes Wohn-/Esszimmer, ein großes Schlafzimmer, zwei weitere Zimmer die ca. 14 qm² groß sind, Wannenbad, separates WC, tolle Küche, ein Balkon von etwa 2 * 3,5 m, ein Keller mit Stromanschluss und ein Raum auf dem Speicher)

- nahe der Innenstadt (10 Minuten zu Fuß) und dennoch sehr ruhig und eine gute Parkplatzsitution

- in der gesamten Wohnung liegt Laminat (im Bad auch – aber natürlich für Feuchträume geeignet), nur die Küche ist gefliest

- Wir übernehmen die tolle Einbauküche der Vormieter. Die Küche ist keine zwei Jahre alt (auch die Geräte sind so alt bzw. jung). Weiß, Hochglanz, mit Auszügen und vieeeeeeeeeeeel Stauraum.

Die Wohnung ist schon deutlich teurer als unsere jetzige (aber immer noch okay bzw. sogar günstig wenn man sich die Mieten hier so anschaut. Wir zahlen Kalt 6,50/qm², Warm sind es knapp 8,50/qm². Das finde ich wirklich angemessen, vor allem wenn man weiß, dass die durchschnittlichen Nebenkosten Deutschlandweit bei ca. 2,14/qm² liegen. Von den jetzigen Mietern wissen wir, dass am Ende auch immer noch etwas zurückgezahlt wurde und nie Nachzahlungen entstanden sind (wobei sich das schnell ändern kann wenn die Heizkostenpreise sich erhöhen).

Am 15. November bekommen wir die Schlüssel und dann geht es los… Wir freuen uns riesig.

Leider bedeutet das auch, dass wir Kisten packen müssen.

Damit haben wir auch schon angefangen. Ich will es “gleich richtig machen” und ausmisten, so das keine “Altlasten” mit umziehen. Man, dass ist anstrengend und dauert soooo laaaaang. Ich bin froh, dass wir uns dafür Zeit nehmen können und nicht im Sauseschritt umziehen müssen.

Opa

Leider gibt es keine guten Nachrichten. Der Tumor ist zurück – nachdem es ja so gut aussah am Anfang. Die Ärzte sind sich sicher, dass er nicht mehr behandelbar ist. Nur eine sehr aggressive Chemo würde helfen und das würde Opa einfach nicht mehr verkraften.

Er hat ziemliche Schmerzen und bekommt starke Schmerzmittel. Wir sind uns bewusst und auch einig, dass wir alles tun, um ihm den Rest seines Lebens möglichst schmerzfrei zu gestalten. Wenn es ganz schlimm wird muss er – da wir das alleine nicht leisten können – in ein Hospiz. Gott sei Dank gibt es hier in der Gegend ein wunderbares (wenn man in diesem Zusammenhang überhaupt davon reden kann) Hospiz, bei dem wir ein gutes Gefühl haben (auch die Ärzte haben das empfohlen und befürwortet).

Ich hoffe so sehr, dass er sich nicht allzu sehr quälen muss. Manchmal wünsche mir, er würde einfach friedlich einschlafen – bevor das Leben wirklich zur Qual wird. Aber eigentlich bin ich noch nicht bereit ihn gehen zu lassen. Ich weiß, dass ist ein sehr egoistischer Wunsch. Ich habe so sehr gehofft, dass Opa es noch erlebt wie er Tick-Tack-Opa wird und ich glaube er wünscht sich das auch. Opa hat mich mein ganzes Leben begleitet und war und ist die wichtigste männliche Bezugsperson in meinem Leben. Ich kann mir einfach nicht vorstellen, dass er nicht mehr da sein wird.

So, ich glaube jetzt seid Ihr im Bilde… zumindest was die wichtigsten Dinge in Sommerschwesters Leben angeht.

Und nun mache ich mich auf um selbst zu lesen was ich verpasst habe.

Ich freue mich wieder hier zu sein!

Herbstliche Grüße

Sommerschwester

Sarah and I spent 3 hours at the Ryland Design Center today. We were both a bit overwhelmed by all the work that new home buyers have to go through. Today we had to choose all the kitchen options (countertops, floors, cabinetry, and appliances), bathroom options (floors, shower doors, cabinets, sinks, and fixtures), carpet, front door, fireplace options and electricity options.  We will return next week to finish by choosing paint colors, lighting fixtures, and a few other odds and ends.  I have to admit that by the time we left, Sarah and I were both a bit frazzled. I just hope that none of our decisions looking crappy when added to our house!

By the way, if you are interested in seeing the floorplan or taking a virtual tour of our new home click here.

I know I just said good-bye to summer 2009 but my family is already looking forward to summer 2010.  Margie received information this week about a Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruise offered to McNeese State University alumni.  After a bit of discussion and research, we have decided we want to make this our 2010 family vacation.

The four of us (Margie, Mom, Sarah and myself) know that we have to lose weight and get in better shape before next summer.  The trip to London and Paris this summer was great fun but there were several days that ended in pain and discomfort due to extra weight and out-of-shape muscles. In an effort to jump start our weight loss the four of us signed the following pact:

I promise to lose 10 pounds and exercise 3 days per week (at least). Final weigh-in is set for October 8th.  All parties MUST fulfill agreement or cruise plans WILL be canceled.

Sarah and I hit the gym tomorrow afternoon.  Wish us luck!!

As tonight is the last night of summer break, I thought perhaps a recap of the summer of 2009 is in order.  Overall I rate this summer a strong 8

• Houston A+ Challenge externship with Volunteer Houston.  I spent 5 days working with the phenomal staff of Volunteer Houston and visiting several non-profit organizations in the Houston area. I left with great plans and ideas to introduce volunteerism to my students. 
• Family vacation to London and Paris. Mom, Margie, Sarah, Katie and I had a fabulous time on our 11-day trip.  We made hilarious memories that will  last a lifetime.  Highlights of our trip include Buckingham Palace, Stonehenge, Notre Dame, and Versailles.
• A couple of trips to Galveston to enjoy the sun and surf.   Thanks Lisa and Brad for making the trip and riding the waves with Sarah and me!
• An Astros game to celebrate Brad’s birthday. Our seats were in right field and we had a great time.  The ‘Stros actually managed to win the game
• Lots of time spent hanging out with good friends like Susan, BJ, Lisa and Mikey. Much beer was consumed, much laughter was shared, and perhaps even an ass was grabbed…whoo hoo!
• A few concerts (CrueFest and Poison/Def Leppard) and a Texans/Saints game.  Despite the horrible Houston heat and the outrageous concession prices, all of these events were fun especially since they were shared with friends and loved ones.

Farewell Summer….I hope the remainder of 2009 brings as much happiness. laughter, love and fun!

Believe me, it wasn’t intentional.  We did not plan to eat  pig-out at a Pinoy restaurant on a holiday in honor of Ninoy Aquino’s assassination some 26 years back. But it was not that bad after all.

It has been half a decade since we last dined at one of Cabalen’s branches in a mall. I admit that my parents are the ones who prefer it just as they like other food places that offer Filipino cuisine.  I and my wife are not fond of going out just to eat the same food that we have at our own dining table at home. In short, we’re not fan of home-style cooking, sorry.  But I have high regard with those establishments that made efforts in putting Filipino cuisine upfront. My wife and I with our friends enjoy CLASSIC CUISINE PHILIPPINES or C2  and CHEF LAUDICO’S BISTRO FILIPINO.  Both of these restos offer Pinoy food as gourmet and with nice twists and taste.  And did I tell you that CAFE ADRIATICO’s    Lola Ising’s adobo and Lolo’s pancit canton binondo are to-die for?

We could have eaten our brunch last Friday, August 21 at a pizza and pasta resto, or a fastfood perhaps, but for no particular reason, our feet were drawn to Cabalen’s all-day-buffet and there was no regret. 

My starters were a bowl of  beef stock with corn,  fried crispy kangkong with mayo dip, some mango and tomato salsa with bagoong and a slice of red salted egg, some onion rings and pork and tofu a.k.a. tokwa’t baboy…

Not bad actually.  Even in Kamayan whenever we dine at Dad’s Ultimate Buffet that includes Saisaki and, yes, Kamayan, I do not miss to munch on those cripsy kangkong.  I also liked Cabalen’s mango-tomato-bagoong salsa. The green mangoes were chopped to bits, which for me was the best rather than having unriped mangoes in chunks.

One of the Pinoy dishes I cannot resist is Kare-kare or stewed beef in peanut sauce with bagoong (again).  I like the peanut buttery sauce and the VEGGIES : string beans and egg plants, cooked with ox tripe and ox tail …- Good Heavens, I am salivating now as I write this!   

My second plate had Pampanga’s bests — from tocino ( I hope they don’t use salt peter), longganisa and atchara or pickled papaya.  I had Kare-kare too, and of course garlic rice.  I like the distinct taste of Cabalen’s longganisa, it’s so flavorful. Isn’t it obvious that I like local version of sausages? lol. From Vigan’s to Lucban’s, I like garlicky longganisa paired with tomato salsa!  Man, I can eat it any time of the day! 

My wife’s plate had similar dishes from Cabalen’s buffet spread except she sampled their fried chicken which I avoided for I had eaten too many of them over the past weeks.

For our desserts, Gabby, Tina and I tried Cabalen’s guinataan and halo-halo.  What I like about the minimal dessert spread was the presence of a huge bottle of coconut milk or kakang-gata. It’s actually an ingredient of guinumis – local cold sweet treat of crushed ice with coco milk, gulaman and pininig or rice crispies.  You can also make your own guinumis from the spread at Cabalen.

Tina suggested we put coconut milk over halo-halo instead of the usual evaporated milk.  As an obedient husband and a food enthusiast, I surrendered to her craving.  She was right; halo halo’s better with coco milk as we enjoyed it! We just added syrup to taste.  

The guinataan was also great with those strips of jackfruit and sweetened bananas and generous amounts of small balls of tapioca.

Everything tasted OK except for the red gulaman of the halo-halo. It tasted like soap suds for goodness sake! I immediately called the attention of the waited and told him of our concern.  He immediately responded by removing the square bowl of red gulaman from the spread and I noticed he reported the incident to his manager.  We were in a hurry as we already paid our bills so we did not spend time bringing the matter to the manager. I appreciated the move of the wait staff.  

We did not plan to eat at Cabalen, but nevertheless, we enjoyed it.  What we intently did last holiday was honoring Ninoy and Cory’s ideations and contributions to Philippine democracy by simply wearing yellow that day. 

Cabalen’s Eat  All You Can P298 per adult; half price for kids; located at most malls in the Metro.

But wait!  While I was getting my food from the spread, I noticed a distinctly Kapampangan dish that I learned from Kuya Kim Atienza’s report in TV Patrol World ( a local news ) that this was one of Ninoy Aquino’s favorites…

Do you eat KAMARO or cricket ?  No offense to all Kapampangan, but I don’t.   I call myself a food enthusiast but not a dare-devil and an adventurous as you are.

To each his own.