Starting anew - My life's new chapter.

Almost every year I make a reflection of the life I have lived. I count the milestones, joys and sorrows. I also count the lessons and the difficulties I have encountered. So much for being a frustrated writer and journalist, I have come to make use of these frustrations in order for me to vent out my feelings and emotions in an acceptable way. More so with my choice not to drink anymore (although I still do), I make it a point that these emotions will produce me a good product at the end of its peak. 

2013 was a good year to me. Well I have survived it and is alive to write about it now. But nearing the end of that year, things got bitter sweet. I got to spend my vacation in Cebu and spent the Christmas with my family and friends: this was the sweet part.

The bitter part is that me and some of my friends have become strangers to each other. I guess its about time for us to move on and become who we choose to be and who we choose to be with. It was really painful to leave that part of my life as marked but life is always like this. You just have to make a choice and I choose to be happy. If there are things that bring me down or even make me think twice, I would rather have nothing at all and be happy with other things than have everything but really in doubt. 

Today, I decided to write about it just to let my soul breathe. 

People have called me names before thinking that I am pretending and not being the true person that I am. On the contrary, I am who they think they want me to be. I grew up to be a "people-pleaser" which makes me a person that changes depending on who I am with. Its not about being pretentious but being agreeable. But at some angles, there are things that I cannot agree with. This makes me the person that they don't understand. It doesn't mean that I am agreeable I am all for it. Not to the point that they would humiliate me.

With respect to what they prefer as a friend, secrecy for me is a big thing. Trust is so precious that I have been a victim of it being lost a lot of times. And there is a fine line between friends and family. I guess you would agree with me when I would say that there are things that your friends don't need to know and so goes with your family. We all have skeletons in our closets and I think that if people would invade them or even publish them, we will surely feel violated and personally offended. For sure, I would take offence (and I took offence-YES! It is for me unforgivable).

2014 was a great start for me. I found new friends. Well, technically I knew them already; I just didn't know that they were there for a good reason. They were the people who caught me when I fell. Good thing I wasn't closing my eyes this time. Most of the time that I fell, I would close my eyes and not bother seeing who pushed me. I guess the acrophobiac in me was kicking in. 

To those few who caught me, words are never enough to express how thankful I am. The "Give them the benefit of the doubt"-person in me was just so feeling it that I didn't notice the dangers it brought me. Then I suddenly realized that everything around me was telling me not to. The messages, the time, the weather and even the taxis were not cooperating. That was the last straw. Not anymore, this is sure. 

To those who learned to never stop doubting me, I am thankful of the times we have spent together. I know that they were memorable to all of us. I never imagined it to end like this but trust me, I enjoyed it.  Of course, there are disagreements, indifferences and I have learned to respect it. I guess we don't see how the sun looks like as we used to anymore. Indeed, things change and for me, it really had. I have changed - for the better. 

To everyone who has loved me for who I am, I feel the same love for all of you. You never changed me to be the person you demand me to be but instead, you have embraced my personality and have loved me for  whatever and whoever you see me as. You are my family and I will always be loving you no matter what. 

Now, its time for me to start anew. A new beginning for everything. 

This is not another book but is just another chapter. 

-Donitoh

God bless us all! :)

Donitoh's Kitchen - Italian Time : Eggplant Parmesiana

WE ARE HAVING ITALIANI!

Another dish I love to cook is this Vegetable Italian dish. It is optional to put any kind of meat but for this one, I made it without any meat just in time for the Lenten Season. It will take some time to make this because there are three parts to it. But like what I always say, time will fly so fast when you are enjoying it.

I got this recipe online and although the name states Parmesan cheese, I am using regular cheddar cheese since it is cheaper and available in the grocery. Also, you have the option to create your own sauce as to what type you like. It can be Marinara sauce or any sauce that will suite your taste.

HERE WE GO!

Ingredients:

Eggplants (Large)

Eggs

Flour

Oregano

Onions and Garlic

Cooling Oil

Spaghetti Sauce 

Cheese (any kind will do)

Salt and Pepper

Procedure:

For the Eggplants:

1.       Slice the Eggplants into sheets. They should look like Lasagna noodles: wide enough but not too thin or else they will sag like paper.

Make sure they are not that thin so that they will not sag after frying.

2.       Mix in a bowl eggs, flour, oregano. Dash in salt and pepper to preference. This will be the batter for the eggplants before they are fried lie patties.

3.       In a medium sized fraying pan, pour in a good amount of oil and heat it up. Once warm enough, place in a good number of eggplant slices and bring to a golden brown. Set aside.

For the Sauce:

4.       Mince garlic and onions.

5.       Sauté in a sauce pan with enough Oil until cooked.

6.       Mix in spaghetti sauce and let it simmer.

For the final part:

1.       Place in a baking pan a couple of eggplant pieces at the base.

2.       Layer in the sauce on top then grated cheese on top.

3.       Repeat the layering until it fills the pan.

4.       Cover top later with grated cheese and oregano.

5.       Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese has completely melted.

DONE! 

After it cooked, I took it out and since I was hungry, all it looked like in my plate was like SP*%#$@! 

I would suggest that you serve this with Garlic Toast and some good chilled wine for the perfect dinning experience.

If you have questions, comment and suggestions, don't hesitate to comment below.

Follow me through my social network accounts!

Twitter:       @akosidonitoh

Youtube:     youtube.com/user/donitohRN

Facebook: facebook.com/Donitohrn

Salamat! :) 

Donitoh's Kitchen - Lent Recipe : Baked Fish with Garlic, Rosemary and Lemon

It is the season of LENT!

For us Christians, this is the season where we repent from sin and reflect on the lives we have lived. We also need to fast and abstain from any earthly joys and, if possible do charity work or pay it forward.

As a Filipino working abroad, it’s not easy because the culture is different as is the way of life. Food wise it is a bit lighter because we have access to almost anything specially pork, beef or poultry products (since we are asked to fast in a certain day of the week).

With this, I will be sharing with you my recipe for simple Lent dish.

It’s called Baked Fish with Garlic, Rosemary and Lemon.

This is how it looks like before popping then in the oven. 

Ingredients:

Fish of choice (I prefer the ones that are cut into stakes because its easier to handle and cook)

Garlic – sliced into circles or strips

Lemon 

Rosemary (I used dried Rosemary but you can also use the fresh ones – I think its better)

Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper

Procedure:

Preheat the oven to 150 degrees Celsius for about 5-10 minutes.

Fish dries up easily to make sure that the temperature is just right for fish to be cooked.

1.       After cleaning the fish, place them in a pan neatly. Season it with Salt and Pepper according to preference in flavor. Add a little amount of Olive Oil and grease each side.

2.       Dash in the dried Rosemary on both sides. Make sure that each side is fairly distributed with Rosemary.

3.       Squeeze in fresh Lemon juice and let is marinade for a 10-15 minutes.

4.       Place on top of each fish slice garlic pieces evenly.

5.       Pop the fish in the oven and bake them for 15-20 minutes.

6.       Serve with rice or Mashed Potatoes.

Make sure to check the baking process as fish may vary in cooking time and it would depend on the thickness of the slices.

You can also dip the fish with a choice of sauce. I prefer soy sauce, vinegar with onions and herbs.

Hope you find my recipe delicious and helpful. If you have suggestions and comment about this recipe, please don’t hesitate to comment below or send me a tweet.

Twitter: @akosidonitoh

Facebook: facebook.com/Donitohrn

SUMMER NA! Handa ka na ba? - Dubai Summer 2014

I really hate to admit it but the cold season has ended.

AYAN NA! Tag-init na talaga! :p

Yung pinaka-favorite kong season sa Middle East ay nag-exit na at may ibang season na kumekembot na papasok sa Dubai. So mga kabayan, you know the drill: itago na ang mga jackets, coats, fur boots at kung anu pang panang-galang sa lamig kasi panikip lang yan sa sampayan. 

At kung bet mo pa rin gamitin ang mga yan, PUSH MO LANG YAN! Di ko babasagin ang trip mo. Sana lang di ka mangamoy chenelyn at baka masabi naming “YOU are one of THEM!”. CHOZ!

So ayun, tag-init na talaga at wala nang makakapigil pa nito sa pagpasok sa Dubai. Buti nalang at aircon ang mga kabahayan natin pati ang mga waiting shed sa labas. Pero dapat din nating ihanda ang ating mga sarili sa mainit na panahong ito. With this, ginawa ko itong blog na ito para mag-share ng mga tips tungkol sa pag-prepare for the SUMMER!

BOTTOMS UP! Try mo kaya mag-selfie tapus ganitong shot! Bonnga dibah?

Number 1: REHYDRATE - INCREASE WATER INTAKE.

Since the temperature will be peaking at most 50 degrees Celsius, we need to be well hydrated and replenish the lost fluids ng ating katawan. Ang tubig ay buhay at kung di ka iinom ng saktong tubig, nako… GOOD LUCK NALANG! 

Of course maraming soda at juices na available sa market pero I would highly suggest for us to rehydrate with WATER. Iba naman kasi ang contents ng juices at soda . Di ka nga dehydrated pero baka winner naman yung blood sugar levels mo. Aside sa healthy ang water, di mo na kailangang iprepare. Room temperature, chilled, on the rocks or frozen; ganun kadaling inumin ang water.

 

AYAN! Pwede ding ganitong shot sa pangalawang SELFIE for Summer 2014!

Number 2: LOVE YOUR SKIN - BE PROTECTED FROM UV RAYS.

Maraming ayaw maglagay ng lotion kasi daw madulas or parang malagkit ang feeling. Pero di nila alam na mas maganda itong gawin lalo na if tayo ay nakatira sa mga lugar na extremes ang temperature. It will be more beneficial if ang gagamitin nating lotion ay may maganda or mataas na SPF or Sun Protection Factor. It will protect our skin from the damaging Ultra Violet rays na galling sa Haring Araw. 

But keep in mind that these lotions don’t keep your skin from turning tan or darkening. Since summer naman talaga and if laging may exposure sa araw, normal na iitim talaga ang ating balat. I also think that Summer is not the best time to be thinking of making oneself fair. Malaki ang role ng melanin sa panahong ito and I guess you will see how it will benefit you in the future.

Magsout ng na-aayon! Huwag maging hubadero o hebadera!

Number 3: DRESS ACCORDINGLY - BE HYGIENIC.  

Yes, maraming fahionista sa Dubai. Pero sana naman huwag nating ipilit ang di naman bagay; lalo na yung di naman talaga pwede. Dubai is still a Muslim country and the season is not an excuse for people to wear skimpy and inappropriate clothing. Of course, di ko naman sinabi na dapat laging naka-jeans at long sleeves. Since Dubai is considered to be one of the mixing bowls of international fashion brands, one can go around and find appropriate clothing na bagay sa mainit na panahon at di nakakabastos sa Muslim culture.

Also, I want to emphasize na kung gaanu pa ka-presko ang damit mo, kung di ka naligo ay talagang magiging mainit ang boung araw mo. Nako naman sa ayaw maligo ah! Tumbling ako sa mga taong ganyan. Ok-Fine, mainit ang tubig. Pero pwede itong hanapan ng paraan. Gumawa ka ng sariling yelo gamit ang mga plastic bottles o di kaya mag-store ka na ng tubig sa gabi. Pinoy po tayo so marunong kang mag-isip at alam mo kung anu ang dapat gawin. Importante na malinis tayo sa katawan lalo na sa Summer.

Magplano ka at huwag yung agad-agad. Baka ma-highblood ka sa labas!

Number 4: PLAN YOUR TRIPS – SAVE YOUR STEPS.

Sobrang init talaga sa Dubai kapag Summer. Sa sobrang init, di ka makakakita ng mga taong naglalakad sa labas lalo na kung tirik na tirik yung araw. With this, I would suggest that you plan your trips and have them scheduled in the proper time. The best way to avoid being under the sun is to steer clear from it. Of course, di naman natin maiiwasan kasi lahat tayo at naghahanap buhay. Kung ganito, gamitin natin ang internet para malaman ang temperature sa labas ng bahay. May Application din sa mga smart phones ngayun na magsasabi ng temperature sa labas. Also, be considerate sa mga delivery boys ng grocery. Oo trabaho nila ito pero di ibig sabihin di din sila naiinitan. Kung may ipapadeliver, make sure na kumpleto ito at sakto lahat ng ipapabili mo. 

Planning your daily activites sa Summer will help you beat the heat. It would not hurt if you would bring with you an umbrella, a good pair of sunnies or a cap.

MIDDLE EAST po ito! So expected na MAINIT TALAGA.

Number 5: UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS THE MIDDLE EAST.

Tayo po ay nasa Gitnang Silangan at wala sa lugar na may snow at malamig ang hangin. Pinoys have this habit of saying the damn obvious kasi nga mainit; malagkit ang feeling; ang bilis pagpawisan at mabaho ang mga kasabayan sa Public Transport dito sa Dubai. Hmmm… Natural lang po ang lahat ng ito kasi SUMMER NA PO. 

At hindi lang po kayo ang naiinitan; LAHAT PO TAYO. No exemptions with the heat, body odors and discomfort during the Summer here in Dubai. We should have a deeper understanding of this para po malaman natin ang mga tamang gawin at mahanda natin ang ating mga sarili para sa Summer. I can’t emphasize further na ang pagrereklamo, pagtatalak, pagkukumpara at paninira sa ibang tao ay walang magagawa sa init na mararamdaman mo sa mga buwan na ito. It would help po na you would just do your part and SMILE lang! 

Wala nang mas hihigit pa sa matamis at totoong SMILE na galling mismo sa ating mga labi. PAK - BOOM!

Ayan! Yan ang naisip kong tips para mahanda natin an gating mga sarili sa SUMMER 2014 dito sa Dubai. Sana po ito ay makakatulong o di kaya ay makapaghatid sa inyo ng idea kung ano ang mga tamang gawin para makapaghanda sa mainit na panahong ito. If you have something to add, please don’t hesitate to comment below!

Oh, anu nah? SUMMER NAH! GORA NA SA BEACH!

-Donitoh