Smelling Food before Eating It

How do you do the sniffing? Do you lift up the bowl or plate, or bow your head down, or do you put it on your fork/spoon and bring it up to your nose?

The upper class in modern societies do smell their food to get a first idea about the food and the thoughts of the chef how he composed the dish, especially in a creative restaurant with very unusual flavor combinations.

Appreciating the aroma of the food is important, and I agree that it's a good part of the dining experience.

However mine is a different story, yes, I have this habit too but for different reason.

I do sniff food when my sense of smell alerts me that something is amiss. It all started when people around me telling me that the food they gave me is 'Ok' for vegetarian, but the truth is there's something hidden beneath those veggies like tiny bits of tuna, egg, milk, cheese, MSG, or what not -  so to avoid tasting it, I just sniff the food first like a food-sniffing canine. Lol. I obviously stick my face in the plate or the plate in my face (absolutely unattractive site).

Then I realized that it was kinda offensive/rude to the cook/host. I might leave an impression that she’s serving food that's off somehow or perhaps the quality is lacking that I’m smelling it to test if the food is sophisticated enough for her Royal Highness.   

So I'm still learning on how to do it in a more subtle way and totally unnoticed. Plus Miss Manners said "Enjoying the smell of the food is perfectly allowable, provided it is not accompanied by obvious physical gestures."

Also, now I'm more into appreciating each food and showing respect to the one who prepared it and I politely say no in case something is odd. 

Inked with Love and Passion,
Simply Princess

May 18, 2015 at 10:21pm

Things That I Realized Now That I'm Three Zero

1. I always forget that I'm not in my twenties anymore. 
2. The 'AGE' field on any form reminds me of my real age.
3. People started to ask my relationship status. 
4. My friends now ask me if me if I'm dating or not. 
5. People think that something LEGITIMATELY wrong with me because I'm single.
6. My middle name should be “Busy,” since that I am all the time now.
7. I'm seriously thinking of buying/loaning property. 
8. I considered moving to a more affordable part of the country.
9. My clothes doesn't suit me anymore. 
10. I look for “sensible” and “comfortable” clothes than flashy one. 
11. Investing in quality becomes important.
12. The classic rock station is now playing my high school playlist.
13. FM radio station plays my favorite songs on Playback Saturday.
14. My back or any part of my body hurts for no damn reason.
15. Unwanted hairs begin to multiply like horny bunnies.
16. Somehow I'm a person with answers.
17. My clothes won’t be the only things laden with wrinkles.
18. Moisturizers is a necessity.
19. I hate taxes no matter how they beautifully explain its good cause.
20. I have semi-monthly bills
21. I have a five-year plan. 
22. I'm appalled by some noisy students/teenagers in a public transportation.
23. I constantly forget that we're like that when we were young.
24. I'm tired pretty much all the time. 
25. I've been thinking of going to a gynecologist. 
26. Sometimes I think about whether or not I’ll be a good parent. 
27. Worst, I 'm worried if I'll be a parent.
28. I read the news to see what the world is up to. 
29. Vacation days are more precious than gold. 
30. I invest on working clothes than on stylish outfits. 
31. Most of my friends are either getting married or producing spawn.
32.My Facebook feed is nothing but new baby and wedding pics.
33. And I envy them pretty much.

100 Things I am Grateful for

It's been one wild ride year of awesomeness and this is my top 100 that I'm thankful for.

1. God - for everything on this list and more 
2. Family - for loving me unconditionally 
3. Friends - for travelling with me on this journey of life with warmth
4. Dog - for one of a kind friendship and undivided attention
5. Teacher - for shaping the future me
6. Grand Parents - for endless stories and for being my no. 1 attorney 
7. Relatives - for explaining how weird our roots are 
8. Mentor - for sharpening my skills
9. Scientist - for thinking the unthinkable that always made we wonder
10. Children - for reminding me not to take life seriously
11. Good Health - for having enough strength to appreciate life
12. Breaks - for time to stop and smell the roses
13. Education - for something I can write in my resume
14. Career - for what I am today
15. Gathering - for celebrating our togetherness
16. Seminars - for new skills and knowledge
17. Festival - for entertainment and good time 
18. Birthdays - to celebrate new added candle on the cake
19. Museum - for making me grateful of our ancestors
20. Choice - for so much options in life 
21. Prayers - for having a direct line greater than any mobile network
22. Wishes - for giving me positive outlook in life 
23. Dreams - that drives me everyday
24. Laughter - for making my day lighter
25. Hope - for that daily positive outlook
26. Love - for inexplicably wonderful feeling
27. Arts - for making me appreciate life in so many ways
28. Paintings - for letting me see the painter's soul
29. Music - to express my feeling with tune
30. Theater Plays - to see life in an entertaining way
31. Games - for making me forget the time
32. Internet - for making my world wider and larger than before
33. Blog - for a place I can express my sentiments
34. Collections - for making me realized how weird I am.
35. TV - for added noise in the house
36. Documentaries - for opening my eyes to the reality of life
37. Jokes - for lighten my mood and making my day
38. Books - for a great experience that I can repeat over and over again
39. Bed - Heaven on earth
40. Food - for the pleasure of sharing and eating
41. Gifts - for the anticipation, surprises and thoughtfulness
42. Kitchen - for having a place I can weave magic
43. Dance - for rocking my world
44. Technology - for making my life easier everyday
45. Medicine - for making me feel better
46. Clothes - for keeping my body warm
47. Home - for having a happiest place on Earth
48. Plane - for making me see the wonders of the world
49. Public Transportation - for bringing me from places to places
50. Sweets - for mouth watering desserts
51. Vegetables - for making me healthy
52. Fruits - for making me young looking
53. Water - for making my skin healthy
54. Air - my source of life
55. Life - a chance to cross this world
56. Bread - for a holy food other than rice
57. Sun - for shining on me everyday
58. Earth - for taking care of me
59. Moon - for the most romantic thing on this world
60. Star - for making me appreciate darkness
61. Rainbows - for that symbolic hope after the rain
62. Trees - for breezy shade and dramatic fall of leaves
63. Flowers - for gorgeous colorful petals 
64. Animals - for adorable creatures
65. Sea - for letting me fly under water
66. Dawn - for the darkest and silent hour of the day, (my writing time)
67. Colors - for making my life so alive
68. Clouds - for that cotton candy on air
69. Rain - for free showers
70. Holidays - for extra time for myself and family
71. Nature - for creating wonderful places
72. Chance - for fresh starts and rooms for mistake and I can redo it again
73. Acceptance - no matter how weird I am
74. Kindness - for such act that let my guard down
75. Generosity - for receiving more than I gave
76. Encouragement - for words that brought me up
77. Forgiveness - for making me free
78. Faithfulness - for sticking with me
79. Challenges - for making my life interesting
80. Gratitude - for having a way to express my heartfelt thanks
81. Knowledge - for something I can share
82. Freedom -  the freedom to wander anywhere
83. Independence - to be able to fly in every areas of my life independently.
84. Peace - for not worrying my safety
85. Faith - for something I can hold on to
86. Today - for this blessed day
87. Courage - for making me face the reality
88. Joy - for reminding me this is life
89. Heartaches - for making me stronger
90. Respect - for treating me rightfully
91. Emotions - for a roller coaster ride
92. Surprises - for making my heart jump
93. Fun - for making me enjoy life
94. Hug - for a wonderful feeling
95. Kisses - for making me forget everything
96. Relationship - for life altering experience
97. Experiences - for making my life meaningful
98. Silence - for having time to reflect
99. Magic Words - for I can also cast magic like Harry Potter
100. You - especially you, who read this. Thank you so much.

Inked with Love and Passion,
Simply Princess

Checking Your Personality

I don't understand why do people took 'Personality Test'.
Why? Don't they know themselves? Are they lost or something? Do they need to know or find their old self? Do they found out that there's something wrong with them or the other way around, there's nothing wrong and they wanna find out if there is?

Some took it to resolve their issues in life whether its in love, family, or friends. Some took this test just for fun. And have you noticed a big increase in the number of personality quizzes at the end of each year? This is probably due to the fact that its time of the year to reflect what they do for the past year and what they could change for the coming year that can change their life. Which is probably why personality tests are so popular in the month of December especially in social networks.

We know that these personality quizzes are not one hundred percent accurate not even half accurate. Many researchers feel that it has a lot to do with how honest people are when they take the tests. Research shows that people will not choose the answer that really describes them because they don't want to get a negative score. Huh? That's odd.

One personality test that I took in one sitting has something to do with color, just point what color attracts me most and I'll know who I am. Since I am a lover of Orange shade, I chose it. The result is: 

"Sensitive and reflective. You are comfortable spending hours alone with your thoughts and rarely become bored. You dislike superficiality; you'd rather be alone than have to suffer through small talk. Your relationships with your friends are very strong, which gives you the inner tranquility and harmony that you require. You love deeply but if someone betrays you it is next to impossible to forgive. You are an old soul, someone who has lived many times before and has seen it all. All you crave now is simplicity and the chance to focus your attention on a meaningful existence"

The result beautifully described me but it was just a portion of my personality and not my whole being. There are obviously a multitude of factors to consider to know who I really am, and I don't think that this test described my whole behavior. Some things are the same, but some things are completely different. Overall, it's an incomplete reflection.

There's also the fact that many people will choose the same color that I chose, so my question is, are we the same? Do we have the same personality then? 

 I maybe wrong, but how about you ? What do you think about personality tests?  

Inked with Love and Passion,
Simply Princess
3-2-2014

It's My Birthday

Here’s an imperfect and stumbling servant who find great joy in reflecting of how truly blessed and grateful she was for every single day she had for the past year and time flies really fast in the service of the Lord. Last May 10, I celebrate an anniversary of one of the most important days of our lives, the day of our baptism.

When I looked back at where I was a year ago and where I am today, I can’t help but constantly praise God for all that He has done for me.

Maybe I haven’t written the wonderful-fun- filled journey of how and why a prodigal daughter found home and finally returned.

It started as simple reflection that I annually do before my birthday, back then a lot of questions were mushrooming in my mind, from simple-funny self-question like “How are you?” to tough-serious one “Are you Happy?” and everything in between that I cannot find an answer.

I never realized that I've heard His knock but clue less of what and Who it was.

A year ago, I didn't know who I was in the divine sense. Now I know myself to be a daughter of a divine being I call my Heavenly Father who knows not only the number of my hair and freckles but who knows me personally and loves me unconditionally.

My life today is by far from perfect, but I know that no matter what was happening, I had His love and His guidance and everything has its perfect time. I realized that, no matter how hard life gets, there is always joy to be found in the blessings that He gives us. I began to keep a ‘grateful list’ in my mind of how many gifts I have in my life to keep me focused on what is truly important.

Since my baptism, I have come to know more about joy than I ever thought possible. Living life after baptism was like living life in HD TV. Before I came to know Jesus Christ, my life was kind of like watching TV in Standard Definition - Everything seemed alright and it was comfortable even without cable and I never felt the need for anything better. No more, no less. None was missing.

However, coming to know Christ was kind of like the first time I ever saw a High Definition TV, everything was suddenly brighter and sharper and more beautiful, and in vivid color in so many ways that I never thought imaginable.

All of a sudden, instead of just seeing trees, I began to notice the intricate beauty of every single leaf.

The poetically slow motion of falling’ leaves, the whisper of the wind and those dew drops kissing my skin. Staring the grand carpet of sunshine each morning and the dramatic changing of hues of sunset became overwhelming.

I find myself spending entire Sabbath lunch periods mesmerized by the beauty of the day or feeling honored having lunch with my new family and it felt like one big dreamy family reunion. Warm smiles, warm hugs, and thoughtful chats and those are priceless.

I began to stop and really see people for the first time and appreciate how truly beautiful they are in so many more ways than just traditional physical beauty. Yes, there are people who'll test your faith and try to change your channel or ruin your signal. Yet looking in a bigger picture makes me feel compassion and extend empathy towards them...

God’s glory is all around us but I never really saw it before I started living life in high definition.

I am so excited by how much I’m growing in my understanding of what is truly important in this life. Focusing on what He’s done and what He promises to do keeps me grounded.

Over this past year, I found out that every thoughts and acts are exponentially more rewarding when done in God’s name.

I am not a great person, far from that, in fact I’m such a sinner, that I hope my life story make you feel better about who you are as a person. Still here I am slowly changing, by His grace, and nervously excited looking forward to serve and finally someday meet Him..

Inked with Love and Passion

Analou

5-11-2015

Who are you?

In every social gathering or meet up you'll always heard of this question "What do you do?".

Society rank people’s worth in this world by what they “do.”

Why not start asking “Who are you? What is your story?”. Everyone has something to offer and something to share with you.  

Let me ask you this...

■Where were you born?

■Where do you live now?

■What makes you smile?

■What is the most important life lesson you’ve learned so far?

■What is your deepest fear?

■What is your greatest dream for your life?

■Who are you?

Because I really want to know…

well, here's mine:

■I was born in Angono Rizal, Phillippines.

■I’m currently staying in my home town with my family and I’m working on my next adventure.

■My nieces playing and loudly laughing their little hearts out is what makes me smile the most. Add up their endless no nonsense questions that leaves me amused and dumbfounded.

■The best lesson I’ve learned so far is I'm unique and comparing myself to others only robs the world of my uniqueness. Comparing yourself to others is an insult to yourself.

■My deepest fear is risking everything to follow my greatest dream and then failing in the process and He'll tell me this:

   But He replied, 'Truly I tell you, I don't know you.' - Matthew 25:12 NIV

■Greatest dream? If you asked me a year ago- I might told you this - "My dreams are traveling and meeting as many people as possible, questioning and discovering as much about the world and life as I can, and to write books and blogs to share my journey and life's lesson- drama free".

But now, it's different because we all have mission and my greatest dream is...to fulfill mine.  

■I’m a weird-special-unique individual as I believe we all are, right?

So What is your story?

■Where were you born?

■Where do you live now?

■What makes you smile?

■What is the most important life lesson you’ve learned so far?

■What is your deepest fear?

■What is your greatest dream for your life?

■Who are you?

You can post your answer below. :)

Paglakbay Patungo Kay Hesus - Pagsubok

Noong ako ay bininyagang muli bilang isa nang ganap na

Seventh day Adventist, isang kapatid sa pananampalataya ang nagsabi sa akin na

‐ “kapit ka lang ha..ngayon bagong binyagan ka, madaming pagsubok ang darating sayo..kaya kapit ka lang..”.

Sinabi ko lang noon ay “Opo”. Pero nasa isip ko, ano pa kayang pagsubok ang darating sa

akin, ano pa kayang hirap ang aking dadanasin. Mula kasi nung ako’y labing

isang taon, ako ay nagtrabaho na at narasanan ko na kung gaano kahirap ang buhay

lalo at isa kang anak mahirap.

Sa madaling sabi, isinantabi ko ang payo sakin dahil sabi ko ay kaya ko naman kahit ano pa ang

dumating. May 10, 2014 nang ako’y bininyagan, May 11 na‐ospital ang aking ama, May 13 nag expire ang health card

niya at nasa pribadong ospital ang aking ama. Dalawa na lang kami nang aking

kuya na nagta‐trabaho para sa pamilya. Wala kaming ipon para sa emergency dahil

naisip ko may health card naman at dahil nga sa ito ay nag-expire wala kaming

ibabayad sa mga gastusin sa ospital. Kaya’t wala akong nagawa kundi ibigay ang

aking pinakatatagong ipon o personal savings.

 Ngunit ni minsan hindi ko inisip na iyun na ang simula

nang mga pagsubok, dahil ang problema ay dumadating talaga ng hindi mo

inaasahan.

Pagpasok ko naman sa opisina madaming trabaho ang dumating at

naghihintay sa akin lahat ay urgent, ang dati kong pasok na 5 araw naging 7 araw na, wala na akong pahinga.

Napakahirap nang walang pahinga, walang maayos na tulog, lalo kung ang trabaho

ay sa gabi.   

Nagkaroon ng pagbabago sa opisina, nagkaroon ng pagtaas

ng posisyon, napromote ang mga matatagal na sa kumpanya ngunit baguhan pa

lamang sa larangan ng aming ginagawa.  Ako na medyo matagal na ngunit may nalalaman sa

aming ginagawa ay walang pagbabago - hindi kabilang sa mga promoted. Kahit papaano’y nakakapanghina iyun ng loob sa buhay

karera.

Sa personal na buhay naman, dahil lagi akong may pasok, wala

na akong panahon sa aking mga kaibigan kaya’t ang iba ay nagtampo sa akin dahil

wala na akong oras sa kanila. Sa pamilya, bukod sa may sakit ang aking ama, ang

isa kong kapatid na nasa malayong lugar ay nagkaroon kami ng hindi pagkakaunawaan

na dati ay hindi naman.

Lahat na nang avenue na pwede pasukan ng problema ay

mayroon akong problema ‐ sa pamilya, sa trabaho,sa mga ka‐opisina,  sa mga kaibigan, (buti na lang wala akong

boyfriend, baka nagkataon may problema din ako sa kanya!) sa pinansyal, sa

kalusugan, at pilit kong pinagkakasya ang aking lakas at oras na harapin at solusyunan

lahat ng iyon. Ang problemang dumating sa akin ay hindi sunod-sunod kundi sabay-sabay!

Ilang buwan ko rin iyung dala-dala, na kahit sa araw araw

ay humihingi ako ng gabay sa Panginoon hindi mawala sakin ang mangamba… na “ano

kaya ang mayroon sa araw na ‘to? Ano kaya ang naghihintay sa akin?”

Hanggang sa isang Sabado o Sabbath hindi ako

nakapagsamba, dahil kailangang‐kailangan ako sa trabaho, ang aming elder ay

nagtext sa akin at nangumusta, mahaba ang text nya pero ang nakapaloob na

mensahe doon ay “we should put God first in all things that we do”.

  

Lagi natin siyang uunahin sa anumang parte o aspeto nang

ating buhay.

Nang mabasa ko iyon parang tumigil ang lahat. 

Doon ako napaisip saan ko ba nilagay ang Panginoon sa aking buhay?

Sa araw‐araw inuuna ko ang mga problema na dapat ay ang

Panginoon.

Dahil sa problema hindi ko na nakikita na napakaganda

pala nang araw ngayon kaysa kahapon…

na tumubo na pala ang bulaklak sa aming bakuran…

na mayroon pala akong pamilya sa simbahan…

na mayroon pala akong mga bagong kapatid at bagong kaibigan...

I’m counting my problems than counting my blessings.

Wala na akong nakikita kundi problema at hindi Siya.

Hindi ko naisip na I have a huge God, much bigger than my problems.

Bakit ako na‐overwhelmed sa problema at hindi na‐ overwhelmed sa presensya Niya?

When I realized that I stopped everything and I cried for

forgiveness and this time I also cried for help, not only guidance but help,

because I cannot solve those problems alone even with all my might.  And so I surrender and put everything in His

hands, and I made Him my priority in life.

  Mula noon parang lumiwanag na ang lahat, hindi ko sinasabi

na sa isang iglap nawala  ang aking mga

problema. Pero mas naging madali at mas magaan siya harapin dahil naging positibo

ang aking pananaw sa lahat ng bagay. 

Ngayon ay tunay na kahit ano pa ang dumating ay kaya ko

nang harapin, hindi dahil sa sarili kong kakayanan kundi dahil mayroon akong

Panginoon na kasama ko, natin sa bawat sandali.

Kaya’t sa araw araw hindi na pangamba ang aking

nararamdaman kundi pasasalamat.

Pasasalamat sa mga biyayang natatanggap sa araw araw…

sa isang magandang araw…

sa  mga bulaklak sa aming bakuran…

sa  pamilya at mga kaibigan…

sa  pamilya sa simbahan…

sa bagong mga kapatid at kaibigan...

at sa panibagong buhay na binigay.

Kung dati ay umiiyak ako sa problema ngayon ay sa

pasasalamat na.

Sana’y wag nating kalimutan na unahin Siya at Siya ang

maging sentro nang ating buhay.

Lahat ay ating malalampasan hindi sa ating sariling kakayanan

kundi sa Kanyang mapagpalang mga kamay.

Ito’y patotoo nang isang makasalanan na ngayon ay

nagbabagong buhay.

Maraming salamat at Pagpalain tayong lahat.

Journey to Jesus. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

Analou Dedal