“Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the
early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile
I watch her go with a surge of that well known
sadness
And I have to sit down for a while
The feeling that I'm losing her forever
And without really entering her world
I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter
That funny little girl” ABBA
“Mommy, hold my hand”, my daughter softly called out to me as we quickly walked
to the airport cashier to pay her travel tax.
I was bidding my “baby” girl good-bye once more. ( click The First Good Bye ) This time, she finally was going to live her dream of
– not only working abroad— but working for an organization she had her eyes on
for quite a while.
Her kuya (older
brother) was supposed to have fetched us at the hotel. But because of the
horrific traffic, he could not make it in time.
The hotel shuttle was stuck in traffic as well. Luckily, after a stressful wait, the hotel
concierge found us a taxi. It was unfortunate that the last thing my daughter
will remember of Manila would be the terrible traffic.
There was no time for
sentimental mother-daughter dialogues before she disappeared through the
departure corridor. But it was just as
well I guess. We both did not like the
drama that went with good-byes. A tight hug was all we could manage.
---xoxoxoxox---
It’s been a little
over a week since that nerve-wracking parting. I will be the first to admit. I
still get emotional thinking it will not be so easy to get on a plane and drop
in on her for the weekend unlike when she was in Manila. But I console myself and am thankful for
Skype. With the software installed in my
computer, we have arranged for long video calls during the weekend.
For now, I shall
comfort myself with the virtual hugs we will be exchanging on the internet. For
now, it shall be enough to know there will come a time in the near future when
I shall run my hand through my daughter’s thick wavy hair; to inhale that
distinctly fresh scent she likes to spray on herself; and, to once more hold
her hand.
“Slipping through my fingers all
the time
I try to capture every
minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all
the time
Do I really see what's in her
mind
Each time I think I'm close to
knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all
the time “
ABBA
---xoxoxoxox---
Prior to my daughter’s
departure, I was able to spend one whole precious week with her. She packed, I looked on.
She sang, she danced,
I cheered. We shared our anxieties, and
we consoled each other with chocolate.
 |
| "1. climb high, climb far... your goal the sky, your aim, the stars. 2. Make "someday" today." |
We pass judgement on
each other’s outfits, and we laughed.
She exercised, I joined in.
We
snuggled in bed reading aloud interesting snippets from our FB page late into
the night and woke up mid-morning to continue the exchange.
Best of all, she
cooked, and I ate.
Luckily, I took down
notes and pictures of her culinary masterpieces. Her stint living on her own has brought out
her ability to whip up some interesting and uncomplicated recipes with the help
of the microwave and her electric hot water pot.
What follows are three
creative recipes (with a little help from the web) she prepared in her tiny apartment with the use of basic
kitchen tools and a microwave oven. They’re
certified healthy, big in flavor and tummy pleasers.
J’s Deconstructed Cesar’s of Sorts Salad
Romaine Lettuce,
washed and torn to bite-size pieces
Tomatoes, washed and
sliced
Store bought honey
mustard dressing
Half a small can of
Anchovies
Hard boiled egg,
sliced
Grated parmesan cheese
Juice of half a lemon
Arrange in a bowl the
lettuce, tomatoes, anchovies and egg.
Dizzle the honey mustard dressing over the salad and add a squeeze or
two of lemon juice. Add a generous
helping of grated parmesan cheese. Toss and dig in.
J’s Pasta with Basil-Mint Pesto
½ c basil leaves
(washed)
½ c mint leaves (washed)
2 T chopped almonds or
almond flakes
1 -2 T olive oil
½ c feta cheese
(cubed)
Salt (optional)
100 grams pasta
(cooked)
½ of a lemon
1.
Finely chop the basil and mint leaves and
place in a micro wave-able bowl.
2.
Drizzle the olive oil
and add a little salt on the herbs.
3.
Stir in the nuts.
4.
Zap in the microwave
oven on high for 30 seconds or until herbs have wilted a bit.
5.
Add the cubed cheese and
return to the microwave oven. Zap for another 30 seconds or until cheese has
softened.
6.
Stir the “pesto” well
then incorporate into the prepared pasta.
7.
Squeeze some lemon
juice on the pasta to give it some zing.
J’s Pasta with Spinach and Sardines
4-6 spanish sardines
in spicy olive oil (corn oil is fine)
1 ½ c spinach leaves
1 medium size onion,
peeled and sliced thinly
2 tomatoes, sliced
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Juice from half a
lemon
Feta cheese, crumbled
(or soft cheese)
1.
Lie the sardines on paper napkins to remove
excess oil. Next, half the sardines and
remove the bones.
2.
Place the tomatoes and
onions in a microwavable container.
Drizzle with some olive oil and zap for 1 minute in the microwave oven.
(This takes the place of sauting in a pan.)
3.
Layer the washed
spinach leaves on the tomatoes and onion, then add the sardines on top of the
spinach. Pop into the microwave oven for 2 minutes or until spinach leaves have
wilted somewhat.
4.
Stir the
spinach-sardine mixture over hot pasta. Add some crumbled feta cheese and toss
with salt and pepper.
5.
Some lemon juice will
balance everything out.
6.
Plate the pasta and
enjoy with a companion or a glass of wine.
How to cook pasta
without a stove:
1.
Boil water in your
electric hot water pot.
2.
Place your pasta in a
large microwavable bowl and pour the hot water over the pasta. The pasta will
soften but will not yet be cooked through.
3.
Place the bowl with
the pasta in the microwave over and zap for 5-7 minutes on high or until pasta
is al dente (firm to the bite).
4.
Scoop out pasta from
the hot water. Pasta is now ready to take on sauce.
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