Since I started learning how to cook food, I began to love fresh food from the garden. But not as ecstatic as my wife. Now having lived in the suburbs and away from the city’s limited garden space, our greenthumb(ish) beings (sort of) kicked-in just a small off-kilter move to inject freshness back into our lives.

Now having our own backyard and a whole lot of space for fruit trees and a flower garden to match it with, my wifey had idyllic visions of growing our own crops having green leafy harvest and a limitless supply of red juicy deliciousness. My wifey loved to grow tomatoes, bell peppers, papaya and mangosteen.

But growing them was tough. the infertile soil didn’t help the plants grow into full grown. Our japanese spitzes now having the freedom to run around the backyard have voracious appetites, sneaking into the garden and snatching every fledging tomato as soon as it began to form. For all our desire and effort, we haven’t been able to grow tomatoes.

A Spiritual Journey

Often we have strong and good desire for our hearts to grow, our faith to grow, or obedience to God to yield results. God wants these things for us too. He wants us to “be strengthened with all His glorious power” (Colossians 1:11)

We are often tempted to believe that our work is what actually makes the growth takes place. If our prayers appear to be unanswered, we assume it must be because we aren’t praying right and we set ourselves out to find the right formula for prayer. We assume we must not have hit the proper, systematic spiritual plan.

The truth is, though we can’t make our spiritual lives sprout any more than we can make a fruit tree blossom, it is God who enabled us to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people. It is God who “who has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness.” We didn’t do anything other than LISTEN, RECEIVE and OBEY.

Just like you and me, we have countless, restless days of anxiety. And we could have avoided wrestling with ourselves and rested in God, simply obeyed Him and trusted Him for every kind of good fruit.

Brutus and Cassius are discussing the final phase of their civil war with the forces of Octavius (Octavian) and Anthony (Marcus Antonius). Cassius has been urging that they group their forces at Sardis and take advantage of the secure location to catch their breath. Brutus, however, advocates heading off the enemy at Philippi before Octavius can recruit more men. Brutus’s main point is that, since “the enemy increaseth every day” and “We, at the height, are ready to decline” (lines 216–217), he and Cassius must act now while the ratio of forces is most advantageous. “There’s a tide in the affairs of men,” he insists; that is, power is a force that ebbs and flows in time, and one must “go with the flow.” Waiting around only allows your power to pass its crest and begin to ebb; if the opportunity is “omitted” (missed), you’ll find yourself stranded in miserable shallows.

Brutus:
Julius Caesar Act 4, scene 3, 218–224

Before Undoogoo would venture into the jungle to begin his daily hunt, he would don a mask to confuse his prey. Not a mask mean to frighten. No, Undoogoo’s mask was pleasant to look at, designed to trick his quarry into thinking that he was harmless. In this way, Undoogoo was able to get close and strike a lethal blow.

This is exactly what he had in mind the day he spied a beautiful creature drinking at a watering hole. Hiding behind the benign facade, he positioned himself alongside his intended victim and prepared to attack.

But what Undoogoo didn’t know was this this “beautiful creature” was also wearing a mask. A mask the successfully camouflaged a fierce and merciless predator.

And so it was that Undoogoo suddenly found himself being devoured, torn apart, eviscerated!

His screams echoed through the jungle. But the jungle was accustomed to the sounds of agony and no one came to his aid. Bloodied and barely alive, he managed to escape and crawl back to his village where, to his horror, he discovered that his tormentor had taken possession of his hut.

Now helpless and homeless, he was forced to live the rest of his days in the wild, feeding on what dung beetles feed on.

Sitting quietly in a cozy corner, page flipping on the first  leaves of a book “Borrowing Brilliance” while  sipping a simmering bowl of Misu Shiro and a few pieces of Maki to even the taste, it was perfect to start a hearty Japanese meal from a cosmo joint.

While awaiting for the main entree, I can’t help but notice a couple just across the table from where I was sitting.  It was not their stories, loud voices nor their good looks that struck me. It was their disregard to the japanese customary use of the chopsticks. Hey, if you are to dine in one fancy, chic Japanese setting, the least you can do is to follow proper table manners.

One common callowness is how most people put their chopsticks in the bowl or plate. If I were in a restaurant with a room full of Japanese, then everybody would freak out – me included

Traditionally speaking, this is one of the many taboos at a japanese table and people should pay close attention to especially when you are dining at a local joint or a guest at a Japanese home.

Don’t stick your chopsticks upright in the rice bowl. Chopsticks should be returned to the chopstick rest after every few bites or  when you drink or stop to speak. The reason for this is that when somebody dies, the shrine to them contains a bowl of sand or rice with two sticks of incense stuck upright in it. So if you stick chopsticks in the rice bowl, it would look like a shrine and is equivalent to wishing death upon the person at the table.

I wasn’t freaking out but would like to tell the couple to undo the chopsticks sticking from their bowls. I fretted though as I am not prepared to embarass the sweet couple and just hoped that one day, this blog will see the light of day and be introduced to the couple across my table.

Do not cross your chopsticks when putting them on the chopstick rest either.

Just like in any setting, it is considered good manners to empty your dishes to the last grain of rice.

You will yield tremendous dividends if you learn how to use chopsticks.

More Japanese Table Rules.

• Just like in the Middle East and most parts of East Asia,  it is considered bad manners to burp.
• I love conversing while enjoying a meal. But what I learned from dining with my Japanese clients is that conversation at the table is generally subdued. The Japanese like to savour their food. So finish up that meal in 5 minutes. Yeah, I’m serious!
• After your meal, try to move all your dishes back to the same position they were at the start of the meal. This includes replacing the lids on dishes and putting your chopsticks on the chopstick holder or back into their paper slip. Do not place them across the top of your bowl.
• Like any oriental person, I love to sip mugicha (Japanese Barley tea) after a hearty meal. This is somewhat a healthy way to wash out all the fat from what you ate and increases blood fluidity. But one should be aware not to face the spout of the teapot to anyone. It is impolite to set the teapot down where the spout is facing towards somebody from the table.

And there you have it folks. Just a few of the things you need to follow.

Remember, etiquette is very ritualized. It is important to show the correct amount of politeness, respect and deference.

Gochisosama!

My absence in this space for the past little while can be directly attributed to an industrial-strength brain cramp that abated my writing bursts. Though I may not have gone entirely astray from the blogging scene,  my personal site seemingly became a mere drive-by for Twitter and Facebook. I was left impotent even to know where I can begin.

I have something to say. I have pictures to show and stories to tell. I desire to write it down all on paper until my ink runs out. I want to head over to my garden, grab a giant shovel and stick it into my soul, unearth the pain, power and the promises within myself.  I want to learn about myself, read it and laugh about it, and possibly help others identify and share those same feelings within themselves.

So instead of wallowing in frustration, now is the time to be brave… once again show up on this blog, right on the get-go and do some writing. Because the curiosity about what might come out of my writing is more resolute than the fear, stronger than my frustration that amount to… nothing.

Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina is a spectacular waterfall system of 275 falls along 2.7 km (1.67 miles) of the Iguazu River. Etched on a wall on the Brazilian side of the Falls are the words of David…

“Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!” Psalm 93:4. Below it are these words, “God is always greater than all of our troubles.”

The roar of a waterfall is truly majestic, but it is quite a different matter to be in the water hurtling toward the falls. We all go through life with triumphs and they come with troubles just the same. And in those adversities we sometimes feel like we are about to go over the falls.  That may be the situation you are in today. Physical, financial, or relational problems loom ever larger and you feel like you are about to hit the rocks that lie beneath the thundering downrush.

In such situations, the Christian has Someone to turn to. He is the Lord, who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Eph. 3:20) for He is greater than all of our troubles.

The writer of Psalm 93, who penned its words during the time that kings reigned, knew that God is the ultimate King over all. “The Lord reigns,” he wrote. “Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting” (vv.1-2). No matter how high the floods or waves, the Lord remains greater than them all.

Related Reading

Portcullis At Thy Slumber’s Keep

Sitting by my workstation, I must say this is my place of Zen. Where a major fraction of my creative concept happens. The remaining 10% is left where I head out and have a well-deserved coffee break, armed only with a sketch pad and pencil to do some design wireframes or blog drafts. But for now, I have been knackered down and can’t seem to focus on my design work. It even took me 18 manhours to nail a design for a US Lifestyle magazine. My mojo has been knackered down real good.

So I reckoned I should catch up with my reading, instead. As I was reading about some celebrity has-been. I thought to myself, “Who in the world would want to know about “beep beep” And seriously, who cares! Then it finally dawned on me, when I become famous, I will have to do interviews like that.

10 Things You Probably Don’t Care To Know About, But I will Tell You Anyway, Because I Feel Like It!

1

It was during college that some revelations dawned on me – I hated my curly hair. I always envy those men who got their hair straight and with a simple “Biebertude” whisk would plainly brush off any stray and back to cadence with the rest. It was a constant struggle to take the public commute. It is like a 70′s scene when I get off a jeepney and having to don that “Afro” redux.

Some men have issues with having curly hair too = Epic line (according to Anna Margarita Malonzo)

2

My affection for travelling supercedes my love for doing creative designs. I love exploring new white, pristine beaches, virgin corals, and heart-stopping-slash-extreme-slash-heart pounding escapades. If money wasn’t a factor in my life, I’d be all backpacking and exploring a thousand world wonders. (Well, I still have to pack my I.T. gear, a fancy DSLR and wishing there is WiFi to share my blurbs and outtakes.)

3

If I retire, I would love to spend it in a Villa at some Greek Island with my own sailboat docked close by.

4

For that reason above, I am working my butts off and having sleepless nights to get my small Design Studio become a sought-after web boutique. I haven’t had my first million  just yet. Too bad, my expenses are off the charts too. And most of it is spent on Cafe Mocha. Go figure!

5

I am an emotional two-legged creature who loves to watch “Feel Good” movies and cry about it! I am a puddle of emotions. That’s the kind of creature I am.

Okay, enough sappiness…

6

In a technology-driven world and an IT guy myself, how bizarre it is that I don’t update my mobile phone as often. I am not a cellphone-freak! Any cellphone is fine by me as long as it works. Believe me, I have a 3 y/o Nokia phone and still works like a charm. Heck, I use it as a flashlight or a digital watch more often than making a phone call. Some have used it and broke their gorgeous nails. Sorry about that!

7

I love going out with friends. I seldom unwind with them so it is such a total treat when I get the chance. But most of them don’t know is that I want my beer icy-cold. At one time during one of my social get-togethers… got tipsy and all in just a little over 5 bottles of San Migs. Cold water intake equates to less toxicity that was taking over but apparently, the bar doesn’t give water and so there I was – my world constantly spinning around and the room going in circles. In all honesty, I live by a constant equation of:

1 Red Horse Beer + 1 Red Horse Beer = ZZZZZzzzzzzzz!

8

I love the ocean. I love to see the sun hits the coral beds revealing it’s alluring beauty. My family and friends know I love to snorkel. But I like to raise it up a notch this year and learn to SCUBA dive in open water. But as I prep up for that SCUBA training a couple of months from now, I am always bothered with one thing, and one thing only…

I always wonder how would a guy like me would look like in a tight, body-hugging wetsuit – ALL SKINNY under a neoprene-clad guise. Yes, I’m skinny and that look scares the crap out of me.

9

My nickname “Alf” is nowhere near my real name. But I love it when friends call me Alf, Alfie or Alfy. Thanks to Anne (the other Anne.) To this day, I still wonder whether am I really that short like Alf (yes, the alien from Melmac)

10

I am a blend of hip, imaginative geek wrapped in a skinny tight package.   I am Van (Gogh) Geek  who wants you to know that I love reading comments and appreciate all the feedback. Should there be any backcap other than constructive… please break it to me gently. (puppy face)

It’s the weekend. And for most parts of the world, I celebrate with you to a 2-day break from the drudgery of work. How I wish I could sleep just a little more… but nay! Why do kids have to rise early on a laid back Saturday? It’s a rhetoric really. And we as parents already know the answer to that.

And being the light sleeper that I am, it would be utterly futile to extend this sweet, sweet slumber I have yearned for 5 days. As the half of my brain says to dawdle a little more, the devious half urges me to rise up, drag myself to the showers and say goodbye to a stinky,flattened-out pillow with traces of sweat from years of habitude.

And so there I was, finally standing underneath the showerhead… squeeeeeeak, as the sound goes whilst giving the faucet a full turn, delivering a sudden gush of water awakening this dormant bag of bones.

From my left, I reach out for the shampoo bottle sitting atop a polymer-laden plastic shelf, opened the lid and squeezed. PFFFTT! What?? No shampoo comes out. “Squeeze it a little harder” tells my brain. Perhaps my finger joints hasn’t quite fully vivified just yet. I shook it, squeezed it, and gave a little more shake and squeeze… PFFFFFTTTTT, spitting at me. Tough luck!

Then from the midst of an early morning chaos, I gave everybody a holler “We’re out of shampoo. Will someone please go to the store and buy them sachet thingies.”

Then comes my wifey telling me “Squeeze a little bit more!”

Say What???

… And here we go dancing the Tango again. After 13 years of marriage, 3 japanese spitzes, 2 rabble-rouser kids, 1 aspin and dozens of disagreements on the same line as this, I pondered why my wifey and I have different interpretations of the word “empty.”

For me an academic definition of empty suggests “a complete absense of contents discharged for some antecedence.” As for my wifey, the same bottle is not empty until it has been squeezed, rolled-up, or bottle cut-in-half for so long that a single drop remains, that shampoo bottle stays on the shelf… and this time upside down.

Although our household help has already arrived with a dozen of them sachets, the wifey does not intend to cut open the newly arrived shampoo until the current bottle has been pillaged of its entirety.

Say What???

Now having a slight squint on the left eye and a twisted lip that folded up my face like crepes. So how does one pillage contents from a bottle that wields no shampoo any longer, I asked?

Think with your head, not with your … nevermind…, according to the wifey. Untwist the cap, pour in a few drops of water and reattach the cap, shake it and proceed as normal.

Go figure.

The Postscript

Oh, do not forget, turn it upside down when you put the shampoo bottle back.