Saturday, July 2, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
LIFE - as a train journey
I would like to thank John (Stormlizard) for allowing me to share this on my site.
I saw this ages ago, and the combination of his thoughts, the pictures and the music at that time made me appreciate it as I pondered all the truths he said.
Since I've been posting about trains lately, I remembered this and dug through John's numerous wonderful powerpoint presentations :-)
Please check it out and enjoy your train journey...
I saw this ages ago, and the combination of his thoughts, the pictures and the music at that time made me appreciate it as I pondered all the truths he said.
Since I've been posting about trains lately, I remembered this and dug through John's numerous wonderful powerpoint presentations :-)
Please check it out and enjoy your train journey...
Attachment: Life On The Train.pps
The Bicol Express Train Nostalgia Run (Chito's post)
http://chitoirigo.multiply.com/journal/item/169/The_Bicol_Express_Train_Nostalgia_Run
Please check out the above link of my friend Chito.
I am sure you will enjoy as much as I did reading about his "run" on a long-absent favorite.
++++
As for my thoughts...
Simply put, I *heart* iron horses.
I wasn't born when trains were still around in my hometown of Cebu.
But my parents sometimes get that nostalgic glow in their eyes and describe to me how there used to be a train bringing people as far as Carcar up south or was it Danao up north?
Now all I can see are lingering traces of the presence of pre-WWII iron horses in the crumbling columns supporting train tracks over a valley in the quaint town of San Fernando in the south.
But I've sort of made up for it.
My train-loving deprived soul takes in a little bit of sunshine every time I ride an MRT train in Manila (even if I feel like a squashed Portuguese sardine with my flattened butt resting against somebody else's bony hip... and the train really is only for short distances).
train nearing MRT Ayala Station
I inevitably get this warm, fuzzy feeling in my chest when I also board trains in Japan - I know its going to bring me to a hitherto unknown destination wherein a new adventure awaits - and where I am sure good things will happen.
And since you can practically set your clocks against the punctuality of Japan trains, it makes it really easy to travel that country even if you do not speak an iota of Japanese.
a shinkansen speeding by in Japan
Still though, I was keeping alive that flame in my heart... that someday I'd see something like those shinkansens in my own country - and used by those who eschew flying.
There's something ultimately romantic and thrilling (with some insistent prodding from my overactive imagination) about a train ala The Orient Express or even a simple unadorned iron horse stoically bringing people of all shapes, sizes and types into an interconnected line of train stations where their goal may be located - plus you also get to see varying slices of life when you gaze out of the window into the passing countryside.
PNR (Philippine National Railways) Logo
Ferrocarril Manila-Dagupan ca 1885
When the "Bicol Express" was said to be coming back I was inwardly doing cartwheels. (I get a kick of saying Bicol Express because one of my favorite spicy stews is also named the same). I impatiently brushed aside thoughts on the problems sure to plague those determined folks to make it work. I just focused on the utter joy and anticipation when I too could one day add the experience of riding a long-distance iron horse in the Philippines.
For now, I shall live vicariously through Chito's experience...but I am pretty sure I will be riding the Bicol Express before the year is out :-)
Please check out the above link of my friend Chito.
I am sure you will enjoy as much as I did reading about his "run" on a long-absent favorite.
++++
As for my thoughts...
Simply put, I *heart* iron horses.
I wasn't born when trains were still around in my hometown of Cebu.
But my parents sometimes get that nostalgic glow in their eyes and describe to me how there used to be a train bringing people as far as Carcar up south or was it Danao up north?
Now all I can see are lingering traces of the presence of pre-WWII iron horses in the crumbling columns supporting train tracks over a valley in the quaint town of San Fernando in the south.
But I've sort of made up for it.
My train-loving deprived soul takes in a little bit of sunshine every time I ride an MRT train in Manila (even if I feel like a squashed Portuguese sardine with my flattened butt resting against somebody else's bony hip... and the train really is only for short distances).
train nearing MRT Ayala Station
I inevitably get this warm, fuzzy feeling in my chest when I also board trains in Japan - I know its going to bring me to a hitherto unknown destination wherein a new adventure awaits - and where I am sure good things will happen.
And since you can practically set your clocks against the punctuality of Japan trains, it makes it really easy to travel that country even if you do not speak an iota of Japanese.
a shinkansen speeding by in Japan
Still though, I was keeping alive that flame in my heart... that someday I'd see something like those shinkansens in my own country - and used by those who eschew flying.
There's something ultimately romantic and thrilling (with some insistent prodding from my overactive imagination) about a train ala The Orient Express or even a simple unadorned iron horse stoically bringing people of all shapes, sizes and types into an interconnected line of train stations where their goal may be located - plus you also get to see varying slices of life when you gaze out of the window into the passing countryside.
PNR (Philippine National Railways) Logo
Ferrocarril Manila-Dagupan ca 1885
When the "Bicol Express" was said to be coming back I was inwardly doing cartwheels. (I get a kick of saying Bicol Express because one of my favorite spicy stews is also named the same). I impatiently brushed aside thoughts on the problems sure to plague those determined folks to make it work. I just focused on the utter joy and anticipation when I too could one day add the experience of riding a long-distance iron horse in the Philippines.
For now, I shall live vicariously through Chito's experience...but I am pretty sure I will be riding the Bicol Express before the year is out :-)
Friday, June 24, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Quick Meatloaf
Description:
I've always wanted to try making one ever since I read about meatloaf being served in a typical US kitchen.
Maybe one of these days with this quick recipe...
Ingredients:
1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef or turkey
3/4 cup Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup catsup
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Combine all ingredients in large bowl; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape meatloaf mixture into 10x6-inch loaf on rack of broiler pan.
Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until meatloaf is to medium doneness (160°F for beef, 170°F for turkey), until not pink in center and juices show no pink color. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing. Cover and refrigerate leftovers promptly and use within 2 days; or wrap airtight and freeze up to 3 months.
I've always wanted to try making one ever since I read about meatloaf being served in a typical US kitchen.
Maybe one of these days with this quick recipe...
Ingredients:
1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef or turkey
3/4 cup Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup catsup
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Combine all ingredients in large bowl; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape meatloaf mixture into 10x6-inch loaf on rack of broiler pan.
Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until meatloaf is to medium doneness (160°F for beef, 170°F for turkey), until not pink in center and juices show no pink color. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing. Cover and refrigerate leftovers promptly and use within 2 days; or wrap airtight and freeze up to 3 months.
Quick No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies
Description:
Lucky for me that my dad liked oatmeal for breakfast (along with the Farina Wheat Meal)
Till now I enjoy oats whether as cookies, for breakfast or for trail food. Here's something I grabbed ago for making cookies when I didn't have any oven. (From Quaker Oats site).
Ingredients:
2 cups granulated sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) margarine or butter
1/2 cup low-fat milk
1/3 cup baking cocoa
3 cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
Directions:
In large saucepan, combine sugar, margarine, milk and cocoa. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Continue boiling 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat. Stir in oats.* Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until firm. Store tightly covered.
*If using old fashioned oats, cool mixture in saucepan 5 minutes.
Lucky for me that my dad liked oatmeal for breakfast (along with the Farina Wheat Meal)
Till now I enjoy oats whether as cookies, for breakfast or for trail food. Here's something I grabbed ago for making cookies when I didn't have any oven. (From Quaker Oats site).
Ingredients:
2 cups granulated sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) margarine or butter
1/2 cup low-fat milk
1/3 cup baking cocoa
3 cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
Directions:
In large saucepan, combine sugar, margarine, milk and cocoa. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Continue boiling 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat. Stir in oats.* Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until firm. Store tightly covered.
*If using old fashioned oats, cool mixture in saucepan 5 minutes.
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