The Daily Examen

Praying was something I used to love doing. Talking to God used to calm me and make me feel instantly renewed. But when I started working and things became too busy, I just sort of lost interest. I would find myself too tired at the end of the day and would pray without real interest.

Recently though, I have started praying again.  Not the perfunctory prayer that I’ve been so used to doing but the real, heart-felt kind. What changed?  I’m not sure. Maybe it’s age or ironically, work.  All I know is that I’m praying again and I feel good.

prayercorner

One of the things that helped me is the Daily Examen. It’s a technique “invented” by St. Ignatius of Loyola, founding father of the Society of Jesus, and it is described in his Spiritual Exercises. The technique  is very helpful to those who have trouble concentrating. It definitely helps ground me in prayer, especially since I have such a short attention span!

For those of you who would like to try it, here’s an infographic you can use. It’s an easy-to-follow method that even non-Catholics can do.

To know more about the Daily Examen, click here. To know more about St. Ignatius, click here.

examen

 

Now Shake It!

I have so much on my mind lately as I’ve been struggling to write several papers for graduate school. I swear I will go crazy soon. It’s not easy to be a student at this age!

Good thing I can surf the net in between lessons.  (Yeah, it can be counter-productive  but that’s another story.)

This morning, I stumbled upon something I totally needed:  photos of the most adorable dogs you will ever see, taken in mid-slow mo.  I  was laughing so hard as I looked at these guys photographed by award-winning photographer Carli Davidson.

shake-dog-photography-carli-davidson-1

shake-dog-photography-carli-davidson-2

shake-dog-photography-carli-davidson-10

shake-dog-photography-carli-davidson-15

Shake is a photographic series that Davidson began some years ago and which she finally compiled into a book and published in 2012. She has captured the wacky images using a high-speed camera that shoots at 10 frames a second,  and specialized lighting that enabled her to snap even the most minute of details.

shake-dog-photography-carli-davidson-4

shake-dog-photography-carli-davidson-5

To know more about SHAKE, visit Carli’s website here.

Meanwhile, here’s the motion version of SHAKE. Enjoy!

SHAKE from Variable on Vimeo.

Okay, enough of this. Lemme go back to my studies.

The Story of Three Beautiful Things

pottery-a-dose-of-simple

The tea pot lived as Pinatubo volcanic ash before I found it sitting on a shelf in a shop in Glorietta. The cup and saucer lived separately in Japan- perhaps formed by hands of master potters-before winding up in two different surplus stores in Manila where I found them. Somehow they’ve all ended up here, a complete set on my table– each with a different past but all with the same present and future.

Lazy Sunday Lunch: Pasta with Shrimps

Sometimes, when I’ve had a full week, my brain automatically shuts down on the weekend. The last thing I want to do is think of what to cook. Scouring the fridge for leftovers is a desperate option. Good thing I stock my pantry with a few staples that can get me through a lazy day like today: canned tomatoes, dried herbs, pasta, plus a few tasty ingredients.

20140216-174404.jpg

Today was such a day. Luckily, I found some shrimps in the freezer. So this is what I came up with. You have to make this. I mean it. You really have to.

Pasta with Shrimps.

Sauté onions and garlic.

When garlic turns golden brown, add shrimps. Be careful not to over cook the shrimps.

Sprinkle with fresh or dried basil.

Add canned tomatoes and a little tomato sauce.

Season with salt and pepper.

Let simmer for a couple of minutes.

Mix sauce with freshly cooked pasta.

Enjoy with a glass of wine.

20140216-174318.jpg

After consuming, go back to bed.

Food for Thought:

“The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.” 

― Julia Child

The Weekend List: Banana Chips, Cough Drops, and Succulents

Hi. My name is Pauline and I’m a banana chips addict. You wouldn’t blame me once you’ve tasted these.

banana chips

I bought a bag of these chips from the university cafeteria yesterday. And I couldn’t stop stuffing my mouth with them. So this weekend, I will make some at home using this recipe. I hope they turn out as crisp and delicious!

Meanwhile, I’m feeling a little under the weather. A few of these homemade cough drops may be able to keep the cough and colds away. Will try the recipe here.

cough drops

Finally, I’m planning to revive my garden which has become a giant litter box for my cats lately. I’m thinking of getting succulents which are so beautiful and easy to care for.  Like these ones:

succelents

succulents 2

Aren’t they just pretty?

How about you?  What are you up to this weekend?

Food for Thought:

Always strive to excel, but only on weekends.

 ~Richard Rorty