I finally remembered to forward this quote to someone who seems to need it most nowadays: "It takes the same amount of work for one to either be happy or be sad, so why not choose to be happy?"

It is but natural and healthy for us to feel sad sometimes, but to wallow in self-pity, loneliness, or whatever negative emotions you might be feeling for a period longer than is necessary can be very counter-productive, if not self-destructive. I guess this is when true friends should come into the picture and say what needs to be said: "You've shared your stories, you've cried your buckets. For years. Four years, to be exact. Don't you think it's about time to stop the drama and get on with your life?" And while you're at it, you might as well bring some of that comfort food to assure your friend that, yes, you do still care.

Which brings me to thinking about the simple foods that comfort me. I should soon start experimenting on how to cook small servings (good for 2-4 pax) of these, arranged in no particular order:

1. arrozcaldo - not too much ginger and garlic, falling-off-the-bone-soft chicken meat, thick soup
2. tinola - plenty of green papaya, not too oily
3. hipon sa aligue - served on top of (two cups of) steaming rice!
4. chocolaaates!!! - no, just buy, don't cook
5. ripe mangoes - fresh and unadulterated (not mixed with anything else)
6. guinataang alimango at kalabasa, guinataang kalabasa at sitaw - wowowow!
7. lechon kawali - i like the salty version, and the crispy, crispy, crispy skin!
8. nilagang baka - lots of onions for that sweet soup, tender and juicy meat, better if there's "utak"!
9. guinisang munggo - with pork and very, very thick consistency!
10. sinigang - shrimp, pork or beef... just give me!
11. mango mousse
12. baked tahong - topped with lots of melted cheese
13. shrimp - any recipe will do
14. chicken curry - thanks arlene! now i know how =p
15. buttered tanigue/ salmon - juicy and tender. We had some at a resto in Katips last week and it was dissapointing, aside from the fact that it cost thrice its wet market price. I really should practice cooking my own food more. Don't wanna be one of those people we make fun of in the hotel for paying too much for something that costs very cheap. Yeah, suckers, hehe! Oh, but that's another story.

I'm hungry. Bye, ingatz!