I don't know why this memory just resurfaced. It was a crisp winter night (years ago, when I still lived in Toronto) and beautiful, delicate white snowflakes swirled about in the evening air. There was a light dusting of snow on the ground, and the city was lit up with holiday decor and people on their way home from their office Christmas parties. I always thought it was funny that we celebrated "Office Christmas Parties", since many companies had employees that did not celebrate Christmas. Anyway, it was just an appreciation night for employees and everyone was able to enjoy a nice dinner and the company of workmates. Toronto was always a gorgeous city at night.

I said goodnight to my co-workers, and hailed a cab. It was late and I didn't want to take the night bus or the subway. I just longed to be in the comfort of my bed and wait for slumber to take me. It wasn't long before a taxi stopped at the curb. Thank goodness I didn't have to wait long. I had on my thick winter coat and my scarf and mitts, but I still wouldn't have wanted to wait long for a taxi.

"Where to?" asked the cabby, and I told him the address.
Generally, I'm a very friendly person and I love engaging in convesation with strangers. I love getting to know about people's lives and their backgrounds. This cabby was friendly and talkative. He was wearing a turban and I forget where he said he was from. I remember him saying he was Sikh though. Very friendly guy. That's what I liked about Toronto- you could meet people from all over the globe in one city. Imagine all the interesting stories and funny ways how people are connected somehow.

"Where are you from?" asked the middle-aged man, as he looked at me from his rearview mirror.
"I'm from here." I replied.
"No, where are you from?" he insisted.
Getting annoyed now, I said, "I'm from Toronto. I was born here. I'm Canadian."
He seemed to be getting edgy now and his pleasant demeanor started turning into something aggressive. "What country are your parents from?" he demanded.
I happily told him, "My dad's Caribbean/Chinese and my mom's Filipina".
"AHA! I thought so! You're Philippine!"
"My mom's filipina."
"Do you have a boyfriend?" Okay, now this is where things were getting uncomfortable.
"Yes, I do." Even if I didn't, I'd have said that I did, because I was getting creeped out.
"Is he black? White?"
OMG, was this guy serious??? "He's actually French-Canadian" I said.
"I thought so. Philippine women are loose. They go with anyone." I was shocked! Excuse me??? He kept going on about filipina women but the words kind of got lost in a muffled sound. I guess I was tuning him out. I told him, "Stop the car. Let me out here." I gave him my money for the fare and ended up taking the night bus to my apartment.

In a city as multicultural as Toronto, I'd have thought that people co-existed and respected each other. Was I being naive? I was so infuriated! Stepping into the cab, I just thought he was a nice man. I had no pre-conceived notions about him. The guy didn't even know me- he didn't know that I have a university education and that I am a teacher...and just classified all filipina women with 'going with anyone', being either a nurse, domestic, nanny, or prostitute! That just pissed me off! To me, people are people. Everyone deserves to be treated well and with respect. You can't just say all people of a certain culture are one type of people.

Perhaps the memory of this incident has resurfaced because it's a reminder of how jaded and disillusioned that incident made me. I can see how I started off the taxi ride with excitement and enthusiasm, being in the company of a friendly, talkative man who reminded me of a type of father figure. Gradually, I felt the arrogance and the aggression and my idea of living in a city where everyone treated each other with kindness and respect seemed like a childish idea. When I got off the bus, I thought I should have taken his employee number and complained to the taxi company. That wouldn't have done anything though. Not only do you not insult the person who's giving you money to earn a living, but you also don't insult strangers like that. I tried to think up excuses for his behaviour. He's from a country where women are subservient to their men. He's from a patriarchal society. Nah...there is just no excuse for saying things like that. My parents taught us that all cultures and nationalities ought to be respected. It scares me to think what some people may teach their children if they grow up saying things like that cabby did. I'm not angry about it anymore...just sad for him.

Yes, I'm mourning the loss of my beloved crockpot. You see, this wasn't just any slow cooker! Oh, no. It was the mother of all slow cookers! It's a 6.5 Quart Oval Stainless Steel Slow Cooker, ideal for 6-7 people (great for us since I have a large family and love entertaining), with removable Stoneware and
glass lid. This was a wedding present from one of my aunts and it has become my most treasured kitchen appliance. This baby was heaven sent. I'd just get the food ready, chop up some root vegetables and let that baby slow cook and simmer all day long and when we got home from work, Hubby and I would have our meal all ready for us.

Yesterday something dreadful happened. The stoneware cracked. It needs replacement. How does one replace a wedding present without a receipt or proof of purchase? So sad. I need my crockpot! lol

When I was in university, my friend Fran used to occasionally bring her three year old to class with her. Taylor was a very good kid and didn't disrupt our classes, lectures or labs at all. Fran was a single mom and one of the coolest, hippest mommies I'd ever met. She was in her mid-twenties and I was in my early twenties. Fran was artsy, creative, friendly, musically inclined, and politically aware. Like me, she was vegetarian and involved in the environmental committee at our university.

One day, after our Intermediate Spanish class, Fran needed to talk to our prof, and Taylor needed to use the bathroom. I told Fran I'd take Taylor and meet her at our fave restaurant on campus. Taylor amazed me. She used the sleeve of her sweater to open the bathroom door. I lined the toilet bowl with toilet paper (I know, I'm a freak!) but Taylor didn't even sit on the toilet! She hovered over the seat! Of course, she used the kiddie toilet- you know the small ones that are closer to the ground) Now that I think of it, that was pretty talented for a three year old! I used to have to hover when I used the public toilets in Japan...and if you don't perfect your hovering technique, you could seriously pee all over you feet! LOL! After Taylor was done her business, she again used her sweater over her hand to open turn the taps and to press the button for the hand dryer. WOW! Frannie taught this kid well! That wasn't the only thing that surprised me. When we were at the restaurant, I sat Taylor on one of the stools by the counter and chit chatter with the waiter. The waiter slid over a bowl of nuts and to my surprise, Taylor refused. Then the waiter slid over a bowl of after dinner mints. Taylor refused.

"You don't like nuts or candy?" I asked.
"Mommy said never eat nuts or candy from those bowls because men don't wash their hands all the time after the bathroom."
I was shocked. So that's what she meant by PEE-NUTS! LOL!


Fran is now married and has four kids and a dog. She is a nurse and has studied Naturopathic Medicine, reflexology and Reiki. Taylor is now 11 years old! She's still a smart cookie!!!

I was in the kitchen washing dishes and the kittens were playing, when one of them runs into the kitchen with something dangling from its mouth. Not thinking, I went over to see what she had. OMG! There was this little dark grey thing flailing its limbs all over the place! I soon realized what was going on, and when I approached George, she started to GROWL! I had no idea kittens could growl! LOL Her sister, Fred was curious too, and came up to see what was happening. As soon as Fred came by, George ran away with the mouse! A little field mouse had somehow gotten into our greenhouse, which the kitchen overlooks. The greenhouse is a large room with glass walls and a sloping glass ceiling. All of my orchids, Buddha Bamboo, and other plants thrive in there. I guess the warmth of the greenhouse had attracted that little field mouse as well. I had left the adjoining door open so I could maximize the heat from the greenhouse (solar heating and alternative energy are things Hubby and I are very interested in). Anyway, a mouse found its way into the greenhouse. Urgh.

"HOLY CRRRRRAP!!! We've got mice up here??!?! One of the kittens got one in the greenhouse!!!" I panicked on the phone to my mother-in-law.

"You live in the country, dear! There's mice everywhere!" She said, laughing.

Oh boy! I guess I'm still a city girl :) Can you imagine my horror when I tried to save the mouse and release it back into the woods?! CRRRRRRUNCH! Our tiny little George had devoured the entire mouse! Ewwww! Traumatic.

Some of you may recall that a few months ago, we tore down the old barn because it was too old and unsafe for Hubby to be driving his tractor in there to store and retrieve bales. We were so busy this summer and fall, so now we had to clean up all the debris before it snows. There was a lot of steel from the roof and wooden beams that needed to be moved.

We had been out for a good portion of the morning, when I realized it was time for Hubby's dinner! (I also learned that farmers eat their main meal in the middle of the day and they call that dinner. The smaller evening meal is called supper) What to cook on limited time??

I whipped up a Spanish fritatta (courtesy of my Tita Josefina), broccoli and corn, and some homemade bread. Of course, Hubby has grown up eating dessert after meals, so I took out some raspberries and rhubarb and made a quick fresh fruit dessert.

For your fritatta, you will need a few potatoes, an onion, some minced garlic, cooking oil, 4 eggs, 1/2 green pepper, 1/2 red pepper (cut into cubes),salt, milk, black pepper, and whatever seasonings or extras you like. Heat a medium sized pan (if you've got one that can be put in an oven, that's even better). Slice potatoes thinly, and cook them in the oil with garlic and chopped or sliced onion. Add peppers and let cook for a bit. In a bowl, wisk eggs and a bit of milk, until frothy. Once potatoes are fully cooked and tender, add egg mixture and season with your salt and pepper. Let cook like an omelette. You can even transfer into the oven if you want. Cut up the fritatta like you would a pie and serve.

There's your quick, easy, and tasty meal in less than 20 mins! You can add meat if you want to, but I never add any.

Is it just me or does it feel like the holiday season is just around the corner? I can't believe how fast time flies! Stores are all putting up their holiday decorations and all the specials are on already. Crazy!

I've already started some of my Christmas baking (I know...I'm crazy). I also needed a bunch of little gifts for people we see every now and then (like the mail delivery lady, the ladies at the post office, friends from church, etc, etc, etc). To save time this year, I've done a little bit of cheating. I've used the help of Kraft Canada Kitchen's useful tips for Holiday treats.

Here's what's on my list of pressies to give out to our favorite people during the holidays. (Okay, I admit, I simply cannot bring myself to use pre-made mixes or boxed stuff...so I've substituted them with my own homemade baking, but used the decorating ideas from the Kraft website)

For those of you who don't have too much time to do your baking and are at a loss of neat, easy, economical, personal gift ideas for your kids' teachers or babysitters, your officemates, friends (or whoever!), check these out:

Confetti Chocolate Pretzels
to view recipe, click here



Peppermint Bark
to view recipe, click here

I'm also making Chocolate Cranberry Biscotti , Chocolate Cookie Bark and Hanukkah Sugar Cookies .

The hunters staying at Hubby's hunt camp are leaving this weekend. I secretly wished they wouldn't have any luck with their hunt this past week. I kind of feel sorry for my uncle, who drove 9 hours from Montreal to land a buck or doe. He saw lots of deer on our property, but wasn't able to get any.

I know the boys at the hunt camp got 5 or 6 deer, but haven't had any more for the past two days. I think the deer have all been spooked with the sound of gun shots. I know we'll see them again once the huners have all gone home. The deer have to come out to eat sometime!!
I know hubby tells me again and again that the deer population needs to be thinned out and that if there are too many, they will bring disease and the wolf and coyote population will increase. I can't help but feel sad though. These creatures are just so beautiful and so graceful. I love watching them graze or bed down in our back field. This is one part of rural living that I don't think I'l ever be able to get used to :(

My brother was up for the day and it was great being able to see him (even if it was such a short visit). Lele and Bu are going to be parents in a little over three months. I cannot wait to be an auntie! Hubby and I have twoi nieces (his sister's kids) and we see them quite often, but I can't wait to hold that cute little baby when he/she arrives!

Lele, please forgive my dodgy technological skills (I swear, my computer skills are next to none!) but I've put together a little collage for you and Bu. It's Lele and Bu before the arrival of Baby Lee!

Not only was I able to have supper with my brothe and do some catching up, but we also exchanged Christmas presents (I know, it's a bit early)!! Lele and Bu got us the Karaoke Revolution game for PS2!! lol

For all the pet lovers out there :) E-mailed to me from my friend, Dave.

Excerpts from a Dog's Daily Diary:
8:00 am Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm Lunch! My favorite thing!1:00 pm Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm Wow! Watched TV with my master! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary:
Day 683 of my captivity: My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the floor. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. The audacity! There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage. Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded! The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. The captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe for now....

3 Thingammajiggers Meme
from Curiosity Killer

1. 3 Things that scare me: Religious fanatics, thought of losing my family, pedophiles (I worry about our little nieces all the time)
2. 3 People who make me laugh: Hubby, PJ, and Ms.Mamma
3. 3 Things I love: My family, my friends, and art
4. 3 Things I hate: racists, arrogance, abrasive people
5. 3 Things I don’t understand: pedophilia, racism, gay bashing (I have quite a few gay friends and it hurts me to hear some of the things they have had to endure because they’re gay)
6. 3 Things on my desk: My computer, fax/telephone and one of our kittens
7. 3 Things I’m doing right now: Blogging, talking to Hubby, organizing documents for the arrival of one of my ESL students (he’s arriving in a few weeks)
8. 3 Things I want to do before I die: Have children, visit Australia and New Zealand, have grandchildren
9. 3 Things I can do: Cook, bake, paint/draw/sketch
10. 3 Things I can’t do: Drive a stick-shift (though Hubby is teaching me), bake like my mother-in-law, speak Chinese
11. 3 Things I think you should listen to: your conscience, your parents, Filipa Giordano’s CD
12. 3 Things you should never listen to: racist remarks, gossip, slander
13. 3 Things I’d like to learn: Drive a stick shift, capoera (I took a few lessons at my gym in Toronto, but man is it ever hard!), quilt or knit
14. 3 Favorite foods: lasagna, anything Thai, sushi
15. 3 Beverages I drink regularly: Oolong tea, green tea, mango juice
16. 3 Shows I watched as a kid: (ONLY 3??) Diff'rent Strokes, Facts of Life, The Wonder Years
17. 3 People I’m tagging (to do this meme): Jill, Ms.Mamma, Dina

And if you want to play, please do! And let me know! I'll read it!