pros and cons of Cordoba Argentina

Today I received an email from a Filipina raised in Vancouver who has plans to go to Argentina! Hmmm maybe she’s Canadian by now. Anyway, I am glad she found this blog. I am surprised that from time to time people find their way to this blog: ) Thanks to all of  you for reading even if I don’t write that often: )

So here I am, still in Argentina after a one year and 4 months. Well that’s 3 months in San Juan and the rest here in Cordoba.  There are so many that I have observed and experienced in this country after more than a year. However, this is mostly based in Cordoba since I live here. I cannot speak for Buenos Aires as most people would probably want to know more.

So here is the list I made of the the things I like and I don’t: )

I LIKE

1) La Tradicional empanadas

This is the logo you have to look for!!!

I have tried and eaten so many empanadas here in Cordoba, the best ones are from this place. Actually this is the best empanada I have ever had so far, so so much better than the ones in San Juan and a few that I tried in Buenos Aires.

all empanada arabes is triangular shaped: )

This is the best empanada Arabes ever!!!! The ground meat is cooked in lots and lots of lemon juice. Try the Pollo con salsa blanca too. This is chicken in a white curry base sauce.

Their address are the following:

Boulevard San Juan 466 , telephone numbers 428- 2433 and 421-4747

Estrada 131, telephone numbers 460-0174 and 460-8967

2. The weather – Maybe a lot of people doesn’t like the weather here because its humid and it rains occasionally. For someone who comes from the Philippines and in a place which is a lot more humid than this, the humidity here is mediocre actually: )lol And rain? Are you serious? If you have been to Manila , when it rains it really pours A LOT!!!!! I like the fact that winters and autumn here aren’t so cold either. I find it very pleasant. Although summer can be really hot, but not hot as hell like San Juan. So , yes I am happy with the weather.

tango shoes!!! OHH YEAHHH!!!

3. Shoes- No I do not have a thousand shoes like Imelda and I don’t buy every month. I usually buy when I really need it only. I know it sounds so boring but that’s because I do not have a job here, if I did , I think I will be tempted for sure!!! Anyway having seen Italian, Spanish  and designer shoes in Europe , I can truly say that women shoe business here is serious. The quality and designs are really nice: ) I just love window shopping for shoes here. The boots this season are just so yummy!!!!

4. Meat- I must say the meat is really good. The quality is just excellent, and when you order meat in a restaurant, trust me it will make your tummy really happy because the portion is really big. I must admit though that I am not crazy about the asado or steak crazy , after having so many it makes me sick. It’s nice once in a while , but certainly not several portions in a week. At this point if you hand me a plate of asado and a box of KFC fried chicken. I choose KFC , damn I miss super super fatty fat fat KFC !!!! They don’t have that here. Actually. super fried food are not so big here.

WHAT I DON’T LIKE:

1. Airlines and buses are expensive- While the rest of the world are going crazy over Ryan Air, Easy Jet, Air Asia and Cebu Pacific , Argentina has remained grounded and didn’t allow the cheap airfares craze to take over. Although the Argentinians think LAN is offering them a good deal , it is really nothing compared to what is happening on the travel culture on the other side.

this is usually how it looks inside. Nice huh!!!

I find that sad because I love to travel a lot and I cannot do that here. Their long distance buses are really nice though and very comfortable. However I do not quite understand why would someone travel in a bus for 8 hours or so when you can do it on a plane for just two hours. The buses are the cheapest way to travel here though but its still expensive compared to the airlines I mentioned earlier.

2.High cost of commodity versus the salary- Many would say that its cheap here, perhaps you are saying that because you work in Europe or the United States , but try working here and having an average salary you will certainly change your view!!! I don’t think things here are cheap at all. For instance, clothes are so ridiculously expensive!!! I did live in London and I was just earning a minimum wage, actually I was only an intern and yet I can afford to go shopping and go to a restaurant once in a while. People go shopping here too, but that’s probably where all their money is going!!!Food is alright but still not cheap. I still find it relatively pricey.

3. No Chinese dimsum in Cordoba- For someone who is Asian, a decent Chinese restaurant really makes me happy. However in a big city like this I just can’t believe why there is no decent Chinese food. Their menu consists of three main things Chop Suey, Chow Mien and Chow Fan plus some occasional spring rolls and empanadas maybe. WOW!! You can put this menu in half the size of a bond paper!!!! In other countries its several pages of food to choose from!!

4. They eat really late lunch and specially dinner- When I first came here I didn’t know that they prepare things late and eat lunch and dinner so late!!! Maybe I had some experience in London but not as bad as here, Imagine eating dinner at 10 :30 or 11:00 pm, there is absolutely no justice for my tummy!!! I ended up having heart burns all the time for the first few weeks.Eventually I learned to eat beforehand when I know we are having dinner out with some friends and family.  I wish they would learn that it is actually healthier to have dinner early , because you do not sleep with a stomach so full.

So I guess this are the key points of the pros and cons for me. However bear in mind that each person has his and her own opinion: ) Have fun in Argentina!!!!

The law of attraction: Is it for real?

Last Saturday I went to a film showing at Centro Narim. This is a dance school but also a center for metaphysics. Actually I go to this school now for the Arab dance classes and its been really great, I love it!!!!

So going back to the film showing, it was about one of the biggest secret of the universe which is the ” Law of Attraction”. So what is the law of attraction? The Law of Attraction simply says that you attract into your life whatever you think about. In short if you think of good and happy thoughts then you get the same energy back or if you keep on thinking of sad things, lets say you  worry too much , then you will worry some more because you are increasing that energy , and therefore attract the same negative thing.

How I wish this law is as simple as it sounds though, but then we always have room to learn new things in our life and maybe even shift how we think no matter how challenging that is. I easily get so distracted but I am more than willing to give this a try: )

I have met people who I think applied this in their life and the change was just amazing I must say!!!I have this friend who always wanted to go to Spain, you see going to Spain is kinda tricky if you are a Filipino living in the Philippines. So he had this picture of Spain and that put on a wall so when he woke up he gets to see it and be reminded of his goal and  dream. Well it happened, he lives in Barcelona now, he got a scholarship there. He made it because he was determined to go.

I remember reading the Alchemist by Coelho and it says that ,”when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” Now that is inspiring: ) Here is another from the Warrior of the light ,” the world is a mirror and gives back to each man the reflection of his own face.” All these points out to the same idea about a persons thoughts and how those thoughts changes his environment. May it be for better or worse. We are indeed the master and creator of our own lives, things come in the way but these are the obstacles that we have to deal. It maybe an obstacle or perhaps just another situation in our lives: )

I do have a little concern, I just remembered two incidents and I am not sure if that was the law of attraction or just a pure coincidence. The first one was about a friend of my mother. Her daughter was having a garden wedding, and during that time it was raining everyday. So they advised my mom’s friend that she should have a back up plan just in case it would rain. However she was so sure that it wouldn’t rain. She said she has been chanting for days. So the the wedding day came and guess what? Clear skies and no rain!!!!

The second incident was during my senior year in high school. We were going to have an exam in computer programming and I really really hated that subject. The exam is done by partners, and I was so glad to have a partner that was computer literate. On the day of the exam my worst nightmare came, because my partner got sick and was absent. OH such a horror!!!!!! I was really in deep deep trouble then because I know I wasn’t going to make it to that exam, so I was really hoping and thinking hard that there was going to be a power shortage during the computer period. So computer period came and we sat in our designated computers and suddenly the lights  and the computer turned off. A POWER SHORTAGE saved me!!!!!!

Now I do not know if these situations can be considered in the law of attraction, but whatever it is, through focus, we both got our end goal: ) It felt really good though.

So is the law of attraction real? I say, why not try it for yourself!!! What is the Law of Attraction formula? There are just a few basic steps.

1. Ask
You must be very clear on exactly what your desire is.

2. Source says YES!

3. Allow it

Focus on it.  Give it all your positive energy. Visualize it and raise your vibration about it. I think the most important thing is to  feel good! If this formula works for you, I would really love to hear your story, so please please e mail or leave me a message: )

Lastly if you have anything to say about this topic please feel free to leave comments , I do not seem to get any!!!! So you better leave a comment if you manage to read until this part: ) ahhahhahhaa cheers people!!!!!

Acknowledegment: law of attraction formula taken from

http://www.law-of-attraction-info.com/

Julie, Julia and Ratatouille

First of all I would like to thank the people who tried the recipes that I posted here, feel free to adjust them according to your taste: )  Also, for my husband’s work mates who are probably expecting me to post another recipe, be patient for I shall post them soon.: )

A few weeks ago my sister in law posted a review on the movie Julie and Julia in her blog, and so I asked Fernando to download it and it was quite wonderful!!!

No, I rephrase that, I love it!!!! I really do!!! First and foremost  because I love to cook and eat great food!! In the movie, I think it’s a sin to even say that one is in diet because they use a lot of butter!! I have gained weight after London but I just can’t seem to diet , its just too difficult for me. I cannot bear just eating salads alone and fruits. I get really cranky and turn into a monster when I am hungry!! Seeing the movie makes you realize that eating is just not about eating alone, the flavour must be perfect and impeccable. Remember that cooking is an art. If you have seen Ratatouille then that is exactly what I am trying to say. He was so passionate that he certainly broke some norms in the industry but he did it perfectly well and with flying colors!!!

I know it’s bad, but I think about food a lot, even in the gym. How strange to think about food while exercising!! Being here in Argentina makes you dream of Thai , Indian, Chinese, Filipino and Japanese food!!! I am sure you have those in Buenos Aires , but there’s not a lot of choices here in Cordoba.There is Chinese food here, but they only have two common choices, its Chow fan and Chow Mein and that’s it. Is this even right? From what I know in other restaurants back home theres pages and pages of dimsum and soups and others noodles that you can choose from!!!! That is so sad , I don’t even know if the locals even know that, perhaps some of them. There’s a good thing though, it makes you want to create things that are not available in the market!!! That is how I started to cook. At this point I know I am not moving so much in this place but all I know is that I need to keep cooking make a good menu and perhaps one day it might be useful for another purpose: )

When the stars are gone

What will you do when you no longer see the stars? This is probably one of the saddest thing that can happen to a person.

This entry is very close to my heart, although I know I never intended this blog to be something very personal. However I do not want to forget what I went through, besides writing is always a good therapy.

When I was 12, I went on a trip with my parents and my sister to Europe. Although the memories of that trip is like a dream now , I can still remember walking at night perfectly!!! Seeing stars and walking in that dark cobblestone alley in Sienna. These days I can no longer see stars.

That trip was quite memorable indeed, because I was that girl who was innocent of the world, and completely clueless of the future that was unfolding for me. A future that will not allow me to see stars, moon, mountains,  the sea and maybe even flowers, eventually.

This is such a sad reality. Many people may have thought that I just can’t see when its dark , but its more than that of course. I found out when I was 18 , a very very life changing news for any college student. I swore to myself that I will do the things that I want to accomplish. More importantly those were things that requires vision. I had a goal then, and I prayed and work really hard to reach them.

So I did reach some of those dreams, it was even crazy how I humbled myself just to go and see the world out there. All I know then was that , i can’t just get stuck. I do not have the luxury of time to just sit there. But now here I am sitting. Time flew and sometimes you forget who you are and your goals then. However , I may have made a wrong goal perhaps, I don’t know. Right now it’s just confusing. Last Friday I had a check up and I am not doing well. I am certainly not anxious of what’s going to happen in the future. I just wish it will never happen. I know I must prepare for the worst and the idea of that scares me.

Being here is also another thing. I miss home . my family and friends. I am really thankful for having such a wonderful husband, family and friends. Hmmmm ,I sound like a very sick woman,but I am in a way so I guess I am allowed to be like this. I just hope it doesn’t consume me though.

Help typhoon victims

In case you have not seen the news yet, Manila had a devastating typhoon recently, called Ondoy. Manila got a month rainfall in only 6 hours, and for that reason so many people have lost their homes and are now in evacuation centers.

There is a huge effort now from civillians to raise money. In this regard , I am posting this link to those who wish to donate. You do not have to be a Filipino to do so. My flower depot has opened its website available for donations that want to be sent to the Philippines for victims of the tropical storm. You can donate in small increments and the amount will be deposited to Red Cross or ABS CBN. Scanned copies of the deposit slip will be e-mailed to you. Remember that this is not a scam. This is for real. Please go to

http://www.myflowerdepot.com/shop/category.asp?catid=51

You may also may also go to the blogroll section where I have the link to the website.

Thank you very much.

Joyas

my apologies for not posting anything for the longest time, I have been trying my hand in making jewels again: ) I shall post pictures of the pictures soon. They are available for sale in Argentina only.

Apart from that, I just enrolled myself in a singing class!! Now I am really being Filipino: ) To all my friends, don’t be surprised this is just me trying another thing again!!!

photo by mayang or kate i think: )

I made my own top and the necklace of course: )

Peace through music

Unite the world as one

Twin Eagle Drum Group , New Mexico

Sinamuva, Umlazi South Africa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I23Bkk92124&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM&feature=channel

Sechen Monk

The songs on this album is indeed very inspiring!! I swear I cannot stop listening to it. I think it is amazing how they came all together and blended in one beautiful song. It is a fact that music is a tool that unites people , no matter where you come from and whatever language you speak. I personally love a lot of songs that I don’t even understand, because there are things that does not need to be understood, you just have to feel it. When you feel it, no matter what language, then you will begin to understand: ) This is the power of music , it really transcends people to a higher plane.

Grandpa Elliott, New Orleans Louisiana

The Inspiration

Playing for Change is a movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race.

from: http://playingforchange.com/

Oneness Choir, Varadayapalem India

Sur Sudha, Nepal

Pokei Klaas, Guguletu South Africa

For the love of Coelho

I would like to write a line that was in the book Alchemist by Coelho. Im doing that so I’ll be constantly reminded of those words. After all, it was those words that made me move and go to places, and follow what I wanted no matter how ridiculously hard it is.

King Melchizedek says to the shepherd boy Santiago: “When you want something, all the universe cospires in helping you to achieve it.”

I believe in destiny just like Coelho.

Another way to release tension.

- While I was doing some projects after fashion school, I found myself doing this a lot as I was completely lost many times and pressured with things. I often seek for tranquility and there were a lot of things in my head that I wasn’t aware of , which were all bottled up inside and got stuck in there. This is helpful for those who just got out in a relationship or currently in one but in an unsteady emotional state. I have recommended this to a few of my friends.  This is good if there are issues that you wish to solve with someone but you have no means to say it or face the person. Remember that this is not a tool for mental telepathy. This is just another way of reflection. I think that is why a lot of us has become stagnant because we never even bothered to calm down, think, and reflect with our life.  Keep in mind, that it is very important to connect with yourself.

To begin:

1. Clear your sorrounding.  A clean and orderly place gives a feeling of balance and looks easier on the eye because it’s not chaotic. It’s easier to think when a place is clean.

2. Set the mood. You can light a candle , incense or even put some oil essences. This will help you feel relax and aids you to calm down.

3. Put some music if you wish. Choose instrumental or something classical.

4. Make sure that you pick an area where no one can disturb you.

5. Put your phone on silent mode or turning it off is even better.

6. Sit in a position where you feel really comfortable. I usually do the Indian style position facing the candle and the incense so I can smell the scent in the air perfectly.

7. Take several deep breaths. Inhale and exhale. Inhale and exhale. Breathe slowly and deeply. Do this several times until you have completely calmed down. Feel the music and inhale the scented air.

8. Begin to think of the person you wish to talk to. Think and say everything you wish to by the use of your mind. Say everything that you wish to. Don’t stop and keep yourself from anything. We do not want baggage here. If you feel like crying, then cry all you want. Those tears will help you wash away all those pains that are stored within your being, your soul.

9. If you wish to do this as a way of relieving stress , then you must think of what you have done for the day. You can pray too as well if that would help. Sometimes when you simply pray without doing it properly, it doesn’t seem to ease you at all.

10. To end this , you might want to read an inspirational book.  Read poetry. For me I like  to read from pslams . I do it randomly. I read the first message that I see.

So take your time. No one is in a hurry here. Think, feel and transcend…