you start by packing her things into little boxes, one memory at a time. you try to get everything out of your sight because every item reminds you of her and it breaks your heart every time.

it’s been a week that she’s gone and I’m still waiting for the phone call asking – where are you, have you eaten, are you ok, and all that shit wives ask their husbands when they’re apart from each other.

I know that’s not going to happen anymore and there’s this big bottomless hole in my heart.

there were times at the hospital when I was too tired and it showed on my face. she’d see it right away, console me, and give a warm embrace. now I’m fucking regretting that she had to do that. she was the one with cancer.

wow, maraming salamat sesame street at sa unang pagkakataon, may muppet nang pinoy.

back story: TJ stands for Totoy Jakolero. kasi nung bata siya, tulad ng karamihan ng mga batang pinoy na lumaki nung dekada sitenta, panay ang hawak sa pototoy niya.

isang ligo na lang, magiging kamukha ko na si Don King.

tapos, pwede na akong magpatayo ng pastry shop. tatawagin ko itong DonKing Donuts.

sa sobrang anghang, mag iiba ang tunog ng utot mo rito.

Ang Panda Express ay nag-susweldo ng $17 (932 pesoses) isang oras para lamang maghain ng pagkaing turo-turo. Hindi na masama para sa isang post-retirement “di ko na kailangang mag-isip“ na trabaho.

Ang sikreto sa masarap na Binagoongan ay subtlety. Dahan dahan mong ihahalo ang bagoong sa ginisang bawang, sibuyas, at kamatis hanggang sa ang lasa ay hindi masyadong maalat, hindi masyadong malansa. sapat lang na ang pakiramdam ng lasa ay yung kung ano ang nararamdaman mo kapag nagising mula sa isang kasiya-siyang wet dream.

Translation

The secret to delicious Binagoongan is subtlety. You slowly add the shrimp paste to the sauteed garlic, onion, and tomatoes until the taste is not too salty, not too fishy. You stop cooking when the dish begins to taste like what you feel when you wake up from a pleasant wet dream.