living independently

for the longest time, i've wanted to try living independently off my family. the desire is not because i don't like living with them (ok? sometimes they do get into my nerves) but because i want to see how its like not having to depend on people to cook your food, pay the bills, wash the dishes and stuff - you know what i mean. at 32, i've never really done any of that - and by that i mean for an extended period of time. this trip changes all that, and sure its just 1 week more than the longest trip i had before but the difference this time is i chose to stay at an apartment-type lodging complete with kitchen, washer and dryer, dvd players, the whole gamut of a bachelor living his own life and earning his own keep. in a way its not really the full experience i've had in mind - not having to pay the electric bill and the rent but hey i do budget my allowance, do the groceries, wash and dry my clothes, wash the dishes, the pots and pseudo-clean the house (yes, they provide housekeeping). but the thing i like the most is cooking and most turn out to just the way they should be and sometimes i learn a lesson or two on how to make it better the next time i make it. while i don't really make everything from scratch - kind of hard seeing i don't really have all of the ingredients and hey, i work here too (did i tell you that?) that i use prepared sauces and mixes already on some of the dishes.

so far i know how to do sinigang, nilaga, beef with brocolli in oyster sauce, baked salmon with mayo & onion sprinkles, menudo (without the liver eh), afritada, adobo - these at least take some time to prepare. those that sort of quickies (due to the prepared sauces) include black pepper chicken, lemon chicken, and orange fish fillet. i should be able to try some more filipino dishes when i get back to manila. i probably should try kare-kare (but i'd have to find a good recipe) - i'll ask cindy for her mom's recipe, they make a mean kare-kare. its not hard to cook here since i can immediately wash everything in running, hot or warm water.

this is living the life. but there are people i do miss back home.