LP 174: Sementeryo (Cemetery)

Ako ay nagbabalik hindi mula sa kabilang buhay kundi dito sa Litratong Pinoy.

Ito ang aking lahok sa temang Sementeryo, ang huling himlayan. Ito ang pribadong sementeryo ng aking pamilya. Dito nakahimlay ang aking mga ninuno at mga iba pang mga mahal sa buhay at kamag-anakan na sumakabilang buhay na. Kaya tuwing todos-los-santos, nagmimistulang "reunion party" dito dahil lahat ng mga pinsan, tiya, tiyo, lolo at lola ay naririto upang magbigay respeto sa mga namayapang kamag-anak.

(I'm coming back not from the after life but here in Litratong Pinoy. This is my entry for this week's theme "Cemetery, the final resting place". This is my family's private cemetery. My great ancestors are all buried here and so with all the departed loved ones and relatives. That's why, every All Saint's and All Soul's Day, it's like a reunion party here because all the cousins, aunts, uncles, grandfathers and grandmothers are here to pay respect to the departed ones.)

Happy Halloween! Litratong pinoy

Beautiful Bangladesh

Eid-ul-Adha or the "Feast of the Sacrifice" is just around the corner. It's one of the two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, and Bangladesh being a Muslim populated country, is the subject of major festival. That means one week holiday for me again. I love long holidays especially if I can spend it somewhere else aside from Dhaka and some other ways aside from staying at home. It's fine with me if the trip is not out of the country or even if it is just inside Dhaka or the outskirts of Dhaka, as long as it's a road trip to some place I have never been to. Inside Dhaka, there are still some places I want to check and explore. These places are recommended for its historical, archaeological and architectural aspects. (The following images of the places I want to see are not mine, it's all from google images, kindly click the link for further reference.)

Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection. According to Lonely planet, it's an oasis of calm. While browsing the net, I chanced upon this blog Eye In the Sky, and surprised to know that it's a Philippine site. How I wish I can travel Asia far and wide like her/him and other parts of the world.

Sitara Mosque This mosque is also known as "Star Mosque" and it is in Old Dhaka, near the Armenian Church.

Shat Gombuj Masjid in Bagerhat. It's a 60 Domed Mosque, I want to see the interior in actual. From the images, it looks awesome.

Ahsan Manzil Also known as the Pink Palace, although from the picture it doesn't look like pink but more of a terracotta shade. Ahsan Manzil is one of the most significant architectural monuments and example of the nations rich cultural heritage. It was the home of the Nawab of Dhaka and a silent spectator to many events. Situated on the bank of the river Buriganga in Dhaka and built on a raised platform of 1 metre, the two-storied palace measures 125.4 m by 28.75 m. The height of the ground floor is 5 metres and that of the first floor 5.8 metres. It has been renovated and turned into a museum recently. It has 31 rooms with a huge dome atop which can be seen from miles around. It now has 23 galleries displaying portraits, furniture and household articles and utensils used by the Nawab.

Cristian Cemetery in Narinda: it sounds morbid that you want to check a cemetery but this is a very very old one. According to H, he went there before, and it gives him a creep.

National Martyrs Memorial or Jatiyo Sriti Soudho. A monument for the valour and sacrifice of those killed in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, which brought the independence of Bangladesh from the Pakistan rule.

Outside Dhaka, the Sundarban and the hill tracts of Bandarban, Rangamati are still in my “to-go-list”. Aside from that, I want to go to Dhamrai to check the Brass and metal sculpture cottage industry. Srimangal is also in my list.

There is also Sonargaon, where you can find some ruins of old architecture. "Sonargaon's importance in the pre-Muslim period is borne out by its ancient name of Suvarnagrama (the golden village), from which it is obvious how the Muslim version of the name is derived, as well as by the existence of Langalbandh and Panchamighat, the two traditional holy bathing places of the Hindus, in this tract of land on the west bank of the old Brahmaputra. Sonargaon rose to be the seat of an independent ruler under Ghiyasuddin Bahadur Shah, and after his fall it was the headquarters of the eastern province of Bengal under the Tughlaqs till 1338. Sonargaon emerged as the capital of an independent Sultanate under Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah (1338-1349). In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century Panam Nagar was developed in a part of medieval Sonargaon." Eye in the Sky has an extensive Sonargaon Tales.

Aside from my own list, there are still lots of things and places that Bangladesh can offer, both for local & foreign tourist. It’s just there for you to discover. You can check this site for more reference. As for me, I want to discover and explore each of them while I’m still here, although there’s a big probability that I will be spending most of my life in this country, I still want to explore the country ASAP.

In my almost 4 years here (I will be celebrating my 4 years this coming November 26th), I’ve been to some places, thanks to my work.

Zia Memorial Museum

Foy's Lake It's an amusement park in a man-made lake.

Cox’s Bazar: Been here thrice, first because we held the company’s Team Building here. It’s nothing compared to Philippines’ beaches but it’s regarded as the longest sea beach in the world and nominated to be included in the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Second, when I went there during 2008’s Eid-il- Fitr holiday and 3rd, a short rush trip after a showroom set-up in chittagong.

view from Himchari
Himchari: Located about 18 km south of Cox’s Bazar along the sea beach, is a nice place for the picnic and film shooting. This picnic spot is famous for its waterfalls. The road to Himchari runs by the open sea on one side and hills on the other which makes the journey to Himchari very attractive. Its another attraction is the Christmas tree.

Shah Jalal Mazar Mosque

image grabbed from google
Bogra It's not the typical tourist spot. Mahasthangarh is the oldest archaeological site of Bangladesh. 'Mahasthan' means a great place. Located at a distance of 18 km. north of Bogra town. I have to go back there because I wasn't able to explore the whole area.

Liberation War Museum: I went to checked this museum to fully understand the concept of our March Campaign

Lalbagh Fort
The fort of Aurangabad, popularly known as the Lalbagh Fort, was built in 1678 AD by the then Viceroy of Bengal Prince Mohammad Azam, son of the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. The fort has a three storied structure with slender minarets at the South Gate. It has many hidden passages and a mosque of massive structure. Outstanding among the monuments of the Lalbagh Fort are the Tomb of Pari Bibi (Fairy lady) and Audience room and Hummam Khana (bathing place) of Nawab Shaista Khan, now housing a museum. You can check my previous entry regarding Lal Bagh Fort.

Bongo Bazar: can you call it the shopping haven for all export overruns?

Nagori: I went to Nagori last 2009 to attend the St. Anthony’s Feast. It was here where i saw big black pigs. I think they are wild pigs, they look similar to the “Baboy ramo”. In 1695, the church of St. Nicholas of Tolentino was constructed at Nagori, 25 kilometres north-east of Dhaka. This is the new church though.

Kishoreganj: for my mustard field pictures

Shakhari Bazar the area is occupied majorly by Hindus.

Patenga Beach is a sea beach located 14 kilometres south of the port city of Chittagong, Bangladesh. It is near the mouth of the Karnaphuli River. Patenga is a popular tourist spot. The beach is very close to Bangladesh Naval Academy of Bangladesh Navy, and Shah Amanat International Airport. The beach width is narrow and swimming in the seas is not recommended. Part of the seashore is built-up with concrete walls. Also large blocks of stones have been laid out to prevent erosion. During 1990s a host of restaurants and kiosks have sprouted out around the beach area. Lighting of the beach area has enhanced the security aspect of visiting in the night. People rise up early in the morning to witness the beautiful sunrise. (From Wikipedia)

image grabbed from google
Jamuna Bridge
A milestone in the history of modern development of Bangladesh. It is the single largest project Bangladesh has ever implemented. The bridge was constructed on the river Jamuna connecting east and north-western region of the country. The 4.8 km. long bridge was constructed at a cost of US$ 950 million thus creating an uninterrupted surface transport facility from Teknaf, southernmost tip of Bangladesh to Tetulia, the northern tip of Bangladesh. Construction of this bridge ushered a new vista to national integration, economic rejuvenation of the northern region (http://www.parjatan.gov.bd) It's not allowed to stop in the bridge but well, we just have to stop and take a picture of us standing in the bridge.

The National Parliament Building or Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban designed by the famous architect Louis I Kahn. According to Robert McCarter, author of the book Louis I. Kahn, it "is one of the twentieth century's greatest architectural monuments, and is without question Kahn's magnum opus."

Indeed, Bangladesh is a beautiful country. Even Lonely Planet has something good to say about Bangladesh. And I think they are really working on their tourism market, they even came up with this video and improving their airport.How I wish my own country is also working on improving it's Tourism and country branding, starting with the renovation of the international airport.



Now, as for the coming holiday, where am i going? See you next post :-)

Babies are Blessings

Our Little Warrior Princess

Another addition to our growing family, my niece Sabina Isabelle. She was born on September 28, 2011, 6 days overdue from the original due date Sept 22. It was not an easy pregnancy for my 2nd sister. It was an experience full of emotions and one of them is fear as her 1st pregnancy was not successful, it was a baby girl too and we named her Angelica, our little angel who is now with our Lord.

For Sabina Isabelle, my sister labored for 23 hours and delivered through VBAC. But they were able to bring her home only last October 15th, due to some complications Sabina has to be confined in NICU. It was again another hurdle for my sister and her husband. WE asked for prayers and miracles. WE have our faith in God that HE will not let my sister suffer again the same faith. I prayed to all gods, of all religions that I know- Hindu, Islam, Christianity - please heal my niece. Now, the suffering is over, she is well and in good health.

WE are all happy and thankful that Sabina is finally home. I wish you all the best my chinese baby girl and pray that you will grow up to be a happy, pretty, God-fearing, strong and healthy lady.

Tiffin, Lunch Boxes, Baon

I cooked my own food and i bring my own lunch to the office. What "baon" in the Philippines is Tiffin here in Bangladesh/India/Nepal. And just recently or maybe it was last year, i discovered "Bento Lunch Boxes"... and now, I always try to make "bento lunch box"...and even told H that I will make his tiffin box like a bento box :-)

I'm not perfect in making Bento lunch meal yet, but i'm doing it my own style. And everytime I go home in the Philippines, I always try to visit Saisen to buy more food separator, picks, and other bento making tools :-) So, here's my simple take-on for bento lunch meal.

I'm a little hoarder...thinking of buying another tiffin box....

My New Boyfriend :-)

Finally, my dream came true after so many years :-) I bought it recently when I went home for vacation and it was another adventure with my UST friend Mika to Hidalgo.
This means, I will seriously learn more photography tips and tricks. How i wish there are also photography class/session/seminar/trainings here. I named the camera "Derek" to poke H :-)

The Lingo of Expiration Dates

In this part of the world, it's hard to find certain food items and ingredients that are not locally produced or locally patronized. There are lots of food items that you need for certain cooking or baking or even for your sudden bout of cravings but will not be readily available as they are imported goods. Most of the imported goods are not consistently available also, so sometimes if you see something, you just have to grab and buy it or miss the chance next time and who knows when are you going to see that food item again in the groceries or in the market.

I already experienced this things, that's why I'm a hoarder. Sometimes it's good but then there is also a downside because sometimes I end up with expired items and will just have to throw them away with a heavy heart as I didn't get the chance to use or try them. Really, when is a canned food/processed food safe to consume and when it is time to toss them away?

There is a difference between "Expiration Dates", "Best Before Date", "sell by date" and "Use by date". The first three, if I understand it correctly are more of "manufacturer's code" so that they know when are they going to pull it out from the grocery shelves as the quality is not at its peak anymore. After all, you should always give the best quality to your customers, so you have to know when a product is not at its highest quality anymore. Best before" is advisory (the food is best before that date, it's up to you if you want to eat it after that). while "Use by" isn't advisory, it's "throw it out after that date, you shouldn't eat it".

The following are some guidelines from this site

Food

Beer
Unopened: Starts to lose flavor after 110 days.
It’s best to store bottles in boxes, and then in dark place.
Stronger alcohol and higher levels of hops might extend the shelf life of a beer.
One example is Michelob Craft Specialty beers, which are often at their peak with 180 days.
(Source: Budweiser support)

Brown sugar
Indefinite shelf life, stored in a moisture proof container in a cool, dry place.

Chocolate (Hershey bar)
1 year from production date

Coffee, canned ground
Unopened: 2 years
Opened: 1 month refrigerated

Coffee, gourmet
Beans: 3 weeks in paper bag, longer in vacuum-seal bag (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Ground: 1 week in sealed container

Coffee, instant
Unopened: Up to 2 years
Opened: Up to 1 month

Diet soda (and soft drinks in plastic bottles)
Unopened: 3 months from "best by" date.
Opened: Doesn't spoil, but taste is affected.

Dried pasta
12 months

Frozen dinners
Unopened: 12 to 18 months

Frozen vegetables
Unopened: 18 to 24 months
Opened: 1 month

Honey
Indefinite shelf life

Juice, bottled (apple or cranberry)
Unopened: 8 months from production date
Opened: 7 to 10 days

Ketchup
Unopened: 1 year (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Opened or used: 4 to 6 months (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)

Maple syrup, real or imitation
1 year

Maraschino cherries
Unopened: 3 to 4 years
Opened: 2 weeks at room temperature; 6 months refrigerated

Marshmallows
Unopened: 40 weeks
Opened: 3 months

Mayonnaise
Unopened: Indefinitely
Opened: 2 to 3 months from “purchase by” date (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)

Mustard
2 years (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)

Olives, jarred (green with pimento)
Unopened: 3 years
Opened: 3 months

Olive oil
2 years from manufacture date (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)

Peanuts
Unopened: 1 to 2 years unless frozen or refrigerated
Opened: 1 to 2 weeks in airtight container

Peanut butter, natural
9 months

Peanut butter, processed (Jif)
Unopened: 2 years
Opened: 6 months; refrigerate after 3 months

Pickles
Unopened: 18 months
Opened: No conclusive data. Discard if slippery or excessively soft.

Protein bars (Power Bars)
Unopened: 10 to 12 months. Check "best by" date on the package.

Rice, white
2 years from date on box or date of purchase

Salad dressing, bottled
Unopened: 12 months after "best by" date
Opened: 9 months refrigerated

Soda, regular
Unopened: In cans or glass bottles, 9 months from "best by" date
Opened: Doesn't spoil, but taste is affected

Steak sauce
33 months (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)

Tabasco
5 years, stored in a cool, dry place

Tea bags (Lipton)
Use within 2 years of opening the package

Tuna, canned
Unopened: 1 year from purchase date
Opened: 3 to 4 days, not stored in can

Soy sauce, bottled
Unopened: 2 years
Opened: 3 months (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)

Vinegar
42 months

Wine (red, white)
Unopened: 3 years from vintage date; 20 to 100 years for fine wines
Opened: 1 week refrigerated and corked

Worcestershire sauce
Unopened: 5 to 10 years (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Opened: 2 years

Household Products

Air freshener, aerosol
2 years

Antifreeze, premixed
1 to 5 years

Antifreeze, concentrate
Indefinite

Batteries, alkaline
7 years

Batteries, lithium
10 years

Bleach
3 to 6 months

Dish detergent, liquid or powdered
1 year

Fire extinguisher, rechargeable
Service or replace every 6 years

Fire extinguisher, non-rechargeable
12 years

Laundry detergent, liquid or powdered
Unopened: 9 months to 1 year
Opened: 6 months

Metal polish (silver, copper, brass)
At least 3 years

Miracle Gro, liquid
Opened: 3 to 8 years

Miracle Gro, liquid, water-soluble
Indefinite

Motor oil
Unopened: 2 to 5 years
Opened: 3 months

Mr. Clean
2 years

Paint
Unopened: Up to 10 years
Opened: 2 to 5 years

Spray paint
2 to 3 years

Windex
2 years

Wood polish (Pledge)
2 years

Beauty Products
All dates are from the manufacture date, which is either displayed on the packaging or can be obtained by calling the manufacturer's customer-service number.

Bar soap
18 months to 3 years

Bath gel, body wash
3 years

Bath oil
1 year

Body bleaches and depilatories
Unopened: 2 years
Used: 6 months

Body lotion
3 years

Conditioner
2 to 3 years

Deodorant
Unopened: 2 years
Used: 1 to 2 years
For antiperspirants, see expiration date

Eye cream
Unopened: 3 years
Used: 1 year

Face lotion
With SPF, see expiration date. All others, at least 3 years

Foundation, oil-based
2 years

Foundation, water-based
3 years

Hair gel
2 to 3 years

Hair spray
2 to 3 years

Lip balm
Unopened: 5 years
Used: 1 to 5 years

Lipstick
2 years

Mascara
Unopened: 2 years
Used: 3 to 4 months

Mouthwash
Three years from manufacture date

Nail polish
1 year

Nail-polish remover
Lasts indefinitely

Perfume
1 to 2 years

Rubbing alcohol
At least 3 years

Shampoo
2 to 3 years

Shaving cream
2 years or more

Tooth-whitening strips
13 months

Wash'n Dri moist wipes
Unopened: 2 years
Opened: Good until dried out

Beauty Supplies Expiration Dates

Anti-aging and acne treatment
Three months to a year. Antioxidants are easily oxidized, so be on the lookout for any changes in color.

Bar soap
Up to three years.

Bath oil
One year.

Blush/Bronzer
18 months after first use

Body lotion
Two to three years, particularly if it’s in a pump container.

Concealer
12 months after first use

Creme eye shadow
6 months after first use

Creme blush
12 months after first use

Deodorant
Up to two years.

Eye and lip pencils
Three to five years. Sharpen them before each use as a way to preserve them and keep them clean.

Facial Moisturizer
12 months after first use

Foundation
About two years. Most bottles are designed to last that long. And if you don’t use it, chances are you didn’t love it to begin with.

Hairstyling products
Three to five years. Most are alcohol-based, which helps preserve the formula.

Lipstick and lip gloss
18 months after first use

Liquid eyeliner
3 months after first use

Liquid Foundation
6 months after first use

Mascara and liquid eyeliner
Three to four months. Make sure you’re diligent about replacing these items to prevent contamination and infections.

Nail polish
18 months after first use

Perfume
About two years. To get more mileage out of a perfume, resist the temptation to display a pretty bottle on your vanity. Instead, stash it away in a cool, dark place.

Shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel
About three years.

Shaving cream
About two years.

Skin care products
6 months after first use

Sunscreen
6 months after first use

Some additional reads you wanna check:
http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles/Nutrition-Health-Food-Labeling-646/food-expiration-dates-faqs.aspx
http://ask.metafilter.com/17339/When-to-toss-canned-food-out
http://lancaster.unl.edu/food/ftjan05.htm

So, now, I have to do some spring cleaning :-)

Eid Mubarak

The long holidays are over. It’s back to work again but unlike the previous years, I’m not that eager to go back to work not because I still want to vacation but because I dreaded the new management. I don’t want to dwell too much on that here.


The past few days were quite uneventful. Due to uncertainty in the company, I have to save whatever I can just in case the job will not work for me anymore, thus, I spend the holidays here instead of going out of the country like what I did last year. Last year, I went to Cambodia for the Eid holidays with my friend. It was the first travel I awarded to myself since I started working. Aside from the excitement of travelling, the other purpose of that was to stay away from H and give him space that he once mentioned to me. Prior to that trip, we faced so many changes that were getting into my nerves already, and I needed a break.

it's not the regular tour, we took a photography tour thus we have more scenic shots than the usual touristy pictures. I rode an elephant for the first time, ate a spider and even let it crawl on my arm, hike a mountain and walk a lot with a sprain foot


The trip turns out to be a refreshing, very memorable and enjoyable trip, and yes, the purpose was served. From there on, my friend and I decided that we should plan and dream to have one trip a year, but because of the uncertainty in the office, I have to back out this time but I’m hoping we can go on Eid Ul Adha somewhere.


For the long holidays, I have my “Things-to-Do”. At first, I don’t know if I will be able to do everything as all the things that I want to do require time and attention. Aside from the long sleeping hours (I’m still deprive of sleep), I was able to do all the things I want to do even if it’s just a few and bits of that.

1. i finished reading a book in between all the other things

2. spend some quality time with the boys playing Wii and movie marathon, apart from the endless bickering and poking and as always the victim is me

3. was able to do one scrap out of the gazilion scraps that i'm planning to make, it's part of my photo-journal project. With all the changes in the office, I want to chronicle my 3 1/2 years in pictures via digiscrap

4. i'm creating my own tradition :-) like the previous eid, i always bake or make a cake or cook something new... last eid, i was in cambodia, i wasn't able to bake a cake but i was able to cook an authentic Khmer food. For this Eid, i didn't bake a cake from scratch but used a store bought cake mix. Tried making an icing too :-)






5. As promised, I took a picture of the moon on eid... isn't it lovely? My next purchase will be my Nikon D5100.....


And last, got the time to write this latest blog entry :-)Holidays are over, it's back to reality again tomorrow. I hope vacation leave will be approve also :-)