HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY, SUGAR PIE!

Hardship Posting Overseas

Some of us made different choices in terms of our profession. Others opt to stay locally to be with one's family and friends who live nearby, in the same town, region, district, county or municipality. Likewise, there are those who are more adventurous and by the binding spell of their concept of the unknown, they pack their bags, tuck their passports into their hands and off they jet set elsewhere in the world- if only to see what's up and about outside of one's ethnic origin. I for one~ for many years of my life have done this and this pretty much wrapped up my professional life. My mobility in terms of work assignments only halted when love won its way into the altar of my path. I induced myself from my last posting and relocated here in the US to live with Little Boy Blue~my wonderful husband who pursued me nonstop until I said, "I do."

Living overseas is not for everyone. However, for the destined bunch, it could be rewarding yet emotionally devastating and draining if you do not have the gall for it. But if you are made up of tougher linings like me, you could beat the odds and enjoy the perks of a life as an expatriate abroad. Some of the tempting "attractions" are given to you like a nice compensation package and benefits that include a package of comfort. It's like watching the sunset in Northern Africa and seeing the sunrise of exotic Bali, Indonesia. You imagine the impact it would do to your life about working abroad. Learning styles vary. But as always, being flexible is the key to succeeding in your milieu. Social life in each posting varies. Some good, some low key- others, fantastic. There are places meant for single women and men and those perfect only for couples because adjustments could be tough and you need somebody to hold your hands when you feel disintegrated. That's the essence of hiring a couple. But now life is different where I am at. Am happily married and I do love the minimalist lifestyle husband and I do practice. I am grateful for my existence on earth and for meeting the right man bestowed upon to me by fate. Cheers!

Maria

She is fun to be with, nice lady, spontaneous, convivial, has that zest for life and we just couldn't stop chatting the moment we started exchanging notes about our life in this planet in general.MARIA is her name and I met her at the picnic of WWME in Lake Elizabeth last Sunday. She is married to a wonderful guy named Harry and they have a beautiful daughter (can't recall her name). Maria as you can see here has a pair of button eyes, black- like a raven, unforgettable like the animated feature in a novel. She's perky and contaminating with her positive energy oozing in the horizon. Maria, we need to connect once more and pick up where we had left off last Sunday. You're awesome!

Marriage Encounter San Francisco- Picnic At Lake Elizabeth in Freemont (Sunday, October 14, 2007)

Click photos to enlarge*

My Homemade Summer Salami

HOMEMADE SUMMER SALAMI RECIPE (courtesy of recipezaar.com)

2 lbs. ground beef
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. mustard powder
2 tbsp. salt
1 c. water
1/2 tsp. liquid smoke

Mix all. Place in a ziploc bag or in a large bowl. Cover with cling/surround wrap. Refrigerate. Curing time is from 3 to 24 hours or more. Bake for 1 1/2 hours at 350 F. Roll mixture into two part. You may sprinkle crushed pepper if you wish. Wrap in foil. Prick holes on one side with a fork. Place in a cake rack over a cookie pan. Water would drip. Cool before you open the salami. Bon Appetit!

NOTE: Am doing another batch right now and I have been curing it since yesterday afternoon at half past two. I plan to cure it for 4 days before baking it really slow at 160 F for 9 hours. It should be more tasty! The mint leaves in the photo BTW is from my mini garden in the city. Ciao!

Heart Beats- Halloween Toy

Homemade Italian Summer Sausage Salami

I made this two weeks ago. I rolled the salami into freshly milled pepper. It tastes good! We had this tonight for our light dinner.

Halloween Store In Columbus

Last night, we went again to this Halloween store near our place and we really enjoyed our time there! We tried out different costumes, headdress and wigs and we ended up purchasing an afro each for the forthcoming Halloween Party here in the city at the end of the month. Here are some photos. Check them out. They're fun! Click photos to enlarge!

Columbus Day 2007 Part 3- As Celebrated in North Beach (Little Italy), SFO

Note: Click all photos in this blog to enlarge*

Car Show at the Washington Square

Columbus Day Mass at Saints Peter and Paul Parish at 10:30 AM; Queen Isabella and her court were at mass today.

Columbus Day 2007 Part 2- As Celebrated in North Beach (Little Italy), SFO