This is not a clickbait. But I made the best pork inalamangan (alamang=shrimp paste) today, and I am just so proud of it!!! Before I forget the recipe here is how I made it.

Ingredients:

1 kg pork cut into approximately 2-inch cubes

2 cups water

5 cloves of garlic

1 medium-sized onion

3 medium-sized tomato

2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. ground pepper

1 pc jalapeno or habanero (if you want it spicy)

2 tbsp salted shrimp paste

1.5 cup eggplant (optional)

1 tbsp brown sugar

Step-by-step procedure:

1. Boil the pork cubes in water for 15-20mins or until the amount of water is reduced. Remove the brown bubbles and oil coming from the pork when it is boiling.

2. While waiting for the pork cubes to boil, mix the onion, tomato, jalapeno and garlic in a food processor or blender and blend them altogether until all the ingredients are ground.

3. Put this mixture to the boiling pork once the amount of water is reduced. Add salt and pepper. Mix and let it simmer for 10-15 mins.

4. Add the salted shrimp paste and sugar and mix very well. Simmer for 5 minutes.

5. Not all people like eggplant but if you do, you can add the eggplant and boil the mixture until the eggplant is cooked and the mixture is thicker (approx. 10minutes).

6. Serve with hot steamed rice.

 Ano nga ba ang itsura ng pagmamahal?

Kapag ba binigyan ka ng tsokolate at bulaklak?

O di kaya ang ipakilala ka sa buong angkan nya?

Marahil siguro kung binibigyan ka nya ng oras at atensyon

Hindi ko din alam noon

Sabi nila dadating na lang ito nang kusa

Hindi mo daw dapat habulin, hanapin

Sabi nila madali lang daw

Hindi mo daw dapat maramdaman na lagi kang lumalaban

Sa unang pagkakataon ay may taong dumating Inakalang siya na

Sya ang nauna at inakalang siya na dapat ang huli

Lumaban kahit paulit ulit na sinasaksak

Kasi sabi nila pinaglalaban ang pagmamahal

Nakakapagod pero wala akong pagsisisi

Natagpuan ko ang isang bagong lente

Lente kung saan mas nakikita ko na kung dapat bang ipalaban o ipaubaya

Ang lenteng hindi pa perpekto pero bibigyan ka ng ibang perspektibo

Lente na hihinangin ng panahon at karanasan

Nakikita ko na nang mas malinaw

Pagmamahal na hindi mo susukuan

Pagmamahal na sigurado

Pagmamahal na hindi ka pinaghinihintay

Pagmamahal na nakakaunawa

Pagmamahal na tatanggapin ka

Pagmamahal na walang hinihinging kapalit

Pagmamahal na susugalan mo panghabangbuhay

Pagmamahal na yayakap sayo malamig man o mainit ang gabi

Pagmamahal na pipiliin ka araw-araw

Disclaimer: I do not mean to brag but to inspire future licensed agriculturists to give your best shot! Also, I did not garner the first spot but I was part of the top 10 during the 2014 LEA’s.

Aside from getting a government I.D., I am sharing with you some perks I got after getting in the top 10 highest places in June 2014 Licensure Examination for Agriculturists:

1. No need for another government certification test

If you are aiming for a government position, you can use this instead of taking the civil service examination (even if you are not a topnotcher).

2. Job offers

In my case, a week after the results came out, I got several job offers that I did not take since I was already employed that time. But, if you are a fresh graduate and getting frustrated to find a job – it will be a good opportunity.

3. Medal

It sounded silly but yes you get to have a medal during the oath taking ceremony. I am guessing you will also get this even if you decide not to attend the oath taking. It was just a piece of metal but it will gonna be a remembrance that you did your best and you made it!

4. Ego booster

At that time, I was questioning if I made the right choice of doing agriculture as a profession because I felt that I was dumb for the job but after 2014…I still feel dumb. LOL. A dumb professional who can persevere in a competitive world. It makes a lot of difference. LOL.

5. Adds value in your resume

I told you in the previous post that the grade would just be a number and will not define you. I still firmly believe on that. But getting a place in the top 10 in any licensure examinations in the Philippines will give your resume an extra edge over other applicants in the same career level.

6. Your constant reminder

After the exam, yes you may use it to get a job but after some time, it will be forgotten. And if you decide to walk on a different path, you may question the value of your LEA results. You will still face inevitable opportunities and challenges that may lead you to question your worth as an individual. In my case, there are days I feel like I am the most stupid person in my profession and all the things I do are not good enough. During those days, I remind myself that I am good, and bad days are experiences to humble me and keep my feet on the ground.

If ever you become part of the top 10 and decide to serve the country, I hope you still remain grounded and be the best agriculturist for a better agriculture of our country.

Good luck takers!

We went to Yellowstone and when we were heading back home (Nebraska), we decided to stop by the hot spring pool and spend the night in Saratoga, Wyoming to get some rest after a long drive before driving again.

We found the Sage Motel which was a 2-minute drive from the hot spring and was really cheap (paid $60 excluding the tax), clean and smells so good. Anyway, we intentionally wanted to stop there for the hot pool.

We were seeing good reviews about the Saratoga Hobo Hot Spring and it did not fail us!

The place has 3 pools namely main, small and lobster pool. During our visit early in September, the weather was cool but not freezing and for me it was a good weather to swim in a hot pool but I am guessing that winter would be a great time as well.

But, the best thing was it is free and open 24/7. Whenever you arrive or whenever you like, you can use these hot pools. The temperature of the pool varies and they put the temperature of the day in a white board so you can gauge if you can endure the heat.

The small and lobster pools were clearer than the main pool. But, the main pool was the one I endured and enjoyed the most because the other two were too hot for me.

In all the three pools, you will smell the sulfur which you may or may not be able to tolerate. For me it was not that bad and does not stick on the skin. Also, you may find small particles of moss in the water which did not make me itchy (I have a very sensitive skin btw).

Adjacent to these hot pools was a regular swimming pool which you need to pay a small amount of entrance fee. Unfortunately, this pool was closed when we were there. There was a river/stream nearby you can do sight-seeing.

The place has shower rooms to rinse. Make sure to bring your own towel and toiletries.

After swimming and you get hungry, the town has interesting cafeteria we tried. They have good pastries and beverages.

If it is on your way, plan to stop, relax and rest a bit before heading to your destination. It is worth a visit even just for a 30-minute dipping.

Before leaving the place, make sure to please do not litter and follow their rules.

Are you dreading for your up coming licensure examination for agriculturists? Do you feel like you are not prepared? You are not alone! I was in the same shoes 9 years ago! All the energy I used worrying whether I will pass or not was wasted. I passed and luckily got one of the spots in the top 10. Here are the 3 things I did that made me pass:

1.Focus on important things.

When previous takers told you to use the past reviewers from different universities, they were telling the truth. You will not have enough time to study all the things your professor in college taught you. The previous years’ reviewers really have magic. Some of the questions could be found in the actual questionnaire during the exam. And if you think you are running out of brain cells, focus on where you believe your weakest subject and use the available reviewers to refresh your mind on the information you needed.

2.Pay attention and be prepared with the examination requirements

Do you need to wear a specific color of shirt? Do you need to bring black or blue pen, or a pencil? Is the scientific calculator allowed? Make a checklist of the documents you need to be able to take the exam and a week before make another list of what you need to bring to the examination. Find the assigned room and check for the schedule (usually you have to be a bit early on the first day for the proctor to check you in and your documents) — this will reduce the panic and anxiety on the first day of the exam that you already have and will help you calm once you get to your seat.

3.Do your best and God will do the rest

During the exam just do your best. Try to relax – this will give you clarity to allow you to remember what you studied. Do not attempt to cheat. Aside from the big danger that you may get caught (that will do actual harm), you are also cheating mainly yourself. You got this. Believe in yourself. Manifest that you will pass. And after the exam just have faith that you will pass because you did your best. Prayer worked for me. I honestly did not expect that I would garner a place in the top 10 but I was praying really hard for months until the day of the results and heaven did not fail me.

Whatever the results, remember that it will just be an exam that should not define you. Yes, you may not probably get the permanent position now in your office but maybe the universe has a different plan for you. Keep believing! You can do this!

LIQUID form:

-know the density of the fertilizer

-how much was applied

-N-P-K-S content

If the farmer applied 10 gallons per acre of 11-34-0 fertilizer, how much N and P are there?

The density of 11-34-0 is 11.7 lbs/gal. It has 11% N and 34% P2O5. To get the lbs of liquid 11-34-0, we must multiply 10 gallons by 11.7 lbs/gal which gives us 117lbs of 11-34-0. To get the amount of N, we multiply 117 lbs by 11% giving us 11.7 lbs of N per acre and if we want to convert it to SI units, we multiply 11.7 by 1.12 (1lb/ac = 1.12 kg/ha). Next, we want to know the amount of P, we get the amount by multiplying 117lbs to 34% since it is the grade of the fertilizer used. It will give us 39.78 lbs but in the form of P2O5. If we want to know the elemental P, we must divide to the 2.29 factor (because P2O5 (141.88g/mol) / P2 (61.94g/mol) =2.290 (Factor) which will give us 17.37 lbs per acre of elemental P. And to convert it to kg per ha we have to multiply it to 1.12 and get 19.45 kg per ha elemental P.

SOLID form:

It is like the liquid form calculation but simpler because you do not need the density of the liquid fertilizer. If we applied 100lbs of granular complete or 14-14-14 fertilizer we just multiply 100lbs by 14% giving us 14lbs of N, P, and K in this case. But remember that P and K are in compound form so to get the elemental form we divide 14lbs by 2.29 and 1.2, respectively. And again, if we want it in kg per ha, multiply by 1.12 the lb/ac.

NOTE: Be mindful of P and K as they are often in a compound form in fertilizers. If it is P2O5, you divide the value by 2.29 to get the elemental P and 1.2 to get elemental K from K2O.

It is June 21, 2023, 12 noon. I had been wanting to write this last Sunday in time for Father’s Day, but I could not as it was bringing me to tears. This year was the first time that I could not tell tatay “Happy Father’s Day” after more than 2 decades of almost constantly celebrating the day of the best tatay ever. It has been 8 months since he left, and the pain is still there. In quiet moments, grief visits me unexpectedly, especially on occasions that remind me of good times and habits that we shared – like yearly Father’s Day greetings. Whenever I greeted him during those years it never felt like an extra special day as he would not react that much and it is fine – his love language was service and not words of affirmation anyway. Usually, we would wake up early morning on that Father’s Day Sunday to go to church and then eat out to celebrate. I know from his smile that he really appreciated and was happy during those days. In 2021, I accepted the internship in the US to learn and gain experience as well as earn better for the life I imagined for him and nanay. But even if I was not at home, I would try to call or text nanay (because tatay never had a phone) to tell tatay Happy Father’s Day. It was a yearly habit for me because every day was a special day with the best tatay ever. Father’s Day became a habit – second Sunday of the week of June felt like an ordinary day regardless if we were out or at home and just say it out loud to tatay, until the year that I can no longer say that to him. The weight of losing the best tatay is slowly sinking in. The nightmare that I had always feared and that woke me up in the past brings me tears that do not wake me up anymore because it is a reality that I am facing every single day until I get used to it.  I remember when I was a kid, I prayed so hard that heaven would give my tatay and nanay more years to live by trading 20 years of my life to give tatay and nanay 10 more extra years each. I wanted to give them a house, car, and easy life on Earth after college graduation which did not happen. Tatay got very sick when I was in 5^th grade, he was so close to death but then I prayed so hard again that he would survive that time and promised something to God – but God was kind enough because I broke that promise and he still let tatay lived for 20 more years. And then, I promised myself to give them a convenient life before they left Earth, but I was very complacent. I thought he could still wait for that to happen – he tried and did his best. Dialysis was no joke; he was able to endure all the pain to fight for his life because we wanted him to fight – I was selfish and wanted him to wait for me for that day to come when he would not ride a tricycle anymore and not be anxious about typhoons that may destroy our house but that day will never come anymore because we had to surrender him to God – the pain he was experiencing seemed to be unbearable for his old body already. The thought that I will never see him again is still painful. I miss you tatay. You will always be the best tatay ever. Sana naibigay ko pa din yung buhay na pinapangarap ko para sayo bago mo man lang nilisan ‘tong mundo. Ang bilis ng panahon. Isang iglap wala ka na. Akala ko maiintay mo pa kong magtapos ng PhD. Ginagawa ko naman ‘to kasi natutuwa ako kapag nakikita kitang proud na proud kang binibida mo ko sa mga kaibigan mo. Sorry kung hindi ko naibigay yung maalwan na buhay sayo. Pero alam mo kahit mahirap handa akong ipangutang ka madugtungan lang yung buhay mo. Pero kita ko namang hirap na hirap ka na noon kaya kinailangan ko nang isuko ka kay Lord kahit ayaw ko pa talaga. Kahit handa akong ipaglaban ka kahit malubog pa ko sa utang wala akong pakeelam. Tay, mahirap itong PhD. Wala pa kong motivation lately kasi ikaw yung number 1 cheerleader ko sa journey na to tapos wala ka na. Ayaw ko nang ipangako na tatapusin ko to or makakapublish ako kasi ‘di ko natutupad pag pinapangako ko. Pangarap kong maipakita sayo yung dissertation ko na ginawa ko yung best ko. Gusto kong maipakita sayo yung last name mo na dala dala ko mga publication ko. Hindi ka man mayaman o feeling mo man pabigat ka sa finances natin, mahal na mahal kita at proud na proud ako sayo at gusto kong isigaw sa mundo na anak ako ng tatay ko dahil sa pangalan ko na ikaw ang nagpalathala at apelyido mo sa mga publication ko. Dadalhin ko sa puntod mo at ipapakita yung published paper ko. Hindi ito pangako, gagawin ko na lang. Miss ko nga yung ngiti at tawa mo. Yung bibilhan mo kong itik, mais at binatog kasi alam mong paborito ko yon. Yung sa umaga handa na yung baon ko. Yung gusto mong ikaw magprito ng isda ko. Yung kaya ko naman ihanda yung baon ko pero gusto mo ikaw pa din magluluto kahit masama pakiramdam mo. Sobrang naappreciate ko yon. Sana next life mo mayaman ka at hindi ka worried sa bagyo at finances. At kung papipiliin ako, ikaw pa din yung gusto kong maging tatay.