List La Vida Lanka: The Introduction

I like lists.  Use it wisely and it can do you wonders.  We all know how to do lists helps you not get overwhelmed.  It’s like the mere act of writing what needs to get done makes it get done.

Every year, particularly on my birthday, I make my list so my year will be focused on achieving key things I’ve set out to do.

The most powerful list I’ve made is my Ideal Man list.  It was a practical advice from my Spiritual Director.  In order to attract the right kind of man (even “the one”) in my life, he asked me to write down the traits, characteristics and everything about this man – both the nice to have and the non-negotiables.  Hubby fulfills that list to the hilt!

Now, as I reflect on my 6 months in Sri Lanka (yes it’s been half a year since year already!) I embark on yet another list.  This idea actually started during one of my Sinhala classes.  The lesson for the day was to ask each other have you been, ate or drank…?  In Sinhala, it’s “Gihilla tiyenavada [name of the place]?” or “Kiwwa tiyenavada [name of the food]?” Or “Biwwa tiyenavada [name of the drink]?”  In the process of answering my classmates’ questions, I realized that I haven’t done much to immerse myself in Sri Lankan culture.  Yes I’ve started learning the language (taking Advanced classes to boot), have formed friendships with Sri Lankans, work with Sri Lankans but somehow, after going through this exercise I realized I haven’t experienced much that is truly Lankan.  I have a classmate who answered almost yes to all the questions!  And she has been in Sri Lanka for the same amount of time that I am!  And so, while harnessing the power of lists, I decided to actually purposefully set out to immerse myself in the Sri Lankan culture.

So for a series of posts aptly titled List La Vida Lanka, I will share with you my ultimate Sri Lanka list.  This contains things to experience, things to eat or drink and places to see to have the definitive Sri Lankan experience.  All in all these add up to 22 for the 22 months that we call Sri Lanka our home.  Aside from sharing with you the list, I invite you to be part of the journey as I not only “tick” each off my list but as I become a little bit “Lankan” with each accomplished task.  And hopefully these will inspire you to take the journey yourself to this beautiful teardrop-shaped island in the heart of South Asia.             

The Cricket World Cup Effect

After almost 3 months of Cricket fever, the ICC World Cup 2011 ended with a bang last April 2.  Our Indian brethren claimed the cup – although I’m not very happy about that.  Not because India won but because Sri Lanka lost :-(
   

The Finals: Sri Lanka vs India

I was in the Philippines during the time of the semis and finals and being in a non-Cricket playing country I couldn’t get hold of a game on TV.  So early morning of the 3^rd, I woke up and immediately and nervously Googled what the outcome may be.  My heart sank when I saw the results.  I hoped I was dreaming but CNN confirmed the awful truth.  Then it hit me, I have changed.  I have become a tad bit more Lankan.

See, Cricket is a religion in Sri Lanka.  Women talk about Cricket like how Filipino boys would fight over their favorite NBA team.  Our driver thanks me like I just gave him a month’s bonus whenever I allow him to listen to the Cricket channel on the radio.  And there are around 3 Cricket channels, on LOCAL TV!

Throughout the Cricket season, it would be ongoing topic during lunch and pre-dinner drinks.  I surprised myself how interested I got and how I got myself into these conversations.  The effect was so strong that I woke up in the middle of the night, talked in my sleep and asked my husband who won in that day’s game.  That wasn’t even a Sri Lanka game mind you. 

It is amazing what 6 months of living in Sri Lanka did to me, thanks to 3 months of Cricket Fever.  From knowing nothing about Cricket except it is a game that would go days on end, I got involved in discussions, got myself updated even from far away, rooting for the Lions, actually getting affected if we won or lost and even using the word “we” when referring to the Lanka team.  6 short months and I have been Cricket-ized la vida Lanka.      

Woes Of Being An OFW

During my last trip to Manila, hubby and I have become officially OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers).  Months before I wouldn’t have imagined that a trip to POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Agency) would be part of the itinerary.  We literally spent the day there, having ourselves registered and getting our departure clearance.  Apparently, all Pinoys need to get registered with them (duh!) no matter if you’re a corporate expat or otherwise and you need to be issued a clearance EVERYTIME you leave for work from the home land.  I understand that controls must be in place to ensure that departing OFWs have the legal documentation, heck it’s also for their own protection.  However the hassle, more so the discrimination is unbearable.  Hassle because for each trip and every trip back home you need to get the clearance documents.  There are drop in and delivery options or you can choose to spend the day in POEA.  You can also get a multiple exit clearance if you are one of the lucky ones who get to go back every so often within the course of a year. 

After getting your clearance from POEA, you have to get it cleared (again!) once you reach the airport and line up in the OFW Exemption line (which is longer than if you’re paying the Terminal Fee).  All the hassle, plus the POEA charges a huge sum mind you (around 6000 grand good for 2 years!).  All the hassle and what do you get in return?  Long lines and crappy (not to mention bitchy) service.  The airport clearance lady was a hormonal biatch but in fairness model employees exists such as the man who processed our papers in POEA.  He had the right disposition, respectful and efficient.  When you think about it, the combined contribution of all OFWs is significant enough to make or break our GNP and this is how we get treated?  

My complaints may seem shallow but it should not be dismissed easily.  Going back to the Philippines, all we want is to experience how it is to truly feel home sweet home.  We do not need special treatment, but at least a more efficient and respectful service fit for our so-called “Bagong Bayani.” 

My Baby {T}

Last year in Riding the Sigmoid Curve in La Lanka, Sweet Home Sri Lanka and Mrs. O Goes To Work, I mentioned that I’ve been working on something.  It is a new learning journey that I’ve embarked on and I would like to share that journey to those who might be interested.  It is a journey quite different from Livin’ La Vida Lanka but was born in La Lanka.  So it is but fitting to launch my 2^nd blog here.  I will let it speak for itself and without further ado, I present you thetiproject.blogspot.com.

La Vida Lanka Updates!

I’m happy to announce 2 new cool additions to Livin’ La Vida Lanka!

One may not be too new but you may now get Livin’ La Vida Lanka straight to your mailbox!  It’s the easiest way to get updated on Mrs. O’s adventures and misadventures in La Lanka.  It’s easy as entering your e-mail address and clicking on the Subscribe button.  And before you know it, La Vida Lanka is in your mailbox!

Second, you may not only share a post you can also share the whole Blog! Click on your social media of choice and you’re off doing a good deed and spreading the word. 

Also, I invite you to join me in continuing my journey through the land of tea and cricket.  Tell me what you think and Comment!  And don’t forget to following Livin’ The Liva Lanka.  As they say, the more Comments and Followers, the merrier!

Coke Boneva Næ

Lent is a time to strive to be less of ourselves and more of God.

                                                                  -Fr. Xavier Olin, SJ

And that’s exactly what I’m trying to do.  I don’t really know why.  I usually give up something I usually can’t live without if I am asking for something from God.  Like a special request to answer a prayer in exchange of a personal sacrifice.  I gave up a nasty habit completely because I prayed for my husband to like me – like me.  And just minutes after, he held my hands for the first time.  YEAH!  I gave up getting my daily cup of Tall Cappuccino from the neighborhood Starbucks to achieve a goal at work (and save some money in the process).  And once just before I ran my half marathon, I gave up drinking Coke.

Today, as the Lenten season kicks off, once again I kick off the habit of drinking Coke.  At least for 40 days and 40 nights.  It’s been a constant struggle – since I was a kid I’ve been a Coke addict.  Coca Cola.  It’s like my water.  When I started to get hyperacidity, I had to stop drinking it from time to time.  But when I would get better, there I go again.  In Sri Lanka it is one of my “happy pills.”  Must be the sugar content and the nice “brrrrrrrr…” feeling a nice ice cold glass of Coke brings.  For fear of hyperacidity re-attacking, I’ve reserved weekends and holidays (thank God for weekday Poya!) as opportunities to drink Coke.  If it’s just a normal day, I opt for water.

Then I got this weird thought of why not just completely stop drinking Coke for the whole Lenten season?  I don’t really want anything like the times when I would stop drinking Coke before.  I guess because really God has made real all my deepest desires in the last couple of months.  As in all.  And I guess it’s just my way of “giving” back by letting go a part of myself.  In return of Him giving his whole self, just so I could be saved.

So, here’s to this 40-day challenge!  Sorry boys, no “brrrrr…” for me until Monday after Easter.  Maybe by giving this up you get the ICC World Cup? :-)   

Chesa Swiss Au Lanka!

In celebration of our 7^th month together as husband and wife (it’s been more than half a year already baby!) and my first paycheck (woohoo!) hubby and I decided to check out Chesa Swiss.

The night before we were out with friends and we got talking about how to pronounce the name of the resto with a French accent.  L is French and the rest of the group had fun trying it out ala Francoise.  Well depends really on which part of Switzerland you are from because our other Swiss friend, who is more on the German front had a totally different take on the subject.

Anyhoo, I guess hubby took it seriously because not only did he bring out all the throaty action he could muster to pronounce Chesa Swiss, the next day he dialed the phone and made reservations immediately.

The place is nothing really special.  It has some kind of an “old world” feel.  Even to the point of being gaudy.  Hubby and I would term it dugyot in the vernacular.  But the reviews have been exemplary and we didn’t let the interiors cloud our judgment with the gastronomic delight to come.

And delight it came!  Because “Set Menus” especially the French kind gives me a warm fuzzy feeling, hubby and I decided to go for it!

The Duck Liver Mouse on Red Marmalade with Toasted Brioche was heavenly.  The flavors were “just right” – even the liver did not taste overpowering. 

Mushroom Consomme with Port Wine was an excellent follow through.  It was a mini-sized soup with a big taste.

Seafood Risotto on Lobster Sauce was divine.  It was rich and delightful but left us with enough space for more food to come!

You know you’re in a “shoshall” place when you get a palate cleanser.  The Lime Sorbet with Gin did just that.

Tournedos of Beef Fillet served on Asparagus Crepe and Green Pepper Corn Sauce delivered the bang.  Everything was cooked to perfection.  And made a good prelude to dessert.

Millefeuille with White Chocolate Mousse and Fresh Strawberries was a bitter sweet ending.  Sweet because it just is.  And bitter because that was the end of a fabulous meal.

I was just reflecting why I love “set menus” of the gourmet kind – first because it is “shoshall.”  And second because it brings me back to happy thoughts of our family Mediterranean cruise (where every night is a gourmet set menu night!) and numerous dates with hubby.  It is a warm fuzzy feeling of the best meals of my life (dapat lang since I or somebody else for that matter pay a fortune! Haha!) and the best people I share it with.

Chesa Swiss is in 3 Deal Place A (cor Duplication Road), Colombo 3, Sri Lanka

www.chesaswiss.com

+94 11 2573433; +94 11 4712716

They are Open 7/7 except on Poya days :-(