First up: Could you indulge me here please? 
Second: Lesson learned.
Don’t be afraid to ask. Last weekend when buying ingredients for the crab and corn soup, my spirits deflated when I couldn’t find any coriander in the grocery. Total bummer since I love coriander. I was walking through the other aisles getting other ingredients when I saw a lady with coriander in her cart. WHAT?! I had already searched the whole veggies section and didn’t find a single bunch labeled coriander! I went back to the veggies and looked for it again. Lucky for me there was a staff member there.
“Sir, meron po kayong coriander?” (Sir, do you have any coriander?)
“Meron po. Ayan po sa dulo.” (Yes, ma’am. It’s at the end of this row.”
“Mmmm….’Wansoy’? Coriander po yun?” (Wansoy? That’s coriander?)
“Oo.” (Yes.)
“Aaaah. Salamat.” (Thanks.)
Geez. Me and my limited Pinoy vocabulary. So ayan. Wansoy = coriander.
Third: Major menstrual cramps.
What do you do? I just let it pass. I’m not a pill popper. Some remedies people have shared with me: Cerveza Negra (Tried it, helped only a wee bit), Orgasm (Ha-ha), Midol (Ain’t a pill popper), Hot water bag (Don’t have one here at work). I usually take a sick leave on Day 1 because that’s when it’s most painful. (cringes in pain at her work desk). Help me, help me!
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.