Forgive For Your Own Sake

Does someone bully you into doing something  for her … just because.  She may think  that as a new employee you have to kowtow to her so you become buddies. 

There is this co-worker who having learned that I am a Filipina,  asked if I know of the dish, “pansit”.  Of course I do, it's almost every Filipino's favorite dish.  In every Filipino party, pansit is a necessary dish.  Pansit Canton, during birthdays for long life, pansit bihon in most parties because everyone love pansit bihon, and yes, pansit bihon with canton to double the fun. 

Pansit Bihon

Pansit Canton

People think I am a good cook.  I am swamped with requests to cook: one requested me to cook Mexican Jambalaya as the aroma of the jambalaya from my lunch box got him curious;  another requested me to make lumpia, as he had tasted some from a Filipino friend, one requested pork barbecue Philippine style,  etc. Before this pansit request, one co-worker requested me to cook adobo for him.  Adobo is another favorite Filipino dish, consisting of pork and/or chicken boiled in water, soy sauce, vinegar and lots of garlic and onions.  The way you cook it and adding some secret ingredients would determine how good a cook you are.  I cooked adobo for him, which he shared with his son, and they were so pleased, to say the least.  He told everyone how good a cook I am.   

I don't have the time to cook for other people, and even if I have time to cook for one, others will feel bad if I chose one and not them. That’s lots of trouble for me as I have not much time.   I need time to catch up with my blogging,  to finish my Photoshop projects, help a friend in need to run errands to government offices, etc., etc.  I can't even find time to enjoy jazz at the bars with the hubby!   I said no to cooking requests.  I have to have time for Me. 

Pansit Bihon with Canton

Back to my co worker.  Having expressed that she loves pansit, she’d like me to cook for her.  I have no problem to cooking it, it’s just that aside from not having enough time,  I avoid cooking any kind of  pansit, because once I start eating pansit, I could not stop until I feel like bursting.  I am trying to lose weight, and pansit has lots of carbs.   

This co-worker who requested for pansit started to bully me.  She ridiculed me when I made a mistake, being a relatively new employee.  She would not answer my straight questions, instead she mocked and made fun of me.  Whenever I am near a glass door, she would knock at it, sounding like she would destroy the door.  She would announce to everyone that I have yet to make pansit for her, and why can’t I do it yet! I got tired of saying I don't cook for others.   I am the quiet, friendly retiring type, and I don’t like confrontation.  BUT, I will not be bullied into doing anything.  

The co-worker’s bullying  had been going on for  almost a year now.  I chose not to react, pretended I did not hear her, etc., until  two days ago.  She was at it again, asked me for pansit, as if I owe it to her.   I looked at her, went close to her and started swinging my arms in front of her,  and  did it to her sides too.   I did not touch her, but my proximity invaded her personal space.  She was puzzled, waited for my next move.  I looked at her in the eye, sort of challenged her to make a move.  She turned  away.  The moment of my rage went away.  Everything and everyone looked normal to me once again, and we  worked as usual. I don’t know why,  but in a moment of guilt (for invading her personal space) and magnanimity, I reached inside my pocket where I had a stash of caramel candies, took two and handed them to her.  She looked at me questioningly, took the candies, murmured her thanks.  That felt good to me. All those times when I ignored her or was angry with her were forgiven.  It was like a burden was lifted off me.  I felt so light and happy.  Every day I pray the Lord’s Prayer, asking to be forgiven,   as we “forgive those who sinned against us” … and at that moment  my prayer was answered.  

 

"Jonathan Lockwood Huie perfectly says it: "Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace." … You do not forgive others because they deserve it, but you forgive them for your own sake."

Nope, I will not cook for her unless I choose to.  I will not be bullied, but I have forgiven.  

Have you forgiven those who have “sinned” against you?  What would it take to get that burden of anger off you?  Or do you need to be forgiven, and what would it take to get that burden of guilt off you?  

Photo Credits:
http://nhymbe.net/pancit-bihon-canton-guisado/
http://iloilofoodtrip.blogspot.com/2015/02/pancit-guisado.html

http://toppinoyfood.blogspot.com/2012/09/pancit-bihon-guisado.html

Quote from:

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/forgiving-others-sake
http://www.beliefnet.com/prayers/catholic/childrens-prayers/the-lords-prayer.aspx

In Loving Memory, Filomena Cabrido

Filomena Cabrido/ Tiay Menang

Nov 29,1924 To Dec 16,2016

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, 
and let perpetual light shine upon her. 
May she rest in peace.
Amen.

You were a beautiful person.  You may have looked petite and fragile, but you were a woman of strength and courage.  You were  always optimistic, come what may. You were hard-working, caring and loving.  You were always supportive of your children, and you gave all of us relatives, your moral support and love, as if we were also your children.  You were generous with whatever you had.  You never scrimp on praises of our small and big achievements, jealousy had never been a part of your nature.  Time and distance have separated us but we know in our hearts that your love and care never wavered.  We are glad that you had lived long enough  to enjoy the good life with Manang Emma.  Rest now, my dear Tiay Menang, where there is no pain from old age.  You will be sorely missed, and you will always be in our loving memory. 

Balik Regional: My Alumni Homecoming Speech

Dear distinguished guests, beloved principal, teachers, classmates and fellow alumni of INHS, friends, and relatives, Maayo nga Adlaw sa inyo nga tanan

Introduction

• When Ma’am Remee Riza Coralde asked if she could recommend me as the guest speaker for today’s celebration, I could not believe it.   Why me,  I asked her.  Why not our handsome class valedictorian; why not the most glamorous one among our classmates; why not  the Pinaka madatung in our      group; but Ma’am Coralde answered that I don’t have to be the Valedictorian nor the most glamorous one nor thePinakamadatung – as long as I am able to inspire and impart knowledge to others, I am the woman for the job. I was both flattered and humbled, and I told myself, why not, I’m not one to turn my back on challenges.  Kay bisan gamay man ni, matilaw man ni. In modern term, Adja! 

Our welcoming banner

• Kidding aside, why not?   This is payback time. Balik Regional na tayo.  Balik as in physically come back or we give her time and effort as she gave us those before. We give back to our Alma Mater for preparing us well for college; for preparing us to meet new people, for providing us new experiences, for preparing us for the rest of our lives.  Aside from God, and our parents and guardians, we have lots to thank our teachers, our coaches and mentors.  We also thank them for the solid, irreplaceable friendships that we developed while we were in this school.   Why don’t we give everyone a round of applause! 

Ma'am Remee Riza Coralde flanked by Welvic, Marlon, Sandy, JC and Mahong

• And thank you Batch ’86 for accommodating our wishes that this celebration happens today. Thank you for coordinating with us, Rema Joy Hechanova and Alma Teorima Garnica.    

Reminiscences:   39 years had passed since our graduation day in 1972. In these classrooms and corridors we had so much fun.  Who said that studying is no fun?  

Dante, Joy+ and Me

Charie as Mother Philippines

Jingh or JAGG with Gilda, during our JS Prom

• Discussion with our Biology teacher about the reproduction of flora and fauna made us respect how life seeks its own how the species preserve its own.  We learned well the law of reproduction, di ba, at least most of us…….   Our beloved History teacher, Mr. Fuertas (may he rest in peace) talked of history as if it happened the day before. We heard and learned the rise and fall of governments, the rape and glory of nations as if they were our neighbors in the barrio.  He told fascinating stories and our mind wandered from our next mischief to the streets of the country he was telling us about.  
• I so enjoyed our English Teacher’s wit, suabe lang talaga.   I looked forward to attend her classes each day as I enjoyed her wit so much.  I remember her telling a talkative classmate, Sophia Palomares, “I think you need fresh air, you may step outside and refresh yourself’.  And to Cesar Chin, a classmate who was rushing to class as he was already late, she asked, “Is there a fire, where’s the fire?”  During one of our graded oral recitation, she called a classmate and it so happened that classmate did not know the answer to her question.  Our classmate looked at us meaningfully, hoping to hear an answer.  One of us (that was me) dictated the answer and that classmate recited the answer one word after another, as  was dictated.  Ma’am Calvo asked, Is there a Hitler in our class”?  I looked around…thinking wala naman kaming classmate na Hitler ang apelyedo.   She asked again, Is there a dictator in our class.  Ah oks, ga dikta kasi ang answer….. Even with our childish monkey business with our classmates she showed us how to respect individuals and groups.  We have great respect coupled with love for our beloved 4^th year adviser, Mrs. Angelina Calvo.  Thank you Ma’am for your kind guidance.  And with Mr. Calvo at your side, you are an unbeatable team.

Our former teacher, Mrs. Porter,  becomes friendly with us and even invited us to her house!

Sandy, Outstanding alumni with Mahong, Class Valedictorian, now successful businessman

Mr. Calvo flanked by Joe, Jingh, Charie, Jusimen, Sandy, JC, Cezar, Mahong Welvic and Marlon

• We learned glamor by example from Mrs. Porter. She is the picture of the modern, sophisticated and refined woman.   One disapproving look from her and we all behaved. She brought her magazines to our classroom and our imagination are richer for them.  Thank you, Mrs. Porter.
• I mentioned only a few of our teachers, but this does not mean that those not mentioned have contributed less to our progress.  Each and every teacher we had, left an indelible mark in our development and we are grateful for that. 
• We had many idols among our classmates too.  We have a classmate whom we call Ms. Coca Cola as she has beauty, body and brains, her nickname is coolness itself,  JAGG – Juhriza Ann Granada Granada.  We had our own Miss Philippines – Ada Tabunda, also Jusimen Garrido.  We had rock stars – the Geocaniga brothers who sang and serenaded us – also the Maninantans, the Dianalas.  There were  girls younger than us whom we admired greatly - how they were more gracious and lady-like than us – the likes of the Gayares sisters, Teorima sisters, Gatuteo sisters. 
• Our learning was not confined in the 4 walls of our classrooms.   We were lucky to join the camping of 4-H Club in Mambucal,  4H club -where youth are trained for leadership and life skills.  We competed in cooking, dancing, declamation, etc.  We had fun, we made friends and we thank you INHS for the opportunity.  These experiences gave us confidence to go wherever the opportunity leads us.  We are more resilient and adaptable and in fact we have gone global because of those qualities.   

Let me give you an classic yet a practical quotation:  Knowledge is power by Sir Francis Bacon

I remember that well for that is posted in front of us students, inside our classroom.  Only after we went out in the world to seek our fortune did I learn the full impact of that quotation. Yes, knowledge is power.

Knowledge is power, power is money, money is happiness...

or  Knowledge is power, power is control, control is freedom...

Sophie, our nurse classmate, now based in Chicago

I would like to give you life examples to illustrate that but I will not be mentioning names as we don’t seek fame, but I hope that my stories will inspire you. Classmates, you know who you are, we know who you are and for those who don’t know you may come and ask us personally who is who later.   I will mention their accomplishments for the inspirations that they provide us. 

Charie, with Sophie and Gilda, now based in Germany

• Let’s take for an example a classmate who became a nurse.  She knew she had to prepare well for the career she had chosen and she got her education from the best school available the family could afford. She pursued her dreams of working abroad, worked in several countries in Asia until she got her chance to work in the U.S. She became an immigrant and now a U.S. citizen.  She had been helping her family tremendously.  She helps them not only in sending them to school, she also nurtured their dreams.  She built several homes for her loved ones, provided capital for their businesses too.  And she keeps abreast of the new trends in her chosen field by attending conventions regularly.  She knew the value of keeping her knowledge updated and used it to her advantage. And di ba tax deductible din? For her, knowledge is Power is money, Money is happiness and love as manifested by enjoying what money could buy for her loved ones.

Charrie alighting from the van.

• Another classmate is now a business woman, with alkaline water distribution as her main line of business.  Thirty years before who would have thought of selling and buying water, especially alkaline water?  We drank tap water all over the country before.  Our classmate studied the market, and being health conscious herself found a product which has a marvelous effect one’s health and in balancing the body's pH – alkaline water!  Also, her working knowledge of supply and demand assured her of profitability of her business.  Needless to say she is a successful business woman.  To her, knowledge is Power, Power is money. money is happiness, as  she is able to help her family, relatives and friends.

Ric Maninantan in stripes, is now based in Brunei

Marlon Malapitan and Rev. James Carr Federico, our past 'heart throbs'

• Aside from nurses, and other health workers, we also have engineers who are now respected in their companies and by their peers.
• We have men and women who worked in government offices not only here in Isabela Municipal hall but in cities too.  
• We have classmates who became teachers, librarian, Records Analyst in an international organization, photographer, photo editor, video editor, call center agent, blogger,  ghost writer for E-zine articles and E-books.
• We have turned out OFWs who worked in the Middle East and the U.S., Canada, Europe, etc.
• We have seamen too and others got promoted to second mate, first mate, captain of their ships.
• There is one classmate, James Carr,  who used to be  quiet and shy in our class.  He is good-looking and was always teased for his choice of crushes.  To him “a thing of beauty is Joy forever”. Yes, he had Joy in his life.   He has regrets though, because he was not able to express himself well while in high school.  Na torpe daw sya eh. So when he was in college, he sought the university library for self-help books.  He studied public speaking,  how to exude more confidence, how to think positively, how to be a leader, how to overcome his shyness.  This knowledge enabled him to overcome his perceived limitations and helped him to be what he is now:  a leader, a persuasive and charismatic Pastor - living a happy life with his beautiful wife and children, and with his apos doing Apo stolate work.  To him, Knowledge is Power, Power is fulfillment, peace and love as he is able do his calling – that is to help the needy and to spread the word of God.

Conclusion: 

• In conclusion let me again stress that knowledge is power, and with the internet, new technologies constantly developed, it’s easier and more convenient to gain knowledge.  We don’t stop learning or we become stagnant or obsolete!  We should continue learning, and gain and share knowledge from our own experiences and other’s experiences too.    
• And for all the alumni gathered around here today, let me congratulate all of you, all of us, for we are all successful  because we did our best, no matter what life has handed us, no matter what cards we were dealt with, we survived and we are successful in our own way.  I proudly say that we all look successful.  We are all successful. We all look waffa, waffu!   Tama ba? 
• And even as we gather here and speak of our current successes, our journey in life has not ended yet, we are still in the running, success in the making, until they bury us 6 feet under the ground, it’s not the end until it’s the end. And even after that, some of us may have works and services that even after death will be remembered and appreciated.   For now, we don’t rest on our laurels, for our journey has not ended yet, we move on, we move forward.

 Thank you all and God bless.

How to Drink a Tequila Shot

I am a Tequila expert......joke. In many occasions, Tequila is served in our small barrio. 

The first time I took a tequila shot was when I was a freelance photographer assigned to take pictures of a resto/bar for a magazine. I was with my editor- we went to Ayala Mall, Alabang. It was a classy place, with Mediterranean theme. We have to experience the ambiance of the bar to be able to write about it in our magazine. A rock and roll band performed while we sampled their food and drinks. I remember myself and my editor gulping Tequila shots to get the feel of it. I think I had three shots. It made my head spin, and okay, in order to conform with the young crowd, it enabled me to be not so self-conscious in nodding my head to the beat of the loud rock and roll music. Recently I learned there's a proper way to drink a tequila shot. Here's how it is done:

1. Slice the lemon (about 8 slices) or lime or 
calamansi (slice it in half).

2. Pour a shot of tequila in a tequila glass.

3. Lick your hand - the area between the thumb and forefinger, sprinkle salt. The reason why you lick the area is you moisten it to hold the salt better.

4. On the hand of the licked or moist area, hold between your thumb and forefinger the lemon slice or the lime or calamansi. With the other hand, hold the shot of Tequila.

5. And do the following in succession : Lick the salt, drink the tequila shot, then bite the lemon or lime; or lick the calamansi. Swish it around in your mouth for a couple of seconds and then swallow.

6. Enjoy, but if only you're in legal age, and in moderation.

You could also drink the tequila straight, meaning no salt and lemon, lime or calamansi, especially if it's expensive, it is smooth.... "Quality Tequilas are like quality Scotch. They aren't meant to be gulped, but rather sipped and savored".

Thanks to WikiHow at sa www.flyingvbarandgrill.com/tequila.php.Search Amazon.com for Drinking Tequila

Letter to the Persons That I Want to Tell Everything To

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

Recently there is a war of words between two women most of us know.  I am so tempted to join in, to referee, to shed light, to admonish, to advise, etc.  Nobody asked me to,  nobody asked my opinion, so why join the fracas and take side.  And, as always there are different sides to the problem. An older wife who is cancer-stricken is spreading news about a scandalous affair between her husband and her young friend, and the young friend is retaliating  by telling her friends online that the older wife/friend's soul is burning in hell  even while she's alive for spreading nasty lies about her.

 Image from http://artfreebiesarchives.blogspot.com/2010/07/women.html 

I think this is how the whole thing started:
Older woman, let's call her A,  and young wife, let's call her E,  are neighbors like most of us are - neighbors and friends.  Older woman A had recuperated from cancer and was happy that she survived.   Alas, she learned that a good friend and neighbor, E,  flirts with her live-in partner R, non-stop.  She got upset and her cancer cells became active again and this time, more vicious and had spread to her brains too.  Three doctors gave her an approximate life span of one more month!  She's dying, OMG.  To get back to E, A revealed to everyone the alleged affair of her friend E and her live-in partner R.  Everyone is so sympathetic with A and now looks at E in a different light.  E is young, pretty and dresses sexy!  She makes 'meaningful' eye contact a lot - to young and old, to neighbors, to friends, to strangers - in fact to every man she meets - in a bar, in restaurant, inside the bus, jeepneys, department stores, etc.  In her own words, she was testing if they still had  'asim'  (if they would respond to her flirty moves)  and she found it cute that these men responded  to her ummm,....charm.  She may deny this and may say that she's just being her natural vivacious self.  Also, some people see her all dressed up, wear overpowering perfume,  and went out by herself  when her husband, S,  was out of the country.

Whether A's accusations are true or not, we can not verify, for who knows what happens inside closed doors of our neighbors and friends.  We tend to judge appearances and actions.  We see a young wife making googoo eyes with another man and we ask ourselves why she's behaving like an unmarried young woman;  and why she's hitting on our husband, our boyfriend, other neighbors, even strangers.   We see a young wife online (chatting in cyberspace) almost every night until dawn and we wonder what's the husband's take on this.
Do we learn a lesson or two from this scenario?  Why not.

1.  Wives, be faithful to your husbands.  Being faithful not only means not going to bed with another man.  It also means not fantasizing to be with another man, not sending love letters or exchanging romantic texts messages with another man, or not chatting and having an online boyfriend!.

2.  Wives, flirt (must you?) with discrimination, and discreetly.  If you are unhappy with your marriage or if you think that you have yet to meet your Mr. Right (obviously you don't think your husband is the Mr. Right), don't look for Mr. Right in your neighborhood,  or don't hit on your friends' husbands or partners, ewwww.

3. Husband, love your wife.  Loving not only means making love to her, it also means putting her in her place - becoming a real wife to you.   Discourage her from  flirting with every man in the neighborhood and to every male she meets everywhere you go.  Don't allow her to drift away from you by condoning her to look for male  'friends' online.  You know who her old male friends (classmates and town mates)  and newly found 'online friends', do you?   

4.  Let's be kind to each other.  We should not tell anyone who is being treated with chemotherapy that she's already burning in hell.  Instead let's pray for her fast and complete recovery.

Postscript:
Older woman A died after 2 years, survived by her four young children from her ex husband (not from R, the live-in partner).  A year before that, her live-in partner R left her. He could not afford her chemotherapy and medicines, he reasoned.  He left the neighborhood.  When A was dying, her children contacted live-in partner R who did his best to help financially, which was not much.  He did not visit her at all when she was dying, and even after her death, did not visit her family, her grave, etc.   Young wife E was unrepentant and continues to live like a "celebrity", announcing regularly in social media how she loves her hubby.  

Si Nanay, May Cancer of the Parotid Gland

Si Nanay - ang pinakamagandang babae sa lahat. Nang bata pa ako number 1 fan ako ni Nanay. Feeling ko kamukha niya si Amalia Fuentes. Maski na tinutukso ako ng aking mga kaibigang putik at classmates na napulot lang ako sa basura dahil hindi ko kasingganda ang Nanay at mga kapatid ko, wala akong naramdaman na resentment or inggit.. Sabi nga nila, a thing of beauty is joy forever. Makita ko lang ang Nanay at mga kapatid kong magaganda tuwing magising ako sa umaga, buo na araw ko. 

Mahilig siyang magluto noong bata pa kami. Hindi nya tinantanan ang aming portable oven hanggang hindi niya na perfect ang chiffon cake (or angel cake ba yun?). Champion siyang gumawa ng native puto at kutsinta from scratch, mula sa pag giling ng bigas or galapong, pag gawa ng lye hanggang serving with matching kinayod na niyog. Nanalo pa nga siya ng 3rd place sa isang recipe-writing contest. 

Magaling siyang mag decorate ng aming maliit na dampa. Ang gaganda ng kanyang mga orchids, makukulay at matataba ang kanyang mga halamanan. Sunod sa uso ang mga damit naming magkakapatid, magaling ang kanyang fashion sense, although hindi siya tunay na kikay mag ayos sa kanyang sarili - baby powder at lipstick lang beauty na siya. 


Marami kaming di pagkakaunawaan noong naging teenager na ako hanggang nagkaasawa na ako. Pero habang tumatanda ako, naunawaan ko ang Nanay. Naging magkaibigan na kami. 

Si Nanay, ang pinakamagandang Nanay, pinaka kalog na Nanay, tao lang , hindi perfect...kaya noong matanda na ako, saka ko nadama at na appreciate nang husto ang pagmamahal niya. 

'Nay, sana hindi na magtagal ang sakit na nararamdaman  mo....magkakasama din kayo ni Tatay sa langit sa tamang oras. Mahal kita 'Nay. 

Please pray for my 86-year-old mom who is diagnosed with parotid gland cancer after she was hospitalized from swollen throat. Turned out she also had a mild stroke. Because of her age, the doctors advised against chemotherapy or physical therapy. She was brought home today at my sis' house. Please pray too for my sis' strength in taking care of Nanay.

Postscript:
Namatay si Nanay noong August 2012, pagkapatapos ng isang taong pagkaratay.  May panahong galit siya sa Panginoon dahil hindi siya kinuha agad.  Noong nakaburol siya, napakaganda niyang tingnan, at parang natutulog lamang.  Nais ko talagang kunan siya ng larawan, pero dahil na rin sa respeto, walang kumuha ng larawan niya dahil noong buhay pa siya, ayaw niyang makita ang larawan niya na matanda na siya.  

Charley Horse: Painful Leg Cramps During Sleep

Have you experienced being awakened by painful leg cramps during sleep? Were you scared that your calf muscle was turning hard as wood while experiencing intense pain? Added to that, the pain seemed to creep up from calf muscle to hamstrings.  You may have wondered if a stroke is going on,  I did, or you are slowly getting paralyzed. I thought of many scary crazy stuff.  I over reacted.

Thank you for this image.

Some people call this Charley Horse. I call it worst nightmare coming true. I have read painful muscle cramps have  no real causes, although I have several coincidences happening each time I experience the painful muscle cramps: 

What causes these cramps?  Usually they are:

1.  Tiredness
The first time I experienced this was when I was 13 years old.  My friends and I joined the church procession is Isabela.  It was fun.   It was my longest participation in a church procession at that time.   Since I was with a friend, the hours just went by and we did not mind the sore feet and legs.  Coming home, I washed my feet and went to sleep, to be awaken later by severe calf muscle cramps. I screamed in pain.  Tatay came to the rescue at once and massaged my legs. The pain  subsided.

2.  Poor circulation or lack of circulation -
If you stay in one position (sitting, standing, lying)  for a long time your blood is not circulating normally.  Try shifting your position once you're aware that you've been in one position for long time.

2.  Cold weather
I like cold weather, I love walking on the streets on cold weather as I could wear my cool cold weather attire.  BUT, especially with older people like me, you can't enjoy it too much. Your muscles object and remind you of your age when you get muscle cramps.

3. Pregnancy
Muscle cramps during pregnancy is not as painful as this  severe calf muscle cramps,  but nonetheless, it's a discomfort.

4. Lack of potassium, calcium on diet
That's what the doctor says to pregnant women who experience muscle cramps.  This was true when I was pregnant, I can't even stretch out my legs without getting muscle cramps.  After delivery though, your muscles slowly return to normal and OMG, it feels so good to be able to stretch again.  You never miss one thing while you have it, but having the pleasure to do the things you used to do before pregnancy is like going to paradise.

5. Taking of diuretics or medicine that increase the amount of urine that you produce, too much coffee or any drink which has diuretic effects.

Treatment:

1. Massage the muscle for circulation and to warm the muscles.During my latest episode,  I was screaming in pain and had awaken my husband.   His help in massaging my leg helped much with providing warmth and increasing circulation.

2.  Pain reliever pills - Advil, Alleve, Ibuprofen- Follow instructions on the bottle, and take when your muscles are still sore.

2.  Enjoy warm shower or bath to relax the muscles.

3.  Drink lots of fluids during the day or your waking hours,  and another glass of water before going to bed.

4. Move your legs, stretch and contract muscles gently and slowly. You should do this regularly too, and before going to sleep to prevent night cramps.

5. Eat potasium-rich food - 

• Bananas - some swear that eating banana after dinner insure them of good night sleep, free from painful muscle cramps
• apricots, nectarines, dates, grapes, or raisins
• Beans
• Cabbage/broccoli family of vegetables
• Oranges, grapefruit, and their juice
• Pork and lamb
• Potatoes and corn
• Saltwater fish (for example, tuna)
• Tomatoes and tomato juice

6.  Believers of apple cider vinegar advise  you to take it while you are experiencing muscle cramps.

7.  Believers of Vitamin C also advise you of regular intake of freshly squeezed lemon juice regularly.

8. Salt.   Some contradict the drinking of water while experiencing pain, and advise to shake salt into your palm and lick  it. (I am so reminded of drinking a tequila shot).

9. Regular exercise  
Do your exercises regularly - cycling, swimming - any activity  that strengthens your leg muscles. Of course don't do this when you're hurting.

9. Taking  vitamin supplements - phosphate, calcium, sellenium, vitamin B complex.  Consult yoiur physician  about this first.

I do hope however that your leg cramps are occasional like mine, because this could also be a symptom of other diseases: 

My leg cramps remain sore after one or two days, so I take pain reliever during those days.  If you experience leg cramps frequently, defintely consult your physician. 

References:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/nocturnal-leg-cramps-nighttime-calf-muscle-pain.html
http://transformationtrainer.com/2010/10/muscle-cramps-and-soreness/