Grateful for a Great Day

Thank You Lord for the great day You have given so I can ride my bike all I want.

Thank You Lord for the great company You have sent me so that I don't have to be alone on my bike rides.

Thank You Lord for the able hands that fixed my bike.

Thank You for the gift of hugs from little angels You showered with so much charm and love.

Thank You for such a great day.

Phone Call

My heart stopped for a few seconds today. 

I got an unexpected phone call. 

I had tears of joy in my eyes Lord. 

Thank You for the answered prayer. I continue to pray because I know You will continue to see me through. 

Thank You.

Bike to the Future

So I got my new bike and got to take it out for a spin last Sunday. It took me back to my yesteryears. I love the feel of the wind against my cheeks. I hated of course that there were so many cars but it was great. Looking forward to riding again soon! Okay, my behind was  sore after riding. I do not remember getting my behind soh sore before but then my bike was so much nicer then. Then again, maybe it's also because I am so much heavier now... Then again we must take the good with the bad. 

BTW, I started doing Muay Thai this week. My knee is of a deep purple shade, my elbow is leaning towards the maroon band of the spectrum and my shin well, it has bruises scattered around the area too. I also got a bit of hand tremors straight after practice but it's beginning to go away. Notwithstanding all that has been said, it was fun! My Adidas gloves are pink too so that kind of helps hahaha!!!

Oh and the term is about to end. 

Thank goodness for that too! 

Today was as exhausting as ever! I just cannot wait for the break!

Lord, carry me to the end of the term please. 

Over

... And now I'm almost over you... 

Is my song for the trimester. I am almost over this trimester!!!

I cannot wait to just finish all the things I need to. This helluva week is almost over and maybe, just maybe next week will be easier on me. 

Thank You Lord. 

I am still enjoying my Paperwhite! 

Planning on getting a new bike as well!

Life is goooohd!

On The Brink

I am about to drop because of the many things I need to do this week. I just need to get through this week and I *breathe* will *breathe* be *breathe* fine. 

I think I may have had an anxiety attack last night. I could not breathe. Then again, maybe I just need to run. 

On the amazing side of things, I got my Paperwhite last Saturday! 

It is uh-may-zing!!! I now believe that the Kindle may be the best invention of mankind next to electricity because without that I cannot charge my Kindle hahahahahah!!!

Okay. 

Back to work!

Anticipating

Dear Paperwhite,

Can you not get here any faster? I want to hold you in my hands and look at you all day!!! 

Gah!!!

I cannot believe I have to wait until next year... 

Paperwhite

I have taken the big leap. 

I have ordered Paperwhite via Amazon finally. I have tried asking friends to buy for me but it is eternally out of stock and so hard to find. I am trying out Johnny Air for the first time. Hopefully, all will go well. I am soh stoked! :) 

It will not arrive to Manila until next year since my delivery will only get to NY by December 31, 2012. The Paperwhite is too popular so it will not be available for shipping until December. 

I hope the wait is worth it. :) 

No-stalgic

I have thought of spending the long weekend in Bangkok, after all I was there until October 31 and had the option of extending. I have the fondest memories of Bangkok and of course the coconut juice is hard to resist. I am glad I chose not to extend my stay because I am sure I got to save moolah and also, because rather than being nostalgic over events of the past, I got to make new memories. 

Thank You Lord for a beautiful long weekend. 

As always You went out of Your way to put a smile on my face and on my soul. 

Bangk-OK!

I will be going to Bangkok! 

My schedule is jam-packed so I am not sure if I can really do so much. I would be satisfied to just have coconut juice, visit H&M (cannot get enough of H&M), drink more coconut juice! *hahaha!!!*

I hope I can buy fermented mangoes and durian chips. Well not really so much durian chips... Just the mangoes will do. ;) 

Sabbatical

Many of my colleagues count down to their sabbatical leave. I on the other hand, have managed to do without it for eleven years. I have been putting it off for so long and now, for reasons I would rather not divulge because I do not want to get into a fit so late at night, I have to take it. 

I feel like I am going to retire. I am racking my brain for what I want to do in one year's time. Of course, the idea of spending many days in Bora, Palawan, Cam Sur, Coron, Batanes comes to mind. However, in my heart, my sabbatical was never about this. It was not even about going abroad to study. I want to use my sabbatical for something meaningful in my life. 

Since I have nothing to do, I might as well do my dissertation. So I am off to do something that a lot of people tell me is difficult to do. Trust me. I tried to tell my panelists. I spent three hours telling them what they ask of me is too much... To no avail. 

Hence, I am left with no choice but to trudge on and trust that the Lord will provide for me as He has always have. 

Truth be told. I am a bit excited. :) 

Best Weekend Award Goes To...

Last weekend was the best weekend ever!

Last Saturday, I was transported to the home of my favorite girls and we had all day to hang out. I got to win a basketball match which is an amazing feat for someone who does not understand the mechanics of the game. I think I am getting the hang of it *hahaha!!!*. I was able to try really great ribs and hang out for a bit more. Great conversations and laughter. 

Last Sunday was pure R&R. I love finding simple joys. It's always the company you keep that makes everything extraordinary. 

Thank You Lord. 

Keep me in Your company always. Thanks for sending angels my way. :) 

Second Chances

In 2007 I went to Budapest, Hungary and fell in love with the city. It was a nice blend of modern and classic. It was romantic like Paris minus the smell. 

While there I was able to explore the city and the hills. I wanted to go to the Libego in the mountains and I was able to go there. However, they were closing - so dramatic I know, just like in the movies. I was too late. I was crushed because the chances of me visiting Hungary again was slim to none. 

Fast forward to 2012 - because I want to ignore some of the events that happened in between then and now, I got to go to Hungary again!  This time, I went there for the opening of the Libego. It was the last tourist spot I visited before I left. Now, I can say I have closure. I would love to be back again though. I think I might have loved the city even more now that I know more people there. 

Thank You Lord for second chances.

What's Cooking

I cooked my first sour soup pork yesterday! 

I am supposed to cook Filipino food on the final night at the summer school I am going to in Hungary. I am very grateful to my Kitchen Boss who lent me a kitchen and taught me how to make the soup. I was able to download a recipe but my KB had another recipe in mind. I thought it worked since real people liked my sour soup! Oh yes!!!

I just finished reading My Life in France by Julia Child. Maybe, I can be a Julia Child. :) I hope our cooking lesson won't end even after Hungary. :) Maybe we can bake too. :) 

I also had a blast playing with my fave little friends. 

Yesterday was perfect. 

Lemme just review what I did yesterday:

Pork Sinigang Recipe or Pork Sour Soup

Ingredients:

1. Knorr Sinigang Mix with Gabi (1 packet)

2. Knorr Pork Cube (1 cube)

3. 3/4 Kilo pork belly (liempo) cut in 2 inches strips

4. String beans (because other veggies may not be available in Hungary)

5. Salt

6. Onion (one big one, must not be soft to touch) Cut in four pieces

7. Tomato (5 small pieces) Cut in eight pieces

8. Garlic (I know!!! Did not know garlic went into sinigang) Dice finely.

9. Oil (just a little bit)

10. Siling haba or Capsicum

11. Radish (Cut thinly)

Step1: Rinse the pork (I did not know this had to be done)

Step 2: Put in so much salt and rub on the pork and rinse right away

Step 3. Pour just enough water to cover all the pork

Step 4: Pour in half spoon of salt

Step 5: Boil the pork ( I did this for one hour)

The nice thing about pork is that this does not overcook and it gets cooked quickly. I had to boil it for a long time so that it will be tender. Also, I have to tell myself to watch the pot so that it does not overflow. The pot overflowed and I ended up messing up KB's brand new oven. *sheepish grin* Did not mean to do that. Was so embarrassed. 

Step 6: Get a separate pot. Saute garlic and tomato first and then the garlic. DO NOT BURN THESE. (use high heat). 

Step 7: Lower the heat, pour the pork. Boil again.

Step 8: Put in the pork cube

Step 9: Pour the Sinigang mix. TASTE.

Step 10: Put in the Siling haba 

Step 11: Remove scum. The bubbles. These are fat. Yuck.

Step 12: Put in radish

Step 13: Put in string beans 

et voila, my very first sinigang!!! :) 

Blue Danube

The Lord is my Shepherd 

I shall not want

In green pastures He leads me

Beside clear waters He gives me rest

I do good for His goodness sake

Thank You dear Lord for all the blessings. 

You provide for me even before I ask. 

I am going back to Hungary again! Yey! :) 

Hungary is one of the most romantic places I have been to. I love the Danube River, the old castles, the funicular on the hill, the Church on the hill, the little quaint cafes. I am going to pack my running shoes, I'm sure there will be a nice place where I could run and think. 

I really need this now.

Thanks! 

Thrown

I walked under a bus

Got hit by  a train

It felt so good

I want to do it again.

Stupidity at its finest. 

Chat

There is nothing like chatting with little girls online. Wish I could
hug them though. :)

Thank You for the early morning surprise.

Just Girls

Today was just wonderful!

I was able to spend hours on end with two cute, smart and talented
little girls. I could have spent more time with them but I had to go
lest I might wear out my welcome. I hope I can do that again. I really
had a wonderful time with the kiddies.

Thank You dear Lord for the gift of kids. They bring so much happiness
to me. I love how their imagination can make anything fun.

I had a wonderful day.

THE Bag

I have a serious crush on the pink D-bag of Tod's. Argh... Why do you
have to be so expensive purrrtye bag? Why?! :)

Night Cap

I was about to go to bed when I realized there is something that I
would like to remember.

The homily of Fr. Vester, the priest who officiated my friend's
wedding was really good. He started off by saying that the creatures
made by God are happiest when they do what they are supposed to do.
Birds are happiest when they fly because they were created to fly.
People were made to love, hence, they are happiest when they love. He
then quoted Corinthians, the part where it says no matter what you do,
no matter how good you were, it does not matter if you have not loved.

He said, you know if you have loved if you sacrifice for the one you
love. If you have not sacrificed for the person then you have not
loved that person. Secondly, you should will the good of the other
person. It must be the other person's welfare first before your own.
Thirdly, you should be best friends. He said, you know your marriage
is on the rocks when you are no longer friends.

His final advice is that you should not love the other person because
he or she is your spouse, rather, love the person as your best friend
because that lasts forever.

His homily made me want to cry.

He did succeed in making me want to cry before the program at the reception.

He asked me if I was married before. I told him it's complicated. I am
processing some stuff at the tribunal and I knew he understood right
away.

He said, maybe it was never God's will for you to marry. Remember, he
said, at the end of the day, the most important is you. He wants you
to be happy. If the Lord has to change His plans for you, let him.

Thank You dear Lord because through him, I felt You.

Weekend at a Glance

Friday

My little friend really came last Friday and I had a blast with her.
Parting was again bittersweet. She gives the sweetest hugs. I am
hooked for life. :)

We had yoghurt and then we went to my cubicle to have more fun and to
play with my colleagues. She is such a charmer! I hope to see her
again very, very soon!!! I am missing her terribly.

Saturday

I went up to Tagaytay and ate buffet at Bag of Beans, went to
Paradizoo (which was too expensive 299Php for entrance fee) and ate at
Nanay Dorie's in one of their bahay kubos! :)

We just slept for half a day hahaha!!! Soh lazy!!!

Paradizoo offers a camp site, this is interesting and also affordable
at 500 Php per night per person, entrance fee included.

Sunday

A friend of mine got married. It was the most sincere, sweetest, most
personal wedding I have ever witnessed. I was their emcee as well, it
was exhausting but it went well I think. I had a blast. :)

Monday

Another little friend of mine has been asking her aunt for a letter
from me. Soh cute!!! She remembers me! :) I gave her aunt a letter and
a picture of us together. :) I even drew her a butterfly and some
hearts because she likes that. I hope to see her soon as well!

I miss her too.

This afternoon, I got to hang out with a sweet little boy of five
years. :) He was looking for me earlier today and when he saw me he
said, "You're here!!!". So sweet!!! :) He stayed at my cubicle for
most of the time that he was there.

Giddy Bear

I am going to see my favorite little friend later. She's coming from
Laguna later this afternoon. *giddy* I cannot wait to give her a tour
of the campus. Might take her to a yoghurt place later. *gushes* I am
really soh excited!

On an unrelated note, I have wasted this week. I was unable to work on
my dissertation at all.

Boo.

Kid Trip

The last few days have been a blast. I was in Laguna and Tagaytay last
Saturday with friends. I was able to hang out with two very cute kids!
The highlight of my trip though was seeing my most favorite kid in the
whole world! It was just pure coincidence that her family was at Bag
of Beans as well. We were going to have hot choco when I saw her mom
(a colleague of mine). I did not say hi right away because I did not
want to disturb her date with her husband if she was there with only
her husband (another colleague and a panelist). When I panned towards
the other side of the restaurant I saw my little friend wave. At this
point, I was just bubbling with excitement so hard to contain.

The night before I was already wishing I would bump into her at Paseo
because she lives in Sta. Rosa. Lo and behold, she was right there.
She gave me a tight hug and sang for me a song. She just turned 4 last
October but she is the coolest, smartest kid I know.

Before we parted she kissed me soh many times and hugged my waist and
then my thighs. She did not want us to part....

That kid is the sweetest!!!

I am missing her already.

The following day, I got to talk to two small little girls too... very
short chat but sweet nonetheless, thanks to my friend.

*sigh*

I just love being around kids. I should really get on with my
dissertation so that I can move towards my real dream. :)

Surreal

The sampaguita ice cream was different.

The tocino, longganisa and egg were ordinary.

The place was quaint.

The company was perfect.

And that made all the difference.

Losing It

Losing things when all that I should be losing is the extra weight I
put on after not being able to exercise for weeks after my operation.

I am totally out of my element today.

This sucks.

Just when the term is coming to a close. Seriously. I have been acting
crazy since yesterday. I have to get it together!!!

*screams*

Okay, maybe that will do it!

Cerebral Hemorrhage

Was what I had yesterday. My defense lasted for four and a half hours!
It was excruciating! I had fun at first and then after three hours of
rapid fire questions, I felt myself wanting to gather my things and
say, "Thank you, but I think I have changed my mind. Thanks for your
time.".

And so it begins, this journey called the dissertation. Yes, that was
just the beginning.

Before I braved the storm, I had a little angel visitor and got to
play with her for a bit. She hugged me and gave me the sweetest smile!
I hope she visits again soon. I wish I could keep her *hehehe!*! I was
able to buy some fun time because another angel, a slightly bigger one
took care of the other logistics like carrying a giant pizza box and a
couple of hot wings boxes and three bottles of mineral water.
Seriously, I appreciated it. Beyond, beyond measure.

Also, it was nice to have people waiting after I was asked to step out
for the panel's deliberation. It felt nice to exhale.

Thank You dear Lord for a wonderful night cap last night after a
horrendous defense. :) Thank You for giving me the answers. Thank You
for helping me explain myself.

Thank You.

Please bless my work and the road that will lead me to its completion.

Whatcha-March-allit

March all in all has been so eventful.

I have been blessed to see how compassionate Jesus can be up close
some weeks ago. I am so grateful. I hope that this chapter may end
soon so that I may be able to start writing a brand new one.

I bought siomai from 7-11 and it had mold already. I am really not
good at tasting mold. It was good that I shared the food with a friend
and so I only got to eat one piece. This caused me to be sick for one
whole week!

I celebrated the day before my birthday with friends at Red Box and
then at Shakey's. It was fun!

I celebrated my birthday on the day. *big grin* I realized that while
people give gifts, the best gift is still the gift of time.

The sisters of MACE gave me gifts and even celebrated on my behalf. I
was unable to come because of a surgery I had to undergo.

I had my right breast excision which was scary. Glad to say that the
cyst was found to be benign. I am still recovering because I never
really got to rest. The day after the surgery I was already up and
about going to defenses. *ouch it's hurting as I type* This experience
however, made me see the people who really cared. Thank You for
surrounding me with people who care.

I am to emcee three times this month.

I am a bit exhausted already. If all the above mentioned is not
enough, I am also to have my dissertation proposal defense on March
30!

This month is packed!

Birthday

Best birthday ever.

Thank You Lord. :) I really felt special today. Thank You because those who matter remembered and took the time to make today a special one. Thank You for giving me gifts every single day just because.

I want to always remember the feeling. *sigh*

Sent from my iPod

Sunny Day

It was really a tad bit cloudy and it even drizzled but it was a sunny Sunday as far as I am concerned. Granted I was unable to do Yoga. Not withstanding I had to hear mass alone. Ignoring the fact that I had to cancel my cards because my wallet was missing. Last Sunday was peachy.

For many reasons.

My Declamation Piece

Happy Valentine's Day people!

This is my first attempt at writing a declamation piece. Let me know what you think. My vision here is for the declaimer to experience some sharp pains as she narrates her story. I really want to perform this but at my age I will no longer be able to pull this off. This declamation piece that I wrote is really for young people because mostly they are the ones who need a piece. I also wanted to share with them a lesson. I hope that this would at least make them aware of possible consequences of too much passion. ;) 

Also, I do not have the venue *haha!!!*. I would be so thrilled to know if anyone uses this. Please leave me a message if you do use this. :) 

Let me know if you want it improved in anyway. 

Labor Pains

Surprise Squared

Today was such a pleasant surprise.

The surprise came from an unexpected source which made it all more a surprise. Today was an amazingly happy day.

Balloons, cake, ice cream, uber cute kids, wonderful people, shopping.

Thank You Lord.

Sent from my iPod

Right In Front of Me

I was re-reading Joshua Harris' I Kissed Dating Goodbye last night.
Okay, I was not really re-reading, I was simply reading the summary.
This is enough for me because I have already read this book back in
college and then a few years after I graduated from college.

I was reminded that the book is telling me to wait and to trust in the
plans of the Lord. You'd be surprised at how much I suck at waiting.
As I was reflecting on the book, I remembered a conversation I had
with a good friend of mine. We have been friends since 1995.

We were then talking about my budding relationship with my third
boyfriend who will eventually be my husband and then not. Wow. I can
finally write that down. Maybe I will write about that some more later
on. That will do for now. I digress.

I was so giddy and could not wait to get into a relationship. My good
friend had to remind me to slow down. She said, until I do not learn
what the Lord wants me to learn, He will continue to teach me. I may
get hurt in the process and it will hurt more and more until I learn.
Of course, during that time, I just ranted about my lack of
discernment when, right then and there, through my friend, the Lord
was already talking to me. Telling me to slow down and not rush. To
think things through... *sigh*

You know what? I am done regretting. I am done wondering. I am where I
am because this is where I need to be right NOW. While I would rather
be somewhere else, who am I to claim that I know better? The Lord has
great plans for me, all I need to do is sit back and relax. That
should not be too hard. I simply need to take in the view and to
relish the moment that I am in.

All I need to become, all I need to experience, all I need and want
will be given to me because:

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
In green pastures he leads me.
In restful waters he restores my soul.
He leads me to do good for his namesake.
Though I walk through the darkest valley,
I am unafraid because He is with me.
His rod and staff comfort me.
He prepares my table in front of my enemies
He anoints me with oil
Goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life
I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Thank you for the promise of tomorrow.

Online Business

At this day and age, anyone can put up his or her business online. I myself, am thinking of putting up an online business. However, for the online business to really take off it is important that payment will be made easy for the clients. Most of the time, the credit card companies will not immediately give small businesses a chance. It is fortunate though that there is a site for high risk businesses .

This site will find a credit card processor for your business. While there are other processors in existence, they would normally charge you exorbitant rates because your startup business is considered as high risk. This site will find a processor for you that will charge a smaller processing fee for your business. What makes this deal even sweeter is that, if you do not want to do business with the processor found for you, you do not have to. There are no strings attached, you are free to walk away.

To get started, you just need to send the details of your business so that they have a clear picture of what you want to do. After which High Risk Accounts will put you through with a processor and you will be ready to take your business to new heights. With credit cards, you will have a wider reach which translates to more money! Now, I have to really start conceptualizing that new business I have been thinking about.

Not So Bored Games

I have become addicted to board games lately... No thanks to a
hobbyist friend. I have played Monopoly Deal, Bhonanza, Guillotine and
Wasabi. While it is an absolute joy to play, it also eats a great deal
of my time. And their time. We should really do try to do something
about this. :)

Weeked!

This week was weeked! :)

Got to talk to one of my fave little gurls! It was so sweet that she remembered my name. Aww...

I was able to work on part of my prototype as well. I got to watch Underworld at the Platinum cinema. I forgot to bring my shawl (again!!! haist!!!) but I got a free lease on a cozy jacket! *yehey!!!*

Early this week I got to spend quality time with my mom and I also go to play Monopoly Deal (Finally!!!)! :)

Sent from my iPod

More Time

Suddenly I have more time in my hands. Or it feels like it. Underload
for this term. I am anticipating the many units in the next few terms.
Must make the most of this trimester. :)

Me

Today was "me" day in so many ways.

I was happy all day not withstanding my open gums and the fact that I
cannot chew food or ingest foods with small particles.

Thank You.

Music

I have come to realize that I cannot work without music. I need it to
fuel me. I thought before that I can work at coffee shops because of
the environment. I worked better at coffee shops because I always
listened to my own music.

Thank You for the gift of music.

Coined

Three coins made me smile today.

From this I learned the following:

1. It pays to clean because one can uncover the sweetest of things.
2. It IS the thought that counts.
3. I will not look at a one peso coin the same way again.

I just found out that I have to defend second week of classes! This
week is the second week of classes!

*panic attack*

I have to submit my document by Monday! I have five days.