I'm A Happy Girl

I cooked!  Yey!

Well, I do a little for myself, but I don't usually invite friends over and cook.  This time I did.  I just prepared a very simple, no brainer local dish - Sinigang for my guests. Definitely one of my favorites! Thank God it turned out okay.  This inspired me to take out our old recipe notebook and start cooking again.  Nothing complicated, just simple dishes.  I was thinking of preparing Dad's Italian Spaghetti with meatballs next. I love Dad's recipe!

Anyway,  this week has been pretty busy for me.  But I still had some fun time with friends.  Well, these weren't really planned.  We were just at the right place, at the right time.

Last Thursday, after our prayer and worship night, my friends and I watched This Means War starring Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy and Til Schweiger.  We all had a good laugh watching this movie.

The following day, Friday, I went to the grocery to get the ingredients I needed for today's lunch with friends then I went straight to our Bible Study night which I was assigned to lead this week.  We discussed Psalm 34.  What a beautiful, beautiful chapter it was.

Guess what happened next.

We party crashed!  Lol!

My friend's friend's sister (Uh, do you follow?) celebrated her 18th birthday and we were all invited to come to her place and eat.  Talk about perfect timing!  We were starving!  Haha!

L-R: Rose, Christine, Jenn, me & Ellaine

The party crashers

I just took a shot of an existing photo and cropped it that's why these photos are blurry.  Sorry for that.

Anyway,  my week went pretty well.  I'm a happy girl. Thank you, Lord!

My Salon Adventure 2

What a beautiful day!  

Woke up with a smile on my face.   I just feel elated today.  I love this feeling. Isn't it great to have this feeling everyday?  Anyway, had my quiet time before finally getting up to fix my bed.  I love God's message to me today. By the way, I'm reading from the Book of Job and Ephesians. These verses are very special because they're confirmations of God's promise to me.

"For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.  He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."  Ephesians 2:14-18

Anyway, I went to Salon de Matt in Pioneer this afternoon.  This was recommended to me by my good friend Zenda.  She frequents this salon so I guess they must be good.

G/F RFM Corporate Center, Corner Pioneer and Seridan Sts., Mandaluyong City

(+632) 747-01111, 637-9289, (+63915) 877-9311

salon_de_matt@yahoo.com

The salon was easy to locate.  Not far from my place so it's convenient.  The staff were very friendly and very professional.  Blatant voices of laughing and gossips of salon staff while doing my hair or nails are my pet peeve.  Thank God my experience in this salon was very pleasant.  

You know, I'm not very adventurous with hair styles and hair colors.  I always prefer to be on the safe side.  That's why I had the same hair style for decades. Then I woke up this morning and decided to go for a new do and throw all my apprehensions out the window.  I'm glad I did.  *Grin*

Top:  Rayann, Marvin & Rodel

Bottom:  My hair stylists --- Marvin & Rodel

I was very calm while Rodel explained to me what he's planning to do with my hair. Professional as he is, I didn't get scared because he seemed to know exactly what he's saying. So I let him do his magic, then Marvin took over.  I brought with me my own Revlon ColorSilk Luminista #120. This is safe to use because it's ammonia free. Honestly, I wasn't sure how my hair will look like after the application, but I wasn't about to chicken out on this.  I gotta do what I gotta do and that's to suck it up and just go for it.  As you can see, the changes still weren't drastic. I was quite happy with the result, but I still have a tiny bit of concern though.  I'm not sure if I can fix my hair the way they did when I take a shower after a long day.  

Anyway, for now I'm a happy girl.  

 At home... =)

Total Bliss

It all started two weeks ago when I was consistently having anxiety attacks due to pressure from work and other concerns in life.  I lost my joy. I lost my peace.  And I felt like literally drowning.  The feeling was so horrible I don't even want to feel that way again ever!  Last Thursday, when I went to our weekly prayer and worship night at church, I was rejuvenated.  Thank God I attended.  The corporate prayer, the miracle testimony of a couple in our congregation, the songs of praise and worship to God lifted my wearied spirit. 

I went about my work again the following day.  I still had the same concerns, nothing really changed, but my outlook was very different this time.  Let's just put it this way... I'm on fire for God... Really trusting Him and holding on to His hand... and I'm not about to let go.  

Something strange happened though.  But I will write about it probably in my next post.  

Dad is fine, but a bit weak, because of his radiation therapy.  He's trying his best though to stay strong by eating the right food and taking his meds on time.  Mom, on the other hand, was rushed to the ER yesterday because she had difficulty breathing.  Her lungs were congested.  She was given meds and had her dialysis this morning.  Mom is okay now.  Please continue to pray for my parents.  I'm grateful that they are okay today.  That, in itself, is a blessing and I'm grateful.

Anyway, today was a great day.  Went to watch my most awaited movie of the year, Breaking Dawn - Part 1 with my dear friend, Melo.  The movie hadn't even started yet and my popcorn was almost gone. I gulped down my Coke so fast that I had to go to the john just when the engrossing scenes were about to be shown. Argh!!!   Talk about rotten timing!

I'm a self-confessed Twilight junkie. I didn't expect to like the film so much, but I do.  

Anyhow, I feel so great tonight that I'm in total bliss.  I love this feeling and hope everyday will be like today, if not better.  And I have God to thank for making me a sunshine girl today.

TSMSS - Peter Piper

How time flies.  It's already mid January, wow!

Anyhoo, today is one lazy Saturday afternoon.  I kind of like the weather today.  It's raining outside.  I did some cleaning here and there.  Had my laundry picked up.  Took a quick shower then I brewed some ginger tea.  I can't believe I cried over Marley and Me.  Geez... 

I have this Saturday all to myself and I'm loving it!  No thoughts of work, no pressure.  Just peace and quiet.  This is one of those days that I love saying under my breath... I love you, Lord.

This music expresses how I feel right this very moment.  It's a music from my childhood. A music I associate with joy, freedom, hope and completeness.

For more great music, link up with Amy over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

Adventure With Sis 3

My cousin Rina, her husband Mike, their son Kian, Aunt Rosalina, my sis and I went to Tuen Mun Plaza for the grand opening of the Toys R Us and of course they bought more toys! Outside the store I met with Baebs (inset photo, right), my friend and church mate from Manila, who happened to be in Hong Kong too that time. We just had some pictures taken and shortly after, she had to go back to Ma Wan to attend to her patients. Oh, by the way, Baebs' a dentist.

My relatives and I had lunch in one of the famous street restaurants that serves one of the best goose dish in town. Yummy! Then we went back to the condo to pack our stuff for our flight back to Manila.

I thank God for this wonderful blessing. I also had a chance to share God's Word to my Aunt and cousin. That's a seed I planted in them that I'm praying will grow and they too will see and experience God's glory and love in their lives.

Adventure with sis 2

Adventure with sis 1

Adventure With Sis 2

I just stayed home today. I wanted to rest because my legs hurt, but not my sis. She went shopping again and came home with more toys!

Anyway, yesterday we were in China and went to The Venetian in Macau. The place looked amazing! But we had a funny experience on our way there. We were always in a hurry to catch the bus, the ferry and the train, everything here is timed which I think is good. Now I know how it feels like to join the amazing race. We went around the place and at dinner time we ate at the Red Dragon Noodle Restaurant right in the middle of The Venetian Casino. I ordered fishball noodle broth which sounded yummy. I felt so embarrassed when I started eating it, the flat noodles kept falling off my chopsticks! What I could have normally eaten in 15 minutes, took me almost an hour to finish. The noodles were so slippery. Now I know what those long strands of bean sprouts were for - to catch those slippy noodles. I ate them all first and left the noodles. Ha! Everybody there spoke to us in Cantonese which we didn't understand, not a single word! And they said they thought we were from there because we looked like the locals.

After dinner, we went around a little more until it's time for the bus to bring us back to the turbo jet's terminal to go back to Hong Kong. We got home at around 11 p.m.

(inset photo: The Red Dragon Noodle Restaurant in Macau)

Adventure With Sis 1

Adventure With Sis 3

Adventure With Sis

First, I'd like to thank my brothers and sisters in Christ for praying for us. You are all so precious. Thank you for not leaving me alone in this battle. I know in my heart that I am victorious because of Jesus Christ and because of all His prayer warriors who are interceding for us. Thank you!

I'm so glad I got hold of a computer so I can blog about this trip God blessed me with and share it to y'all. I still haven't gotten any decent sleep since the other night. Anyway, we arrived in Hong Kong at exactly 9:50 a.m. We're staying at my cousin's pad at the Grand Pacific View in Tuen Mun. Mom mom's wonder twin, Aunt Rosalina, welcomed us. My cousin is due to be back home on Friday from South Africa. I was feeling so sleepy when we finally got to the condo at around 11 a.m., but I didn't had time for a nap. Aunt Rosalina prepared us lunch. At around 1:30 p.m., sis and I went to Tsim Sha Tsui and the real adventure began.

We went around the city and my sis shopped like crazy! My legs were already hurting, but my sis just kept going and going like her feet had wheels! Guess what we bought - toys!!! We had Transformers and The Justice League from Toys R Us. Geez!

I'll be posting pictures next time. I haven't uploaded them yet, will try later. Okay, that's it for now. I gotta get some sleep. Ayt! signing off.

Zzzzz...

(inset photo: the swimming pool at the Grand Pacific View)


Adventure With Sis 2

Adventure With Sis 3

Back For Good

It was one lazy afternoon at my parent's house. Andre, my three year old nephew, was watching Tom and Jerry cartoons when my dad asked him, "Would you like to go with us to the states?"

"States? Yes!" Andre answered back, completely ignoring the show he was watching, as if he understood what my dad just asked him.

"Pero paano ka sasama sa amin ni Gwama, wala ka pang visa? (But how will you go with me and Grandma, you don't have a visa yet?)", my dad asked him again.

"Visa?" I just love the way he had this puzzled look.

"Ah, alam ko na, ikakahon nalang kita para makasama ka. (Oh, I know, I'll just put you in a box so we can bring you with us.)" My dad chuckled.

"No!!! Kuha mo ako visa! (Get me a visa!) This time all of us were already laughing. My nephew didn't understand what a visa was, but would rather have one than being plunked into a box.

I asked him, "Why do you want to go to the states?"

"Because I'd like to ride an airplane," he snapped back.

"Why is that?" I asked him again.

"I'll look for daddy sa (in the) airplane," he said.

Even when he got it all mixed up, we all found him so cute! The afternoon turned out not so lazy after all. We all had a hearty laugh and it felt real good.

I'm so glad to be back!!!

Happy Easter

While growing up, I was made aware of several beliefs that "must" be followed during the holy week. Most of these beliefs are, for me, questionable if not senseless. But believe it or not, there are still a number of people here who abide by these do's and dont's. Here are some of them:

~ One shouldn't take a bath on Good Friday (Yikes!)
~ One shouldn't eat meat during the holy week (I do and I'm still in one piece)
~ One shouldn't be happy during the holy week, especially on Good Friday and Black Saturday (So I have to wear a long face for 48 hours)
~ One shouldn't be doing fun activities during the holy week (This is why I used to hate holy week a lot)
~ One shouldn't get wounded on Good Friday or it won't heal until the next holy week (This is crazy!)

Not that I have any intention to step on anybody's foot here but if I did, I'm sorry. I used to dread holy week but not anymore. Now, I love holy week and this is why I do.

The Father gave His only Son to die on the cross to redeem us, to save us from eternal death. That is how much love He has for us. Jesus Christ died only once and now He lives. Because of this, we have all the reasons to rejoice. Now that I understand this truth, I no longer have to wear a long face during the holy week. I can now engage in fun activities because He lives! I use these days to relax, reflect and have fun! I think you should too. HAPPY EASTER!!!



Click on "See My Photo Gallery" under Captured Memories on the sidebar to see new pictures.

My Redeemer Lives

I know he rescued my soul

His blood has covered my sin

I believe, I believe

My shame He's taken away

My pain is healed in his name

I believe, I believe

I'll raise a banner

'Cause my Lord has conquered the grave

My Redeemer lives, my Redeemer lives

My Redeemer lives, my Redeemer lives

You Lift my burdens

I'll rise with You

I'm dancing on this mountain top to see your kingdom come.

The Horror!

I had my tooth extracted last Saturday. The horror!

I'm scared of dentists and that's a fact. I had a traumatic experience with a dentist as a kid. Though I only had one extraction in the past, it sure scared the crap out of me. I never wanted to go back to the dentist ever again. Of course, that wasn't possible because I was always dragged by my parents to the dentist for my dental prophylaxis. Those drills, it pains my ears!!! It made me squirm on my seat. And it still does now!

I didn't have a choice, my tooth cracked while eating french fries. Yes, french fries! I knew I had to visit my dentist again because I needed to have it checked. As she looked at it, she said that she needed to remove the tooth. Good heavens! I immediately turned white as snow, even my dentist noticed it. Haha!

I take good care of my teeth because I hate visits to the dentist. Well, I guess this time that wouldn't suffice anymore because I was asked to go see her again after six months. The horror!

Meet the Blogger

It was blazin' hot last Friday. Jec and I got ourselves ready to meet up with Duncan and his wife Nerissa. Finally, they're in Manila. I've developed more meaningful friendships, thanks to blogging. I hope to have the chance to meet each of you too one of these days. Check out the pictures below.

Duncan and Nerissa

D and Nicole (One of D and Neri's three adorable kids)

D, me and Jec (I look tired here but I was happy to have met them =)

Neri, D (Sleepy?), Zoe (Isn't she a cutie?), me and Jec (Surprised?!)

There's Nicole with her mom (far left). Their son's the one taking the picture.

Summer Fun

A few weeks ago, I was so worried about how I'd deliver the bad news to my colleagues. Guess what! All three probationary employees have already resigned and found themselves a better job somewhere else. Thank God! Not that I want them out of here but I couldn't possibly fail them in their evaluation when in fact they're doing good, just so I could meet the management's demands. I'm so relieved! But of course, this predicament is still far from over. A much bigger blow is yet to come.

It's officially summer here and it's time to have some fun!!! Don't you just love the smell of nature while sipping on your favorite fresh fruit shake under the shade of swaying palms?

Marzipan Babies

I got this from an email. The details are amazing! They look so REAL, aren't they?

Definition of Marzipan:

Almond paste -- a sweet paste made of ground almonds and sugar, often with egg whites or yolks, used as a layer in cakes or molded into ornamental shapes

They're soooo CUTE!!!

I'm Excited!!!

On a lighter note, after being afflicted by the crying spells for months, I think this time I'm almost well over it. I'm excited!!!

If you can't guess why, I'll let you know in my next post. Your prayers and mine have finally been answered. c",)

Blogaversary, Et Al.

It has been one whole year of fun blogging. Thank you all for sharing it with me. I'm looking forward to having more blogaversary to come. Love y'all!

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Something happened this week that required me to hold on strong in my faith in God. It was made clear to me that everything happens for a reason. Whether good or bad, there's a purpose why things happen. I may not totally comprehend why, but with my faith that God is in control, somehow, in the midst of all the fuss, I have peace. I feel so sorry, though, for someone very close to my heart. I pray that God will move in this person's life soon.

I would like to thank Bonnie for all the prayers and the encouragement she sent my way this morning. God bless her.

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