Giving up...

I was contemplating...

Contemplating.....

Contemplating even more...

That, I could start packing my humble belongings. See what I can sell, throw, and give away. Then absolutely leave everything to fate.
I've been hearing it inside...
A voice too hard to resist...
Too loud not to hear it!

I'm giving up it all up.
To fulfill a life-long dream...
And greatest desire!

Embrace, See, Experience the WORLD with my feet, with my hands, with my eyes, with my heart.

I WILL DO THIS.

this is LIFE...

Thank you to my ever talented and awesome friend @nollzzz for simply reminding me...that indeed the
BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE! aylabyu frend!

More than anything, I'm grateful that I'm given the chance to have this priceless experience each day with my kiddos! I do hope you get to experience something like this with your family, with your friends, with your loved ones, with your job, with your passions!

Thank you GOD for being A_W_E_S_O_M_E! love yah!

Click. And share.

Such a perfect timing for me to have stumbled upon these videos.

I have a 'hard' few weeks lately, personally and professionally.
These were the times when you can't help but losing the courage and the will to understand E-V-E-R-Y reason of what L-I-F-E is supposed to be.

My goals are dramatically changing.
My mood is stupidly swinging.
My strength is seriously slowing.
My self is slowly shambling.
Am I not worthy enough???

Not-good-at-all. I'm too early for a midlife crisis! At 30?! Really??? Pffff!

And the hard blow came this morning when I got a sad news of losing a dear friend last night. When a similar news was also given to me weeks ago.

So it made me think. A. LOT. MORE. Now, it's like a punch in my face (not that I had one before!)...I'm here for a great reason. If I still have time now, hopefully, plenty...why would I waste it OVERLY thinking of what's not even there, of what's not happened yet, or of what's I haven't seen???

These videos are perfect reminders that we are what we are. We need to embrace every single part of our perfections and imperfections. And have the guts and the courage to live your life without being afraid of what OTHER PEOPLE think/say or if it matters MOST to them.

Such is a gift to live a LIFE you've always wanted...no regrets and no worries. Only pure fun, embracing the challenges ahead, and daring the bold adventures that come along the way! (Yes, I shall and will embrace my vulnerability.)

So thankfully, she (Brene Brown) made me get back on track. Now, I can say this or even shout it out.....

I AM ENOUGH!!!

By the way, she's funny. You'll enjoy her.

"Vulnerability is the birthplace of profound joy, creativity, and love." 

Hope you get to share it too! mwah!

Food fest in my Instagram

I love taking pictures...as most people do in this "digital" age. I love the fact that there are geniuses out there that keep on inventing awesome things and ideas in photography to improve all our trying-hard-and-wannabe-professional-photography-skills. ;)

Hands down to them all!!!

Then along came...Instagram! I instantly became a fan! No wonder, Facebook man himself bought it for 1 billion dollars last week! Ohh, what money can do these days! Anyway, I love the fact that my trying-hard-and-wannabe-professional-photography-skill slash sooo-veryyyy-amateur-photography-skill is not sooo amateur anymore because of Instagram! Amen to that!

So in honor of my love for this app, let me share a few of my favorites. And I should warn you: THIS. WILL. MAKE. YOU. HUNGRY. UNTIL. THE. END. Weeee!!!

Disclaimer: I don't post a lot of me-myself-and-I  pics. I'm way past the stage of vanity and self-indulgence. So if in case you decide to follow me in Instagram, you'll see more of my other passions: foods and my kiddos!!! Thankyouverymuch! xxx  

 

Now time to feast your eyes, my luvs! ^.^ mwah!

Ceasar Salad

 What's in it?!: cherry tomatoes, quail eggs, lettuce, potato chips, Parmesan cheese, and apple cider sauce

I made this for #Holy Thursday.

Fried Dried Fish with Shrimp Paste and Papaya Salad on the side

 This is a typical meal of the Filipinos! Also known as: pagkain ng mahihirap! ;D #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines
One of my all time favorite dishes after I left for Beijing!

So never once have I missed bringing packs and packs of these dried fish here.

Experimental Dish

 I made this dish out of the ingredients I could find in our fridge!
What's in it?!: eggplant, carrots, egg, sausage, cilantro. Baked.
Best to eat with whole wheat bread!

Crispy Fried Chicken

I suck at frying! Fact!

This one was surprisingly okay and amazingly crispy! ^.^

The secret?!: dip chicken in cornstarch and full cream milk, and use Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Honey Glazed Spatchcock Chicken

This recipe was from Jenni Epperson's book: Fashion+ Food. 

Thankfully, my dear sister was kind enough to bring me my own copy from Pinas last January!

I'm hooked!

Mango Float

I saw mangoes in a fruit stand near our school and a bubble thought came...a mango dessert!

Simple Dimple recipe: grate the mangoes, then add Nestle cream and condensed milk. Mix. 

Prepare a molding pan. Layer all the ingredients in the pan: Graham crackers first, then distribute the mixed ingredient (mango,cream, & milk) evenly on top of them. Do it until you have three layers. Keep in the fridge for about 10-15 mins.

And indulge!!!

Century Tuna with Celery Ciders

In observance of Holy Week, I made this healthy and no-meat dish.

Ohhh, I love the pandesal on this one!

Got the recipe from www.jenniepperson.com

Vegetable Salad with Strawberry Yogurt and Apple juice

What's in it?!: baked tomatoes, mushrooms, and eggplants, hard-boiled egg, lettuce, and cheddar cheese (yes, no meat!

I think I'm leaning towards eating healthier and greener (these days and hopefully for a long time)!

And so should you! It's just that, it keeps doctors away! ;)

Now, hungry much???

Don't say I didn't warn you!!!

c",)

my fave pics of the week...

I have to get around with my writing.
I know.
I need to have my mojo back.
For I have lost it quite recently. Translation: PMS c'',)

To make up for the lost times and for the lack of blogging...let me share my fave pics that I have collected this week...

My. Hair. Was. This. Long.

I miss it.

I miss it not.

I miss it.

I miss it not.

The best thing about having a pixie cut...you don't need combs. 

Your fingers were also created for the purpose of combing it. c'',)

Giraffes. In blur. Sigh.

We had a school trip in the Wild Life Park of Beijing 

and this animal was definitely the one I was looking forward to see. 

They were amazingly beautiful...with their spots...with their movements...with the way they run...and how incredibly tall they were. 

When I saw them, I said to myself, "I wish we don't need to go into the wild to see them."

I didn't do them justice in this picture. 

Really.

Tiananmen Square. June 1978.

This is Faye's great grandmother. 

Epic picture.

This was just two years after Chairman Mao died (who's massive picture frame is behind her).

This was the decade when China was slowly opening up to the world.

Fact: 1978 was the year of the first ever email sent from China.

 On Sept. 20, 1978, the first ever e-mail link was established between Germany and China, ushering a new era of computerized development. 

Today, China has over 137 million active internet users! 

They also made the now infamous Great Firewall of China 

that blocked all social-media sites like Facebook, Twitter (and even this blogsite!) 

We, in the mainland need to have a VPN to access these sites. 

How incredibly crazy, no???

Faye's grandpa. Great Wall. In black and white.

I have a thing for black and white pictures. For me, they speaks volume of how dramatic and natural a picture is. Two opposing words that I can use to convey a same meaning, if you know what I mean?!

Black and white pictures reminded me so much of an uncle who used to do photography and works in a dark room to produce such pictures.

Does anyone still do this, at this age of digital and DSLR cameras???

I sure would want to!!!

Guo-Guo. My new kiddo.

I don't know how many cute little Chinese boys are out there. 

But he sure is definitely one!

I named him, Toni.

Because he officially became my new favorite person! c'',)

My big 3-0! ;)

I'm officially THIRTY!!!
It is indeed a milestone.

But more than anything, I am thankful for all the lessons I learned, the blessings I received, the people I met, and the adventures that I experienced.

These lines say it all...

From one of my favorite children's book: I Knew You Could

Celebrating my birthday have always been one of the most anticipated parties for my closest friends. Not entirely for the reason that they want to greet me personally but more of having the chance to eat the foods I prepared for them. Modesty aside, I'm one of the best party thrower you should know. ^.^

Originally, I planned to have a very personal journey somewhere where the bright sun, blue water, and complete serenity meet. Unfortunately, fate didn't want me to take that route. Sigh.

Then again, everything happens for a (great) reason, as it turned out that my big 3-0 was more special as I expected it to be. Thanks for all the wonderful people in my life for making it as such!

Here's the chronicle of my very special day...

~4hours 'til big day...
I took my fellow birthday month girlfriend, Airen for a laugh trip show with Tim Clive for the Beijing Literary Festival @ The Bookworm. Such a fun way to kick off a birthday!

Lesson learned: To love is to hope.

~2hours 'til big day...
Late dinner @Carmen. My last sip of Sangria represents all the bitter-sweet taste of what life has brought me.

Lesson learned: I will definitely be tasting more of those bitter-sweet taste in my life. So bring it on!

~1hour 'til big day...
Getting a pixie cut! I've been conditioning myself for a tattoo but I completely bailed out! So getting a pixie cut is the next fearful thing I've been meaning to do.

Lesson learned: Let go of your fears and inhibitions.

~Exactly midnight! My big day...
Housemates gave their supposedly "surprise" party for me. (They've been planning this thing for awhile unfortunately for them, I found out! haha) I was deeply touched that they thought of this. I love them all.

I'm already in my PJs! :D

Lesson learned: Value your friends for they surely become your person(s).

~6hours later...
Phone call greetings from my family in Pinas...
Lesson learned: Regardless of your distance, set your family as your most favorite people for they will always be there for you no matter what. Like really.

~9hours later...
Birthday greetings from my kiddos. Their sweet (lost in the note) voices of singing a Happy Birthday and their kisses were the most special gift I received!

Lesson learned: Be passionate with your work, so your work is no longer called a job.

~12hours later...
I didn't like my first pixie cut. So I had it shortened!

Lesson learned: It's okay to change the things you didn't like.

~14hours later...
Self-pampering. I booked my favorite neighborhood spa for a body massage, manicure, and pedicure.
Lesson learned: You owe it to yourself to indulge into something that will make you feel good.

~17hours later...
Checked emails. I had a total of 237(!!!) emails of birthday greetings from friends, families, and acquaintances around the world. Plus the ones who called and sent me a message. My heart was overwhelmed with JOY and LOVE. Thank you! Maraming Salamat! Madamo nga salamat! Xie! Xie! Geez, cyberworld is definitely making us all village neighbors! :D
Lesson learned: Thoughtful friends are great friends.

~19hours later...
Kitchen duties. I baked my (blue-green) birthday cake and cooked spaghetti (for long life) for my intimate party with my Filipinos.

Lesson learned: Always do the thing that you love most.

~20hours later...
Took my housemates to my favorite Chinese hutong restaurant--Dagui! The laughs and the conversations we had at the dinner table were something I will treasure most.

Lesson learned: Life is beautiful when shared with the people you love.

~22hours later...
 Intimate house party with my Filipinos. They have always been my little family here in Beijing. If not for them, I don't think I would have survived good old 'jing! I hope that all their birthday wishes for me do come true! ;)

I asked them to wear blue coz it's my fave color!

I also made them their now favorite cocktail of mine, Strawberry Mojito!

fooddam!

Lesson learned: The future is looking VERY good. Embrace whatever comes along and be grateful!

~24hours later...
Off to dreamland...zzzZZZ!!!

Best lesson(s) learned that day: 

Age is just a number. 

Regardless of what age we're celebrating, life is fabulous! 

Be positive. 

Be grateful. 

Be the BEST person that you want to be!

Happy 30th to me!

It feels good to be 3-0! Really.

My first medallion necklace!

Ever since as a little girl, I had a thing for jewelry. I love the look of anything "shiny and shimmery" next to my skin. I remember, I would often convince my lola, my aunt, and my cousins to buy me jewelries made of fake diamonds! In short, buli ka baso! Oh, how I loved those fancy things. Such a Fancy Nancy, I was! ;)

Then along came my aunts who lived in a convent and took religious life as their calling. I do remember, they would often come home for a short vacation and would bring with them their "tool kits". On it are different sizes and colors of beads, strings, and medallions. Then they would sit in their little corner as their so called work place and they would start connecting one beads after the other, until they form them into a beautiful creation: a rosary bead! I have never seen anyone who has worked such a task as patiently, happily and solemnly like them. In my young mind, I thought such work was easy and beautiful.

And I guess, it is.

Jewelry making was something I learned to love to do. Just give me beads and strings, and I can make something really nice. I started making bracelets in grade school out of a broken one. I made my first earrings in college. And necklace.

But this is my first attempt using medallions as a material. I'd like to think that it should not just be used for religious purposes only. And hopefully, it's not a "sin" to use them otherwise. ;)

Lookah! Lookah! Isn't this fabulous or what?!

Love or Hate the Philippines?!?

Updated: He's not from LA. And he never said "hate" so I'm going to change it to *dislike. As he twitted me back after my shout out. #kilig!

An American guy (from LA) who's been living in Central Philippines for more than three years now made this video of the things he *dislikes in my Las Islas Filipinas.


This video became viral because most Filipinos were offended of it. Not surprised.

CLICK HERE. 
(It automatically plays in this blog so, I have resorted to just post the link instead.)

My take? Personally, I didn't find it offensive. Funny? Not really. Satirical? Yep. Let's admit it, all the shits he said were true. We're not a nation of class and sophistication, after all! And most of it were also the things I (and you) hated in my (our) country. I think from my own list, I would have more than 20.

So let's get over this, shall we?

Moreover, let this be an eye-opener that there are some things we REALLY need to change and improve.

But ahmm, lady boys are hotter??? I beg to differ! (He's hot though! I'm officially stalking him here.)

Then again, he had many times said that the Philippines is a beautiful country with wonderful(!) people! So that alone is a validation that we're not at all bad. :)

And to make up for it, they made a LIKE video. Fair enough.

CLICK HERE.

(Again, it automatically plays here so just click on this link to watch the video.)

Check out more videos from them: www.channelfix.com

Now excuse me because they made me crave for Lechon Manok! I'm gonna try to cook one for moi! ;)

Inspired!

Adult life is slowly kicking me to my gut.
Thankfully, I have a bigger GOD who helps me.
And an inspiration such as this to live by.....

I think this has something to do with the big 3-0, as it's coming up soon. ;)

Learning a new language!

Okay, okay, I'll stop making excuses!
I'm not too OLD to do this.
If he can do it, then I'm sure as hell, I can do this!!!
Waaaaaaaaa...

So help me GOD!

Check out his blog: http://www.fluentin3months.com/