everydaybeans

house love: BEFORE photos

2011-11-15T13:14:00.006-07:00

Time to start this again

2011-11-02T23:35:00.009-06:00

Wow, it's been so long since I posted on this blog but oh well...I think it's time to restart since there's so much stuff in my life that I want to update. Plus I have bad memory so this would be good to look back on and say "oh yeah, that's what I've done with my life..."

I'm planning on documenting 2 huge events of my life in this blog: my upcoming July wedding to my wonderful fiancé Jobet and our adventures with the first purchase of our house! I'm sooooooo excited and I'm hoping to always make time to document these experiences. *cross my fingers*

home*sweet*home

Jobet's ready to work!

I hope we stay happy during renos lol

beso event design is launching soon!!!

2011-02-01T12:42:00.003-07:00

Sooo, I'm on lunchbreak and received news from Jen that the logo is done! WHOOPEEE! Soo happy - big ups to John Cruz who designed it for us on a whim! ILOVEIT! Next up, website design and business cards galore...thank goodness for Friday offs! I'm so happy :o) check out our blog for now: http://besoeventdesign.blogspot.com/

filipino "kakanin"

2011-01-20T10:37:00.003-07:00

This year, I'm going to learn how to make these yummy "kakanin"/desserts for fun! I want to make yema, polvoron, purple suman, puto, emsaymada, and if I can find someone to teach me "putobungbung?" that would be awesome! As you can see, these treats aren't very healthy but they are oh so delicious so it's one of those "must learn" items on my life list :o)

On top of that, Miss Jen is teaching me how to make masala chai tea, the authentic way - I can't wait! I've been loving the chai tea with steamed soy lately but I bet it doesn't compare to the real deal.

share your heart...

2011-01-17T20:25:00.002-07:00

"Do your little bit of good where you are;

it's those little bits of good put together

that overwhelm the world"

ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU

Nobel Peace Prize, 1984

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2011-01-12T15:12:00.003-07:00

Hello 2011! I've decided and have convinced myself that I'm going to make this year a very memorable year! Lots of amazing things happened to me last year and I'm pretty grateful for everything that I have in my life. I got engaged before year end too so that was icing on the cake - the wedding planner becomes the bride!

My year is going to be exciting and busy (in a good way): 7 weddings to design ...so far, 30-day yoga challenge and immersing myself in learning and practicing yoga regularly, launching beso event design (branding, marketing,etc.) 3-week trip to the Philippines, LA trip with Kris' fam in October/visit the Salazar's in SD, a relaxation weekend with Jobet where I'm supposed to sleep the entire time!, planning my 2012 wedding, moving into my first home with Jobet, and lots of other spontaneous experiences/trips that I'm certain will pop in every now and then between now and December.

I want to learn so much and I can't wait to dig into it, i.e. calligraphy, making a decent chai tea, financial analysis, completing a knitted scarf - started but never finished in 2010 (haha), anusara yoga (jen swears by it!), using the mac (seriously!), making Filipino "suman" - the purple kind and other yummy treats like "ensaymada", "yema", polvoron", and "palitaw", properly applying nail polish (I really suck at it), how to use SKYPE (sad isn't it?)

On top of that there's also things that I want to do more of this year: SLEEPING in beneath my cozy comforter, preparing and having dinners with my favourite people - like a communal kitchen, drinking tea, meditating, reading reading and more reading, saving for the future (the world is not ending in 2012 people but if it does, I'm hoping we can exit Earth with the best wedding party ever haha!), eating more greens, watching Netflix with Jobet, regular meetups with the BESO ladies, spending more fun times with my adorable nieces, nephews, and godchildren, indulging in the yummyness of Liberte Greek yogurt in coconut, moka or pomengranate flavour!, outdoor running,arts & crafts plus game nights, attending mass, and sharing more love and patience to everyone I know and strangers I will meet.

danna faulds

2010-12-12T11:38:00.003-07:00

BREAKING ALL THE RULES

There are moments when rules

are meant to be broken; when

bursting out of context is the

sole way to see with new eyes.

There are fences built only to

be torn down. The slats look

solid, but no one drove the nails

in tight. There are barricades

around the heart asking to be

breached. Sooner or later we

all run out of excuses for

staying small and safe.

WALK SLOWLY
It only takes a reminder to breathe,
a moment to be still, and just like that,
something in me settles, softens, makes
space for imperfection. The harsh voice
of judgement drops to a whisper and I
remember again that life is what we
were born for. As many times as I
forget, catch myself charging forward
without even knowing where I'm going,
that many times I can make the choice
to stop, to breathe, and be, and walk
slowly into the mystery.

-poems from the heart of yoga - GO IN and IN

mexican feast

2010-12-05T23:09:00.001-07:00

Out of the blue, Jobet and I craved for Mexican food so it seemed only proper to go all out and create our own version of a Mexican fiesta to the best of our abilities. Oh San Diego residents - you don't know how lucky are to be so close to authentic yummyness! Our meal consisted of ground chicken, avocado mixed with fresh pico de gallo (my fave!), toasted tortillas, and simple toppings such as peppers, limes, and salsa.

I love how all the colours are so vibrant and fresh - perfect way to say goodbye to the summer!

Fresh tortillas - hard to come by but we found a hole in the wall here in the city that makes these authentic tortillas so we this was a real treat.

Overall, we were pretty pleased with the turnout of our experiment! We'll definitely do this more next time we crave it again.

cookie party

2010-12-05T22:15:00.000-07:00

Today was sooo awesome! LenLen invited all the cousins over for a fun cookie party - we were each assigned cookie doughs which we brought to her place to bake, decorate, and share, sort of like a communal kitchen. She provided us with various cookie frostings and toppings plus cute boxes, tins, bags, tags, ribbons, etc. so we can all pack however many cookies we wanted to keep for ourselves or to give as presents for Christmas. This is wonderful if you wanted to wow your office mates without spending crazy moola! The whole event was fun and allowed everyone to get creative - I definitely want to host my own cookie party now, it was super cool!

An assortment of yummy delights ranging from decorated gingerman cookies, oatmeal coconut cookies, walnut cookies, and sugar cookies - great for potlucks or to leave on your office desk so your friends at work can munch on them. At my office everyone seems to want sweet snacks around 10 AM and 2 PM

Aren't they cute?! Not only can you make them in batches which is really easy but you can also personalize each one to the people you want to give them to. Gingerwomen in bikinis were designed by Dooland - I wish I can take credit for them but I was horrible at decorating!

i love hot yoga

2010-12-04T12:18:00.004-07:00

love notes from jen!

2010-10-08T10:15:00.000-06:00

I love getting daily doses of cool reads from Jen, she is the best! I love this one so much I had to post it:

Hi Rockstars!

It's Fri Fri!!!!

Anyhoots, just another quickie. The Nobel Prize is something I look forward to EVERY October (apart from Canadian Thanksgiving and Halloween and the leaves turning the most beautiful of colours). Today the Peace Prize was announced and for the very first time a Chinese citizen won. It's causing a lot of hoopla at the moment, as he is an advocate for human rights and democracy in communist China. Google Lui Xiaobo, he's a nifty fella. Well, I came across an essay of his, one he wrote before he got arrested last year. Here it goes:

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/10/08/i_have_no_enemies

It's a very beautiful essay and I... wait for it... cried. I love the fact that he is so much of what he believes in and yet not forcing it on anyone else. He finds peace in everyone, even the people against him. It's so nice to know there is someone out there who is like that, one who doesn't hold a cup that is full. My fave lines from the essay...

"... Reform and Opening Up, gentle and humane grounds for restoring mutual affection among people and peaceful coexistence among those with different interests and values, thereby providing encouragement in keeping with humanity for the bursting forth of creativity and the restoration of compassion among our countrymen. One could say that relinquishing the “anti-imperialist and anti-revisionist” stance in foreign relations and “class struggle” at home has been the basic premise that has enabled Reform and Opening Up to continue to this very day. The market trend in the economy, the diversification of culture, and the gradual shift in social order toward the rule of law have all benefitted from the weakening of the “enemy mentality.” Even in the political arena, where progress is slowest, the weakening of the enemy mentality has led to an ever-growing tolerance for social pluralism on the part of the regime and substantial decrease in the force of persecution of political dissidents, and the official designation of the 1989 Movement has also been changed from “turmoil and riot” to “political disturbance.” The weakening of the enemy mentality has paved the way for the regime to gradually accept the universality of human rights. "

The Weakening of the Enemy Mentality.

Well-said.

Smile to a stranger today!

LOVE YOU both

Jen

See what I mean? She's oh-so inspiring, love you Jen *hugs*

Feel the JOY

2010-10-06T12:41:00.005-06:00

Many of us are so inclined into thinking that we need to work for HAPPINESS. We often overlook that happiness is already here to be experienced in every moment. Happiness is an innate quality within each of us, like the capacity to walk and be kind. However, we likely forget that this NATURAL JOY can be felt even during challenging moments in our lives.

Be reminded that truly happy people are not always happy, and being joyful does not mean you stop feeling the full range of human emotion by denying yourself of grief, sorrow or sadness. These negative emotions are just temporary visitors. Rather, those who discover the secret of well-being are capable of engaging with whatever circumstances life presents. It is important to understand where TRUE happiness lies. In order to experience genuine well-being, develop a WHOLESOME and HEALTHY state of mind, such as kindness, humility, simplicity and generosity which are different from wholesome states from desires that provide mere fleeting pleasure. So, take an honest look on what contributes to inner ease and expansiveness within yourselves, and cultivate them. As you become present for moments of joy and nourish your spirit in healthful ways, you create the conditions for well-being to arise naturally.

There is deep joy in simply being alive.

From Here Right Now, 2002

2010-10-04T12:26:00.002-06:00

ARTIST: Panya Clark Espinal

Created for: Toronto Transit Commission

Quite surreal, I absolutely love it!

OMG I want one!

2010-10-04T12:20:00.005-06:00

Kota the Triceratops is a robot toy for children that "has 11 different movements and reacts to touch and sound." The 37-pound behemoth can even support a child rider up to 60-pounds.

35 Simple Ways to Be Beautiful

2010-09-30T15:54:00.001-06:00

Awww, I love this post by Lori Deschene. No new ideas but we should all be naturally doing these types of things on a daily basis.

1. Smile. As the quote goes, “I’ve never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful.”

2. Be there for someone who needs you even if there’s nothing in it for you–give without expectations.

3. Make a sacrifice for someone you love.

4. Admit a mistake, even if it’s hard to say you’re wrong, and work to make amends.

5. Share your struggles, putting your ego aside, to make someone else feel less alone.

6. Create something that helps people. A song, a blog, a support group, a non-profit–anything that inspires.

7. Help a child feel good about him or herself.

8. Tell someone what you appreciate about them, even if you feel vulnerable.

9. Forgive someone without needing to hear the words, “I’m sorry.”

10. Give someone an uncomfortably long hug when they need it.

10. Create positive energy around you by thinking positive thoughts and acting with positive intentions.

11. Sit with reality without judging anyone or anything.

12. Accept someone for who they are instead of trying to change them to who you want them to be.
13. Treat people like you want to be treated.
14. Notice something simple but beautiful in the world around you.
15. Acknowledge the beauty in others, instead of feeling threatened or competing with other people.
16. Be the change you want to see in the world, as per Gandhi’s suggestion.
17. Tap into your personal power and do something that makes a difference in the world.
18. Find strength in a challenging moment. It’s not easy to do, and you deserve credit for it.
19. Talk kindly about the world around you instead of gossiping or complaining.
20. Forget yourself for a minute and do nothing but listen to someone who needs it.
21. Measure a person by their best moments, not their worst.
22. Give yourself the same courtesy–focus on the good you’ve done, not the mistakes you’ve made.
23. Take the high road when someone hurts you instead if being cruel or catty.
24. Make someone laugh. A smile can literally melt stress and pain away. How beautiful of you to do that for someone else!
25. Make someone cry–tears of joy that is. People want to feel moved, inspired, motivated. Never underestimate the power of touching someone’s heart.
26. Keep an open mind instead of sticking with a judgment or assumption.
27. Love what you’re tempted to fear.
28. Be the voice of optimism when the people around you need it badly.
29. Show humility when your accomplishments would make it easy to stand above people.
30. Handle rejection or failure with grace. It’s far more easily said than done–and it sounds so cheesy and cliche–but accepting loss gracefully makes you a true winner.
31. Show unbridled enthusiasm for something that excites you. All children are beautiful, and I think their unadulterated joy has a lot to do with it.
32. Hear what someone means, not just what they say. Anyone can nitpick. Not everyone actively works to be understanding.
33. Imagine a world where people know peace, and do one small thing to create it.
34. Honor the values that matter to you. Showing integrity is the first step to feeling good about yourself.
35. Accept and love yourself–or as Ben Folds sings, “Learn to live with what you are.”

And the reality is I am imperfect. We all are. We all have moments of weakness–but they’ll only define us if they far surpass moments of kindness, compassion, love, and strength.
Being beautiful doesn’t mean adhering to some picture-perfect fantasy, or living every moment that way. It means realizing this moment is a new opportunity to be who you want to be, and making the effort to seize it.

How will you be beautiful today?

10 Ds of an Entrepreneur

2010-09-30T15:27:00.002-06:00

“Ten Ds of an Entrepreneur” as described by William D. Graves. These are the ten key characteristics that most entrepreneurs possess.

Dream: Entrepreneurs have a vision of what the future could be like for them and their businesses. And, more importantly, they have the ability to implement their dreams.
Decisiveness: They don’t procrastinate. They make decisions swiftly. Their swiftness provides a key factor in their success.
Doers: Once they decide on a course of action, they implement it as quickly as possible.
Determination: They implement their ventures with total commitment. They seldom give up, even when confronted by obstacles that seem insurmountable.
Dedication: They are totally dedicated to their business, sometimes at considerable cost to their relationships with their friends and families. They work tirelessly. Twelve-hour days and seven-day work weeks are not uncommon when an entrepreneur is striving to get a business off the ground.
Devotion: Entrepreneurs love what they do. It is that love that sustains them when the going gets tough. And it is love of their product or service that makes them so effective at selling it.
Details: It is said that the devil resides in the details. That is never more true than in starting and growing a business. The entrepreneur must stay on top of the critical details.
Destiny: They want to be in charge of their own destiny rather than depend on an employer.
Dollars: Getting rich is not the prime motivator of entrepreneurs. Money is more a measure of their success. They assume that if they succeed they will be rewarded.
Distribute: Entrepreneurs distribute the ownership of their businesses with key employees who are critical to the success of the business.

to write love on her arms

2010-09-27T11:01:00.001-06:00

My Dearest Friends and Lovers,

How are you all doing? I hope your Monday is coming along sweetly!

Just a quickie here, something to share with you:

http://www.twloha.com/index.php

We are all deeply concerned for our friends and loved ones, and especially share time with them when they are unwell, many of whom suffer from debilitating diseases. Mental illness is often overlooked, and I hope you will make every moment you have with everyone you love and care about precious, and live every day to the fullest. Please spread the word!

Love you all and MANY HUGSIES,

2010-09-27T10:32:00.004-06:00

This is an excerpt from the Herald this morning that I really liked:

"No perfect thing exists in this world.

The achievable target is balance and a sense of fulfilment.

We all have ups and downs. We're all a work in progress. Being content from within, that's having it all."

-Erica Diamond

Happy Monday!

2010-09-27T10:29:00.001-06:00

This morning at work I felt a little bit anxious - maybe it's my clean freak ways but my office was looking a little too cluttered for my liking (it really wasn't but I didn't feel good coming in to it - too "officey"). So....as soon as I hung my coat, I went on a purging rampage! I recycled papers I haven't looked through in over a month and even got out my handy dandy label maker so I can make specific folders. My favorite is a folder called "touch me NOW" haha - which means anything that goes in there is a must do or a 2 minute task that I keep deferring so now there's no more lame excuses not to do them. It's surprising how many of these tasks you can accumulate in a month!

I found this article from http://unclutterer.com and I totally followed through this list:

Five uncluttering things you can do in your office right now

Grab all of those post-it notes off your screen, phone, keyboard, and bulletin board and permanently capture that information. Enter phone numbers into your address book, put to-do items on your calendar, and hide your passwords in a place where snoopers can’t find them.
Gather up all of your writing implements, and test your pens and markers. Get rid of those that don’t work, and sharpen all of your pencils. Finally, put all of these items in an organized container that is near where you use them.
Process an inch of paperwork from your desk’s inbox. File, sign, scan, read or return the papers as necessary. Don’t put anything back into your inbox.
Get everything out of your office that doesn’t belong there. Walk that dead printer to the IT department for recycling, and give your co-worker back the scissors you snagged off her desk when you couldn’t find yours.
Check your bulletin board for any out-dated office phone lists, take-out menus, or memos, and drop them into the recycling bin or shredder. Rearrange what is left so that the information you reference most often is in the spot that is easiest to see.

After uncluttering my space, I did some cleaning as well with my handy dandy Lysol wipes - that's right, everything in my office is super germ free, and last but not the least, I FEBREEzed (linen & sky scent)! It seems odd that I would do this all on work time but it really doesn't take long and honestly if you can see my space, you'd feel so motivated to work again, I know I do and that makes me feel great about coming into work on a Monday!

From Elizabeth Fayt...

2010-08-18T11:28:00.009-06:00

No matter what we materially acquire, life will continue to be a journey of "longing" until you have found Inner Peace. So when you are asking the Universe for what you want, be sure to include Inner Peace. But there's a catch. When you ask for it, it won't necessarily arrive on a silver platter. Rather, you will be given opportunities to "cultivate" it. Over the next series of newsletters, I will be sharing tips for Cultivating Inner Peace that will change your life.

Cultivating Inner Peace - Tip #1:
Release the need to interpret the words or actions of others
This is big. Can you imagine life without wondering what someone else is thinking or why they said what they said? It is one of the biggest causes of emotional stress in relationships and often ignites a downward spiral of negative inner chatter. It's time to release attachment to the thoughts and words of others. It's none of your business. Focus instead on your own thoughts, choosing those thoughts that will take you to the experience of your choice! What others say and do is "their stuff". What you say and do, is "yours". To cultivate Inner Peace, consciously choose thoughts and words that will take you in the direction of Peace.

Cultivating Inner Peace - Tip #2:
Lose the desire for conflict
You might say to this, "I do not desire conflict!" But look at your life. Do you spend any time thinking or talking about things that aren't all about harmony? A simple example, you come home from work and tell your spouse or room-mate "You'll never guess what happened today....". Often it's something juicy and not about harmony! When you talk about conflict (even if it is about others), you show the Universe you are interested in it. And guess what, more shows up for YOU. Lose the desire for conflict by releasing the need to give it any energy.
Another way you can do this is by refraining from responding negatively to anything negative that comes at you. When we get faced with a "zinger" from another. It happens--that look that could kill, or that comment that could slice! If you choose to respond in kindness rather than with a returned "zinger", it shows the Universe that you have no interest in conflict.
It takes two to fight. Lose the desire for conflict by choosing harmony.
Pre-pave that you want harmony in your life, and only give energy to those things that will create more harmony. In this way, you will cultivate greater Inner Peace in your life.

Cultivating Inner Peace - Tip #3:
Be Still
If you want peace at work, in your family and your relationships, it must start with you. Meditation is the way. Sometimes the thoughts in our head get so loud that we can't even hear ourselves think, let alone hear our Soul talk to us. Meditation is a time to consciously quiet the mind and just be still. In this quiet space, we become aware of what it is that we truly need in our lives to be fulfilled and happy. With practice, you will find that the happiness you have been seeking outside, has been residing within you the whole time. Start today by taking 5 minutes out of your day to just sit, breathe and be still.
Sometimes we express love for another until it becomes inconvenient or difficult. The moment our feelings get hurt, we pull back the love. Loving unconditionally means that no matter what the circumstance we continue to express love. It is easy to love those who love us. It takes more effort to love those who test us.

Cultivating Inner Peace - Tip #4:
Receive criticism with the right attitude

When you are criticized, take a moment to be honestly introspective. Ask yourself: Is this true? If it is, then work towards correcting yourself. If not, then still strive to become better.
This is called spiritual maturity. If you want Inner Peace, you must not be ruffled by what others say. Rather: embrace it, receive it, and be moved to change by it.
Criticism is a gift when you put it to good use.

I agree...

2010-08-18T11:19:00.000-06:00

YAY!

2010-08-18T11:15:00.005-06:00

The Beso Event Design Blog has been launched!
Check us out: http://besoeventdesign.blogspot.com

for miss sharon

2010-07-08T13:24:00.001-06:00

A shower invite design for Hannah

2010-07-06T13:48:00.001-06:00

Theme: vixen/pinup girl party!

la dolce vita.

2010-07-05T15:21:00.001-06:00

loose moose

2010-05-14T10:41:00.001-06:00

Random office emails that make work funner :o)

for chloe...

2010-05-13T13:12:00.003-06:00

how not to meditate

2010-05-13T13:05:00.002-06:00

HAHA, I can relate to this image since I've been trying to meditate - it is soooooo hard for me to do it! Practice makes perfect they say...

Do you need to call the fridge doctor?

2010-04-18T11:43:00.008-06:00

Spring is here and what better way to revamp eating habits for something fresh. Here are simple tips for choosing healthier snacks:

1 Wash fruit so it's ready to eat, and chop crunchy veggies ready to eat with low-fat dips, hummus or spicy salsa. Store these items at eye level or keep a basket of fruits at the table so you see them first when a snack attack hits.

2 Keep indulgent treats in a plastic box at the back of the fridge --- that way you will eat them when you REALLY want them, not because they catch your eye.

3 Buy cheese ready-grated --- it will go further with sandwiches and wraps, and it will be less tempting than nibbling a chunk of cheese here and there.

4 Do not routinely keep wine and beer in the fridge. If you have to chill a bottle specially, it's easier to resist.

5 If mornings are a rush, stock up on grab-and-go breakfast foods. Try yogurts, prepared fruit salads, hard-boiled eggs, cottage cheese with fruit, or Anabanana's favourite, smoothies.

6 Keep a jug of water in the fridge with slices of lemon, lime or oranges to jazz it up. When water looks inviting, it is easier to resist less healthy drinks.

Also, a little bit goes a long way....

One ten-minute walk after breakfast, lunch and dinner = three-and-a-half hours of exercise per week.
Eat 500 fewer calories a day = lose 1lb per week
Go to bed 30 minutes earlier, three times a week = 10 nights' sleep a year
Cut one sugar from your tea or coffee = lose 10lb per year

Look forward to warm, sunny days, and listen to the birds sing! Happy spring everyone!

Hugs, JenuineNerd

Geniosity

2010-04-16T07:27:00.006-06:00

Many of us know Albert Einstein as the genius physicist whose theories changed our ideas of how the universe works. But there is more behind the hair and the equation E=mc2. There is an Einstein we never knew; his holy curiosity:

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.... The important thing is not to stop questioning; curiosity has its own reason of existing. One can help but be in awe when contemplating the mysteries of eterninty, of life, of the marvelous structures of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of the mystery every day. The important thing is not to stop questioning; never lose a holy curiosity."

The stroke of genius, that is Einstein and his openess to life, I've long since admired (he totally rocks). I encourage you to take these words in your daily happenings.

Two for the show

2010-04-11T02:50:00.009-06:00

Thank you to my dearest BFF, Anabanana, for inviting me into her blogging life! She has been nudging me to blog for some time now, and NOW is the time!

I love jotting my thoughts, feelings and ideas on paper, napkins, my arm, my legs and especially my Moleskine(s). I feel the authenticity of the medium, the texture of the paper and of the pen at hand. Although my life on paper will be maintained, writing online is something different and I am ready for it!

So stay tuned, boys and girls. This will be twice the energy, twice the fun and double the deliciousness!

Hugs, JenuineNerd

INTRODUCING....

2010-04-09T14:36:00.005-06:00

My BFF Jen is going to be part of this blog from this day forward! YAY, I've been bugging her to be a part of it for a while now so the time has finally arrived. I have no clue what her username would be yet but I am so excited...this would be our shared blog so that means twice as much goodness!

Jen - So glad you've finally done it haha Happy blogging to noone in particular but the two of us BAHAHAH Love you lots chick!

My Perfect R&R day

2010-04-09T13:10:00.004-06:00

R&R - Rest and Relaxation

We all need one of these once in a while. A time to just take it easy and rejuvenate and not think of anything else that's going on in our daily lives. I've created a list of 5 activities that I would love to do for my R&R day.

1. Wake up fresh after a great night sleep in my comfy bed - I love cozy beds with lots of pillows and a thick down feather blanket. I would totally drool all over it but it's part of great sleep. I sleep really well at the Sheraton for some reason, it must be the heavy drawn curtains and the best bedding in the world! haha

2. Have a nice picnic and stroll in the park - I like being outdoors and I think that picnics are sooo enjoyable with or without other people with you. A nice blanket and a good book completes this afternoon delight

3. Massage! What more can I say - take out those kinks and just enjoy the treat.

4. Have a lovely and intimate dinner party with people I love - fancy or not, nothing beats good company and good food. There's no need to spend tons of money dining out, no need to get dolled up and it's more laid back and you won't be surrounded by other people in loud restaurants.

5. Have a fun game night! - I love these nights and even if you don't have these Hasbro games, you can play charades instead which is just as entertaining. I love video game nights too but I find that playing the board games are much more memorable.

do little things

2010-04-09T12:26:00.004-06:00

When my work life gets busy, I tend to delay other tasks/appointments that are non-work related and it ends up piling up. I really do not enjoy it when there's so many things nagging me in the back of my head, it really ruins my concentration. So this week, I want to complete a few of those tasks.

Here's my little things for this week:

SPRING CLEANING!!!!! In with the new out with the old - or since I don't have much new things, I need to purge items I no longer have a need for. I think it's time to test out ebay to sell some of the items

Reduce clutter in the office and my bedroom - little knick knacks here and there add up to one huge eye sore (at least for me it does)

Clean the car especially the trunk! - You actually waste gas simply by having too much loaded into your trunk.

Visit with some old friends - not that I've been avoiding them but it's hard to come up with the same schedules now that everyone is leading their own lives.

File my computer documents - This is going to be very unexciting for moi but I have to just suck it up and do it - besides I should really run updates on my laptop, it's been going crazy lately.

Prioritize

2010-04-09T12:09:00.003-06:00

I cannot believe how much I've been posting about work-related articles lately - I guess it's been helping me cope with all the stress AT WORK these past few weeks. It only takes a few minutes to find a brief article to read and post but it can get me right back into working mode. Once I'm "in the zone" I get a lot of things done and I forget about complaining or grunting and even thinking about what it would be like if I was in a different company. In fact I can't dream of a better company to work for (except my own hehe) and I'm very grateful for the position. It can't always be fun and games right? That's why it's called work...

WORK
–noun
exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something
something on which exertion or labor is expended; a task or undertaking
employment, as in some form of industry, esp. as a means of earning one's livelihood
materials, things, etc., on which one is working or is to work.
the result of exertion, labor, or activity; a deed or performance.
a product of exertion, labor, or activity: musical works

Anyways, here is another article to help deal with the workload - PRIORITIZING

How to Prioritize Work
By: Will Turner

Prioritizing is determining what needs to get done and in what order. Your priorities should be items that come directly from your goals. Here are some ideas to help you stay focused on your most important tasks.

1. Use the Pareto Principle. This is the same as the 80/20 rule. Recognize that 20% of your activities give you 80% of the value. So focus on the high impact tasks. Ask yourself, "Am I doing the things that give me the most value?"
2. Separate the urgent from the important. Once you've separated your "to do list" into urgent and important, you should focus your energy on the important tasks. Urgent issues are rarely important in the big scheme of things. Often times, other people will try to push their crises (urgencies) onto you. Don't let poor planning or execution from someone else become your problem unless it is absolutely necessary.
3. Determine the future impact. Ask yourself, "What is the future impact of a current action?" High priority items will have a big future impact. Low priority items will have no (or negligible) future impact.
4. Set posteriorities. If you are embarking on something new, you must decide what you are going to give up. You' can't continue to accept new responsibilities without getting rid of others.
5. Learn to say "no." Learning to say "no" can be difficult, but it is a necessary skill if you want to stay focused on the things that are most important to you. Ask yourself, does the assignment, activity or responsibility align with your overall goals? If the answer is "no," then decline the temptation to get involved.
6. Use the A, B, C; 1, 2, 3 system. List everything you need to do on your "To Do List." Go through your list and identify those items that absolutely have to get done today. These are critical tasks that are very important. Sometimes these items are important and urgent. Mark them with an "A." Now, go through your "A" list and prioritize by marking your most important item as "A1" and your next most important item as "A2," etc.
Once you've identified your "A" items, mark your "B" items. These are tasks that are important but are not as time-sensitive or as critical to your success as the "A" items. Go through the same process as above and prioritize your "B" items using a 1,2,3 numbering system. Finally, do the same thing with your "C" items which are not as pressing or important as your "A" or "B" items. As you complete the items, based on priority, on your "To Do List," you can check them off.
To keep your prioritizing from being derailed during the day, make sure that any items that are added to your list during the day are put on your list and ranked relative to the other items. This will prevent you from handling interruptions before tasks that are truly more important. You don't have to reorganize your whole list, just insert the new item in order of importance. For example, a task could become "A2.5" which means you would work on it after your previously marked "A2" task and before your "A3" task.
7. Outsource or delegate. If you have the ability to outsource or delegate, do so with tasks that can be easily handled by others. This will free you up to work on more important priorities. Remember to follow-up to make sure the tasks were completed to your satisfaction and give feedback as necessary to ensure things will be handled correctly in the future.

The best eggplant dip

2010-04-05T23:20:00.007-06:00

During college days I got the opportunity to work for an Iranian restaurant called Red Saffron Bistro (it was my first waitressing job) and it was one of the best experiences ever! My only regret is not taking a copy of the menu so that I could try to re-make the entrees. In my opinion, Iranian/Persian food is among the most tastiest and comforting food ever, not to mention labour intensive to make. It opened my palette to different varieties of flavours/spices and I seriously love the stews, kebobs, dips, and salads! EVERYTHING.

If I were asked what meal I can eat over and over again my choice would be this: tabouli for my salad, kashke bademjam on top of basmati rice with saffron, a serving of chicken kebob for extra protein and rice pudding (not Iranian but, I really had to pick my favourite dessert so I'd go with the pudding!) Wash it all down with water and Moroccan mint tea and I will be satisfied in life! No jokes!

That's why I was sooooo happy to find the recipe for kashke bademjam - it's one of the most detailed ones that I've found and it seems pretty close to the ones we used to eat at Red Saffron. Heaven!!! FYI, bademjam means eggplant in Farsi. This is by far my absolute favourite vegetable in the world although I find that people either really love eggplant or they really hate it. Oh well, I love it so here is the recipe for this yummy dip:

Kashke Bademjan
serves 12

5-6 eggplant
1/2 cup water1 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2-3 big onions, diced
1tbsp turmeric
1 tsp black pepper
2-3 tbsp kashk (or creme fraiche)
1 tsp saffron, dissolved in 2 tbsp of boiling water

Peel the eggplants and dice them into small pieces. Add them to a frying pan or large saucepan with water and tomato paste and let slowly simmer on low or medium-low, covered.Meanwhile, heat the oil to a frying pan on medium-high heat. Add the onions, turmeric and pepper, and caramelize.Once the onions are caramelized, add most of them to the simmering eggplant, reserving about a quarter for the garnish. Uncover and continue cooking until the water and any juice from the eggplants has evaporated, stirring as often as possible.When you the eggplant seems no longer watery and only the leftover oil from the caramelized onions remains, allow it to sit and brown in the pan. The longer you let this cook, the more the flavors will mellow together and the tastier it gets. After about 20 minutes, turn off the heat and add salt and pepper, to taste. Mix with the kashk or a mixture of sour cream and yogurt.Pour into your serving dish. For the garnish, add a few drops of saffron dissolved in hot water to kashk. Add this mixture, plus the rest of the caramelized onions to the top of the eggplant mixture and use the end of your spoon to create a dramatic flow, dragging the toppings into eachother.Serve with pita chips or lavash bread.

***Recipe found from http://1tsplove.blogspot.com/ - THANK YOU!!!

pudding crazy

2010-04-05T13:27:00.003-06:00

I LOVE PUDDING!

I love pudding and when I was in highschool, one girl actually nicknamed me Pudding because I ate it in class so much! I can't believe it never occured to me to freeze my pudding! I feel so cheated! haha

I really don't know why it came to me so late in the game, but oh well, now that I have discovered this, I think my passion for pudding has been re-invented!!! I'm so excited to try it out this week :o)

ROCKY ROAD PUDDING POPS
This chocolate, marshmallow, and walnut combination has always been one of my favorites. Sink your teeth into the Rocky Road Pudding Pops (front and center in photo) or try the White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Pudding Pop, Butterscotch Pudding Pops or Pistachio Pudding Pops (back row from left to right).
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup dutch process cocoa powder
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 cups milk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup mini marshmallows
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt.
2. Add the milk and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat as soon as the mixture thickens.
3. Stir in the butter until melted. Add the vanilla. Let cool in refrigerator for 20 minutes.
4. Stir in the marshmallows and nuts.
5. Pour into the pop molds. Insert the sticks. Freeze for at least 8 hours.
6. Remove from the freezer. Let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes before removing the pops from the molds. Serve.

PISTACHIO POPS

Omit the cocoa powder and marshmallows. Replace the walnuts with 1 1/2 cup shelled pistachios. In a food processor or blender, grind 3/4 cup of the nuts to a paste. Stir the nuts into the pudding in step 2. Add 3 drops green food coloring in step 4.

BUTTERSCOTH POPS

Omit the cocoa powder, marshmallows, and nuts. Use brown sugar instead of white sugar. Add 1 cup butterscotch chips in step 4.

WHITE CHOCO & MACADAMIA NUT POPS

Omit the cocoa powder. Replace the walnuts with macadamia nuts. Add 3/4 cup white chocolate chips in step 4.

(All recipes taken from
http://icypops.com/recipes.html)

do it now!

2010-04-05T13:17:00.000-06:00

Be Positive!

2010-04-05T10:08:00.005-06:00

In addition to the previous post, I find this article from http://zenhabits.net/ also helpful to help stop my negative thoughts. I really do believe that how you think or how you will yourself to think can totally change your whole outlook on different situations.

How to Be a Positive Person, in Under 300 Words
Post written by Leo Babauta.

‘Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune.’ ~Walt Whitman

I’m a pretty positive person — I consider it one of the keys to the modest success I’ve had in creating new habits and achieving things in the last few years.
I couldn’t have run three marathons without a positive mindset, nor created Zen Habits, mnmlist, or The Power of Less. I couldn’t have lost 50 lbs., quit smoking, eliminated my debt, or quit my day job.
Positive thinking, as trite as it seems, has changed my life.
I’m not going to sell you on it, but if you’re interested, here’s the condensed guide to changing your own life:

Realize it’s possible, instead of telling yourself why you can’t.
Become aware of your self-talk.
Squash negative thoughts like a bug.
Replace them with positive thoughts.
Love what you have already.
Be grateful for your life, your gifts, and other people. Every day.
Focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t.
Don’t compare yourself to others.
But be inspired by them.
Accept criticism with grace.
But ignore the naysayers.
See bad things as a blessing in disguise.
See failure as a stepping stone to success.
Surround yourself by those who are positive.
Complain less, smile more.
Image that you’re already positive.
Then become that person in your next act.

Focus on this habit first, and you’ll have a much easier time with any other.

‘A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.’ ~Herm Albright

Deal With Stress at Work

2010-04-05T09:53:00.004-06:00

Ayayay, work has been stressful lately and I find that it has been affecting my mood - i.e. feeling agitated and irritated. So instead of getting into a slump, I've been looking for ways to reduce these negative feelings and find ways to uplift my spirits.

Here's an article I recently read that's been a little bit helpful:

Deal with Stress at Work
By Michelle Howard

Stress in the workplace reduces productivity which is why it's important and beneficial to adequately deal with stress at work. While some forms of stress are normal in a work environment, intense and constant stress can affect job performance and eventually your health. Office workers have to be particularly savvy at managing stress levels due in part to the increase in technological advances which contributes to what is termed, "Information Overload."
Several indicators of stress at work are:
· You don't feel you have enough time in each work day to complete your major tasks
· Feelings of being overwhelmed due to the number of demands being placed on your time and attention.
· A poor channel of communication with your direct manager.
· Challenges with interpersonal relationships (at work and home)
· Little to no rest periods
· Inadequate job training
Below are some tips to help manage or reduce stress at work:
· Work on improving time management skills. It's helpful to have a plan when tracking work responsibilities. If you have the type of job that requires repeat roles that are either daily or weekly, try writing up a work plan that details what you need to do, how you plan to accomplish the task and the due date. I find that it's very helpful to have your tasks organized in print, instead of mentally categorizing or focusing on what needs to be accomplished. Being organized in this manner will help to manage stress, while effectively tackling your workload. I realize that it will take some precious time to compose a daily/weekly work plan. However, the time you spend doing so will pay off.
· Manage Relationships. Stress can be minimized when you adequately manage your relationships. This is true regardless of the type of relationship.
· If you don't have regularly scheduled updates with your supervisor, be proactive and ask for them. 15-30 minute updates per week or biweekly keeps an opportunity available for you to have your workload prioritized, communicate your concerns and to offer feedback. However, a word of caution - Do not use this time to always complain about all the things you don't like about the job, the company or your coworkers.
· Learn how to say "No" and when to say "No" to things that are asked of you that are not a part of your regular responsibilities. Of course, you want to be a flexible and helpful team player who doesn't want to burn any bridges but when things get to be too much, you must know your limitations and stick to them. There's nothing wrong with telling someone that you are a bit overwhelmed and you would like to help them but you can't right now. Even if a task is within your scope of responsibility, you can prioritize by finding out when the tasks needs to be completed.
· Take one 5-10 minute break every 90 minutes to two hours (max) to get a drink of water and stretch. Do not take a break sitting at a computer. The idea is to leave the work station to allow you a much needed break. Not to minimize anyone's workload but to break does mean to stop suddenly, to escape, to discontinue 1
· Take a moment to call a loved one just to say, "I love you." Showing love is the absolute best way to fend off stress.
· Take one day each month to completely "cleanse" and organize your work station. - Get rid of papers or materials you no longer need (according to company policy, i.e. shredding sensitive documents); wipe down computer equipment and desk areas to clear away dust if you don't' have a cleaning crew to do this for you.
· If you work in an office, make sure your workstation is ergonomically correct (see image below 2) - ensuring that your work area (seating, computer screen height and desk level) is positioned in the best way to minimize fatigue and, discomfort and to prevent conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
· If the level of stress is just too high and you can not directly affect conditions such as safety risks, office politics or unreasonable demands, it may be time to look for another job. Your health and peace of mind is worth more than any job can afford.

IF this doesn't really help you, just follow Jobet's advice: Hakuna Matata - he's so smart and slim! :o)

21 suggestions

2010-03-31T08:54:00.002-06:00

What is your aura?

2010-03-26T09:04:00.005-06:00

Out of boredom and no real reason, I took a quiz to find out my "aura" color from this site:

http://www.gotoquiz.com/what_color_is_your_aura_2

My results show that I am a TRUE ORANGE girl all the way - yipee!

for miss kate...

2010-03-23T15:50:00.003-06:00

home office inspiration

2010-03-18T12:31:00.001-06:00

positive affirmations

2010-03-14T01:40:00.003-07:00

Affirmations are positive statements that describe a desired situation, event, habit or goal, and are repeated mentally or aloud. When these statements are repeated often and in a certain way, they eventually take root in the subconscious mind and influence it to act accordingly. Sometimes when my work feels redundant and boring, I focus my attention on affirmations that I would display in one of my screens to motivate me to keep working - it really does work and keeps me from slacking off. Here are a few of my favourites:

do little things...

2010-03-14T01:09:00.004-07:00

Wow! It's been a while since I've done this section. I haven't been posting every week as I originally thought I would but this is something I think I should upkeep just to remind myself to take the time and really reflect on the smaller things that make me happy and fulfilled even though life can be soooo busy.

Here's my little things to try for this week:

Join a sports social club for the spring session

Learn some Japanese

Journal in my moleskin!

Finish reading the HAPPINESS PROJECT

Do not get irritated quickly - just let it be

simple wedding cakes...

2010-03-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

hot pink, brown & orange

2010-03-02T15:53:00.003-07:00

for hannah....

2010-02-26T14:10:00.003-07:00

for Nina...

2010-02-25T16:36:00.000-07:00

for Joceylyne...

2010-02-25T16:32:00.000-07:00

for Jenelle....

2010-02-25T16:26:00.001-07:00

sushi etiquette

2010-02-19T10:30:00.001-07:00

Sadly, I need to work on my sushi etiquette skills...

From SugarT

2010-02-16T12:36:00.001-07:00

Hey V,

Gandhi's words to share:

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end they always fall - think of it, always."

Love
J

Victoria 2009

2010-02-12T16:28:00.005-07:00

Ana *knocks at the door*

A voice from inside the room says "Who is it?"

Ana: "Roooooooom SSSSSSSService"

Door opens and a guy with a towel wrapped around him looks at Ana with a puzzled look and says "Oh...we didn't order room service but hey...."

Ana: "Ohhhh sh*t! Sssssooooorry wrong room!" Sooooooo embarrassing!

That was how my weekend getaway with Carla F. started...

Overall it was a wonderful weekend and my first trip with the now Mrs. Carla Ferreira! Thanks for inviting me, I should have posted about this trip eons ago but I kind of kept delaying it. (Bad Banana)

Carla needed to go to Victoria to visit UofV for her Masters (congrats by the way for completing your 1st three courses - way to go!!!! See, I told you this should have been posted way back) so it was perfect timing for me to tag along before going back to Calgary. Victoria is sooo beautiful and I've had the chance to visit once with Jen aka Sugar T many years back but we were so young then and supervised so this time around I got to explore it more on my own while Carla visited the University. I love it here! The weather was great and the atmosphere is so relaxed and casual. I ended up doing a lot of people watching and browsing the quaint little shops around the downtown area. I walked everywhere and found Emily Carr's house (unfortunately I got there too early and it was closed for another hour so I decided to move on). I also spent almost three hours at Miniature World gawking at all the displays, especially in their dollhouse section! Once Carla was free from school we'd meet up, explore more and chow down...Life is pretty good!!!

On our first night we ate at Pescatores to celebrate Carla's bday. I don't recall what we had but I do remember having a pleasant meal.In the mornings, our favourite spot was Willy's Bakery. They had the most amazing and substantial ham and cheese croissant - hands down the best I've ever had and I craved it all the time for breakfast! They also offered a breakfast menu which we tried in their pretty courtyard.

This meal was at this tapa house located on Trounce Alley. I don't think we finished this plate....or did we??? It was really massive.
I really wanted to try The Noodle Box because I love pad thai and have heard really good reviews about this place. I wasn't dissapointed. It was yummy and spice just the way I like it!

I also got to experience my first tea tasting experience. It was very "lovely". I learned lots about tea which was really interesting for me because I love tea and prefer this over coffee. Silk Road is a neat shop and I love the whole look of the store. I'd definitely try another tea tasting here in Calgary too.

Of course we had some sweets too! They were sooo refreshing and perfect for the summer heat!

baby Mochi!!!

2010-02-12T15:05:00.005-07:00

Meet Sir Mochi Kano....

Ok....so how can you not fall in love with him?! Isn't he marvellous? Dooland is one proud momma! These are pictures from one of my first visits to the shiba breeder last year and I love these photos of lil 'ol Mochi! He's so loveable and cuddly and I got to hug him tons...now he's bigger but still loveable and just plain awesome!

What a cutie?! It looks like he has Minnie's bow! haha
Awww...I miss carrying him around like a baby :o)

Here he is looking sooo adorable in the snow

haha, I don't know what to say for this picture

Mochi says "goodnight!"

Lauryn Hill

2010-02-12T14:29:00.006-07:00

Tell Him

from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Let me be patient let me be kind

Make me unselfish without being blind

Though I may suffer I'll envy it not

And endure what comes

Cause he's all that I got and tell him...

Tell him I need him

Tell him I love him

And it'll be alright

Now I may have faith to make mountains fall

But if I lack love then I am nothin' at all

I can give away everything I possess

But left without love then I have no happiness

I know I'm imperfect & not without sin

But now that I'm older all childish things end and tell him...

Tell him I need him

Tell him I love him

And it'll be alright

I'll never be jealous

And I won't be too proud

Cause love is not boastful

Oooh and love is not loud

Tell him I need him

Tell him I love him

Everything's gonna be alright

Now I may have wisdom and knowledge on earth

But if I speak wrong then what is it worth?

See what we now know is nothing

Compared to the love that was shown when our lives were spared

HAPPY 2010!

2010-01-14T12:36:00.010-07:00

Kind of late for the greeting but it's still valid :o)
This year is going to be CRAZYYY GOOOD, I can just feel it in my bones. I finally finished school and I've got oodles of weddings and trips to plan this year so I'm stoked!

First of, CONGRATULATIONS to Nina and Jon for their engagement!!! Whoopee, I'm so thrilled to be one of the bridesmaids - Jobet and I wouldn't miss it for the world.
September 04, 2009 - Hello again San Diego...

Lovely pictures courtesy of Miss Jen Lozano aka SugarT!

Boo swine flu :o(

2009-10-23T14:41:00.001-06:00

Swine Flu Paranoia... Tensions Rise

One of my colleagues sent this to me and it made me sad :o(

Poor Piglet!

It's fun to do bad things

2009-10-06T01:01:00.001-06:00

HA HA HA I just had to post this because we've been singing it for the past couple of months now!

San Diego!

2009-10-05T22:00:00.022-06:00

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina: the best hotel on our trip. Excellent views, excellent service, and the food was also delish! Oh and when you walk into the lobby it smells soo pleasant :p

Click on the images to enlarge.

The pics below shows the sunrise view from our balcony.

Even the hallway was so cool!

They also had a tennis court, if only we'd have known we'd probably stop by and play.

Driving condition was beautiful - it was sooo hot!

We arrived in San D. around 2 pm and after picking up the car and checking into the hotel we headed straight near the Tijuana border to shop at the Los Americas Premium Outlets. No pictures, duh! I was too busy! hehe We weren't planning on staying too long but it was too good to pass up and even though we wanted to stop by Coronado Island for drinks at the bar, by the time we finished shopping it was already dark and the pictures of the hotel didn't turn out nice. That's why we decided to go the very next morning instead. And it was totally worth it.

The beach by Coronado Hotel

I fell in love with this house in Coronado - it was also listed on the market at the time. Hmmm...wonder how much it went for? *Sigh*

Some creepy guy checking Jobet out at this Hawaiian joint where we had lunch - unfortunately the food was not very good :o(

After Coronado Island, we drove into Balboa Park - a huge area dedicated to museums, gardens and the world famous San Diego Zoo.

Meet Jobet? Wait....is this Tito Teddy?!

One of the coolest places, thanks to Jobet who forced me to go into the Miniature Museum

sephia moments haha

@ the Japanese Friendship Garden

Real estate in San Diego is pretty nice - the houses are huge but they all look different from one another and have so much character! We snapped some shops enroute to Old Town and at this point the heat was extreme so we had to drinks al fresco - my rainbow sherbet was sooo refreshing, it had a sour tamarind like flavour and it was yum yum. Mindboggler: does anyone know the difference between sorbet and sherbet?!

Walking around Old Town is really relaxing. The quaint shops are so cute and then you get a bunch of oddball stands on the edges of the streets and they would sell things like lucha libre masks or sombreros.

I think the best part about this area is the authentic Mexican FOOD! Everywhere we look, there's a restaurant or patio bars. We settled for an afternoon snack at a place called The Alamo and enjoyed an $8 fare for two while we people watched. BTW, I've never really had churros but I think I had the best churro experience EVER! Although it was alright, I don't really understand all the craze about fish tacos, it's carne asada all the way!

After our afternoon delight we headed to the Gaslamp Quarter to check out the street scene. The streets were amazing and so full of life, every block had something going on.

If you weren't aware, Jobet and I have an addiction for frozen yogurt so it was a must to stop by one and the first franchise we saw was yogotango (although we still think that yogurtland is the best!). Always add mochi for a topping!!!

We went back to the hotel and went for an evening swim but the water was sooo cold and we were stuck outside of our room until security came because we thought someone took our room card and was inside our room - false alarm of course, we're just crazy! We wanted to eat at the Fish Market but they were closing by the time we got there :o( However we did see a giant statue by the parkade and it almost made me pee my pants since I didn't notice until Jobet pointed it out. We ended up having amazing pizza from KRUST back in Gaslamp Quarter (which was even more alive at night - never seen that much clubbing people on the streets all at once!). We also had a late night treat at Ghirardelli but I personally think that although it's fun to have dessert there, not only is the place overrated but it's also over priced (it cost more than all our meals that day!). We were also served cold coffee in dirty mugs, eek!

Overall, a wonderful experience! We would definitely go back!

I LOVE CALIFORNIA

2009-10-04T23:38:00.016-06:00

I'll be bombarding this blog with tons of updates from my Cali adventure with Jobet! Late post I know but I've been busy with LIFE so that's my excuse :p

Our 6-day trip was so fun filled I wish we could have stayed longer. WE LOVE SUNNY CALIFORNIA! We flew into San Diego and rented a car so we could drive into LA. Thanks to our handy dandy GPS navigator (highly recommended you bring one or rent one due to Cali's complex freeway system) we managed to get to our destinations without much trouble.

Everyone should try to do a road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway if you're considering this road trip (San Diego-Santa Monica-LA). You get the best views of the ocean and pass through the different towns and each of them look sooo inviting you wish you can dedicate a whole day at each spot! You can also get a good feel of the laid back atmosphere that's so well-known with Cali residents.

Some tips for road trips:

Researching for car rentals can be tricky - check your current insurance and credit card policies to see if you're already covered for insurance because this can double or even triple the quoted price of your ride. Also another thing to keep in mind is that it takes FOREVER to get your car rental so factor that into your timeline IF you have a strict schedule (best to not really have a schedule and just go with the flow so you don't feel rushed!). And another note on car rentals - make sure to check your gas tank before you pull out of the car rental's drive way (we almost left with a near empty tank and had to demand that they refill us immediately - sooooo sneaky! Gas is expensive you know!!). If you are picking up your car from a different city and dropping it off at a different one, remember that there are "airport transfer fees" which can cost around $80 and up.
Although this may sound superficial, try to get a sports car!!! We ended up with a PT Cruiser and it wasn't much fun driving through the winding roads, especially at Laurel Canyon by Beverly Hills. You're on vacation so you might as well go all out. I wouldn't recommend a top down though because it's just way too hot not to want to be shaded. We usually don't use the air conditioner since it can eat up so much gas but it was quite needed during our drives. BTW, the distance from San Diego and Santa Monica is only 3-4 hours apart so be sure to stop by different areas along the way and enjoy the scenery.
GPS is a MUST! Don't waste your time navigating with a paper map. If you don't have one that you can bring with you, just rent it - additional cost but quite a life saver and you can enjoy the ride better. On another note, driving the freeways can be intense so defensive driving is necessary. Don't be a wussy! haha
If you are staying at hotels, (thanks again to Kris for our amazing Sheraton rates - such a moola saver!!) don't forget to factor in the cost of parking. Some hotel properties are quite far or doesn't have nearby public parkades available so you will be forced to pay as high as $35 a night for parking alone! Not a moola saver. When it comes to your luggage, I will highly suggest to NEVER place your luggages on the bed no matter how many stars the hotel is rated. One word for this reasoning that's pretty self-explanatory: BEDBUGS!!
Parking very close to the sidewalks are essential if you do not want to be ticketed! Park it properly and in the proper lines ALWAYS and make sure to pay the meter.
ALWAYS pay for the tolls - let's just put it this way, we were pleasantly suprised with a notice a week after we got back and although the fees weren't that high, it's still a huge annoyance to have to pay.
ON FOOD - don't be afraid to try hole in the walls, you'll be surprised to find that the best foods doesn't have to cost you a fortune. Mexican food is especially yummy in this part of the world so go nuts and enjoy everything! In fact, some of our best meals were under $15 (for two people!)
Pack light! Shopping in California is CRAZY good! Always stop by one of the shopping outlets to get great deals on anything you could possible think of. Unless you hate shopping but that's just foolishness!

CRYSTAL & STEVE

2009-09-10T11:32:00.001-06:00

Updates soon, but for now get a glimpse of wedding pics from this summer: http://sodoglance.blogspot.com/

sopa paraguaya

2009-08-18T15:52:00.008-06:00

(picture & recipe from Baker's Banter)

Ok, I need to make this ASAP! I was looking for simple cornbread recipes and I saw this (far from simple) but it looks sooo delicious!!

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon corn or vegetable oil
1 cup diced onion
1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
1 1/2 cups cornmeal
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup cottage cheese; low-fat or nonfat are fine
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
1 cup grated Monterey Jack or pepperjack cheese
1/2 ounce butter
1/2 ounce corn or vegetable oil
5 1/2 ounces diced onion
1 1/2 ounces diced red bell pepper
1 1/2 ounces diced green bell pepper
8 3/4 ounces cornmeal
8 ounces milk
7/8 ounce sugar
4 ounces cottage cheese; low-fat or nonfat are fine
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons baking powder
8 ounces fresh corn kernels or 6 1/2 ounces frozen corn kernels
4 ounces grated Monterey Jack or pepperjack cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1) Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9" x 9" pan that's at least 2" deep; a shallow 2-quart casserole dish; or a 10" cast-iron skillet (at least 2" deep).
2) In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and pour in the oil. Add the onions and cook until translucent, stirring occasionally. If you're going to bake in a 10" cast-iron skillet, go ahead and use it to sauté the vegetables.
3) Add the peppers and cook for 1 more minute. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. If you're using the same skillet to bake the bread, remove the vegetables. There's no need to wash the pan; just wipe out any stray bits of stuck-on veggie.
4) In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal and milk.
5) Stir in the sugar, cottage cheese, eggs, salt, pepper, and baking powder.
6) Stir in the corn kernels and cooled onion mixture.
7) Stir in the cheese, and then transfer the batter to the prepared pan. If you're using the same skillet in which you sautéed the vegetables, grease it again, using non-stick vegetable oil pan spray or shortening.
8) Bake for 40 to 45 minutes (in a 9" x 9" pan), or 30 to 35 minutes (in a 10" cast-iron skillet), until the center feels set when lightly touched with your finger, and the edges are beginning to brown.
9) Remove from the oven, cut in squares or wedges, and serve warm.

YIELD: 12 to 16 servings.

a lesson on living a full life...

2009-08-11T10:08:00.004-06:00

It's been a while since my last blog - it's been a super crazy month but I'm glad to finally have some time to do some posts!

Anyhoots, I thought I' d share this article that I found from work, I liked the message and I really need to work on this, so read on...

Don't Worry, Be Happy
Are you sweating the small stuff or focused on what’s really important?
Richard Carlson, author of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff ... & It’s All Small Stuff, was one of the most famous self-help gurus in the world. The sunny-faced psychotherapist appeared regularly on Oprah and The View, advising harried viewers to stop blowing things out of proportion and to always ask themselves the fundamental question: “Will this matter a year from now?”
Easy for him to say, cynics scoffed, what with his golden-boy good looks, beautiful wife, two gorgeous kids, and sales of 130 million books worldwide. Many critics also grumbled about the self-evident nature of his books’ messages, such as learning to live in the present moment, accepting the fact that life isn’t fair, and constantly asking yourself what’s really important.
Live each day as though it’s your lastCarlson took a piece of his own advice -- “Just for fun, agree with criticism directed toward you; then watch it go away” -- by agreeing with those who complained that he merely stated the obvious. “My books,” he explained, “are about reminding people of what they already intuitively know.” He’d been forced to learn the wisdom of these truisms the hard way: he was a chronic overachiever (“consumed,” he said, “with collecting achievements”) until the death of his best friend in a car accident days before his wedding finally roused him from his workaholic stupor.
It was then that Carlson realized he needed to recalibrate his priorities in life by putting his loved ones first, followed by his health and his career. Later, as a bestselling author, he would exhort his readers to live each day as though it were their last -- which, as he reminded them in the final chapter of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, “It might be!”
Hard-wired to worryThere was one thing Carlson, the man who wrote the book on the subject, was adamant about: not sweating the small stuff isn’t the same as not giving a damn. It’s about accepting the things you can’t change, changing the things you can, and having the wisdom to know the difference.
‘Not sweating the small stuff isn’t the same as not giving a damn. It’s about accepting the things you can’t change, changing the things you can, and having the wisdom to know the difference.’
People are hard-wired to act when they perceive danger. Biology long ago programmed the primal emotion of fear into the human species so it would instinctively fight or flee in the face of an impending threat.
Worrying is a derivative form of fear that reinforces your basic need to act and to feel in control. Unlike your ancient ancestors, however, you probably aren’t worried about being gored by a woolly mammoth or eaten by a sabre-tooth tiger. Your fears more likely revolve around workaday worries that often stem from imagined, rather than real, threats. But the primitive emotions you feel remain very real. And they still trigger elevated blood pressure and the rest of the autonomic stress response, which -- instead of helping humans survive the dangers of a hostile environment, as was originally intended -- has now emerged as a grave danger in itself.
Regretting the past and worrying about the future won’t put you in control. You can’t change the past nor can you predict what’s going to happen in the future. A proactive response that actually helps you to enjoy a successful, stress-free life is to learn from the past and to use that knowledge to guide you in the future, whatever that future may be. Here are four further steps you should take if you want to stop sweating the small stuff and start living life to the fullest:
1. Move into action Articulate the fears behind your need for control and bring them out into the open. If you’re worried about an upcoming change, talk to people who’ve traveled the road that lies ahead of you. Ask them what it was like to switch jobs, raise children, lose loved ones, and negotiate other difficult life passages. If you struggle with self-esteem or other unresolved emotional issues, talk them out with a counselor. This will help you move from a vague sense of fear to taking the positive action you instinctively crave.
2. Look on the bright side Each individual gets to decide how to perceive their situation. A job promotion may be viewed as an opportunity by some and a heavy responsibility by others. One co-worker might take a colleague’s off-hand rudeness as a personal affront; another might regard it as a sign they’re stressed and could use some extra kindness and support. Research shows that perception is what ultimately determines your emotional state. So look on the bright side of things, give people the benefit of the doubt, and choose positive perceptions over negative, worry-filled ones.
3. Get your priorities straightIt’s smart to plan ahead and to have goals. Still, as Carlson famously remarked, “It is not what we do in the end which is the measure of our success; it is how much love we carry in our hearts.” Figure out what you love most -- the causes and beliefs, as well as the people, you hold most dear -- and honor their significance to you with your time, energy, and commitment. Recognizing what’s truly important will not only help you to get your priorities straight, but will also insulate you from nagging doubts, worries, and self-recriminations.
4. Be in the present Don’t waste precious moments regretting the past or projecting into the future. Instead, focus on being with those you love doing the things you love to do. Go on a hike, cuddle up with your sweetheart, write poetry, or play a sport. Do whatever it is that brings fun and meaning to your life. Bear in mind that, when the end draws near, nobody ever wishes they’d spent more time worrying and less time enjoying life with the people who matter most.
Richard Carlson’s last dayAs for Richard Carlson, who recommended living each day as though it were your last, that day for him came unexpectedly on Dec. 13, 2006. He was on a flight to New York to publicize his latest book when he suddenly stopped pecking away at his laptop, shut his eyes, and slumped in his seat. An undiagnosed blood clot called a pulmonary embolism had migrated from his leg up to one of his lungs, killing him almost instantly. He had no time to fear his approaching death.
‘As for Richard Carlson, who recommended living each day as though it were your last, that day for him came unexpectedly on Dec. 13, 2006.’
Carlson’s untimely passing at age 45 devastated his wife (and sometime writing partner) Kristine, but she took comfort in the fact that her husband truly practiced what he’d preached. “Our home life together steadfastly remained his top priority,” she wrote, “and he was never too tired to serve his family with a pure unadulterated joy.” Carlson had even left her a note before heading off on his final flight, which read: “I love you sooooooo much! You’re everything to me! Thank you for being my life partner. Love, RC.” It was clear, right up to the very last moments of his life, that he knew what was really important and wasn’t sweating the small stuff.

office lunch

2009-07-21T23:14:00.002-06:00

Today was super hot so I decided to eat lunch inside and have a relaxing hour of eating, reading, and a bit of a nap. I love doing this when it's too hot out to be walking around and bumping into a crowd of sweaty people along Stephen Ave. Once in a while it's nice to stay put and not rush or line up to buy food outside or the nearby mall. I usually eat out at lunch so today was a refreshing change since I actually packed lunch (very rare). I really should do this more A. because it's not that hard to do, B. it's a money saver, and C. you can eat a little healthier if you really wanted too.

I even have a placemat in my office - I am a nerd!

Yummy ready made chicken breast with melted cheddar, harvest wheat toast, and some crunchy and fresh snap peas - nothing fancy but very good and satisfying.

After my lunch, I pulled out a postcard sent by Jen, how lovely Miss! I really do wish I was there with you. I am living vicariously through you since I am unable to travel right now but soon enough we shall be jet setting together...soooo exciting. Send me more pics! If you should all know, Miss Jen here is a talented artist and photographer - everything she touches turns to gold! Can't wait to see all your travel pics...love you - V.

Jen, I am sooo proud of you for travelling by yourself. You are my idol!

One day soon....

one sunny friday

2009-07-21T00:30:00.008-06:00

After our workout date by Princess Island, Carla and I headed to Cora's for some much deserved breakfast! The day was perfect and super sunny so it was great day for some quality time. Thanks for taking me Carla, I had a wonderful time, as usual, next date is on me!

The placemat at Cora's was so cute and full of positive ideas :p

She ordered the "Special"

Mine was "Theo's Omelette"

After my date with her, I went in some flowershops downtown to see if I can score some orders of hot pink peonies for a wedding next week, but to no avail since the season is over - sorry again Crystal :o( Nevertheless, I took some flower pictures instead.

Hydrangea

Carnation

Allium

Aaaah, flowers are so pretty :p

In the evening I did another P90X session with Dooland - aaahh the pain but it was worth it or should I say will be worth it. We were joined by Brent so we had a ton of laughter that night. I wonder if laughing can give you rock hard six packs??? When we finished Jobet, Dooland, and I stayed by the fire in their backyard snacking on some nachos and drinking a great bottle of red! (What?! It was a well deserved indulgence.)

The wine was sooo good and I slept pretty well at night! What a fun Friday :p

more precious children

2009-07-20T23:47:00.006-06:00

Wow! I have gone children crazy!

Introducing: Mr. Mathias & Keifey's hand

Awww...isn't she adorable????

keifey

keifey & maya

maya & jonah

2009-07-16T00:38:00.011-06:00

Ok, so I recently took Maya and my godson Jonah to a work function and it turned out to be such a blast! I love spending time with these two, they are almost the same age and are way too fun to be around. Our day started at the Tower and then at Heritage Park where we basically turned into little porkers because of all the free food (snocones, bbq, mini donuts, popcorn, you name it!)

My one wish is that they never grow up :o( but that wouldn't be such a good idea either so I guess I can change that and wish that I spend lots more time with them instead.

thanks again miss jen!

2009-07-16T00:10:00.007-06:00

I got another special package from Jen! YAY (keep them coming haha!) I guess you really do read my blog a lot since you know how much I want to start my teacup collection. I love the set you sent me, I like that it's not the usual dainty size and everything about it is perfect, especially the design. It's too precious to use but too much of a waste to just let it sit around too. It's currently by my bedside serving as my jewelry holder! Thank you thank you! *hugs* - V

My set comes from Cath Kidston - they have a very charming online store, I want everything!

I'm so glad this is my first set in my collection, it's really unique, can't wait to use it for tea mistos!

What's a letter without a wise quote?

pretty & functional

BOOK 1: The Time Traveler’s Wife

2009-07-08T09:05:00.007-06:00

FIRST BOOK:

THE TIME TRAVELLER'S WIFE

by Audrey Niffenegger

***Thanks Hilabee for recommending our first book!***

Synopsis:
Audrey Niffenegger's innovative debut, The Time Traveler's Wife, is the story of Clare, a beautiful art student, and Henry, an adventuresome librarian, who have known each other since Clare was six and Henry was thirty-six, and were married when Clare was twenty-three and Henry thirty-one. Impossible but true, because Henry is one of the first people diagnosed with Chrono-Displacement Disorder: periodically his genetic clock resets and he finds himself misplaced in time, pulled to moments of emotional gravity in his life, past and future. His disappearances are spontaneous, his experiences unpredictable, alternately harrowing and amusing.
The Time Traveler's Wife depicts the effects of time travel on Henry and Clare's marriage and their passionate love for each other as the story unfolds from both points of view. Clare and Henry attempt to live normal lives, pursuing familiar goals — steady jobs, good friends, children of their own. All of this is threatened by something they can neither prevent nor control, making their story intensely moving and entirely unforgettable.

About the Author
Audrey Niffenegger is a visual artist and a professor in the Interdisciplinary Book Arts MFA Program at the Columbia College Chicago Center for Book and Paper Arts, where she teaches writing, letterpress printing, and fine edition book production. She shows her artwork at Printworks Gallery in Chicago. The Time Traveler's Wife is her first novel.

Introducing the Bookworm Corner!

2009-07-07T23:22:00.008-06:00

EVERYONE WELCOME!

Why are you starting a book club? I love to read and it's better when the experience is shared with people.

What do you hope to get out of it? A better comprehension for each book - to reminisce about our favourite parts of the book, to share thoughts and opinions, and to develop a passion for reading.

What type of people will make up the club? Fun, creative, positive, colourful, interesting, adventurous, witty, and laid back personalities!

Are you hoping that all of you will have something in common (beside your love of books), or are you looking to form a diverse group? How about both!

What types of books will your club primarily read? Fiction? Non-fiction? One particular genre, such as romance, bestsellers or biographies? Will you rotate through themes each month, like Asian literature, travel books or classics? Whatever floats our boats, all tastes welcome.

What are the minimum and maximum number of members your club can accommodate? (This may be dependent upon where you're meeting—see below!) Max number: 1 million haha

When will your first meeting take place? How often will your club meet afterward? What about the summer months, and during the winter holidays? All online, anytime at everydaybeans.blogspot.com. Each month a new book will be introduced and a new blog entry will be made. All entries will be in the Bookworm Corner category so you can refer to all the books and leave comments on the book of your choice.

How will you pick a book to read? Randomly, if you have a suggestion, just let it loose and it shall be read.

Discussion ideas for Any Book, however, feel free to write about whatever you want!!! The more discussions the better!

1. What was your favourite part of the book?least favorite?most memorable?most questionable?
2. Describe the character development. Who did you identify with? Did your opinions about any of the characters change over the course of the novel?
3. How does the author use language and imagery to bring the characters to life? Did the book's characters or style in any way remind you of another book?
4. What do you believe is the message the author is trying to convey to the reader? What did you learn from this book? Was it educational in any way?
5. Why do you think the author chose the title? Is there a significant meaning behind it?
6. Is there a part of the novel you didn't understand? Are you confused by a character's actions or the outcome of an event?
7. Do you think the setting, both time and location, played a large roll in this novel? Could it have happened anywhere, at anytime? If so, how would the novel have changed?
8. In your opinion, is the book entertaining? Explain why or why not.
9. What is your favorite passage?
10. How did this book touch your life? Can you relate to it on any level?

i love this image

2009-07-06T22:51:00.008-06:00

What an inspiring picture - I think these few words sums up how I want to LIVE my LIFE!

It's useless to want to try something new but never "get around" to doing it because you're afraid of the turnout. You end up with so many excuses and just when you get enough motivation to try it once more, you once again turn your pessimistic outlook button on and voila - you're back to where you started (which is nowhere). I've been like this many times before and I really want to quit this mentality and just go for everything! Who cares if you fail, I think it's way better than forever wondering what it would have been like if you did pursue what you desired to begin with.

A year from now, you will wish you started today

Karen Lamb

26th bday bonanza

2009-07-05T12:34:00.015-06:00

What a lovely week! I had a super time and it's been jam packed with so much fun. Thanks to Carla F. for our lovely movie date with Ryan Reynold's abs in The Proposal - it was such a cute and sappy movie plus it's always awesome to have our girly time together. Jobet and I also managed to get 2 hours of tennis in at Glenmore Park, it was soo hot that day but I love being outdoors! The next day, it was off to Jayle and Mark's place (in the boonies j/k) to do some re-decorating. Jayle, thanks for feeding me at McDonald's and thanks to Mark for feeding me KFC (what were you guys thinking?!). Unfortunately, they were both my picks so that was really my fault. Your place is amazing and I really enjoyed my time there even though your doggie tried to attack me! I was also happy that I had some more girly time with Hannah, Hazel and Ate Anna. Dinner at Joey's talking about weddings was sooo fun - can't wait to plan some more. Thanks Hannah for the cute journal, so sweet of you :p
__________________________________________________________________

Finally, my actual bday yesterday was more than I could ask for! Thanks a lot Dooland for making my dinosaur themed party at the park sooo wicked! Big thanks to Dimpol, Luc, Mona, Jayle, Mark, Janice, Alvaro, Mathias, Len Len, Charishe, Gabe, of course Jobet, as well as Marley and Roxy the puppies for making it out -we got rained out in the afternoon but it was still a great day at the park! Dooland made some yummy chicken burgers and hotdogs (japadog inspired - yum yum!), the guacamole and pasta salad was also delicious.

By the way, thanks Hilabee for the cute invite! (http://everythingdolce.com/) Everything this girl makes is fabulous :p

_________________________________________________

After the celebration at the park, Mona, Kris, and Hazel took Jobet and I for another treat - a lovely dinner at a Korean Tapa Bar called ANJU. The place was amazing and I was so grateful to be surrounded by all the people I love (Nins, though you weren't there, you were in spirit and pictures! Miss you!). Thanks guys for planning such a wonderful night out, I was really overjoyed! I love the frame with all our pictures together - so much memories, I love it all!

I love you all!!! Thank you so much! And thanks to all the bday greetings too!

lego mania

2009-07-05T01:49:00.008-06:00

I recently went over to Jayle and Mark's house this week and discovered Mark's gigantic Lego collection (they even had one of the bedrooms set up as the lego room!). I've never met anyone who owned this much lego and I must admit that I found it pretty cool! I personally wouldn't be good at building legos but I can just imagine all the time and effort that goes into each piece. Wowowoo, isn't his collection amazing?!

beach wedding

2009-07-01T00:04:00.007-06:00

Congratulations to Hannah and Lucky for deciding to have a destination wedding! YAY for me too since I will be a part of it this special celebration of love and I also get to be their event planner! woot woot! Hey Hannah, I got this fortune cookie tonight which was soo wicked since I'm meeting with you on Friday - ooohh what a great start already! I guess it's just meant to be haha, I can't wait to see you, Ate Anna, and Hazee on Friday night! I just love weddings :p

banana's summer reading

2009-07-01T00:02:00.002-06:00

I'm determined to finish these books this summer. Some of them I've started and then I'd jump to the next book so I never fully finished plus now I've kind of forgotten the whole story. So I'm dedicating some time to make sure I get some reading time in to fully appreciate these great authors. I used to be an avid reader but once I got a full time job I've kind of stopped so I want to rekindle my love of reading again. I actually tried reading on the bus on my way to work but I found I got pretty sick to my tummy quickly so that was a bust. I also tried reading during my lunch break but I was too close to the mall so I would rather be there than inside my office. And at night I'd get home pretty late so all I'd want to do is sleep because my eyes felt abused from staring into the computer all day. When I did get to read last year I was pretty obsessed with a certain vampire series that I'm sure most of you already know of - (you know, the one who's main character was Mr. Edward Cullen? haha please don't judge - it really was a guilty pleasure...and still is).

I was actually thinking of joining or starting a book club too since that would ensure I get my reading fix in so if anyone wants to join, let me know! Hilabee, Krissy and Jen have already expressed interest in the past so maybe it is time to revive this request!

do little things - week 8

2009-06-29T22:17:00.004-06:00

It's time to let loose and shake it like a goose!!! Bday week coming up so get ready to partaaay haha! This week's do little things is all about moi yeepee!!! I love my bday!! (Can you tell I'm an only child?!)

Here's my little things to try for this week:

Graciously wave 25 years goodbye...welcome 26!
Have my cake and eat it too
Get as many bday lunches as possible bwahahaha
Be grateful for all my blessings, especially to all my loved ones
Time for a new haircut again
Prepare for the bday beats
Plan a trip

goodbye 25

2009-06-29T22:06:00.003-06:00

summertime

2009-06-29T13:53:00.005-06:00

"School's out for the summer!" Oh yeah! Actually, it's been over for a couple of days now but I decided to sleep a lot and that was sooo good! Sleeping in without any plans the next day is the best! I lounged around all day in my PJ's, watched a ton of tv in bed and nobody was home so I was all alone - the place was quiet and even the neighbors were quiet. Sometimes it's good to have "nothing" days to wind down after chaotic weeks and not bother doing anything for a change. I was so relaxed I wasn't even thinking, and I'm usually always thinking about weird and random things! This experience reminded me of Eckhart Tolle's Findhorn Retreat, Stillness Amidst the World. During the retreat he talks about how stillness can lead you to peace and fulfillment. My alone time wasn't quite as profound as what others may have experienced at Findhorn but it was good enough to rejuvenate me in a sense that I felt super free and excited about summer. So...this summer I have tons of ideas of how I'm going to make the most out the sun!

My plans include travel (anywhere, short day trips, weekend get aways, week long stays, I don't really care as long as it's somewhere!). I'll be spending tons of time outdoors for sure, strolling the parks, playing tennis, having picnics, and lots more. I really want to try playing ultimate frisbee too for some reason, I have no idea why but it seems fun. Hopefully I'll get to run more as well, especially with my running partner, the lovely Mrs. F (wow, you're a Mrs!) and then go for brunch right after haha!

What do I love about summertime?: A LOT! Warm sun, sandals, people watching on some street bench, flowers, blue skies, the ice cream trucks, pools, ice cold drinks, long drives, sitting on the grass, picnics, bbqs, watching ducks by the river, mini trips, outdoor sports, dinner on the patio, reading under a tree, sitting on the balcony, Slurpees, summer concerts, street fairs and festivals, and tons more. What don't I want to do this summer?: CAMPING - I just don't want to get eaten by a bear...I guess I should include hiking too :o(

This one's for my girlees!

study food

2009-06-25T17:19:00.004-06:00

With all the studying that I've had to do this past couple of weeks, I've been putting on the pounds slowly but surely :o( Although it's been a delicious idea, I'm quite excited to finish my exams and start working out again (P90X all the way, it's do or die babee! haha). In about 1 hour I will be writing my final exam for the spring so YAY, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel for sure, wish me luck!

Jobet has been studying with me and we sure love to eat! For lunch we had a massive plate consisting of prosciutto with cream cheese omelette, some jalepeno bread from the market(thanks Dooland), and a side of coleslaw with raspberry vinaigrette! Yum - total brain power food so I better pass this exam!

Although it sounds weird, I like my frozen pineapples with red pepper flakes and salt...it's such a perk-me-up snack while you're learning - especially anything math-related!

school schmool

2009-06-18T22:20:00.000-06:00

vanderful vancouver

2009-06-14T23:31:00.039-06:00

Wowowoo, what a great weekend! Thanks to Dooland for inviting me to Vancouver this weekend (not too mention giving me her companion rate with Westjet - the best airline ever!). The weather was perfect for the whole two days we were there and we stayed smack in the middle of downtown at the Sheraton Wall thanks to Kris! (Thank you Kris, the room and view were beautiful, I brought you back some pasalubong from Goldilocks).

Our room view of downtown Vancouver

The comfy Sheraton beds - I had the best sleep ever!!!

The trip was mainly to visit a store called DAISO, a Japanese version of a dollar store, only way better not to mention two floors of pure fun! We spent about two hours at Daiso but could have been there for two more hours just because we enjoyed it so much. The whole place has EVERYTHING you could possible need, from housewares, toys, garden items, and my favourite area which was the stationary section. I found some cute notebooks that I thought were really inspiring. If I stayed any longer my bill would probably have been tripled, without a doubt, same goes for Dooland.

Vancouver is such a lively city and I loved the long stretches of retail shops and restaurants on all the major streets. I wasn't really into the shopping but it was great just to walk along the streets like Robson, Granville and Burrard. The view of the harbours, the downtown skyline and the mountains are so refreshing. If you live in Vancouver there is absolutely no reason for you to be staying inside the house. There's tons of greenspace and so many outdoor activities to try. On the next trip, my agenda includes the Capilano Suspension Bridge, the Science World, as well as whale watching.

I was really lucky to have Dooland as my trip partner, she's like a walking GPS so it was hard to get lost and the girl appreciates good eats! The impromptu getaway to Vancity wouldn't have been complete without our food adventures, some gastronomical and a few spots that failed to hit the spot with our bellies. The best food stop we made was for JAPADOG - seriously the best hotdog concoction ever (although I enjoy NYC hotdogs too)! We passed by this street joint several times and not once did it have an empty line. We chose the spicy cheese terimayo and OMG, was it ever delicious! It looks a little bit crazy but don't let that stop you from experiencing this yummy delight.

We also loved the no-nonsense serving style of the servers, particularly the owner of The Elbow Room located on Seymour St.- he's also a drag queen so you can just imagine how sassy he can be. We both ordered ommelettes, mine was the Hilary Swank and hers was Krisy Baby. I pretty much demolished mine within a few minutes and we came out of there so stuffed we couldn't eat at our next target which was Go Fish at Granville Island. The place was packed and the decor was very ecclectic and fun with lots of celebrity photos on the walls. Warning: They have a huge menu and their servings are massive! If you order the pancakes, make sure you're hungry or else you might want to stick with the 6 inch instead of the 12 inch (yes it's true -they come in two sizes!)

Unfortunately we didn't always experience the "joy of eating". We had some set-backs when it came to dessert and sushi - how very sad indeed.
Goldilock's is a Filipino favourite in Manila but we were pretty disappointed with the popular ice dessert called the halo-halo, their version just didn't cut it which really sucked since this is one of my favourite treats ever since I was younger. Oh well, I guess I'll stick to some homemade halo halo instead. The other real let-down was our quest for sushi. Vancouver seriously have so many sushi restaurants and we just had to eat in one that I don't even want to post any pictures of. Why? Because it really drooled and I didn't even bother with pictures - the sushi was bland and boring. So yah, no go for sushi but I guess you can't have too much of a good thing all the time right?

Dooland and I weren't easily discouraged so to make up for the "loss" we bought an amazing bottle of Dr. Pauly's Reisling and made a pit stop at the local IGA market to grab some feta and garlic stuffed olives...yum...happy days ahead. haha

teacups rock!

2009-06-05T15:59:00.002-06:00

I am crazy for teacups! Not only are they lovely for sipping tea in but there are numerous ways to utilize them, just like the ones shown in the picture. I love the idea of flowers in teacups used for centerpieces - instant added elegance to the table setting. The best part is that everyone seems to own a set (they're just hiding in cupboards)! I'd like to start a collection but I'm not interested in sets. I want to collect single eclectic pieces that you find in vintage shops. I know for sure that I would cherish them forever...so if you want to give me yours, please free to do so hehe

poetry

2009-06-05T11:20:00.004-06:00

What a beautiful poem by Rabindranath Tagore...

Unending Love

I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times...
In life after life, in age after age, forever.
My spellbound heart has made and remade the necklace of songs,
That you take as a gift, wear round your neck in your many forms,
In life after life, in age after age, forever.
Whenever I hear old chronicles of love, it's age old pain,
It's ancient tale of being apart or together.
As I stare on and on into the past, in the end you emerge,
Clad in the light of a pole-star, piercing the darkness of time.
You become an image of what is remembered forever.
You and I have floated here on the stream that brings from the fount.
At the heart of time, love of one for another.
We have played along side millions of lovers,
Shared in the same shy sweetness of meeting, the distressful tears of farewell,
Old love but in shapes that renew and renew forever.
Today it is heaped at your feet, it has found its end in you
The love of all man's days both past and forever:
Universal joy, universal sorrow, universal life.
The memories of all loves merging with this one love of ours -
And the songs of every poet past and forever.

Banksy art

so you think you can dance addiction

2009-06-05T09:59:00.014-06:00

I rarely watch TV but I really love watching So You Think You Can Dance, it's so mesmerizing and I'm so in awe of how creative and athletic the dancers move on the stage. They are so amazing that it makes me wish I can do the same moves, haha, that's crazy! Last season was sooo fun to watch so I'm so pumped for this season. Last year, my favorite couple were Mark and Chelsea. but I also thought Katee and Joshua were beautiful dancers :p

I hope this year will be even better!

cheeseball

2009-06-05T01:21:00.003-06:00

Don't hate...but I really do enjoy Knock Knock jokes.

a lovely letter

2009-06-05T00:43:00.008-06:00

Today I got another lovely letter from my dearest JEN! She even included a couple of good articles for me to read. But my favourite was the poem she included by Esther Baldwin York:

"Stars have too long been symbols of the unattainable. They should not be so. For although our physical hands cannot reach them, we can touch them in other ways.
Let stars stand for those things which are ideal and radiant in life; if we seek sincerely and strive hard enough, it is not impossible to reach them, even though the goals seem distant at the onset.
And how often do we touch stars? When we find them close by in the shining light of great souls, the sparkling universe of humanity around us. "

Thanks for the wonderful letter Jen, you made my day! Miss you tons! -Vanesa

yummy discovery

2009-06-03T17:29:00.008-06:00

I think I may have just come across the best dessert for the lazees! It's called mugcakes!!

Degree of difficulty: Low
You need:
2 tablespoons self raising flour2 tablespoons sugar1 tablespoon cocoa1 egg1 tablespoon milk1 tablespoon vegetable oil1/2 teaspoon vanilla essenceIcing sugar for sprinkling on top
Serving Suggestion: Nice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

You are now just 5 minutes away from chocolate cake...Baked in a mug, in the microwave, this is the chocolate lover's dream come true!

Method:

You will need a 300ml mug for this recipe
Put the flour in the mug, add the sugar and cocoa and mix well. Crack in the egg and whisk thoroughly. Add the milk and oil, then the vanilla essence. Whisk again.
Put the mug in the microwave and cook on High for 3 minutes. The cake will rise really high out of the mug, but when you stop the microwave it will sink down again, so don't panic!
Allow a minute 'standing time' then eat from the mug or turn out onto a serving plate and dust with icing sugar.

favorite clip from Little Rascals

2009-06-03T12:01:00.002-06:00

HAHA, I had to post this clip...soooo cute

Buckwheat: Dear Darla, I hate your stinking guts. You make me vomit. You're scum between my toes!

Love, Alfalfa.

meaning of flowers

2009-06-03T11:44:00.002-06:00

do little things - week 7

2009-06-03T11:24:00.002-06:00

The week has been crazy! Two midterms, 2 quizzes and a truckload of assignments...but it's over and it's exactly 3 more weeks until I can get back to socializing again! Makes me wanna sing!!! Unfortunately I am not a singer :o( but that won't stop me haha

Here's my little things to try for this week:

Clean up the inbox! Clean your desktop too while you're at it.
Take a stroll through the park
Eat lunch outside the office.
Take a siesta at noon
Sing outloud - just do it!
Read a chapter (or five) from a textbook. (This probably only applies to me!)

ignite your thinking

2009-06-03T11:20:00.002-06:00

An article by David Saxby of SPARK Communications

10 Ways to Ignite Your Thinking Daily!
Einstein once said, "The world we have made as a result of the level of thinking we have done thus far creates problems we cannot solve at the same level of thinking at which we created them." To create new levels of thinking we need to learn how to boost our brainpower and develop new habits on a daily basis. For every additional year of education, people reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s symptoms by 20%. I f you want to avoid brain atrophy, you've got to exercise your mind on a regular basis. The mechanism by which the brain is able to learn, remember and think is the synapse, the connection that allows one brain cell to communicate with another.

1) Visualize! When Einstein thought through a problem, he always found it necessary to formulate his subject in as many different ways as possible, including using diagrams. He visualized solutions, and believed that words and numbers as such did not play a significant role in his thinking process.
2) Play a little Mozart - IQ tests were administered to 36 college students after they listened first to a sonata, then a relaxation tape and finally nothing. Following their encounters with Mozart, students scored nearly 10 points higher -the boost in brain power only lasted 15 minutes but researchers hypothesize that earlier and longer exposure as children could have more prolonged effects. Gordon Shaw, a University of California, Irvine, physics professor involved in a study of the effects of music on the brain, believes that the structure of Mozart's music may trigger a series of neural firings in much the same way that a vibrating piano string causes neighboring strings to vibrate.
3) Experience - firsthand or secondhand (such as reading, listening or seeing) firsthand experience is superior. A Chinese proverb states: I hear: I forget. I see: I remember I do: I understand. One of the principles of Toyota’s success is their team is encourage to go and see (the Japanese term is “genchi genbutsu”).
4) Personal contacts - associate with creative people. Children - play the association game - look at something with a child - ask what does this look like to you. As adults we tend to hang around with the same people all of the time at work and in our social life. The next time you go to a function, networking event or even walk through the office, meet someone new and talk to them. You never know what you will discover – something in common, a new idea…the possibilities are endless.
5) Question Your Assumptions - List everything about your situation that you know to be true — no matter how small or insignificant. Now question each assumption. “Is that really so? Does it have to be that way? How could it be done some other way?”
6) Participate in Hobbies – hobbies can engage your brain in a different way from your daily routine.
7) Brain Joggers – practice solving puzzles like sudoku, crossword puzzles, anagrams (word puzzles), pictograms.
8) Brain bank – keep your ideas in a folder, or a jar, or box and refer to them when you are stuck or your are looking for some creative input. This is just like having money in a saving account.
9) Focus on Your Passions Researchers followed a group of 1,500 people over a period of 20 years. At the outset of the study, the group was divided into- Group A 83% of the sample, who were embarking on a career chosen for the prospects of now in, order to do what they wanted later, and Group B, the other 17% of the sample, who had chosen their career path for the reverse reason, they were going to pursue what they wanted to do now and worry about the money later. The data showed some startling revelations – At the end of the 20 years, 101 of the 1,500 had become millionaires. Of the millionaires, all but one-100 out of 101-were from Group B, the group that had chosen to pursue what they loved! The key ingredient in most successful projects loves what you do. Having a goal or a plan is not enough. Academic preparation is not enough. When you love what you are doing you become more motivated, have more energy, feel more creative and daring, and you end up doing it better.
10) Look at problems in many different ways, and find new perspectives that no one else has taken - Leonardo da Vinci believed that, to gain knowledge about the form of a problem, you begin by learning how to restructure it in many different ways. He felt that the first way he looked at a problem was too biased. Often, the problem itself is reconstructed and becomes a new one.

paving it forward

2009-06-01T23:43:00.004-06:00

Another useful book that proves the powerful Law of Attraction. You can read one "PRE-PAVE" thought every morning to give you lots of positive juices to last you the whole day - or at least until lunch time!

*side note: I really should return this book to Kris! (NOT!!!) haha

kids make the world go round!

2009-05-29T16:36:00.002-06:00

wall love

2009-05-29T16:15:00.003-06:00

One of the best ways to express your individual style is by displaying artwork or photos that inspires you the most. When displaying art or photos, here are some of my tips:

Pick the items that you cherish the most so you won't get tired of looking at them
Invest in proper framing
It's okay to have an eclectic arrangement
Pick out a theme (i.e. black, white, and printed)
Make sure they're all level
They don't always need to be hung
Lighting can make it more dramatic (i.e. use spotlights)

dishes in banana leaves

2009-05-29T14:24:00.005-06:00

Yum! I remember growing up and feasting on delicious dishes that had been either cooked, wrapped or served in banana leaves. These would always make me reminisce of long lazy summers when I visited my grandparents. The food tastes so much better (that's why you eat more too!) and the overall appearance of the food is just sooo appetizing. One of these days I think I should throw a dinner party and serve some of the dishes in banana leaves - oooh I can't wait!

2009-05-29T13:58:00.005-06:00

"Strength, Courage & Wisdom"

-India Arie-

Inside my head there lives a dream that I want to see in the sun Behind my eyes there lives a me that I've been hiding for much too long 'Cause I've been, too afraid to let it show 'Cause I'm scared of the judgment that may follow Always putting off my living for tomorrow It's time to step out on faith, I've gotta show my faithIt's been illusive for so long, but freedom is mine today I've gotta step out on faith, It's time to show my faith Procrastination had me down but look what I have found, I found

[Chorus]Strength, courage, and wisdom And it's been inside of me all along, Strength, courage, and wisdomInside of me Behind my pride there lives a me, that knows humility Inside my voice there is a soul, and in my soul there is a voice But I've been, too afraid to make a choice 'Cause I'm scared of the things that I might be missing Running too fast to stop and listen It's time to step out on faith, I've gotta show my faith It's been illusive for so long but freedom is mine today I've gotta step out on faith it's time to show my faith Procrastination had me down but look what I have found, I found [Chorus]Strength, courage, and wisdom And it's been inside of me all along, Strength, courage, and wisdomInside of me [Bridge]I close my eyes and I think of all the things that I want to see 'Cause I know, now that I've opened up my heart I know that Anything I want can be, so let it be, so let it be [Chorus]Strength, courage, and wisdom It's been inside of me all along, Strength, courage, wisdom It's been inside of me all along, everyday I'm praying for [Chorus]Strength, courage, and wisdomTo find me, yeah, Strength, courage, and wisdom Inside of meVampI found it in me, I found it finally I'm sure to keep it' cause I like it, I say thank you

found this awesome lady in youtube singing this india arie jewel