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I am wondering why I can't post any more pictures here on my blog? =( The box that I used to click to attach pictures is just gone=(

Poison Ivy? =(

I developed rashes yesterday on my feet that were quite itchy =( I didn't panic because they looked like something I've had before but today it has spread in some other parts of my body and bothered me quite a bit. My husband thinks it might have something to do with poison ivy but I am not sure since we don't have poison ivy in the Philippines. He cautioned me not to scratch the itch as that will cause it to spread even more and before I know it I might be covered in bumps =(

I spent some time thinking of how I may have had come in contact with a poison ivy yesterday since we didn't really go out aside from going to the pool for awhile. I did go out last Friday to pick up some school supplies to use for my review but I had been home for most part of the week...

Oh snap I hate it when parts of your body itches. Add the fact that it had been hot this week and if it continues to be hot I am definitely going to suffer the itch more. My poor husband would have to deal with me I suppose...

I can only hope that tomorrow when I wake up I am not covered in bumps! I guess this is the perfect time to ask Google what to do! Thanks to technology, everything is basically within reach even poison ivy! =S

Time You Thief!

It's been another week and it caught me by surprise!

It seemed like it just snuck up on me like a thief in the night. That said I remember that cliche that says something like "Time you thief..." and oh add a biblical phrase that goes like "...it will come like a thief in the night.."

My week had been very interesting with my birthday celebration, my husband's grandpa in the hospital, my grandma not doing good, studying for my licensing exam, running errands, making crafts, cooking and cleaning =) All of these things mentioned, I told my husband awhile ago that I haven't done much this week. I feel that there's so much work to be done in general and often times I ask myself "where did all the time go?"

I think I will go crazy if I try to account for every minute of my life that I have either used wisely, lost and/or wasted away. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who share in this sentiment. There had been times when I thought I had a surplus of time only to find out that I didn't get to finish a task and only if I had 5 more minutes or so I would have finished but oh it's just too late. Regret follows and frustration comes hand in hand unfortunately.

I remember my folks used to tell me to always use my time and resources wisely because they are valuable and unlike a music record that I can rewind, I can't rewind/turn back time and resources wasted. However here is where the NOW matters because you realize that if you don't act now then not only did you waste time before now but as well as your now which adds up to more time wasted later on.

The point is, I have to make things count and account for my time that way I can feel that I am able to achieve things for myself and make myself happier.

I am not very sure why I ended up writing about time but I guess it's all because I feel pressured somehow that I haven't studied as much as I could have this week. One thing for sure, I can change my habits and manage my time better in the future that way I don't look back and say to myself that I wasted more time for nothing.

If I have the power to turn back time I will go back to when I was in college and harness my full potential as a student, friend, sister to my siblings and daughter to my parents.

If I have the power to fast forward time, I would put it to a first Christmas with my and my husband's family with our kids =)

If I have the power to freeze time, it would be at a time when both my husband's and my family are at their prime successes.

I guess this is a good point to keep in mind : Time is precious, make it count.

It's weekend and it's time to relax and unwind a little bit with my husband =) That doesn't mean wasting time because spending time with your husband and loved ones is very important and making every time spent with them count.

I truly miss my family back home and I regret that when I was back home I didn't make it all count so much because I thought I had time. Such a hard and painful way to learn a valuable lesson in life but those are the ones that count the most! =)

Have a wonderful weekend.

Oh Beads!

My birthday is not quite over yet!

I got my package today from my family in the Philippines and the beads I used to craft these pieces came from that box! =)

I was so excited when my husband and I opened the box over lunch. I was anxious to know what's inside that's so heavy that caused my parents to pay over a $100 to ship it here to the U.S. from the Philippines.

I got my new bamboo flute from my sister, song books, new pair of flip flops, shirts, capri pants, some delicacies from back home, tons of beading supplies, headbands, sewing machine needles, some medicine and a lot of little trinklets =) My husband got a new belt, wallet and nice silver pen (thank God, he's got a nicer pen for his pocket! Hunny, if you ever find this post I don't like you carrying around that complimentary pen in your pocket because you deserve better than that! )

Lots of thanks to my family for the treats and gifts =)

An Amazing Day!

My day started with a traditional Filipino breakfast prepared by my husband (who's white!). He made longsilog (Longanisa + Egg + Sinangag or Garlic Fried Rice) for breakfast and it was very tasty. It was his first time to make such a meal but I was surprised how good it all turned out. I am very flattered that my husband treats me like a princess at the same time I just marveled at how good he inculturates himself to my culture.

I got to chat with my mom for a little while and got some scoops from back home. I am very happy to know that they are all well and my sister and brother both started on their new jobs this week =) I am crossing my fingers that they will both be successful and that my parents will feel more comfortable in time. Like I always say, there is no greater joy than knowing that all your loved ones are safe and sound wherever they are.

Anyway, I shared a "first" experience with my husband when I prepared kare-kare for the first time ever in my life for lunch today. I have never prepared this dish but thanks to Google, everything is within reach! I Googled the recipe for kare-kare and it turned out so good. I didn't strictly follow the measurements, kinda eyeballed some of the ingredients, but it still tasted like the kare-kare I've known from back home. Below is the link for the recipe I used for those who are daring enough to give it a try =)

http://www.filipinofoodrecipes.net/kare_kare.htm

After all our "firsts" for today, my husband and I headed out to see Sorcerer's Apprentice. It was pretty good =) Amazingly it turned out to be a love story! My husband found it to be pretty good and that matters more than what I think because he's harder to please in that department. He is very smart and easily notices loop holes in a movie's plot, characters, etc. I on the other hand just seat there and watch to entertain myself. I am easily blown away with the "oh that's a pretty place," or "oh my they can fly!" or "boy, these characters are indestructible!" or simply "awww love!" stuff in movies.

I am not really very anal with movies in short. I don't even remember the whole movie after awhile or the actors and actresses that were in certain movies! I am pretty bad at those because I honestly just didn't grow up watching a lot of TV and movies. I guess my parents successfully channeled my interests into arts and crafts, cleaning, cooking, studying and just about anything that is productive.

Some find it weird that I am not all excited with watching TV or movies but that's just me. I am grateful that that's not all I want to do everyday because I feel more productive the way I am . I'm not saying that watching TV or movies is bad but with the quality of shows we have in our time today, you spend more time seeing bad ones than good ones. It's a sad, sad, sad reality but we put this to ourselves... we've supported bad shows that led to the birth of more bad shows =( Oh I just remembered an advertisement in the theater awhile back for a kiddie version of something like kindle where kids can practice reading in different levels of difficulty and what not. I wasn't able to help myself but whispered to my husband "OMG look at the toys nowadays... I wonder what kind of toys will be out by the time we have a kid?!"

It's amazing how technology has evolved through time but what's even more amazing is how we have let it evolved not only to good and productive but bad and destructive as well.

I guess I've really turned on a chapter of my life in that I view some things more differently now. I am more sentimental and I put more value on things around me, my experiences and the people I encounter and love.

Turning the Pages of My Life =)

It's my birthday today here in the U.S. and I turn 28!

Turning the pages of my life to the next chapter is very exciting knowing that my husband is with me today and hopefully for the years to come.

I am definitely the happiest wife ever! My husband made bread for me for breakfast, fillet mignon for lunch and bowl of fruits and my birthday cake for dinner! =)

I wish I was able to share this day with the rest of my family but I guess having something to look forward to is the biggest motivation one could ever have to continue to hope, persevere and achieve in life. The journey hasn't been easy for me the past couple of years but I turn to another chapter of my life with joy, love, pride and dignity because I have stood strong and survived my life's challenges.

A Birthday to Remember =)

Today is my birthday in the Philippines =)

Under the Weather...

My husband and I are both under the weather right now..

I pity my husband for most part because he really struggled to go to work this week while I felt so helpless watching him everyday =(

I thought to myself I don't mind getting sick since I just stay home all the time but my husband is a different story because he has to go to work and on top of that deal with me. If only I had a magic wand I would have taken away that cold and cough away from him!

Anyhow, my mom gave me a list of things to do, medicine to take and food to prepare to help my husband get better. It brought back a lot of memories from when I would get sick when I was still back home in the Philippines.

I remember my mom would lovingly prepare either a huge pot of chicken noodle soup or arroz caldo (chicken and ginger in a porridge) to feed me and the rest of the family. She also makes this special concoction of tea, calamansi (citrus fruit similar to lime or lemon) and honey or a ginger brew with a little sugar and have me drink that to soothe my sore throat or simply give a calming effect. She would rub my chest, back and neck with Vick's Vapour Rub and wrap me in a blanket and before I know it I have fallen asleep. I'd wake up feeling better and ready for another round of my chicken soup or arroz caldo and my mom's concoctions =)

My mom's love is the best drug I know of! Nothing compares to a mom who selflessly, lovingly and patiently nurses you back to health, a mother's healing touch!

I made a big pot of chicken noodle soup today and some ginger brew for my husband and me =) I purchased Vicks Vapour Rub as well and rubbed it on my husband before we go to bed at night and whenever I wake up in the middle of my sleep. If anything, I would do anything to make my husband feel better! =)

I enjoyed my day today spending it with my husband. I am very truly lucky to have a husband who's very appreciative of what I do for him and very giving of himself.

Flower Power =)

My flower projects =)

Expedition for Shorts

Whoever thought that getting a pair of shorts can be so difficult?!

My home work from my husband this week is to get myself three pairs of shorts to replace my old ones. I thought to myself that's a piece of cake and who doesn't like shopping anyway?

I was completely wrong, shopping is hard! I spent sometime yesterday looking for a pair of shorts and I was just blown away with the prices of things nowadays as well as how hard it was to look for a pair of shorts that fits me just right. I guess the combination of those two made it even more difficult. To add a third thing I was looking for is a pair of shorts that doesn't look sloppy on me. I figured if I am going to pay for a pair of shorts for this price it better be something I can comfortable and proud to wear. I got one pair yesterday! Weeee!

Today, I went out to search for two more pairs and the struggle I had was looking for my size and the style I can tolerate wearing. I didn't want to buy a pair of the "undone" style because I am a married woman and not a teenager! My mom kept appearing in my imagination like what would she say about this pair of shorts on me! ahhahaha! My mom always told us, the girls in the family, that we should present ourselves well when we are out and about because more often than not people judge you by the way you look and unfortunately there is a long lasting effect to first impressions. I know my mom meant well all the time so when she's not happy with what we are wearing she sends us back in the house to change =) Oh I miss my mom!

I was so tired by the time I got back home and my husband beat me home which made me feel so bad! I always feel like I am a bad wife to not be home when my husbands gets home. Why? I want to be there and take care of my husband's needs and wants. I miss him when we're not together and I always just can't wait to see him and hold him! I went home with good news for him though, I finished my home work today! I beat my deadline (tomorrow!). Hhahaah!

What an exhausting expedition for shorts!

My Wonderful Family =)

This is the recent picture of my family with my nephew minus me and my brother.

How I miss everybody!!!

My nephew and my mom are wearing the hats I made not so long ago from fleece and some other scrap fabrics. It's funny how this picture seemed like it was taken on a photo booth but this was actually taken at my parents place using a webcam. Everybody just seemed so happy and nothing beats the feeling of knowing that the ones your love are happy and safe back home =)

I pulled up the last family picture taken with me and my brother four years ago when I graduated college and it's amazing how we all looked the same, almost ageless, only that we have plus family members now. Somehow looking at the pictures made me realize how time really flies and how much the role reversal has taken place over the years within my family.

I remember my dad clipping our nails every weekend when I was still a little girl. He'd have us put up our hands on the table as if a military inspection! He used to shine our school shoes every week as well and boy my shoes were always spotless. My mom on the other hand did all our laundry and so lovingly ironed our uniforms, prepared our meals, helped us with our home works and cared for us when we'd fall sick.

The role reversal kicked in sometime around when I was 7 years old when my parents started teaching us to be independent and self-sufficient by helping them with chores and what not. I didn't realize as a kid that my role grew day by day. Somehow it was like play to me and my elder sister. This is where the role play began =)

We enjoyed folding clothes by pretending we were in a department store. One played as the shopper and the other played as the cashier. We always saw the cashier fold the clothes before putting them in a bag and so folding was fun that way.

I remember much later on when there were four of us already, there would be times my mom had to run errands like pay bills and get groceries so she'd have to leave us. She locks the door and as soon as our mom's gone, we all get our tents up using our blankets, flat sheets, clothes pins and hangers. My brother had some radio controlled cars and he pretended that he's a food delivery guy. He assembled snacks in little plates, tied the plate snug up his radio controlled car and zooms it to my sister's tent. Somehow when our mom rings the door bell in a heartbeat we're able to take everything down and hide everything out of our mom's plain sight if not totally put everything away! This is so funny now that I am remembering all these! =)

Growing up had been very challenging and fun. I didn't come from a rich family but I am myself now because of how my parents raised me for most part, some I can attribute to the environment around me while I was growing up and some I think is just genetic. I understand that we are all unique in our own little and big ways but we should never let that uniqueness be a hindrance for us to achieve and better ourselves.

Fourth of July Experiments =)

I had a wonderful 4th of July this year! It was like no other 4th of July that I've had the last 3 years. This time around it was full of love, food, cuddles and giggles=)

My husband and I did a Barbeque and I decided I'd make the hotdog buns from scratch this time. The picture shows how my hot dog buns turned out.

I love making bread! Such a work of art, easy to make and oh fills your home with such homey feelings! ** Bread recipe below =) **

The top picture is me piping meringue cookies. My husband and I experimented on making calorie free cookies utilizing meringue cookie recipe. We figured that if we can use sugar substitute to make the meringue cookies and flavor it with some vanilla or liquor successfully we'd happily enjoy cookies without the guilt of putting in bazillion unnecessary calories in our bodies!

Anyhow, our experiment was not very successful. We did yield meringue cookies but they were very airy and they disintegrate in your mouth like right that moment you pop them in your mouth! However it was worth the try. It was an exciting yet not very traditional activity for 4th of July.

At some point my husband asked me if I want us to start a tradition for 4th of July and if so what would it be? I blurted out make meringue cookies?! Boy I think of it now and I am not sure that that's the most sensible answer or the most exciting thing to do for us every year or for when we have kids but oh well I was thinking of room for improvement for our airy meringue cookies this year! I just hope that this tradition I picked to do for fourth of July doesn't fire back on me later on. hahaahaha! Or we can change it anytime =) I love that my husband and I can work on things together and put our heads together to make things better.



Hot Dog Bun Recipe:

1/2 C warm water (about 110 C)
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp butter, melted
2-3 cups Bread Flour
dash of salt

Preheat oven at 400 C.

Combine the first 3 ingredients, stir with fork and let stand for 5 minutes. The mixture will be frothy and bubbly. This is called proofing your yeast. If it's not frothy or bubbly do it again as the yeast was not activated either because it's dead or water temperature was not right. Add the egg and butter and dash of salt. Work in a cup of flour using a fork. Add 1/2 of flour at a time after the first cup has been added. The dough will start to form. Use your hands and knead the dough for about 5-10 minutes until the dough is nice and smooth. Divide into 4 and roll into logs. Pinch the ends and tuck them underneath. Imagine how a hot dog bun looks like. You can also make burger buns by shaping them into circles and flattening them a little bit. Lay them in a baking non-stick baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap or damp towel for about 3o minutes to let it rise. Bake at 400 C for about 10 minutes then take it out and brush with egg wash to make it glossy and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Put back in the oven and bake until the tops are golden brown about 10-15 minutes more.

Egg wash: 1 egg yolk + 1 tbsp water mixed together.


Enjoy! =)

A Royalty Breakfast =)

I woke up late this morning and found my husband missing beside me.

I walked out our bedroom with Puti (my white teddy bear that my husband gave me when we were still dating) in my arms and found my husband in front of his computer. I took the liberty to seat on his lap and have him cuddle me like a baby. I hanged around there for awhile while I wasn't totally awake yet. I wasn't aware of the time or day but I know I felt good just right there with my husband when he broke the question "do you want me to make you breakfast dear? I figure you must be hungry since you got up late." I popped my eyes open and gave a big yes! I guess I was hungry!

My husband made me french toast with grilled bananas and caramel syrup topped with fresh whip cream! A royalty breakfast I call it! =) He made everything from scratch and it was really very tasty! Add the effort and love he put into making this wonderful breakfast for me oh it was just heavenly!

I just can't ask for anything more!

I was treated like a princess from morning and the rest of the day and days before today and tomorrow is undoubtedly another royalty day =)

I feel very lucky to have a husband who makes me feel very special. I can't help but brag about it because I know that this doesn't happen to every couple on a daily basis nor does it happen for free. I hate to say this but it seems like we all come with price tags in one way or another. We are all definitely flawed in one way or another but somebody's got to give way sometimes while the other receives and vice versa.

I am sharing this amazing experience I have with my husband right now because this is certainly the opposite experience I had with my ex husband. To those who just discovered my blog, I am on my second marriage now and I am very happy and contented. I had an ex husband who was a narcissist. I didn't even realize that he came with that price tag until after our divorce and I was married to my second husband. I was that naive and innocent as always! I realized I have to mention this to let you know that I have had the best and worst and I am talking from a stand point of both.

My husband has a saying that goes like "Happy Wife, Happy Life." It's very simple but the more I think about it, the more I believe in it. The wife has this big responsibility of holding the family intact and together but that doesn't discount the fact that the husband plays a very essential role in making the effort to help his wife fulfill that responsibility. I think that the husband being supportive, honest, caring, considerate and loving to his wife makes his wife happy enough to take on the responsibilities in their behalf and fulfill them. It sounds very plain and simple but I am not sure that this is very clear to couples.

Breakfast is not a very exciting meal for me but my husband cracked a way to make it exciting =) He doesn't prepare breakfast for me everyday but it's that surprise and uncertainty of when is he going to do it and how that does all the tricks! I am often the one thinking of how to surprise him but men, when he does it it gives me shivers!!!

Husbands, this is a sure way to make your wives happy, prepare a meal for your wife once in a awhile. It doesn't have to be gourmet, just simple and straight from the heart. Another is grab some flowers on the way home or take home a piece of pastry from a luncheon meeting or just any little thing to let your wife know you were thinking about her even at work. Same goes for wives, grab a bunch of flowers for your husband, clean up your place, light some candles, get your lingerie on and surprise your husband after his long boring day at work!

If couples untiringly keep the fire in their relationships, there is a good chance that you are going to stay together for a very very long time.

I hope I made sense. I am just so in love with my husband that I can't help but talk about it!

My Not So Ordinary Day

I had one of my worst, slowest, restless and sleepy day today! =C

It was 2nd day to my monthly cycle and it was just terrible. It seemed like I woke up at the wrong side of the bed except that there still laid my gorgeous husband beside me with his angelic face.

Our day began with my husband's phone alarming and the next thing I knew it's time to exercise. We did our exercise aided by Jillian Michael's 30-day shred program. It's funny how I got my husband to start doing this with me! =) I am very proud of him because he didn't just think I was some crazy wife forcing him to do girly stuff. By all means I don't see this as a girly exercise just because three girls were the ones doing the exercise in the videos. This is honestly my favorite video exercise because it's not too long, you have the option to progress when you're ready, it's intensive and it is holistic where it includes cardio, weight and ab training all rolled into one! I want my husband and I to be together for a very very long time so our health and wellness is on top of my/our list.

Bagel + eggs = breakfast

That happens to be my husband's staple breakfast. He's not a very picky guy but I guess he is at times when opportunity calls for it! After a quick breakfast and internet browsing, there's the quick shower and dress up and he's off to work.

It might sound ridiculous but I miss my husband when he leaves for work. I then keep myself busy for couple of hours then he's back for lunch. My not so ordinary day today began when he left for work.

I felt so weird this morning like light headed, very sleepy and restless due to my period. Oh I hate being a girl because of my monthly pains and visits. I haven't felt this way in awhile but boy this day was a reminder of my worst days in the past where I go as far as passing out. I spent the whole morning sleeping until my husband gave me a kiss and I hurriedly got up realizing that I overslept and haven't prepared lunch for him. Oh I was so embarrassed that my husband found me in bed =( It's just that this is not me being lazy and sleeping for most parts of the day. My husband had lunch and went back to work again.

Anyhow I was craving for french fries but I haven't gone out to get some out of my fear that I might not make back home since I'm not feeling 100% well. I sat in our living room and browsed in the internet, took pictures of the pouches I made yesterday and to my surprise my husband was home around 2-3 pm with french fries, McFish sandwich and chocolate hot fudge for me! I had this big question mark in my face!!! I started wondering what he might have left behind that was too important for him to come home to get it?! As it turned out they were sent home early from work because of the holiday =)

I felt warm fuzzies for my husband coming home with what I was craving for! He had me on his lap while I devour my french fries. He knew I wasn't feeling well from when he found me in bed at lunch time. I felt so happy that I get to keep him and hold him earlier today and nothing beats that for soothing a bad, restless and painful day! I can't explain how ecstatic and comforted I felt at the sight of my husband. It sure does make a difference to just have him around and be able to cuddle with him any time of the day or just stare at his back while he's busy with his computer or be able to say I love you back and forth =)

I love the fact that my husband and I are sensitive to each others needs and are able to verbalize those needs when we feel that we need to break the man-woman barrier / differences. I love the way we try to surprise each other not with fancy things but with efforts of knowing what the other wants or likes or craves at the moment. I love that we openly talk about anything under the sun without the fear of rejection or hatred or being judged. I love that he takes good care of me the best way he knows how and that he makes me feel important and loved. I love that we make each other smile in million ways. I love that we can giggle and cry together and not leaving the other one out. I love that we live a simple life and yet feel that we are the richest couple with our bazillion love for each other! =)