Girl Meets Work... er World

Working from home has its perks but it can also get lonely. As the days go by, I realise that working home alone has its downside. I miss the laag after work - going to the mall, new restaurants, videoke with office mates. I miss the banter and the jokes, the water cooler conversations, the bonding with fellow wanderers who I've been blessed to cross paths with.

But it's the people I miss the most... the ones who were kind enough to take me under their wings or into their circles. I miss them all -- the ones who were with me from the beginning until now. Sure, we see each other once in a blue moon but I really wanna see more of these wonderful, amazing people.

The best part about working from home is spending time with my family. It's not everyday that we're gathered together like this but every time we are - ah, such bliss!

I Miss My Mama

I miss my Mama, God rest her soul.

I miss her laughter the most.
I miss the way she made me laugh, even when I was angry.
I miss the way she would comfort me, especially when I cried.
I miss the way she supported me. Even when I doubted myself, she never did.
I miss the way we would laugh at the silliest things.
I miss our weekly lunch every Sunday; sometimes I find myself going to our favourite restaurant just to reminisce.
I miss our cinema dates, she used to watch movies with me even when she was no longer feeling well.

Wow! I just realized how selfish I've been. And here comes the regrets for the things that I did not do while she was still here...

I wish I could've taken her to Hong Kong and other places that she wanted to visit - she really wanted to go to Bangkok.
I wish I had asked my Papa Peter while he was here to take us with him to Italy after his one-month vacation here in 2002.
I wish I could've bought her that car she always wanted - even though neither of us really knew how to drive.
I wish I could've taken her shopping for all the stuff that she wanted but couldn't buy.

And my most fervent wish...

I wish I could see her one more time... if only to tell her how much I love her and miss her so.

Yes, I will always miss my Mama. My heart yearns for the day when I will see her again. Until then, I will wait.

I pray that she is with God now and she's happily waiting for me to join her in Heaven.
I pray that she knows how much I love her and miss her.
I pray that God's will be done in my life and that He will take me to see my Mama when I leave this world. In Jesus' name I pray. Thank You, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Princesses, Bike Rides, and Puppies

Meet my niece, Phoebe...

She rides a bike too -- a pink one, just like mine. (Although hers is waaay cuter than mine!)

As you can see, she takes her cute little puppy along with her on her bike rides...

I had no idea running after such a small biker would be great exercise!

I'm starting to rethink my present exercise program. :D

Lola Mary Turns 92!!!

Yesterday marked a major milestone in my Grandma's life... she turned 92 - a ripe age for my Lola Mary! My Lola has always been active in church. She's super kind and has the biggest heart. She's always quick to lend a helping hand and is always finding new ways to help family and friends.

She's very healthy too. She eats mostly fish and veggies and she always eats a banana for dessert after every meal. She also eats small portions, which is why her tummy is still flat until now. :)

Growing up with my Lola has given me the opportunity to acquire some old fashioned values, which have been quite useful in my life. I am also blessed to inherit her wonderful singing voice (the best gyud kang Lola) and love for music.

Lola Mary is now the central point in our family. We help each other take care of Lola, making sure that she is fed on time and that we are able to meet her needs. I'd like to think that this has brought us closer together. It's amazing how keen her mind still is. I guess it's because she's always been fond of reading, even when her sight started failing.

I remember how Lola used to love handicrafts. She would make everything from rosaries to costume jewellery and she would sew and knit table covers and curtains. She's very diligent too. Whenever she has some free time, she usually finds something productive to do. If I were half as industrious as my Lola, I would be very blessed. :)

I would have liked to throw a party - a lavish feast where family and friends partake of delicious food. But that was not our choice. We prepared a simple salo-salo instead... spaghetti and fried chicken. I helped cook the fried chicken while my Aunty Gweny cooked spaghetti. My cousin Donna brought chocolate cake. Yummy!

Happy birthday, Lola Mary! We love you! :)

Foodie-in-training Begins New Chapter

The New Year has brought me so many amazing new experiences. I've been travelling more, mostly to the South of Cebu, with family whom I never even realized was around. Last night we went to San Fernando to visit my Aunt's in laws who are very kind and well mannered. The kids obviously had a blast, running around and playing with their cousins as the grownups talked about life. It was so much fun. I came home exhausted and slept like a baby.

Here I am with my precocious little niece...

Isn't she precious? :)

I'm really excited because I finally started sleeping early and that has helped me get up early each morning. I now find myself with more free time in my hands, as I no longer have to wait for sleep to come each night. My job is now more fulfilling, as I am able to be productive instead of just busy. I start work early, I finish early, I go walking, and then come home feeling refreshed. I may need more hobbies or new projects now that I have more time to myself.

My eating habits have also improved, thought not at the rate that I'd like. Yes, I still love to eat... that may never change. But at least I am eating on time. I even eat breakfast now. This new schedule has opened new doors that I am really excited about exploring.

Last Sunday, my friends and I went to Señor Santo Niño Church in Cebu City to attend the 4 o'clock novena mass together. We braved the crowds and the sweltering heat in order to pay homage and adoration to Cebu's patron saint, our baby Jesus, Señor Santo Niño. It was such an inspiring mass. All I could think of was to pray for love and peace. Those were the two words that were reverberating in my head the whole time we were there. I'd like to think that God has answered my prayers.

After the mass, we walked a couple of blocks together to catch a jeepney to Ayala Center Cebu where we spent the night eating and strolling. We went to Ayala Rooftop for dinner, at a quaint little Asian restaurant called Ullis Streets of Asia. There we shared a meal of chicken and shrimp kebabs. It was different. The chicken was excellent though and I loved their sweet sauce. We needed something to cap off the meal so we decided to visit Mooon Cafe and share some Mexican food. We had Campesinos and Quesadillas. It was so much fun!

Here we are at Ullis...

Finally, my Aunty and I spent our Saturday at SM just looking around. There were booths for the upcoming Sinulog celebrations and we took some wacky pictures while we were there...

Here are some of the dishes that we had that night...

I'm so happy that 2015 is off to a good start. I'm looking forward to the future travels, food trips, wacky moments, and fun times, which I hope to capture with the best words and images. I'm hoping to grow as a person and a foodie-in-training. Here's hoping!