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!

Foodie-in-training Embarks on Food Adventures

Ok. So, a few months ago we went to Palawan and stayed there for 5 days. During that trip, I was able to pick up new skills - including how to find the best food spots in a place where I've never stepped foot before. This proved to be an easy task, thanks to the readily available information online. Finding the actual places became easy because we had already checked ahead using Google and the information made available via the Internet. And so, we travelled, we dined, we explored, we enjoyed, we went home happy and satisfied. Here are some pictures of our travels. For some reason my eyes are closed in these pix. Sleepyhead? Too early? Go figure! :D

When I got home, I started exploring new blogs and I came across one that made funny references to people who travel - describing the good and the bad types of travel companions. One label caught my eye... and I thought to myself, "I wouldn't mind being called that!" Yes, it was "foodie-in-training." Since then, I've been nurturing this dream - to go to exciting places that I've never been before and to eat exotic foods that I haven't tried yet.

This dream is adventurous, I know, especially since I'm a creature of habit - I usually order the same meals, at the same restaurants most of the time.

Today, I felt a bit more adventurous than usual. I wanted to eat fried chicken so I decided to visit Bigby's - one of my favorite restaurants in Ayala Center Cebu. However, I found out that they had moved to another spot. And so I had a choice - to enjoy my usual Italian meal in La Tegola, which I do almost every weekend - or to search for the new place where Bigby's Ayala had transferred. I chose the latter. I figured I could use a change of scenery. And so after much searching, I found the place and checked the menu. Fried chicken was not available so I said to myself, "Why not order the food platter?" I thought this would offer some variety for me and my friend who was coming to join me later.

The food platter was delicious! Quesadilla with cheese that melts in your mouth, chicken tenders that was perfectly cooked, chicken wings with just the right amount of sweet and spice, and french fries that was really crunchy. Here's what it looked like before I hungrily descended on it. (It was my first meal of the day and it was almost 4 o' clock.)

My friend and her daughter came to join me soon after. They, too, enjoyed the Quesadilla and chicken tenders. This is how we looked like after our "snacking."

And so, my foodie-in-training adventure begins! Hope you'll join me one of these days. ;)

How about you? Do you have any favorite restos that you'd like to recommend? Feel free to leave comments in this blog or head on over to my Facebook page and drop me a line or two. Thank you and have a lovely day! :)

Of Love, Weddings, and Elven Princesses

Today I witnessed one of my younger cousins getting married. It was one of those occasions that comes out of nowhere to surprise you. It certainly caught me off guard. No, there was no Hollywood-esque drama... or grand gestures, uber-expensive stuff, or over-the-top performances. In fact, it was simple, elegant, and classically beautiful... just like my cousin (of course! *wink*).

I'm just amazed at how love-filled the whole event was - from the Catholic church wedding to the reception that followed. I'm awe-struck by how sweet my two young cousins - sisters as they are - to each other. Her younger sister's toast came out of the blue and caught me by surprise. It was so heartfelt, I felt a pinch in my chest as she was sharing her wishes for her older sister. She cried as she wished her sister love and happiness in her union with her new husband. Her tears kept flowing as she recalled the many trials they had been through with their single mom who raised them after their father died when they were just little girls. And how she's going to miss her big sister now that she's married. It was the sweetest thing I've ever heard.

I still have memories of when I first saw them. I remember them as these cute little girls who would come and visit our home. They were both very pretty (their father was half-Spanish, I think) and had these beautiful elf ears and light brown eyes that were so innocent and would light up each time they smiled. They both look like elven princesses (fans of fantasy movies can relate).

As years flew by, these sisters grew really close, even after their father's passing; and they had their shares of illnesses and trials. But they braved through it. I'm also amazed at my Aunty's strength as she became both father and mother to these beauties. They made it through those difficult times and today I saw God's handiwork.

He truly knows what's best for us and he proves that each and every time. I guess what I'm trying to say is that happiness here on earth is truly possible - if only we turn everything over to Him and give our lives to Him. So touching was my cousin's toast, I almost burst into tears (though I tried so desperately to hide it).

Such a funny thing, LOVE. It takes us up and down and round and round yet it's the only thing that truly matters in the end. And so, as I start yet another week still waiting (so impatiently, I gotta admit) for my own love story to begin, I am so glad that I went to my cousin's wedding. The whole event has reaffirmed my belief that there is that one person we're destined to share forever with, if only we believe. Thank God for LOVE! :)