I will not let the negatives win this battle.

To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.

—-

1. I love to cook and bake, and I think I inherited it from my grandparents who are just awesome cooks. We used to have those Sunday dinners back in the Philippines and I was just amazed with how they prepared it - so quick yet so good!

2. Age is just a number. And that goes for many things.

3. I love to travel. Just going to different places around the world, meeting new people, experiencing and learning new things makes me so happy. I want to be able to travel to all six/seven continents before 25. [same as you, Robbi :)] I’m so blessed to have been to Australia, Asia, and North America. Four more continents! Haha.

4. I miss Malaysia. It’s been almost a year now and I really really miss everything. The scenery, the building, our group, the experience, the food, everything. It really changed my life in so many ways and I will really make sure that I will be back there soon.

5. I have this thing for minimalist architecture - it’s so clean, modern, and elegant. But at the same time, I also love antiques and Renaissance/Baroque architecture. My dream house someday would definitely have a mix of both.

6. Speaking of old school, I love a lot of songs from the past. The Beatles, James Ingram, Eric Clapton, Dionne Warwick, and Kenny Rankin are my top favorites.

7. Chocolate [especially dark] = awesome. I need something chocolate-y every day. The people who I see on a regular basis can attest to that Chunky cookie at blue chip! YUM!

8. I hate having to follow traditions/superstitions - especially if I don’t believe in it.

9. I apparently used to have really big eyes back when I was a kid. I guess I always smile and as result, goodbye big eyes. Haha.

10. I love webdesigning. I remember downloading Paint Shop Pro when I was in Grade 7 and I was just addicted. But it’s been quite a while since I made my own layout for my blog. Maybe I should actually make my own when I find the time.

11. I started to talk properly only when I was 4. My parents were so worried about me because they didn’t know what was wrong. I guess everything’s ok now.

12. I have this thing with sleeping and not waking up when I should already wake up. [for example: I sleep in the bus and I only wake up when the bus is already parked in the loop :\]

13. I love riding roller coasters and all the thrilling rides in amusement parks. Hopefully in the next few years I will be able to go Japan and go to some of amusement parks there.

14. The five songs on my playlist right now:
- Tayong Dalawa - Gary Valenciano
- 취중진담 - Kim Dong Ryul (The Drunken Truth)
- 다시 사랑한다 말할까  - Kim Dong Ryul (Should I Say I Love You Again?)
- Lucky - Jason Mraz
- The Sweetest Love - Robin Thicke

15. The quote that I will always remember for various reasons: “Laging may magiging mas sayo.” (There’s always going to be someone better than you; that’s why you will always need to work harder.)

16. Life is bittersweet. There are times of failure and times of triumph. Sometimes your tower of cards fall, and sometimes they stay there and actually rise to many levels. I believe in second chances and I believe in revitalizing and rebuilding. As long as we are willing to try and work hard, we will still be able to achieve our dreams no matter what.

17. I love the beach. The white sand and lying on it, the fresh air, the water, the seafood. So relaxing and refreshing

18. God has given me so much in my life. I will always remember Grade 1 when I first joined a bible study group after doing something really bad. That moment really changed my life. It turned me around, making me a better person.

19. I’m trying to earn enough money right now to get an SLR camera. Hopefully it will be before the summer so I can take photos outside. So if you guys have any good suggestions tell me.

20. Moving to Canada in July 2005 has definitely changed my life - physically, mentally, but most importantly, spiritually. I’m so thankful for the many people who I have known over the past three years because it has definitely been a bumpy ride - filled with ups and downs. Now, I can honestly say that everything is definitely worth it and I believe that with the experiences that I had here, I am a better person.

21. In moments of weakness I cry. I know it’s not really the ‘guy’ thing to do but crying really helps a lot. It allows one to release their anger or frustrations. I do hope that I pray in moments of weakness, because the best thing to do is to leave everything in His hands.

22. I want to skydiving and/or bungee jumping. It just looks so fun and thrilling - and a way to just release everything that is bothering you.

23. I really don’t like people who just talk to me when they need something. I can be nice to people when they’re nice to me. But don’t expect me to be nice to you when you’re not. Golden Rule. In short, I hate users. I guess that’s why I really need to toughen up.

24. My one big aspiration in life is to live for my family, friends, and the Lord. But yes, I am one big hypocrite if I say that I don’t consider myself in the equation.

25. I don’t really know what I want to do with my life. I think I have some options and what I want to consider, but everything is still all up in the air. Maybe it’s because I still need to take into consideration so many factors, but yeah… I know God will guide me through.

This was definitely a hard survey to do. It took more quite some time to compile this list, haha
If you guys wanted to know the password from my previous post, just email me. And before I leave, Happy happy Valentine’s Day!

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

-

looking, looking
but strangely the young man can’t find it
still - desperately he tried
he kept looking
but nothing was there

maybe it was a mirage,
the young man thought
but there it was again
a fragile figure
broken into pieces

in its brokenness
it sparkled
bright beams of light
a fragmented spectrum
red orange yellow blue violet
what a beautiful mess it was

but it disappeared again
the young man closed his eyes
opened it once more

brightness
all the young man could see was white
blinding white

but suddenly
black shadows enraged the young man
a tall figure appears
he graciously waits
and offers his hand.

God is the missing link in my equation. God is the only one who will be able to solve whatever my doubts or problems are.

~

School has already started two weeks ago and it has been quite stressful because so much has already happened. It was so hard to get back to a routine and to actually sit down and start reading chapters and chapters of various textbooks. There’s also a lot of extracurricular activities coming up as well - so I think it will be a fun yet busy and challenging four months. Thus, I’m looking forward for a better term 2 this 2009 with positive anticipation, hope, and faith in God.

~

Today we have all witnessed a historical and wonderful moment in history. President Barack Obama has sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America, still the undisputed most powerful country in the world. In the midst of a global financial crisis and two wars, we are seemed to be now welcomed with a new political era filled with hope and high expectations. I truly wish the best for President Obama - as I said I am a huge fan of this charismatic and inspiring man. There is a lot to be done to solve the numerous problems that America and the world is facing right now.

All of us are filled with optimism and hope that our world will become better and stronger. But Obama is not a superhero. He will not be able to solve our problems alone. Let us bring the ideas of positive change, democracy, equality, unity, and optimism to our world. Thus, we should all be working hard as well -  not only to restore our world back to prosperity but more importantly, to bring forth a better, stronger, and sustainable world for you, me, and the future generation.

/edit: After coming home from work, I immediately went to watch the Inauguration Ceremony of the 44th President of the United States. It is truly a great historical moment - very, very memorable. I am so blessed to have been able to witness this wonderful occasion. Inspiring and motivating - that is all I can say. Positive change is really possible!

Let us be filled with optimism and faith. God bless all of us. Yes, we can! =)

~

On a final note, I have been taking a lot of pictures of the food that I’ve been making lately. I plan to compile all of this into a new foodieblog, filled with simple, easy to make, yet delicious recipes. Yum!

Take care!

I always say to myself: This year wll be different; I will be more motivated! Yeah yeah yeah… Kaya ko yan! (I can do it!) But how come those efforts of working hard are all short-lived? Meh. I perhaps just lack the real discipline and motivation to work hard. A few months ago, I went to a workshop that told us that we have to align our goals with the values that we have. According to the mentor, this method can possibly to better results in terms of achieving goals. He also added that being frequently reminded of our hopes and desires will keep us in check and make sure that progress is being made.

In my mind, I still hope that this year will be different and that I will work harder. That is why I will list several generalized goals that I wish to achieve in the next twelve months.

1. Study hard, but have fun as well. [I won't say don't procrastinate because I still will for sure.]
2. Participate and plan for activities that will help others, especially those who are less fortunate.
3. Exercise, be active in sports, and be fit! [really!]
4. Improve relationships with family, friends, and loved ones.
5. A more active spiritual life. [I participated in a bible study group during the winter term but I didn't get to go to every single bible study.]
6. Blog every once in a while.

You all witnessed me writing this list. Maybe you guys can all help me to keep in check - especially for the last one. Cheers for the New Year and for 2009! We can do this - all with the help of our loved ones and the Lord.

• Global Perspectives 2008 - This would probably classify as 2008’s most memorable moment for me. Starting from the fundraising late 2007 up to the actual trip held during March of this year, I have seen in myself as I look back a huge change in myself. Going to Malaysia was bittersweet - with a lot of smiles and yet a lot of tears as well. Nonetheless, every single thing was worth it. It was a learning experience that is unexplainable in a few paragraphs - you really have to try it to truly know how it is. I will never trade anything for this experience because this was what inspired me to go for a career focused on humanitarian aid and international affairs. My five part series on this trip can be found here.
• The Road to IB Exams - After two years of learning and preparation, everything culminated with this two week series of exams. It seemed that my whole future depended on my score. Although there were intense amounts of studying, procrastinating, and all-nighters done in the process, I now look back and see how wonderful that experience was. It was not the stuff about atoms or the Cold War that stuck to my head the most, but it was the study and critical thinking skills that really helped me now that I am in university. More importantly, the closeness of the IB batch in our school made the “unbearable” more bearable, fun, and memorable.
• Graduation, Winter Formal, and Prom - The last year of high school means a variety of social events to celebrate these moments before we step on to a new chapter of our lives. First came Winter Formal in December then there were Graduation and Prom held in June. I will let pictures show the wonderful moments and the tons of camwhoring held during those events.

• A New Chapter: University: Another new chapter in anyone’s life - I can’t believe the fact that I am now in this phase of my life right now. Its only been four months but I must say that I have already learned so much. With a much bigger population, there is so much more variety in university. A lot of competition, a lot of activities. There’s so many things to do here and it’s either you’re in - you’re out.

There are so many things I want to do in 2009. So many things I want to learn and to try. But the important things I guess are dedication, persistence, love, and faith in God. In the coming year, let us share as much time as we can with those we love. We only live once in a lifetime and so do others - live, love, and enjoy.

I wish everyone a happy, happy new year and a great 2009 ahead of you.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups Chocolate Chips
• 1 cup Oatmeal
• 3/4 cup chopped nuts(optional)

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350° F.

2. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl until well blended. Add egg and vanilla, beating until well blended. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into butter mixture. Stir in chocolate chips, oatmeal, and nuts, if desired. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.

This is how the mix should look like.

3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 3-1/2 dozen cookies.

The finished product! Yum =)

It’s a wonderful thing to be back home again, seeing the parols and Christmas trees all around the metropolis. TV commercials are all centered on the holiday and Christmas carols are playing in the radio stations. But sometimes I cannot help but think about the future - and whether where I will go. Will I be here in the Philippines or am I going to stay in Canada? I have been in Canada for more than three years already and if you think about it, coming back again to the Philippines and actually live here would be another new adjustment. Things have definitely changed over here and I can’t help but ask myself: What’s gonna happen later on?

Setting everything aside, I want to wish everyone a merry Christmas! May the Lord continue to bless your families and your lives. May we remember the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate this holiday. Happy birthday Jesus! Here is a picture of the Christmas tree in downtown Vancouver shot a few days ago before I left.

Tapos, ang pinaka nakakainis pa talaga ay kapag may humuhusga sayo. Nakakaasar na rin talaga ang pagkaplastic ng mga tao. Baka akala lang nila, hindi ko nakikita kung ano ang talagang tingin nila. Pero medyo halata na rin kayo.

Just wanted to release that. To end, I want to share a wonderful recipe I found through an Australian cooking show called Food Safari. It’s my favorite - Malaysian Laksa! This is so easy and simple to make - you just need to buy the ingredient and you’ll have it all ready. Enjoy!

Malaysian Laksa

Ingredients

Spice Paste

• 4-5 shallots, chopped
• 6-7 cloves garlic, chopped
• Thumb size piece ginger, peeled and chopped
• 1 fresh red chilli (more if you want more kick!)
• 1 heaped tbsp dried prawns
• ½ cup water

Broth

• 12 green prawns
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• 180 mls of laksa paste
• 1 litre chicken stock
• 1 can coconut cream
• Fish balls
• Fried tofu puffs
• 1 tsp sugar
• Fish sauce
• Salt to taste
• Juice of 1 lime

Finishing Touches

• Rice vermicelli noodles
• Egg noodles
• Shredded cooked chicken meat (boiled-stock can be used for the broth!)
• Bean sprouts
• Spring onions, chopped
• Red chilli, sliced
• Coriander leaves
• Deep fried shallots
• Fresh lime wedges

Preparation

• Process in blender, shallots, garlic, ginger, chillies, dried prawns and water until it forms a smooth paste. Set aside.
• Shell prawns and reserve meat. Heat oil in a large pot and fry prawns shells for about 1 minute until they turn red then remove from pan. Add spice paste to prawn flavoured oil and fry for a minute before adding the laksa paste. Fry until fragrant, about 2 minutes and pour in the stock.
• Bring to the boil and then add coconut cream. It’s always good to allow time to simmer for the flavours to come out. Add fish balls and fried tofu. Add sugar, fish sauce and salt to taste. Squeeze in the lime.
• Blanch rice and egg noodles in boiling water and transfer some of each to serving bowls. Poach reserved prawn meat in same water. Pour over the broth and top with chicken, prawns and bean sprouts. Garnish with the spring onions, chilli, coriander and fried shallots. Squeeze in the lime before eating.