God's Best Gift

Thoughts over a cup of coffee

2012-05-22T17:56:00.001+08:00

I know I just posted about coffee in my last post and here I am again, telling you how I love this brand of instant coffee we recently discovered. And for a week now, I've been having coffee dates at home with my husband. Since, we are currently on rest with church activities, we have plenty of time during evenings to talk about things and stuff over a cup of coffee.

These coffee talks is helping me a lot in my healing process (naks!) because I was hurt and hurting for the many incidents happening around us (okay, to be honest with our church) for the past weeks.

And I'm learning a lot of things also.

I wish I could write everything but I don't want anymore trouble than what I already have in my hands..and that I got because I said what's on my mind.

But I have to mention how friends stood up for me. And I am thankful I have them. They aren't so many but who needs many friends when they will just desert you when you are in trouble?

I have to mention also how I learned that people who doesn't know you will be among the first to judge you, then the people you thought knew you comes second :) that hurts ...but guess what's more painful? when you learned that these are the very people that was (guess to have to make that past tense now) part of your married life, people that you look up to. People that you thought you can run on to when you have problems.

There is indeed shaking in our life and I know eventually with whatever decision we come up to, we will lose some relationships but that's the way it is eh. I can't do nothing about it.

What matters to me and my husband now is that we are learning and we are enjoying the rest. When the chaos is over, we pray that we are still with the people that we love and we treasure. And that we will have coffee breaks with them again.

TLC and Coffee

2012-05-17T22:33:00.000+08:00

Because I was so upset yesterday, the husband tried to cheer me up by making me this coffee, he tried a heart shape but he didn't get it perfect, but it's okay. This is enough and made me smile. Coffee and TLC from my ever supporting husband is what I needed and yes, it cheered me up!

here is a closer look

Thank you mahal for the effort! :)

Alejandra Hotel in Makati

2012-05-15T01:47:00.000+08:00

Alejandra hotel is a small (with only 27 guestroom) but new hotel along Zobel Roxas St. in Palanan,Makati City. As we were searching for nearby wedding venues, we were led to inquire with them and tonight we had the chance to see for ourselves what this hotel can offer.

ROOMS & RATES

We checked the rooms and here's what it is; The studio room is P1,800.00 per night, plated breakfast included for two person It's small but I think it's very much okay for that price. But I'm sorry I have no picture of the studio room.

Anyways, here's the Suite room which is 25 square meters and with bath tub for 3,500.00 per night, breakfast also included. 2 double bed and king size bed available for you to choose from.

only the suite room has bathtub

the king size bed

But what we were there to see the skyline rooftop actually for a December wedding, the guy said this can accommodate 150 guests but i doubt it, I think it is too crowded for 150 guests.

That's me and the bride to be (thinking if this is it!)

they also has a conference room and a resto/bar. I did not inquire for the rates though. But you may contact them here :

Telephone Number :(632) 836-1455 to 57
Email Add : admin@alejandrahotel.com
Website : http://www.alejandrahotel.com

Sizzling porkchop with egg

2012-05-11T00:24:00.000+08:00

bakit kaya pag midnight nagugutom ako at wala akong ibang magawa kundi mag post ng picture ng mga food na mas lalong nagpapagutom sa akin? :D this is from cash and carry food court lang, sizzling porkchop with egg :)Not so healthy but yummy!

Simple vegetable dish

2012-05-08T17:11:00.000+08:00

It's been a while since the last time I cook ( I almost forgotten how to turn on my stove) but last Saturday night, as we have been given veggies, I was kinda forced to cook it and here's what I've come up to.

I sautéed the veggies (chinese cabbage, red bellpepper and sweet pea?) in butter and garlic, added a pack of instant noodles with the flavoring and presto! a yummy vegetable dish in less than 10 minutes. It's actually a complete meal because of the noodles but of course we still wanted some rice :)

May makain lang kami that night - hehe!

Zalora Philippines

2012-05-06T01:19:00.001+08:00

Have you notice how Zalora ads is all over the internet (well at least here in the Philippines) I think they have yet to launch the business and the site but it's all over the net now. I'm sure they shelled out huge budget for their marketing ads. And because I see them so often in almost all pages, I was enticed and made few clicks and been checking them eversince..hoping to see a cheap but nice flats, but I have yet to make my first purchase with them.

I noticed they have collection of wedding shoes on their recent ads and they are all so gorgeous!! And the wedges are all so lovely :) but I can't wear them...to high for me.

image from zalora's site

I thought they only sell shoes but nope, they also have bags and apparels, and who knows? maybe sooner they'll have jewelry deals of the day aside from their promos and sales :)

rainy lazy weekend

2012-05-05T02:26:00.000+08:00

We are having a rainy weekend and no one is complaining because it's a relieve from the very warm weather for the past few weeks.

And I am welcoming much the cooler breeze.Thank you Lord.

Well, except maybe those who have weekend plans in a beach because it's still summer here, I don't think I'll enjoy a rainy weekend in a beach :(

Good thing we have no special weekend plans, no swimming or outing. just ordinary weekend. Sometimes it feels good to just stay at home and laze around, specially when you just got back from an out of town trip and you have yet to unpack your bags. Which is what I probably do ~~tomorrow~~ ..later actually because it's almost 2 in the morning. Unpacking reminded me that we need reclosable bags for gadgets and wallets and whatever is in our bag that needs safekeeping. I nearly wet our camera on our last trip :(

And since I declared tomorrow as stay at home weekend, I do not have plans of getting up early nor the husband I guess because he's still up right now.

What are your plans for this weekend? Going out or staying home like us?

Liliw's Tsinelas Festival

2012-05-03T17:49:00.000+08:00

Liliw is the Tsinelas Capital of Laguna, we do frequent Liliw but mostly because of our ministries and really never had the chance to see the beauty of this small town. So yesterday after the ministry work, we decided to look around.

It so happen that the "Tsinelas (slippers) Festival" is on going and will conclude on May 6,2012. Stores that sell slippers and shoes are adorned with colorful flowers and ornaments and what else but big slippers. It was a beauty to behold :)

and there is a tsinelas mascot :) roaming around the street also.

I thoroughly enjoyed that afternoon walk, checking every stores and guess what I found out? the smallest shoes in town!


the smallest shoe (the one in the white background-center) , so tiny you need a magnifying glass to take a good look at it :)

and for those who loves shoes, Liliw is the place to be! There are lots of bargain and sales going on there right now. The 2 hour trip from Manila will be worth it plus you'll be helping our local manufacturers of slippers :) Go na sa Liliw!

April ends

2012-04-30T00:50:00.001+08:00

And we're on to 5th month of the year already. I knew what I'll say next.."time flies so fast" ..because it really is. We're done with the first quarter of the year. So much have happened and I'm bracing my heart for the many upcoming events in our life (testing and trials included)

Just to make a wrap up of our first quarter...
January- celebrated my Father's 75th birthday
February - Rudolf left his not so old day job, he worked for 5 months.
- my first ever surprise birthday party, one I will never forget in this lifetime.
March - worship events with Selah Band -CEBU trip
April - Youth Camp, The Jesus Festival, holy week vacation in my hometown

I don't want to say we were busy but it was actually a full quarter.

And no baby news yet, as usual, I hoped and I prayed but to no avail, well..I am still hoping and I am still praying and whatever the outcome is we will still trust the Lord.After all, there is still May, June,July and if not this year, 2013 is yet to come as wells as 2014 :) We will wait even how long it takes.

Anyways, that's how our first quarter was, how was yours?

Cupacakes :)

2012-04-25T16:44:00.000+08:00

Barbie cupcakes, they weren't only nice and beautiful to look at but they are also delicious. I do not have a sweet tooth but this one is not that sweet so I enjoyed them much.

these pokemon cupcakes are also cute, I wish I had a close up photos of them though

Years ago, cupcakes are rarely known and present in most occasions, but now, it's in every celebrations you can think of, birthdays, weddings, or even small family/friends gathering. And I'm so amazed how cupcakes developed from simple and plain cupcake into beautiful and work of art design cupcakes.And not only that, you can now also send birthday cupcakes on line and don't you love that? no hassle, order and delivered right in your doorstep or to the venue of your party.Will have to try that someday :)

A friend is having party for her daughter (1st birthday) and guess what, she ordered cupcakes too!

Do you also have cupcakes on your occasions? what do you prefer? chocolate or mocha or vanilla?

happily married for 6 years now

2012-04-23T16:31:00.001+08:00

We turned 6 last April 21. We didn't have any celebration at all but we were happy. Just look at the picture below :) It was taken yesterday in a wedding I coordinated. The husband was there to assist me and was asked to sing also.

Married life is a continuous learning process and is like a plant that needs an everyday care, you forget to water it and it will dry up. Ours is no different, like everyone else, we still do fight and ague sometimes even with the small stuff and it's okay, what matters to me is that we learn from each fight and argument. In fact, I think it's what makes us stronger eh and it makes our relationship better. It's been 6 years and I know the best is yet to come :)

Employee Monitoring Software

2012-04-19T17:48:00.000+08:00

Ever since I learned the rope of blogging and knew the potential of working and earning from working at home I've been wanting to get into that. I tried but I guess the lack of time (since I still have a day job (at least 10 hours a day spent in the office) I wasn't able to give it a serious try. At first, I was wondering how'd they do it and how their employees know if they are working in the specific given time to work and how do they make sure that they are really are working and not playing games in facebook. (hahaha! I’ll be that one probably)

Of course I know now that there are companies that do provide an Employee Monitoring Software, A friend who have a short stint in that kind of job was actually annoyed that whenever she opens her laptop she’s being seen by her boss, as in every activity she does, he knows.

Oh well, I guess it should be that way for employers with remote employees, they are just making sure that every cents being paid is worth it. Anyways, if you are an employer with employees in remote areas and you want to monitor them, this Employee Monitoring Software might be the one you need, you can control your employees from anywhere, now that’s pretty convenient right? It’s currently on beta so it’s free. I find it so user friendly and you need not be a techy savvy to operate it, there is actually a step by step guide and for sure you’ll not get lost in the site.

Sometimes I still find it creepy that someone from somewhere can see what I am actually doing when I sit in front of my computer (made possible by such Employee Monitoring Software) aren't you? But as I have said earlier, employers needed that and I'll do the same if ever. After all I wouldn't want to be wasting my money to someone that is not working at all.

Party planning mode

2012-04-19T02:26:00.001+08:00

We are in a party planning mode with my friend Carmel, her first child Ziah is turning one on June 22 and the doting parents wants a birthday party for her.

This afternoon, we both decided (she actually) to go for Jollibee instead of Shakeys because of the birthday theme available. Barbie theme is being offered in Jollibee while it's only Barney and Justice league in Shakeys.

It's sure fun to plan a party (specially if you're not the one paying..haha!) and I get too excited about it. Oh if only I have the means I'm gonna pay for everything and throw her a grand party ever! Sorry I'm just one poor ninang :(

Anyways, am thankful that I'm being included in the party planning, (I really wish that someday I'll plan for my own child's party) because I really do enjoy planning a party. The balloons we'll do is already finished in my mind and I know hubby can execute it :)

How time flies indeed, it seems only last month when we first saw her and now she's turning one year old, I hope when the mom scouts for school with good school equipment for her darling daughter (but not too soon please) she will still ask for my my opinion :) after all that's the only thing I can give that is free..hehehe! my love and advises.

Craving

2012-04-18T00:18:00.000+08:00

sorry, it's midnight and I'm hungry and is craving for Vigan longganisa and the only thing I have is this picture in my computer...

I do not mean to make you crave for them too :( kakagutom lang talaga :D

Why men can't multitask?

2012-04-16T01:42:00.000+08:00

I don't know how I do it but I do manage to multitask every so often just like most of the women. Like earlier, I was blogging, playing tetris battle in facebook and watching a concert show in my husband's cellfone which is so tiny. Now if it's in a big flat screen tv, mounted with one of those sophisticated mounting brackets it could have been easier.

And as I have said, I do manage and I'm glad I can do that. In the office, I multitask a lot, I answer phone calls and do emails at the same time. I can also be talking to you and listening to other conversations at the same time.

But it's entirely different with my husband and I wonder why? if he is doing something and then watch tv at the same time he'll sure forget the other one and get lost with the tv watching. He is always so focus, most of the time, I have to call him thrice or pat him just to get his attention.

A friend said her husband is also like that.
Now, is that a prof that men can't really multitask? and that men are incapable of doing more than one thing at once? Is there a scientific explanation on this? Is it proven?

I wouldn't really know why except that maybe because they are more focus which is also a good trait
but then, I do hope my dear husband will learn to multitask someday to maximize the time :D

Europa Mansionette Inn, Cebu City

2012-04-15T22:09:00.000+08:00

We stayed in Europa Mansionette in Cebu on our last night,we booked 2 rooms and this was because of the metrodeal voucher bought by my friend for only 745 per room, good for 2 paersons with breakfast, not bad di ba? And of course, like what I always do, i take pictures and blog, because pictures taken by someone who stayed in someplace is always better (in terms of reality) than what you can see from their website.

I was satisfied with the room because of the discounted price, it's old but it's clean. Below is our room

queen size bed

in our room the aircon is working well but not in my friend's room so they have to transfer them in the middle of the night due to broken aircondition

the CR- I find it a bit small but again with the price it's a OK

this is where you can have your breakfast but we opted to have it in our room instead

going to veranda which I think is nice except that it is not being maintained, seats are not clean, and there are scattered whatevers around :( it will also be nice if they add more outdoor chaise lounge chairs here

the ceiling (I loved the design)

looks like a queen's crown turned upside down :) it's a chandelier in the dining area

the reception area

One thing I didn't like about them though is this incident,

we were trying to get one more room in their regular price because another couple is with us that night, of course I was trying to get the cheapest one (1,200) because we will only sleep and leave for the airport the next morning, one lady said, yes and that they will just ready the room but another lady came and said there was no available room in that category and said that the only available room is the de luxe which is 1,800.00 to my dismay :( anyways, we didn't get the room and have the couple shared the room with us which for the reason I do not know they did not allow at first, even if we reiterated that we will pay the additional fee for each person which is by the way 300.00, they said the room is too small for 4 persons and guess what? they said that the 2 persons can stay with us provided the other one will have to be in another room (really I did not get the logic there) so they set up two separate extra beds in both rooms even if we insisted that they don't need to set up another one in the other room because the two will only stay in one room.

to cut the story short, when they learned that the aircon in the other room is not working, they transferred them into the same room that the lady said earlier is being ready for us but later wasn't available na. and of course the couple stayed with us in our room and we paid 600.00 additional (they should have given that room to us and paid them 1,200 pesos which I think is more beneficial to them di ba?)

oh well, our sleepover is pretty much good and the breakfast is okay and again due to the discounted price, I can still say it's still a good deal for us.

But if you're getting it at the regular price, think twice first and check the location because it is quite far from the city proper. Exact location is at M.L. Quezon St., Cabancalan, Cebu City and the hotel is not in the main road.

Did I have a taste of Europe? I can't say that because I've never been to Europe :)

back to normal routine

2012-04-10T17:33:00.002+08:00

Hello everyone!

I'm finally back to my normal routine (that means my daily office boring routine) but the good thing is I'm back to regular blogging :) I missed 3 opportunities when I was away but never mind, I know God will replace it with more better and bigger writing tasks :D

I remember saying in my last post that I'll be resting right? sure I did! My mom actually said that everytime I go home all I do is sleep and eat (well, at least this time I planned something else but sorry my tired body can't be too inspired to do anything in the house- so yup..none of what I said in my DIY inspired post has taken place- NONE YET. But I am still hopeful I can do it before the year ends.)

It's our wedding anniversary month :) and I still don't have anything planned :( I really do not know if we can celebrate (even in the simplest celebration I know) because with the recent trips we had, our budget is drained and nada..zero balance :(

We are turning 6 already, how time flies :) and with or without celebration..I am thankful for the blissful 6 years of married life and for the many years to come.

Anyways, I'll see you all around..I'm dropping ec's and will be commenting from blogs I missed..Have a good day people!

Back from the camp

2012-04-05T11:50:00.000+08:00

We got home from the four day youth camp last night...and then after a while went straight ahead to a worship event - The Jesus Festival ( a 12 hour non stop worship ) our slot was at 3:00 AM. After the event, we brought home our friends in Cavite and now...just taking a deep breath,,resting fro a while and going home to Nueva Ecija later.

Both the husband and I have loss our voice already-probably because of the lack of sleep and overused of vocal chords (hubby from singing and me from ~~speaking~~ shouting rather) - It's one clear indication that we both need rest.And rest we will for the next 3 days :)

at the camp :)

But.... our house is a mess :( there is a big pile of dirty clothes and kalat everywhere. I hope God send someone to clean our place and launder our clothes :) An angel perhaps?

Anyways, as I have said, we are leaving again and we won't be back until Sunday. I'm going home!!! to our real home :) and i'll be spending precious moments with my nieces and nephews..never mind that I'm tired..at least my heart is happy!

Random Post

2012-03-31T02:16:00.000+08:00

and random thoughts at 2:45 AM

* dear husband has just finish the laundry (small stuff though)

* we have yet to pack our bags for a four day out of town trip (Youth Camp)

* I've been ignoring my upper back pain since middle of March and I think it's getting worse everyday :( anyone wants to give me free massage or spa? or maybe a "hilot" when we go home in the province next week.

* I also want a manicure/pedicure and a hair cut. And i know I don't need it.I just want it.

* Just like how I am wanting a laptop, a kindle or a bb playbook.

* It's Saturday tomorrow but I am coming to office (to finish everything before I vanish for 10 days!!) wow that's long..I'm gonna miss you office...hehehe!

* I know it'll be 10 days but I won't be resting for 10 days ..and won't be in a vacation mode till the 5th of April.

Sorry for the randomness :( Good night everyone!

Home Decor. DIY. Inspired

2012-03-28T02:33:00.000+08:00

I'm so inspired to do some DIY home decor and design (naks!) thanks to Elle of switcheroom :) I'm hooked to her blog and been reading since last week (can't get enough of her cheap but beautiful decors and DIYs)

Okay, so I am inspired and I've been conceptualizing ideas in my head and been looking around for those ideas BUT......

Houston, I've got a problem.

I DO NOT HAVE A HOME :(

Call me crazy or weird because I know, how can someone read about home decor when she doesn't even have a house of her own?

So where to spill the ideas I'm getting from all the readings I've made?

The answer : My parents house in the province. That would be perfect! that house is old and is in need of a lot of things and I'm making it as my big big project for this year ( yes..I'm that inspired !) because the house is 4 hours away from where I currently live. I've gone crazy :D

Well, my plan is to do it one at a time, one corner every time we visit , (please don't ask how often do we visit) and I'll start next week!! We'll be there from 5th to 9th of April and I'm sure I'll be able to do something while I'm there.

First off is to change the century old wall paper.I'm bringing in some white wall paper and it would be perfect for the gallery wall (in my mind) And as I have said, I'll just do one wall at a time. I'm sure my parents will be surprised because normally when I'm there I just sleep all day and all night.

Oh..it's summer and my dream nipa hut (nipa hut is our version of gazebo or sunroom) in front of our house is also perfect but even a nipa hut is expensive and I can't afford that. I'm just dreaming.

Anyways, I hope I can do this all and not just spur of the moment project in mind :)

been a while

2012-03-18T02:10:00.000+08:00

Oh wow.. It's been a while since I last posted. I didn't notice that though. Thought I only posted days ago but 10 days ago is quite a while.

Anyways, I mentioned our trip to Cebu on my last post and that we are going on Thursday, I'm quite excited because it will be the first time for the whole band together.

I have a little worry though because I still have not filed my leave of absence from work :( I'm quite apprehensive to ask the boss because I've made frequent absences and under time since last week of February. But I have no choice, I will have to hand him my LOA form early Monday morning.I pray he'll say "yes, it's ok you can go".

And I haven't mentioned here also that we ventured into small business with two of my friends, we are selling siomai and pares, mami and some other stuff in front of our church, we started first week of March and so far so good, as I have said it is small but we should not despise small beginnings right? We're dreaming of making it big in the food business someday.

Summer is here!! and we can definitely feel the heat. This is the time where I dream of having those very nice outdoor gliders and porch and swing in my own garden because this is the season where I enjoy eating, reading and sometimes having a nap outside the house for that cool natural air :) I'm already making plans for summer, beach outing with the family and another one with friends and hopefully all the plans will push through :)

And I hope this summer will be filled with good laughs and memories, I know my commitments are up to my neck but no one can hinder me from enjoying this season :)

How about you? Any summer plans?

What else is to visit in downtown Cebu?

2012-03-08T17:25:00.001+08:00

We are going to Cebu. This will be my fourth time to visit the Queen city of the South and my husband's second, although my first two trips were work related. I only had the chance to visit interesting places in Cebu during our first official pasyal visit last 2009. It was a birthday trip/treat for my dear husband :)

This time, it's not work related nor pasyal but it's ministry related. Our church worship team is leading worship in a Global Prayer Conference on March 22-23 and many of them will be first timer in Cebu.

So I was thinking of nearby places (if in case we have spare time)to see in between breaks :) or maybe during night time.

I remember we went to this famous historical place: Magellan's Cross which is located in downtown Cebu.

and we also went to visit the Taoist temple located in Beverly Hills Subdivision

we're not fond of dragons but we ended up having pictures with dragons in the background (scary)

and another historical place which name slipped my mind (senior moment) oh wait..I'll google it :)

old cannon

so there's the name, no need to google it..hehe! Fort San Pedro is the smallest and oldest tri-bastion fort in the country. And if even if you are not a history buff, this place is still worth a visit, every corner is a worth a picture.

One thing I'll definitely do there again is to devour their ever famous lechon cebu (goodbye diet!) and the rice wrapped in coconut leaves?

think I can finish a plate? let's see..
with that last picture..I really can't wait to be in Cebu again :) PG ako...hehe!

And of course, a Cebu trip is not complete without the visit to danggit market where you get yourself immensely covered with lots od dried fish/pusit products...and so you smell like dried fish/pusit afterwards :)

I don't even know why am I posing and smiling in the midst of the smelly (but yummy) danggits :D

One place we went to which I so enjoyed if you talk about the view is the mountain view park, we rented a taxi which cost us I think more than a thousand pesos because it is quite far from the city but it's worth it I think. From there you can see the whole Cebu City.

So there you go. This trip happened September 2009 so it's been a while. I hope we'll have extra time to visit different places naman when we go again next next week. But what else is to visit in downtown Cebu? I wish I can go to Bantayan Island but that is 3 hours away and we don't have much time.

oh food..

2012-03-04T17:15:00.001+08:00

I love food and I love to eat. My weight is probably the best evidence..hehe!

Right now, I'm hungry and all I can think of are steaks, filet mignon, fried chicken and steaks..yup..I think I'm craving for steaks now. :) Just a thought of it makes me salivate already.

Oh well, there is no steak at the house and all we had is the shrimp cracker the husband made and a pitcher of juice but later for dinner I'll have my favorite pork steak for sure :)

Once again

2012-03-02T10:44:00.000+08:00

My sister in law who got married (to my husband's younger brother) last November 30 is already expecting! Yes, you read it right, got married 3 months ago and is now pregnant. Oh you can read it with a sarcastic tone just like the way I wrote it because really..2 months or so after the wedding? And us 5 years and 11 months?? and still no baby news to tell and shout and jump about.

Oh yes, I'm sulking once again and I cried once again and I asked once again- Why not me??? You can scold me for that and I won't get mad because that is how I am really feeling right now. After all I am entitled to my own feeling.

Of course I am happy and excited for them, excited for the newest addition to the family ( I love this couple and they are very close to us and for sure I will love the baby also) my sulking has nothing to do with them having a baby, not at all, it is about me waiting for the longest time.

And once again, I am preparing myself to the endless comments from people around us "oh you'll be next"- I just hope it is true and we will be next (as in tomorrow or next week or next month) and though I don't want to get hurt by those positive comments somehow it affects me pa rin eh. Sigh

Breakfast @ Sinangag Express

2012-02-28T02:26:00.001+08:00

I am such a breakfast person :) and I've been wanting to try Sinangag Express (sinangang means fried rice) so I can have a taste of their "authentic Vigan longganisa". So when we joined the youth of our church in their "Run for a Cause" activity last Saturday (Feb.18) we headed to the nearest Sinagang Express branch in San Antonio Village, Makati City and had these :)

what a wonderful way to start a day.

My Vigan longganisa breakfast

I'm not disappointed, though I think it is still a bit different from the Vigan longganisa that I'm used to..it is still so good!! I wasn't able to resist the rice of course :)

My dear husband had tapa (as always)

and chilled taho for dessert :D

We spent more or less 200 pesos I guess, not bad for that very very yummy breakfast!