Crazy Love!!!

Woohoo! I finally got the book! The bookstores here in the Philippines couldn't have this for a very long time.

I heard about this book from one of the blogs i enjoy reading. 

YAHUU!

And oh, if you're wondering why I don't seem too happy in this pic it's because I reserved two for me and my mentor, Vanessa. But she got a hold of both books first and paid for them.

She paid for my gift for her, argggh! So our other friend Charm took a picture of me to show Van that I'm not too happy that my cute intentions flopped (hehe this is what you do when you have so much time and nothing to do)

I have to think of another one to give her just to let her know how much she's appreciated. 

Anyhoo, I can't wait to read this!!!

Tere's 2012 birthday

Since I am from a graveyard shift, my bff's and I went to the only 24-hour cinema in the metro: Resorts World Manila. We watched Avengers in 3d (recommended!) to celebrate our dear Tere's bday. 


Apparently most shops are still closed.

Yes. Our other two bff's left the country.

Afterwards, I posted a picture to Tere's wall with these words:

Please forgive me for two things:

1. This was originally planned to be a cupcake topper which means there was supposed to be a cupcake (and blowing of candles) involved.
2. I'm all freshed out with artistic sensibilities this evening. Forgive the pathetic artwork. 

Potipot 2012

Round up your girl friends, hop on a bus at midnight and go to an islet with clear waters in Potipot!!!

Potipot with Brigs

I love BRIGS.  They're my bff's over at the north side. Anyone will love them too. They're a pretty, intelligent, deep, fun and humble bunch. They are the best listeners and best conversationalists you can ever find.  


But their most notable trait is they're ULTRA NICE!


So we planned our beach this year somewhere in Zambales.  We hopped on a bus at midnight and arrived in the town of Candelaria at 5am-- just in time for the sunrise. Heck, I'll let the pictures tell the story.

The waters of Potipot

This is where the bus dropped us off

The shoreline of Dawal Resort

Waiting for our boatman

Enna and Ega (my future coffeeshop, hehe, cute names)

 

Breakfast before we leave for manila

The beachfront in Uacon isn't so nice

Everybody busy taking videos and pictures.

 The water here is unbelievably calm compared to the waters in Pundaquit when I went there two months ago--which is from the same Zambales beach stretch.

Someone was sneaking up on some snacks while the rest were cooking

Ihaw-ihaw, yumyum!

Our spot in Potipot

Love the shady trees

Being so close to the beach

Cool breeze

and smell of saltwater

I so enjoyed our lunch here

The food's so great! So fresh!

And Enna hooked her galaxy tablet up on one of the branches

and played lotsa beachy playlist. Soooo nice!!!

Our food! 

Ultimate beach food!

Scorching hot!

Ega's souvenir for me. A jigger from Paris.

Raquel

So relaxing!

Munching Stick-O's in the heat of the day.  We weren't beach-bumming,  I tell you. 

I just didn't have underwater cam to take pictures of our water activities.

I needed this for my other bff, Tere.

And Mocha's making one too for her sweetie.

Oooh to just lie on the soft sand with the waves softly lapping at your feet!

Clear waters! Soooo fun!

Someone had to take a break from too much snorkeling!

The Colle sisters

So much fun!!!

So thankful to God for giving me great friendships here and there

and for this happy day!

Outdoor breakfast

Happy Birthday, Tere!

Since our schedules are conflicting, we planned to celebrate one of my bff's Tere's birthday at the end of the month.  




In the meantime...

Jenny

I love this human

Brownie from Jenny

I went home from work to find this waiting for me

:)

Jen knows how much a sucker I am for anything sweet!

To heck with calories and no eating before you sleep

Looks like we're not the only ones who enjoy it 

and we saved some from someone who's not home yet

When you have turned...

I was having daily dose of stuff from desiringgod.org when this single verse stopped me in my mental tracks.

"But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.  

And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." 

Luke 22:31

I paused long enough to gaze at the beauty of Jesus.  Life is distracting already as it is that's why I cherish these pauses. 


Fresh from my heart, without proofreading or editing, are some of the thoughts below that come to mind as I read and re-read that text.


1. Why, Jesus is the King of the universe! Why He isn't arrogant or sarcastic or power-tripping on Simon? Why doesn't He make sumbat?




2. Jesus is so humble!




3. "...And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." 


Oh those words! So loving! So patient! So forgiving!
Jesus knows Simon will deny Him in just a few hours. But why is He so gentle, so loving? If you read the first part of the text, Jesus says, "Simon, Simon, Satan demanded to have you...."  In the bible, whenever God calls a person by his/her name twice it's always in the context of a loving patience. Sort of like an endearment. 




4. Can't help but relate it to my own life. I'm only 27 years old. There are thousands of sins that I will do starting this very moment up to the day I draw my last breath. Who knows how terrible they may get? 




5. But God knows. He knows what will happen on each day of my life before it happens (Psalm 139:16) But why this so much love? Why be forgiven in advance? Why make the highest value of heavens enter this ugly world? 




6. So it shakes me to the core whenever this thought sinks in:  what kind of God He is.




7.  I look at the Cross and there I find the answer.

Crepelicious!

So fun to be whipping up snacks like this during the hottest part of the day or late late at night!

Easter breakfast 2012

We never celebrate Easter.  But yesterday I was talking to Van, my small group buddy, about how Christmas is celebrated worldwide because of the holiday and not necessarily because of Christ.  In fact, even atheists celebrate Christmas "just to participate in the season of giving" as one atheist blog says. 

The meaning of Easter, however, is actually the very essence of 

Christianity: Jesus' Resurrection.  

Yes, Jesus died for us but if He stayed dead, then all else is for naught.  So I told Van that when I start my own family I want to make sure that part of our family traditions would be to celebrate Easter with the same effort we celebrate Christmas.

After praying yesterday, so full I was with the joy of Jesus' Resurrection, I decided I couldn't wait any longer. I want to celebrate Easter with my loved-ones!

So I shopped after work yesterday and woke up at 3am this morning to start preparing breakfast for my family.  I want to invest in little activities that acknowledge God like this to build a relationship with my family...believing God that one day He will capture the hearts of my family so much that He is no longer a we-call-only-during-crisis-God.  But He will be acknowledged as the only source of our joy flowing to our lives, our jobs, relationships, etc.  

Oh Lord Jesus to have You as the exceeding joy!

Had fun cooking while singing and dancing along with worship songs.  My heart beats an extra beat whenever the story of  the Cross sinks in from the lyrics of the worship songs

My brother suggested I add choco syrup to my pancakes

This is the very reason why I put in so much effort into making this breakfast.  I want my entire family to gather together...to remember together what Jesus did for us.

Voila! Fruit of labor!

Hashbrowns

Corn muffins!

Jen and Anna "holding it"

Jen reading a verse from Luke when Jesus appeared to the apostles after His resurrection.

Nate leading the prayer in blessing the food

Papa leading the prayer in praising God and praying for the entire household.

Chow time!

Where, O Death, is your sting?

-1 Corinthians 15:55