My 36th Birthday

(Super late post!!! Saw this in the draft, might as well post this... sayang ang effort of composing :-)

As far as I can remember, it was the first time in my entire life that I got sick on the day of my birthday.  There was no plan nor date out, things were not turning quite well as what I've expected.  Hence, I decided to report to work but later took a half-day sick leave because I felt like I'll faint if I continue working. 

Despite this, I still thanked God for the sickness coz I learn to appreciate several things despite the situation.

- I heard the most beautiful birthday song in my life. It was the duet performed by Sam and Ceana. While I was on my sickbed, there were happily singing "Happy birthday Mommy!" The song of Ceana even repeated up to the next day (May 1).

- I received the most beautiful birthday card in my life, that was prepared by my eldest son Sam.

- The most memorable day in celebrating a birthday is when it is spent with loved ones regardless if there is abundance or none. 

- There are people we never thought would inspire and encourage us because their simple prayers are so timely, powerful, caring and loving.  I thank God for my officemate Yang and Marc, my nephew-in-law who prayed for me after their visit.

- There is PEACE, COMFORT and LOVE that comes from the Lord despite sickness, undesirable events in our lives. 

One of Jesus' disciples quoted, "I learn to be content in whatever situation I am." (Phil. 4:11) It is also consistent with the saying "There is great gain in godliness and contentment." (1 Tim. 6:6)

January 2012 Thanksgiving

"The blessings of the Lord brings wealth, He adds no trouble to it."

Church Prayer and Fasting 2012 – This was held last January 6-12.  I was able to finish the 6 night prayers except for Saturday.  Honestly, I was so excited even before this event was approaching, way back December. I was so looking forward to this gathering because I know God will do great and marvelous things in my life as He prepares me for the year 2012.  Al and I attended some nights and I personally enjoyed praying together as a couple.  In the church, there were specific prayer items that we focused on and the most touching night for me was the night of praying for our beloved city - Taguig City. Some church leaders within the city were invited and it was an awesome event to see the body of Christ being united to reach the lost in Taguig and bring them to Christ.  Indeed, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity!

Successful 3rd quarter exam of Sam - Review of Sam for their 3^rd quarter exam was made easier for me because AL shared the responsibility in reviewing Sam.  We always reminded Sam to read first the instructions and be cautious in answering all questions because at times, he is careless in fact, he committed this before.  After daily checking how the test went, I learned through my yaya that Sam was always the first to finish and submit test papers to his teacher.  I was a bit worried coz I thought he was careless in answering, nevertheless I lifted all my cares to God and guess what? Sam performed well, thank God!

Family Vacation 2012 – We were all excited for this vacation for several reasons - it's Ceana's first time to ride in an airplane, we'll be going to Underground River and visit several places in Palawan with the entire family. This is the most exciting adventure and greatest favor from the Lord we received for this month. We stayed in Palawan for 5 days where accommodation was free, transportation was free, chef and driver were very hospitable.  We truly enjoyed His provision, favor and creations. So many blessings from the Lord!

Celebrations – We were privileged to be one of the guests of Jazz Candace Christening, she is the baby of our neighbor in condo - Joy and CB’s.  The lunch gathering was held at Max’s Global City.  It is good to have good neighbors and friends as well.    

 

Weekend Agenda - As much as I would like to allot more time for my goal to cook some new menus because I am an office girl, I can't rest enough because the family is busy going out. Anyway, my main menus for the month of January are Chicken Cordon Bleu, California Maki and Kare-Kare.  The ingredients I used for Chicken Cordon Bleu were left-overs from New Year celebration.  Recipe was very easy though admittedly, it was very time consuming and tedious.

California Maki was a better version I did for New Year celebration. You bet, that was only a second try and I used my instincts in doing the mixture for vinegar.  The taste was great according to yaya and Sam.

AL is not a "kare-kare lover" but when he tasted the one I cooked, he appreciated it and said to me, “Mahal lasang pahingi pa. (Dear, your kare-kare tastes like I want more.)” I am pleased to hear those compliments from a person who is so knowledgeable of different types of menus.  More so, Sam was so engrossed to finish the kare-kare I prepared.  Actually, he didn’t mind eating kare-kare 3 times as his viand.   

Weekend Agenda (Nov and Dec 2011)

I just want to update my list so eventhough this is already too late, I still upload.  The Lord is truly our Jehovah Jireh, provider of all our needs.

The following are my menus for the months of November 2011:

Spaghetti with garlic bread (Nov19) 



Leche flan (Nov 26)

Dinner - Adobo Chicken Head (Nov26)

Lunch - Vegetables in coco milk (Nov26)

Dinner - Stirfried Bittergourd with Egg (Nov30)

Lunch - Menudo (Nov30)

Dinner - Pork chop (Nov30)

Breakfast - Sinangag and Corned beef (Nov30)

Aside from the foods I prepared last Christmas and New Year, I was able to prepare the following menus for December.

Sinanglay (Dec3)



Tilapia and Monggo Sprouts (Dec4)

Corn soup (Dec4)

Kare-Kare (Dec11)

Sinigang na Lechon (Dec17)

Lechon Paksiw (Dec19)

Fish fillet, fried chicken, macaroni salad and spaghetti (Christmas)

California Maki (Dec 28)

Creamdory Fish Fillet (Dec28)

Macaroni Soup (Dec29)



October Blessings

"All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose."

First of all, I want to thank the Lord because it is already our fourth year stay in this condominium.  This was not the mansion or the huge, single house most are dreaming of but I believe this is the promised land where the Lord He promised He will bless our marriage, family and kids. Truly, the Lord is faithful to His promises.

Next, I was surprised that one of my friends approached and trusted me about her deepest, dark secrets she would never tell anyone.  It was the Spirit who is at work in our lives. It was also Him who gave me the wisdom what to tell her.  At home, we had several phone counselling session after office hours. Admittedly, I am humbled because I am never worthy to hear those confessions but I let go everything and entrust all to Him who is the author and finisher of everything. She said she was relieved to confess everything to me. Praise God for that!

Another opportunity of travel for this month was the fieldtrip of Sam in school. It was fun being with students, teachers and same parents who just like me are excited to see the journey of their kids.  There were some controversy in the school of Sam but I know God has a purpose.  They have new teacher - Teacher Lucy. Generally, I really admire the character of teachers. They are truly blessing from the Lord and I can only pray for them to be more patient and loving to students as the second parents. May the Lord also honor and give more favor to them.

In the office, I was able to organize a training for my officemates in the office. That was conducted by the OIC of National Conciliation Mediation Board (NCMB) Region IV Mr. Gil Caragayan.  I also admire this trainer because during his presentation, he injects humor, truth and word of God which makes the training more inspiring and motivating.

Another day to thank the Lord for was the celebration of 75th birthday of Auntie Puring Pontillas.  God is the only provider of good health and long life. Indeed, she is a living witness for receiving God's goodness and faithfulness.  We had a simple gathering at the house of my cousins in Bicutan. That simple event was also a simple reunion for Pontillas family.

I love free foods! For this month, I received several invitations. First, at Pancake House because a former officemate passed by our office and he invited lunch last October 17. Last October 20, we had lunch at David's Tea House with our former manager. The next day, we had another free lunch from office Tokyo Tokyo. Before the month ended, we celebrated in the office a birthday of one of our managers - Sir Lino held last October 27.

Last but not the least as for the "Me Time," I had several opportunities to pamper myself that refreshed me personally. I was able to have a home body massage service, went to David's Salon at Greenbelt 1 for hair cut and my favorite hot choco from Starbucks was truly awesome! 

Thank you God for you are truly good to me.

Weekend agenda for October

There were not so many menus I accomplished for the month of October but I thank God for the opportunity to still cook for the kiddos.  I think I made several desserts for the past month.

To start off our morning of the first day of the month of Oct 1, I prepared a tuna sandwich for Sam and Ceana.

The next day October 2, I cooked chicken afritada.

In the afternoon of that same day, I made biko for merienda...

also one of Sam's favorite same as his daddy.

In the morning of October 8, I thought it's good to try polvoron since the recipe is easy to follow...

so I prepared and I did it! 

That day, the scheduled menu was tahong and I decided to make a two dishes.

So this is my first menu - first attempt to make a baked tahong.

Doesn't look that appealing but the taste was well-appreciated by Sam.

This was my second menu for the tahong.

The next day October 9, I prepared pineappled chicken with milk. 

Haven't cook this for a long time.

Another snack last October 15 for kiddos, pizza with vienna sausage.

Papaya with cocomilk for dinner that same day.  It was so tasty to put smoked fish as "sahog."

The next day, cooked monnggo sprouts as filling for lumpia. This was an easy cook, stored in the freezer and lasted for almost a week before we finished.

My second trial of doing baked tahong was last October 30. Looks more interesting now.

Another favorite dessert of Sam - chicken macaroni salad.

I used chicken, crabsticks, cheese and grapes to make the salad tastier.



My Recent Discoveries in Palawan

This aims to account my recent discoveries, first time experience, visits, sightings, etc. during my official business travel last July, August and September. Last September 20-22 was my fifth travel for this year.  A tiring experience but looking at the perspective of the advice of King Solomon, my focus shifted to a more fruitful, biblical one.

I am blessed to have read the book of Ecclesiastes which is written by the great King Solomon, the son of King David.  The book narrated how Solomon as a king was a great man of wisdom, wealth and power yet his life was still a vain, meaningless one.  Sin particularly idolatry caused him to turn away from God.  Hence, several times he deliberately recommended in his book to find satisfaction in our toil, to enjoy life and to acknowledge God whatever we have accomplished, possessed or acquired.  It is also my deepest desire to put into practice Solomon's recommendation - TO ENJOY LIFE TO THE FULLEST WITH GOD. 

Ecclesiastes 8:15 "So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun."

Below are the pictures during my visit last July 4-7, 2011.

We have a mini mini mini zoo at the mine site. These are the monkey parents. The mother recently delivered her offspring when I visited.

These are their children busy eating.

Beside the monkey is the pen of numerous turkeys.

Going home, I relaized that the same plane I took were the US Navies who had a short project in Palawan.  They were waiting to pick up their personal things at the baggage counter.



My travel last August 22-26, 2011 

 It was my first time to see the new airport NAIA 3. I think the built was good but was entirely different in orientation compared to the structure of centennial airport :-)

It was my first time to ride a Cebu Pacific plane.  I was surprised that the snack is for sale during the flight. Thank God we had a safe travel though the plane was smaller than what I used to ride in PAL which is usually an airbus-type plane.  

Second day after arriving in Palawan (Aug. 23), the Tripartite mining organization had a business meeting in one of the newest hotels in Palawan - A & A Plaza Hotel. It was also my first time to visit that hotel.

I liked their restroom - -  very modern, well maintained and so white!

Wash basins are cool! Can I use this at home? Hmmmm...

This is the newly built coliseum of the city.  We went to DOLE office situated inside.

I was amazed to see and ride the tricycle in Palawan.  Its built is similar to the windshield of a jeep, very spacious for passengers riding and comfortable as well. I wish these will also be seen in Metro Manila.

That same afternoon, we headed to the mine site which is a 4 to 5 hours trip from Puerto Princesa. During one of our stops, the area we stopped by was so beautiful to look at. Very serene ambiance! I think this can be used as a postcard picture.

Guess where this is? We went here for a business meeting the night before my flight back to Manila. This is one of my favorite restaurants where all customers need to take off their shoes or slippers before they enter the establishment. The shoes, slippers were kept in baskets or drawers for easier finding. It's Ka Lui!!! 

Business travel last September 20-22.

I took another PAL flight in the morning. Thank God flight was not delayed. I miss their snack :-) 



It wasn't long enough when the plane took off from Manila airport. I was sleeping when I heard a passenger behind me said, "That's Taal Volcano!" I hurried to get my camera and took a picture of it.

After arriving in Palawan, went straight to a newly built hotel - Skylight Hotel where we had a meeting with Department of Labor & Employment. Nice reception!!!

Beside the reception is the snack bar.

At the right side of the reception is the restaurant.

I asked favor from one of the waitresses to take a shot of me as my souvenir and she didn't hesitate :-)

On my way home, I was able to take an aerial photo of Taguig area with C5, Market Market Mall, Libingan ng mga Bayani, McKinley Hill and some buildings at The Fort.

How about you my dear friend? Do you enjoy life to the fullest? May we not neglect that the great Creator of all is waiting for your to invite HIM and enjoy with HIM whatever endeavor we have in life - whether it be in need, in plenty in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. The apostle Paul also gave us the secret in living - TO BE CONTENT IN CHRIST BECAUSE HE ALONE GIVES US THE STRENGTH. (Phil. 4:12-13)