how to travel with a sea turtle

^"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7

Sometimes it seems a bit much to even ask anything more from a God who has been faithful to us, knowing that we have been unfaithful to Him... but oftentimes, it is the only way to have peace. What a privilege it is to partner with God in every situation we face. To know that God is nearby and that God hears us and is willing and able to help us.

I pray that as I grow older, our Heavenly Father will cause me to be more prayerful, and be more mindful of my thoughts. To take every thought captive and make it more receptive and obedient to Christ.

Kindness

Something that took me all these many years to realize is that being kind is more important than being right.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

suddenly remembered this photo from last year taken at the Chinatown in Melaka, Malaysia as i contemplate going to Binondo, Manila tomorrow morning for some Eng Bee Tin hopia, hehe! anyway, although its a bit late... please let me greet my Chinese relatives and friends: Gong Xi Fa Cai!!! a blessed, peaceful and prosperous new year to us all :)

the one with Shoichi

happy 1st month, Shoichi :)

i want you to know that we love driving around with you so much and we are so grateful to have you. such an answered prayer indeed and worth all the waiting for :) i pray for more hassle-free travel adventures with you in the coming years.

i also pray that God will allow us to bless others through you, in the same way that our Heavenly Father has used the young Japanese boy Shoichi, from which you have been named after, to help the typhoon Yolanda victims by donating his childhood savings. Such a little boy with a big heart! Your name will serve as a reminder to me to always look for ways to reach out and bless others in every way possible, no matter how small.

oh by the way, as your present, we will be getting you some window tints over the weekend :)

Wing It

In an attempt to make my boyish toes look and feel a lot girlie like the rest of me in time for the holidays and my husband's coming, I went to a nail salon and had them painted with gel polish. I could not decide on the color so I went for the one highly recommended by the nail artisan, "Wing It". Seems like an appropriate name as I literally am winging it :)

I can't help but be reminded of that line in the movie, "About Steve" as I look at my toes: like ten friends on a camping trip.

And since this is gel polish, that's hopefully how it's going to be for the next 3-5 weeks :)

The salon was Nail Tropics in Trinoma. I have been going there since I had my nails done hours before the wedding day last year. The place is cozy and the artisans quite friendly. They can be very delicate about the whole process. The cost of both gel mani and pedi is P1300. Bit pricey but the gel polish really lasts long so I think fair enough.

A lot like Chistmas!

Something I should have done two weeks ago but only found the energy to put together now, hehe. Our very own Christmas tree. All of it's from Divisoria and recycled from last year except the ribbon which is a left over from our office decor. I vow to replace it of course :)

I am almost done with it I think. Only thing left to do is buy LED lights and wait for my husband to come home for the ceremonial lighting. He loves that sort of things :)

Anyway, to anyone reading this I pray that you will all have a happy and meaningful Christmas! And let us not forget the reason for all the celebrations: that unto us sinners, a Savior is born; one who is called the Prince of Peace, the author and perfector of our faith, the Lamb of God and one who considers us "beloved friends". Really, the reason for the merriment: Jesus Christ :)

La Familia at Sonya's Garden

at Sonya's garden earlier today in Alfonso, Cavite :)

so grateful for the opportunity to be together as a family. when I consider everything that has happened in our lives, I can't help but bring back all the praises to our Heavenly Father for His faithfulness, mercies, protection and many blessings to our family all these years :)

praying for more moments like this!

3 Things I've Learned

... or perhaps I have learned them long ago, but forgot?

If you want something new, learn first how to take care of it before acquiring that. applies mostly to big ticket items like DSLRs, cars, houses and kids!
If you feel the need to have something accomplished, do household chores. washing the dishes and taking out trash will help -- tiring but at the same time empowering hehe!
Purging or letting go of something worthless feels so much better than acquiring something new. I have experienced this many times.

Missing my Habibi Much

Booked another flight from Clark to SG. Departure date on Feb 14 :)

I will see you again soon, my habibi. On Valentine's day if everything goes well.

Amishu!

Home Bound

Pictures taken around 2AM last Monday at the Changi Airport Terminal 1 just before boarding. I was sad to leave JP behind but at the same time grateful for the time spent taking care of him in his time of need. See you soon habibi :)

Aston's

not demi moore's ex but a steak place we love going to here in SG. this is our SG version of Racks in Manila i suppose.

we meat lovers love them medium well steak from Aston's ever since we discovered the place at Suntec almost a year ago :) but since my husband is still unable to walk without the aid of crutches we try to avoid venturing out too far. fortunately there is an Aston's express outlet nearby. i was okay with just cooking dinner or ordering in but JP wanted to take me out on a date tonight and insisted we go there.

i was not disappointed although i hoped my steak spent a little more time in the griller. was also a little disappointed with the lemon iced tea served so next time ill make sure to order soda instead and remind the kitchen to cook my meat a little longer :)

Ikea Things

Thank you Ikea for the mixing bowls. We shall make many cupcakes together. Thank you also for the stainless steel saucepan. We shall make many er, sauces together.

the one inspired by Hunger Games

photos have been taken at the Gandiva Cafe in Ortigas. thought i would try something new before the year 2012 ended. on my list was archery, wall climbing as well as flying a kite. but we only got to doing this so far. in any case, that's me, channeling my inner Katniss. it was really so much fun, i am hoping to return one day with my dad and cousin :)

Roti

my personal alternative to pancakes :)

again available at the coffee shops in our HDB for SGD 1.30 only. just like pancakes, best eaten when newly cooked.

iced lemon tea

i declare this to be the best-tasting iced lemon tea in all of Singapore. can only be found at the coffee shop in our HDB at Tampines. costs SGD 1.30 only :)

Silver Lining

Never heard of this movie until the Golden Globe awards, when our housemate commented that he liked the movie more than he liked Les Miserables. That's all I knew about the film and that Bradley Cooper got a nomination for it. Was so thrilled to learn that 'Katniss' was on it as well as Robert de Niro.

Here's a memorable conversation at a diner:

Pat: You're crazy!
Tiffany: I'm not the one who just got out of that hospital in Baltimore.
Pat: And I'm not the big slut!... I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry.
Tiffany: I was a big slut, but I'm not any more. There's always going to be a part of me that's sloppy and dirty, but I like that. With all the other parts of myself. Can you say the same about yourself fucker? Can you forgive? Are you any good at that?

It's not quite in the same league as other 'insane' movies I have come to like in the past such as Eternal Sunshine, The Hours, Girl Interrupted... perhaps because this one does not involve somebody committing suicide (?) But it is entertaining and very well-acted. The ending was quite predictable and somewhat abrupt so it felt lacking somewhat. Perhaps a letter to Nikki or a coversation between Pat and his doctor or one of his male friends would have made it more believable. In any case, worth watching still.

Love Pat's motto by the way: Excelsior!

Frankenweenie

Now showing on JP's iPad.

"Susan: He was a great dog, a great friend.
Ben: The best dog a kid could have.
Susan: When you lose someone you love, they never really leave you. They move into a special place in your heart.
Victor: I don't want him in my heart. I want him here with me.
Susan: I know. If we could bring him back we would."

Good movie so far and as usual a little creepy but touching.

I have loved Tim Burton ever since I saw Edward Scissorhands, but I wish this new movie wasn't too monochromatic, hehe. I guess I prefer B&W for still photos only, not motion pictures.

Amazed

Amazed by what has been recorded by Matthew 8:

17 In this way what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet was fulfilled: "He took our weaknesses and carried our diseases."

Thank You Jesus for the works of Your hands, for healing our diseases and separating our weaknesses and burdens from us. Thank You that you care for us.

Emo

Ume-emo lang hehe.

I get a little nervous whenever I travel alone. Anyway, this photo was taken last night. I arrived safely at my destination and now happily watching a Korean telenovela with my husband :)

Thankful once more for His protection and the chance to be together with JP again.