Midweek Randomness

We’ve moved!

Our new HOME...

Yes, again, but not much driving as last year’s move from the horse to the food capital. 

All it took us was to toss our stuff out of the window this time and shovel them in to the apartment downstairs. Sounds easier but equally laborious! I’m just glad that we’re finally settled and nestled in our new little habitat.

Celebrated 1 year! 

Parmesian Shrimp Pasta

This little lady couldn’t be happier than working for her current employer 

with a gifted team of engineers and such an inspiring manager.

Please excuse this possibly worst picture in this blog.
The waitress did her best...

NLT’s Christmas program...

CRAZY shot of the MIGHTY CAST

Two Sundays ago the Sunday School department did an excellent job in making it a-play-to-remember. 

Four days before Christmas! 

Our little Christmas tree

I wish home is just a jeepney ride away so I can easily hop in to my mom’s doorway 

and spend Christmas with my family..

Anyway..here's to wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas

and a blessed new year.

RED-dy

for a Merry Christmas...

Thanksgiving 2011

I am GRATEFUL for…

the GOD in my life-
WHO has blessed me with so much.

our FAMILIES- for all the love no matter the distance...

a good HEALTH for myself and my loved ones...

a few old  genuine FRIENDSHIPS and the few new real ones...

wonderful CHURCH FAMILIES-
those from afar who are continually praying for us 

and our new church family here 

who made it all easy for us to adjust to this new-found home.

a JOB- that taught me to embrace
and be contented with all its difficulties

as much as I love and enjoy the perks that come with it.

multi-purpose TRIP to windy CHICAGO- that made us accomplish 

the renewal of our Philippine passports 

and explore the city more than what was planned

frequent TRIPs to MINNEAPOLIS- that reconnected me 

with a great friend from MUM 

through our never-ending chats, laugh trips, 

wii games, swimming, short walks, shopping and food.
I miss you, Ma’am!

quick VISIT to Nanay Linda, Crystal and Pat..

the superb 3-Oh SURPRISE  from my amazing man!

and a LOT more.

I am GRATEFUL.

Post 3 Ohhh!

Because I was born in the Philippines,

this entry is two days late and

my celebration yesterday was belated as well.

REGARDLESS...

I was overwhelmed and still am

with so much joy in my heart.

The amazing man that I married

talked me into eating lunch with him at home,

RATHER than going Mexican as originally planned.

I agreed only because-

1.      I was expecting some lovely packages,

which he informed me earlier have already arrived,

and 2. He seemed flexible about postponing the Mexican plan for dinner.

The apartment smelled some YUMMY-licious seafood!

As my tummy angrily growled,

I quickened my steps

to uncover what’s for lunch…

But surprise, surprise!

Thanks to my mahal... ♥

Hubby sweetly prepared
a candlelight lunch.
Too ecstatic and extremely impressed

with his amorous tendencies,

I was speechless.

Hastily opened some more sweet surprises,
posed for some more shots

 and hurriedly got back to the office,
without actually opening the most awaited packages

that I went home for.

At night...

we went to church for

a revival service with the Romaines

where the Lord’s awesome presence

was evident, so sweet.

Then capped off the day with
a slice of  my red velvet birthday cake
and a toss of red grapes sparkling juice.

VERY GRATEFUL
once again!
Thank YOU Lord,
thank you all,
THANK YOU
 for all the L♥Ve!

I am BLESSED.

Randomness!

I’ve been slacking again- all for the love of work.
I’ve been wrestling with two issues from different customers.
Both demanded my undivided attention,
often calling my name even in the wee hours of the night
when I’m supposed to be relaxing and refilling my vitality.

Okay, before even getting uberly exaaggg, 

all I really wanted to say is- 

I was BUSY, I’m SORRY. 

But I promise to itemize as much stuff as I can 

to share/log bygone highlight of events to date.

NLT Fall Festival 2011

NLT (New Life Tabernacle) is our church family
and their existence in this expanse of the world
compensates the sometimes lonely
and tough reality of being far from our loved ones.
And of course, the warm and sincere friendships
sure made a difference in coping with the extreme cold here.

PAC is the MAN!

Photo courtesy of www.bleachreport.com

Manny Pacquiao bagged an almost unbelievable victory 

against the Mexicanos’ pride, Juan Manuel Marquez, last Sunday. 

Although he did not make every Filipino 

or even fans worldwide as proud this time, 

I am one of those who believe that Pacman 

doubtlessly deserved this triumph over Marquez. 

Just because this opponent seemed to be the hardest of them all 

doesn’t necessarily mean that 

our Pambansang Kamao (National Fist)

ought to be mocked for being declared the winner. 

Go figure the ringside punch stats 

before even starting to whine 

with his overall performance or 

comparing it to his previous fights. 

I can hardly muster enough enthusiasm 

for boxing even if it is Pacman’s fight, 

neither am I an avid fan.  

However, I have enough respect for the man 

who earned more than enough merits for our country. 

And I am glad, so glad,

Pacman WON.

Our Little Friends

Pictures taken from their first visit
to what they call a Filipino house of ours.
These are the Miles and the Fancher kids.
It was challenging but fun-filled Sunday afternoon with them all.

G-R-A-T-E-F-U-L

VERY. I have to emphasize,

not just because it’s thanksgiving month
or because it’s my birth month.
Just very grateful
for everything and anything I can think of
 and all else that I can hardly remember.

Thank You thank YOU, dear Lord.

Relaxing and...

enjoying the beauty of autumn after church....

Sunday happiness

Loving the REDness 

of my handmade dress,

my oh-so-LVoely purse,

and my vintage-y pumps.

Learning to...

PLAY my new toy....

Sweetness overload!

I love my job!

And

one of the reasons

IS the frequent

ABUNDANCE of treats

in the breakroom...

stwabewwy glazed icee cweaamm

after the engineering department's all-hands meeting

PLUS

some chocolateeyy cake with reese's peanut butter cups

brought by an office mate 

(who is in QUEST of making the best chocolate cake)...

But the SWEETEST

of it all is being

BLESSED with

A GREAT MOTHER

 who we will forever

LOVE so dearly

and whose beauty and strength

we'll always look up to.

Happy, happy belated birthday Mang!

Disclaimer: This post is a bit late due to issues encountered in uploading the pictures in this entry..

Officially Fall

Today is unbelievably the first day of fall. 

Already.

I am supposed to be excited with the pretty foliage of the season.

Okay, let’s just say I am… 

but really, 

the bitter cold in this part of the country, 

at this time of the year, 

makes me fickle-minded about it all.

Thank goodness for the abundance of coffee 

and tea in the break room downstairs 

that welcomes me 

with a delish aroma 

as soon as I enter the office vicinity.

Every time.

A mug of lemon-ginger tea 

pepped up with a drop of honey 

livens up my sleepy brain cells 

in the morning 

and 

all throughout my 8-hours 

in the office.

Too much energy, 

I must say, 

that I got too captivated with my tasks 

sometime this week. 

Time went by unnoticed…

I quickly disengaged myself 

with whatever I was doing 

as soon as I realized

it was almost 2 hours 

past time to go.

It was not surprising 

to find my car 

(and only handful others) 

in the parking lot.

How about today being Friday? 

That makes life a lot better 

and 

totally sweet.

How about some grapes,

as we welcome the weekend? 

Have a wonderful weekend y'all!

him busy...

tinkering...

tinkering...

and riding...

his new toy.

Bittersweet Sunday

Remembering 9-11 of 2001 undeniably stirred pain in my heart. 

Why can some people be so heartless to commit such atrocity? 

Have they, 

by any chance, 

been bothered by their conscience, 

at all?

Church service went on as usual yesterday except for a few video tributes to 9-11. 

My tears were uncontrollable while watching them.

I just hope that everybody else including the visitors were at least teary-eyed-
to keep the cry baby in me some company...

On a happy note, yesterday was Grandparents’ Sunday.

Kids sang for a special tribute to their papaws and mamaws.

And although it is not the time of the month yet,
we had our church potluck yesterday.

I brought this fab very easy-to-make pickle wraps…

This recipe is from a friend, Crystal, at Life Church in Ottumwa:

Ingredients:

baby dill pickles

cream cheese

thin slices of ham

Steps:

Drain pickles then pat dry.

Spread softened cream cheese on a slice of ham.

Wrap pickles with ham and cheese on step 2.

Cut into half an inch.

Optional: Insert a toothpick on each piece for ease of picking.