Letters To You...

You appeared once again. It has been too many times already. You always show up at the exact same time, every time. You wait until I am lost and would want to just drift away and then awaken into reality. I do not know if this should concern me, but I could not find the reason why you seem to haunt me. It's a daunting reality- or it may have been self-imposed, I'm not sure but that's how it made me feel. If my brain could capture/photograph or even record a video of every visit, you would understand why. Your visits seem always "friendly"- and that somehow bothers me. 

I do not know if we have unfinished business towards each other; I believe we do not have anymore. Your recurrence makes me think otherwise. We parted fine, but we have never really had a discussion about it.. we just moved on. It was a rational decision and we were both okay. Somehow, in a bizarre way, I find myself asking a question. "What are you trying to say?" Again, this confusion may be self-imposed but you know very well that the girl you used to know is a very curious and stubborn one. Maybe I just need an answer? I don't know. Well, out of all of them you have been the only one I am "civil" towards to.

It has been a decade ever since that fateful day. I could not fathom how could you visit me  frequently now that I am married? I wish you could tell me what you wished to say, if you really have something to say. Pardon me for over-analyzing things. You were my first true "partner". You were my first. Were. Past-tense. I guess that should have been enough. 10 years should have taught us both everything we need to know. I guess I just wish you find what you're looking for. Something genuine, something true and honest, something you'd find pure joy in. 

P.S.

Thank you (somehow) for the visit/showing up in my dreams. 

Sweet and Spicy Porkchop

Hi there!

This post, as you all might have guessed, is all about cooking and/or food. I love to eat and I'm slowly learning to love cooking! Ever since I got married a month ago, I have been into a full on "housewife mode". After work, I drive straight home and prepare dinner for me and my husband. I haven't been this too involved in preparing a house or a meal. Well, in this case I may not have a choice since we're the only ones here in the house so I technically become the cook.

Alright, on to the food. Here are the ingredients that I used.

- 3 slices of pork (porkchop cut)
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 pieces of Calamondin (kalamansi/ calamansi/ chinese orange)
- 1 pack of Kim's Dewaji Kalbi Sweet and Spicy ribs
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Palm oil, about 2 tablespoons  (You can use any type of oil you want)

Garlic/Kalamansi/Sweet and Spicy seasoning

Procedure:

First thing I did was put all the pork slices in a bowl and sliced my garlic and kalamansi. After which I mixed them into the bowl. I also added the Sweet and Spicy seasoning but I did not pour them all in because that would be way too much- at least for me. After mixing all the ingredients in, I let it stay a little bit longer to allow the pork in absorbing all the flavors. If I had the option, I would be adding a little bit of either oregano or rosemary just to enhance the flavor. After about 3-5 minutes, I fried the pork piece by piece until they're a little bit golden but not crispy.

Marinating the pork...

Aaaand Voila! Done with the Sweet and Spicy Porkchop! Yumm-o!

Sweet and Spicy Porkchop!

According to my husband, he found it very tasty and he loved it! I loved it too. It has the balance of the sweetness and a little bit spicy and it's not overpowering. 

Let me know if you tried it, and if you liked it! 

Thanks for visiting guys! 

xx,

L

Post-Election Thoughts and Everything in Between

Hi Guys!


Since the election yesterday was automated, results have been swift and some candidates have been announced as winners in other cities and provinces. This is my first time to vote. I have experienced "voting" but it was a very small scale kind of "government". I practiced that kind of "suffrage" in school and I was really active back then and somehow, it fueled my interest politics that's the reason why I usually watch the news, read the paper and took up Political Science.

I really wanted to participate this time and exercise my right to suffrage as I know my vote might make a difference. Months leading up to the election, I have planned on really reading up on the candidates, researching on  their backgrounds and qualifications so I will have a determinant on why I should choose them. Unfortunately, I have been busy with work and I was not able to research on my candidates like I have planned to do. However, since articles, news is a click away, I got to read up on a few candidates when I have time at work. I would also check the surveys to gauge the candidates. Days leading to the election, I relied on a few read-ups and my conviction. Most of all, I prayed before entering the precinct and before shading the names of my candidates.

My experience, however, is one for the books. Given that I woke up late, I expected there was a long queue  leading to the precinct. Oh boy, was I in for a surprise! I went with my sister since it was also her first time to vote and we are registered on the same precinct. From the COMELEC (Commission on Elections) website, we were assigned to vote at Buntatala- Tagbak Elementary School. When we went there, our names weren't on the list. We were informed that they separated the Tagbak voters into another school. So my sister and I went back and proceeded to another school and gladly found our name. What surprised us was the long queue! Good thing those in line are disciplined and did not cause everyone too much trouble.

The queue from where I sat.

Just to keep us hydrated, I bought soda and water for the both of us. While waiting, we kept looking at our phone just to remember our "lineup" for the Senatorial race and the local council, and played Candy Crush on our phone! My sister and I waited in line for a total of 2 hours and after a few minutes, we were done!

At long last! Votes counted. 

I don't know about your experience, but overall mine was pleasant. I am pleased that I voted and that most of the candidates I voted for won. Nobody bribed nor paid me to vote for them. At least my hope in my chosen candidates did not wane.

Did you go out and vote?

xx,
L

Election 2013

Hi Guys!

Today is a monumental day for my country. We are having the national elections and this will be my first time to vote. I'm 25 years old and I had myself register only three years ago. It's not that I do not want to exercise my right to suffrage but I was not really a fanatic of the whole election carnival that we experience. I had a few people whom I admire that were not given the chance and although I don't think my vote would make a difference, I think it would've made me feel better to stand behind people whose causes I believe are worth fighting for.

On the way home last night, we had a discussion in the car on who we would vote. The four of us (Mom, Me, my sister and my fiance) all had different views on each politician and we have different criteria in gauging who gets our vote. Religion and family ties do not necessarily dictate who we should vote. I believe that it is with strong conviction that we get to choose, and it is with hope that we chose the right one.

I wish and pray that all of us get to have that strong conviction today and hope for a peaceful election. Go out and vote! :)

xx,
L

Mother's Day

Hi Guys! 

For this year's celebration, we went to Church and had dinner afterwards. Mother's day is one occasion that I look forward to. I usually love any occasion that can make me buy gifts. I love buying gifts. This year though, we weren't able to decide on a gift for my mom. I have decided to buy my mom a gift on her birthday, which is next month. Of course, mother's day won't be complete without a mother's day card. 

Right after Church service, we went to Lamesa Grill for dinner. We went home after that. But for now, here's what we had: 

    Scallops in garlic and butter

    Prawns with lots and lots of garlic! ❤

    Pinatayong Manok

    Banana and Mango Crepe

And here's who I went with:

    My sister, brother and my mom. 

    Me and my better half.❤ 

How did your mother's day go? ☺

Xx,

L

Pre-Mother's Day Thoughts

Mother's Day has been one of the occasions that my family always celebrate. It's an occasion we can express how we love and care for our mothers. My siblings and I would always buy a greeting card and if we'd have extra cash, we throw in a little present for our mom. 

My mom is not perfect, but knowing her all these years has made me realize that I do not need a perfect mother. What I need is someone who is loving, caring and understanding- and my mom's all that and so much more. Sure, we've had disagreements and arguments and my teenage self would make a big deal out of it but now I'm just thankful that we have the same level of respect and understanding that we do not allow a little misunderstanding get in the way of our relationship.

As time goes by, I have had a new appreciation for my mom and the effort she puts in to keep our family together despite trying times. And as I am about to embark on a new life soon, I truly am grateful that my mom still loves me even if I make a lot of mistakes and made her cry. Moms are truly God's blessing to us children.

Advance happy mother's day to all the moms out there! ❤ 

Xx,

L

Professional Crossroad

While driving earlier to work, I kept thinking about my professional life/career. I love love my job and the company I'm working for. As it is one of the best and leading companies, it is such an honor to work here. Unfortunately as I am just a project hire, there's this slim chance of me being regularized (ever) and of course, be given a raise. I have been working here for a little over a year. I  have ups and downs but I manage pretty well. If I did not have fun as much as I am now, I would have been gone a long time.


As a worker or employee, you would want to seek a better opportunity. Far more better and greater than the last one. I am still holding on as there is a new project and there might be a chance I get promoted or be regularized with full benefits. While I'm all up for that, there's this long grueling process of proving yourself to everyone that you're worth that promotion so to speak. I really want the promotion and I know they're eyeing me because I'm a pioneer employee. The thing is, I'm not that motivated to really get it. Slowly, I've started to come to work early and initiated meetings and calibrations, etc but that's that. Well, we'll see how things would go. I haven't found an absolute or formidable fallback yet but I'll take each day as it is and test the waters then.

Xx,
L

Happy Labor Day!

Hi guys!


So today, we are commemorating Labor Day here in the Philippines. Usually, my family goes to the beach to unwind. For this year, I spent it differently. I went to a co-worker's wedding. They had such a nice and light wedding. It was fun. Simple, but no pressure. She's the second one in the office to get married. It was nice to see all her hard work unfold and she looked really happy! For me, joy is contagious. If a person or two have true and sincere joy, you will feel it. I felt it with them. They were just so happy and content.

It is truly amazing to witness a wedding of two people sincerely in-love. The joy and contentment I see in them makes the experience even more meaningful.


How was your labor day?

P.S.

Here are a few photos from the wedding! ❤


Xx,
L

Is It Summer Yet?

Hi Guys!


It's the end of the month and tomorrow, we'll be waking up to a new month! This makes me realize that Summer is nearly over and I haven't had a vacation or a beach trip. I think it's because we already had one or two beach trips a few months ago before my dad left. We went to Roxas City(2-3 hours drive from our house) and stayed at my fave beach resort and stayed there overnight. I went with my parents, siblings, aunt, cousins and our fiances. It was a lot of fun since it was the first time in a long while that we got to go as a family. The second was when we went to another beach resort in Tigbauan (a little over an hour from Iloilo City).

Still, I'm hoping and wishing for even just a day at the beach. I really love going to the beach no matter how hot the weather is. The sound of the waves give a feeling of calmness and most of the time help me sleep better. I used to daydream about living on the beach side with my glass house, just like the ones I used to see on Laguna Beach or The Hills (Kristin Cavallari's house). So for now, we do with what we have. I'm planning on going to the beach next month so we'll see how that goes. Anyway, for now, I have to catch some z's because I would need to be well rested since I'm attending a co-worker's wedding tomorrow and you know I love weddings! :) Will post about it tomorrow. For now, goodnight world!


How's your summer so far?

xx,
L

First Two Weeks

Hi Guys! :)


Sorry I've been a little MIA for the past two weeks. I got busy with work and a few other things on the side. ;) For now, enjoy my week in photos. Will blog more soon. :)

Week 1 (April 1-7, 2013)

Had a date with my cousin//Received a wedding invitation from my office-mate//Met up with my cousin and hung out at her sister's bedroom//My office-mate needing a proper desk and chair (LOL)//My nephew's (from one of my 2nd cousins) 1st birthday//Saturday snack: homemade pizza//kids at Church.

Week 2 (April 8-14, 2013)

Looking up wedding giveaways online//Visited and cleaned my house//E-mail from my cousin on her new work//Funeral of my grade-school Science teacher//Me at work with clients (Fri&Sat)//At home with my boyfriend before going to Church. 

Happy Summer!!

xx,

L

Mauve-y Monday

So lazy to work today, I managed to squeeze in this post! LOL

Just yesterday, I went through my make up kit and I realized that I've amassed a number of lipsticks! So today, I'm going to post one of the many pinkish/rose shades I own. I've had this for a while now but I have stopped wearing pinks in favor of scarlet hues, just because I think it compliments my skin tone.

Today's lipstick is Mauve (sheer) by CoverGirl. This was given to me by my sister as a gift. It's not that dark as suggested on the bottom of the bottle but it's a little more lighter, rose-like.

Mauve by CoverGirl

Obviously has been used a lot! :)

It's a little sheer so you'd need to apply twice or thrice to get the color/shade of your preference. I like how it compliments my morena skin tone but for me, I think it would best suit fair skin tones.

How it looks on my lips.

A little bright pink rather than old rose.

So what's your lip shade today? :)

Love Month

Wow. Time's going by so fast and we're on the second month of 2013 already! Golly! It's as if we're all on fast forward.

February. Love month, as they call it. Most anticipated month for young lovers, I suppose. I think when you get old, Valentine's day becomes a routine already. Well, that's just me. So let's pause for a while since V-day is still a couple of weeks away.

I started this love month by going on a date with my cousin, Charo. She's older than I am but I kind of got closer to her when I started working. She's a very accomplished woman and she's very young-looking and young at heart. Maybe that's the reason why I'm so fascinated with her. Haha!

Photos coming up!

Ola, 2013!

Happy New Year! 😃🎊🎉


2012 went by so fast! T'was a year that I set myself to be really stable and content, especially career-wise. I learned a lot, had a few disappointments but I survived them against all odds. It was a year I proved God's faithfulness in my life. I got a better job, had my 1st experience of traveling outside of the country, and got semi-officially engaged! 😉

So cheers to all of us who had a wonderful year and here's to hoping for an even better, if not one of the best year of prosperity, happiness and love!

Bring it on, 2013! God bless us all!

❤❤❤


P.S.:

Will upload photos and update this blog soonest! Happy new year once again!