Real Life Sundays, ed. 32

In the famous words of a wise, ancient dragon:

So, hi y'all!  

I am alive and kicking.  But not kicking very high because I am currently sick :'(  I haven't been sick like this- dry cough, cold, swollen sinus- in a long time.  But I have been pushing myself quite hard this semester.  

My life currently involves work for 8 hours, followed by graduate classes on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and I need a weekend from my weekends because I am doing back-to-back ministries helping out a youth group and serving and attending church.  I have never complained, and this is not a complaint, mind you.  I am simply telling the story of my life for the past month and a half.  Despite the strength that I feel in my mind and spirit, my body couldn't keep up.  Plus, there's a bug going around.  So, I am calling in sick tomorrow to shake off the last of this cough and cold.  And that's why I can blog a bit tonight.  :)

I am really excited despite this hectic schedule!  Since I was a wee one, I really wanted to get my Master's long before I'm 30, and that's what I'm working for now :)   

Anyway~~

I am currently in love with this Filipino restaurant that my sister and I have been frequenting, that we would drive for 25 minutes to get to it: Ben N Yan's!!  Slurp!!

Photo time!  

[Insert cliché: don't say I didn't warn ya; get ready to drool; gastronomical adventures (this so deserves a derp face because it's soooo pretentious)]

Clockwise from top left: sisig, crispy pork snout marinated with chili sauce served on a sizzling plate (dis da BOMB!); pinakbet, a medley of veggies sauteed with shrimp paste, shrimp, and pork; and oxtail kare-kare, savory peanut butter based sauce with bokchoy and tripe (dis also da BOMB!); pagkain means food in Tagalog. 

It's a shame that I used to snob Filipino restaurants because apparently, when your mom is a wonderful cook, you think that she's the only cook.  Haha!  But Ben N Yan's has an inviting, presentable interior with delicious food.  (Sadly, some Filipino restaurants look so cheap-o :( )

Another of my food loves is Cookie Spread. ♥♥♥ 

My family and I can finish a jar in a week!  

Stahp it!  Stahp it some more! XD

Didn't watermark it.  Go ahead~  I'm willing to share the love♥

This entry is not only about goodies for the tummy.  I also have one photo of a goody for my face:

SK-II has finally arrived on Guam at the DFS in Tumon.  Heard it had a cult following.  Had to try it.  :) 

And if Ben N Yan's and the arrival of SK-II did not already attract you to Guam, ;)  here is an article by BBC to further peak your interest: BBC Travel: Guam.

Anyway, I do not promise that Guam is paradise.  Some people I know have come and go: had a blast for a year or two but then became bored after that and have been itching to go.  I've always wondered the reason for that...  I am not bored because I am always busy here, although I feel the occasional wanderlust.  I guess this is my home, that's why.  Yes, that must be it: the idea of making Guam home.  

Real Life Sundays, ed. 30

I had the most glorious time with my friends yesterday.  We had a little BBQ at the beach at NOON!  Which is pretty incredible for me because I am not an outdoors-y person and I dislike basking in the HOT sun for various reasons- wrinkles, tan, sweat, cancer, etc.  *shudder*  I commend those who do outdoor things for fun but I am my own Pillsbury dough girl...

Anyway, how did I ever enjoy our BBQ?  I love my friends!  They really are some of the greatest people one will ever meet.  ^0^  I also enjoyed because of this thing called "Veggie Kabob" and the ocean was shallow and crystal-like.  When it met with the sand and the sky, it was just the prettiest picture.  So, protected by my large hat and our tent, I was able to enjoy all these.

Then at night, I watched The Lone Ranger with my true-to-life cowboy friend.  It was interesting to watch with him because he knows these horse-and-rider dynamics that would have flown over my head had he not explained them.  Plus, I think he's also a smart person so he catches some of the nuances in the film.

Just wanted to share some info about my friend: he is here as a missionary, and what I like about him is that he has these "cowboy manners" (is that what they're called?) where he stands up when a lady enters the room and possesses this calm and gentle demeanor.  I have such great guy-friends!  Why in the world are they still single???

Why am I still single???  (^.~)  Bwaha!

Also, I have a couple of photos from the bonfire last Friday.  It was such a good event in which God would show Himself so faithful and true.  He even gave us a few miracles!  Great night.  Great night.

Anyway, here are them photos:

Friday: Bonfire

The setting sun painted the ocean like watercolor- splashing it with soft pinks, blue,
and silver- while a rainbow-shaped cloud framed it to perfection.
It was captivating beyond words.

Saturday: cleaning up the storage room in our house.  Look what I found!  High school

Sunday: Beach BBQ
Words that I never thought could come together.  This tastes awesome!
How to: grill carrots, eggplants, and bell peppers on a stick.  Sprinkle with
coconut oil and salt. :9 

Please don't end 

Real Life Sundays, ed. 24

It's almost Christmas ^____^  My favorite holiday of all!

Despite the rush and busyness of the week prior, there's always something warm, traditional, and peaceful at the core of the holiday.  No matter what we think about it, whether we celebrate it or not, we all long for love, kindness, peace, and family- values that are so descriptive of Christmas!  ^____^

❄❄❄

The week before Christmas was very busy again, although not really at work because we did not have a Christmas carnival this year.  Rather it was all the personal Christmas preparations, with the break being so close to Christmas Day!  Last-minute shopping, packages that still haven't arrived, a wedding, lots of baking, a bunch of bills to pay, and parties, parties, parties!

Beautiful wedding and the weather remained so pretty and agreeable ^_^
Thank you, God!

My girly tree in pink and light blue♥ I'm such the tree artiste ^.^

You know where I've been!

My decorations- all at 75% off at K-Mart!  Shout!  (^0^)

Incredibly yummy desserts at my cousin's graduation party :9

❄❄❄

I got to spend some time with a bunch of my favorite things during these first days of vacay, which makes me feel more relaxed already.  

• Morning prayers
• Christmas carols
• The Hobbit (twice already ^0^)
• Fun.
• Inception

Image:
Inception

Real Life Sundays, ed. 23

Yeah, generally life is.  But I will come clean and admit this:

I was so bored of myself yesterday!

After watching 4 hours of boxing on $60 pay per view, topped with the dismal ending of Pacquiao running into Marquez's fist and getting knocked out cold, I finally felt super bored!  So bored, that the only way to escape it was... 

No, not to do something productive...

But to sleep it off, hoping that by the time I woke up, I'd be less bored.

After a couple of hours of "napping," I woke up...  still feeling...  bored.  I then invited my little sister to grab some yummy cupcakes with me but she just wanted to stay home...  Geezzz...  So, I ended up sleeping early to end my boring day.

Here's the 60 bucks Pacquiao made us regret spending...  hehehe!
Hey Mr. Manny, if you are reading this, know that I still love you!

♥♥♥

On the bright side, I was thankful of being bored, since it only happens sometimes.  It meant that I was finally not hip-deep in work and not feeling overwhelmed. ^^

Anyway, I had a wonderful Saturday!  I had an amazing dinner with a couple of wonderful friends, whom I feel super-duper blessed to have ^____^  *Sighs*  everyone needs a kindred spirit~~  someone to share your interests, beliefs, and love of food :9

Some people- not the viewers of this blog, thank you very much- like to complain about food posts, saying that they are lame and stuff.  I think those people are being just plain silly.  With food so good lookin', who wouldn't want to see?  So, yep!  I am not even slightly apologetic for any of my food pictures.  :P

♥♥♥

Lastly, today!  I had a good time teaching the kiddies.  They make me laugh and smile a lot (inside), although, I do like to act strict and constipated around them.  But they are cool with me and I am cool with them so life is good.  Real good.

Hehehe!

Our classroom door with all them snowflakes

Yes! We have a fireplace to hang our stockings on!  ^_^

It's the adults who are kooky.  For example, I went to DFS today to buy a purse for my darling little sis.  The ladies at the stall did not take the initiative to help me out until I asked them.  When I finally asked for the price, one of them told me, "There's the sale section at the back."  "Ok... lady," I thought.  And throughout the experience, she kept on pointing out to me that there were cheaper stuff in the store.  At the end of my purchase, she said, "This is one of the higher end ones."

Ok.....?  (-_______-)

If she was so gang-ho about making me purchase the cheaper ones and saving me $$, why did she not give me discount when I asked for it?  I guess I looked such like a commoner?  I wonder what gave me away...  Hmmm...  Was it my non-brand bag?  Or was it my shoes that looked like they've been chewed by a dinosaur?  Oh well, maybe I'll never know.  All I know is I bought what I wanted and it was "one of the higher end ones."

But I end this post in a positive note!  My sister and I went to minister with our church's young adult group.  We handed out chips, water, and Bibles to college students who were studying for their finals.  They were so kind and gracious.  Bless their sweet hearts♡♡  ^___^

That's it, everyone!  Good night!

Real Life Sundays, ed. 22

Yuck!

You cannot be more real than this when you show yourself to the world in all your glory... or gory!  Hehehe!  No photo edits!

Even my own mother asked incredulously, "You're going to publish that???"

And I said, "Yes!!"

I don't know what came over my skin last week to make me suffer like this.  But thank God, that them pimples are all gone now!  I am just putting on a lot of whitening creams to diminish the scars.  

Anyway, let me tell you a secret that I've just discovered from my older sister (^__^)

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*The secret to quickly dry pimples is......*

........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Hydrogen Peroxide.....................................................................................................................................................

Did you catch that?  HYDROGEN PEROXIDE!

When I applied it on my pimples, the peroxide foamed and bubbled, and I was like, "Yes!  Yes!  Get 'em suckers!"  *Fist pumps*  Honest, with that much gusto.  (By the way, I think your pimples have to be open wounds in order for the peroxide to penetrate within.)  Then the following day, my pimples were dried up.  But I continued to apply for the next 2 days for good measure.  Now, I only have scars... :)

♥♥♥

Here's the rest of my photos:

Kobe is growing up so fast!  She is quite naughty but very smart.  ^^
Only 2 weeks with us and she already knows how to sit, shake hands, and
defend her food from toad intruders.

Oatmeal with peppermint kisses and Heath toffee.
"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy cane, candy corn,
and syrup." -Buddy, Elf

Wendy's Bacon Portabella Mushroom Melt: finally fast food burger done right!
Not tough and dry at all! :9

My Korean restaurant staple: Yukgaejang

Mmmm ;9 ... Bossam with oyster kimchee on the side.  Love Bossma but...
Oysters- I HATE them raw.  They taste as if all the essence and grossness of
the ocean were concentrated into these sloppy nuggets of mucous.
If you like raw oysters- more power to you!  You are a brave one!

We ate at a Korean restaurant with the sweetest uncle in the world.  He is not my uncle by blood but he was my pastor, whom we've adopted as our uncle.  :)  I love him so much!  If you met him, you'd love him so much, too.

♥♥♥

Christmas break is coming so hopefully, I can have more time to blog by then ^___^

Good night!

Oh, I hope you all have a good week!

Real Life Sundays, ed 21

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am amazingly late.  But I am forgiven, yes?  Thank you!

I've been resting for a while from my blog but since it's a four-day weekend, here I am again.  (*^___^* Love that about being a teacher.)  I've been missing the blogging scene because the school I am working with is going to be accredited this school year and there's a lot of scrambling to get things done.  To borrow a running analogy, we (as in, co-workers and I) have been so eager for this "water stop," and then we will soon be running for the next vacay---- CHRISTMAS!  Between then and now, it'll be crazy busy again.  Anyway, until that business hits me like an inevitable storm, I'll enjoy the last 32 hours of this weekend the best I can.  SHOUT!

This was taken last week at a birthday party.  Loved the food! ♥♥♥
Ate like I've never eaten before.  :9  Mother, do not be ashamed of me.  Hehehe!

New iPhone case came this week within <1 week of shipping.  May it not blind you
with its awesomeness!

Meet the newest addition to our family- Kobe!☺ Kobe is a very sweet, good-natured
girl who is ready to defend her family.  Watch out! 

Doodling away at work... 

This is my little sister and I love her.♡  We dated last night because I'm single and
she's in an LDR.  Anyway, there doesn't have to be an occasion or a reason to date
a sister: it's simply, just because ^__^

Whipped cream tutu
Corny, I know!

Black and white is so drama.

Real Life Sunday, ed. 19

Happy Anniversary to my church!♥♥♥

Yay!  Performances!  Food!  Dancin'!  Parteh!  Adult prom!  The gents, and most certainly, the ladies got really dressed up.  ^-^  For the first time in a long time, I actually felt underdressed!  Wuh-hat???  Can you believe???  Well, you better believe it!

My A-line dress.  My friend, who is a guy, actually helped
me go shopping for this.  Friends like him are the bomb!

Make-up of the Night: drama on the eyes and played down
the lips.

This angel was my hair inspo.  Isn't she simply lovely?! ^0^

Whee! for the last performance of the night.  They did a swell job!
And it didn't hurt that my older sister played the cajon. ^.^ 

Dance!  Dance!  Dance!
I didn't :(  because I'm lame like that...

Going a bit random on the photo timeline here.  Bear with me, ok?

Lunch at Tony Roma's because someone (the girl on the left) won us
gift certificates!  Whoo!  

I did mention that I love retro red lips!  Yes!  Sporting MAC
lipstick in Russian Red! 

Have I ever mentioned that I was a BIG nerd before college?  Then one day, I picked up the paint brush and switched it for a make-up brush.  And voila!  But of course, nerd will always be a part of me.  ^-^

Shhhh....  I cheated here and made my eyes big!  0.0
Coming clean here, folks!  But makes for such a better picture :D

Happy Things!

Raspberry Kit-Kat, anyone?  Verily, verily!  ^-^

You know that you're obsessed when you have two shoebox-ful of nail polishes.
I actually never knew I had this many until I organized them...  I SO had to
stop buying!   :/

I had a terrific week!  (Thank God!)  Even work began to feel better, smell sweeter.  *sigh*  I'm happy and content, and yep!  Even with my nail polish collection.

The church anniversary was also very nice.  It was a new experience for me.  I didn't attend my prom in high school at all, so it was nice to experience something like it.  Hahaha!  But I also found that I feel loneliest in crowded rooms.  Some people thrive in parties, while others, including myself, hide in parties.  It's all preference, really^-^

But I also found that simple dinners and meaningful conversations make my heart smile.  I just came from one tonight.  And my heart smiled.  And it didn't hurt, didn't hurt at all that---.

Well, that's it for tonight!
Good night!
And have a blast for the rest of the week!