Sharing my faith and my life one day at a time.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Simply Delicious Strawberry Cake

From Second Anniversary & 33rd Birthday Week


It's been several years since my mother baked me a birthday cake. When she brought out the cake she so lovingly made, I was so happy!

I was happy because of two things. First, I am the type of girl who prefers low-key get-togethers and is not big on birthday celebrations. But I do have a real, weakness for blowing a candle on birthday cakes. This year, I am blessed to have done that 3 times!

Second, I realized that the reason I love blowing a candle is because it gives me back warm, fuzzy feelings from childhood. My mom worked so hard to cook us a delicious meal every single day. On our birthdays, even though we did not have much, she always made sure we had a homemade birthday cake to celebrate.

Today, I got to re-live a childhood memory again. Even though I am now 33, I felt like a little girl for a good, happy second.

My mom loves Paula Deen and always tries her recipes. The birthday cake she made for me is "Simply Delicious Strawberry Cake" from cookingwithpauladeen.com.

For those of you who love baking, here is the recipe:
Simply Delicious Strawberry Cake

Try it! It is delicious!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

With My Deepest Gratitude

Thank you, thank you, thank you for everyone who greeted, texted, called, e-mailed, sent cards and gifts for our 2nd anniversary and my 33rd birthday. I am truly blessed with such wonderful friends and family!

From Collages

Monday, February 16, 2009

Valentine's Weekend

How was your Valentine's Weekend?

Robert and I took love staying at home and having a wonderful home-cooked meal. We take turns in cooking for each other.

Last year, he did an awesome job!


This year, it was my turn to cook. What did I come up with?

Pigs In a Blanket (This is the high-fat version. The blanket used was bacon and brown sugar.)
From Valentine's Day Weekend


Italian Chicken and Sausage Pasta
From Valentine's Day Weekend

From Valentine's Day Weekend


Basil and Mozzarella Salad
From Valentine's Day Weekend


Grilled Ribeye Steak
From Valentine's Day Weekend


Baked Garlic French Bread
From Valentine's Day Weekend


Baked Salmon Fillet
From Valentine's Day Weekend


My wonderful husband gave me flowers! I did not expect it and I LOVED IT! I am hiding from the flowers because I looked liked a HOT MESS from all that kitchen work.
From Valentine's Day Weekend


I am glad my husband liked his meal!
From Valentine's Day Weekend

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Wife Swap

During our 8-month stay in the United States, one of the shows I recorded on the DVR weekly is the show "Wife Swap."

This reality show's plot is simple. For 2 weeks, two families will exchange "wives" from 2 completely different backgrounds and see how these women's respective family-raising values affect the other group.

I did not get to watch all the episodes I recorded but I did manage to see several ones with Robert -- a lot of them we laughed at.

However, a man named Stephen Fowler displayed unkind, condescending behavior on his new "wife" -- a lady from Missouri.

His superior, "I am above you" attitude was shocking behavior to me.

Here is the first part of that episode.


What do you think?

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

26 Random Stuff About Me

1) One of my biggest promises to my husband is to never let myself go! Growing up, I learned that it is totally unacceptable to go out of the house looking rough or "losyang." These are the reasons why I make an effort to look well-groomed at all times.

2) Because of #1, I have always had a rigorous skincare and beauty regimen ever since I can remember. Aside of the creams, oils, scrubs and lotions at home, I am a regular at beauty, nail, waxing and tanning salons. I enjoy the process so much!

3) It also means I have a comprehensive makeup collection. In fact, my husband's Christmas gift to me was a professional cosmetic box filled with Smashbox makeup. He knows me so well!

4) I skipped my junior prom to watch New Kids on the Block in concert at Rizal Memorial Stadium - in 1992. Because it took me a long time to become interested in real boys, I had no regrets at all.

5) Which brings me to the fact that I am quite the late bloomer. All throughout high school, I naively believed with my whole heart that kissing can make a girl pregnant.

6) Which is also why I had my very first date at 21 years old.

7) I earned my undergraduate degree in Social Sciences at University of the Philippines. I don't know how much tuition is today but my parents only paid P6,000 per semester. I actually tried applying to Harvard College (under Harvard University) -- for their Social Studies program. I did get in but did not qualify for financial aid so I just let the dream go. No regrets with this one too!

8) Most of you know this by now -- I love taking pictures! I love doing this so much. However, I am not curious at all on the technical side of photography. It's enough for me to know the basics.

9) I am a morning person. I feel at best getting up between 5 and 6 in the morning.

10) I started blogging last year and have been enjoying it! It's at http://listeningtohisvoice.blogspot.com

11) I don't like soda at all. Nothing to do with lack of nutritional value because I love a whole lot of unhealthy stuff. I just don't like the taste and how it feels in my throat.

12) Today, being religious means nothing to me. Having an active, loving relationship with Jesus Christ and believe in what He did for me is what keeps me going each day.

13) Every day, I fall more and more in love with Jesus. I am not sure if a lot of people will understand this, but I truly love God more than I love my husband. However, I know for a fact that I cannot love any other human being the way I love Robert.

14) Even though I work at a regular office job, I would like to think that I also work in the ministry "full time." I believe that being God's messenger is a lifestyle and not a career.

15) I think I am old-fasioned but not a prude. Nothing shocks nor surprises me.

16) I am turning 33 in a couple of weeks and I want a nice vanity dresser and a label maker for my birthday! HEHEHEHE.

17) I work best with standard room temperature here in Manila. I work alone in a room in my office -- with NO a/c and NO electric fan and I feel great!

18) One of the things that really fascinate me is murder mysteries and detective work. That's why I watch at least 3 episodes of Forensic Files every day. Crime and suspense movies are also my favorite thing to watch.

19) Someday we would love to adopt a lot of babies! But please do not mention "Angelina Jolie". Not a fan!

20) I play dominoes online at least once a week.

21) According to Strengths Finder 2.0 my top 5 strengths are: Maximizer, Harmony, Deliberative, Relator, Responsibility. More about this in a future blog entry.

22) The only writing instruments that I use are extra bold ball point pens.

23) I had a recent embarrassing moment. I was at an art gallery in North Omaha. I was looking at a painting of what I thought was a person with wild hair. Then a lady with beautiful, wild, curly hair came up to me and told me that was her work and asked if I liked it. I said I was fascinated by it and asked if that was a "self-portrait." She replied, "No, that is actually a painting of a corpse." No words could come out of my mouth after that.

24) One of the lessons I want to teach my future children is never to use "hate" and "ugly" to describe a feeling, situation or a person.

25) Blue Like Jazz is my favorite book of all time.

26) I have two male celebrity crushes: Joey McIntyre and Eric Dane (McSteamy). I also have two female celebrity crushes: Kristin Kreuk and Frieda Pinto.
I think they are all cute.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Link Love

Just thought I'd let you know that my favorite links -- found on the right side of this blog -- are now updated and a lot more organized.

I do not put in new blog entries as often as I would like to, but maybe you would like to check out all these other lovely sites! :-)

Guess Who?

Who do you think it is? Find out here.

Monday, February 2, 2009

The Interview

I was asked to do this on Facebook...

What came first, the chicken or the egg?
Never heard of God creating an egg first

What is your favorite color?
Blue and brown together

Why are you taking this interview?
Because my cousin Cathy asked me to

What attracts you most?
A kind heart

Do you feel comfortable showing PDA in pubic?
Honestly, it makes me really uncomfortable. Holding hands is ok. Maybe a quick kiss between married couples. Call me old-fashioned but anything more than that just feels rude, and I like the concept of intimacy being kept inside the home at all times.

Describe your perfect Sunday morning?
Having a conversation with God

If you could be successful at any job in the world, what would that job be?
Being a wife and a mom

If you could be someone else for a day, who would it be?
Tina Fey

If you have friends coming for supper what would you cook?
Chicken adobo

Are you an outdoor or an indoor person
Indoor

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Doing full-time ministry, our own home and raising our children

What are you most proud of in your life?
Falling in love with Jesus all over again

Who do you admire most?
Jesus

Do you have any tattoos, and if so what and where?
A pisces sign on my back -- which I regret having because I do not put my faith in horosopes anymore and mine is just plain unattractive to look at

When do you plan on getting married?
I did on February 24th of 2007

What size shoes do you wear?
7.5

Opera, Musical, Concert, Play, Performance, or Other?
ALL!

What is your favorite clothing brand?
Dorothy Perkins and Zara

Walking past a beggar, spare change or ignore?
Spare change or whatever food I have with me but definitely not ignore

What would you do if Michael Jackson asked you out
I will accept and hopefully I can convince him to make another album

What is your favorite food?
Eggs! Scrambled, friend, boiled, poached, benedict, omellette -- as long as it's eggs!

Do you read Harry Potter books?
Never did. Someday, maybe.

What is your favorite place?
In our bedroom with my husband

Flip flops or sandals?
Flip flops

What do you do on Fridays?
I truly prefer to chill at home but something always comes up with friends which is not bad at all.

What is your favorite song of all time?
Tough one. Right now, I would say "Truly" by Lionel Richie

Do you like bananas?
Not even one bit
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