logan's hitting the beach.

forgive me guys for posting too much about Logan. i just can't help this enormous sense of pride and joy of having him. emo.

one early Saturday, irving, me and logan headed off to Davao for a super beach party with the dogs. the party, of course, is organized by Davao Dog Lovers Community. we arrived around eight in the morning and went straight to irving's friend (where logan stayed for a week). we were warmly welcomed by james and meg and prepared breakfast for us. logan, for the first time, meet his new found friends Franco and Gabriel (Labrador dogs as well).

Anyhoo, here are some snippets from the super beach dogs party:

Logan is all that curious and excited. Can't take his eyes off the waters. It's his first time to ride on a barge. hehe

Logan went straight to the beach with his ball. Here's Duke with him.

Undeniably happy dogs.

Logan and Franco with their handlers.

 you know what's the amazing thing in the world? when you're dog is making lambing and puts his head on your lap. 

They must be so tired with tongues sticking out. But they are happy.

Tailwaggin' Birthday for Logan

November 10, 2012 - Even dogs celebrate their birthdays. Yes, it's Logan's first birthday. And to celebrate the love for my dog and the gift of him, i prepared a little "party" for him. Erm, just cupcakes for the party goers and nilagang baka for Logan. Haha Plus party hats, candle and pictures!

I pray we'll have more years, more walks and more beach party together! You don't know how much joy you bring into our lives. You don't know how you caught us amazed with your simple antics -  following me around wherever I go, how you eagerly sit when you want a pandesal, when you wag your tail, when you make tampo when your cage was delivered, when your ears flip when you run blah blah.  I love you, Logan! *wink*

remarkable.

I took the inspiration of this post from Max Lucado's In the Eye of the Storm.. when you think of the odds of it being found, you have only one place to put this event: in the folder labeled "Remarkable".

There’s a lot of remarkable episodes that unravel before us that we take less notice or even don’t.

I say the Lord has revealed so much goodness. Let me count the magnificent ways:

The morning that breaks every day. The splendid orange ball that meets us each time we wake up. The sweet coffee we get to drink along with the rising sun. The tasty breakfast we stuff our tummies with – the scrambled egg, toasted bread, fried hotdog or longganisa and the fried rice sprinkled with complete ingredients. The chit-chats with family that makes the breakfast even longer.

The job that fills our schedule. The exuberance of meeting the officemates. The fervour of learning new things on the job whether its technical, spiritual and social. The lessons we drum up and accumulate. The people we bump into that inspire and enthuse us. Every joke cracked by friends that makes us laugh. The simple lunch shared with friends at work. And chit-chats as well that make lunch more fun.

The dog that makes me more responsible. The joy of having Logan who keeps wagging his tails. Who relentlessly wants to play. Who barks tenderly when he needs you – just for attention, for food or for you just to be around him. Who warmly looks at you and you can’t help but give in. Who loves when he’s cuddled. Who excitedly fetches balls. Who bites anything he could he could bite. Who meets every stranger with exhilaration. Who also makes “tampo” just like a child. Who also cries when he’s hurt. Whose ears flips when he runs. Who willingly pleases you. Who is intelligent to follow your commands. Whom you don't want to be hungry so you feed him - food, milk and water.

The wonderful relationships that keep us sane and in love. The crazy fights over trivial things. The fun of watching kababawan movies together. The incredible experiences together. The love for food even our tummies are bloated already. The jokes we throw about each other.

 Let me quote some from Max Lucado's:

Giving the clouds their puff.

Giving the oceans their blue. Giving the trees their sway. Giving the frogs their leap and

croak. The mighty wed with the creative, and creation was born.

Thank you Lord for everything. *GASP*

taking on new responsibilities.

May 7, 2012 on Didache - "I pray that you say yes."

It has been the longest and most excruciating weekend. Weighing between declining or accepting. And each choice entails happy and sad consequences. Bothered is an understatement. The news has surprised me to bits. In times like these, I only need to seek guidance from the Lord. 

Meanwhile, my loved ones tell me to accept the new role. Hesitations come in because of the emotional attachment I have with my work and my SFA-mates.

After some fervent prayers, I have accepted to take on the new role. And I know it is what God has wanted me to do. There was even an affirmation from Him which I read from didache, "I pray that you say yes." It's very appropriate with the decision I have to make. The Lord really speaks to us.

Anyhow, come the talk with the boss. I wasn't emotional at first but towards the end, I just can hold anymore. Tears welled up though I tried to hold it like crazy. I just felt that change is really difficult. I just felt thankful to my boss for being unselfish in letting me go and grow like a parent does to his child.

When I came out from my boss' office, tears were so evident that Roni and Jla noticed instantly. They comforted me yet it made my crying worse. Ha-ha 

Our boss talked to everyone else in the department about the movement. It touched me a lot that he said , "Our Jang will transfer to another department...though it hurts but it's for her development." They're quiet. Later, it touched me even more when Jla cried. 

Roni, when I asked him to plug my charger, he said..."Anything ma'am, just don't leaver us." Ha-ha Kristina sent an Adele song "Someone like you". Yes, it's hard to leave these cool and loving people.

At the end of the day, I feel at peace. Difficult but at peace. God has helped me decide. He will guide me also as I take on new challenges.

Shaken up.

Do you welcome change easily? Do you accept challenges thrown at you with so much conviction? Without hesitation?


My current position as Senior Financial Analyst brings so much pride and fulfilment. This was my dream job when I was in college. This position opens an opportunity for me to develop my people, technical and analytical skills. I have been exposed to various operations, meet new people, brushed elbows with big and common employees and handled different responsibilities. The regular meetings I had with the directors and managers have helped me improve my confidence.


More so, I have the coolest and fun-loving co-employees (my dear SFA-mates) including my manager. We would agree even to bizarre yet cool ideas such as tucking in during Wednesday. We all get lots of compliments for this tuck-in day. Since we are just 6 in the department, we would most of the time go in unison – binge, share ebooks, mp3s, chuckle over and crack the craziest jokes, be totally thoughtful on each other’s birthday.


And today, I was a bit shaken up.


My boss called me to his office around 11:00 in the morning. By the look on his face, I know there’s something non-routine he will discuss with me, not about our projects or meetings.


“Hmmm..How will I say this?”…he started. Right then, I was sure I’m fretting like crazy. Then he let go of a laugh.


“Your name came up to replace someone in the Accounting Department”.


Yeah, I came from Accounting before as Tax Supervisor. But I like my job now.


Anxiety. Of moving out your comfort zone.


They’re giving me a choice to take it or not. I can always decline the proposal. But the thing is, top management might take this against me as not too open for growth. Or I hinder the growth myself.


I am too confused right now. I need to get away to collect my thoughts, where I want myself in the Corporate world.


I was taken aback by this unexpected announcement.


I need guidance. Lord, help  me!

rock music and insecurity

“God exists 360 degrees like unsolved mysteries... Agent Orange come up! Come up!”


You might think a brother or a guy cousin adores this. But it was me who used to adore this. It was so unlikely of me where everyone knew me back in High School as a sweet and conservative girl. Not into loud rock music like everybody (or almost everybody did in the campus).


I would borrow CDs of Slapshock and Limp Bizkit from friends and hurriedly play this at home. Rock goes with very loud volume and banging of head. To my father’s dismay, he would shout at me telling to stop it. For him, it wasn’t a music but a useless noise. I would get mad at him for not appreciating my music preference. We would always clash.


After a quite bout, I was over this love for rock. And I was in utter disbelief why I came to love rock and rock isn’t rockin’ at all.


And this “why” had been answered when I came to love myself.


The inclination to rock music was brought about the need to belong.


When I was in High School, mind you, I was a nerdy type who came from geekoid society. Minus the eyeglasses and braces and the not-confident-voice (imagine Betty La fea!). I was an achiever. And my brand of fun which was reading books, watch TV and stay at home. Theirs was sneaking out late at night just to go disco, escape classes, drink, smoke and date. My brand of fun would bore them to death. And so there was this longing that I could catch up with my friends, do their thing as well. Gladly, I never resorted to drinking and smoking just to belong. Rock music was my way of getting into what’s fad, to be of some sort to feel I was one of them.


But one day, it hit me. The hell with those crazy rock music! I didn’t need to do anything just to be loved, I need not force myself to like Rock music just to be accepted. There’ s no prerequisite to have friends. We just have to be ourselves. We just have to accept our own self, the rest will follow. 

Birthday Prayer

Dear God,

I praise you and glorify  your Name! My mouth shall praise you with joy.


God, I want to thank you for the wonderful life you give me. It's worth celebrating!
Thank you for the beautiful and thoughtful friends you put into my life. They are worth-keeping!
Thank you for my loving family. You first taught me how to trust God. You're always in my prayers!
Thank you to my ever supportive and cool office mates! You're always a joy to have despite the haggard moments!
Thank you fir my ever kulit and beautiful dog, Logan. You're one great dog!
Thank you to Irving, for taking a leave on a Friday and Saturday to celebrate my birthday (despite the insistent calls from work, hehe).
Thank  you Lord for Britney, for the sweetest card I got on my birthday.
Thank you Lord for the food we stuffed in our tummies, the food that we eat and share together.
Thank  you Lord for guiding me through the highest highs and lowest lows of my life. I'm grateful even things are too difficult.
I thank you for everything you put into my life. I've always felt Your love because of them.

Amen.

Wishful thinking for my Birthday

Who says wish lists are for Christmas only when we can have it on our birthdays? Yeah, when your birthday is just around the corner, we can’t help but run through our wants and fancies. Someone might take in the Santa Claus character on my birthday!


So dear friends, here are the wishes I have for my big day. Pretty please take a heed.


Ipad3/tab – This is my attempt to have a handy technology unlike laptop (which is not so handy anymore). So far, I’ve never been ahead of everyone as to the latest trends. Can’t help being envious on someone who has a tab.


Shoes – I’m size 7 and it isn’t challenging a shoe of this sort. Must-have shoes is from . . .


Bag - I'm a certified bag-o-holic!


Nice pair of Pants/Trousers – I Love soft and comfy trousers. 


Weighing Scale to help me scale down – Ooops, I know this comes cheap! Help me monitor my gains/loses! Haha


Sunnies – I never went out the house without my sunnies. Keeps my migraine away aside from it’s making me look fab!


Oven  - I want to explore the world of baking. This is a must-have!


Baking Paraphernalia – My oven is utterly useless without those utensils.


DSLR – Aside baking, I love to explore photography. I have always dream of doing photojournalism or a photoblog.


Thank you in advance! *wink*

Gorging at Asian Tongue

Sometimes we are jaded with same old food we eat from restaurants. And I thought I have already checked out all good restos here in GenSan. And I never knew I was missing this incredible resto along Roxas Street. 

While deciding where to stuff ourselves after our Sun Life session, our officemate randomly suggests Asian Tongue. Since we’d like to try another brand of food, we all agreed. 

Take a sneak peek at their menu. There is so much to try!

Meet the bunch who loves good food.

And tadaah, the stars of the night…

Hoy Chiz Sticks. This one is my much-loved for only P50.

An Asian Tongue Specialty – Sinugbang Baboy. This literally is a pig out! It’s not your typical sinugba. 

Really tasty food to match its name…Grabeng Tokwa’t Baboy. Weirdly named.

The extra-ordinary chopsuey, you’ll keep asking for more!

thumbs up for their Tuna curry. Nicely done.

We also tried a Singaporean cuisine, the Bacuteh. Well, it tastes peculiar. The herbs and the aroma are really strong. 

All spell YUMMY. Plus we get 20% discount. Thanks to the VIP card!. I’m sure we’ll be using this the whole year round. We’ll keep coming back!

That Pacquiao craze

It’s when you are totally fine reading about him on news paper, seeing him on the net or root him on his every game. It’s also when you never fail to catch a glimpse of his mansion every time you pass by it. I’m a fan but I won’t screech nor howl in admiration. Not until that historical April 3, 2012 when the great MANNY PACQUIAO first set foot on Dole. To my surprise, I appeared like a normal stalker-slash-fanatic that day. Well, all of us. We just can’t hide that eagerness and excitement to see PacMan. Yes, he was here to promote the wellness program of our company.

Brought here in Dole with his convoy and his Hummer which bring us in huge awe.

Manny entering Mezzanine. People just can’t help it, we’re all thrilled. Cameras keep flashing, we’d all want to have a keepsake of Manny. Up close.

That’s me shaking hands with him. Have to grab that opportunity! This is one in a million.

Here’s Manny giving his words of motivation on how to achieve physical wellness. “Mag-papawis muna kayo bago mag-sit ups…” he states. “Boxing ang pinaka-magandang exercise” he added. Manny, who is an advocate of wellness, generously shares some amount to his Pacquiao team member who loses the biggest. And since he’s here, he gave 200,000 pesos to Dolefil to be given to the biggest losers. That’s huge amount Dole employees look forward to. But first, we must be fit by meeting the should-be body mass index, waist line- hip ratio, sugar and cholesterol levels. That’s a lot of work but we would all benefit from this. By being healthy on top of the monetary rewards.

People are all ears to Manny, Sir Simon and Sir Mel. We’re looking forward to healthier employees.

Manny ends his visit with a song “Para sa ‘yo, ang laban na ‘to…di ako susuko”. He can’t resist the crowd shouting “Sample!”, “Sample!”. He gamely gives in.

Like any other fan, we stalked off, following him on his way to his ride. Can’t seem to get enough of him.

The cold cash Manny shared with Dole. Getting a feel so I’ll be inspired. Didn’t I say it’s not about the money, it’s being fit and healthy? Ha-ha You bet.

Now I must get busy and shed those pounds. Who knows I might be P100,000 richer by year end?

made-by-me meals

On my attempt to exercise my culinary prowess, this lazy Sunday, I made two mouth-watering, lip-smacking meals. Only for my loved ones. Oh yes, my “culinary prowess” (ahem!) weren’t used for ages and I hope my made-by-me meals won’t be a failure!

BULALO

I admit I am not a fan of beef. But why am I making a beef bulalo if I don’t eat beef. You’d ask. I guess when it’s for somebody you love, you’ll go extra mile for your love. Cheesy it may seem, but it’s for my much loved Lab, Logan! Yes, I said it right. I cooked for the much-needed soup of my dog. Actually, it was my uncle who prompted me to cook for Logan. Thanks to him, I’m loving the voracious, satisfied look of Logan.

Prepping up for the tasty bulalo.

Hot and spicy soup for no less than the king and baby himself, Logan!

Logan getting all excited and thrilled. He can’t seem to wait!

And he busied himself. Finishing first the “sabaw” before the “laman”. I’m just loving him getting happy with this extraordinary treat.

PEACH PANCAKE

Last week, I was craving for something sweet. A hint of sweetness. Something that’s easy to prepare, something that doesn’t need baking. And presto, pancake came up! But it isn’t just the ordinary pancake. I want something fruity, something peach-y. It’s peach pancake!

Btw, it’s not for Logan anymore. It’s for my family’s tummy! Ha-ha

For this recipe, you’ll need eggs, yogurt (preferably peach yogurt), low-fat, canola oil, sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and peaches (I used Dole peaches, yey!). And oh, don’t forget the pancake syrup from Pillsbury. Next time, I’m going make my own syrup. For directions, please direct yourselves to food.com.

snacking healthy, peaches!

Stuffed tummies, happy faces.

Indeed, it’s resto-worthy pancake. It’s easy to pull off at home.