daily chronicles

not one but two

2005-10-30T00:30:00.000-05:00

welcome to my two new homes :

~ at livejournal
~ at blogsome

happy reading and make yourself at home!

new home

2005-05-19T16:04:00.000-05:00

thanks to blogger for the start-up knowledge i have learned, as i first discovered blogging.

with livejournal, i have streamlined and minimally created my new site. it is still a working progress. having said that, i apologize for the possible modifications day to day.

welcome to my new home.

star sightings

2005-05-16T13:19:00.000-05:00

a brief weekend trip turned out to be a thrilling and exciting stop in sunny california.

over the weekend, ben and i visited friends and accomplished a few business affairs. we revisited places previously experienced and glimpsed. this time, a much deeper dissection of the city was fulfilled. the dry heat was a wonderful exchange from the warm and humid houston weather. the mornings were scorching hot. the evenings were cool and nippy, especially by the beach.

last saturday, we drove around beverly hills, stopped by san marino for a late lunch at a quaint french cafe julienne and shopped at the popular strip on robertson blvd where kitson, lisa kline, madison, ghost and numerous other trendy boutiques align. not to mention the papparazzi-packed curb at the ivy restaurant, posed as an interesting view for street strollers and bystanders. for dinner, we headed to the crowded sushi roku at old pasadena town where locals never sleep early and shoppers never go home empty-handed.

that trip also left ben and i bedazzled by some celebrity sightings. en route to burbank, tobey maguire stepped into our plane from vegas. disheveled as he can be in his loose clothing and overgrown beard, he was undeniably spiderman with those huge, droopy eyes. he was quiet but with a friendly demeanor. on our saturday shopping trip, at madison boutique, carmen electra was hanging out at the cashier - waiting to complete her purchase. she had beautiful, beguiling eyes and an angelic face sans make-up. i was anxiously waiting for her to whip out her black amex but she settled to pay cash. no doubt that was carmen - the papparazzi outside were having a field day snapping their cameras away as she moved on to next door shopping haven, kitson. not to be outdone, ben saw a few retired nba players, but i knew nothing about them except that they were towering above everyone else.

it was a short visit but the rekindled missed friendships was worthy of a much longer stay. plans for a future longer vacation was mapped out. thanks to grace and venie, arabella and rod for a fun-filled 3-day weekend!

houston : hits and misses

2005-05-11T15:04:00.000-05:00

i've lived in this city for 10 years now. i've lived nowhere else in the States except this h-town. arriving from the philippines 10 years ago, i stepped out of the plane and realized this city is no different from where i've been. the heat, the abundant asian community, the tropical plants. but as i've continued to experience and familiarize myself with it's busy roads, unforgettable landmarks and gorgeous sights - even with the resentment of leaving my manila party life - i have learned to love and hate the dynamic and vibrant city. truthfully, i can't see myself living anywhere else. here are some of the reasons why i love to hate this city......and hate that i love this town!

hits
~ pappas group of restaurants
~ lack of snow during winter (except for last dec.2004 after 50+ years)
~ houston astros
~ houston rockets
~ texas medical center
~ houston galleria (rodeo drive with a roof)
~ vacation cruises from port of galveston island (approx.45 minutes away)
~ rice university
~ NASA (cowboys and astronauts rubbing elbows)
~ renee zellweger (technically from katy, tx - minutes away from houston)
~ destiny's child
~ radar, the weather dog
~ super bowl 2004
~ lakewood church

misses
~ summer humid heat - lasting way past the summer season
~ houston was named the "fattest city" for 2 consecutive years
~ houston astros
~ houston rockets
~ I45 freeway neverending construction
~ hillary duff (am not particularly crazy about her)
~ zz top band (am not a fan)
~ early morning traffic (i guess, so is everywhere else)
~ I10 freeway (endless traffic even with no construction)

houston is a mixed-bowl of fruit, to say the least. it's population in different colors and shapes. the diverse assemblage of men adds to the fascinating and gripping houston charm. from a philippine-bred lass, who came 10 years ago, i would like to boast and pay tribute to houston's hospitality.

weekend updates

2005-05-08T23:58:00.000-05:00

the past week was pleasant but slow. work is still demanding. my time seems to be not enough for everything.

~

as friday came, it was a relief that the weekend that was much awaited and anticipated has finally arrived. there were a few get-togethers planned for the weekend. any excuse for some dancing and food, is very much welcomed after a hectic week.

~

first was the birthday celebration of a cousin dear to us. it was her 50th birthday. she had reached a point in her life that every move or decision, right or wrong, no longer affects her very much comfortable life. her kids are all grown and successful. everyone's healthy and contented. i'm sure she had run out of wishes to wish before blowing her birthday candles. the party was held at marriot hotel. lunch was delicious and the dj was spinning danceable tunes as soon as guests started pouring in for the party. it was an intimate party for 60 of her closest friends, family and relatives. after lunch, the dancefloor was open for some line dancing and for the more daring, some ballroom dancing. it was yet another fun and enjoyable gathering. let me share some of the party pics.

~

as we got back home saturday afternoon, i was pleasantly surprised to receive my cd prize from marie. it was the greatest hits cd of the lighthouse family. this duo's cool tunes remind me of the early 90s manila sound. i never seem to have the chance to get my hands on the one and only cd copy from borders or barnes and noble, since they don't massively order them due to the limited market that's familiar with them. i will surely enjoy my new cd, as i slip them in my car's cd changer. thanks marie!

~

the houston ugly weather didn't stop us to celebrate mother's day this past sunday. the cloudy skies and damp wind failed to foil our brunch plans. after attending the early morning mass and some starbucks consumption, at half past eleven in the morning, we headed to omni hotel for the special mother's day brunch. joy's sister shiela and her family are here in houston for a vacation stay and it was a wonderful reunion for everyone. it was an exceptional gathering with all the mothers on centerstage!

~

that sunday ended quickly. the dark clouds and thunder didn't help brighten up the afternoon after brunch. gust of strong winds hit the window panes and the tree branches made cracking sounds, interrupting our late afternoon nap. an early dinner of a bowl of soup was enough to finish up a weekend of celebrations. overall, despite the nasty weather, we had a joyful fete!

2005-05-06T15:33:00.000-05:00

mamang, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !

Before I was myself you made me, me

With love and patience, discipline and tears,

Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Allowing me to sail upon my sea,

Though well within the headlands of your fears.

Before I was myself you made me, me

With dreams enough of what I was to be

And hopes that would be sculpted by the years,

Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Relinquishing your powers gradually

To let me shape myself among my peers.

Before I was myself you made me, me,

And being good and wise, you gracefully

As dancers when the last sweet cadence nears

Bit by bit stepped back to set me free.

For love inspires learning naturally:

The mind assents to what the heart reveres.

And so it was through love you made me, me

By slowly stepping back to set me free.

~nicholas gordon

2005-05-04T22:44:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NURSES WEEK

to all nurses around the world*

*cartoon from nurstoon.com

2005-05-02T21:29:00.000-05:00

look-who's-famous-now moment*

*picture swiped from papercity-houston

monday blues

2005-05-02T09:10:00.000-05:00

nothing ever goes right on mondays.

i woke up late this morning. ben woke up soon after me. i couldn't decide what to wear. nothing looks right. i'm sick of my current office wardobe. thankfully, the lab coat covers up my drab outfit.

traffic was awful. crazy drivers are hitting on that pedal like it's something they're angry at.

i got to the office 5 minutes late and my new boss who started today, saw me rushing in the door. i was panting since i took the stairs and i made her aware that that was exactly what i did before she gets any idea. i couldn't even barely say "hello". yeah, so much for the first impression. i guess she'll think i'm a chronic monday late comer.
____________________________________________________

weekend was uneventful. a couple of men were at the house repainting the garage, part of our ceiling and the outside elevation. paint touch-ups are a no brainer. extra paint was stored from last time and there was no debate on what hue to paint this time. it was a perfect weekend to finish and dry up the paint before the spring showers fall this week as predicted.
____________________________________________________

going back to today, how's your monday like?

high school life

2005-04-28T04:20:00.000-05:00

everyone used to say, high school days are the best times of your school life. i totally agree. in my alma mater, UPV, those were the times marked by developing friendships and eventually lasting to a lifetime of loyal sisterhood. other than the fact that my high school years were associated with the 80s mtv genre earmark, it actually started crazy escapades and risky undertakings that comes along with youth adolescence. here are some of the highlights of unthinkable pubescence, that i'm sure all of you can relate to :

your parents gave you a party curfew (that you break)
you had your first "legit" kiss
cutting classes (and head to the mall)
gulping your first sip of alcohol
smoking your first cig
developing crushes
learning to drive the family car
submitting to an "m.u." relationship (not quite mag-boypren but yet may mutual understanding)
junior/senior prom (need i say more?)
adoring cute varsity team players (any ballgame)
be a member of the exclusive coterie in school

other than the style horrors of the 80s - big hair sprayed with aquanet, electric blue eye make-up, shoulder pads - comes the unforgettable fashion craze that keeps coming back season after season, e.g. lacoste, keds, ballet slippers, top-siders, espadrilles etc. in the music front, the 80s sounds transcend a new era with bands like spandau ballet, duran duran....and hit songs like michael jackson's billie jean, prince's purple rain, wham's wake me up before you go-go, cindi lauper's girls just want to have fun....all of these delineate our colorful 80s high school life.

these are just a few of those milestones that we each hold dear in our memory. some, we might tend to forget - others, we want to relive. you met your first love in high school. you defined your own individuality while in high school. despite immaturity, those days depicted our fearless and dauntless esteem in our very young life. on a final note, we somehow acquired self-assurance and confidence that help refined adulthood.

what is your memorable high school moment?

life is a big party

2005-04-25T11:23:00.000-05:00

the past weekend was packed with parties and gatherings. all i can say is, we had a blast.

here's a blow by blow account of that crazy weekend :

it started last friday when we got invited by our friends, katherine and hao, for the elegant grand opening of their country club after years of elaborate construction. royal oaks is a master-planned community right in the middle of houston. it is minutes away from the galleria, the houston-hobby airtport and the medical center, via the newly-constructed westpark tollway. lovers of country club living, katherine and hao moved to royal oaks several years ago. for golf enthusiasts, this is simply a haven of luscious putting green. that friday night, a red carpet was rolled out for the limo-driven guests. inside the main building, different food stations are strategically situated all around, including the patio. hors d' oeuvres and fleur de tini, the royal oaks signature drink, were passed. a guided tour was also available to guests wanting to explore the grand hall. there was a lively band and overwrought media people were even present to document the event. guests mingled, sipped fine wine and tasted excellent food. the night's party was for a special cause, benefitting the ronald mcdonald house. here are the pics that night.

on saturday, we went to anne-marie and cal's couple shower at sweetwater country club. it was an arabian themed party. everyone dressed up in vibrant pink and gold fancy outfits. adorned with gold dangling jewelry and fake henna tattoo, others went overboard and even dressed up like bin laden (yikes!). it's appropriate, i guess since that's what the theme called for anyway. for entertainment, there were belly dancers and tarot card readers showcasing their skills. much to everyone's delight, the dancers gave quick and easy steps for the novice grinders trying out belly dancing. the games were hilarious. the food was plenty and delicious. at the end of the party, bangle bracelets and incense were bestowed as give-aways. the pictures show the colorful and fun party honoring the couple!

on sunday, it was brunch again at royal oaks! this time, we appreciated more the beautifully decorated and designed main hall. the sunlight shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the golf course. the buffet spread was ample. and the champagne mimosa was overflowingly poured out. after brunch, we took a quick tour of the whole development including new home inventories and model homes. if ben and i are not perfectly settled in our modest abode, we would have loved living in this area. oh well. spring fever is not yet over, though.

all in all, a fast-paced 3-day party weekend was a testimony of great friends reconnecting and relatives gathering. life, indeed, is one big party!

web shopping

2005-04-20T23:15:00.000-05:00

as a self-proclaimed shopping slave, even if i enjoy trudging around the mall, i still have my favorite online shopping sites that i conveniently click in the comforts of my home, to purchase away a must-have pair of shoes or the season's it bag.

dont' get me wrong, i still love to feel the texture of a dress' material, i still crave the smell of a silky lotion or perfume and i still don't get weary from trying on numerous jeans or shirts - but sometimes the thought of a jam-packed mall, a snotty salesperson or the image of a tight parking space - makes me want to sit in front of the tv with the laptop on, let my fingers do the keyboard walking and hoping to find good deals online.

let me share some of my fave online shopping sites that have million hits from me :

redenvelope - if you ran out of ideas to give an in-law, a colleague, or a boss, check them out. it has hundreds of ideas for hostess gifts, for newly-weds or for anybody that has really fastidious taste, this is the site to visit
revolveclothing - a site that brags on carrying hundreds of jean varieties for any body shape or size. it has an awesome site showcasing views of the products in different angles worn by an actual model. you will have a pretty good idea of what the merchandise looks like
glamour4u - a discounted beauty product site. good deals and specials abundantly provide shoppers on favorites such as kerastase, cellex-c, nioxin
shopintuition - for the fashion-forward gal, this site has the latest and trendiest stuff that hollywood sets the trend for. it may be a bit pricey, but to sport something what gwyneth or jessica wore just last week, it is a site worthy of a visit

these are just a few of the sites i have added to my favorites for an easy access click-away, to satisfy a want or a need. ebay is still the best site to search for a rare watch, a vintage blouse, last season's boots or just plain bargain hunting on practically anything. any buyer should just need to be aware of knock-offs and disappointing fake merchandise that are massive online.

so, at the end of the day........kick off those shoes, leave the dishes in the sink and happy online shopping!

hope for a cure

2005-04-18T10:49:00.000-05:00

this is what triggered me to write that previous entry :

working for a cancer institution, i ache to hear good news for all our patients wishing for more time in this world. as i come to work day after day, i have lived with the fact that it is not good news for them every doctor's visit. a cancer patient may simply yearn for a day without dark clouds, an hour to spend with a loved one and a minute without pain. they live for every ounce of hope and courage they can muster.

it is inconceivable sometimes that for others who take for granted their excellent health and good life, they lack the zest of living. others complain and moan about their discontent or unhappiness on anything. they live with indifference and detached attitudes. it's sad that it takes one tragic episode to turn life around. it is not too late to make amends and rectify lost relationships and enhance outlooks on life.

every patient that comes through the door has a story to tell. it is worthwhile to listen. reflect and mull over lessons learned from them. they pray for any breakthrough drug that comes into trial that promises new chance and hope to heal. we pray and hope with them.

a few days ago, a beloved patient passed away. he was a larger-than-life man. he was someone's husband, father and friend. he was never a patient. he never acted like one.

when He takes you away, no questions need to be asked. He furnished us each our own life adventures, our own fate, our own opportunities and even mishaps. live it to the fullest while we can. capture and experience life as it is rendered to us.

hope

2005-04-17T11:48:00.000-05:00

"hope is the thing with feathers -

that perches in the soul -

and sings the tune

without the words -

and never stops - at all"

emily dickenson

guilty pleasures

2005-04-14T14:22:00.000-05:00

a few days ago on ben's birthday, we took the rare luxury to take time off on a weekday. despite the plan to oversleep and be lazy, we were awakened early by the natural sunlight blazing through our bedroom windows. upon waking up, we slowly sipped our coffees and stared at the sun rays over the lake. the view of the lake fountain dancing as the light breeze blowing, was simply beautiful.

so, this is how it feels like. you're at home in your PJs, while everyone else is engaged with the early work grind . that was our little guilty pleasure activity last tuesday. we absolutely did nothing. we drove around town. we had our car washed and waxed. we had a light lunch of sandwich and salad at andre's in uptown park. and we drove around some more until the sun settled down.

ben is a simple and uncomplicated guy with childlike wishes. his joys varies from cars, steaks and mangoshakes. so on his birthday, a little more time for himself (and with me, of course!) is what he'd wish for.

the eve of his birthday, we dined out with family and relatives - an early celebration was called for, to give way for a more quiet evening the night of his birthday. it was a cozy dinner under the stars at cheesecake factory. the kids (bianca, zoe and nicholas) belted out the birthday song for him and he managed to blow a tiny candle placed over a hot fudge chocolate. it was yet another lovely night with great food and company.

here are our pictures that evening.

2005-04-12T00:12:00.000-05:00

TO MY BEN, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

another year to celebrate life and existence.

you are my anchor, my shelter, my strength.

i thank you for all the brave things you do for me : trying a new dish i prepare, laughing at my odd jokes, opening the car door for me, lugging the laundry basket for me, mixing my coffee perfectly, etc. etc.

seriously, i pray that you have more years ahead of good health, safety, security, peace and happiness! i love you.

saturday dinner

2005-04-10T16:19:00.000-05:00

our friends fatima and george are in town from midland, tx. to honor their homecoming for the weekend, we all met at pesce restaurant last saturday night. for 5 intense and loud (literally) couples, that huge restaurant was too small for our deafening volume. i am first to admit that since we scarcely see each other together often, this rare times that we are in one room, we talk up a storm. topics ranging from work, travels, shopping, religion, money and relationships, get entangled with light-hearted anecdotes and parodies - eliciting earsplitting laughters and guffaw from everyone.

pesce is a zagat-rated restaurant in town, boasting excellent seafood dishes in the menu. we had martini as an appetizer. this is a lump of crabmeat, lobster and shrimp over a bed of shredded cabbage in kim-chi dressing served in a huge martini glass. the dressing added a light spicy kick to the subtle crustacean meat taste. the men's love for cars was reflected on the wine ordered that night, a ferrari merlot. for the entree, i wanted the best of both worlds - meat and fish. i ordered the surf and turf, while ben ordered the evening's special, a mahi-mahi with white wine reduction sauce. dinner was really delicious. for dessert, everyone shared a sky-high lemon meringue pie and creme brulee. both were sinfully creamy. later that night after several rounds of coffee and cappucinos, we headed home complacent and pleased. we reunited with pals, had insightful discussions and had a very delectable meal.

fatima and george's wedding is a couple of months away. from today till that day, we expect more merrymaking and revelry to celebrate friendships and relationships.

bridal shower

2005-04-10T11:54:00.000-05:00

with almost only a month left prior to her may 2005 wedding, my niece anne-marie was given a lingerie bridal shower by her sister, ailynne. with no sight of any testosterone around, the girls became uninhibited and unrestrained. the games were amusing and everyone was sport enough to be silly and crazy for a moment. it was just last year that sister ailynne got married around thanksgiving and now little anne-marie is all grown-up and ready to tackle the world of blessed unsingle-ness. in a couple of weeks, anne-marie and cal (groom) will be honored at their own couple's shower this time and hopefully, the men's presence will be a delightful change to this past saturday's highly estrogen-charged party. check this blog next time for that event!

favorite things

2005-04-04T22:49:00.000-05:00

if oprah has her favorite things and martha stewart has her good things, i do too. these are small things we treasure but yet we take for granted everyday and when they're lost, we realize how they make our life a bit easier from day to day challenges and they will be sorely missed. here's a look at my list of favorites :

a steaming hot cup of coffee to perk up a sluggish day
a stored umbrella in your car for rainy days
a worn-out favorite pajama. so comfortable, you don't need ambien to achieve sleep
a chubby pen with black ink. ergonomically perfect fit for your fingers and not to mention absence of citation memo for using colorful inks
a pair of pearl stud earrings. accessories crisis? no more. they can be freshwater pearls or the more elegant south sea ones, are perfect for any daily office outfit
rolled down car windows. for spring, it's nice to feel the wind blowing and tossing your hair while driving home. i won't do this on my way to work, by the way. tangled hair is a mess. also, sorry for those that have allergies, a dose of claritin will help achieve a sneeze-free drive
a bowl of vietnamese noodle soup pho. a quick stop at a nearby hole-in-the-wall noodle place is perfect for the cooler nights of spring
a small bottle of antiseptic gel in your car. an easy solution to do-away with the gas stench on your hands after filling up your car at the gas station
a parking distance alarm in your car. for a klutz driver as i am, this attempts to avoid accidents when pillow-parking or mere backing up. you'll never know what's in your garage......
a safe-color lipstick and concealer stored in the office. during senior moments, which i seldom have, i tend to forget my kikay kit when i'm rushing out the door hurrying for work. i can't afford looking pale at work after lunch or after chocolate breaks. a harmless color, like a pinkish/light brownish lipstick will match any outfit you may have that day
a pashmina kept in the car to wrap yourself with, after dining out on a cold, crisp evening
my debit card, which everytime i swipe, automatically withdraws from my account devoids my worries on paying interest, unlike a credit card
my mother's old recipe book, sans it's cover due to faded and battered pages, which has recipes of filipino dishes and delicacies from pesang dalag to ukoy
pond's makeup remover towelettes - for a quick face cleansing anywhere, anytime
kiehl's water-based sunscreen spf 25, which both ben and i share. we both suffer from oily skin and we never leave the house without a good dab of this water-based lotion, slathered on our face
dulce de gatas from iloilo city, my hometown. high school buddies venie and grace, introduced us to this sticky, sweet candy paste after a visit to their lovely home in pasadena, ca. this quickly became ben's favorite. venie never fails to send us some, everytime a family member or friends bring them from iloilo. thanks!

just as the song goes, these are just a few of my favorite things.......take a moment to look around you and beyond. feel and experience every motion around you. listen to each and every sincere conversation you stumble upon. favorite possessions that you have everyday need not be ridiculously costly. they are priceless yet equally valuable, like an early morning smile or a sound of a neighbor's lullaby.

what are your favorite things?

party! party! party!

2005-04-03T08:21:00.000-05:00

what : inter-active healthcare 10th year anniversary

when : april 2, 2005 7 pm

where : grand ballroom marriot hotel sugar land, texas

who : friends and family of inter-active healthcare companies

what's the best way to end a rare weather-perfect houston saturday? what else would be fitting but a gala dinner to mark an important milestone for inter-active healthcare companies. the first family of inter-active, the narvacans, were wonderfully hosting past and present staff and employees at the well-attended occasion. the party elements were at it's best. the ballroom was decorated with candles and bunches of yellow roses on tall glass vases in every table. huge pictures showcasing inter-active's company history were pasted on walls for a short trip to memory lane. a slideshow of previous inter-active's events and parties played on a wide screen all throughout the night. the food was delicious. guests donned their evening best, full regalia and fine jewelry. there was a non-stop band playing a variety of songs in different time eras with everyone trying to keep up to their pace at the dancefloor. as the night moved on, new acquaintances were welcomed and old friends reconnected. we definitely had fun last night!

we commend inter-active once again for the brilliant work, influence and contribution the company offers to the houston healthcare community all these years! we hope you won't cease to provide quality service in making a patient's well-being better. congratulations!

click here to view pics from last night....

wish list

2005-04-01T21:13:00.001-06:00

i know, i know. i should be grateful for what i already have. i don't need any of these. nor do i want any of these. BUT, isn't it nice and refreshing to just want to hope, wish and dream about things that may give us temporary thrill, yet it gives us such a rush that acquiring them is a virtual must? my husband will hands down disagree with me. he'll say "you'll need a hole in your head"....which i probably do. at any rate, if i can afford it or not - it is still healthy and wonderful to just crave for something. it's a normal thing, you know. so for the month of april, i will work and save ($) doubly hard to be able to afford any of these.....

this fan earrings are such pretty little dangling dazzlers in one's ears - they would match my so-in-this-spring turquoise beads.

quelques fleurs fragrance is the perfume i have used in the past for the longest time when i was single. but this new exclusive scent is a must-have.

jeans. i could never have enough of them. for this summer, white jeans in cotton is a cool alternative to the faded blue denim. this true religion white jeans are cut with just the right flare, perfect for the shoes-of-the-moment wedge espadrilles.

lastly, this adorable shoes will complete any spring or summer outfit. be it an eyelet flowy dreamy dress or a gold metallic blouse over tight jeans.

i'm sure ben's all worried now. he's probably thinking, "the minute i leave her alone this weekend.... " - i'm off to the mall. well, that's a good start for april. but i'm not about to spend the whole day inside the mall on such a pretty weekend, as promised by the weather bureau. so for now, these remain as future acquisitions. when time and resources are available, then maybe i will heed the beckon of the mall.

*fan earrings pic from SHOPINTUITION website. quelques fleur pic swiped from NEIMAN MARCUS. true religion from REVOLVE CLOTHING shopsite. giuseppi zanotti shoes pic from BERGDORFGOODMAN online site*

easter sunday celebration

2005-03-27T22:27:00.000-06:00

after the crowded early easter sunday mass we attended, the four of us (ben, aggie, katie and i) went to rustika bakery at west university area. we were starving from an early dinner last night despite the cream slush tapioca drink for dessert afterwards. rustika's strong argentinian brewed coffee was perfect for the morning's 40+ degree weather. we each had our dose of eggs prepared in a variety of ways. they served ben's favorite rugelach pastry straight from the oven. we even took some home for future consumption and our car was smelling like caramel and cinnamon!

after a short nap close to noon, we headed to ben's cousin's place, the narvacans, for an easter celebration. their gorgeous home was filled with blossoming orchids and a spread of delicious and savory dishes were neatly arranged in the buffet table. you stumble in every nook and corner, baskets filled with pastel-colored wrapped chocolates and marshmallows. the easter bunny was definitely busy here!

we enjoyed the fellowship and gathering, especially where children bonded over candies, toys and more toys! the older ones spent quality time with intimate conversation over delectable food. easter sunday memories are definitely remembered with the yearly preparation the narvacans pour their hearts and efforts into a much celebrated occasion. we are grateful to them for opening their home to us, as we take part in the festivity. no matter how you commemorate it, be it alone in a remote vacation island or dinner with a few bevy of friends - i hope it was a safe and happy easter to all!

pics snapped at the narvacans.

easter weekend

2005-03-27T19:54:00.000-06:00

the houston weather is so unpredictable. this past saturday, forecast was cloudy with some showers but the day started really sunny and a bit humid. it was a perfect day to just drive around town and do some sight-seeing. we took aggie and katie to uptown park, a european-inspired open-air luxury shopping area. we went at cafe express for some al fresco dining. there was some light wind blowing, enough to bring a cool breeze.

after finishing up our salads and sandwiches, we headed to the galleria for some serious retail therapy. the mall was crowded, good deals are plenty and the appetite for some purchases were exhausted. by late afternoon, after feet are sore and knees weak, we headed home and was surprise to realize the drop of temperature. from humid to cold was just about how it was. we're glad we brought our jackets and i always keep a pashmina in the car for this houston unforeseeable atmospheric condition. having lived here for 10 years now, i am now able to predict the unpredictable houston weather!

check out more pics of that afternoon.

2005-03-26T21:40:00.000-06:00

photo courtesy of grand lux cafe website. see entry below for dining details.

grand lux cafe

2005-03-26T20:54:00.000-06:00

as soon as aggie and katie (my sis-in-law and her daughter respectively) arrived, we whisked them off to dinner at the newly-opened grand lux cafe at the galleria. true to it's name, the restaurant was designed with the grandest of the grand design interiors of all. it was a miniature vegas-themed resto with it's picture reminiscent of the venetian hotel. luxurious hues of the richest brown, orange, gold and bronze is painted in every wall, corner and floor. the huge windows open to the busy galleria district, adding to the point of interest for diners. not that you want to be distracted from the menu. the food was delicious. the servings were more than enough. true texas size meal.

ben opted with a salmon dish served in a cedar plank with mashed potatoes and vegetables. so did loven and katie. aggie decided on yet another popular salmon dish with the asian blend miso sauce. since it is the season of lent, fish was a given choice for the majority. i, on the other hand, was craving for some meat - i hesitantly, decided on the burger melt. the waiter warned me that this meal was going to be messy. i shot him a weird look hoping to impart the message that i was not planning to eat the whole thing with my bare hands. using the silverware will be fine, thank you. finally, joy ordered the chicken salad sandwich. little bianca got a little bit of everything from what her mom and dad have. embarrasment aside, i tried everybody's dish. no one was disappointed with what they had.

you know we're not leaving without dessert first. after ordering coffees, we courageously ordered to share a big chunk of cheesecake and beignets with assorted sauces - chocolate, raspberry and vanilla. that was heavenly! we never tasted beignets with this added scrumptious dips. it was really good!

this was a fun place to be. other than the visual feast you see from the grand concept, the food was a delightful experience that showcased various flavors that failed to let us down. so on your next visit to h-town, take time to check out grand lux cafe.

domestic blues

2005-03-23T13:07:00.000-06:00

i am bombarded by work both at the office and at home. for this coming easter, relatives are arriving from out of town to spend the weekend with us. this has been a yearly tradition. ben's birthday normally falls around easter but this year being it a bit earlier, the schedule for their visit remains the same, hence the early arrival.

first, in the office front. due to my one day off this coming friday, i have to get everything in place for friday patients with the hopes of reducing confusion and clinic chaos among colleagues covering for me. meaning, i will order tests they need, schedule treatment dates for them and most of all, reassuring both staff and patients that i am returning monday. any non-emergency pending issues will be addressed then. but in the meantime, pressing responsibilities at home take priority.

my domestic abilities are yet put to test again due to this anticipated arrival. nights are spent doing the laundry. times are spent scoping the web for new recipes to try and completing my grocery list. cleaning up still needs to be accomplished. papers, journals, magazines and junk mail pretty much take up space in the kitchen island, bedroom floor and butler's pantry. i know the perfect place to stash them - drawers! if there's any empty left in the house.

cleaning up is pretty much my light exercise activity nowadays. vacuuming and wiping is really good for arm toning. judging by the dust around here, i might be able to build some muscles! forget the weights. lifting piles of laundry helps, too.

i'm looking forward to being off this friday from work. it will be spent hosting relatives to a familiar tour of the town which we do year after year. maybe check out new restaurants, stop by newly opened shops in the galleria or simply head towards north or south of houston for a nice drive with views of the flat and green h-town. the weather should be all right. we may have a few showers, now acceptable being it is spring. i'm sure there will be lots of sunshine too, hoping for less humid possibly.

i hope they're not bored and tired of experiencing this town. we're hoping to introduce them to some new sights, maybe downtown or at close by galveston beach. but first of all, the house should be all prepped up and ready for them. clean bedsheets laid out, towels fresh and fluffy. complete miniature toiletries should be hotel-comparable. home scent should be emanating a light blooming smell, echoing spring. my domestic capablities are indeed challenged.

by the time we talk about cooking and anything related to the kitchen, i resign. i'm not completely cut out to be a flawless chef or the creative baker, but i am the shamelessly anxious taster. i look at a recipe, scan it over and over for about a hundred times, expecting it to be easier by each time i read them. as soon as a recipe mention an unknown ingredient - that's it! we'll move on to tv dinners. baking is not much easier either. the kneading and measuring just takes too much time. too many little utensils to wash too. i'd rather head to the aisle that overflows with boxed-up ready cake mix. just add eggs, water or oil and voila! a sweet flaky (literally!) dessert added to some store-bought ice cream. semi-homemade at it's best.

seriously, all these tasks and unfinished preps will have to take a back seat on the main thing why and what we are here for. for this holy week, we halt and contemplate on the good deeds that we may have or lack. we share and give what we can. we hope to extend our sacrifices. we incessantly pray for forgiveness. we need to be contented with our very being. and most of all, we spread His word.

sushi saturday

2005-03-20T23:46:00.000-06:00

sushi saturday

when yoj and i completed our shopping, we phoned ben (it was loven's weekend to work) and hooked up for lunch. it was decided that we try out this new small japanese restaurant near by our place.

we were not disappointed. the resto is family-owned and the staff were friendly. the place was clean and the food was really very good. they also offered smoothie drinks with cream and tapioca, sealed with freshness. for the upcoming houston summer long months, i exactly know where to head to for an icy cold drink. this tiny place is right smack in the middle of a busy shopping mall strip, between another favorite vietnamese restaurant and our ultimate fave charming stationary store selling trinkets, cards, stickers and anything cute and pastel.

this shopping area has everything for everyone. i can't blame the neighbors not wanting to go downtown. everything is right around the corner now. even your favorite sushi place called ichiban.

here are more pics at ichiban.

cinderella for a night

2005-03-20T23:00:00.000-06:00

finding a right dress is most often tedious and painful.

after yoj & i received an invitation for a gala in two weeks, we worked on getting the perfect dress and worried about make-up, hair and all the little things that come with transforming our daily boring aura to an enchanting cinderella for one night. it's like high school all over again, when all worries were limited to boys, make-up, hair, clothes and weekend "gimmicks".

after all these years, getting made-up and primped up for a party still excites us. these are actual problems we love to handle, knowing one way or the other we find solutions easy to grab. like, finding the right jewelry or shoes. or matching the evening bag with the perfect lipstick.

so this past saturday, we woke up bright and early, to check out racks after racks of dresses, long or short. pants, wool or silk. purses, beaded or satin. shoes, stilletos or wedge. the pressures of making the right choices. these are the kinds of decisions i like to make. not the serious, do-or-die kind of stuff.

it's fun being a girl again. after death defying adult matters that we deal daily, this is a refreshing break to enjoy the reason why we work hard. we celebrate life as our family and friends reach milestones - birthdays, anniversaries, weddings or for anything that we feel the need to party hard for.

so for that weekend, we are looking forward to being pampered, spoiled and made-up to a one diva cinderella ready to take on the night.

1st ever children's party @ 5710 garden hills drive

2005-03-16T22:23:00.000-06:00

4 days after b's birthday, we were still bragging and talking about how fun and great it was. the houston weather was unbelievably perfect. loads of kids were having a ball and most of all, b's unpredictable mood was stable. she was a picture of a lively 3 year old playing the part of lilo.

having no kids, ben and i were unsure if we were ready to tackle this huge responsibility of having little tykes all over the place. after long deliberation and hard prayers (just kidding!), that saturday afternoon we opened our front door to a promise of thrills and magical fun. we had a blast!

here are party pics taken from tito ben's canon digital elph sd20

for more on b's birthday bash, check this out!

changes

2005-03-16T15:38:00.000-06:00

i hate changes. i hate the idea of altering a norm or safe environment. this week, i have received some news of people leaving our department in the quest for better oppurtunities. these people have impacted my life in some way, be it great or small. i fully understand the desire for more money or job promotion, and i'm happy that they are brave enough to make these decisions in their lives. but a lot of times those are not the only reasons. i'm sure they didn't come to these decisions easily, but the possibility of no blood ties here in houston may have influenced their departure.

for us that are left behind, i see it as "we've-been-through-these-before" situation that has left us clinging more to one another. a critical beginning once again, escorting new possibilities and changes to our safe little world.

we will miss them. i'm pretty sure our paths will cross again. healthcare "society" is such a small community. i take from them all the knowledge and skills imparted without selfishness. and i share it as a reminder that we will forever be learning, be it old or new tricks.

saturday brunch

2005-03-13T22:20:00.000-06:00

backtrack a bit : the past saturday (refer to previously posted blog dated 3/4 and 3/8), we spent one fine saturday morning saying tearful goodbyes and sincerest wishes to a special couple who will be moving from houston to midland, tx. we will miss you both!

here are the pictures..........

2004 pictures

2005-03-13T22:09:00.000-06:00

here are the pictures previously promised.........check it out!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BIANCA SOPHIA!

2005-03-13T10:25:00.000-06:00

after early sunday morning church service, on b's birthday, we headed out for a mexican breakfast

march 13. greetings to a very special goddaughter! 3 years ago, this little bundle of joy was born to our best friends yoj & loven.

the minute she was born, i have played the role of the eager godmother to little bianca sophia. now all grown, this 3-turning-25 precious girl has taught us numerous things in life. my whole life, i know i will continue to learn and discover anything only a little child can teach me. to this date, the most that i was able to refigure in my daily dealings is the virtue that i least have .........patience.

kids learn things in their own different paces. they stumble and instantly get up. they cry and seconds later, they laugh. they frown yet immediately smile. they are curious without malice. they are spontaneous and innocent. they take things the way they are. they see life thru limited senses yet they interpret it in their own braveness. in our adult life, we can't push matters around even if it is not the right time. it's not always our own way. it's not always about you, or me.

so on your birthday, b, i am grateful for your presence. we will be educated in so many ways, to prepare us for when and if time comes He will gift us a little one like you.

across the miles

2005-03-08T10:40:00.000-06:00

seeing a friend move somewhere to live, not just for awhile but for good, surely saddens you. this past weekend, amidst numerous toasts and goodbyes, came the reality of not seeing a good friend for a long time. this of course does not stop you from corresponding to them, but you will definitely miss their faces, laughters and cries. the parties and gatherings were there this weekend for a reason. it was to celebrate friendships and relationships.

i hate farewells. it's selfish for me to think that way, but changes affect us all in various ways. for my friends, it is a new beginning, a new chapter in their lives that i'm sure they can't wait to claim. for me, it is reliving old times spent and realizing it will change.

it then hit me. for now, you have to cherish what you have. you should treasure more what is left behind. your family, more friends and the rest of the special people that keep the memories worthwhile. distance does not alter a friendship. it strengthens it. i will be looking forward to letters, emails and long-distance calls. only to be reminded that even across the miles, we are never lost.

Better Than Sex Cake

2005-03-04T22:53:00.000-06:00

i don't know what's with me that i am motivated to share this hit simple recipe of a cake. i am quick to say that i did not create this cake's name. don't discount the name. it may make you a believer or it will make you question your mate's ability to satisfy you. whatever it may be, i challenge you to try it. you may break the scale, but who cares. every bite is worth it's title.

Better Than Sex Cake

1 box German chocolate cake
1 can Eagle brand condensed milk
1 bottle Mrs. Richardson butterscotch caramel
Cool Whip

Bake German chocolate cake following box directions. When done, poke holes on cake & pour condensed milk & butterscotch caramel. Before serving, apply cool whip all over cake.

(calorie consumption-unknown)

weekend plans

2005-03-04T14:10:00.000-06:00

i can't hardly wait to log off from my office computer, grab my jacket and purse and head out to a promise of a yet to be determined weekend rendezvous.

but first of all, tonight, i am having dinner with a friend & her fiance' before they go off to far midland, tx. i will surely miss her and our lunch breaks together at work.

having known her for a long time, this relationship and this decision of moving, mean a lot to her and him. it validates their commitment to each other and their future life together. i am happy that they have found one another and we will be there to celebrate this momentous event on their wedding day soon.

tomorrow saturday, we are again having brunch with the same special couple and colleagues from work. to think we've spent 5 days at the office/clinic with them already. that's ok, i think spending the weekend with them in a different environment will shed a new light to their otherwise stiff and serious side. maybe we'll even have some surprises, that come monday, we will never see medicine the same way again.

definitely sunday, we will not miss early morning church and our regular breakfast gathering. it's great to sit and recall the past week and the days that were memorable. we're hoping to have a little more get-together later that day to spend a lazy, quiet sunday afternoon with close friends and family.

BUT these plans can very well alter depending on :

what the unpredictable houston weather will be.
or what ben's mood will be.
or if we get out of bed on time, especially come sunday morning.
or even what baby b's mood will be.

just kidding, i'm sure we will painstakingly find ways to have great fun and food this weekend even if these unexpected turns occur.

the end of the day

2005-03-02T17:01:00.000-06:00

it's been raining here today. ALL DAY.

the sun never came out, not even a peek. i'm not looking forward to heading home knowing i will be stuck in traffic jam hearing my car's windshield movement's annoying sound. everyone racing to get home and be dry.

some people love this weather. it makes you go into deep slumber. waking up to coffee brewing in the middle of the afternoon.

for me, it dampens my already slumped emotions. i woke up sluggish today. shuffling from our bed to the bathroom, forcing myself to jump into the shower. another day in clinic. that's enough reason for you to want to call-in-sick all week. plus, an inservice at lunch to midlevel providers is an additional stress factor. while you're there talking, they pretend to be listening & yet you're very well aware that they're there because of the lunch provided.

rain started pouring as soon as i parked at the employees garage. it's comforting to have a roof right above you during these times. it's dark outside. makes you wonder if it's 6 pm, when it's really 8 am in the morning.

driving home yakking on the phone with yoj, made the drive home bearable. ben & i finally decided to meet & just grab a quick bite at a nearby chinese restaurant avoiding the after work traffic. the day ended not too bad. having a quiet dinner at the end of the day with my husband surely brighten up an otherwise gloomy day.

The month of February in a nutshell

2005-02-28T15:22:00.000-06:00

for a short month that is february, i realize, i was able to accomplish a lot of things. i felt this month just passed by so quickly. life is too short to dwell on regrets and disappointments but i will chronicle the hectic february that was.

first weekend of the month was a treat for my hubby, ben. it was the Houston Auto Show. numerous never before seen concept cars were abundant in the show. that same weekend, was the Vietnamese TET New Year's Celebration which we experienced for the very first time. it was like a varied extravaganza of all sorts. there were food, dancing, bingo, shopping, tae kwon do competition and the dragon parade
that same sunday was superbowl sunday. i'm not particularly a football fan, but nothing was spared celebrating it with eager fans (ben & loven). we had a blast at yoj & loven's place. the food (loven's special crab recipe, chicken & pork barbecue, yoj's tasty fruit salad) was great. b's mood was perfect. guests were fun & the lost bets were easily forgotten
on Valentine's day, we had dinner with friends at Antica Osteria. that was a special night, sharing it with friends not seen in ages. we soon found out - who was getting married, who's having a baby, who just had a baby, who just moved out, who moved in - blah, blah, blah.......
the weekend of 2/19 was our Memphis trip. the weather was a nice change to houston's humid-in-the-middle-of-winter weather. ben get to go to his conference, while i get to see the Peabody ducks
president's day 2/21, was a mall date with yoj and b. we had our eye check ups, followed by worthwhile sale hunting and food galore searching. tita det introduced yoj to crawfish and the art of crawfish peeling
on 2/25, we were off to sunny california to visit old friends (ben is reminded of his unemployed gypsy california life before medical residency). these friends preached us on the need to save ($) up for the unexplained & unexpected. the overwhelming need for financial security & future unplanned circumstances. we came back to houston armed with property documents and loan loaded credit
to ruin the romance of the month of love, i'm stuck in clinic rotation. i'm loathing this turmoil feeling. one week closely working with MDs, not in the comfort of your familiar desk - will surely drive you off the wall. i am but one person. not capable of juggling more than one medical matter (medical errors happen this way). but they insist, that's why you're a nurse. you watch your back & their's, too

i'm eager for the month of march. the smell of spring. the sight of bright colors. let's hope for more sunshine and just a bit of raindrops. there's a lot to anticipate in march.

to do list

2005-02-24T15:47:00.000-06:00

procrastination shouldn't be an issue. but when you have tons of deadlines, pending issues and unexpected work turns - it's easy to fall into the procrastination trap. so, to make life a little easier - i have created a to-do-list that would somehow guide me along the right path of executing and terminating a job. (i think, instead of blogging - i should really do the legit "work") :

1. pack for our trip to California tomorrow
2. transmit $ to phil.
3. pick up new contact lenses at galleria (with possibly a sidetrip to Nordstrom - nah, maybe not)
4. finish up pending queries with my study audit monitor (friday's her last day! yehey!)
5. withdraw $ from checking account (i'm writing this last line with a longgggg face - till next paycheck day)
6. print out our boarding pass tonight at past midnight (need to get the "A" boarding pass since we're flying southwest airlines)
7. pick up "pasalubong" for our California pals (it would be helpful if i knew what to get them)
8. call mom to remind her of our weekend trip
9. date with the elliptical machine after dinner
10. end this blogging and get to work..........

we'll see if i can commit to all 9 entries. help!!!

at least, i'm doing entry # 10 now.

eyes are the windows to your soul

2005-02-21T22:40:00.000-06:00

the pressure to have my annual eye checkup is on. i can't afford another day/night with blurry sight or a vision of me in my hideous dark-rimmed glasses. so on president's day, i have a date with my best buddy, yoj, to have our eyes checked on this bright monday morning. after 2 hours of waiting after our walk-in appointment(?), we were out of there & on to celebrate with chinese food, knowing we've saved our precious eyesights. window shopping in tight jeans after a hefty meal of fried rice & greasy chicken/beef (no wonder it was good!@#$%), was no fun. but that did not end the quest. a bowl of ice cream confection of cheesecake chunks & caramel oreo ice cream with strawberries & whipped cream @ dylan's candy bar topped it off. that was not enough, at half past 4 we met my sis det & satisfied our seafood craving with some spicy crawfish. i'm glad, eye check ups are just done annually. i think we've gone overboard knowing we have "clearly" seen what's on our plate after a visual test.

elvis is in the building

2005-02-21T00:17:00.000-06:00

2/18/05 as ben and i stepped out of the non-stop continental flight to memphis, we were attacked by hunger pangs and we're eager to get into a taxi and into a bare restaurant for a quick dinner before calling it a night. thanks to a crazy cab driver, who i believe moonlights as a daredevil driver in a b-rated movie, we reached Peabody Hotel intact but not as a hungry as we thought we were after that short-of-a-race drive. the hotel is in the middle of downtown memphis, heart of rock-&-roll amidst the birth of jazz. the weather was cold, the night about to end....ben and i finally made it to the hotel's charming italian restaurant. after deciding that the veal marsala was somewhat-ok (despite chowing it down in no time) , we headed towards the lobby to join the coffee-sipping crowd and await the night to end. a few minutes later, we agreed to head to the elevator, get into our room & fluff our pillows before dreamland.

2/19/05 ben woke up dazed and confused. his conference is not in this hotel. it's a taxi ride away (gratefully, no sight of daredevil). hoping he will make it on time, i groaned and went back to sleep. after waking up and flipping through silly tv channels, i decided to head out and do a little exploration. as i stepped out of the elevator, a lobby full of camera-snapping spectators were obviously awaiting a celebrity in the red-carpet arena. and in this case, it's the Peabody ducks, ready to come out of their special elevator. an old tradition, drawing crowds local and internationally. mystified and curious, i waited till the ducks waddled their way on the red carpet and into the indoor fountain. kids squealing with delight and camera blinding flashes behind me, i made my way to starbucks and escaped the commotion.

it was comforting to know that my starbucks guy was from houston. after short exchanges of pleasantries, i sipped my "low fat"white chocolate mocha and strolled at the Peabody Entertainment Complex. due to a skyhigh tax rate, i limited myself at shopping in stores unfounded in houston. i picked out a tunic, beaded slippers and pucci-inspired sandals with rhinestones for friends and family at a cute fancy store called coco and lilly. prices were unbelievably inexpensive. still, tax was outrageously high. the guy at the counter refuses to ship it to my hometown state. don't know why. all i wanted was to save a few bucks. the shop was probably too small to handle shipping matters. i succumbed. i am a shopping slave.

after i finally managed to get out of the store (deciding not to get every color of every shoe there is), i contented myself chatting with friends across the miles over the phone. thanks to free weekend minutes, i was updated with the latest and endless gab related to who, what, when, where and most important of all, why. as i skipped lunch, i browsed inside the hotel shops and finally stealing a glimpse of the ducks frolicking in the lobby fountain. interesting sight.

when ben got back after his course, we decided to have an early dinner at Texas de Brazil. as we walked in, reality sets in. forget the early dinner. the line was endless - with or without reservations. we were told it was going to be an hour and a half wait. we then decided to go back upstairs in our room and they'll call us when our table is ready. for somebody who skipped lunch, i was really dying. maybe i'll have fastfood instead. the ducks in the fountain even look delectable by now. ben was adamant on trying tdb, his intent was to compare it to our very own Fogo de Chao, his fave restaurant. close to 8 pm was the time they buzzed us and our table was ready. i'm nowhere hungry by now. did i doze off or did i pass out? we were seated not too far from the salad bar - the line was still endless, inside and outside the resto. it was ok. service was still far more better at fdc. more importantly, the meat were way better at fdc. the only thing tdb had that fdc didn't have are the soups. for that cold and windy evening, the lobster bisque soup (even a tad salty), was an excellent warmer. we capped off our dinner hesitantly, with a creme brulee dessert. that was ok, too.

before going to bed, i thought about memphis and it's possibilities. the friendly locals, the popular ducks, and the bars & barbecues we even missed (weather was another tough element to conquer). i surely would want to come back. this time maybe a day longer than our current stay. even just for one more day. that's life, we're granted with the promise of today but yet we crave for what is more tomorrow. elvis never lived to see tomorrow, but we cherish him today.

so it's your birthday

2005-01-26T23:40:00.000-06:00

turning a year older is tough. gathering family, friends and relatives is easy.

location : el tiempo mexican restaurant
food : grilled lobster, pork ribs, bacon-wrapped shrimp, chicken and green rice with cheese
dessert : banana empanada & tres leches

if that's not enough to excite your palate, you're on your way to diet city. after a sumptous feast, a rendition of medley tunes from the casual mariachi-band-in-jeans completed the fun-filled evening. i'm grateful for everyone who shared that special night with me and my hubby, ben. after leaving the crowded place, heading home.....i reflected on the year that was for me. i was fulfilled, contented yet quizzical.......what will one more year bring me? after pondering what could have been or what could be, i just humbly pray and thank HIM for where i am.

safely focused.

here are pics taken that night!