my older sister, our helper, and i spent new year's at my sister's friend's relative's house.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
new year's celebration
my older sister, our helper, and i spent new year's at my sister's friend's relative's house.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
My ideal major
| Rating: | ★★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
my holiday reading list
from top to bottom:
- The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey - something i've always wanted to read but just had the time to! Hopefully I finish reading this before the year ends so I can read the John Ortberg book (see below)
- For Such A Time As This by Lisa Ryan - a Christmas gift of sorts
from June! (yaaaay!!) I've just finished reading this. It's all about being a modern-day Esther--how she made an impact in her generation and how we can be one in ours! Very funny and insightful. Highly recommended. - If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg - was out shopping with Ro one day and she recommended that I buy it. Target start date: January 2009. I wanna start my year right!
- Quest for Love by Elisabeth Elliot - chanced upon this in OMF while looking for a gift. Wasn't sure on buying it at first. Reading three chapters of it in the bookstore gave the answer to my question
- Finding God in Unexpected Places by Philip Yancey - yes, he is one of my favorite authors! My BFF gave it to me for Christmas. Thanks Bei!!! It's one of my "prayered answers!"
An AWESOME read--I don't normally read at a fast pace, but after three days of reading it I'm halfway thru it. That's a feat! - A NLT Bible - another one of my prayered answers. It originally had a plain dark blue cover but I decided to pimp it up. It was originally priced at an (already) affordable rate, but since it was sale season at the bookstore I got it from, I got it for an even lower amount! How awesome is that?!
What's on yours?Wednesday, December 24, 2008
a perfect christmas :)
A Perfect Christmas
by Jose Mari Chan
My idea of a perfect Christmas
Is to spend it with you
In a party or dinner for two
Anywhere would do
Celebrating the yuletide season
Always lights up our lives
Simple pleasures are made special too
When they're shared with you
Looking through some old photographs
Faces of friends we'll always remember
Watching busy shoppers rushing about
In the cool breeze of December
Sparkling lights, all over town
Children's carols in the air
By the Christmas tree
A shower of stardust on your hair
I cant think of a better Christmas
Than my wish coming true
And my wish is that you'd let me spend my whole life with you
My idea of a perfect Christmas is to spend it with you
A Perfect Christmas - Jose Mari Chan
by Jose Mari Chan
My idea of a perfect Christmas
Is to spend it with you
In a party or dinner for two
Anywhere would do
Celebrating the yuletide season
Always lights up our lives
Simple pleasures are made special too
When they're shared with you
Looking through some old photographs
Faces of friends we'll always remember
Watching busy shoppers rushing about
In the cool breeze of December
Sparkling lights, all over town
Children's carols in the air
By the Christmas tree
A shower of stardust on your hair
I cant think of a better Christmas
Than my wish coming true
And my wish is that you'd let me spend my whole life with you
My idea of a perfect Christmas is to spend it with you
A Perfect Christmas - Jose Mari Chan
from me to you
you are loved, cherished, and blessed!
merry christmas to you and your family!
love,
the karessness
Christmas In Our Hearts - Jose Mari Chan
merry christmas to you and your family!
love,
the karessness
Christmas In Our Hearts - Jose Mari Chan
Monday, December 22, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
.
this is a short story of sorts i wrote back in college.
======
She came there often. There wasn't any need for corny come-ons or pick-up lines, because she was always there.
In the first place, everything about her didn't sum up to what she was supposed to be like. She seemed brutish and bitter, much like the coffee she drank on her mug. Never smiling, a figure in dark, a permanent scowl attached on her delicate features.
Her coffee had no cream nor sugar. She never flinched at the first instance her lips would touch the brim, no matter how steaming hot it was, or how vile I imagined it would be.
I'm a cream-and-sugar person myself, but then again I'm more open to variation. My tastes vary, depending on my mood.
She wasn't like that, unfortunately. Just sticking to a particular brew. The routine-ness of it all, if you can call it that, got my curiosity piqued.
I stood behind her in line once. Trying to get as close as possible. Trying to hear a voice to attach to the person, asking for that one and only order. I tried to quickly memorize what she wanted. I do have a selective memory after all.
When it was my turn, I got a double espresso. It did not slow my heart one bit.
I tried her drink one day while she wasn't there. I put it near my lips the way she did it, without blowing the steam away. Not only did the brew successfully scald my tongue, it tasted so acrid I had to get water to wash the taste out of my mouth. It was something I had to get used to.
One day, I arrived to see her sipping a frap. She seemed happier with the change. Before my mind could completely register what was happening, before I could make theories and presumptions, before I could ask why, she was bouncing and beaming on that pair of taller, darker, and stronger arms who could push the entrance door without difficulty or aid from the security guard.
I don't think I'll order her drink again.
======
She came there often. There wasn't any need for corny come-ons or pick-up lines, because she was always there.
In the first place, everything about her didn't sum up to what she was supposed to be like. She seemed brutish and bitter, much like the coffee she drank on her mug. Never smiling, a figure in dark, a permanent scowl attached on her delicate features.
Her coffee had no cream nor sugar. She never flinched at the first instance her lips would touch the brim, no matter how steaming hot it was, or how vile I imagined it would be.
I'm a cream-and-sugar person myself, but then again I'm more open to variation. My tastes vary, depending on my mood.
She wasn't like that, unfortunately. Just sticking to a particular brew. The routine-ness of it all, if you can call it that, got my curiosity piqued.
I stood behind her in line once. Trying to get as close as possible. Trying to hear a voice to attach to the person, asking for that one and only order. I tried to quickly memorize what she wanted. I do have a selective memory after all.
When it was my turn, I got a double espresso. It did not slow my heart one bit.
I tried her drink one day while she wasn't there. I put it near my lips the way she did it, without blowing the steam away. Not only did the brew successfully scald my tongue, it tasted so acrid I had to get water to wash the taste out of my mouth. It was something I had to get used to.
One day, I arrived to see her sipping a frap. She seemed happier with the change. Before my mind could completely register what was happening, before I could make theories and presumptions, before I could ask why, she was bouncing and beaming on that pair of taller, darker, and stronger arms who could push the entrance door without difficulty or aid from the security guard.
I don't think I'll order her drink again.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
kreeesmas weesleees (edited)
inspired by: Ptr Armin's warm-up question last Friday, a conversation with three pretty girls in a taxi, and Eunice's post. Originally, tatlo lang dapat ito... pero alam naman nating lahat na hindi naman masamang mangarap 
Na wala kaming pasok sa 24, 25, 31, at 1. WOOT!
- books, books, and more books. specifically: Praise Habit: Finding God in Sunsets & Sushi, StrengthsFinder 2.0, Finding God in Unexpected Places, and this reaaaaalllyyyy
gorgeous NIV study bible that's pink and brown and huge na i unfortunately don't have a picture of, but you can see it in the Victory Pio resource center and in OMF. (hint hint) NLT biblea huge hardcover Amplified bible. (i just got me an NLT!!! wheee!! i love rhyming!!)- free hair treatment complete with haircut (i miss having bangs!) and eyebrow threading (well, it counts as hair...facial hair)
- a high-powered black laptop with a built-in webcam, 2.0GH (or higher!) RAM, huge disk space, and built-in altec lansing speakers
- (pahabol na lang 'to) original CD's of: David Crowder*Band's previous albums
Na wala kaming pasok sa 24, 25, 31, at 1. WOOT!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
hodge-podge
1. this is the coldest christmas that i can remember--if you don't count the one i had in baguio a couple years ago. or maybe i just feel colder because the AC at our office is pointed straight at me, for reasons i do not know.
2. down with a sore throat. twas my fault--i drank a very potent mix of instant orange-mango juice and ended up with soreness of throat that couldn't be relieved by gallons of water. had to request to go home early last night because talking, swallowing, laughing, and even burping hurt. (okay maybe i exaggerate on the last part, but you get the idea)
2.5. drinking very watered-down ginger brew. it sooo lacks the kick ginger has, the taste everyone hates. i've grown used to it cos of my dad, who concocts the coolest and most herbal things.
3. a tiny thought--the christmas season usually gives us ten million reasons to complain about things. but a preggy teenager in danger of being ostracized and stoned to death didn't complain. her fiancee, who found out that she was preggy and felt cheated on, didn't complain (well--not at first, at least. but after finding out why she was preggy... that's another story). it may have been awful trafficky in bethlehem, with all the camels and caravans cos of that census thingy, but they never complained. they could only put their baby on an animal's feeding trough, but nobody's really complaining.
let's all have a merry holiday, everyone much is there to be thankful for!
2. down with a sore throat. twas my fault--i drank a very potent mix of instant orange-mango juice and ended up with soreness of throat that couldn't be relieved by gallons of water. had to request to go home early last night because talking, swallowing, laughing, and even burping hurt. (okay maybe i exaggerate on the last part, but you get the idea)
2.5. drinking very watered-down ginger brew. it sooo lacks the kick ginger has, the taste everyone hates.
i've grown used to it cos of my dad, who concocts the coolest and most herbal things.3. a tiny thought--the christmas season usually gives us ten million reasons to complain about things. but a preggy teenager in danger of being ostracized and stoned to death didn't complain. her fiancee, who found out that she was preggy and felt cheated on, didn't complain (well--not at first, at least. but after finding out why she was preggy... that's another story). it may have been awful trafficky in bethlehem, with all the camels and caravans cos of that census thingy, but they never complained. they could only put their baby on an animal's feeding trough, but nobody's really complaining.
let's all have a merry holiday, everyone
much is there to be thankful for!Monday, December 8, 2008
countdown--edited
7 Things I Do On My Spare Time
6 People I Tell First When Something Significant Happens In My Life (excluding immediate family)
5 Artists That I Can Listen To Over and Over Again
4 Words I Can't Help Saying At Least Once A Day
3 Memorable Quotes From People I Actually Know
2 Celebrity Crushes
1 Irrational Fear I've Had Since...Forever
- sleep
- eat
- read
- go online
- write
- listen to music
- hang out with friends
6 People I Tell First When Something Significant Happens In My Life (excluding immediate family)
- iris
- bea
- kitchie
- faith
- hazel
- eca
5 Artists That I Can Listen To Over and Over Again
- david crowder band!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love these guys sobraaaaaa. check them out, they are all over my multiply site (as of late!)
- chris tomlin
- savage garden
- nirvana
- britney spears
4 Words I Can't Help Saying At Least Once A Day
- yay!
- waaaaaaa
- ngee/ngek/ngak
- alam mo ba...
3 Memorable Quotes From People I Actually Know
- "it's not about who's right or wrong. it's about the relationship." ~ armin
- "when you get married--if you get married--make sure to marry someone you'd never regret." ~ my dad (aaaaaaaaaawwwwwwww)
- "wow! prayered answer!" ~ jayfel
2 Celebrity Crushes
- [mark waldrop - david crowder band] actually, david crowder. haha. sige na nga.
- daniel jones - ex-savage garden guitarist (what's with me and musicians? hmmm)
1 Irrational Fear I've Had Since...Forever
- dogs. stray dogs.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
EMO!!! Saturday, December 6, 2008
shepherd musings part 1: the rod
I was browsing thru my Bible when I chanced upon Psalm 23, a Psalm we all know and love. (If you don’t, it starts off with “The Lord is my shepherd.” Now you know.) Incidentally, it was discussed at church a few weeks ago. You can get podcasts for this, too, from here or from here.
I read the Psalm and what struck me was this verse:
(Now if you grew up in the nineties, you would find that the first line of the verse is strikingly similar to Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise.” Oops, this is where Coolio got it from, sorry. But I digress.)
The first thought that popped in my head was, Huh?!? How can the rod comfort me?? I know parents use the rod to discipline their kids when they get out of hand. And me, being the kid that I was, tried to figure out how it was possible. Being whacked at the bottom does not give me comfort.
Then again, if you really think about it…discipline really does give you comfort. Think about it. If your mom grounded you from your Saturd
ay late-night gimiks (whether now or not too long ago ), it just means that she’s more concerned about you pulling your grades up in Chemistry. Or perhaps she doesn’t want you hanging out with friends who ingest certain beverages and burned materials.
In the same way, God disciplines us for our own good. The author of Hebrews writes, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Last I checked in the dictionary, a “harvest” wasn’t measly, minute, miniscule—it meant a lot. A life filled to the overflowing with righteousness meant a life with integrity, honesty, someone grab the thesaurus from me. A life of peace, that’s really nice, besides it already speaks for itself. Boundaries ensure us a delightful inheritance, another Psalm says. I don’t know about you, but I like the sound of that.
All these add up, and you get the sum of—ehem—comfort.
Yes, we all want these things. It’s the “later on” part that kinda gets to you, huh? I am 101% sure, though, that in due time the patience and persistence to endure the discipline will pay off.
Discipline may suck big time in the here and the now. We may sulk, whine, and complain for missing out on all the “fun.” But it gives us a LOT to be thankful for in the end.
I read the Psalm and what struck me was this verse:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and staff, they comfort me.
(Now if you grew up in the nineties, you would find that the first line of the verse is strikingly similar to Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise.” Oops, this is where Coolio got it from, sorry. But I digress.)
The first thought that popped in my head was, Huh?!? How can the rod comfort me?? I know parents use the rod to discipline their kids when they get out of hand. And me, being the kid that I was, tried to figure out how it was possible. Being whacked at the bottom does not give me comfort.
Then again, if you really think about it…discipline really does give you comfort. Think about it. If your mom grounded you from your Saturd
ay late-night gimiks (whether now or not too long ago ), it just means that she’s more concerned about you pulling your grades up in Chemistry. Or perhaps she doesn’t want you hanging out with friends who ingest certain beverages and burned materials.In the same way, God disciplines us for our own good. The author of Hebrews writes, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Last I checked in the dictionary, a “harvest” wasn’t measly, minute, miniscule—it meant a lot. A life filled to the overflowing with righteousness meant a life with integrity, honesty, someone grab the thesaurus from me. A life of peace, that’s really nice, besides it already speaks for itself. Boundaries ensure us a delightful inheritance, another Psalm says. I don’t know about you, but I like the sound of that.
All these add up, and you get the sum of—ehem—comfort.
Yes, we all want these things. It’s the “later on” part that kinda gets to you, huh? I am 101% sure, though, that in due time the patience and persistence to endure the discipline will pay off.
Discipline may suck big time in the here and the now. We may sulk, whine, and complain for missing out on all the “fun.” But it gives us a LOT to be thankful for in the end.
Friday, December 5, 2008
an observation
we are much more vocal about the things that we dislike than the things we actually like.
what do you think?
what do you think?
Thursday, December 4, 2008
i want to know why..
i want to know whyi never minded calling you a king
If that meant that i could count on you to give me everything
i never thought to ask you
i always thought you knew
it was never my intention to question you
you never minded calling me a child
well, i guess that's how i acted all the while
but you live through every tantrum
you see through every lie
though they seem to be more common
i just wanted to know why oh why
unforgetful you
unforgetful
unforgetful you
so unforgetful
i want to know why
you never minded giving us the stars
then showing us how blind and unaware of you we are
you painted me a picture and showed me how to see
though i just won't behold it unless it pertains to me
unforgetful you
unforgetful
unforgetful you
so unforgetful
i want to know why
unforgetful you, jars of clay
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
THANKFUL
my dad attended the 9AM service at pioneer with me yesterday.
yes. i have been praying for this for two years.
(or more i think.)
"believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved--
you and your household."
- acts 16:31
God answers prayers.
from the littlest to the biggest ones.
from a simple chocolate craving to my family's salvation.
wow. i am just blown away.
i'm trying to be coherent
cos there is so much i want to say.
(true to form, my eyes are getting sweaty)
but i rest in the fact that
God loves me
and he loves my family.
oh, i know, it doesn't end here...
rather, it's just the beginning
thank you, Lord.
yes. i have been praying for this for two years.
(or more i think.)
"believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved--
you and your household."
- acts 16:31
God answers prayers.
from the littlest to the biggest ones.
from a simple chocolate craving to my family's salvation.
wow. i am just blown away.
i'm trying to be coherent
cos there is so much i want to say.
(true to form, my eyes are getting sweaty)
but i rest in the fact that
God loves me
and he loves my family.
oh, i know, it doesn't end here...
rather, it's just the beginning
thank you, Lord.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
three things to be thankful for this year
i missed last night's leadership group @ pio. they were asked the top three things that they were thankful for in 2008. harry blogged about his list here.
i was thinking abt blogging this for a couple days now, but there are just tooooo many things to be thankful for, and narrowing it down to three would be quite a daunting task. somehow i managed. hahaha
so, without further ado...i am thankful for:
1. ...the learning process. this year, i learned--and am still learning--about God, life, love, relationships, myself. it was way different from the things that i learned the past few years. pretty much everything ain't all that it's cracked up to be. i also am learning how to cook, how to bake, how to handle money God's way, how to appreciate children, among other things.
2. ...blessings. and there are so many. as in. there are a lot of them. i repeat myself too much. but yeah. the list would go on if i enumerated them. minsan kasi, akala natin wala, pero meron talaga. right perspective lang. diba?
3. ...being part of the youth ministry. don't know what else to say... haha naks! i think this topic deserves another blog.
so there. the three things that i am thankful for this year.
how about you? what's on your list?
i was thinking abt blogging this for a couple days now, but there are just tooooo many things to be thankful for, and narrowing it down to three would be quite a daunting task. somehow i managed. hahaha
so, without further ado...i am thankful for:
1. ...the learning process. this year, i learned--and am still learning--about God, life, love, relationships, myself. it was way different from the things that i learned the past few years. pretty much everything ain't all that it's cracked up to be.
i also am learning how to cook, how to bake, how to handle money God's way, how to appreciate children, among other things.2. ...blessings. and there are so many. as in. there are a lot of them. i repeat myself too much. but yeah. the list would go on if i enumerated them. minsan kasi, akala natin wala, pero meron talaga. right perspective lang. diba?
3. ...being part of the youth ministry. don't know what else to say... haha naks! i think this topic deserves another blog.
so there. the three things that i am thankful for this year.
how about you? what's on your list?
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
thanksgiving thursday, music, and randomness
today is thanksgiving day in the US, which means no work for me tonight. after three and a half hours of sleep, i've spent the whole morning eating oatmeal, listening to umbrella on repeat, reading blogs, and laughing out loud (at the blogs).
okay, i'm turning off umbrella now. ella ella ella ella...
i'm sure by now you've heard the filipino rendition of this song (payong ayong ayong ayong?) funny but it didn't last quite long as much as i would've liked.
okay. i digressed. i've digressed a lot already. haha. maybe i should go back to sleep.
okay, i'm turning off umbrella now. ella ella ella ella...
i'm sure by now you've heard the filipino rendition of this song (payong ayong ayong ayong?) funny but it didn't last quite long as much as i would've liked.
okay. i digressed. i've digressed a lot already. haha. maybe i should go back to sleep.
Tuna Pasta Remix
Description:
It's still the same Tuna Pasta recipe, but with a slight twist! =)
I borrowed some of the "processes" from Iris, and they are worth trying out for yourself!
Ingredients:
* Half a bag of Safoco twirly vegetable pasta -- or any pasta you'd want, really
* About half a bag of Clara Ole tomato sauce
* About half a bag of Clara Ole Three Cheese spaghetti sauce
* One can of sliced mushrooms, drained
* Two-three cloves of garlic, sliced
* Half an while onion, chopped
* One can of Blue Bay Tuna with vegetable oil
* One teaspoon of butter
* Salt and pepper to taste
* One bag of onion flavored Bread Pan
Directions:
* Boil water. Melt butter in the water. Cook pasta till al dente, and set aside. The butter makes the noodles yummier =)
* Sautee garlic till golden brownish, and add onions. Sautee onions till translucent.
* Add tuna--oil and all--and mushrooms. Cook tuna till most of the oil dries out. Make sure the tuna's still got some moisture in it ha!
* Add the spaghetti sauces and mix well. Let it simmer. Add salt and pepper according to your liking.
* Serve! Munch with Bread Pan
It's still the same Tuna Pasta recipe, but with a slight twist! =)
I borrowed some of the "processes" from Iris, and they are worth trying out for yourself!
Ingredients:
* Half a bag of Safoco twirly vegetable pasta -- or any pasta you'd want, really
* About half a bag of Clara Ole tomato sauce
* About half a bag of Clara Ole Three Cheese spaghetti sauce
* One can of sliced mushrooms, drained
* Two-three cloves of garlic, sliced
* Half an while onion, chopped
* One can of Blue Bay Tuna with vegetable oil
* One teaspoon of butter
* Salt and pepper to taste
* One bag of onion flavored Bread Pan
Directions:
* Boil water. Melt butter in the water. Cook pasta till al dente, and set aside. The butter makes the noodles yummier =)
* Sautee garlic till golden brownish, and add onions. Sautee onions till translucent.
* Add tuna--oil and all--and mushrooms. Cook tuna till most of the oil dries out. Make sure the tuna's still got some moisture in it ha!
* Add the spaghetti sauces and mix well. Let it simmer. Add salt and pepper according to your liking.
* Serve! Munch with Bread Pan
Monday, November 24, 2008
what's your blog personality?
The analysis indicates that the author of http://thekaressness.multiply.com is of the type:
ESFP - The Performers
The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.
Check it out here
Oh, and a little reminder from the site here: writing style on a blog may have little or nothing to do with a person´s self-perceived personality.
thekaressness, tagalized
click here and have a good laugh! i certainly did!
thanks Ms Marie for sharing this!
(check hers out, it's hilarious!)
thanks Ms Marie for sharing this!
(check hers out, it's hilarious!)
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
one reason why gmail rawks
gmail has SNAKE!
oh and the gmail people said they've installed colors and themes already, but i've been checking my inbox settings and the functionality hasn't been installed yet.
i'm excited to have my inbox tickled pink! squee.
oh and the gmail people said they've installed colors and themes already, but i've been checking my inbox settings and the functionality hasn't been installed yet.
i'm excited to have my inbox tickled pink! squee.
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