As I Turn A Year Older

As I turn a year older, I'm thankful ...

... that I have found the Lord in my life.

... for my parents who stood by me through my joys and pains. They defended me when my life took a sudden turn.

... for friends who walked me through a new path when I didn't even know where it'd lead me to. Just the same, we kept each other company.

... for the opportunities that opened up in my life be it at work or in business.

... for new friends who share the same passion as I do.

... for my new found talents.

... for the wisdom that my experiences have taught me.

... for a new life that I have been gifted with.

Life is good. I love this life. No regrets whatsoever. Just living it forward and positively. Happy new year everyone!

New Year's Resolution Anyone?

We're a day away from 2009 and most people are thinking of what their new year's resolution will be. If I were to think of my personal resolutions, it is to ...

... find more time for prayer
... be less of a workhalic in our family business
... enjoy life more
... understand that there is a time for everything
... exercise and be healthier
... manage my finances better

I'll be going to class next year to learn more skills. I will most likely be taking basic photography, clay molding and basic culinary / pastry skills. These should keep me busy in the next 365 days. I'm very excited about my plans and no matter what they say about how the economy will be, I choose to look at the bright side. Life is what we make it!

The Works

At last, I got my much needed salon pampering. After many months of not being able to visit my neighborhood salon, I had my usual mani and pedi, foot spa and hair spa. I must have spent a good 2 hours with my leg stretched out while leafing through different magazines. My nails look daintier now with pink polish. My hair looks healthier as well. This is short of saying that I look more put together now. At least there was an effort to look my best.

Breaking the Monotony

I needed a change of scenery. I've been at home most of the time the past few days and I'm in dire need of retail therapy. With the whole family in tow, we headed to Robinson's Place for a so called break. While it can be relaxing at home, I think at this point it'll be "healthier" to feast my eyes on the latest fashion trends.

Obviously, I need some pampering. With no salon visit the past months and little attention to wardrobe and style, I felt the need to see something new in my closet. I want to see more color. Something queer. A fashion statement. It just had to be unique. After searching every boutique for that interesting piece, I didn't find it.

I'll try my luck in another mall. I'm certain that unique piece is out there just for me.

Lemon Torte

My cake decorating group came to the house. Tita Lou and Tita Karen had lunch at home. Ma prepared a really good Chinese meal that could pass as a lauriat. We updated each other and baked the whole afternoon. Tita Karen taught us how to make a lemon torte. It was easy to do and the recipe was easy to follow.

Basically, the torte was made of meringue and crush walnuts that were baked thinly. The torte was stacked and lemon fillings in between. The sweetness can be reduced but overall, it was good. I'm somehow more used to baking now. There's a lot more to learn. I'm taking it one torte at a time.

Martha's Birthday

Since my high school days, I'd usually be celebrating post-Christmas at Martha's home. Well, Martha was my classmate since nursery and the 26th happens to be her birthday. This year, I was invited to her home where her birthday will be celebrated with family and friends.

A buffet dinner was prepared at the garden. The breeze was chilly and the zen surroundings were calming. Seated by the veranda were Martha's uncles singing old songs (from the 60s?) as one of them strummed the guitar. I was glad to see familiar faces which brought back memories from years past.

Martha will leave tomorrow for London. I will miss her but I'm glad that we were able to spend time with each other. This is what girlfriends do, don't they?

A Christmas Prayer

A Christmas Prayer
by Robert Louis Stevenson

Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

Christmas Mass

For several years now, it has been our family's tradition to hear Mass at Century Park Sheraton. Mass would usually start at 10 AM of December 24. Today was no different. With sleepy heads, we headed to Sheraton.

On the way to Mass, I remembered the painting shown by Fr. Jojo, Retreat Master of my recent Advent Recollection, showing a town filled with people clad in coats and walking on the snow filled streets. What I didn't know was that, on one of the horses was a couple carrying a baby. As it turns out, it was Jesus, Mary and the baby Jesus. It gives me goosebumps whenever I remember the painting. So powerful was the message of how Jesus quietly came into this world and how He made such a huge impact on mankind.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Never Too Late

Pa drove me to work today and it was a quiet ride to Makati. That’s how Pa and I are. Not much chitchat but always there for each other. I brought with me several bags of pastries and decorated cookies for everyone at work. I figured that most people will be on leave by tomorrow and today was a good time for gift giving. I usually give my gifts earlier but with my busy schedule, I just couldn’t get to do it ahead of time.

When I got to the office, I labeled my gift tags and prepared for my team meeting. I finished my rounds past 4 PM and by this time, I was woozy and feeling dehydrated with my stomach flu still acting up every now and then.

Despite the craziness of the season, it remains to be my favorite time of the year.

Getting High with High School Friends

I have never slept for seventeen hours in my whole life! I woke up at 10 AM today but I was in bed at 5 PM yesterday. That was how badly my body needed rest and sleep. No dinner, no breakfast, just sleep. I wasn’t feeling as woozy when I woke up. The chills seemed to have gone away but this time, I had to deal with stomach flu. Sigh.

Somehow, I regained my strength the latter half of the day. I decided to attend the dinner reunion with my high school friends at Spiral. Another holiday buffet and another probable cause of stomach flu. I didn’t try all the food stations and I only ate what seemed to be appealing. Nothing special. Just a smorgasbord of cuisines.

We were around fifteen people seated at a long table and it is usually at this time of the year that we have dinner and catch up on each other’s lives. Some just got married. Some have long been married. Some want to get married. Some have kids. Some act like kids and yet, we all remain the same - classmates from way back meeting up every year to greet each other Merry Christmas. Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!

Time Out

More than a week’s lack of sleep took a toll on my health. I was down with a flu and had chills and cold sweat. Scheduled in my calendar for the evening was a wedding reception of my very good friend Stephen. Needless to say, I wasn’t able to attend and had to apologize for not being able to celebrate with him as much as I wanted to.

My body just gave up on me. With only four to five hours of sleep daily for a week and a hectic schedule for months, this was a clear case of the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak.

My First Wedding

Again, I'm not yet walking down the aisle. Today was my big day and sort of coming out with my very own cake and cupcake tower. Everything had to be ready by mid afternoon. Emotions were running high this morning with me in particular annoyed and disappointed with the little things. This is how I am at work - perfectionist, obsessive compulsive and domineering. I can be other people's worst nightmare when pushed to the wall. Someone with little sleep can be a pain in the a@# and that is exactly how I was the past few days.

I was harping how the cupcakes weren't made to how I wanted it to be. Don't get me wrong. They appeared the way how it should be but I was fussing about the little details - how the snowman wasn't seamlessly "glued" or how the fondant was placed on top of the cupcake. For other people who aren't as OC as I am, the cupcake looks great. My standards are high and it can be quite hard to reach at times. Maybe I'm sweating the small stuff.

Anyway, all's well that ends well. The photos will be posted in Multiply soon. The set up was great. The flowers were lovely. The cake and cupcake tower was a sight to behold. Thank goodness we pulled it off.

Happy Birthday Pa

The family celebrated Pa's birthday earlier since Koc will be flying back to Xiamen on Sunday. We all headed to Heat for a dinner buffet. It was seafood night and each food station had several cuisines we can choose from. As always, I love the dessert bar. A favorite is the teppanyaki ice cream. I paced myself the whole evening so I could try a little of everything.

Pa will be turning 65 on the 22nd. I have always described him to be such a character. People find him hilarious whenever I share a Papa anecdote. He is amusing come to think of it. He really has a way of doing things. He has several habits that annoy me and yet, I subliminally pick them up. I am undeniably my father's daughter.

One Big Step

I received this email from Marissa. I'm keeping it.

There comes a point in your life when you realize:
Who matters
Who never did
Who won't anymore...And who always will.

So, don't worry about people from your past, there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.

I took one big step today to heal. I've deleted several contacts in my Yahoo Messenger . Unfortunately, I will categorize them under those who won't matter anymore. It'll heal me not to see them online nor to be in touch with them one way or another. I wish them well but for now, I'd rather have them out of my life. I will keep an arm's length until such time that I have truly forgiven them for both their deliberate and unintentional betrayal. Things will never be the same again. I don't know until when I will keep my silence but for now, it is goodbye.

The Energizer Bunny

I just kept going and going and going. I cannot even describe how my schedule looks like nowadays. I move like clockwork and I do so many things in a day. I think I’m spreading myself too thinly and there were several times I asked myself if I’m into this for the long haul - if I’ll be able to work and do my craft at the same time. Something has got to give as others put it. I don’t even know where I get my strength every single day but I find a way to live my Energizer charged life.

My social life had to take a backseat. Sleep for one is now a luxury and pampering myself is unheard of. I promised to give time to myself during the long break. I will go shopping, go the salon, meet my friends and enjoy the holidays. After all, this is the season to be jolly (fa la la la la la la la la).

Sometimes

I received this SMS from Lala, my skin specialist.

Sometimes, God breaks our spirit to save our soul.
Sometimes, He breaks our heart to make us whole.
Sometimes, He sends us pain so we can be stronger.
Sometimes, He sends us failure so we can be humble.
Sometimes, He sends us illness so we can take better care of ourselves.
Sometimes, He takes “everything” away from us so we can learn the value of “everything” we have.

End of Retreat for Daily Life

It was my last retreat consultation with Riza yesterday. The fourteen-week program was successful and it renewed me in so many ways. Initially, I was apprehensive with the end of the program. I was hesitant to journey alone but I was quick to remind myself that for most parts of my life, I will have to make decisions on my own (though of course with His guidance). I try not to worry as much knowing that I’m in His hands.

I have several scriptural readings to reflect on, as I was not able to read for a couple of months now. The spiritual challenge is to continue walking this path that I have started to travel. I’ll always be a work in progress and each day is an opportunity to keep things real and to have a retreat in my own little way.

Homecoming

Koc, my brother, flew in today for a short vacation. Since he stays in Xiamen, the two-hour plane ride is manageable and he can arrange for a short vacation (it always ends up to be a working vacation) every so often. I was hoping he’ll be able to stay for Christmas but he has work to attend to. Besides, China doesn’t celebrate Christmas and they won’t be getting any holidays except for New Year.

It’s a good thing that he has more time to spend with us now considering that his previous vacations were all spent entertaining business associates. I’m hoping he’ll be home for Chinese New Year. Marissa, my other sister, might be in town for a vacation as well. I would be glad to see my family complete.

My SM Family

Many many years ago, I used to do my rounds at different SM Malls to check on my accounts. It was in SM that I first started my career and I was a fresh graduate then. My stay with them was albeit short (close to a year) but I made several good friends there. I was enrolled in a language university and I had to stay in Beijing for a year.

I did my rounds today at the newly opened SM Mall in Baliwag, Bulacan and it was nice to see familiar faces after so long. I’m back to where I started though it’s with a different company this time. Tomorrow I’m headed to the opening of SM North Edsa Annex.

A Banker’s Get Together

I was invited to a Christmas get together among different banks. I went together with my staff and other colleagues and I was welcomed by the head of the system network. I quietly sat in one of the tables and observed the people around me. This is a new territory for me and yet I strangely felt at home.

I remember not wanting to be a banker when I first graduated from college. I thought that banking was boring and very traditional. Surprisingly, I’m enjoying my job now and the people are great. It’s challenging and I like how it keeps me on my toes. Life is full of surprises and wild cards. It’s a matter of playing your cards right.

Christmas Stockings

It’s ironic how I’m able to prepare for other people’s Christmas gifts but I’m unable to attend to my own list. Despite my busyness, I’m happy that our goodies are part of so many homes and how opening our pastries bring joy to people who I do not even know. It is a happy realization isn’t it?

The past few days, I received an order for a hundred Christmas stockings designer cookies and it was fun decorating each one. Our client was happy to receive our custom made cookies and I feel a sense of achievement from this alone.

I have been lacking sleep and physically tired the past weeks (I should say months) but nevertheless, Christmas is indeed here. The hustle and bustle is right at my home.

The Women Who Knead

I was one of the nosiest students Tita Leni had in cake decorating class. I think I could even vie for the nosiest student in their culinary studio. I’m not sure if I should be proud of it but I’m sure they miss me there. :-D Before classes ended, I’ve been relentlessly teasing Tita that we have a Christmas party at her Forbes Park residence and yesterday we did. It was very gracious of her to host the party and my family was in full attendance. Ma and Orie were also students of Tita.

Tita’s house was elegant and I love her interiors and how every room was nicely decorated for Christmas. She has a cute little dog named Patches who was very playful and energetic. Patches would prod me to play ball with him and I was already catching my breath and yet he was still high and playful.

It was time for lunch and we all stayed at the dining area. The long rectangular dining table was elaborately set with silverware and fine china. We were motioned where each one will be seated and we took our turns to the buffet table. In attendance also were Tita Peachy, Tita Karen, Tita Lou and Tita Leni’s students from sausage making class. It was a fun group with very good home cooked food. I love the pansit and fried lumpiang ubod. Really excellent cooking.

All the Titas that I mentioned are all moms in their 40s (except for Tita Leni who is in her late 60s) and they’re my good friends. We had lunch once during Tita Karen’s birthday at Cyma and all of us text or call each other regularly mostly to share tips about our craft. We are bonded by our passion and interest in pastry and cake decorating. We will be having our own baking session at my home after Christmas. We agreed to meet and try different recipes. I look forward to this. I’m actually excited about it. I think Tita Leni is coming along too. :-)

A woman who kneads is a friend in deed.

Advent Recollection

The Retreat for Daily Life is about to end. I only have one more consultation with Riza this coming week and the program ends with that. Fourteen weeks passed by so fast. Today, I had a half-day advent recollection at Ateneo to officially end the program. I was both sad and happy at the same time - sad because I won’t be seeing Riza on a weekly basis and to a certain extent I am anxious as I don’t know if my walk will be the same when I’m already alone; happy because I have begun my spiritual journey and I met wonderful people with this group. I also realized that I am happy where He has led me. I remember commencing the program with pain and heartaches. There were tears, confusion and the stream of mixed emotions but all’s well that ends well.

The recollection master Fr. Jojo was an excellent one. He gave three simple points about God’s presence. It is that His presence is surprising, overwhelming and consoling. I totally agree. In the midst of my busy schedule, He makes His presence felt in many different ways. He throws a wild card just when I thought things are going well. Many times, I refuse to deal with His wild cards but He always has His way.

Had I known I’d end up in a better place now, in retrospect, I shouldn’t have cried as much. I should have trusted more. I should have increased my faith but no regrets. It’s all part of the walk with Him. O:-)

New Character Cupcake and Cake Designs

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Enjoy! Delicioso. Here's a sneak peek to stir your cravings.

Answered Prayers

Moving to Makati has got me “exercising” during the mornings and evenings. My commute demands that I go up and down a plight of stairs and to walk a certain distance. It ain’t bad at all. I’m an absentee from Fitness First for several months now and the daily commute is just what I need. A few weeks back, I saw an article about Christmas gift suggestions and one item that caught my attention was the pedometer. I wonder if I could even walk 10,000 steps a day. Maybe I just could. On certain days, I walk in my ballerina flats. This makes my walk more comfortable. I figured I have to be kinder to my back and legs. You see, I’m not getting any younger. Though the commute was initially such a hassle, I now appreciate it.

For more than a week now, my prayer time has changed with no set time for me to be still and reflect. I used to pray the rosary on my way to work when I was still based in Ortigas and the one hour commute had me sitting down the whole time. It was the perfect arrangement. However, with my commute to Makati, it’s just not the same. I’ve been wondering how I could pray with this setup. I need to. Well, my prayer was answered today. I bumped into a colleague of mine and we had a chit chat and she mentioned in passing that she’ll be going to Mass by noon time. How could I forget that there was a chapel at the opposite wing. Riza, my retreat guide, mentioned it to me before. So today, I went to Mass. I don’t usually go to Mass on weekdays but today I just did and you know what? I like the calm that it gave me. It’s pure serenity.

My First Christmas Gift

When I got home, I saw gifts with greeting cards on the living room. As it turns out, Marissa’s (my sister based in San Francisco) package arrived today. I was hoping that everything would be intact. She informed me that she placed angpao inside the greeting cards and had these sent via LBC. Uh oh. That got me alarmed. Anyway, it was a blessing that her gifts arrived safely.

Shobe, (that’s how I call Marissa) sent me a greeting card and gifts. I was surprised to see a $100 bill inside my greeting card and that wasn’t enough. Separately, I had 2 gifts from her as well. A set of fashionable key holder and a set of metallic canisters for my brick a bracks. I was happy to receive these well thought of presents but at the same time, I was sad that for the 2nd straight year, shobe wasn’t around to celebrate Christmas with us. I felt I miss having her around. I guess that’s just the way it is when all siblings are all grown up and we have our own choices in life. Shobe will be home in February for a visit. I wish Koc will be home too so we can have a family reunion.

Makati Girl’s First Day

I love Makati because of shopping on weekends but wait till you see this business district on a weekday. It’s terrible! My usual commute to Ortigas takes me an hour and I’m comfortably seated the whole time but Makati?! I have to allocate an hour and a half for the commute if I will take the LRT. I was late for work and it’s my first day at Makati. Most of the people at work were late as well.

When I got to the office, the air conditioning unit was not turned on and it was oven hot. It was a pleasant surprise though when I saw my office. I saw my name posted on the closed door and I enthusiastically opened it. Right before me was the view of Makati’s skyline and I had a bird’s eye view of the poolside of Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The floor was carpeted and the room smelled of wood and I had a coffee table with 3 cushioned chairs in the middle of my office. It was a wonderful sight and a welcome change. I can now experience the privacy of talking with colleagues and focusing on tasks that had to be accomplished minus the disruptions. How I love it.

Despite the traffic, I’m happy to enjoy the peace and quiet that I need. This is my sanctuary.

On the First Day of Christmas

It’s the first day of December and our household is filled with so many activities. So much had to be done as we are as usual expecting the stream of orders for Ma’s pastries. I was luckily able to pace myself over the weekend. I finally found the time to watch TV and I consider this a luxury. For me to idly stay in bed and relax, this is such a rare opportunity for me.

I spent the day decorating cupcakes and working on the product shoots with Orie. I was hoping we’ll finish early but unfortunately, we didn’t. We have so far worked on 5 themed cupcakes and all of them are waiting to be uploaded. It’s a lot of work not because it’s complicated to do so but because we have limited time.

I think I’ll be able to pick up more and more of the Christmas spirit in the coming days.

Saturday at Shang

As I said, Makati is my favorite place on earth. I got to try two restaurants in Makati Shangri-la today. Firstly, I had lunch at Inagiku with my former boss. They have excellent Japanese buffet and I love the fresh salmon sashimi and sea urchin. Yum! I’ve always loved Japanese food for it’s simple presentation and taste. I was comfortably seated near the couch before 12 NN and was taking my time to relax and enjoy the great ambience. This lunch was meant to be my treat to my former boss who assisted me with my present post. The conversation was such a happy one that we didn’t notice that we ended lunch at 4 PM. We had so many stories to share and it was a pleasant get together. When I left her company eight years ago, I didn’t have the slightest idea that I’ll be back with the same group of companies. I’m very thankful that we have a good working relationship and I can say that she has become my friend as well.

With lunch ending at 4 PM, I had 3 hours to kill before my 7 PM birthday dinner for Ma. I went around Powerbooks and I finally got the book I ordered! Yipee! The book was three weeks in the making and it was worth the wait. Three hours went by so fast that I had to rush back to Makati Shangri-la and this time, I was in Red. It’s a fine dining restaurant that offers intercontinental food. All I can say is that the food presentation was good. Ambience was good too but I wasn’t too happy with the service. For an upscale restaurant, the servants weren’t that attentive to our needs. I had to ask for a water refill thrice and for the bill twice. Since I didn’t want to spoil Ma’s birthday dinner, I let it all go. By the time we finished dinner, I was sleepy and didn’t have much energy to even watch a movie. Oh well, maybe next time.

The Big Move

The packing started a week ago. Everybody in the office was busy sorting out his or her files. One was shredding documents for one whole day while the others were securely taping boxes strewn all over their workstations. Today is the big move.

I have temporarily been holding office here in Ortigas for almost a month now. Ortigas has been home to me the past four (4) years and the move to Makati is a welcome change. I’ve never held office in Makati but this place is home to me with my favorite place on earth being there – Greenbelt. I like Ortigas since it’s convenient to hop from one mall to another. Podium is very accessible and Megamall is a stone’s throw away. If I walk a little further, Shangri-la is just right by the corner. I usually have get together dinners around the area and I’ll miss being around this place.

It has been one change after the other for me and the physical transfer of my office is a part of my transition. Ortigas holds so many memories for me but that is all there is - memories. I’m happy to leave it at that. Initially, it was difficult for me seeing a place I don’t want to even remember but as weeks went on, I figured out why I’m strategically situated where I am. It was to validate certain feelings and most importantly to heal.

Things are growing on me. I’m slowly getting accustomed to my new life and I know I’ll never go back to the way I was. It is by choice that I handle my life this way. Lines have been drawn and I feel perfectly fine with it.

Grumpy and Grumpier

Zombie. That’s how I am the past few weeks. I usually go to bed around 12 MN to 1 AM. I need an average of eight (8) hours of sleep to feel fully recharged. Anything less than that, I’m most likely to throw a dagger look at people who have the guts to get my ire. I know I’m getting grumpier and grumpier by the day and I can get pretty feisty and impatient. Case in point.

Orie asked Ca, one of our house help to bring down the accessories of the mixer. After realizing that she doesn’t need it, she called the maid’s quarters through the intercom to inform Ca. It was Irene, another house help who I’ve been feeling iffy with, who picked up the phone and assured Orie that she will relay the message. After a few minutes, Ca goes down to our room and brought all the accessories.

Orie: Ca, sorry. Di ko na kailangan mga yan.
Ca: Ah ganun ba?
Orie: Di ba sinabi sa yo ni Irene?
Ca: Hindi.
me (out of nowhere): Sabihin mo kay Irene, bruha sya! Bruha!

Then Ca went back upstairs. Orie had this look on her face and said “Atchie (ate), ngayon lang nakita narinig magsabi ng bruha.” (me talking to myself: Well, ako rin! Hmp!)

My evening was cut short. Ma advised me to go to bed early and get my much needed sleep. I think she somehow foresaw I am most likely to strangle someone. :-D

Thoughts on the Coming Christmas Season

I love giving presents and for the people I love, it has to be very well thought of. Setting foot in the mall to shop for gifts is something I have been hoping to do but then again, is this something I even want to do together with other hurried Christmas shoppers? I usually patronize my own by giving out Ma’s pastries as my presents. This year, I’m thinking of giving my own personalized designer cookies. I will definitely make time for this and with December 24 being the last banking day of the year, I need to squeeze in my gifts with all the incoming orders.

December is also a celebration month for most members of my family. Four out of six celebrate their birthdays on this month. Ma’s birthday is on the 2nd, Pa on the 22nd, Marissa on the 24th and I on the 31st. It can be quite lonely that Marissa and Koc are not around and it’ll be our 2nd Christmas with the two of them abroad. I place great importance on my family time and each of their birthdays has to be celebrated.

I haven’t thought of how I’ll celebrate my birthday this year. I usually have group dinners at home or outside for several years now. However, things have changed the past years. I prefer my celebration to be quiet and really intimate with only a few close friends singing Happy Birthday with me. I see having a pre-birthday dinner at a restaurant I haven’t tried. Nothing fancy. No violins. There’s good food. Great ambience and a lot of laughter. Just me sharing stories with very good friends and my family. Thinking about this really warms my heart.

The Quest for Balance

Work life balance is something most people aspire for. I don’t claim to be an expert in this area but I try to balance out my scale. Admittedly, it’s difficult. I’m struggling. I’m trying to pace and make it sane for myself and the people around me. There is so much to be done with so little time in a day.

Most people think that running a business is easy. Believe me it’s not. The time and energy spent is far more than what I give at work. The work doesn’t end when I clock out of work. It goes beyond work hours and it stretches even during weekends. I’m used to having two days off a week to relax and enjoy my so-called life. For several months now, I haven’t had the chance to do so. There are several indications of how packed my schedule is. Maybe I’m too tough on myself. I think I am. I’m being such a Capricorn. Driven. So driven I’m driving myself bonkers.

1. I haven’t watched my favorite TV shows for a loooong time. I consider myself lucky if I’m able to do so.
2. It’s only lately that I’ve started to read the newspaper. I was out of national loop for months! I take it upon myself to read. My job calls for it and I can’t afford to not be in the know. Besides, it pays to know the current events.
3. I haven’t opened my Bible for more than a month but I do pray in my own quiet time. Home is no longer a conducive place to pray because I’m hyper-activated with the things I have to do.
4. My reading time is when I’m in the bathroom. I used to spend an hour to two to read a book on my favorite lounging chair. The bathroom has always been my sanctuary and it still is. It is there where my brilliant ideas pop out of nowhere.
5. I get power naps on my way to work and on my way home.

When I start to sound as if I’m complaining, I constantly remind myself that these are things I have prayed for. I’m thankful for all that I have been blessed with and it would be too much to even complain to enjoy the best of both having work and managing a business. I just need to manage myself well lest I become a curse to the people around me.

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Slimming Massage

Rose came over the house together with her sister last night. She has been my home service massage therapist for many months now. As I comfortably positioned myself in bed for my usual one-hour massage, she asked me something.

Rose: Mam, gusto mong mag try ng bago naming massage?
Me: Ano yun?
Rose: Slimming massage.
Me: Rose, bakit mo ako inaalok nyan? Sa malamang di mo inalok si Mama at si Orie nyan dahil payat na sila. Talagang ako pa ang naisip mo ano? Kung si Orie ang minassage mo, baka buto na lang sya pagkatapos.
Rose: Baka gusto mong sumubok. Bago lang to. Nung Monday lang kami nagsimula.
Me: Eh magkano naman to?
Rose: Php 700.
Me: Sige sa susunod ta-try ko. (My usual massage only cost me Php 250 so I was hesitant to shell out Php 450 more.)
Rose: Mam, wag mo na lang banggitin sa iba pero sa yo Php 500 na lang.
Me: Ok sige. Try ko na nga ngayon. (Eh di bumigay din ako.)

So while Rose was vigorously scrubbing me with lotion with beads (it felt more like a body scrub routine than a slimming massage), she explained that this massage can be done weekly and is suitable for people with cellulite. (Do I look like one big blob of cellulite?)

The slimming massage was good for an hour and a half. All I wanted to do after the massage was fall asleep. I was quite happy with the service. I haven’t had a body scrub in months and this was a good one. Not that I don’t scrub myself while I take a bath daily but I usually have a scrub to even out my skin tone. That’s how vain I can get.

I had a good laugh tonight. I’m not really too conscious of my weight. I’ve always been on the round side and I’m perfectly A-OK with that. Love your body. I love mine.

Character Cupcakes

As I have committed to come out with new concepts in our Multiply site every 2 weeks, I’ve been successful at it. Orie and I have been preparing the whole week for our three new concepts. I had to surf through different images and have my chosen characters printed. The preparation for each new project takes a week or so but it is nevertheless fun and exciting each and every time.

We started icing the cupcakes around 8 PM and we finished the product shoot past 12 MN. We were able to finish two themes – Dora the Explorer and Disney’s Cars. The photos were amazing. The styling was great. Orie is getting better and better with her concepts and I’m really proud of her.

We’ll be posting the photos next week together with our Kung Fu Panda cupcakes. I saw the photos of this theme and I was in awe. The oriental background and styling was really something. Can’t wait to see them posted online.

Coming Out Concert

I was out again tonight with another set of friends. It was a fundraising concert where one of my very good friends sang on stage. Let’s call her H. It was some sort of her coming out. Not that H was in between thus the coming out. It’s not a Birdcage type of concert with three drag queens on stage singing Diana Ross’ I’m Coming Out. It was H’s first time in many years to be back on stage. The venue was packed and there were people even outside of the bistro. The concert was that successful. I was happy to see my friend pursue her dreams. She has long wanted to nurture her creative side and it she has been trying out different things just so she gets a feel of where she truly belonged.

H was a picture of joy and she is slowly changing course. At this point in her life, she needs to be around people who understand her language and the concert was a good start. I haven’t been in touch with H as I used to but the friendship remains the same. We always pick up where we left. The day ended with a dinner at Trellis and as always, I’m in the company of good friends.

Earthquake Drill

I found myself listening to one of the craziest things someone would do. I was happily seated in the company of high school friends and it has been sometime since the five of us got together over dinner. We were recalling the funniest moments we had back in St. Jude when Delwyn said that I did something hilarious right in the midst of an earthquake drill. Me? What? Earthquake drill? I’m such an angel to even think of something devious to do. I couldn’t quite remember whatever this thing was that I did but I had a feeling I probably did. Here was Delwyn’s recollection of that eventful day.

Back in 2nd year high school, we had an earthquake drill and all the students from the old building had to evacuate to the new building. So you can just imagine students supposedly storming out of their classrooms seeking safety. But no. It didn’t exactly happen that way. When the head teacher signaled the start of the earthquake drill, the students leisurely walked out of the classrooms. There was no sense of urgency at all. Nobody took the exercise seriously. Ms. Dulce, our PE teacher dressed us down and hollered that if it were a real earthquake, we could have died right there and then. Ok ok. Point taken. To cut the long story short, we had to go through another drill and this time with feelings. Now, brace yourself for what I supposedly did. Well according to Delwyn, I was one of the first people to storm out of the classroom screaming at the top of my lungs running like crazy. I go “Really? Ginawa ko ba yun?! Wala akong maalala.” Hmm, I did some recalling and I think I did.

I think it’s very likely of me to do something like this. I agree. This was I.

The Christmas Wedding

It's not me who's getting married anytime soon. Ma will actually be a ninang this coming December and her gift will be the wedding favors and what else? Cupcakes and cake. I was tasked to take charge of the decorating and it's keeping me on my toes. It wasn't that difficult choosing a design that had a Christmas theme. I have the perfect design in mind. It's simple and it'll have lots of red. The wedding reception will be on the 20th of December and I'm preparing for it. I'm still figuring out how to juggle my work and craft but I'm sure I'll find a way.

I'm very excited about this event. It's very timely that this wedding is happening during the most wonderful time of the year.

Dinners with Friends

Now that I have more time, I'm able to meet with friends over dinner. Yesterday, I met with Sheilla and we both enjoyed the Roti Kanai at Banana Leaf. It was finger licking good. I enjoyed my three-hour conversation with her and we even went to a Christmas store afterwards. I was feasting my eyes on decors that adorned Christmas tress of different kinds. How lovely to look at. It was relaxing.

This coming Thursday, I'm meeting my high school friends this time. We'll be a group of six and it has been some time since we last got together. I do have different sets of friends. I have my high school friends, college friends, Beijing friends, work friends and lately, my cake decorating friends. I wonder what group I'll be able to form in the future. Certainly, there will be a new one. I can be such a Ms. Congeniality.

A Disconnected Life

It's been a couple of weeks now and still I'm not yet virtually connected at work. It'll happen ... soon. I don't really mind at all. I'm taking my time to read through manuals, individually meet with my staff and learn the ropes of the business. It gives me a lot of freedom not to be hooked up on the net. If ever I do get my inbox and internet access available, I won't have any connection to Yahoo Messenger either. Again I don't mind. I'm actually able to focus more at work this way. No distractions at all. Zero.

I like where I work now. I can balance my life. I get off work at 5:30 PM and by 7:00 PM, I'm at home. This life is growing on me. I'm happy. I'm satisfied and I'm thankful.

Child At Heart

I found my way into business that deals with children. Initially, I had difficulty thinking like a kid. My designs have always been into intricate and fancy ones like paisleys. It was hard for me to think in terms of what designs would appeal most to children. However lately, I've been looking into things that children love like Hannah Montana, High School Musical and Disney characters. Oh how I enjoyed browsing through different Disney character cliparts! It brought back so many childhood memories that I have somehow kept in the recesses of my memory. I remember watching all Disney movies when I was young. One of my favorites was Cinderella. I'd always hum along when Fairy Godmother transforms Cinderella from a tattered lady to a beautiful princess.

I'm composing this blog while I'm surfing through the net. I'm working on a project this coming weekend for new designs to be posted in Sweet Success' Multiply site. Orie and I have agreed that we'll be working on new designs every two (2) weeks so we always have something new to offer to clients. It keeps me on my toes and I always have something to look forward to. I have a very strong need to bring out my creativity regularly.

So much has changed in how kiddie parties are being done. Kids nowadays have theme parties. They're like mini versions of debut parties. I was shocked to know that even the characters have evolved. I wasn't aware that Disney Princesses now have baby versions. Yes you read it right. There are Disney Baby Princesses! I also didn't know that Strawberry Shortcake now had friends. Even her outfit has changed. Oh well, I must have been gone for a long long time but now I'm back. I'll never be too old to be a child at heart.

Snippets of My Retreat in Daily Life

The past three (3) weeks have taken me to a wonderful spiritual journey. I’m grateful I had the time to think things through and realize why things had to happen a certain way. I have somehow gone full circle and it is amazing. I’m happy! :-) I realized that …

1. I have to learn to trust God that He will take me where I am needed. When I realize where I am today, I’m very happy with where He has taken me. Life is fluid, free flowing and spontaneous. I’ve learned how to ride the waves and surf through tough waters and yet enjoy the sun and the feel of sand on my feet.

2. My prayers were much unstructured and yet I feel just as loved, guided and blessed. I wasn’t able to follow the assigned scriptural readings and yet I strongly feel the presence of the Lord. I don’t even feel guilty about missing out on some assigned readings. I can experience my journey the way I want it to be.

3. I can experience God in ways I never thought I would. It’s not just in prayer.

4. Just when I was about to lose my footing with all the things happening around me, I always get a gasp of second wind that takes me to the finish line.

5. Keeping my life real was one of my toughest challenges. I’m glad to say I’m doing it every single day.

6. I have new found friends and it brings me joy to share my life with people who share the same passion as I do. I have lost people who I thought were my “friends” and now that I look back, I’m better off with those “friends”. There are wounds to be healed and I know I’m healing well.

7. Though I encountered moments of dryness in my prayer, I found a way to have a conversation with Him. I pray on my way to work, lunch break and on my way home. Prayer need not be structured. It is spontaneous.

8. Now that I’m back to work, I strive to balance my professional and personal life. There were moments I was tempted to bring home work but I chose to protect my personal time.

9. I only have simple dreams and I do not wish to be placed on a pedestal. No matter what people say, they are entitled to it and so am I.

10. Life is good. Learn from the past, enjoy the present and don’t worry about the future.

A Wonderful SMS

I received this wonderful SMS this morning. I saved it in my cellphone's folder. Very inspiring indeed.

I asked God, "How do I get the best out of life?"
God answered.
"Face your past without regret, handle your present with confidence, prepare for the future without fear."
Then He added, "Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and never doubt your beliefs."
Life is wonderful if you know how to live and live in full with the Lord.

All Organic Hair Care

I've been in search for the perfect shampoo and conditioner. My scalp is very sensitive and my hair is fine and wavy. For a couple of years now, my hair has gone through chemical abuses with non stop perming and coloring. It did take its toll and it was only when I had a haircut recently that my hair started to look healthier.

I've tried Kerastase and I like it. However, it's very pricey. A shampoo and conditioner would cost me Php 2,000 or more. It strains my wallet so an occasional Kerastase treatment at home is fine. Last Monday, I got my own bottle of Leyende's Clean and Present Shampoo with tea tree extract and Taming of the 'Do Olive Butter Conditioner. I tried it this morning and my hair was really soft and my scalp didn't even itch a single bit. I love it! I must have found the right one for me (not a man but a shampoo and conditioner). The 280 ml shampoo costs Php 450 while the 280 ml conditioner is also priced the same. These are all organic hair care products.

For those interested to buy, call Dang at 0917-5286397. You can also view Dang's Multiply site at www.allorganic.multiply.com. She also sells other skin care products and you'd be able to view these in the website.

Cupcakes Galore

We had a product shoot the other night at home. Orie and I had to finish decorating and prepping up a bunch of cupcakes. We finished past 12 midnight but it was all worth it. The photos have been uploaded to our new album at http://www.sweetsuccess888.multiply.com/. Check it out and enjoy! I'm posting a few shots for a sneak peak of what you can expect in our site. Place your orders now. These pastries are perfect Christmas gifts!

Go Forth and Multiply

I cannot explain how amaze I am with the power of the internet. Since Sweet Success joined Multiply (www.sweetsuccess888.multiply.com), we have been in touch with several people whether via email or phone and these are strangers who ask for quotations or those who want to tie up with us. We receive compliments from strangers who appreciate our works of art. Thank you! From the bottom of my heart, I'm very thankful to be connected with people who share the same passion as I do. It is very encouraging.

It helps that each member of my family are such great team players. Each one has his / her own expertise and we work well together. Pa - marketing, Ma - operations, me - cake / cookie designing, marketing and operations, Marissa - direct marketing and collateral designs, Koc - marketing and Orie - cookie designing, food styling and photography. Orie was also the one who set up the Multiply site. We synergize as a family and it's fun. We discuss business matters as a family and we deliberate on ideas and concepts. It just all fell into place.

Carpe Diem

I have troubles lately seizing the moment. I want so much out of my life that I zero in on something thinking that it should be the direction that I should be taking. As it turns out, life doesn't work out that way. It never does. I've been daydreaming for a week now of the kind of life that I want and I texted Ma of how I felt about things. She advised me to seize the moment. Here I am again, wandering in the realms of my mind and not going with the flow. Ma must have been scratching her head wanting to spank her stubborn daughter on the butt.

For a while, I've been thinking of who I want to be and disregarding where I am at this very very moment. However, I realize that I've prayed for these things that are happening in my life now. It is ungrateful of me to even complain of what others consider as a beautiful blessing.

So today, I resolved to embrace the entirety of life - the good and the bad, the ups and the downs. I went home today happy because I've learned to seize the moment. I'm so blessed that my life took a wonderful turn when I didn't expect it to.

Passion

I don't know where I get my energy these days. I juggle so many things at work and at home. I stay at the office till 5:30 PM and I usually reach home around 7 PM. When I get home, I hardly watch TV. I go straight in front of the computer and co-manage Ma's pastry business. It can be tough. I go to bed around 11 PM (this is even considered early) and the latest would be at past 1 in the morning.

I try to be in bed at 10 so I get 8 hours of sleep but I always end up doing more. I guess this is what passion is all about. I love what I do and no matter how tired I am, it still makes me happy. Find your passion in life. It springs your spirit forward.

Sweating the Small Stuff

Despite my work schedule, I managed to enrol myself in Maya Kitchen's one day course. Chef Maria Mercedes Camacho demonstrated how to prepare Petit Fours. Petit Fours are bite size pastries. It literally means small oven. I was even late for class for a few minutes as I came from my morning appointment.

I love details and needless to say, I'm drawn to small cakes as well. I find them really cute and lovely to look at. I had a eureka moment during class and I figured what to product test in the next coming months. I'll keep everyone in suspense but definitely, something is in the pipeline for Sweet Success!

So for this afternoon, I learned to bake French Macarons, Pili Nut Praline with Buttercream, Traditional Petit Fours with Cashew Nut Sponge, Mango Jam Layers topped with Cashew Marzipan and Poured Fondant and Marzipan Moulded Decoration and White Chocolate Filigree designs, Quezo Chiffon Cupcakes with Vanilla Butter Frosting, Petite Black Bottom Cupcakes, Petite Coconatura/Low Sugar Apple Pie and Miniature 3-tier Layered Maya Brownies.

I wish I have more time in a day to do all these things. Who says that it's a waste of time to sweat the small stuff? Not me. :-)

Pure Joy

Today was a normal day but was what different was the kind of happiness that I kept within me. I am happy about the things happening in my life no matter how insignificant it may seem to others. It gives me pure joy today that ...

• I was able to accomplish something I've long wanted to do. Accomplishing it doesn't mean that I've reached my final destination. I haven't. I'm just a step closer to where I want to be.
• I met one of my best friends today. Albeit for only less than an hour, I was happy to be with a true friend at the end of the working day.
• My family's marketing efforts are reaping fruits. We've been receiving product inquiries from people we don't know.
• I had the time to respond to emails to family and friends.
• I was informed that my cake decorating group will have a get together tomorrow lunch. This is a group of moms and I'm the only single one but I don't mind. They bring out my creativity all the time. I love to be in the company of people who share the same interest as I do. It's very healthy.
• Ma told me that she bought me decorative cutters that I need for my cakes for Chinese clients. She also bought me a revolving cake icer. Yipee!!!

I'm not even an inch close to where I want to be but I'm happy nonetheless. I'm blessed to have a good job, supportive family and true friends. Most importantly, Him. He made it all possible. With this realization, I should therefore stop complaining. :-D The world and other people have graver problems than what I'm whining about. Ma texted me this morning advising me to SEIZE THE MOMENT. I think I should. Ma knows best.

Draw the Line

You ask I'm back where? I'm back to the corporate world that is. Things are so much different for me. To begin with, I'm in a different industry. Generally I would say I'm doing good. I'm still adjusting so everything is not yet set in stone. It's too early to tell how things will be but I'm keeping an open mind. I'm not likely to go into details at this point lest I be misquoted.

I'm getting more comfortable with myself lately. I strive to achieve a work life balance and I always draw the line. Things have taken on a different meaning now that I'm able to compare my experiences before with what I'm currently going through. I would say I have a better appreciation of people, events and circumstances. Through time, the meaning of events change and this is precisely what is happening to me. This change also holds true of my perception and affection towards people that I know.

I have so many lessons from the corporate world and I'm keeping it to myself for now. I guess my co-workers now wouldn't see how much I've changed for the simple reason that I've only worked with them now. Surely, my friends would be able to tell the difference. A lot of things don't matter anymore and I'm happily drawing the line when it comes to my career and my personal life.

Still At It

It can be tough both working and managing a business at the same time. Despite the fact that I'm working during day time, I still do marketing work for Sweet Success during the evening. This includes replying to emails and networking. It's fun nevertheless. I do get tired but I'm not complaining.

The Sweet Success Multiply Site http://sweetsuccess888.multiply.com/ is viewed by so many guests in a day and I'm happy that family, friends and strangers are supporting us. :-) My passion for food and desserts is still there and it has not changed a bit. My plans are still the same and I will continue to do the best that I can.

So much needs to be done and there are times that I wish there are 25 hours (or even 26!) in a day. How I wish things would happen overnight but the reality of it is that it doesn't work out that way. Maybe it's meant to be that way so I have a better appreciation of the process of growing and learning.

For interested parties who wish to receive a price list, please send an email to sweet_success888@yahoo.com. It'll be such a sweet moment to have Sweet Success part of your Christmas. Thanks! :-)

Lessons from the Exhibit

If any of you are thinking of joining an exhibit or bazaar, here are a few pointers based on my experience.

1. Choose a booth that has a high foot traffic. Those located along the entrance are good ones. Corner stalls are also ok as it gives you a lot of space.

2. Prepare a checklist. An OC person like me thrives with it. I hardly miss out on things. My checklist includes things to do, timeline and items for display.

3. Make sure your collaterals are complete. Be ready with your signage, banner, business cards, fliers and brochures.

4. Get enough sleep the day before. It pays to be alert, awake, alive and enthusiastic on the day itself. Your guests don't want a zombie looking exhibitor / concessionaire.

5. Arrive at the venue early. This gives you ample time to run around to process documents for ingress and to set up the booth.

6. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. This is not the time to be in high heels. Remember that you'll be spending a lot of time standing up.

7. Invest in a push cart. This makes it easier for you to transport your goods.

8. Place your things in a transparent plastic crate. This way all your things are organized and you can clearly see through your things without rummaging through boxes.

9. Be prepared with the right tools. Bring your scissors, pliers, stapler, adhesive, calculator and other things you need. Don't forget to bring paper and pen too.

10. Make sure your cellphone is fully charged. You don't want your phone dying out on you when you need it the most.

11. Inform your family and friends of the schedule way ahead of time. You can either send them an email or SMS.

12. Have a heavy breakfast and don't skip meals. You need the energy to do your sales pitch.

13. Smile a lot and enjoy!

I learned so many things during the recent exhibit. Can't wait to join the bazaars in Rockwell, Hotel Intercon and St. James Bazaar in Ayala Alabang next year. I'm sure it'll be fun.

I'm Just Different

The changes taking place in my life lately are endless. I can't describe in one word how I truly feel about things at this very moment. I have mixed feelings about different things. I'm just different now. I think Robs was right to say that I know better this time around. I can't even say that my life has changed 180 degrees. It must have been turned 360 degrees! I was turned inside out. I'm no longer the same person I was six months ago.

I feel myself changing (or I should say morphing!) every single day. My priorities have changed. I look at life differently and my definition of happiness is no longer the same. It became simpler. My dreams are different as well. What I initially thought I wanted didn't turn out what I wanted after all. I no longer chase for dreams that are not mine. Whatever I hold dear in my mind and heart is mine and mine alone. My name is written all over it. I used to pursue dreams of other people for me but not anymore. I grew tired of constantly proving who I can't be. Well I can be what people want me to be but I'd rather not. It's a total waste of my time.

My need to be still and quiet lately is very evident. I always need a moment to be alone whether to think, read or just be still. It's funny how other people see my life as very blessed while I sulk in the realms of my mind thinking I don't want certain things in my life. I guess that's just the way it is. I feel my indifference to some things in my life right now. I feel uncomfortable about it to be honest. Maybe because I'm not used to myself reacting to things this way. I pamper myself a lot and spend a lot of time building my own dreams. I have a lot of ME time nowadays. I'm embracing this thought that I can run my life the way I want to and I always have a choice.

It'll take awhile to settle into this new character. I know I will. I'm glad I no longer allow myself to take the back seat.

Photos of My Akbar Cake

As promised, here are the pictures of my final project. It took me a total of almost 4 days to finish from shaping the styro to covering the cake, cutting the decors and piping the designs. It was difficult to work on an uneven shaped cake but it was really challenging. After finishing it, I was beaming with pride in what I call my labor of love.

Enjoy!

Endings and New Beginnings

Today was the last day of my cake decorating class. :-( Just when I was enjoying myself, it's time to do other things. Initially, I had so much difficulty doing gum paste flowers and it was only last Tuesday that I started to like it. Take note, it took me five (5) sessions to appreciate the process of doing these flowers. Am so glad I went to class today despite me not feeling so well. I tried airbrushing the flowers I made. How I love it. Just to illustrate how I love it ... well ... I'm planning to invest in an airbrush set. :-D I can't wait to buy one and spray everything I see with shimmer.

I can't believe I've been in school for two and a half months. I will be back in school but maybe next year. It's in the pipeline. I'll be enhancing my culinary and pastry skills and I plan to help my mom make our family's dreams come true. As I'm writing this blog, I'm beset with so many emotions - happiness, sadness, anxiety, hope and excitement.

When I received my certificate this afternoon, I knew it was time for me to move on and dream bigger dreams for myself. I now know better how to run my family's business. I'll miss my classmates. I'll see them in a month anyway. We're having a Christmas party in Tita Leni's home! (Tita Leni is our instructor.) I'll miss laughing my head off and joking around in class but I'm glad I enrolled myself when I thought I never would in this lifetime. I'm after all a domestic goddess.

Tomorrow, I'm back to the corporate world and that's another story altogether.

Lots of Cake

For the longest time, I've been practicing on styro for cake decorating class. Finally, I got to work on real cake today. Sheilla came over this afternoon and taught me how to make Chocolate Marble Pound Cake. It was really good and easy to make. It helps me a lot to work with someone who is an expert at what she does and Sheilla has been so generous of her time to me and my family. :-)

We made two cakes today using the same cake base. One was covered with pink marbled fondant while the other was covered with chocolate ganache. I was tasting everything and I could feel the sugar rush but what the heck, they all taste good. I can never describe how therapeutic it is for me to be in the baking room. There's a different sense of calm and drive to learn and try new things. I'm admittedly a student in this field and I don't really mind asking questions. I don't claim to know everything and I'm perfectly ok asking other people the ins and outs of what I want to learn.

Shei and I finished around past 8 in the evening and we called it a day with dimsum at Wan Chai. Both of us had our usual orders of ham siu kok, chicken feet, raddish cake, shrimp roll and seafood congee. I think I want to go back for another order of ham siu kok. It's addicting.

Akbar Cake

I can heave a sigh of relief. I was able to finish my final project just in time. I slept at 2 in the morning today when in fact, I started working on the 5-tiered cake at 4 PM yesterday. You can do the math. I only had yesterday to finish the cake with all the ongoings. I wanted to do more piping but I was running out of time. Nevertheless, I was pleased with my work. It didn't look exactly like Margaret Braun's creation but my cake had a striking resemblance to it. I'd say my work was an inspiration of Braun's Akbar Cake.

The cake wasn't perfect and I learned as I went along. That's how it is when you're a student or learning something new for that matter. You make a mistake the first time and correct on the second time you do it. (I even make mistakes the second time around.) I may not be as forgiving to myself before but I think I am now. I'd be cruel to myself if I expected everything to be perfect every single time. That's tiring. I just won't be able to do that. Everything is a learning process at this point in my life. My life is a work in progress. Whose life isn't anyway?

I'll post the pictures once I've uploaded it to my PC. For now, I'll relish the thought of me successfully finishing my project. I'm ready to take orders now. :-p

Beauty Routine

I was back at Facial Care Centre for my second round of diamond peel. I think the therapist was kind of aghast with the quality of my skin. It was dull and dry. I looked very tired. I was after all sleeping late nights for many many weeks. She pampered me still and placed different kinds of creams on my face - anti aging, sun block, moisturizing and I don't know what else. I did see the results of my first session and I like it. I need to sleep earlier though. No amount of peeling or facial would give me a glow not unless I have eight hours of sleep daily. Sleeping rejuvenates the skin and combined with enough water intake, these do wonders on the skin. I can't wait for my next session and not to mention, I can't wait to fully relax this coming weekend. I need it BADLY.

The Exhibit

The Kiddie Karnival was very successful. Our exhibit was just great. The exposure was good and there were a lot of kids and parents at the ballroom. There must have been 1,500 guests today. I felt so much like a child giving out goodies for the trick or treat. I was equally amazed with the mascots and life like figures. I won't even call Transformers a mascot for the simple reason that the robots scared the hell out of me. I wouldn't even dare come close to it for fear of being stepped on. That was how humongous these "mascots" were. Predatora was also walking around together with some other characters from Pirates of the Caribbean.

I'm very happy with the turn of events today. Pa, Ma and I were at Edsa Shangri-la at around 6:30 AM and we finished setting up the booth past 9. There were things I had to do on site such as the icing of the cupcakes. Everything that I did today was a first. I had so many lessons learned and I consider these valuable insights.

New pictures will be posted in our Multiply site. The exhibit was just the first step in marketing our products. There are so many possibilities and it can be overwhelming. For now, I'll take one day as it comes and market our products as I go along. I'll get to where I want to be and I know I will but knowing myself, once I get to my destination, I would steer things to a newer and better direction.

I'm ending this post here. I have so much more to share about my first exhibit experience. I'll share it in my future blogs. Before I forget, thank you so much to my family for the unwavering support and my thanks also goes to my true friends who cheered me on. My day is complete.

I am truly blessed by Him. O:-)

Sweet Success Multiply Site

My family created a Multiply site for our company Sweet Success. Do visit us at http://sweetsuccess888.multiply.com/. This is your online pastry shop!

There are different product categories for you to choose from. We are now accepting orders for events (birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and other occasions) and other requirements. Our pastries can also be for corporate giveaways and gifts. Spread the word to your family and friends and do add us up as your contact.

This is simply my family's sweet success. :-)

Kiddie Karnival is 3 Days Away

I'm three shut eyes away from the Kiddie Karnival. The whole exercise of staging an exhibit feels like a wedding to me. The preparations are very detailed and tedious. By my standards, this is a production number. I keep a timetable just so I wouldn't miss out on anything. I'm still panting and gasping for breath. So far, we are on track but I need a vacation after this coming Sunday and I mean it.

In between classes, I do the preparations from administrative work to cake decorating to planning. Things should be easier once we "launch" the new products of Sweet Success. I'm very positive this is a challenging new experience. It's the first time I'm going into business and it feels good to be doing this with the support of my family. The vibe is just different when I'm with Ma and Orie in the baking room decorating cookies. It's just a really fun mother and daughter moment. Though my other sister Marissa and my brother Koc are not here, they are nevertheless part of this undertaking.

For those who want to bring their kids for trick or treat, tickets are still available at Edsa Shangri-la on the day itself. That's October 26, Sunday. Tickets start at Php 250. This includes activities and a drink. You can purchase a ticket of a higher value should you wish to have more activities and food included. There will be several kiddie party suppliers who will also be at Isla Ballroom so see you!

A New Stylist

I'm meeting my new hair stylist tomorrow. I'm trying a new one. I've been in search for a good one who can do something about my lifeless hair. When Orie got home the other night, she was sporting a new hairdo. She looks like a Chinese doll and it looks good on her. By the looks of it, the stylist seems to be good. Well, she's the Creative Director of Head Zone. They have branches in Edsa Shangri-la and Richmonde Hotel. You can also try them out.

That's the thing with hair. You have to change stylist every after x number of years. My stylist has been giving me a wispy haircut for maybe six (6) years now and I'm getting bored with it. My hair also needs rest from chemicals as it has been permed and highlighted many times over. You can just imagine the damage it has endured. It must have been torture! For quite a while now, I'm letting it grow longer minus the temptation to do something outrageous with it. I'd love to have a new color but maybe with one that does less harm.

Till I meet my new stylist.

Unimaginable

These days, you'd usually see me without make up. I don't really fuss about it since I'm not going to the office anyway. I dress my age and I feel good about it. I act my age as well since I'm mostly in the company of friends. I haven't worn my suits for quite sometime (but I will soon be). My life is very much unstructured the past months and what I initially thought was bothersome turned out to be such a comforting place to be at.

Being unstructured for me means that I choose the people I want to talk with (this also means that I also choose the people I don't want to talk with). I choose where I want to be. I choose how I say things without editing myself. I allow myself to come face to face with my different issues, emotions and possibilities. I allow myself to feel that I'm human just like everyone else. What I maybe going through is not unique to myself. It can be shared by other people as well.

Three times I week, I'm mostly in the kitchen wearing my apron. It's not the usual me that people see but I don't really mind. For others, this sight maybe unimaginable since they're used to see me all dressed up. Lately, I'm all smothered with sugar powder all over my hands and to some extent my arms and even at times my face, my hair. That's just how it is. Getting down and dirty. The mess I initially couldn't stand but I somehow got used to the chaos of a sticky, icing surrounding.

I love wherever this journey is taking me. It's some place I've never been to.

Chef Dennis Hipolito's October 25 Schedule

Morning Class
9:00 AM to 12:00 NN
Special Holiday Buffet Dishes

1. Artichoke, Spinach and Cheese in Crisp Filo Purses
2. Dennis' Special Mushroom Soup with Truffle Oil
3. Roasted Brined Turkey Breast with a Cranberry Relish
4. Baked Brown Rice, Bread, Chestnut and Dried Fruit Stuffing
5. Pan Roasted Stuffed Pork Loin with an Herb Butter Sauce
6. Creamy Pecan Pie Bars
Bonus Recipe: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Afternoon Class
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Innovative Cakes and Tortes for 2008

1. Chocolate S'Mores Cake
2. Chocolate Yema Torte
3. Chocolate and Mango Walnut Wafer Torte
4. Dennis' Melts in the Mouth Flourless Decadence Cake with a Caramel Sauce and Chantilly Cream
5. Quick and Easy Mango Cream Cake (Easy Method)
6. Dennis' Moist Banana and Carrot Bundt Cake with a Cream Cheese Frosting

For inquiries and those interested to attend the classes, call 0917-8486656. Classes are usually not repeated. These are all new classes.

Healing of Memories for Oneself

I received this handout from the Center for Ignatian Spirituality. It's relevant and I'm certain, it'll it home to most who read this.

Sometimes we experience a lack of freedom in ourselves, an inability to cope with something, an inability to forgive, a fear, a problem with uncontrollable anger or something like that. No matter how we pray or what we do, nothing seems to help. The first step is to discover the root of the problem. Very often it helps to talk it over with a spiritual guide. Sometimes our weakness or unfreedom is a result of an inadequate prayer life. Sometimes it is a result of an unwillingness to face the truth or to let go of something we want or a lack of discipline in our lives. Sometimes it is because we are too busy or too tired. Sometimes it's because we have not forgiven another. In instances like these, what we need for healing is repentance not prayer.

There are times however that the issues are rooted in the past, even in the time we were being carried in our mother's womb or in the process of birth. No matter how loving our home life has been, no matter how happy our childhood, it was not perfect. During the various stages of growing, we have experienced the oppression of others as well as that of institutions and structures. So we carry in ourselves the wounds of bad experiences, some of which we have not thought about in years.

There is a way of praying for the healing of past experiences. It is sometimes called 'healing of memories', sometimes 'psychological healing'. It rests on the fact that Jesus is the Lord of all time, past, present and future, that he can even change the effects of the past.

Some time ago a woman in Joseph's community said to him in passing that he had a lot of bitterness in him. Joseph was busy at the time and busy afterwards with a lot of things so he did not do anything about it. From time to time her remarks reoccurred to him and he did realize that occasionally a sharpness would develop in his tone of voice, a certain harshness would color his relations with others. He would ask for forgiveness when he could and move on. Finally he did learn to pray over these experiences and experienced through prayer a great deal of healing.

The elements of such prayer are simple:
1. Recall God's love and power.
2. Ask the Spirit's help in recalling the memories of the bad experiences of the past which affect you now.
3. Be quiet and let them come to mind.
4. Walk back into those recollections with Jesus and imaginatively reconstruct what would happen.
5. Thank Jesus for his love and healing.

Sometimes this must be done more than once. You know when you are healed when the child or person in the memory is smiling and happy because of the presence and love of Jesus.

An Afternoon with Martha Stewart

If you think that I sough a private audience with Martha Stewart, no I didn't. I was at Edsa Shangri-la yesterday for an Exhibitors' Meeting and I spent my time afterwards at Fully Booked. (For those not in the know, Edsa Shangri-la opened a coffee shop called Caf E at the wing fronting Shangri-la Mall. Beside Caf E is Fully Booked.)

Every opportunity I get whenever I pass by a bookstore, I'd immediately go to the Baking section. I browsed through a couple of books about designing using fondant and I chanced upon Martha Stewart's Wedding Cakes book. How I love it! Just to illustrate how I was drawn to read every single page of the book, I comfortably positioned myself in an Indian sit at the carpeted floors of Fully Booked. I must have spent 30 minutes or more leafing through the wonderful wedding cakes in every design imaginable.

I took time to read the different design techniques and for me, that is really what's important - the technique. I can always surf the web for cake designs but the techniques are what will bring me to nicely put those tiered cakes together. Everything I read is all in my head from templates, transferring designs to the cake, transporting it and so many other things.

It is when I can't stop talking about something when you'll know that I'm ...
1. interested
2. serious about it and
3. passionate

My interest in culinary is growing and I was ecstatic to find a four and a half months Skills Program that allows me to learn the basics of both culinary and baking. I plan to take that course next year. This school will have both lectures and application. Classes will be every Sunday (and I don't really mind if it's a weekend). Will blog more about it when I'm about to enrol.

Happy weekend everyone! (I seem to be all charged up this morning.)