1::  always grateful for fridays
2::  for my friend (co-worker) who drove all the way down from Charleston
3::  I did something new and never thought I would ever do
4::  for my posse and entourage who supported me and cheered me on through the whole process
5::  for this quote “keep calm, carry on”

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This week and the past 3 weeks have been challenging.  New challenges always make me nervous but I just do it and I know that I will always do a good job no matter what.

Anyway, this weekend is my bday weekend and I plan to have fun.  So forgive me my dear friends who leave me comments.  I will respond on Monday.  I’ve read all of them.  I will also plan our next virtual crop then.  Thanks for understanding!!!!
MWAH MWAH MWAH!!!  Have an awesome weekend!   Remember there is always something to be grateful for.

Mwah,

1::  for 12pm Thursday
2::  for an august birthday lunch by co-workers
3::  i did great today
4::  a great workout buddy who understands why i havent been able to workout this week
5::  that when amir is pissed i feel the exact opposite….. and vise versa.  love it when that happens

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Amir is always happy… if he isnt happy.  He’s just like “eh whatever”  nothing ever bothers this guy.  He’s so mellow….kinda like the go with the flow kind (perfect for the high energy kind like me).  But today he was pissed at the world… his tooth hurt,  he bought the wrong items from home depot….etc etc.  nothing was working out for him today.  I was so tempted to say… suck it up and put on your big boy “panties” on… but I didnt.  Instead  . . .

I asked him…. what 5 things are you grateful for today?

1::  Lunch
2::  The day is over
3::  Cece (our dog)
4::  Goofy (our Rabbit)
5::  He gets to sleep tonight

Of course he left me out on purpose to get a reaction out of me.  This made him laugh!!!  He was cool after that.

So try it… if you are just upset… reflect and think of things you are grateful for.

Mwah,

Can you believe that we all were in different parts of the country and 2 were international?

Clouds:: Colorado
Ashley:: Virginia
Kelly Marie:: Cali
Tiff:: Alabama
Paulina:: Washington (Well she was in Colorado that night)
Courtney:: Texas
Laurel:: Jacksonville, FL
Ayana:: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Me: Sarasota, FL
Savitri: UK
Tina: Copenhagen, Denmark

Amazing!!!

Here are my top 10 favorite moments that night:
1::  Emma and Jovie making a cameo.  Em hanging out and watching us from her bed.
2:: Amir’s favorite was Laurel and he called her a “quitter”  she ended up chatting from bed by 10pm
3:: Crop husbands made a guest appearance.  Happy that Amir and Mac finally met.  You two dont know it yet but you will be best friends in the future.
4:: “Oh there is a little man behind you” said Ashley.  She was talking about Lucas… Laurels baby boy
5:: “Naomi did you know you have a 4 legged creature behind you?  I didnt want to scare you”  said Ashley again about my dog Cece
6::  We all loved watching tiff “In the zone”  WOW!  I want what she had before she got on camera
7::  Savitri scraps on the floor.  Her amazing creations were created… on… the …floor!  I’m so not worthy Vit!
8:  Ayana wins Miss Photogenic of the night.  Dang that girl looks good on cam!
9::  Sarah and her foreheard for the first 30 minutes she was on.
10::  That we all finally had the opportunity to create together.

To many more virtual crop ladies . . . . Love you all . . . . Bummed I missed Tina and Kelly!  Thank you Vit!!!  We would not have been able to do this without you and your awesome video conference thingy.

Play by play below . . .

(clouds, ayana, me & laurel)

(ayana, clouds, me, laurel & sarah)

(ayana, savitri, laurel, laurel, sarah & sydney)

(ayana, savitri, courtney, me and sarah’s room..hehehe )

(ayana, savitri, ashley, me & laurel)

(ayana, savitri, ashley, me, laurels room & sarah)

(ayana, tiff, ashley, mac, me, amir, laurel & sarah)

(ayana, tiff’ “in the zone”, ashley, amir, laurel and sarah)

(ayana, me, ashley, paulina, laurel in bed & sarah)

I was out by 12m.  Im sure it kept going.   What an awesome time!

I’m so grateful for each and everyone of you!!!

Mwah,

1::  a cramped breakroom…. but everyone was there
2::  for a co-worker picking up starbucks for me
3::  for a co-worker who made sure i had vegan friendly food to eat during our lunch celebration
4::  for amir understanding when i come home late
5::  yup i was at work really late, but im grateful that i have a stressful but fun job that i love

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i love reflecting back and thinking about what made me smile today.   it’s only been 3 days but i see the difference in me.

Join me….. i’d love to read yours too.

Mwah,

1:: my new favorite song. . . “Just the way you are” by Bruno Mars
2:: the hilarious picture of amir that pops up on my phone when he calls.  makes me laugh
3:: my bunny goofy being clingy….. annoying, but it reminds that he wants to hang with me
4:: caroline manzo, for reminding me that crazy people are crazy…. can’t do anything about that
5:: to the pushy publix grocery man who didn’t take no for an answer.  thank you for handing me an umbrella, watched my cart while i get my car, helped load my groceries in my trunk while it was pouring outside. made my heart melt thinking about it while i was driving home. we need more “pushy” people like you.

Mwah,

Hello!

I finally created something!  Thanks to my girls via the virtual crop who inspired me to make something.  I have an Oscar like speech but I’ll spare yah.

A little bit about this layout…. so Kathy is my only other Asian friend in town.  I’m sure there are lots out there (especially at Sarasota Memorial) but she’s the only one I hang with and boy do I love that girl.  So creative too!!  I chose to create an 8 1/2 x 11 layout because the lovely and ever so talented Clouds Shadler inspired me.   Honestly I prefer it over 12 x 12 now.   I didn’t feel like I had to fill up the massive space.   Plus I just love the shape.  So Clouds..thank you…mwah!  The ginormous doiley is an overlay from Hambly that I purchased from twopeas.  Amazing isnt it??

So while I was editing these pics… Amir was cracking up to some very obnoxious noises.  He just downloaded a new app on his IPad… wait for it…. “Fart Cushion”.   I won’t lie…. we laughed hysterically for the next couple of minutes.

BTW I’m starting something new…. everyday whether I post or not… I’m going to challenge myself to find 5 things I’m grateful for during my day.  So what about you?  Want to join my challenge?  You don’t win anything but you slowly build a happier life and appreciation for even the littlest things.  See mine below…..

cardstock: su kraft, su very vanilla
paper: pink paisley, fancy pants
overlay: hambly
tape: washi tape from etsy
letters: ac thickers, addornit
stamp: unity KOTM, hero arts
ink: pti black, pti dark brown
punch: fiskars
typewriter: local thrift store

Mwah,

5 Things I’m Grateful for Today:
1.) The weekend break that left me rejuvinated 2.) Fart Cushion App 3.) Ms. Philippines making Top 5 4.) For my friends RSVPing to my bday 5.) Amir buying me Panera for dinner

*picture taken by Amir

Yep they’re real. . . . all 240 cts of Fancy Mixed Shaped Diamonds!  So pretty!!!!

I got a pretty cool email from Amir today…. he attached the picture above (actual diamonds not included).  Sucks!  Hahah!

I just loved what he did and I just had to share.

Mwah,

Today I’m Grateful for:  a great monday!

I got asked last week what my last meal was before I became a vegan.  Well it wasn’t exactly a meal…. but dessert.   I love macarons and this was from Le Macarons at St. Armands here in Sarasota.  I absolutely loved the walnut, vanilla, praline and chocolate.  It was so good.  I must have eaten a dozen all by myself.

So what about you if asked…. what would be your last meal?

Have an awesome weekend… I’m going shopping tomorrow with my friend Jenna and meet up with a friend in St. Pete.  I’m on a mission to find a dress for my birthday.

Mwah,

Today I’m Grateful for:  fishing with fake baits with amir.  i love the breeze from the ocean.

Dear Neill,
Ate (big sister in Tagalog) is so proud of you.  You are doing really good…. so keep it up.  I love seeing how confident and energetic you are.  I’m proud of the man you have become and for not being afraid to go after what you want.  The world is your oyster and I know you will make the right decisions in life.  Keep it up!  Just remember… study hard, work hard but don’t forget to have fun!  Be kind and honest…..Neill great things will happen to you!!  I promise!

Love you (to the “stores” and back),
Ate Naomi

This is my almost 19 year old brother Neill.  Last time I saw him he was only 14.  Yes It’s been a while.  Crazy how time flies so fast.  You close your eyes for a second and the moment you open them and look around… things have changed, people grow up and surprise you.   That’s how I feel about him.

In 2004 I left the my family, friends and my 2 baby brothers in Philippines to start my own life.  I love my life right now and would do it all over again.  But I have to admit that I regret not seeing them grow up.   I have missed 6 years of their lives.  I wonder sometimes if we will all be together again one day and if things will still be the same.  We were inseparable . . . .

To my brothers….Kuya, Neill & Nick…. I miss you guys.  I wish we were all together.

My lil bro…. in his College recruitment poster

Neill’s Interview: Original Newspaper Article from The Philippine Daily Inquirer 2BU Lifestyle Section, page E3 July 17, 2010

Cleaner Edited version by: Luis Carlo San Juan

Link to PDI Blog: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/2bu/2bu/view/20100717-281525/All-that-pep

Mwah,

Today I’m Grateful for:  my brothers.  I miss them

I don’t really know when we started doing this or why.  But this is something new that Amir and I began doing just a few months ago.  If he brushes he teeth before I do…. he puts toothpaste on my toothbrush… or vise versa.  Back in June he left to go on a cruise without me.  I freaked out… we’d never been apart since we got married let alone be in separate countries.  When I came home to an empty home that Friday night I was so depressed and lonely.  That night as I was getting ready for bed I saw this in the bathroom… waiting for me.

I cried … ran… and got my camera to take a picture of this.

Mwah,

Today I’m Grateful for:  for the little things that help make my life complete!  I’m also  thankful for the time I spent catching up with my friend Vicki.  Sierra’s mom.  I miss them.