Two Seven

Tomorrow, I turn 27. My family and friends keep me going; I am nothing but thankful. God is very good to me. 

The Importance of Having Feet

I'm on a phase again. It's a weird one; timing is off. At a time when I am quite conscious about my health and weight, cooking and baking is probably the last thing that will come to mind when it comes to my phases. But, yes indeed. I am on a cooking/baking phase.

A certain fascination about baking French Macarons has come over me lately. Maybe because they are so pretty, delicious and they are such a challenge to make. I was totally up for it though, surprising even myself.

Click on this link for the recipe: Simple Macaron Recipe!

I am such an amateur when it comes to baking. The only thing I really bake are ready mixes from the grocery shop, but not anymore!!!

Here's my first try. Yes! They have feet! Just the basic almond flavor, with some pink food coloring. Now, I'm not going to lie to you and pretend that all my batches came out like that. This was the nice batch.

With the pink, I decided to whip up a strawberry buttercream.

As you can tell, some of the macarons were not that perfect, but I still consider this a success. I think a longer drying time is necessary for more successful batches.

Just the other day, I tried to do the macarons once again. This is my second attempt. This time, I decided to become more adventurous. I flavored them with espresso and the filling? Espresso chocolate ganache!

This was the final product:

For my second macaron making attempt, there were still batches that didn't come out right; they still needed more drying time. But, this time, I yielded a lot more nice looking one! Look at those beautiful feet!!! I need to learn to be more patient with macaron making. But, I am learning. I will soon go for my third try. We'll see what flavor I come up with...

The "it" Bundle

My friends, Mikka and Mimay recently took a trip to New York City. I insisted they use my Rebel SLR to use for their trip. When they came back, they gave me a thank you gift. CHOCOLATES from Dylan's Candy Bar.

Awesome right? But I unravelled it and AWESOME ain't got nothing on it!

HOLY CRAP! EACH BAR IS A DIFFERENT FLAVOR!!! I.went.crazy!

The first ones opened were the dark chocolate with sea salt and the milk chocolate with potato chips. They were both amazing! I can't wait to try the others. The bad part about all this? My diet called, and it's not happy. But, I AM!

Above is the dark chocolate with sea salt! Soooo good!!! My favorite so far.

The Wish/fulthinking List

In DIRE need of this lens!  

I love dark nail polish! This one's amazing!

A hand torch and

 baking mat... simply because

 I want to cook complicated things.

This one's for working out.

No explanation needed on this MJ. 

I missed out in the first round of this release. 

Sunglasses and a watch are a must on my list every year.

That wireless remote will be so useful when everyone wants to be in the photo! 

Both of these earrings can be found in Shotwell; I love how it's so unique!!!!

Emily's List

I was going through some old stuff in attempt to set aside my trinket-y self and I found a list of why I SHOULDN'T go to Davis for college. This list was composed by Emily. She composed it when she used to wear white hoodies and when she had corn rows haha! She gave it to me year 2002 when she heard that I got accepted in UC Davis. I don't think Emily knew, but this list I treasure. When I was in Davis, this was posted in my room.

I was able to read it again tonight and it brings back so many memories. It's also amusing to think of how this list still represents us because we are still good friends and some of the "items" we planned to do then, we do now on a regular basis. To think that she really typed and thought of all of this really makes me appreciate it more. Because I am so amused by this list, I decided to share it here and write an entry in honor of Emily and her list.  So, I present... Emily's List BTW, I highlighted my favorites...



REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD NOT GO TO DAVIS


-Voltes 5: Jeniffer, Ruchell, Emily and Michelle
-Family: Dad, mom, sister, aunts, uncles, and cousins, grandparents...
-Costco food
-Davis is way too far
-Phunhouse: Sherry, Christina and Christina
-Friends: Huna, ASG, Charley, Marian, Mika, and the other tree people
-In & Out burger
-I'd have to walk home until I graduate
-No more rides
-Birthday Blowouts
-Davis to San Lorenzo phone calls are long distance causing expensive phone bills
-Clubbin' when everyone turns 18
-If you go, you won't have arguments with Ruchell and we know how much you love them.
-Pho and pearl drinks
-We need someone like you to make us laugh because you're too funny that you can get corny
-Bayfair!! Stonridge, Valleyfair, Gilroy...
-I'll miss your coach bag
-If you go, no one will defend you for having uneven eyes
-San Lorenzo just so much fun
-Your house has the best food in the world
-If you go, V5 won't be as close
-That Guadalejara place
-I won't see your parents and sister as much
-V5's inside jokes
-No one will tell me their problems because it's always you who does... sometimes...
- You might not make it to both our twice a year picture taking in Oakland
-You'll miss secrets
-A ding A ding in the weeding!!!
-We need help with school stuff
-Mushroom beef
-The tsimis and gossip... hehe
-One less person V5 can laugh with and laugh at
- You'll miss out on our problems, our gimiks and laughter
-V5 can't go on a day without seeing your retarded face
-We need to hear you sing every now and then
-Davis sucks
- No one can flare their nose better than you 
-Living out there will cost a lot
-If you go, a lot of things are going to change
-Davis is up in the cuts baka ma-rape ka pa doon
-There will be one less person on our bench and you know the deal...
-We love you too much to let you go... na not really
-TFC: pangako, asap, and etc...
-We need you
-You need us too
-If you go, we won't have a ride to places and a van to fit
-If you stay, we'll be sure that you're near and safe
-Century 25, Krispy Kreme, jollibee and etc...
-Jack London: Old Spaghetti Factory and Hibachi
-Dinners at Olive Garden
-My text is limited so I can't text you every minute
-Our birthday videos and other videos we make for fun
-I need an understanding, super dee-duper friend like you
-You're too cool for Davis
-No more DVDs to borrow (Even though I don't have a DVD player...)
-I won't be dialing 481-**** and my fingers need that exercise
-Dancing
-Davis is only for losers... oh wait, then you belong there...
-Ethan, Cameron, and Boo boo
-We might talk crap about you... haha... you'll never know unless you stay
-Sleepovers
-Barbeque, picnics, parties...
-All that nature that surrounds Davis might give you allergies
-Making fun of people
-No one will get mad at you for driving too fast
-If you go all the way there, who's gonna have your back?
-We don't have directions to Davis
-Michelle can't drive that far and we don't have enough gas money
-Things won't be the same around here
-Last but not least: V5 will miss you so much.


--I love you to pieces,
Emily


Despite Emily's efforts, I decided to go to UC Davis...

But, I went back home after two years. No regrets.

Dear Emily,

      High school life was fun, wasn't it? I must say, V5 have some awesome memories. Your list reminds me of times when our lives were simple. I remember the days when we don't even have enough money for gas, when we shared one plate between the five of us and when Coach was our Chanel. Haha good times! I will forever be thankful for you and the rest of our friends. Us? Harsh? No way! haha I love you to pieces too, you gangsta Ems! Cheers to more memories!

-Apple

Lucky, I'm in Love with My Best Friends...

Napa Valley, Viansa Winery-- A few years back; it's from 2006, assuming the date on the picture is correct.

Napa Valley, Viansa Winery-- May 16, 2010

The four of us have gone through so much. I find it amazing that our friendship is still going strong, but somehow, I know it will be no matter what. We can still finish each other's sentences, pile on the jokes only us four can understand, and we can still say that we are for life. God has been good to us. 

Jen is now married and both Emily and Ruchell is about to be. Time flies! But, I must admit I knew we will reach milestones like this together. I can't wait for more. There will come a time when we will tell our kids our stories in hopes to inspire them to find friendships like ours. 

Jen, Ruchell, and Emily... I ♥ you guys. 

New Addition

Decided to buy myself something nice...

All in all, this Carrera cost me $7... well... including some vintage GCs. That case got me. It's also super light. Aylavet!

The "it's about time" Rayban Wayfarers. This was a tough decision. I liked the oversized black ones as well, but ultimately decided to go for this one. It must have been that sleek case. 

Rayban's classic Aviators. I've been eyeing this one for a VERY long time. If I'm not mistaken since Sex and the City days. 

Ilagay na yang mga yan sa istante!