Work Hard, Play Harder

It's the end of March but it feels like this year is almost half way through. This year (so far) has been extremely busy. Been crazy busy at work and I've been working my butt off sometimes even in the wee hours of the night but I'm a big believer of Work Hard, Play Harder and boy it sure been one hell of an adventure filled year so far. Birthdays, happy hours, snowboarding trip, impromptu trip to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, St Patty's Day Parade (you can't say if you've been drinking all day if you don't start in the morning! lol!), trip to El Paso for a Quince.. seems like there's something going on every weekend and we're always up for something to do! But these little trips/get together, no matter how "insignificant" they are, they're a great way to escape even just for a day or two or a long weekend. Gives you something to look forward to. To enjoy all your hard work. Sometimes we get so bogged down with all the "stuff" we have to do that we forget to enjoy ourselves. I say grab some friends, be adventurous, do something crazy (like decide to go to New Orleans 3 days before Mardi Gras and hope for a miracle that there will be a hotel room available and fit 8 people in it. Drive 9 hours all night, get there and party in the morning til god knows when, sleep and head back home the next day!)...you'll realize that the unplanned adventures are the most memorable ones. So I say go out there and enjoy the fruits of your labor with the people you love and enjoy!

Quitting Before Starting

With the new year comes new year's resolution and most of those are related to weight loss. I've been asked a lot by people to help with the workouts and meal planning and I was more than happy to help but sometimes I feel like it's a waste of my time and their time because once they see or hear what they have to do, they quit before they even start!

To some level I understand because it's totally out of your comfort zone but at the same time since your comfort zone didn't get you to the fitness/health level that you want to be, doesn't that mean changing your perception of your "comfort zone"?

I don't understand how can they say they can't do something if they haven't even tried it? I'm not telling them to try something ludracis such as jumping off a building or eating some unknown creature... It's investing some time and committing to something good for themselves. It's a very simple idea but most people especially busy people who's lives/schedules pretty much revolves around helping/taking care of others find it hard to say that it's okay to spend some ME time. What they don't seem to understand how important that time is. I say if you take care of yourself first you can better take care of the people around you. Right?

Well I think I've gone on and on about this...just frustrations that I needed to get out...even if it doesn't make any sense.. :)

True Happiness Shines Through

Vince and I had our Valentines this weekend since he had to work tonight. So after work, I met up with some friends for a little Vday get together at Twisted Root Burger Co. for some awesome delish burger and drinks. Everyone was asking where Vince was of course (it never fails - ever since I brought him along to one of the event - everyone asks where he is when he's not with me!)... We all got to talking and I absolutely cannot explain how flattered I am when people tell me that we are the cutest couple ever! That we're totally head over heels for each other and so happy that it shines through! I thought that was awesome. True Happiness Shines Through! I love it!

We're not lovey dovey touch feely all the time. To be honest, we play around most of the time. He tells me and people how I'm a cougar and he's going to trade me for someone younger (and of course I say the same thing) We make fun of each other all the time. We try not to be serious all the time. When we're together, I have fun. No matter what we do. It's just fun.

His thoughtfulness, his charm, his "way to ruin a moment" moments brings me so much joy that when I'm not with him those things are with me and just the thought of him brings a smile to my face. Happiness that fills my heart and feels like it's going to bust through my chest! That is true happiness!

Inspiration in Photography

Today I found out that I won the WeddingPhotoUSA Photo Contest! I won 2 weeks free of advertisement on their home page and will be in 2011 Wedding Photo Showcase. :) Not bad for entering on the last day of competition and I still got the most votes! I'm pretty happy with it!

I'm ashamed to say that lately my camera has been sitting on the shelf collecting dust! :( I usually take photographs every time I get a chance. Lately, I feel uninspired and lack the motivation to get out there and take photographs! So, something about winning that contest today seemed to have sparked something in me and I started looking at photography contest. I've seen a lot of no fee contests and I've decided that I'm going to start entering and this will get me out there and be a shutter bug again! I also started looking at my photographs (not the ones taken when we're out having a good time) and I was reminded how much I love photography before I started doing portraits. I took tons of pictures nature/places of wherever I was, whenever I saw something that inspired me! I love it!

So I thought I'd share some with you guys. I traveled a lot and I love clouds - so I have quite a bit of them :) I just think clouds are beautiful! These photographs were taken with my itty bitty point and shoot camera. I tell people all the time, the equipment doesn't make the photograph, the composition and subject does! These photographs bring a smile to my face. I know exactly when and where they were taken! Brings me back to those days! :)

Enjoy!

A rainy day in school parking lot, that's rain drops on my umbrella :)

Redwood National Park, California

New York City, NY

Redwood National Park, California

Redwood National Park, California

On the way to San Diego, CA to see Vince (during our long distance relationship)

Fourth of July, Eagle Mountain Lake, TX

Joe Pool Lake, Arlington, Tx

Sunset at the Beach, Galveston, TX

Clouds on the way to Amsterdam

On the way to San Diego again :)

Yes, I'm a KC Chiefs Fan!

I've been asked a lot lately why am I a Kansas City Chiefs fan and the answer is simple; I support what my love supports. I wasn't really a big football fan (basketball is another thing), I watched football (mostly college) and occasionally watched some Cowboys game (one of the things you can't avoid living in Texas :) but I was never really a fan of a particular team until I met Vince. Funnily enough, when we first met, I was sporting a Cowboys beanie that was given to me and he was of course wearing a Chiefs beanie (picture on the left - yes that was the day we met) - we totally messed with each other saying the one team is better than the other. The joke went on for a while, when we got together he would watch it and sport all sorts of chiefs gear and it didn't bother me at all.


I am as big of a fan of the Dallas Mavericks as he is with the Chiefs. He was never really into basketball until I came along. He watched basketball with me, went to the Mavs game and ultimately became a fan. I used to sit there and watch (well sorta) the Chiefs game with him but I was never really into it; mainly because I didn't entirely understand the game. I knew about the touchdown and all that but the rules, penalties and all that I didn't really know. This year I decided to learn the game and try a little harder in liking football more...and oh boy do I like it. I can actually say I LOVE football and this year with the season that the Chiefs had made for a really exciting year to learn and love this game.

I didn't know enough about the other teams to become a fan of a particular one so I support the team that Vince loves. It's the least I can do for supporting the team that I love. That's what we do. People can't believe I'm a Chiefs fan (they're all about their Cowboys here)! "You do know they suck right?" is what I get all the time. To be honest I don't really care if they suck. To me, you don't become a fan of a team all JUST because they're good. Sometimes you become a fan of something because you went to games with your dad when you were little, you grew up watching that team, you had the greatest times watching that team with your friends or loved ones, or you support that team simply because the one you love supports that team and you support what they support. :)

I know that I'm going to be a Chiefs fan for life. Our kids one day will be Chiefs and Mavs fans for life - they better be or else I'll disown them...okay maybe not, I'll probably just won't give them food for a couple of days...okay maybe just for one day. Lol. I kid!

This year the Chiefs had one hell of a season and hopefully they'll just improve from here; I'd hate to see them go back to 2-3 game wins a year! GO CHIEFS!!!

Now that football is over (well not quite) I can give my full attention to basketball. GO MAVS!!!

Well-Stocked Pantry

Vince and I had a very productive weekend. We finally finished unpacking from our vacation, took down Christmas decorations (how come it's not as fun as putting it up??), laundry, cleaning and I managed to reorganize our fridge and pantry and immediately thought about writing a blog about a well-stocked pantry.

People always ask me what do I have in my pantry. It's a long list. I found that some people don't stock their pantry well because they think it's expensive. It could be but you'll find that once you get in the habit of keeping a stocked pantry, you will find your grocery bill decrease. With a well stocked pantry, you'll end up buying less and paying less. We buy a lot of stuff in bulk and in season, this way you're paying less. I also like keep non perishable items that work well together and could be turn into a simple dish. Having a well stocked pantry is a blessing. Not having to run to the store every time you make want to make something is great. When I plan out our meals for the week, I always go to my pantry first to see what I can make with what I have and not spend more money than I need to.

So here's my list: (I apologize in advance because I think it's going to be a lengthy one)

Canned tomatoes - (diced, stewed, whole, fire roasted, paste & sauce)
Pasta (long and shells - regular and whole wheat)
Tuna Packets
Capers
Vinegar (Apple Cider, white, balsamic, rice wine, red wine)
Condiments (mustards, ketchup, mayo, soy sauce, fish sauce)
Marinades & Seasoning
Flour (Cake, All-Purpose, Wheat)
Baking Stuff (Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Sugars, Vanilla Extract)
Canned/Single serve fruits & Dried Cranberries and Raisins
Of course Rice (jasmine, brown, wild and arborio)
Oils (EVOO, canola, peanut & vegetable)
Stocks (vegetable, chicken & beef)
I also like to stock up on my filipino food mixes such as sinigang mix, palabok & kare kare

I always have a stock of aromatics (onions (white, yellow & red), garlic and lemons on the counter)

In the freezer - we buy in bulk - boneless, skinless chicken breast & whole chicken (not only it's good for roasting - you can save the carcass and make your own chicken stock.
I also like to buy frozen veggies especially the ones that aren't in season. I prefer frozen over canned.
I also like to have bell peppers, celery and carrots in my fridge as much as possible.

To top this of course the herbs and spices every kitchen should have (there are a lot to list - get them all if possible!)

Okay the list is not as long as I expected. Of course every pantry will be different. Your pantry will be stocked based on the flavors you like to cook with and the kind of dishes you cooked often. Either way a well stocked pantry is a great pantry!

What a Year!

It seems like I say "What A Year!" every year and I guess that's not at all a bad thing. This year came and went. Time seems to be moving faster than what I had anticipated. I did a lot this year! Started my photography business this year and I'm very fortunate to say that it's doing way better than what I expected. I also lost some of my "love weight" this year (not that I'm no longer in love but I found myself not fitting in my clothes and it was cheaper to lose weight than buy new ones :)) although I've gained some weight since Thanksgiving - I'll say because of the Holidays but I've only got myself to blame but hey! gotta live a little right? Vince and I will definitely push ourselves to staying fit comes the new year! I've also been a bit more actively involved this year. Rock climbed, flag football, weight lifting, volleyball, 5ks and did the MudRun. That was a lot of fun and looking forward to doing more of that this coming new year! My goal is to run a half marathon next year and possibly do a marathon before the end of the year. We'll see how that goes!

For the past three years, Vince and I have had two Christmases (how lucky are we??!!) - one in Texas and one in Kansas City. During our Texas dinner, we we went around the table and said what we were thankful for. I was looking at every single one of those people at the table and I knew that I was one of the luckiest and blessed people in the world. Our family is not perfect but when we are together, all is well in the world. When it was my turn to say something, I kept it sincere, short and simple although I could probably fill an entire notebook if I wrote down all the things I was thankful for. So I thought I'd take the time to say SOME of that stuff here.

First of all I've thankful for my mother. Her incredible strength and resilience is unparralleled. That woman is amazing. I don't know how she manage to do what she does. The sacrifices she's made and continually makes for her children. She has always been there for me, supporting me in whatever I choose to do in life. She's such a great sport when we pick on her during our get togethers. Most of all, I'm thankful that her bottomless well of unconditional love.

For my friends who are always there for me no matter what. The line between friends and family is completely gone. My friends are the best anyone could ask for. I'm very lucky to be able to say that I have such great support system. They're my biggest fans in whatever adventure I choose to take and hell most of them are even in for the ride! They continue to inspire, support and love me for all that I am and want to be.

Of course, I thank God everyday for giving me the most wonderful gift of all, my ever loving boyfriend Vince. It's safe to say he is the love of my life ;)! Words can't begin to describe how loved he makes me feel every single day. He keeps me insane when things get a little crazy. He's my number one supporter in everything I want to try. He never missed any of my practices and games. He's my rock. He's my best friend. He never fails to tell me and show me that he loves me. I love his thoughtfulness. The little things he does to make me feel the most beautiful and the most loved girl in this world. No one ever have and could possibly love me as much as he does. Thank you my love.

Looking forward to an adventure-filled 2011! :)