Filed under: family & superfriends, snaps & eyecandy | Tags: toy photography
Last month, my cousin Joel surprised me with a virtual treat. He knows how much i love eyecandy (especially his photographs) and how i’ve been missing Australia lately. So he gave me this photograph:
top: photo given to me by Joel. bottom: Photography by Joel del Castillo.
“Breathe and appreciate the gift of air. It’s beautiful and free.”
Sweetness!! Now, here’s my attempt at returning the virtual treat. I know i’m no photographer like my favorite cousin, but hey, you can’t stop a girl from sending some love back.
Cuz Joel:
These photos were taken this week using a jurassic and bulky 5 megapixel digital camera. Some of the guys at the Nintendo Wii Bloggers Party introduced me to Toy Photography. I find it interesting and fun! Now if i can only find my brother’s G.I. Joe action figures. Hmm….
left: taken at redbox. right: taken in bulacan
top (left): photo credit: azrael colladila. bottom: introduced me toy photography. right: my first attempt at toy photography
These photos were brought to you by the letters J, O, Y, and by the number 9. Sunny day, sweepin’ the clouds away…
Filed under: family & superfriends, music & lyrics | Tags: funeral music, song of remembrance, with hope steven curtis chapman
With Hope
This is not at all
How we thought it was supposed to be
We had so many plans for you
We had so many dreams
And now you’ve gone away
And left us with the memories of your smile
And nothing we can say, and nothing we can do
Can take away the pain
The pain of losing you
We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
‘Cause we know our goodbye is not the end
We can grieve with hope
‘Cause we believe with hope
There’s a place where we’ll see your face again
We’ll see your face again
Never have I known
Anything so hard to understand
Never have I questioned more
The wisdom of God’s plan
But through the cloud of tears
I see the Father smile and say “well done”
And I imagine you
Where you wanted most to be
Seeing all your dreams come true
‘Cause now you’re home and now you’re free
We can cry with hope, we can say goodbye with hope
‘Cause we know our goodbye is not the end
We can grieve with hope, because we believe with hope
There’s a place where we’ll see your face again
We’ll see your face again
We have this hope as an anchor
‘Cause we believe that everything God promised us is true
So we can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
‘Cause we know our goodbye is not the end
We can grieve with hope, because we believe with hope
There’s a place
By God’s grace
There’s a place
Where we’ll see your face again.
(c) 1999 Words and Music by Steven Curtis Chapman.
………
After a difficult battle with pancreatic cancer, my Uncle, went home to be with the Lord on June 28, 2008.
“Uncle Tony, you are greatly missed!”
Filed under: family & superfriends, glorious food | Tags: chef robby goco, skolatina, roka solata, pastisado, cyma
At Cyma, it’s about bringing people together for a flourishing experience that starts with great food. It is in this spirit and reason, that my dear friend Tinsky and i chose this restaurant to have dinner and celebrate my post natal day.
top (left): joy and tinsky; bottom (right): roka solata
Cyma is my favorite restaurant because it’s a place where you can enjoy one of the world’s healthiest cuisines. Cyma equals simplicity and satisfaction. The thing i love about Cyma is they know how to preserve each ingredient’s distinct and nutritional flavor. Take Roka Salata (Tinsky’s and my favorite) for instance, the raw ingredients are of flawless quality and they don’t cover it with forceful flavors, sauces, or dressings. This is how salad should be done.
top and bottom (left): skolatina
Another favorite of mine is Cyma’s Molten Chocolate Cake called “Skolatina.” If there’s one word to describe it, it’ll have to be “divine.” Yes, it’s that good! The chocolate cake is served with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. It’s a hot and cold combo dessert. The molten chocolate cake is usually served straight from the oven and if you scoop it up with the ice cream, you’ll get that pleasurable melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Cyma’s Executive Chef, Robby Goco, set out to create a truly great Greek restaurant in the Philippines. He traveled throughout Greece and the Mediterranean to search the old country for food and wine. And he definitely found plenty! I’m glad he brought all those wonderful recipes and ingredients to our own country. Kudos to you, Chef Robby!
right: cyma's executive chef robby goco
Fast Facts:
Did you know that Greece, like the Philippines, is an archipelago?
Did you know that Pastisado (in Greece) is Bulalo here in the Philippines?
Filed under: family & superfriends, musings & meanderings | Tags: superfriends
Tinsky and i may have hectic schedules to keep but we always find time to see each other. That’s what real friends do! So it doesn’t matter if we had to celebrate my birthday a few days after the actual date. What matters is we got to spend time together and share good memories over food. We went to my favorite restaurant, Cyma, and the branch at Edsa Shang was packed. Am so glad my dear friend made reservations.
Even with her busy schedule, Tinsky still managed to get me a wonderful surprise gift and birthday card. Awwww, touch naman ako! Here, have a look at what she wrote inside the card:
My Dear Aj,
Belated Happy Birthday! For our love of food and sweets, please keep the chocolate candles. It also symbolizes our friendship. Light it when you feel sad, tired and hungry. Hehe! Love you friendship! May the good Lord continue to bless & guide you.
Love,
Tinsky
To my superfriend:
God is so wonderful and kind for giving me the opportunity to meet you and be able to share a strong bond of friendship with you. You are the perfect example of a person who is beautiful inside and out. Am not saying this because you’re my superfriend, i can attest to this because i’ve personally witnessed your caring, loving, and nurturing attitude. The moment i met you at work, i knew there’s more to you than meets the eye. When all people could see is a beautiful face, i can perceive a strong, loving, beautiful woman developed by great adversities and refined by time.
It takes one to know one. We’ve both gone through a lot at a very early age, and i could sense your maturity. Your outlook on life definitely speaks volumes. Yeah, i could tell back then, no words necessary dear. 
When people would call me friend, i am honored and privileged to call you mine. Ayan, naiiyak na naman ako! Maraming salamat, girl, hindi ko man masabi dito lahat pero hindi ko sasayangin ang mga panahon na ipakita at sabihin sa iyo in person.
It is my prayer and wish that our good Lord will grant you more success and blessings, guide you and light your every step, long life and good health to your entire family, and that Kyle and JP will shower you with more love and continue to take good care of you.
Love you friendship,
Joy
Filed under: family & superfriends, musings & meanderings | Tags: mother's day
Dear Mama,
I don’t need Mother’s Day to remind me how wonderful you are. I don’t need a day out of each year to show you how grateful i am for your love, kindness, and care. I count each day a blessing, knowing that you are there. It is good to know that you are well and healthy. To have morning chats with you over a cup of hot choco or vanilla milk tea.
Mama, our God is so wise and loving because He personally handpicked you to be my Mother. He carefully planned it and nurtured it to completion.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
I’m so glad that in His great plan for my life, He included You.
You are my beacon of light,
my arms of comfort;
my measurement and rod.
You are my nurturing hand;
my prayer partner,
my confidant and best friend.
I love you, Mama!
Your daughter,
Joy
