Psalm from My heart

When my parents left India to become international missionaries way back in the 1980's my grandma, Dad's Mother, "gave" us a life psalm. This passage has always been a part of my family. It is probably one of the first chapters of the Bible I memorized as a child and also one of the few that have stuck with me through adulthood.

It is a beautiful psalm that reflects on our lives as children of God.

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Psalm 121 :: A song of ascents.

¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

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Although the future maybe uncertain and frightening, we can rest in the comfort that the Lord watches over us, now and forever more.

:: Thank You Grandma ::

J :: A :: D

Project Number 7: Embroidery

This year I decided to go crafty and embroidered bags for Christmas gifts. I believe the three recipients that I sent them to have already received their gifts so I'm going to go ahead and post them on here.

Ashely M. Young

My dear Friend Ashely M. Young (Yes her name is legally spelt with the "e" and "l" switched) is coming to visit!! I have not seen this wonderful lady in about 2 years!

Although my memories of our college years together consist of late nights, Will and Grace and consistent teasing of bear claw paws or peachy hair (there is a good explanation for this) I am thankful for this friendship that has span years and space :: Nor-Cal to So-Cal.

:: 6 years of friendship ::
:: Can't wait til you get here Miss Young ::
:: Haste, Haste my dear! There are memories to make ::

Summing Up December

It's December and the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season has caused me to neglect this blog. I apologize for that, but between work, eating, sleeping and Christmas shopping, nothing much has been occurring. So to sum it all up here are the highlights of the past few weeks.

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1. December 6th mark my dear Oliver's 26th birthday. To commemorate this momentous occasion from which he leaves his early twenties and moves forward into the count down to his thirties, I put my non-existent cake decorating skills to work and baked him a cake with his favorite NFL team's logo on it, San Francisco 49ers.

Happy Birthday My Oliver :: I love you more than a fat kid loves cake!

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2. Each year I design Christmas cards and a calender and we send them out as Christmas presents. Here is this year's card. (Calender images to follow)

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3. "Rain, Rain on my Face". Lastly it's been raining for about 3 days, and although this might be normal for some people in sunny So Cal it's definitely a downer. Not seeing the sun in days makes everyone a little cranky but I do love that it makes the weather a little cooler and more "Christmasy".

Bad

Today was bad. Actually this week has been bad.
I have to admit there isn't much in my life that is bad except things/situations that pertain to my work. Work makes me feel __________.

But bad means bad, and it can only get better, right?

Lets just say TGIF!! For sure. I think God made Fridays to make up for the bad Mondays, Bad Tuesdays, Bad Wednesdays and even worst Thursday.

Lord, Thank you for Fridays, Saturdays and amazing Sundays!

Growing Santa

:: It grows ::

Growing Santa has been easier than I thought. Add sun, a little bit of water here and there and *poof* It Grows! There is hope for this aspiring gardener after all.

Tis the Season

Every year I go to Target's dollar section and I get a little potted plant and I attempt to grow it. And like clockwork every year it fails. Actually, one year I grew a tiny sprout. But this year is different (like it is every year).

:: This year I have Santa. He'll grow my plant ::

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My first Christmas decoration :: More to come.

Mini Recycler

This mini- trashcan made my day.
After all, isn't anything in mini awesome?
:: I think so ::

Eat, Pray, Love

Sometimes it feels more like Work, Sleep, Repeat. I'd like to do more eating and praying and loving but often all that gets shoved under the "rug" to make room to the imaginary rat race.

My work is not hard :: It's not time consuming :: 6pm hits and I'm out the door, running, sprinting.

So why the heck does it stress me out? Why am I frustrated half the time and the other half of the time I'm reviewing mentally why those words of frustration came out of my mouth.

Work makes me turn into a different person.
A person that only comes out in this atmosphere :: A person I do not want to be.

Giving it your all every day is hard. It's draining and sometimes it feels like a losing fight.

Embroidering Back

Project Number 6: Embroidery

Life has gotten so busy that I have not had time to embroider as much.

A few weeks ago, my wrist began hurting quite a bit. I figured it was a combination of all the typing at work and embroidery at night, so I took a break.

Now I'm slowly easying my way back into the embroidery-saddle.

Here's my latest project.

Election Day

All I know is Carly Fiorina sent millions of jobs to China, and Meg Whitman paid herself a lot of money while laying off workers.

Is this information enough for me to make an informed voting decision?

:: Fortunately, I can not vote because I'm not a citizen.
:: Unfortunately, this is all the information most of Californians know who do vote.

Day and Night

When Oli became a cop we knew his schedule was not going to be a "normal" 8-5 schedule and honestly I do not think Oli's an 8-5, five days a week kind of guy. He is able to stay up late, get only 4 hours of sleep and still function the next day. So I have to say his job is about near perfect for him, and for us :: That is until he got switched to night shift and we ended up having almost opposite schedules. It wasn't too hard, more inconvenient than anything...

Starting next week (or DP, deployment period), Oli will be working day shift. He's been on the 630pm to 630am schedule for awhile now and I"ve gotten used to eating my make shift dinners and going to bed alone. It was hard at first (especially the months after Oli's accident) but I made it work and my friends at Bones quickly became my nightly companions :: Nothing like a good glass of home-brewed ice tea, Bones on tv and my embroidery in front of me - Wow! I sound like an old lady!!

Now Oli will be on a to 600am to 600pm shift which means dinners together! Although switching to days means he might encounter more traffic to and from work I'm sure the pros far outweigh the cons. I'm glad that we'll be at home together at night and that Oli will be able to have a "normal" sleep schedule where sleep is done when it's dark not when the sun is out and lawn's getting mowed.

"Say You'll Share with Me One Love, One Lifetime"

Today, Oliver and I celebrate 10 years of friendship, 8 years of dating and 2 wonderful years of marriage. Happy Anniversary Oli! Thank you for loving me.

:: December 2002 ::

:: October 2008 ::

:: September 2010 ::

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" Then say you'll share with me
one love, one lifetime
let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you here, beside you...
anywhere you go, let me go too
that's all I ask of you.."

- Phantom of the Opera

The Shelter

I, like many others, go through phases where I listen to one CD on repeat for days into weeks..and occasionally months.

This weeks obsession Jars of Clay's new album :: The Shelter

This album is amazing. Not only is the music fantabulous (Yes, I just made up that word.) the lyrics are well written.

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One of my favorite songs on the album is // Out of My Hands
The lyrics of the chorus of this song especially are quite lovely. It expresses the depth of what God did for us. Nothing we did or could do, only what God has done.

And it's out of my hands
It was from the start
In light of what You've done for me
In light of what You've done for me
You lifted my head
Set me apart
In light of what You've done for me
This is what You've done for me
It's out of my hands

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Another favorite is // Shelter
The music and voices in it remind me of a whole chorus of angels singing together. Perhaps a tiny glimpse of what heaven will be like when we stand in front of God and praise him. It's really beautiful.

3 Vacations in 1

It's October 15th. About two weeks since I was on vacation.

My skin has just stopped peeling and I finally have stopped feeling the rocking of the ship. Those two glorious weeks of vacation were wonderful. I did not rest much but being able to take the time away from work proved much needed.

Our schedule was hectic. We basically had 3 vacations one after the other.

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Vacation :: 1 :: Indiana With the Kims (Sept 18th - Sept 22nd)
We went to Indianapolis to visit our friends from high school. Hannah and Ki Young Kim. The moved from LA to Indianapolis earlier this year and we haven't seen them since. Our time consisted of camping, fishing, meeting up with old friends and overall just enjoying each others company.

:: Camping in Indiana ::

:: We did some fishing ::

:: Met up with Oli's old friends from Davao::

:: Hannah Kim, my dearest friend for 10 years + ::
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Vacation :: 2 :: Catalina with Ngaihtes (Sept 23rd - Sept 24th)
Catalina is just off the coast of Long beach. We went to Catalina with my parents and brother for just one night. It was short and but nice. The town is really quaint and has a number of things to do and see. I would love to go back again.

:: Us patiently waiting for our boat ::

:: We rented a Golf Cart to drive around the Island ::

:: Khup, Oli and I went Para-sailing ::

:: My Parents got to go along for the ride ::

:: My family with Catalina's bay behind us ::
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Vacation :: 3 :: Mexican Cruise with Malabuyos (Sept 26th - Oct 3rd)
The much awaited cruise. This cruise was planned for about a year and a half. It was a blast! We had about 25 to 30 of the Malabuyo side of our family on a one week cruise to Mexico. I have to say that I have been officially converted to cruise vacations. It really is the best way to vacation with family. We are definitely doing this again!

:: Our ship, Carnival Splendor ::

:: Dinner was always in the dining room. I miss the Melting Cake ::

:: Some of the cousins took a family portrait ::

:: The whole Gang ::

:: We did an ATV shore excursion in Mazatlan ::

:: There was mini golf on the top deck so we played a round ::

:: The ship had music playing in most of the rooms with areas to dance ::

:: Senor Frogs in Puerta Vallerta ::

Vacation 2010!! Thank you for 2 amazing weeks! Can't wait til Christmas!

The Miyagi in Me

I got a bonsai Tree. A Juniper bonsai tree to be exact.

I came home one day to find a tiny box in front of my apartment. It had a return address for "Lou and Sheryl's Bonsai Garden" and my first thought was "What in the world did I order from them?". After filtering through the million little foam peanut things I found a little bonsai tree nestled in the bottom. It came with a care note from the owners and a description of the tree.

The tree was a gift from Josi. A random gift I must add. It's not my birthday or Christmas and unless we celebrate Columbus day with gift giving there are no other holidays around this time.

//Thanks Josephine Hwang// I love my tree!

Now I need to learn how to care for it. All my bonsai tree knowledge is from Mr. Miyagi in the orginal Karate Kid, which is to prune it every once in a while. Hopefully it does not end up with the same fate as my other plant caring endeavors have.

P.S. I emailed the owners to requests more care instructions. They were very kind and personable. Let me know if any of you are interested in getting a bonsai. I'll send you their information.

Back!

I'm back! Tan and peeling but still alive.

Vacation was awesome, but between Indiana, Catalina and Mexico I have to admit that I'm pretty worn out!

// Will update more soon //

TGIF - Finally

It's Friday. I'm off work in 30 minutes which means my vacation starts in 30 mins!!!

Off I go to the far away lands of Indianapolis, Catalina and Mexico! I can't wait. The long await vacation has finally arrived. Unfortunately, this also means that it will come and go all too soon. Sigh. But lets not dwell on the negatives and focus on the positives!

// Life is Good. // Happy Friday to all!

Stitch, Stitch, Stitch.

Project Number 6: Embroidery

On nights Oli works I have been embroidering a lot. I started off tracing or transferring designs that I found but have concluded that it is much faster to free-hand draw everything. This way I'm exercising some level of creativity and the designs end up becoming my own. The process is actually really soothing. Some times designs and ideas come flooding in in multitudes and other times I feel like I'm experiencing a 7 year drought.

Nevertheless I've really enjoyed the almost Leave-It-to-Beaver housewife stereotype I've become. // Husband at work. Wife at home sits down in the living room, after finishing up chores, and turns the tv on and... Stitch, stitch, stitch.

Weight Be Gone

Oli and decided to proactively lose weight.
Like for reals this time!

We've both don't eat bad but we don't eat healthy either. My downfall is soda. // I heart Coke // And I'd have to think Oli's is probably desserts.

Both of us exercise about 3-4 times a week at the gym, but that doesn't seem to be enough. We have both noticeably gained weight. Solution // More gym, Less food.

My aha moment came when I went to the doctor last week and realized that in the last 3 years I have gained about 25lbs! That's ridiculous! What makes the weight gain even worse is not being able to fit into my favorite jeans or shirts.

So this past Tuesday I went to Target with one goal in mind, to buy a scale.

Goodbye soda my old old friend. We have had many good years together and I will visit occasionally but for now this friendship needs to be put on hold until a more opportune time.

Thanks for the memories!

Target Goal // Fit into favorite Gap Jeans.

Work Frustrations

Today was a very frustrating day at work. I really don't want all the drama here to get to me. But it does.

For some reason, getting something designed, printed, and delivered becomes an "End of the World" fiasco in this place. If something is not done in time or right the whole world is going to burn in hell. (Or that's what I feel like this job makes me feel.) My boss once told me, "It's just work. It's not the end of the world. Don't let it get to you." I have tried not to let it bug me but when other co-workers are constantly complaining and playing the blame game until they get their "pat on the back" and affirmation, it's extremely frustrating.

Halfway through the afternoon I decided to focus on the happier things in life. The part of my life that is rewarding and that I enjoy. The part that has nothing to do with my work. Life is not about work.

The clique is so true, "Work to live, Don't live to work."

Rebekah:: Oli's cousin's kid. These are the things to live for. ..

(Photo taken from Timches.com.. I don't think Tim or Chesney read my blog but if they do thanks for unknowingly letting me use your photo.)

Accomplished

This weekend I ...

:: Survived the work week - Thank you Jesus! Some days it doesn't seem like there is an end.

:: Did laundry - Only colors though. Whites are still waiting for me.

:: Cleaned the shower - Something I've been avoiding for so long, but after I pulled a foot of hair out to the drain it had to be done.

:: Went grocery shopping for the week - Amen to cooking at home. It's so much healthier for you.

:: Baked banana bread - I added more bananas this time and it turned out so nice and moist! Pat on back!

:: Made crock pot chili - Well it's still being made. Smells delish!

:: Went to the gym - Gym was hard but it felt SO GOOD.

:: Got a manicure and pedicure - I'm not a huge fan of mani-pedis (The abbreviated forms sound weird to me) but I got them done in the spirit of friendship and bonding. I have to admit they do look nice.

:: Updated my blog twice - With this post three times!! Woot woot.

:: Finished my application for Grad school - Yes..! With lots of help from Oli it's complete and ready to be submitted.

:: Emailed references for Grad school application - I've been avoiding emailing my references and I really don't know why. But now that my application is done I had more motivation!

:: Set up my Etsy account - FINALLY.

:: Posted something on my Estsy account - Cross your fingers. Etsy world here I come!

And last but definately not least

:: Oli and I officially joined our church membership today - Well the certificate said "Ollie and Mem Malabuyo" but same thing right? Yay! Thanks Grace Presbyterian Church of Yorba Linda.

We are so excited to be part of the covenant family!

What To Do

Project Number 5: Notepads

I love making lists. Lists of things to do, list of things to buy, list of things I've done and so forth and so on. I designed some "To Do List" notepads so that my pads are little bit more colorful and fun.

After all it's the little things right?

Write Me A Recipe

Project Number 4: Recipe Cards

Oli and I have a couple weddings coming up. Instead of buying a wedding gift for the couple off their registry I decided I should take advantage of my resources and make something that is a little more meaningful and personal.

I designed 2 sets of recipe cards. One is more contemporary and colorful. The other one a little more traditional and antique looking. I got these printed at work and order a couple recipe boxes online and Tada.. The end result ::

Note:: I also added a couple little knicknacks for one of the boxes to personalize it to the couple

Recipe Cards 1: Eat Drink and be Married::

Recipe Cards 1: Antique::

Note:: Each recipe card comes with a "Second card" which is a extra card to continue the recipe on in case it takes more than one card to write it out on.