Remembering Bora

Sharing some beautiful photos taken at Boracay. I miss this paradise.

God's perfect gift for the sun lovers.

Summer's perfect company--- FAMILY.

Breath-taking sundown.

There goes my bubbly father.

and me! :)

With my pretty sister, Rica. I miss her and the fun things we do together.



up, up and away!



Love every moment under the SUN.

It's the best season of the year.

Wishing all a wonderful summer!

~Ina~

Marta's special day

Marta didn't sleep the night before her Recognition Day.

She becomes sleepless when overly excited, that's how she is.

Special Child

You weren't like other children,
And God was well aware,
You'd need a caring family,
With love enough to share.

And so He sent you to us,
And much to our surprise,
You haven't been a challenge,
But a blessing in disguise.

You winning smiles and laughter,
The pleasures you impart,
Far outweigh your special needs,
And melt the coldest heart.

We're proud that we've been chosen,
To help you learn and grow,
The joy that you have brought us,
Is more than you can know.

A precious gift from Heaven,
A treasure from above,
A child who's taught us many things,

But most of all - "Real Love".



Marta with PAPA.

Marta was given recognition for best in music and art,
special child award and J.E.S.U.S Kids' achiever award.
We are all so proud of her.



Steven brings her bag all the time when she steps out from the class. Sweet!
She admires Dion. He keeps on telling marta "Hi markie, hi markie, hi markie" until marta tells him "Hi lagi Dion". (hahahaha!)



Marta's classmates, a bunch of unique children.
(School Administrator on the right lowermost of the photo.)

They are all so sweet and talented. Seeing their happy faces melt your heart.

~Ina~

:)

Here’s another lowly moment. I assume that I need time to wind down and worry a little less. There are just too much in the world today to handle. Feeling bare and alone yet loaded with anxiety is how I am feeling. I don’t know what might have caused all these to settle in my mind. I have to free myself from all unworthy schemes that’s hanging on me. I need to fly, figuratively.

There are instances in our lives that we find ourselves at the crossroads and the choices we make shall define the rest of our days. Facing the unknown, most of us choose to turn around and go back. The pain of going through it alone is frightening yet we awaken ourselves from the bravery inside us. From there, we find the courage to go on. It’s when we're tested that we truly discover who we are and who we can possibly be.

There are too many moments in our lives that we can point to and say, ‘That's when it all changed.’ Moments in our lives aren’t eternal. Change is inevitable, they come and go. That’s the truth- it’s crueler than any lie. So let’s learn acceptance from within to save ourselves from intense pain.

Every day, I am searching for things that make me happy and hoping to find answers to my questions. I know that the answers I’m looking for are closer than I think. They’re in my heart and to the people I love.

I agree to what John F. Kennedy said that, ‘the courage of life is a magnificent mixture of triumph and tragedy. A man does what he must in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures; and that is the basis of all morality.’

Never lose hope. Things that are meant for you almost always embrace you in the end.

For as long as you have love in your heart, you know how it feels to be alive.

~Ina~

Tuesday

Today is baking day. I wonder why there’s a certain drive I feel on Tuesdays.

There should be something strange about Tuesdays because I feel so obliged for a kitchen encounter.

Soon, I’ll find out.

The ingredients:

• 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 8 ounces (about 1 cup) sour cream
• 1/4 cup fresh milk
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 half-pints fresh blueberries, picked through for stems
• adding cheddar cheese squares is an option!

Our kitchen is my comfort zone. At least, there's nothing else to worry about! :)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place 16 paper liners in muffin pans.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs 1 at a time, then add the vanilla, sour cream, and milk. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer on low speed add the flour mixture to the batter and beat until just mixed. Fold in the blueberries with a spatula and be sure the batter is completely mixed.

Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pans, filling each cup just over the top, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the muffins are lightly browned on top and a cake tester comes out clean.

Here are my Blueberry and Cheese Muffins-
for your hot coffee on a Tuesday afternoon.

Simple and easy to make, super moist,

oh my goodness delicious, a delectable recipe to keep.

~Ina~

a taste of heaven

"A day without chocolate is a day without sunshine,

Life without chocolate is like a beach without water."

There’s just something about baking that makes myself feel that I’m in a world of harmony, no chaos.

Perhaps the reason is the ‘after feeling’ of baking. When all tense muscles seem to loosen up and seeing a beautiful result that becomes your potential masterpiece relieves the sensation of being self-deficient.

So far, this is the best recipe I have come up with. Oh, it feels so great! :)

cream cheese, sour cream, eggs, cocoa, sugar, vanilla extract, semisweet chocolate.

Cheese + Chocolate = HEAVEN

semisweet chocolate, heavy cream, espresso powder.

I remember an old story about a guy who found a bottle on the ocean. He opened it and out popped a genie. The genie asked for his three wishes. The guy wished for a million dollars, and poof! there goes a million dollars. Then he wished for a convertible, and poof! there goes a convertible. Lastly, he wished if he could be irresistible to all women... poof! He turned into a box of chocolates. :)

Forget LOVE, fall in chocolate.

Chocolate is cheaper than any other therapy and you don't need an appointment.

This is my therapy. There’s always something good happening, you just have to break up earth and find a little heaven somewhere.