Online recipes

I've watched and helped MANY family members cook filipino food but when it comes to making it for other people and making a LARGE quantity, there are some dishes that I need to look up just in case.  I know what the dishes are supposed to taste like, I know what they're supposed to look like but knowing exactly what goes in it was a little harder.  But thankfully there were many online recipes for filipino dishes and I was able to narrow down the ingredient list & the general technique and then use my own memories of how it was cooked and how it should taste to perfect the dish.

Here's all my prep work:

Then w/ Alex's help we turned it into this:

great husbands

Of course I'm biased and I think my husband is great.  But today we celebrated Jade's 30th birthday via surprise party thrown by HER great husband, Jonathan.  We were also able to catch up and hang out w/ my USC undergrad friends and their respective husbands (and babies!) and it was just an all around fun time.  I'm so thankful that my friends have such great people in their lives.

Toyota courtesy shuttle

The service guy seemed not to care about me or my car but the shuttle drivers were both wonderful! I was able to come home, iron some of Alex's shirts, prep for dinner and cool down! All thanks to the wonderful shuttle drivers who dropped me off & picked me up from home!

Anchary Nicholas

Even when I was younger Ann always treated me like a friend and as an equal and not just my-BFFs-annoying-little-sister.  Now that we're older she still always makes me feel welcomed when I hang out with my sister & her friends.  She is also provides inspiration, awe & wonder through her cooking (#anncooks) and her baking (#annbakes).  Today she posted this Jack Johnson video which was JUST the thing to get my day going.  She's always been a great friend to me and an older sister.  Thanks for everything P Ann!

Follow her & drool over her cakes (then order one!) at: luckyandinlove.blogspot.com

Plankton

While nerd-ing out watching PBS tonight I learned that plankton in the ocean are responsible for > 50% of the oxygen that we breathe! You should be thankful too!

Krystle Cher

There are about 7 billion people in this world and probably only a hand full of people has the patience to put up with my idiosyncrasies and only ONE actually wants to put up with it, and that is my awesome wife! 

Even better, she also cooks dinner when I work late. It's always an amazing feeling to come home and have food ready! 

Needless to say, I am very thankful for Krystle Cher Wu! 

Bryant AnhThu Tran

Bryant is one of those people who stays in the background but will have your back whenever you need him. In planning for a trip I always look to Bryant for his opinion on places to eat. He'll always tell you what he thinks and is always willing to 'discuss' different topics with you. Only one of the many reasons why I'm thankful for this fool.

our house

I'm thankful that Alex was able to purchase a home when he did and that after we got married we were able to make it our own.  I love the color, the flow, the garden, the flowers and everything about our house.

Jack in the Box

Sometimes when I feel bad I like to eat bad also.  Jack in the Box tacos are JUST the thing I was craving after a BUSY BUSY day at work.  Thank god for the convenience of Jack in the Box & their 2 for 0.99 tacos!  They're so good bc they're so bad.

girltalk

Last night, on a THURSDAY, I ventured out to Beverly Hills to hang out and have girltalk with 2 of my BFFs, Jeanne & Grace.  I ended up getting home at 12:45am which is SUPER late for me but it was totally worth it.  Some times you can say things to your girls that you can't say to anyone else and somethings your BFFs will understand w/o you having to preface or give the backstory on it.  It was great hanging out with them, I only wish we could spend more time together!  But I'm thankful to have outlets like this and times like that where we can catch up, reminisce and laugh and pretend we're 13 again.

the Kaiser system

I was SUPER excited to find out that there are plans to open a Kaiser medical office building in CERRITOS!  It's super exciting for me at least since Kaiser's system is pretty expansive AND maybe, possibly, Alex could potentially transfer out there!  Craziness!  I'm glad Kaiser is expanding and that Alex & I are a small part of their system.

Baked goods by Cher

It is well known that I like to cook and Cher likes to bake desserts. It is also well known that I do NOT have a sweet tooth which is why I am especially thankful when Cher bakes salty foods like pizza and calzones! Thanks honey! 

alex's patience & understanding

It has since tapered down but i used to work my kaiser per diem job A LOT.  I would go after my regular job until the pharmacy closed and would be home ~10pm.  It didn't seem like that much to me but yesterday I got home ~5 and was home alone until 10pm and I started feeling lonely!  I was immediately thankful that Alex understands why I work/ed Kaiser and I felt bad for leaving him alone during the week all those times ago! I'm sorry!!!

Sportacular

Tonight's Game 6 was ridiculous!  I was at dinner and sped home to catch the very exciting end of the game.  I was able to follow (a little) on Sportacular on the way home which was great!  It let me gauge if it was worth it to drive straight home or if I could do some errands in between.  Nope! No time for errands!

tech-free

Earlier this year I gave up my smartphone functions for Lent.  I went as far as digging up an old flip phone sans data but my iPhone SIM card didn't fit!  Alas, I hid all my apps on a 2nd page of my iPhone and kept only those applications you could find on a dumbphone.  I was restricted to: Clock, Calculator, Phone, Contacts, Calendar & SMS (non-picture) messages.  I didn't even use the camera!  Yes, I was allowed to go on fb and instagram on the actual computer but once I left work and left the desktop I wasn't allowed to think about those things.  It was nice not being tied to my phone and constantly thinking about my email and anything else phone-related.  Similarly, it's nice when I can leave my phone at home and not worry about being bothered.  It's very liberating.

I'm glad I went through my Lenten experience and I hope that I can still refrain from always being plugged in.

My dad!

Obviously being Fathers Day I'm thankful for my dad today. But since he's in the Philippines and I haven't been able to talk to him it makes me realize that I'm even more thankful for the sacrifices, hard work and everything else he's given my family. He's often misunderstood and under appreciated and I wish I could tell him how much I love him and tell him THANK YOU for giving me everything I've ever wanted in my life. I hope he enjoyed spending Father's Day with my Lola in the Philippines. I imagine they went to visit my Lolo at the cemetery and my dad got to 'talk' to his dad on Father's Day, that would be my wish for them both. I love you Daddy Cool!

My momma!

I know it's Father's Day weekend but I can't help but be thankful for my mom today. She helped me make a graduation lei for my sister-in-law for her graduation tomorrow. I tried making it myself and failed in 30 seconds, it was supremely easier with her help!

Patients who come early

It's great when patients come early to their appointments. It makes things extra smooth and eventually I get out early too! Thanks for being responsible patients!

36 years of marriage (my parents)!

36 years ago my parents went down to the Marylebone court in London and got married! I wouldn't be anything without them (literally).

Naps before sleeping

It's probably not good for me but I love taking a nap (preferably on the couch) before I go to sleep!

Doing things I like to do

There are a few things that I enjoy that Alex doesn't care for too much. But I'm thankful for the times when he comes with me to do things I like to do and things that I enjoy.

The beach

It's nice living so 'close' to the ocean. The beach is always a nice place to relax and enjoy the breeze.

Impromptu getaways

Hello from Solvang! Alex and I were fortunate enough to get 3 days off so we decided on a mini vacay to Solvang/Santa Barbara area.

Fridays!

Regardless of the actual day, it's always nice to 'celebrate' and relax on your last day of the work week.  Yesterday was Alex's 'Friday' while mine is today!  He was very happy he was able to stay up late &/or sleep in today and NOT have to work.  I'm going to relish in that feeling tomorrow! Fridays are the light at the end of the tunnel and always a relief when it's here.  Enjoy your 'Friday' everyone!

Thankful for Power Tools

I like building things for functional purposes and pay minor attention to aesthetics due to lack of ability. :) Power tools have made it much easier and faster to cut, screw, and drill things. One day I might focus on better design but for now, utility takes priority. 

exiting Hacienda Blvd

I didn't want to jinx myself w/ traffic but last night I was QUITE thankful that I exit Hacienda Blvd off the 60 fwy.  Most of the time (95%) the traffic STARTS right after Hacienda and last night on the 5 lane freeway, the FOUR right lanes were closed!  at 10pm!!  MAN!  I was super thankful for my exit last night!

gift cards

I love using gift cards!  They make it seem like I'm getting my item(s) for free or at a huge discount!  It's awesome.  Thanks to everyone/anyone who's given me a gift card!  You can be sure that I used it and enjoyed using it too!

Netflix

During lunch I usually sit outside, get some sun and relax my brain.  It's a nice way to get away from everyone since the clinic is always FULL of people talking.  Some days I'll read a book but most of the time I'll stream something on Netflix.  I like the quality of their streaming and the different options available to me.

Yao Hua Wu

In addition to being my brother-in-law, I can honestly say that Yao is my friend.  I'm glad that he lives with us, buys random but useful things for the house and keeps Alex on his toes (and much more).  I'm thankful that I've been able to be his friend as I transitioned into the family and that we can grow closer as siblings/roommates too!

Dinner menu

Sometimes it's tough to think about what to eat for dinner especially during the week when I get home from work, too tired to think about much of anything and HUNGRY.  Thankfully we started making dinner menus each week so that when we get home there's a vague/general idea of what's supposed to be for dinner.  It's the small things that make me smile.

not driving

Alex's parents live ~3.5hrs away from us and yesterday we decided to go home to visit them!  Alex graciously drove the whole way there and we came back tonight bc he has work tomorrow morning.  Alex again graciously and painstakingly drove back the whole way tonight (got back at midnight) and even said it was ok for me sleep a little in the car!  I can't be more thankful for a husband who truly takes care of me.