Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took God's hand when I heard the call;
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day
To Laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.
Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me-
God wanted me now, God set me free.

Author: Unknown
------------------
I was thinking about my late dad a lot these past few days as that fateful day is approaching soon…

On my way back home, I noticed that the sky was really pretty…somehow looking of it made me

feel peaceful.......

It felt so good to be waking up on a Saturday and not having to rush around the bathroom and my room trying to get ready for workie-work. I truly chilled out and had a slow enjoyable breakie-break this morning. Mucho great being able to slowly do my things instead of rushing around like I do normally!!!! GOOD AM everyone!

HOLA!!!!

YEAYYYYY FRIDAY...FRIDAY...FRIDAY!!!!

And superb weather for the past few days and will continue (supposedly) until MONDAY!!!!

TARGET TUMMY - guys (w/out sucking-in)...LMAO!!!!

WTF….F-S-i-L’s interrogations – she will make an excellent spy!!!!!!!

FS-i-L: I saw you at your fave café, who did you go out with?

Call-Me-Miz-M: Jerome

F-S-i-L: Who’s Jerome? A new friend?

Call-Me-Miz-M: In a way, he’s new.

F-S-i-L: How did you know him?

Call-Me-Miz-M: At Church

F-S-i-L: Oh, that’s okay then.

Call-Me-Miz-M: Huh? Geez, I am sooo thankful for your seal of approval (rolling my eyes gazillion times)!!!!

F-S-i-L: Yeah. Well, if you go with someone new and it is a MALE….you aren’t supposed to.

Call-Me-Miz-M: Really? And why'z that?

F-S-i-L: You have a fiancé

Call-Me-Miz-M: ?????????????????? Oh how conveniently now she admitted that he is my fiancé! Whatever….!!!!

Parents will always be parents…BUT in the case of HIS MOM & DAD….they still see him as a kid no matter what…they can’t let go, and they can’t help dispersing their everlasting, abundant “words of wisdom” = nagging to him all the time!!!!

It is not that how scrawny looking he is, but it will be how much weigh he has put on.
If it is not how pale and sickly he look, it is how dark and unattractive he has become.
If it is not how he should stay at his parents’ house and do nothing, it is how late he is staying out and how he never come home to visit or call.
If they are not complaining about how he is wearing the same clothes all the time, they will complain about how much he spends on clothes.
If they are not making snide remarks of the person he is dating/plan to marry, but then they will turn around and nag him to death to get married. Then, they will continue comparing him with his siblings, cousins…including everyone else in the neighborhood…!!!!!

Basically HE is never allowed to be just HIM, nothing is good enough and they will never let go!!!

ANOTHER *$&*#@) MONDAY!!!!

Chinese New Year or Asian New Year (Lunar) per my dearie friend VN-Gal - LOL!!!!

My experience living in Singapore for two years....I was able to celebrate one CNY...and I remembered it was such a HUGE celebration. I was working with this local chinese company...and they closed down for before and after of CNY and in addition with 2 days public holidays....

The company put it as a mandatory for everyone to use their 2 vacation days on the day before and after the CNY...I was like what the FUCH??? After all, I earned those vacation days...I didn't think it was right for a company to dictate me when to use MY hard earned vacation days...

The owner was sooo typical Stingy, Calculating, Chinese Singaporean (Sorry, I tried not to stereotype, but oh so true!) He couldn't even GIVE those two days FREE to US...!!!! He felt that he is THE MAN...so what he says go! No wonder working in Singapore was a totally a CULTURE SHOCK experience for me...everyone was so uptight, selfish and backstabber! All they could think about is WORK...WORK...WORK, MONEY..MONEY...MONEY.....IF you don't put looooong hours....if you leave on time each day...they consider you as a LAZY, worthless worker...yeah...WHATEVER...GET a LIFE!!!

OOOOPSY Daisy....back to the original subject...CNY in Singapore.....tangerines or oranges everywhere...it is a HUGE TRADITION!!!! People give each other tangerines was my favorite tradition because.....I LOVE eating them tangerines....FULL of VIT C!!!

According to the tradition: Oranges and Tangerines = Good Fortune!!!

Enough
By: Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio

All of You is more than enough for
All of me for every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in You is more than enough

You are my supply my breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You are my reward worth living for
Still more awesome than I know

You're my sacrifice of greatest price
Still more awesome than I know
You're my coming King You are everything
Still more awesome than I know

More than all I want more than all I need
You are more than enough for me
More than all I know more than all I can see
You are more than enough

The UBER-NOSEY cousin ran into me at the mailbox…

Then he asked, “What’s this I hear about your imminent marriage?”

???!!!

WELL! If I was getting married, I certainly am the last one to hear about it…

No, I’m not getting married… not anytime soon at least…

Just to set the record straight…

Feb 18, 2007 Chinese New Year is a time of many things - of joyous family reunions. I remembered when I was living in Houston, VN Gal….for many years…sweetly invited me to her house and I would hang around and her parents and her older siblings would gave me little red envelopes with the $2 bills inside….I really thought it was really kewl and I still kept the money…..

Oh and we would be able to eat all her mom’s yummy cooking too!

Oooh supposedly it is the year of the PIG??

Ma BABE is spoilling me...w/ caviar...etc

Homemade Crème Fraiche:

1 cup whipping cream, room temperature

1 tablespoon buttermilk or 1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature

In a jar with a lid, place whipping cream and buttermilk or sour cream; cover securely and shake 15 seconds. Set aside at room temperature for 24 hours or until very thick. Stir once or twice during that time. Cream will thicken faster if the room is warm. Stir thickened crème fraiche well.

Refrigerate at least 6 hours before serving. Cover tightly and store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Thin Crust Pizza Dough (see recipe below)

1/2 cup Crème Fraiche*

4 ounces thinly sliced smoked salmon

1 cucumber, sliced as thinly as possible

1 ounce caviar, Beluga, Sevruga, Osetra, or American Caviar

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives

* Sour cream may be substituted.

Prepare and bake pizza dough.

Spread a thin layer of 1/2 of the creme fraiche over the slightly cooled pizza crusts. Arrange the smoked salmon evenly over the top of the creme fraiche on each pizza to completely cover. Layer the cucumber slices over the smoked salmon, overlapping slightly to create a design.

Using a pizza cutter or a large sharp knife, cut each pizza into 4 or 6 slices. On the center of each slice, dab a little bit of the remaining creme fraiche. Place 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of caviar on top of the creme fraiche and sprinkle with some of the chopped chives. Serve immediately.

Thin Crust Pizza Dough:

3/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F.)

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups bread flour

2 teaspoons instant active dry yeast

Add all the ingredients in the bread pan of bread machine. Process according to manufacturer's instructions for a dough setting.

Meanwhile preheat the pizza stone or tiles to 450 degrees for 30 minutes. Prepare your toppings (see below).

When the bread machine has completed the dough cycle, remove the dough from the pan to a lightly oiled surface. Knead the dough several times and form the dough into an oval; cover with a towel and let rest for 10 minutes.

Roll and stretch the dough into a 14-inch circle. For this recipe, when kneading, leave the dough a little more wet than usual, as this will help give it a crispy crust. Divided the pizza dough into two (2) pieces and roll each section into a 9-inch circle.

Note: Dough may be refrigerated at this point and stored until ready to use. To store each batch of dough, spray a plastic bag with nonstick spray and place the dough in it. Store no longer than 7 to 10 days, or if frozen for up to 2 months. If refrigerated or frozen prior to use, allow the portions to come to room temperature before they are rolled out.

Place the dough rounds on the prepared pizza peel. Lightly brush with olive oil to within 1/2-inch of the edge. Transfer the pizzas into the oven and bake for 8 to 12 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.

Pizza Tip - A common problem is that the topped pizza sticks to the baker's peel. Giving the peel a quick jerk may work, but it may also jerk your toppings off the pizza as well. A helpful hint is to put a piece of parchment paper on the peel instead of using cornmeal. I place the rolled-out pizza dough on the parchment paper and then add the toppings. The parchment goes into the oven with the pizza. This makes it easier to slide the pizza off the peel and onto the baking stone.

V-DAY: The traditional "Escargots à la bourguignonne"

First prepare the "beurre d'escargots"
Butter of Escargot "a la Burgundy"

1 kilogram of butter (about 2 lbs)

25 grams of salt

5 grams of black pepper

150 grams of garlic

35 grams of shallot or scallions

90 grams of parsley
Garlic, shallot and parsley are chopped very fine.

The whole is well mixed.

(Personal proportions can be modified. For example some people prefer have more shallots)

In each empty shell, place a little of this butter. Then push a cooked escargot into the shell. Fill the remaining space in the shell completely and smoothly with butter. Usually 5 grams are used for a shell (a tea spoon). Put in the oven (200 °C or 390 °F) just enough time needed to melt the butter. Serve immediately in special plates with holes. (Snails are picked with a special little fork).

Variations: The following is an extract of a letter received from Jean-Paul Boucher, professor of Cuisine in Dijon who also provided several other good recipes below.

In the traditional Butter of Escargot "a la Bourguignonne" add 0.1 liter of the aperitif Anise or some grains of Anise.

You can also add 100 grams to 150 grams of mustard that will give a delicate aroma. Try the escargot with mustard with grains (Ets. FALLOT 212000 BEAUNE).

Jour de San Valentine heureux à chacun!!!!

Dinner Tnght ala Ma Huney

ABALONE
Add some butter to a very hot skillet.

Cook abalone quickly or it will become very tough.

Cook for only one or two seconds on each side. SERVE IMMEDIATELY.

Children will ask you the most incredible things

Can they be with you when they're older?

Can you play hide and seek with them?

Can they take a sip from your cup?

Can they stay up late with you?
Can they try on your shoes?
Can they go with you?

I hope they don't lose the age of innocence........

I miss 'em much!!!

OMGaaaaws! I have been successfully avoiding the F-i-Ls…(future in laws)…for a few weeks with my busy schedule with the new Fashion Ministry..etc..etc…

Tday, after the game….I decided to stop by to see F-M-i-L, since it has been a while….and….she was surprised but very pleasant…so that was alright…and yeah…after 15 mins or so and I was ready to go, then my F-S-i-L: D walked in and she was fussing about the coming V-Day…how she got to prepare cookies for the kids for school, blah..blah…blah…and then she continued on by asking me if my hunney is gonna make one of his “secret visits” to see me…I didn’t give her any answer but just laughed it off…But that’s not what really set me off.

Nope, it was the photos she said she is gonna put them together for the next family gathering….which just so happened ALSO to show MONOBROWS gal who they want my hunney sooo badly to hook up with!!!!
WHATEVER….. I tried my best not to roll my eyes…but sweetly left the place…WOOOSSSSH…in a swift!!!

Geezzzz…D is trying to get her revenge for my telling her off a few weeks ago about her bday invitation drama, I’m certain. But that won’t be the end of it. I’m giving serious thought to dying my NEON color green or orange on the next family gathering…LMAO!!!

Ma Babe is on his way here for V-Day..he was in LONDON last night…have a safe journey babe!!

Watched the game with some kewl friends (free ticket for moi)!!!!!!!!!!!!
Babe...I was TOTALLY for your Alma Mater.....YEAY!!! 65 - 52 for Georgia Tech...!!!!!

Another productive meeting w/ the gurls....9:30A.....SAT together with chips, salsa and dips!!! next week would be at mi casa...soooooo ehmmmm...maybe I will make some killer hors d'oeuvre!!!!

I ma make "mom's" recipe: tomato and basil plate..etc..etc..

How many of this type of PPL do yawl have at work?



PASSIVE – AGGRESSIVE *PAUL*: He smiles at your face, then, stabs you in the back.....!!!

TOXIC *TONY*: He constantly spews toxic energy until it infects everyone!!!!

WHINING *WENDY*: She complains…and complains…and complains about everything!!!!

NITPICKING *NANCY*: She always finds something/someone to criticize!!!!

PERSONAL PROBLEM *PETE*: He is a DRAMA KING man…his life is like a Jerry Springer episode, and brings it to work with him every day!!!!

MY WORK….GOT ALL OF ‘EM!!!!!

I just found out that even after we have broken up for a long while now, he's still telling ppl we both know untrue crap about me how I broke his heart..etc..etc…..PATHETIC…bcuz…after all this time now, he’s still interested in my affairs, not to mention that he's already attached to someone else and I am attached to my current one….geez…..but anyhow, I don’t really give a crap ‘bout what he says………and I am soooo glad we are not together anymore….He is such a loser….the ultimate BOZO, I truly thought that he’d snapped out of his stupidity by NOW…obviously he likes it when everyone thinks bad about me….WHATEVER!!!! It doesn’t really matter…becuz my friends would know who’s for real!!! He is nothing but a lying, cheating, EX-Frenchie bf.

Do ya'll think LDR is worth the wait?

HE…HE…hunney if you read this…hmmm...plz don’t get me wrong...I’m not rethinking my relationship, but juzt trying to decipher, if it’s really worth. I have not had previous LDR yet, but with this one, although it hasn’t damaged our relationship, we both have our painful days.

Being away from him and not being in the same COUNTRY kinda tough…especially when he keeps saying how hard it is for him not being able to speak to me whenever he wants, not seeing me if ever he desires...all these things create such a havoc in my mind, that it gets me frustrated, and leaves a bad taste in my mouth…..with his ever-pounding meddling family all lurking around me…

Work and exercise keep me busy during the weekdays, and FULL CHURCH activities on the weekend, but whenever he tells me he can’t help thinking about me, and I can’t help feeling a bit miserable. It’s really just a matter of time, and he'll be back, GOD WILLING. But how will I go through dealing with his family, is beyond my comprehension. I know I have done pretty darn good so far…. But yeah I do miss him so much, it is easier to have him around when dealing with his family because we are in this mess TOGETHER…LMAO!!!!

He was so patient with me many times…., and it’s only fair that I give him back the same kindness...but SIGH, still why can’t we be in the same place? He asks me about this all the time too like it is all up to me….and it is making me feel like…I've come to the point where I really need to take this relationship to a new/higher level and that means its time we get into it more seriously.

I just wish I could run to him or could kidnap him and bring him back home to HOUSTON…lmao!!! But I hope he stays well there helping the country and make me proud of him... I’m pretty sure he will. He worries about me a lot and even though I don’t say this to him I do worry about him too. (Gurls are such vulchers, whenever they see a goodlook'in boy they have to attack...he…he…) but to me…(after my last relationship with my cheating, lying FRENCHIE)….I feel like HEY…if he let’s say..ended up going for another gal…then it is his lost!!!!...I ain’t gonna sit and worry no more…done enough of that….!!!!! AMEN!

Geez..Indianapolis won! I was hoping the Bears! and Peyton Manning = MVP? Yeah..yeah...whatever!

I had a fabulous evening, full of laughter and joy SLUMBER PARTY…LOL. All the catching up, new projects and encouraging words melts my heart. Thanks, GIRLIES!!!!

I am blessed. Wonderful things are happening in my life now. I pray that things will stay beautiful. After months of searching in the darkness, I can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel. It's not about getting the job but seeing value in me. The satisfaction of being recognized. The belief that I have something to contribute. I must stay contented. Although I do wish for more in life beside work but for now, I will stay contented. Life's beautiful, because I say so.

Super COLD weather :(

OH HI VN-GIRL! Sorry we haven’t had a chance to catch up much…but yeah…eyes are getting better by the day…and no more GRANDMA-GLASSES…etc…YEAYYYY :)!!!





TOMORROW: SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!!

Veggies Salad
3 medium zucchini, 1/2" slices (5 cups)
2 medium carrots, 1/4" slices (1 cup)
1 medium onion, sliced thin, sep'd
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup spicy vegetable juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine zucchini, carrots, onion, pepper and water in 3-quart saucepan. Cover. Cook over high heat for 5 to 7 minutes, or until vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring occasionally. Drain. Set aside.

Combine remaining ingredients in 1-cup measure.

In large mixing bowl or salad bowl, combine vegetable mixture and juice mixture. Toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 4 hours, stirring occasionally.

BITC* FIT

Aaarggggh!!! I’m having a hard time dealing with some *#(^@# people at work!!!! They are YUCKY miserable *$&%^%^(!


Two-timing backstabbers; Please, stay away


Big mouths aka the blabbers. Stay away too. Ick.


Stingy people. Need I say more?













Florida Storm and Jakarta Flood. Dear God, grant them proper shelter, clean food and water, and monetary help. Amen.

Metabolism rate. What is wrong?!? I used to be able to binge and NO WORRIES.

SNOW IN GEORGIA!!!!! WINTER STORM!!!! :(