Flashback Friday: Got Ramen?

This photo was taken a few years ago when I first visited the “land of the rising sun” or as I sometimes call it the land of ramen, Japan . I went to this place called Yamaoka-ya (山岡屋) which is a 24-hour ramen shop operated by Maruchiyo Yamaokaya Corporation. The company currently has 130 shops in Japan mainly in Hokkaido, Kanto, Tohoku and Tokai areas. I thought it was pretty cool that you place your order through a vending machine near the entrance of the ramen shop. You then choose what soup base you want plus the ingredients and pay. The machine then spits out  a meal ticket that you hand over to the staff who will prepare and serve your meal. The friendly staff will then seat you to one of the booths…well…sort of! It’s similar to a booth but more private I’d say because the dividers were much higher than in a typical restaurant booth. You also have to leave your shoes by the steps (kind of like a one step stool) because you have to sit zashiki style. Although I’ve had ramen many times before, I was quite excited to finally have a taste of Japan’s most popular Chinese dish like I’ve never had it before! I think it’s because I was about to eat ramen and I was in Japan . It’s the culture and the experience that got me really excited. I pictured Naruto enjoying his favorite ramen as I was enjoying mine! Hahahaha!

It’s definitely a check in my bucket list and I hope to visit some of the best ramen shops in my next visit in the land of the ramen!

My lame attempt at making some “homemade” miso ramen one weekend! Hahahaha! I think I need more effort and ingredients next time! It was pretty good though!

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Happy Mother’s Day to My Mothers! :)

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy 60th Birthday Dad!!!

♥ We love you!!! ♥

NaPoWriMo 2013- #30: My Grandma

A poem for my loving Grandma for Mother’s Day She’s my inspiration for my last entry for the 30 days, 30 poems challenge as she is the one who taught me how to read and write aside from the values that she has instilled in me. The background photo I used is a photo of a lotus that I took from 2010. I thought it was fitting for the poem as the memories I have with my Grandmother brings peace to my heart.

Throwback Thursday: Lanikai

I’m totally missing Hawaii especially my favorite beach of all Lanikai! These photos were taken from the last time I was there in 2008. It’s such a serene place and the sound of silence definitely soothes my soul . 

I wrote this poem 2 years ago to express how much I miss Lanikai and how much I love its beauty

NaPoWriMo 2013- #26: Dark Shadow

Inspired by my continues struggle with having an OCD that I kept from family and friends for many years until recently.

NaPoWriMo 2013- #22: To My Parents- Words Unspoken

This has to be the most personal poem I’ve ever written to date. I was inspired to write this after reading a son’s heartfelt message to his father expressing how much he misses him and that there is never a day that he doesn’t think of him since his passing 9 years ago. I couldn’t help myself from writing the son  a message to tell him that I was deeply moved by his love for his father and family and before I knew it I’m already writing in my little notebook with my favorite pen in the wee hours.  My poem was supposed to be just the last 6 lines and that was it. It wasn’t too personal at first but as I reread what I had written, something came over me and this overwhelming emotion is what drove me to write the rest of the poem. This random person whom I don’t even know personally and just started following on Instagram a few months ago because I admire his photos  (especially the food ones! hehehehe!) suddenly became more than that to me because if he hadn’t expressed his feelings to the world about losing his father and how he tries to cope with it everyday, I wouldn’t be able to express those overwhelming emotions I have been keeping to myself since I was a child. I thank him for being brave at expressing his emotions because it has inspired me to do the same as well. So this poem is VERY special to me. It is a piece of my heart. Something that has been tucked away for so long and at times I tried to ignore because I’ve convinced myself that I wasn’t affected and that I was doing completely fine growing up without either of my parents by my side. Don’t get me wrong. I’m forever grateful for my grandparents as they are the only parents I’ve come to know but I wish I had a better relationship with my father and mother though they separated and have lived their own lives since I was a baby. I just wish that we have a better relationship with each other even though we all have separate lives. But it’s never too late. I’m fortunate that they are both still alive and I hope that someday things would be much much better .

This was the last photo of my grandparents together just before my Grandfather passed away . I couldn’t ask for better parents. God has truly blessed me with wonderful grandparents .

It took 23 years before I saw my mother again. To this day I struggle to understand WHY. There are so many things that I want to ask her but every time I try it’s either I get shutdown or never get a straight answer. One thing I really miss about her was when she used to do my hair .

I first saw my Dad in 1993 after a few years gap of not having any communication. I remember making a wish on a shooting star every night when I was in 6th grade hoping that I would find him and meet him soon…and my wish actually came true the following year .

Photography: LACMA and Venice

These photos were taken with my mobile phone as well after hanging out at City Walk in Hollywood two months ago. I’ve always wanted to see the Urban Light and Venice and I’m so glad that I finally got to do that! A spur-of-the-moment side trip that’s definitely worth it! I’d have to go back though since I want to see more of LACMA and Venice. Can’t wait!

Hahahaha!

Silly…silly guy! Hahahaha!

Welcome to Venice!

February 2013

Throwback Thursday!

Meet the nerdy ME from high school! Hahahaha! Not that I’m no longer nerdy but I’d say I was much more nerdy back in high school! Lol! This photo was taken back when I was in first year high school at the age of thirteen. I really loved my high school uniform especially the tie. I thought it was pretty neat to get to wear one everyday . I also loved the all white uniform but it was very challenging to keep it clean during rainy season in my home country. I took public transportation to go to school and in between getting off and on jeepneys or tricycles I had to take a walk to each station and I would end up with mud splatters all over my skirt even if I walked slowly just to avoid getting my skirt dirty. That is one reason I hated rainy season in the Philippines! It lasts about six months out of a year but it doesn’t rain for six months straight, it’s sporadic not unless there’s a typhoon. Then it could rain for weeks at a time causing flood and other calamities . What’s the only thing that a high schooler like me then looks forward to at times like that??? No school! Just like in the US when there is a snow storm.

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Flashback Friday: Regina

This photo was taken back in 1992 as you can tell by the super high waist faded jeans with embroidered flowers by the pocket that I have on along with my awkward bangs that wants to go in different directions and my uni-brow (thank goodness it’s not that noticeable). Ugh! Women! So critical of themselves! Like I didn’t just watch the Dove Sketch Campaign about true beauty, right? Hahahaha! Pardon my silly comments.

Her name is Regina. She’s my Aunt. Sadly she is no longer with us. Her life was cut short tragically 19 years ago due to a wreckless human being who was driving drunk. We lost her nine weeks before her 33rd birthday. She was smart, vibrant, driven, beautiful and a courageous woman but what really makes her stand out is her heart. She was a kind woman with a big heart. She was a loving Aunt, sister and a friend who was always there to lend a helping hand and offer support. She never forgot birthdays or any special occasions. She made us all feel very special. We all look up to her and admire her in so many ways. There’s never a day that passes by that I don’t think of her most especially at this time of month. April is a very special month for her. It would’ve been my Aunt’s 52nd birthday two days ago. She actually has the same birthday as my fiance. Sometimes I try to picture how she would’ve been now and I can’t help but smile because I know that she would still be the same Aunt I’ve come to know growing up who always wanted everyone to be happy, plan family get-togethers and surprise birthday and anniversary celebrations for my grandparents. She loved them so much and she never ceases to show it.

I feel that my Aunt is my guardian angel who always guides me most especially when I’m going through tough times in my life. I actually have dreams of her…that she’s talking to me and stuff. The last time I dreamt of her was she was about to get married. I wish I knew what that really meant or what she’s trying to tell me. Maybe someday soon it’ll all make sense but for now I feel comfort in knowing that she’s always looking out for me and my family and though she maybe gone the precious moments we had with her remain in our hearts forever.♥

I wrote this poem 2 years ago in memory of my Aunt and I was thinking of a background that I can use that best symbolizes who she is for me and my family, so I thought taking a photo of a candle light would be perfect as a background for the poem since I feel that her light continues to shine upon us.

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