Monday, June 16, 2014

Graduation Speech

I have struggled with this speech before, during, and after I delivered it. It's been a good experience scouring Ecclesiastes to impart wisdom beyond my years -- ones that I probably would have never known unless I picked up a Bible, and ones that I am still battling through to choose. I wish I could have said some things differently to honor my parents. And some people sent really damaging personal attacks because they disliked the content. I never really realized how a few words can curse and potentially ruin one's life forever, until now. One thing I learned from it: NOBODY TELLS YOU YOUR INTENT. You know yourself better than anyone, and no matter what people say, you know deep down whether or not you intended to hurt people (or other stuff). Nevertheless, intent is pretty much useless when the damage is done. Lol.

I also cried while writing this whole thing down. LOTS. The kind that leaves your eyes puffy and ugly in the morning. Hahaha. Not to mention my audition for the speech was a total mess as I was crying unstoppably like a kid. No regrets, though. I got to know myself and my story better through this process. I think it was the highlight of my two and a half years in the United States. I think this was why I was here, enduring all the pain and making all the wrong choices -- to tell people not to do the same mistakes I did. And to send the message that God does make beauty out of our mess.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28



You can find the transcript of the speech here.

Next Step


A lot of people have been asking what my next step would be. I honestly don't know. I kind of want to go to Singapore and live with my dad, maybe for a month or two. That's because I don't think we've spent enough time together and I don't think I've known him enough. It matters because how I see my father greatly reflects and affects how I see God. And right now, I have some serious God issues that need to take priority in my life. This path is uncertain, and it might mean holding off my bachelor's degree for an indefinite amount of time. And I am reaaally itching to finish my studies already because I feel so left behind. Lol.

On the other hand, I can work for a year in the United States, maybe earn enough to continue studying here for the next two years. Very tempting. I don't have to repeat any course work or apply to colleges with so much uncertainty because I'm sure my grades and achievements are sufficient enough to get me to a good college. True, I'm feeling a bit homesick. But you know what, I'm 20. And for me, 20 is too young to leave my family (which I already did at 17). There's only so much time I can spend with them 'til I go totally independent or marry and have my own family. I, myself, do not want to chase things that really will not matter.

In the end, I hope I make the right choice. I hope it all works out. And whatever I choose to do, I pray that I end up in the path that will lead me to God.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Slow Cooker Spicy Indonesian Peanut Chicken

Because I blogged a little bit later than when I started cooking, I have missed blogging about some of the awesome dishes I've already done. This Indonesian Peanut Chicken recipe is one of the best ones I've cooked. It made me and my friends really happy. There is hope in my cooking skills! :)

[caption id="attachment_604" align="aligncenter" width="660"]Lunch for two! :) Lunch for two! :)[/caption]

Don't be fooled by what you see! This is one of the best dishes I have made. I know one person who is dying to eat this. I made pancakes, too, for snacks. :) I borrowed the cookbook Fix-It and Forget-It by Phyllis Pellman Good. It was pretty helpful, though a lot of the recipes required a lot of ingredients. Since I'm a poor student and it was spur of the moment, I kind of had to grab what's available for me. In this case: Peanut Butter!

[caption id="attachment_602" align="aligncenter" width="660"]Prep time! :D Prep time! :D[/caption]
Indonesian Peanut Chicken by Naomi Ressler

Servings: 6 servings
Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
Cooking Time: 4 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 4-qt.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks

  • 1/3 cup chopped onions

  • 1/3 cup water

  • 1/4 cup creamy, or chunky, peanut butter

  • 3 Tbsp. chili sauce

  • 1/4 tsp. salt

  • 1/4 tsp. pepper

  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

  • cooked rice, or soba noodles

  • 6 Tbsp. chopped peanuts

  • 6 Tbsp. chopped sweet peppers



  1. Place chicken in slow cooker

  2. In a small bowl, combine onions, water, peanut butter, chili sauce, salt, and peppers. Pour over chicken.

  3. Cover. Cook on Low for 4 hours, or until chicken is tender.

  4. Serve over rice or soba noodles. Sprinkle with peanuts and red peppers.



[caption id="attachment_603" align="aligncenter" width="660"]After 4 hours in the slow cooker. :) After 4 hours in the slow cooker. :)[/caption]

I have to apologize for not being good in food aesthetics. I shot this picture in yellow light. I have to make do with what I have. Lol. Again, since I am a mere student with no income whatsoever, I had to leave out some of the ingredients, add some other stuff, and mix it according to my taste. These are the changes I made:

  • Added a spoonful of peanut butter and water

  • Added one more Tbsp. of chili sauce (Frank's Original Red Hot Pepper Sauce)

  • Left out sweet chili pepper, cayenne pepper, and peanuts

  • Added a pinch of sugar

  • Added 1/4 Tbsp. of basil leaves and 1 Tbsp. of crushed chillies


It all lies in the sauce you make. Just make sure the peanut butter is well-mixed and that you can taste it more than the chili sauce. The crushed chili is what makes it really spicy.

Happy cooking! :D

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Starting over again... with cooking! :)

Disclaimer: This is really just an intro before I blog about actual experiences in cooking. :)

[caption id="attachment_592" align="aligncenter" width="660"]Internet Photo Let the cooking begin! :) Photo from the internet.[/caption]

I know I've never mentioned cooking in this blog. Lol. Everybody knows this blog has turned into a total catharsis I'm used to running to when I'm dealing with my PMS problems. I got sick of it that I even thought of abandoning this domicile and making another one for my twenty-something life.

That's right. I just turned 20. *cheers* I'm entering a new phase of independence and adulthood and everything else in between. :D

To start things off, I recently moved to a new place -- a converted garage near campus. I currently live with my roommate and a couple in the other room. I'm pretty sure it's illegal to have that much people in such small place. Lol. I bought a few things such as a rice cooker, a mini stove, and a slow cooker! :)

In terms of experience, I don't really cook that much. But when I do, I know it's DA BOMB. My mom taught me the basics (and sometimes coerced me to cook), and she was really good at it. Everything else followed. I am pretty confident that I make the best chicken sisig ever. Haha. But aside from that, there's really nothing I can be proud of. There's so much to learn, and I just can't wait! :D Dormitory and living with other people has kept me from cooking for way too long. Not anymore.

I don't have a choice anyway. It's starve or cook. Let the cooking begin.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

On hiatus

[caption id="attachment_562" align="aligncenter" width="530"]Internet Photo Internet Photo[/caption]

Sorry, guys. I know I haven't been efficient in posting things here. I am undergoing one hard season after another. My stubbornness has led me on to a detour which is quite dangerous and fascinating at the same time. Sad realities are suddenly dawning on me, but my hope remains. Hahaha. I know you don't have any idea of what I'm talking about. Don't worry, most people, even the closest ones in my life, have no idea as well.

Without further adieu, I am now officially on hiatus. My life status is calling for a private anonymous blog. So yes, I am blogging -- but as an anonymous stranger in the wordpress.com community. :) I might see you around.

When things get better -- who knows when -- I will cross-post them blog posts here and update you. See you in a while! :D

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Entering the promised land... again.

Hey everyone! :)

Just so you know, I'm in sunny SoCal once again. Haha. Something's different this time. Everything's so familiar, and yet everything feels so new. It's really cool. Things have been awesome, and I saw God provide for me for the past week that I've been here.

First off with Campus Harvest. I literally have no money in this place, and I saw how God provided even to the very last minute. It was such an awesome and empowering conference, and so many things I'd love to share to you about it, but more of that in another post. :) I had jet lag for the past week, but I still had a wonderful time. Plus, I've met a lot of friends from the Campus Harvest tour who have really encouraged me.

[caption id="attachment_551" align="alignnone" width="851"]Campus Harvest 2013: God's Not Dead Campus Harvest 2013: God's Not Dead[/caption]

 

He's also been providing for food whenever I go out with friends, and I feel like not going because I can't pay. Seriously, I have big pride issues. >.< At first, I struggled to ask rides from people, and now I feel guilty when other people bless me. I have to work more on that. I don't want to end up splurging on this as well.

Today's my first day of school, and I'm sooo excited. I am really praying that I get a morning schedule, since last semester was so depressing due to my night classes. T_T Have I mentioned that I will be experiencing financial difficulties when it comes to paying my tuition? Haha, I really can't feel it right now. I am not bothered at all. Maybe it's peace. Maybe it's the confidence that God is my Father and He loves to provide for me. Maybe it's the assurance that He can do all things. I take back all the maybes, because I'm really sure that God will open up opportunities to help me pay for my tuition. :)

It's getting clear to me that God is really calling me to my campus in this season. In fact, I have just discovered that we are called to preach the gospel wherever God has called us to be -- in our school, in our workplace, in our family, etc. I have about three years left for college. I should be graduating next year if I never left the Philippines, without really having this kind of passion for my campus. But now that I have it, it sounds so exciting because I have three more years to have my campus as my mission field! :D Isn't that awesome?

I really am meant to be here. God has been telling me that for the past year. As Jim Laffoon said yesterday, you never know what you have once it's gone. Yes, but in another context. I have really missed UP Baguio Lifebox, and my life in the Philippines. I knew for a fact that when God brought me here to Los Angeles, He was going to bless me. This is my promised land, and I never appreciated it because it's not how I expected it to be. I thought I'd just stand there and wait for manna to fall from heaven, but I'm not in the wilderness in this season anymore. This is definitely a new season, where I gotta plough, cultivate, and sow to reap a harvest. This land holds so much promises for me, but I can't just stand here anymore. I will work it, love it, and conquer all its giants by the grace of God.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37

 

P.S. More on the giants in another post, too. :) Love you.