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why share?

Have you ever had that LIGHT BULB moment? *ting, ting* NEW IDEA!

Each of us has access to a wealth of information. We can get it from formal study in a university or a lecture from a hot-shot speaker, but the bigger part we get from our day to day experience - from scanning the newspaper, talking to the cab driver, reading the latest online post, listening to your neighbor’s life story or from seeing an innocent child’s unbiased response.

All these are funneled to form a unique message shared through you, we don’t present NEW ideas, we share ideas re-imagined.

Then maybe there’s no point in sharing “old” ideas, right?

Believing that nothing happens by chance, it’s possible you were given just the right mix for a TRUTH to FINALLY make sense to the person next to you. If you don’t tell them, how will they hear? If they don’t hear, how will they believe?

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i.just.cant.

Awesomesauce. Amazeballs.

Mind blown! I.JUST.CANT.

<insert superlative here> - which still can't quite give justice to the weight of the feeling.

Have you ever had that A-HA moment, when a TRUTH finally makes sense in your head, making you want to say "Why am I knowing about this JUST NOW?" or it could be the case of "Yes, THIS is what I was born to do". That's the rare kind of high with a rush so overwhelming, it makes you tear up just a wee bit (yes, your eyes start to leak)

Remember them now? No, you can't exactly re-live that state of bliss, excitement and peace. It's something so genuine, all attempts to recreate it fall short.

But A MOMENT is what it was. Yes, you can decide to allow that to change your life, but the decision to live it out is done every waking day, moment by fleeting moment to be in the TRUTH and LIGHT and to MEAN SOMETHING in this world and beyond.

If only that mind-blown state of reality can never leave you, but then it wouldn't be considered so mind blowing if it's "always on", right? Wait, who says you can’t be in this new state all the time? Turn this into your “new normal”

Afraid of not ever having something to make your jaw drop in awe? Don’t worry, He is so much bigger, you're bound to be amazed AGAIN. You decide whether it will be on the same old things or if you will allow Him to show you so much more.

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Stuck? Give it UP!

I have mastered the art of “starting something new”

Nothing excites me more than making the first step to do that thing I’ve never done before, proving to others and myself that I'm good at it, or the very least, that I CAN. Whether it's putting up a blog, starting a common interest group or trying out a new sport... I go, I do, but I don't follow through.

Earlier this year, I've made the commitment to things bigger than myself - being intentional in growing my relationship with my family, with others and most importantly, with Jesus.

One quarter down and I find myself doing a less than stellar job in all three. I say this because I know I can give more, but also because I know I've been doing more and surrendering less. What I can give Him is faith (believe that He can) and trust (know that He will, according to His will). I find it most difficult for me to follow through with commitments, so I resolved to give it UP (arrow up) -- to stop relying on my own strength, intellect, skills and understanding to accomplish what He set out for me to do. Because I CAN'T, but GOD CAN. 

Time to give it UP!

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Twenty years from now, I shall recall a moment today that ignited an extraordinary dream! #claimit

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CookingforOne: DOUBLE DOWN CARBONARA

THE LONG INTRO

After a few months of living alone (at least on weekdays), I finally decided to give in and buy STUFFS to cook food in! 

Nothing major, just an induction cooker and a few utensils. Much to my dismay though, my mom's fancy non-stick won't work with it. *_* Ended up using a heavy stainless pan.

Since I'm out most nights, I only have time once a week to fix myself dinner, and first on the list... carbonara!

This is not my first attempt, it was another pasta creation a few weeks back, but this had this embarrassing back-story of sorts.

I'm no cooking expert, which is why, this isn't really cooking - others may want to call it mixing ingredients together + applying heat = science experiment! But just like what Ratatouille (the rat) said:

"Anyone can cook." But I realize, only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist; but a great artist [can] come from [anywhere]"

And so, the adventure begins!

I ordered a KFC double down meal for lunch. Feeling guilty for not running earlier that day, I thought I didn't deserve to finish the original chicken AND this bacon and cheese filled fillet goodness!

I decided to get some items from the supermarket, which included canned goods and a selection of Clara Ole sauces, which I've been hearing friends raving about for quick pasta fixes.

Not even halfway back to the office, one of the two the paper bags in my hand gets wet from the pineapple I bought and tore wide open. I reached the office elevator when the unthinkable happened -- cans dropping to the floor!! I had no way to reach down without spilling the rest of the items, like pasta, bread and other goods for the "domesticated". Thank you to random person for picking them up for me. 

I wanted to get off at a different floor, but I just had to get over it.

THE ACTUAL CARBONARA

Fast forward to dinner time. I decided to document every step of the way for the benefit of another hungry soul out there, but it's really more for my amusement.

Because I only have one pan, I cooked the pasta first until it was al dente, which required me to eat three pieces to test a few minutes apart from each other, because I really want to make sure I dont over or undercook. NO, YOU CANNOT TELL JUST BY LOOKING!

Late DISCLAIMER: I did mention this is really just mixing ready-made items so.. canned bangus goes in with the sauce mix. This is not the usual, coz I thought I still had tuna left. Fish, same-same.

Put them all together -- now, it feels stupid to even write it step-by-step but it's almost done anyway, let's just all go along with it, shall we?

Add cheeeeese.

And just because I had some... jazzed it up with almonds for added crunch!

Now for the double down, I decided to place it in the toaster to heat. In it went, wrapper and all...

BAD DECISION! because no Mark, it's NOT THE SAME AS A MICROWAVE OVEN. Noted.

Salt, pepper, basil, parmesan and whatever else you have to taste

Aaaaaaaaand, voila! With or without filter, it LOOKS GOOD!

TIP: Prepare your lock&locks for the left-overs and serve up for breakfast with team mates the next day, they'll thank you for it :)

NEXT WEEK: Steaaaaaaaaaaak Surprise!

LEGIT COOKING INVOLVED!

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In other news that you don't care about, I FINALLY have a tiny ref, which was just sitting in my parents room - bought "club soda" to celebrate for only 11 pesos a bottle, on sale in Rustan's! chill time :))

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late afternoon stroll.

There are coffee hangouts, fancy dinners over wine or partying all night, and then there's also the occasional all-nighter in the office. I must also mention the workout sessions and weekend long runs for the health buffs, but never, at least not in my immediate circle, a late afternoon stroll at the park. It's not a very Gen Y thing to do.

Thanks to my friend's excitement over a long lost (and now found) film camera, we decided to talk a "photowalk". Not extremely random since I also needed to pick up something in Makati. We ended up in Ayala triangle.

Sure, people go there a lot these days, but it's either to check out the row of restaurants (try Poco Deli) or go for an after-work run. The lights show was also up during the holidays, making it all the more crowded at night. So what happened to just taking a walk? Was it even ever a thing?

I remember a company top level manager, who shared a story that one day, he decided to get up from his work pod to head out to the Ayala triangle library. Coming out of that afternoon walk was an insightful message that inspired his organization. My additional take-aways were - 1> there's a library there? and 2> he walked to the park, who does that?

No, a walk in a park will most likely NOT change your life, but it allows you to exercise just appreciating the simple things and yes, also a bit of physical exercise for those sitting in an office desk all day. On that late Friday afternoon post the holidays, I was fortunate enough to see...

man vs mango... in the city!

an office dude on a rock with his music on.

a blonde toddler who's not on hyper-care.

a lady-in-waiting

photo credit goes to my friend's "eye", taken with my trusty iphone.

When was the last time you took a stroll?

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Late afternoon stroll: mango picking, senti in the city, the other five o'clock shadow

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pretty awesome, in fact I'm ditching my Starbucks planner for this method. I already have a notebook, now on to the tasks!

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new year, new project... beyond weekends.

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this awesomeness that is a shot glass made of ice!

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THAT THING YOU KNOW YOU REALLY WANTED TO DO... ONE WEEKEND AT A TIME

So I left this page for quite a long time and tried my absolute hardest to regularly update the 2013weekendproject.

I just realized that in 2013 was the first time I actually set a goal for the year (save the resolutions for the sake of having one back in the day). It came with a defined system to help sustain it throughout and the blog as an outlet to force me to process everything.

While there remains to be an opportunity in execution, getting myself to write the closeout posts proved that it can be done!

Just want to take a few web space to give my HUGE THANKS! You know who you are - from the random group on a road trip, who inspired me to start it all to the bunch who never failed to encourage me to continue. You guys made my 2013 weekends awesome.

***

2014 has just begun (as if you didn't know that). It's time to make not just your weekends count, treasure every moment!

I'm "back" with people I shared a common interest with in the past, we're exploring something that's getting me pretty excited.

WAIT FOR IT. 01.10

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starting 2014 right!

My big win on the first day of the year... FIRST TIME to lead the prayer with my family to thank the Lord for the year that was and dedicate to Him the year to come!

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THAT THING YOU KNOW YOU REALLY WANTED TO DO... ONE WEEKEND AT A TIME

My last few posts for 2013 --- PROJECT CLOSEOUT!

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"...it's not about what it is, it's what it can become"

The Lorax

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BIRTHDAY MAIL

Growing up is such a trip, but this is not that senti-post (just yet), reserving that for my weekend project. Just wanted to give a shout out (radyo?) and special thanks to these people who turned a birthday greeting into a competition! P&G nga kayo :)

From AMBER "former carpool-mate" ROXAS

kailangan talaga copied mga boss!!? :)

Followed by this one from TINTIN "who made me cry (revelation!)" FRECIA

mas madami nang naka-copy dito.

and finally, from MARION "the other Mark" TORRES

with the Makati group naman.

eh yung di sya kasama sa competition but umExtra-Mile plus blog freeplug.

from WINSTON "Parducho..is his middle name" ELLIOT

  and the winner is....

ME for having awesome work-mates (friends) like you!

Thank You -- this goes out to everyone who sent a birthday greeting! :)

Enjoy the rest of your long weekend!!