Birthday Fun

 
I had a lovely, low-key birthday.  Originally I had planned on having a party. The only problem was that I end up dreading party days because I do too much.  I have this strong urge to accommodate everyone in more ways than one.  You know, gotta think about the vegetarians, the non-vegetarians, the picky eaters, the kids, the elderly etc etc.  My brain just does not turn off when I’m planning something.  So I decided to just make my day simple and do what I like to do – cook food!  Hehe.  I made a big pot of corn chowder and had fixin’s for sandwiches:  turkey w/ havarti, or pesto and basil w/ mozzarella and invited my small family.  =)  There were two highlights on my day:  One is Michelle making me a s’mores ice cream cake and baby Ian’s butt nekked picture on Facebook!  I got a good laugh throughout the day out of that little guy and of course Michelle’s ice cream cake was a hit!  I actually gained 2 lbs during my birthday weekend since I was having dessert everyday for 5 days!  LOL.
 
Michelle, Lizz and I took Monday after my birthday off.  We planned on going to La Jolla and just relax.  We slept in that day – til 9AM – and headed to The Cottage (http://www.cottagelajolla.com/) for brunch.  That place is yummy – I had a bowl of chipotle corn chowder and they gave me raspberry bread pudding for dessert!  Afterwards we went to Title Nine (http://www.titlenine.com/ ) store and I got 2 dresses and a purse.  Momma Lizz got me one of the dresses and Michelle the purse.  I felt spoiled! Hehe.  We then decided to go for a long walk, looked for Kate Sessions park.  We walked 10,000 steps by the time we were done!  One downside is that I dropped my iPhone while walking and it totally chipped on the sides.  I got a case that day so now it’s not visible.  And last, we went to meet up w/ my mom and her boyfriend for dinner at King’s Fish in Mission Valley.  Again, there was dessert; this time it was key lime pie.
 
Overall a wonderful non-celebration.  I still want a big birthday party – perhaps for the big 3 – 0!!  HAHA.  I’m so grateful for another year of life, for God richly blessing me in several ways and for my friends and family who have been loving and supportive in all the things that I do.     
 
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Sleep, Work, Eat, Repeat.

This weekend has been particularly nice. Went to PV Church on Sabbath, had lunch then we headed to L.A. to see family. Even though we did quite a bit, I still didn't feel as tired as I have during Sabbaths when I'm running around church trying to get something done, get home to catch a one hour nap then get back to church again. I'm guilty of sometimes not looking forward to the Sabbath because of all the things that need to be done. So perhaps, in the next year, as the Director of the Pathfinders I can work on getting everything done ahead of time so by Sabbath I just show up. That's the best case scenario, no? Hehe.

Other than that, just been working working working. Finally got our plane ticket for the Philippines and going there on New Year's. I'm super excited. Now when I pay off that plane ticket I just put on my credit card, I'll be even more excited. I've just been really workin' on being debt-free. I think I have enough student loans to last me a lifetime so I'm trying to just not owe anymore than that. And can someone tell me how it's possible that I can spend my whole paycheck, every time when I live at home?! Geez. I do pay (some) rent I suppose. HAHA. Anyway, gotta spend more time in prayer so I can let go of a lot of the worldly things I love that just gets me in trouble i.e. gadgets and food!!! Well, I don't think I can let go of food, but at least eating out so much. I swear, I spend half a paycheck on just food!

Happy 4th to everyone out there! I enjoyed sleeping in til past 9AM today. =) I hope I can do it again tomorrow.

But some pictures for fun:

Me and YanYan.



Lala after watching Shrek w/ her 3D glasses on.



The kids like hanging out in my room. Coz I'm the cool aunt. ;-)



@ Sea World, this pig cracked me up going through the obstacle course!