Lord, it hurts but you're still God

Lately I've been experiencing too much stress. Work and family related, plus some issues with Papa Ber. I've been sick for several days already that's why I can't go to work for 2 days na. I always cry myself to sleep. All those sleepless nights, skipped meals, too much thinking...... Ahhhhh! It's killing me! :'(

I tried diverting my attention from things that makes me weak but I still end up crying. I often think to the point that I lose control, and get mad at Papa Ber. 

It's not me. So not me. I used to be strong. Brave and bubbly girl. I miss my old self. I want my old self back. This little thing called stress is eating me alive. I don't want this. I don't want THIS!

I wanted to get rid of this pain for so long. I do pray. But I feel deep within that I'm missing something. Then I googled this song I read online. I searched for the lyrics of the song, "Lord, it hurts but you're still God". I cried upon reading each word. It hits my tired heart. 

          "Lord, it hurts but you're still God"

Many times I have wondered why

I'm going through this place.

Is it something I've done wrong?

Lord, Am I the one to blame?

You're the answer to my problems

Even though it still remains,

I've heard the darkest hour is just before the dawn.

Lord it hurts, but you're still God

I know that you able to remove this thorn from me.

By Faith I know you'll make a way even when I can not see.

You're my only hope in this world, the one I lean upon.

Lord, it hurts, but you're still God

Lord I'll trust in you with all my heart.

I won't try to understand

why you've not taken away this burden,

I'll just leave it in your hands.

Cause I know your time is not like mine

I believe you have a plan.

Until then I'll do my best to be strong.

Lord, it hurts, but you're still God

I know that you are able to remove this thorn from me

By Faith I know you'll make a way even when I can not see

You're my only hope in this world, the one I lean upon

Lord, it hurts, but you're still God

So I will not be discouraged though the battle rages on

I know you won't forsake me Lord This is where I belong

I know that you are able to remove this thorn from me

By Faith I know you'll make a way even when I can not see

You're my only hope in this world, the one I lean upon

Lord, it hurts, but you're still God

I cried. My heart cried. I might experience all the pain this world can give. But it doesn't matter because I have God. I have a BIGGER God, bigger that any problem. I may lose all these earthly things but I will still have Him. He will not leave me nor forsake me. I have to have faith. I know I should trust Him. I should trust all His promises. I will keep on holding on to my favorite Bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and future." I have faith. I am Faith. I pray that everything will get better in His most precious time. I just need to trust Him.

MY SURPRISE on our 4th month! :)

WARNING! It's a long one. And it's loaded with cheesy-nesssss. :p

I'm a type of girl who loves surprises. :)

September 14 marks our 4th month of being together. Since he's not into surprises, I decided to do it anyway. :) We agreed to have lunch together at Times Plaza in UN Avenue. Little did he know, I'm up to something. Hihi! He doesn't know the WHOLE story. So Mine, read on! Haha!

September 13th to midnight of 14th. I started planning the entire scene while I'm at work. I'm a bit confused what gimmick will I use since I spoiled the drama before by telling him that I planned a surprise but decided not to do it kasi nag away kami. So I find it perfect to give him the "surprise" as my monthsary gift. From work at around 2am, I gathered all the materials I will be needing for the drama I have in mind. I made cut-outs of I L<3VE U using my brother's folders. Then I designed the letters using my sister's nail polish. Hahaha! Resourceful, I know! :p

My work of art, made out of pure love. ^_^

Then, I get a recycled plastic wrapper, put in the chocolate bars I bought before I went home, made a simple note and tied a small bear around it. :)

Pack of chocolates put inside a recycled plastic wrapper with a cute bear around it.
Simple yet sweet. :)

I finished everything at around 6am. I slept at 6:30am and woke up at 9:30am. My BFF and I went to Monumento to meet my former workmate who happens to have an online store wherein she sells her delicious cakes and pastries. Delicious and affordable. Plus April is an angel. :) She's mahinhin and kind. Please visit her Facebook page. And now back to my kwento, I asked April to make a 6" customized chocolate cake for Papa Ber. Since he works as a seaman, I instructed April to make something related to Papa Ber's work. Look! :)

From April's page
Isn't it cute? ^_^

We bought three roses from Victory Mall and went to National Bookstore to buy a simple card. After that, we headed to UN Avenue. We were there before 12nn. Good thing Papa Ber texted me that they'll be finishing the lecture late, around 1pm. So I have all my precious time to figure out how to do the "surprise". :)

3 roses and a card for my one and only. :)

Here's what I have in mind: Do the scene in front of everyone, outside Times Plaza. Whew! I asked my BFF Andrea to look for street children. I want "street kids" who will hold all the letters I made. I instructed her to look for 4 kids, it's up to her how will she divide the cut-outs to the kids. I told her I want one kid who will come up to Papa Ber with only one rose, then the two other kids will come to him after he received the first rose. Then the kids will form a line in front of Papa Ber, while holding the cut-outs of I L <3 VE U. Then she will come to him and give the cake and pack of chocolates and I will give the card to him. Kabado ang lola nyo! While I was giving instructions to Andrea, I was also looking around. Andaming people! I told her "Dami tao, Pot! Kaya ko kaya?" Nakaramdam ako ng kaba to the bones! Saka umaambon pa nun. Bahala na si God. Haha go for the gold na 'to! :p 

After instructing her what to do, I left her outside while I went inside the building. After a few minutes, nagtext na si Papa Ber. Nasa Times Plaza na daw sya! Grabe ang kaba ko! He said I go upstairs since sa 2nd floor ang kainan. But I insisted na bumaba sya hehe. Pagkababa nya, nagdrama ako and said I wanted siopao outside. And so we went outside the building. Whew eto na! I saw Andrea giving instructions pa, and she's a bit shocked to see us haha! A kid with a rose came to Papa Ber but being the suplado that he is, he kept on saying "hindi, hindi" sa bata! Haha kaloka! Akala pala nya nagbebenta yun bata! I kept on pulling his hand just to stop him from walking away from the kid. Hahaha panira ng effect eh! Then the two other kids came to him, holding a rose each. That's when he realized that it's all for him. :) He looked at me and kept on asking "Anu 'to?" I just smiled. After they have given the roses, the kids formed a line and they showed Papa Ber my art. :)

Kalokohan ko, pati mga bata sinali ko! Haha! Great job, kiddos!

I looked around and saw many people! They're looking at us. Some shouted "Kiss!", while I heard someone says "Wag mo lolokohin yan ha!":) After itaas ng mga bata yun cut-outs, people clapped at mas lalo ako nahiya hahaha! I looked at him, namumula sya! :p He kissed me and he kept on saying "Thank you". Then Andrea gave him the cake and pack of chocolates, and I handed him the card. That time I really wanted the entire scene to end and just vanish hahahaha! As I was about to pay the kids for their contribution to my pakulo, Papa Ber insisted and he gave Php 100. :) After that, pumasok na kami inside the building and went to the 2nd floor 'cause we're really hungry. Lol! 

@ Dell's. Stolen shot by my BFF. See how touched he is? Nyaha!
And please excuse my haggard look. :D

The Accomplice! Haha! My BFF. Andreapot! :p

My masterpiece! ^_^

It was only my first time to do such kind and I'm more than happy because I did it for him. While inside Dell's, I saw him teary-eyed. He kept on whispering "thank you" and "I love you". :) For his version of story, kindly click Papa Ber's Facebook post here. :)

I told my mom everything and I even let her see the pictures.

Mommy: Wow mana ka talaga sakin sa mga ganyan! Eh ano naman bigay nya sayo?

Me: (??) Wala. Asa ka naman dun. (Haha! Peace, Mine!)

Mommy: Ganun? Dapat magpasalamat sya ng bongga sayo.

Me: (smiled)

Mommy: Sa birthday ko, dapat may ganyan din ha!

Me: Haha pagawa ka sa asawa mo! Nainggit pa!

Cheesy, right? Don't say I didn't warn you! :p

Papa Ber cooks Carbonara and Garlic Buttered Shrimp

He is not good at surprises. Tanggap ko. :) But he's effin' good at cooking delish foods!

We ate lunch together last Wednesday. Guess what he prepared for me? My favorites: Carbonara and Shrimp! Ohh! :)

His version of Carbonara minus the grated cheese. Made out of thick creamy sauce! Yumm! ^ ^ 

Garlic Buttered Shrimp. Ohh I can live my entire life with only this! Mine, can you cook this again? Please? :)

Truly, the best way to a woman's heart is through her stomach! Haha! Hello consistent weight gain! :D

Bon Voyage, Grace!

Grace (or Grasya as I sometimes call her; some calls her Paying or Ying) is my college classmate. She's now based in SG. She works in a Korean restaurant as an Assistant Outlet Manager. FYI, she is our "bridge". Hihi!

After a week of vacation here in Pinas, Grace will be flying later to SG. Despite the heavy rain and flood, we went to their house last night and had some kwentuhan and kainan. She prepared Pansit, Mixed Veggies, Maja Blanca, and my ever favorite Buttered Shrimp. ^_^ And oh, thanks for the big bar of Toblerone! She knows my favorite. Haha!

Grace, have a safe flight later! See you on December. :)

Thank you and God speed, Grace! :)

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

I know it's one of my super late posts, but whatever! Better late than never, right? :p

Last September 3, we celebrated Dad's birthday with my family, lola, lolo and Papa Ber. We had a surprise dinner at Kamay-Kainan, Trinoma Mall since my dad always wanted to dine at any eat-all-you-can restos . I have work from 4pm til 12mn but I decided to have my leave so that I could go with them.

Me and Papa Ber left home first to buy cake and confirm the reservation. I initially planned to buy at Red Ribbon. But unfortunately, they sell very few choices of cake. So we opted Goldilocks instead. We bought their Double Dutch Round cake, my dad's favorite flavor. 

Goldilock's Double Dutch Round cake - Php 490
Sorry, I crop the sides! Daming kalat eh. :p

After placing our order at Goldilocks, we went to Kamay-Kainan and checked if they really have their 20% off promo from 6:30pm onwards. Their normal rate per person is Php 289.16 only. Upon confirming, I asked one of their staffs to reserve seats for 10 persons. We took advantage of their 20% off hehe! I also asked if we can bring the cake inside the resto. Pwede naman daw, but hindi pwede kainin dun. Or else we have to pay Php 500 for the corkage fee. No way! Mas mahal pa yung corkage fee kesa sa cake?? 

My family came before 6:30pm. We had some picture taking first, kwentuhan at kulitan. After that, buffet table, here we come! :p Sadly, I didn't get the chance to take a picture of the buffet table. But they serve a variety of dishes, mainly Filipino foods. They have Pork Adobo, Pork Binagoongan, Menudo, Pansit Bihon, Lumpiang Shanghai, Lechon Manok, Sinigang na Hipon, Inihaw na Hito, Itlog na Maalat, Corn Soup, Tokwa't Baboy, Pinakbet, Laing, Bopis, etc. They also have their Dessert Section: Ginataang Halo-Halo, Minatamis na Saging, Fruit Cocktail, Brownies, and many more. 

Photo from here

Photo from here 

Photo from here

I was still suffering from GERD (or Heartburn) that time so I didn't enjoy the foods that much. And I am not a fan of eat-all-you can restos. Konti lang ako kumain. But I am gaining weight easily. U-N-F-A-I-R! :( Isinuka ko lahat ng kinain ko. Hinay hinay kasi dapat, naexcite ako masyado haha! :p

Although I did not enjoy the eat-all-you can experience, I'm already happy seeing my loved ones having a great time. Lalo na si Daddy! :)

It was indeed a great experience. Family + Superb foods + Laughter + Bonding moment. It's priceless! :)

Happy Birthday Daddy Obet!

We love you so much! :*

Kamay-Kainan

Trinoma Mall, Quezon City