Laie Filipino Community Haiyan Fundraising

It was such a great experience to help our fellow country men who was affected by Haiyan even we are miles and miles away. I can't even express how grateful I am to everybody who helped out as we prepared, cooked and cleaned during the fundraising. There were a lot of students who sacrificed their time and helped until 2am wrapping lumpia so we will have something to sell the next day. Some of our alumni also took the time out of their busy lives to put some flyer on each TVA and Hale apartment so we can spread the word about the event.

We supported Stand Strong Philippines which was organized by a BYUH alumni, ate Samantha Taylor. She along with her group will be sending out doctors to Tacloban City in December 18, 2013 to attend to the victims of Haiyan. BYU Provo also supported the cause by having a fundraising concert last Nov. 22.

beginning of the day at the Shumways

We on the other hand, had a lunch plate fundraising at the Shumway's residence last Nov. 23. Ate May and Kuya Aaron were very kind to open their home to us so we can prepare and sell the lunch plates from there. On the plates were a piece of huge pork BBQ, 3 lumpia with sweet chili sauce, 2 turon and rice. We started at 10am and I was kinda worried that there weren't so many people that knew about it so I wasn't sure if it will be a success. One customer came after the other and we even had a lot of waves according to Pateet when there will be plenty of people that will come at once. We were so grateful that it was so because it meant that we were getting a lot of orders. We were planning to end around 2pm but we still had more plates so we decided to sell until 4pm. After that, our RM's decided to sell door to door around Laie which they really enjoyed because they said they missed proselyting. haha. We stacked the plates in the car and I followed them as they traveled on foot knocking on neighborhood doors. Some of us even stopped some cars just to sell the plates! hahaha It was really quite an experience! We were holding signs so cars would stop and ask about what we were doing. It was successful! Some of them bought but too bad some didn't have cash on hand.

prep and fundraising day at the Shumways

the sister missionaries even came to help us!

Eugene, our master "ihaw-er" and AJ our grill sponsor

on our way to sell door to door

some of us selling to our friends Yengo from Congo and Kone from Ivory Coast

Emil, Liahnne and Cyril on their way to knock on doors

so proud of my husband who was so excited to 'proselyte' haha
(picture taken from inside our mobile 'stockroom')

Nathan sold a lot by knocking on doors. Good job!

We were able to raise around $2000! I couldn't believe how much we made! The plates were sold for $10 and canned drinks for a dollar and some even asked us to keep the change which was so awesome.

I am so happy to be able to help in our own little ways. I am so grateful for kind hearted people who sacrificed to provide service to our fellow men. So proud of my friends! We did it!

Food Adventure: Makino Chaya

Ever since we started dating, I've been wanting to bring Emil to Makino Chaya because I had a great time eating there when I was new in Hawaii. I went to the Aloha Tower branch probably almost 3 years ago and I couldn't believe it was only $20+ for a buffet that has plenty of choices. It was a Saturday lunch that's why it was priced like so but I heard that during weekday lunch, it was only ~$12 which was even better! I brought him to Aloha Tower when we started dating but when we got there, it was already closed!

We yelped it and saw that there was another branch in Aiea but it was so far from where we lived. Good thing this day, we were tasked to send the donations for Haiyan victims at LBC so we took the opportunity to go to Makino Chaya Aiea.

I was so excited because Emil will get to try it now but was disappointed when we got there. Almost all the food was fried and there wasn't much to choose from. Good thing we only paid $12 each for an all you can eat buffet. I liked the desserts and the beef with teriyaki sauce though. Emil said it was okay but he's never gonna come back. haha

Date Night with TVA friends

Last November 15 was our school's Fall Ball. Balls are usually held twice a year during Winter and Fall semesters for students to have fun and date. haha. It was quite expensive this year so we thought we would just go out have dinner and games after like we would always do when we get together at home. We were so excited to bring out friends to Kalapawai since Emil and I really loved that place. There were 12 of us so it was also hard to come up with one place that would please everybody so we thought of Kalapawai because they serve different varieties of food that everybody would like. On the way, I called them to let them know we are coming since there were 12 of us because I called earlier that week and was informed that we couldn't reserve. When I informed them we were coming, they said that they couldn't handle a party of 12 and seat us altogether. I was bummed out but we still decided to show up and maybe show our poor hungry selves so they would seat us together. haha It was a futile attempt. They said the same thing, that they can only seat 6 people max together so we decided to leave.

It was a Friday night and we didn't realize restaurants would be busy. We called a couple of restaurants nearby if they could seat us and most can't or we would have to wait for more than an hour. We couldn't wait any longer because we were soooo hungry! Emil called a place called Prima and they said they could seat us right away so we decided to go there. We checked them on Yelp too and it didn't look so bad. Most of us wanted Italian anyway so it was a go. When we went inside, the menu was very limited and the food didn't look familiar from the Yelp photos. Even so, we tried what sounded familiar and when the food came, I think everybody gasped silently! LOL It was the most disappointing octopus dish I have ever seen it my life!

The only one I liked was the brussel sprouts because it has prosciutto with it. The pizza was thin crust but it was very thin! I like thin crust but this was soooo thin and spicy (wasn't in the menu). Emil got upset and even called the place pretentious.  hahaha. Imagine him not eating even though there was food in front of him just bec he was really upset. By the way, these dishes we needed to split for 6 mouths because they were pricey. Octopus in the middle was around $20. On the good side, the spaghetti was good. It was different and flavorful. Service was okay too.

happy people despite the unfortunate experience. haha

(photo courtesy of Patricia Hernando)

Kualoa Ranch Saturdate

I've been working at the ranch for over a month now and this is the only time I get to go around with Emil since our schedules haven't been matching for a long time. During my days off, he will have most of his classes and when he doesn't work or doesn't have classes, I am at work! It was like this for almost a month so finally, I got to have a Saturday off..

We did Ocean Voyage where you ride a Catamaran and sail by the Kaneohe Bay and the Turtle Reef. Lucky enough, we got to see three turtles! We also did Jungle Expedition where you ride a Pitzgauer jeep and go up the mountains through the rough terrain which was very exciting and adventurous. The view up there was breath taking. Photos that we took did not give it any justice because we only used our phones. haha

By the way, we all got these tours for free. The ranch allows employees to have 7 free individual experience tours a month that they can share with families and friends after their introductory period of three months. I don't have this privilege yet since I've only been working there for a month so I asked one of my co-workers, Sylvana, to hook us up. The only down side about this is you have to stand by, meaning, you have to wait if the tour gets full and if it doesn't then you have a chance to be on it. The Jungle Expedition tour goes every 30 or 45 mins everyday so it wasn't very hard for us to get in one and we chose the earliest Ocean Voyage because I know people don't like to get up early so we got on that pretty easily. haha. They also ask you to check in half an hour before the tour and if you do, most likely you'll get on tours you like.

Picture taking while waiting for our tours to start.

on the Catamaran cruise

Chinaman's hat or Mokoli'i Island behind us

too bad we didn't get to take photos of the turtles because my phone died!

views while on the Jungle Expedition

Photoshoot with the Alombros

Its been 2 weeks since I last posted on here. I've been so busy with the demands of life (char!) but I don't think any special thing happened to me aside from the Pumpkin Carving activity and Miki's baby shower that I organized. Soon, when photos are sent, I will post something about that. It's such a pain when something happened and I don't have my camera with me! I have to wait for photos from other people. haha.

Anyway, 2 weeks ago I had an opportunity to take photos for the Alombros before we all leave Hawaii. They've been our neighbors for the past year and a half now and this coming December, its time for us to part as they are going to Colorado and we are going to San Francisco.

This day was quite challenging because it was about to rain and the sky was overcast. No sun at all and the colors looked so washed out. Good thing some photos came out better than I expected. Haha. Here are some of my favorites:

these were my favorites :)

Photos were taken at Laie Point and at the back of Laie Hawaii Temple.

Coming Soon: Miki and Phil 9/5/12

It was an honor to do Phil and Miki's invitation. I've know Phil since he's a Filipino and I am too? Haha. I already forgot how we became acquianted. I guess that's just how it is in BYUH. When you came from the same country, you automatically get to know each other. On the other hand, I've known Miki through the 19th ward. She's one of girls that I admire most in the ward. Usually, asians (I am asian too so this aint racist!) tend to be very quiet but she wasn't. She was the first to say hi. They are such a cute couple! Perfect for each other. I am honored to be one of their bridesmaids. 

Their motif was peach and navy. It was quite challenging for the second page since it was in Japanese! I can't seem to figure out how the typography was supposed to be since I didn't understand any of the words. Thanks to Phil's friend who helped "line upon line." Many thanks to all those who complemented the invite. :)

(Since they've distributed their invites, I now have the right to post it.) Yay to Phil and Miki! <3

front

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mock up

May 12, 2012: The Greatest Day of Our Lives

We were supposed to get married on April 21st but because of the accident, we waited a couple of more weeks to go on with it. Well, it was worth the wait! Though Emil couldn't walk normally yet, everything else fell into the right place, and even better! I was very particular on how everything was supposed to go, but what our friend said was true, nothing else mattered after entering the house of the Lord to be sealed with your eternal companion for time and all eternity.

Our bridesmaid did a very good job on their dresses! It was very hard to look for a peach modest dress and yet they did it! they all look so beautiful!

Though our families didn't get to come, we were joined by our supportive friends.

We can't thank all of our friends enough for helping us especially the day before. We prepared all the food in our house while decorating the ballroom too. Almost all the Filipinos were there and we were told that we are very lucky to have such friends. Check out the photos from the reception. 

Even they guys helped out making these tissue pompoms. 

I think we made almost a hundred of it if not more.

I TRIED playing The Wedding Song for Emil as a surprise
but I didn't give the song any justice since I haven't played in a long time.
It was originally played by Kenny G.

Check it out: THE WEDDING SONG

Emil surprised me with She's Always A Woman to Me by Billy Joel

Our friends performing for us:

Larry as my tatay.

Our wedding photos were featured at our photographer's blog, no other than Rommel Lardizabal. Check out the link to see more of his stunning shots.