To be satisfied is to be grateful.

Can't believe my last post was almost 4 months ago! I totally forgot this part of my world existed. It was a crazy couple of months but it definitely felt like heaven was showering us with so much blessings! It is overwhelming when it involves so much time to prepare but when E taught FHE lesson two weeks ago, all of us - mama, mom, E and I are just so full of thanksgiving to Heavenly Father with all He has blessed us with.

Some of the things that had happened during the previous months:

1. Mexico City trip. We celebrated our 4th year anniversary with a short trip to Mexico City. This wasn't even possible if I didn't become addicted to collecting miles. Haha. We didn't pay a penny for our plane tickets, just taxes! I don't think  I will ever go back to paying cash for my plane tickets. ;) Collecting miles is fun, but it's even better when you reap the rewards of free flights. If you wanna know more about travel hacking, start here. I've read countless blogs about it but I think this one is the easiest to understand.

2. Mothers arrive in SF! It's my mom's first time in the US and Emil's mom's last time here was more than 10 years ago. It was such a great timing to also find a place to move to as they arrived so we will have enough room at home. E's mom's petition has been pending for such a long time. It was a taxing process - both financially and mentally to get her here so we are so glad that it has come to an end and she got to see ate and Ethan after almost 13 years. That's a very long time not to see family!
3. We moved upstairs! House hunting in San Francisco is very difficult especially if you have very limited budget but we sure are glad that by the time moms came, the apartment upstairs became vacant and within the price range we set.

4. Got to visit D.C. for E's training and meet with friends.

5. Attended Kuya Osel's wedding in Spokane WA Temple. Mama's reunion with Tita Nina and Tita Cybel after not seeing the former for almost 3 years and the latter for 17 years! Again, not possible if I didn't have miles! :)

After reading previous blog posts, I remembered President Eyring's thoughts on the importance of keeping a journal. I may not have a paper kind of a journal but this little corner of the www will serve as such. I do feel the Lord's hands in my life more when I read the blessings (and even the trials) that we are fortunate to experience. It is a blessing to have what we need and want, and more importantly, to know where these gifts come from. It brings so much satisfaction especially in this world where we see other people's "things" better than ours through the not-so-helpful (sometimes) social media. When we realize that we are blessed, we become grateful; when we become grateful, we become satisfied.

30 Days of Happy: Day 10

Wow! Seems like I just started this challenge not too long ago but I'm a third away from finishing it. Time does fly surely fast.

Naka-extra kami sa article ni Ate Kar. haha It's a good read. 

Check it out: Things We can Change about Pinoy Dating

30 Days of Happy: Day 6

1. I enjoy long drives with great music. I took the longer route to home today and had a much needed 'me time.'

2. I am grateful for a loving husband who prepared dinner tonight and even washed the dishes. :)

Wait there's more!

How dare I forget how awesome tonight's Kalyeserye episode was?! I have never been so kilig like this. Only Aldub has the power to make me so. Yes I am a fan. I am always happy to see Pinoys united bc of all the emotions this TV show brings. Ang saya tignan ng mga taong masaya at mga taong nagpapasaya. 

I AM the DREAMER.

One of my favorite quotes about partnership:

“‎There are dreamers and there are realists in this world, you think the dreamers would find the dreamers and the realists would find the realists, but more often than not the opposite is true. See the dreamers need the realists to keep the dreamers from soaring too close to the sun. And the realists? Well without the dreamers, they might not ever get off the ground.”

*Sino sa amin ang alin?*

EMIL'S 25TH BIRTHDAY

We've been 'surprising' each other for a long time now but I'm glad I still managed to keep this a secret from Emil until the end of the day. The night before, he was asking me what we will do on his birthday so I was trying to be nonchalant when in fact, in my mind I was already panicking on how I will pull the birthday party surprise the next day! I just told him that we are going to a restaurant in the city that he will love but he can't know until the hour of.

As I was so confused on what to do, the gang (aka the twins, Lowell, Will and Brit) volunteered to sleepover so that they can help me the next day. I was kinda nervous of this idea coz Emil might know what's going on so I texted him pretending to ask his permission if they can come, and he said, yes bec its almost his birthday anyway. We sang for him at midnight and then watched some movies. When it was time for him to go to work, I started cooking for the surprise party which wont start til 5:30pm because that's usually the time he gets off work. He texted me at 3pm saying that he can go home early so imagine my panic when I haven't prepared anything yet! I wasn't even at home because I was buying food for the party! He wanted to meet me where he works so we can go to the restaurant earlier but I told him that I haven't showered yet and the reservation wasn't until 7pm so he should just hang around in the city while he waits for me. I wasn't sure if he is getting suspicious already bec what kind of wife would let her husband hang around in the city alone on his birthday?! but still I had to say it! I was running out of lies! Thankfully our landlord wanted to meet us at 5:30pm so he needed to go home instead of I going to the city. At 4pm, he said he was still at work bec his boss needed to talk to him. Whew! One hour down! I came home to prepare and call people to come earlier because he was coming home early but only Lowell arrived before him so it was only me and Lowell who screamed surprise when he got home. Imagine how lame that was?! hahaha I was too tired to worry about it so I just laughed it off. I thought by this time he knew all along but he said he really believed me that we were going to a restaurant so that part of the surprise worked I guess. We waited with the birthday boy an hour until other people came so we could start the party. Despite the failed surprise, he said he enjoyed his birthday. :)

Giant Kit Kat for the Kit Kat boy

Kit Kat cake

NEW APARTMENT: Our first in San Francisco

So we finally moved to a place of our own. It was so hard looking for apartments here because there is more demand than there are houses but luckily, with the help of a friend, we managed to find this cute in-law close to the Bart so commute wont be so hard. We were so lucky too that our landlords are Filipinos who are very nice. So far, we don't have anything but a bed and a table but I am very excited to fill our house and decorate!

BACK FROM THE GRAVE!

It's been so long (4.5 months!) since I wrote here. I was kind of giving up on blogging until I opened one of the posts and it made me smile to remember all those memories that's why I've decided to keep this. I want to keep smiling as I remember the things we've done throughout the years.

What happened since I last posted:

1. 2nd Year Anniversary was spent in Las Vegas from May 9-12, 2014.

at Gordon Ramsay's BurGR

being tourists at Gondola ride

Bellagio Lobby

POST VALENTINES DAY: Sushi Lunch

After our successful boiling crab night, we decided to have a sushi lunch the day after. We went to Nijiya Market in the morning to get our ingredients then Laren taught Emil how to make some sushi. They made a lot enough for 6-8 people. Ate Sheilla made cucumber salad and I made Miso soup. Yup, straight from the packet. haha. Emil and Laren was so busy so I didn't dare disturb and plus, I was documenting the whole thing. :p

sushi chef Emil

which ones did Laren make and which ones did Emil make?

my plate :)

miso soup I made straight from the packet. hahaha

VALENTINES DAY 2014

This Valentines day, we decided to just stay at home and cook one of our favorites: Boiling Crab! It was a success and (I think) even better because of course, we were able to adjust the recipe to our liking. Master Chef Emil did a great job! Only down side about this is cleaning up after cooking. But overall, it was a great experience to cook and experiment together in the kitchen.

Emil also gave me a fancy bouquet of roses and Ferrero. sosyal. I gave him socks (because he said he needed it) and a tie. haha Now that I am typing this, my gift wasn't romantic at all but just too practical. hahaha.

Side note: This day also marked the day when I wore my first eye glasses!

We cooked two dungeness crab that we got for around $23+ total. We didn't even touch the second one so the price wasn't bad for two meals for two people. 

One was enough for both of us with a bunch of shrimp.

Masterchef Emil about to clean the crab.

Enjoying my delicious dungeness crab with my new glasses 

I didn't even know that I needed one for my right eye (yes only for the right) 

until I went to get my license and failed the vision exam!

SAN FRANCISCO: Twin Peaks

These two hills are the second highest elevation in San Francisco so when you're up here, the view is breath taking. Both day and night views are equally gorgeous. During the day, you can see a great view of the water touching the sky while at night, city lights will impress your eyes, which is one of the things I love about urban life.

view from Twin Peaks during daytime

other side of the ocean is the Oakland area

highlighted street is the Market street

bay bridge on the right

view from Twin Peaks at night

Christmas 2013

One of the best things for me during the Holidays is that we get to spend it not only with family but with my mom's relatives. Ever since I can remember, we have a reunion every year Christmas time and have a Kris Kringle. This does not only include my mom's siblings but even her cousins, her aunts and uncles. Now that I am much older, I realize how special this tradition is no matter the circumstances may be. It makes extended family much closer even when the family gets bigger and bigger. Even though life is tough, everybody still tries to be part of the reunion. I've already missed two Christmases with them when I was in Hawaii but I catch up through photos they post on Facebook and that's how I know that another member of the Omadto Family has been added. Aunts and Uncle marry but we still have this tradition and they bring their spouses to our reunion. This year was extra special because we got to go home and mama's older sister Tita Nina, who lives in Iloilo was able to come as well. I even brought Emil and mom for the first time and Emil even joined our Kris Kringle. He was so happy to be part of it and we've talked about doing the same thing when we will have our kids in the future. This is part of the reason why I love spending Christmas in the Philippines! It's the traditions that we have that makes life happier.

Part of the reunion was of course the food. We had plenty because we spent Christmas day here. After eating, we exchanged gifts which is one of the best part, games and Karaoke. What Filipino party doesn't have Karaoke right? We even have BIG prizes for those who hit certain scores! There was also a pool available so there was also a team swimming competition.

Another tradition has been added to the Kris Kringle. Every year we take a photo of our own families and extended families and see how much we've grown. If I am not mistaken, only a few family was not present at the reunion which is a record! Yay!

Reunion was held at a private resort at Pansol, Calamba, Laguna. Sometimes we travel to different provinces to have our reunion (both Summer and Christmas) but this time, we didn't go far.

Paz Family 2013 (complete!)

Amante Family 2013 (minus ate Rhea and Ethan)

Omadto Family 2013

(pink team: Tito Andy's family, mama's younger brother

blue team: Tita Nina's family, mama's older sister

red team: Paz Family

halo halo team: Tito Legie's family, mama's eldest brother)

1st and 2nd cousins (Omadto 3rd generation)

I am so blessed to have family and extended family like them. My mom and her cousins are close and even us cousins may it be first or second are close too! I am blessed to be part of such a happy family.

December 14, 2013

Finally, after more than a year of waiting, Emil has graduated! Also means that we will be leaving Hawaii. :( We will definitely miss this place because this is where we met and started our own family. At the same time, I am very excited to start a new chapter of our lives as we start our own careers and move to San Francisco and start from scratch. :) Let's see what happens next!

Congratulations Botchogers!

Can't believe we're only gonna be in Hawaii for 12 more days! Our time to leave is getting nearer and nearer!

I accompanied Emil to the Accounting graduation banquet tonight and it was quite an emotional experience. I didn't even expect and neither did he, that he was getting a lot of awards. haha. We already knew that he was a summa because he knows his grades, the grade conscious that he was. We were also aware of the SAP Terp10 certificate because it was the dreaded exam everybody knew about. The others were so unexpected! I am very proud of my hard working, driven, patient, and smart husband!

When we got married, I didn't understand why he was so adamant on getting a job even though he still has more than a year until graduation. I didn't understand why he would need to get an A on almost all of his classes. I would even dare him to miss a class or two but he couldn't (until he became trunky during his last semester. *evil laugh*). I didn't understand why he would need to talk to his teachers after classes to ask more about accounting or just about life when  on the other hand, I was the first one out of the classroom because I was very shy to talk to anyone. haha. Little did I know that these were the fruits of his labor. I am speechless as to what he has accomplished! With the Lord's help, he was able to achieve his dreams. He was able to land the job that he wanted even before he graduates and even though he didn't have much connections to begin with. He did all he can to reach his dreams and because of this, he has inspired a lot of people including me not only to be great in what I do but as I reach for it. He is a great example of someone who always strives for excellence and I am very blessed to have his great example eternally with me. (First photo: Emil and I with Sis. Chen and her husband, Emil's Sis. Chen's teaching assistant. Second photo: Emil and Bro. Waite, one of Emil's favorite accounting teachers)

Bro. Tew: MAJOR FIELD TEST. Many thousand of students take the test every year and it has questions with regarding 9 areas of business and which only one of it is accounting. It is a very general test and we've elected to have our accounting students to take it in their final 400 level class. And this time I am very pleased to announce that two people in our graduate class were especially high. 75th percentile is Amo Li. We also have an award for the top 95th percentile, top 5% in the nation. This is very rare. Given that award at this time is Emil Amante. Woohooo! He scored 181/200.

Bro. Nemrow awards graduates with the Student Recognition award and SAP TERP10 certificate.

(for some reason I can't upload this one here so just click the link to see the video :) )

Bro. Watkins awards Emil the summa cum laude certificate.

Sis. Chen awards him the Outstanding Graduate for Fall 2013. 

Some photos from the banquet:

food for the night: pot roast, garlic mashed potato, 

rolls, teriyaki chicken, flan for dessert

as one of the students mentioned, 

he was the most decorated graduate of the night. hahaha

Congrats Botchogers! So proud of you!!! Love you!!!

Sending donations for Haiyan victims

Thanks to BYU-Hawaii family and friends who donated clothing and food for the Haiyan victims in the Philippines! We are truly grateful for your kindness and concern for our fellowmen. 

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)