CONFLICTED

“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” - E. B. White

Yup, this is sadly my dilemma each day. That is why I am having a difficult time to prioritize stuff that I need to do. This causes me to waste a LOT of time! And I hate it.

Some days I just want to sit back, relax and enjoy my day, with nary a care for trivial things, just going with the flow...

But, after doing that, I get riddled with guilt for doing absolutely nothing but enjoy my day. So, I make it a point to improve the world the next day. Even through small things like being kind to everyone I meet and sharing my blessings. Or even just by cleaning my surroundings or minimizing waste. 

It's also a great idea to enjoy the world and improve it at the same time. Can that be possible? Hmm... I guess it can be done. It just takes a little creativity. One way of doing that is to be mindful of the things I enjoy like writing, reading, eating, drinking tea or even watching movies. If I enjoy writing, then I can write about stuff on how to improve the world, or if I enjoy eating, I can just eat the healthy stuff that is good for my body and is not bad for the environment, like eating organic food or lessening the junk food I eat.

Okay, that's it for now. I think in some way I have helped improve the world by writing about this. I will include topics like this from time to time in my blog. But, please bear with me if ever I write about silly things or stuff that I want to rant about. Hey, I'm nice, but I'm no angel. ;-P

Anyhoo, GTG (got to go, in case you didn't know) for now. I still have some precious hours left to enjoy my day... And I'll start by eating a yummy dinner.  Sadly, I don't think it's organic, but it is healthy!

Tootles! :-)

THE NEVERENDING STORY

"It’s the oldest story in the world. One day you’re 17 and planning for someday. And then quietly and without you ever really noticing, someday is today. And then someday is yesterday. And this is your life..." - Nathan Scott, One Tree Hill

Okay, first off I can't believe that I am quoting lines from One Tree Hill - a show that I never really cared for. I tried watching it but I just couldn't get myself to finish an episode. I am actually amazed that it lasted sooo long! Although, I must admit that the songs used in the show are great. 

But, once in a while One Tree Hill does dish out some lines that hit you at the core. And I guess this is one of those times. I just heard this quote during a preview of the show's last season and I was struck by its accuracy. 

Yes, one day that someday you were only dreaming of, hoping for and looking forward to is today. And in a few more hours it would be yesterday... And it would be your life as you know it.

And then you just wonder where did all the time go? Have I really achieved what I set out to do when I was young? Someday I'll be this and that and I'll go here and there and have all the things I want and need and then some to give. 

And then you realize you're running out of time. Time which you never really noticed because sometimes you lost track of it. Time you took for granted. And then you panic. And then you breathe and say it's okay. There will be another chance to do better tomorrow. Until you finally run out of tomorrows... :-(

I'm sorry for painting a bleak picture. I guess it's one of those days where you take stock of your life to see how far you've gone and how much further you need to go. Most of the time I don't think about it anymore. But, not thinking about it doesn't mean that it's not happening. After all, I can't live my life in constant denial of reality. 

But, I decided a long time ago that I would quit worrying and just live my life the best way I can. One day at a time. And then hopefully, I'll wake up to the someday I have been dreaming about all my life...

BEAUTY HINTS, AT NO COST

We all want to be beautiful. But, a lot of the tips and tricks out there are too tedious and can cost an arm and a leg. Well, we don't really need to make too much of an effort or go broke just to be beautiful. Here are proven tips on how to look and feel good.

For Wrinkled Brows:

Try the well-known cream, SWEETNESS of TEMPER. It tones up the facial muscles, reduces wrinkles and is very uplifting.

For the Lips:

Use the marvelous lipstick SILENCE. It is particularly good for lips that have been distorted by uncharitable gossip.

For Lovely Hands:

There's only one preparation to use. It is called GENEROSITY. Get a large-size jar. 

For Clear Eyes:

Faithful care with that tried and true protective preparation, MODESTY. For the best results we recommend that you carry it with you wherever you go. 

If everyone of us followed these tips, the world would indeed be much more beautiful! ;-)

(Tips from the book "My Travel Companion")

TEA TIME

I've always loved tea. I prefer it over coffee. I used to just unceremoniously plunk down a teabag in my hot water-filled mug. But, I wanted my tea time to have a bit of pizzazz so I scoured everywhere for a cute teapot, teacup and saucer. Good thing there are some teacups and saucers at home and I even found a silver tray to go with my set, as well as a cute ceramic pink teaspoon. I couldn't find a small teapot at home, so I got it at a store. It's so cute! It's the perfect size! It even has the message Le Petit Cadeau (which means "The Little Gift") printed on it. Adorbs!

I wanted my tea time to be authentic so I made some cucumber sandwiches to go with my tea. I used to eat cookies or cupcakes with my tea, but nowadays, I prefer less sweet things so I go with sandwiches. If there are no cucumbers available at home, I make peanut butter and banana sandwiches or tomato and cream cheese sandwiches. I want to try eating madeleines with my tea next time. Just to change it up a bit.

Anyhoo, here is my tea time set-up: 

I usually have green tea. But, lately I've been drinking ginger tea. I'm trying to finish up a box of it before it expires. There are different kinds of teas lying around the house so I have to consume it otherwise it will all go to waste. As soon as I finish it up, I'll go back to my beloved green tea. 

My favorite brand is Celestial Seasonings. I love the Decaf Mint Green Tea. 

It is a refreshing drink that calms me and makes me happier. Afterwards, I pop it in the ref to cool it down and then place it over my eyes to get rid of eye bags and dark circles under my eyes. That way, I take care of my tummy and my eyes. ;-)

I also love Twinings Apple, Cinnamon and Raisin Flavoured Black Tea.

Okay, tea time talk is over, but before I go, let me just share with you my tea time angel who looks over me whenever I take a break from the hustle and bustle of life.

AND... Don't forget to:

 Adieu for now...

HAPPY BURPDAY!!!

In case you're all wondering if I died because...

a.  I haven't updated this blog for some time 

                                    and 

b.  I have renounced sugar (refer to previous post)

then, I'm sorry to disappoint you guys but I'm still alive and kicking! ;-) Why the long absence? I guess life just got in the way. I've been overwhelmed with lots of things and it has eaten up a major chunk of my time that it's only now that I am able to blog again. Well, that and procrastination! Ah, the thief of time strikes again! 

Anyhoo, I'm okay. Still lots to do and not enough time, but hanging in there and prioritizing stuff that matters to me. Such as writing here...

In fact, I just recently celebrated my birthday!  And of course, what's a birthday without the requisite cake, right? So yeah, my "Avoid sugar at all costs" goal is an epic fail! :-P

Actually, I was planning on getting sugar-free and vegan cupcakes in lieu of an actual birthday cake, but I wasn't able to order a week before (you have to order beforehand to enjoy these things!) so I just chose a regular birthday cake. Well, it's not so regular though... It's like an artisan cake. So pretty you'd think twice to eat it. 

Here it is:

It's a beautiful Dark Glaze Chocolat cake from Tous les Jours :-) Thanks to my dear sister for giving me one. It's described as a Belgian chocolate cake layered with rich chocolate butter cream and topped with a layer of chocolate ganache. It is delicioso! Just right. Not too sweet. And the cute pink heart cookies, chocolate stick and green tea macaron de paris toppings are a nice and yummy touch. Even the Tous les Jours sign on the cake is edible! Love it! :-)

I've been eyeing TLJ cakes for quite some time and I actually had a hard time choosing because they are all so beautiful and yummy looking. In the end, I narrowed it down to a few choices, preferring the ones that are not so expensive, are made of chocolate and with cute heart designs. The store only had two of my choices so I chose this because this is my top choice after all. No regrets! 

              It also comes in a cute box:

(Tous les Jours means "everyday")

                                  

with:

Okay, enough about the cake! While it is the Pièce de résistance of the birthday affair, we still had to eat other food to make it a complete meal. I got so caught up in the cake that I really didn't think of what else to get for my birthday party. I was craving for some salmon and veggies, but the restaurant where we normally get it is out of the way for my brother to pick up, so my Mom suggested we just order from Bon Chon. We got the chicken, ginger tofu salad, fish and chips, kimchi coleslaw, fries and chapchae (Korean noodle dish). It was so yummy that we forgot to take pics of the food and just ate it all! 

I didn't mean to have a Korean-themed birthday, but I'm glad I did! I felt like I was in a Koreanovela (Korean drama series) hahaha! 

And of course, no birthday party is complete without ice cream! All that's lacking are some balloons and party hats! NOT! Maybe if I was eight! But, since I'm ___ (age withheld for personal reasons hahaha!), then we settled for some semblance of an ice cream in the form of frozen yogurt. 

My Dad chose a Better than Ice Cream Pistachio Fro-Yo with no sugar added (in an attempt to inject some healthy option!) Not as good as ice cream, but since it is healthier, then I should learn to love it. Thanks, Dad! :-)

                         Here's another pic of my birthday menu:

It's not much, but it's enough. :-) Thank God for these blessings and for having my family around me on my special day.

Getting older is not really something that a lot of people look forward to, but it should be celebrated nonetheless. So, cheers!

Happy Birthday to me! Or rather, Happy Burp-day! :-)

"Tous les jours à tous points de vue je vais de mieux en mieux." -      Émile Coué de la Châtaigneraie 

Translation:

"Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better." ;-)