This is a test...

Testing, testing. This is a test.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

So, guess who's feeling under-the-weather? Yup, moi. *sigh* Thank God, it's not the flu (yet), but I have been sneezing a lot, and there's a bit of sinus pressure. I feel a fever coming on, but I'm trying to fight it. *sigh* I was good last winter! Didn't get sick at all! Hoping this winter will be the same. I'm gonna fight this thing! I ain't gonna go down!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Baby, Baby, Baby

Wonderful surprise announcement our entire fam-bam received from Prel and Jer during our Thanksgiving festivities last week! They couldn't join us down in LA (had to stay in the Bay area 'cause Jer had to work), but they made sure they made their presence felt, in a BIG WAY!

I'm sooooo excited! Me, an auntie again! Whoo-hoo!

TFL Daily Devotional - Nov 29th

Today's devotional from Pastor Alistair Begg: Email and Share

It's incredibly cold tonight! This is California! Southern California, for that matter! Shouldn't it be sunny and warm 365 days of the year?! *sigh*

Christmas is definitely approaching! And fast! Speaking of Christmas, the entire fam-bam will be celebrating it in Las Vegas this year. Looking forward to that! No need to cook! We're going to hit the buffets, hard! 20+ people in my fam, running around Vegas at Christmastime? That would be quite a sight to behold.

My feet are freezing!!! Brrrr.....


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

*clears throat* erhm..erhm.. Christmas is fast-approaching. If anyone would be oh-so generous as to give this to me as a Christmas gift, I will be your best friend. ;)

Michael Kors Large Harness Satchel. For deets, click HERE.

Or you could always get me one of the following:

Gift idea #1
Gift idea #2
Gift idea #3
Gift idea #4
Gift idea #5
Gift idea #6

LOL

Happy Christmas! ;)

Level 42 - All I Want For Christmas Is You

*sigh* I love Mark King, and I love this song (thanks to "Love Actually")!

This song is dedicated to......... oh, never mind. ;)

"I just want you for my own, more than you could ever know.
Make my wish come true, all I want for Christmas is you..."

Anthony David Live Performance, Something About You, 6.18.08

I sooo dig this cover by Anthony David. The groove is sooo smooth, and his vocals are, too! He's Boyz II Men Shawn Stockman's cousin, by the way. And they're working on his new album, which includes a cover of Tears For Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World."

Anyway, enjoy this one!

Lazy Friday-after-Thanksgiving afternoon.

So, I'm sitting here at work, just watching the clock tick away until it hits 5pm. I want to leave already! *groan* Heading over to my aunt's later for leftovers. LOL I have to say, it's been quite busy here at work though, so I shouldn't really be complaining. :)

Listening to UK radio (Heart FM) on my WunderRadio app on the iPhone. I love this app because I can listen to pretty much any radio station in the world! This is one of the reasons why I can't part with my phone. I know that the 'droids have the same apps and features as iPhones, but for some reason, it's not quite the same. I guess I'm just an Apple-head at heart.

I want to see Harry Potter 7 tonight. I don't know if I can talk anyone into going to see it with me. We'll see.

Ugh. Starting to sneeze. I hope I'm not getting sick. Haven't been feelin' so hot since yesterday. I just hope it's the allergies. I don't want to be sick.

Finally home.

Family thanksgiving festivities went on without a hitch. Food was good, although I didn't really get to eat much. Didn't have much of an appetite. I'm not sure where I would attribute that to. Strange.

My apple gorgonzola salad was a hit! So, I'm fairly happy with that.

Overall, it was a good night. Web-cammed with Prel and Jer, who are in the Bay area, for a little bit, then the cousins capped off the night playing Kinect on the X-Box 360. That was quite fun!

Anyway, knackered. Will turn in soon.

Hope everyone had a good thanksgiving day!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

In everything, give thanks.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - I Thess. 5:16-18 (ESV)

Thankful for the "mountaintops" and the "valleys" of life. For He is good & His mercy endures forever.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

LSS "Last Song Syndrome"

Jason Mraz's "Sleeping to Dream" has put me in quite a sentimental mood. Listen to it here: Sleeping to Dream


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Apple gorgonzola salad with spiced walnuts (Buca di beppo recipe)

For some strange reason, my aunt assigned me to bring salad to our Thanksgiving family dinner tomorrow. If you know me well, that's the last thing you would ask me to bring at a potluck or any sort of gathering.

Anyway, I didn't want to resort to the standard Caesar's or garden salad, so I've decided to try make an apple gorgonzola with spiced walnut salad, which is a recipe from Buca di beppo.

The recipe can be found HERE.

Blog, blog, blog...

Having an iPhone app that allows you to instantly post on all your blogs = not such a good thing. I've become a blogging fiend! Somebody stop me!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tonight's random musings.

It boggles my mind that Boyz II Men, one of my favourite music groups ever, responds to me on Twitter. LOL My 16-yr-old self would never have thought that's even possible. Ahhh...the Internet, such a cool thing, some times. Makes the world a bit smaller, and everything immediate and accessible. But, that can also be a bad thing. People tend to abuse it.

Perhaps, that's why I'm trying to wean myself off of Facebook. It's so easy to just get into other people's business, when you really have no business getting into their business. So, the less I'm in there, the less I participate.
I see some people who just comment on every single thing that they can comment on with a whole bunch of redundant nonsense, that it's getting a bit old. And I'm thinking, "People? Life, get one." Believe me, I've already told myself to get one, a hundred times.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

"One in a Million" - Ne-Yo

Currently diggin' this song by Ne-Yo. Lovin' the MJ influence on the threads and the dance moves.

"Adonai" (cover) by In Harmony

Here's a cover of Avalon's "Adonai" that my cousins and I (a.k.a. In Harmony) recorded a while back.

Listen HERE.

"Adonai"
by Avalon
From the album "A Maze of Grace"

One single drop of rain
Your salty tear became blue ocean
One tiny grain of sand
Turning in Your hand an world in motion

You're out beyond the furthest morning star
Close enough to hold me in Your arms

Adonai
I lift up my heart and I cry
My Adonai
Maker of each moment
Father of my hope and freedom
Oh, my Adonai

One timid, faithful knock
Resounds upon the Rock of Ages
One trembling heart and soul
Becomes a servant bold and courageous

You called across the mountains and the seas
I answer from the deepest part of me

From age to age
You reign in majesty
And today
You're making miracles in me

Happy 47th birthday....

..... DOCTOR WHO!!!

One of the best shows on TV! Thanks for introducing me to David Tennant. Haha!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The object of my affection...

...doesn't seem to know I exist. Story of my life, really. *sigh*


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Manic Monday Meme

What do you cook when home alone?
- I don't get to cook much, but when I do, it's usually chicken or beef afritada. Or I try out new recipes I find online, see on the Food Network, or a friend has suggested/recommended.

What is something you'd like a chance to eat or cook?
- I'd like a chance to cook either a bouillabaisse or paella. I've eaten both, but have never tried cooking them. They're very time-consuming, so I'll probably need the whole day to cook.

What is your favorite cookbook?
- I don't have a favourite cookbook, but I do have a couple of Rachael Ray's 30-minute meals. Quick and easy meals are ideal for me.

Manic Monday Memes

NKOTB and BSB-AMA Performance 2010

Watching this again is really making me think about going to see them on tour. We shall see.

AMAs 2010 - Final observations.

The only thing left to say is...

BOYBAND OVERLOAD!

The New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) and the Backstreet Boys (BSB) gave a sneak peak of what they'll be doing on their upcoming tour, by performing a mish-mash (ala Glee) of their greatest hits.

And I'll say it again. NKOTB, despite being the senior boyband, are WAYYYY HOTTER than BSB. Like fine wine, I tell yah.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

More AMA 2010 observations.

Back for more observations. Here we go:

1. Ne-yo and Usher are one and the same.

2. Taylor Swift. Let's consider lip-syncing at this point. I will allow you to do it. Really.

3. Bon Jovi.

4. Train's Pat Monahan may have very well worn what is probably the tightest pair of pants in the history of tight pants, on a man or a woman. EVER. Yes, Sherry. Even tighter than Scott Leonard's.

5. Ke$ha's Twitter account is @ke$hasuxx. Let's go with that.

6. Justin Bieber. I still don't get it.

7. Christina Aguilera can sing her patootie off.

8. Gavin Rossdale. Gwen Stefani is one lucky woman.

Show's not over yet. Will be back
for my final observations.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Lennon Naked

Doctors 9 & 10 on Masterpiece Contemporary right now on PBS affiliate KOCE! Christopher Eccleston stars as John Lennon in the bio-pic "Lennon Naked". Chris is spot on as John! And David Tennant hosts. Yes, I'm giddy. :)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The AMAs 2010

Watching the AMAs (American Music Awards) right now. Few observations, so far:

1. NKOTB are DEFINITELY hotter than the Backstreet Boys. Actually, scratch that. Jordan Knight's good looks alone, overshadows all 4 BSB, even if Kevin "Eyebrows" Richardson comes back.

2. Rihanna's red hair. I needs 'ta cop it. I'm definitely feelin the red and the curls.

3. Enrique Iglesias cannot sing to save his life. Or maybe it's because he got rid of that mole.

4. Miley should never sing a ballad. Stick to the fun pop-py stuff.

5. Diddy's back. Well, sort of.

That's all I have so far. Will return for more observations.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The next Iron Chef is...

Chef Marc Forgione!!! Yes!

And I have to say, I think Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto is pulling our legs and can actually speak perfect English. Ahh... he's one of my favourite chefs.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

If you just happen to be in New Zealand...

They're having a casting call for "The Hobbit". :) Too bad I don't have a light skin tone. LOL

Perfect for a chilly evening like this.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Spaghetti dinner at my friend, Vanessa's. Good stuff. Glad the rain stopped. I really thought it was going to rain all day today. Was thinking of going to see a free concert at The Citadel in the city of Commerce, featuring Charice, Disney star Cody Simpson, & El DeBarge!!! The weather had been so unpredictable today that we had decided not to go since it was an outdoor concert. Ahhh well... Would've have been nice to hear and see El sing "All This Love" and "I Like It" ("you sent chills down my spine every time I take one look at you...").

Well, off to Starbucks in a bit.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

And while I'm in the business of advertising sites...

Do check out saxophonist Sean Freeman's blog: Sean Freeman's Place

Excellent saxophonist and overall musician. Need some sax? Holler at yo' boy. ;)

He said he'll have his blog up and running soon. Looks like it's more of a marathon, though. So, please be patient. ;)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

What does your birth month say about you?

I took this quiz/meme a while ago, and I just stumbled upon it again, whilst re-reading older entries.

What does your birth month say about you?

February
Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexy. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislike unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizing dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

--- Quite accurate, for the most part. I know there are some traits listed here that's definitely me. What they are, I won't say... Unless you already know me. ;)

Love, actually, is all around...

It's that time of the year again for me to start watching, "Love Actually". It has become a tradition for me, of sorts, to watch this movie repeatedly over the Christmas holidays. For one reason or another, it always gets me into the holiday mood. It is definitely one of my all-time favourite movies.

Best scene: Mark (Andrew Lincoln), professing his unrequited love to Juliet (Keira Knightley), who is married to his best friend Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor), with cue cards. Very sad. :(

Best song: "All I Want for Christmas is You" (cover) by that little girl, Joanna Anderson (Sam's crush) --- I dedicate this song to..... never mind.

Best phrase: "Just in cases.." - Aurelia, Jamie's (Colin Firth) love interest. I use it all the time. ;)

California girls.

I'd have to agree with Katy Perry when she said that we're unforgettable and undeniable. Just sayin'... ;)

We interrupt this post just to let you know...

... to check out Pete Ray Biggin's brand-spankin' new site at PeteRayBiggin.com! You won't regret it. He's one of the most exciting drummers I've seen in a long time. And he's a young'n, so he hasn't even scratched the surface yet (although, he did start at a very early age). Anyway, check him out!

Now, back to your regularly scheduled posts. :)

Facebook withdrawals

Judging from the numerous entries I've made today, one can tell that I'm suffering from major Facebook withdrawals. It's been a tough week, but I'm determined to phase myself out of there, not completely, of course. But, I would like to not be so participatory as I had been. Too many reminders, too many distractions, too much craziness. I even took off the link to my blog from my Info tab. So far, so good.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Steven Moffatt's Sherlock

Watching the first installment of the new Sherlock series on PBS right now. I really love this production.

Have finally gotten used to Benedict Cumberbatch as a brunette, and not ginger. And when did Martin Freeman (Watson) get gorge? I'm looking forward to him playing Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Let me just say...

Korean Elvis.

I love "How I Met Your Mother".


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Soooo....

I get that Taylor Swift is a beautiful girl, and I believe that she's a very talented songwriter, and I'll even go out on a limb to say that I like a lot of her songs. But, please.. oh, please, do not let her sing live. She can stick to singing in the studio where they can tweak her vocals on the boards, because she is almost always flat when she sings live. Poor girl needs a vocal coach to strengthen her voice.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Testing, testing...

This is just a test.....


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Prince's Trust Rock Gala 2010

Mark King performs "Running in the Family".

Oh, bugger.

I may have just outed myself and announced, on Level 42's Official Website, that I have a crush on Nathan King, Mark's baby bro. Bloody Pingbacks! LOL Oh boy... hopefully, no one will notice. :-/ Effffff........!

And I just realized, I'm following Sean Freeman's blog. That's it, I'm done for. LOL

Truth for Life Daily Devotional

November 19: "Seek Him in Trouble"

"Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!" - Job 23:3 ESV

Click here to read more

Things that make you go, "hmmm..."

Why is it when someone says they totally fancy you in a very public manner, it elicits a better response than, say, someone who does it in a more private way? And by response, I mean, the object of affection actually likes it to the point that it turns into a relationship. While the person who does it in a more private and subtle way, gets ignored, or even rejected.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The one with Ross and Rachel

Why do I relate so much to the love story of Ross & Rachel from Friends?! WHY?


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Too good to be true?

Regarding the previous entry I made entitled "Uh Oh", might possibly turn out to be something that's just too good to be true.

Ahhh... Can't catch a break, can I? Lord, I need your guidance.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My Wu Tang name.

Thanks, Mikey!

My Wu Tang Name:

When I entered Aura Aragon, I got Phantom Observer.

When I entered Aura Dolor Aragon, I got Mighty Wizard.

I like both, but can't decide which one is more badass.

Get your Wu Tang Name HERE.

Level 42's Mark King at The Prince's Trust Gala 2010 (Nov 17th).

I'm currently crushing on his baby bro, but I have to say that Mark King will always have my heart! Click HERE to see pictures of Mark at The Prince's Trust Rock Gala that was held last night at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

There are also pictures of him with Midge Ure and Eric Clapton (that blew my mind, I've always been a fan of Slow Hand)!

Can't wait 'til Summer 2011!

One Day More - Les Misérables - 25th Anniversary Concert @ The O2

Went to see the 25th anniversary concert of "Les Miserables" at the 02 Arena, which was filmed and shown in theatres all over the US, last night. Needless to say, I cried. Les Mis is my favourite musical of all time! My love for it is real and it's deep. This clip happened towards the end of the concert. They brought out the original 1985 cast, and I almost slid off my seat when I saw Colm Wilkinson (the o.g. Jean Valjean) and Michael Ball (the o.g. Marius). All 4 London Jean Valjeans sang "Bring Him Home" that made me weep, and then the entire cast sang "One Day More" as a finale! Enjoy!

Bring Him Home Finale - Les Misérables - 25th Anniversary Concert @ The O2

I wept when I saw this! It was a complete surprise. The 4 Jean Valjeans singing "Bring Him Home". And Alfie Boe (Valjean in the 25th Anniversary concert) just brings it to another level!

Uh oh.

What am I getting myself into? Ahhhhh!!!! Excited, but definitely cautious.

Gwyneth Paltrow on "GLEE"

"The Late Late Show" FAIL.

I had booked tickets to see Matt Smith on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” which was yesterday. I was very excited to go to the taping because: a) I’m a HUGE Doctor Who fan (yes, I’m a Whovian), and b) I’m a HUGE Craig Ferguson fan (I love my Scots)

So, when the opportunity to go see a taping of Matt Smith going on as a guest on Craig’s show arose, I had to jump at it. Coincidentally, the taping (and the show-airing) fell on a Tuesday, which is my usual day off! So, I thought, “it’s money!”

An e-mail notification informed me that all those attending the taping need to be in line, at the CBS Studios by 3:30pm. Given, who came with me, and I thought that we could leave a little bit before 2pm, and we’d have plenty of time to get there and get in. We got to Beverly Hills around 3pm, parked at The Grove, and walked over to CBS Studios, where a fairly lengthy line had already formed. The naive person that I am thought we were going to get in for sure….. NOT. After waiting in line for about 20 minutes, we were told that the studio where Craig films his show is over-capacity, and that they couldn’t get people in anymore. My initial reaction was complete annoyance, but then, I quickly got over it, although I was still disappointed as we walked back to The Grove. I just kept reminding myself that at least it wasn’t David Tennant (my most favourite Doctor) that I’m missing out seeing, not that I don’t like Matt Smith, because I do. But I would really have pleaded and begged and made a scene if DT was the guest! I really felt bad for the die-hard Whovians who were waiting longer than I have, and couldn’t get in. One of them even drove all the way from San Diego, just to see Matt! We were walking back with a couple of them, and I was kind of eavesdropping on their conversation and they were really disappointed. I hope Craig does another “Doctor Who” Night on his show soon. OR he could have David Tennant as guest when his new movie (with Colin Farrell) “Fright Night” comes out next year!

Anyway, so that was a complete FAIL. Given and I decided to get some Starbucks to drown our sorrows in, and watch “Unstoppable” instead, starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pine. Of course, Denzel didn’t disappoint. He never fails to make me feel better, somehow. Despite the movie being so stressful, I really enjoyed it and thought it was a good movie. We capped off the night with dinner at The Cheesecake Factory next door to the movie theatre.

Currently reading...

Resuming reading "Desiring God" by Pastor John Piper.

You can read it online.

More resources on DesiringGod.org

"The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever."

My attempt to wean myself off of Facebook.

Can it be done? That's the million-dollar question I'm asking myself. It's so easy to get caught up on all the craziness on Facebook, that I'm contemplating on taking a break from it. I need to slowly wean myself from it. In an attempt to do so, I've decided to update my blog(s) more. I've missed blogging. I find it cathartic when I blog. Writing out your thoughts, forming your own opinions on matters that concern and interest you, and you can pretty much write whatever you want, no matter how random, trivial or mundane it is.

Here's hoping for success!

In relation to last night's random thought

Feeling a little bit rejected, I have to say. Maybe, I shouldn't have expected too much. Story of my life, really. I know better, now. Or do I?


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Random thought for the evening.

How can someone, you've only met once, and briefly, turn your world completely upside-down?


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Mmm.... Porto's

(More current entries can be found on my WORDPRESS site - http://achau211.wordpress.com)


Red velvets from Porto's.... YUMMO!






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone