Celebrate joy!

2015 has been a year of transitions. If you asked the January-me where does she see herself by the end of the year, it wouldn't have crossed my mind to be  here ... From quitting my job last April, to setting up another online shop... and now, serving at full-time ministry at church, it has been a roller coaster ride. Just like what Augustus Waters said in the movie, A Fault in our Stars:

I have to say that it's different when people open their homes to you. The other night, the Facio family opened their lovely home to us Kids Core team and everything was home-cooked! From the spinach artichoke dip to the pork belly, to the salmon, to the pasta --- we were digging our forks and helping ourselves to hearty servings of these delicious treats over random conversations! The amount of effort and energy to put together everything was greatly appreciated! Even though we lost the Yes-No game (kelangan talaga sabihin haha! ), we had fun playing! And of course the cutie Facio kids were there too spreading the lovely cheer around! :) Kids Core team with Verapie and Peppa pig! haha! :D #KasaliDinSila

Hello everyone! Good morning! So many events are happening left and right because it's Christmastime! This is my favorite time of the year -- something about the cool air, twinkling lights everywhere and the smell of delicious food we've grown to love just make me feel giddy like a child. A few of our regular events at church are on break  so we can spend more time with our loved one but we're also cooking a couple of more events just before the year ends. I've been sick for days now, so with my hoarse voice and 2-minute interval coughing, I do my best to be at my 100% at the ministry. I woke up today, feeling better so praise God! Hopefully tomorrow, I will really be at my 100% health! This past week, the theme has been gratefulness. Thanksgiving to God for everything He has given us and for the people around us who made their presence in our lives a blessing.

Hello there! Got back from Pulag last night and yes, we reached the peak 3! It was the best our bodies could do! 4 hours going and 4 hours heading back... there were moments when we did ask ourselves, bakit ba natin to gnagawa ?? But it was such a relief when our group was able to make it! I haven't had exercise for months, I jogged last week but that was it... So you can just imagine how my prayers were going days before we left. I seriously didn't know if I can make it (hindi naman patay level pero hingal and give up!) but God, with His grace and  mercy, pulled us through! Praise God!

Energy levels have dropped at this side of the world. Bow. I sometimes wonder whether I have turned into a boring bloke... more than once it happened -- a friend tells me a story and all I get to say in return was, "ahh... tlga?" And we all know how engaging that reply is!!! There are even times when I don't even say anything, I just hmmm as if to acknowledge her that I heard her! Oh geeez! It's not that I am not interested, because I am... but sometimes I just really don't know what to say in return! What has happened to me??!! I feel so boring! I don't want to be boring! I want to be the girl who knows what to say, with animated facial expressions, the girl who engages someone into an easy conversation...

Yesterday was quite an eventful Sunday for us at church. A storm hit the Metro so it was pouring early in the morning which made roads unpassable. This means 1 thing: Church and volunteers attendance will be low. We had to holler at our social media groups to make sure everyone's safe (that's top priority) and to fill in the gaps to make sure that our services won't be affected. Our senior pastor's wife was about to give birth so he had to assign another pastor to lead the 3 services in less than 12 hours' time.... we also have a guest speaker and his family from KL whom we need to make sure arrives in time for the afternoon services and is well taken care of all throughout the day... Needless to say, our staff viber group was brimming with updates yesterday! :P  And just as we were winding down on our 7pm service, there was a brownout! Odiba! Haha! I imagined there was a momentary shriek from the crowd tapos sakto, Holy Spirit pa yung topic, ang series  title ...

There are days when you know that your heart is not right and this is one of them. This week has been a flurry of incidents here and there and I am feeling a mixture of frustration and exasperation... First few months on the job is usually like this for me. Adjustments, learning how to best approach people and how to lead them are always the toughest... Kasi iba iba naman talaga ang mga tao, you can be all sweet to one but you have to be tough to another. Depende eh. so please pray for meeee during this adjustment period.. I just received this Viber message from my friend which is totally apt to close this short #sharekolang entry: If our motivation is to serve God with our work but also make time with him our #1 priority, we're on the right track. There's a time to be still and be in God's presence and there's also time to work and get stuff done. In those times, when we're doing work, let's approach it according to Colossians 3:23 "Whatever...

Sundays are the busiest for me... Like last night, all I wanted to do was lie in bed when I got home. :P I am physically and mentally spent that I am knocked out by 10pm  at the very least every Sunday! I think last Sunday I slept at 9pm and woke up at 9am the following morning! Whoooohoooo! Jackpot na 12 hrs of sleep!!! But it's so much different a year ago... I was in total peace last night because I may be spent but I was certain of where I am. And I am glad to be where I am at this moment. Questions weren't clouding my mind as I wonder what my next step would be. Basta ang gusto ko lang matulog, yun lang naman ang concern ko kagabi . :) I was talking to 2 girls yesterday during the 5pm Preteens service and found out that it was their first time to attend. I was so elated as I found out that they were there just because they wanted to... They weren't brought by the parents, they weren't forced to be there out of a school requirement... they were there becaus...

Hello loves! It's holiday today! So while my IG and FB feed are filled with getaway posts, I will take this time to update you on my most recent trip! We went to CDO last week for a friend's wedding and took a side trip to Camiguin. Was it a fun trip? SO MUCH FUN!!! I thought we were going to do the same thing we did last year, but there's so much to do at this lovely province that everything we did was new. ... including going snorkeling at the Giant Clam Sanctuary and watching an Italian make our thin-crust pizza at La Dolce Vita! Here are some photos!

Being part of a full-time ministry really opens your eyes to a lot of things around you because it gives you a front row seat into the hearts of the people you work with. During my "tambay " mode aka hanging around at the reg table with the volunteers, I learned the following: - one walks 45 minutes every Sunday just to volunteer for our 9am service - one waits patiently to those he is discipling, just in case they decided to come; when I asked this guy "what if they don't come?" he replied ever-so-casually "it's okay, ganun naman po talaga. Basta hintayin ko nalang po sila, okay lang yun." - one openly asks for feedback the first time he preached so he can apply it on the next service - one gives out an immediate and resounding yes EVERY time I ask him to lead or participate in one of our activities at Kids Church (and I tell you, we have many activities :P) ...and it's not because they are just that good of people. This passio...

Eating desserts is always an excellent way to cap off a meal... so it's delightful to find new shops selling sweets that offers both classics and modern twists to this meal staple. Out comes Kat Sia, of Sweet Bites, carrying a tray full of goodies fresh from the oven. Don't these just look delicious???

It's been pouring here since yesterday and I must admit that I love waking up to the coolness of the room, while hearing the rain outside. :) Of course, if I were out today, that would have been a different story. But since Mondays are our off at church, then cocooned in the room is today's morning peg...  Ang daya noh, hehe!   Just that the cool weather is such a welcoming change because it's been crazy hot here in Manila!  .... and fellow Manilenos say Amen! These past few weeks though, I miss traveling! I was scrolling down my old posts and the last travel post was last February pa on Baguio... Gasppp!  OA ba? hahaha! So good thing though that even though I can't travel as much anymore (it's one trade off that I have to made peace with :P), I have 2 local trips for the year: CDO for a friend's wedding next month and Bohol for a conference.... which also happens to be my birthday week!  So while I anticipate the next few months, here a...

Hello there! So it has been a busy yet focused couple of weeks at Kids Church and we're just excited to be launching so many initiatives this year! I will be a little mysterious about the other projects we are brewing, para may surprise factor ... but this one right here is so ready to explode... *drum roll please* Can you guess what it is? It's Discpleship Day for Kids! :) We believe that God is moving mightily in the lives of ALL people. No matter what age you are. you can be used by God. We have seen kids disciple as young as 6 years old... and you just have to be encouraged and amazed by that! - Open to kids 8-13 years old - Every Saturday, 10:30-12nn - Victory Greenhills, Kids Complex 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Hi everyone! I am hosting a promo on our Etsy shop until the end of this month! Hooray! :) Just use this coupon code to avail 20% discount on all items upon check out: tjlovesestelle No minimum purchase required and yes, we ship worldwide! ;) Just click here  to start shopping! Here are some of our handmade, unique and much-loved boheme chic pieces!

SURPRISE!!! So I will now work at church as a full time staff starting next week! Geeez! Who would've thought, right? Paano nangyari yun? Haha! :P Hope you'd indulge me with this post, because it was quite a journey for me and if you're on a crossroad right now, hope this helps you :) It started when I was volunteering for the summer activities of Kids Church, that I just really and passionately wanted to help out... I was on fire from the Kids Teachers Summit that whatever I can do to help out, I would! I just resigned from a corporate job, and although I didn't know exactly what I would take as the next step, I know I am going to be fine... Not because I am such an amazing, sought-after employee of the year, but I know that since God led me to make that decision, He will lead me through the next steps :) So during this time of waiting and seeking, I explored different opportunities: Go back to corporate, check!  Be a part time financial advisor, chec...

Heyy! So last weekend, Rhea and I had a crafternoon sesh with the peepz from Craft Mnl. It was my first time to attend a craft workshop so I was really excited about it :P

Hi! It's been awhile... Sorry! I think there may now be spam viewers trolling my site because despite my MIA status on this page for the past month, my views have spiked! That's weird, right? So this is me making sure that this page will be more active in the next few weeks.. *pinky promise* ...but if you are a legit viewer, thanks for visiting! :) Mwah mwah tsup tsup! LoL! So, I am now officially cut off from the corporate world and this is one of the things I enjoy doing -- making desserts! There's a phrase that I came across the IG feed recently: "let's be makers!" and it's just a great thing to be throwing it out there as an invitation to keep the creativity and passion alive by doing and making something... So I tried doing just that... and this week's episode brings you, "The Joys of Dessert-making!"

Aaaaaaaaahhh Paramore!!!! A little throwback on this amazing band!

Patience is a virtue, so goes the age-old saying... and while waiting may initially come off as a passive way of passing time, there is nothing passive about it at all! Whew! I think that lately God is telling me to wait and not hurry in so many areas in life. I guess I'm the kind of person who gets excited about new things that once I plunge in it, I expect results immediately. And if I fail to see results, would start to worry and start looking somewhere else for a faster route to my desired outcome. Case in point: my biz-aspiring self. I currently have SMFW, which is a bit slow at the moment, and then just last Wednesday, I launched Estelle with my friend Rhea... And while we're getting loves and compliments for our items, I was also in anticipation of customers to start flocking in from day 1. And when that didn't happen, I started to worry... that I made desserts yesterday and took orders from friends, as my mind was racing on what else I can do to pick up the pace...

Hello! Today is Black Saturday! :) We don't really do much during this time of the year, my family and I just stay at home and recharge. Glad to be spending more time with God! Iba kasi kapag hindi ka pagod... When you're 100% recharged, you're also 100% receptive and ready to absorb what your quiet time is all about... So very, very thankful for this season! I know I have posted my 30 day turnover at my current work, but spot the date and I am way overdue already! I was extended until April 17...

Today is day 2 of colds and cough but just glad that I am feeling a little bit better today than yesterday. :) March is turning out to be a pretty interesting month.. it's like a prep for the major adjustments ahead. Sure, there are impending goodbyes, but there are also hellos to new adventures and "Nice running into you again!" to old friends and acquaintances. :) So I hope that you're all wrapping up the 1st quarter of the year with the same level of bravery that we greeted 2015 with. I know!!!! Time flies so fast, it's crazy!!! Soon, we'll be heralding the 2Q and really, with the unpredictablity of life, we should really paint the town with so much passion and love every second of the day! Haha! Am I overromanticing the days? Naaaah! Just being positive, that's all. A positive realist, or is it a real positivist? May ganun ba??? Laboo! Haha! But leaving you with this quote right here: Photo Credits: https://www.etsy.com/listing/201038579/...

Terrified of making a bad decision, we lay all of our choices at God’s feet and ask Him, "What is Your will for my life?"

Our 2nd day in Baguio was spent going to ukay-ukay for those thrifted finds, buying last-minute pasalubong (strawberries, grapes, peanut brittle, local nuts, etc!) and stopping at 2 more foodie places to stuff our tummies with good food. 50's Diner Our fist stop for the day is 50's Diner to have our brunch. We already woke up quite late so we trooped over this place which is known for their steaks, burgers and milkshakes. I'm personally drawn to diners because this is like visual feast for me because I grew up reading Western books wherein all characters seemed to eat pancakes and sip milkshakes at their favorite diners. (Hello Sweet Valley and Babysitters Club!)  

After eating, strolling and shopping... we headed to Forest House to have coffee and desserts. Yes, eating again! Haha! All 7 of us enjoy dining and laughing over random things, that's why we're friends!   Forest House is a B&B/restaurant that has a classy ambiance perfect for an intimate family gathering or a romantic setting -- definitely works for dates or even for proposals! Shout out to all couples out there!

When I was a kid, I remember telling my family and my cousins this the first time we went to Baguio, "Buti pa dito malamig, sa Pilipinas ang init." :P The hours of land travel had left me thinking that we have crossed the Philippine border and have landed in a different country :D They all cracked up at my statement, then told me that we are, in fact, STILL IN THE COUNTRY.  The cool weather, zero-visibility fog, smell of sweet strawberries and everlasting are all welcoming treats of this city up North. That's why when the rest of the santayopuntathis2015 gang (IBM friends! Ais, Zen, Ging, Tle, Zsa and Heaths) suggested that we go to Baguio for the weekend, I was all geared up to go!   Next time na ang everlasting love, everlasting flowers muna! #hugot2015 

It's official, tomorrow marks my 30-day turnover at work. Yahoooo! Yes, I'm resigning from work and this has been pressing on my mind since the start of the year... but God has finally pushed me to be brave, to stop worrying and just trust. So through the 3-day Teachers Summit last weekend, the message had been loud and clear -- no more waiting, just do it. So I did!

The 3-day Teachers' Summit has been such an amazing experience... With 500+ volunteers of Victory Kids Ministry across the Philippines, a great revival has come upon each and every one of us. The moment that He provided for the summit's registration fee of the summit, I knew that He wanted me to be at the event -- maybe it's to tell me something, or to ease my worries, or just to jolt me with energy and excitement as I peel myself away from the routine-like way of worshiping Him... Whatever it was, I knew I was growing in anticipation as the summit drew closer :)  "Edi Wow!" - Victory Greenshills reprezent!

Happy Valentines Day everyone! Hope you're all enjoying this lovey-dovey time of the year! Here's one of my favorite love quotes -- so to all couples out there, I admire your courage and audacity! And to all singles, there's a reason for this time of waiting --- I also wish you the courage and patience to wait for the one person He is molding into His likeness until you meet :) Photo credits: violetvelveteen.tumblr.com

Just arrived from Baguio early this morning and it was such a fun trip :) It's been awhile since I've been there (8 years ago) so that was a much-welcomed weekend with a bunch of crazy friends! I seemed to have a lot of crazy friends nh? Ganun talaga!!! Haha! Will write about it soon! Here's a picture of us at Baguio Craft and Brewery, just enjoying our drinks (Yup, that's strawberry beer!) under the stars and the full moon. Overlooking skyline pa! No kidding! It was such a perfect place to just chill and hang out :) Hope you all had a fun weekend! Cheers!

They say that beautifully shaped eyebrows are the windows to the soul...  Ay! Eyes pala yun! Eto na talaga: Never underestimate the power of a perfectly shaped eyebrows :) I even saw this one quote which made me smile: All I want is world peace AND awesome eyebrows.. I may have laughed if someone were to say that out loud but the joke was half-meant... and I realized the weight of that statement the moment I came out of Browlab last weekend. I really felt that my entire face lit up after having their services! :)

Last Friday, I caught myself getting irritated by the second as I get one bad update after the next at work - confirming either low performance for the month or delay in our campaign activities. I just wanted nothing more but to call it a day and go home...  But since that wasn't an option, I just watched a movie (yup on my own :P) and stuffed my mouth with Taters potato chips (cheese flavor!) and Jamaican pattie (cheesy beef!) later that afternoon. Yup, that made me feel a little better after! We all go through this kind of day, and so soon after ringing in the new year with our hopes and goals too!  Tsktsk! So as I dragged myself to take on the hours that day, I knew that I had to snap out of it and be wary, lest I find myself stuck in the limbo of the daily activities.

Breakfast is love and these guys from Pi Breakfast & Pies are sure taking that truth to heart... because they have curated a breakfast menu that is both delectable and pleasing to the eyes. Ja and I met up last Friday for breakfast (at 9:30am! Hello sunshine!) and she suggested we try this joint. Being the kind of people who want to make sure that we get the best items on the menu, we searched for it online.. we chanced upon this one review, and saw that every dish the writer ordered seemed to be really good... lol! #takawtingin Since there were just the 2 of us though, we ordered 2 dishes for sharing... that's why I've also included here dishes from the restaurant's FB page which you may also want to try when you go here :)

Home of the delicious mango torte, Dulcelin Gourmet has an extensive menu that will not only satisfy your sweet cravings but also your love for home-cooked meals. We celebrated my sister's birthday last Thursday and everything we ordered was pretty good! And the great thing about this place? ...Is it's reasonable price -- making this restaurant a place worth going back to :) 

These past few days, the Philippines has been graced with the presence of Pope Francis. What He imparted to the Filipinos, especially those that have been affected by the Yolanda typhoon, was so special and valuable that it reminded everyone that God IS here, and in fact He has always been here -- with us.

Mise en Place – misua what??! Haha! French people has a way of making a simple term so classy and sophisticated that you just want to keep saying it…  

Just a quickie update! :) It's our 4th day of fasting and it's amazing how I can still type this without fainting from hunger... hehe! Yesterday, I even had the audacity to go to the mall to score the perfect birthday gift for my friend... I really didn't want to spend so much energy but the gift nerd in me won  in the end that there I was, trying on shoes after shoes (because she specifically requested for wedge! Hi Loy! Haha!) that I was beet red from exhaustion when I got home :P It was probably not a smart move during fasting but I got ready for work on time today (I really thought I was going to be late!) and am breathing normally so it's amazing how God has strengthened me for the past 4 days. I like that there are more opportunities coming my way these days and yes, I am gaining clarity on some things but I am still seeking God on most things. I would've wanted for everything to be in black and white by tomorrow night but but I think I will come out o...

This is one of my fave photos of last year and I'm just reminded on how I really liked Singapore when we went there because of how organized, clean and disciplined that city is! Honestly, I've been toying with the idea of working there for a few years now. I went there last year for both leisure and a little business. For business because my cousin said that I have to first check out the city to see whether it's a place I can see myself living in before I make a decision to work there... and well, I liked it! Maybe the predictability of everything will bore me eventually but I just want to be able to earn more and learn to hold my own in a foreign country.