Grab a sandwich, this is going to take a while January 9, 2009

I hope you had a great Christmas season.  Ours involved lots of snow, lots of food and lots of family and friends.  I enjoyed myself too much and didn’t really take many pictures.  Nevertheless, here are the top 5 highlights of our vacation:

 

1) Arctic Blast 2008!  We really did have a winter wonderland.  Pros: fluffy snow, unexpected time off from work (due to bad traveling conditions), time together at home, taking walks in our ‘hood and seeing people with their skis, toboggans and sleds in the middle of the street.  Cons: cabin fever, church was cancelled and we didn’t get to see Portland friends before we went home.

 

We ended up getting about 18 inches of snow!  That’s a lot for people from California.  

 

At Whole Foods to get some essentials before the weather got even worse (and boy, did it get WORSE)!

 

Hanging out with K Dave (from SF) at Cafe Umbria.  Thanks for the coffee and snacks K Dave!

 

Fran in the middle of chipping away at the snow/ice on our car.

 

2) Going home for the holidays!  We were in the Bay Area for 13 glorious days.  We were so glad to spend Christmas and New Year’s among our nieces and nephews, sisters, brothers, parents, aunts/uncles and surrounded by the Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge and Coit Tower.  

 

Getting stuck in the old phone booth after tea at the Fairmont Hotel.

 

Showing me their Judo moves

 

Mom taking a break from cooking our favorites and having tea together at The English Rose. I highly recommend the rumbledethumps!  

 

One of the many meals shared with family.  This one was at Cafe Cacao.

 

Her prayer for us before we left:  ”Heavenly Father bless Tito Fran and Tita Olive…bless this house so it will not be ruined or dirty.  Bless Tita Olive so she won’t have hiccups.”

 

3)  Connecting with friends over coffee, a meal or french fries (with sweet chili sauce).  We finally got to meet our friends’ baby boy.  We finally got to talk face to face instead of Facebook, IM or blog to blog.  We packed it in, but it was refreshing to meet up with friends and catching up.   I even got to see old friends from HCS.  The last time I saw them was 16 years ago!

 

Highlands ‘92 in the house! (actually in Hong Kong Flower Lounge)

 

 4)  Thomas and Donna’s wedding in Half Moon Bay.  It was elegant, heartwarming and such a joyful occasion.  

 

Glowing bride, exquisite dress

Two such as you with such a master speed cannot be parted nor be swept away from one another once you are agreed that life is only life forevermore together wing to wing and oar to oar.

Robert Frost

5)  Spending lots of time together.  Arctic Blast 2008 and Christmas vacation helped Fran and I to really slow down and chill.  

Happy New Year!!  

Two Thanksgivings and a Wedding December 14, 2008

 

 

This is the only picture I have to show for our whirlwind Thanksgiving weekend. It was too busy, fun, crazy and delicious to stop and take pictures.  Plus, I forgot my good camera.  But here is a glimpse of what Fran and I contributed for both sides of the family.  No…not the turkey…the garlic mashed potatoes of course!

 

Besides spending time with family, we also got to attend a beautiful and intimate wedding.  For the past couple of weeks, Fran has met with a couple at church for pre-marital counseling.  He also had the privilege of officiating their wedding.  It was such a blessing for Fran to share in their journey and for us to be part of their special day.

 

Dennis and Tessa got married the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend.  After a very short two days with family and friends, we drove back to make it for the wedding. We left San Francisco at 7pm and arrived in Portland at 5am.   The wedding ceremony was at 4pm.  Yes, we like to live on the edge.

 

 

Unfortunately, I forgot my real camera and once again was reduced to using my iPhone to take pictures.  As a result, the images are very bad quality, but I thought I’d post them anyway.  

 

 

Waiting with the groom

 

Addressing the happy (and tall) couple

 

 

 

I took this picture just as the wedding photographer took hers with flash.

I kinda like how it turned out…

 

 

There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.  

~Martin Luther

 

 

 

 

 

Whirlwind Weekend November 23, 2008

 

Last weekend we went back home…after months of not visiting or seeing anyone from home.  We made it just in time to celebrate three birthdays, see four pregnant ladies and Fran’s cute grandma.  We also visited when the weather couldn’t have been nicer – it was in the high 70’s!  Here are some highlights:

 

 

 

A view of the Bay Bridge from Embarcadero 

 

Clock Tower

 

The Ferry Building

 

Lunch at Taylor’s Automatic Refresher

(they have the best patty melts and garlic pesto fries!)

 

 

Pregnant lady #1 and #2 (their babies are talking to each other too!)

 

 

Due in December!

 

Our baby sister having her own baby (doesn’t the future dad look proud?)

 

A wonderful surprise for dessert (can you read what the cake says?)

 

Here’s a closer look…

 

Pregnant lady #4 – my older sister (see her to the left?) expecting her second baby

 

 

She’s not a baby anymore!  (Celebrating her birthday at the Children’s Discovery Museum)

 

 

Big girl getting ready to Skuut!

 

 

Mom with her baby

 

 

Best buds for 24 (!) years

 

 

Marc and Alena posing for their ninang (they’re experts at taking pictures!)

 

 

Guess who?

 

 

Family dinner

 

 

Finally…some good homemade pho!

 

 

Another Story October 29, 2008

Ok, here’s another one and it’s pretty bad…

Two years ago, my mom and I went up to Portland to visit Fran (we weren’t married yet).  We decided to go to the local Elmer’s to have dinner.  As the hostess was getting our menus, she turned to us and said, ”Okay, two adults and one child?”  Sheesh!  I was already 28 then…

 

The end…until I go to another restaurant!

Family Extravaganza, Part 2 August 27, 2008

The more the merrier!  Fran’s two sisters and their families were the next group.  All ten of us camped out in our tiny condo.  Their visit was another jam-packed week in Portland and Washington.  We had fun catching up and goofing around with our three nephews and niece.  They are silly, funny, witty, loving and lovable…and now we have even more inside jokes…remember our piggy-back relay? 

I guess sushi brings out their silly sides!

A man after my own heart!  And all this cleaning before breakfast…

Oregon’s version of Burgermeister

Multnomah Falls (one of our favorite places to take visitors)

Multnomah Falls, second version

Could you tell they’re all related?

Looks like the chilly water tickled their toes

Enjoying a picnic and concert at the park

  Stretching for…

 

…some sumo wrestling!

Taking time to stop and smell the roses

 

Wee for Wii!

 

 

The ultimate mecca for the avid outdoorsman…a necessary stop for one of the husbands

Speaking of husbands, this is Fran’s camo when he’s hiding in a field of…yarn?

No hunting gear for us, but we did get some trail mix, beef jerky and peach rings!  Oh the bounty!

He plays a mean air guitar

We survived the crush of the market!

Taking a midnight swim…the perks of staying at a hotel

Could he be the next Michael Phelps?

Jokes, good meals, watching the Olympics and sharing life for a couple of days. 

More memories to tide us over until the next visit!

Tribute to Mom August 20, 2008

I used to teach at the same school where my mom is an adminstrator (elementary) and where my two sisters teach also.  Recently, I was asked by the superintendent to write a message to the faculty about someone who has had an impact on my life.  She was planning to read it during the teacher orientation and connecting it to their focus this year, “Passing the Baton.”  

It was a no-brainer.  My mom immediately came to mind.  She is one of the most humble and unassuming people I know.  But she is also a tough little cookie.  We tease her and make jokes, but we love her and treasure her.  And I know she would be embarrassed but I need to brag on her here a bit too.  And in true rubiorambles fashion, it comes in the form of a Top 5 list.  

What a cutie! 

 

1)     Joy amidst trials.  In her personal and professional life, mom is intentional in finding joy and satisfaction in the Lord.  As she clings to the Lord in all circumstances, I am drawn to her joyfulness and intimacy with her heavenly Father.

2)     Grace under pressure.  I don’t know how she does it, but regardless of the daily pressure she faces, she is still kind, calm and manages to look good!  Actually I do know how she does it.  Her grace comes from the Lord – and that is what gives her true strength and beauty.

3)     A teacher’s heart.  She has labored and toiled in the classroom for many years.  She has poured out her life and love to her students.  She knows that you all do the same.  I can still hear her earnest voice during our late-night talks as she shared her dreams for you.  Know that you are loved and that she prays for you often. 

4)     Looking outward.  As someone who has observed the many facets of her life, I can say that mom truly cares for those around her.  As her daughter, I urge her to relax and take care of herself more…but she can’t help it.  She is on the lookout for those who need her help.

5)     Looking upward.  The last thing mom wants is to get accolades for herself.  She is always quick to say that it is “by God’s grace.”  When she prays she often says, “Help me to hide behind the cross.” 

 

Through her example, I realize that I must to fight to lay down my selfish ambition and to carry out what He has set for me to do.  I need to run after the One Who calls me to love Him by loving those He has entrusted to my care. 

 

 

 

 

Family Extravaganza, Part 1 August 18, 2008

It has been a busy August.  We were so fortunate to have loads of family stay with us.  Now we are sad and missing them again.  This post is as much for me as it is for whoever reading this.  I want to relive the time we had together.  If you don’t already know I live for family visits. Actually, this update will be in two parts so that we can all savor each visit!  The first group that came was my older sister, brother in law and awesome, genius, totally adorable niece.  We had a great time reconnecting and sharing our life in the northwest with them.  They even visited my office and dropped Fran off at work.  One highlight was that they were here to help us celebrate our first-year anniversary.

Reunion at the airport with tito Fran

Her version of posing with a flower in her hair at Washington Park

A refreshing dip in the creek at Multnomah Falls

Our table number at McMenamin’s at Edgefield

Family photo op at the Space Needle

Unabashed pleasure at the carousel

Cannon Beach…it was cold, but she loved it anyway!

Our brave girl after an unexpected dip into the frigid waters

Sharing one of her fave foods – pizza!

Anniversary flowers from Fran

A hearty anniversary breakfast – one of Fran’s specialites 

One year wiser (maybe), older (definitely) and dare I say…plumper…

especially after that decadent dessert!

Our enthralled artist making a creative mess at the Portland Children’s Museum

Resting up for more adventures

Until next time! 

 

A Paper Milestone August 18, 2008

I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since this day!  God has proven Himself to us over and over again this year.  As Fran and I reflected, we were amazed at how God sustained us through the many life-changing events these past twelve months.  I’ve always been a big fan of marriage and I am so grateful to share life with my best friend.  In the tradition of this blog, here are the Top 5 things I love about the husband:

1) He cracks me up all the time.  I really dig his sense of humor and slightly skewed perspective on things.  His humor not only proves his fun-loving heart, it also diplays his sharp wit.

2) His strengths are my weaknesses.  I learn from him everyday just by watching how he does life.  I admire his unreserved faith in God, approachable countenance, spontaneity and culinary skills (the pounds I’ve put on are testimony to that!).

3) His humility.  He truly doesn’t care about being first (okay, except in Fantasy football, basketball, baseball, etc.), being the best, getting the credit and getting the accolades.  He cares that God’s will and work are realized.

4) He speaks truth to me.  God uses him to convict me of my sin.  God uses him to help me get in the Word.  God uses him to comfort and strengthen me when I falter.  God uses him to multiply the joy.

5) He runs after the Lord and fights to keep our marriage Christ-centered.  His unconditional love for me is proof of God’s unconditional love for all of us.

*Photo credits: RC, Family, Ate Lan

Family blogging July 8, 2008

Wow – three posts in one day!  I just had to share that my sister and brother in law now have a blog to call their own.  I’m so excited!  Check ‘em out at http://lamplightandsolitude.blogspot.com/

New Kids on the Blog July 3, 2008

New Kids is back!!  I liked them, but was never obsessed like some of my friends…I don’t even remember their names.  And the older I get, I like them even more because they were part of my youth.  But, now that they’re back and “current” again, I say, “meh.”  NKOTB should stay in the past where they belong. 

But this video is by far my favorite “Step By Step” rendition.  And also a great gift from Fran and the guys.  And in case you were wondering, no, that’s not how he proposed!