Fall Favorites November 12, 2008

We are in the midst of my favorite season.  Fall in the northwest is beautiful!  I haven’t blogged in a while – busy as usual with work and the daily grind.  But here are the Top 5 most enjoyable things about fall so far:

 

The tree in our courtyard.  It’s a treat watching the richly colored leaves flutter down.  

 

Pumpkin carving (I watched while everyone got creative)

 

Taking a brisk walk in the crisp afternoon air

 

Sipping the best-crafted coffee with a new friend at my neighborhood cafe 

 

 

Speaking of friends – our surprise visitor at the office!

 

 

Sorry, no pictures! October 29, 2008

So last week was our very last teacher conference of the season.  It was in the Seattle area, specifically in Bothell, WA.  I had a blast!  I was still nervous, but more prepared for what was to come.  For those of you praying and biting your nails with me, all went well!  Conferences are interesting in that they are extremely tiring but also extremely rewarding.  I kinda miss it, now that it’s all over with…I took some pictures on my phone, but for some reason the pictures are too big…so, instead, I’ve decided to name the Top 5 things at this particular conference:

1) The beautiful weather and surroundings.  Washington is so beautiful with the trees changing color.  The weather was great!  No rain – just the crisp air and clear fall skies.  I loved taking a detour through Kirkland, WA too.

2) Spending time with our national director of early education.  She is an awesome lady – inspiring, wise and so thoughtful!  She’s based in Colorado Springs so it was nice to see her again.  We also got to eat in swanky Bellevue Square…that was a treat!

3) Choppin’ it up (i.e. having a good conversation) with our office staff on the drive to and fro.  It’s nice getting to know co-workers and building context with them.

4) Jeff Myers – a great speaker who has impacted my thinking about leadership and “passing the baton” to the next generation.  He’s very funny and down to earth too.  You can read about him here, here and here. 

5) Being around so many teachers and leaders of organizations that seek to make Christ known.  I was borderline overwhelmed by all the people I encountered – it was an educational/training event, but it also felt like church!

I thank the Lord for guiding my steps and for providing the wisdom to make decisions and know what to do.  He gets all the credit!

Top 5… September 25, 2008

…most irritating things that happened today:

1) ONE hour late for a meeting with someone for work because I got inextricably lost

2) Dropped my expensive, delicious sandwich in the car

3) Blood sugar dipped drastically which led to a dull headache that lasted all day

4) Ruined my favorite pair of shoes due to rushing about AND being clumsy

5) Had to leave the husband stranded because I ran out of time and couldn’t pick him up on time

I can totally relate to this guy.

Lazy Sundays September 14, 2008

The top 5 things I love about Sundays:

1) Pearl Church 

2) Hot Lips Pizza

3) Afternoon naps

4) Time with friends

5) Slow dinners

Speaking of my favorite things, tonight we went over Brett and Stacie’s and Fran grilled some steak and made his famous mashed potatoes.  We had a great time choppin’ it up and watching baby Moses.

 

Afterwards, the cool night breeze beckoned us to stay out a little longer and we went to get some gelato.

 

As we walked and enjoyed our melting dessert, I felt thankful for days like this – resting in the Lord, enjoying community with friends and savoring simple times together.

Wicked! September 2, 2008

I finally cashed in on my birthday gift!  This weekend we went to LA to watch Wicked.  

Here’s my Top 5 for the weekend:

1) Elphaba (Teal Wicks) and Glinda (Erin Mackey) – their duets were exhilirating, sad and touching

2) Seeing the Tibayans and their adorable boys

3) Reading into the wee hours

4) People watching – LA is truly fascinating

5) Getting stuck in the hotel bathroom – this ordeal got us two free meals and a free night’s stay!

Here are some more highlights in pictures:

LA traffic – okay, not necessarily a highlight, but interesting because it is so inevitable

Tommy’s Burgers – a local fave…I can see why!

Baby Z just chillin’

The view from Santa Monica Pier

Strolling with our youngest godson, little X

Watching the waves with Ninong

The end of our short (but sweet) visit with good friends

Who knew this existed?  Read this if you’re interested…or confused (as we were)!

The Capitol Records Building (Beastie Boys, Coldplay, Corinne Bailey Rae) 

Inside the lobby at the Pantages Theatre

Mingling and waiting for the show to start

The beautifully intricate ceiling inside the theatre  

The Wicked stage right before the show started (my last picture before the usher threatened to throw people out who were taking pictures…oops!  I didn’t know!)

One last view of the theatre before we left for the night – satisfied and impressed, but sad it was all over

Getting a shot of Grauman’s (aka Mann’s) Chinese Theatre as we cruised Hollywood Boulevard

Fran poring over the humongous menu at Canter’s Deli -another local fave, as we grab a late-night meal

A glimpse of where the affluent, designer-hungry, botox-infected people play…and shop.  And where the non-affluent, bargain-hunting, naturally-aging people (e.g. us) gleefully gawk.

 

As we walked on Robertson Boulevard (by the way, kitson didn’t impress much), I couldn’t resist getting a shot of the famed Ivy Restuarant, where the celebrities come to see and be seen. 

 So all in all, it was a fun, relaxing, thrilling weekend.  Fran and I got to hang out with friends and family (Fran’s brother, wife and three daughters were in town too), see a great show, eat lots of junk food, and read/finish books.  We also got to experience the many sides of LA – the ethnic diversity (yeah!), the night-life (from a distance), the paralyzing traffic, and the glamour (old and new) of Hollywood.    

We had a blast, but it was nice to come home to cooler weather, crisper/cleaner air and friendlier drivers.

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. 

 

 

 

 

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

“Decision ‘08″ July 28, 2008

As I type, our friends are on their way to FBC’s 30th annual youth summer camp…and we wish we could be there!  As we think and pray about our youth and the leaders, here are the top 5 things about camp that I miss the most:

1) Praise and worship with all those pre-teens and teens.

2) Team cheers and skits- creative, energetic and exciting.  One of my best memories is being on the yellow team in ‘94!  And who could forget “Search and Rescue”…

3) The common experiences that unite the campers – bad camp food, sticky bathrooms, pesky bugs and crazy antics.

4) I’m ashamed to admit it – people’s “Top 5″ list…if you know what I mean.

5)  The sharing, transparency and encouragement that occurs.  This year, as in the years past, may the campers encounter Christ and be transformed by Him.

Asian / Filipino Stuff July 3, 2008

I love these crackers.  We buy them from the local Vietnamese market when we get our (brown) rice.  But man, I miss my other snacks.  Here is the Top 5 list of snacks from Ranch 99 (their website is fun!) and Valerio that I miss.  The stores here have some of them, but we can’t bring ourselves to pay that much for what we could get cheap back home.

1) POCKY

2) Those panda crackers with sweet filling

3) Shrimp chips – the sticks kind, not the greasy kind

4) Mamon – my favorite pastry of all time!  Definitely can’t get that here. 

5) Pan de Sal!!  I can just imagine them fresh from the oven with butter melting in them with some strong coffee…anyone know a good recipe?

More food dreams:  I really wish they would open up a Beard Papa here!!  But I think they have two in Seattle now, so we must make a trip up there and try to stock up.  I also really miss good dim sum, especially from that place on…wait a minute, I can’t think of the street…yikes!  It’s not Irving, it’s….??

One place I will never forget is DAISO.  I miss that place and getting my fill of stationery!  I have not found it’s replacement…

When we visit home, we may just have to stock up and get ourselves some pasalubongs.

Now what do we talk about? June 30, 2008

Obviously I can talk about the most recent events in our little corner of the world.  The biggest thing happening right now is that we live in Portland and not back “home” in the Bay Area.  Since you are family and friends you also know that it has been a difficult adjustment for me.  

This blogging business has got me feeling reflective.  And so, since I’m a teacher at heart, I’d like to answer the question, “So far, what have I learned in Portland?”  This can easily fill up pages and pages of this blog, so I will narrow it down to 5 things:

1)  It doesn’t pay to be cynical.  Cynicism robs you of joy, growth in Christ and the freedom that forgiveness brings.  

2) It’s better to put yourself out there than to wait for people to come to you.  Sometimes it’s best just to introduce yourself cold turkey.  

3) “God doesn’t call the qualified.  He qualifies the called.”  This nugget of someone else’s wisdom continues to resonate with me.

4) Speaking of wisdom…how I react to critique or rebuke reveals how wise I am…or, more fittingly, how unwise I am.

5) Our Pearl Pastor says that “marriage is a good death.”  He’s got that right!  Sometimes I’m too busy trying to live, that I get in the way of what God wants to do in our marriage.

These life lessons could be learned anywhere, but I believe that I had to move away to learn and struggle through them…nay, to even realize that I needed to learn them!  Thanks, Fran, for being brave enough to uproot us and bring us here and for staying the course.  Thanks, God, for calling him here.

So now, how about you?  Could you tell us about some lesson that you’ve learned these past ten months?