Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

Though 2014 is at its end, it's always not too late to start an amazing chapter in your life. I was given a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel while taking a one year internship. I'm taking a different path. A path that will take me to new places, to grow independently,  figure things out on my own and meet new friends. 


St. Augustine once said,

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."

I'm a firm believer of this saying, when you don't engage or expose yourself to different races, nationalities, cultures and experience what the world can offer. You're missing half of your life. Once in a while we should take a time to leave our comfort zone, spread our arms and open our eyes to newer things. There are many things that can be discovered and explored whether it's a place, language, history, or a group of people. We're all born for a purpose, a mission to see the world and share what we have experienced.

The year 2014 had been an unforgettable too. It's the year I finally saw mon amour after five years. It's been a rough and hard relationship with him. Being in a long distance relationship is never easy. Everyday you wake up asking so many questions, thoughts that bother you 'til you sleep and wake up the next morning still thinking about the same thoughts. Like your life is missing a big part in it. Your heart and mind should always be balanced. Trust and communication is the main thing in a long distance relationship. We actually never knew that 2014 will be a time to say hello again to each other. Everything went by so quickly. Seeing him with my own two eyes felt like a dream. Knowing that he's just a call away made me feel like I'm in heaven. I felt so complete and truly happy. A story that I will surely tell to my future children.

Hopefully 2015 will be the year I've been waiting for.

Happy New Year everyone! X

Sweet September

I'm one week behind writing my entry for September but it's better late than never, right? I'd like to share a fancy food and incredible journey I had for the month.

It started with a cookie mug shots I tried in our town. It's 5-10 minutes away from where I lived. The ambiance of the place is quite good for inviting friends who you haven't seen in a long time - to catch up, reminisce your memories together, or share adventures or a place by yourself with your favorite book or finish a work. 

It's like drinking tea. They have sizes from smallest to largest mug. It comes with a drink of your choice - a caramel, milk, or chocolate. After hours of talking and sipping into your drink, you have a good and sweet cookie treat in the end. If only I could make this at home for bed time stories I definitely would. Maybe I can someday? 

 

September had been very toxic and busy for me. I had to meet deadlines for my requirements as I planned to take an externship abroad. I took an exam and was interviewed by an American chef from California. I have been preparing for this for a year and they paid off. I passed and I couldn't be happier right now. But there's one left thing to do and it's to pass my next interview in the embassy. 

And so after three weeks of my exam, it was morning, I was making pancakes when suddenly a mailman knocked on my door and handed over my letter from one of my favorite bloggers in Tumblr. It's from Adeline - I love her because she's so kind, sweet and I noticed in her daily posts she's someone who is very friendly and likes to go on adventures around her city and she's very talented too. It's an honor to be exchanging letters with her. I can't wait to send my letter. I hope she will like my little cute surprise inside. 

I also made a 'made-from-scratch' crêpe and caramel sauce for my exams yesterday. It was toxic and I was very tired mentally and physically. We had to make soup, appetizer, canapé, pasta, entrée and a dessert. But at the end of it, it's always fulfilling to see my creations liked by other people. 

The crepe's filling was thinly sliced caramelized apples there's supposed to be a vanilla ice cream on top but it wasn't part of my exams so it's just plain Caramel Apple Crêpe. 

Caramelized Apple Crêpe

To end my entry, I'd like to share to you all my favorite music video:

Our Deal by Best Coast

The music video is directed by Drew Barrymore herself. The music video is starred by Chloë Grace Moretz, Tyler Posey and other artists. It's such an addictive song but heartbreaking at the same time. I hope you'll all enjoy.

XO

"She got life in her veins..."

Hello earthlings, how are you all doing? Not being able to update my blog for three consecutive months means I was occupied with many important things. I was very busy and was working so hard building the path I want to take. I worked in a hotel as an apprentice chef. I was assigned in the hot kitchen and my favorite place is the pastry department and on my free days I usually spend it with mon amour and/or with my family.

His whole wheat heart shaped bread, my birthday bouquet, chicken sauté provençale and carbonara pasta

And it also means I have a bunch of stories to tell. Starting with the first two pictures on top of my collage.

I never thought someone would make me breakfast and give me flowers on my doorstep. There's a funny story about that bouquet though. It was one week before my 21st birthday someone texted me asking what was my exact address and that someone bought me flowers. It felt strange and I thought people these days don't have anything to do but prank people. I didn't reply - another 30 minutes passed and the same number texted me again asking, if I live near this street he was right but I still didn't reply. An hour passed and someone knocked on our door, I looked out our window and a man was standing on our doorstep and was holding a bouquet I went out and the man asked me if I was "Karen" I said yes, he handed me the receipt and I signed it... it was from mon amour. But the bad thing was, my key was missing so I wasn't able to get it. I asked the delivery man to wait as I will search for my key unfortunately he waited for about 25 minutes and I wasn't able to find it. So I just told the man to give it to our neighbor. After he left, I saw it in my bag... I felt so stupid. Mon amour was very disappointed the bouquet should be delivered on the day of my birthday. I laughed and told him it was okay because I was even more surprised to receive it on an unexpected day.

I will never forget that day.

The first photo on the bottom is a Chicken Provençal and my carbonara pasta. On my free days, I usually cook of course before he left I made him a dinner. I love how he was enjoying the pasta and was asking to make more. They say, 'the way to a man's heart is through his stomach...'

Of course the saddest part of a vacation is they end... It's been two weeks after he left. I was very sad on the first day but I'll see him very soon. It's been five years since he went home.

I hope to hear from you all <3

Summer 2014 : The Tans Will Fade But The Memories Will Last Forever

It's never too late to write and share to you all what I have been doing in the past month and also to share to you my short trip in the beach.

Goods news is I'm through with my school so I just needed to complete my 500 hours practicum and I'm off to the real big adventure. I just had my final exam two weeks ago and celebrated my 21st birthday. I spent my birthday with him and my family. I couldn't be happier guys. We went out to attend a mass and ate dinner together. Simple but intimate which I love.

Moving on with my trip, it's one of the beautiful beaches (Burgos, Pangasinan) near the metro you don't need to stress out with the bookings and especially don't need to spend a lot of money just to have fun and it's only 6 hours drive (well, it's quite painful sitting for 6 hours but it will be worth it!) and I assure that it's not crowded and the water is clear as crystals, the sand looks like powder. 

The people there is also warm and very friendly. They can help you buy fresh fishes and would give you a tour around the area. 

I can't tell you in words how wonderful the place is, everything is just a beauty - a gift from Mother Nature.

The best part in my trip was of course, the beach. I went for a swim  - the sun, the breeze, the clear and cold water was just magic! For a moment, I was able to relax and feel everything. I always look forward to this every single year. I'd like to have a swim in the beach after all the stressful days and nights in school. I deserve a break. We all do!

Our second day there, we approached some local fishermen and bought the fishes they caught. It was indeed the best fish I ever ate. It always makes me happy when my family and relatives would eat altogether and laugh. Such a priceless moment. 

Anyway, here are the photographs I took.

Galbi Jjim (Beef Short Ribs) : I applied what I have learned in school

For last night's dinner I decided to cook Galbi Jjim (Korean dish). This dish needs a lot of time for marinating and cooking (depending on the beef you bought) but the whole process of it, you will soon realize why it's a great food to serve for holidays. 

Letting my Galbi Jjim simmer

Nothing makes me more happy than seeing the people I cook for likes what I prepare for them even sometimes it lacks taste and flavor. I know I still have more to improve and through this I'm learning. I'm enrolled in a culinary class but I don't want to just depend on our chef. So when I have my free time I cook or bake. It's really different when you discover, explore and learn from yourself in the kitchen. You get to actually see it for yourself what you're making. 

From what I learned, as a culinary student, you should not be afraid to make your own decisions (of course, there will be mistakes but they are great teachers), do whatever you are told to do (when you're in the real world already, the environment is 20x more stressful) and lastly, whatever you do be passionate. No matter how hard and rough things are, if you do it with passion and determination you will conquer the challenges and problems. Don't give up easily. 

These are the few things I learned so far for the past five months. I'm still learning and I will keep learning.