AHA Moment: Are you a good person?

How are you going to answer this question?

The scripture says...

 "...whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12)

People are basically proud of their achievements. Who aren't? Achievements give people a sense of pride and power.

But...

AHA Moment: The Teacher who is NOT

Just a hindsight.

As an Educational Technician, I can only say what I observe.

Yes, I am a Teacher Assistant here in the U.S. and not a full-pledged teacher. And I love my job. It's the best job in the world. I don't mind assisting the classroom teachers because I believe each one of them needs assistant. They are over-worked, tired and underpaid. They need a raise. Seriously!

Birthday Photo Shoot: Adult Version

Who doesn't like having their pictures taken on their birthday?

If you hang out in Pinterest more than I do, you'd probably seen a lot of those photos with adult in tutus, drinking wine and smashing birthday cakes. I am obsessed. I pinned a hundred of those hoping one day I will be able to do one for someone and make a portfolio out of it.

Fallin' For Pumpkin Season

Summer is definitely over and Fall is finally here.

The proofs are all over the place. I can see them in my backyard, on the road, in the store, and in the air. And if I won't be lazy to take my Fall outfit out of my Fall tote just yet, I will be enjoying the foliage in no time.

Fall is my favorite season. I love the crisp cool breeze, the changing color of sceneries and most of all the Fall flavor.

Did someone say pumpkin?

Hotdog-Burger Bar

I'm not a party girl per se. But I love planning for parties for my loved ones.

The Biggest Loser is Back on the Scale

Let's talk about weight and weight loss challenge. Shall we?

Oh, don't roll your eyes now. C'mon!

I always have this gut feeling that this topic is something I really need to tackle one way or another since I've been in endless search for weight loss programs and diets.  I was also into bookmarking tons of healthy food recipes and detox concoctions to shed unwanted pounds I've carried all my life.

KOSUN LS Shale Shakers and ES Shale Shakers

KOSUN Shale Shakers family consist of linear motion (LS) shale shakers and Balanced Elliptical Motion (ES) Shale Shakers.

Based on a combination of innovative design and highly advanced technology, KOSUN shale shakers allow high throughput capacities to be achieved in a compact machine design. These features facilitate the layout and design of the complete shale shaker for mud system. Shaker dimensions can be significantly reduced, ensuring low investment costs and saving space for other oil tools, especially for offshore drilling plant.

A Grateful Heart Weekends: Blessings

Another week passed by without me knowing it. School has just started so I was busy with work and I have no time to stop and think of all the things that happened.

I am not complaining. I am not whining. I'm actually blessed.

And I thank God for all the blessings I received. And for that, I want to share this beautiful song of Laura Story about blessings to express how grateful I am for all the blessings I received.

Hope you all enjoy it.
 

A Grateful Heart Weekends: Trash

In this modern time, anything and everything can be easily acquired. No effort is needed to get the things we want if money is not a problem.

Most of the time, things of great value can be taken for granted once it already served its purpose or when upgrades have been made.

A lot of times, things lost their importance when they get broken despite the fact that they can be fixed and restored.

And sometimes, the value of things and people has no difference at all.

Sad... but true.

-Ruthi Orona-Gregoire

Prayer

Father, a lot of times we take for granted what we have and most of the time we don't value our talents. 

Father, forgive us for being wasteful. Help us to see blessings in small things. 

And grant us a conscientious heart that we may be able to see beauty in things that seem worthless to our eyes.Amen.

Subject Matter: Teacher's Pet

Being a teacher, I admit, I play favorites [in a very discreet way at least, I think(?)]. I don't usually admit it nor show it but I know my students knew it and felt it. Sad but true. I know. I am that kind of teacher.

I am just being honest. I’m sorry but can’t help it. I guess it’s human nature to take sides. I like students who are smart and responsible. And I like the feeling of being adored back. Human nature, right?

One hot summer of 2004, after a gruesome day of yet another boring in-service seminars that public school teachers were required to attend, I took the jeepney going home. The jeepney was packed with commuters up to the roof, literally. Sitting across me was this familiar face who was all dressed up, looking sophisticated and successful. I tried to recall who she was but I can’t come up with a name. I know she felt my stare and she just looked away with a long face. I felt a bit sad and embarrassed at the same time about the reaction that she gave me so I just looked on the opposite direction, thinking I must have offended her. As she paid her fare I heard her voice and it was then I realized I know that young lady. She was a former student… one of my favorites… the best in the class… the one who was always nice to me and always ready to give me a hand.

Ruthilicious Eats: Zucchini Som Tom

My zucchini patch is growing out of control! How did that happen? Actually, I almost forgot that we have one until hubby harvested some nearly matured zucchinis and put them next to my yoga mat while I was doing downward dog.

Well, the last time I saw the patch was when I planted the seeds. Yeah, I was that kind of gardener. Poor little patch so neglected and unattended. Good thing My Sweetest took care of it whenever he remembers we have another garden somewhere in the yard.

You see, we have a big organic garden in the backyard next to the garage where we grow all our leafy greens. I call it my salad garden. I have kale, beet greens, carrots, swiss chards, spinach, lettuce, peas, string beans, and a dozen varieties of tomatoes. I also have a small plot of organic herbs (thyme, oregano, dill, basil and mint) in there that I use for seasoning.

Aside from that hubby made another garden near the shed (about 10 yards from the salad and herb garden) to have the zucchini and squash patch. He didn't want the zucchini and squash vine crawling and taking over the salad garden. Makes sense, right?

A Grateful Heart Weekends: My Bestfriend's Wedding

Wedding is always a happy occasion. I love weddings because they always bring out the best in people. Weddings bring families, friends and well-wishers together to celebrate the special event with the loving couple.

I spent one summer in the Philippines in 2012. It was nice to be back home after 5 long years of being away from family and friends. Consequently, that year one of my BFFs finally decided to tie the knot. And since I came home without anyone knowing about it [except for 4 people], my visit came as a surprise to my friend Tess. The meeting brought back the "drama queens" in us. LOL.

Som Tom: The Ruthilicious Version

The other day, I had a craving for Thai Salad. But the problem was. I was too lazy to drive and go out to eat.

So, to solve my problem I just made myself a Thai Salad.

I got myself a green papaya the last time I went grocery shopping. I was planning to have it ripen and make a smoothie out of it. But the calling for Thai Salad was so strong that it ended up into a Som Tom - Green Papaya Salad.

I was so happy with my ingenuity so I took some photos and post it in my IG and one of my friends in FB ask me how to make it so here you go.

A Glimpse of my Trip to Haiti

Life is full of many surprises so they say. I couldn't agree more. Miracles happen every time. Blessings on the other hand is like the air we breath. We know it is there but we don't see it. Like miracles and blessings, we are aware of them but we don't really appreciate them as much until we are put in a situation we are not expecting and not prepared for.

I would like to share with you this beautiful write-up written by a good friend mine about her personal journey to Haiti. I hope this will inspire you and give you new meaning to miracles and blessings. Read on.