i run to be.. strong

i've heard it all. being petite, short & then on top of that, asian (yes, filipina=asian, not pacific islander.  another post/another day) to some people automatically means i'm some sort of weak individual.  the media doesn't help the asian but standing at 4'11", people can already make their own assumptions of what i can do.  well let me tell you what i can do!!  this year i ran my second 13.1 marathon, 44 minutes faster than last year.  the nike women's marathon is such an inspiring event to run because you run alongside other strong women, of all shapes + ages proving to them and more importantly to ourselves that we are stronger than we thought we were a few months/years ago.  when i get behind on training i tell myself i won't do another marathon the next year because you get this weird, overwhelming personal guilt.  but when you cross that finish line, those happy, ugly tears are SOO worth it.  marathon #3, i'm comin to get you!

It has been a crafty weekend, here's a little sneak peak..

(My iPad Lucy needs to step her photo game up, seriously.)

My nephew's "Welcome Baby" party is next weekend at my house & I've volunteered myself to do all the decorations.  I have to fix that "O" for the "Welcome", do more pom-poms, paper flags, extra pizzazz for the diaper cake, etc. etc.!  I'll have better pictures when it gets a little closer.

I'd do anything for that little booger! <3

Awkward & Awesome Monday!

adopted from Sydney

Awkward:
-Having two guys come up to me at my gas station asking to come to their Spanish-speaking church.   I just told them I don't speak Spanish.  There was also a glare on the gas price screen so while they were talking to me about Jesus, I was concerned I was paying over $30 for my gas.  They were nice, but it was awkward.
-Having to pay for Starbucks when I just got hired back there.  Umm, I work here now, can I get a discount?
-My mom telling me I'm making her nervous while painting craft letters thinking I'm going to get paint on the carpet.  Ummm, I'm 25.  I think I know how to put newspaper down and paint carefully.
-Don't judge but I got stuck on YouTube yesterday watching all kinds of birth videos.  YES!  They show this on YouTube!  I was covering my eyes one minute and crying the next.  I'm convinced I'll be giving a water birth.. scary as it sounds... to me, the hospital sounds even scarier.  Epidurals, pitocin?  STAY AWAY!  "The Business of Being Born" is a must see.  PS. that was NOT me announcing I'm pregnant.
-Berkeley Bowl on a Saturday afternoon.  Having never been to Berkeley Bowl should be the awkward statement here but serrrriously?  Seriously.  How do you people shop here on the regular without punching the millionth person in  your way.  That night I thanked God for the gift of patience b/c really.. I wanted to scream.  I'll stick with my Trader Joe's.. thanks.

Awesome:
-Free Starbucks again!!!!  I'll be saving so much money, I won't know what to do with it!
-Saying goodbye to 90 degree weather (you know, the whole 4 days it was hot) and hellooooo fall!  Closer to the holidays and in some comfy clothes is thee best!
-Being able to have a crafty day amongst all my schooly/worky days.  I made little paper flags and painted craft letters for my nephews (<3) "welcome baby" party.  Next on the list: diaper cake!
-Being almost done with my application for the next years dietetic program at State.
-Tofurkey=)  It really tastes like turkey but without the cholesterol, fat, and dead animal guilt.

i am officially an AUNTIE!  

to be honest, i didn't know what the big deal about being an auntie was.  i'd see pictures on facebook of people my age becoming aunties left + right but the pure joy they had was so foreign to me.  until about 2 weeks ago of course!  i love him more than i could've ever imagine loving a little one.  you would think i'd be over the whole new baby craze since my family has 60+ members but to finally have a nephew to spoil and love, it's.. indescribable! 

<3 <3 <3

well hello!

i had a whole big paragraph ready to post about this situation i'm bummin' hard about right now but i haven't said anything on here since APRIL.  do i really want to put that out there after 4 months of being absent?  well kinda but i should make a mini list of things i'm loving to cheer myself up. 

1. being in the best shape of my life.  i've been training hard for this upcoming 1/2 marathon. who would've ever thought i'd be lifting weights?!  not me!

2. fresh new haircut for a party weekend AKA millions of pictures

3.  having class with chris, it's kinda weirdy but nice to have a guaranteed study buddy, lab partner and bestest friend in class

4.  my fave cousin is home from her 2 year stay in LA <3

5.  knowing in 2 months, i will run my second 1/2 marathon but with my mom, cousins and boyfriend.  who else can say that?!

6.  a great end to the summer, lots of workouts.. mini day getaways.. QT w/friends + fam

happy end of the summer everyone!  

getting back in the groove..

running is my best frienemy. winter is such a fail for me, who wants to run in the COLD?!  crazy people, that's who!  i wouldn't necessarily say i enjoy running but i love the way i feel afterwards.  i like the way it makes me be productive for the rest of the day and inspires me to eat healthy.  plus, it gives me the best excuse (like i ever needed one anyway) to make yummy fruity protein shakes since i've said no to beef + pork for a little over a year.. i'll have to write about that later b/c i was really the biggest carnivore ever.  anyway, extra inspiration to stay fit for someone who never gains weight (& no i'm not bragging about my nonboob-nonbooty body okay!) is to sign up for some kind of commitment.  so about 7 of my cousins/aunties are signing up for the nike half marathon this year.   this'll be my second, my aunties 3rd time around and some of my cousins 1st time so I'M HOPING we get in as a group!  cheers to another few seasons of being in shape until winter comes again!

results from my domestic thursday.

here are the results from my domestic thursday!  first let me say that after i made that last post public, i felt super motivated to do all these things & i looked in the fridge and there was no butter, among other things i needed for my foods.  let me remind you that it was the RAINIEST day of the freakin' year.  uggh, fast forward to one week later to the hottest day of the year so far.  anyway, next time i'll be more prepared when i'm out in the house.  

 I made almond milk.  inspired by my real life friend nicole and her recipe <3  i liked it but, i didn't love it.  next time, i'll replace the extract w/a real vanilla bean because i felt like i was drinking it straight from the bottle.  i also might need to check the expiration date on that extract but still!  a vanilla bean would've been sweeter.

"we started soaking @ 1215pm"  i was anxious to make it so i soaked it until about 830pm and started..

(sorry i was too lazy to go back into iphoto, rotate, upload, ahhh.. )

blend w/water, almonds, dates, + vanilla extract 

strain almonds w/cheesecloth.  this was the most labor intensive (for my dad)  this part needs to be fine tuned b/c it was almost a deterrent not to do this again.  

chill + enjoy =)

also made some banana bread.. 

j/k this picture is from last summer.. no more long hair.  but banana bread is one of my go-to recipes when i want to whip up somethin' easy + delish.

'til next time!!

domestic thursday part 1.

has anyone seen the weather outside?!?  i can't because chris broke the turny thing that opens my blinds!!  works fine for 21 years and when he turns it, it breaks.  anyway, after school this morning i had to call my boss and ask for the day off b/c these are my favorite days to be cozy at home.  plus it would be counterproductive to be out spending money on a day i was suppose to work.  i feel inspired by all these bloggers who cook, bake, clean (yeah i said it.. i love to clean) and blog. so i think i'll have a domestic thursday!!!  SAHM minus the kids for the day?  i'm excited.  anyway, i'm putting this post up so i'll be held accountable for post 2: the fruits of my labor!

letter #2

Dear Chris, can't wait til you come over tomorrow.. I bought groceries!  Dear Gas Prices, if I had some worldly knowledge, I would know why you're so high.  Since I grudgingly admit I do not pick up the paper or search for the answer online much like many of my peers, I'll just keep it short: you are not my friend.   Dear BFF Kelley, you know about my blog now, where have you been?!  You might be the 4th person who reads this bad girl, welcome!  K, can you come home now?  Dear Cake in a Cup, you gave me two days of joy, how will I ever repay you?  Dear Chrissytopher who gets two letters b/c they say so:  We've gone through a lot & last week was no exception.  You were really brave.  I don't know if I could've stayed so cool.

<3, 

Aubrey

update?

oh my.  i haven't blogged anything in so long!  i truly believe and therefore blame it on being a gemini + getting bored/sidetracked with another thing.  i've been over on tumblr, looking for inspiration for my own personal style.  i know, what style?  having worked for a crafty paper store + now working with a wedding planner/custom paperies, i have plenty of crafty blogs bookmarked & i think i've neglected my closet for too long.  it's exciting to start something new that makes me feel good about myself.   

i'm kinda loving this girls blog + the million others i've come across during these rainy days=)

Letter 1.

Dear Chris, We're not married so you only get one letter, haha!  Your hugs are the best.. my boney arms might hurt you but you take it like a champ! Dear Chemistry, you are not as bad as I remember.  It's probably because I'm not in high school anymore and not distracted by those silly boys.. which is when we met last time!  Dear Bagged Lunch, you save me so much money and you're so much healthier than take out.  The money you saved me today went to a homeless guy + his doggie.  Jojo: Just kidding, I'll write you two.  Let's have another fun coffee date tomorrow, I'm sure I'll need it after you hog the blanket tonight! <3

*inspired by Today's Letters

kim & kourtney + my 40 year old child = great combo

it's been guilty pleasure TV night for me.  kim & kourtney take new york!  there should be a million reasons why i hate that show and their excessive-living, fur wearing family but it's too addictive.

anyway, the only reason i'd admit to watching them is because i thought it was on at 9pm instead of 10pm. and at 9, i found on TLC "my 40 year old child" which hi-lighted the lives of two families who had children who didn't age physically & couldn't speak/see.  the dedication of moms/parents/siblings of people with special needs always turns me into the biggest cry baby.  my older brother was born w/cerebral palsy and other brain damage so i know first hand what it's like to have someone who doesn't really "grow up".  i didn't even really tell any of my friends until i was in high school.  i was so afraid of hearing hurtful words towards my brother that i kept it a secret for a long time & to this day the word "retarded" stings my heart. (which is such a popular word these days!)

be grateful for all the healthy little ones in your life friends =)