Browsing at the Outlet Stores

Trying to find places to spend money at the outlets. Sad though that
most of the outlet is empty =(

Lady luck

Hopefully I can win some games

Oysters!

So excited! Most of these are mine cause Mark doesn't like them much.

At The Forum Shops

This mall is huge!

Vegas trip extended

We extended our trip by 1 day! At Circus Circus

Stuffed after eating

So fuuuullllllll......

Eating at Planet Daillies

I got the Double Down burger, Mark got the Southwester burger. Looks
delicious! Let's hope it's better than the calamari!

Calamari @ Planet Hollywood

Here is our appetizer of calamari before you chomp down and grub! Yum
yum!

Vacation in Vegas

I've taken some advice from my co-workers. They have suggested that
I'm some kind of work-a-holic. For those of you know me, that is
true! LoL I admit it. When I th

-Ervin A.
Sent from my iPhone

Chillaxin by the pool

Taking a much deserved rest by the pool and loving it!

Vegas!

Yay Vegas!

Uncle Rudy's Birthday

The family celebrating Uncle Rudy's birthday yesterday with a toast from all of those legal to drink at least

 

Breakfast on a PTO day

This is the 1st PTO time I've taken all year! Yikes!

Vegas this weekend with my honey is going to be spectacular!

Pinkberry lunch snack

Nothing like frozen yogurt as a lunch time, mid-work day snack!

Yay Caramel machiatto

We're addicted to Starbucks!

Panera Bread's Turkey Artichoke on Focaccia bread sandwich

Panera Bread bakeries are one of those eating establishments that are making it's way to the west coast. From what I heard is that these eateries in So. Cal and that's in Irvine and now in Glendale.

I had the pleasure of stumbling in to this eatery on my lunch break. While I was I made a quick decision on my meal since I was next in line. I chose the Turkey Artichoke sandwich on focaccia bread. I dined in so I was able to get a bag of chips too.

Other than the long wait (you get a number and they bring you the meal), everything was tasty and left me craving more. The bread was toasted so as I ate it, kind of scratched the roof of my mouth. But it was okay, still tasted the same. From what I heard is that these sandwiches are not made to order. I found that to be a bit disappointing but still was delicious. The bag of chips are just like those Miss Vickies chips except this wasn't Jalapeno (btw is my favorite flavor).

The meal ended up being about $7 which I don't know is good pricing. I would say that this meal was more about $5. I kind of have that mentality that my mom has, "Why should I have to pay for food that I can make at home?". In this case, that is true. Get me a panini press, some lunch meet, fresh ingredients, and a recipe, and I could make this myself.

But for what it's worth, I would recommend this sandwich. Any recommendations on what else to try from Panera?

Psalm 112: 1-10

I was reading my bible today. Although I'm bad about keeping up with reading the word, I have a bible that is split up in sections for every day.

I read this portion of Psalms and found it very uplifting and comfort. It really is a great descriptor of what is going on in my life and being in a supervisor position. I pray everyday that the Lord's will be done in the work I do. I'm thankful that my co-worker is a child of God and through His will, what we do glorifies His name.

For those of you struggling in life, read the bible. Ask Jesus to come in to your life and free you from sin. You can trust and faith knowing that you are re-born spiritually and although we do once in this life, you can be born twice; one of this world, and the 2nd time in spirit.

Honey Walnut Shrimp at Panda Express

I've been really wanting to do this for a long time.  It's just sometimes difficult to get the blog started but here goes.  As part of being creative, Mark and I have decided to try and write reviews of places that we eat.  Today is not an exception.  

Since the commercials came out, I've wanted to try the Honey Walnut Shrimp at Panda Express.  I've had a fair share of this dish so that I can compare it to others.  For a "fast food" establishment, it wasn't too bad but I wouldn't say it was worth paying the extra $1 for getting an entre that is shrimp.  It wasn't too sweet and sugary.  The chunks of walnut were really minced so at times I had to go fishing for it.  Other places like the real restaurants, they have the full walnut.  But I do have to admit that the walnut wasn't soaked and still retained some of its substance.  It wasn't overcooked and still did the job of fulfilling me for my dinner.  

I had fried rice and orange chicken to round out the meal and they did compliment each other.  Better than having 2 chicken entres like I normally do.  But to be quite honest, I'd rather get the fried shrimp option.  If you are a shrimp fan, you won't mind eating it.

Nihao! Is that how you say "hello" in Traditional Chinese language?  

 

 

Yum yum Korean BBQ

Eating Korean BBQ all you can eat @ Manna BBQ. mannabbq.com in Culver
City. Sooooo good!

Happy birthday to my mom

We're celebrating my mom's birthday today! Happy birthday nanay!
Bridgette & I love you even if you won't tell us how old you are. LoL

Fwd: Harvest Daily Devotion for 5/10/2010: "The Objective of Prayer"

-Ervin A. 

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Greg Laurie" <GregLaurie@harvestdirect.org>
Date: May 10, 2010 1:00:00 AM PDT
To: Ervin Aquino <Aquinoervin@aol.com>
Subject: Harvest Daily Devotion for 5/10/2010: "The Objective of Prayer"

Having trouble seeing the graphics in this message? Click here to see it in your browser. MONDAY, MAY 10, 2010 The Objective of Prayer Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. — 1 John 5:14 When people say that God never answers their prayers, what they are really saying is they prayed and didn't like the answer. No is as much of an answer as yes. So if you have prayed for something and God said no, don't say that God didn't answer your prayers. It is more accurate to say that you didn't like the answer God gave you. The primary objective of prayer is to align your will with God's will. As 1 John 5:14 tells us, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." So if you want to see your prayers answered in the affirmative, if you want God to say yes to your prayers more often, then you must pray according to the will of God. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Luke 11:2). True praying is not overcoming God's reluctance; it is laying hold of His willingness. Prayer is not getting your will in heaven; it is getting God's will on earth. When you have lived for awhile, you begin to understand that God knows more than you do. And you even will thank God for unanswered prayers. You will thank God that He said no to you at an earlier time, because you will realize, with 20/20 hindsight, that you didn't know what you were asking for at the time. So don't ever be afraid to pray, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Luke 11:2). The goal is to pray according to God's will. And nothing lies outside the reach of prayer except that which lies outside of the will of God. Have Pastor Greg's devotions blessed you? Write and tell him! Greg@harvest.org Copyright ©2010 by Harvest Ministries. All Rights Reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000 TODAY'S RADIO PROGRAM "Strengthening Your Marriage - I"   Listen Now   READ THE WORD: Psalm 17     Devotion Archive   Greg's Blog    Greg on Twitter     Greg on Facebook This Month's Offer CLICK HERE TO ORDER You are receiving this daily mailing because you signed-up to do so on Harvest.org. If you no longer want to receive this mailing, or if you wish to subscribe/unsubscribe from other Harvest Ministries mailings, please visit our e-mail subscription management page. Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie P.O. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514-4000 Phone: 1-800-821-3300

Chinese Food is soooo good!

You've got a major craving for the munchies and you don't know where to go? Got that thirst and you don't know just what will quench it? Tired of eating Panda Express or San Sai or any of those other "fast food" Asian food restaurants?

Well, if you got the time for a little bit of old fashion sit down dinner, check out the May Flower Seafood Restaurant.   It seriously is one of the best Chinese food restaurants I've ever been to.  Of course next to some good home cooking.

There really is something about this place that makes it irresistible.  It's one of those Ma & Pa restaurants so it doesn't have the glitz and glamour of some other restaurants.  But there is something about a huge forest of Lucky Bamboo and Lucky Cats greeting you as you walk in that just scream, "Come eat, and enjoy!".

My favorite item to order is the "House Special Pan Fried Noodles".  This concoction of beef, chicken, and seafood mixed in a gravy, and served over some chow mein fried noodles is so delicious, I crave it all the time.  Although it is not on the menu, their salted fried calamari is very tasty as well.

The popularity of this restaurant among celebrities is also noteworthy.  They have had their fair share of celebrities eat at their establishment, mainly Filipino such as Wowowee host Kuya Willie, and also boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.  

They has also just opened up another portion of the restaurant to accomodate parties and gatherings.

If you are in town and visiting LA's Chinatown district, this is definetley one of the stops on your itinerary.

In the end...

The world is an unstable place to live in. There are lots of natural disasters coming about likes fires, floods, strange weather, and earthquakes. It's all biblical. Read it in Revelation. As the days of this world are getting closer to ending, it makes you question where do you stand in your life. Are you saved? When your live here on Earth ends, do you have that re-assurance that your soul will be in heaven for the rest of eternity?

It's a pretty scary thing to think about. Almost makes you wonder, "What have you done with your life?". Was it lived with honesty, truth, and humility? Or was it corrupted by the cares of this world? Money, fame, fortune? Those are all things that you will not be able to take with you in to heaven. They will fade away with this world.

Wouldn't you want that re-assurance knowing that your eternal address is heaven? Thank you heavenly Father for sending us your Son Jesus to die on the cross for us. His blood has saved us! Saved us all!

Do you want that gift?

Mother's Day

That special day set aside for mom's is coming up. Without mom's what
would we do?

Being older now, I appreciate all that mom has done for me. And as I
age, I want her know that I still love her no matter how unreasonable
she might get.

Love ya mom!

-Ervin A.
Sent from my iPhone

Organics

Recently I've been getting in to the entire notion that "Maybe you don't really need to work out as much, just eat healthier food" kind of mentality. And from my recent experiences with it, I believe it's true.

Imagine eating processed foods ALL the time; food from fast food chains like McDonald's, canned foods, etc. How easy is it nowadays to say, "Let's go get McDonald's". I know from working with the kids at the group home, sometimes they don't know what a home cooked meal really is like. The taste is foreign to them.

I went to Whole Foods today and bought some ingredients for a guacamole contest that we are having at work. Although the total bill came out to more than I would have liked it, I know that I am putting in foods that are for 1) locally grown, 2) fresher because they are local, 3) free of pesticides, 4) much healthier and richer in vitamins and nutrients.

What's the result? An Ervin that feels healthier and lighter. This is the way that God intended us to eat foods. When we get our house with a large backyard, we are definitely having a garden; one that can sustain our family.

test

does this email to Blogger work?

That's what faith can do

It's been awhile since I've actually say down and written a blog.  Mostly it's forwards of the daily devotionals that I get from Pastor Laurie.  I've been wanting to do this for awhile now, but it's seems that the times that I get inspired to write are usually while I'm driving.  LOL.  But here I am now before I go to bed.

The past few months have been really challenging for me.  I'm being beaten down day after day, and I do it with good cheer and faith.  My faith really has been what has gotten me through this hard time because I know that the Lord is challenging me and humbling me.

Lately, the TV has sprouted more television shows about "upper class" society.  In my opinion, I think that these are people who do not know what true hardship is.  Yes, you can say it is all relative. But when you compare it to the ultimate hardships that Jesus went through, my problems don't seem so bad.  And the awesome thing about all of that is He did it all willingly because He love us.

Go ahead and call me a bible hugger.  I don't claim to be.  I'm not the most perfect model of a Christian, but my faith is what helps me get by. That's the awesome power than your faith in the Lord can do.

For those individuals in my life who are longing or wanting more, check where you are with your faith.  Sometimes, that's what we need to fix, and then everything else will fall in to place.