For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.
-2 Corinthians 1:12
Last time I read this verse, it made me sorrowful.
As a self-proclaimed foodie, one of my preferred ways to travel is on a large and luxurious cruise ship because we consume all of this “free food.” I mean, who doesn’t love a free frozen treat after a long day spent exploring the hot and humid Caribbean islands? Then there’s the hard-working crew who are often the friendliest and sweetest people you will ever meet. They will make you feel like royalty for every dinner, particularly on those nights we get to wear our formal attire.
The first time I heard this word “gumption,” it intrigued me. I didn’t quite understand what it meant, but I really liked it and I wanted to exemplify it. I wanted to live it and I wanted to be it.
Kate Winslet personified it while playing the role of Iris Simpkins on “The Holiday,” my favorite film of all times.
As my feelings of nostalgia deepened, I couldn’t stop thinking about the disciples after losing Jesus to the cross. Confusion, disbelief, perhaps even deception? They probably wondered if they had just woken up from a long dream and if the years of ministry were nothing but an illusion. Despite their imperfections, they loved Jesus and they knew they were unconditionally loved by Him. But Jesus was …gone? Did they doubt? Were they disillusioned that their time with Him was over?
I’m a big fan of Masterchef, a competition between America’s best home cooks! Last Wednesday, America learned who the new Masterchef is: an Italian and NYC restaurant manager named Luca Manfe, whose American dream came true. For the second consecutive year, the home cook I’ve been rooting for wins the whole enchilada: a quarter of a million dollars, a cookbook, and as Gordon Ramsay loves to say in his British accent “the most prestigious trophy in the culinary world and the title of Masterchef.”
With everything that’s been going on lately, we’ve been feeling like it was time for a small getaway. Since we couldn’t celebrate our wedding anniversary and Kenny’s birthday is coming up, I took my mother’s advice and “surprised” Kenny with going to Naples for two days. (Note: Next time, I must not use Kenny’s Priceline account or else he will find out through an email confirmation and the surprise will no longer be a surprise!)
We’ve all been there. The dreadful and the unavoidable: the comfort zone! It’s so easy to keep visiting the zone rather than seeking true comfort where we all know where to find it. The truth is, this “comfort” zone isn’t what it promises, it’s not comfortable! We may escape the reality and the stress that life may bring from time to time by doing activities that are considered “stress free,” but our minds will not find it restful, but restless.
After an excellent but tiresome vacation in NYC, we were actually looking forward to a week of recovery at home before heading back to our normal work schedule. Two things I have refused to look at are: our bank account and the scale! But that sure didn’t stop us from indulging in our time off.
Kenny’s friend owns a popular restaurant in Boca Raton, near Mizner Park, and recently The Rebel House has been opening for brunch. With our newfound fascination of brunches, we decided to give it a try last Sunday.
We had reservations for our last meal in NYC and we chose to eat at The Little Owl, located in the Greenwich Village inside a very popular and F.R.I.E.N.Dly building. The ferry took a long time and we worried we wouldn’t make it on time, but we did. Now we can proudly say that we’ve conquered the subway system!
Sunday was our last full day in the city and we wanted to take advantage of everything we could do that we hadn’t done yet. Sunday is also known for Sunday brunches so we took a friend’s suggestion and we gave Beauty & Essex a shot. Normally, we work on Sundays so brunches are a rarity for us. We were really looking forward to this because the menu that we looked at online seemed very well rounded and playful.
Ally Velsor 