Love,

Love — a magical feeling between a boy and a girl. Roses, chocolates, kisses, and hugs. Is always willing to fall into, be smothered with, and often leads to excessive gazing into each others eyes.

Love — a mother and child. Protection, patience, warmth. Father and daughter and son. Provision, strength, foundation . Easily the most powerful bond between two human beings.



Love – patient and kind. Does not envy, nor does it boast. Never ever self-seeking or easily angered. Keeps no record of wrong. Doesn't delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love – an action, more than words. A choice to make. Both the cause and the effect. And love grows. No matter how small it is, it starts with one, and leads to two, which multiplies to four and who knows where it will go?



What is this girl babbling about? Well, in light of the so called "holiday" that just passed by, I want to share with you my take on love. And hopefully it doesn't sound like boasting on my part, but perhaps it inspires you and urges you to join me in multiplying "love".

SO, last year, I had a special Valentine's Day Cupcake sale to make some extra cash. It went quite well, with more than 10 individual orders, and up to $200 in profit. So this year, I thought I could do the same. I thought, "Hey, more people know about my cupcakes, so maybe it will be an even better turn out." But as it turns out, whether it's the economy to blame, or my lack of advertising, I was wrong. I barely got 5 orders, but nonetheless, I was still really happy to be doing it.



As I was collecting my final orders, I read an article about how there's this guy in the States who wants to somehow ban Valentine's Day (and is trying to take it to court) since it's just another evil money-making day for businesses. Apparently, all it does is make men feel pressured and under-appreciated because of the unreal expectations of women. It's simply about how much dough a man can dish out for his woman. But the article goes on to saying that instead of the cynical view, why not just celebrate this day of Love? Why not have a chance to stop and really appreciate love? And I thought to myself, well, what is love then? Sure, it's emotional feelings towards your mate, but I believe love is more than that. It can make an even greater impact and produce greater fruits than that. So what better way to celebrate love than to show it to those who need it most?



And who needs it more than anyone at this time? Of course, the people of Haiti. I don't really think I need to talk much about the heart-breaking disaster, as I'm sure everyone is aware. With that said, I was moved to give what I have and share my part of love. So, last minute, I decided to donate all the money from the cupcakes, which turned out to be enough to provide TWO families with emergency kits. (Through World Vision). I know it's but a small initiative on my part, however I know every bit counts. It's my first step, and I don't want to stop here.



Andrew and I also started supporting a child through World Vision. His name is Mame, from Senegal. His family barely meets their needs, so I'm really hoping with the monthly donations that we make, it will make a difference in his family's lives. Imagine we could truly change someone's life? Imagine we can help pave a way of hope?



The power of one. Hundreds and millions of people start with one. That's from a song I've recently heard. And I really believe in it. I'm starting with one, but I'm confident it can keep spreading. Just like love spreads. ♥

attn: sarah the baker yoon

To have and to hold

Friends are special. And while finding the really special ones seems to be hard, I find that keeping them close to you is even trickier. I've had a few times when I met someone and my heart was instantly drawn to them and life seemed suddenly a bit more beautiful! But how many times have I let those friendships whither away? To be honest, I'm not a very good friend and it roots from my childhood. Since I was a little girl, I was always solo. And I loved being solo. I had a handful of playmates I would have fun with, but the real imaginative and creative in me would come out when I was playing by myself in a little corner. Naturally comfortable with being alone, and also very capable to socialize when need be, I never really felt the need to have many friends. It also had a lot to do with the fact that I was always moving around the globe and keeping in touch with long distance friendships was a very hard thing to do for me.



At the same time, I always did have a partner. Whether it was my first boyfriend (who also happens to be my first kiss!) of age 5, or my elementary school girlfriend who was attached to me at the hip; my twin, as they would call us, during junior high because we were so close, or my wonderful boyfriend right now, I had a few key people in my life that I really cherished everyday. But as I grow a little older and find that there seems to be less and less opportunities to meet new friends, I realize how important it is to keep my old ones.




Friendship truly takes a lot of commitment and investment in order for it to grow, like anything really valuable, I suppose. And just as much as Andrew is a great partner in my life right now, I continually find the need to have friends to live life with me as well. Friends are support systems, they're tissues, they're comedians, and if you're lucky, they're the best teachers too. So to all my friends, I love you deeply and I'm so thankful for you! I promise I'll do better and I'll call/come out more often. Heehee. Thanks for being a part of my life, no matter how meek of a state it is in, and for accepting me any how. You guys are truly something special to have and to hold!




Wait, have you noticed the beautiful photographs up here? Of course you have! They are all from a wonderful blog called To have and to hold (hence my title inspiration...). Two special friends decided to put their passion in design and weddings and all things beautiful to good use and started a small wedding invitation adventure! They marked their first month a week ago, but the blog is already so full with wonderful resources and goodies to be inspired by. Please have a visit – it's not only great for brides-to-be, but just beautiful design in general. Okay, and here's another reason why I'm so excited for them! THESE LADIES HAPPEN TO BE MY SPECIAL FRIENDS. Hehe! You ladies are so talented and so inspiring and I'm so proud of you!! Keep it up!!

Late Night Gratification

Friday nights are my late nights. They are the nights where while all my loved ones are fast asleep, I am up in my cozy room with a cozy light, determined to stay awake. They are really the only nights that I can stay up late since I get to sleep in late tomorrow. No matter how long my day, how much my bed calls for me, I am committed to this special night that only comes once every week. From pointless perusing on the world wide web, to finally uploading the pics from my camera; from catching up on fashion news to checking out my friends' status' on Facebook, Friday nights are precious "ME" time that I so dearly hold on to — no matter how heavy my eyelids are (which are closing as we speak right now).



So what do I have to offer tonight? Why, of course, a cupcake! ...who is just as indulgent as my late night enterprises! A rich chocolate cake crowned with a creamy deep peanut butter frosting, showered with some dark chocolate shavin' lovin', this cupcake is anything but a sleeper. Peanutbutter-love is an acquired taste to some, but I'm sure any one will love to take a bite out of these after smelling the rich peanut-y goodness. Well, whatever your "Friday Late Night" or "Peanut Butter Cupcake" is, do one good thing for yourself every now and then. Everyone is entitled to it!! Happy baking, everyone! :)

"Peanut Butter Cup"-Cake

recipe from Hershey's Kitchens and Food Network
makes 2 1/2 dozen cupcakes

ingredients

chocolate cake
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened Cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk (add 1 tbsp of white vinegar to milk to equal 1 cup)
1 cup strong black coffee OR 2 teaspoons powdered instant coffee plus 1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

frosting
2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 cup creamy peanut butter (I used organic)
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2/3 cup heavy cream

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line pans with cupcake paper.
2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes (batter will be thin). Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
3. Bake 18 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.
4. Place the confectioners' sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until creamy, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula as you work. Add the cream and beat on high speed until the mixture is light and smooth. Frost as desired.

Us

Hi y'all.
Quick update.
It's us! :)

We went to a marvelous wedding last weekend and we had such a blast. Having a free photo booth didn't hurt. Hehe. Just thought I'd share a cheesy moment with you! :D