Marissa's Blog

Friday, September 15, 2006

God Ordained

Today was my first day at First Choice and I prayed for the woman that God brought to me onto this day. I didn't realized that I was going to be in the counseling room so quickly (on my first day!). Ah, yes, she is beautiful. I didn't know her until this day, but I believe God brought her to the Center so I can be blessed! As we all stared at the pregnancy result (yap she's pregnant), she was crying, confused and her life immediately changed! I had the pleasure of sitting in the counseling room with God and this woman. She is a single young woman. She reminded me so much of myself - determined, sure of herself (at least that's how it appears to others) and a go-getter!... It was so rewarding to hear her say "I don't want to abort!" and "I don't want to give up the baby for adoption". She is a brave woman and a blessing from God. Thank you to all of you who kept me in prayers.

Monday, September 04, 2006

Restaurants in New Jersey

My husband and I love to eat out. We all know this! What I didn't know is that we eat out way too much! Sometimes, we eat out almost everynight!!! Yikes!

So, I decided to publish all the restaurants we have visited. You will notice that I highlighted those that are my all time favorites, those that are pricey and those that extremely pricey!!! Hope you like my list. Enjoy!

Al Di La Ristorante - Italian - Montclair, NJ
*Aozora - Japanese - Montclair, NJ
Bella Napoli - Italian - Bloomfield, NJ
Bella Notte - Italian - Cedar Grove, NJ
$$*Barca Velha - Portuguese - Little Falls, NJ
*Blue Stone Coffee House - U. Montclair, NJ
*Buco Ristorante - Italian - Clifton, NJ
$$$*Bareli's - Italian - Secaucus, NJ
Bacchus Chop House - Steak Place - Fairfield, NJ
Bruschetta - Italian - Fairfield, NJ
*Calandra's Alta Cucina - Italian - Fairfield, NJ
*Calandra's Mediterranean - Seafood - Fairfield, NJ
$$$*The Chart House - American/Italian - Weehawken, NJ
Cuban Pete's - Cuban - Montclair, NJ
*Dai-Kichi Restaurant - Japanese - U. Montclair, NJ
Don Pepe Restaurant - Spanish - Newark and Fairfield, NJ
E&V Restaurant - Paterson, NJ
$$*Eccola's Rest. - Parsippany, NJ
$$$*Fascino Rest. - Italian - Montclair, NJ
Italianissimo - Italian - W. Caldwell, NJ
Lombardi's - Italian/American Bar - Cedar Grove, NJ
*Mango's Cafe - Jamaican - U. Montclair, NJ
$$*McCormick & Schmick - Seafood - Riverside Square Mall, NJ
Mexicali Rose - Mexican - Montclair, NJ
Milan Rest. - Italian - Pinebrook, NJ
Outback Steakhouse - Steak - Secaucus, NJ
$$Palazzo - Italian - Montclair, NJ
*Pandan - Thai/Filipino - Bloomfield, NJ
Panevino Rest. - Italian - E. Hanover, NJ
$$*Park & Orchard - Eclectic - E. Rutherford, NJ
Positano Rest. - Wayne, NJ
*Raymond's - U. Montclair, NJ
*Romano's Macaroni Grill - Wayne, NJ
Shubox Cafe - Eclectic - Cedar Grove, NJ
*Sesame Rest. - Chinese - Montclair, NJ
*Sofia's - Italian - N. Caldwell, NJ
$$*South City Grill - Seafood - Rochelle Park, NJ
$$*Trattoria Fresca - W. Caldwell, NJ
Thai Chef - Thai - Montclair, NJ
Tinga - Mexican - Montclair,NJ
*Tuptim - Thai - Montclair, NJ
*Veggie Heaven - Chinese Veg. - Montclair, NJ
Vinnie's Pizzeria - Italian - Bloomfield, NJ

* My "all-time" favorite!
$$ Expensive
$$$ Very Expensive

Saturday, September 02, 2006

To My Darling

How beautiful you are, my darling!
Oh how beautiful! (Song of Songs 4:1a)
Though I cannot see you now, I will see you then.
Your spirit is within me,
And I will always carry it.
All beautiful you are, my darling;
There is no flaw in you.

You are white as snow,
Washed and cleansed by our Almighty God.
You are like a garden of fountain,
A well of flowing water,
Streaming down from Lebanon. (Song of Songs 4:15)

I slept but my heart was awake,
Open to me, my sister, my darling,
My dove, my flawless one. (Song of Songs 5:2a)

You are a rose of Sharon,
A lily of the valleys.
Like a lily among thorns,
Is my darling among the maidens. (Song of Songs 1:2-2)

Your spirit is within me,
And I will always remember you,
Until that day comes when I see you face to face,
Goodbye for now my little sweetheart!