Serving Others (Part 2)

I have recently done a blog post on serving others, when I encountered this on Facebook:

Full story may be read here.

Now, having a boyfriend who worked for a while in the media, I know and understand how stories get tweaked or twisted by the industry for better ratings and stuff, but if this were true, I am so disappointed at the Binay clan. For one, you are public servants, in other words, you are supposed to serve the people, not the other way 'round. Second, last I checked, Dasma Village is privately owned, you do not have the right to dictate nor force your way through. Third, what kind of officials are you if you couldn't follow rules as simple as this? The fact that one of you had the balls to blurt out the ever famous sablay line "Don't you know me?", is embarrassing enough, you even had the guts to have the guards arrested? Shame on you people. Guns were loaded... really? Were the guards being threats or were your security thugs just maangas and trigger happy?

To the public, I encourage you to fervently pray for these officials as they have already been put in place. For the future elections however, please do not base your votes on last names that just sound familiar.  

Serving Others

This month, I had been accidentally tasked the job of organizing our Christmas party. It started with everyone asking me whether we’ll have one this year or not. I decided to ask the boss who replied something to the effect of “We could, if you want.” I forgot the exact words. Anyway, I sent the compromising e-mail asking them if they want to have one. From there, everyone kinda assumed I’d step up and arrange it for them. 

Being a part of last year’s committee, I knew off bat that this won’t be an easy task. I just thought people would want to volunteer and help. Boy, how wrong I was. Everyone, with the exception of a select few just wanted to pay up and have the party without helping with the arrangements. This stressed me out a few times. I mean, you want a party, you’d better help arrange it. I do have a point, don’t I? Yet, this logic doesn’t seem to apply to them. 

Two weeks after that dooming e-mail, the frustration, irritation, and impatience are taking their toll. It’s like being pregnant, when the contractions are getting closer to each other. There were people who confirmed their participation, but backed out when it was time to pay. Then there were those who can’t decide if they’re going or not. What could be so hard? It’s a yes or no thing. Probably the worst ones are those who wanted to go to the event unwilling to contribute to the funds, telling me things like, “Hahabol lang kami” or “Sige, hindi na lang kami kakain”. I mean, come on, really?! What are we supposed to tell you when you get there? You can’t have any food or drinks because you did not pay your designated fee? Seriously?! 

Anyway, that and a series of petty issues came up, like we need a tent because the old one is too ugly to repair, like the lights used last year are missing so we need to make new ones, yada, yada, yada. You can then imagine steam coming out of my ears, but then somehow God reminded me that as a Christian, I am supposed to serve others. I was created to serve others for the same way I serve them, I am serving Him. 

Matthew 25:40 (NASB) The King will answer and say to them, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” 

I kept thinking that this is so hard, not to mention unfair, but then again the world isn’t fair. It isn’t about being fair. It’s about loving. Each other. As God loved us. Sure, I could just drop everything and justify that it isn’t part of my job description, it isn’t my responsibility, but that isn’t loving, that is not serving in love. 

Galatians 5:13-14 (NASB) For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” 

John 13:34-35 (NASB) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. 

After all, Jesus Christ came to serve. The Highest of High came, served, and gave His life as an ultimate sacrifice to save us all. Who am I to complain? 

Mark 10:44-45 (NASB) and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. 

So I’ll suck it up and remind myself that aside from doing this for them, I am doing this for the Lord. Let there be joy in my heart while serving, and to God be the glory for all this, especially the enlightenment. 

In the spirit of Christmas, let us serve one another, and let this Christ-like attitude last even after the season.

Miracles Still Do Happen

After praying for a year, it finally happened! Marc has prayed the sinner's prayer and has accepted Christ as his Savior. I am ecstatic and super excited for him! And what's great about it is the Lord's way on how it happened. It was not an instant thing... the both of us, as well as the people who love us went through a process of learning, praying, and believing. It was patience, frustrations, and lessons after lessons. Looking back through my quiet time journal, I browsed through a lot of impatient pleading, crying, bargaining, negotiating, learning, enlightenment, gratitude, shame, etc. at least on my part. In this experience alone, I feel a sense of fulfillment and eternal appreciation on what God has done and is still doing in my life. Praise Him who alone can save, praise Him for His mercy and grace.

I have shared what God is to me, I have mentioned Him a few times to Catholic friends in a weak attempt to instill a mustard seed in them. I have tried to impart my faith to others on an on and off basis, but I have never attempted to fully share the gospel to anyone. I have asked God repeatedly for an Aaron, a spokesperson who could assist... well, my idea was actually that he could do the talking and I could do the supporting. God had something different in mind, which I found out recently. I had the awesome privilege to share God's selfless act of loving and saving. It was a full blown intimate gospel sharing. The experience left me so blessed, I thought I got as much out of it as the person I shared it to. I was hit with the realization that I should've known a long time ago. It wasn't me who was doing the work. It was the Holy Spirit, and with the Holy Spirit using you and guiding you to share, there wouldn't be anything left not considered. In my case, it was an impromptu meet, yet I had my journal and my Won by One booklet with me. I had the verses written there days before, and everything just simply fell perfectly into place. In the course of sharing, I relived my own experience, times when I feel God's abounding love and grace. He gave His only Son to die for us. There is no greater love than this. It was a wonderful night.

Looks like I got my Christmas presents early this year! 

Christmas Wishlist

It's not too late, is it? Here's my wishlist in no particular order:

Lumix LX7

Vans Canvas Trainers (in the exact colors as shown)

Pink Blazer

Out of town vacation (that includes a relaxing soak in a tub)

HTC One (32Gb, white or black)

Too much? ^_^

Updates!

I have been neglecting my blog lately so now I'm trying to make up for it. It's just that I have been so very busy that I haven't had the chance to stop and just write about stuff. With all the hustles and bustles of life, I kinda lost track of making the memories. My scrapbook, which I have vowed to complete for this year has been gathering dust on top of a new shelf. Anyway, here's what's been happening lately:

Since the retirement from my previous company, my office stuff has been cluttering the living room corner. I have been too lazy to clean up and find space for them. My mom, being the sweet angel she sometimes is, bought me 2 shelves to put my kalat in. I have then channeled my inner carpenter self, (yes, I do have one, courtesy of spending much tinkering time with my dad growing up) and managed to assemble them into decent furniture.

Not bad, huh? I have transferred everything to both shelves and they now have a place in our room. I have also recently tidied up my cabinets and drawers and am hopeful they'd stay that way for more than 3 days... a week... forever.

Another thing keeping me busy is the more than usual dining with friends. A few weeks ago, Marc and I had dinner with his friends at Sunrise Buckets and coffee after at Starbucks. We had another bonding over dinner this past Friday at Vikings, SM Marikina. The reason for the cramming was the impending migration of Dave, Christine, and their daughter Charley to the States. They left Sunday, December 8, 2013.

If there was a list done to note my approval for Marc's group of friends, I would've had them at the top of the list. This group being composed of Dave and his family, Karlo and the very pregnant Lala, and Kenneth and Ann. I like them, and if I had the chance to know them longer, I know for sure I'd love them tons more. While they have the usual banter and asaran, they are not bad influences. Not even the men. Their interests revolve around cars and bikes and are not looking for ways to get away from their wives 24/7 (unlike some people I know, smirk.) I actually enjoy spending time with them, which makes their leaving that much harder.

 
Karlo, Lala, and the soon to be born baby are about to leave for Canada on Dec. 28, too. We're going to miss all of them.

This past weekend, I spent Saturday night to Sunday morning with the girls for fellowship. We stayed at a hotel and bonded. We did accountability activities, future visions for our life, and the like. It was a blessing to get together and have everyone there. (Almost complete!) Praise God for aligning our schedules. 

I've been wanting to visit Christmas bazaars, but Marc's on business trip for the week, so we'll see if we can do it on the weekend or next week.

Healthy Adjustments

I recently re-took my FBS test and my sugar has gone down, but still exceeding the normal range a bit. After my follow up checkup with the endo... (Would you believe the original endo is out of the country again, and I got a different reliever this time. One who knows what she's doing, thank God, compared to the previous reliever.) I'm back on medication. This time it has gone down to one 500mg tablet a day, with strict bilin to exercise. Also, the Metformin brand has been changed from Glumet to Glucophage because of the diarrhea.

Since I don't live in a village where I could run/jog or bike, Marc suggested I do stairs instead. He's been incredibly thoughtful and supportive with this, I could not ask for more. He actually searched for easy routines I could do and emailed me instructions for them. I have yet to learn to do the stairs thing properly to avoid injuries, and I need to make a schedule I could stick to by this week. I'm due back in 3 months. Hopefully, by then I won't need to maintain the meds anymore.

For my PCOS, I'm still taking the pills. I'm on my third month now and had a bit of a mishap with the timing when I started this batch, but hopefully I could stick to the original time and be PCOS free by January!

In the mean time, I'm also adjusting my diet and trying to lessen the carbs. (Goodbye white rice, sniff sniff.)

 

Inspirations Amidst Imperfections

Like most Christians, I am struggling to be a better person. Like all people, I am having such a hard time doing so. In comparison to ladies my age, one could say I have led a good life so far. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't party excessively, I go to church, I don't curse, yada, yada, but then again man's standards are different from God's. I cannot justify that I am a lesser evil for evil is evil no matter how big or small. It's like the concept of killing and stealing. Man may have set severity levels on these, but the Lord's laws see them as the same: SIN.

James 2:10 (NASB) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.

So there, I am no better than the murderers or the thieves that are locked up in prison or those in line for death row. I have no cause nor right to think I am better than anyone else. Ang galing diba? Our all-knowing God has seen this even before. He has known all this and has made the perfect laws.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NASB) "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."

Anyway, the reason I'm blogging about this is because of a current discovery. Friends have been sharing posts through FB from Joy Mendoza's blog. She is the wife of Edric Mendoza and daughter of Pastor Peter Tanchi of CCF. She writes about the ups and downs of being a woman, a wife, and a mother. It's very inspiring really: her marriage, her motherhood, her personal walk with the Lord. What I like most about it is that no matter how imperfect everything is, she shows through her life how one always has a choice to pick the right side, God's side. I hope she doesn't mind that I'm sharing a link of her blog here. I wish as well that her blog encourages more people.

Love. Love. ^_^

Laughing At Mistakes

Amidst the chaos and the bashing and the negativity that has happened lately, I want to stop and blog about some of my stupid mistakes and just laugh about them. It's a somewhat small effort to induce some positivity to my day.

I went and got a pedicure today, after more than six months (I think) of going without. Before starting, I was asked to pick the polish I wanted them to use on my toes. Since the ambiance of the salon was dark, I couldn't see the shade very well. I picked something, which I thought was a fleshy tone close to nude. When the ate was applying it to my nails, I realized, three toes too late that it was cotton candy pink! Not really my taste, but there it is. I don't know why, but I just found it a little bit funny. ^_^

Next, I went to get something to eat. After much much much deliberation, I decided to have corn beef and rice. When I got back to the office to eat, I realized, I had baon. My thought: "Pinag-isipan ko pa ng todo kung ano kakainin ko, hay." So, i giggled to myself and let it go.

After a few hours, a delivery came for me from BDO. It was another credit card. Remember my credit card mishap before? I got another card with the same card number and another SM advantage card. It tickled me funny to receive another one especially since this would be my third SM advantage card already. ^_^ Anyway, I called up BDO and clarified things with them. The very very nice and accommodatingly kind customer rep I talked to patiently explained that they were upgrading card, which is why they sent me a new one. After thanking her, I found exactly what she just told me to be written in the letter with which my card was enclosed with. Hindi kasi nagbabasa muna. It was really an ignorant mistake on my part, and I thank the very nice lady for not being masungit to me. 

All in all, I thank and praise God for giving me a good day today, and for reminding me to laugh. It's nice to smile and have a nice reminder that we have a constantly loving, merciful, and wonderful God, especially at times like these when tragedy after tragedy have devastated the country.

So This Is What Being Old Feels Like

I've been on "maintenance meds" for a few weeks now, and I really think I'm about to go crazy. For my elevated sugar, the doctor prescribed Metformin. I'm supposed to take it with meals twice a day, once for breakfast and another for dinner. The fact that I'm supposed to remember to take the tablets twice daily is driving me insane. I do not have the discipline for this kind of thing. For one, every time I go out, I have to carry two with me. Then when the time comes, even when I'm not the least bit hungry, I need to find something to eat just so I could take the meds. The worst part are the stomach upsets and trips to the bathroom. It's causing diarrhea at ungodly hours! The horrors! My brother tells me to go back to the doctor to have this addressed, but after my experience with the failure of an endo, I am not about to waste another 800 pesos on the girl. I'm trying to suck it up and get through the 45-day sentence. I go back to the lab to have tests again by the end of the month, and a follow up checkup by December, first week. Hopefully, the proper endo will be there to see me. 

I'm praying I get cured of both my PCOS and the IFG soon. I will go absolutely bonkers if I'll need to develop the discipline for perpetual maintenance medicine.

On the other hand, Marc was required to re-do his physical exam. This lead to two ultrasounds, two urologists' PF, and an operation this week. I haven't received my notice to re-do anything from my last APE yet. I'm hating the fact that our retirement package is being spent on these medical bills that should've been covered by our old company, and coordinated with by the new one. It's so unfair that the incompetence of the ones who did the arrangements (read: HR people) are causing serious dents on our savings.

Health Problems

Spent the day at the hospital yesterday. Still irked at the endo's secretary. You see, we actually scheduled an appointment with her almost a week before. When we got there Saturday morning, our names were #1 and #2 on the list. It had a note however that the endocrinologist with whom we were hoping to have ourselves checked was unavailable and a reliever was there to see us. Strike one. We should've gone to another endo right then and there. Anyway, Marc and I, being rookies and all, decided to stay. After all, we only needed clearance. So we waited... and waited... and waited. After a few hours, we started to wonder what's taking the doctor so long to arrive. Marc decided to ask inside. Apparently, the doctor was already there! The secretary told us that usually the patients go in to ask so she doesn't bother calling out people's names anymore. I was like, what?! We were waiting for hours right outside the clinic. Everywhere else calls out people's names! What the hell is wrong with you? I was really really irritated, but then, what else could we do? Strike two.

We were then accommodated by the replacement doctor who admitted right off the bat that she wasn't licensed to sign as an endo yet, or something to that effect. She then proceeded to rattle off disclaimers on how she wouldn't want to incriminate herself by issuing clearances, etc. Strike three in bold, all caps, flashing red lights! Long story short, it was a wasteful 800 pesos worth of professional fee. I mean, if you really knew what you were doing, then there wouldn't be any need to "protect yourself" as you claim. What. The. Hell.

I'm not sure if it was due to the stress or the frustrations or both, but my period came as well as the dysmenorrhea that always came with it. This time with wave after wave of pain and discomfort.

Fortunately, when I visited my new ob-gyn, the experience was redeeming. The ob-gyn was straight to the point and very professional. There were no disclaimers and no vague statements. Now this was a doctor who knew what she was doing. I had my check up done and an ultrasound.

To control my blood sugar, I need to take Metformin twice a day after breakfast and dinner for around 45 days. I also need to take pills for my Polycystic Ovary Syndrome for 3 months. They said that the PCOS could have caused the elevated sugar in my blood. I am scheduled to go back to the endo by first week of December with a full set of blood test. Hopefully the real doctor would be there to check my progress. Then back for check up with my ob on January for the PCOS.

Onboard

Day 1 with the new company was the 1st of October. So far, we haven't felt any significant change. Most of us, if not all, are still going through the transitions. Unfortunately, it isn't going as efficiently as people thought it would, but that's a story for another day.

What I wanted to post about was the thing that greeted me on my first week. My pre-employment medical requirements have been based on the past annual physical exam we had with the old company. The results say I have Impaired Fasting Glucose. Now, if you're like me, your initial reaction would have been a mixture of confusion and shock. Stay with me, I'll educate you a bit.

I'm 28. There isn't supposed to be anything wrong with me yet. Apparently, I was wrong. Impaired Fasting Glucose is a fancy way of saying the medical term for pre-diabetic. It means that my blood sugar is above the normal range and is about to reach the diabetic mark. Since I am not exactly a fan of too much sweets, I'm blaming this on the love of rice, the occasional coke addiction, and chocolates.

According to Wikipedia:

Impaired fasting glucose (IFG), more commonly known as pre-diabetes refers to a condition in which the fasting blood glucose level is consistently elevated above what is considered normal levels; however, it is not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes mellitus. This pre-diabetic state is associated with insulin resistance and increased risk of cardiovascular pathology, although of lesser risk than impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). IFG can progress to type 2 diabetes mellitus if lifestyle changes are not made. There is a 50% risk over 10 years of progressing to overt diabetes. A recent study cited the average time for progression as less than three years.

I would have to have this cleared within 6 months or else I'm going to have problems with my health benefits. To address this, I have already vowed to stop soda and artificial juice intake. Also, I'm trying to lose weight by lessening rice during meals. Maybe next time I could try them totally without. Umm, what else? Uh, yeah, I need to get back to running... and/or start swimming when I do get the fats off, just so I don't embarrass myself wearing bikinis with bulges hanging out.

Initial lab tests done last Saturday, October 5, 2013 confirmed the elevated glucose in my blood. Although based on my HbA1c test, (find out about the test here) I am still within normal levels. Have a consultation with an endocrinologist scheduled for this coming Saturday. Kinda nervous about it, but I gotta do what I gotta do, right?

I'll keep a mini-journal here of what happens to my health problems.

Good Food, Good Life

I love food... and usually, I can't get enough of it. Ergo, the problem of gaining weight. Why oh why do my favorite food have to be fattening?

On our last monthsary, Marc and I had dinner at Cerchio. It was our first time there. We tried their salad, nachos, buffalo wings, and cake. Everything we ordered turned out to be good, except for the cake, which was a bit dry. I am not about to go into detail on all of these, but let me focus on the salad. It was healthy, it was fresh, it was crunchy, and undeniably oh so good! It was fairly simple to make, so I decided to make it for our baon.

It's fool proof! ^_^ and really really good.

Good enough to repeat.

Memory Lane

After seven, yes, seven years in Sun Cellular, I am now being retired and rehired under Smart. With the abruptness of everything --clearance and pre-employment requirements in under a month, simultaneous with our everyday work duties, I can't help but feel nostalgic. Sigh.

Here are some unfinished pages from my scrapbook for reminiscing:

And the epic comparison of ID picture from Sun from seven years ago, to the current picture I have submitted for my Smart ID...

Truly, the experience I have acquired, the family I have come to love with Core will not be matched by any other team I will work with in the future. They will always have a place in my heart, come what may.

The Baby Is Now A Lady

It's about time that I learn the basics of looking halfway decent in a corporate environment. So here's the beginner's stash:

Since I'm been using lip balms for a long time now, I figured I could start with lippies and light blush. I never really liked glossy lips so I opt for the Elf lip stain with the separate gloss, and a lighter shade in matte. For the cheeks, I figured a coral one from The Face Shop would suffice. (And because the puff is really so cute!)

My skin's not really oily, most of the time it's dry, and every beauty guru says moisturizers are a must! So here...

 

Apparently, you're never too young or old to have collagen in your moisturizer. Since I was already at The Face Shop, I grabbed a bottle.

It has been an estimated two weeks since this shopping spree, and I'm happy to report that I'm actually using them, although not as often as most people, but at least I'm starting, right? Here's the verdict in details:

• The matte lippie is a bit cakey, I'm not sure if I'm supposed to use anything else with it to make it less so. I'm kinda wishing for an experienced older sister now for these kinds of things.
• The stain one is really bright, but as per the boyfriend, it does look good on me, even with the gloss, so I guess that went well. 
• I'm currently pining on the Melondrama lipstick from Smashbox, but I'd have to wait a day or two to get it. 
• The blush is nicely light and I just apply a bit more whenever I want a darker shade.
• No allergies or itchiness whatsoever from all of these.
• The moisturizer has a nice light scent that I like and is not at all sticky, but sometimes I still prefer my good old L'Oreal only because of the matifying and momentary cooling effect on the face.

 All in all, I guess I'm satisfied. I just hope I don't get too lazy, after all, every time I put make up on, it's practice, right?

The Aftermath

Things haven't stopped being crazy and my sanity has left the building a while back. Nonetheless, we keep pushing, almost mechanically, every day to at least finish clearance for the retire part of the deal. I'm getting ahead of myself. Here's what happened:

Night of August 28, we receive SMS invitations to attend a meeting the next day. August 29, people were distributed across different locations, receiving different verdicts. Some were terminated and offered retirement plans on the spot. The others were offered retirement from our current company and a rehire job offer on the new one. I was one of the blessed ones who got the retire-rehire thing.

So now, everybody's doing clearance and frantically searching for lost forgotten accountability items. The thin line that separated current tasks from the new ones have increasingly blurred, and everything's a mess. There's a certain limit to effective multitasking, after that, it's a senseless chaos. 

It's my justification on why I haven't been blogging lately. Things I've been wanting to shared have piled up, and for the sole reason that I probably have OCD, I'm going to break everything down on several posts.

Coming up:
The Baby Is Now A Lady
Memory Lane

The Waiting Game

So we're waiting... for a text message, for an announcement, for a notice, for something, anything. It's taking so darn long, and my motivation to work has gone. My heart goes out to those who got what they don't plan on getting as well as to those who don't deserve to be terminated. 

I have stopped being anxious, after all, I have cast my burdens to Him, but I can't help but feel sad. It's a chapter, a long one, that is starting to end. Pretty soon, a new chapter shall begin, with new characters, maybe some comebacks, and of course the consistent few. 

Keep in touch, try not to forget, cherish the memories, and strive to make new ones. I love you, guys! I'm going to miss us.

Backlog and Anxiety

This was something I was supposed to post a few weeks back, but didn't get to finish:

August 7, 2013

I know it used to take me longer than this to realize I had a blog to return to and to post something again, but recently I've been motivated more and more to keep memories --tons and tons of them, thus the earlier than usual realization. I guess it also helps that my boyfriend is ever so supportive and is actually trying to learn to do smiling shots, haha. (Honey, I do love you so much for it. ^_^) 

Anyway, since my last post, I've been busy busy busy with work. I am not yet "at peace" with the new job description I am immediately being transitioned immersed into, but I guess I'm coping... which reminds me right at this moment that I need to file OB/OT for the weekend and late night work I recently had to do. Time out, be back in a jiff.

Ok, after mandatory interruptions (this is a workplace after all, and I really am supposed to work), I would like to continue expressing my "doubts" on the new team that I have been a part of the past month. The tasks are piled on top of the existing ones so stress levels are maxing sky high.

I have decided not to continue detailing the "doubts" I mentioned, because after all, every little thing with regard to our current work is in doubt. Well, it's been a crazy 1 1/2 months and things are now getting crazier. I have been handling work for 3 teams due to the transitions happening in the company. Tomorrow is judgment day, on which we, the hardworking employees of the company, are finally going to be sorted to either a "slotter" or a "leaver" (off topic: I swear, someone ought to be sued for those terms). The leavers will be offered the corresponding package then allowed back on September 4&5 only to get their stuff. The slotters will be rehired starting as a regular employee... day 1. It's yet another roller coaster of emotions as we have no idea on what criteria they based the sorting on, nor do we know who "they" are. Off the top of my head, I am particularly nervous to Marc's and my employment status. As if that wasn't enough, I am much concerned especially for friends/colleagues with whom I have been working with for almost 7 years. I haven't started considering the process of actually transitioning on a new role (slotter or leaver).

Scary as hell. Yet another time to put my faith on the Lord.

"...For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."
- Jeremiah 29:11-13

God Bless us.

Random Musing

I have a question: Seriously, when did giving jewelry as gifts become obsolete? You're going to give that special loved one something expensive anyway, right? So what's wrong with a few simple but elegant choice pieces? Granted you're not supposed to do this all the time, and the actual choice of jewelry should be thoroughly thought of, i.e. do not under any circumstance give rings without a promise attached. Other than some no-nos, what's stopping people?

Updating #100books

1. Dan Brown's Inferno
2. Ally Condie's Matched
3. Ally Condie's Crossed
4. Ally Condie's Reached
5. Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel
6. Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Prince
7. Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Princess
8. Cassandra Clare's City of Bones 
9. Cassandra Clare's City of Ashes
10. Cassandra Clare's City of Glass
11. Cassandra Clare's City of Fallen Angels
12. Cassandra Clare's City of Lost Souls
13. Nicholas Sparks' The Lucky One
14. Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl
15. Eoin Colfer's The Arctic Incident
16. Eoin Colfer's The Eternity Code
17. Eoin Colfer's The Opal Deception
18. Eoin Colfer's The Lost Colony
19. Eoin Colfer's The Time Paradox
20. Eoin Colfer's The Atlantis Complex

Woohoo, 1/5 of the way. ^_^
 

Worth It

It's such a glorious feeling when you get to experience things you have before and have a completely different reaction this time around. Call it moving on, call it letting go, call it what you will. The important point is that the pain and the urge to defend yourself has been replaced by peace and pity for them. I no longer feel the need to justify, to defend, to feel vulnerable... In general, I have just stopped being affected negatively... Have stopped letting them hurt me. It actually feels weird sometimes that I find myself smiling and thinking of a different thing because of it. Like how my life right now is so much better than how it was before.

I used to convince myself that time heals, time makes people forget, forgive, move on, but what I've come to learn is that time has little to do with it, if any. The first step is to let yourself move on. The rest follows. Pick yourself up, let yourself heal, make yourself forgive, then forget. The additional baggage of the past, the pain, the hurt, the over sensitivity it causes does nothing positive in your life. People, epecially the malicious and perverted ones will always, always, always have something negative to say, accuse, or imply. It's in everyone's nature to look for the dust in other people's eyes to divert attention from the plank in their's.

Choosing to be happy gets you going, moving forward towards a future disconnected from the haters and the bitterness they harbor.

...And sometimes, life gives you someone to share that happiness with. ^_^

The Sweetness That Is You

There are times when the world thinks screwing with you is particularly amusing. During these times, you'd find yourself wanting to pull out your own hair in frustration. Then the wheel turns and you get right back up at that sweet spot when everything is perfect and happy, and you wonder what you ever did to deserve such blessings.

Hey, you. Thanks, with love. ^_^

Blessings

It's one of those days again when you hate almost everything and everyone. Aaaarrrgghhh. It feels like falling into a well that isn't at all wide enough to let you climb back out. Everywhere you turn, it's walls, walls, and more walls. I know life as I have it now isn't really like that, but it sooo feels like it anyway. 

And then God reminds you just how much He loves you with something big. Something miraculous. Something you couldn't have achieved on your own. Something that shows His divine protection on your whole being. An assurance of His everlasting love and faithfulness. So you smile again and pick yourself up.

Ashamed of your rants and grumblings, you start to count your blessings starting with a wonderful boyfriend who has lately been going to church with you on Sundays even when it means not really spending time with you, but actually learning about God. He understands that you are struggling to put God first in your life and is willing to take the back seat to support you with that. Then you realize how despite the imperfections of your family you have a caring father, a very loving albeit nagging mother, a supportive brother even though you don't understand him most of the time, and a brother who takes care of you when nobody else does. 

All is right in the world again.

Simple Joy #9

Good / Great hair days!

#100books

I miss reading. I miss those afternoons I spent walking through the halls of my high school then across the wide field near the gymnasium under the afternoon sun with a book under my nose. I was never the popular kid, and I often preferred the comfort of a good book and my imagination. Sure, I do have select wonderful friends so I'm not exactly the high school nerd either. 

Anyway, I have recently decided to get that "me time" back, and enjoy a few good books to reconnect myself with the joy of reading. I have then decided on finishing a hundred books before the year ends. Why a hundred? Coz it's the number I feel comfortable with that won't make me feel rushed, allowing me to enjoy each and every riveting tale of fantasy, suspense, mystery, and whatever else I may find.

For starters, here's what I've read so far:
1. Dan Brown's Inferno
2. Ally Condie's Matched (Book 1 of 3)
3. Ally Condie's Crossed (Book 2 of 3)
4. Ally Condie's Reached (Book 3 of 3)
5. Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel (Book 1 of 3) - on-going

Thank heavens for kindle apps!

Under Sun and Rain

Before the rainy season officially starts, our department went out for that final summer outing. Naambon resort at San Juan, Batangas isn't exactly what you call paradise, but if you're looking to rest, relax, enjoy the sound of crashing waves, and get away from the hustle and bustle of work (read: no mobile signal), it's the place for you.

Yes, absolutely no signal.

The place isn't ideal for swimming despite the beach because three steps from the shore, you'd find yourself surrounded by corals sharp enough to break the skin. It's good for snorkeling, I guess, since varieties of fish are already visible within a few feet from the resort edge. As with every place that has limited distractions, it is highly recommended for team bonding, may it be over alcohol, frisbee, or boodle fights.

Definition from www.urbandictionary.com

A downpour after our short swim made a perfect balance of sun and rain on this getaway. I think I really need that waterproof camera soon.

When I See You Smile

and Back (part 2)

...continued

We have now reached the top; it was time to settle down and have lunch. Ric had a ground cover big enough for all 11 of us to have lunch and take naps on. We shared our packed food and dozed off one by one for a good 30-45 minutes. After that, we started our descent. 

 
As I have been repeatedly proven wrong throughout this trip, I was yet again astonished upon realizing that going down was harder for me than going up. Here's my aftermath reasoning: By this time, half the gripping thingies on the soles of my shoes are gone, leaving me with no traction whatsoever. I was not only slipping off rocks and earth, I was even slipping on branches and fallen leaves. Marc had to block my foot using his so I had something to anchor to. Sand, soil, and pebbles kept finding their way inside my shoes, causing my feet to hurt more that they should. Also, I was deathly afraid of heights and every time I had to look down was pure torture.

From my learning experience in Sagada, the best way to descend a path with nothing to hold on to was by sitting on the ground and edging yourself slowly down from it. This was what I did, slipping and sliding on the way. Unfortunately, this took a really long while, and by the time we reached Papaya River (the small paradise I mentioned in part 1), I was way past exhausted. The group sans Gerich, Marc, and me, had fun cooling off by the mini falls doing poses, sharing jokes, and laughing at each other. They kept motioning for us to join them, but I was too drained to move. I had contented my self instead to pouring a liter on my head and arms to cool off.

A few more minutes after, I psyched myself up again convinced that the trail from that point on would be loads easier. I failed to factor in the fatigue and the soreness of every part of my body. Ric and Lexy had to alternate carrying my almost empty backpack in hopes of getting me to speed up a bit as we were slowly losing daylight. This time, the pace was slowly but surely moving with just a couple of rest stops to tide me over. After walking forever, we were back at the jump off point, at 7PM. I have made a 9-hour hike into a 12-hour one. 

Despite this, as I took my well deserved bath, I was really happy. It was a new accomplishment for me, a challenge conquered, and a new appreciation for nature, for life, and for friends. Marc, Ric, and Lexy had all the patience in the world to guide me through this. It was a really wonderful first time, and I owe it to them.

Been to Tarak (part 1)

I was so excited to do this post that I kept being distracted doing my MOP (method of procedure) for work this morning. Now that I've finally finished it, I'm actually at a loss where to start, so I guess I'll just dive right in.

There I was, too giddy and excited to care that I was about to embark on a super strenuous journey that will leave me drained and sore... I set out with the group full of energy and optimism for the hike ahead. We left my place around 3:15AM. Reached the jump off at 7, I think.

Being a level 4 climb, I had to expect some sort of difficulty so I decided to forgo doing vanity shots along the way. The trail started out 

--Intermission: At the start of this post I've gushed about how excited I was to finally be able to blog about my recent adventure, then half way through spilling narrations, this happens:

I lost my internet. For hours. Annoying. Really. Anyway--

As I was saying, the trail started out fairly easy. It was a long stretch of incline, about 15 degrees maybe. Despite my last minute attempt of weekly jogging to get myself into shape, I was huffing and puffing after the first 10 minutes. I had to stop and think about whether I really wanted this or not. The answer was a fast and easy yes! So I hauled myself and my backpack up the path, and ignored the tightness that I almost immediately felt in my chest. 

Think happy thoughts. I started remembering how ecstatic I was when I finally had this chance of climbing an actual mountain. I thought of how fulfilling this would be compared to my Sagada trek. I saw the company I had --they were laughing, joking, and everything was great again. The truth of what people say about challenges like this being as much psychological as it was physical was so darn real.

After the wash of fairy dust (the happy thoughts), I was good to go again. We started to observe the shrubbery thickening to eventually cover the road and leave a single beaten path. We had to climb over fallen trees a couple of times and swat a few bees along the way.

I remember thinking, if this is what a level 4 climb is, I could do this for 5 hours, easy. How wrong was I to assume that. After everything has been covered with flora, we found ourselves in the thick of the forest climbing steeper and steeper trails, until we finally reached this:

It's a little piece of paradise! I was in awe at how clear and comfortably cool the water was. The pictures I took don't actually do it justice. I wanted to stop right then and there and stay overnight, but obviously, we can't. So after 30 minutes of cooling down, resting, snacking, and taking pictures, we were back on the trail hiking up the 2nd half of the ridge.

The next part would be twice or thrice as hard, or so we were warned. Excruciatingly hard  was what I would call it. Surely it was at least 5 times as hard. Cliffs threatened every turn, and to say that I was scared of heights would be an understatement. I was petrified. I wore running shoes that has started to split its soles from the abuse I've been putting it through the past hour and a half or two. I started losing stable footholds and kept sliding off small rocks. As they fall a few feet and bounce off the edge of the path, I became increasingly aware of how much I underestimated the difficulty of this climb. Nonetheless, I kept pushing.

It felt like an obstacle course intended to torture lazy asses like me. I had to climb mounds with nothing to hold on to but branches and twigs that snap off without warning. The height of most of the rocks we had to climb over were higher than knee level, and I had to hold on for my dear life a few dozen times. You'd think I was exaggerating, but well, let's put it this way: this. is. not. for. beginners.

Pushing and pulling my way up, I finally reached the top. Thank God. Not without help, though. Tons of it, actually. Marc had to carry my bag for me on half a dozen buwis buhay moments. (I especially hated the part where rocks were sticking out a wall of earth and we had to climb Spiderman style to get to the other side.) Lexy had to wait for us a few times to make sure we don't get lost. It was all worth it though. The view at a thousand meters above sea level was breathtaking, both literally and figuratively. Again, no matter how much pictures I took, I would not be able to do justice on God's creation. At that moment, there it was... another reason to praise God. This time for being a God of beauty and greatness.

To be continued...

Things to Look Forward To

Remember my list? If all goes well, I'm about to accomplish #6! Climb a mountain.

I have my sights set on Tarak Ridge at Mariveles, Bataan for my first mountain climb experience. Now, you'd have to bear with me as I do not know the proper terms for things yet. Anyway, the day hike is scheduled this Saturday with a few of my officemates and their friends, and I couldn't be more excited! According to experts this hike is a level four. Hmm, I don't know what that means, exactly, but I get that it's not particularly one for beginners. Anyway, I've been known to challenge myself every now and then. Fingers crossed for no injuries after.

To get ready for this, I'm planning on carrying as little as possible, which is tough for me. My every day bag has kindle, external hard disk, earphones, a bottle of lotion, alcohol, wet and dry tissues, nail cutter, vics, lip balm, three phones, and sometimes even a small bottle of liquid soap. This is on top of necessities such as my office ID, wallet, and the like. So I guess I'll be needing a list, and strict discipline to stick to that list. I promise to get a picture of the things I'll be bringing so you get an idea.
(edit: see picture as promised.)

Aside from the packing, I've also been running a bit lately as a last minute effort to get myself in shape for this. I do hope I don't keel over and die pass out. Oh, and I guess I need to hydrate.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting an awesome experience out of this, not to mention pictures and memories. Hopefully nothing that scars. Haha. I really gotta get me a decent printer.

Ciao!

Checklist

Early this year, I had a list I of things I wanted to do for 2013. I'm doing a run through today to check which ones I have accomplished, and which ones I haven't.

1. Blog more often, at least 3 entries a month. -- Check!
2. Create and keep more memories. This means adventures, travel, and pictures, pictures, pictures! -- I actually planned on doing a scrapbook. Unfortunately, the lack of a printer held me back from this. So, this one is not yet accomplished.
3. Run regularly at least once a week. -- I have yet to declare a verdict on this yet since I have just recently started.
4. Cook more. -- Check!
5. Go to a beach at least once. -- Check!
6. Climb a mountain at least once. -- Not yet.
7. Ride a bike. -- Check! Done this with #3. Hoping to do this regularly.
8. Ice skate -- Not yet.
9. Attend Sunday service regularly -- Not yet. T_T
10. Be more faithful with my quiet times -- Not yet. T_T

4 out of 10 ain't bad.

Mother's Day at Tagaytay

The past weekend was spent eating... a lot! Of all things, I find maintaining a healthy diet for a flattering figure the hardest. What is it with food and me?

Anyway, we spent mother's day in Tagaytay. Late lunch buffet at Celina's Cafe. While the food and indoor ambiance was not that spectacular, the overlooking view of Taal, was as usual, breathtaking. I envy the guy who has the luxury of waking up to this every day.

The outdoor setting is not bad at all.

What is a trip to Tagaytay without dropping by Bag of Beans? We had coffee there and more food, then cousin-bonding over Achtung, a fairly amusing ipad game.
 

Achtung is a multiplayer game with the objective of being the last surviving line. It's kinda like the old Nokia snakes game where you can't crash into walls or yourself, except that instead of a moving one, your line here gets longer. Strategically, you can block other players' paths causing them to crash into you and lose. I actually suck at this game, but losing doesn't make it less fun.

Before heading home, we found this parked outside. And here I thought the Hello Kitty car I once saw was over the top.

As if we weren't filled to our throats with food, we bought more munchies on the way home. Kesong puti, goat and carabao's milk, jackfruit, gummy worms, chocolate covered sunflower seeds, and more.
 
Happy Mother's Day!

Recent Splurges

Not much has happened since my last post. Hence the lack of updates. A few shopping sprees and binge eating, but that's it so far.

I've actually been waiting a couple of months already for the right time to get these:

They set me back more than my usual shoe shopping splurges, but they're ridiculously comfortable and I really need to invest on flats... so justifies the purchase.

Also, I have officially run out of my usual Burberry Brit Sheer perfume. While I am absolutely head over heels with the scent I've been donning for so long, at 5,000 a bottle, I need a change, albeit temporarily.

I have loved the light fragrance Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea carries since forever. My first whiff was when a bottle was given to my mom as a birthday or Christmas gift, not sure which. It was a long time ago. As perfumes come and go, I did not expect this to survive and persist, but hey, lookie what I got more than 5 years since:

It's a set I normally wouldn't go for, but the store had a sale and there was little cost difference from a single bottle to a set, ergo... *wink*

I'd like to think of myself as a responsible shopper, never buying stuff I can't afford. This being the case, I'm not quite broke, but I do admit to looking forward to the next payday. Haha.

Ciao!

Vacation

A few shades darker and a few pounds heavier --that's what I came back with from my recent vacation, but definitely worth it. ^_^ Our family trip consisted of a departure of 2am to arrive on time for our 4am flight. Then a 6-hour drive from Iloilo to Boracay. Summertime peak season meant no more flights left from Manila to Caticlan. 1 and a half day stay at Bora, then a 6-hour drive back to Iloilo. 15 minutes of ferry to Guimaras, 1 hour drive in Guimaras, an overnight stay, an hour drive back to the pier, 15 minutes ferry back to Iloilo, and a few hours short of an overnight stay at Iloilo, and back to Manila via the 6am flight. Sounds stressful? It was. In fact I was kinda expecting the same level of disappointment we had with our Sagada trip. Well, that was the pessimist in me. Surprisingly, it wasn't like that. For every mishap we had, I catch myself actually thinking, "Hey, this is still tons better than the Sagada experience, no biggie." Although tiring, I found myself enjoying the time off from work.

Boracay is Boracay is Boracay. Meaning, Boracay will never disappoint. The long stretch of fine sand and clear water never fails to put a smile on my face. This was despite the algae washing up on the beach and the low tide. I'm still really bummed about the condos being built on the small island. It kinda takes the "vacation" feel away. T_T They're ruining it. Anyway, I got to do some shopping and bonding with my brothers, and the seafood albeit expensive was scrumptious.

Guimaras was an altogether different story. It was a good change of scenery; see for yourself:

Unfortunately, the resort we stayed in exhausted whatever patience we had left from the tiring island transfers. We stayed at Villa Igang. We were originally given a shack (look closely at the walls) which I could not fathom to be a legit room. For people. Actual, real, live people. Not a house of pigeons. Or that furnace box where you roast pigs in.

To give the staff (at least 2 of them, the rest were playing cards the whole time) credit, they were accommodating and really kind, but well their umm policies, for lack of a better term, were weird. This was the only place I ever stayed at that charged for service water and ice and everything else! Anyway, after complaining about the shack, which had one puny light bulb, and a tiny air conditioner (that probably has less than 1 horsepower), we got transferred to a better room, where we didn't have to marinate in our own sweat. This, believe it or not, was a cheaper room.

Moving on, we went island hopping and stopped to take pictures with a hundred year old pawikan, bigger-than-me groupers, and tons of colorful fish I can't name. My brother and the turtle:

For pasalubongs, we stopped to buy mangoes to take home. I have yet to taste one so the verdict on them would have to wait.

Going back to Iloilo, we sent the rest of the trip with my brother's girlfriend's relatives --hands down, the coolest family I have ever met.

That's it so far. If you think I've had enough, you're mistaken. I'm still hoping for at least two more summer outings. I guess It's the heat. :D Ciao!

P.S. I'm not ready to go back to work yet. x_x