TWENTY THIRTEEN – A ROLLER COASTER RIDE

2013 – Definitely my most unforgettable one. This is when I make some bold and brave decision without looking back, finding myself in a new environment, find solace in God, and escape a little while to breathe from all the hustles and bustles.  

BRAVE  DECISION

For years, I have been living in my comfort zone at my own pace. I mistook lots of new opportunities that have come my way because I am afraid of leaving the place that I am used to. I am afraid to take a leap.Early of this year, I decided to search for a new environment half heartedly. Until I've realized I really needed to make a change on myself and on where I am.

Come the month of May, I finally made the boldest and bravest decision I ever made so far. I could not say that it is a good one but I can say that it’s what I really needed to do

"No matter how afraid you are to gamble with chances, when you are no longer happy with the things you are used to, you will have the courage to make a decision and stand by on it."

NEW SPACE FOR ME

Whatever decision we make, there’s always a corresponding consequences both bad and good. And it is not easy to start from scratch again, but with a brave heart and open mind sooner I have found myself creating a space in a new environment. Everything is fresh and far from what I used to do. It was such a big change, but with the help of my new found family I was able to make it through.

"Life is not always a win-win situation, it will always be: you win some and then you lose some, just as when the door closes, a new window will be opened up for you."

 FINDING SOLACE IN GOD

It is not just my personal being that has been tested but as well as my spiritual being, when my strength was shaken because of the calamities that hit my country. At some point I had asked the meaning of all these tragedy that seemed to destroy the faith I have in Him.

It was last October 15, when we were literally shaking because of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu. It was not my first time to experience such but it was the strongest one and seemed to be the longest few minutes of my life. Fears of so many things flooded my mind. Thankfully, there’s not so much damaged within our place. Looking at those historical churches that have been destroyed, made me even wonder what’s His message behind this calamity.

We have yet to recover from the recent destructive earthquake and thousands of aftershocks when another natural disaster butts in. November - when super typhoon Yolanda made a landfall in the Visayas regions. Left thousands homeless in other parts and casualties. And even until there are still bodies that are not yet buried.

Looking back at the aftermaths of these destructive calamities easily broke our hearts into pieces. But it is also breathtaking to see, how the Filipino nation and the world work as one to help those who are truly in need. People from all walks of life in different corners of the world take a move, and thus make a difference. It is also a great joy, seeing those most affected citizens somehow still find something to hold on to keep their faith, still thankful and feel blessed despite what they have been through and were still able to share their sweetest smile.

Thus, I believe God has delivered his message well… and like what he said “There is no problem too big, which reminds me of this line from a song:

“If you carried away the weight of the world upon shoulder

I know my brother that He will carry you”

2013 ESCAPADE

fan mode @ Earth  day Jam 2013 Ayala Terraces

halo-halo

food anywhere and everywhere

drink escapade

2013 may have scared me to death because of strong earth quake, super typhoon and stand off in Zamboanga, raises my blood pressure because of the teleserye of  PDAF thing, I am still grateful and blessed.

For this is the year, when I have known the better part of me, gain new friends,work and work like there's no tomorrow at the same time enjoying the simple things life has to offer. I got more time with myself and my family and I am more than thankful for all the blessing that God has showered unto me.

With all these in my heart, I can happily bade a sweet goodbye to 2013 and WELCOME 2014. I have made some secret New Year's Resolution, I am not sure if I can do it but one thing I am sure of 2014 will be better than 2013!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

SUPER TYPHOON

photos courtesy of Leo Lastimosa's  fb page

Way back twenty  years ago, I was about 4 years old when typhoon Ruping hit Cebu and destroyed our house. At that I was really clueless of what was going on, and why did our family as well as my uncle has to moved in my grandparents house. My memory of Ruping was blurred, all I had remember was, I was sitting near the window of my grandparents house, and witnessed as the strong wind blew the roof of our house. The next morning we had known that one of my lola's cow was dead...an in an instant we had "sinabawng baka" as  dish by the afternoon. And the next morning...we all enjoyed feasting the falling cocunuts and other fruits.

Fast forward 2013, Nov.8 another super typhoon hit Cebu and the rest of the Visayas regions, some parts of Mindanao as well Luzon named as Yolanda.Again I have witnessed as the typhoon crashed the house of my neighbor. It was indeed frightening hearing the sound of the strong wind.

It has caused loss of power and water supply in Cebu and also petty damages. But it left severe damages and even cause lives in the neighboring provinces such as Tacloban, Samar, Leyte to name a few. Seeing the aftermath of this super typhoon would really break anybody's heart.

However, it is also in this hard times that I am reminded  that it is indeed true that there's always a rainbow after the storm, and to keep the faith. It is also in this time when I become even more proud of being a Filipino because of our good hearts to lend our hand to those who are in most need and our ability to stand up from the fall and start anew.

WRITER / TRANSLATOR a.k.a CUPID ASSISTANT

"Sometimes we need to see how our job will help change other’s people life before we are able to love it." – mokz

In the era of modern communication technology, it never occur to me that there is such kind of job as the one I have now, or even without those networking sites I still won’t be able to realize that it exist, until  that  one fateful day.

On my first week, even month, I really did not understand why we have to do this and that. And to be honest with myself I even looked at it on the negative side. Yes, I did and some of some my friends even looked at it as the way I saw the first time.

Time flies stealthily, a page in the calendar has changed. I was about to give up this job, out of frustration and disappointment as well. I didn't find the reason or the purpose why I am here. Then God made His way out to make me look at the brighter side.

I had an office mate who has this we called as cupid date.  Her client then invited the whole team to come into their house for a fiesta celebration and well as some surprise. To make the story short, the whole team did witness when the gentleman from western country asked the hand of the lady from her parents. And just recently, they had their wedding and again we were there to witness that soooo “kilig” event!

After having witnessed those “kilig” moments, I got to realize that I got this one of a kind job. A job not just to make me able to learn for a living, but a job that is meant to bridge both sides of the world. I can now proudly declare that I am Cupid’s Assistant and the silent Tourism Ambassador as well.

*Cupid Assistant hence in our job we help single find their soul mate.

* Tourism Ambassador, hence, we suggest to the westerners our top tourist destination and where they could probably stay when they will visit our country.

No matter what kind of job, one way or another it has the capacity to touch others lives and even transform it. Always look at the brighter side of things before you start complaining, you never it may be a stepping stone to something better, or perhaps it is just one of the “U turns and detours that you need to pass before you will reach the final destination.

I am not yet sure if this indeed what I am called for, but for now I am just happy that I have found the purpose why I am here. Who knows I could also find my own destiny in here…ha-ha! I love you BOK! ^_^

This is how I spell LIFE

A wise man once said: It is not about where you are but in what direction you are moving"

Unfortunately, I don't what direction should I take.. I am at the crossroad, all path seem to lead me somewhere else, worst thing they look like enticing, uncertain and a little bit scary.

EAST  keeps looking at me with his sweet smile, just like our local song would say:
         "♪♫ Kanang pasiklap mo dear, nga ngdalag come here♪♫"

While WEST is always calling my name in such a tempting way.

SOUTH is winking at me as if he doesn't want NO for an answer

 and here goes NORTH who keeps knocking at my door.

Since everything is uncertain, guess I have to focus on where I am at the moment. So it will be like " live today, as if you have no tomorrow". I am way over for worrying too much about tomorrow, it's now time to enjoy life as it is.

WORK...EAT....PLAY, LOVE! The new me in that new page of my journey here in ED!

we are the working girls!

You cannot think and work effectively if you're tummy's empty!

a little treat for yourself after a day's hard work won't hurt

                                                               

                               

it's not that we are over indulging ourselves into food..we just give some reward to our poor tummy. LOL!

After some delectable dishes, we need something to digest all those....

         

a few bottles won't mean you are a drunkard..one more shot please! ha-ha

Life is too short to take it seriously..so learn to have some fun sometimes. Do the things that you're afraid to do, break  some rules.After all life is not measured on  many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away.

So, while I am on the crossroads...I just enjoy every minute of it....come what may....I'll just dance with the music!

Are we on the same ship.....just chilax my friend...soon you will find yours and I can have mine too. Enjoy life...pray....work.... eat...play....and love when you can.!

New Page of My Own Book

Most of the time, I would usually stick to what I have been used to,  I am afraid to venture into new things as I don’t like starting over again.

But things change when I courageously make a wild decision sometime last May. It wasn't a good decision after all; however it marked the beginning of a new journey, and somehow changed my perspective on some things.

I used to worry, of what people will think about me, but now...I know myself even more that I wouldn't give a damn to other's opinion about my personal being. I have read this somewhere: "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are"

my first hang out with my new found friends @ Stoplight...such a night to reminisce  and a good welcome for me as well. yeah! I belong here

fun @ las vegas ktv

ed cebu beauties with pretty lady boss

side trip on a lunch break

the ladies with the boss

some overtime wont' hurts..:)

this is how to enjoy life

we just all love food...burppp! slurrppp! here and there....<3<3<3

It is a lot better to start all over again….adjust to the new environment than to stay where you are used to even if you are no longer happy and comfortable.

 There still maybe hang ups from the past, I don’t honestly care….I know one day I can get over with it….the most important thing for me now is I am happy from where I am at.

PRECIOUS LESSONS LIFE HAS TAUGHT ME

Having been employed for almost 7 long years was God’s gift to me. Although it didn’t have a fairy tale ending, it was something I had to be thankful of to the Lord. It was in that long years when I was taught how to be tough enough to face all challenges life may have to offer. At first, I was a cry baby but later on I was able to acquire more courage.

It was indeed a roller coaster journey being with them. I was able to explore some places in Luzon because of it. Somehow, they have fulfilled my childhood dream. More importantly I grow as a person I am now. I learned a lot through them: almost all the facets in life, its harsh realities and many others. More than the material things I acquired it’s the lessons I have learned to which I would cherish the most.

1.       Know yourself best.  There’s a saying that goes: you don’t have to explain yourself to others, your (real) friends don’t need it, and your enemies don’t listen to it.

I was only supposed to cut the ties but not to burn bridges; however I did both, though not intentionally. It’s quite disgusting, knowing that all the years of hard work will just go to waste. Well, I must admit partly it was my fault. I allow myself to be carried away at the thought of leaving soon that I was not able to think of the consequences. It hurts when you are judged by people who just know the story but not what you been through. They judge as if they have been in your shoes even only for a single moment. But that's the reality of life.  Good thing, I know myself better than they are, thus, no matter how dirty the mud they l threw right at my face, I can still walk heads high.

2.       Do not be afraid to face your problem. Running away from a problem doesn't solve it, it might only worsen it.

After leaving, or even before I did, the thought of not going back there despite some unfinished business occupied my mind. I had made a wrong decision that soon messed things up. But then God made away, for me to clear things up. Thankfully, I was able to do it!

. Be a warrior not a worrier .Keep your faith!  No matter how hard things seemed, don’t forget              that He is just a prayer away.

Several times, nasty thoughts had been bugging in my mind. I keep telling myself that I cannot do it! And that there’s no way out of it other than to end the most precious gift He has given to me. But He is really a good God. He made me realize how stupid it was thinking of such foolishness. He drives me closer to Him and made me feel that I am in good hands no matter how big my problem is.

In our daily life, hardships can't be avoided. It's what makes this journey worth living. We just have to remember that God will not give us load we can not carry. We might be misjudge by some people or even by the whole, it won't affect us if we truly know ourselves.

Trials may hurdle your journey, at times it may seem a cross on your shoulder,just bear this in mind: problems are created to draw us closer to God. It His way of telling that He misses us so dearly. Therefore, when you are in trouble, ask this to yourself: when was the last time I talk to God? It may seemed as if God's not listening to you, but NO! Let Him work in His time, because He is preparing something much better than what you ask.

God Bless.

HAPPY 27TH!:-) - my inspirations

OH my GEEE!!! I AM 27?????

Time does fly so fast! It seems like 2012 was only yesterday, 2013 hasn’t really sunk into my system and there it is my special day has come! And I am getting real old now…well, not really that old but I wish I could say I’ve becoming a “mature adult” (heheheheh!). I kind a find it hard accept it to myself that I really am 27 years old now, however I am very much grateful to my dear God for giving me this blessing, the memory is still so vivid in my head, at one time I really thought that was the end of me, I was very sickly that time, I was a regular “emergency room client”. But in God’s grace I surpassed it all and I am a lot stronger now both emotionally & physically, thus, I can bravely say: Happy 27^th!!!!

At 27,  life isn't a bed of roses,I guess I am in a state where I don't know what exactly I wanted to do with my life, where will I go next or should I just stay to where I am right now, but ,  I am happy to have known these people who somehow, make this difficult moment a little bit lighter.

@ 27: People I looked up to

1. Malala Yousafzai

I admire her so much for her courage! At a very young age she fights for the women's right to have education in her homeland despite the danger behind it. I was teary-eyed when I read that article when their school bus was ambush by Talibans. Talibans asked who was Malala among the kids and she bravely admit that it was her. Imagined how unselfish she is? This little kid  has made realize how blessed I am to acquire my education  without any risk, and how blessed I am to be a Filipino. Just can't imagined myself in her shoes.

2. Rubina Ali

Rubina played the child version of Latika in the movie Slumdog Millionaire

I just read her story a couple of days ago. This little girl reminds that no matter where you are and how down today, there is always hope! and that dreams do come true! And my sister Elsa, who by the way don't love reading english novels, for the first time took an effort to read her story and fall in love with it!.

3.Bianca Gonzales

I've watched her since her "Y Speak" days w/ Ryan Agoncillo.I guess I love that show mainly because one of the host was my crush that time and both of them speaks english very well! ( I guess I love Ms Bianca because of her being englisera...hehehe,  at home I usually mimic how she speaks ). Now, I admire because of her advocates and for being a role model of the youth. She inspired me to share my blessings in my own little way.And I wish in time I do, can share more blessings to others and somehow be an inspiration also! (dreaming....)

I am also an avid follower of her facebook, twitter and of course her blogsite which also inspires me to make my own blog! ( though I know, I do not write well ^_^ )

4. Kris Aquino

I had read it in a certain article : Kris Aquino : Either you love her or you hate her.
Me: I love her, of course her wittyness struck that much.....her being prangka, most of all I love her being a mom to her kids. I salute her for finding time to spend quality moments w/ her 2 sons despite her busy schedule.If I'm gonna be mom soon, I guess Ms Kris will always be a reminder to me that being busy is not an excuse to have quality time with our family.

5. Jessica Balote

Jessica Balote - ballerina in red ( now known ballerina from the slum of Metro Manila

Another epitome of hope and dreams. Dreams come true to those who believe and strive hard.

At this point in time, these ladies have touch my heart & my life in one way or another. They will be forever part of my reminders in life, that no matter where & who you are in the society you are in, God has bestowed you the power to be inspiration to others.


P.S I don't own the photos posted here just copied it from google :-)


sleepy head already, gonna continue this soon :-)