Isaiah 53:5

"But he was pierced for our rebellion, 

Crushed for our sins. 

He was beaten so we could be whole. 

He was whipped so we could be healed. "

Many times in our lives, we often complain how things don't go our way... How we get to frustrated that things don't go as planned.  More often that not, we proclaim that we surrender our lives to God and yet we still forget about this vow and turn into the control freaks that we are when we feel things are starting to slide.

I think it's called faith, and along side it is obedience.

Let us all be like Jesus.  He offered even his precious life to obey the Father.

Would you do the same if the Father asks you to put down everything and tells you to follow His plans for us?

Lenten reflection

I was so looking forward to this Lenten season. Thought being (1) I have a lot to think about -- career, vocation, family, "passions," and a whole lot more; and, (2) this is gonna be one long break.

While browsing Facebook, I stumbled upon this photo and suddenly everything made sense to me.

While I know this ain't rocket science, this was an affirmation that the people we meet serve their particular purpose at a specific time in our lives.

True enough, I can say I like myself better now because of my experiences -- be it good or bad.  My bittersweet memories taught me a lot of important life lessons that will forever be stuck in my psyche.

I believe that God isn't done molding me yet into the person He created me to be. I am a work in progress.

this made me smile today

Saw the movie a gazillion times.  Alfalfa is still my dream guy :D

untitled post

I've been staring at a blank screen for almost 10 minutes, struggling for a witty/funny/sarcastic title for this entry.  I couldn't think of any that will give the contents any justice.

Yesterday, I was at a college barkada's daughter's birthday shindig. it was our last few gatherings before she heads back to Canada where she'd been living after getting married.  At a young age of 31, though, she's now a widow as her husband succumbed to the Big C late last year.

Anyhow, there's this one, dare I say, disturbing observation we had that I wasn't certain whether funny or otherwise -- we're the only ones who did not have any child in tow!  No matter how fun the games and the magic shows were, we just couldn't be the "stage moms" we possibly can... and I know we have the potential, BIG TIME!  We've been observing, looking around the room -- kids dressed up like their moms, moms wiping icing off their kid's faces, dads exerting relentless efforts to hush their crying child, or mom or dad moving heaven and earth so their kids can beat everyone in the next "bring me" category.

On second thought, am I ready for it?  Am I ready to gorge on the leftover spaghetti, fried chicken and hotdog that my child wasn't able to handle?  Am I ready to pick a child throwing a tantrum up? Hmmm....

I'll have one when it's time :-)



PS: Any appropriate title for this post? ;-)

It's more than just FRIENDSHIP

A few weeks ago, I chanced upon one of our local celebrity's blogs and I was inspired to come with my own list of people who shaped me over the years.

Hands down, I have to give it to my GIRLS, who, through thick and thin, may pera or wala, in a romantic relationship or not, have stuck with each other inspite and despite of.  They are the friends I really cherish, sisters from another mother, and I can say ipaglalaban ko sila ng patayan. *sniff*

We have seen each other  laugh, cry, go over a series of madness and we even sometimes reprimand each other if the situation calls for it. We are so alike in thought that we don't even have to say a word, yet we know what each other meant.  We have bonded so much for almost 20 years and I can truly say there is nothing we can hide from each other.

One fine day in 2nd year high school, our group was formed and we even named it Munings.  I don't even remember why!  We saw our group grow, yet we also saw members leave.  So I guess this has remained the core group.  Let me introduce you to....

mikhai

Strong-willed. Frank. Carefree. My gym buddy.  Probably the oldest friend I have.  We have been friends since 4th grade. Up to now, I still have pictures of our field trip in Nayong Pilipino. She's one confident, strong, smart and loving woman.  She loves her family so much that her weekends are almost always devoted to them. She loves to travel  and sample different kinds of food. She's everyone's friend and there's never a dull moment with her because she has lots of funny stories to tell.  Even if she's headstrong, she has a soft spot for kind people, yet hates undecisive ones.  Don't try messing with our Micaela here as she knows how to kick your ass in the most classy way ;-) 

janice

The group's clown.  Statuesque. Gorgeous. Mowdel. Risk-taker. Family-oriented. Baliw. Inggitera. Haha! That's Janice.  If there's one person in our group who can say "been there, done that" with so much pride and credibility, it's this woman.  She left the Philippines to try her luck in Dubai to help support the family when her Dad was still sick.  Ever since then, her world has turned a 180-degree turn.  She has experienced a lot of things that have turned her into a woman of steel. She gives her all when it comes to...ahem... LOVE.  Never afraid to risk it all.  That's how she has gained her beauty.  We sometimes wish we could be like her ;-)  We pray that a good man comes her way who can take care of her, commit to her and treat her like royalty she oh-so-truly deserves.  I have to warn you though because when she sees something in your bag that she truly wants or needs, she will surely grab it from you.  We don't mind naman girls, do we? :)

cha - cha

The group's baby. Soft-spoken.  Famous for her one-liners. Pag humirit, sapul! A loving daughter, sister and tita to Jaedon... and now a devoted girlfriend to her Bimby! Ayiiiiii! :-p   Cha is the neutral one.  Cool-headed.  When Mikhai, Janice and I are so mad at one thing, she can go "wag kayo highblood."  Cha is fasyon, but a brainiac as well.  When I tell people she's an engineer, they wouldn't believe me.  She can move and carry around computer hardwares (pati ba servers???) in her skirt and heels, would dust herself off as if nothing happened.  She is very compassionate and considerate to people around her to a fault. Her family is her weakness.  She's willing to go to hell and back for them.  She's my little clique in our group.  We tell each other stories on a regular basis -- be it emo or otherwise.  You can count on her for sticking by you any damn day.

oss

Consistent Honor student.  The sheltered one. The one with the strictest Mom.  Employee on weekdays, sideline ang pagiging Mayordoma kapag weekend... but that was her life before becoming Mrs. Soliman.  I remember her being this cute, chubby little girl in pigtails back in the 1st grade.  For some strange reasons, at that early an age, we have been enemies. Yes, folks, magkaaway kami dati.  Hindi ko alam kung bakit (Oss, paki verify nga kung bakit).  But things changed when we became seatmates in 6th grade and  started talking about teenybopper stuff -- from celebrity crushes to favorites bands.  It turned out that we were both gaga over Side A! She liked Joey Benin, while I liked Joey Generoso.  Kakalurks!  Those talks made a big difference in our new-found friendship until we have finally formed our group in 2nd year high school with the rest of the girls. When she went our separate ways in college, we almost never saw her.  Then we decided to "disown" her as our friend.  Some Divine Intervention made its way and made us bump into each other in PNB.  Little did we know that she was engaged to be married that time and the group got reunited again to witness her walk down the aisle with her Papa Bear. :D  I am happy about her new-found freedom coz be get to see a lot of her every once in a while.

aissa

The owl -- when everyone's asleep, she's awake. Ang babaeng tawa ng tawa. The happy-go-lucky girl.  Loves to travel.  Loves photography.  A bookworm.  Music lover.  Loves her dogs as much as she loves her whole clan. Beach bummer.  The least vain in the group.  We didn't have the chance to spend more time with her because of the nature of her work.  Nonetheless, we know we can always count on her when we call her for a get-together.


I imagine us 30 yrs down the line, aged gracefully, still have zest for life, probably have traveled half the world, and God permitting, happy moms and lolas to a wonderful family.  We have to fulfill one wish though -- to travel to Paris and live up to joie de vivre!


Cheers to our FABULOUS friendship!

My 2011 in review: Places and faces

Looking back @ early 2011, I prayed for major changes -- in career, in relationships, or about life in general. I also asked Him to take me to places where I can discover things about myself more.

Thanks to my friends who have reminded that blessings come in different forms, and one of which is TRAVEL.

This year, I went to at least 4 local and 1 international destination. I have been blessed with the great company of family and friends to celebrate the beauty of friendship, life, love and the beauty of God's creations.

1. Marlie's Boracay wedding - I could not even remember when my college barkada and I last got together. Sweet thing was that we were reunited to celebrate the love Marlie and Mark has for each other.

2. My cousin Aimee's El Nido wedding - it is always refreshing to be reunited with Dad's brother and his family. This time to celebrate the wedding of Aimee and her long time beau Elliot. My cousins also brought their respective partners and it's so nice to see them all grown up and doing great in the medical field.

3. Bohol with Mom & Daryl - one of the first travels Mom & I did in a long time

4.  CamSur - I was here to attend the Singles for Christ International Conference.  Again, we stood as witnesses to God's awesome power by gathering more than 6,000 single men and women to hear his messages and singe praises to Him.  I was here for a good 3 days, no side trip included as I had to work (bummer).

5.  Bangkok, Thailand - my first international trip in a loooooong time.  It's pretty much like Manila (but their traffic is worse).  Thanks to our gracious host for taking us in, for allowing us to finish the food in his fridge (yummy papaya!) and of course our adorable driver who made our stay even more memorable albeit the language barrier :p

This year, I don't know where my feet would take me.  I hope to be given the resources the see the world in a whole new perspective.  That said, paano na lang ako makakapag-ipon ng maayos? :p

Positivity

To start my great blogging year off, how about injecting some positivity in all of us.

Now whenever I am on my way to work, I'll always remember this ad. I will not be a WHINER, instead be thankful for what we have and strive to be always always always better at what I do :)

Thanks, Ahyen, for sharing the link.


Hmmm... I've always thought McDonald's serves the best breakfast :)