Are we there yet?...

The picture above was taken at Miss M's place during our post-Christmas thingy last December 29th. Got cards, pictures and very well-thought-of gifties. Sigh. I'm one blessed gurl.

Finally, got the FRIENDS calendar from Dino dude. Thanks again to his friend for buying them for us all the way from the UK. It may be a bit pricey for a calendar BUT if you're a fan, you'll understand how my friends and I feel about having the calendar. There were two defective calendars though...tsk tsk tsk.

Someone got me this. When I told Nadine about who gave me the shoes, she was like...uyyyyyy......Heee. Nadine has a way of making me smile.

It's 2 hours into the year and I'm online. Just got back from my Tita's house. First media noche without my sisters. Oh well. Glad they called before the new year started. I told my cousin that we should celebrate new year's in a different place next time. SisterM and I actually have talked about it before. That we'd celebrate new year's at a different place. She got her wish. While I still celebrated in the same place, not that I'm complaining. I love being with my loved ones. Though for a change, it would be nice to celebrate it somewhere else if money weren't an issue. Indeed.

Here's my 2005 To-Do List, I've crossed out the ones that I was able to do last year, let's see...

>> Play badminton.
>> Send birthday greets to my friends/relatives. [as late as it is, I think, I did pretty okay in this area...]
>> Learn how to sign-language. [I've been fascinated with this since I was in gradeschool. Anyone know where I could enroll or something?]
>> Learn how to drive...hmmm...maybe. [I'm a backseat driver. I always feel like the cars are too close to the one I'm in. Yikes.]
>> Save money for my 30th. [not much but I have some...]
>> Read the following books : Harry Potter 5, LOTR trilogy, and the Bible. [HAH!..Though, I have read passages from the Bible, my faves would have to be the books of Psalms and Proverbs...the bible guides surely help...]
>> Buy less dibidis.
>> Pay off a debt. [one more ...]
>> Count my blessings. [Indeed!!!]
>> Grab more spoons. [yes, as many spoons that I can grab...]
>> Talk more. [I tried...did I do okay?]
>> Update my Utopia site, Jomari Connection and finish the EBC Hummina Site. [one out of three...]
>> Surprise my friends by sending snail mails.
>> Have faith and trust and obey God above everything else.

I will try to do the ones that I didn't get to do last year and continue with the ones that I DID get to accomplish.

What else? Hmmm... I had a pretty good 2005, inspite of my sisters going abroad for work and our money issues...it was a pretty blessed 2005. Here's praying that 2006 will bring more blessings to me, to you and to everyone else.

Leaving you with today's prayer:

Thank You Father, that You so loved the world that You gave Your one and only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Fairest Lord Jesus! You alone are my heart's desire ... my chief delight... my soul's glory, joy and crown. Every advantage life can offer is like rubbish, compared with the overwhelming gain of knowing You. [John 3:16; Philippians 3:8]

Thanks again for visiting. Here's to a brand new year of keeping the faith and believing that God is ALWAYS there for us, no matter what. God Bless us always.

Better To Give Than To Receive...

Indeed. I always believed in that. It's even written on my HS yearbook. Hah. That was a surprise to me. I guess, my HS friends saw that in me no? I'm not that charitable believe me. I do have my moments. I have a few regrets where I could have given more but opted not to. Oh well. I could be selfish too. Yep, I could be if I want to. People see me as a good person, even nice...but really...I can be bad...Heee...Even I can't say that with a straight face...I sometimes want to do something "bad" so, they'd get surprised BUT I just can't do something that I might regret in the future. I just don't do something that will come back to me. Luke 6:31 is my guide in life.

Speaking of giving...Christmas time is the season of giving...I didn't get to buy gifts for most people. I only bought for the kiddies. My nephews Dylan, Evan, Jos, Jelo; my nieces Jannah and Jenea; and my cousins Nadine, AJ and Lyn [she's not really my cousin but we are related in some way on my Mother's side].

For the adults, I made them cards. Heee. Though, I kinda calculated the expenses I bought to make the cards and it would have been less work and less expenses to buy the ready-made cards but what's the fun in that no? It's the only time that I can really be a bit creative. And I still haven't finished most of the cards. I just need to write the messages. I find it a bit impersonal if you just sign your name on the card. I REALLY DO. That's a pet peeve. So far, I've only received one card this season...I'm a bit frustrated but I know a few more are on their way. It's not like I have sent most of my cards no? Heee. I'm not complaining. I'm actually thinking of asking my friends to give me a card for my birthday. Yep, I will turn 30 [yikes...how is that possible? heee] and I'm hoping for 30 cards at least. I already know who will give me cards whether I tell them to or not but I will tell my other friends just to be sure. Heee. I'm one demanding birthday girl for once.

This was taken Christmas Eve 2004. For some reason, we didn't get to take pictures this Christmas. Hmmm. I think, my cousins forgot to buy a film for their camera. They are thinking on buying a digicam. Yes, maybe next Christmas.

Here are a few quotes from Beliefnet Daily Inspirations:

When you come to the end of all the light you know, and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: Either you will be given something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly. - Edward Teller

Talk happiness; talk faith; talk health. Say you are well, and all is well with you, and God shall hear your words and make them true. -Ella Wheeler-Wilcox

Trouble is a part of your life, and if you don't share it, you don't give the person who loves you a chance to love you enough. -Dinah Shore

Money is a very excellent servant, but a terrible master. -P.T. Barnum

Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Okay, gotta end this one for now. Have to go to our client's office now. Only 3 days [well, 2 and a half now...heee] of work. Rush rush rush indeed. Quite a long New Year's weekend for everyall. NG will have his off starting Friday the 30th til January 3rd. He won a one day off with pay from a Christmas raffle. That is some raffle. Heee. I wish I have one of those.

Leaving you with today's prayer:

Holy Spirit, infuse me today with Your inner strength, so that I will be ready for anything You want me to do. I let You manage me and my day as I joyfully depend on You throughout the day, expecting You to guide, to enlighten, to reprove, to teach, to use and to do in me and with me what You desire. [Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 4:13]

Thanks again for visiting. Always appreciated. Keep the faith. God Bless us always.

It's time...

Happy CHRISTmas to everyall. God Bless.

Amidst all the stress [and what not] the season can bring to us, let's not forget the reason for the season. Most often than not I do forget. It's great if you can buy all of your loved ones the gift that they want but it doesn't always work that way. We just do what we can. Hoping that whatever it is that you got them, they'd appreciate it nonetheless.

Happy birthday to YOU. I am blessed because of YOU. I am and will always be grateful for having YOU in my life.

Keep the faith and God Bless us always.

Nadoinks...

She's under the weather as of Sunday night. Feverish and throwing up. Sigh. She called me around 10pm-ish last Sunday to tell me that all they did in the mall was to walk and walk and walk. Heee. She was still okay around that time. Must have been something she ate. I love how she tells me about a certain thing or event...it's sooo refreshing. Praying she'd be back to her kulit self the soonest.

Daily Prayer for today:
Lord God, today I commit to You my present location and situation. May you guide me throughout this life to just be where You want me to be, as I seek to do Your will. You are my dwelling place and I rest under the shadow of Your wings. [Psalms 37:5; Deuteronomy 1:33]

I love that prayer. Amen to that.

Have a good Tuesday to you. Thanks again for visiting. Always appreciated.

Keep the faith and God Bless us always.

Blog Things...

My song last year was 100 Years by Five For Fighting [2004 was about thinking and reflecting - but isn't every year?]

Your 2005 Song Is

Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz "Love forever love is free. Let's turn forever you and me." In 2005, you were loving life and feeling no pain.

What Hit Song of 2005 Are You?

Christmas Card Making Update:
Step 1: Cutting and pasting letters from old magazines to form the words of your choice.
Step 2: Folding the paperboards in half.
Step 3: Pasting the words to the paperboards.
Step 4: Writing the message.
Step 5: Mailing them away.
Yes, progress indeed. I'm on Step 4. Yay. And while going through the drawer where I keep my old envelopes, I found some leftover cards that I made in 2003. Hah. Goody. Made 50 this time around plus a dozen more to give. I'm one happy card maker. Heee.

This is bound to be a busy work week, the week before Christmas, I'm praying our pending work will be done by Wednesday or Thursday.

No work on the 26th, the day after Christmas. Yay. Long Christmas weekend chat with NG awaits.

Got to chat with my sisters last Friday night. First Christmas without them. Sigh. We are all grown-up now. My Christmas wish is for them to not feel homesick as they already do. The sacrifices Filipinos do to earn more for the future.

My Christmas gift for myself. Can't wait to see it. Yay.

Ohkay...have to go for now...leaving you with today's daily prayer:
Thank You Lord for the many ways You use other people to counsel me and help me grow...and yet that Christ Himself is the answer to my hang-ups, the one source who can meet my deepest needs. How I rejoice that He is wonderful in counsel and mighty in power, and that He heals from the inside out. [Philippians 1:3]

Thanks again for visiting. Have a good week. Keep the faith. God Bless.

One...

Yes...made it to one. Who would have thought? Certainly not us. I've been online for years now and I didn't believe I'd be interested in having an "online" relationship [well...it's more than online now...] with someone from a place I've only heard from a song of Moonpools and Caterpillars. [the song is Jubilee if my memory serves me right...] Hmmmm. It's not easy I tell you. The distance sucks BIG TIME.

After almost 14,000 mails between us, hours and hours of real time/web cam chat during the weekend, sms chats [I need a phone that doesn't require my thumb to press those damn keys...hee], snail cards and surprise phone calls...we're one. It all started with that Pooh Friendship thingy that was sent to me and then I sent to all of the people on my YM list. Hah. I must thank my friend Kuya Denn for sending me that one.

I know...relationships that started online is frowned upon. But it's something I didn't really asked for. It just happened. I don't go into chat rooms to look for "romance" .. I get that a lot from my romantic comedies and Nic Sparks. I'm not ashamed that my relationship started online. I remember...when my good friend [Oh God Bless her generous soul...] gave me my first ever computer...she said: you might meet someone special online. Of course, when she told me that, I never really gave it much thought. I was too happy and excited having my very own computer. My own computer. Sigh. That was and still is...one of the best moments in my life. NO KIDDING. I'm getting misty-eyed just thinking about it. Sigh.

Going back to my relationship that started online. It's not easy. I don't recommend it. I really don't. We were supposed to meet back in September but that didn't happen. Will not bore you with the details. I almost gave up around that time. Thought about it. Prayed about it. Listened to what my friends had to say. Heck, I even got to talk about it myself. I know, that at this point in time...things are out there...I'm taking it one day at a time. It's getting closer. Until then, I'll continue with what we've been doing everyday. 20++ Mails. Quick chats in the morning before I go to work as he gets home from work. SMS chats when he gets up at midnight and stays til about 3am-ish. Our weekend webcam chats. The occasional phone calls and what not. It's all good so far.

It's been one happy and exciting year to say the least. I have discovered and learned things here and there. Most importantly...I added another person to pray for each and every day. It feels good when you say a prayer for someone you care about. Not specifically a significant other but in general. Because I can't look after my loved ones all the time...BUT I know...God will always be there for them. I am keeping my faith more than ever...not just for what NG and I have but for me...for me to know and understand that life is so much easier to live in if I go through with it with God by my side. I know that now. It took me years but...I'm in a much better place in my life right now. Yes, I am in a better place. NG is just an added bonus. God is good indeed.

Taking a break...

What does your handwriting say about YOU?

I am the exact opposite of the person who sent this card at Post Secret. Heee. I'm actually taking a break from my card making for today. I'm not quite there yet but I'm hoping to finish them this week. I'm sure my friends and relatives who are outside the country will get their cards AFTER Christmas. Heee. Better Late Than Never. I enjoy making cards. Have done it a few times over the years. I'm not artistic so, I just rely mostly on stuff like glittery pens and what not. Here's a step by step guide to my card making. Heee. As if you'd be interested. This is my blog so, I'm posting them anyway.
Step 1: Cutting and pasting letters from old magazines to form the words of your choice.
Step 2: Folding the paperboards in half.
Step 3: Pasting the words to the paperboards.
Step 4: Writing the message.
Step 5: Mailing them away.
I'm done with Steps 1 & 2. Yes, just more pasting [I must say...thank you for glue sticks...] and writing. Making 50 cards. It's fun for me every time I decide to do this for Christmas. I hope the people who will get them will appreciate it.

To: Santa
Dear Santa
I want on Christmas is cook ware.
Fr: Nadine
[she asked me to email it but I don't have Santa's email address...heee.]

Okay, will get back to my cards [or soon they will be cards...] for now. Thanks again for visiting. Have a good one. Keep the faith. God Bless.

Me = Cry Baby...

This should be my mantra:
I am too blessed to be stressed!
[got that from the Beliefnet daily inspiration]

I'm a cry-baby. I'm aware of that. Most often than not I stay away from watching dramatic and cry-fest movies or shows on tv. Hah. Yes, I will shed a tear. No doubt. I'm even more a cry-baby whenever I have my period. I don't know. Maybe, hormones? I really don't know. But I just cry easily whenever it's the time of the month for me. I can even make myself cry. Easy. Sigh. Funny a while ago, I was reading Doctora's blog and while I was writing my comment...I just got misty-eyed and damn...a few tears dropped. Anobayun. And now, just thinking about it is making me teary again. Oh man.

One of this week's posts at Post Secret. My Sunday must-visit blog. I don't know if I should feel good or bad about reading other people's secrets. Mixed feelings I have. Though, I always say a prayer whenever I read a not-so-good secret. I'm tempted to send mine. Hmmm. Thinking about it. That post above could come from me. I'm trying my best to be faithful. One day at a time. It's not as hard like it was years ago. I know better now. Yes. I do. It's not my fault. Never was my fault. I'm done blaming myself. [And I'm getting teary eyed again...]

I started making my Christmas cards Sunday afternoon. Was at it again today from 5pm-ish to 8pm-ish. Progress. My goal is 50 cards. Hah. Good luck to me. I wish I know how to draw or sketch. I always wanted to draw or sketch. I'm not very artistic.

Was tinkering with Photoshop last night and I came up with that. Wala lang. Heee.

Okay, gotta end this one for now. Thanks again for visiting. Keep the faith. God Bless us always.