Blast from 5 years ago...

The following is an e-mail from the past, sent through FutureMe.org
It was composed on Sunday, March 12, 2006, to be sent on Sunday, March 13, 2011:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hi. Okay, it's March 13th 2006 today. 15 months with NG. SIGH. You met him just a few weeks ago. Celebrated your 14th months together. Celebrated your 30th together. Did a lot of firsts together.

So, when you get this, if you get this, it's been 5 years. Are you two together? Are you living in Nebraska? Do his parents and brother and friends like you? Do you get along with NG most of the time? What are the traits that you discovered [that you love and not love] since you met him? Have "Faith"? Happy? Still in love? Still wondering how you got together and all? Met Jamie? Met some of the members of the Jamie group? Do you know how to drive? Have you gone back to Manila after you got there?...


That was an e-mail I sent to my future self back in 2006. I was unsure of some things back then but reading what I have been questioning years ago makes me feel that I just have to have FAITH. Just have to let go and let faith and God be my guidance. Sure, I still question a few things nowadays BUT I know, my faith will get me through it all. I gotta have faith. I must ALWAYS remember that.

How's your faith? Is it enough to get you through life's ups and downs? I hope so. Let's keep our faiths together. :)

The Notebook...

Whenever this movie is on, I can't help but watch it. It's been showing on ABC Family and each time I see that it's on, I have to stay on that channel and watch it. I love this movie. I love the book. I love it. Period. I just do.

"So it's not gonna be easy. It's going to be really hard; we're gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me... everyday." [Noah Calhoun]

A few days ago, we had the furnace checked because the flame of the pilot light went out again. The guy who looked at it found cracks on two of the burners/heat exchangers, over time it'll result to Carbon Monoxide emissions. Bottom line, it needs to be replaced. It's an old furnace, made in 1977. We're looking at around 3k++ to have it replaced. It is NOT cheap. NG will have other heating companies come over to give us options, just to compare the prices and get the best deal. Being a home owner is not fun in times like this. Not fun at all.

I made my first grilled cheese sandwich for brunch today, NG liked it, I liked it. I got the recipe from Betty Crocker. I love cheese. I will surely make that again soon. Pepperjack and Monterey Jack cheese. I'm loving it.

MajorDad just sent me an email if we have plans for NG's birthday, I replied saying, we'll either have lunch or dinner with him. I lovelike my father in-law and I think, it's safe to say that he likes me too. I get more emails than NG from his dad as it turns out. I told NG, that's because he doesn't reply to his emails. Hee. I can write an 18-page email [front and back..hee] and still have more to say. I am not that way in person, but when it comes to emails, I can be talkie IF I want to. MajorDad's birthday is on February 12th, he told me last year that we could celebrate our birthdays together when he found out that mine is a few days after his. We're all Aquarians. NG, MajorDad and me. I'm not knowledgeable about Astrology but it seems good from our end.

Keeping the faith. It may be tough once in a while but we just have to as much as we can. Have a good one. God Bless.

Worth Sharing...

* MajorDad forwarded this to me and I thought I'd share it with you too. Have a good day and God Bless.

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It
is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about
what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My
purpose is to__________ today. I am thankful for______________'

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that
is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan
salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues
of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead
invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument.
Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years,
will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends
will. Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I
am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished_________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings.
You'll be smiling before you know it.

First of 2009...

2008 was a good year for me, one of the best, so far. 2009 can only get better. I pray and hope for that.

I'm sharing a quote from Martha Williamson that sums up her new year's resolution: "Less of me, more of others and God, above all."

As this new year starts, I am wishing everyone health, happiness and faithfulness. God Bless.

And We Turn 4...

Today, NG and I are celebrating our fourth anniversary. Who would have thought? Coming from a long-distance relationship, 4 years is quite a long time. This is our first time to be together on our anniversary. No more emails, webcam chats, text messaging and phone calls on this day. Been there, done that. Don't wanna do that again. We've exchanged cards. Tears abound, mostly mine, I'm such a cry-baby. SIGH. We have a long way to go, I pray we'd always have our faith in each other and most importantly in God. Do include us in your prayers too. Keep the faith, I know, it can be tough from time to time. God Bless.

A Week Before Thanksgiving...

YEAH, that's how fast my laptop is...I WISH.

I got me some flairs. You surely can kill time at Facebook, I don't even know how many apps I got in there. I go in and just whatever. I like the Unending Trivia quiz though.

November 15, 2008 @ The Slowdown. Matt Nathanson. I wanna be taller when I grow up. Hee. The gig was sold out a few weeks before the show date. NG got lucky and won some tix [and a meet & greet pass] from Q98.5 . It was a fun night. I added 2 new artists [Jessie Baylin and The Break & Repair Method] on my Myspace page. The next night, we watched Ingrid Michaelson and I added two more artists [David Ford and Newton Faulkner, they're both English, hearing them talk was a bonus] on my Myspace page. It was a goody weekend for us. Glad NG's weekend-off fell on those dates.

I thought I'd get back to reading with these books. I miss reading even if it makes me sleepy. The Twilight series is the best-seller nowadays, I don't know what's the fuss is about. Hee. I guess, I'm getting old for that stuff? I don't know. Though, I want to see the movie, looked interesting.

NG got me a purple mini-mouse. He was excited as he handed it to me. I was more excited, of course, purple mouse, baybee. Sweet.

Sam & Ruby is a must.

Made a list of people to send Christmas cards to for this year. NG only had a handful of people to send to but since we are considered as one now, he's sending to about 70 people as well. We went to the FACTORY CARD OUTLET last Sunday. That place is sooooooo my happy place. Lotsa cards, I would have to go there by myself one time, I just have to figure out which bus[es] to take.

http//www.jetpunk.com/quizzes/how-many-countries-can-you-name.php I only got to name 40 countries in 5 minutes. There are 195 listed on that quiz.

It's 30 degrees F here in O! and it's bound to go down to 15 throughout the day. COLD COLD COLD for myself. It could also snow tonight.

It'll be my first Thanksgiving next Thursday. We might have it here at home. MajorDad, NG and me. We'll just buy our Thanksgiving grub at Walmart, most likely. If that doesn't pan out, we'll be having Thanksgiving dinner @ one of the Casino buffets in town. Hee. NG's off Thursday to Saturday for the Thanksgiving weekend. Yay. Happy about that. He'll have 2 weekends off next month as well. All good. So many things to be thankful for this year. SIGH. I am grateful for everything and I ALWAYS thank God for that. Keep the faith.

From a year ago...

"The following is an e-mail from the past, composed on Friday, September 28, 2007, and sent via FutureMe.org
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Future Me, today is September 29, 2007, and you're still awake, as always...it's been tough lately between you and ..."

I forgot about that email I sent for my future self to read after a year...thinking back, that was the time that the distance was really getting to me. It was VERY tough to be in a long-distance relationship. It is not easy to be in a relationship period, much more if it's long-distance. A year after I thought we're not gonna make the relationship work because of the distance, look at us now, together in one timezone and married and dealing with life as one. I still won't recommend long-distance relationship to anyone though. It's a toughie. I'm glad we got through that.

Have a good week ahead. I'm gonna go back to my tv shows for now. I finished House [season 4] and watched the first two episodes of the latest season. Love that show. I'm 3 episodes away from finishing Dexter [season 2], I can't stand a few of the characters on the show but I still like the show. I like shows that is very talkie and Dexter talks to himself all the time. The third season started last night, same with the 2nd season of Californication [David Duchovny is love...I love hearing him talk...good speaking voice...] Until next time. October is around the corner. God bless.

I'm Not Bored...

Why is it that I can't blog as often as I want? I have the time, but like always, when I'm in the compose page of Blogger, the things that I wanted to blog about just doesn't seem worth sharing anymore? Oh well. Here I am, just writing whatever comes to mind. I wanted to blog about being stressed when your partner is stressed a few weeks ago but won't do that right now. Thankfully, NG's not as stressed at his part-time job nowadays unlike a few weeks ago.

My cousin AJ turned 18 last month, it makes me feel a bit oldish thinking that she's 18 now. Yowza. Where did the time go?


This was taken December 2000-2001 me thinks, AJ is the one on the left [wearing glasses] and Nadine is on my Nanay's lap on the right. It didn't seem that long ago.

This is Nadine now. She was in charge of the candles on her sister's birthday. 9 years from now, Nadine will be 18. Sigh. I'm getting nostalgic now.

Speaking of nostalgia, these guys are back. They had a concert in the Philippines when I turned 18 but my parents didn't let my sisters and I watched the gig. They will be here in town in November, maybe, just maybe, I'll get to see them this time around. I still have to persuade NG in coming with me. Hah. Bribes might work. We will see. Wish me luck.

I'm back on TV mode since the start of the week. I've downloaded the House [4th season and the first episode of the fifth season], I'm on episode 6 now, will finish it in a few days for sure. Loving it, I just can't take Kal Penn's character seriously, I kept thinking, that's Kumar! Hee. I also have Pushing Daisies [season one], How I Met Your Mother [2nd and 3rd seasons] to watch. I have to finish Dexter [season 2] on Showtime ON DEMAND as well. Must catch up on CSI, Brothers & Sisters [season 2], Scrubs [season 5 to present] as well. Accck. I love my shows. I may not get to watch them in real time anymore but it's all good, I actually prefer watching them one after another. No commercials. Gotta love technology for that. Any shows you think I should be watching nowadays?

Baked Ziti with white sauce and eggplant parmigiana. I miss this!!! and I MISS the gurls I'm with whenever I have that yumminess.

Even if the show ended years ago, with this calendar, they will always be there for me. Must have. It's on my Christmas wish list even if I don't have a list yet. Hee. You can get yours at Danilo.com.

I've started this post 2 hours ago and I'm still here. I think, it's time I go for now. Until next time, whenever that will be. Hee. Keep the faith. God bless.

One of them days...

MajorDad gave this to us. We only have a handful of spices here at home, will have to get more so we can use this cool thingy.

My cousins Tin, Nadine and AJ, taken from the anniversary dinner of Tita Loida & Tito Raf. Missing them esp. Nadine's story-telling about anything and everything.

Been spending time on youtube lately and here are a few channels that I've been following lately, you might want to check them out if you have time.

Last Friday, I went to the mall, I got there okay. Found what I was looking for. On my way home, stopped by McDonald's and got some food. I was 11 blocks away from home. Waited at the North Omaha Transit Center. I know what bus number I was going to take. Waited some more. Finally, bus #18 arrived. The driver said how I was doing. I said, I was ok and asked him the same, he said, he's tired. I paid my fare. First time I didn't asked if the bus would take me to my destination. FIRST TIME that I didn't ask. And it turned out to be something that I would regret.

The bus was going the opposite direction, I just kept quiet, because I thought the bus will just go around as they do on their routes. BUT this particular bus was going to the garage after the route. The driver let me off to a street/bus stop where the same bus number will pass by and take me to my destination. It would have been okay except the next bus didn't come until an hour after. And when that bus finally came, it didn't stop. I hailed it. BUT for some reason, that I still and don't and may not ever know, the bus DIDN'T stop. I was the ONLY one at that stop. I was wearing a red shirt that it would be impossible to miss seeing me. SIGH. I lost it around that time and I cried out of frustration. I was in an area that I'm not familiar with. I was the only one waiting. Only passing cars and other type vehicles come and go. It was a scary time for me. I didn't know if there was a next bus coming since it was getting close to 8pm [good thing, even at that time, the sun was still up].

I waited another 45 minutes when bus #18 came by again, this time, I asked the driver if it was gonna pass by my destination. And thank God it was going that way. Was praying all throughout my wait in that bus stop. 2 hours me thinks. I cried some more when I got home. I'm a cry baby, couldn't help it. There were messages from NG on the machine waiting for me, that he was getting worried that I'm still not home when I told him I will be home around 2 hours earlier. SIGH. We got to talk about it when he got home and he decided, the next time I go out, I'll bring his phone with me, until I get my own. So, I can reach him if something like that happens again. I told him that will not happen again. It was MY mistake for not asking. I always asked the driver if it was going to where I was going the past times that I took the bus. It was the first time that I didn't ask and I paid big time. I rode the bus again last Monday, even transferred to another bus to get to my destination and I asked the driver each time. I learned my lesson. ALWAYS ASK, no matter what.

Met NG at Sam's Club after he got off work. We got some laundry detergent and caffeine for me. Before heading home, passed by Rotella's factory/bakery to get some bread. Got 3 loaves of bread, as we were paying, the cashier told us we were the 100th customer and the bread is free. Hee. That was a good surprise. We got 3 loaves of bread for free and it was the first time that we went there. NG has been telling me that we'd go there but it was only last Monday that we actually did and it turned out a goody one. He said, we'll get our bread at that place from now on and it's way cheaper there vs the other grocery places. Gotta love free bread.

NG and I will have our civil wedding ceremony next Friday. Seems like yesterday that we were talking about that day and now, it will happen in a week. We don't have any preparations for it, it's not really a wedding wedding where there are invitations and the works. It works for us, for now, we couldn't afford a wedding right now. With all the expenses ahead that deals with my status adjustment. It's not cheap. I want to start working soon, so, I can help NG with the expenses. I do have something to wear, will have to get NG's this weekend or on Monday, he doesn't like shopping. MajorDad emailed me and that we should meet and get something for NG. We got the rings, just waiting for it to arrived. I didn't think about the engraving until NG said we should add that. So, we did. Would be arriving this weekend me thinks. And that's about it, we might have lunch the next day after but still not decided since NG doesn't know if people will come. Will see. We got engaged in 2006 and it's 2008, we're still together and actually going through with this. We just have to see where this will take us. Not everyday you can meet someone the way we did and actually have something good come of it. I still can't believe that I'm actually here now...with NG...but it is what it is. One day at a time right? So far, so good. Please include us in your prayers. Will be appreciated. God bless.

Where Do I Begin?...

Hmmm...this is my first post for this month, in a totally new environment, a galaxy far far away [25 hours++ plane trip & 2 stopovers] from the Philippines. I've been here in Omaha for 2 weeks now and adjusting is still in effect. Good and not-so-goody changes since I moved here:

> no more daily emails/sms chats/weekend phone calls/weekend webcam chats with NG
> starting a life with someone I might [hee, if I can deal with some of his habits that sometimes annoy me] spend the rest of my life with, praying about it, we never know, the future is out there, just gotta have faith
> get to know NG on a daily basis [the good and the not so goody ones too...heee...]
> efficient services and what not [getting our marriage license took 30 minutes; applying for a ss number took 10 minutes; drive-thru banks, as long as you have the withdrawal/deposit slip you can go thru a drive thru-bank; you can pay for most, if not all, household utilities online; most of the public toilets have ample stock of toilet paper, soap, paper towel and some have toilet seat cover refills too]
> adjusting to a new life living with a boy
> sleeping next to a person who sometimes snores [he claims he doesn't though...]
> sleeping next to a person whom I lovelike [hee...]
> doing things together with NG at the same time...dining, watching tv, grocery-shopping etc etc...
> missing my family and friends [THANK God for the internet]
> missing Nadine's stories that ALWAYS makes me smile/laugh
> missing the daily group text messaging between friends [I can still receive texts on my phone, just can't reply the way I used to coz it be a bit pricey]
> missing my clean and good smelling blanket/sheets [don't ask...hee]
> might gain weight coz of all the edibles in this house [I've been good though, for some reason, I don't get the munchies, maybe, coz I get busog just seeing the foodies]
> being home alone all day while NG's at work [he works everyday with 2 jobs, hoping to get work this month or early next month]
> fussing at NG for a few things that he should be doing on a daily basis [again, don't ask...heeee...who doesn't want to feel fresh after a day's work? it's not just a girl thing right?]
> adjusting to NG's loud muzak [his speakers are busted, he's got like 3 other new speakers in the house BUT he doesn't wanna change it until it dies on him...tsk tsk tsk...NOISE!!! Why do some people like to play their tunes TOO loud? I'm surprised he doesn't have a hearing problem.]
> missing VS [I have a bottle of Absolut Ruby Red in the fridge, it's been there for almost as long as I am here, just don't have the urge to drink...]
> not a lot of public transportation here, can't just go from one place to another via bus, really want to explore the area but can't yet, in time, maybe, I did get to visit the Zoo, it was HUGE...
> mail delivery everyday except Sunday
> 24 hour supermarket [NG does his grocery-shopping early in the morning, where not a lot of people are shopping, still have to do that with him soon, maybe this coming weekend we might since he gets the weekend off]
This is just the start of a new beginning. I'm just taking it as it comes. I don't know what the future holds. We still are getting to know eachother, we know a lot about eachother but there are lots more to know as the days go by. We just gotta compromise on things and keep the faith. And a friend told me, LOVE CONQUERS ALL, I hope she's right. Hee. Here's to living with NG here in Omaha, may we both deal with each other's quirks and what not. Leaving you with something I got from Beliefnet, enjoy...happy Sunday. God Bless.

10 Simple Soul Exercises [from Beliefnet.com]

By Rabbi Brian
[the author of "How to Find Out What (the) God (of Your Understanding) Wants from You." He is a teacher and the Chief Religious Officer of Religion-Outside-The-Box. For more information visit his
website.

Our spiritual life is like singing. Most of us can sing, but few of us do it in public. Even fewer can do it in public without embarrassment! Try these simple, soulful, spiritual workouts to help develop your religious voice so that you can--to use the words of the Psalms--"sing a new song to God."


1. _______, Therefore I Am

French philosopher Rene Descartes wrote, "I think, therefore I am." But what if thinking isn't the reason for your existence?

What word or phrase might you substitute for "I think"?

Here are a few ideas:

* I complain, therefore I am.
* I have stuff, therefore I am.
* I improve on things, therefore I am.
* My parents procreated, therefore I am.
* I create, therefore I am.
* God loves me, therefore I am.

Every version gives a very different perspective on life. Meditate on what you would put in the blank and see what you discover.


2. Spend Time 'Not Doing'

Parkinson's Law (named after 20th-century British historian Cyril Northcote Parkinson) states, "Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion." That's just the way it is.

Paradoxically for adults, it takes work and planning in order to successfully rest. Can you spend five minutes today not doing? How about 10 minutes? Or a half hour?


3. Take a 'Universe Job Survey'

I saw the following quote: "Many people want to serve God, but only as advisors." If we aren't here to advise God, what is our job?

Here's a way to think about answering that question: Imagine for a moment that the universe was your employer. Based on the way you actually live your life--not on how you wish you did--how would you answer the following questions on The Universe's Job Survey:

* What is your job title?
* What department do you work in?
* How high-ranking are you in your department?
* Do you have a job description?
* Does your job have fixed hours or benefits?


4. Create Your Own Holy Day

Rather than commemorate a truly significant religious or secular event, many of our culture's holidays are invented and exist primarily for commercial purposes. If you could invent a holiday what would it be?

* Bob, my brother-in-law, advocates "Creativity Day."
* Larry, my friend the retired minister and sociology professor, likes the idea of an "International Day of Contrition."
* I would have everyone celebrate "Faith Day."

What "holy day" do you think should be observed?


5. Give Yourself Advice

If you could go back in time to when you were half your current age, what advice would you want to give yourself?

Might you tell yourself:

* to have more faith?
* to love more freely?
* to be less anxious?

And, if you were to take that advice today, how might that change your current outlook?


6. Try New Words

For the rest of the day, see if you can substitute the verb "get" for "have." For example, if you were going to say, "I have to check my email," say instead, "I get to check my email." It's amazing how the little change of one word can affect our attitude.


7. Read an Email from God

Imagine you open your inbox and find an email with the subject line: An email from God. What do you imagine the message would contain?

* Praise?
* Condemnation?
* An answer to a question that you've been asking?
* Advice?
* A forwarded joke?

What about your response? What would you write back? How would you sign it?


8. Surprise Yourself

Imagine that at half the age you currently are, you fell asleep. And imagine that you slept right through (like Washington Irving's story of Rip Van Winkle) until today. What five things about your own life and the world would be most surprising to you?

Would you be surprised by where you live? Would you be surprised by your wealth? Would you be surprised by your state of mind? Would you be surprised by technology? Would you be surprised by world politics?


9. Change It Up

If the only constant is change--as paradoxical as that might seem--it would behoove us all to learn how to deal gracefully with it.

For the rest of the day, change your cell phone ringtone or put your watch on the opposite wrist. (Really, do this.)

Now, each time your phone rings or you look at an empty patch of skin instead of finding out the time, notice how you react. Your reaction to this change is going to inform you about your natural, pre-wired response to change.

Change is just change. It isn't inherently good or bad. It's just different.

See if over the course of the day you can learn from yourself and accept both change as well as your reactions to it.


10. Have a Talk with God

If you were in a couples' counseling with God, what complaints, grievances, grudges, etc., would you have about your recent relationship with God? In other words, what is it that you have not said to God that you know deep in your heart you want to say about your relationship as of late?

It might be something that you haven't felt particularly safe saying or just something you haven't had the opportunity to say. Or it might just be something you've said before that bears repeating.

See if you can come up with at least seven sentences. (There is no one who can't do this--those claiming to have no relationship with God can use that as a wonderful starting point.)

This and That and More...

I get daily inspirations via email from Beliefnet and they help me cope with the daily things in life, reading a positive phrase on a daily basis really is a good thing to have. And from time to time, Beliefnet share ways to help someone in different situations, like what I'm about to share below this rambling of mine. Mostly, I love the Beliefnet website because, there's so much wisdom to read, about different faiths, on how strong people can be in the midst of tragedy or loss and what-have-you. Now, I don't know why some people experience more hardships and tragedies and what not as compared to others BUT inspite of all that, whenever I read something about someone going above and beyond their hardships in life, it just makes me believe MORE that God will not give us something we can't bear. And when we experience something that someone already experienced and got through it, I think, if that person got through that, so can I.

Praying for the people who loss their loved ones in Myanmar and China. I can only imagine how they're dealing with the loss they're suddenly faced with. Continued prayers. Sigh.

Anyhoo, a few overwhelming things has been happening in my life right now and it's really overwhelming. I think, I already said that yes? "One thing at a time" is how I can sum it up. Happy/Sad/Excited/WorriedScared in moving to another country but it is what it is. Wanted to be with NG where we have the same timezone and now, it's just a matter of time on that. After moving, then more grown-up things to do. One thing at a time and I'm sure, we'll get there sooner or later. It's not easy to be a grown-up sometimes, where you have to decide on life-changing things in life. Prayers for me too ok? Thanks and will be appreciated.

On with some goody, positive and could be helpful ways in dealing with happiness and change now. If I have to recommend one website to anyone, it will be WWW.BELIEFNET.COM. Go check it out when you have time. Have a fine mid-week. Keep the faith. God Bless.

10 Ways to Find the Happiness in Front of You
By Addie Johnson [Content from Life Is Sweet.]

We struggle with war, poverty, global warming, rising crime rates, and a barrage of news, hardly any of it good. We hear of people getting sick, getting divorced, or dying. Celebrities have fabulous lives, but you don't, and the "if only's" threaten to win the day: "My life would be sweet if only I were richer, more famous, thinner, younger, older, had a better job, lived in a different city..."

But happiness is all around you. And it doesn't care how much money you have or the circumstances of your life. Here are some tips on how to look on the bright side and find the happiness in front of you.

>> When Off to Bed, Forget the Fight
Maya Angelou's brother gave her a painting with the instruction to hang it so that it was the last thing she and her husband saw before going to bed at night. So if they were in the middle of an argument, they could look at the painting and say, "Oh, stop. Whatever it was, whatever you said, forget it," and go to bed with a twinkle in their eyes.

>> Create a Love List
If I'm feeling low, one of the best ways I know to perk up is to make a love list. It's simple, just a list of every single person I love. Then I follow it up with another list of all the people I know who love me. I can stash it in a pocket to take with me on a tough day, or just keep it in mind as I get on with my life.

>> Find Lost Friends
I recently took some time to follow up on the impulse I get every week or so to seek out people that I've lost touch with over the years. I don't know what we did before the Internet. It took only a little time to shoot a few quick emails around the country, and within 24 hours I had baby pictures, recent histories, and writing clips. But the interesting thing was that all three people I got in touch with had been thinking about contacting me a couple of days before getting my email. It was as if I had sent out a psychic detective to people I once had a very close connection with, and before I got around to following up, half the work had already been done. So the next time you think, "Hey, I wonder what ever happened to So-and-So," you might surprise them by tracking down their email address and telling them you got their psychic message.

>> Gossip
I know, I know, your mother was right when she told you not to gossip, but what about a new take on it? Why not get together and have a feel good gossip party, where the "omigosh" is not so much about scandal, but about celebration of the great things in your friends' lives?

>> Find Your Own Fountain of Youth
If you want to keep a spring in your step and a twinkle in your eye, all the while keeping senior moments and other more serious memory lapses at bay, one of the best things to do is to change your routine. Drive a different route to work, switch your right and left hands for everyday activities, eat dessert first, and wear your pajamas to work. Wait, no, that last one will get your family giving you worried looks for sure?

>> Think Positively
Did anyone ever tell you the glass is half full? Somebody told me once it depends whether you're pouring or drinking. Seriously, though, if you can figure out how to get optimistic and stay that way, you're home free. I'm not saying your problems are over, but simply looking at the world through rose-colored specs means that half your problems will look like exciting challenges, and the other half you'll probably realize aren't problems at all, just facts of life.

>> Go Out Dancing
Salsa. Two-stepping. Line and square dancing. Hippityhop, as my grandmother likes to say. Even if you're way past that college/post-college phase of going out clubbing to drink too much and hook up with hotties, you can still have a blast going out with your best friends for a night on the town. Loud music + exercise + adrenaline + mild social anxiety = guaranteed mood elevation.

>> Go to the Playground
I love to watch kids on the playground screaming with laughter about the silliest things. Completely invested in make-believe worlds, totally in their bodies, and overflowing with sensory awareness--that's the way to live.

>> Wish Upon a Star
The best time to see shooting stars that I know of is the Perseid meteor shower, which happens sometime during the second week of August. At its peak, on a moonless night away from city lights, you can see one to two shooting stars every minute. Imagine all those wishes coming true.

>> Create Your Own Soundtrack
In high school my friends and I used to sit for hours making mixed tapes for each other. Now it can all be done with a couple of mouse clicks, but the impulse is still great--to share the soundtrack of your life with someone you love. As you play it, it becomes shared background music for both your lives.

10 Ways to Handle Change
By Ariane de Bonvoisin [Adapted from "The First 30 Days: Your Guide to Any Change (and Loving Your Life More)" She is founder and CEO of First30Days.com, a company dedicated to helping people through life changes. Learn more at First30Days.com.]

Life's transitions are ultimately positive, even if they don't always feel it. Here's how to navigate them gracefully.

Everyone experiences change--it may be a job change, relationship change, health change, or a change you've initiated that suddenly seems daunting. If you find change difficult, you're not alone. Many people think change is hard. But it's possible for the change you're going through to be easier, smoother, and less stressful--you can find the positive in transitions and learn to love your life more...you can become a Change Optimist.

>> Remember That Change Happens to Us All
Change happens every day, to everyone; it's the one constant in life, the thing that connects us all. And whether life has thrown a change at you or you've sought one out, it's natural to find it difficult.

But I believe change is positive, that anyone can change (you're never too old or too young), and there are always ways to make change easier. It's time to learn one of life's most important skills: how to navigate change!

>> From Every Change, Something Good Will Come
People who are good at change always focus on the positive that will inevitably come from any transition. The gift that comes from change may not be related to what you're currently going through. For example, you may lose your job but find yourself in a rewarding new relationship that you wouldn't have had time to pursue.

Change may lead you to new people, help you develop a stronger faith and belief in yourself, give you new opportunities, or inspire you to live a healthier life. It's important to be on the lookout for good changes, and not necessarily where you expect to find them!

>> Your Beliefs About Change Are Your Foundation
What you think about change will have a direct effect on how easy or hard you find the process. If you believe that change is difficult and terrible, then you will probably have a difficult and terrible time. But if you believe that change exists to teach you something--to make you a better person and put you on a new path--the transition will not be so daunting. Identify your beliefs--what you think and say to yourself and others during change--and turn them around.

For example, if you are having financial trouble, you may think "I am incapable of managing money." Or if you're going through a difficult break-up, you may believe "I am unlovable." But you can trade these disempowering beliefs--and their accompanying negativity and complaining--for thoughts that will give you strength and hope.

>> Get 'Unstuck' with the Change GPS
Because of emotions brought up by change, it's easy to get stuck in the past and to lose your ability to move forward. You may feel trapped by these Change Demons, but you can get unstuck by turning on your Change GPS! A GPS navigator only asks two questions: "Where are you now?" and "Where do you want to go?" Your Change GPS helps you move through transitions by alerting you if you're off-course and encouraging you to focus on your final destination.

If you're hoping to lose weight, for example, be honest about where you stand today (how much you need to lose and the most realistic approach), then create a plan and stick to it. The GPS won't tell you what you did wrong yesterday or what you could have done differently; it simply keeps you moving along the path to your ultimate goal.

>> Turn to Your Change Support Team
It's normal to feel isolated during change. We often think what we are facing is so unique that no one else can help or understand us. But change is easier when you let other people in. Whatever the situation, there is always, always, someone who can help.

One of the quickest ways to embrace change and move through it is to surround yourself with a team of supportive people. They can be family, friends, clergy members, therapists, co-workers--or anyone else who might help you through a change. These people are there to listen, support, and encourage you. They believe you can change, they want you to change, and most importantly, they will keep you on a path of hope and optimism as you move through the transition.

>> Change Demons Are a Healthy Part of Change
Change Demons are disempowering feelings that arise during any change. These emotions--fear, doubt, impatience, shame, blame, and guilt--can wreak havoc with your self-esteem and destroy hope. But they also remind you how you don't want to feel during change so you can return to how you do want to feel.

When Change Demons visit, remember: 1) they are temporary; 2) they encourage you to make a choice--you can choose to feel better or worse than the emotion you are currently experiencing; and 3) they can be replaced with better, brighter emotions that will help you move through change with ease and grace. Faith, patience, endurance, and honesty are some positive emotions that can replace Change Demons.

>> Use Your Spiritual Strength
When everything is changing, it's important to find the part of yourself that doesn't change--your calm, centered, spiritual side, your higher self. It's the part that's connected to something greater and uses your intuition as a guide. You need to reconnect to it through prayer, meditation, nature, silence, or journaling...anything that helps you go back inside, where your true spirit and power reside.

While your lower self may slip into self-pity and hold grudges, your higher self doesn't allow you to become a victim, to blame someone else when things get difficult, or to get lost in anger. This side helps you shine in strength, compassion, and clarity. During change, make an effort to act from your higher self and ask: "What would the better, wiser, calmer part of me do or say or think right now?"

>> You Have a Change Muscle
Everyone is born with a will to survive, get better, and be happier--I call this the Change Muscle. It helps you accept the reality of your situation and find your center again. Every time you are faced with a change and move through it, you are activating that muscle. And once you flex it, it's strengthened for life--you can never lose all that you have gained from experience. Next time you're faced with transition, remember that your Change Muscle will give you the strength to get through it.

>> Accept Change
When change happens, you often look longingly back to what used to be. You don't like where the river of life seems to be taking you, so you cling to the rocks or row vigorously upstream--that's what makes change tough! Accept change by taking in your new circumstances without fighting, arguing, explaining, or asking "What if?" It may be difficult at first, but you will soon see that life will lead you through this change and into a place of greater happiness and peace.

Go in the direction that life is taking you. If it's a divorce, accept it; if it's a health diagnosis, accept it--only then can you focus on re-aligning yourself with a plan and an optimistic view that focuses on the future, not the past.

>> Take Action
People who are good at change stop talking and take positive action. Whether life has thrown you a change or you want to make a shift, get a journal and start writing down your feelings. Then make a plan that feels right and is realistic and hopeful. Next, start moving physically. Getting some form of exercise is an absolute must when going through change--don't forget the S.E.E.D of all change. (Sleep, Eat Well, Exercise, and Drink Water).

Doing something for someone else--helping a neighbor, calling a lonely friend, spending extra time with your child--will also help to keep you moving forward during change. You can also try something brand new--a new route home, a new class at the gym, a new restaurant, to get things flowing. During transitions it's also helpful to create a "wall of change" with images of what you want to shift and work towards.

What? A Blog? From me?...

I wish I could sign. Both images from Post Secret.

Something To Do...got this from my archive...thought I'd update it a bit...

Ten Years Ago: The year was 1998. I was 22. Started working for Uncle Boss if memory serves me right. Litemail was getting active as the days go by.

Five Years Ago: 2003. Attended my 10-year HS dinner/reunion. It was nice seeing some of my batchmates again. Even saw some guys who grew up nicely. Hee.

One Year Ago: April 2007. Not much going on. Keeping the long distance relationship going with NG. Nadine turned 8. Tatay turned 61.

Last month: March 2008. Had my medical examination for the visa interview requirement. It wasn't fun. Took two days. Been sick for almost a week for some reason that I had to go to the doctor for a check-up a week before my medical examination. Thank God it wasn't something major. I don't like being sick. Sigh. It's not fun to be in bed all day/night. SisterM was here for a month-long, much-needed, much-deserved vacation. Happy month.

Yesterday: Woke up from NG's text message. He was bummed that he had to take an hour extra at his 2nd job coz two people didn't show up. Chat was postponed because he didn't set the alarm for him to wake up for our chat. Times when I wish that I'm not in a long-distance relationship. Sucks at times. When you want to be there for someone but you can't since you're apart. Sucks. Big time. Sigh. I distracted myself from feeling sad about that fact by doing my weekend chores: handwashing my undies and ironing my clothes. Played computer games too. Napped in the afternoon. It was a lazy Sunday for me.

Five Songs I Know All The Words [or I think I know...heee] To:
How Do You Talk To An Angel by The Heights
You Oughta Know by Alanis Morissette
Baby I Love Your Way by Big Mountain
I'll Be There For You by The Rembrandts
Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey [only found out I know the words to this song when David Cook performed this song on AI]

Five Favorite Songs at the moment:
Low by Flo Rida
The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson
Touch My Body by Mariah Carey
Love Song by Sara Bareilles
Always Be My Baby by David Cook

Five Things I Would Do with 100 Million Dollars:
>> Give to charity
>> Give to the church
>> Share it with the people I love [give them things that they want that couldn't afford..there's always that one thing that we always want BUT we can't just afford no? If I can afford it, it's a done deal.]
>> Set up college funds for my cousin Nadine, my nephew Dylan, and my other nephews and nieces.
>> Finish a college course.

Five Things I Would Never Wear: Stiletto shoes, Corsets, Mini-skirts [O dear God!], yellow colored shirts, and those longish-biggie earrings.

Five Favorite [current] TV Shows: Ellen, House, Lost, American Idol, Wheel of Fortune [the US version]

Five Bad Habits: Worrying too much, Not getting enough sleep, Can be negative at times, Worrying too much, Thinking of bad case scenarios.

Five Biggest Joys: Talking to Nadine, Sleeping, surprise snail mail/card/postcard, getting massages, finding a purple undies for someone [this was just recent...hee]

Five Fictional Characters I Would Date:
Lloyd Dobler [John Cusack/Say Anything];
Peter Wright [Robert Downey Jr./Only You];
Noah Calhoun [Ryan Gosling/The Notebook];
Ed Stevens [Tom Cavanagh/Ed]
Sawyer [Josh Holloway/Lost]

This is the last week of April 2008. Where did the months go? Why does it feel fast yet it's slow at the same time? Am I making sense? I have a tummy ache right now. Does drinking coffee makes you do #2? Listening to David Cook's version of ALWAYS BE MY BABY on loop. [LOVE the version...] It's 3am-ish and I'm still awake. This is one of them days. Monday blues. I have somewhere to be today. Might miss work or the first half of it. Good thing it's a light work week as far as I know. I went to the dentist last weekend, had some work done, cost almost 20000 pesos. Yikes. The money I saved wasn't enough, had to borrow from my sisters. What else? Oh, I found out I can connect my Nokia6300 phone to my computer. Yay. I was able to transfer songs and pictures from my computer to my phone. I tried transferring a game but the file type is not supported by my phone. That's okay. I am happy that I was able to transfer songs and pics. I am tired but not that sleepy. Will just go for now. Have a fine last week of April 2008. Thanks for reading my blog. I am trying to keep my faith in every aspect there is. God Bless.

Seven Seven Seven...

Seven Ways to Restart Your Day
Beliefnet Feature from Oprah.com.

You've just woken up, and you're on the wrong side of the bed. Is there any way to switch to the other side? Absolutely.

For those times when your mind is addled, and your center is shaky; open this little black bag of cures and find your beautiful balance!

By Kathryn Matthews from O, The Oprah Magazine, October 2007

As soon as the alarm rings...
Spend your first 15 seconds awake planning something nice to do for yourself today. "This can really set you up in a good mood--even if it's just going by the farmers' market and getting fresh strawberries," says Alice Domar, PhD, whose next book--Be Happy Without Being Perfect: How to Break Free from the Perfection Deception--will be out in March 2008.

Get up.
The longer you lie there, the more you ruminate, the darker your outlook is likely to become, says Christine Padesky, PhD, coauthor of Mind Over Mood. So get vertical and make a cup of coffee, take a shower, feed the cat...

Drink...
Make that two glasses of water upon awakening, the time when our bodies are dehydrated, says Susan M. Kleiner, PhD, author of The Good Mood Diet. Dehydration causes fatigue, which affects your mood.

Move it.
You already know the number one way of chasing away a bad mood: exercise. A workout at the gym sure helps. But even just a few minutes of movement--a fast walk, for example--raises energy and reduces tension, says mood expert Robert Thayer, PhD, professor of psychology at California State University, Long Beach, and author of Calm Energy.

Investigate.
When you're dogged by anxiety or the dread you woke up with, try to pinpoint what's causing it. Did someone say anything the day before? Do you have a meeting today you wish you didn't? Was it the dream you were having when the alarm went off? "If you can figure out why you're upset, that's halfway to feeling better," says Domar.

Be kind and thankful.
This isn't exactly news, but generosity and gratitude are both big contributors to happiness, according to Todd B. Kashdan, PhD, who directs the Laboratory for the Study of Social Anxiety, Character Strengths, and Related Phenomena at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Do something nice for a stranger or friend and see if you don't feel better about yourself. Also, jot down three things that you're grateful for. It seems so simple, but counting your blessings just has a way of making you remember the sun is shining.

Laugh at yourself.
The best comedians point out the mundane aspects of life--relationship strife, a boring job, a closet full of too-tight clothes; they exaggerate those circumstances, and give us a perspective we can laugh about, says Mark Ridley, owner of the Comedy Castle in Royal Oak, Michigan. Look at your own life and try to appreciate the absurdity of what doesn't go exactly according to plan (the diets, the men, the buzz cut). Acknowledging how little control we actually have over what happens is sometimes a most freeing gift to yourself.

Seven Steps to Improving Relationships

By Rabbi Brad Hirschfield

Conflict is an inevitable part of life, but it need not always be painful. In fact, we all have within us the ability to sustain relationships even when we deeply disagree. When we reach our breaking point (as we all do), and need to walk away, we can do so in ways that make it more likely that we will come back together.

Here are seven ancient Talmudic steps to follow when confronted with a conflict. They create conversation--not denigration--and encourage us to talk about what matters most in ways that hurt the least.

1. Give Yourself a Break
Sometimes you need some distance-some time to cool off and reflect. But it should be just that, i.e., a limited amount of time after which you and the person with whom you are fighting agree to come back together and revisit the issues. A time out can be a great thing, as long as its design is to bring you back together.

2. Respect the Other Person's Dignity
The one whom you are in conflict with should never lose their value as a human being. No matter how right you think you are and how wrong they may be, don't deny their dignity; you will do more harm than good.

3. Experience Radical Empathy
We must do everything in our power to identify with the other person and their position before fighting for our own. Simply saying that we understand their point of view is not enough--be able to argue it well and present it as if you shared it yourself.

4. Acknowledge Your Partner's Wisdom
Before we can be their teacher, we must first become their student. We must accept that no matter how wrong someone is about one thing, they are unlikely to be wrong about everything. Nobody is smart enough to be 100 percent right or dumb enough to 100 percent wrong.

5. Know That Conflict Hurts Everyone
Appreciate that even when we are doing everything right in handling our relationships, we all pay a price when a conflict unfolds. Being right should not insulate us from feeling the pain that is a part of the conflict in which we are engaged.

6. Look First to Yourself
Even when we are right, we should always ask how we participate in creating and perpetuating the conflict. We all play the blame game sometimes, but it's important to point a thumb back at ourselves before a finger at the other person.

7. Remember, Being Right Is Not Enough
Remind ourselves that the only real justification for conflict with those about whom we care is that it addresses an issue, which is central to sustaining the relationship over time. If it's just about being right, then it probably isn't worth it.

My Seven American Idol Favorites...

It's been a lazy weekend for me. Was in bed most of the time. Watched a few movies. I recommend Juno. Across the Universe was ok, I didn't loved it but I didn't disliked it either. Though the guy who played Jude was easy on the eyes. Martian Child was good enough for me, John Cusack was they reason why I watched it anyways and he's always good for me. I love hearing him talk. SIGH. I also watched Dedication [Mandy Moore and Billy Crudup], hmmm, there are some movies that when you see who's in it, you get interested in, but when you start watching the movie, it's like, hmmmm, just have to finish the movie to see how it all ends, though, I pretty much knew what was coming. Hee. I like Mandy Moore. Billy was ok. Margot at the wedding stars Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jack Black, the movie is not a comedy. I don't know what to make of it. I'm glad it wasn't a long movie though. I still have to watch Into the Wild, Awake, Silk, The Bucket List, My Blueberry Nights to watch in the coming days.

Didn't really get to do productive things except I ironed some jeans and shirts Saturday night. I planned on cleaning [basically just arranging my what-not] my room but that didn't worked out. Hee.

Had semi-off chats with NG this weekend. We get those once in a while. There are times that you just want to be with someone and not talk right? But can't do that when you're in a long distance relationship. You can't be on YM and not type anything, the other might think you're mad or something. Can be tough times. Oh well. We tend to take it as it comes. Soon enough we'd get to spend time together and just be. No more looking at each other's webcams and all that. 3 years of doing that made me asked myself why did I agree on it in the first place? I'm not regretting it. It is what it is. Praying about things.

It's a brand new month, NG feels it will be our month, hoping for the best is all. My youngest sister will be arriving on Wednesday from Thailand [a pit stop from Dubai]. She texted me earlier saying that their flight from Dubai to Thailand was delayed. And she'll be arriving here in Manila on Wednesday instead of Tuesday. All good. Already have plans on taking her to a spa for a massage and what not. And she'll be celebrating her birthday here, she'll be 28. How time flies. Indeed. I feel my March will be good, if only for my sister being here, I think that's enough reason to yes? NG might be here too, if all things go as planned.

Here's to a good March for all of us. Keep that faith. God Bless.

February Twenty Five Twenty Oh Eight...

From Post Secret
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to sign? I never learned how to do this. I still could learn yes?

Korean baby covers Hey Jude...you must watch this...

From Monday's a Bitch:
1. Did you watch the Oscars last night? What did you think of them?
Woke up late for it. Saw bit parts. Saw James McAvoy. Not much into awards shows now than I used to.

2. Have you ever called in sick to work when you weren't really sick? What did you spend the day doing instead?
I try not to because karma is a bitch. The few times I've had, I just stayed in my room, whenever I feel down or something, it's not just easy to get up and pretend that you're okay when in fact, you're not, if you know what I mean.

3. In school did you ever have to serve detention? What for?
I cut class and got caught. First time I did it AND I got caught. Never did it again after that.

4. Have you ever had food poisoning? What did you eat that caused it?
No food poisoning. Though, I remember, years ago, during lunch, I ate just a bit of rice and pork asado, then ate LOTS of watermelon, was throwing up for quite a while.

5. Do you have any tattoos? If not, would you ever consider getting one?
I don't have any though there are times I wish I'd get one but I'm not too keen on the needles.

I don't get to watch Gossip Girl but isn't this guy too good looking? There are gay rumors buzzing around him, that he's with JC Chasez of NSYNC. One time, it was a news bit on ET that he's with Carrie Underwood. Hmmm. I don't care what his sexual preference is, he's easy on the eyes, I don't even know if he's a good actor. Hee. Not crushing on him but you just can't help but notice his good looks yes? Oh, his name is Chase Crawford btw.

Kids say the darndest things: [a brief conversation between me and my 8-year-old cousin Nadine]:
Nadine: Ate, ano ba yung condom, yun frenzy? [apparently she saw in on a TV commercial]
Me: Hindi mo pa maiintidihan kahit explain ko sa'yo, pag laki mo na lang.
Nadine: Try mo, baka maintindihan ko...
[She forgot about her question once we got to the chocolates section inside Watsons...heee...As far as I can remember, we just learn about those things as we grow up no? I can't remember how I learned about condoms. And even if I do remember, I will not tell it here. Hee. I do have a condom I got free from a Cosmo mag a few years ago, I have to find it and get rid of it, they have expiration right? The packet it came with is purple, that's why I kept it, I guess. A FRIENDS episode is flashing back right now, Ross calling the condom company...hee. I miss FRIENDS.]

I celebrated my birthday with the EBC gurls. We had body massages before our crabs, tofu and palabok dinner. We were online after dinner. We helped Eee start her own Multiply and Facebook accounts, yay. No VS, imagine that? No one really craved for it. Coffee, tea, popcorn and cakes are what kept us awake until we parted ways at 6am. It was a good way of celebrating my birthday. I pray I get to celebrate it with them again sometime soon.

This is the last week of February 2008. Where did it go? Next week, my youngest sister will be here for a month-long vacation. I can't wait for her to have it because she's been really swamped with work. Getting her vacation wasn't easy either. Her bosses didn't want her to go because they need her a lot. I told her that could by why the person before her resigned, because of too much work load. Hee. But she enjoys what she do. I think, I can say, she's pretty blessed that she enjoys what she does for a living. If only I could afford to give her a Macbook Pro for her birthday next month, I would, maybe someday, somehow. It's not impossible, will just take some time to get that. Can't wait to see her again next week. Yay. It was July 2006 that she was last here. I still am praying and wishing that one day, we'd all be in one timezone and we'll all just be a phone call away. Distance can be a bitch, thankful for the internet, text messaging that keeps us closer in some ways.

Have a good week ahead. Keep the faith and God Bless.

My Favorite Month...

This was the cover of the latest W Magazine. Saw it at a magazine store and I wanted to buy. It was Php599 though. I changed my mind. I don't wanna splurge on a magazine just because hottie McAvoy was on the cover.
Look at him! Hummina Hummina! Hotness! Hoping I'd get the mag on sale and take this pic and have it mounted on wood and/or plastic. It's been awhile since I had the urge to have a guy's pic mounted on wood. He's hot right? Or is it just me?

From Post Secret. Just gotta have perspective yes? We have so much more than what other people have. Must focus on the good in life than the bad. Easier said than done, I know. Keep our faiths. We must.

10 Ways to Bring the Sacred into Everyday Life

Got this from Beliefnet. Worth sharing.

Leave Work Earlier Than Usual
There is always one more phone call or one more email. Consciously stopping early once a week (at least one half-hour) affirms that we do not just live to work, but work as part of living.

Let Go of the Work Week
Cease doing and worrying about the work of the week. Practice gently letting go of thoughts and concerns about work that inevitably pop into mind and take over. Eventually these thoughts soften and recede. Sometimes I take a more scenic route home to help clear my mind.

Turn It Off
Set aside your BlackBerry, turn off your computer, set your cell phone to silent, at least as it relates to work. See how your consciousness shifts and how it doesn't. If you feel incredibly uneasy and even destabilized, you are being invited to discern new ways of taking control of your life.

Eat a Special Meal with Family or Friends
Taking time to reconnect to those we love expands our sense of who we are. Savoring our food (a new recipe once a week adds adventure) deepens our connection to the material world; candlelight invites us to bring forth more light from within and see beyond the surface.

Make Love with Intention
Take pleasure in the sensual part of life. Set aside a time to engage in some activity that creates greater intimacy with someone you love.

Give a Blessing to a Child in Your Life
Remember what it was like to feel genuinely blessed by an adult in your life. In a world in which children are so vulnerable, an adult's blessing is transformative and life-affirming.

Experience the Beauty of Nature
Take a walk or a bike ride; go for a drive or a hike. Experiencing the awe and wonder and amazement of the natural world creates a reverence for life--and gives the enlivening and ethical sense that we are each an interconnected part of such an infinite cosmos.

Engage in a Contemplative Practice
Find a contemplative, reflective, or centering practice that you can do regularly. This can take the form of reading from a wisdom text, listening to music that touches your soul, looking at art that engages the heart, or engaging in more traditional prayer or meditation. Try not to listen to the news.

Laugh
Laughter is a signal of transcendence. It reminds us that no matter what is happening in our lives, this too shall pass; it helps us to hold our absolutes humbly and keeps us from taking ourselves too seriously--all qualities that insure we can deal with whatever life throws at us.

Express Gratitude
Find five things for which to be grateful over the past week. Consciousness is like tofu. Its taste completely depends on what it is marinated in. When we "marinate" our consciousness in gratitude, we become more grateful people.

Bonus Practice: Take a Nap
Sleep restores the body, refreshes the spirit, and is the place of dreams.

Wanna make a million? Click me. Interesting, I must say.

It's February, my birth month and have to say one of my favorite months [the other being December]. I'll turn 32 this month. Yep. Can't believe that I'm 30-something sometimes but that's that. Just have to accept as the number of years add up each year. We can't prevent that. Just have to accept and live with it. Hee.

I'm not really into celebrating much. Been doing an alone day on my day for years. Though, that has changed recently because I have people who I like to celebrate it with. My EBC gurlfriends and for two consecutive birthdays, NG was here. So, that was quite a change indeed. This year, NG will not be here since we have to move his arrival until March so he could meet my youngest sister. And hopefully, we'd get that something that we both been waiting for since August 2006. Praying about it.

On my birthday, I hope to have a body massage with my gurlfriends. I hope we're all free on that day. Then dinner. Maybe, a quick VS? I don't know, it's been awhile since we had a VS coz of different things going on in our lives. I got busy at work. Doctora got busy with school. Eeee got even more busy with things. [Hee] Mrs. G busy with work too. We're all busy but it's
a must to get together once in a while to catch up yes? And hopefully, will get to do that on my birthday.

And if you're thinking of giving me something for my birthday, will make it easy for you, two words, BIRTHDAY CARD. Email me for my home address if you're up for it. Hee.

2nd month of 2008 is here. This work week is quite busy for me. I am hoping won't encounter any hassles along the way. Praying about it.

Here's wishing a good February for you and me. God Bless.

What's New?...Not Much Really...

My cousins and I just amused ourselves even if we're irritated inside since some people wanted to see what is inside our client's container. It's a regular shipment for crying out loud. They just want to see. Fine. Waste a day, come back the next day to have it examined. Grrrr. We now have 3 pieces of bottles, the next time they want to have it opened, will just show them the bottle, I hope that would suffice. Ah ewan AND if they thought they'd get something from having our client's container opened, boohoo, didn't get that group of people a single peso. Serves them right. They "examined" the containers they know they will not see any fault. Grrrr to them. You have straight papers and yet, you still get harassed by this effing people. That is not work for me, if you're becoming a hassle to someone else. Ah ewan. We have the same shipment this week, I wonder if we'll get by the mickey mouse club.

I finally got my passport last Tuesday. No corrections. Yay. I was asked by a friend why I didn't just had it delivered. My reason was, if there will be any corrections, at least, I'm there to have it corrected. Thankfully, no corrections. I saw some people who had corrections on their passports. I feel bad for them. After falling in line after line, they don't get your passport information right, that'll make me angry.


My nephew Dylan turned 7 last week, we had his birthday celebration last Sunday @ Shakeys. It went fine. A good turnout. We're happy we got to do that for him. We didn't get to have that kind of celebration back when we turned 7. I remember, I had a party as well, even had lechon, but times are changing.

CUTENESS times two...

My cousins wanted to take one baby home...heee...God bless them babies.

Heath Ledger passed away last week. Sad.

Novak Djokovic won the 2008 Australian Open. Happy for him.

I recommend Atonement. James McAvoy can CRY. Men who can cry, gotta love them

NKOTB [New Kids On The Block] will have a comeback? Hmmm. Interesting.

Maroon5 tix are pricey for me, might not go, don't know.

LOST starts its new season this week.

NG turned 36 last Friday, he said, he's old. I told him not to say that in front of my other friends who are a few years older than him. Or else, he'll get whacked in the head. Hee.

I wanna watch Alvin and the Chipmunks. Jason Lee is in it.

I'm doing a "project" on the emails NG and I have been exchanging since December 2004, it's not easy as I thought it would be. NG sent me 11588 emails as of today and I replied to most, if not all of them, multiply that by two, that'll be 23176 emails. Sheesh. I don't think I'm gonna finish that "project." I planned on it back in 2006 but just got keep getting set aside and now, the number of emails is overwhelming. Oh well. At least, I don't have a deadline. Whatever. I started 2 weeks ago. And I only got as far as emails dated January 13, 2005. Might not finish this "project" if I get tired. Hee. We were crazy kids for sending 20++ emails a few years ago. Nowadays, it's just 3 or 4 mails a day during the week, we get rest on emails during the weekends. In time, no more mails, if things work out as we hope they will be. Praying on that. 3 years of long distance is quite enough me feels. It's time for short distance, wanna try that soon.

This is the last week of January 2008. Can you believe it? I can't. Time is really an AMAZING thing.

Here's hoping we have a good last week of January 2008. Keeping the faith. God Bless.