GRATEFUL. THANKFUL. BLESSED.

Life has been good to me for the past 22 years of my life. The combination of happiness and sadness, and success and failure makes every step of this life worthwhile. As Voltaire once said, “God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.” To live well is what I am looking forward on this 23rd year of my journey and I know I can live it well with beautiful people surrounding me. 

With this, I thank everyone who gave a minute of their time to greet me and make me feel loved on my special day. All of it are truly appreciated. All of it are reminder that I should continue being a blessing for others and appreciating all the blessing I am receiving. All of it make me want this gift of life to be lived well.

From the bottom of the heart of this girl, THANK YOU! :)

     xoxo

AUGUST: Favorite Month ♥

Favorite of the month is here! Hooray for the 8 months of waiting! :)

As I've mentioned, August is my favorite month. First, because it is my birth month and second is because I don't know if it is just coincidence but good things usually happen during this month of the year. 

There's just one thing I don't want about it — RAIN. Oh well, I know I cannot get rid of it so I've learned to enjoy celebrations with it. 

I don't usually wish for any material thing on my birthday (err, I'm turning 23!). I only wish for my loved ones good health. But let me have this simple wish for myself now: for time to slow down. I always feel so happy during this month that time really flies so fast!

It's the 1st of August today. I have 30 days left to enjoy before Ber months, which are the fastest months of the year, come.

P.S.
I also love December but not as much as August :)

     xoxo

Few Lines

More than writing, which I admit I seldom do nowadays, I also love to watch movies (especially love stories), which I am up to now. Upon watching, I always look forward to those lines that will catch my attention, touch my heart, and will stay in my mind. This is a compilation of few lines from the movies I watched last week:

“I’m not sure anyone’s life turns out exactly the way they imagine. All we can do is to try to make the best of it. Even when it seems impossible.”

—	Safe Haven

“But loving someone, and being loved means so much to me. We always make fun of it and stuff. But isn’t everything we do in life a way to be loved a little more?”

—	Celine, Before Sunrise

"Only if you find peace within yourself will you find true connection with others." 

— Palm Reader, Before Sunrise

“You can never replace anyone because everyone is made up of such beautiful specific details.”

—	Celine, Before Sunset

“Memories are wonderful things, if you don’t have to deal with the past.”

—	Celine, Before Sunset

“Life’s hard. It’s supposed to be. If we didn’t suffer, we wouldn’t learn a thing.”

—	Jesse, Before Sunset

“And one thing was absolutely certain - life had never been sweeter.”

—	Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

“There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination.”

—	Willy Wonka, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

“I do not need a reason to be angry with God.”

—	Jamie, A Walk to Remember

“But our love is like the wind. I can’t see it but I can feel it.”

—	Landon, A Walk to Remember

“If some lives form a perfect circle, others take shape in ways we cannot predict or always understand. Loss has been a part of my journey. But it has also shown me what is precious. So has a love for which I can only be grateful.”

—	Theresa, Message in a Bottle

"Choose between yesterday and tomorrow. Pick one. And stick with it." 

 — Dodge, Message in a Bottle

There are still lots of good lines from different movies. Some we love because they teach us lessons and some just because we can relate to them. But here's one of my all-time favorites (also used in 'A Walk to Remember'):

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

— 1Corinthians 13:4-7

    xoxo

Why?

So, yes. Here I am again after months of not updating this blog. No excuses this time :)

Why? A simple and short question that we always use, ask and hear. We are used to use the question 'why' whenever we can't understand things that are happening. We usually ask 'why' whenever we want an explanation. We actually use it whenever we are not satisfied with the answer given to us. We usually see questions answerable with yes or no with 'why' that follows after. Why is there need for an explanation? To know the worth of our answer? To defend our answer? Or just to convince the reader to believe you? But we never realize that most of the times, the question 'why' aren't that important.

In this phase of my life, I learned not to ask 'why' too often. Of course, I still do but I just realized that in this life, I don't have to question everything around me. Instead, I have to understand that things happens for a purpose. In fact, I am glad that upon looking back, I can't remember any chance that I question God about anything. Maybe I am just lucky or I just learn to be grateful for whatever it is that I have in my life. 

Trials may come. We may feel down at times. Things may not go our way but trusting instead of asking why is better. There really are times when we will not understand what is going on but believing that we are strong and we can make it will keep us going. Yes, it may be hard but soon, it will be worth it. 

While asking why is what we are used to do when we don't understand things, it is still and will always be good to do something and stop asking. Everything will pass but having one God will always remain.

And yes, I can feel my age while typing this. For sure, as I continue my journey, more realizations will come and I'll always be glad to share it here.

xoxo

This Good Friday...

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son." -John 3:16

This Good Friday, we will be reminiscing the death of our Lord who died for us. He suffered, accepted the cross, and died to save us from our sins. He died to give us life.

This Good Friday, let our day not pass without praying and saying thank you for His gift of life and unconditional love. By acknowledging what He did for us, we can at least understand the meaning of our lives. 

This Good Friday, may forgiveness be in our hearts. Let us forget about the hatred, anger and let peace and love be in us.

This Good Friday, we may opt to celebrate the holiday with our family but let us at least spare some time to stop what we are doing to pray and reflect.

This Good Friday, 3:00 p.m., let us remember how God gave His son and let Him died to save us which is the true meaning of Lenten Season. 

     xoxo

Looking Back on 2012 as I Welcome 2013 ♥

As my yearly way of welcoming another year, I always post a look back on all the memorable/significant things that happened in the year that have past. I always cherish everything that happens to me because good or bad, I know that we will learn on it. 

Now, let me start.

JANUARY

• My friend, Ghe, got married and now carries the name of Mrs. Geraldyn Jano-Amul. I thank God for another phase of her life.

• Celebrated Chinese New year with my family. God let the start of my year be the best one by allowing us to see each other again. We seldom celebrated occasions together but there is nothing impossible with God. Thankyou, Lord! :)

FEBRUARY

• We got a treat for a job working hard. Holiday season has been a tiring season for employees like us and because we work hard, a treat was given to us: A very relaxing stay at Wensha Spa.

• Another year came yet another life was taken. This month, one of the music icon, Whitney Houston, died. We all mourned but the thought that she has touched our lives helped us understand her death.

MARCH

• I was invited to be the guest speaker of my Alma Mater, Bagong Nayon IV Elementary School during the preschool graduation. I always believe that all of us has the power of touching lives and I am grateful that I have given the chance to touch theirs.

• Lileth and I weren't lovers but yes, we celebrate anniversary of us, being  working girls. We both started working together during our college days (while waiting for our graduation) until we part ways and work separately. Now, I am glad that we are both happy to where we are now. Last year's our 2nd year! 

APRIL

• Lenten season is always part of me, being a Catholic. We must give thanks to the sacrifice that God has done for us. A day of reflection. A day of giving thanks. Thankyou, Lord, for dying for us. 

MAY

• May is mothers' month. I am always looking forward for this month because I always want my mom to feel more special on this day. I am grateful for having a mother who is not just beautiful, but a caring and loving one.

• First time in Baguio. I had a lot of fun in Baguio with friends. We grabbed every chance we had during our stay. I love the cold breeze and the beautiful scenery of every place we visited. An escape to the heat of city made me love Baguio. Another dream also came true, I had a chance to pick strawberries with my own hands! :) 

• Celebrated Ang Tipulo Festival. The colorful SUMAKAH (Suman, Kasoy, Hamaka) Festival always gives life to the city. With the colorful costumes and lively performances of each participant from different parts of the city, one will surely love to witness it. I am very grateful that I have given the chance to be part of this significant event of the city. Being an employee in the City Government of Antipolo, we are also part of the program which usually starts with a parade.

JUNE

• After mother's day is always father's day. We all know that we were not living with our father but it is still one of the things that I am also looking forward. I always want to thank my Papa for making us feel loved even if he's miles away.

JULY

• Life is really a roller coaster ride. This month has been a very challenging one for me because I almost undergo an operation. Blessed that I am, I was able to surpassed the challenge without any surgery. Thankyou, Lord!

• We all thanked the Philippines' Comedy King, Dolphy for the laughter that he shared with us. He passed away at the age of 83. May he rest in peace.

AUGUST

• My favorite month because it is my birth month. I am now 22. I am very thankful that I know, from the deepest part of my heart, that I have a lot to be thankful for. From family, friends, down to all those who love me, you're all part of where I am today and why I am feeling this way. Above all, thankyou, Lord for the gift of life, THANKYOU, LORD! :)  

• I am also thankful because I now have this man who never stops supporting me all the way ♥

SEPTEMBER

• Being overwhelmed by the past month gave me the idea of sharing a story from Paulo Coelho's blog entitled "The Circle of Joy" which reminded us of sharing love, goodness, and happiness without asking for it because it will all surely come back to us.

OCTOBER

• This month has been a very busy month for us, government employees. I have nothing to share, only the love that I am always willing to give. Peace! :)

• Baby Johann's baby shower led us to a small get together. I missed my EI Friends! 

• The Bears of Joy started the warm celebration of love for us. Christmas means sharing. I always believe that you don't have to have so much for you to be able to extend help to others. In fact, those who are needy really don't need much. Whatever we share, if it is from our hearts, it is more than enough. Anyway, material things aren't just the way to share, it is sharing LOVE and HAPPINESS that is more important ♥ 

DECEMBER

• It's just last week when I greet everyone with a Merry Christmas! Let us not forget that this day isn't just about the material gifts that we will receive. Instead, it is about the love and happiness that we will share with everyone. Most of all, it is all about the celebration of our Father in Heaven's birth. Remember, He is the reason why we have this season. I hope everyone had a great Christmas :)

• Launched our new blog, La Vita e Bella which means Life is Beautiful.This blog will feature places that you will surely love. And yes, it will be an account of two persons who both love to travel, eat, and try new and not-so-new things. Check it here http://mnmloveslife.blogspot.com ♥

• Thanked and bid goodbye to 2012. This year was full of twist and turns but all I know is that I am grateful and very much blessed for what God has given me. I may not have all that I want but I know that what I have is enough for me. I am also thankful for all the people surrounding me who became part of my 2012.  God bless us all! :)

Dear 2012,

          Thank you for all the wonderful things including the love and happiness that you brought into my life. I may say goodbye but everything about you will forever be in my heart. Now, I can happily look forward for the year ahead. THANKYOU SO MUCH! :)

xoxo