getting older, day by day :)

For the first time in forever, and after so many years, priorities are starting to kick in my life. Recently I just added another year in my life, and perhaps I should owe these setting of priorities with the change in age. It's not that I don't want fun anymore, but I guess I wanted to be more serious about what I plan and envision of my future.

I guess I'm no longer the overly excited gal who would want to go home late and party left and right. Whenever I go home late, I feel uncomfortable sometimes. Part of me wants to rest and just spend my time meaningfully either reading, cooking, sleeping, watching a movie, going to church, and talking/bonding with my family and pet. I don't know if this is abnormal, but I seem to starting to bid goodbye to the wee hours of the night girl- who can still stay up at 3am and go to work at 5 in the morning. We are really getting older, indeed. Maybe because our body ages as we grow older, too. Needless to say, I don't dread all the changes. In fact, I am openly adapting to it.

I also came to realize that nothing is perfect in life and love. I learned to love and accept my family for who they are, and even for what they are not. Even if my boyfriend and I do have occasional fights, part of me would always go for quick reconciliation, and I really try my best to understand that nothing is perfect, and he's also trying his best to understand and accept me, despite all my quirkiness and stubbornness. At the end of the day, I know we choose to make a relationship work, and despite all the odds, you just won't give up. I know there are still more trials and hurdles to come my way, our way, but I just close my eyes and utter a meaningful prayer. All will be well, I just have to keep the faith.

Recently, I learned to value myself for who I am, and try my best to work on self-improvement. The improvement need not to be physical, but it's more of the emotional and spiritual side. I learned to appreciate the beauty in me, that I will never be perfect, and no one is. But still, I have been given much talents which I can use to help and inspire others. I know that I should learn to humble myself and acknowledge my faults, because humility will always make a better person out of me. If I am wrong, I should admit it, even if it is still hard. I am admittedly a person full of pride, but believe me, I am trying day by day.

Also, There are mistakes which I made, and perhaps are already irreparable. As it is, I should constantly strive to look at life in another light. It's no use crying over spilled milk, which goes to say, there are people who I have to let go, because I know I should learn to love myself, too. It won't hurt a bit if I value myself because I deserve it more than anything else. This time, I know I should give myself the love and respect I deserve. It's a painful process I have to endure, but I remain steadfast in my belief that there is no trial given to us that we cannot overcome.

My life is still far from perfect. But this time, even with all the failures, I want to live life with a clear purpose. I have to work harder because I want a good future for my family, and the family I will build in the future with the man I love. I want to enjoy life as a single lady and make my life productive as ever. One day, I know I will have to settle down and prioritize being a mother and wife to my husband and our future kids. I want to be a good mother and wife, too. And that can only be achieved and fulfilled if I make the most out of my life while I'm single.

I am setting my priorities straight this time. Life is tough, and so am I. I am still praying that all these dreams of mine will be fulfilled, in His perfect time. :)

Lady, you are worthy of LOVE

My Dearest Lady,

I heard that you are crying again last night. You might wonder how I knew about it, but it does not matter anymore. It pains me to know you are crying and shedding tears for someone who does not even seem to care for your feelings. Leaving you hanging, groping, waiting, and guessing... it has all been the same and I know that after sometime, it gets tiring too. Every night of crying, you start to ask yourself if you really are a trash, after being dumped and maybe played with several times. Is it a vicious cycle? My dear, you have the power to cut it off. You might be a victim, but it does not mean you will be miserable for all eternity.

You have the power to believe, and it has to start with having that conviction in yourself. For once, go convince yourself that you are not a rubbish, that you are priceless, and that you deserve the best. After all, loving should start with yourself. You cannot demand others to love you, then hate yourself in the process. You are unique and extraordinary, and if you only dig deeper, you will see that beauty that no one ever has. You are wonderfully and fearfully made. Believe in your beauty, and nurture it. Cultivate the talents and gifts given to you, and certainly, you will make such an impact, a difference.

Let go of the persons who have nothing to do but doubt yourself. Perhaps they are not so good for you, and they too, have insecurities and problems to deal with. True, life will be filled with such craps, but it's actually a matter of learning when it's enough, over, and too much. It's definitely not bad to be patient my dearest. But trust your instincts, because a woman's intuition, is her greatest weapon. I'm not telling that you be doubtful either. However, when people are pushing you to the edge, learn to set them aside, and for once, think of yourself. Guard thy heart, lady. How can you give love to others if your heart has been shattered, wounded, and devastated, after all those pain? Even if we cannot avoid all the hurts, it's not such a wise choice to jump into it, either. Life is all about making wise decisions, and it is no longer intelligent if same mistakes have been done, and the lesson takes forever to sink in. Bear in mind, that mistakes are repeated so you will learn.

I just want you to be strong and learn to stand up for yourself, this is not bad, but for your own good. You live in a dog-eat world, where you will be preyed against devouring and ravenous creatures, but do not be afraid. I want you to be strong so that you will have both feet stronghold and you will never be fooled and easily swayed. You are a woman of character, strength, and nobility. Why not? You actually bore the world in your womb. You nourish and nurture mankind, because you have that capacity to love and to care. Don't let that dream of yours be trampled upon just because of people who cannot do anything but to just hurt you, doubt your abilities, and make you cry. You might fail and stumble, but let me tell you that there is always someone who will believe in you. So stand up and dust off the dirt on your feet, go wipe your tears, get that smile back on your beautiful face, walk on... face life without fear. You can definitely do it.

I know that your heart is full of love and that you will wholly share it with the world. If you are still doubting your value, let me tell you that you are worthy of that love. The world may break your heart into the tiniest pieces, but hold on to that belief, still... that you are worthy of that love. If tears stream down on your cheek, resist the doubt, you are worthy of love. Romantic, filial, or platonic... you deserve all such love, because you are special in your own way, and you are always worth it. What I just want you to do is to believe, and to start loving and valuing yourself from now on. Don't be afraid to ask, but learn the difference of asking, and demanding. Have the courage to go for your dreams and heart's desires. Allow people to treat you special, but don't grow bratty or spoiled. For once, don't be ashamed and afraid to be given what is due to you. You deserve that, you surely do. And when you have been given so much that it overflows, remember to give thanks and share your blessings to others.

I hope that insecurities and doubts will not find its home in your heart. You cannot fulfill your dreams with those barricades, as they hinder you to see the beauty and promises of the world. So should people throw you with mockery, listen to the inner voice, telling you.. you are special. And if someone attempts to break your heart once again, believe that as always, you are worthy of being loved. Go tell yourself "I am a woman. I am precious. I deserve to be treated the way I should be. I deserve to be respected, cared for, and valued. I am always ready and capable of loving and caring. I am worthy of LOVE."

Go forth and sail. Dry those tears now. Believe. Inspire. Create. Feel. PRAY and LOVE.

Thank you for the 24 years :)

Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood. - Helen Keller

Words cannot express how much thankful I am to God for giving me 24 years of my life. It has been a roller-coaster of a ride- sometimes I am up, sometimes down. Nevertheless, it has truly been a remarkable experience. For every teardrop that fell in my eyes, I know there is a lesson to learn and for every smile and laughter, I know there are moments to remember. Even though my life at the age of 24 is still far from perfection, and maybe will never be, I am on the point of being contented and starting to be grateful for all the blessings showered upon me. Indeed, despite all what I've been through, I believe I am overly blessed to be stressed.

I will not become the person that I am today if not for the painful sharpenings that happened in my past. There will be times that I shed tears for lingering questions which I cannot answer, but I always tell myself that what does not kill me, makes me stronger. Because I stumbled once, I learned how to dust off the dirt on my knee, heal the wounds, get up, and move on. If life does not give me what I want, I learned to shrug it off, and just keep calm and relax. If life gives you lemons, then make lemonades. Moments of sadness and pain is an opportune time for me to reflect and contemplate on my current state in life. It makes me realize that I have people who I can depend on, and I am given the skill to channel my melancholy on other productive things. I cannot and should not wallow on loneliness, forever. I am the master of my fate and the captain of my soul, I steer the ship to the direction that I want. I chose to let go of bitterness and accept myself for who I am and even for what I am not. I am not perfect, but I am learning to love myself more each day. The hardships I have been through served to make me stronger just as a gem cannot be polished without friction, nor can a life be perfected without trials. Experience and trials are what make me the person I am now. I will never learn to appreciate the glorious and bountiful days of my life, if not for those dreary and weary seasons where I almost gave up life and lose hope in the process. Much is still to be learned, to go through, to discover, but as I grow older and shall I say wiser... I am less afraid. So even with my life's up and downs, it's alright. I still believe, life is beautiful, even when dark clouds are on their way. The sun will dawn on me one day, that is always certain. :)

It's true that as you age you learn to accept things with maturity and grace. There are people and things which I may never have at all, but perhaps, there's a better reason (even if that I still cannot fathom). Things happen and do not materialize at times for the greater good. Maybe not now, or not ever, but who knows? I learned to tone down a bit, relax and calm my nerves, give myself the peace and sleep I rightfully deserve, and laugh at my silliness and foolishness rather than making a big deal out of it. Life is too short for me to dwell on what's not, or the what ifs. What matters to me now is the present, that I will do my best and give it my all and whatever will become of my future, is something which I do not make myself anxious about. Even if disappointments and frustrations came my way, and with people hurting or failing me, I get by and stand tall. What good will it give me if I sulk inside a cold dark room and shed bitter tears? Nothing. I chose to go out, feel the warmth of the sun, enjoy the company and love of the people around me, and experience new things because that is what makes me living. There will always be someone way better, successful, attractive or prettier than me. But I want the people around me to remember not for my intelligence nor my charm, but for the way I influence or inspire them and with the memories worth reminiscing that we once shared. 


For the first time in so many years that had gone by, I'd like to exclaim that I am happy...inside and out. There is nothing that can stop me for achieving my goals, dreams, and aspirations in life. The joy that comes within is overwhelming and I am proud to say that after so long, I realized that I should not depend on others for my happiness. I want to excel and help others, and doing so makes me happy and at peace with myself. I still want to write more, travel to places I have never been, meet more people who shares the same dreams and aspirations as I do. I still want to be a mother and wife in God's perfect time. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. And though I am not invincible and I have an expiration date too  (that ony God knows when), I am ready to be unstoppable and conquer the world in my own and good way. :)

To my beloved family, thanks for the countless support and for accepting me regardless of my flaws, whims, and capriciousness. We are not the ideal family, but I will not exchange what I have for other families in the world. Thank you for teaching me greatest life's lessons such as perseverance, fortitude, faith in God, independence, and optimism. Much I owe to you because I was able to face life knowing I am well-equipped with the needed gears. You will always be special in my heart, and I want to achieve more because I want to give back everything. Sorry for my shortcomings and for my bad hair days, still and all, thank you for staying with me for 24 beautiful years.

To my friends, colleagues, church mates, students, and love of my life: thank you for all the inspiration and the beautiful memories. I look forward each day of my life because I am blessed with wonderful people who enables me to learn lessons which will help me mature and have a positive outlook in life. Thank you for all the words of wisdom, compliments, sincere and honest criticism, sound advice, buckets of laughter we shared over jokes and some silly conversations. I may not be a millionaire in cash, but I am a billionaire in relationships with good people and memories worth reminiscing. I thrive and survive because I have people who make me believe in my skills, talents, and abilities. And as Stevie Wonder says, I will sing to myself "what a wonderful world..."

And for those who hurt me in one way or another, thank you for the tears in my cheek and for the wounds in my heart which mold me to a better and stronger person. It was a painful process, but I will not be toughened if I do not meet people who made me doubt myself, broke my heart, and left me. I survived, and now am flying and sailing with flying colors. For making me the brave girl I am, thank you!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you God for the 24  wonderful years. The joy and contentment that I feel radiates from the hope coming from you. Thank you for loving me as I am- despite my many failures as your child. Thank you for mending my broken heart, for helping me pick up the pieces, for making me see how beautiful and promising life is, and for giving me people who are willing to love me no matter what happens. You always save me when I am bottom pit and when everything seems bleak and hopeless. Life is undeniably amazing, because of You are a generously gracious God. What would become of me without You? That I really wonder. Finally, I learned to love myself. I never really know that happiness is something that you give to yourself, since I drew myself closer to you. I may stumble and fall again and may have wounds more difficult to heal in the future, but with You giving me strength, I can face and defy all the odds and storms in my life. Thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for the gift of inner happiness. Thank you for letting me know You better each day. That in all things, I yearn to glorify you, Lord. I love you and I always will.

I have the best 24 years of my life. I am just so blessed to have one. Thank you for joining me in this journey. :) I shall still see all of you.

Happy 24th birthday Ellen Marie. :) Keep calm, Pray, and enjoy life!

Rejoice and Ignore the Noise!

An article for the JUMP Series of the Makati Feast. Enjoy reading! :)

In a world where confusion and chaos are everywhere, it is a challenge to embrace silence. When our hearts are filled with fear and minds clouded with doubt, will hope still abound? In such a disturbing situation, the greatest consolation we have is we can always “Rejoice in the hope of the glory of God,” and “God clearly knows His plans for us.” We should never underestimate the power of hope, as this is where successful people come from.

How difficult is it to live a future full of hope? It is a challenge we face because of the different kinds of “barking dogs” which surround our life. We are afraid of people’s opinion and we can’t achieve our dreams because we think of what they will say. Never try to be someone you are not, the only way you can inspire others is by being yourself. There are also uncontrollable frustrations after falling for several times, so it is hard to get up and try. Focus on your past and be paralyzed, focus on your future and be inspired. The key is to envision what you want to become.

Have you ever been surrounded by people who can’t see the beauty in anything? These barking dogs are the negative people or dream stealers. Be with people who have that zest and passion for life, then you will imbibe the same outlook and hope. Your past failures may also hinder you, but just because you failed in the past doesn’t mean you will fall again. When you feel things are falling apart, that means things are falling into place. Should it fail, then it is an opportunity to learn. Someday those biggest problems will become your biggest blessings.

Surely the barking dogs, feeling of fear, inferiority, and hopelessness are inevitable. Don’t stop at every dog that barks, just keep on walking, ignoring the noise, and listening to God’s voice. There will come a day when you will just laugh at your problems. Then we can say: “it is possible to rejoice in the midst of all tribulations, because our hope coming from God springs eternal.” 

30 things to stop doing to yourself

When you stop chasing the wrong things you give
the right things a chance to catch you.

As Maria Robinson once said, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”  Nothing could be closer to the truth.  But before you can begin this process of transformation you have to stop doing the things that have been holding you back.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Stop spending time with the wrong people. – Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you.  If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you.  You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot.  Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth.  And remember, it’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst that are your true friends.
2. Stop running from your problems. – Face them head on.  No, it won’t be easy.  There is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them.  We aren’t supposed to be able to instantly solve problems.  That’s not how we’re made.  In fact, we’re made to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall.  Because that’s the whole purpose of living – to face problems, learn, adapt, and solve them over the course of time.  This is what ultimately molds us into the person we become.
3. Stop lying to yourself. – You can lie to anyone else in the world, but you can’t lie to yourself.  Our lives improve only when we take chances, and the first and most difficult chance we can take is to be honest with ourselves.  Read The Road Less Traveled.
4. Stop putting your own needs on the back burner. – The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.  Yes, help others; but help yourself too.  If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.
5. Stop trying to be someone you’re not. – One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you likeeveryone else.  Someone will always be prettier, someone will always be smarter, someone will always be younger, but they will never be you.  Don’t change so people will like you.  Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.
6. Stop trying to hold onto the past. – You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one.
7. Stop being scared to make a mistake. – Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing.  Every success has a trail of failures behind it, and every failure is leading towards success.  You end up regretting the things you did NOT do far more than the things you did.
8. Stop berating yourself for old mistakes. – We may love the wrong person and cry about the wrong things, but no matter how things go wrong, one thing is for sure, mistakes help us find the person and things that are right for us.  We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past.  But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.  Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.
9. Stop trying to buy happiness. – Many of the things we desire are expensive.  But the truth is, the things that really satisfy us are totally free – love, laughter and working on our passions.
10. Stop exclusively looking to others for happiness. – If you’re not happy with who you are on the inside, you won’t be happy in a long-term relationship with anyone else either.  You have to create stability in your own life first before you can share it with someone else.  Read Stumbling on Happiness.
11. Stop being idle. – Don’t think too much or you’ll create a problem that wasn’t even there in the first place.  Evaluate situations and take decisive action.  You cannot change what you refuse to confront.  Making progress involves risk.  Period!  You can’t make it to second base with your foot on first.
12. Stop thinking you’re not ready. – Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises.  Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first.
13. Stop getting involved in relationships for the wrong reasons. – Relationships must be chosen wisely.  It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company.  There’s no need to rush.  If something is meant to be, it will happen – in the right time, with the right person, and for the best reason. Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely.
14. Stop rejecting new relationships just because old ones didn’t work. – In life you’ll realize that there is a purpose for everyone you meet.  Some will test you, some will use you and some will teach you.  But most importantly, some will bring out the best in you.
15. Stop trying to compete against everyone else. – Don’t worry about what others are doing better than you.  Concentrate on beating your own records every day.  Success is a battle between YOU and YOURSELF only.
16. Stop being jealous of others. – Jealousy is the art of counting someone else’s blessings instead of your own.  Ask yourself this:  “What’s something I have that everyone wants?”
17. Stop complaining and feeling sorry for yourself. – Life’s curveballs are thrown for a reason – to shift your path in a direction that is meant for you.  You may not see or understand everything the moment it happens, and it may be tough.  But reflect back on those negative curveballs thrown at you in the past.  You’ll often see that eventually they led you to a better place, person, state of mind, or situation.  So smile!  Let everyone know that today you are a lot stronger than you were yesterday, and you will be.
18. Stop holding grudges. – Don’t live your life with hate in your heart.  You will end up hurting yourself more than the people you hate.  Forgiveness is not saying, “What you did to me is okay.”  It is saying, “I’m not going to let what you did to me ruin my happiness forever.”  Forgiveness is the answer… let go, find peace, liberate yourself!  And remember, forgiveness is not just for other people, it’s for you too.  If you must, forgive yourself, move on and try to do better next time.
19. Stop letting others bring you down to their level. – Refuse to lower your standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs.
20. Stop wasting time explaining yourself to others. – Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it anyway.  Just do what you know in your heart is right.
21. Stop doing the same things over and over without taking a break. – The time to take a deep breath is when you don’t have time for it.  If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.  Sometimes you need to distance yourself to see things clearly.
22. Stop overlooking the beauty of small moments. – Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and discover they were the big things.  The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.
23. Stop trying to make things perfect. – The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists, it rewards people who get things done.  Read Getting Things Done.
24. Stop following the path of least resistance. – Life is not easy, especially when you plan on achieving something worthwhile.  Don’t take the easy way out.  Do something extraordinary.
25. Stop acting like everything is fine if it isn’t. – It’s okay to fall apart for a little while.  You don’t always have to pretend to be strong, and there is no need to constantly prove that everything is going well.  You shouldn’t be concerned with what other people are thinking either – cry if you need to – it’s healthy to shed your tears.  The sooner you do, the sooner you will be able to smile again.
26. Stop blaming others for your troubles. – The extent to which you can achieve your dreams depends on the extent to which you take responsibility for your life.  When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility – you give others power over that part of your life.
27. Stop trying to be everything to everyone. – Doing so is impossible, and trying will only burn you out.  But making one person smile CAN change the world.  Maybe not the whole world, but their world.  So narrow your focus.
28. Stop worrying so much. – Worry will not strip tomorrow of its burdens, it will strip today of its joy.  One way to check if something is worth mulling over is to ask yourself this question: “Will this matter in one year’s time?  Three years?  Five years?”  If not, then it’s not worth worrying about.
29. Stop focusing on what you don’t want to happen. – Focus on what you do want to happen.  Positive thinking is at the forefront of every great success story.  If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll often find that you’re right.
30. Stop being ungrateful. – No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life.  Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs.  Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.

From: http://www.bspcn.com/2012/02/03/30-things-to-stop-doing-to-yourself/

She Is Fire. You Are Ice. And You Are Afraid That Her Slow Burn Will Smolder Your Cool, Hard Demeanor.

Delete her number.

Stop ringing her. Stop messaging her. Stop making excuses to see her, to drop by her place.

Erase her name from memory. Remove yourself from her life, more completely than you would like but as completely as she deserves. Move on, so that you can allow her to also move on. When you close your eyes, you don’t get to see her face. Not anymore. You don’t get to think about her lips, the warm glow of her skin when she rests next to you, or how she squeezes your hand in her sleep. You are not allowed to remember the smell of her perfume, that she only drinks mint tea (with two dollops of honey), or that she loves you.

She loves you.

She has been in love with you for too long.

So, forget how she says your name. Forget how she calls your name. Forget how she screams your name. Forget that time you got sick and she stayed up with you all night, letting you lay your head in her lap and holding a cold compress to your forehead. Forget how her hair feels in your fingers. Forget how she looks in your sweatshirts.

Forget her.

Know only that she existed at one point in your life, but relinquish all hope that she could exist at another point — sometime in the future that you are unwilling to specify because you don’t know what you want. Yet. It is not fair for you to swoop in and out of her life as you choose. It is not fair for you to say that you are satisfied with “things as they are” and you will have time to “figure it out” later. Let her stop investing emotionally in you. Let her pour that love and care into the people who deserve her.

Don’t tell her that you think about her all the time. Don’t tell her that it bothers you to hear about her with other people, but that you’re willing to understand as long as she likes you more than them. Don’t tell her that this isn’t the right moment but that there will be a right moment. There is not going to be a right moment. She shouldn’t have to wait for the right moment.

Don’t tell her that you can’t handle ultimatums, that you don’t like the idea of finally adding finality to your relationship — whatever still remains of it.

What you are telling her is that you want to keep her on as an option, that you are taking her for granted, that you want to know she will be there, that you can depend on her at the end of the day. When you find that no one else has stuck around or that those who have are less interesting, less thoughtful, or less doggedly loyal to you.

Doggedly loyal to you.

That is what she has been to you, for you almost as long as you have known her: a constant emotional crutch, the guarantee of stability, a safety net while you reachvout to grasp objects that sparkle and shine far greater than she does. All that glitters is not gold, haven’t you heard?

She is fire. You are ice, and you are afraid that her slow burn will smolder your cool, hard demeanor. That’s what has driven your decisions, your actions all along: fear. You are a coward. You are a hypocrite. You are terrified to let her go, but you are afraid she is too good for you, that she could drive you wild, that you would choke on her flames. That she is too much for you to handle right now.

Right now.

But if you choose not to love her now, you can’t choose to love her later. 

from: http://thoughtcatalog.com/stephanie-karina/2014/01/she-is-fire-you-are-ice-and-you-are-afraid-that-her-slow-burn-will-smolder-your-cool-hard-demeanor/

Adios 2013! 2014: Unfolding of New Beginnings!

Adios 2013!

2014: Unfolding of New Beginnings

With the changing of calendars and the flooding of new year posts and messages, it was once again proven how time swiftly flies. Once again, another year has just passed and we bid goodbye to the year that was- 2013. Saying farewell to 2013 surely brought mixed emotions within everyone, for surely, there are both good and bad memories that we will remember when we think of 2013. Nevertheless, as we want to welcome 2014 with optimism and cheerfulness, we bring with us happy memories and simply learn from the bad ones.

Indeed, I will never forget my year 2013- marking the 23^rd year of my existence and my fourth year of stay in the school where I am currently employed. There are a lot of major life decisions which I have to make- some which are painstaking, yet had to be done for liberating oneself. I thank God that He is always with me in every undertaking. There were times when I was about to give up, let loose, and question him why things always do not go the way I want them to be. But at the end of the day, He held on me tighter, whispering that His ways and plans are ALWAYS for the best.  So I am grateful for all the adversities which came my way, for my character is strengthened than ever.

Allow me to look back at the year that was, and journey once again to my ever memorable 2013, which I shall call: the year of taking chances. J

January:

- I celebrated my 23^rd birthday. Yehey! It was the first time I cooked meals for my family and friends. What’s on the menu? Carbonara, Lumpia, Graham Cake, Caldereta, and Pork Asado

- Goodbye Mr. December. All things happen for a reason. (There are people who are not meant for you. Brave girl moving on.) :D

February:

-          Another dateless Valentine! Hahaha.

-          Met someone from our church group. It was shortwhile. Yeah. Dot dot dot.

-          Watched Oz the Great. Ahem. L

March:

-          Interview and Exam at Don Bosco. (Didn’t push through with this, though)

-          Grade 6 Graduation. I’m the Class Adviser. Yay. Nyay. Lol. (Stress level increasing)

-          Book Launching of Author’s Club. Yay. Nyay. (Stress Level 97)

-          Bump into someone I should not meet again. (Mr. CM, it’s you, AGAIN?)

April

-          Bataan outing with WR colleagues.

-          Bye Liyah. (Moving to a new school) L

-          Hello MJ! (And I met you somewhere in Makati ;) )

-          3 day Ilocos Tour with Papa and Allen! Hooraayyy!

May

-          Free IronMan movie with Aaaaaa. (Thank you IMAX! Hehehehe)

-          Hi Kat! Realizations came in and sank in!

-          The confession. L L L Finally, after three years.

-          At Megamall. Hmmm. (Shall we give it a try?)

-          Epic. (It was Epic, indeed.) H H! :P

-          Star Trek with Thana boys. J

June

-          I’m a Grade 5 Reading Teacher.

-          Hi Cadbury. You’re as big as a notebook. Welcome back. Hohoh.

-          Superman, you are so SUPER. J

-          Welcome back Natzzzz!

-          World War Z instead of Despicable Meee!

July

-          Yahoo OMG awards- with Dina, Kat, and Aya.

-          My broken dreams, my shattered heart. I mend it on the shelf. L Ouch. It really hurts. Bye bye?

-          Mending, mending, healing, and moving forward… on my own.

August

-          Let’s give it a try J

September

-          Happy 1^st!

-          Research stress! Argh.

October

-          Fiesta with Liyah. And Moises. And Elaine.

-          Happy Birthday Gigoy. At Shakeys. J

-          JPF. Career move. So help me God!

-          Sembreak. Batangas escapade!

November

-          Enrollment! Prayers do come true! I was able to enrol my last subject! Hooray!

-          Waiting for the sembreak. Hihihihi.

-          From China: Hello Matteo!

-          Bonding with Magel and Alex at Trinoma. J

-          CG Apprentice at the Feast. Big break! Amen! J

December

-          Hello Moisee Bear! Thank you Moises! <3 span="">

-          Yabu with WR friends!

-          Banapple with Kat. Thanks for the book!

-          Lunch treat at the Chicken Rice Shop, Rob Manila. With Maan, Genelle, and Gian.

-          Christmas bonding with Thana friends. (Bye baby Angel L)

-          Welcome 2014! I cooked Carbonara and Cordon Bleu! Yeyyyy!

Thank you for being with me during 2013. And I do hope, that you will stay with me in the years to come. Let’s all pray for God’s blessings this 2014, and that we continue to keep the faith in our hearts, despite all the trials and tests of time, we remain fervent in our prayers. Surely, there may be times when we are about to give up, but it is when we are at the bottom of the pit when we learn to keep our feet stronghold, and when we unleash the courage hiding in the corners of our heart. May all our heart’s desires come true this 2014, because whatever it is that we ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and it will be given to you!

It is the dawning of a new beginning! Welcome 2014! J It’s the year to fly and soar greater heights!

….that in all things may God be glorified! J