Succu Love

I love growing plants. Period. No matter where I live I end up finding myself caring for a potted plant. When my husband and I were in Singapore and we bought plants to care such as mint, parsley, bonsai and another flowering plant (which I forgot). So, when we moved here in Australia, it was natural for us to have some live greens in the house. My current obsession - succulents.

The only succulent I've know is the Philippine Kalanchoe (or Katakataka) but, it was through Pinterest where I found some beautiful varieties of succulents and cactus. They are really gorgeous specially when they are crammed up together in one container or pot. I just love them!

Here's my second attempt at creating a potted garden. And... it doesn't look as I expected it to be. O well, I will try next time. I believe in practice makes perfect. In this pot it has echeveria black prince, gaptoveria pink, jelly bean, sedum voodoo and two unidentified beings. 

I don't know if it is just me or what. I find myself spending more and more time with my plants! I always check if their leaves are ok. There is always a question: are they growing as they should? Is the soil dry enough? Should I water them? Or, not? Should I replant? What are these on the leaves? Is it normal?

My husband even joked about it. "I envy the plant because you are with them more than me." Sorry, beb, will be with you in a minute, only if we are able to get that echeveria subsessilis this Saturday. But, we all know it is far from truth. Haha!

How about you? What's your current obsession? 

This Moved Me To Tears

Who wouldn't be move by this? The innocence of the young boy, the genuine love of the Pope and the happiness of the father for his son. Ohh... tissue.

Taking The First Steps

Since I was a kid DIY paper dolls and dressing them up have been my favorite play time. Together with my sisters and cousins we would cut cardboards and papers to create our own dolls. Dressing them in our own definition of fashion and style. We would then line them up as just like in a beauty pageant. 

In my elementary years I moved from paper dolls to paintings, sketching and crafts. Homeworks have never been a problem to me when it involved arts and the hands.

As years went on and priorities have changed, I realized that I have lost my talent in the arts. I lost my confidence in that field and left my right side of the brain stagnant.

Then, decades and decades after, here I am. In a place I am so excited about! In my mid-30s I am a student again. An enrollee of Fashion Institute of The Philippines - Makati. I am taking up all the Basic Courses and intend to finish up to graduation day. The graduation will have you showcasing your collection in a fashion show. Woah! Exciting and scary!

Basic Pattern Making

My Basic Pattern Making Classmates and Instructor - Oz Go (brother of Rachel Ann Go!)

I can say that the teachers are competent and are very good in their own right. I appreciate the style of teaching where you do more hands-on than theory. 

My only concern is that one room is shared with several classes. It can go up to four classes which sometimes becomes a bit noisy. Add to that the forever playing of Anything Could Happen song by Ellie Goulding. But, I guess it's just a way to lighten up the class.

This is totally new to me. I hope to endure this and succeed in this path.

Wish me luck!!

The Miracle Boy

My in-laws stayed with us for nine days for a vacation, hubby's parents and his three siblings. While these past days it has been hot with some overcast clouds the week they were here the weather was just crazy. There were times it was raining hard with thunderstorms! Luckily, the day they were in Universal Studios it was just cloudy and it didn't rain at all.

They are a family that exudes happiness and joy! I am proud to say that my in-laws are a family of only trying to be a blessing to others. They would try not to do anything that would make you feel uncomfortable. They are even very expressive on their endearments with each other. There are lots of hugs and kisses whenever they are together. Specially if it's towards the youngest. 

The youngest has been dubbed as the miracle boy. You wouldn't believe that once he stayed in the hospital for two months with one month in a coma in the ICU. He contracted dengue but when the day he was supposed to check out from the hospital that's when he suffered from a deadly virus causing him to be in coma. 

For days and weeks he was in ICU every second counts and every cent is valuable. Almost every minute or hour his vital signs are being checked. Every two hours or so he had to take strong antibiotics costing between 1.5k to 3k. Fresh blood were also transfused to ensure his platelets are in normal levels. 

I once went inside the ICU with MIL and I couldn't bear it. I was crying the whole time because he was so thin and has to be in life-support. I went out even before the time to visit was up and never dared to go inside again. All I can do was pray for him and the rest of the family.

He was finally sent home after two months and a sky-rocket hospital bill. His left brain was affected due to comatose but after several therapies all that is left now is his deep voice, he used to sing beautifully, his hands without full control and his balance.

All through that phase in their lives, the family never gave up. When the doctors would give a bad news everybody would take it as it is, take the best option and would eventually leave everything to God to work on. No one showed any sign of weakness. A hug from each other was enough to say that 'we will all get through this'. And it did! God worked in ways none of us where able to comprehend. He sent a message through a fellow boy, who was also in the hospital at that time, that hubby's youngest brother would wake up soon. We held on to that. Knowing in all things God is at work. Strangers and friends would visit and pray over him. Monetary help came in without them even asking. It brought closer and tighter relationship within the family. They are able to say I love yous without cringing which some would often take for granted.

He is indeed a miracle boy for me. Now, at 19, he is living his life. He has more friends than ever. He sings louder than he should. He dances even without music because he is happy. Whenever I see him, he reminds me with one passage in the bible, 'with God all things are possible - Mat 19:25-27'. That no matter how bad things may seem everything will come out good in the end. If it is not good then it is not yet the end. God is forever faithful to His promise that He has plans for us. Plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future - Jer 29:11.

2011 A Personal Review

2011, the year that was! I couldn't believe that it has already ended so fast while it just seems yesterday when I was excited to leave the corporate life and jump to Singapore to be a full-time wife. What a year indeed! Here are the things I love to recount for they are a testament that God in His awesomeness have blessed me more than I can hope for.

1. Finally, starting out a blog
2. Checking one out in the list of my dream destination, Seoul, Korea!

3. Successful triple bypass heart operation of my father at no cost. Praise, God!

4. Visiting and knowing my parent's life in Riyadh, KSA for a month

5. Knowing I can get pregnant after almost being one. Yey!

6. Meeting new friends both Pinoys and foreigners making my circle a United Colors of Benetton
7. Hubby finding a new job
8. Hubby having more time at home and with me!
9. No serious illness the whole year.
10. Learning how to cook simple yet good dishes
11. Eating healthy. Going semi-vegetarian and eating meat very occasionally
12. Finding old friends in FB and talking as if we've last met only yesterday
13. Being part of a wonderful community that is Couples for Christ
14. Friends visiting us here in Singapore
15. Settling in Singapore with hubby. Best decision, ever!

It is great to look back at what happend in the past year because it makes us appreciate more life despite all the challenges that came before us. This also inspires us to dream bigger and live bolder for the coming year ahead because we know we can be better than we were last year.

I am so excited for 2012. This is my year, Year of The Dragon! This is going to be great. I know. I believe.

May your year be great, too!

Things Lately

A lot of things have happened lately in our dear Philippines. From 'Put the Little Girl to Sleep' death threat, to KC-Piolo's not-so-surprising break up and now to Mo Twister's ala tele serye video confession that has gone viral  in seconds, trended the web and have been talked about more often than any more sensible issues. Well, while all these things are happening I had great things that come along lately.

Here are the not-so-random things:

1. Trying hard to be pretty for a day. Nyay!

2. Waffles late at night!

Udders Ice Cream, 87 Upper East Coast Road, SG

3. Finding Paton's Cappuccino Chocolate at half the price!

4. Traveling back in time with Soup Restaurant. I love their Chrysanthemum Tea.

Soup Restaurant, #02-141 Vivo City, SG

5. Going beyond my intelligent auto mode of my camera. Haha!

6. Goal setting for 2012! Hubby and I agreed that we'll set some goals for next year so as to have a clearer view of where we want to be and hopefully fulfill our dreams and desires. Right now, I am reflecting, reassessing what I want so that, when I look back, I would be able to say I have lived my life to the fullest!

Thankful Everyday!

This month have been a roller coaster of emotions. Devastated today, oozing with happiness the next day. No matter what the weather is, I can't help but thank the Lord for all the wonderful blessings He has given me.

Here are the things I am so thankful for, lately:

- quiet and clean neighborhood
- smell of freshly cut grass
- Koi Ice Cream Milk Tea
- hubby coming home from work
- wake-up kisses in the morning
- calmness after a strong rain
- Facetime and Facebook
- surprise message from an old friend
- Couples for Christ Community
- hot shower
- pizza! it comes in handy when you're too lazy to cook.
- Oreomisu by Emicake, the next best thing to Estrel's
- automatic washing machine
- Saturdays to laze around the house
- movie marathon at home with my favorite beau
- Viber messages from hubby
- Happy Feet 2!
- my first Elephant Parade - The Love Song
- blanket tug-of-war in the middle of the night

Lastly, my birthday last Saturday! I get to be treated like a queen even for a day. More importantly for all the things I have learned through out the year and the new experience of being a 100% housewife. It is just amazing and I am so excited with the coming year!

Friends Along The Way...

I don't know what's up with me today. I feel like missing my friends and missing being a friend. Add to that seeing on FB my high school/college close friends whom I used to call my best friends are now BFF with somebody else. What's with this feeling? 

I lost some buddies through the years. Some reasons I know. Some my fault. Some theirs. But, some are puzzling. Like, have I done something wrong without me knowing. Or have I done nothing to keep it up to this day?

source

'Some people are not meant to be with you forever...' is what they say but wouldn't it be great if all the people you have known since time immemorial remained with you as close as you were? Sadly, that's not how life works, isn't it? People grow and, yeah, the cliche, sometimes they grow apart. We realize that that is just as far as we can go in the journey together. We need to continue on spreading our wings and chase after our own adventures even if it means chasing it without each other.

After few moments of re-assessment. I realized that I still have friends who are with me despite everything. Real friends, not just the, 'oh hi' kind of one. Whom you are able to be who and what you are. When you pretend and try to be someone you are not, they know. They just know. They notice. They would then encourage you to be just the way you are. No icings or toppings. Then, at the end of the day they embrace you for all that you are! 

I can only count my real friends with just one hand but, hey, they are hard to find! I am not choosy, they are just rare. Rare enough for me to work on giving my time and attention. Making sure that no matter how seldom we connect we nurture the relationship that we have. Pick up where we left off. Recount those happy and not-so-good moments. Share our dreams and aspirations. Most of all laugh even if it means via the emoticons.

God loves me! He gives me friends so I won't be pathetically stuck in the four corners of this room. And, I just love it!

Mila's Daydreams

Mommies! You are so going to love this:

I stumbled upon Adele Enerson's blog, Mila's Daydreams, and was in total awe at her amazing creativity of taking pictures while her daughter Mila is sleeping. She was on maternity leave and with nothing much to do while her adorable new born takes a nap, she brought out to life what she thought her baby is dreaming about. Sadly, she removed some of her baby pictures due to copyright infringement made by unscrupulous media and advertising companies. But, you'll enjoy some of Mila's daydreams and the mommy's blogs while the baby is having her nap. And, oh, she has a book titled "When My Baby Dreams", that would be available in 2012. Yay, for that!

Once In My Life

I hope to visit the Holy Land. I hope to do a pilgrimage to the very place where Jesus lived his life and his passion. I envy the people in Israel because they are able to walk the road that Jesus have tread on and touch the things he might have touched. They are lucky people! The most favored!

I promised myself that we won't be travelling out of the country until we visit Israel. This is going to be a spiritual journey and not just a tourist travel because we would be joining either with Fr. Jerry Orbos or Bro. Bo Sanchez.

If the Muslims make it their ultimate goal to do a pilgrimage in Mecca at least once in their lifetime then we, Christians, should do, too. This journey is going to be expensive but it will all worth more than anything else because I'll be able to relive the journey of my salvation. May God grant me this grace. Amen.

sources:
CFC Global Mission

Joe Walsh Tour
Pilgrimages.com

Steve Jobs: 1955 - 2011

The world mourns today the death of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, Inc., after succumbing to a rare pancreatic cancer. He resigned last Aug saying that "I have always say that if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come."

The leaders of the world such as Pres. Obama to movers of the world, the likes of Bills Gates, Mark Zuckerberg , Rupert Murdoch to name a few, responded with grief for the world has lost a great man but at the same time honor for the world has given us a man that inspired to be who you want to be. There were also websites that updated their page in memory of the man whom most of us now see as a visionary hero. Below are the sites:

apple.com

google.com

cashcashpinoy.com

wired.com

Apart from his amazing contribution in the advancement of technology he also left a legacy that gave hope. He was left for adoption as a kid, dropped out of college to pursue what he wanted to do - build Apple PC, ousted once in Apple, Inc. but was able to radically changed the lives of each of us and the world.

Below are some of the memorable quotes he made:

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.”

[The Wall Street Journal, May 25, 1993]

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

[Stanford commencement speech, June 2005]

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”

[Stanford commencement speech, June 2005]

”Don’t waste [your life] living someone else’s....Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.”

[Stanford commencement speech, June 2005]

“I think if you do something and it turns out pretty good, then you should go do something else wonderful, not dwell on it for too long. Just figure out what’s next.”

[NBC Nightly News, May 2006]

And my favorite: "If today were the last day of my life, would I do what I'm about to do today?"

Unending Love - Rabindranath Tagore

Where have the love poem writing have gone? Wish I was born in the 19th century when men expresses their love to women through letters and poem. Ngayon through texts, FB posts and emails na. So, impersonal, for me.

Unending Love

I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times...
In life after life, in age after age, forever.
My spellbound heart has made and remade the necklace of songs,
That you take as a gift, wear round your neck in your many forms,
In life after life, in age after age, forever.

Whenever I hear old chronicles of love, it's age old pain,
It's ancient tale of being apart or together.
As I stare on and on into the past, in the end you emerge,
Clad in the light of a pole-star, piercing the darkness of time.
You become an image of what is remembered forever.

You and I have floated here on the stream that brings from the fount.
At the heart of time, love of one for another.
We have played along side millions of lovers,
Shared in the same shy sweetness of meeting,
the distressful tears of farewell,
Old love but in shapes that renew and renew forever.

Today it is heaped at your feet, it has found its end in you
The love of all man's days both past and forever:
Universal joy, universal sorrow, universal life.
The memories of all loves merging with this one love of ours -
And the songs of every poet past and forever.

Romans 8:18

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

I found out today that the agent who called me in response to my job application have lied to me. He said that my interview to the director will not push through since the position was put on hold. My friend ym-ed me saying that an agency emailed her about the application she sent in the web. It turned out that it was the same position and the same man who called me. Talk about coincidence and small world.

Recently I am feeling frustrated and insecure. Things aren't seem to be in my favor. It has been four months and calls about job offers have come to zero for the past weeks. I haven't had any face-to-face interview with even a single company. I feel like I am not good enough for any of the positions being posted in the web. Until, I read Bo's Soul Food email.

The above verse hit me. It is true that whatever I am having right now it cannot be compared to the fulfillment of God's promise to me that, good things will surely come to those who love Him.

I can't wait for the glory that will be revealed to me. I can't wait for that day when all I do is praise and worship my God for His faithfulness in me.

For the meantime, I pray that God would grant me the grace of faith, patience and persistence to endure the predicaments I am in and the trials I will be facing ahead.