Christmas Wishlist III

Yosi Samrassssss!

LACE WITH BOW - BUFF/BLACK (P2,995)

ABBEY TWOTONE GLITTER CAPTOE - BLACK/STARDUST (P3,495)

Christmas Wishlist II

Photo from Kim Store

I need my own laptop. My recent Dell laptop is already with Popsie (he uses it for his field projects) and he said he'd but it from me for roughly 30% less the original price. I barely used it, I got it December 2011 before I gave birth to Sophia Isabelle. Yey for me! Excited!!!

Christmas Wishlist 2013

Photos from: Willow Jewelry

A Prayer for a Daughter

Sharing with you this prayer I read during my devotion this morning.

Father who breathed into this daughter…

I pray for this girl being formed into eternity….

May the wind always be in her hair

May the sky always be wide with hope above her

And may all the hills be an exhilaration

the trials but a trail,

all the stones but stairs to God.

God, clothe this girl in a gown of grace
Grace, the only dress that makes beautiful,
the style of Your spirit.

Nourish her on the comfort food of the Word,
Word, that makes her crave more of Christ,
have hunger pangs for Him.

Enclose her in communion with You
You, Love who makes her love, who folds her heart into a roof
that absorbs storms for souls,
that makes her tongue speak only the words that make souls stronger.

May her vocation in this world simply be translation

Translating every enemy into esteemed guest
Translating every countenance into the face of Christ
Translating every burden into blessing

When it’s hard to be patient… make her willing to suffer
When it’s ridiculous to be thankful … make her see all is grace
When it’s radical to forgive … make her live the foundation of our faith
And when it’s time to work … make her a holy wonder.

May she be bread and feed many with her life and her laughter
May she be thread and mend brokenness and knit hearts
May she be dead to all ladders & never go higher, only lower, to the lonely, the least & the longing
Her led of the Spirit to lead many to the Cross
that leads to the tomb wildly empty.

Oh, and raise me, Lord, from the deadness of my own sins to love this beautiful girl like You do…

In the name of Christ who rose

and appeared first

to one of His daughters…

Amen…

by: Ann Voskamp

Counting my blessings

Despite my aching neck, my lightheadedness, despite being stuck in traffic this morning for 3 hours (Magallanes-dela Rosa lang 'yan ha!), despite the deadlines I have, I still have a big smile on my face today because:

1) I got to play with my baby girl when I got home last night. I arrived at 11:30 pm, and learned that Aeris just woke up. Nagulat daw sa lakas ng doorbell namin. So we played until she got sleepy again.

2) Ber months na!!! :) Christmas is just around the corner!!!

3) I have a husband who really plans and wants the best for our family. See, my husband is not really a person of spontaneity. He loves working within his comfort zone. He gets irate when he has to deal with sudden changes in his routine. Early this week, he told me his plans of looking for other possible work opportunities with better compensation. He reiterated that he wants me to just focus on my business and stay at home. He wants to find a job that would cover for all of our needs and a few wants. Imagine he even asked me kung magkano daw ba kaya ang enough na (shopping) allowance ko monthly!

Thank you, Lord for blessing me and so much more. <3

Sya ang 'yong kailangan

My sister and I used to sing in the Children's Choir. Kay Teacher Vicky namin nakuha ang 'dapat pag O, 'owwww' talaga. Bilog ang bibig', 'upo ng straight para lumabas ang boses' 'N should be 'ennn', M should be 'emm'. We used to sing Psalty songs. Nakaka-miss. Now my baby girl is next in line! Feeling ko iiyak ako sa unang pagkanta ng anak ko. Nakaka-excite!

Yesterday was Children's Sunday in our church. The Children's Choir, headed by Teacher-Ninang Vicky, sang Hesus. I wish someone recorded the kids as they sang. Para ka talagang kinakantahan ng mga anghel.  I remember Aegis has their own rendition of this song, original ba nila 'to? 

Sharing with you the lyrics of the song:

Kung nag-iisa at nalulumbay
Dahil sa hirap mong tinataglay
Kung kailangan mo nang karamay
Tumawag ka at Siya'y naghihintay

Siya ang iyong kailangan
Sandigan, kaibigan mo
Siya noon, bukas, ngayon
Sa dalangin mo'y tugon
Siya ay si Hesus sa habang panahon

Kung ang buhay mo ay walang sigla
Laging takot at laging alala
Tanging kay Hesus makaaasa
Kaligtasan lubos na ligaya

Siya ang dapat tanggapin
At kilanlin Sa buhay mo
Siya ang araw mong lagi
Ang karamay kung sawi
Siya ay si Hesus, Siya ay si Hesus
Siya ay si Hesus sa bawat sandali

The song's very beautiful. Ang simple ng lyrics, simple ng tono, walang birit birit o kulot kulot pero sapul na sapul. 

Lord, thank You. I know I'm not 'in Your zone' lately, and I don't know why. I have everything I need, and I have no one to thank but You alone. Sorry, Lord. But please don't ever let me go. (I know You won't) Please do not also let me forget of how great and majestic You are. Please do not let me let go of You, Father. I love you! 

Of the corrupt

Ang galing talaga ni Lord. Hearing ngayon sa office para sa Pork Barrel Scam/Napoles Case. At ito ang reading ko ngayon sa devotion ko.

1 Timothy 6:6-12

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

6 Devotion to God is, in fact, a way for people to be very rich, but only if it makes them satisfied with what they have. 7 When we came into the world, we brought nothing. And when we die, we can take nothing out. 8 So, if we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with that. 9 People who want to be rich bring temptations to themselves. They are caught in a trap. They begin to want many foolish things that will hurt them. These things ruin and destroy people. 10 The love of money causes all kinds of evil. Some people have turned away from what we believe because they want to get more and more money. But they have caused themselves a lot of pain and sorrow.

Some Things to Remember

11 But you belong to God. So you should stay away from all those things. Always try to do what is right, to be devoted to God, and to have faith, love, patience, and gentleness. 12 We have to fight to keep our faith. Try as hard as you can to win that fight. Take hold of eternal life. It is the life you were chosen to have when you confessed your faith in Jesus—that wonderful truth that you spoke so openly and that so many people heard.

Ang sakto 'no? This is God talking to us, His people, His children, that He already gave us all that we could need and that He will always (walang palya) provide. He will never forsake us. 

Nakakabilib talaga si Lord. He knew that we will be tempted, and once we allow ourselves to be absorbed in this world, we will be trapped. Alam nyo yung feeling na sa simula, akala mo ok na yung may nakuha kang 100php? Ok na yun, masaya ka na dun. Tapos syempre naranasan mo na yung 100php ng di nahuhuli eh. So try mo naman next time, mga 500php. E lusot pa din. Hanggang palaki na ng palaki. Before you know it, you've been amassing so much wealth that is not even yours and you don't even need. You just have to satisfy this thirst in you to get as much as you can. There's no stopping you. At ang masaklap, nahuli ka na nga't lahat, di ka pa din aamin. You've been in this trap long enough that you've already convinced yourself (and probably those who are close to you) that there is really nothing wrong with what you're doing, that it is perfectly okay because it has become the norm. 

This, my friends, is the reason why our country is full of corrupted hearts and souls. :( Let us all continue to pray for our country, pray for those involved.

Sabi nga ni Lord diba, pray for those who persecute you, pray for your enemies, pray for those who curse you. So tonight, I pray that the Lord will stir in me a more prayerful heart that I may pray not only those whom I love, but also for those unknown to me and those who I know needs the Lord's healing.

Tara guys, alam ko nakakapanggalaiti. But before everything else, may we learn to be vigilant through prayer.

Everyday is a new day =)

‘Father, we pray that your name will always be kept holy.

    We pray that your kingdom will come.

3 

Give us the food we need for each day.

4 

Forgive our sins,

    just as we forgive everyone who has done wrong to us.

And don’t let us be tempted.’

Luke 11: 2-4

Work with all your heart

This is my devotion for today:

“Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” -Colossians 3:23

Be such a competent and trusted worker that God is honored (Neh. 1:11–2:6). Care passionately about others and what’s important to them. Take action, occasionally even risky action, to honor what’s important to God and to fellow believers (2:3-6)

Often I forget who my REAL boss is. I am too engrossed in pleasing other people, that I neglect the Lord, what He wants me to do, what is pleasing in His eyes.

This verse is also a reminder that in everything I do (yes, the Lord says EVERYTHING. As in every little thing) should be for God's glory. Quite tough, right? (Well, for me that is) Is God glorified when I gossip? Do I get His sign of approval when I think of myself highly than others? Is He happy when I silently curse and kill my enemies in my mind? Would He be able to say 'good job my faithful servant' when I simply comply and not give my best at work? Of course, no no no.

I'm at this stage (yes, ang bata ko pa ata para ma-burnout?) where I think 'my bosses don't really care if I do my best or I go the extra mile, they are just after compliance'. And this sucks big time. What happened to me? What ever happened to that fire in me to excel in what I do? What ever happened to always giving it my best shot, not for people to praise me but to give back all the glory to our Lord?

Nakakahiya kay Lord, 'no? 

So as I start this week (and the 1st working week of the 1st -ber month of 2013) I pray that I keep this in mind. I pray that the Lord will forever be my guide in each and every little thing I do, say and think.  

My other baby =)

Even before I knew I was pregnant with our little angel, I already had my first baby. :)

I've been nursing her, feeding her, taking care of her for almost 7 years now. (Grabe, ang tanda ko na pala!)

Everyone, meet Blessed. 

Pag may time kayo, please do visit my baby, ha? 

Promise, malulula kayo sa dami ng magagandang mao-offer ng baby ko sa inyo. Hehehe :)

Thankyew!

Run for Athena

This morning, on our way to Blessed, we saw Run for Athena's stall and pretty girl Athena was there together with her mom. Promise, ang cute cute talaga ni Athena! :) Muntik ng tumulo ang luha ko. My heart goes out to her mom. Alam kong sobrang hirap para sa isang ina na malaman na may sakit ang anak mo, moreso kung kailangan ng series of operations. When I was talking to Athena, I looked into her eyes and I just said a silent prayer that may the Lord touch her with His Mighty Healing Hands. May Athena's family be able to raise all of the funds, and even more, for the little girl's pre- and post-operation needs and for the series of operations.

This is me with Athena and her mom. 

+

A little help goes a lonngggggg way, guys. And again, prayer is the most powerful tool we can give. 

Baby girl Athena, I will continue praying for you. 

52-Week Money Challenge =)

Read this from Frugal Honey just now. :)

Hmmmm. This is pretty interesting. I LOVE TO SHOP, and I think that with or without this challenge, I'll still buy the things that interest me (if I have enough moolah y'knaw). But knowing that you saved up all this cash for 52 WEEKS---straight, I think, lets go of that guilt that you are spending so much on your wants.

Sooooo...I still have to find that 52-week money challenge reward for myself. :) A bag? An out-of-town trip? A new phone? Ano kaya?

Let me start on the 1st week of September! Sabayan nyo ko! :)

Praying for Syria

I am not one who reads up on news daily. I only read the business section because of my work and the rest would no longer be on current events.

But this really tugged my heart. :(

I have been hearing/reading 'Syria' these past weeks on the global news. But I never really cared to push the 'read more' tab or 'scroll down'. Maybe because will all the unfortunate events in the Middle East these past years, I may have just thought 'isa lang 'to dun'. I also do not want to see dead bodies scattered on pavements. (I believe that faces of children should not be shown in videos/photos without proper consent. This is an amateur video, according to the reports.) But what I really do not understand is why would someone, anyone, do such a cruel thing and end the lives of innocent people. :( That is just so unfair and unacceptable.

Looks like this Syria thing is not going to end anytime soon. So dadami pa ng dadami ang madadamay, ang pwedeng mamatay, magkasakit. Please please please say a little prayer for Syria tonight before you sleep. Pray for the families and their children, those innocent lives. Nakakaiyak lang. Paano kung sa Pilipinas 'to nangyari? Paano kung mga anak na natin ang nalagay sa alanganin? =(

CROSSROAD

What will you choose?

Company A

- security of tenure

- GOOD pay

- 4-day work week (but still 40 hours a week)

- with benefits and all

- no challenge

- i don't seem to learn anything new

- no value-added

- i don't really know what this office is for, do we have any output?

- emotionally stressful

- uhm, does anybody know our office? i don't think so

Company B

- not so GOOD pay as Company A

- usual 5-day work week

- only the usual benefits

- i might get to travel

- stimulates your brain

- pushes you to your limit

- will eat up my time with my baby girl/family (BIG BIG FACTOR)

- might get back to my usual stressed (mentally) self

- have to reboot and relearn things (refresh my memory)

SO GUYS, HELP. 

DO NOT THINK HIGHLY OF YOURSELVES THAN OTHERS

Luke 18:9-14

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

Being Right With God

9 There were some people who thought they were very good and looked down on everyone else. Jesus used this story to teach them: 10 “One time there was a Pharisee and a tax collector. One day they both went to the Temple to pray. 11 The Pharisee stood alone, away from the tax collector. When the Pharisee prayed, he said, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not as bad as other people. I am not like men who steal, cheat, or commit adultery. I thank you that I am better than this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week, and I give a tenth of everything I get!’
13 “The tax collector stood alone too. But when he prayed, he would not even look up to heaven. He felt very humble before God. He said, ‘O God, have mercy on me. I am a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, when this man finished his prayer and went home, he was right with God. But the Pharisee, who felt that he was better than others, was not right with God. People who make themselves important will be made humble. But those who make themselves humble will be made important.”

Blessed

Yes. I am blessed.

Recently, I've been stressing myself out with work-related thoughts. See, I admit, I am not really stressed with work. I am stressed at work. I used to work for a highly dynamic and driven team. You could feel everyone's passion for excellence. I did have a very micro-manager boss, I did cry a couple of times because I was not really sure why she had to be hard on everybody. She did not like to rest. In fact, I don't think she knows what rest is. I often felt being pushed to this line, this goal, then each time I am so close to reaching that goal, it'll suddenly move. A moving target.

So I looked for other career opportunities. I can't see myself working in the private sector, so I narrowed my search to the government. A year has passed and I am now enjoying the perks of having a 4-day work week. I have the pleasure of always enjoying a long weekend. But my brain's just drying out, like my brain cells are eating each other out of starvation, out of thirst. This hunger for knowledge is just too much to bear. I can read all the books I want, all the news I want, be updated as much as I want to. But I miss the dynamics of a team, a team so eager to learn. I miss that feeling of getting up the next day, not knowing the new people I'll meet and new concepts I'll learn.

But the 4-day work week, with a better compensation package, is just too hard to let go. If I were still single, I'd definitely stay with the team because I have time in my hands. Now, I have to think of my baby girl first. I want to be the best mom to her. I want to spend more time with her. I  want need to see her grow.

Yes folks, I am still blessed. I may not have everything I want. But I do have everything God wants me to have. He alone knows what I must have at this point in my life.

I have a very loving hubby. (Who bought me a lovely tote bag despite being such a minimalist/kuripot! Love you beb!) I have a very sweet, adorable, hyper, smart li'l kiddo. (Who is growing more and more like me.) I have the warmest family and the craziest friends!

Thank you, Lord. <3 I should not worry about anything. Sagot mo ko, diba Lord? :)

YES TO THAT!

Source

Hear hear

2 Corinthians 9:7

E

LSS for the week

Video from YouTube

Actually, hindi lang 'of the week' 'to eh. I've been listening to this song ng paulit-ulit for a month na. Ang ganda lang ng boses nilang dalawa. :)

Swak na swak

Monday Daily Devotion

http://cairnhill.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/wisdom-twc-daily-devotional-20121203/

http://wallpaperscristaos.com.br/christianwallpapers/honor

"Never let gold become your god." ~ODB

Happy Saturday!

I love this Saturday!!!

I do not really get to go out with my friends. Unlike before, DG (Dynamic Girls --- yes, may barkada name kami. That's how kewl we are. Haha) would always have a weekly nightout. But we have way too complicated schedules now. Ang hirap hagilapin ng mga babaeng 'to, promise!

Naisip ko lang, totoo yung sinasabi nilang minsan kung ano yung mas pina-planong events, yun pa ang di  natutuloy. Yung biglaan, or short notice lang, yun pa ang mas natutuloy. Agree? Agree!

So we had a sort of unplanned-planned barkada bonding today. Labo no? Planned - we really wanted to do something. Kahit ano pa yan basta magkita-kita lang kami. We scouted for various beach resorts and pools in LB/Bay/Calamba. Unplanned - Swimming dapat, pero si Aeris lang din ang nag-swim. Takot maarawan ang mga donya! Hahaha :)

I also got to meet my LB-HS friends!!! Dinalaw namin si Tonibette, who just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Isabella (she's just 3 weeks old!). Then we headed to McDonald's Vega Center for a (almost) midnight snack. Ang saya-saya ko lang! (Oo na Babs, ako na ang clingy!)

Thank You, Thank You Lord for the wonderful gift of friends, for genuine friends.

Sa saksakan ng ganda kong mga kaibigan, a big hug from me to you! :)

It Takes A Man and a Woman

TADA!!!

So yesterday, my cousins and I watched the blockbuster movie, IT TAKES A MAN AND A WOMAN.

Guysssss, I am just so overly patay na patay kay John Lloyd. I have the biggest crush on him!!! :) Akala ko since matanda na ko, I'm over him already. (Parang naging kami lang no???) But no! When I saw the trailer of this movie, napapatili pa rin ako! Grabe. Ikaw na talaga Lloydie, ikaw na!

Anyway, among the 3 Sarah-Lloydie movie installments, I like this the best. It goes beyond Lloydie's capacity to make girls go gaga and Sarah's teeny bopper image.

1) LDR. Long distance relationships. A lot of people can relate to this setup. We all have various reasons to leave, temporarily --- better work opportunities, family needs you there, chasing after your dreams, studies. But one thing's for sure. It is not easy. Being apart from the people you love and trying to make it own your own in a land unknown to you is not easy. The setup itself is painful. It sure takes up your energy and strength to get through each day.

2) Priorities. When Laida's parents were going through rough times and her mom needed her, it was the exact moment that Miggy pleaded that Laida be with him in the Philippines because his dad had a heart attack. Torn. Panigurado naranasan na natin 'to, ang pakiramdam ng hindi mo alam anong pipiliin mo, hindi mo alam kung anong dapat mong unahin. It may not be the same as choosing between your family and the man you love, but it still is a tough decision.

3) Betrayal. Kahit gano kahirap, pinili mo ang isa, tapos malalaman mo, ikaw pa ang ginago. Sakit 'no? Seems like the stars just didn't align. Nothing seems to go right.

4) Forgiveness. For me, this is the strength of the movie -- how it focused and took on forgiveness. Yes, your heart's been bruised and beaten-- feels like your heart's just running out of reasons to love. Pero susubukan mong bumangon, gagawin mo ang lahat makatayo ka lang ulit sa sarili mong mga paa, ng walang inaasahan.  Sometimes, we think that forgiving is a sign of weakness. Ikaw naunang bumigay eh, ang labanan kasi dapat matira matibay, magmatigasan tayo. But harboring such pain and anger in your heart is so taxing. Nakakapanghina din. Araw-araw mong maalala ang sakit at galit mo. It is not a healthy routine, you have to take it out of the equation. Tama ang nanay ni Laida, just like loving, forgiving is a choice. True, we all have our own recuperating periods. Kanya-kanyang timeline lang 'yan. Also, being on the other end of the line, kung ikaw ang nakasakit, you cannot force a person to forgive you just because you've said sorry 100xxx already. It takes time and effort. Naniniwala ako dyan. Once you've broken a person's trust, you have to start all over again, from square 1. Hirap 'no? Pero kung importante talaga sayo yung tao, kakayanin mo. 

Oo, tao lang tayo nagkakamali. Pero this phrase should not be overused. You should never ever abuse someone's capacity to forgive. 1:2 dapat ang ratio ng kasalanan sa matututunan.

Zoila and friends were also nakakaaliw! Yung mga hirit nila, lalo na ni Joross Gamboa, ay naku! Wagi talaga!:) Masigabong palakpakan plus standing ovation kaming magpipinsan kay Joross!

Nag-enjoy kami ng bonggang bongga sa movie na 'to. Para kaming baliw na naiiyak, tapos kikiligin, tapos iiyak, tapos tatawa. Parang timang lang talaga. Haha.

You should not miss this movie! Wag na wag talaga!:) 

P.S.
Forgiveness frees us from all bitterness and hatred that takes over our soul. Life is too short to live a life of angst.

 

Giving, giving, glady giving day by day

Whew.

Haba ng blog title. That immediately came to my mind after reading today's passage. I remember when we were kids, we would go to Sunday School and come offering time, we would sing this.

In today's era where everyone aims for success, fame and fortune, even giving  seems to be a 'task' or 'obligation'. Meron na tayong mentality na para mapansin tayo, makilala, sumikat---it is a must that you give to the needy.

Well, this is good. Mas maraming natutulungan. But may we be reminded that whatever you give, may it be small or big, should come from your heart. After all, that is the only thing that matters. 

Matthew 6:1-4

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

Jesus Teaches About Giving

6 “Be careful! When you do something good, don’t do it in front of others so that they will see you. If you do that, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

² “When you give to those who are poor, don’t announce that you are giving. Don’t be like the hypocrites. When they are in the synagogues and on the streets, they blow trumpets before they give so that people will see them. They want everyone to praise them. The truth is, that’s all the reward they will get. ³ So when you give to the poor, don’t let anyone know what you are doing.^[a] 4 Your giving should be done in private. Your Father can see what is done in private, and he will reward you.

Sophia Isabelle's Q1 of 2013

Aeris turned 1 last January and she is getting bigger and cuter each day! :) 

 Ang kikay, mana sa ina!!!:)

 Lagot ka sa Daddy mo, Aeris! :) Wala tayong pambayad sa laptop nya pag nasira yan! Hehehe

Nangungulit habang may photoshoot kami para sa shop. :)

At home na at home sa loob ng church

I love you sweetheart!!!!!!! Mas nagiging kamukha na kita! YEHEY! 

Pampa-ngiti :)

Daily Devotion Wednesday

1 John 4:7-21

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

Love Comes From God

⁷ Dear friends, we should love each other, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has become God’s child. And so everyone who loves knows God. ⁸ Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. ¹⁰ True love is God’s love for us, not our love for God. He sent his Son as the way to take away our sins.
¹¹ That is how much God loved us, dear friends! So we also must love each other. ¹² No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us. If we love each other, God’s love has reached its goal—it is made perfect in us.
¹³ We know that we live in God and God lives in us. We know this because he gave us his Spirit. ¹⁴ We have seen that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world, and this is what we tell people now. ¹⁵ Anyone who says, “I believe that Jesus is the Son of God,” is a person who lives in God, and God lives in that person. ¹⁶ So we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love.
God is love. Everyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them. ¹⁷ If God’s love is made perfect in us, we can be without fear on the day when God judges the world. We will be without fear, because in this world we are like Jesus.^[a] 18 Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love takes away fear. It is his punishment that makes a person fear. So his love is not made perfect in the one who has fear.
¹⁹ We love because God first loved us. ²⁰ If we say we love God but hate any of our brothers or sisters in his family, we are liars. If we don’t love someone we have seen, how can we love God? We have never even seen him. ²¹ God gave us this command: If we love God, we must also love each other as brothers and sisters.

Ang cute kong asawa :)

March is our birthday month!:)

Me - March 9
Mika (my husband) - March 27 which was yesterday!!!!

Anyway, ang cute cute cute ng isang conversation namin kahapon. We were in Cubao for our dentist appointment. While crossing Farmer's going to Gateway, we passed by Handyman and saw a bigger inflatable pool. (We are looking for something for our baby girl, she has this small one and she has a sort of bigger one from her lola.)

Carole: Hon, ayun o! Ang laki! Kasya na tayong 3 dyan.
Mika: Masyadong malalim baka malunod si Aeris.
Carole: Hindi yan.

After a few minutes, out of the blue.

Carole: Di ka mahilig mag-swimming no?
Mika: Hindi eh.
Carole: Kahit beach?
Mika: Hindi din. Hindi lang talaga ako mahilig maligo.

AYUN NA! Kaya naman pala hon. HAHAHA :) ALAM NA ALAM NA!:)

Love you hon! Belated happy birthday!:)

DROOL

Okay, okay, medyo gross ba yung post title ko? Sorry. But that's really what I am currently experiencing looking at these shoes. 

Taylor Heels from Chilli Margarita 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chilli-Margarita-Shoes/240074336963

http://www.zalora.com.ph/Chilli-Margarita-Taylor-90587.html

Amina Studded Pointed Toe Wedges from Scarlet

http://www.zalora.com.ph/Scarlet-AMINA-Studded-Pointed-Toe-Wedges-68995.html

These shoes are below P1,200, but I am just super kuripot lately. I 'accidentally' emptied my savings account and transferred almost 70% of it to my CitiSec account. I guess this seems to be good since I will be 'forced' to invest/buy stocks rather than spend them on shoes, shoes and more shoes. 

So, my dear objects of desire, I have to bid goodbye for now. Until I get back on my feet and have some leeway for self-spending. =)

EXPO MOM 2013

I am soooooo excited! Since I knew I was going to be a mom, with my little Miss Kulit tumbling and twirling inside my tummy, I scoured the Metro for Mommy bazaars. Yun na, instead of going to fashion and shopping bazaars, I became more attuned to Mom and Baby bazaars. 

I WILL SHOULD MUST GO! :) 

Shopping for my baby's never been this fun!!!! :)

For further details, check http://expomom.com/

Eargasm

So it's early Wednesday morning, was again too early for office. (This happens every Monday and Wednesday, then Tuesday and Thursday --- forever late.) We only have access to YouTube during open hours, before 8 am, 12-1, and after 5 pm. I took advantage of being 2 hours earlier and downloaded new covers of one of my favorite local artists --- JOHNOY DANAO!!!!

I first heard of Johnoy from my officemates in DoF. He plays for Mo Twister's podcast. Being a sucker for anything acoustic --- I immediately fell for him and his craft! Ang sarap talagang pakinggan. Umeksaherada na naman ang pagiging fangirl ko, I followed him in Twitter, look for his Facebook personal account, liked his Facebook page, downloaded almost every cover and original song available in the universe! When I got married October of 2011, I knew it wouldn't be complete without him playing.

Sooooooooooo...

I requested/begged/pleaded my officemates na ito nalang ang wedding gift nila sakin. (See, I am known for being makulit ---- pag may gusto, sobrang kulit.) 

Johnoy and his team were very accommodating. =) He even sang additional songs, so sweet. Feel na feel ko talagang kinakantahan nyo ko --- sa kasal ko! HAHAHA!

Here are a few of his new covers that I saw in YouTube, promise you have to listen to him!

Utak ko'y sabaw

It's a Tuesday!

2 more days, and I'm on my week-long vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you SP for once again granting our wish for a week of rest.

Anyhoo, I am stuck..stuck on my papers. I have 2 papers to submit my the end of the month. Hindi pa sya tapos! Oh my oh my! Bakit ba hanggang ngayon, crammer pa din ako! :(

Praying so hard that God will grant me the knowledge and wisdom in finishing these.

Happy Tuesday, people!

Daily Devotion

"Do not compare yourself with others. Just look at your own work to see if you have done something to be proud of."

-Galatians 6:4

"If you think you can fool God, you are only fooling yourselves. You will harvest what you plant. "

-Galatians 6:7

"We must not get tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time. We must not give up. When we have the opportunity to do good to anyone, we should do it."

-Galatians 6:9-10

Oh Saturday. Oh Saturday.

Good morning guys!

How was your weekend? 

I loathed my Saturday. :(

So last Saturday, after our regular dentist appointment, we dropped by SM Mall of Asia to check-out Forever 21's double markdown sale. I was so excited! Pag double markdown sale kasi ng Forever 21, ang sarap mag-shop. I don't really shop there, I find the items quite pricey. I am a Divisoria-loyalist by heart. But when it's on additional 50% off on sale items, it is a must that I go. 

I went inside the shop while my family went to Razon's to have halo-halo. I shopped quick. Di kasi ako mahilig magsukat, I find it cumbersome changing clothes in the fitting rooms. I just estimate the size. So far, di pa naman ako sumasablay. I got 8 items for 2k. Ok na ok na diba? Sabi pa ng cashier, ang galing ko daw mamili kasi hindi lahat ng items double markdown, sabi ko naman, 'syempre Ate. Di ko yan bibilhin kung 50% off lang'. I was very happy with my purchases. Sulit na sulit kasi. Then I saw my HS friend, Beth, we talked for awhile, kamustahan. Then I called Mika, asking them where they were. That was the last time I remember unzipping my bag and I don't really recall if I ever zipped it again. (Stupid stupid stupid me.)

After Razon's, we went to the Department Store to buy Aeris' new bottle sterilizer. When I was about to pay, I was looking for my wallet. Ayun. Wala na sya. Wala talaga. 'Baka andyan lang yan Carole, hanapin mo ulit.' But it was really not there. I called Mika, balikan ko daw sa Forever 21.  I looked for the counter where I paid, the cashier who took my payment was already out, talked to the manager, asked the security personnel --- nada. Walang wallet na lumabas. They viewed the CCTV clip, pagkatapos ko daw magbayad, pinasok ko yung wallet ko sa bag ko. So hindi ko sya nailapag lang sa counter. Tama, yun din ang naalala ko eh. Pero bakit wala sya sa bag ko. :( 

My happy Saturday took a 360-degree turn. 

On our way home, as I called the banks for cancellation of my cards, I kept thinking 'how can you be so careless and irresponsible, Carole.' 

1) That wallet was new. I got it from Cambodia. 

2) That wallet contained the money to pay our electric bills (the main house and our apartment).

3) That wallet contained the USD we saved from our Cambodia trip.

4) That wallet contained the boutique money for 2 days.

I had a very heavy heart. 

My husband kept on reminding me that I should be more vigilant next time. Charge it to experience daw. Ang sakit na experience naman nito.

Well, I must say, because of this unfortunate incident I was reminded a number of things:

1) NEVER CARRY A BIG AMOUNT OF CASH WITH YOU. It has been my habit to withdraw my weekly salary from my payroll account then immediately deposit it to my BPI account. That morning, I was supposed to deposit the cash I had, but we did not see any BPI Deposit Machine. So I ended up carrying the cash with me. Ito lang yun e, ngayon lang naman ako di nakapag-deposit, ngayon pa sumablay talaga.

2) ALWAYS BE VIGILANT. My husband keeps on reminding me to close my bag whenever I get something from it. Di ko din kasi nakasanayan 'to. But I always make sure that I keep my bag close to me.   Ayoko lang kasi ng bukas-sara bukas-sara kapag may ka-text ako. Well the bad habit backfired.

The last realization is the most important.

3) WHATEVER TAKES UP YOUR ATTENTION AND TIME MORE THAN GOD, HE STRIPS IT OFF YOU. When I was young(er), this was my prayer whenever I kept doing something I know God wasn't pleased of. 'Lord, alam ko pong mali 'to. Paulit-ulit na lang. Paluin Nyo nga po ako ng malakas para matuto ako. Batukan nyo ko Lord para ma-realize kong mali talaga to.' This was something between me and God, and I like it just the way it is. I was/am a stubborn girl/woman. Hangga't di ko ramdam yung sakit, go pa din ako. I want to see it myself, to feel it. Matigas talaga ulo ko, inaamin ko. So I always prayed that God allow me to struggle, because it is in struggling that I am reminded that I still know what is right from what is wrong. When we fail to struggle and just give in to our desires, then it is already in our immediate nature to do what is wrong. We no longer pause and think of the consequences. I believe this incident was God's way of reprimanding me. Recently, I have less time for Him, for His church. I focused too much on my small business, on how to make it grow, on how to earn more and earn big. I am reminded of Matthew 6:24 'No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money'. 

It is not wrong to aspire to earn more. But it is not right to make money your master. Let us not be a slave to wealth.

I am glad to have a husband who keeps on reminding me that despite that event, we are still blessed. Whatever was lost, I can still earn. We are safe. I didn't lose my wallet in a robbery where guns and knives were involved. 

It still is sad that I had to learn my lesson the hard way. But God loves me way too much, He wouldn't allow me take the wrong path any further.

:)

Take a break

Hello!

I am currently blogging from Siem Reap, Cambodia!:) After a very, very tiring day, my sister (my travel buddy) and I are relaxing in the garden of Babel Guesthouse--our home for 2.5 days.

We arrived Sunday, at around 9pm. We went straight to the guesthouse, wala na rin naman kasing maiikutan ng ganung oras. Ay, night market pala nila, pwedeng-pwede. But we were still not ready to brave the Siem Reap streets. Parang wala pa kasi kaming kasama sa guesthouse nun. Nakakatakot lang ng slight. Hahaha :)

 My sister and I are not really picky when we choose our accommodation. Basta may maayos na bed, CR, wifi, TV and aircon -- okay na okay na. We'd rather spend our pocket money on the tours, good food and souvenirs than on an expensive hotel. :) Kasi kung gusto mo naman talagang i-enjoy ang place, di ka naman magkukulong lang sa room diba?

So we opted to stay in a guesthouse. 1.6k for 2pax, 2 nights, breakfast included. Mura diba?:)

When travelling to Cambodia, don't forget to bring USD. When you ask the prices of goods (and services) here, they'll quote it in USD, not in Riel. They say this is because USD have much value than their own currency.

So far, we've been to the famous Angkor Wat,(Parang pag sinabi mong Cambodia, Angkor Wat agad maiisip ng tao 'no? Ganito din kaya ang Boracay sa Philippines?) Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, (where some scenes of Tomb Raider were shot) Bantay Srei, Silk Farm, Land Mines Museum, Floating Village and the Pub Street/Night Market. I'll do a separate blog entry for the tours. (Para mag photos din na kasama.)

I'll post our DIY itinerary/tour and photos tonight/tomorrow!:)

DD: Tame the Tongue

Happy Monday Morning! It's love week within love month! Hehe :) Corny ko, I knowww.

Today's devotion struck me. 

³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴ Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

James 3:3-5

Tama diba? It is always my prayer that only encouraging, honest and true words come out of my mouth. Lalo na ngayon at may chikiting na ako. Yung mga foul words na yan, big NO-NO na marinig nya. Pero sobrang true, words can make or break. The tongue is a two-edged sword nga daw. 

Kaya friends, today, may we be reminded to always think before we speak. Speak the truth. Be open about what you think. Do not be afraid to speak up. But may we not use the power of words para manira ng tao/relasyon.

Let us all be cautious about the words that will come out of our mouths. :)

Wednesday Devotion

Good morning!

It's Wednesday today, so nakasabay na naman ako sa FIL ko paluwas. I was already in the office at 6:00 am!!! Sinong gustong matulog?!

Anyway, I have my daily devotion in the office. Habang wala pang tao. 

Just want to share today's passage with you.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[a] Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[b] says the Lord.  

Romans 12:14-19