the year that was...

2011 has been very challenging right from the start. There were hard lessons that taught me a lot about life, love, friendship and many other things.

*I learn to appreciate those who truly care and never take them for granted. 

*I stopped seeking recognition / approval from those persons that doesn't value who you are. Even if we try to do our best if they didn't care at all it won't matter to them.

*In retrospect, its good to know that God always know everything... as my room mate Mimi would always say, God knows who does not work.

*In love, we will never bring back what you had and everyday we live by that decision/by that regret. so learn to value what you have before its too late.

*There are times when I really want to give up ... Thank you Lord for the reminder that whatever happens YOU are the hope we cling on to. 

This 2012,  I pray that'll be a good year. and I'm happy to say that as of now, it started out great. I've finally received that email I have been waiting for, and it bears good news! 

So here's to a new year filled with more good news and a good life ahead of us.

Let's all....

smile. save. learn more. blog. jog. walk. dream. organize. get moving. de-clutter. unwind. travel. discover. sleep right. move on. let go. love. love. love. go fight win! and lastly, hang on, hold tight and enjoy life's crazy ride!

God bless us all. :)

so here's the plan...

I got a text from my cousin, the message goes like this, I'm engaged! And then she said, you'll be my maid of honor!

My cousin, who I fondly call Ate Cci, was practically the older sister I never had. Growing up together,  we would wear the same dress from head to foot, people thought we were twins. I'm happy and excited to be part of her entourage. 

Hearing that she's getting married made me excited, great news indeed! This would be the first wedding in our family on my father's side. So relatives from all over are flying in to witness this event of the year.

So here's the plan, starting this month I will COMMIT myself into walking/running exercises and lose weight. I will soon have my medical exam too that will determine if my visa will be granted or not, the best time to start is now.

Discipline and focus will be my powerful ally. I gotta make this work! That's why I will chronicle my weight loss endeavor here to get me motivated.

Wish me luck guys!

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” - Jim Ryun

A decades recap

Year 2000 was unforgettable. A lot of firsts had happened during that time. Here's a look back on the past decade; my exhilarating, exciting and tumultuous life at 20.

2000 HOPEFUL

believed it or not, I had my first love that year  (late bloomer much?!). I was full of hope, full of life, ready to take on the world.

2001 UNCERTAINTY

bid  college goodbye. I was excited and scared at the same to get 'out there' in the real world. I had my first job, (at a financial institution) not the field I wanted to be in when I graduate. I haven't figured out where I was headed.

2002 BITTERSWEET

had my first heartbreak.  :( and finally landed on the job I always dreamt of. I  started working at the airport as ground stewardess and slowly making a career. I guess you can't have it all.

2003 FREEDOM

I became independent. Moved out from the comforts of our house and lived at the other side of the metro. It was daunting at first, but it was a liberating experience as well. That same year, I harvested the rewards of my hard labor; first out of the country tour with my barkada.

2004 SACRIFICE

Along with the perks of my work are the downsides. One of it, is working on holidays like Christmas, New Year, Holy Week and the likes. It was my first Christmas/ New year without my family. I was welcoming the new year at the airport ramp, meeting families that were going home to celebrate holidays with their loved ones; when everybody else is on holiday mood,  I'm on duty, double time.

2005 OPTIONS

Quit my job at the airport coz I didn't see any growth in my professional life. Tried various jobs but I learned that you'll always go back to the one you love. I got an offer from a sister company of a big European carrier. I was a travel coordinator, my primary duty is to arrange travel documents of the employees'. I was running from one embassy to another, re booking flights, making hotel arrangements among other things.  Money does not equate to happiness, sure the pay is higher than my measly salary at the airport but that office job is not my cup of tea. I can choose to be practical and be miserable or I can be happy and penniless. :) And so, after 6 months (of office work) I handed my resignation. 

2006 LEVEL UP

Good news come to those who wait, got a call from an airline company and I was accepted to work as a ground stewardess aka ground staff. On top of that I'm a direct hire which means I'm not under a ground handling company, (an agency that provides ground stewardess/steward and other ground personnel to airlines) which equates to a decent pay and travel perks. Brought independence in a whole new level, I moved out of the metro and left my comfort zone. This time, I have to pack my bags and move to Pampanga. 

2007 DISCOVERIES

I think this was the year that I became full blown travel bug. I also got interested in blogging thus I started to chronicle my life's journey through this blog. I also spurred interest in photography.

2008 CROSSROADS

Learned how to swim, its never too late to try something new. And after all those hard work, I was able to save up and let my family experience the joys of traveling. It is our first international travel as a family. We visited Mickey  Mouse in Hong Kong, experienced eating egg tarts in Macao and see the mighty Petronas. As for my career, I have to face the most difficult decision of my professional life. When you're made to choose between power or principle, what would you do? I'm sure I made the right decision coz I can walk with my head held up high. I learned a lot that year, I discovered that I am 'strong', I was able to stand up to those 'bullies'. And I can overcome all those adversities with the help of my family, it also helped me strengthen my faith in Him.

2009 JUNKIE

This year, I blew up all my savings (as if I have one). Ha ha! most part of 2009, I was travelling. I'm a travel junkie!  I went to Bohol; Guangzhou, China and Cambodia. I get a different high when I travel. Meeting different people, experiencing new culture, sampling different dishes brings joy to me!  and a little misadventure on the side spices everything up. Also brought my 1st DSLR cam to document my travels and to practice my shooting skills. (skills?! am just kidding about the skills thing) he he!

2010 CHANGE

2010 rolled out slow for me. I jump started my 2010 on Chinese New Year (14 Feb2010) by exploring Northern Part of the Philippines. Travel always get me started and hyped. :) I also celebrated 3 decades of my life here on earth! 3 decades?!? Yes, I'm that young. 30 and thriving! I was able to ticked 2 activities on my bucket list (1) crawl inside Cu Chi tunnels in Vietnam; (2) try zip lining. Last year was also made for goodbyes. December of 2010, a 'friend' said his farewell to me. One of the most difficult thing to overcome that year. It was like giving up 5-6 years of my daily life. I have to slowly unlearn some of my habits; like chatting, constantly awaiting for his updates, mostly of things about him and me.  If anything came good out if it, I'm free. But still, everyday is a struggle but I'll get by, one day at a time.

The past decade  have its highlights and some lowlights. This is what life is made of, we have to deal what it throws at us and just hope for the best.

I'm ready to face another decade of challenges, struggles, triumphs, dreams and accomplishments. This is how I roll. Let's get it on! :) \m/

Better not bitter

Despite everything that had happened a last month, I can say that I continue to look at the bright side of things. Its high time to let go. I've been holding on for too long, letting opportunities pass by.

I can't force someone to stay if they didn't want to. I'm letting go and letting  God. I'm moving on. I will be better and not bitter.

Praying for a blessed new year ahead.

It's all right, I'm O.K.,
I think God can explain,
I believe I’m the same,
I get carried away
It's alright, I'm O.K.,

I think God can explain
I'm relieved, I'm relaxed,
I'll get over it yet,

I'm so much better than you guessed,
I'm so much bigger than you guessed,
I'm so much brighter than you guessed.


It's alright, I'm O.K.,
I think God can explain
I'm relieved, I'm relaxed,
I'll get off of your back,

I think God can explain.

prince charming

I have finally found him!

One fine afternoon, we went to our house and I introduced him to my family. Mom, Dad, aunts and uncles graciously accepted him. He was a welcome addition to the family. He bonded well with the clan, and I was very proud of him.  I saw him playing with the kids, having a grand time goofing around with them. Maybe he sensed that I was looking at his direction,he glanced at me and smiled. I smiled back and felt loved. awww...bliss!

then, suddenly I heard my mom calling me! *poof* dream gone. dream over!

I could dream like that forever! I woke up with a smile on my face and feeling giddy. I wish I could go back to my dream. But I should know better, to make this come true, first, I have to wake up!

I know someday soon, this dream will become a reality. :D

heart warmer

*never the grammar, it's the thought that counts! wehehe

i received this christmas card from the child i've sponsored through world vision. my heart swells with joy knowing i can make a difference in a childs' future, that i can help her in my small way. i hope that she'll grow up to be a fine lady someday and that she'll be able to help her family, and share her blessings to the community and country.

the bored and the restless

one evening...

girl 1: bru, musta?!

girl 2: ok lang, kakasal ka na ba? hehe!

g1 : hahaha. balita syo?!

g2: wala masyado, ganun pa rin. boylets boylets lang.

g1: so, may ganun talaga?! hirap talaga mabuhay... habang tumatanda dame iniisip... dame responsibility... complicated ang buhay.

g2: oo, pramis may ganung factor, ganun nga siguro pag tumatanda, dame worries. hay, kakatamad... kakapagod.

g1: siguro nga may hinahanap pa tayo na hinde naten makita kaya tayo ganito. ako nga may boylet pero parang walang patutunguhan, hanggang ganito na lang forever, i'm bored na.

g2: kulang lang siguro ng spice, konting excitement. baka kase parang routine na lang mga ginagawa kaya ka nabobore.

g1: siguro, plus the fact na feeling ko may kulang, at wala ko makita na super iniisip nya future. un sa'yo, take it easy.

g2: i'm taking it easy, di naman ako nagmamadali. madami pa ko gusto gawin sa buhay. kung may dadating, thank you. kung wala okay lang. pero ciempre, mas okay kung may dadating. hehe! tsaka nakaranas na tyo magkaBF, pati mawalan BF, manlalake, manloko at maloko. ok lang atleast alam na naten feeling, na experience na naten. kaya kung walang dumating, okay lang. i'm going to live! naks, usapang senti ba toh?!

g1: abnormal!!! pero tama ka dyan! i agree... cge, till next text

new year

Wow! Its new year, a fresh start... new adventures to take...

My top 10 things to do this 2008

1. Strengthen my Christian life ( I felt that my Christian life have been stagnant for the past year, I was not growing. Maybe because of my work, palagi may pasok pag Sunday, walang time makapag ministry, di makapag quite time. Pero ngayon, I'll DO my best to make time to be with God.)

2. Learn a new language (French language fascinates me. I think learning mandarin would really be useful someday).

3. Learn a new skill, like driving... then maybe test my driving skills sa pamamagitan ng road trip, wehehe! Maybe up north with friends, Mia, ready ka na?! Starting point naten ang Clark, tapos Pangasinan (Hundred Islands, here we come!);  then Baguio, tapos Ilocos Norte/Sur (Vigan, Pagudpod);  Cagayan Valley (Tuguegarao and Callao caves); tapos Nueva Ecija (kila sheila tayo). Don't worry, ako driver, kotse mo nga lang!

4. Climb a mountain. Commune with nature, experience and appreciate God's awesome creations (dean, ung mountain trekking na sinasabi mo, ituloy naten ha?!)

5. Learn how to swim (Mimi, walang iwanan, sabay tayo mag-aaral ha?!) tpos scuba diving naman, pag punta naten bowacay, masulit naten ang stay dun! hehe! hay, sana nga makarating tayo bora!!!

6. Photography lessons pero kailangan ko muna bumili ng camera! kailangan mag save!

7. Volunteer and become a part in a cause oriented group, its my way of giving back, pay it forward ika nga! Masarap ang feeling pag nakakatulong sa kapwa.

8. Try one or two adventure sports (river rafting or bungee jumping or surfing, sana lang I have enough guts to do it! )

9. Learn martial arts! (taekwondo/judo/karatedo)

10. Explore places, learn new culture, meet new faces ----> travel!

a planned life

Before we go to sleep, my roomate and I have this little talk about work, love interests, rants, dreams, failures, plans and almost anything we can think of.

One particular night, we had this conversation about plans in life. It made me ponder, whatever happened to my plans?!

Am I still on track? 

Am I lagging behind?

Generally, my plan was really quite simple. After completing my college degree, I want to work in my chosen field, (aviation, airline and tourism), after 4 years of hard work, I will marry the man of my dreams and start my own family.

Quite simple, right?!

Wrong!

Who said life is simple and uncomplicated? 

I had these unexpected turns and was headed in a different direction. 

TIME CHECK!

I'm now 27, my original plan was to get married when I reached 24! wow, I'm 3 years behind. Aside from that, the man of my dreams, my partner in dream-building is gone. But its okay, I have come to terms with it, I know in time I'll have someone I can share my life with.

Fortunately enough, one of my dreams came true, I got my dream job, I've been in the industry for quite sometime and still enjoying the field I have chosen.

The valuable lessons I learned:

Be realistic with the plan.

It's okay to plan ahead but expect some changes , life never runs out of surprises.

Be ready for plan B if incase plan A didn't turn out good. Never lose hope, be positive! Lastly, as Michael Scofield would say, 'just have faith'.