Untitled Love

I never really realized

how much you meant to me

until we have become miles apart

It is only now I've come to realize

how every moment with you is special

Every word uttered

Every touch of your hand

Every loving embrace

Becomes a good memory in retrospect

I've lost count on how many times

we fought of our differences

or I cried because I rebel

or simply because I failed you

Our relationship may have grown over the years

Withstood a lot of storms

Tested by time and circumstances

There may be only one thing I am certain of

That even beyond your last breath

Or even beyond mine

I will forever be grateful to the Man above

That He sent you to me

Happy Birthday, Mommy.

I love you.

____________

 Keep Shining!

Thanks,

EARLA JANICE AQUINO

ALOE BLACC - I'M BEAUTIFUL

Sometimes people say things
that they don't really mean.
They just might call you names
to lift their self esteem.
But soon enough, they'll realize
that it'll never work.
Because inside they're trying to hide
how much they really hurt.

But as long as you know who you are
and what you're about
Nothing they say can shake your pride
and make you doubt
The beauty you have in you
and when they give attitude
you can tell them like this.

Say, I'm beautiful and spiritual
and I think it's about time to tell you this.
I'm gonna be the best me
that I know how to be.

One day you learn how much it means
to believe in yourself.
So take these words and share these words
to help somebody else.

You never know. Anything's possible.
You just might make a friend.
So when they try to make you cry,
tell them again and again.

Say it like this- I'm beautiful and spiritual
and I think it's about time to tell you this.
I'm gonna be the best me
that I know how to be.

Say it again my brother- I'm beautiful
and spiritual and I think it's about time
to tell you this. I'm gonna be the best me
that I know how to be.

I'm beautiful and I'm spiritual and I think it's about time to tell you this.

I'm gonna be the best me that I know how to be. [till fade]

-- "I'm Beautiful" - Aloe Blacc

Sarah, Manila

Ever thankful for the music.

The Look

weddings always bring out the hopeless romantic in the hardest of hearts. let's face it. we're in this world looking for our other half. we might be comfortable being by ourselves most of the time, but in reality, the thing that scares a lot of people the most is being alone. at the end of the day, we're in this world wishing we don't grow old by ourselves.

taken in august of 2008 at tina and tony's wedding.

in my family, it's rare to find someone who's not walking around with a heavy-duty dslr. so while everyone was scrambling to take as much photos of my cousin walking out of the church a married woman, i caught this aww-raising moment. this is my cousin, cynthia. she had just gotten married maybe 10 months before this photo was taken. sure, newly-weds will always have that sparkle in their eyes, reminiscing their own special days. but there's something about watching cynthia look so lovingly towards her husband. it looked so much like they were sharing a silent inside joke, and we were so unfortunate to not be in on punchline. i didn't feel left out though. in fact, i felt fortunate still to witness how sweet it was that even without words, they were on the same page.

my family has been fortunate enough to be blessed with great marriages. sure, everyone's had their ups and downs, but after the storm, everyone's managed to hang on, survive, and grow stronger. i can only hope that someday, i would receive the same blessing. and that further into my old age, i can still look at my husband this way.

--pat enriquez, new york

It was written

I thank God and the Universe for my gift of being able to translate my ideas into writing. It saved my life several times in the past, kept me company through out life and now the urgency to have it in my life is at the strongest its ever been.

Thank You.

---Erica, Manila

More than Friends

Sometimes, if you are lucky enough, you find friends that unexpectedly and amazingly become like family.

-Erica, Manila

The Godfather

Sydney Elena Yapes Albano, born June 20, 2010, 8 lbs w/ proud Ninong JC

JC Albano, New York

Food and Love

I'm not going to lie and say I have always been into cooking. In fact, when I was younger, my idea of cooking was opening a can of corned beef or spam, frying it and eating it with fried rice mixed with Knorr seasoning. That or Instant Ramen.

It was only when I moved out of my house that I actually had to learn how to whip up something more substantial then canned food. Learning this lesson wasn't easy though, as I was blessed (and cursed) with a flatmate who could put together a great meal in 10 minutes, a mom who would send me off with her special spaghetti sauce (to be put in the freezer until I needed to eat it) and an uncle who, weekly, would buy me all sorts of ready made food from Milky Way.

Even though I was surrounded by everything that practically assured me of never learning to find my way around a kitchen, I persevered and started making omelets for breakfast, learning 4-5 ingredient quick cook recipes and stopped eating out. I think the real learning experience for me though, was moving to Australia where my family had no choice but to cook for ourselves. By then though, I enjoyed cooking so much I did not need to be prodded to do so, plus the amazing selection of meats, seafood and fresh fruits and veggies was dizzying and fun.

Now I can't imagine not tinkering about in the kitchen. My love for cooking used to be about my love for food and experimentation. While it is still that, I also realized that at the core of it is my love for seeing people happy, enjoying a good meal and good conversation. I love how meals always bring people together and how in my life, my family gatherings were always centered around the dining table. Perhaps this is where all of this is coming from.

I am thankful to have been blessed growing up, being in an environment that encouraged family togetherness. Eating was a big part of my life, and still is, and the joy of cooking and sharing this with my friends is one of the things that makes life worth it.

Caramelized Onion, Anchovy, Garlic, Mozzarella and Parmesan Pizza

Baked Chicken with red wine reduction and 40 cloves of garlic.

Steak (done Medium) with Onion-Rosemary Gravy.

Spread the love :)

Erica, Manila

My little man

I miss being a full time mom. I miss being able to just hug my baby whenever I can. There were times before, where I fell in love, thought I felt in love...at least it felt that way. But this is better. I feel like the intimacy I share with my son sometimes is indescribable. He can just look at me a certain way and understand how I feel, read my thoughts, see through me. I don't have to force him, cry..argue with him...to see me, even when I try very hard to hide it from him..even in those moments when I don't say anything at all but it's just getting to hard to take. I miss that. 

I miss the pinch of his nose, the way he cups my face to, "give Mommy a kiss-kiss". I've never felt this close to anyone before. I never had anyone this linked to me about how I feel, how I think...I've never sacrificed so much for one person. And when I am with him, I feel so free. I feel this euphoric sense of delight...and it's real! I have been with others before, even in the romantic sense, and there were times that it felt burdensome, like you were trying to make a moment happen, instead of letting the moment happen. Sometimes when I call him, from all the way here, I get nervous and think that, now that we don't see each other, it'll be coerced...that awkwardness where you try to come up with things to say. But it is never that way...talking with, sharing with him is no burden at all...it's effortless. Okay, okay, he's 4 and of course there is that thing about bond between mother and child. But I never expected it to feel like this. I never expected to feel this loved? happy? grateful...to be a mom. I truly, honestly love it...even those late nights when I didn't know what to do to make him stop crying...even during those times, when we are in a public place, and everyone and God is looking at us, like a spectacle, a mockery of why not to bring your child out in public...and I find myself sweating in place, this weird smirk of apology and shame on my face to everyone ogling, trying to figure out why this kid is screaming, crying and carrying on like so...and truth be told, yes..I did think at some points during those moments, "I am going to kiILLLl lyou...oh! wait til we GET HOMMME!" but even then I find myself surrendering...and instead of getting mad or trying to get even, I find myself trying to find ways to make it better if not just okay for him.

In that temporary moment of insanity, I still love him...O, I don't really want to kill him...how can I? someone who's brought such good things out of me..who's the essence of the hardship paying off...with all the things, stuff I chose to/did not choose/didn't really know any better at the time so I would just endure and hopefully things will get better at the other end....and still manage to love me, as I am...how can I want that out of life..that even at my worst, he still manages to show me/give me love...telling me stories that only a 4 year old fully understand but is trying to sympathize with me by coming up with stories only a 4 year old would understand so that Mommy can hear his voice...how did I ever, why did I ever hesitate for a moment with that? Why did I...I cannot believe I truly struggled with that... Thank you God. You could have brought anyone, anyone else in my life...and you did bring, have brought some pretty amazing people to my life...and I know there are more out there coming but thank you for this... thank you for him. I really am so 100 zillion times grateful...I love you..You are THE MAN. I love being a mom...I miss it...now, about that little girl... into Your Hands o Lord...

Tara, Manila

Angel in Disguise

The Angel in Disguise

It is such a joy when you come home after a long day and be welcomed by the kisses of your enthusiastic dog. And how endearing is it that the very thing they're so enthused about is that you just arrived home?

That's Rafaella. You wouldn't say she's a Rottweiler if you weren't looking because of her sweetness. I named her after the healer amongst the archangels, St. Rapahel, 'cause I knew at the first sight of her, she'd be doing exactly that in my life and boy, I was right. She came right about the time I was in and out of the hospital because of my Lupus. I believe she's one great channel of love from God to our family. When I'm down and I feel like crying, I'd sit beside her and it's as if she knows, because all she'll do is hug me and accompany me until I feel better.

She just never fails to cheer me up and bring light in my life.

It's been 6 years since I was diagnosed with Lupus and I believe I've been putting up a good fight. And with me through all of it is a kick-butt support system, one of which is a sweet, loving, always vibrant dog, Rafa. Life is good. =)

 

 

Samantha Timbreza, Manila

How sweet it is...

Last week, my workplace hosted Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. The largest, most successful fund raising event of the Cancer Council. 

This is what I contributed... 

❤ Red Velvet Cupcakes ❤ 

And of course a gold coin donation.

We raised $400. It may not seem like a lot, but a little goes a long way to help the fight against cancer.

P.S. Cupcakes made by moi.

P.S.S. They were the first to be wiped out. :)

Camille, Sydney.

Mama's Love

I'm a workaholic.  My day always starts off with putting my glasses on, changing and feeding my 2 and a half-month old baby Holly, going down to eat breakfast, giving the angel a bath, and turning on my computer to get some work done.  It's usually fun and fulfilling since I get to work and earn from home, but it can get really stressful especially when the little darling would wake up and start wanting attention, milk, or to be carried around even while I'm in the middle of time-crunching.  Other than that, I also have to tend to other important matters like this NSO census thingy, the application form of a cable company, and keeping the folks updated on life here in the city.
It's tiring, especially for a 20-year old who just transformed from student to freelancer to work-at-home mom.  But hey, I love my life and where Fate has brought me.  I'm happy that I have a baby girl who warms my heart each time she smiles, a husband who works hard to not only support us financially but who takes the time to figure out why I'm so silent or what I'm thinking about, and family who never stops thinking about how we're doing, if we're eating well, and if things are okay here in Manila.  I'm happy I have friends on Plurk who keep me from going insane out of isolation, my freelance work to keep my mind occupied, social media to keep me in the know-how of our crazy world, and music to soothe my nerves whenever I feel like the walls are closing in and the silence's constant urges to make me want to jump out of the window (there's a big one right in front of me at the moment). 
In the end, all I have to do is get up and stare at Holly with her tongue out while she's sleeping so soundly and all the stress goes away.  And remembering all the challenges I had to go through to bring her into this world, I just want to scoop her up in my arms and whisper in her tiny ear, no matter what Mommy will always love you. 

Steffi, Quezon City

Blessed!

As we approach the mid point of 2010, I just want to thank God for all my blessings especially the roles that he has me playing. 

I love being a father to an intelligent & beautiful daughter. I love being a husband to an incredibly gifted & soulfully creative wife. I love being a son to the world's greatest parents. I love being an older brother to supportive siblings that are with me each step of this awesome journey - even though we're (s)miles apart. I love being a part of a dynamically dope family. I love being a part of several closed-knit circle of friends. I love being on HIS team! God is good all the time =)

I'm thankful for my health, wealth, & happiness.  I wish you all peace & blessings in every aspect of your life.


Love & be loved!

Shine on!

- Banj, Manila

Unexpected

For me it's really unexpected to meet someone like him, my best friend. *grin*

We've been friends for almost 10 years now. We had our ups and downs but we're strong enough to hold on to our friendship and never let anything break us apart. :)

We don't have a picture that only the two of us in it coz it has always been with our friends. But, in the pictures it's either he's at the back, on the side or in front of me. so would that mean we're inseparable? nah! we don't hang out that much but if we do, it's always fun. he do have his other set of friends and i have mine too. we don't really limit ourselves to just us. we're not committed to each other, you know, so why would we. *lol* Between us two, he's the friendliest. He's too friendly that he often forget about me. :(

But a lot of changes happened last year that make me realized how special i am to him. I was taken for granted a lot of times but there was this one thing he did that make me forget about all the disappointments i had coz of him. :)

We're not that open to each other but we care for each other more than what people know. And i just realize right now that just the thought of not having him as my best friend, make me sad and just the thought of him being a best friend to someone else, make me jealous. i don't want to act selfish but if we're talking about him, that's a different story. *lol*

thank you so much for letting me share this. :)

God Bless!

 -Stephanie Taojo, Manila

Resiliency

re·sil·ience
/rɪˈzɪlyəns, -ˈzɪliəns/ Show Spelled [ri-zil-yuhns, -zil-ee-uhns]

–noun
1.the power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched; elasticity.
2.ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy.


Sometimes all it takes is a little (or maybe large and horrendous) bump in the road to wiggle you onto the right path. After a two week seminar with some of the country's most inspiring individuals, I've learned that for anyone who might have had it bad once, twice, thrice, or more times in their lives, there's always the comfort of being given a "second chance".

Second chances, I learned, are hardly ever really needed from the people in our past. Though some of us may want to rally backwards to relive a long forgotten life; I believe second chances begin when we can look into ourselves and say, "will you give me a chance?"

--Gisa Paredes, Manila

HAPPY FEET

So, I have been in the air again, traveling hours and hours away form Manila for work. I know I have plenty to be thankful for, but I realized that every time I post a travel photo on Facebook, and I  get comments like "I want your life." and "You are so lucky" -just how lucky I really am. When I say work, I mean photo shoots, and interviews and exploring and enjoying whatever place I am in. I love doing all of that, so my work is like play. Plus, I get to choose my team during all trips and shoots so I am always working with people I can have fun with. It's easy to complain about living out of a suitcase, not seeing my boyfriend and daughter enough...but at the end of the day, this kind of travel is the the kind that keeps me alive, keeps me wondering and excited about what else life has to offer-and I know there is a lot and I haven't even seen half of it!

Looking through my newest passport, I noticed a few weeks ago that I only have two more pages before it gets filled up with stamps. That is just my new passport and does not include every other passport I've had since I was born. I know not that many people get to travel as much so I am truly grateful to have had so many opportunities to see different parts of the world. It is my obsession and addiction to read travel blogs, look through websites, check airfare, hop on and off planes and daydream about the next destination I would like to visit.

Thank You Universe, for answering my travel prayers every single time. Thank You. Hopefully you feel I will be deserving of many more.

- Erica, Manila (via Baros Island, Maldives)

BREATHE

I read the blogs, and saw a lot of inspiring stories. I don’t know if mine is inspiring, but I’m feeling good now about myself, and so I wanted to share this story. I just came from a dysfunctional relationship. However, I wanted to make myself believe that it’s not, that we can go on and that it would work out fine, even though I knew it won’t. He took advantage of my money (he didn’t have work), he kept me from going home to my family, he would say things that would affect my self esteem, and he was forceful and abusive. If you ask me why I stayed with him, it was because I wanted to make myself believe that finally, I would get it right. I came from two previous relationships that didn’t end well too. I so much wanted to be able to say that this time, is the last time. Unfortunately, we can’t have everything we want. I couldn’t change him. And he was changing me. I was becoming someone I was not.

The last straw came when he compromised my professional reputation (believe me, he managed to do that). I asked him for space so I could think things through, and so I can mend myself so I can come back to him a whole person. But no, after a few days, his friend informed me that he has been dating several girls already. My first thought was, “C’mon. You’ve got to be kidding me.” But I found out it was all true. It was when I decided to make the separation permanent. He lied about going out and was adamant that he has not been seeing other girls. But to me that was it. It was the tipping point for me.

It was my way out also. I learned that when you are so hurt, there is no lower position you can ever get. I learned that your true friends will hang on and pull you up. I learned that it’s not wrong to love yourself. I learned to have fun on my own, by myself. To see that life goes on, after everything. I learned that sometimes there are people you were not really expecting to pitch in for you, who will surprise you with their goodness.

This is my breather. It’s been three weeks now since we fell apart. The first week was rough. Really rough. I was drunk for days in a row. But I thank God for all the wonderful people who helped me put myself back together. I thank God for my job. I thank God for my family. Now I’m so much better. This is a testament that one can really do something towards getting closer to mending a broken heart.

Xyza, Manila

A jeepney Story

a few nights ago while riding the jeepney on the way home i felt very fortunate to witness one of life's most beautiful bittersweet moments. 

a couple with a 3 yr old daughter boarded the jeep and sat on opposite sides behind the driver. they caught my attention because first, i thought the husband was the woman's dad because he looked old enough to be her father. second, after a few seconds inside the jeepney they were just staring at each other and then the woman motioned for the husband to pay the fare. i got curious when he handed the money to the driver and the driver asked him what was their destination, i couldn't understand the husband's reply because his voice was barely audible. and then he made some gestures with his hands, that's when i understood that he was deaf. i looked at the wife who was holding their kid, she seemed apprehensive because the husband didn't shell out their exact jeepney fare, thus having to answer the driver's question regarding their destination. the husband motioned that it wasn't a big deal because he seemed like he could manage to utter a few words to be normally understood. by the look on the wife's face and the forceful way she was gesturing with her hands (banging her fist on her palm to assert her point maybe), i think she was not pleased. by this time i guess they were already arguing, and i was fascinated with how they could be "voicing" out their reasons without being "loud" and both of them wanting to be "heard" by the other. 

a lot of thoughts flooded my mind when i looked away from them because i was starting to look like i was watching a spectator (which i really was). questions like how did they fall in love? and who between them is really the deaf mute one, i mean diba, i think there are different levels of being deaf and mute, one is not really knowing how to talk and just using sign language, the other is learning how to do basic talking and still communicating through sign language, etc. i also wondered if their kid inherited her parents' disability or if she was normal how did she learn her first words? and how did her parents teach her to say those words if they themselves couldn't talk properly? and how do they live each day of their lives as a family if both the mother and father's  hinders them from living normally?

before they got off the jeep i stole one last look at them, this time i noticed the woman timidly smiling, maybe their argument has been resolved, i realized the answer to my questions could be summarized in three words: FAITH, HOPE, and most of all LOVE.

FAITH in each other is what binds them together as a couple, and trust that they could do anything for the sake of their kid. and also, FAITH that God will always provide for them. HOPE, that amidst their disability life still holds good things for them. and LOVE,  

the love that they have for each other is all that they need to keep moving on. 

i know this sounds cheesy but that's what i was thinking while riding home, i feel blessed that i was able to witness something like that. it was beautiful and it gave me something to learn. that night i offered a prayer for that family, i thanked the Universe for making them an instrument for me to learn something, and also i prayed that yes, life indeed would be good to them, in spite of...

 i also thank this beautiful family for making me remember how it is to really write from the heart again.

jas from manila

A beautiful Life

31 years ago today, I was born.

What could be more awesome than that?

*looks up* Eyes closed* smiles*

Salute to the big guy ;p

Thank You.

I am currently traveling again and my internet is intermittent, which explains my lack of posting.

Tonight I went to Philip Island, about 2 hours from Melbourne, and I saw about 200 little penguins emerge from the sea. It was an awesome sight.

On the way home, I realized one thing: I have seen many amazing things in my life. For this I am truly grateful, and hopeful that I am deserving enough to see many more.

-Erica, Manila (via Melbourne)

dancing like no one is watching.

Because this girl always managed to make me smile.

 

I believe that in your lifetime, there is this certain friend who comes into your life.

You become instant friends, and the moment you first spoke it was as if you had known each other for years.

Her excitement is contagious and her warmth is welcoming.

She moans, whines, and complains with you.

She laughs and cries with you.

She loves your husband. And he loves her just the same.

She comes over to your house (halfway across the city)  to raid your cupboards because she has no food in her hers.

You can both dance and sing around the room like it is a stage as if you two are the only ones in it.

She drinks wine with you.

She tells you she loves you twenty times a day.

She loves unconditionally and she does not judge.

A passionate one who brings fun into your life.

She is the one you talk to when you think you are pregnant, goes through every step of the pregnancy with you and is your first visitor besides family after you give birth.

She brings energy to the room when the silence is overbearing.

She is the one who you can speak to ten times in one morning before you meet up for lunch.

She is crazy. Totally melodramatic and expressive.

Her confidence radiates and lights up the room.

And she always dances like no one is watching her.

You are complete opposites.

Total opposites that fit together.

-rae, manila

Girlfriends

I have had several chapters in my life change, but one thing that has remained constant in the past 10 years has been these girls - Carla, Hanna and Reg.

It shouldn't really take a lot for someone to know which relationships should matter and which people are worth calling "friends".

 Girlfriends have a special bond, like sisters, that see you through every rough decision, triumph, and heart ache. We rejoice together and when the occasion calls for it, we cry together too.

In the past 8 months, I have learned to curl up and hide. I've become an expert at pushing the world away. So far away in fact, that only these girls have been able to find me.

I have never felt any more love than through the people who have continued to support me. Carla, Hanna and Reg have been strong for me. When I couldn't seem to bring myself together, they have rushed from all parts of the Metro to catch me just when I've lost my own strength. And best of all, when no one else understood, they did. And even if sometimes they could not wrap their heads around it, they embraced me when I did not know how to love myself.

LOVE is infinite.

I learned that from a homily at the Easter Vigil. Love, the priest said, was infinite because we were capable of sharing our lives with other people despite all the pain we may have been through.

Reg, Hans, Carl and I have certainly had our share of pains in the past 24 years. But it has been in the very way I've watched all three of them make such beautiful things out of their pains that has inspired me to make something just as great out of mine.

When they excelled, I drew inspiration from their successes, and when they stumbled, we taped it to our bulletin board of things to watch out for.

I thank God for each of them.

I thank Him for Hanna, who has inspired me to dance to the beat of God's drum under the tempo of positivity, Carla, who has inspired me to be head-strong and to push for any dream, and my bestest bestest friend Reg, who has inspired me to value FAMILY (among many other things).

Here's to our future girls!
And to looking back, only so often. ;-)

Gisa Paredes, Manila

I Heart NY

Growing up with three sisters, there were a ton of catfights.
We would all fight over anything and everything even when there was
nothing to fight about
Funny enough once we all began to go our separate ways we all started
to miss having someone to fight with. My oldest sister left the house
to start her own family, the other to start college and the youngest
joined the U.S. Navy and ended up in Italy.
The four of us would go for months not speaking to each other but when
they all came home for the holidays it was like we were never apart.
Late last year my sister was going through a tough time with her
marriage. She called me crying one day asking me for help. She never
asks for help so i knew she meant serious business.
She asked me to move in with her so I could help out with her son, my nephew.
I grew up in Southern California and have always said there is no
place i could ever see myself living in. My friends are all there and
its what i know. I've been to many places but i always come back to
California because California is home and home is where my heart is.
My sister lives in New York, now while anyone else would jump at the
chance i was hesitant to move across the country. I don't know anyone
in the east coast aside from my sister and nephew and i knew it would
be a huge adjustment. All my friends said i would hate it and i
agreed.
The first couple of weeks was horrible. I would cry for no reason, but
mostly because i missed California and everything i left there. It
also happened to be winter when i moved east so it was snowing and
that was depressing. They don't call it winter blues for nuthin.
Cut to three months later and i don't want to leave. Although i do
miss my life back in California I have fully adjusted to city life.
Nothing quite compares to walking at Central Park at 6am while
everyone else are sleeping. The city is beautiful in the morning when
its not littered with tourists.
There are so many things to see, I never get sick of anything. Nothing
quite compares to hearing 10 different languages being spoken all at
the same time. I don't even care that i don't understand any of it,
its just a beautiful thing to hear. Most days i just walk around with
no particular place to be at. Sometimes i go to a museum and stare at
a painting or hang around Times Square and people watch. It is in fact
the city that never sleeps and i'm glad to be one of its minions.
Now if only I could get my friends to come visit me

Julie - Oxnard, CA via NYC

LOL!

If there is one thing that made me laugh out loud several today it is this word:

Jejemon

Don't know what it means? Google it.

Happy Laughing!

Erica, Back in Manila

Mexican Fiesta

I think that sometimes (okay, most times) I thrive on stress. I can't seem to do things unless there is some kind of panic involved. This is why I am always lacking in sleep or getting headaches. My time management skills are pretty awful. I mean I get everything done, but I could have got it done at a more leisurely pace had I not procrastinated. This is a problem I deal with regularly and I know a lot of people are the same. Work becomes encompassing and all of sudden I find myself getting cranky and irritable and just not very pleasant to be around.

It's moments like these, that I have to go out of my way to remind myself to slow down and breathe. That it's all just work and that I have to stop and relax or I'll just drive myself crazy. And then, when I do manage to stop for a second, I find a few moments (hopefully a few hours or even a day) to just enjoy myself and spend it with loved ones doing things that make me happy.

One such example of this was Mexican Fiesta night! Family and friends and I had been planning to do this for weeks now and it kept getting pushed back. Finally last weekend though we decided to just do it and got everyone together for a delicious feast of Mexican goodies! My cousin, and chef extraordinaire, Barni put together her delicious Mexican specialties like quesadillas, burritos, black bean salad, homemade salsa, and shrimp fajitas and I added a few humble additions like tacos and tosadas. And my mom-in-law threw in her mouth-watering seven layer dip! We even downloaded an all Mexican themed playlist (insert: Bamboleo) and rounded up good friends and family to enjoy the feast, coupled with delicious frozen margaritas ala Nino.

Diets were thrown out the window and everyone helped themselves to Barni's delicious fare (all healthy mind you! I am still dreaming of quesadillas to this day!) and we just got to relax and enjoy good company for one night out of a busy and hectic week. It was a great evening with good friends and a perfect way to recharge for the stress that I know is coming.

Life can get hard - no doubt. And jobs can get taxing, but I think that if we all remember to take time out to remember what's worth living for - having family and friends who love you, a good night's sleep, and a delicious shrimp fajita  - then you are sure to appreciate your blessings no matter how stressed out you get! Don't forget to enjoy the little pleasures when you can! They are what make everything worthwhile :)

- Michelle, Manila

Age ain't nuthin' butta numbah

I was out at a dinner with family and a close family friend from Japan last night. He is a funny and charismatic 88-year old professor, advisor and may I add, is in great shape (despite his pace maker). He is my (soon-to-be) mother-in-law’s foster father in Japan during her college years.

At the start of dinner, sitting next to me, he whispered that he wants to order San Miguel Pale Pilsen, with a cheeky grin on his face! How can you resist that and say no! So we order him one. The first gulp he took, he closes his eyes, smiles and says a big “aahhhhh!” Three bottles later, he says he is in heaven! It made me smile that he was in total bliss and enjoying every single moment.

After dinner, we’re walking to the car together and he says to me….

Dr.: “I’m so very happy today, I don’t know why!”

T: “I think it’s the San Miguel, sir!”

Dr.S: “No, I think it’s because I was sitting next to you!”

Unexpectedly, that made me blush! I smiled and gently patted him on the shoulder, most certainly sure it was the San Miguel talking! Even if it was the first time to meet him, his charm and attitude in life certainly left a scar in my heart. 

Simple gestures and actions from people just make you appreciate life even more.    

- T, Manila -

No ordinary day

My day started out like most..woke up, got dressed, ran errands...

And then...after a late night grocery run, I came home to this....

My godchild, Kala-8 months. Today was the first time I met her, as I live in Manila and she, in Sydney. I haven't been back since this time last year so it was awesome to finally see her! The Christening is this Sunday...get ready for the ride called "being Erica's inaanak", Kala!

--Erica, Manila via Sydney

[Smile Project] Episode 3: The Case of the Berkelouw Bookworms

Reading Erica's entry below made me crack a smile and burst into a giggle.

You know you have found a friend for life when you take the same photos (on completely separate occasions) of a place you absolutely love!

Lisette's Love: Berkelouw Book Barn, Berrima

Erica's Love: Berkelouw Bookstore, Newtown

- Lisette (still smiling), Sydney

Sydney Smiles

I've been such a slacker with posting the past few days! So hard to sit still while on vacation but here are a few things that have made me happy/grateful/smiley/laugh lately.

1. I got to see a few of my friends the first day I arrived. We had a few drinks at the house :)

2. El Jannah-Seriously folks, if you are ever in Sydney, you MUST go to Granville and try El Jannah Lebanese Charcoal Chicken. Incidentally, El Jannah means "Paradise" in Arabic, and let me tell you, it it goes beyond its name.When I am in Sydney I eat this regularly, when I am not I dream about it.

3. Berkelouw Books in Newtown. 1st Floor-new books (great selection too!) 2nd floor-second hand books and cafe. Such a cozy place. I loved it :)

4. El Jannah. Yes, again.

5. The nice guy behind the counter at the Indian place in Westpoint who gave me free Gulab Jamun.

6. Shopping with my sister.

7. Cold weather!-I'm not usual a fan but it is a welcome break from Manila's heat.

Little things make me happy. Hope you found stuff to make you smile too :)

Peace, Erica-Manila (now in Sydney! ;p)

Take a Walk

When I was at my lowest, my bestfriend (other than my real bestfriend) was talking long, liberating walks. Whenever you're sad, whenever you're confused, or on the verge of blowing up in the middle of  fight,  feeling ancy or just plain down in the dumps, my advice is: take a walk. You know what they say: exercise=endorphines=happy.

Once in San Francisco, my bestfriends and I walked around and just let go. We actually bumped into a few hilarious/cute/quirky characters.

                                        

Mrs. (MR.) Potts hanging outside of H&M

Weird Fat Geisha Man entering his car

      And the cutest little mouse I've seen in Pier 39!!!!    

Talk a walk. It helps. :)

Cheerios, 

Andrea

Love is Bliss

It was like a loud drum beat that came ringing to my ears. It was so loud that I thought I was heading towards loosening my sense of hearing. I looked around, searched for where the sound was coming, pointing to where the waves are rooted from its origin and then I realized, it was coming from the left side of my chest. It was coming from my heart. I was in love.

It wasn’t that long since he first held my hand and carried through the winds to face the world as one with him. It was only three years and six months ago, but it already felt like forever. I haven’t notice the time was fleeting fast maybe because each time I am with him, every moment stops. Every single minute I lay my head on his shoulder, it feels like I am in a magical ball where the music is endless. Each note is like a tiny hearts and every melody is like a beautiful butterfly. Blissful!

Not all people are blessed with a kind of love that can take you to places far beyond reach, but I am thankful to God for giving me a man whose hand perfectly fits mine. It’s always a good feeling to have someone whom you can share your likes and dislikes, your heartaches and heartbreaks, your happiness and hatred, your dreams and your aspirations.  Yes, we have shared many things. We’ve laugh, we fight, we kiss and we make up.

For me, he is a lover, a teacher, a companion, a partner, an enemy and most of all, he is my best friend. He knows me inside out and accepts me for what I am. Even if I have a tan skin, even if I have flab, even if I cry easily, even if I am sometimes a brat, even if I annoy him sometimes, even if I pinch him, even if I eat a lot of chocolates and gain weight the nest morning, even if I write a lot of nonsense things, even if I sometimes open his social networking accounts, even if I don’t talk much and the list can go endless. I pray that God will embrace us as we both continue with our journey, until we seal our fingers with the ring of matrimony, until little “mini me’s” comes running around our house, until arthritis crawls to our bones at the end of the long day, until our hair turn silver and gray, and until we come home to heaven’s paradise.

--Julie Ann

Davao City, Philippines

Gabletop Taming

these fools. it's not even that they make me smile -- it's beyond that.
whenever we're together for extended periods of time, my throat starts
to hurt from laughing too loud and too often. happiness, pure and simple.

this is really my fiance's group of guy friends; since raf and i have been
together the longest, i've gone through periods with this group of fools
when i was the only girl, or i didn't like a certain girlfriend, or one of them
stopped hanging out with us regularly because he spent more time with
his girlfriend and her group of friends -- which are all fine by me, because
at the end of the day, they're my friends no matter what.

but in recent months it's really been great, hanging out with them and
their girlfriends. each of these girls is a perfect fit for each of these fools,
and i'm so happy that they've all found each other. and you know how
sometimes, you feel iffy about hanging out with your friend's significant
other without your friend, because the significant other doesn't really
have a lot in common with you? it NEVER HAPPENED with these girls.
if anything, we've all been pleasantly surprised by how open they are
to our silly little traditions, habits and quirks.

i guess i just want to say thanks to these three amazing women, for making
these three fools happy, and for being so AWESOME that i look forward to
hanging out with them every single weekend (even if i haven't known some of
them for very long).

-miao, manila

happiness = (food) + (kid) x (mess)

My 3-year-old niece.

She makes me laugh at every moment. Whether she is telling me a knock-knock joke, which always involves the caller being [insert random word here] poopie, or she's telling me a story, which always somehow involves creepy things (yes, she's a little bit quirky). She'll call me simply to say hello or ask me if I can sleep over. She's smart, animated, and so freaking cute – she makes every time I spend with her the most awesome day ever.

---cc, new york city

Sibling Love

I don't like in the same country as the rest of my family, so being able to fly to Sydney to see them, or them coming home is always a treat for me.

I am in Australia at the moment, and I had happy hour drinks in the backyard with my not-so-little brother, Mio, about life in general and his plans for the next year or so.

it was nice catching up with him and talking to him like an adult, which more and more I realize he is becoming. At 21, he has a long way to go and many changes that will happen to him, but it's nice to be able to have real conversations and give him advice as well.

Me (30) and my brother Mio (21) :)

--Erica Paredes

My Good NIght Buddy

enjoy the last few minutes (which sometimes stretch into a couple hours) of the night with my dear little boy. Here he is playing around with the pillows. We’ve got eight in our bed, and I only get to use one :P

 KV VIllareal, Manila

Will work for Chocolate

One thing that makes me really happy and fulfilled is working with my hands. I love creating things and getting my hands dirty in the kitchen. Above are Cafe Mocha truffles. I love it when people love what I make :)

--Erica Paredes

Love Story

What is a love story? And what is the love story? What is the difference?

Boy meets girl, girl likes boy, they fall in love, and live happily ever after. Of course, if it always turned out this way, then the world would be a much less complicated place. And then everything would be so predictable. And if you ask me, predictable is boring. Routine.

That vague equation leaves so much room for screw-ups in between. Starry visions gone wrong. What-if's. Maybe. Would-have-been's. Heartbreak. Regret. It's a wonder why anyone even tries. Statistically speaking, the chances are almost null.

Enter... Me. A pretty jaded yet still hopeless romantic. In love with the idea of love. With dampened spirits, yet still searching nonetheless. Afraid to settle, but wanting that someone special in life.

Who would have ever thought that I would have met him in a crowded room, senses tinged with alcohol, ready to pass up that chance encounter as another passerby? To think that this was the turning point of my life as I knew it, and I was hardly even aware. But of course, this is no ordinary story. Even a love story, at that. So of course, I discounted it. It was the only way to go.

And then we meet again. It was the conversations that got me, on a level that touched my deepest core. And from then, I knew that I could never settle for anything less than that explosion of when the minds meet, and the soul raptures.

It was the beginning of the end, or the end of the beginnings. That depends on which way you look at it. Either way, what matters is what happens from then on.

With him, I started to find myself. Through means that I would never have thought of before. Puzzle pieces started fitting. And from then on, I knew that I could start moving forward. I was becoming a better me. And it never had been clearer.

I'd see him. And by see him, I mean I'd understand him. I could see the core of his being. And it is with this, that I am in love. I did not fall in love. Spiral crazily upwards or downwards. I just simply am. As if there never was time that I was not.

The man of my dreams, and then some. You know it's true, when reality starts becoming better than your dreams.

There is a long road ahead of us. Both literally, and figuratively, because we will travel together and then grow together before that happily ever after. Is that the end? There is no end, just that journey together with the yang to my yin. The perfect partner, my twin.

Ananda. Bliss.  I’ve always known I’d name my little daughter that.

-Noelle, Manila

.those moments.

    I sat down one evening with my eighteen month old son, Cameron. We flipped through some of his favourite books and he starts pointing out all his recognisable objects and off he goes naming them all..... “ moom (moon), da (star), do(dog), bubba(baby), noh (cat).................”

....... off I slip into my collection of thoughts built up during the day. All the what’s, when’s where’s and how’s of my day and plans for the week began to take over. His recital of words were just echoes now in my busy, busy head. I then feel his tiny little hand on my face, he looks right at me and says “Mama??” Although that was all he said, it was if his eyes were begging me,  “None of those things matter at the moment, stop worrying. Please sit and just be with me.”

    Time moves too fast to neglect these moments. Our little ones grow too quickly and there is always another time to think about other things. This little moment made me smile and also made me realise that sometimes it’s just about the simple things that create happiness. Sometimes it’s just about moments that make you smile. Sometimes this simplicity is all you need.

--rae, Manila