tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81831136606957562322024-03-14T01:26:15.243+08:00The Soulshine ProjectWe are all interconnected and responsible for one another. This blog will hopefully serve as a reminder that we are all capable of making people smile, and that there is ALWAYS a reason to be grateful and happy :)I shine. You shine. We shine :)Love.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-4578533775399668912011-04-14T10:50:00.000+08:002011-04-14T10:50:56.309+08:00Healing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloTYoPeuiLqbS03qKJ7KMI2n6YwNCljeTN0A7uG_S8gZJ_P2tIPYkOei25y7PhD0gkt-zxzr8cjCubis1xGA4gDE7BmU-JK0-YZyTRFL8QBk9a7f9xXabVNQq-pTitiTrzSp5jF5GQYs/s1600/HEARTS_g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloTYoPeuiLqbS03qKJ7KMI2n6YwNCljeTN0A7uG_S8gZJ_P2tIPYkOei25y7PhD0gkt-zxzr8cjCubis1xGA4gDE7BmU-JK0-YZyTRFL8QBk9a7f9xXabVNQq-pTitiTrzSp5jF5GQYs/s320/HEARTS_g.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So my first year in grad school has come to an end. Last night, we ended our class in group therapy on a dramatic note with the exchange of letters. We decided to read the letters in private and so after a round of drinks with my grad school friends, i went home to snuggle in my bed and take time to read the thoughts and prayers of my classmates.<br />
<br />
Letter after letter i read about how my story made such a big impact on their lives and how this has changed the way they’ve perceived the world. the tears came rushing as I realized that my story had moved farther into the hearts of other women and away from my blogging platform.<br />
<br />
I cried in both sadness and joy. I cried for the pain I once felt and yet I cried in gratitude for the freedom that I now experience. I thanked God for giving me a mission in life and having carried out this mission as I made my way through my first year of grad school.<br />
<br />
I want to make a difference in the world. Most of all, I am hoping that through my experience I can help ignite change.<br />
<br />
I read everything from, “i never imagined that beneath your smile was a woman who had gone through so much” to “you story made me think about whether i was actually abused myself”.<br />
<br />
Abuse is no joke and although it’s been long since I’ve last felt it creep up on me, I have remained firm in dealing with the world with my new strength.<br />
<br />
Last night was an affirmation of the healing I could feel happening within me and for all that my first year of grad studies has been, I am thankful for everything and everyone that I have encountered.<br />
<br />
This semester in particular, I have 13 wonderful women to thank for helping me build myself up again.<br />
<br />
For every woman who needs to be reaffirmed, know that you are never alone. You’ll be surprised what writing about your story can do for you and how many women out there will flock to support you. I found my initial support on tumblr and facebook; and i hope that you do too.<br />
<br />
Sending love to the universe,<br />
<br />
g<br />
<br />
http://herhairisfullofsecrets.tumblr.comLove.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-52362140337547032902011-04-02T19:26:00.001+08:002011-04-03T09:03:28.270+08:00Manila Minds<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gI9sZBzSnsc?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gI9sZBzSnsc?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object><br />
<br />
I was fortunate enough to be invited to this session of "mutual inspiration" with some people I know, some I didn't but would like to know better. <br />
<br />
There were two main questions asked.<br />
<br />
1. Define Change and Progress:<br />
My answer- Change is doing something you've never done before- Progress is possibly failing but getting up to try again. Change is EVOLUTION, sometimes a REVOLUTION and progress is finding real SOLUTIONS.<br />
<br />
2. What do you do and why do you do it?<br />
My answer- (This took me awhile to answer. In the last 15 minutes this is what I ended up writing down)<br />
I do everything I do so my daughter, and all your children can live in a world I would have wanted us to live in.<br />
<br />
A little something to inspire you to maybe have your own group brainstorming sessions, mind melding and just generally opening you up to other ideas as well as those ones you never expressed.<br />
<br />
Peace, love and happiness,<br />
<br />
ELove.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-31366988190223962262011-04-01T15:18:00.000+08:002011-04-01T15:18:16.270+08:00Mind over MatterSometimes you just gotta do things you wouldn't normally want to do in order to reach a bigger goal.<br />
<br />
Growing up, I never saw my dad for breakfast. I never saw him in a business suit, or carrying a briefcase. He wasn't that dad that would take work-related calls at dinner or have to cut his hair in a nice work-appropriate style. I grew up with a dad who would meditate for 30 minutes with his door closed, and then head over to host his noontime variety show, record songs in the afternoon and philosophize with us for hours at the dinner table.<br />
<br />
My mom was always an artist. She never had an office job, never was one of those women who came home stressed and tired and having to cook dinner for the family. She did pottery for hours on end, helped us study for exams, took us to our gymnastics or ballet lessons, on shopping sprees behind my dad's back and to get our teeth pulled out. I would see her painting, drawing or doing some sort of crafty activity on a regular basis.<br />
<br />
Here I am now, working a 9-5 job-something I never in my wildest dreams thought I would ever do. It was never a dream of mine to work in an office, or to do anything BUT what I was passionate about. My points of reference where both artists, both working on their own time, to their own beat.<br />
<br />
I always worked that way too, and for the first time, I decided to try something new, which was insert a bit of structure in my life to balance myself out. I won't lie, it's been a difficult time adjusting to knowing you need to be in one place for 8-9 hours a day. It's frustrating to not be able to attend weekday get togethers and brainstorming because it's at 4 pm and you can't leave, or to not see your daughter except on weekends because she's asleep when you get home.<br />
<br />
I know millions of people have been in this rat race for decades, but I guess I still need time to get used to it. Despite the growing pains, there are, of course, many things I am still grateful for.<br />
<br />
My daughter and my boyfriend are two people that have been extremely patience with me during this indulgent post-Saturn depression I've been going through. I am more than grateful for my daughter's after-work hugs and wide excited eyes. I'm thankful for my boyfriend's late night, 2 hour phone calls where it's mostly me talking and him making me feel better.<br />
<br />
I'm grateful for the slow and steady living here in the South, and although I miss seeing my friends all the time, I find myself wishing they would all move here instead of me moving out there.<br />
<br />
I'm grateful that I HAVE a job. Even if I complain about not having time to do what I want, feeling caged in an office and all that, I have a job. Some people spend months, even years trying to find one, and I have it. It has it's compromises for sure, and things I wish were different (I still wish I could work from home) but at the end of the day, I'm dong what I gotta and working for my daughter's future. Can't hate on that.<br />
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So even if life isn't always perfect, even if I can't always be the happy go lucky hippie I've always been, life IS good. And now more than ever I understand the words "The struggle is the blessing"<br />
<br />
...because really, it is.Love.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-44085823547146493882011-02-07T21:51:00.001+08:002011-02-07T21:52:55.779+08:00Ink and StoriesIt's been quite awhile since I wrote in this blog- even thought of it I must admit. Things just got so busy, and life got in the way of all the entries I wanted to post, and all the photos I wanted to share.<br />
<br />
This does not mean, of course, that my gratefulness has waned or my positive outlook has turned bleak. On the contrary, I feel like I have been too busy just being happy than talking about being happy. I will stop making excuses for my being AWOL though, and give my sincerest apologies for not continuing this blog as I should have. In any case, I will re-start now and hope that people will follow my lead and decide to start sharing again. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YHy_fXUZ2ixX-5jn38Ur1JxSufTlgJ-TfR4rwDejvIjDWkwrgMuy_o1I-nfTEi-FC_inyIeobUu6PspZbmDe8oCSj4B1hQbbfPoiZ4bDaiAkb4jji-B1bkkeuM8xI5j-H_0OeqGc8AI/s1600/41267_424221660894_603050894_5528938_3132474_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YHy_fXUZ2ixX-5jn38Ur1JxSufTlgJ-TfR4rwDejvIjDWkwrgMuy_o1I-nfTEi-FC_inyIeobUu6PspZbmDe8oCSj4B1hQbbfPoiZ4bDaiAkb4jji-B1bkkeuM8xI5j-H_0OeqGc8AI/s320/41267_424221660894_603050894_5528938_3132474_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdYLulUmnYPVdfdM_6SuN7q7C3lmlUIps3ynqhnLhYHsa9gxUecXM7GHFOhPtkluD_QkecgQqkraffyWf4E8c3FbXIlomVaPT1wnAh30wISVsqEViAHZbNIG9tggvZPna_3AXvI9zVQw/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdYLulUmnYPVdfdM_6SuN7q7C3lmlUIps3ynqhnLhYHsa9gxUecXM7GHFOhPtkluD_QkecgQqkraffyWf4E8c3FbXIlomVaPT1wnAh30wISVsqEViAHZbNIG9tggvZPna_3AXvI9zVQw/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VyEDg7PoP9vMLp1GNSxQQLrh6i3i3bluW-0DmQq5T_yXbmBKIRLnpuDQhe_1qjdaJ1qeHk4ZSdwPncUbkQwjGrB_E_vL_et7gHCZqgWDo4w_fu5gP8nhbmbxPGcAreqmcVoUMhP6drs/s1600/IMG_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VyEDg7PoP9vMLp1GNSxQQLrh6i3i3bluW-0DmQq5T_yXbmBKIRLnpuDQhe_1qjdaJ1qeHk4ZSdwPncUbkQwjGrB_E_vL_et7gHCZqgWDo4w_fu5gP8nhbmbxPGcAreqmcVoUMhP6drs/s320/IMG_0019.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
All my tattoos mean something to me. Now, at 31, I have 11.<br />
<br />
11 tattoos. I know some of you are cringing. Some are secretly wishing they were brave enough to get one, and others just think I'm plain crazy. <br />
<br />
Here's the thing. These tattoos remind me, time and time again that I have stories. I have been through situations both good and bad, happy and painful, to get to where I am right now.<br />
<br />
I have stories. Isn't that enough to be thankful for? Can you imagine living a life of boredom, or too much safety, of not being able to have anything exciting to say about your past because you were too afraid of being hurt, rejected, made fun of?<br />
<br />
I say screw that. When you are hurt, you become stronger, when you're rejected, you become more creative, when you're made fun of, you probably have the best damn idea out there--nurture it.<br />
<br />
So anyway, I am thankful I have stories. I have reasons for living, lessons to look back on, hopes for the future.<br />
<br />
Oftentimes, that's all you really need.<br />
<br />
Erica, ManilaLove.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-55752974155394492602011-02-06T11:46:00.000+08:002011-02-06T11:46:10.774+08:00He will always be that Baby BoyLast September my dad and my sister’s family were here in Cebu for my brother’s church wedding.<br />
<br />
Spending time with my family is something I really hold dear since I hardly go home in our hometown in Mindanao. So I always grab the opportunity to spend time with them even if I’m dead tired from school.<br />
<br />
My sister’s eldest son, Yco is like my best friend/mortal enemy. I babysat him when he was 3 years old while my sister was having a difficult pregnancy on her 2nd son. And so we had a lot of moments together. Both good and bad. We just love to hate each other and after a minute we’re like inseparable! We would play together and he would always want to go with me whenever I leave the house. But when it’s hating time, the house is a total chaos. We would just drive everyone nuts! Its like I’m not an 18 year old who is supposed to take care of a 3 year old boy.<br />
<br />
Anyway, im 23 and Yco is now 8 years old. Before September, we haven’t seen each other for months! The last time I was able to spend time with him was last Christmas and before that, I haven’t seen him for 2 years! There are just a lot of changes. He’s not a baby anymore. He has a crush and would blush whenever I mention the girl’s name. He doesn’t want to be hugged or kissed in public and even inside the house, he would squirm and push me away.<br />
<br />
It was a struggle for me to get a hug from him when he came here in Cebu. I can only kiss him when he’s fast asleep. Hold his hand when were crossing a street. So one night on our way home from going around Cebu and Lapu-Lapu, he stayed at the back of the van, in the compartment area. I was tired and falling asleep. Then I felt these tiny arms making its way around me from the back. Yco was hugging me and gave me a kiss on the head thinking I’m asleep. I wanted to blurt out, “Ha! You missed me!” but I chose to just pretend to be asleep and savor the minutes of him being sweet again. Gladly, my sister was able to take a shot before he goes back to his i-don’t-like-you moment.<br />
<br />
And yes, I’m wearing my uniform. Followed them in a restaurant after my class and I didn’t know that they’re still not done. I still had so much fun anyway.<br />
<br />
When he lay down and started humming, I looked down on him and said, “I love you, Yco!” and he just continued doing his thing like he didn’t hear anything. He just took my tiredness and sleepiness away!<br />
<br />
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Agnes Pasco, Cebu CityLove.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-2339592744056594242010-08-26T18:55:00.002+08:002010-08-26T18:55:58.360+08:00Untitled Love<div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">I never really realized<div>how much you meant to me</div><div>until we have become miles apart</div><div><br />
</div><div>It is only now I've come to realize</div><div>how every moment with you is special</div><div><br />
</div><div>Every word uttered</div><div>Every touch of your hand</div><div>Every loving embrace</div><div>Becomes a good memory in retrospect</div><div><br />
</div><div>I've lost count on how many times</div><div>we fought of our differences</div><div>or I cried because I rebel</div><div>or simply because I failed you</div><div><br />
</div><div>Our relationship may have grown over the years</div><div>Withstood a lot of storms</div><div>Tested by time and circumstances</div><div><br />
</div><div>There may be only one thing I am certain of</div><div>That even beyond your last breath</div><div>Or even beyond mine</div><div>I will forever be grateful to the Man above</div><div>That He sent you to me</div><div><br />
</div><div>Happy Birthday, Mommy.</div><div>I love you.</div><div>____________</div><div><br />
</div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"> Keep Shining!</span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">Thanks,</span></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></span></div><span style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><span style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><div><div>EARLA JANICE AQUINO</div></div></div></span></div></span></span></span></span></span>Love.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-15027960315505833192010-07-28T23:38:00.000+08:002010-07-28T23:38:40.719+08:00ALOE BLACC - I'M BEAUTIFUL<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><object style="background-image:url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/Rv4D5pU1gLY/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rv4D5pU1gLY&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rv4D5pU1gLY&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; ">Sometimes people say things<br />that they don't really mean.<br />They just might call you names<br />to lift their self esteem.<br />But soon enough, they'll realize<br />that it'll never work.<br />Because inside they're trying to hide<br />how much they really hurt.<br /><br />But as long as you know who you are<br />and what you're about<br />Nothing they say can shake your pride<br />and make you doubt<br />The beauty you have in you<br />and when they give attitude<br />you can tell them like this.<br /><br />Say, I'm beautiful and spiritual<br />and I think it's about time to tell you this.<br />I'm gonna be the best me<br />that I know how to be.<br /><br />One day you learn how much it means<br />to believe in yourself.<br />So take these words and share these words<br />to help somebody else.<br /><br />You never know. Anything's possible.<br />You just might make a friend.<br />So when they try to make you cry,<br />tell them again and again.<br /><br />Say it like this- I'm beautiful and spiritual<br />and I think it's about time to tell you this.<br />I'm gonna be the best me<br />that I know how to be.<br /><br />Say it again my brother- I'm beautiful<br />and spiritual and I think it's about time<br />to tell you this. I'm gonna be the best me<br />that I know how to be.<br /><br />I'm beautiful and I'm spiritual and I think it's about time to tell you this. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; ">I'm gonna be the best me that I know how to be. [till fade]</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><i>-- "I'm Beautiful</i>" - <b>Aloe Blacc</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><b>Sarah, Manila</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><i>Ever thankful for the music.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Love.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-45413522019591309372010-07-22T12:21:00.002+08:002010-07-22T12:21:23.936+08:00The Look<div align="center"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">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.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YMG09lndmbo/TDcc3a0WFEI/AAAAAAAAAGA/ZcSm7-nDxtE/s320/894946436_prbZS-O.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; min-height: 240px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span><div align="center"> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">taken in august of 2008 at tina and tony's wedding.</span></span></div><br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">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.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">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.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">--pat enriquez, new york</span>Love.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-75155629270675596902010-07-11T12:08:00.000+08:002010-07-11T12:08:18.262+08:00It was writtenI 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.<br />
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Thank You.<br />
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---Erica, ManilaLove.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-20967181666054622142010-07-01T08:58:00.000+08:002010-07-01T08:58:16.296+08:00More than FriendsSometimes, if you are lucky enough, you find friends that unexpectedly and amazingly become like family.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UJyHG_OugizthIDV6W7CpO2bPMXUuR6kE5oX2KSKZMpu_9UYK6oXuSQse6X2wAYkLa3Oesn4tG15bCLelf8MAVFAKP04a7zpKTGKd84syFeERj946c7Z4DzxmCAdMM9d1yVHdn0W1x4/s1600/P6050092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UJyHG_OugizthIDV6W7CpO2bPMXUuR6kE5oX2KSKZMpu_9UYK6oXuSQse6X2wAYkLa3Oesn4tG15bCLelf8MAVFAKP04a7zpKTGKd84syFeERj946c7Z4DzxmCAdMM9d1yVHdn0W1x4/s320/P6050092.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri3P-NCMCbsyIMTJq9r7g0yWJjY5KIzq8nMfTSPwPOKQfxl0rdtYEWmbe6Nobw7XtUeQ7jLcssZlXT5tElAci8FVKun0OZOBWg3Ec97gkaZHLW6VkBLkykmUaE3yR8btGGouPeU_5Rsg/s1600/P5080119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri3P-NCMCbsyIMTJq9r7g0yWJjY5KIzq8nMfTSPwPOKQfxl0rdtYEWmbe6Nobw7XtUeQ7jLcssZlXT5tElAci8FVKun0OZOBWg3Ec97gkaZHLW6VkBLkykmUaE3yR8btGGouPeU_5Rsg/s320/P5080119.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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-Erica, ManilaLove.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-2281720787312022002010-06-23T09:14:00.000+08:002010-06-23T09:14:50.032+08:00The Godfather<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7eFKD23qMC2988WzQA8vxQSmGio3V273-XxDXwHU-7KMAhxORYIWPxNkR1Gr2JHZwrIuPNEEr2-vz1IYUUD12rT9eyY8Mo739_9t-5g5pl1p73KEIM5ag7rQoGWPBC6hWrGGE_4BqtM/s1600/36861_726663558517_27602161_39824381_2462166_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7eFKD23qMC2988WzQA8vxQSmGio3V273-XxDXwHU-7KMAhxORYIWPxNkR1Gr2JHZwrIuPNEEr2-vz1IYUUD12rT9eyY8Mo739_9t-5g5pl1p73KEIM5ag7rQoGWPBC6hWrGGE_4BqtM/s320/36861_726663558517_27602161_39824381_2462166_n.jpg" /></a></div>Sydney Elena Yapes Albano, born June 20, 2010, 8 lbs w/ proud Ninong JC<br />
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JC Albano, New YorkLove.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-69848296458511208802010-06-22T10:13:00.002+08:002010-06-22T10:18:43.773+08:00Food and LoveI'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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1D-bjsKBg24IyJZG5RS0JZ9Sq6oLa7OJplxavr8-zh-rF-r3p_-hJ94zj9NKDQ7b2U8gjN1Z8FijyWKjkYbrS3J_M1iPKPw3q1yqb7ScXb7QCLpGZoiRtmpEpI-liMzUaf5-rbY5Tvjg/s1600/P6200005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1D-bjsKBg24IyJZG5RS0JZ9Sq6oLa7OJplxavr8-zh-rF-r3p_-hJ94zj9NKDQ7b2U8gjN1Z8FijyWKjkYbrS3J_M1iPKPw3q1yqb7ScXb7QCLpGZoiRtmpEpI-liMzUaf5-rbY5Tvjg/s320/P6200005.JPG" /></a></div>Caramelized Onion, Anchovy, Garlic, Mozzarella and Parmesan Pizza<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DVv2QbvotcHG3JbsA0VLft8J4RlthLJwqSxRbO8b10eRI0nLTsDo0QIlUGr9hxBkXap5ocSdirbCRa-HuJEbJ_h6fTdhzHz6Y461aWRGVYZoLPc3_dzrWbtf89gDSL-XVt9NW9AuTGg/s1600/PC160046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DVv2QbvotcHG3JbsA0VLft8J4RlthLJwqSxRbO8b10eRI0nLTsDo0QIlUGr9hxBkXap5ocSdirbCRa-HuJEbJ_h6fTdhzHz6Y461aWRGVYZoLPc3_dzrWbtf89gDSL-XVt9NW9AuTGg/s320/PC160046.JPG" /></a></div>Baked Chicken with red wine reduction and 40 cloves of garlic.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlEBY8B2uvYToUekWpfpVfTaEaql4a0Ogz2rr511cNwNwj7JtWXkgI_-WQsMAra1jU7mmYuchi3Q2Lp_80KeZf06xl2rtNuLc2PL37CG_C7_tknsFoFYcRKA-JVhgc0Zq-AFgBdscTlI/s1600/P6200015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlEBY8B2uvYToUekWpfpVfTaEaql4a0Ogz2rr511cNwNwj7JtWXkgI_-WQsMAra1jU7mmYuchi3Q2Lp_80KeZf06xl2rtNuLc2PL37CG_C7_tknsFoFYcRKA-JVhgc0Zq-AFgBdscTlI/s320/P6200015.JPG" /></a></div>Steak (done Medium) with Onion-Rosemary Gravy.<br />
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Spread the love :)<br />
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Erica, ManilaLove.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-39954382162845365912010-06-22T00:52:00.000+08:002010-06-22T00:52:07.809+08:00My little man<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">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. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">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.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">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...</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8183113660695756232" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8183113660695756232" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=900875&op=1&view=all&subj=403269324454&aid=-1&auser=0&oid=403269324454&id=1634426908" style="clear: left; color: #3b5998; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZi97DdBFMp513otq5XB9sk0_b-WLoJBwMmrxF4hclp2LGg711Zma-fjrEiZmqmIFKkwUzKcEWdhclWk8tyXBVHlovbaQ1Arf_evUAR1OlXZ_sd7jYk0W4IQkawGSZBYF4ZzHIOzNxmbM/s1600/31955_1394448394617_1634426908_900875_8080272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZi97DdBFMp513otq5XB9sk0_b-WLoJBwMmrxF4hclp2LGg711Zma-fjrEiZmqmIFKkwUzKcEWdhclWk8tyXBVHlovbaQ1Arf_evUAR1OlXZ_sd7jYk0W4IQkawGSZBYF4ZzHIOzNxmbM/s320/31955_1394448394617_1634426908_900875_8080272_n.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tara, Manila</span></span>Love.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-29517103990463553632010-06-13T18:08:00.000+08:002010-06-13T18:08:19.435+08:00Angel in Disguise<div>The Angel in Disguise</div><div><br />
</div><div>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?</div><div><br />
</div><div>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.</div><div><br />
</div><div>She just never fails to cheer me up and bring light in my life.</div><div><br />
</div><div>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. =)</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyd8mrHfJUBtoPoZUacG2GiUeHEjuL1hBsXW87j05vx9dPcwvRVFl7rGpoZqBNQpWw5ST5-PLqBVIc-HTZVh8njte_E5IdgrQPwcbEV1EQa7dUpOKDXEsDJjFZ8pv2JDMQvtU1-uxkUw/s1600/IMG_3455_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyd8mrHfJUBtoPoZUacG2GiUeHEjuL1hBsXW87j05vx9dPcwvRVFl7rGpoZqBNQpWw5ST5-PLqBVIc-HTZVh8njte_E5IdgrQPwcbEV1EQa7dUpOKDXEsDJjFZ8pv2JDMQvtU1-uxkUw/s320/IMG_3455_2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Samantha Timbreza, Manila </div>Love.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-71325125091259197222010-06-05T00:02:00.000+08:002010-06-05T00:02:43.979+08:00How sweet it is...<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Futura,'Century Gothic',AppleGothic,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><div style="margin: 1em 0px;">Last week, my workplace hosted <a href="http://www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/" style="color: #2080b8; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea</a>. The largest, most successful fund raising event of the <a href="http://www.cancer.org.au/Home.htm" style="color: #2080b8; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Cancer Council</a>. </div></span><br />
<div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Futura,'Century Gothic',AppleGothic,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Futura,'Century Gothic',AppleGothic,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">This is what I contributed... </span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Futura,'Century Gothic',AppleGothic,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM3kDOLMsbu1SPX4DjGyBYPBuVchoEZnymr0ISiE6-e6bvzPGlL-LC5q-R8wQy7IhSSijNkwcAmQCz7JcCJAwxfZ2NNC5WZjpvhtir3S7kyx4kYNb-1jETPOCWDhcfZw9lbEK2JAOUCg/s1600/IMG_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM3kDOLMsbu1SPX4DjGyBYPBuVchoEZnymr0ISiE6-e6bvzPGlL-LC5q-R8wQy7IhSSijNkwcAmQCz7JcCJAwxfZ2NNC5WZjpvhtir3S7kyx4kYNb-1jETPOCWDhcfZw9lbEK2JAOUCg/s320/IMG_0135.JPG" width="244" /></a></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Futura,'Century Gothic',AppleGothic,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Futura,'Century Gothic',AppleGothic,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Futura,'Century Gothic',AppleGothic,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><div style="margin: 1em 0px;">❤ Red Velvet Cupcakes ❤ </div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;">And of course a gold coin donation.</div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;">We raised $400. It may not seem like a lot, but a little goes a long way to help the fight against cancer.</div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;">P.S. Cupcakes made by moi.</div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;">P.S.S. <span>They</span> were the first to <span></span>b<span></span>e<span></span> <span></span>w<span></span>i<span></span>p<span><span><span></span></span></span>e<span></span>d<span></span> <span></span>o<span></span>u<span></span>t.<span><wbr></wbr></span> <span>:)</span></div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;">Camille, Sydney.</div></span></span></div>Love.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-11179187650059695602010-06-03T17:20:00.000+08:002010-06-03T17:20:07.431+08:00Mama's Love<div style="margin: 1ex;"> <div> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">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.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">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). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">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, <i>no matter what Mommy will always love you</i>. </span><br />
<div align="center"><a href="" name="0.1_graphic02"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><center> <img alt="Your browser may not support display of this image." height="1" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?name=d33be9805ff33117.jpg&attid=0.1&disp=vahi&view=att&th=128fbad475348433" width="1" /></center> </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Steffi, Quezon City</span><br />
</div></div>Love.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-14173303430953690862010-05-28T10:00:00.004+08:002010-05-28T12:16:50.469+08:00Blessed!<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">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. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">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 <b><i>HIS</i></b> team! God is good all the time =)</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">I'm thankful for my health, wealth, & happiness. I wish you all peace & blessings in every aspect of your life.<br />
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</i><br />
<i>Love & be loved!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9kzwI4cjEOM2Mx7oJmyHoLcTomUaJJgheZDBoN7t-FtXgOT0uo-R8uz8CMetZzzzR_ML5IOyD90E_yHT9oaaniRd-AOu_IwTy1n_W3VA63q6knjl28URTyybitBziFJNrNRhVEP5zJA/s1600/Shine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9kzwI4cjEOM2Mx7oJmyHoLcTomUaJJgheZDBoN7t-FtXgOT0uo-R8uz8CMetZzzzR_ML5IOyD90E_yHT9oaaniRd-AOu_IwTy1n_W3VA63q6knjl28URTyybitBziFJNrNRhVEP5zJA/s320/Shine.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Shine on!</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>-</i></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i> Banj, Manila</i></span></b></div>Love.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-48667899099042691612010-05-26T08:52:00.000+08:002010-05-26T08:52:09.884+08:00Unexpected<div><br />
</div><div>For me it's really unexpected to meet someone like him, my best friend. *grin*</div><div>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. :)</div><div><br />
</div><div>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. :(</div><div><br />
</div><div>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. :)</div><div><br />
</div><div>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*</div><div><br />
</div><div>thank you so much for letting me share this. :)</div><div><br />
</div><div>God Bless!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihshnGPegtMuxLtctRs17muVR2WhZMC673kBB48HyOw-oagE8iIxFRdehoDcwnOVODxkK2qJGeIC5K1zntIOWJwULmSL-Ehq2dsEGVe1Pwvm90kuqaQPuzpB_xahtq48PieXeubp7k5r8/s1600/me+and+my+best+friend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihshnGPegtMuxLtctRs17muVR2WhZMC673kBB48HyOw-oagE8iIxFRdehoDcwnOVODxkK2qJGeIC5K1zntIOWJwULmSL-Ehq2dsEGVe1Pwvm90kuqaQPuzpB_xahtq48PieXeubp7k5r8/s320/me+and+my+best+friend.JPG" /></a></div><div> -Stephanie Taojo, Manila</div>Love.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-46213772785252457482010-05-20T10:23:00.000+08:002010-05-20T10:23:06.225+08:00Resiliency<b>re·sil·ience</b><br />
/rɪˈzɪlyəns, -ˈzɪliəns/ Show Spelled [ri-zil-yuhns, -zil-ee-uhns] <br />
<br />
–noun<br />
1.the <i>power</i> or ability <i>to return to the original form</i>, position, etc., <i>after being bent</i>, compressed, or stretched; elasticity.<br />
2.<i>ability to recover</i> readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy.<br />
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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". <br />
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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 <i>me</i> a chance?"<br />
<span style="color: #888888;"><br />
--Gisa Paredes, Manila</span>Love.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-50532237759345756672010-05-20T09:56:00.000+08:002010-05-20T09:56:45.971+08:00HAPPY FEETSo, 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!<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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Thank You Universe, for answering my travel prayers every single time. Thank You. Hopefully you feel I will be deserving of many more.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mUriqhvS-XxZzLgTF6QBNnPCDFO0dPmcZgc98BKT-_UROP1OShSx9KB4poAeUzRvtFH4xZkHPz1EUYR-0rwjBW9kW3X2grNVQX2gXg3Pven5uVjalco83tn9lk0lr1ccVjSrAPb_WBQ/s1600/P5180340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mUriqhvS-XxZzLgTF6QBNnPCDFO0dPmcZgc98BKT-_UROP1OShSx9KB4poAeUzRvtFH4xZkHPz1EUYR-0rwjBW9kW3X2grNVQX2gXg3Pven5uVjalco83tn9lk0lr1ccVjSrAPb_WBQ/s400/P5180340.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>- Erica, Manila (via Baros Island, Maldives)Love.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-66210640726755895542010-05-20T09:26:00.003+08:002010-05-20T09:28:19.480+08:00BREATHE<div align="LEFT"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I read the blogs, and saw a lot of inspiring</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">stories. I don</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">’</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">t know if mine is inspiring, but I</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">’</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">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</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">’</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">s not, that we can go on and that it would work out fine, even though</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">I</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> knew it won</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">’</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">t. He took advantage of my money (he didn</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">’</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">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.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">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.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">I came from two previous relationships that</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">didn’t</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> end well too. I so much wanted to be able to say that this time, is the last time. Unfortunately, we can</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">’</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">t have everything we want.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">I couldn</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">’</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">t change him. And he was changing me. I was becoming someone I was not.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div align="LEFT"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">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.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">But no, after a few days, his friend informed me that he has been dating several girls already.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">My first thought was,</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">“</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">C</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">’</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">mon. You</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">’</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">ve got to be kidding me.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">”</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> But</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">I</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> 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.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">But to me that was it. It was the tipping point for me.</span></span></div><div align="LEFT"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It was my way out also. I learned that when you are so hurt, there is</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">no lower position you can ever get</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">I learned that your true friends will hang on and pull you up.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">I learned that it</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">’</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">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.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div align="LEFT"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This is my breather. I</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">t</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">’</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">s been three weeks now since we fell apart. The first week was rough. Really rough</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">. I was drunk for days in a row. But I thank God for all the wonderful people who helped me put myself back together.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">I</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">thank</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> God for my job. I thank God for my family.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Now I</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">’</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">m so much better. This is a testament that one can really do something towards getting closer to mending a broken heart.</span></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8183113660695756232&postID=6621064072675589554" name="128aa91672563f75_"><b><span lang="en-ph"><span style="color: #003366; font-family: Harrington;">Xyza</span></span></b></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">, Manila</span><span lang="en-ph"><br />
</span>Love.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-21605013770455949762010-05-10T09:05:00.000+08:002010-05-10T09:05:02.891+08:00A jeepney Story<span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div><br />
</div>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. <div> </div><div>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. </div><div><br />
</div><div>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?</div><div><br />
</div><div>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.</div><div>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, </div><div>the love that they have for each other is all that they need to keep moving on. </div><div><br />
</div><div>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...</div><div><br />
</div><div> i also thank this beautiful family for making me remember how it is to really write from the heart again.</div><div><br />
</div></span><br />
jas from manilaLove.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-35646618264272214342010-05-07T08:46:00.000+08:002010-05-07T08:46:19.497+08:00A beautiful Life31 years ago today, I was born.<br />
<br />
What could be more awesome than that?<br />
<br />
*looks up* Eyes closed* smiles*<br />
<br />
Salute to the big guy ;pLove.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-85462250517573126002010-05-02T19:17:00.000+08:002010-05-02T19:17:19.092+08:00Thank You.I am currently traveling again and my internet is intermittent, which explains my lack of posting.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
-Erica, Manila (via Melbourne)Love.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8183113660695756232.post-65972239570767864522010-04-27T10:24:00.001+08:002010-04-27T10:29:34.931+08:00dancing like no one is watching.<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Because this girl always managed to make me smile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDyD48o0xAO3XspzU0j_QqWdOM49ASyxzBznqsvtLs_5erfFY-5G5yOcD3k0p-Co1BgSss-PV3YsVUs2bIF0KB46w88haS5klSCMbCXZFv6z5mRkC4SvO1Zcn0mbNa0qI1qhRG-7TN9Y/s1600/Picture+274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFoQ-jkalIWdEsSQp6ez9ADAg5gLXaa3kHLgUd0owwjR_UZO3P9jZMqD5Mmbv-AsEqDeKYjyOp_K56GRI5zgZ0_Lrmrr1A2Lb8_BcaR61BGPx3iAbuEO0Xz6NuPO339T3vjhC7dX6RxE/s1600/Picture+285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFoQ-jkalIWdEsSQp6ez9ADAg5gLXaa3kHLgUd0owwjR_UZO3P9jZMqD5Mmbv-AsEqDeKYjyOp_K56GRI5zgZ0_Lrmrr1A2Lb8_BcaR61BGPx3iAbuEO0Xz6NuPO339T3vjhC7dX6RxE/s320/Picture+285.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDyD48o0xAO3XspzU0j_QqWdOM49ASyxzBznqsvtLs_5erfFY-5G5yOcD3k0p-Co1BgSss-PV3YsVUs2bIF0KB46w88haS5klSCMbCXZFv6z5mRkC4SvO1Zcn0mbNa0qI1qhRG-7TN9Y/s1600/Picture+274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDyD48o0xAO3XspzU0j_QqWdOM49ASyxzBznqsvtLs_5erfFY-5G5yOcD3k0p-Co1BgSss-PV3YsVUs2bIF0KB46w88haS5klSCMbCXZFv6z5mRkC4SvO1Zcn0mbNa0qI1qhRG-7TN9Y/s320/Picture+274.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-9GdQaiDVJsB47No9Zwbm5IfpkZpKghng5RCauCaCJ-fx-nYFQmlOVn_GqiXEysKEhdKpcPe9boh73uAGsyFFPi8SjhGmn0aLbmT5JVKo5yyzXa2VdQaeD7E4KF9o9jsCf7ZDoYGC5k/s1600/Picture+278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-9GdQaiDVJsB47No9Zwbm5IfpkZpKghng5RCauCaCJ-fx-nYFQmlOVn_GqiXEysKEhdKpcPe9boh73uAGsyFFPi8SjhGmn0aLbmT5JVKo5yyzXa2VdQaeD7E4KF9o9jsCf7ZDoYGC5k/s320/Picture+278.jpg" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I believe that in your lifetime, there is this certain friend who comes into your life.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">You become instant friends, and the moment you first spoke it was as if you had known each other for years.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Her excitement is contagious and her warmth is welcoming.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">She moans, whines, and complains with you.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">She laughs and cries with you.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">She loves your husband. And he loves her just the same.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">She comes over to your house (halfway across the city) to raid your cupboards because she has no food in her hers.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">You can both dance and sing around the room like it is a stage as if you two are the only ones in it.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">She drinks wine with you.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">She tells you she loves you twenty times a day.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">She loves unconditionally and she does not judge.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">A passionate one who brings fun into your life.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">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.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">She brings energy to the room when the silence is overbearing.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">She is the one who you can speak to ten times in one morning before you meet up for lunch.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">She is crazy. Totally melodramatic and expressive.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Her confidence radiates and lights up the room.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">And she always dances like no one is watching her.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">You are complete opposites.</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Total opposites that fit together.<br />
<br />
-rae, manila </div>Love.Peace.Happinesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01121460698435167407noreply@blogger.com0