Fearless - NOT Quite

What's your greatest fear?

I remember a time when my answer to this question - without any equivocation - was poverty. I was so scared of being in need to the point that I'd have to depend on someone else totally. I guess I still am. But it is no longer my greatest fear.

There was a point when my answer was something totally different: to lose an entity very important to me, forever. I thought that I wouldn't be able to hack it. And it happened. I lost it. It hasn't been forever, but guess what? I am more than hacking it.

Yeah, I stumble to my knees more often that I would like. I "malfunction" more times than I expect. And yet at the end of the day, I realize that that fear is not that fearsome at all.

Now ask me what my greatest fear is...

It took me a while to start this paragraph. I can't describe the fear. I know it is there somewhere. It's just too complex at the moment.

One thing I do know. Whatever that fear is, it is nothing compared to the power that is available to me (and you). If good things come to an end, then awful things come to an end as well, right?

That's what the beach does to me. :p

La Playa Resort

Just a quick post...it took us more than half a day to get to our destination. Our plane left ONLY 5 minutes late, can you believe that? The rest of the trip was not that easy, though. The boat ride from the mainland to the island was really tough, starting with a guy carrying us on his shoulders!!! (Just turn your head - sorry the Internet is sooo slow!)

I felt that I needed life insurance as the guy waded through chest deep water to take me to the boat - even more so when the waves started to get rough.

It wasn't that bad, really. I was asleep pretty much the whole time due to not getting any the night before. Now, we're having our second meal at the resort. One thing you can't complain about: the food. They feed you too much! :p

Thinking of Goals

Last night, I went to a friend's house for dinner in Marikina. That place - much like any other place in this metro - holds special memories for me, and it was great (even liberating) to go back and create new memories.

We had the best pork chicharon ever - homemade! Awesome food (thanks, Mr. Reyes!) and even more awesome friends - you can't go wrong with that.

Later that night, we went to Franky's, this little bar and grill off Katipunan. Over beer, we got to talking about our goals for 2010. My friends had their lists ready - from buying a car to becoming business plan consultants. I, on the other hand, was a bit at a loss. I did have bits and pieces in my mind, but I think I shall take time during this week to write down achievable and measurable goals.

Here's to 2010, guys!

Cheers!

Blessed Christmas Eve

It was a very different Christmas, but it was a very good one! Don't have the words to describe it right now, so I'll let photos do the talking.

Noche Buena with the family. Sam was fast asleep at this point.

Mark and Hannah chilling.

Dad and Mom (doesn't her hair look like Wolverine's?)

Earlier that night.

Still earlier...dinner and wine with friends.

Sam "reading" Yummy.

I hope you all had (have) a blessed Christmas! May your hearts be filled with peace and love (and your bellies with food and cups with wine)!

Early Light Devotional - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley 2009

I was reading this earlier, and I just knew I had to share it. There are people who need this kind of encouragement - you know who you are. :)

Early Light Devotional - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley 2009

John 16:28-33

Is it possible to be at peace when you have just received a “pink slip”? When your 16-year-old daughter discovers that she is pregnant? When your spouse says, “I don’t want to be married anymore”?

Is it possible to be at peace when you fall into a deep depression? Yes! God’s peace is available no matter how painful and hopeless your situation seems.

Peace is not gained by manipulating circumstances. Sometimes people think that if they could just rearrange their situation a bit, then life would be wonderful. That kind of self-reliance is both foolish and unbiblical. Fixing a problem outside of the Lord’s will might result in temporary calm, but lasting peace will continue to be elusive.

A tranquil heart is the result of trusting the Lord, no matter how messy life gets. Jesus warned that believers would have trouble on this earth, but He has overcome the world. In other words, we can have peace in spite of our trials. Although a storm of trouble rages around a believer, he can travel through it with a sense of serenity because Jesus walks alongside him. Thanks to his relationship with Christ, the believer receives all that he needs to face his trial—including courage, wisdom, guidance, and comfort.

Jesus promised peace for those who trust in Him. Thankfully, He also “delivers” on everything He promises. Our part is to take one day at a time and believe that God will carry us through. Divine peace and everything else that we need will follow our faith.

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Christmas Shopping - NOT!

I don't have the guts or patience to brave the streets or the malls these days. Even in our tiny neighborhood, which isn't really that crowded, you will see droves of people shopping from afternoon till late night. I wonder if it's the same in other countries?

Am I being a Scrooge for not having done ANY Christmas shopping? I have a legitimate excuse - I don't have any more cash and I don't want to use my credit card for fear of being a victim of identity theft (especially since I don't really take enough measures to ensure identity theft protection).

Seriously, I am dangerously low on cash; the plastics are useless; and I refuse to go out into the jungle we call the malls. Is it just me???

Monday Pick Me Upper: Broke Wind

No need to explain this, huh?

Fireworks!

It's that time of the year when fireworks displays are held left and right. Imagine my delight when I saw lights flashing outside my window on Saturday night! I was getting ready to go out, but I had to stay and take a video of the fireworks. I had "front row seats" and it was just wonderful!

Getting Rid of the Non-essentials

I think it's called pruning. At least that's the word that got stuck in my head after the message at church today. Merriam-Webster says:

Prune: a : to reduce especially by eliminating superfluous matter.

Got me thinking...I have got a lot of "superfluous matters" in my life. Maybe it's high time that I got rid of them, and I honestly think that it IS happening. I didn't want it to happen, but here I am nonetheless; and while I still am unsure and unclear as to what exactly is superfluous and what is not (I just might have a different definition), all I can do is focus on what is clear to me.

Don't you just love it when you get these pensive moments and you feel that you're getting something out of them?

Plus Minus In Manila

I'd never really heard of the band before, but thanks to Ren and Joff, I got to discover new music - good music. We went to their gig last night at Encore (what used to be Embassy) and despite my initial misgivings, I had a blast. I think the company had everything to do with it. Oh, and the two bottles of Jagermeister that we split between us, of course.

Learn more about Plus Minus...their music is easy listening music and it was the perfect backdrop for a night of good conversation with friends. Just make sure you go easy on the shots next time...The band wow-ing the crowd.The ladies before Mike busted out the first bottle of Jagermeister.Here goes...Salut!Welcome home Queen A! We missed you!Starting to get glassy-eyed. We have the Irish Yoga guy to thank for the gig.Second bottle chillin'I'm almost done, guys...Yep, am done...and then the lights started flashing, the music started pounding...get me out of here, please!!!North Park congee will take away your "tama" anytime...

Merry Christmas friends. Til next time - oh that's in 3 hours. See you at Joyce's!

Smile

My memories of Charlie Chaplin are hazy at best, but this Glee cover of his song will forever be clear in my mind.

Today, I am promising myself to:

• Focus on the tasks in front of me.
• Lean on the only One who can give me the peace I need.
• Not allow external circumstances to throw me off balance.
• SMILE. I know who I am. At the end of the day, my conscience is CLEAR. No one can take away my self-worth. There IS a light at the end of this tunnel, and when I get there, it will be more than I am expecting.

Monday Pick-me-upper: Redneck Baby

I forgot that it's Monday - time for a pick me upper! I got this image from an ex-student through e-mail. I hope I don't offend anyone - it IS politically incorrect, but hey, just for laughs!
They call it the redneck baby chair and teething set in one!

Christmas Cleaning

I know it's supposed to be SPRING cleaning, but we don't have spring here and I have more vacation time during Christmas. That's why I am thinking of spending at least one day cleaning out my condo in the next 2 weeks (NO WORK!!!). I do not normally pay attention to all the details and leave things to trusty old Marlene who helps me out with the house stuff.

This year, I plan on having every nook and cranny cleaned. Heck, I'll even have the air conditioner filters washed or something! I will throw away all the stuff that I have accumulated over the years that I don't use or need. I will get new curtains. I will get a new TV. I will have Marlene turn everything upside down just so the house will be sparkling clean.

I can't believe I am excited about this! Aren't you proud of me? ;)

Bora In March?

The year has not even ended yet, but plans are being made for the first quarter of next year. Maybe that's how organized people do it? Talk about going to Boracay in March has been going around in my circle...and I am loving it!

I haven't been there since 2006, and I know it can be overrated and overcrowded, but Bora is special to me - it was there that I fell in love with the sand and the sea. It's three months away, but I am excited about booking our tickets and hotel. While it is not a problem, peak season makes things worse. It would be easier for us to book get orlando hotel reservations than get affordable (but nice) accommodations in Bora during peak season.

So what do you say guys, let's do it?

Bora pictures to tease your imagination.

Defying Gravity

Some people think Glee is gay. It could very well be, but let me tell you - it is a FEEL GOOD show; and right now, that is all that matters!

Before I saw the episode where two characters (Rachel and Kurt) had a show down, my favorite was the one where the football team danced to All the Single Ladies. Now, this song just makes me feel that I can get through whatever I need to get through. Listen to it and read the words below.

Something has changed within me

Something is not the same

I'm through with playing by the rules

Of someone else's game

Too late for second-guessing

Too late to go back to sleep

It's time to trust my instincts

Close my eyes: and leap!

It's time to try

Defying gravity

I think I'll try

Defying gravity

Kiss me goodbye

I am defying gravity

And you wont bring me down!

I'm through accepting limits

'cause someone says they're so

Some things I cannot change

But till I try, I'll never know!

Too long I've been afraid of

Losing love I guess I've lost

Well, if that's love

It comes at much too high a cost!

I'd sooner buy

Defying gravity

Kiss me goodbye

I'm defying gravity

I think I'll try

Defying gravity

And you wont bring me down!

I'd sooner buy

Defying gravity

Kiss me goodbye

I'm defying gravity

I think I'll try

Defying gravity

And never bring me down!

bring me down!

ohh ohhh ohhhh!

Home TV Shopping

I'm not referring to the TV channel that you end up watching even if you have no intentions of buying anything they are selling. Believe it or not, I am actually considering buying a new TV at the end of the month.

I rarely watch TV. I do use it to watch series and movies every now and then. I also need it for playing Wii games. So any TV would do, right?

The other week, though I was at the mall and saw a huge sale at this appliance store, and they had all sorts of LCD TVs on sale. I am currently choosing between a Samsung HDTV and an LG HDTV. I would get a Sony Bravia if I could but the price is just way out of my range. I don't much about TVs - but I know that whatever I get is going to kick some butt! Oh, and the "free" home entertainment system that comes with some of the models is going to make me oh so happy!!!

Mexicana Thanksgiving

Don't ask me why we celebrated Thanksgiving - we're Filipinos and that holiday is an American tradition. Don't ask me why we chose to have a Mexican theme. I can tell you this - we had tons of fun!

The food just kept coming, the drinks kept flowing, and the laughter was never ending. All in all, I'd say it was one heck of a Thanksgiving party.

First there was the tequila (Jose), then came the whiskey (Jack). Obviously, the girls loved Jack more!

Early in the night.

Tequila Rose never tasted this good!

This guy BROKE my NEW lip gloss. Yeah, I was pretty much gone at this point.

We might look like a bunch of crazies, but these people were there - are there - when you need them the most. You gotta be thankful for friends like them!

How was YOUR Thanksgiving?