Gratitude List!

Hi friends! After today's BS, I just couldn't help but make a list. =) Share yours too if you have time! Hehehe!


What am I thankful for these days?


1. Though my mom's in Canada, my parents are separated and my family's far from perfect---we are all alive and well. In our hearts, though not communicated often or typically, there is love. 

My beautiful family, way back my elementary days...

2. Even if I am far from being the beautiful stereotype that men drool over or even the kind they give a double look at, I am beautiful.  In God's eyes, I so am, imperfections and flaws included. And there is gladness, in being me. Something I thought I would never feel or even believe in. Wow. ^_^

3. The fact is, I live a stressful life, keeping two jobs; but it's rewarding. I thought life's too tough on me, having worked at an early age. I've felt beat and burnt out many times. My two worlds, give me a sense of purpose. I am useful, I matter, I'm needed, somehow! Hahaha! 

My co-workers and me from PUP

My dear friends in Winglish =) 

4. I thought I was meant for solitude. But I've been proven wrong. I like and love people. =) I am so blessed to be around so many awesome individuals. I've also come to meet many new friends and brothers and sisters in our weekly BS. Even I wonder how I've come to deserve all these lovely people in my life. 

Dan, Yen and Ate Abby =)

The Ivoline Life Group during our community outreach program held in Baranggay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong =)

Joey, Yen and Clang : Friends for Life ^_^

Justice League ^_^

5.  I've been taking daily walks with Danica Nzr and having a friend like her, someone really precious, I'm just blessed. =) 

6. I hold a concept of brokenness inside my head. But  looking at all the damaged parts, I feel somehow complete, a whole with stitched fragments. =) I never thought there could be joy in many pains. 


= ) 

My very ordinary self =)

There's always HOPE! ^__^ 

PRAISE GOD! Life's great if we take time to look at the brighter side of things. Haha! ^ _ ^ How about you, what are you thankful for today? Share yours too!

Dinner Time ! =)

I really, really want to keep to my diet (less rice, one heavy meal a day and more fruits and fluids) but when around friends, it becomes almost impossible to control how much I gulp and munch on. Hahaha! ^_^ 

Tonight is one of those days when I couldn't stop myself from  eating. =) Tsk,tsk, tsk... 

So, I'm posting what we had for dinner tonight. =) 

Classic Pinoy appetizer/ side dish favorite:
Unripe mangoes, tomatoes, red onions and salted eggs! 

Java rice, grilled pork (liempo), and salted egg with carrots, corn and Filipino turnip (singkamas) 

Gravy, mangoes and free garlicky soup!

Joey and Clarisse...  and Mau (not here in the snap) =)

How much did our sumptuous dinner cost? 

Hehehe... We spent less than $2 each! 

Beat that! ^___________^  

Cheap meal, fun times ! 

My Baler Trip

I recently went on a much needed trip. Upon leaving Manila, I was with a heavy heart and was suffering from a breathing problem. After a mere two days of indulging in the sights, seas, sands and skies of Baler, I felt light and ready to take on city life again! My breathing went back to normal again, no more panting. Yay!  Talk about a stress buster! =) For the record, I only spent P 3,000 on this trip. We were a group of eight coming there. Well, we were a thrift bunch too! We shared food and spent on what really mattered, the tours. Pretty sweet and cheap for a weekend getaway, huh? Got more than  I bargained for. Thank God! ^^_ 


 I'm sharing some of my favorite snaps or photos taken from there.  If you could, visit Baler in Aurora! It's definitely worth  it! ^_^ It's sure fun in the Philippines! 

Just a random shot of the sky and ground that is Baler

Look at those mountains! ^_^

From Dicasalarin in Aurora, a private island =)




More to share next time!Bye for now! =)


It's dinner time! And it's free for tonight courtesy of my cousin!

Someday's Abandon

A month from today, 
was when I told myself that I'd finally make a decision.
To let go.
Blindly, I said the words.
And what I asked for happened.
It did,
with all the unknown pain I never thought existed.
After five years,
I was on my own again.
No hand to hold,
nobody to watch movies with,
no one to back me up,
no one to goof around with and cry to.
Nobody to tell me things are gonna be alright.
All that we were,
became mere subjects in photographs. 
Looking back now,
as fresh as the wounds still are,
I feel distant to what was. 
Like, half a decade of my life happened eons ago. 
When I wasn't aware.
When I didn't fully know.
When I was just someone who threaded,
wandered, in ignorance.
And now, all I keep are memories.
Them memories that fade,
like 'em old photographs.
And like those old gifts that tatter, or rust.
Like feelings that were real, then; and just imaginary, NOW.
Like those places,
that you thought were stationary, and linear.
But as you emerge into the shadows,
you learn they're alive.
That they're haunting,
that they knew you.
And each alley, or corner, or store, or theater, or even door,
were witnesses. 
They whisper to your ear as you pass,
and they tease you as close your eyes to go.
There is surrender,
but somehow, them memories crawl.
Back and forth,
to and for....
On and off,
sore to sore.
I am writing now,
to remember this juncture.
When I can say that there are still remnants, 
of my old love.
And my old self.
For the day would come,
when it wouldn't just be surrender,
but abandon.
When all ties,
and memories,
and broken promises
and empty hopes,
wouldn't matter.
When the alleys, and the corners, and the stores,
and every where else,
wouldn't poke in memory.
Today, I still feel.
In the little crevices of my heart,
where light hasn't crept in, yet.
And these words, are the manifest.
Someday, all these,
that's heavy on the chest,
and bitter in retrospect,
will be nothing but,
faraway specks and figments.
Of an old flame.
That the wind tested,
as it held on. 
That died its natural death.
That got lost, in changes, and transitions.
I shall keep all that's painful.
I will stare at all that's blinding.
I would linger where it's not comforting.
Just to learn,
how to feel someone's palm again,
and know never to let go.
I'd exhaust myself, and bask in the awful

Just to learn,
how to love again.
'Coz I will, 
I'd love again.

Your pain is the breaking of the shell
that encloses your understanding.
Much of your pain is self-chosen.
It is the bitter potion by which the
physician within you heals your sick self.
Therefore trust the physician, and drink
his remedy in silence and tranquility.
– Khalil Gibran