I wanna go to England!

hahaha and for this particular day, because of a particular reason.

I was chatting with Angie, a colleague in the office who is assigned for 3 months in our Singapore office. She was filling in for one of our Service Managers who is giving birth and on a 3-month maternity leave. Yes, 3 months is the usual length of maternity leave they give you here. I’m not so sure how long it is back in the Philippines. Is it 1 month?

Then Angie said that back in England they were given 14 months of paid maternity leaves! hahahaha. Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

Told her anybody could make a living out of that. Hehehe.

P.S: No, I am not pregnant….yet. Hehehe.

tata!

A day at the Shack

"The Shack" :: William P. Young

I am currently reading “The Shack” by William P. Young. And I cannot wait to reach the last page before I officially say that my list of most inspiring books have been reshuffled, and this little treasure has found it’s way somewhere on top of the heap.

More than anything else, it is a story about relationship. How we relate to our Maker, to each other, and even to ourself. My train ride seems too short already whenever I read on my way to work.

I haven’t finished reading it yet, but I must say I cannot wait to reread it again. If only I have the resources, I would buy all the copies available and wrap all for each of my love ones. Believe me, it is a treasure. (But don’t take my word for it, go get a copy!)

I have found myself trying to hold back tears (while in transit), down on my knees (in the comfort of my room)… and can not help but praise the One great Love Who have been nothing but faithful to me… and patient to me. Yes, I believe I’ve tested His patience quite a bit. Hehehe. Me and my stubborn head, just ask J.

Relationships are not easy. And there are times when it takes more than the love that you have for the other person to make it through. I’ve always treasured a verse I’ve read before me and J became a couple. “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken”. I’ve prayed then that we will always be reminded that He is the third strand that keeps us sane together.

Interesting to know that the author originally wrote the book for his children. A work of fiction in itself, yet now has touch so many lives already.

It’s a book about relationships, the ones that we treasure most yet sometimes take forgranted.

~*~**~*~

It’s interesting also that there are a few who have strong negative reactions on the book. Saying that it questions doctrines and dogmas that religious institutions has set up for society to follow. Questioning why of all possible “human form” the author chose to place Abba in a Black African Woman! Or the Holy Spirit characterized by an Asian Girl who loves gradens! Or Jesus who is both funny and charming, (and spends his time star gazing) yet not drop dead gorgeous! Hayyz

I guess for me, it helps us bring ourself back to the basic. It’s the purpose of why we engage ourself to take part of something that makes it special. And it all boils back to love and relationships.

And though I love the book, I admit that there are a few points where one just have to always remember that it is still a work of fiction. The Bible still holds the final authority. Some points are questionable if you place it in reference to the Bible. But just like Dan Brown’s works, it is still a book of fiction. It just so happens that it was able to inspire a few along the way.

I’ve been a Catholic most of my life, and for almost 10 years I’ve been a Born Again Christian. I was judged and ridiculed because of where I am right now (for the past two years. You’ll see where by the time I get married, which of the two aisle’s I’ll march on. LOL.) And all the more I’ve realized that it is not the letters you pen in the religion box that defines your faith, it is how you relate to Him whom you worship. And isn’t that what matters most?

~*~**~*~

quote from the book :

“Those who love me come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims, Democrats, Republicans and many who don’t vote or are not a part of any Sunday morning or religious institutions. I have followers who were murderers and many who were self-righteous…”

“Does that mean,” asked Mack, “that all roads will lead to you?”

“Not at all”, smiled Jesus….“Most roads don’t lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you.”

Gracias

October Photo Assignment :: Self Out in the Sun

~ ooOOoo ~

I used to have this every month in my blog before. A list of things I am thankful for that has happened for the past month. It started with a journal I keep way back high school, it became a sort of an anchor for me when things get a bit shaky. It became a refuge when I need reassurances and when I need a little comfort.

When I renewed my relationship with my Maker, consciously making it and not simply following a set of rules that says I could get closer to Him through it, I asked him to guard my heart from ungratefulness. To keep my heart from being blinded that I am surrounded with beautiful moments, people , things and places. Ungratefulness makes the world an ugly place.

I hope to bring it back, and hopefully I won’t missed out on it from here on out.

~ ooOOoo ~

I’m thankful for those who paid me a visit here and made our place (and my room) a crammed hotel. I became a hostess, a tourist guide and a master in fitting as much activities as one could possibly do in a few days time.

I’m thankful for my housemates who made coming home feels like… coming home. Somehow I am blessed with a makeshift family here away from my own. Our small coffee table has been a witness to hundreds of wonderful stories we shared during meals, snacks , movies and series marathons.

I’m thankful for giving me shadow and for the many shutter clicks I am enjoying with him. My shadow is patient with me as I am still learning (more like craving) as much I can about photography. My heart is trembling to buy me a lens I’ve been eying for awhile now. Hopefully the prices would drop and I’d get my shadow an extra limb for our photo newbie pleasure.

And now, I am thankful for the 5 days off (too short, I know) I am soon to take to go home, visit my family and a few friends, shop at Tabo sa Banay (hihi), buy me some books, and taking the most grown-up step I have yet to take so far in my life.

On a more personal note:

I’m most thankful for someone who puts my needs first before his. And whose needs I put first before mine.

I’m most thankful for wonderful people who are bursting with happiness of hearing our own happiness.

I’m most thankful for second chances. A gap had separated me and her for years. I thought all the love I had for her had turned into numbness. I did not forced myself to build bridges. I know if the time is right, and wounds are healed, the waters would ebb and we both can meet in the middle and there will be no need to build bridges. And unknowingly, with no forcing involved, the low tide came and I can make slow steps towards reconciliation without drowning myself.

~ ooOOoo ~

Creative Lens : Photo Assignment. October. Fourth Week. Self out in the Sun.

Photo taken in Phiphi Island, Phuket Thailand

small happy steps

Photo Assignment October:: Street, Roads ::

~ oOOo ~

While lying beside each other, him drowning my left hand in his, the one with the precious piece of rock in my ring finger, i looked up wistfully.

And he’d ask me what’s on my mind. And I’ll just say, “Lipay lang ko. Kuyog man ta”

(I am just happy. We are together).

“Kay ikaw bitaw akoang gianhi.”

(you are why I am here)

Happiness in its most basic form.

~ oOOo ~

Pamamanhikan

I will be visiting home for a week soon. He will be asking my hand in marriage from my parents. The expression in his face is priceless, as he has no idea how to go about it.

“Wala pa baya ko kasulay!”, he would say in his defense.

It is hard not to smile (inside out) to be told that his side is happy about the news.

(They pretty much knew about it (proposal) even before he flew all the way here to Singapore.They knew first before I did!

It still feels surreal on how the pieces fit. Surely there is a very wise and very loving Artist behind each stroke that’s been happening.

We sometimes burst out laughing with the plans that we are concocting. Oh my! the stories we are gonna tell 50 years from now! All we pray for is that for the pieces to fall accordingly in place. They don’t have to be perfect fit, as long as they connect and grant us a path where we could step in.

Small happy steps.

~ ooOOoo ~

Every girl (sorry for the generalization) dreams of how her wedding would be. Though this changes a million times over the years,there are some things which remains through it all.

I’ve always found myself, whenever I think of weddings, undecided on one particular area.If only i can have both, I would say to myself.I wouldn’t say it yet, cause I really want to keep it private.

And surely, surely, surely again someone up there is listening to my wordless prayers, because it looks like I don’t have to decide after all.I can, after all, have both!

Small happy steps leading to both.

~ ooOOoo ~

I believe that God is mindful of our wishes. Especially the small ones. Those that we don’t even dare say out loud. I’ve proven this countless times through the years, and every time it happens I feel Him lovingly whisper,

“It is my pleasure to give you the desires of your heart.”

Yes , yes, He desires to see me happy. And I have my small happy steps following His lead.

~ ooOOoo ~

Photo Assignment. October. Third Week. Street , Roads

Thanks Xiang Ma for unknowingly lending your feet for this assignment.

Rules

Breaking Rules

~*~**~*~

Know the rules and know when to break them

~*~**~*~

random thoughts:

There will always come a time in a person’s life when he or she has to take sides. As much as one would want to stay neutral, and stand rooted in the middle ground; the time to choose is inevitable.

There will also come a time in a person’s life when he or she would have to break some rules. Rules set by dogma, and some rules which he set upon himself.

And sometimes, yes sometimes, it feels so damn great to break the rules. Especially those which we set upon our selves.

Sometimes, being proven wrong holds the magic on how life reveals it’s wonderful surprises.

~*~**~*~

Some rules I heard that needs breaking :

Don’t Trust

Don’t Believe

Don’t Hope

Never Fall in Love

(… and the greatest of all is Love.)

~*~**~*~

Photo Assignment. October. Second Week. Street Signs

A cup of Quietness

Stillness

~*~**~*~

How good it is to be still and know that He is God

~*~**~*~

This man’s newspaper stand is in the middle of one of the most busiest area in Singapore.

Smack in the middle of the Central Business District,

and he leans his back and close his eyes with no care in the world.

He does not have to hang any sign to tell those who pass by that Store is close.

I bet, at this moment, he is the envy of many.

~*~**~*~

Photo Assignment. October. First Week. Vendor

i will …

“I Will”... is the answer to the question.

words escape me… another journey begins… for us.

I share my happiness to all of you beautiful people.

~*~**~*~

I’m Engaged!

I carry your heart with me

~*~**~*~

i carry your heart with me

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

e.e. cummings

one of my all time favorite poem from one of my favorite poet of all.

~*~**~*~

Oh my .. a secret I’ve been keeping since last month… (was waiting to tell my parents first before PUBLICLY shouting it )…

~*~**~*~

make our wishes come true little star