Lost In Translation

Please help me understand... pretty please! LOL!

En Fleurs

Last week, I felt so special! Wanna know why? Because my big boss and not-so-big boss invited me for dinner.

It was the invitation that I’ve been waiting for lol. We went to En Fleurs, a French restaurant, and I must say the ambiance and food were great. Plus, I had champagne :D. Of course I was the celebrant and as what my boss said, “you can order anything you want”. Ha. I can’t even understand the menu, it was written in Japanese! Instead, they ordered for me :D.

I started working with them since March 2007 for the Rabigh PC2 (Saudi) Project. I admit, it was nerve-wracking at first coz I know they had high hopes. I don’t know why but I they just told me that haha. I tell you, it was hard living up to their expectations but I survived! It was challenging, at the same time, worth it!

I wouldn’t accomplish a LOT of things without their help. There were times that I didn’t know what to do with my work and I just asked them for an assistance. And I’m glad I asked coz I learned much!

In the end, I can only say THANK YOU and see you soon!

A Video Made by a Friend

I got me some love from a very dear friend :) I love it!
I get emotional every time I watch this :):) I feel so blessed to have known such wonderful people that I can call FRIENDS. Love ya all and I miss you!

Earthquake and Typhoon

Earthquake

Last night, while I was on twitter and facebook reading all the updates that I missed for the day, I felt the earth moved!.

It was just minor at first but seconds after, the strong earthquake shook Japan. The first thing I did was changed my Yahoo Messenger status from invisible to EARTHQUAKE with 3 exclamation points lol. So my friends would know I'm still alive :D.
For many years of living here, I no longer panic though I still feel scared sometimes. Wondering whether it's the BIG ONE that hits us or just a minor tremble. I would freak out if it's the big one.

Minutes after, TOKYO was a trending topic on twitter. People were talking about the earthquake and how strong it was.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 shook the Japanese capital of Tokyo and surrounding areas today.

There were no immediate reports of damages or casualties from the quake, which rattled furniture and walls in Tokyo homes at 7.56pm (1156 BST), the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The agency said there was no danger of tsunami from the quake.

Typhoon

Today, we're hit by a tropical storm! Since it's Monday - busy day - I had to wake up early and get ready for work. But then I looked up at my window, the heavy rain greeted me :(.

So I called my boss and told him I won't be working in the morning.

I crawled back to bed which was just was a good idea because I had the best dream ever haha. I woke up, 3 hours later, smiling and sooo ready for work! Sadly the rain didn't stop! Bummer!

And then I decided to call the rest of the day off. In fact, I announced it on my facebook account

Sorry WORK but due to heavy rain, I decided to take the whole day off! But thanks RAIN I had enough sleep this morning :D.

But I LIED!!! I did not! Haha. The stupid rain eventually stopped 5 minutes before 1300. I knew then that my boss and 200% load of paperworks need me :D so I took my bicycle and headed to the office.

15 minutes after pedaling with my umbrella on the left hand and driving with my right hand, I survived!

This I must say is very odd summer. I wish the rain would just stop so I could enjoy the sun... minus the earthquake.

The Climb

No offense meant, BUT I think this collaboration between David Sides and Amhir is much better than the original (by Miley Cyrus)! Just wanna say it =).

The ROSE

Bf gave me a ROSE. Sweet!

Freshly picked from their garden, he said.
And because he wanted to surprise me he put it inside the envelope. Classic!
Poor flower, now dried & flattened :(.

BT he promised to give me more - fresh flowers for real - when I get home!
SO I decided I'm taking the next flight home! LOL

For My Mama

A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world.
It knows no law, no pity.
It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.
-- Agatha Christie (1890-1976), English novelist and playwright.


Being single (means not married) and of no child yet, it is a given fact that I don’t know how it is to raise a kid. But having witnessed how my parents worked hard for us to have a better life, I know it takes more than books and pictures to imagine.

WIFE

My father was in Philippine Constabulary and then later joined the Philippine National Police while my mother gave up her career as a Midwife when she had my big brother and took after the family business. I came second and while I was growing up, I became aware of the difficulties we are facing – my father being assigned to the next town and my mother taking care of the business.

Theirs wasn’t a perfect relationship. There came a time when my mother left the house leaving me & my brother alone with my father. I knew she was in pain and of heavy heart when she left. But as a faithful and committed wife to her husband, she swallowed her pride and went home the day after.


MOTHER

I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. And while my brother and I were growing up, we would alternately borrow money from someone on behalf of our mother. We only had this letter stating the amount and the date of payment. When it’s pay day, it’s either my mother already paid half or we were tasked to make excuses. I saw the pain in my mother’s eyes every time she asked us to lie and I didn’t blame her for that for we were really broke. The only consolation we had was the family (restaurant) business – at least we can eat full meals. Despite everything, my parents made sure that we have a bright future. We were provided with good education, sent to a good school and whatever social activities we’d like to be part of, my parents were 100% supportive.

January of 1990, an unexpected storm hit our family. My 8-months pregnant mother had to be rushed to the hospital for she had an Eclampsia, (an acute and life-threatening complication of pregnancy, is characterized by the appearance of tonic-clonic seizures in a patient who had developed preeclampsia; rarely does eclampsia occur without preceding preeclamptic symptoms.) My father had to face the most horrible test in his life yet when he was asked to choose between my mother and the baby. I couldn’t even bear to imagine the terror my father was facing that time. But God is so great that he never took our mother away from us and the baby.

Nine years after, my brother was on his senior year in College, I was on my senior year in High School & my little sister’s growing up, there came another storm. It was so perfect that it almost crushed us. My mother was diagnosed with a heart problem and other organ malfunction that I can’t even pronounce. The whole family was already preparing for the worst and one of the plans was for me not to continue College. Having heard it all, I cried for days and even in the middle of the class I would end up in tears. Of course, my mother disagreed with my Aunts’ plan. To her, education must not be sacrificed even if she’s in a terrible condition.

I almost gave up that time but thanks to my Mama’s words of encouragement and hopes, I am who I am today (to the left, that's me & my mama :D)

My father, on the other side, was so strong behind the dilemma. One thing he told me was… “never let family problems get in your dreams and aspirations”. He even asked my principal to watch over me in school and to keep me busy with other stuff than personal matters. I wasn’t strong then and it was hard for me to take a sudden detour from reality to another dimension.

On March 31, 1999, the day after my mother’s birthday, together with my father my weak and bony mother graced the graduation walk with me. That was one of the touching moments in my life and also the hope of good tomorrow.


ROLE MODEL

My mother sacrificed a lot for us like other mothers do for their children. Mine may have flaws or I may feel less love from her sometimes but that wouldn’t take away the fact the she’s my mother and the woman who brought me to life. Who I am today is partly because I am my mother’s daughter.

I know that motherhood is a big shoes to fill in but I hope I’ll possess the same audacity and pass on the beauty of LIFE to my own children. It maybe a rollercoaster ride but after a time, it will be worth living.

To all the mothers, I am but with great respect for your LOVE and deep connection to your child/children.

To my “Single-Mother” friends, my fedora hat is off to all of you for giving a lovely child LIFE and hope in this world.

To my MAMA, thank you. And to my Father – the other half – my deepest gratitude for making us whole. I love you both.

Lastly, to all readers go and make a call to your Mama and have the best conversation of your life as I am about to call mine.

Ciao!

Good Morning

Good morning silence
Good morning to myself

Good morning to the pain in the center of my chest

It's crazy how much I miss
A simple good morning kiss

Good morning independence or is it loneliness?
I know I said I wanted this but I have regrets

I pray for God's will to be done
The very next day you were gone

Good morning to the harsh realities of life
and good morning to the fact we're not husband and wife

We made a promise to stay
But destiny got in the way

Good morning...

Good morning acceptance
Good morning inner strength
I'm loving every moment
even the strain

It's crazy how much I miss
A simple good morning kiss

It's crazy how much I've missed
Now it's time for me to live

Good morning...

Good morning optimism
Good morning to my faith
Good morning to the beginning of a brand new day

I know that God's will be done
So I lay down my pain and I'm moving on

I know that God's will be done.
So it's a good morning after all

By India Arie

I Am Not My Hair

Shana Alexander once said; Hair brings one's self-image into focus; it is vanity's proving ground. Hair is terribly personal, a tangle of mysterious prejudices.

I've been planning to have my haircut done for weeks and try something new and SHORT - I mean really short this time. I was surfing (on the net) for some good hairstyles to follow and I found MANY - I had a hard time choosing which style to follow that best suits the shape of my face.


But since I was so eager to cut it short so..."I went and did what I had to because it was time to change my life. To become the woman that I am inside... - India Arie"


In view of the fact that I live in a place wherein people don't speak the same language as I do, a photo of the hairstyle I'd love to have is a must :D.


Saturday morning, two of friends and I headed to the hair salon - EN CROUTE. And after an hour and 30 minutes of shampoo slash haircut slash shampoo again slash massage slash final cut this is now the new me...

Quoting India Arie's I Am Not My Hair: "At the turn of the century, it's time for us to redefine who we be. You can shave it off like a South African beauty or get in on lock like Bob Marley. You can rock it straight like Oprah Winfrey.... "

We're Engaged!

gotcha!

No, we're not engaged! How I wish we are :D but that's another story to tell.

These words are what my friends said the moment they had that ring on their fingers. Well anybody can buy a ring, in fact I am wearing one right now but this ring is different. It symbolizes promise and commitment to your partner.


My Friends Yolly and Zelle are both engaged to their boyfriends. I think just a week after Yolly got engaged, Zelle followed. I wonder who's turn next week.

Anyway, I knew Yolly and Zelle way back College. We went to the same school and of the same major. The three of us worked at the same company right after college and then were dispatched to Tokyo for a year of training. We knew Owen when he started working in the same company but YOWEN (Yolly & Owen in one) only started dating during the latter months of our training period. Jon and Zelle, on the other hand, met in Tokyo early last year.

While the rest of my friends and I wait for that special moment in our lives, we wish them all the best in life. Being engaged or planning to have a LIFE with your partner, as a couple (legally), is a wonderful thing that can happen to any person. Maybe to some, it's ridiculous but to others who wished of having a family of their own, it is a dream come true.

Cheers to all my friends who are married, engaged, in a relationship, single moms, expectant mothers and shout out to all singles.

Standing Still

News Flash!
Everybody's moving on
and I am stuck!

Future is too far to reach
I want to move on
But something's holding me back
Sometimes...
I get jealous of their status
I just wanna have what they experienced
But some people won't let me

It's vague
I don't know or how
One thing's certain


I am Standing Still...

I’ve Got Dreams to Remember

Sometimes people write the things that they can't say.



PROLOGUE

When I was a kid, my life was just simple and uncomplicated - woke up each morning without thinking of work and/or how to earn a living. Back then I only worried about homework and always looking forward for the weekend - I was always the outdoor type of child. Never a time that I stayed at home for the whole day.

Just like some kids, I never was the ethereal and excellent child myself and I made mistakes. But somehow, I found ways to get out from it. I hurt my parents every time I didn’t play by the rules and I’m pretty sure my teachers and friends weren’t proud of my juvenile acts. But kids are kids.

Growing up in a town with a less sense of fashion and entertainment, I kind of settled with what was to be had. I didn’t mind my chubbiness then nor the way I dressed. I lived freely. During my last year in elementary, I began to be conscious of many things – including my fashion statement and approach towards young adult. And then when I started high school, a part of me wanted to take away the child-like image without rushing to be fully developed. It was something new and exciting. But I never thought that it was that difficult to deal with – though I had the slight idea already.

I grew up with the world.

As the years went by, the world became busy with new things and problems piled up and so did mine. From my simple and uncomplicated life, it became complex.

And then I started to worry about the future.

I wanted to be more than what my parents imagined me to be. I yearned for excellence not in all things but only those that I knew I can be good at can manage to. I was always a dreamer – big dreamer.

So I started making my future.

There went my college life. I was the new kid in the city with high hopes that I can deal with the strange world. The time I put my country-life aside was the moment I set my eyes on the future. Seeing my future was hard. It only came in bits and pieces and sometimes what you expect wasn’t the outcome. So I tried to widen my horizon, I observed, learned, tried, failed and tried again and with most certainty - I dealt with the unusual.

I was reluctant but encouraged by the people around me.

After spending most of my years in school, I took the road to where only the best in life can get… a Job, money and more future.

… and more future.

My journey ain’t no flawless as I dreamt of. I may have failed and then later, figured some things out in the past but I knew there’s still a LIFE ahead of me - another chronicle to inscribe to. As long as I’m breathing, this won’t end. It’s just the circle of life – a way of life – a LIFESTYLE.

Sneak Preview of TOMORROW

Have you ever wonder what will your TOMORROW be?
I do!

Will I get married on my 20’s?
How many kids do I have on my 30's
am I still doing the same job on my 40’s?
Do I need Botox or surgery when I reach 50?
Can I still dance like there's no tomorrow when I’m on my 60's?
Or will I be dead before my age climbs to 70?

With it’s large promises and burdens, tomorrow is way beyond our control.
No matter how much we saved yesterday and work hard today, only then will know what’s in stake for us.

If there’s just a sneak preview of my future...
Unfortunately, I don’t!

Let us, therefore,
Live! But one day at a time and let Tomorrow worry itself.


Something for the Soul:
BUT AS IT IS WRITTEN: EYE HAS NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NOR HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN THE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM. ( 1 CORINTHIANS 2:9 *NKJV )

No one knows what the future holds for them, but as a Child of God you may have peace of mind! Our Heavenly Father has great plans for your future, not only on Earth, but in Heaven as well!
Therefore we have no reason to fear the future, for with God in charge there is no need to worry about anything!
Now even though in this life we may suffer heartache and woe, He is always there to comfort and guide us, and in our next life, we will live with Him in Paradise forever! T

herefore let us: PRAISE THE LORD! OH, GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD! FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER. ( PSALM 106:1 )
After all, we cannot imagine all of the wonderful things that God has planned for our future, but one thing that we may count on is that the "Best Is Yet To Come!"
Now have a Wonderful day, and may: God's Great Love, Hope and Faith, fill your heart and mind, AND MAY THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING be with you now and always!
Amen! ( PHILIPPIANS 4:7 )

New Friends...

FRIENDS. What does Friendship means to you? Are you for real or just fair-weathered friend? How can “Friends” be of help, when you’re in a foreign country, in coping the hardships and difficulties in life?

To get away from the feeling of nostalgia, you tend to create FRIENDS within the circle. In fact, there are those who ended up being lovers while some remain friends despite the intimacy both had created. There are some who support others only when it is easy and convenient to do so while others stick by through thick and thin. On the other hand, there were those who found friendship on new acquaintances but remain casual with their old friends.

Having friends may well keep you healthier and help you deal with stress better. Various studies illustrate that people with “friends” have a greater ability to fight disease than people who are solitary.

Make friends with your colleagues and don’t be afraid to express your inner fears and disappointments. Put this in mind that problems kept inside are most likely to create illness. On the other hand, when they have problems listen to them, but offer advice only when it's wanted. Another point is help reaffirm friends' self-esteem when they are shaken by break ups, family problems, or other such event.

Not only that, you can also explore the city and/or enjoy life even staying at your room only; you can watch movies together, prepare some pinoy foods that you’re craving to eat and/or have some endless chikas. If you’re bored, start the drinking session (joke!) LOL!.

Though we have our own sets of friends (wherever they maybe), it is not wrong or unfair to our old pals to make new friends. It's just the way life is...

Life is not all that bad my Friend, so go out from your shelter and be friendly (but not too much hehehe)

GENESIS

When I was a kid, I knew the secret to a happy life;

play by the rules and work hard in School.

And if you work hard in school, your reward is...

more school.

After more school then you get the best what life has to offer:

a job, money and a future.

The problem seeing the future is that it only comes in bits & pieces

like a reflection and a broken mirror.

No matter what the future is written,
it can't be changed and sometimes the things you can't change end up changing you.

When you see the future, you think you're capable of changing it
but you're just a witness to coming moments.

Unable to help even if you want it to and maybe you don't.
Sometimes you think you're suppose to learn something about patience or distance

but in the end it's all about discipline.
Seeing things you don't always want to and just moving on.