The Consequence

Surely, to those who have been living a healthy and well-preserved life wouldn't understand why some people turn into prohibited drugs when times get really tough. Everyone, when brought into this cruel world, has been molded with imperfections, but our own sanity keeps us away from wrongdoings and selfish acts.

This imperfection also caused us to either judge or condemn someone based on the behaviors noticeably seen in public. The ideology of what’s wrong versus right is still  prominent despite the acceptance of a liberated lifestyle. To each his own, as we all say, but had it been always the case?

When life suddenly turns away from someone, especially those individuals regarded with high favor, for having a troubled soul, I couldn't help but ask: “What is life after death? Do we have enough courage to face Him and plead for innocence? Are we still given a final chance to correct our mistakes?”

All I know is when things like these happen, I cannot regret more that one life has been wasted, one life could have been saved, one life could rather be meaningful and spent with pleasure.

-Florence-

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.

Elizabeth Kubler Ross

My celebrant on her 5th month. The face I’d like to see first thing in the morning and the last to recap my productive day. Love you my baby!

Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what’s right.

Isaac Asimov 

Took a screenshot of my best girlfriend Yen’s tweet. One cold and lonely night turned happiest new year welcome party! Hot red for 2010! :)

Tinkering his BB while waiting at Globe hub. This place is always and will always be testing your patience. Don’t step in if you feel like you needed to pee or worse, if you’re hungry.

I’ve once worked for their rival company and as far as I have observed, they manage to attend customer issues or requests in an organized and timely manner. It may take a while at the customer service area, especially if dealing with disconnected accounts, but for cashier? Account numbers were given uniquely to each plan holder - thus, pulling out all information once it is entered. No reason for delays.. unless, their system is obsolete. But, they offer 4G! Ironic!

I didn't notice Saturday and Sunday have passed- rest days, really?

This crappy weather made me terribly sick since Saturday night and what makes it worse is passing it unintentionally to my baby girl. I laughed at Mom before when she told me that she slept with eyes wide open whenever I get sick during infant days, now I got my fair share! It’s not easy seeing your kid suffer. I wish I could just take it away from her. Her pedia gave prescriptions. Hope she’d feel better when I get home. Silently praying now. *teary*

Friday Outfit

My Friday Outfit featuring vintage cuff bracelets

So bored that I had time to mix and match some dream outfits for a Friday-after-work meet ups with friends! Cool!

The Making of A Mother

By the time the Lord made mothers, He was into the sixth day working overtime.  An Angel  appeared and said “Why are you spending so much  time on this one?”

And the Lord answered and  said, “Have you read the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not elastic; have 200 movable parts, all replaceable; run on black coffee and leftovers; have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up; have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart; and have six pairs of hands.”     

The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. “Six pairs of hands! No way!”  said the Angel.

The Lord replied, “Oh, it’s not the hands that are the problem.  It’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!”

“And that’s on the standard model?” the Angel asked.

The Lord nodded in agreement, “Yep, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks her children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of her head are to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair are here in the front of her head.  They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word.”

The Angel tried to stop the Lord  “This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish.”

“But I can’t!” The Lord protested, “I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself  when she is sick AND can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower.”

The Angel moved closer and touched the woman, “But you have made her so soft, Lord.”

“She is soft,” the Lord agreed, “but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish.”

“Will she be able to think?” asked the Angel.

The Lord replied, “Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason, and negotiate.”

The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman’s cheek. “Oops, it looks like You have a leak with this model. I told You that You were trying to put too much into  this one.”

“That’s not a leak.” the Lord objected.  “That’s a tear!”

“What’s the tear for?” the Angel asked.

The Lord said, “The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride.” 

The Angel was impressed.  “You are a genius, Lord.  You thought of everything for this one.  You even created the tear!”

The Lord looked at the Angel and smiled and said, “I’m afraid you are wrong again.  I created the woman, but she created the tear!”.

Cirque Du Soleil

Cirque Du Soleil

Impossible for me to share the experience but I’m definitely looking forward to their next show in the coming years. By then, I’d surely enjoy it with my little girl..

Most girls would dream of a fairy tale wedding. Even I have a unique theme when that day finally comes. This is probably the effect of those routinized bedtime story when we were kids. We relate ourselves in one of those characters, hoping that a real prince charming will rescue us from so many relationships that have failed.

But what if there’s no such thing as prince charming or that possible guy didn’t have a chance to exist because he was cursed and became a toad? Ha ha! Whatever. All I know is that we shouldn’t deny the possibility of having that perfect wedding. It may not suit all the details we’ve wanted, but for as long as the marriage puts God at the center and is  bounded with love and respect, then it is surely meant to last until eternity.

I don’t wanna exempt myself from these and I’m happy that we are on our way in fulfilling that journey. Bells may ring before you guys knew it.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of richfulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Your Choice

I think people should start caring about themselves rather than being nosy about someone’s personal preference.

So what if you prefer to be a member of the third sex? So what if you prefer visiting thrift shops and buying second hand items? So what if you prefer updating your twitter status in Tagalog rather than getting your nose bleed for profound English words? So what if you choose a simple life, commute daily and eat at the MRT stations? So what if you don’t carry or wear branded items? So what if your mobile is an obsolete model rather than an Apple? So what if you prefer to be unmarried as long as you know you have a good relationship with your partner? So what if this is how much you earn? So what if your family is not well-off? So what if you prefer to be different among the others?

Am I obviously ranting? I thought we now live in an era  where being advance is observed, so how come some brains out there were left off?

You should even be proud if you remained firm with your preferences and decisions. As long as you avoid becoming a two-legged parasite, well then you deserve an applause.

Besides, if these people really do have a life, they wouldn’t be bothered by someone else’s way of living. But if they don’t, I guess they deserve this word. Loser.

Plueys Rain Boots

Plueys Rain Boots - Good buy!

The  answer to our prayers when it's raining cats and dogs! Check them out!

Nola

Twiggy

A good life is when you assume nothing, do more, smile often, dreambig, laugh a lot, & realize how blessed you are for what you have.

My Life's Short Rewind

Whilst waiting for my bill run to complete, I decided to blog about what happened to me last year. Only a few knew the real story so let me lay my cards now.

June 3rd, my 29th birthday, I received an unexpected email from our Company Director, asking me to call him at 3pm AU time for a short meeting. I then told my counterparts in Sydney that I will be out for few minutes or maybe an hour as requested by our boss. I thought, he might just give his birthday greetings, but.. SURPRISE SURPRISE!!! He finally confirmed to me that I got the promotion - Manager for Billing in Manila site! What an awesome gift, and yet he wasn’t aware that it is my birthday until I told him. So yeah, gifts come in different forms, it is not always wrapped in shiny papers! Of course, promotion also means additional work responsibilities, in proportion to your pay rise. Mark that million dollar client! To top it all, my boss asked me to urgently fix my documents so I could go to Sydney ASAP for additional training, and yes, to meet my prospective clients in person.

Colleagues were very happy to hear the news and congratulated me for my success. Working days went by, usual tasks needed to be completed, daily routine as a single woman continued. Until one day, I noticed changes in my body, literally! I don’t know if it’s a woman intuition or perhaps I just know myself very well for me to feel this sort of “guilt”. I asked my bf Diony (my boyfriend for 10 years) to get that pregnancy kit so to have the confirmation as early as possible. Well, I bet you know what’s next, two lines. An angel is slowly growing in my body, my own flesh, my baby.

I cried so hard because of mixed emotions. I’m excited and at the same time horrified imagining my mother’s reaction. I know how much I will break her heart, but deep inside, regardless of me and my boyfriend’s status - I know she will be happy for me.

The day I told her about my situation is also the day I’ve proven to myself that my Mom is full of composure. She did cry, but no matter the distance at that time, I heard the joy in her tone and her eagerness to come back to Manila to take care of me made me so teary as well. A mother’s love is indeed of no boundaries.

The unexpected situation however brought twists and turns on my career path. I am certain that I cannot carry the responsibility, especially the travel required as I was having a very sensitive pregnancy. I once found myself lost, not knowing that I have already fainted in the mrt station. The kindness of my employer helped me decide to admit that I cannot carry on the expected duties. As every normal human would feel, I know I might regret this in the future. What kept me strong is the idea that I am doing this to protect my child, to keep her safe not just for that 9 months while inside my womb, but for the rest of my life - so I am starting now.

My medical condition and my Doctor’s advise resulted to my resignation on the job I’ve learned to love for almost three years. Ironic as it may seem but I know God has better plans that may not be visible yet to me. I allowed Him to guide me and Diony, accepting the fact that we will face challenges financially and emotionally. God never left us. He sustained us with love and blessings. Our capacity may be limited at that time but God provided us our needs. To be honest, it is not easy to budget limited funds but we survived. I had a healthy pregnancy and my baby came perfectly. My prayers were answered. Daphne Annika, born February 24th at past 11pm. My dear friends welcomed her even before she arrived and paid visits while we were still confined. These people defined not just the real meaning of friendship but brother/sisterhood.

Months passed and I lived like a normal housewife, enjoying the late hours baby feeding and singing lullabies. She is so fragile. Her little movements and shy smiles are the best gifts a new mother can have. I am aware though that sooner or later, I will press the career button again. Just when I am ready to face corporate world, I received the confirmation that my boss wants me to re-join to his company. Bonus is, he offered a well deserved compensation.

From then I really believed that good things happen to those who wait and when you ask for something that’s just right, that’s when expectations are exceeded. Some of you may say that I lost the chance to enjoy that business trip abroad, but who knows, if it’s meant for you then it will surely be yours. All you have to do is to work hard and leave a mark in whatever you do. If you want trust and respect then earn it. It takes a while to prove competence but so what, what matters is you know what you can contribute and you can always go back without compromising your self worth and dignity. That is your value.

I have a lot of Access tables opened in my RDC but I’m staring at it for minutes now, not even clicking any of it. What am I doing? I guess I’m the one suffering from separation anxiety. I miss doing those daily chores for my baby especially giving her a bath.

Now, I only have two days a week to do that for her. Sad, I know, but I should look at the brighter side of things. Like being thankful for having a job that will help us couple to provide all her needs. A job that pays me really well. In few months, I know I’ll understand the true meaning of this, especially that I’m ahead planning for our baby’s first event.

Lord, thank you for the countless blessings. You’ve never left me despite my shortcomings. You have remained true to me all these years. To You I return thy glory.

Women need real moments of solitude and self-reflection to balance outhow much of ourselves we give away.

Makeover?

As I rush every morning for work, I realized I never had enough time to prepare on how I would look. Honestly, right now, staring at my face on my lil table mirror, I look so pale, no blush on - just a thin lip gloss.

Like a typical career Mom, I always go for the basics - slacks, collard blouses, casual dresses and mostly flat shoes. But I feel like I badly needed a make over. Being a mother shouldn’t lessen your desire to look good and feel good about yourself. Yes, I’m talking to myself.

I must do something.

So many fail because they don’t get started - they don’t go. They don’tovercome inertia. They don’t begin.

This post is the beginning of a new life for me. A year has passed after my last entry. A year of hibernation from my love for writing. But it doesn't stop just like that. That's a year of countless thoughts, too much to accommodate, but nevertheless the perfect reason to continue what I've started.

This is my page and I'm owning my thought bubbles. I am signing back in.