I do whine!

Dear God,

We have always prayed and wanted a baby eversince we decided to get married. We were even disappointed a couple of times when my period arrived on the dot and when that one time when it did not, but the PT result turned negative.

And now that you have granted our wish... Forgive me Lord if oftentimes I whine. I whine because I eat a lot of times not because I want to but because I need to. I whine because I can no longer go to places I want to go anytime because the nausea and vomiting are unpredictable. I whine because my tongue tastes bitter. I whine because I 'm always in bed. I whine because I got headaches. And the nausea is just so bad. Most of all, I whine because I vomit all over. And it's horrible!

I thought I was ready, but no... I had not considered these facts that majority of pregnant women do experience the things I am experiencing right now. I thought I was one of the lucky few who never get to experience these.

I thought pregnancy is all the time happy. But boy was I wrong!

But above all these My God, please know that although I whine, I am very much thankful for this early Christmas present you have given us.

I do whine but that does not mean that I resent this. I whine because that's just the way I react... Maybe because this is my first and everything is so new to me that I don't know how to handle the situation well.

Next time, I know better.

Trying my best on this journey,

Bing

Happy Birthday Baby Daddy!

Today is my husbands's birthday! Ang aking baby at daddy ng babies namin.

Happy Birthday Papa Aga!

Today is the birthday of my ever dearest father, Mr Agaton Magallanes. Happy Birthday Papa! Thank you for everything you have done for us. We love you Papa!

Two Tests, One Result

I had no idea that two lines crossing could mean so much happiness to us.

November 20, 2010 - I was a full week delayed on my menses. I had been anxious this past 7 days. I wanted to rest right then on the first day of my delayed period. But part of me was really afraid to be disappointed again. Repetitive instances like these could do that to you. Disappointment - it's hard to deal after all.

So, we waited a full seven days. This time, if I believed that if I would be pregnant, the test would find it very hard to miss.

So when I woke up on the 20th, I gathered up my nerves and went to the bathroom to test.

When I peed, the tip of the stick became pink which signals that enough urine has been collected. The urine seeped through the stick and the cross symbol was already visible even if the indicator that the test result is ready to read has not shown yet.

I still can't beleive it so I waited for the test to be ready - about 1 min.... So when finally, the test is indeed ready. It was confirmed! I am pregnant! I immediately ran to our room and told my husband the great news. And my was he happy!!!

Finally, God has said yes to our prayers on His perfect time. Thank you Dear God. We praise you and we glorify you. Thank you for this early Christmas gift you have given to us.
 
Thus, begins my journey to motherhood.

What clothes to bring in Abu Dhabi

Before I went to the UAE, I was contemplating on what things to bring considering the following things:

Baggage Allowance Limit. A first time flyer to UAE such as myself is very particular on the baggage allowance. We tend to follow it to the dot. So when Etihad says 20 kgs, 20 kgs it is. I had to pack and unpack for a couple of times before I managed to limit my baggage weight. The first tries were way too heavy. As a result, I had to leave behind a lot of things I would have wanted to bring.

Culture. My first move was to get rid of my short dresses, sleveless tops, and skirts. What's left were my long-sleeved blouses, slacks and pants. Having to say goodbye to my favorite dresses was really heartbreaking for me. When I arrived in Abu Dhabi however, I saw women of different nationalities wearing short shorts, short dresses, pedals, capris, mini skirts and sleeveless tops. Imagine my dismay. To top it all off, two months later, I had to attend a party. I had to scour the mall for reasonably priced dress and stilletos. Thanks God Oxygene at Abu Dhabi Mall had a sale.

Necessities. I had to prioritize what are the things I need most. Top of my list was some grocery items which I thought cannot be found in the UAE (eg ponds facial wash, ponds cream). Next is office attire since I plan to work, which to my disappointment should have been my last priority since offices in Abu Dhabi in my field is not particular with corporate attire. Of course, undies. A pair of lady shoes, a pair of rubber shoes, a pair of ssandals, but I forgot to bring slippers (which are expensive here in Abu Dhabi). I should have brought even one pair from my collection of slippers. I wanted to bring my books as well, but they were very heavy.


Important papers.  I had a lot of these that it's contribution to my baggage weight cannot be considered as negligible.

Books. My husband requested me to buy books (a total of 11) he needed. Heavy heavy...


"Pasuyo." It is normal for Filipinos to request you to bring something they need from the Philippines. In my case, I was asked to bring medicines which cannot be handcarried.

LESSONS IN LIFE

LESSONS ON LIFE
Author Unknown
November 8, 2010


There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to
judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to
go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.


The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third
in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.


When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to
describe what they had seen.


The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.

The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of
promise.


The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that
smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful
thing he had ever seen.


The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and
drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.


The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because
they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.


He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one
season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy,
and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end,
when all the seasons are up.


If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your
spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.


Moral:
Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.
Don't judge life by one difficult season.
Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to
come some time or later.

Prayer for a life partner

Below is a prayer forwarded to me by one of my friends. This one is for those are growing impatience in waiting for the one for him/her.

Lord,

You said that it is not good for us to be alone. You made us for each other. But Lord, I find it so hard to find that mate who would be a good spouse. Help me, Lord, to put this yearning for marriage in its proper place.

Lead me, Lord, to the one whom You choose for my spouse. While I wait for You to reveal Your Will in this matter, help me to know myself better.

Help me to address those areas of my life which are disordered and which would interfere with my having a successful marriage. When my desire to find a spouse becomes all consuming, help me to relax and practice patience. Help me to invest in wholesome friendships which bring me closer to You and which will assist me in making such an important decision. It is so natural, Lord, to seek love.

Teach me to seek You first and to learn to give love before I try to receive it. Help me to remember that whatever journey this life leads me on, You are always present, always offering companionship, and always filling my deepest need. I offer You, Lord, my loneliness and my longing for marriage. I wait for You to lead me to Your perfect Will for me in this and all things. Amen.

My click

Biggest Mouse

By far, the biggest mouse I have ever seen or touched. Located in Abu Dhabi.

Holloween Time

                                My last Halloween in Jphil: I'm a witch


It is Halloween Time already. Time for Trick-or-treating. Time to don on some Halloween costume. Time for some gory stuffs and the likes.

But not for me this time.

Now, I'm missing Hallowwen parties at the office where each floor has to come up with a theme for decorations to coincide with. The employees' children will come to the office after office hours. Accompanied by their parents or guardians, they will walk through each floor from the tenth floor to the ground floor for their trick or treat. Candies wrapped in plastic bags are given away. It is always a fun experience. We get to meet the children of our officemates as well.  Cute little beings they are, some come in a really good mood, others do not. Others crying and some others are laughing. Such a wonder to see emotions in a child's face.

My new adventure: marriage

I am not very brave. I shake uncontrollably when I go to a hospital for a check-up. I had trauma from going to the dentist and I must say I just conquered that phobia recently. I fear the sight of  syringes. Even a prick of a needle in my fingers is a big thing for me. But I do have my share of adventures...

I climb mountains! Mt. Maculot, Mt Talamitam, Mt Gulugod-Baboy are some of the mountains I conquered. I even climbed 3 mountains in Japan, Mitake and the other two which I forgot the names already. To top it all, I reached the peak of Mt Fuji!

I rode the Space Shuttle in Enchanted Kingdom. I climb aboard numerous roller coasters in Japan. I even tried their famous Blue Fall.

We went very near the Ma. Cristina Falls in Iligan despite being prohibited by the authorities because of the danger.

And my newest adventure? My marriage. Yes, marriage is an adventure. When someone begins on that arrangement called marriage, he is getting into something which is, to say the least, adventurous. When a couple get married, they are doing something they know nothing about. It's a risk, thus, an adventure. Even 2nd, 3rd and nth timers still say it is an adventure for still they take risks.

What is more  scary (?) or risky is that it is a lifelong adventure!

My husband and I - we both know it is quite a risk we are taking. Even if we were together for seven years as boyfriend-girlfriend, there are still a lot of things we don't know about each other. There are worst things still to be discovered. We will be in a roller coaster ride for sure. We will get hurt. We will be happy. We will experience sorrow. We will celebrate. We will have our ups and our downs.

I believe what is important though is that we are in this together. We hope that just as adventurers prepare everything for their adventure, we will be guided by what we bring as well. Oh well, I am excited as always for this lifelong adventure of ours.

Get a hint!

I thought you would get the hint. I don't want you anymore. You have been my monthly companion for 15 years. I have accepted you not because I want you but because I have no choice. Oftentimes, I welcome you because you help cleanse me. You and I, hand in hand, we got rid of the toxins in my body. There are times though that I hated you. You hurt me. You are an inconvenience. I can't do things I love because of you. Most of the times though, I accepted you as you are. Every month, I would prepare myself for you. I would prepare the room you are to stay.

But now... I just wish you would go away for once. You see, I am reserving this room you were staying for so long. I am reserving and preparing this for someone more important than you. Someone I have been waiting for so long but cannot have because it was not yet the right time. Not that I am pushing you away because I hate you... I am pushing you away because I have to choose between the two of you and I am not choosing you. I am pushing you away because if yiu stay, that special guest I'm waiting for will not come and stay in the room I prepared.

So now I begging you...  Please take a hint. Or do you want me to spell it out for you?  I would like you to get lost and never come back... at least for 9 months.

Do You Remember?

Sometimes I find myself humming tunes that I learned way back then, or reciting nursery rhymes or poems from grade school or cheers from high school. It's amazing how our memory works! And another amazing thing is that even how we were feeling then, kind of comes back when we remember the tunes and the words.

I remember when I was in pre-school, we were taught

Baa, baa, black sheep

Have you any wool?

Yes sir, yes sir,

Three bags full.

One for the master,

One for the dame,

And one for the little boy

Who lives down the lane.

When I was in Grade I, I remember we were made to read a poem about reading signs. Something about... "Keep off the grass" "To the playground". I can' really remember though the entire poem.

When I was in grade III, I remember reciting

"All Things Bright and Beautiful"

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,

Each little bird that sings,

He made their glowing colors,

He made their tiny wings. 

- Now, I can only memorize until here.

Here is the rest of the poem...

The rich man in his castle,

The poor man at his gate,

He made them, high or lowly,

And ordered their estate.

The purple headed mountains,

The river running by,

The sunset and the morning

That brightens up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter,

The pleasant summer sun,

The ripe fruits in the garden,

He made them every one.

The tall trees in the greenwood,

The meadows where we play,

The rushes by the water,

To gather every day.

He gave us eyes to see them,

And lips that we might tell

How great is God Almighty,

Who has made all things well

I can't remember when we were  taught the poem "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer. But I can still remember a few lines..

I THINK that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

We were tasked to have an Invocation back in Grade 5. We sang "I Believe" by Frank Sinatra

I believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows. 

I believe that somewhere in the darkest night, a candle glows.

I believe for everyone who goes astray, someone will come to show the way. 

I believe, I believe.

I believe above the storm the smallest pray'r will still be heard.

I believe that someone in the great somewhere hears every word.

Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, or touch a leaf or see the sky,

Then I know why I believe!

I can still remember " We are the Sophies team, who'e going to win, from the mighty other team, we're gonna rock and rock around the clock..." in the tune of Rock Around the Clock. We even sang this again this time "Juniors Team" when we were in Third Yr. I even used the same cheer when we had our cheer dance competition in our company. And we won! hahaha


Our graduation song in high school was "The Times of Your Life".

Good morning, yesterday
You wake up and time has slipped away
And suddenly it's hard to find
The memories you left behind
Remember, do you remember

The laughter and the tears
The shadows of misty yesteryears
The good times and the bad you've seen
And all the others in between
Remember, do you remember
The times of your life (do you remember)

Reach back for the joy and the sorrow
Put them away in your mind
The mem'ries are time that you borrow
To spend when you get to tomorrow

Here comes the saddest part (comes the saddest part)
The seasons are passing one by one
So gather moments while you may
Collect the dreams you dream today
Remember, will you remember
The times of your life

Gather moments while you may
Collect the dreams you dream today
Remember, will you remember
The times of your life
Of your life
Of your life

Do you remember, baby
Do you remember the times of your life
Do you remember, baby
Do you remember the times of your life


 and "Magsimula Ka"

Magsimula ka, batiin ang kay gandang umaga
Ng may ngiti sa iyong mga mata
Sa pagkakaidli gumising na
Ang buhay ay masaya
Palalagpasin mo ba

Magsimula ka, tuparin ang pangarap mong tunay
Habang ang lakas iyo pang taglay
Sa paghihintay baka masanay
Sayang naman ang buhay mawawala ng saysay

(Refrain)
Iisa lang ang buhay mo
Kumilos ka, gamitin mo
Kung may nais ang puso mo
Mangarap ka, abutin mo
Upang ito'y makamit mo
Magsikap ka, simulan mo

Magsimula ka, pilitin ang tuklasin ang hanap
Madanas man ang maraming hirap
Ang mithiin mo pag naging ganap
Langit ng pagsisikap iyo nang malalasap

(Repeat refrain 2x)

Upang ito'y makamit mo
Magsikap ka, simulan mo

The Worst and Best Thing

The worst thing of having been cheated upon is that no matter how long ago was it, you still feel the insecurity from time to time. You start to wonder if you have really forgot and forgiven. If you have made the right decision. If he is still thinking of her from time to time.

The best thing about having been cheated upon though is that after the insecurity sets in, you would realize that "YOU" were the one who was chosen. That at the end of the day, you are his "The One"  - that one constant person in his life. The one he promised  "To be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life". The one he vowed "to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

I do not know how long this insecurity  would haunt me from time to time. One thing is for sure though, I am happy with what we are today and I intend to stay that way forever.

Our Simple Pleasures

My husband and I have our simple pleasures that the two of us enjoy without really having to spend much.

For one, we love to just eat inside our room and go Japanese dining by sitting at the floor with a very low table in front of us. Whatever our food is does not matter. We feel the intimacy just as well.

We also love to just watch movies in our laptop munching on some chips. May it be love story, chick flick, comedy, science fiction, war movies, action etc, we love to just cuddle and enjoy the presence of each other.

We love to write notes to each other. I usually put my notes in his lunchbox. When he eats lunch at the office, he is surprised to see the note. When he gets home, I would find the note still attached but with his reply.

We love to just roam around the mall holding hands.

We love to eat at a fastfood for hours and just enjoy being there talking about anything under the sun.

Since we are still new in our married life, we are still discovering other things that we both enjoy. So excited!

Excited for a perfect Christmas

September. Christmas is just around the corner and I'm really excited for this particular Christmas because this Christmas will be a lots of "firsts" for us.

1. First Christmas as a married couple.
2. First Christmas after three years of spending the previous geographically apart.
3. My first Christmas in Abu Dhabi.
4. My first Christmas away from my family. in the Philippines.

In fact, I wanted to decorate our room with everything DIY so its really a work of love.

As to how our Christmas will be celebrated... I still don't know. But however, wherever it is - I'm sure it will be a memorable one. With this, I believe that Jose Marie Chan's "A Perfect Christmas" perfectly describes how our Christmas will be.

A Perfect Christmas

I:
My idea of a perfect Christmas
Is to spend it with you
In a party
Or dinner for two
Anywhere would do
Celebrating the yuletide season
Always lights up our lives
Simple pleasures are made special too
When their shared with you

II:
Looking through some old photographs
Faces of friends we'll always remember
Watching busy shoppers rushing about
In the cool breeze of December
Sparkling lights, all over town
Children's carols in the air
By the Christmas tree
A shower of stardust on your hair

chorus:
I cant think of a better Christmas
Than my wish coming true
And my wish is you'd let me spend my whole life with you

repeat II

chorus

My idea of a perfect Christmas is to spend it with you

Especially for you

 (Blog posted on December 10th, 2006)

Especially for you
I wanna let you know what I was
Going through
All the time we were apart I thought
Of you
You were in my heart
My love never changed
I still feel the same
Especially for you
I wanna tell you I was feeling that
Way too
And if dreams were wings, you
Know
I would have flown to you
To be where you are
No matter how far
And now that I’m next to you
No more dreaming about
Tomorrow
Forget the loneliness and the sorrow
I’ve got to say
It’s all because of you
And now were back together,
Together
I wanna show you my heart is oh so true
And all the love I have is
Especially for you
Especially for you
I wanna tell you, you mean all the world to me
How I’m certain that our love was
Meant to be
You changed my life
You showed me the way
And now I’m next to you
I’ve waited long enough to find you
I wanna put all the hurt behind you
And I wanna bring out the love
Inside you, oh and
Now were back together, together
I wanna show you my heart is oh so true
And all the love I have is
Especially for you
You were in my heart
My love never changed
And now that I’m next to you
No more dreaming about
Tomorrow
Forget the loneliness and the
Sorrow
I’ve got to say
It’s all because of you

VANESSA HUDGENS - SAY OK

 (Blog posted on June 9th, 2007)

I come across with this… im not a musically inclined type of person so I don’t trust my judgement with regrads to music. Hehehe. But I like this song. I think it’s cute. Though halatang pacute yung kumanta. = )

VANESSA HUDGENS - Say OK lyrics

You are fine
You are sweet
But I’m still a bit naive with my heart
When you’re close I don’t breathe
I can’t find the words to speak
I feel sparks
But I don’t wanna be into you
If you are not looking for true love, oh oh
No I don’t wanna start seeing you
If I can’t be your only one [Chorus]
So tell me when it’s not alright
When it’s not ok
Will you try to make me feel better?
Will you say alright? (say alright)
Will you say ok? (Say ok)
Will you stick with me through whatever?
Or run away
(Say that it’s gonna be alright. That it’s gonna be ok)
Say Ok.
When you call I don’t know if I should pick up the phone every time
I’m not like all my friends who keep calling up the boys, I’m so shy
But I don’t wanna be into you
If you don’t treat me the right way
See I can only start seeing you
If you can make my heart feel safe (feel safe)
[Chorus]
When it’s not alright
When it’s not ok
Will you try to make me feel better?
Will you say alright? (say alright)
Will you say ok? (Say ok)
Will you stick with me through whatever?
Or run away
(Say that it’s gonna be alright. That it’s gonna be ok
Don’t run away, don’t run away)
Let me know if it’s gonna be you
Boy, you’ve got some things to prove
Let me know that you’ll keep me safe
I don’t want you to run away so
Let me know that you’ll call on time
Let me know that you won’t be shy
Will you wipe my tears away
Will you hold me closer
[Chorus]
When it’s not alright
When it’s not ok
Will you try to make me feel better
Will you say alright? (say alright)
Will you say ok? (Say ok)
Will you stick with me through whatever?
Or run away
(Say that it’s gonna be alright. That it’s gonna be ok)
Say OK
(Don’t run away, don’t run away)
(Say that it’s gonna be alright. That it’s gonna be ok, don’t run away)
Will you say OK
(Say that it’s gonna be alright. That it’s gonna be ok)

Last Song Syndrome

(Blog posted on June 10th, 2007 )

I’ve been singing/humming this song for quite some  time already. The song does not suit me coz I’m still so into love. I just like its melody plus I like Hugh.
Way Back Into Love LyricsBy Hugh Grant & Haley Bennett
Haley:
Ive been living with a shadow over head
Ive been sleepin with a cloud above my bed
Ive been lonely for so long
Trapped in the past, I just cant seem to move on
Hugh:
I’ve been hiding all my hopes and dreams away
Just incase I ever need them again someday
Ive been setting aside time, to clear a little space in the corners of my mind
chorus:
All I want to do is find a way back into love
I cant make it through without a way back into love
ohh
Haley:
I’ve been watching but the stars refuse to shine
Ive been searching but I just dont see the signs
I know that its out there
Theres got to be something for my soul somewhere
Hugh:
I’ve been looking for someone to shed some light
Not just somebody to get me through the night
I could use some direction, and I’m open to your suggestions
Chrous
All I want to do is find a way back into love
I cant make it through without a way back into love
and If I open my heart again
I guess Im hopin you’ll be there for me in the end
Haley:
There are moments when I dont know if its real
or if anybody feels the way I feel
I need inspiration, not just another negotiation
Chorus:
All I want to do is find a way back into love
I cant make it through without a way back into love
and If I open my heart to you
Im hopin you’ll show me what to do
and if you help me to start again
you know that I’ll be there for u in the end

Feeling Down Lately?

 (Blog posted on June 14th, 2007)

I’ve been feeling down lately… I guess because many things are happening which are beyond my hands to control. I can be a control freak at times…

I’m feeling down because first and foremost, my bf is no longer here in the Philippines and that the texts, the calls and the chats are somehow still not enough.

I’m feeilng down because I want to do something but I can’t do it because it’s not my decision to make.

I’m feeling down because I want to start working on something for so long. Somehow, despite the long wait it still have not arrived.

I’m feeling down today because I feel so down.

I’m feeling down today because I was expecting someone to contact me but still wasn’t able to. The reason of which I do not know. Still, I’m feeling a bit down that maybe they wouldn’t contact me after all.

I’m feeling becuse I miss my family at home.

I’m feeling down because I feel so alone.

Lastly, I’m feeling just because… I just feel down.

Evan Almighty - Nice Movie

 (A blogpost from friendster. Posted September 1st, 2007)

Few days ago we watched the movie Evan Almighty.It was surprisingly a very good movie. At first I was aprehensive about going out with my friends/officemates to watch Evan Almighty because the movie might end up to be Bruce Almighty 2… I wans’t thrilled by that movie I could not even remember the full story. All I can remember is that I didn’t like the plot.

Anyways, for the sake of life-work balance we,Jphil employees are striving to attain (observe work-life balance at all cost so say some), and to spend quality time with my friends (who happen to cheer me up esp when I was feeling so down at some point in my life)…I went with them and watched Evan Almighty.

As I said earlier, it is a very good movie. Unexpectedly funny and has a lesson to offer. I just love their dialogue on how to change the world, may I quote: "One act of random kindness".. which I believe is quite true.

The movie somehow reminds me that a prayer is so powerful. And that somehow God answers our prayer without us realizing it. According to the movie, when we pray for something, God does not give it to us at the snap of His fingers and not on the form we specifically prayed for.

The lines in the movie says "If we pray for courage, God does not give us courage. He give us the opportunity to be courageous. If someone prayed for the family to be closer. God does not make them closer. But He give them the opportunity to become closer."

Indeed, it is up to us on how we take the opportunity in order for our prayers to be granted.

It made me realize that I for one have asked a lot in my prayers. I asked for forgiveness of some things I do but somehow I managed to make the same mistakes again..and again.. and again…Now, I realize that this is one clear manifestation that God has heard me. Not once but as many times as I have prayed.

For some months, I have been praying for something… A very specific prayer. Somehow, I don’t consider it unanswered prayer but rather an answered prayer in the making. Maybe God knows that I am still not ready to be given the oppurtunity to be what and where I wanted to be. That He in His divine wisdom is giving me time to be ready to grab that opportunity I so wanted. And when the right time comes, Grab it I will!

Of being an Insomniac

(My blog from friendster. Posted last September 19th, 2007)

I went home early from the office today because I was not feeling well. After being grilled in our Technical Panel Review which lasted for 3 hours, which by the way, usually lasts for an hour only, I wanted to take a rest from work. But the main culprit wasn’t that really… lets just say something is bothering me too much… something that only someone from the womenland can understand.
Anyway, I went home exactly 7pm and I was expecting I could just dump my things and go straight to bed when I arrrive home. But, much to my dismay, I couldn’t get my mind off things. A lot of things really.. And I just could’t sleep… Oh well, so I turned my PC on, surfed the net and hope that I could just get sleepy and all. 3 hours had passed but I still couldn’t sleep.
The culprit… Insomnia. According to some of my readings, Insomia is a sleeping disorder brought about by stress. There are more causes of insomnia aside from stress. For more info just follow this link… http://www.americaninsomniaassociation.org/causes.htm#lifestyle ..I am not in the mood to expound on it any longer.
Stress? Yes, I believe I am. Who wouldn’t at the pace the world is turning today?
And before I get more stressed than I am at present, I am going to tuck myself to bed and just hope Mr Sleep and I would soon meet. Nighty night everybody.

Looking at the brighter side of things

(A blogpost from my friendster blog. Posted last September 22nd, 2007) Optimism y’all!
I had always been an optimist. In every situation I encounter, I always look at the brighter side of things. I can’t remember when I became such but I’m glad I did. Was it the influence my boyfriend has on me (He is an optimist such as I)? Or maybe the day I realized I’ll always be on the losing end if won’t see the brighter side of things.
As such, I became less and less of a crying machine…. hehehehe. I cry like 12 times yearly more or less because of problems. But I’m not worried of not having an oulet for my tears… I know it’s unhealthy not to shed a tear regularly. I do cry but not on my problems. I cry over a nice love story.. On movies and most primarily, I cry when I read romance novels. Usually on the part where the guy and the girl has the chance to bring everything out in the open and resolve all their issues. Hahaha…kilig na kilig ako jan na umiiyak. So, when I feel like I have not been crying for a long time, I just go to the booksore and buy myself some romance novel.
Anyway, the reason I’m posting this blog is for those who might read this to also look at the brighter side of things because it would do us good. Trust me.
I have a friend who is currently havig a problem with her boyfriend. Things have been complicated between them. I will expound on the details no more. Just that theirs is a relationship that is being confronted with racial differences. Anyway, I just told her to let things be coz sooner or later things will get better. If and when, they decide to go their separate ways, then let it be. It might be easier said than done but hey, there is nothing you can do about it. There are more reasons why you’d better off without him. Someday, you’ll find someone who would be perfect for you. Just don’t give up on love.. phleeezzz…
I also have a friend who has a lot of love to give. The problem is she has not yet found the person to shower her love upon. Optimism. Someday soon, the person will come when you least expect it. For now, enjoy the joys of being single.
A friend of mine also failed to make it in an exam. Optimism. Maybe he is destined to do greater things on a different genre.
I myself am being tested on my optimism. My boyfriend and I are separated by a thousand miles between us. Optimism. I need and I am practicing that. So far, I have been successful. It doesn’t mean I don’t miss him. I do. More than words can say. It doesn’t mean I love him less. I love him more each day. Optimism. One day, we will realize our dreams. And it will be worth all our sacrifices.
So you see, optimism helps a lot… Always look at the brighter side of things. It would make you feel better.
Optimism y’all!

Just to be with you…

     ( A blogpost from my friendster blog. Posted on April 17th, 2010.) 
You’d think by now I am used to this-it’s almost 4 years that you are working abroad. But no… everyday when I wake up, the emptiness sets in again and again.
You are the last thing on my mind when I go to sleep and you are the first when I wake up.
Then I question myself… “Are we doing the right thing by being apart?” Back then, when we discussed that I will stay here in the Philippines, it somehow made sense…
But now, I don’t know anymore… ” Why I am still here? What am I doing here?”.
I realized that time is indeed precious. When it’s gone, you could never take it back. We never know when God will call us to be by HIs side. It maybe today, tomorrow, the week after, 10 years, 20 years… only God knows… I don’t want to wake up one day (or not wake up) with only regrets that we spent much of our days apart.
There are only a few things that I most desire and one of these is just to be with you. To wake up with you, sleep with you, kiss you, hug you, love you and let you know how happy I am just by being with you.

At the Top

As part of the requirement for my visa in UAE, I had my medical exam in Dubai July 22, 2010. After my medical exam, my hubby and I went to the tallest tower/building in the world today - Burj Khalifa. We went to the 124th floor where there is an observation deck which would let you see Dubai in a 360 degree view.

Burj Khalifa lifts the world's head proudly skywards, surpassing limits and expectations. Rising gracefully from the desert and honouring Dubai with a new glow. Burj Khalifa is at the heart of Dubai and its people; the centre for the world's finest shopping, dining and entertainment and home for the world's elite.

Thank God It's Friday's (TGIF) - Another one down

ack in the Philippines, my batch mates and I are very fond of going into different restaurants/isawan/carenderia/fastfoods to sample their cuisine.

We've been to a lot of places where there is food and/or coffee.

One of the restaurants I was not able to go to was TGIF. My batchmates ate at this restaurant when I was in Japan so I could not really ask them again to eat in the same resto despite the fact that I really want to try eating there.

Until the time came that I have to go to Abu Dhabi. The chance of going in that resto was even slimmer.

I was surprised though because about two weeks after, I actually experienced dining in TGIF! This time in Abu Dhabi. Our flatmate/landlady/friend/Ninang, Ate Jen invited everybody out on a dinner as celebration of her birthday! Yes! I can list down another one restaurant!


Some pictures!

Louie and I at TGIF

Waitlisted

Flat 1503 People

Bb and I... burp! hehehe

We got to post birthday greetings for Ate Jen through Philippine money

I ordered this beverage.... something about being blue..turns out it's not blue, more like purple

One of the many we ordered. Yummy!

Outside TGIF

Pork Sinigang

To jumpstart our journey towards great cooking, we first conquer the world of one of the best food the Filipinos has ever cooked - Pork Sinigang. Yummy!

Now as the name of the blog implies, we are still babies in terms of cooking, hence, pardon us if we violate some cooking rules and such.

THE RECIPE

We have:

1/2 kg of pork (spare ribs)
2 tomatoes, sliced
2 onions, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Bundle of Kangkong
1 Bundle of String beans
1 pc Horse radish
2 pcs gabi
4 pcs green finger pepper
3 tbsp fish sauce
2 eggplants
Oil
1 Liter water
1 pack sinigang mix



Here's what we did:

1. Sauted garlic and onion then added tomatoes. Let it simmer for 5 mins.

2. Added pork and fish sauce then the water. Waited till it boils, let it simmer for 15 mins then added gabi and green finger pepper (to make it more spicy). Let it simmer for another 15 mins or until pork is tender.

3. Put in the sinigang mix and allowed to boil for 2 mins.

4. Added the horse radish and string beans, simmer for 10 mins.

5. Added the eggplant and simmer for 2 mins.

6. Lastly, added the kangkong and simmer for 1 min.



And the result was...



The string beans were overcooked.
The eggplant were a little bit raw.
But overall, it tasted really great.

Lessons...
1. We should have put the string beans later and the eggplant earlier than we did.