Still counting

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”

Yes, sometimes we complain about what's missing in our life, that we tend to overlook many chances to be happy. When times get hard, we fail, or sometimes refuse to understand why we have to go through a certain problem or dilemma. Sometimes it's hard to see through God's plans that we question Him for not having everything we want. But if we just pause for a while and reflect, it's surprising that there's a lot to be thankful for.

Everytime I feel sad, I remind myself of the blessings that I received. Despite the losses, there were gains. Inspite of the tears there were laughters. And even if I had too much heartache, I realize that life is so beautiful after all, because there is love if only you choose to love and be loved (cliche! hehe).

I'm counting my blessings starting this year, and I do hope to count them regularly. Despite the bad and low times, there were definitely a lot of good and happy times:

1. We lost our small business that my mom has enjoyed managing for the past 1 /1/2 years, but at least, our legal battle with some of our relatives finally ended. No more sleepless nights and financial worries. I told my mom that we don't need the unnecessary stress and pain. We survived without that lot and business that almost everybody in our clan is claiming, then we will still survive. God will provide.

2. I'm still saddled with a few loans because of my sister's tuition fee and other house expenses, but at least, my sister finally graduated from college. Now I can slowly repay all my loans. I wanna live a debt-free life... I am now seriously saving for a property, vacation, and wedding! Haha goodluck.

3. I wasn't able to go to the beach at all during summer, but at least I'll be going to Palawan before this year ends. I missed the beach!

4. Two of my closest friends went abroad this year. I'm still not used to the idea that they're out there in a far away land. Sometimes I feel that they're just a call or text away. But at least, I got to see another two good friends this year- one is based in the US and she came back here after 7 long years, while one is based in Abu Dhabi as a flight attendant- we barely see each other even if she ferries back and forth from her homebase to Manila.

5. Early last year, I finally ended an on and off relationship that lasted for almost 9 years. Yes it surely made me devastated, since our separation was not that smooth as I expected it to be. But.. not AT LEAST.. but THANK THE LORD... Mascot came into my life during the most unexpected time. I can't say a lot to explain how happy and loved he made me feel, and is making me feel up to now. My exact feelings are beyond words that sometimes it's a bit surreal for me. I'm just thankful that I have found the one person that I want to spend the rest of my life with. After all that I've been through, I'm grateful that God gave him to me. HE'S THE BEST GIFT I GOT THIS YEAR. :)


Let's count our blessings and be happy! :)

Sinigang Express

Since I met my dear Mascot, I've been into cooking. I want to write about the dishes I've mastered cooking these past few days. I guess it would help me not forget the ingredients and steps in preparing each meal.

Everybody at home loves pork sinigang. So I guess it's a recipe that I should master. Here's my codigo on pork sinigang:

Ingredients: pork, water, radish, okra, salt, fish sauce, kangkong, Tamarind mix

Steps:

1. Boil pork, wait til it's tender. Put in tomatoes and onions.
2. Add sliced radish and okra.
3. Mix and put salt and fish sauce.
4. Pour in Tamarind mix.
5. Put sili and kangkong, and then stir.

Voila! Pork Sinigang best served hot, with fish sauce as sawsawan. :)

Quotes Quotes Quotes (2)

1. Do you know what happens when you hurt people? They may begin to love you less and begin to forget that they loved you once...

2. If you compare yourself with others you may become vain and bitter because there will always be persons lesser and greater than yourself.

3. Only music can let us sing... Only music can make our feet dance. And only music can let our mind reminisce back to our past. But what's important about music is it can be the voice of what we feel inside especially when we are mute by the words of our hearts.

4. Too many os us stay walled because we are too afraid to care too much... for fear that the other person does not care as much, or at all...

5. Why do I call you my friend? Is it because senseless thoughts turn into sensible conversations? Or because frown become laughter no matter how painful the problem gets? Those are just few of the many reasons... The best, I think is that we may not be living in the same world, may not be experiencing the same life, may not share the same memories... but we're still the same, we're still friends no matter how vague life gets.

6. How do you draw the line between love and friendship? In friendship, we create love... In love, we risk friendship. It's hard but I guess sometimes wanting more means losing everything.

7. When your feelings get strong for someone, it's always wise to stop for a while and give your heart time to breathe. A time to use your mind, to weigh the situation based on reason, not on emotion. Because the saddest thing that can happen is when one falls in love while the other wants nothing more than friendship. Love can sometimes be magic, but magic can sometimes be an illusion.

8. Sometimes it's better to be lost anywhere in this world where you can ask for directions back, than be lost inside yourself where redemption lies in your hands alone.

9. It's fatal to believe into something that for sure won't happen... but it's pretty damn deadly not to hope a bit...

10. All of the things in life change. It happens with valid reason. So if you doubt why it happens to you stick to this: we can never learn to be brave and patient if there's only one joy in the world.

11. Don't tie your heart to a person who has nothing to offer you. You may say you're in love, you might even say he or she is your soul mate, but is that enough to fill your need for love? Let it go... It might hurt for a while, but when you get over it, you'll find it's for the better.

12. If you miss an opportunity, do not cloud your eyes with tears... Instead, keep your vision clear so that you will not miss the next one.

13. I may talk everyday like I won't ever get tired... laugh as if it's my last... I give advices to problems like as if I know how to handle mine. I live my life as if everything's just fine... but the truth is, "giving up" is already next in line.

14. The modern Mutual Understanding (MU) - you stay together, spend time with each other, and you share everything... except one thing - commitment.

15. There comes a point in our lives when the heart grows tired. It grows numb from hate, it stops beating for love, it runs out of compassion, it doesn't soften from pain. But not because of insensitivity, but because, it simply wants to move on, and live an uncomplicated life.

16. You won't fully enjoy a swing unless you raise your feet from the ground. You won't fully enjoy a boat ride unless you remove the rope's knot from the river bank. Your dog won't fully enjoy his "dog life" unless you remove the chain in his neck. Lesson: Never ever limit yourself when it comes to happiness, learn how to let go and move on. Life is beautiful.

17. Time may be so fast that we can't guess how long the friendship would stay, but even if time keeps us apart, even when chances push me out and away, remember... I'll never stop to care... despite my absence, between gaps and distances, the promise of you and me being friends remains, lasts, and persists. It may not be under the arms of togetherness and bonding. But beyond words... beyond spaces... beyond hindrances... friends til the end.

18. The best feeling in the world comes when you start feeling good again after feeling awful for a long time.

19. When someone hugs you, never be the first to let go.

20. Not all seemingly happy people are happy indeed... When the fun's over, some sit alone and quietly bleed.

WATER + SOAP = BUBBLES: THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO

1. My Mascot to come home – The thought of my one and only love coming home definitely sends shivers to my spine hahaha. I miss everything about him – the way he makes me laugh, the way he looks and smiles at me, the way he holds my hands, the way he touches me, the way he kisses me… and just the way he is!

2. Purchase house and lot / renovate the house - Of course, through housing loan for employees-
With a very low interest (4% per annum) payable in I think 15-25 years. Though sometimes I’m afraid of the thought of being tied to the company I’m working in for what seems like forever because of the loan, I think it’s really a really good deal that I should grab. I’ll stress about the advance payments I intend to make after the loan has been released.


3. Finish Graduate School – Going back to school, so far, has been a fun and rewarding experience. Though it sometimes stresses me out because of conflicting schedule with work, I’m glad that I took the chance to study again. I think 3 more sems and I’m done! Hopefully I pass the compre exam.


4. More savings – Now that my sister has finished school, I can save up more money. I have always wanted to save at least 5% of my monthly salary ever since but I was not able to do so because almost all of my income go to my sister’s tuition fee or loan payments. I’m glad I have accumulated quite a lot of savings since I opened my LANDBANKOOP account. I now also have another bank account which serves as my piggy bank for my savings from my salary every pay day. And of course, I’m looking forward also to the General Assembly of the Quatros Marias Cooperativas with my amigas Bonn, Jen, and Pam – just means more shopping cash for Christmas!

5. Coron vacation – Booked for November this year with Pam, Marly, and Marvin. It’s my major major beach escapade for this year. Would you believe I haven’t been to the beach last summer ever?! So before the year ends, I’m going to Coron, Palawan and chill!


6. Real Estate Sideline – Though I’m already doing initial talks with some of my contacts, I have to really devote more time for this business. I hope I can find time to attend the seminars so I can officially begin working as an agent or broker. I think I can manage this on top of my regular work and school. Is a P30,000 commission every other month feasible? Hehehe.


7. Compile photos – This has always been a dream! I have lots of photos printed out but they’re just stuck in my cabinet. I want to see all of my photos systematically arranged in photo albums. I won’t do scrapbooking though, just plain albums would do. I’m not really satisfied with my photos being posted in Facebook. I want hard copies that can be shown to visitors at home. And personally, I want to browse albums during rainy days while listening to music and sipping a cup of coffee! Bliss. 


8. Convert video tapes to DVD – I have always planned to convert my 7th birthday video (in Betamax) and 18th birthday video (in VHS) into DVD. I’m afraid I would lose those captured memories because the tapes have tarnished already. I want to watch these videos again and relish those carefree days- especially my 7th birthday video where I can watch my dad alive and kicking.


9. Body Scrub – Calling my BSB!!! (Body Scrub Buddy).. It has been ages since we last indulged in body scrub hahaha. I hope that before this year ends, we’ll have at least one BS session.- Wensha or even Let’s Face it (the orig hehe).

10. Getting engaged and married – HAHAHA. Enough said. :D BUBBLES! ;)