A Quick Testimony to God's Greatness

Okay, real quick post because we have to get ready for church (even if the two are still sleeping!). It's so amazing each time God shows me how present and alive He is. I'm in the middle of a situation right now, not grave, but enough to give me something to fret over (since I'm just like that). This is actually something that happens a lot, but it's exciting to recognize each time. Anyway, my devotional texts for the past couple of days have just been so dead on for my situation and what I'm feeling. I will never again feel as though conversations with God are one way (because, you know, I can be a forgetful fool sometimes and forget all the amazing instances God has allowed in my life).


Anyway, yesterday, Husband was having car trouble, so before we left for Marikina (he's to play bass today at the service, so he had to go to the dry run), I led us in prayer. I asked God to please fix our car and Husband thought that was funny because I sounded like I was talking to a mechanic. I haughtily answered that I can ask God for any kind of help (Husband rolled his eyes - of course, he knew that. It was all about my phrasing... Hwatever!). Anyway, we stopped on our way to Marikina so Husband could have his batteries checked out (since the problem seemed to concern them the previous night) and he was told that everything was fine. We reached our destination without incident. Husband was issuing various theories as to what the problem could possibly be and I said, "Maybe the car's fine now. I think God fixed the problem like I asked him to." Husband had to agree.

Passing on the Candle

Don’t let the Candle of Love, Hope and Friendship die. May God richly bless you as you keep this candle burning. Pass it on to all your Friends and to everyone you love.

Thanks to Annika, who passed it on to me. To keep it burning, I'm passing it on to all those who read my blog. Feel free to copy and post this image on your blog. Have a great one. :)

Stylish Tactics

There was a time when the Rambo look was in. The halls of my college building appeared to be brimming with ROTC cadets, except that camouflage baby tees were partnered with designer jeans or army fatigues came with a shirt festooned with some sort of expensive signature. There was even a time when dog tags were being adorned by people who did not even have an inkling what they were for. I think I may have been in fifth grade at that time. There is definitely some sore of appeal coming from this type of look. Sometimes they are trendier than usual, but tactical gear never really goes out of style. It is more about the personality of the individual donning it. I can understand how products such as Tactical Pants can appeal to many males out there. They depict a lifestyle that is brimming with testosterone. They are rugged, active, and suggestive of extraordinary skills one may actually possess or simply project to have. Even females are intrigued by tactical gadgets and accessories. They are pretty cool, especially designed for activities that only law enforcement officers get to participate in. If you are interested in this kind of style or if what you do requires this kind of getup, visit TacticalPantsUSA.com. It has a huge selection of Tactical Pants. The website does notlimit itself to pants. Why not complete the look and order other tactical gear to go with the pants? The website claims to ship most orders within 24 hours. There are other promos and freebies that you may want to check out as well, so make sure to go through the website thoroughly to get the best deal. If you are from a certain division of the military, you may want to order items in bulk. The company ships to all military addresses.

Oh the Facets of This Life I Chose

Sometimes I have to remind myself that that this was a conscious choice, that this was actually what I wanted. Having dodged housework for the most part of my life, I was actually excited about doing this. Even in Subic we employed a cleaning lady who would come twice a month. Husband and I spent most of our time out of the house anyway so serious housekeeping was not necessary. The main thing though is, housework, plus caring for a child is an entirely different galaxy from plain housework. How about housework, plus kid care, plus working at home? I guess I'm saying that I'm bone-tired. I really don't know how the others in the same boat do it, and they have a bigger boat too (more kids and you can add homeschooling). I have a sort of pattern to my days now, but I'm not certain it's the best one I can come up with. I need to get better organized (and stop watching Rob Pattinson on YouTube - Man, is it gonna be like this from now on? All the hot guys are ten years younger?). And then there's the nagging thought from the deep recesses of my brain (the one that hangs on to the conventional, to the typical), did I really go through graduate school and obsess about my grades all those years (Husband laughs at the dorkiness of it all, but I was really a conscientious and competitive student. I dorkily aspired, if not for a perfect score, then the highest in the class, at least. I didn't grade-grub, but I was all about my GPA and ranking in class. Btw, not a lot of learning was involved there. I failed to retain much of what I was taught in school.) so I could be a stay-at-home mom? Did I really give up a prestigious and well-paying post to be all "domesticated"? Oh but the perks. Never mind (okay, not really never mind - I do feel proud in a very surprised way) the sense of achievement from being able to juggle all the work. The most important thing is that I'm given the chance to work on being the kind of mother I want to be. I am also able to define the values I uphold in life better as they're more apparent in this setup. Is this the life I want? Not entirely, but I'm getting there. I know I'm in the right direction and it is a journey that I can appreciate.

Your Cyber Representation

The Internet is definitely an entire universe that intersects with the physical one we have. It has extended its many branches to the many different aspects of life as we once knew it. Business, for one, has been absolutely revolutionized with the advent of the Information Highway. Even businesses that deal with old things (e.g. antiques and vintage collectibles) are operated with the use of computers and an online connection. Businesses are not the only ones tapping this resource. Professionals have been known to create their own website to promote their services. Many can attest to the positive difference that viral marketing by means of online publicity can generate.

There are so many things involved in having a website that it is clearly much more than meets the eye. It’s your way of presenting yourself to the world (a cyber one, it may be, but as I have said, it intersects with the real one). Where before physical appearance was what was open for inspection, in this high technology world we currently live in, a website does the job as well. A website must reflect all the qualities you want to project. It must appeal to the senses and to the intellect. A website done all wrong can do more damage than you would imagine. That’s why it’s important that you get the right kind of help in creating one.

Heritage Web Design offers just the kind of service that somebody wanting a killer website needs. It is a trusted name in the industry and is, in fact, in the top 25 of the Inc500 List. It has a pool of designers who can create an entirely unique website for you. They can guarantee something impressive and fascinating as you can rely on them not to come up with something cookie-cutter.

A Rare Creature

Marguerite has made friends here. I take her out to play most afternoons and there are lots of kids her age. I know there's an Alexander, a Miguel, a Charisse, etc. I, on the other hand, have not met anybody I feel I can bond with. All the other children are being minded by their nannies. I don't mind making friends with them at all, but to them, I'm just too different. I'm usually much older, for one. I have not given up hope though. There has to be another stay-at-home mom somewhere in this complex and I'll find her! :)

I Sincerely Thought RPattz's Name Would Never Grace This Blog

At the risk of giving myself away, here's a conversation on Robert Pattinson and I'll really appreciate it if you answer the question I added towards the end. What a pressing matter, lol!

Give Me a Number, Any Number...

With the technology today, we can all be pseudo-sleuths and track down people without leaving the confines of our home. One way of being able to know more about a person is to use Nationwide Phone Lookup services. Arm yourself with just a number and you can proceed to gain more information about that person. It can help you with many things, from reconnecting with old friends to punishing annoying pranksters.

The Early Days Over Here

We've been here more than a week. I had exactly one episode of homesick tears. It was our (Marguerite's and mine) first day in the apartment by ourselves and around nap time, I carried her out to the balcony to rock her to sleep (no, I don't do it every time) and we saw a girl two buildings away (our building is taller than the others). With her back turned to us, she resembled my cousin Jaymee. I kind of panicked that Marguerite might start asking for my family since she's used to having them around. However, Marguerite didn't. I, on the other hand, felt an overwhelming wave of loneliness come over me and started crying. I didn't indulge the sentiment though and sternly got myself under control in a minute. Anyway, it's been going well enough so far.

My mom calls everyday (sometimes several times in one day). She's being dramatic, of course, and I'm trying not to be impatient. I understand that it's hard and she has always been one to be exaggerated in her doting, but I'm a great believer in dealing. Anyway, I'm used to Mom. It's a weird time for her too, but it's not as bad as she makes the situation out to be. And I'm shutting up now. I've spilled too much of my guts now as it is.

Anyway, Mom texted me that my Dad might come over today. That would be great. I want him to pray over the place. We've done it ourselves, of course, but I'd like a minister to do it too. Everybody keeps on asking if we're having a house blessing and I keep on answering, "No, I'll do that with our own place, not when we're renting. I'll just ask Dad to pray for the place and our time there."
"Oh, so it's just a little party with your family."
"No, there's no party. It's just my Dad praying."
"Whom are you inviting?"
"Nobody. It's not an event."
"What? Well, when are you holding it?"
"Anytime my dad decides to drop by for a visit."
I guess people are hinting at us to throw a housewarming party. LOL, that's a sure way to convince me not to throw one.

Fangirling Again

This is just like the time I got hooked on that other series. For a long time I resisted because the series was just too popular. Then, staying in a house in Fresno with an untouched copy of the fourth book lying around and with nothing much to do but bum around (watch reruns of "Kids in the Hall" and "Newsradio" at noon, stuff my face with Lay's Bistro Gourmet chips, do backyard birding... those were great times, lol. And how! I should detail what my day is like now, but I'm still expecting things to improve. I'm giving myself a month to fall into a routine that works.)., I finally gave in. Also, that was shortly before the first movie came out. The series is a bestseller for a reason and I breezed through the first three soon after. My sister and I were fanatic about the series up until the last book (yes, we were two of those who very impractically lined up on the first day to buy a copy).

Anyway, this time it's with this series (It just occurred to me that this is the year of the fourth book too). I really wasn't interested, but then Saturday night, I had a dream that the male protagonist was in love with me (lol, I'll have you know that I have a dream history of people I previously gave no two hoots about being in love with me and when I wake up I find myself with a huge ,brand new crush on them - e.g. Christian Slater, Gerard Butler, and a couple of local celebrities). I hadn't read any of the books and just had a vague notion of what the stories were about, but I have a sister who tunes in regularly to The Daily 10, so... And the actor who's playing that character did appeal to me when I saw him in those movies based on that other series. I remember sanctioning a debate in one of my Spanish classes about who was hotter: this actor we're talking about or that other one who played a pro athlete in the same movie (much to the disgust of my male students). Anyway, the truth is that I had no intention of reading any of the books at all (too dangerous, given my obsessive nature). I just thought of googling the plot and then maybe waiting for the DVD to come out. BUT. I went to my SIL's bazaar Sunday afternoon and there it was: a copy of the first book. So I've read it. I honestly thought it was just your token love story. In essence, it is, but, MAN! You can't help but fall in love with the way they're so in love with each other, especially the guy. And then you start relating it to your own life. Does my husband love me that much? How come we don't have dialogues like the ones those two have? And then... I just realized that I need to get back to work. Gosh, in this new setup, I can't give in to slacking AT ALL. Otherwise, I pay big time.

Oh. And I'm not sure if I'm ready to let Aaron Peirsol go. The fangirl's still very much present, but buried under mountains of chores, and work, and, of course quality time with my family.

Blog Post

Since I'm too busy to blog, here's a picture of my beautiful daughter.

I'm 32 and Living in a New City

Quick update since it's all still very chaotic around here.

Just had a birthday recently. How do I feel about being 32? Honestly, who's got time to probe how they feel about aging when they're in the middle of moving houses?

We've moved. Spent our first night here last night. Marguerite seems to be adjusting well. Brought our helper along (but just until today) so the change in my daily routine doesn't seem all that different yet. I miss my family and my parents' house, but I know better than to dwell on that. Anyway, we're only about 30 mins away from each other (but with my mom so tied down to my sister, it might as well be a light year away) and we'll still be going to Marikina Sundays for church. It's not like when we were in a whole other region like when we were living in Subic. Of course, there's the Marguerite factor now (and Chip's condition), so the move's really hard on my mom.

Gotta cut this short. More soon.

We Must Look at It as an Adventure

The contract has been signed and we'll start moving this Saturday. I suppose I'll be delinquent in posting during this period, but I'll try to do short posts to keep you guys updated. It's going to be a real adventure, especially for me, but I'm embracing the challenge. It's scary, but I feel positively about this change. Anyway, it's time.

As for my daughter, she's doing very well. She's healthy and developing nicely. She's also very headstrong, so it gets really interesting sometimes. She's learning to dress herself and she insists on having a say on her outfit. As much as possible I try to dress her in cotton jammies even during the day because they're protective, but she won't have any of it now. She says she wants "patties" and forget about pretending not to understand ("What are patties, Marguerite?"), she'll just go get them herself. Oh, and she has to have accessories too. She makes you take off your bracelet or necklace if it catches her fancy. Yeah, it kind of feels like the mob sometimes.

Have a Better View of Frugality

I’ve always been frugal, except I usually (proudly) termed it “cheapskate”. However, I and my penny-pinching ways have become trendy of late, thanks to the global economic crisis we are having. With finances being tighter than usual, we are trying to have some fun with the challenge by attacking frugality as something like an extreme sport.

If I was thrifty before, I think I’m bordering on being miserly now. For starters, thanks to these hard times, I’ve become more consistent about vegetarianism, as well as conserving water and energy. If I end up straining my eyes reading without the use of artificial lighting, I know I can always get good quality eyeglasses for as low as $8 at Zenni Optical because there’s no middle person involved. Husband, who can use a new pair himself, doesn’t need to fret at the expense. It’s always prudent to try and get products straight from the manufacturer to avoid added charges.

Try to have some fun with frugality. Search well and hard for anything that will score you a freebie. Spend more time with nature (ones that do not require an entrance fee) and you’ll find yourself having even better fun and entertainment than you used to.

I Do Prefer Chain Letters to Have Been Mailed

I just received one of those chain emails for good luck (if you take heed; an "unpleasant surprise" if you're a skeptic) from one of my best college friends. While I usually don't even bother to read these things (they usually take a while to load, what with all the forwarded versions people don't even bother to edit out), this one held my attention because of the following life tips: (Mind you, I'm just sharing. No luck of whatever kind shall befall you if you decide to read, forward, ignore, etc. I don't even agree with all of them.)

***

There's some mighty fine advice in these words, even if you're not superstitious. This has been sent to you for good luck from the Anthony Robbins organization. It has been sent around the world ten times so far.

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other (trait?).
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have (maybe not this one. yet.) or sleep all you want.
FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.
FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight. (hmmm)
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
FIFTEEN. Say 'God bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson .
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
TWENTY-ONE Spend some time alone.