Passionately Valerie

May the miracle of Christmas fill your heart with warmth, joy, peace and love.  It is the time of giving and receiving.  It is the season of loving and forgiving Merry Christmas!!!

2012 it is such a big year! So many memories to reminisce Some are hits, some are missed Some are good, some are bad, some are alright I dared to do things that I never thought I could Been lost and then found again Glad to be back in law school Passed some subjects, failed in some as well (FOCUS!) Joined an Org (Acads Family) Experienced BarOps Became a beadle Defended my MA thesis (REVISE!) Began teaching in the tertiary level Lost more than ten pounds Joined a pageant And enjoyed singing Straightened my hair then curled it again Started going green (loving planting); And most importantly established a personal relationship with our Creator! To God be the glory, thank you for  all these blessings! and for the challenges that are yet to come. Ready to be surprise with life! Ces't la vie

I've always had fascination with butterflies. To me they symbolize freedom of spirit, lightness and beauty. They are one of nature's gift to mankind. When I ever I try to write or draw something butterflies are always my favorite subject, here are some of my own.

Watching Phantom of the Opera at CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo was a magical experience of  astonishing performances, colorful and intricate costumes and powerful orchestra. The audience also dressed their part which all the more added elegance and exquisiteness to the entire event.  Though rightfully so that Raoul and Christine ended up together, cannot help not to wish that she and  the Phantom will be together in the end. Perhaps that is something to unearth in its sequel "Love Never Dies." 

Journey usually connotes going out, travelling to some place unknown to experience something that one has never experienced before. This year I have been on a journey as well. But not the kind that rides a train, or an airplane or board a ship, mine is rather a journey within. A spiritual journey that has only begun but so far I must say I am already learning a lot.  It was a kind of self-(re)discovery, an understanding and acceptance of human limitations and the acknowledgment that there is Superior and Higher Being who is in-charge of us, seeing our every action and directing our path. It is not the kind of acceptance that surrenders or gives up but rather an acceptance that sometimes the best thing to do is not to act but to be still, to listen to what the Lord's plans are in our lives. If we are always active, preoccupied and thinking of the next thing to do, definitely we will not be hearing His voice.  From the Book of Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a person...

A couple of years ago, I wrote an essay about 'beginnings', about starting all over again. How anxious I was to leave my comfort zone in order to pursue my destiny. Now I think it's time to write a continuation of it, to talk about pushing through, staying, keeping constant, hanging on in order to finish what I have started. The word "continue" being the operative word or more appropriately 'persistence'. Ideally when you are very passionate about something, your enthusiasm and optimism is soaring high but just as anything that diminishes with time or goes down with gravity there comes a time when your overflowing zeal will become constant. That gap or space in between the time you've started and that space towards attaining your goal. Things do not always go smoothly, sometimes challenges can overwhelm you, sometimes you'll meet people who'll make things harder than you can ever imagine and then you'll find yourself in the brink of...

***Just sharing this very cute yet meaningful song by Mandy Moore, a remake of Todd Rungren's song. It's sad for love stories to end but I also believe that some former lovers can also be the best of friends, if only we keep an open mind. All's well that ends well :)*** We can't play this game anymore, but Can we still be friends? Things just can't go on like before, but Can we still be friends? We had something to learn Now it's time for the wheel to turn Things are said one by one Before you know it's all gone Let's admit we made a mistake, but Can we still be friends? Heartbreak's never easy to take, but Can we still be friends? It's a strange sad affair Sometimes seems like we just don't care Don't waste time feeling hurt We've been through hell together La la la la, la la la la Can we still be friends? Can we still get together sometime? We awoke from our dream Things are not always what they s...

TODAY WILL BECOME YESTERDAY TOMORROW WHAT WILL HAPPEN THE NEXT DAY NOBODY KNOWS THE SEED THAT YOU HAVE PLANTED WILL SOON GROW CHERISH EVERY MOMENT AND GO WITH THE FLOW LEAD YOUR OWN LIFE, YOU HOLD YOUR OWN CLOCK MOVE FORWARD, DO NOT BE STUCK LIKE A ROCK THE SUN WILL SET BUT SOON WILL RISE TIME PASSES BY RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES YOUR DREAMS LIE ON YOUR HANDS YOU CAN BUILD YOUR OWN CASTLE OF SAND OPEN YOUR EYES TO A CLEARER VIEW THAT WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE PROFOUND AND NEW YOU ARE A HUMAN WITH SO MUCH CAPACITY  YOU KNOW THE MEANING OF DIGNITY AND INTEGRITY YOU KNOW HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE GOOD FROM BAD BECAUSE YOU RE CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD EVERYBODY IS GIVEN THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TIME TO BE KNOWN AND FAMOUS, THE OPPURTUNITY TO SHINE THE TIME TO LEARN FROM MISTAKES, TO BE DOWN FOE A WHILE BUT AFTER ALL THAT, YOU AR BOUND TO TRAVEL A THOUSAND MILE “TIME IS GOLD”, WHAT PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY IF YOU ARE YOUNG, ENJOY BEING YOUTH AND PLAY LOOK AT THE BRIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE ...

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN I FELT DREADFUL BECAUSE LIFE SEEMS SO SOROWFUL BUT THEN I WOKE UP FEELING BRAND NEW THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I DON’T FEEL SO BLUE I TOLD MYSELF TO BE JUST SIMPLY ME AND I ASKED MYSELF; CAN I BE THE NEW VERSION OF ME? THEN I REALIZE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME BECAUSE GOOD AND POSITIVE THINGS ARE WHAT I SEE VALERIE MAY M.CRUZ written sometime in 2005

IT’S YOU AND YOUR LOVE THAT SETS ME FREE THE ONE WHO GIVES ME HAPPINESS AND GLEE THE ONE WHO KEEPS ME STURDY LIKE A TREE THE ONE ONE WHO KEEPS ME CALM LIKE A CUP OF TEA THIS LOVELY FEELING DEEP WITHIN IS THE REASON THAT KEEPS ME SMILING THAT WHICH MENDED MY BROKEN HEART AND SPIRIT IT PAVED THE WAY FOR A FRESH START YOU ARE ONE OF THE  REASON THAT MADE ME LOOK AT LIFE WITH SO MUCH APPRECIATION THE ONE WHO PROVIDED ME AN INSPIRATION THE ONE WHO GAVE MY LIFE RHYTHM AND MOTION I AM GRATEFUL THAT I HAVE FOUND YOU BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT ME THAT LIFE IS TRUE YOU TURNED MY SKIES INTO LIGHTER BLUE ONCE AGAIN ALLOW ME THANK YOU VALERIE MAY M. CRUZ written during high school years- undated

Rib eye for Daddy, sea burger for me :) father-daughter bonding :)   Daddy, thank you po sa afternoon date, I had a wonderful time, a heart to heart talk about dreams, goals, love, law, future anything under the sun and etc... he said like a sailing ship chart your course, and follow your heart, do whatever it is that will make you truly happy- I guess I'm bound to sail away from the safe shore again soon :)  

During the entire time I had chicken pox, these fellows kept me company and prevented me from going insane from. Happy to be well again :)

I believe that change is a fact of life But I do not believe in total perish Just as almost anything that gets old Love too sometimes just fade away To fade away is to not say goodbye But to simply camouflage like a faded dye To prefer silence rather than spiteful words To reminisce someday that there's more good to it than the bad To fade away is not really to go away You still want to be there but not in the same way Just as what was once bright yellow that turns to beige From lovers to friends; but never as total strangers So this is not to end but to continue with life To go on living, loving, and believing; not in strife Let this not be an end, a farewell nor a goodbye But an appreciation for everything and for letting me fly Image is from:  http://flickrhivemind.net/User/Eirreannach/Interesting

Trying to go to a happier place i painted strawberries on my nails and toes making them was quite arduous but upon seeing the finished product it was worth it. :) little kikay hands but don't let them fool you, they are definitely working hands :)    thank you little feet, we've been together to a lot of trips and you never fail to bring me to my destination :)

I made it my plan that today I'll sort out my cabinet and evaluate the things I have accumulated over the years. I've been away from home for such a long time that this is the only opportunity I have to fix and rearrange them. It was like a therapy, I was able to reconnect with many of my old things. Those things that I've forgotten I have. I am a woman of bags, accessories and etc. Simplicity isn't really my style when it comes to my fashion statement. I like dangling earrings, big rings, bangles and gold jewelries. Perhaps this can be attributed to some of my favorite fashion icons like Elizabeth Taylor, Sarah Jessica Parker, Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez. I like to put things together that doesn't really go together but somewhat creates a statement once your done. I believe that fashion need not to be expensive, I appreciate accessories of all sort. What is important is that it is an expression of your style and it adds up to your confidence and self-esteem. I...

I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times… In life after life, in age after age, forever. My spellbound heart has made and remade the necklace of songs, That you take as a gift, wear round your neck in your many forms, In life after life, in age after age, forever. Whenever I hear old chronicles of love, it's age-old pain, It's ancient tale of being apart or together. As I stare on and on into the past, in the end you emerge, Clad in the light of a pole-star piercing the darkness of time: You become an image of what is remembered forever. You and I have floated here on the stream that brings from the fount. At the heart of time, love of one for another. We have played along side millions of lovers, shared in the same Shy sweetness of meeting, the same distressful tears of farewell- Old love but in shapes that renew and renew forever. Today it is heaped at your feet, it has found its end in you The love of all man’s days both past and forever: Universal joy,...

Just enjoying my pink shades, pink bag, floral dress and slippers! I love how I can still wear semi-casual clothing while enjoying a cup of coffee and the beach despite the heat of the sun and sand. January is a somehow a cooler month for a tropical country like the Philippines. Only in Subic! Hope everyone had a fine weekend. Can't wait for February- love, love, love! :)

As the saying goes, "there is no place like home", but I believe that I am in the best place in the world when I am in my room! :) A place where I can just be, to relax, to rest or to reflect. Ever since I saw the interiors of Ms. Kris Aquino's home in the September issue of Yes Magazine, I have always longed to redecorate my room similar to her's. Not of course in the exact same way because first of all I don't have the budget hehe, let me just get that clear. :) I just wanted it to exude the same splash of colors and feminine touch. Although my favorite color is pink, I liked how purple, red and green were combined together with some touches of pink on the side. It looks very modern yet elegant, I like how it seemed to reflect the character of the lady of the house. So I tried to incorporate items which includes colors like what I saw in the magazine, my bed sheet has a touch of green and purple, the stuff toys as well, but since pink is my favorite color,...