Passionately Valerie

Sun and sand

Flowers are in bloom at our garden :)

Commitment is what separates the achievers from the should-haves and would-haves and might-haves. Never mind that people say it can't be done and that others have failed at it. Focus on the idea that you may be the chosen to do it. Making a commitment in a romantic relationship or a business relationship is like throwing a stone into still water: the initial actions sends out ripples that carry positive impulses forward. Quit saying "if only" and "I wish it were that easy." Read yourself with these thoughts and adopt the attitude that it is as easy as you make it. Commitment brings the satisfaction and fun of getting things done. It can make dreams come true. To put it simply if you don't start you can't finish. Do it now! (Live an Inspiring Life by Wally Amos with Stu Glauberman)

Borrowed from: http://stobie.home.sprynet.com/religion/Balance.htm O Harmonious God, who in perfect Unity of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, love us infinitely, We thank You for all the help You have given us in living our lives in balance, those people You have put in our lives who helps us maintain our balance, and for being with us in our work, relaxation, and prayer. We ask you to show us the proper balance in our lives and in each area of our lives, to keep us from overdoing anything, and properly care of ourselves and those for whom we are responsible. We ask you to guide us in our work, that our work may be the best we can do without overdoing it, and reflect well on Your glory. We ask You to help us balance our works that we will find them invigorating and meaningful. We ask you to guide us in our rest and relaxation, that our rest and relaxation may keep healthy in mind and body and that our rest and relaxation may always be oriented towards You and Your w...

You have the free will and the choice to take full responsibility for your self-image. Stop being your own worst enemy and be your own best friend. There's only one person who can lift up your low self-esteem and raise it to the heights of self-love and self-confidence, and that's you. Treat yourself with love and respect. You will spend every day of your life with yourself, so start appreciating the great person that you are today! - Wally Amos :) These inspiring words by the author hit me to the core. Literature has its way to touch you or awaken you and these very much did so. Recently I've started reading a book called Live An Inspiring Life penned by Wally Amos with Stu Glaubermann. Amos suggested ten secret ingredients for inner strength and they are as follows: (1) LOVE (2) POSITIVE ATTITUDE (3) SELF-ESTEEM (4) COMMITMENT (5) INTEGRITY (6) GIVING (7) IMAGINATION (8) ENTHUSIASM (9) WORDS (10)FAITH By far, I have already read the first three ingredie...

Seven attributes of prayer, seven Ps that can move mountains: 1. Patience- period after prayer, wait patiently, do what depends on you and God will do what depends on Him 2. Perseverance- keep praying and don't give up 3. Personal- use your own words, be honest and straightforward 4. Powerful- we must learn to trust and rely on Him through a close relationship with the Father 5. Passionate- putting your heart and soul into something 6. Profound- a mountain moving prayer has to be deep as deep can be reflecting your hidden inner feelings 7. Positive- bringing good to the world by one single positive thought, word or action. -Eliza Mariana Wilson, author of inspirational blog Eliza's prayer box :)

from http://www.the48principle.com/PDFs/48PrayersStrength.pdf Image is taken by me from the prayer room of our dorm at SMRC Dormitoryana. Father, Thank you for the adventure of my life and for being with me every step along the way. Keep my mind free from dwelling on what is wrong with people and situations and instead, help me to focus on what is right, excellent and worthy of praise. Show me how to affirm your powers so that I don't think negatively about my problems. Inspire me to interpret the conditions I face in such a way that I constantly remain empowered to improve them. I praise you for giving me dominion over my thoughts, life and consequently over the quality of my emotions. Protect me from acting on feelings that are inconsistent with your word. I know that the obedience to your principles is the only true path to emotional health, vitality, and abundant joy. Just as figs do not come from thornbushes, I know that positive circumstances do not come from negative th...

Happy New Year to everyone, God bless us all :)

My first and hopefully not last published article from Philippine Daily Inquirer's Youngblood dated March 12, 2009. "Like a passionate artist I cannot forego an opportunity like this to create a masterpiece. Life is too short to wait for things to happen. I did not even realize that I am now in my early 20s, time passes by really quickly. I must go my way to make them come true, once again I am ready for a new beginning." Beginnings - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

If tomorrow I'll be gone Think of me like the rising sun I may be out of sight but I am with you In the light, in the heat, through and through If tomorrow I'll be gone Think of me kindly with our memories I hope to remind you of good times in reverie Just as the sweet and loving thoughts that you have given me If tomorrow I'll be gone Feel me in the passing wind Hear my voice in humming birds Alone and forlorn I am in a people's herd If tomorrow I'll be gone At least I was able to tell you Deep in my heart it has always been you True as the sunshine, raindrops or the morning dew Vmmcruz 12/19/2011

rare bonding moment with my father at Kainoah Fish Spa and Nail Couture, one thing we have in common is our concern for clean feet and toes, mani and pedi for me while footspa for my dad, they have a great service at an affordable price, next time we'll try their fish footspa :)

Days and Nights of bitterness are going to be over There is always a chance, a choice between bitter or better Keep trying to rise above the challenges; to give up? never From the bottom pit there is no way to go but to rise higher Tears that were shed will wash away my fears Confused and wandering mind will soon become clear Cloudy haze of sorrows and defeats will soon disappear Stronger voice and laughter is what I've been longing to hear Vision of the future will again become bright As high as the Alps, I am willing to reach new heights Come new trials and hardships I'm ready to fight with might Eye is still on the prize, same goals and dreams are still in sight Future maybe destined but I am empowered to will Do I just go with the tides of life or just roll in time? No... I yearn, I desire, to discover new shores or climb up a hill Life still has pages to make and I'll use 'my' choices as my ink and my quill one empowered morning Vmmcruz ...

Blurry pictures in my head Scattered words remain unsaid Wrinkled sheets and pillows in my bed I feel so cold but I see crimson red Last night I made up my mind Thinking there's no more to find But the next day I feel like being kind Or do I simply choose to be blind Strings of words like uncoordinated beads I do this and think that, opposite deeds I am used to keep you first prior to my needs Now I just want to run away, to feel freed Ambiguous, scattered words unsaid Confused, emotions left unexpressed Indefinite, conclusions yet to be decided When clarity, certainty and lucidity is what you needed VMMCruz One ambiguous night 12/17/2011

So little to say but so much time, Despite my empty mouth the words are in my mind. Please wear the face, the one where you smile, Because you lighten up my heart when I start to cry. Forgive me first love, but I'm tired. I need to get away to feel again. Try to understand why, don't get so close to change my mind. Please wipe that look out of your eyes, it's bribing me to doubt myself; Simply, it's tiring. This love has dried up and stayed behind, And if I stay I'll be a lie Then choke on words I'd always hide. Excuse me first love, but we're through. I need to taste a kiss from someone new. Forgive me first love, but I'm too tired. I'm bored to say the least and I, I lack desire. Forgive me first love, Forgive me first love, Forgive me first love, Forgive me first love, Forgive me, Forgive me first love, Forgive me first love

Upon arriving home the first thing I did is to set up my gifts for my Dad and Mom, for Auntie Mel, for Tito Tonette and Makoy :) I am also now setting up my menu for this Christmas hmmm it will be simple yet festive, I am just happy to be with my family this Christmas!

Someday if I'll have my own resto I'll make this my especialty, hopefully not the only food on the menu haha :) I am no wizard in the kitchen but there is a thing or two that I know and one of them is Carbonara con Spam. This time I tried adding Corn Kernels in it and it taste yummier it added a light sweetness to the sauce, I guess I'll add this to our Christmas menu :)

Strolling, window shopping emphasis on the 'window' haha and taking pics at The Fort :) The kuya guards are very nice to take some pics of me, had to have the guts to ask them since I have no company with me hehe :)

Year 2011 is one of the most challenging year of my life. It is so challenging that it altered me as a person from tough to tougher. Indeed the challenges we face mold us to become a better person. Overcoming it is a matter of right perspective, system support from friends and our love ones and most especially from God. To Him nothing is impossible. Fear is inevitable but with courage I am very excited to see what the future holds, for now I am just enjoying the present.

Friday night is not really lonesome as long as there is coffee, cigarettes, and wifi :)