Passionately Valerie

Today like any regular day of the week, I woke up, had a cup of coffee and raisin bread; but somehow it seemed that an angel whispered to my ear, make a phone call the one that you've been dreading to do. It's been several months since I left Alabang to come home, to rest, to edit my paper and to just stay home. When I left, I left and did not come back just yet. I didn't make a call either to check if my grades were already released. I thought I'll wait till it all come out. That day is today and I am so thankful to the Lord for sending me the good news. I passed in all my subjects except for one LTD (Land, Titles and Deeds) :) But as the saying goes, one cannot have it all. I passed all the others which include, Property, Sales, Negotiable Instruments, Criminal Procedure, Election Law and Banking. I am really grateful because this does not happen all the time. In some cases, failed subjects are at least two or three, sometimes even more. Suddenly I really miss t...

Welcome Year of the Water Dragon! In celebration of the Chinese new year festivities we enjoyed some dimsum, dumplings and tea for dinner. Feeling gracious for the meal but with a very heavy belly it kept me awake till the wee hours of the night. On the eve of the holiday I made some cleaning up of my dresser, throwing away old make up, nail polish and etc that clutter my "prettifying corner'. It feels good to see it nice and neat, makes me want to wake up and get up early. New Year came a little early for me this year, caught in between thoughts (of wanting to be/ not wanting to be) and being sick my realizations came a little late but just in time for this special holiday. Chinese tradition is very rich and it is a great part of our Filipino tradition. I have very high respect and appreciation for their influence and I am glad that there are positive predictions for my sign this year. ^_^ I am keeping my spirits high that indeed it will be a good year for me. Top 12...

Today I woke up feeling once again the sharp stabbing pain on my lower back, perhaps due to stress. It can also be attributed to the fact that I spent most days sitting at home writing or just staying tuned on the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice, at 9:30 I decided I'll won't join my family for mass, I'll just attend a later one in the afternoon. But I think an angel whispered to my ears, attitude and disposition can over any kind of pain and blues, and so I did. I got up, showered, iron my hair and put my make-up ritual and wore my glitzy heels. It feels great to be able to hear the mass with my family and have steak date lunch with my father. Thank you Lord for opening my eyes, not to see the negatives but to be able to count my blessings! :)

Delicious grilled liempo, milkfish and lorro fish for lunch. Mabuhay ice cream for dessert and a little fun at Lighthouse with family! Saturday is complete :)

This is what happens when you drink coffee in the morning, during lunch, dinner and sometimes in between :) — at Extremely Expresso Cafe.

Some of my friends often wonder why I put scarf on my bag, this can be attributed to my mother, When I was younger I like to imitate her style as we call it in Filipino "may pinagmanahan". I also got from her my fondness for gold, shining and shimmering accessories. Mine is the pink one of course hehe but I like borrowing her things.:)

Image from: http://www.squidoo.com/Christian-Art-for-the-Home Psalm 121:- 1-2 I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. 3-4 He won't let you stumble, your Guardian God won't fall asleep. Not on your life! Israel's Guardian will never doze or sleep. 5-6 God's your Guardian, right at your side to protect you- Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke. 7-8 God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always. "...surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20) from: http://www.lords-prayer-words.com/prayers_before/prayer_before_exam.html Prayer Before a Test My God, enable me to trust in the good outcome of the test I am about to take; help me to contribute my own share of optimism and confidence...

After being away for quite sometime, our calico cat Ganda is finally home again but she remain hesitant to come down from a tree where she's sitting at :)

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 :)