On Leave...live on...

I remember like a few weeks back I was so tired, pero I couldnt be absent, I prayed to God for a rest. Well, last week, I was suprised when my TL told me na nakaleave ako on a friday. It was perfect be on leave on that friday because the coming monday is memorial day in the US, so it was a long weekend for me. 4 days straight walang pasok. I couldnt help but say "Yes!" upon learning about that "vacation leave". It was also my first time to be on VL sa company na ito.

Sobrang excited 'ko, from the Thursday shift, hindi ako natulog and I went out for a little shopping with my sister sa SM Taytay (wow, ang layo! yes!). The next day, Saturday, naka-sched kami to go to Touch of Glory sa Antipolo. Part of me was napipilitan lang to go, kasi, given a choice, I would rather spend the day at home sleeping or watching DVD. Kasi, gusto ko talaga magrelax. Well anyway, I still went, kasi nga, "seek Ye first" ang motto ko diba? We spent the night there but I didnt pray, I just slept the whole night. The next day Sunday, we stayed for the morning service, and that made my being there worthwhile. I heard a very good message from the pastor. I might do a post about it in the future.

Then, that same day, in the afternoon after church I had to run to UP para sa binyag ng anak ni Ena, not the dog, but the friend (yeah, I named Enna the dog after her). But I had to stop by Sta.Lucia to buy gift muna. Haay...I spent hours kahit na I knew late na late na ko. Ang hirap magshop for a gift para sa baby. Anyway, we had a little reunion with my Verizon Business friends, and I am glad I went.

On monday, I just stayed home. It would have been perfect, just being at home, if only I wasnt feeling terrible. Because of that I was feeling sleepy. And I realized every single night of that weekend I had the good "night" sleep I was longing for. It was a holiday well spent I guess: may shopping, bonding with ate, spiritual stuff, reunion with old friends, and sleep. Haay, God answered my prayer again.

And today, Friday, naka-leave uli ako. Thanks God.

My Mom's the Best

Every year sa church, tuwing mother's day, the roses to be given away are always in courtesy of my mother. Yesterday, when she came home Sunday morning, i noticed she didnt have roses with her, so I asked her if she bought some for mother's day. She opened a box for me, and showed me the artificial ones she got. Each one is in a white box and she pulled one out to show me the rose. Matigas siya na velvet yung material. But the catch is, nabubuksan pala yun and inside is a pair of pearl earrings. I couldnt help but say "wow!"

Unlike the previous years where it only cost her P10-20 per piece, I knew this time it cost her a lot. I was always kontrabida sa kanya if she overspend like that para sa church, or other people, but this time, wala akong nasabi. If this is how she wants to serve God and be a blessing to other people, who am I to stop her. I am very blessed ang nanay has a heart that wants to please God.

Happy mothers day Excelsa! I love you.

Playing in the Fields

I have been listening to Barbie's Cradle's "Playing in the Fields" album and when I heard this song, I couldnt help but listen closely because it is saying words that are very true to me.

Playing in the Fields

You're so faithful

I am glad to be your daughter

You're mighty and you love me

And you're never insecure

I want to have a heart like yours

And were playing in the fields

I know were flying all day

And I see the secret of the light

It's hard to believe

But I wish they would see this

It's your fight, it's your crown

You're the one who is praise-worthy

And not me, my life is in your care

I've no reason to be scared

'Cause you are there

And were playing in the fields

I know were flying all day

And I see the secret of the light

It's hard to believe

But I wish they would see this

It feels like swimming

Everywhere I go,

I'm surrounded by you

So this is beauty

I guess I never really knew

I am beautiful in you

You made me live again

And you will never let me fall

As I stick to your plan

And were playing in the fields

I know were flying all day

And I see the secret of the light

It's hard to believe

But I wish they would see this

Another song in the album I like the lyrics aside from the melody is Independence Day:

If we disagree

I'd choose you over me

This way I'd keep the peace

Keep me in sight

And don't turn off the light

'Cause without you

How can I breathe

Independence day is not for me

When I'm bound to you, I feel so free

Pretend that I'm a deer

Been traveling many years

I need you desperately

Night and day, I roam

You need to take me home

'Cause on my own, I can't see

Here are all my keys

Enter as you please

North, south, west, center, east

Teach me not to hide

In deadly walls of pride

Speak to me gently

I've got braces on!

May 3, 2008, Saturday, first day of wearing dental braces. I never thought I would ever wear these in my life. Well, ngayon, I'm stuck with them for a year or so. God is good!

De-stress and Be Inspired

The day we came back from Baguio pumasok pa ko, and last sunday, I was gising practically 24 hrs because I was in charge of the program sa overnight sa church. I thought kayang daanin sa tulog, I didnt know nag-build up na pala ng stress. Last week I even had to be absent a day because I really wasnt feeling well the entire week. Ang sakit ng likod ko, parang may pilay, and because of this I was having fever on and off at nagkasipon din ako.

I knew I was stressed. So I wrote out a list of ways I can de-stress:

1. Listen to music.
2. Pray and reflect and be thankful and be positive.
3. Get a body massage.
4. Sleep.
5. Watch comedy movie/ tv shows para matawa. Nakakade-stress daw ang pagtawa.
6. Exercise.
7. Eat healthy.
8. Read Bob Ong books again.
9. Be inspired. Find an inspiration.

Been listening to Barbie's Cradle Playing in the Fields, and a few Hillsong's on the side. And I had a Thai massage last week. Sarap. Nawala sakit ng likod ko. I'm feeling better, the treatment plan is working. I bought a dvd of That 70's show, but I got more hooked in Prison Break. We finished season 1 over the weekend and I'm almost through with season 2. Season 3's next.

Now about that last thing on the list; I ran into a colleague sa restroom, and as I was walking, he called me and said, "Raqs, kelangan ko ng inspiration." Now I can say I can identify with that. Our job is challenging, but it can get it boring. It's routinary, but stressful. Money is a good motivator, but you need more than that to get going. Mine is a minor case. I got pretty good reasons to be thankful. I am far better off now than I used to be years back, and that is because I God has blessed me and gave me peace that I didnt get anywhere else. But still, there are those days, you feel so tired and uninspired, you whisper to yourself "somebody shoot me please." Now, iba yung pagod ka, pero inspired ka. Even if your killing yourself working, as long as inspired you keep going, eh? As I've said, mine's a minor case. God's peace makes the difference. It keeps me on my feet, I can still say "God is good". These days make you think, and reflect and talk to God, and listen to the voice within that tells you, what is it that makes you happy. I know in my heart, that is from God, telling me to seek what my heart desires, and pursue it, the desire He Himself planted there.

I also wrote out a list of things I can be inspired with. Just writing about them makes me excited, and inspired already...