On friendship and changes

It just hit me how much I'll be missing my team at work. I have found friends in them. I guess the hardest part of coping with changes around me is going out of your comfort zone and losing the persons with whom you've grown so accustomed to. Well, I'm not really gonna lose them cause we can stay in touch. But you know, when you're not around one person for awhile, you get used to it and eventually you go your way without being a part of that person's life anymore. It makes me heartbroken to realize that a friendship is about to end before it even blossoms.

I recall a part of the song I really love and I think it poignantly echoes my sentiments. It goes like this:

"We're on the road We move from place to place And oftentimes when I'm about to call it home We'd have to move along Life is a constant change...
The friends we know, we meet along the way Too soon the times we share form part of yesterday 'cause life's a constant change And nothing stays the same, oh no..."

(excerpt from the song, "Constant Change" by Jose Mari Chan)

"Have you ever..." Tag

I got this tag both from MsRay and Ane. Thanks to you two! How can I claim to have blogger's block when friends always give me ideas on what to write about? =)

1. Have you ever been on TV?

No.
2. Have you ever sung in public?

No, but I did sing in front of the class as a "punishment". We were on training and we agreed not to use mobile phones during classes, so I set my phone in 'discreet' mode but to my utter dismay, my cellphone's alarm went off.

3. Have you ever dyed your hair blond?
No, even if it was once a fad here in the Philippines.

4. Have you ever eaten frogs' legs?

No. I don't think I ever will (But then again, I read in Ane's post that it tasted like chicken, which happens to be my favorite, so I might change my mind. I'll probably take a bite with eyes closed).

5. Have you ever received a present that you really hated?

No. But when I was in high school, during our christmas party's exchange gift, I received the exact gift I just gave away. Imagine the disappointment. I can't say I hated it, though.

6. Have you ever walked into a lamp post?
No. I hope not.
7. Have you ever cooked a meal by yourself for more than 15 people?

No. The most number of people I cooked for is about 10. I don't usually cook, unless compelled to, hehe.

8. Have you ever fallen or stumbled in front of others?

Yes! I was walking so fast on my way to work when I slipped and fell in front of the building. I got up immediately and walked away as if nothing happened. (I did not dare look who saw me with that "stunt")
9. Have you ever done volunteer work?

Yes. When Franklin Graham visited the Philippines, I was one of the coordinators during the evangelistic rally which was held at the Quirino grandstand.

Cultivating Gratitude

I have God in my life and I can rest assured that all my needs, physiological & spiritual, will be provided for.

I have a mom who has unwaveringly supported us all through the years of growing up without a father.

I still have a job even with all the threatening effects of economic deterioration around the world.

I just found out that my housing loan was finally approved. Now, we'll get a chance to live in a house we can truly call our own.

I have a 20-20 eyesight and I feel so grateful for that. :)

"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness
and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High." Psalm 7:17

Whew! That was not a long list but it took time for me to complete it. Sadly, it just goes to show how much I've neglected cultivating a heart of gratitude in me. Thanks MsRay for this tag! It made me see all the blessings I have.
Please feel free to grab this if you want to participate. Enjoy!

I'm voting for Lainy!

Great news here! Jessie of Technology Talks is hosting this contest so we get the chance to vie for a free web hosting of Wordpress blog. I'm not into popularity contest, so I'm joining as a voter. And with this post, I'm casting my vote for the very well-known blogger, Lainy. There are two ways to join, you can either be a VOTER or a CONTESTANT. Here are the exciting prizes up for grabs:

FREE Wordpress-only blog hosting for 1 year with 1500MB web space plus unlimited monthly bandwidth. (Domain is not included)

CASH Prizes for top 3 winners:

1st Prize: $25 (via Paypal) + 2,000 Entrecard credits

2nd Prize: $15 (via Paypal) + 1,500 Entrecard Credits

3rd Prize: $10 (via Paypal) + 500 Entrecard Credits

For those who are interested in participating as a CONTESTANT, here's what you need to do:

1. Subscribe to RSS.
2. Post about the contest in your Blog.
3. Encourage other bloggers to join so you can earning points.
4. Convert your readers to join as contestant
NOTE: Deadline for submission of entry is December 25.

For VOTERS only, all you have to do is post about this contest in your Blog and mention who you're voting for. NOTE: Deadline for submission of entry is on December 30, 5PM

There will also be five voters who will receive $10 each (via Paypal) plus 500 EntreCard credits. See, I also get the chance to win! I hope Lainy and I get lucky! :)

Get paid for what you love doing!

For most young professionals like me, we depend on our job pay to sustain our daily necessities. But with prices of commodoties continuously rising, this may not be sufficient. So many of us are in search of ways on how to cut back on our expenses. In our household for instance, we strictly monitor water and electricity usage to make sure that we only pay for what we actually are consuming. We strive to bear in mind that we must learn to live within our means and if possible, below our means.

If you feel that you are already saving enough and can't stretch the budget no more , another way to live a better quality of life is by increasing our income. With the advent of internet and blogging, I think one of the best ways to increase finances is through opportunities offered by blog advertising. Paying Post is one of those companies that offer bloggers and website owners the opportunity to earn additional income. This is a brilliant concept that creates a win-win situation for both bloggers and advertisers. Bloggers are required to showcase their creativity and hone their writing skills to come up with an article that would promote an advertiser's product or service. On the other hand, the advertisers get their products endorsed at a more affordable cost and in a non-conventional way.
As for me, blogging has been a very rewarding experience. Not that I've already earned much out of it but because it provides me the avenue where I can truly express my thoughts. Besides that, I get to know other people in the blogosphere; Fellow bloggers who inspire me and oftentimes provide me a reason to crack a smile after a very tough day.
This is the first of the many (I hope) other online income opportunities that will come my way and I will definitely take advantage of them. So, if you love publishing your thoughts on the internet, why not grab the chance to increase your financial resources by doing what you love. Sign up here, if you haven't registered yet.

Emotions

(This short poem was written several years ago at a time when I was struggling with some personal issues. Thought I'd share this to you all.)

photo from this link

Invincible as a majestic mountain
Overwhelming as darkness
Swift as the passing time
Dynamic as the rhythm of music
Emotions, oh my emotions
Why can't i get a hold of you?

Changes, Changes.

No one gets a reprieve from the ongoing global financial crisis. Just when I thought that we won't be impacted, the abrupt announcement came that merely confirmed the speculations of some. Three days ago, we received the devastating news that our account will cease its operations in the metro and will be moved entirely to our provincial sites. We'll then have to transfer to another account and undergo the usual application process.
I tried to convince myself that it's gonna be alright, but my melancholic nature got the better of me. I'm again sulking and wondering how my plans are falling apart. I had so much hope when I started out in this company, but somewhere along the way, the light I saw ahead started to flicker and now I'm in darkness. The tiniest optimism in me hasn't completely vanished though, somehow I believe that these changes will allow me to rethink my goals. Perhaps this is God's way of saying, "Move forward. Take on a different path." Right now, there's still disbelief in me about what's going on but soon I have to take a step and make the best out of the circumstances.

"God, let your peace be manifested in me so I will not be bothered by such a trivial situation. Grant me strength of spirit and may your light show the way for me."

Friendship awards

I received this award sometime last week from Allena of In the Eyes of the Beholder & I want to share it to Ane of Life according to me.

And lovely are the blossoms
That are tended with great care,
By those who work unselfishly
To make the place more fair.
And, like the garden blossoms,
Friendship’s flower grows more sweet
When watched and tended carefully
By those we know and meet.
And, if the seed of friendship
Is planted deep and true
And watched with understanding,
Friendship’s flower will bloom for you.

Two days later, MsRay of Woman on a Journey accorded me yet another recognition which I would like to share to Ninie of Someday she will.

I find it so amazing that I get to know real people here in the blogosphere especially that I'm not a very social person. Thanks guys! You never fail to make my day! =)

10 Things about me

I haven't been blogging these past days so this one is in response to the much overdue "10 Random Things" tag by MsRay.
So here are ten not so interesting things about me...Read on.



1. I once worked in a semiconductor company where I got to fix giant machines. hahaha...

2. I'm an ophidiophobic.

3. I'm not into wearing accessories or any other jewelries but I just can't do without earrings.

4. I once was a service crew at KFC. Had very good memories of it. =)

5. I'm a bit of an OC (obsessive-compulsive) when it comes to brushing teeth. It takes me about 10-15 mins. to do the brushing. I would start off with flossing and then run through my teeth and gums twice and do another for the tongue.

6. I was awarded a scholarship grant from DOST (Department of Science & Technology) and finished college through its assistance.

7. I took up a stenography course as an elective way back in high school and until now, I still know how to write in shorthand. (Who needs that skill nowadays?)

8. I don't own a single high-heel shoe. I'm most comfortable in flats.

9. I'm both a coffee and a milk drinker. Love 'em! =)

10. I got sweet tooth. Just can't resist ice cream and cakes.


I won't be tagging other bloggers for now but please feel free to join if you want.

I don't get it

photo courtesy of Google

So I've officially joined the Twilight bandwagon. I got to watch it last Sunday in the all-too-crowded cinema at SM MegaMall. Here's what I think about the movie. I probably missed the whole point or perhaps I'm just plain weird but what struck me the most in the movie was not the romantic scenes in it but the instance when Bella had to hurl hurtful words to his father so he could spare him from the impending danger. This may sound so lame but I shed tears for that scene, especially the "I just got you back" part. Here's how their conversation went:

Charlie Swan: Did he hurt you?
Isabella Swan: No.
Charlie Swan: Break up with you or something?
Isabella Swan: No, I-I broke up with him.
Charlie Swan: I thought you liked him?
Isabella Swan: Yea, that's why - that's why I have to leave. I don't want this. I have to go home.
Charlie Swan: Home... Your mom is not even in Phoenix.
Isabella Swan: She'll come home. I'll call her from the road.
Charlie Swan: Your not going to drive home right now. You can sleep on it. If you still feel like going in the morning I'll take you to the airport.
Isabella Swan: N-No I want to drive, it will give me more time to think. And if I get really tired I'll pull into a motel I promise.
Charlie Swan: Look Bella, I know I'm not that much fun to be around but I can change that. We can do more stuff together.
Isabella Swan: Like what? Like watch baseball on the flat screen? Eat at the diner every night? Steak and cobbler. Dad that's you, that's not me.
Charlie Swan: Bella come on. I-I just got you back.
Isabella Swan: Yea, and you know if I don't get out now I'll just be stuck here like mom.

Last month's top visitors...Thanks!

November just ended and as we draw closer to the end of the year, I would like to send my heartfelt thanks to these fellow bloggers who, despite me not regularly returning their visits, have consistently gone through my site and dropped me an EC.

In The Eyes Of The Beholder
Wesnlani
Spicybugz World
My Crazy Life With A Toddler
Big Boys Have Toys Too
And Life Goes ON for a Filipino MOM
The Certified Fashionable Chic
Woman On A JouRney
Glue 4 Families
Couple's Footprints