feel
Showing posts with label feel. Show all posts

Only God Knows Why

Friday, November 30

You get what you put in and people get what they deserve
Still I ain't seen mine, no I ain't seen mine...

===

Just out of the blue, I was reminded of a million investment with no ROI.
The price I paid to know the answer.

NO.

I should have splurged in Italy instead.

===

And life goes on...
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Add to Cart

Saturday, September 1

Are you so much into transacting online?

I am.

I love everything online.

Online food order.
Online banking.
Online shopping.
Online movie ticket reservation.

Very convenient.

No need to queue.

All I need are internet connection, my laptop and my PayPal Account or creditcard.

(BTW, I also work online.)

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Options

Tuesday, July 17


If you find yourself in a confrontation of any kind with anyone,
before reacting ask yourself,

"Is what I am about to say motivated by my need to be right,
or my desire to be kind?"

Then pick a response that stems from kindness, regardless of how your ego objects.







-Dr. Wayne W. Dyer



/thanksalgabre
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Two Decades and Counting..

Friday, June 29




Whenever I was in a situation when it was hurting to step back and scary to move forward, I look beside me and find you. Thanks for being by my side every time. I love you for being my hope and support.
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If I Could

Wednesday, April 11

There are women that become mothers
without effort,
without thought,
without patience or loss
and though they are good mothers and love their children,
I know that I will be better.

I will be better not because of genetics,
or money
or that I have read more books,

but because I have struggled and toiled.

I have longed and waited.
I have cried and prayed.
I have endured and planned over and over again.


Like most things in life,
the people who truly have appreciation
are those who have struggled to attain their dreams.

I will notice everything about my child.
I will take time to watch my child sleep, explore and discover.
I will marvel at this miracle every day for the rest of my life.

I will be happy when I wake in the middle of the night to the sound of my child,
knowing that I can comfort, hold and feed him.

and that I am not waking to take another temperature,
pop another pill,
take another shot
or cry tears of a broken dream.

My dream will be crying for me.

I count myself lucky in this sense;
that God has given me this insight,
this special vision with which I will look upon my child
that my friends will not see.


I will not be careless with my love.

I will be a better mother for all that I have endured.
I am a better wife,
a better aunt,
a better daughter,
friend and sister
because I have known pain.

I know disillusionment as I have been betrayed by my own body,
I have been tried by fire and hell many never face,
yet given time, I stood tall.

I have prevailed.
I have succeeded.
I have won.

So now, when others hurt around me,
I do not run from their pain in order to save myself discomfort.
I see it,
mourn it,
and join them in theirs.
I listen.

And even though I cannot make it better,
I can make it less lonely.

I have learned the immerse power of another hand holding tight to mine,
of other eyes that moisten as they learn to accept the harsh truth and when life is beyond hard.
I have learned a compassion that only comes with walking in those shoes.
I have learned to appreciate life.

Yes I will be a wonderful mother.

If I could.
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Leisurely Monday

Monday, February 20


The best cure for insomnia is a rainy Monday morning.
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Leap and the Net will Appear

Tuesday, December 6

Risk more than others think is safe.
Care more than others think is wise.
Dream more than others think is practical.
Expect more than others think is possible.
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God Listens

Friday, November 25



Be an angel to someone else whenever you can, 
as a way of thanking God for the help your angel has given you. 


I prayed to God last Thursday not to let my blood extraction appointment fall on a Friday. It did.  Big problem. My car's plate number ends in "0". So I have to commute from Antipolo to Makati Med then to St Luke's Quezon City.

Friday morning. I prayed to God to at least help me reach my destination on time.

I had to take a shuttle to Makati then  wherever the shuttle will drop me off, I need to hail a cab that will bring me to Makati Med.

I arrived at the shuttle terminal 645am. The queue was sooooo long! No way for me to reach Makati before 9am.

In my mind, I was singing my favorite song "God will make a way, when there seems to be no way, He works on ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me" over and over.

710am. A white Honda car arrived. He was offering a carpool for 4 ladies going to Ayala. Lucky to be one of the four.

The three ladies alighted before we reached Ayala. I asked the driver if he could drop me anywhere near Makati Medical Center or anywhere I could hail a cab. He said, "I work near Makati Med. I'll drop you right there." Before getting off his car, I told him " You are such a big blessing for me today. Thank you so much and God bless you." He said, "Welcome. I'm glad I was able to help someone today. Pay it forward." 

I made it on time. 

After the blood extraction, I need to meet with my doctor at St Luke's Quezon City. While on the elevator, I prayed that I'll find a cab that is not difficult to convince to travel from Makati to QC. 

Voila, there waiting outside the building is an empty Basic Taxi. Another answered prayer. When we reached New Manila, there was a pick up request on his radio. Somewhere near WalterMart E. Rodriguez. I told the driver, "That's near St Luke's. You can pick up that passenger." He said, "Really ma'am? Thank you." I told him, "Just drop me off Cafe France. You need not enter the St Luke's premises. You'll be delayed by traffic inside."

He was so thankful for me being considerate. I said, "Welcome. And thank you too."

Thank you because I was able to pay it forward right away.

God is good.

All the time.


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Alone On The Road

Friday, November 11

if you ever bump into my muse on your journey,
please oh please tell my muse to come back to me.
the drought is making me insane.
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Hubby Birthday

Wednesday, November 9

My husband celebrated his 35th birthday last October 12 at Cyma Greek Taverna Shangri-la Plaza. This restaurant is a recent addition to our list of favorites. We had lunch with his mom and brother.

Lenin and Marx (Interesting name, huh!)

Whenever we dine here, my husband never fails to order the Flaming Cheese. Nothing really special with the taste. After all, it's just mozzarella, parmesan and EVOO. We are actually paying P200 for the flame and the OPA! 


It was my first time to try the Roka Salata. This is one of their bestsellers and I've read great reviews about this salad. Roka Salata is a mix of fresh arugula (roka), chopped romaine lettuce, sun dried tomatoes, candied walnuts (yummy!), topped with shaved parmesan and drizzled with Traditional Greek Vinaigrette. I definitely LOVE this salad!


The Cyma Baby Back Ribs is so tender. It's juicy and falls off the bone. This is served with your choice of rice stuffed peppers or roasted Greek potatoes. This generous serving only costs P1200. I prefer Cyma Baby Back Ribs over the full slab I had at Outback.


For long life, we ordered Pastisado. This is a Greek Osso Bucco  -  Beef shank braised in Greek tomato sauce served over spaghetti. The Osso Bucco is very tender and tasty. It's actually delicious. Only we thought we'll enjoy it more if we have it with rice :D


I'm glad my mother in law liked the salad, the ribs and the roasted Greek potatoes.


And of course, hubby's (and mine) favorite dessert -- Skolatina! This is Cyma's molten chocolate cake served with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. The best molten chocolate cake ever!!!
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A Wife's Conversation With God

Monday, November 7

"Do you see the way he is, Lord?"

"Do you see the way you are?"

"Lord, are You saying there are things you want to change in me?"

"Many things. Are you ready to hear them?"

"Well, I guess so."

"Tell me when you're really ready."

"Why me, God? He's the one that needs to change."

"The point is not who needs to change. The point is who is willing to change."

"But God, this isn't fair."

"I never said life is fair, I said I am fair."

"But I ..."

"Someone has to be willing to start."

"But...."

"How important is preserving your marriage?"

"Very important. The other options are unacceptable."

"I rest my case. Let's get on with changing you."

"Help me to have a good attitude about this, Lord."

"That's up to you."

"Do I have to pray for my husband even if he's not praying for me?"

"Precisely."

"But that's not ... okay, okay, I remember. Life's not fair.
You're fair!"


(Silent nodding from heaven)

"I give up. Go ahead. Oh, this is going to be painful!
Cha ... change.... I can't believe I'm saying this."


(Deep breath)

"Change me, Lord."
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Life As I See It

Thursday, September 1


it's either full or empty
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Side by Side -- Year by Year

Monday, April 18


We celebrated our 7th Wedding Anniversary at Outback Steakhouse in Acropolis. We left the house at around three in the afternoon. We got married last April 17, 2004, four o'clock in the afternoon at Saint Ignatius Cathedral and had our reception at Valle Verde. Celebrating our anniversary at Outback Acropolis is the nearest we could get to where our wedding was held seven years ago.

A few days after I posted this photo in my facebook account, the Marketing Manager contacted me informing me that they are happy we celebrated our special day with them. Ms Vanessa gave us a treat. All I have to do is to inform her when I plan to visit Outback so that she could inform the manager on duty that my order is on the house.


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Cafe By The Ruins

Saturday, April 2

I recently visited Baguio to attend the wedding of a dear friend. it was actually our first time to meet in person after years of communicating online. We met through a blog site and what has started out as a simple comment on a blog post blossomed into friendship. My friend and her not-so-new husband met with me and my husband for breakfast the day after the wedding. Isn't she sweet! She suggested that we try out Cafe by the Ruins . What an angel! I really want to try that restaurant because of the reviews I have read when I was planning the trip.

The four of us ordered the Filipino "Lon-Si-Log". This is not your ordinary longsilog. The longganisa is cooked without the casing. A bit crispy and tastes garlicky. The meal includes a fruit cup and coffee. The free coffee came with what I thought was a mini cookie. My friend told us that it is the sweetener. You simply drop it into your cup and then let it melt. It was great she told us that or I might have eaten it like a cookie. My friend's husband wanted us to try the Sticky Buns. Too bad it was not available. He instead ordered Glazed Cinnamon Rolls. I'm not a big fan of anything cinnamon but I genuinely loved their cinnamon rolls. I am curious with the Crispy Tapa but did not find it in the Breakfast menu. Must try when I return! It was our last day in Baguio. After the breakfast, me and my husband  just head back to The Manor to check out then we're off to Victory Liner.


The newlywed gave us "pabaon" to have something to eat during the 5 hour trip. I was sleeping most of the trip and so the "pabaon" was eaten the next morning for breakfast. I love the kamote bread. I had it paired with butter, strawberry jam, sunny side up and bacon. For the basil bread, I cooked pasta for dinner and they complemented each other.

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The Lake Hotel Tagaytay

Tuesday, February 15




Date of Stay: 12-13 February, 2011

Location:
Conveniently located along Emilio Aguinaldo Highway making it accessible even to those who will be arriving via public transportation.

Strategically within walking distance to various restaurants such as the famous Leslie's Restaurant, Yellowcab Pizza, Max's, Antonio's, etc.

Hotel:
A 60 room hotel offering standard, superior, deluxe, superior lake view, deluxe lake view, junior suite, 1 bedroom suite, and 2 bedroom suite. Rooms are equipped with 32 inch HDTV, cable channels (limited), mini bar, coffee and tea making facilities, complete bathroom amenities (bathtub available only for de luxe lakeview and suite rooms; jacuzzi for the 2 bedroom suite), free wifi (poor signal in the room, need to go to the lobby). All the rooms are non smoking.

Restaurants:

Two restaurants available: the 24 hr Coffee Shop where the complimentary breakfast is also served and a fine dining Asian Fusion Restaurant.

Published Rates: (as of Feb 2011)

Standard Room PhP5,800 nett /USD128
Superior Room PhP6,500 nett/USD143
Superior Lake View PhP7,200 nett/USD158
Deluxe Room PhP8,000 nett/USD176
Deluxe Lake View PhP8,700 nett/USD191
Junior Suite PhP10,500 nett/USD231
1 Bedroom Suite PhP16,000 nett/USD352
2 Bedroom Suite PhP32,000 nett/USD704

My Experience:

I got off the car while my husband tries to locate a parking slot. This is a 60 room hotel but the parking slot is limited and could probably only accommodate around 30 cars. There was a wedding reception when we arrived and the parking space is almost filled up. I was greeted by the doorman who accompanied me to the reception desk. I had my booking made via their website. The check in procedure was fast. The room was ready the moment I finished filling out the form.

I booked a Deluxe Lake View Room located on the 3rd floor. The view from the veranda is magnificent. The verandas are way too close with each other you could hear the conversations if there are people staying on the veranda on your left and right side. Luckily though, it seems me and my husband are the only people who wants to stay at the veranda. The wind is so chilly too, you can only manage to stay outside for a few minutes unless you are wearing a thick jacket.

The room is clean and looks new (it is actually new because the hotel only started its operation last November 2009). The bed is an orthopaedic bed so do not expect it to be soft. In my case, I find it comfortable because I have a scoliosis and the bed is ideal for me. De luxe rooms are provided with a magnetic pillow which is said to be therapeutic. I don't know if it's true. I've got a restful sleep that night -- either I am too tired or the pillow was indeed therapeutic.

Bathrobes are available for deluxe rooms and suites upon request. I called up room service and in less than five minutes, the robe was delivered to my room. Their bathrobe was the best bathrobe I had from the hotel. Not too heavy but very comfy. They provide the standard set of toiletries but I always bring my own toiletries when I travel so I was not able to use them. Whenever I travel, I do not mind paying for a more expensive room as long as I get a veranda, a view and a bathtub. Unfortunately, I was only able to use the bathtub once. The drain did not work. I was not actually planning to soak in the tub again since it was just an overnight stay so it really was not a big deal. But of course, I let the frontdesk know upon check out the the drain is not working.

The complimentary breakfast is buffet. Other hotels offer set breakfast. Do not expect though a lot of choices from the buffet considering this is just a 60 room hotel. I enjoyed the breakfast. Just right for me.

The swimming pool is not heated, and with the cold temperature of Tagaytay, I did not dare swim. It is also located near the lobby and almost beside the cafe so it's kinda awkward.

It is not perfect. But the hotel met my expectations. I actually did not set a high expectation for this hotel because I am aware that this is a small hotel. Except for the problem with the bathtub drain, everything else is just good for me. The staff are all efficient and highly commendable. The free book is also great (I love reading.).

I've tried other hotels in Tagaytay and after my stay here, I have decided to have this hotel as my first option whenever I travel to this place.
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Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.

Friday, April 25



last april 17, we celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. it's true that you don't recognize how swiftly time passes by if you are enjoying every moment of it. four years and we are still enjoying having the house all by ourselves. we do yearn to have a bundle of joy soon and create some chaos to our deafening silent house (haha!!).

i always get the same reaction from people whenever they get to know our love story. they would ask, "how long have you been together before deciding to get married?" with much pride, i'll tell them, " he became my boyfriend when i was 15. we got married when we were 27."

"amazing", is all they could utter.

"continuous?, how did you manage?"

and i'll say, " breaking up was never an option. issues are meant to be resolved."

one question that i always get and still do not know how to answer is, "how did you know that he is the one?"

i actually asked him how did he know that i am the one meant for him. he said, when he saw me, he saw me as the perfect person to be the mother of his children. haha! i don't know, is that something sweet? anyways, let me put it this way. he saw his future with me. now, that's sweet.

and in my case, how did i know it's him i should spend the rest of my life with?

hmm, i actually prayed to God that if ever He would let me in a relationship, i want to marry the first person i fall in love with. i must admit, i'm a hopeless romantic.

then i got a weird dream.

you see, we were in the same school since kinder but we were both unaware of each other's existence. it was only in junior high that we became classmates. we were not supposed to be classmates but due to divine intervention or my stubborness (i think it's the latter), i refused to sit on my original class section because i have no friends there. without the permission of the class advisers i insisted that i want to belong to the section where we ended as classmates. i still was unaware of his existence (i'm a snob!) until i dreamt of him.

in my dream, he was waiting for me by the door during dismissal. we were supposed to walk to the parking lot together.

i woke up asking myself why on earth i had that dream. and who was that guy?

then i noticed that this "guy" has been absent for a week. with lack of something worthy to do, i asked my friend who was in charge of attendance who the guy was, why he's been absent for almost a week, where he sits.

that got me aware that a certain lenin exists.

and that was the guy in my dream.

then he returned to class. found out he got sick. began to notice him.

and hate him.

why?

he's so good in class.

he's a rival.

and i'm no match.

he's way too good.

then i don't know what got into me, i transferred to a seat next to him. i stayed for a few minutes. he mentioned something funny, i laughed.

we've been sharing laughs since then. (and occasional fights)


june 29, 1992.

how many months since then?

lots.

more to come.
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You Treated Me Right And So Did He. It's The Dilemna I Face In The Game Of Three

Friday, February 15



You were my first.

I was feeling a little foolish then and was with so much curiosity. I must admit I was kinda nervous at first because I do not know if this will ever work out.

But you were just perfect for me.

It felt like we have known each other for ages. I need not find my way around. You showed me the way in a manner that seemed like I have known where every path will take me.

You offered me your pages, and I filled them with my innermost thoughts. You know my darkest secret, my deepest fear, my cuts that won't heal. We shared my happiest moment, my triumphs, my fall.

I have met others along the way. Not that I have intentionally searched for somebody else to take your place. They seem to offer me something I have been looking for. Although I am not really sure what I am looking for. Some were able to lure me. Fooled me many times. But I always find myself returning to my first love. Realizing that I still yearn for you.

Then I met him. 

He was everything you are and more. I found myself trying to be with you as often as I am with him. But as days passed by, I know I am pouring out more of myself to him than with you. At times, I would tell myself that in a few months I'll grow tired of him and I'll be running back to your welcoming embrace. Like I always did.

He is passion. You are love. 

I do not want to give either up. But the rain of guilt is pouring down on me. It's flooding in and I could barely breath.

You must know by now though no one has told you.

I am falling too far.

I am falling too deep.

Soon, I will leave.

(a farewell to my tabulas. and you.)
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