charmed life♥

Is it the hormones that's causing this? haha... I am completely aware that you/I  cannot really please everybody , but yes there are times that you/I feel things that would somehow make us feel down.  I guess it's a natural feeling...when you felt that you have given your best, but your best wasn't good enough for other people...  In a world ruled by two kingdoms, though you will not see the invisible antipathy between them but the people around them suffers.  Sometimes you feel it's totally unfair, when you have an umbilical connection with one kingdom and this has been affecting your growth. Deep breathing... Closed my eyes.... Said a prayer... And think of all the blessings from the Lord... and gave myself a nudge  and told myself... everything will be okay.♥ 

I know it's been a while... My blogging needs to take a back seat for a while, a loved one (my mom's sister) passed away.  After 10 months of fighting and struggling with CA, she is now in peace in heaven.  It's not an easy journey for her, but in spite of the pain, whenever I visit and ask her how she's doing : she gives me a nice smile and goes - "I'm okay now."  I will miss her sweet smile, her cooking (she cooks the best Kare kare and Goto), her beautiful voice (especially when she sings the Salve Regina after we pray the rosary)  but I know she is in a better place now without pain.   Ma. Corazon Reyes-Pascual August 29, 1941 -  May 18, 2016 A little trivia about my Ninang Cora: (She is everybody's Ninang though she's not really their god mother, like me she is the god mother of my sister but I call her Ninang also.)  She's a grade school teacher (teaches music and science) and assistant principal at Santolan Elementary school....

Last week I received a sad news that one of my "barkada" ( close friends ) in high school passed away.  I was in total shock and I couldn't believe it since I was just talking to her last March 3.  Same old energetic, lively and funny person: when I picked up her call.  It was quite a long conversation: "chika" (gossip) galore, catching up with each other.  We don't often see each other any more since she now lives in Bulacan.   Though I know she had been sickly since 2010 when she was diagnosed to have diabetes, three years after she started to undergo dialysis thrice a week.  Almost blind, that is why she can no longer see  and read our updates on Facebook.  When we went to her wake this weekend, I was stunned with the stories of her husband, of how strong she was to handle her situation.  When other people on the same situation might have given up.  The husband is an OFW: her 17 years old daughter takes care of her and is ...

Before I call it a night, I want to wish everyone a prosperous and a blessed year!  I wish that 2016 will be an amazing year to all of us.   It's been a toxic two weeks...all the preparations, cooking, errands: but I love doing them for my family. I have always believe that Christmas is really for the family.  It's the time of year when we see and bond with not only our family but our other relatives also especially those who we seldom see.  (Yes, this is also the time that I miss my Lolo and Lola very badly, but I know that they are happy watching over us in heaven.)  There are times when we have misunderstandings with our family members: it's normal because we are only human, but at the end of the day, we are still a family.  We should love and support each other - That's the true essence of Christmas...  Love, Mercy and Forgiveness: we cannot achieve these if we have a heavy heart...   I am excited for what 2016 brings... Are you a...

One of the hardest things to do... but you know you have to...

September is almost over!  It's been a very toxic month:  but I know it's only the start of busy days ahead - as the holiday approaches.  Now we're beginning to experience longer nights, but not too cool and chilly because El Niño starts October.  I was not able to share my accessory styling last month, well I was at the hospital, I need to take care of my Tita who was confined last week of August and she needs to stay with us in our home for while.  I am hoping that these last three months of the year will be a lot better than the last two months that passed (August and September).    Want to share my September:   After a long time I was able to go out and meet up with some of my friends.  I realized it's been a while.  It's hard if your close friends are no longer in the Philippines.  But every time they visit the country we make it a point to squeeze it in our schedules.   Traffic is worst, so I just meet up wit...

SALVE REGINA, Mater misericordiae. Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae. Ad te Suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle. Eia ergo, Advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte. Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende. O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.  Happy Birthday, dear Mother!  Please continue to bless me, my family and the whole world. Thank you for everything! We love you dear Mother..♥

Learnings last week: Many may have enjoyed their long weekend - Monday, August 31st was a holiday or maybe others just stayed home because of the heavy traffic caused by INC rally.  Me, I spend my week at the hospital: No, I am not the one hospitalized but my Tita. It's an eye opener for me and I should start now than be sorry in the future. source: google.com Lesson #1: Health is Wealth - Sometimes we neglect taking care of ourselves: I'm guilty! I love pushing myself to the limit, but when I reached the 40's mark: I tried to slow down a bit.  I am not really into going to the doctor (unless its an emergency case) and yes, I do self medicate.  I don't want to take Vitamins.  I realized after I had Vertigo a few years ago and last week again - It's a reminder that I should not take things for granted especially my health most importantly. source: Google Lesson #2:  Frugality - We must always save for the rainy days.  Yes, there are times w...

Blessed Monday to all!  I have always wished to go to Lourdes in France to see, experience and pray at the Grotto, well until now it's still a part of my wishlist. (Maybe soon..)  But praying and placing a petition to the Grotto, you can now make it online through this site: Website of the Sanctuary of the Our Lady of Lourdes .  Well I can't remember how I have learned about this website, but ever since that time I always visit it and place a prayer, even without asking for something.  The prayer petition you make / type on the site were taken and placed to the Grotto, and I can say it was very effective.  I have already shared this to my friends who were asking for prayers.  Sorry for not sharing this right away...  For those who have also wished to go to Lourdes in France and ask for petitions there or just say a little prayer there, but cannot afford it: this website is definitely a must visit one. Tidbits: On the website, you may ...

source: abs-cbn  After the finale episode of Forevermore last night, "Kung tayo" has been the trending phrase on social media.  For sure I will be hearing this more often everywhere...as well as the hugot lines that made a mark to the followers of the soap.   :) I know some or maybe everybody can easily relate to that scene.  Many of us have experienced this or have been in the same situation... or in a way dreaming: after watching that particular part to have the same "little forever" together with the love you've lost... We all have this kind of moment: dreaming of "What if's" or "If ever" ... let's admit it, even if we are in a good place or relationship now.  There are times we still hope for this... (kahit sandali lang...) Tidbits: My personal take on the finale:  There are a lot of unfinished business, unanswered questions... I hope there will a part 2, like the Maging Sino Ka Man before which stars John ...

Photo credit: Heather A. Stillufsen It really feels great and overwhelming if a friend told you that you made her smile.  Can't really explain it but I am truly happy that whatever is it that my friend is going through right now...  I have lessened the pain in her heart.♥

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning the Lenten season. This also reminds us that we are from dust and to dust thou shall return . We should repent and follow the Gospel. 

Still have the "Francis Effect" in my nerves... that magnetic SMILE! (Photo credit: Google) Even though I did not have a chance to see him in person, I realized one thing... I don't need to see him to feel the presence of God.  Seeing him on the television or even on my pc through live streaming still gave me goosebumps and always end up in tears.  Yes, in tears (tears of joy).  His smile... his words... would really affect and move you.  Importance of the family :  we all experience this now globally, through the growth in technology.  People tend to just play or tinker their tablets and ipads instead of checking or talking to their parents, siblings especially their children.  I admit I am a bit guilty on this sometimes... When you see people around you at the mall, restos and etc. you will see all of them looking down at their tablets instead of talking to each other.  Going back to basics, I agree with Pope Francis on this.  F...

Been busy updating all of the paper works I left last Christmas holiday.  Whew! Need to push the speed and reality button: "Hey girl! It's already 2015, time to work, work, work!" That's my mantra every morning.  A bit on the vacation mode still.  Year-end is something very hectic in every accountant's life (of course I am used to that already).   Yes, January is my favorite month... Lot of things to celebrate this month!♥ Aside from my birthday which falls on tomorrow (15th) and 22 years in service (can't believe that I have been working that long: since Jan 11, 1993), the most important event that will happen this year is: Pope Francis' visit here in the Philippines: Manila/Tacloban (January 15-19).  I am really hoping that I could see him in person.  The only problem is me having "vertigo": ever since I had this I refrained from going to crowded places, oh how I wish I could go to my Alma Mater (UST) on the 18th to see him.   W...

still a lot of questions left unanswered... but one thing is very clear... Forever definitely has ended.  

My novena and prayer books of St.John Paul II and rosary from my Lola Luming "Totus Tuus!" These are the words that pops in my mind when I was a kid and until now when I hear his name: Pope John Paul II .  Totus Tuus: is a Latin phrase which means "Totally yours" . I was 9 when Pope John Paul II first visited Manila.  I watched every television coverage from his first visit as well as the World youth day celebration when it was held here.  How I wish: I could see him in person. (Maybe soon I will be able to visit him in Vatican: which was my fervent wish)   He was the only pope I am aware of: maybe because he's the one I grew up knowing (in church and school) and seeing on television and newspaper.  I remember one of the coverages of ABS-CBN TV patrol during the World Youth Day celebration when he was on the Pope mobile... when I saw him tears fell down my cheeks... I felt blessed even if I was just watching him on tv.  And I love watching the...

There are things that we don't want to happen... But we have to accept... Things that we have to know But we have to learn... And people we can't live without But we have to let go... In order for us to move on... we should learn to accept our present situation.  The past can never be changed, forgotten, erased or edited  but it can only be accepted. We should accept rather than expect... When something ends... a new story begins...

If somebody had wronged us... we must learn to forgive... I know it's not easy... but we must teach ourselves to do it. I have experienced this a long time ago... I prayed for healing... It's a day to day struggle... And every time I feel the pain that this person had inflicted on me... I pray... I meditate... and ask the Lord to heal me and take away all the pain in my heart... Days, months, and yes... three years... But my faith in God helped me overcome every thing... When the time came that I have learned to forgive the person... It was really a feeling of relief and tranquility... felt light...  I can breathe easily... I can sleep soundly... And there's happiness inside me that was totally unexplainable. (Peace of mind, i guess) Forgiveness is a journey with God...   But once you learned to forgive... It will really take all your heart aches away... :) "Forgiveness is above all a personal choice, a decision of the heart... to go against th...

Every day we face a lot of challenges... Some times these almost crush us to the ground... But even though how small or big it was... We should always remember that the Lord will not give us things that we cannot handle... These are just test of faith...  There are times i go through  struggles and challenges...and i almost gave up... But my FAITH kept me going... I know that nothing is impossible with Him...  He is my source of strength...and everything... I still feel blessed...  And i know that there's a lot of things to be thankful for... Have a blessed Holy Week!

Last Saturday: March 8 was International Women's day ! Happy Women's day too all!!! Why Gabriela?  "Gabriela Silang" is a Pinay hero (wife of Diego Silang) was known for her braveness when assumed the leadership of rebel troops following the assassination of her husband during the Spanish occupation.  GABRIELA signifies courage to all Filipinas fighting for their rights... Being brave does not necessarily mean that you will always fight and argue with others... But for being strong in facing all the challenges and obstacles that life brings...   Perfect example is my Lola... she have been a source of strength for all of us...  I became brave to face anything that came into my way...even if she is no longer with us, all the life lessons she taught us will always be in our mind and heart: will be passed on to the next generation of Santos women.