Food for thought

Here's something I received in my inbox courtesy of a friend I've long lost contact with. I wonder if this is his way of hinting I need to keep in touch more often. Either way every sentence speaks the truth, don't you think so?


Now is the time. Past is only a memory recorded in your mind.
Don't be so unintelligent to let your memory spoil your present happiness!


Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did last year.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 8 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts on things you cannot control.
Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself too seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short so don’t waste it in hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away
like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least 3 people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. God heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank God for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
40. Share this with others!

I'm back

Well back home (Project 8) and back to the blogosphere! I spent a precious week with my sister before she relocated to Singapore last March 16, Monday.

Things were pretty hectic before she left. We were overwhelmed with last minute shopping, trying to pack most of her belongings into 3 suitcases (an impossible feat but we did it!) and doing errands like canceling utilities (fax lines, Internet subscriptions, magazine subscriptions etc). Then we stayed up late into the night just talking about her plans, her never ending 'bilins' about taking care of our parents and silly yet meaningful inanities.

A special mention goes to my dear husband who was truly supportive of the fact that I needed that quality time to be with my sister. I was assured that he can survive on his own since he is very self reliant but still I'm glad that he didn't object to it. Not that he really had a choice but you get my drift! Hehehe

It was pretty much chaotic that I didn't absorb the fact that she was really leaving until I hugged her goodbye at the Centennial airport. It was only when my parents and I went back to the condo did we feel a huge empty void. We also realized how much she contributed so much of herself to making sure we lived comfortably. She was a good provider in every aspect of the word. Although we miss her terribly, we are consoled with the knowledge that it is time she pursued her own goals, her aspirations and her dreams. After all she is merely a text message, a phone call, an email and a Cebu Pacific zero promo fare away!

I end with this inspirational message I saw on the door of the toilet at the airport. Yes I know! Nothing like being enlightened while answering the call of nature! Huh?

Olives are crushed to make the best oils.
Grapes are squeezed to make the most fine wines.
Roses are pressed to make the most grand perfumes.
Have you been crushed, squeezed and pressed
by life's trials and difficulties?
Be glad!
God is bringing out the best in you!

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Here comes the Sun

"Here comes the sun ... here comes the sun ... and I say it's all right."

Well it's really not all right, at all!

Because unlike that Beatles song where they sing about the advent of summer after a long cold lonely winter, I don't relish the summer season at all.



I could still afford to smile in the picture even though the sun was shining because it was taken in Tagaytay in December and it was still cooler.


The hot scorching sun. The tanned skin. The dehydration. And most of all the dreary feeling of constantly being enveloped in sweat 24/7 are the reasons why I don't like summer.

So I stay indoors most of the time (not that I really go out much in the first place). Specifically downstairs from noon till about sunset because the upstairs part (the bedroom and the 'computer' room) gets full sun exposure. Reading on my PC monitor is made difficult by the blinding sun, not to mention the sauna like atmosphere even with the industrial fan at full blast. We might need to rearrange the furniture in that room but I doubt it since space is pretty limited.

But I "try" to keep a positive attitude and take consolation in the fact that summer also means that D will also be at home because the school year is over. That way we can both fester and sweat together. Oh wait, he rarely sweats (lucky genes!) so that simply leaves me with the 'wet' look.

Not fair!

Beaute de Maman

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On a personal note, I'm not pregnant (yet)!

Finding your sanctuary

During weekends, I notice some potential tenants dropping by to check out the now vacant apartment. It is located at the end of this 4 door apartment compound where I currently reside. I assume the said place is smaller and probably 'darker' since ours tend to get the full brunt of the afternoon sun and the cool breeze in the early morning hours. Thus I'm not sure just how comfortable it might be to live in. Unless of course the landlady dangles a lower rental price.

I remember it was roughly this time last year when I started badgering D to find a suitable place we could rent for our conjugal home. I was neck deep with last minute wedding preparations with butterflies in my stomach. So I assigned the house hunting task to him never mind that it was the last month for the school year and he was extremely busy with a thousand things. Bakit ba? Hehehe

I also remember telling him our specific budget, our preferred location and the what I like to call 'light bulb' factor. Let me elaborate - there are certain places in all its barren glory that sort of speak to you with this rent.me.channeling.vibe. For me, it feels like a bulb lights up my clouded brain and it clears up all the cobwebs which inhabit it. That despite certain minor flaws, every single nook and cranny of the place shouts out for me to adorn it with my beloved possessions (however minimal they can be).

So far I've had this light bulb theory put to the test, twice. First when my sister and I bought our loft/condo unit. We immediately fell in love with the place. We basically scrambled over ourselves to reach the bank to withdraw the down payment. Now even though I don't live there anymore, I still refer to my former residence as home. I sometimes text D from the condo with the phrase 'nasa bahay na ako' then he will text back and asks me which house. He always assumes by 'bahay' I mean our current apartment here in Project 8, Q.C.

Speaking of Project 8, the light bulb scenario struck as well, the first time I set foot in this 2 story apartment. It was still being repaired and repainted but I immediately felt so comfortable within its premises. Sure it is small enough for me to know where everything is nicely stored in. Plus we keep our furnishings to the basic essentials but it is our little sanctuary.

So as my sister embarks on her new journey, a new chapter in her productive career in Singapore, a place she called home for 8 years, I am consoled with the fact that she is fully familiar with this 'light bulb' theory of mine. I pray that soon enough she will find her own little sanctuary in the Lion City. Her own little comfort zone in a foreign land physically away from her family. A place which will grant her the cozy feeling of homeliness. A destination which is just 3 hours away and which hopefully I can escape to at the drop of a hat away from my own little love nest! Yes under the guise of missing my sister I've just revealed my true intention - an excuse to travel!