These Little Wonders

So it's the fourth quarter of 2016 and soon enough, we will be welcoming another year. Are we even ready for the new year?! Honestly, I'm excited for 2017 (like I was excited for 2016 and all the other past years :D) and I really am hopeful for greater things. Here I go again with my great expectations (that lead to great disappointments). There's just something about the new year that thrills me. Maybe I'm just curious about the "unknown" and I always look forward to it.  And because I'm too excited, still this early, I already have my planner for the following year. :) I've been a loyal Bella since 2010. This year, I decided to go for the Petit Planner (still from Viviamo) but for 2017, I have purchased the Power Planner once again. Isn't she lovely? ♥ I recently found this little quiz which helps one decide which planner is the perfect fit for their personality. I got EIP!  But after a thorough reflection, I decided ...

Everyone was excited. They said I should brace myself for a big surprise. Because it's the weekend, and because I'll be thirty.  I tried my best not to expect anything, because I know for a fact that with great expectations comes great disappointments . But human as I am, I couldn't help but hope for something special to happen. It sucks but I still consider myself a hope less ful romantic. I still believe that fairy tales can come true. Dreamy, I know. But that's just the way I am. Until I was hit by the realities of being thirty.  For the second time I spent my birthday away from my family, and for the first time in three decades, I spent it all by myself. Loneliness knows by name, huh?! Not.  I had a lot of plans. But too little money. Now that's the problem. Haha. You see, money can't buy love nor happiness, but it can make you do the things you love and things that make you happy. But that's not really the issue. I'm someone who apprec...

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be Whisper words of wisdom, let it be And when the broken-hearted people living in the world agree There will be an answer, let it be For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see There will be an answer, let it be Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be There will be an answer, let it be Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be Whisper words of wisdom, let it be Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be Whisper words of wisdom, let it be And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me Shine until tomorrow, let it be I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be There will ...

Three years ago, I wrote this :  Tumatakbo ang oras, naiiwan na ako ng panahon... I've been singing that line in my head since last night upon realizing that it's already the last night of September.  Well, it's true. Not only does time run, it flies! Sometimes, too fast. Photo Credits: Claire Mojher I still sing that song. Bakit ba kasi pinauso pa yan ng Mojofly? Haha.  Today is a day of bloopers. Nakakaloko. Puro sablay . But I'm still thankful. I choose to be. :D  And thanks to the first blooper, I was reminded that I'm almost thirty. Har.  Ganun pala yung pakiramdam na paggising mo ay may "happy birthday" greeting kang mababasa . Hahaha. Okay lang, Kuya. I understand. Senior moments, you know! ;p Anyway, perfect timing din siguro because I got to read this article today:  10 Small Steps to Happiness for Every Woman In Her 30s . Oo na, universe!!! 30 na ako!!!  At dahil diyan, sige, let's go over the ...

"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is your only option." Yesterday, I got to prove that yet again.  Since I have been in a relationship with my headache for a week now and with my toothache for more than a month already, I finally decided to set an appointment with my dentist.  I told her I still have work in the afternoon so we scheduled it in the morning. She said two hours is more than enough.  My headache was still killing me softly so I got up a little late. Traffic was also bad, so by the time I was seated on the dental chair, it was already 11AM. My dentist said we can finish by 1PM.  It wasn't my first time to undergo tooth extraction, and I thought to myself, heck, I've been through two surgeries already, this should be easy.  After several shots of anesthesia, my dentist was ready to extract the tooth that has been causing me pain. After two hours, she still wasn't able to get it. Apparently, it wasn...

How To Be Me? ...sit still, look pretty Yes, it's that simple.  I wish it were.  I wish I have a comfortable life, but I don't.  On April 21, 2011, I wrote this on my journal:  Five years from now, I see myself as a successful woman with a stable and growing career in the field of writing, education or research, and online communication, a happy and fulfilled marriage, at least two beautiful kids, a business of my own, and a cause I have fought and will continue to fight for. Pretty much a balanced and abundant life - mentally, financially, emotionally, and spiritually.  More than five years after, everything still remains a vision. Because while I have my plans, God has His own, and I chose to believe they're better, more beautiful than mine.  So how am I now? Where am I now?  Not much has changed. Except for the fact that I'm now living alone. And while I'm still working at the Global Mission Center, I am now ent...

One famous motto in life is "CARPE DIEM" which is the Latin translation of "seize the day." It is a reminder to embrace the now and truly live in the present. And the "present" begins in the morning. And yes, there's some truth to the saying "win the day by winning the morning." To be honest, I don't consider myself a morning person. Since I had an operation late last year, I really find it a challenge to wake up early in the morning. I literally never want to leave my bed. I could think of so many reasons why I'd rather sleep a little longer. But then I realized, it all boils down to making a decision . Remember, we always have a choice . :) So how does one win the morning? I believe there's no one perfect formula that will work for everyone, but as for me, I have resolved to do the following rituals:  1. Nourish my relationships first. Basically, I am in a relationship with everyone around me, but what I value the ...