Update on my To Do List

Today I resumed doing Bikram Yoga. I took advantage of the discount provided to my company. Had a great feeling after the workout although there was a disturbing thought in my mind while I was working out. Nonetheless, I can still say it was a great workout. Less strain felt!

I also started last Tuesday studying basic Mandarin online. I aim to finish all modules by mid-October then I will find a buddy to practice my basic Mandarin knowledge.

This Sunday I am planning to start running again. Will do short run just around Eastwood Mall open park.

I am trying to catch up with the things I want to pursue. I would like to enjoy life while working hard. :)

I remember the old woman who read my palm, she was right in saying I want to do immediately what comes to my mind. Well, life is short so I must take action right away.

Who wants to be my Mandarin speaking buddy? Any volunteer?

To do List for September

Here's what I want to do next month.

1. Enroll in Bikram Yoga for two months.
2. Join at least one coach surfers activity.
3. Resume studying Mandarin language via Youtube.
4. Get physically active again - riding bikes and running.
5. Update my wardrobe. Been a long time since I shopped for new clothes and shoes.

Elevator Boy

A girl and a boy got trapped in an elevator for half an hour, strangers to each other. They could not call for any help or notify anyone they were trapped in the elevator as the emergency button isn't working and both had no mobile phones with them. With nothing to do but to wait for it to be fixed, they had small talk and little introduction about themselves. The guy (Jonathan) was a corporate lawyer and the girl (Libby) was a culinary arts student working part time in the restaurant as waitress.

To cut the story short, that little incident led to another with the help of the lawyer's secretary and they ended up together.

That was a Hallmark movie I watched in the Youtube last Monday while typhoon Labuyo was raging mad in my hometown. The title of the movie was Elevator Girl.

Tonight I was in the supermarket and was saying a little prayer to God that I will meet the "one' tonight. I just said to myself that I will meet him tonight I don't know how but I am going to claim it by faith.

Someone caught my eye tonight and could not help noticing his expressive eyes and good built. :) He was dressed in a gym getup, he must have just finished working out. He was riding in the same elevator I was in. There was another lady in the elevator but there were two floors button lit up when I came in so for sure they don't know each other. Five young boys also rode the elevator with me from the ground floor. They were laughing and looking at his physique. One boy said he would like to have a body like him as well. :) Took that as an opportunity to look at the man through the wall mirror. :)

Well, what happened wasn't like in the movie but I would like to refer to him to as Elevator Boy. Hope to meet this good looking guy again! My contract in the condominium will expire next month and I pray that even before I transfer to another tower I will get to know this guy.

*****

I chance upon the elevator boy on Sept 17th but he was with a petite pretty girl. They live floor up from my floor.

Feeling Blessed

I am still intoxicated with the spirit of God after Sunday service. God is showing judgment to those who ignored Him and mercy to those who serve Him till the end. I am grateful that I am hearing all these unfolding of His great plan. I am happy also for the answered prayers. God heard my prayers and anguish.

We are at the end time and what God wants to see is a consecrated life and focus in serving Him. I have focused so much at work in the past years and He has made a great shift when He took me out of the corporate world for almost two years. He made me realized, it is not all about work and my ways are not His ways. I am glad He redirected my path or else I am doomed.

God hate idol worshipers. Whatever things we put above God is an idol.

I had lunch at my brother's house today and his sister's mother in law came. The old lady has a knack for reading palms and he told me to try her gift and so I did. Out of 5 things she told me, three were really true. She got it right when she said I am complaining of headache,tummy ache and lower abdominal pain. She said I am a quiet person and I like to observe but when I see a lot of things happening wrong I start to open my mouth. She said I have plans of working abroad or traveling abroad. She said I will find a job soon (but I already have a job). She said I have a boyfriend (not in a relationship at the moment). She said I will have three kids (one boy and two girls)which is the desire of my heart if God gives me a chance to have a companion in life.

I am tired of living life alone. I would like a companion to serve Him. God knows the desire of my heart and I leave it up to Him if He will fulfill it. If not, all is well still. I will still serve the Lord and worship Him.

That Elusive Quality Sleep

After two years of hiatus from working in night shift, I feel like missing that work shift when everybody are sound sleep and am wide awake working. So I decided to apply in BPO again but this time in Quezon City, Metro Manila. I left Dau which was my second home for nine long years.

I thought that my body is still in tune working at night but November last year I started to have problems with sleeping. I get to sleep only for 3-4 hours a day even though I have enough time to sleep for 7 or 8 hours. I started to have headaches, pain at the nape and painful eyes (came to a point my right eyes swell).

Tried to look for all solutions to my sleeping issue.

1. regular body massage - I tried to find a spa with the right ambience and good therapist (someone who just don't press your skin)
2. food that promotes good sleep - I googled for food that could help me have a good sleep. They say yogurt, hard boiled egg, avocado and nuts are good. I tried eating all those but still no effect.
3. putting up your legs above your head - I tried it as well and it seemed to work for two tries but later on it became ineffective.
4. body massage with negative ion hot room therapy - I remember the spa featured in ABS-CBN morning show which they say promotes good sleep. Although am not familiar in Metro Manila I googled my way to Ocean Park where Hotel H2O is located. It worked the first time I went there.
5. since negative ion worked with me when I tried it, I bought a Php10000 worth ionized futon - felt the difference for the first week then after that it just became an ordinary futon.
6. sought a medical help - was advised to take antihistamine tablets to induce sleep however it has its side effect. I feel needle like pain on the head so I stopped taking it.
7. went to another doctor this time a neurologist- He prescribed a muscle relaxant tablet with sedative effect. This really works but it creates dependency so I tried to reduce my intake and gradually stopped from taking it. The effect was 3 days sleeping only for 2 hours! The ordeal I went thru was driving me crazy. I was absent from work for 2 days and missed working again the following week. I cried and prayed for divine help and was on the verge of quitting my job.
8. Bikram Yoga - inspired by a lady executive from the same company where I worked who had the same problem as I was, I enrolled in 2 weeks Bikram Yoga. Alas, I attended two sessions only. On my second session, I hurt my left leg while trying to balance standing on one leg only. I shifted my weight to my leg, hence it hurts.
9. Laminine - a brother in Christ endorsed this happy pill to me. Not sure if it was the food supplement helping me to get good sleep nowadays.
10. Prayers - my sisters and brothers in Christ prayed for me. When all else fails, our Jehovah Rappa is there waiting for us to call on him.

God is good! I thank Him for my improving health and quality sleep. :)

Happy Week!

Quoting one of our Pastors on what is happiness and christian life;

"By Long suffering we learned. We are built for Pressure and Have the Power to Overcome. Thanks be to Jesus Christ. Keep a rightful spirit."

"Being the Best isn't always Good...but being GOOD is always The BEST..! Be Identified with Christ Characteristics."

"Act Naturally Express yourself in
Jesus Christ."


"Kahit Nagkakaedad na rin...need lagi na masaya ... anu mang pagsubok sa buhay....kaya natin ito...God Will Pull Us Through... Thank You Lord ! Our Smile is One of the Most Precious Asset in Life...Have the Liberty to Express your trueself in Jesus Christ... We are a Blessed People of God... so always paint a Smile on Your Face....God Bless!"

Am happy with all things happening in the past days and weeks. Issues at work are blessings for me - it produces Christian character. God displays His attributes to me by answering my prayers and spiritual needs. It also makes me happy that my other brother and I had a long conversation over the phone. I missed this brother of mine and I always keep him in prayers though we have not seen for almost three years. Am looking forward to the seeing him again.

One more thing that am happy about - am in good health now and the favor I asked from God will soon be fulfilled. :)

I noticed that all messages preached are about suffering with Christ, it must be the season of preparation for the saints on the coming squeeze season. God is bringing about things thru His words preached at the pulpit. No matter how chaotic the world can be though believers have rest in Christ. Glory to God for His grace!

Goodbye Summer, Hello Rainy Season

Summer just went by without me enjoying the season. No trips to beach or out of the country. It was all work or just rest time. That's how toxic life has become in the past few months but am getting breather now. Am gearing up for more busier time in the following months.

Well, I don't really like summer time and not a beach person. I prefer the month of November to February as the weather is just right, tolerable. But when am checking FB and I see pictures of friends enjoying out of town trips I get envious. I had availed of vacation leaves but all were spent to take a rest and take care of my health.

Rainy season won't give much trouble because I live few meters away from the office. That is the convenience of living in Eastwood, no traffic hassles and no flooding issues.

Am thinking of activities I can pursue during the rainy season. Maybe swimming? Am doing good in learning riding the bike. Am happy with my achievement, swimming is really next in my list.

And then next would be continuing my guitar lesson when I move in to a new flat and am my own. I look forward to that day!

Oh yeah, I had an out of town trip during summer I just remember now. We had a team building at Norzagaray, Bulacan. Below are some snaps taken during the event.

Work is what occupies my almost entire adult life right after college graduation. I got into tedious and low paying jobs but I gave my best as am not just motivated by money. I am happy seeing results - this is what motivates me.

From working in mass media, I decided to shift careers by going into Business Process Outsourcing or BPO industry. When I first applied in an a company in Clark that offers document management services, I didn't knew what I was entering into. My intent was just to get a new job as the pay am getting in media will not sustain me. I got hired as Web Analyst and I got hooked into HTML and creating websites. I later shifted to Litigation support, analyzing documents and indexing them. I stayed in the company for five years until I throw in the towel because I don't see professional development and career growth.

I tried going back to media but I later changed my mind because I am done with doing field work. I became accustomed to staying in office for nine hours and sitting infront of the computer. Call centers were "in" then and so I applied although I thought that I will only work for a year or two in that company. That two years became four years. Learned a lot and tested my health as well. I never knew I can do night shift for four years!

I took a hiatus from working in 1-800 and went to Singapore and Dubai. I joined BPO again but this time not a sales, customer service or technical support account, am working in a back office account. My new company is way better in terms of career growth and professional development. However, for some reason I find myself these days de-motivated to work. It has something to do with people I work with but I chose not to voice out my reasons anymore as one person believes he is always right. My motivation does not come from other people but I get demotivated with this person because I feel there is unfairness in the way he deals with me. However, I seek the higher purpose of why I work so I am not going to quit, will continue working and just leave it to God what He wants for me.

When we do our daily tasks and responsibilities not just in church, we also serve God. I may not be part of the Sunday choir or weekly cleaners but I do believe that by working am doing a service to God. I pay my tithes and I give my offering to church. Where does the money come from? From my company salary. I serve God by showing the life of a Christian wherever I am - home, office, mall etc.

A look into my week

What's my weekend like? Very quiet and no socialization at all. I went to sleep at around 10:30 in the morning of Saturday without popping a pill to make me sleep (a big triumph for me by the way those who knew my sleeping problem) and woke up at one in the morning of Sunday. Wohoo!

When I woke up, I did my laundry, cleaned the kitchen and the bathroom. I finished doing all these routine weekend chores at three in the morning. I tried going back to sleep but unable to do so and I decided not to go back to the province anymore.

Sleeping muse made me sleep at around 3am and woke at 7:30 in the evening. I went to the supermarket and bought my weekly food and other stuff. Tired of cooking, I just ordered shabu shabu and ate at home. Tried also the new Mexican resto and bought a juice green tea. It was a refreshing drink, I must say.

After dinner, I started to do some work. Sent weekly report and did some web surfing.

On another note, I just finished my medication for my headache and sore throat on Sunday. The tablets am taking now is down from four to two. Am just so happy that I finished taking those two tablets.

Monday morning I took out my running shoes and jog around the Eastwoood mall park.

That's how my weekend goes.... I want to explore places outside of Eastwood City.

Found a kindred spirit in yesterday's seminar at Shangrila. She was also working in the night shift for 4 years and could not get properly sleep without an sleep inducing tablet. She was taking melatonin for so many years till the side effects marred the benefits of good sleep and then she stopped and shifted to a day shift job. Lucky for her she found an account within the company that operates in the day shift.

She's into Bikram yoga to help her destress and get good sleep. She like traveling like me.

I was glad to know am not alone in this dilemma! It inspired me to continue working in BPO and enroll for yoga class. I know this sleeping issue will end soon. God is answering my little prayers about work. I feel so blessed.

Another lady from BPO inspired me to excel and do my best. I know I will be sitting in her place next year telling my story of success as well.

Overall, the whole seminar was inspiring and a good time to network.

Happy Mother's Day!

Never saw her but I guess there are lots of her attributes that is in me though she did not have a chance to take care of me. The Lord gave her an early curtain call but I would like to give her a tribute today since I won't be here in this world without her. Her womb was chosen to bear me.

They say am a spitting image of her, but I say just a little bit. She has high nose and better eyes ;). I wish that I could post also my mother's picture here in my blog and FB. I may not know her personally but am proud to be her daughter.

To my mommy Cornelia, thank you and happy mother's day. I hope to see you in the heavenly dimension someday.

Blessings

Four years ago I was looking for spiritual challenges whenever I hear my brethren testify what God did for them in their most challenging times. I questioned whether I was a child of God because I never experienced the same thing. I had issues at work every now and then previously but I never consider them spiritual challenges. Today God made me realized that those are my spiritual challenges. He was putting me in those situations at work to mold my character as a Christian.

I am facing challenges at work again and talking to one sister in Christ and hearing her comment that God gives blessings awaken me that this is all about what is being preached in the church for the last two Sundays - displaying the character of a Christian.

I am grateful that God has sent this sister to me to make me re-focus my attention - not to the issue at work but the purpose of the issue at work. Now I will be guided in my prayers. God really works in wonderful ways. He takes care of his children.

Talking to my sister also took away the stress I feel at work. It was different talking to someone who has the Holy Spirit in her. You get reminded, there are no bad things for us. She just imparted a nugget for me - God never demotes, He promotes.

Grateful

NO longer will I take my leave next week. Back to work!

I would like to feel grateful even my plans did not pursue for some reason. I believe something better is in store for me. I am grateful to God for my colleagues at work, my team, my reporting manager, my big boss and for every challenges I face daily (personal and work).

God take control of my plans, heart's desire and my whole life.

Time Off From Work

If you get a chance to take 7 days vacation leave and take care of your health how are you going to spend it?

I don't want to let summer pass by without doing an adventure or a short travel. Going out of the country is out of the question. Here are my options:

1. Stay in Baguio the whole week and just enjoy the cool weather by jogging and cycling in the morning; hiking Mt Sto Tomas (which I never did when I was a student in UP Baguio); visit Bencab house in Asin Road; visit flower farm (did it once before).

2. Spend the first 3 days in Sagada and then spend rest of the week in Baguio City by doing the above activities.

3. Mt Pulag tour and spend the rest of days in Baguio

But of course, while doing a little adventure on the side I will do some online training and come up with some plans how to manage my time at work and efficient ways of managing my reporting manager and running daily operations. :)

The manager does not want to give me an easy time, I could be in Baguio tomorrow but then he wanted a medical certificate hence I need to go back to the clinic tomorrow night.

Back Online!

Yey! finally got a notebook and I can regularly surf and blog again. It's been a long while and I could not decide what to buy due to prioritization of expenses. I need to save a lot of money before June 2013 and I would like to see more trailing zeroes in my bank account :). That's how my love for numbers is getting me into. hahahaha...

God is good all the time! I see miracles or little triumphs in my daily life. I just have to surrender all my fears to Him, my attitudes, my plans, my work and everything.

In my next blog entry I will openly talk about my single blessedness.

Little Triumphs

"What your mind can conceive, your body can achieve."

Your limitation is your mind. If you think you will fail then you are bound for failure but if you believe you will succeed then you will reap success.

This morning I went jogging in Burnham park alone and out of the blue I thought of riding a bike. I was learning how to ride the bike two years ago but then it wasn't successful. I get wiggly and nervous at falling down and hurting myself. This morning though I said to myself it was all in my mind that I might fall. I can control everything.

Well, you would not believe this I learned riding bike in 30 minutes! Whenever fear comes in to my mind, I talk to myself that I can do it and I can prevent falling down. I set goals of finishing end to end line and I did. I set goal of turning the bike without breaking or touching my feet the ground and I did!

I was so happy with my little triumph and managing my fears. All things are possible.

What happened this morning was a reminder for me that whatever hurdle I have at work now I can overcome it. I can do it! God will bless the work of my hand.

When you completely surrender to God, He freely moves in your life. The challenges I face daily in my life, I have completely relied on God's wisdom and will. I was ready to accept what He wants to happen. I trusted in Him and saw the turn of events. I just have to remember that one of these days all the hardships in life will be gone. I am stepping into another dimension.

Sometimes there are tinge of doubts crossing my mind but I have to fight it off and stand firm on faith. I have fears but I have to conquer it and let faith reign in me.

To God be the glory!

A Spa Treat Like No Other

About 4am in the morning of March 2, I suddenly remember a spa in Manila that offers a room filled with negative ion. My head is aching for so many days now due to lack of sleep and I wanted a body massage to soothe my tired muscles. I googled negative ions and voila! Hotel H2O came up in the search results. Google says Hotel H2O is located in Manila Ocean Park along Roxas Boulevard. I am clueless how to get to Manila Ocean Park and riding a taxi from Eastwood to the park is not an option for me as fare can reach up to 500 pesos. ;) Thought of taking a combination of taxi, MRT and bus to get to the place. Roxas boulevard sounds familiar and I remember going to DFA and US embassy before.

The adventurous side of me says I can do it for the sake of experiencing that hotbed treatment. So at 8am I left Eastwood and took a taxi going to Farmer's Cubao. For a moment while standing in the queue for the MRT tickets I thought I am going crazy with not knowing where to go and what to do. Initially I planned to take an MRT up to Ayala and then a taxi going to Manila Ocean Park. However, MRT was up to Shaw station only so I took a bus bound for Mall of Asia - DFA instead. I stopped at MOA and took a taxi from there to MOP.

Going to the MOP, I saw a mini-cooper green with Mr Bean's big picture. The mini-cooper was driven by an old man. I found the little car with face of British actor plastered on it amusing but I was slow to react to take a snap of the car. We passed by the car and traffic builds up, I lost sight of it.

I enjoyed the baywalk view and the sight of yatchs.

I finally reached the MOP and saw the Hotel H2O building. I reached MOP at 10 in the morning. Zenyu Eco Spa was located at the 3rd level of the hotel. I did not have reservations and was told that therapist will be available at 12am. Yeah, I have to wait for 2 hours but I did not mind waiting. I availed of 90 mins swedish massage and 30 mins hotbed treatment.

The lounge area was also filled with negative ions. I felt my mood changed upon entering the room. The hotel staff served me a hot jasmine tea while waiting.

at 11:45am it was my turn. The long wait and long travel was worth it. The therapist kneaded my tired and aching muscles. My headache was gone as well. The therapist had a different technique from all other spas I have visited. It was really good and I knew I will request for the same therapist on my next visit.

After the massage, I was ushered into the hotbed treatment room. The whole treatment room was mine for 30 minutes. I lay on the hot tiles and sweat the toxins out of my body.

I was glad I pursued my spur of the moment plan. The money and time I spent in the spa was worth it. I look forward to visiting the spa again this month.

Stumble Upon A Quote

Be yourself. Everyone else is taken. - Oscar Wilde