Holy Week CONTINUATION:

It was the time of the year when the penitents flagellate and crucify themselves for their iniquities. It's a misleading tradition that makes Jesus work on the cross shallow and incomplete. I find it pretty tragic and foolish to believe that repeating what Christ has done 2000 years ago, will wipe sins away.

Here are some pictures that I took on our way to the beach. Not all Filipinos believe and agree in this practice.

Montemar

 

As promised, here are some LATE photos taken during our little getaway over the holidays. We went to our childhood beach, Montemar. We had lots of pictures from here when we were growing up. It was good to be back. It was a hot hot day.

iPod

photo credit: sister (film)

I remember getting my very first iPod in college... the one with the four circular buttons above the white scroll wheel (third generation, iPod classic)! Oooh, it was so exciting! No more CDs and the annoying hassle of carrying them around! Ha!... Just like cellphones, life without it would be pretty troublesome like switching CDs while running on a treadmill!

Happy Birthday Sissy!!!

Happy Birthday sister! 

Even if you beat me up with your kisses and attack me with your "sweet" pinches, I will still slice oranges for you because me loves you!

You are beautiful!!!

I love being silly with you. HAHAHAHAHA.

I wanted to put up those nice candid shots I took of you, but I know you will kill me. 

I LOVE YOU!!!

Spread the Word.

I'm sure by now most people have seen the scripture reference at the bottom of Forever21's trademark yellow bags.  I was in college when I first discovered it and instantly, I thought it was awesome. Some, however, are outraged, weirded out, and annoyed by such subtle declaration of faith. Oh, Id like to share my insights, but I'd rather not.

Anyhoo, so I saw this shirt in the store and I thought, "OOOh! Gotta get me that shirt!" 

But... . . .

I don't have money. HAHAHA.

Hey, That's Me.

Franco, looking at someone who seemingly looks like him

Pinterest ♥

I recently discovered this website that has dozens of inspirational photos. I just love the simplicity and the artistic nature of every picture. It's awesome that people have the time to just take pictures, like these, for sharing. 
I just love it.

Double A's

Awesome:
1. I just have to mention it: Twister Fries! Such awesome goodness that's seasonal until next year! (OH MAN!!!)
2. Teaching a class of college and highschool students and knowing that they're engaged with my lesson.
3. Having the confidence to live by Nikes's motto: Just Do It! If you have the urge to do something, do it but don't be reckless and STUPID!
4. Sleeping in! What's not to LOVE!!! THANK YOU, Lord!
5. Attending Bible Study yesterday (Thursday night) even if it was just a few of us.
6. CHEETOS TWISTED PUFFS! I can eat a whole bag! But I won't cause it's bad. 

Awkward:
1. When I was still employed, it felt awkward helping my boss out with some computer problems cause at one point I felt like the blind leading the blind, but when I was sure, I just wanted to grab her laptop and do everything on my own! Hahaha.
2. What's awkward is when you're in an elevator with a guy who's quite heavier than the average male size and all you hear is his deep breathing.
3. Being in the elevator with two hot guys and it's just the three of you. Then you're thinking, "Hmmm, should I glance to admire the beauty bestowed upon them or should I stare at the numbers as I awkwardly freeze up?"
4. Again, being in an elevator alone, and when the doors open up, a hottie walks in and you're caught off guard. It's like a movie scene and you can't help but look away cause you blush with a thought, "Shoot, he's cute." Then the movie ENDS and the violin STOPS as the doors close with him walking away, leaving you nostalgic and dreamy. *Yeah, my elevator stories, I live in a condo and being stuck in the elevator promises lots of interesting stories to tell*
5. Conversing with someone with bad breath. I'm sorry, I'm not saying I don't ever have bad breath, but it's hard, man! You have to pretend that you have a bad cold so you can breathe through your mouth, producing a nasal sound! And every time you back up, they come closer... And then you back up, then they come closer... UNTIL YOU'RE CORNERED!!!
6. MAINTAINING eye contact with your professor while he's lecturing and looking straight at YOU!
7. Going to a university with college people looking much older than me! Life. Just gotta embrace it.

I'm Wishful and I'm Thankful

Thanks to my favorite blogger, Katie, I thought to plug in my thoughts on what I'm wishful and thankful for. 

So. 

I wish to meet God's best so I can enjoy going on dates, enjoy loads of hugs, and many many more...

I'm thankful that I'm still single and enjoying what's in front of me. I know God is refining me to be the best WIFE and mother (oh crud, what a scary thought!)

I wish that I had the brain of a genius and physical strength that doesn't easily tire so that I didn't have to quit my job... But...

I'm thankful that I was given this privilege to go back to school...

I wish that I live in a country where there are tons of parks and GREEN STUFF! But

I'm thankful that I live in a country where I'm close to my family and where people can freely worship God. I'm thankful that God belongs in this CITY!

I wish that I can find more awesome places to just take pictures...

I'm thankful that I can use my room or the area I live in as my studio - for now

I wish that my blog was as popular as others so that I can reach out to more people and be a light...

I'm thankful for whoever comes across my blog... if I can make just one person inspired and get down on their knees for God, then I did my job...

I wish I don't feel so sluggish right now!

I'm thankful for the much needed vacation!

I wish I can stop typing because I have way tooo many wishes that causes me to intentionally think of things to be thankful for!!! HAHAHA

I'm thankful that I have enough to be thankful for!! HAHAHAHA So I have no excuse to not be content with life.

Will Be Seeing Your Cute Face Tomorrow!

 Love you, baby Frankie!

(Photo credit: sister)

God Belongs In My City

Allow me to introduce to you someone I've known from way back in college. I had the privilege to work as an intern in his school and be his classmate in one of our classes. His name is Danny Sanabria. He, together with some pioneers, began a movement called God Belongs In My City, to wake up sleeping Christians and stir the hearts of the people of New York City.

It all started when a group of young believers came across an atheist advertisement in the subway which stated, “A Million New Yorkers Are Good Without God. Are You?" From there, a bunch of youth pastors and leaders came together to gather other youth ministries from the 5 boroughs to do a prayer walk in the city. Each one was to wear a simple shirt with a bold statement, “God Belongs in My City“ and declare that God is the God of the nation. In a span of two weeks or less, over 1,500 people made their way through Manhattan to spread the word.

I personally am extremely blessed by this. Every time I visit the website to check the video and photos, it gives me chills. We all know what New York City is like and it is not easy being a Christian there. But standing up for what we believe in and for sharing what we know to be true isn't something we should apologize for. Yes, some people can come across as pretty strong and hypocritical, but what's important is the message. God is real, my friends. He is the one who created EVERYTHING and when all else fades, He will still reign supreme.

 "God Belongs In My City is our declaration of Faith. As Christ came and changed the world, we as Christians ought to impact our city now. There is a call to fearlessly rise up as one and not collapse under the waves of this world. We are commissioned to carry forth the Gospel of Salvation!" - Danny S.

Photo credit: Johnny Lopez taken during the second prayer walk last October 30, 2010

If you're in New York or the other states mentioned in their website, try to get involved. This is one thing I wish I could be a part of!

God bless!

Love

Love is a commitment. It is not a feeling. 

The Bible teaches us that LOVE bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Cor. 13:7, NASBV).  In essence, love believes in the best.

When dealing with people who have the potential to annoy you or piss you off, second-guesses or vain imaginations will inevitably enter your head. Because of this, we need to take responsibility over what enters our minds. We cannot be lazy with our thoughts because they are deceitful. We need to be disciplined by controlling what we believe in. Anyone can believe anything that's not true and still have those ideas affect their feelings that will eventually dictate their behavior. The last thing we want in our life is disunity, tension, and conflicts. We were made for relationships and loving the way Christ loves can only change the way we live around people.

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Genuine Christianity is to keep on loving and to believe in the best.

40 Days of Love on CCF

Mondo Wondow...

Today was fun with mom. It was just us, mother-daughter bonding time cause sister was at youth camp as counselor and dad was out of town.

After church, we hit the mall and did what we love best: SHOPPING. We got a few things here and there, but the main highlight of my purchase was ---no, not a bag... no, not a watch... but my MONDO JUICE! Hahahaha. (Told ya I love the simple things in life!) It made me happy. Hmmm, that really wasn't a surprise cause my picture to the left <---- declares my HAPPINESS.

Berry Blitz: blueberries, blackberries, cranberry juice, low-fat yogurt

Solo size: 180 calories, fat: .35g, fiber: 2.9g, protein: 2.5g, carbs 41g, vit.c: 102.5%
NO SUGAR, NO ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS, just fruit and a whole lotta purple goodness! Ooh lala!

Goodnight friends. As Ellen D. says, "Be kind to one another."