Appreciate Life

 

People Who Inspire Me

http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/ 

  

 http://www.iamthedoc.com/toms-profile/

Two of the people that I look up to. <3

Happy New Year

Here's to welcoming the New Year!!! May we all embrace every wonderful blessing that comes our way and to always keep the faith. As my pastor shared this message today at church and I quote..."God was, God is, God will always be with us". I for one need to be reminded of this everytime =) Cheers to 2012 <3 <3 <3

Some of my favorite New Year's quotes:

“Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life. The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can.” I wish you Happy New Year and diary full of best stories ever written in your life.” - Douglas Pagels – ( Addition to Quote by Muhammad Shaharyar Khan )

“For last year's words belong to last year's language
  And next year's words await another voice.
  And to make an end is to make a beginning.” - T.S Eliot, “Little Gidding”

“In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want.” -Irish Toast

“Be always at War with your vices,
at peace with your neighbors,
and let each New Year find you
a better person.” -Benjamin Franklin

Image Source for the New Beginning: truewhisper.com

Merry Christmas



Merry Christmas to one and all!!! May all of us remember the reason for the season :)

Images Source for Nautica and Audrey Hepburn Quote: Lemonadeandivy.tumblr.com

A Double Rainbow After The Storm

A stormy Friday. It's been raining the whole day and it causes some flooding to a lot of areas. An incredible trafffic situation on our way home from work but ...... it was all worth it. The calm after the storm greeted us with this amazing sight, I call it- "God's busy painting again" moment. <3

"Stop Hunger Now" Project in Arundel Christian Church

To kick off my birthday celebration, my husband and I volunteered in our church project "Stop Hunger Project 142*". It feels good to be surrounded with all the amazing people that has one goal in mind- that is to send help in Kenya. I'm glad my husband and I were able to contribute in our own little ways. I hope that people in Kenya will feel the LOVE. What's in it for me? It's one of the best gifts I received for my birthday. <3

My husband and I would like to thank our church for the opportunity to participate with this project. <3 <3 <3

Till next time =)

A beautiful Morning With Mama Duck and Her Ducklings

I don't know what is it about the Mother duck with her ducklings that always makes me so happy. This morning I was stopped in the middle of the intersection in one of the busy streets on my way to work by the brave Mama duck and her 5 lovely ducklings crossing the street. I was the lucky one that Mama duck chose after letting the rest of the cars ahead of me passed by. As soon as I was about to press on my gas pedal, here's Mama duck stood in front of my car, went back and forth trying to protect her ducklings to safety. The rest of the cars on the other side of the intersection, right next to me and behind me stopped and waited until these lovely family gets to the other side of the street but Mama duck somehow got confused and tried to go on different directions.

It amazes me while watching every movement that Mama duck makes- it shows how she's so protective of her ducklings. Before I know it, I froze when they went under my car and I was torn if I have to get out of my car and escort them to the other side while all these commuters sorrounding me are all eyes why I'm still not moving when my car is positioned in the middle of the intersection stopping the 4-way traffic OR should I grab my camera and take a picture of my morning encounter with Mama duck and her ducklings? Sadly, I didn't get to do either one - I saw them came out behind my car and saw a County agent on the other end trying to get them off the street. I got no choice but to start driving before I get honked by these early commuters probably running late for work (I know I am hehe) but it surely made my day. It brings a lot of my childhood momories back home (Now that's another long topic). =)

My take on today's unexpected encounter - I see it as one of God's way of tellling me or us... "Slow down guys and enjoy this beautiful perfect spring day." Well, He got me..... yet again.  

Source: Duck and her ducklings picture (Flicker.com)

People Who Inspire Me

If I Had My Life To Live Over

Erma Bombeck

Someone asked me the other day if I had my life to live over would I change anything.

My answer was no, but then I thought about it and changed my mind.

If I had my life to live over again I would have waxed less and listened more.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy and complaining about the shadow over my feet, I’d have cherished every minute of it and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was to be my only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten popcorn in the “good” living room and worried less about the dirt when you lit the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have burnt the pink candle that was sculptured like a rose before it melted while being stored.

I would have sat cross-legged on the lawn with my children and never worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television...and more while watching real life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband which I took for granted.

I would have eaten less cottage cheese and more ice cream.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick, instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for a day.

I would never have bought ANYTHING just because it was practical/wouldn’t show soil/ guaranteed to last a lifetime.

When my child kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now, go get washed up for dinner.”

There would have been more I love yous...more I’m sorrys...more I’m listenings...but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute of it...look at it and really see it...try it on...live it...exhaust it...and never give that minute back until there was nothing left of it.

<3 <3 <3

Such a great inspiration and what can I say…….. I’m a work in progress =)

Eat Pray Love

I watched this movie today at home and I loved it. Aside from the beautiful, inspiring story of life and love, it was such a treat to see the beautiful locations where the movie was shot. My favorite was the one in Italy and Indonesia.I can't wait to visit those places someday soon. =)

 I love the setting of this apartment. It's so cozy and romantic. <3

 Italy- "Bellissimo"

 So classy =)

 Bali, Indonesia - I love her backpack =)

 This place reminds me of my country Philippines. Every Wednesday we have this market day and you can find a lot of good deals and cool stuff, not to mention the delicious foods. These brings back a lot of memories for me. Can't wait to visit my neighboring countries one of these days, that's for sure. ;)

                           

 Now this is my kind of relaxation. And I love that lamp shade (hehe)

Happy New Year again. Stay happy, inspired and be reminded to always live life to the fullest. 

<3 <3 <3

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to one and all! <3
May God continue to shine His light upon us this year 2011 and beyond!!!

Cheers <3

Merry Christmas

Christmas for me is a time to reflect on all the happenings that unfold throughout the year. This is the time that I get to reminisce the amazing roller coaster of life. Every day I thank the Lord for everything.

Growing up I have these etched in my mind and heart:

The Serenity Prayer

Lord give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change

Courage to change the things I can

And the wisdom to know the difference

Psalm 46:10

Be still and know that I am God

John 16:33

Take courage for I have overcome the world

Let us remember the real meaning of Christmas. My prayer is for God to continue to shine His light on each and every one of us. :)

A Surprise Flowers From My Husband

'Tis the season to be jolly......
My husband surprised me with these beautiful flowers today. His office sent them home early after their company Christmas luncheon and it was so sweet of him to stop by my office to drop me off a crabcake, baked potatoes and brownies (Yuuummmm! =) ) for my lunch but he also surprised me with this wonderful flowers... Awwwww, so thoughtful of him. ;-)

Falala lala lala lala. <3

Lunar Eclipse and Winter Solstice 2010

Today I am sad and a bit disappointed that I missed this rare cosmic appearance during the lunar eclipse on winter solstice. I can't believe how I let this pass. =(

I was on my way home yesterday after work and I noticed how the moon was so beautiful and I even gazed longer as soon as I parked my car at home just admiring the beautiful creation of God. It was so bright that the white snow on the ground, the bare trees, the outdoor Christmas lights and the cool weather makes the sight more festive. So how did I miss this again?

Everyday, I normally check my emails or any random news on the web but for some reason, the entire day yesterday I didn't get the chance to do it which means this is the reason why I did not get the memo about this appearance in the first place (lol).

To top it all, my husband and I normally go to bed late but because we were tired over the past weekend's party that we attended over a friend's house, the tiredness started to kick in so we decided to go to bed early. (See what I mean?)

I woke up around 1:30am and again at around 3:30am to get water but because I didn't know about this, I went straight back to bed. (What a shame =) ) Alarm goes off at 5:05am and I started preparing my husband for work and by the time I sent him off, I even mentioned to him "Look at the moon, so beautiful", still oblivious that just 2 hours ago there's a magical moment that already occured. (Ugh)

And of course it did not end there hahaha, as soon as I headed back to bed, I checked my Facebook news feed on my phone and there it was- comments after comments from those lucky ones that got to see it. I texted my husband right away and told him, "Why does this have to happen everytime when everyone is asleep? Perhaps, God wants it to be on the wee hours of the morning because that's when people are still so we get to appreciate the beauty of His amazing creation????????"  Perhaps...............

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Today is the first day of continuous drop of snow for this year where I live. As always, snow never cease to amaze me. I just love it. Another amazing gift from Him Above. Here's some pics I took today during my breaktime. I will post more as the season goes =)