I am 22!

I have been seeing a lot of my facebook friends' statuses complaining about August, and wanting it to be finished right away. I have a different view for obvious reasons, but it's not just about August in particular, it's about August 2011!!!

Yes, I'm so lovin' this month! I even said that what I had last Friday-Saturday-Sunday is a top contender for my bestbirthdayever! How I wish I could share pictures though. I don't own a camera, so I got a good cam-phone instead. But my bluetooth and USB sharing devices have been failing me for months now and I haven't got the time, or the strong urge, to go to a service center and have it repaired. It's all in my mind, so now let me put it in words to treasure this awesome month! My memory may fail me, but I have this blog to back me up..haha...Thank you Lord!

August 05, 2011
12:00 am: Spent the first few minutes in a teleconference in the office with our bosses in the States. I got my first few greetings from them!
12:15 am: Sandwich and Ice cream party (break from work) with office mates courtesy of moi...for a group of 5 people, I think we finished the whole loaf of bread, tuna spread, and half gallon of ice cream (Hershey's with almonds) pretty fast...fun, filling, cheap treat:)
12:45am-7am: Alternated work with sleep...haha
7:00 am: Went off to MJC Press at Pandacan for yearbook work; left at past 3pm
3:30-5:30 pm Long bus ride from Manila to UP Diliman
5:30 pm- Met up with my sisters, bought a book (The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff), ate fries for a few minutes, bought siomai; then walked to UP Law to invite Ate Angel's mates in Law Christian Fellowship to come with us at VCF's Youth service in a building nearby
6:30 pm- Was late for the 6pm youth service but we still had a great, refreshing time
around 7:30-8pm- Went to McDo (near MRT Quezon Ave. Station) where we had dinner while waiting for Papa to arrive
after 10 years, he arrived at past 11pm...we went home, fixed the things he brought with him (food mostly) then went to sleep very tired but happy

August 6, 2011
Celebration at home with my home-cooked baked spaghetti, Conti's Mango Bravo, and KFC Fried Chicken

August 7, 2011
Papa went back home to La Union; attended worship service at VCF QC at 5pm, food trip at UP, then bummed the rest of the evening at home

My actual birthday was very tiring because I was practically awake for more than 24 hours, except for the short naps I got at work. I was all over everywhere, working and meeting up with people, but finally being able to submit all our yearbook requirements was a very fulfilling achievement, and gift for myself. I met a few younger schoolmates from SLU at the press also doing their yearbook (what are the odds?:). One jokingly greeted me Happy Birthday and it was only when I said 'Thank You!' that they realized it was really my birthday. They asked me about a lot of things (career and life-related), as if they think I know a lot...haha. It was just what I needed I guess to realize that I'm older; and more than that, that I've grown up- in knowledge, experience, wisdom, and maturity. This I can say not because I think I know better than those younger boys and girls, but because I know better than I did a year ago. This a birthday lesson I've learned and always relearn, that growth is not measured by comparing yourself to others, but by knowing yourself then, and knowing yourself better now, reflecting on how you've changed, and hoping to see that you've changed for the better.

I got a lot of unexpected birthday prayers/release of blessing too from Ate's LCF mates and from those who attended the Youth Service with us. I also got a simple gift from VCF together with all the August birthday celebrators present in the crowd. Nothing really cheers me up like birthday surprises do!

It was also my first time to experience food trip with my sisters at UP and I'm definitely coming back! Conti's Mango Bravo was worth all the anticipation. And my first try at baked spaghetti was a smashing success!!!

And just when I thought all the surprises were done, I got a gift from our very thoughtful neighbors Ate Shiela and their family, which were very pretty Kickers Sandals. I didn't know that they asked for my shoe size from Micah so I was really surprised, and so happy!

Thank you Lord for making my birthday celebration a blast!!! I hope to celebrate it with adequate sleep next year but whatever you throw in would be good, because I have complete trust that you know what makes me happy, and what works best for me:) After all, it may not always be my birthday, but you never run out of ways and blessings to pour out, to put the 'happy', and 'grateful', in each day. I'm looking forward to more of your surprises! Thank you for making each day a wonderful gift! I love you with all my heart, and I am yours forever:)

A Leap of Faith

On my 22nd birthday, I'm rewarding myself with a leap of faith.

And no, it has nothing to do with allowing oneself to fall in love (why it's the first thing that comes to mind is weird and unknown to me; but the good thing is, I'm not that predictable after all..haha:); and I don't think a boyfriend is someone who would qualify as a birthday gift.

I am talking about investing for my future. Yes, at this very young age of mine, on my first job at that, I've decided to get an insurance.

I've known about Sun Life since high school, having learned that Papa also has life insurance with them. I also usually accompany him when he goes to the bank and there was one time when I assisted him in paying for his annual fee. I knew it was an insurance company and I have been thinking of getting one since my office mate offered it to me, but saying yes wasn't in my plan for the year. Things changed however, when our neighbor, Kuya Manny Veluz, who, it turned out, has been a Sun Life Advisor for 3 years now, came to our house with complete powerpoint presentation and explained the plan to us. I agreed with it, there was no question about that. My concern though is whether I could do it- pay the annual fee for 10 years or more. I needed guidance, so like any decision I make in my life, big or small, I consulted it to God in prayer.

And the answer, the enlightenment I needed came with last Sunday's preaching. It is a challenge, but God has always been faithful, and we never lacked anything in our life with his constant divine providence that secures us and assures us that we will always have enough and more. With my salary to start with, it is truly a leap of faith; but nothing is impossible with God. I have also examined my predicament and I know it can be done. I just need to tap on my high financial IQ and be responsible with my resources, so help me God. I aim to balance saving with spending, without sacrificing our needs, and a little of our wants.  

10 years is a long time, and many say that 22 is too young, but the best time is now. I get to pay a lower premium and because I started early, I'll also finish early. For now, I guess I would have to rely on gifts to tick off the more expensive entries on my bucket list:)

I just realized how this birthday gift of mine reflects so much of my views about life, and my personality. Living in the here and now does not mean spending all your resources for whatever makes you happy. Even what makes us happy is relative. For others, it could be acquiring whatever catches their eye, or for some people like me, planning and securing the future for myself and my family, which brings a longer brand of happiness. But of course, it really all boils down to balance, and I have no plans of becoming a miser just to keep this up. My mantra since elementary has always been Phil 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

And my Lord has never failed me. Life is good, because He is good all the time.

Happy Birthday to me!

List of Loves

My 22nd birthday's coming up (weeeh!) and I'm so excited! The day I turned 21 didn't feel so special but I'm all hyped up for this one, I just hope and pray that it would be awesome! With that in mind, I decided to repost my random list of wants. It has been piling up but I have no problems with keeping up (wow rhyme). They will happen depending on how much I want them, who sees this blog, and God's will of course.

It's a weird combine 'em all list of wishes, dreams, things I want to get for myself, and experience in the years to come. Some of the things on this list are also items I used to have but now I don't. I really feel bad losing them so I'm keeping them here until I get to have them again. And of course, my all time favorite foods won't be missed in this list. Knowing myself, I'm sure this list's gonna be updated every now and then..haha...but I hope to scrap more, than add on to the list:)

A Camera and my own laptop :p

Comfy Footwear-Suelas! (finally got a pair!-August 10, 2011)

Artsy Fartsy Craft Materials- I already have some but there's no stopping with these things:)

Cookbooks of all kinds

A Night (or day) at Mercato!-why'd you have to be so far?:( - prayers answered with the now so near Mercato nights at UP Ayala Technohub:)

Max Lucado's It's Not About Me, and more of his books

Stand-out Albums-Hillsong, Nina Live, R2K, The Script

Luxury Train Travel (i dream big!)

Traveling!!!

Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie, Five People You Meet in Heaven

John & Stasi Eldrege's Captivating, Joshua Harris' Say Hello to Courtship

Awesome Kitchen Gadgets, Organizers, Containers, Baking wares and utensils! (not that I'm good at cooking, but I super wanna learn- more like aspiring to be dashizz in the kitchen:)

Yellow Cab Pizza, Chicken Alfredo Pasta, and Hot Wings! (without the hot...boo)- my tastebuds had a change of heart lately and I now love spicy!

Romance Novel Overload (Julie Garwood, Judith McNaught, Susan Elizabeth Phillips)- not a good idea to go back to reading these though

Sidney Sheldon's Tell Me Your Dreams

Wendy's Frosty :D

Shakey's Pizza Bianca & Mojos

Full body massage (love!)

Pringles Sour Cream & Onion

Harry Potter (all 7 books)

Victorinox Swiss Knife

Piano (gotta learn how to play one first though)

Forever 21 shopping spree!

Ritter Sport Hazelnut

Hershey's Cookies & Cream (Goya cookies & cream chocolate makes me just as happy!)

Toblerone White Chocolate

Cadburry Fruit & Nut

Kyocera porcelain knife :)

L.S. Series of Unfortunate Events

Chronicles of Narnia 7-in-1 book 

and there are a lot of things I want to try:)

-restaurants and desserts (mostly from homebakers I saw in dessertcomesfirst.com)

and like most girls around, I am in love with shoes:) and I like cute bags too!

there you go...till my next update!