Such a girl!

Yesterday's success of finding "the dress" for Uri led me to take this photo with the 오빠들... I can't believe I've known these people for such a long time already and its 혁이오빠's first time in the Philippines!

Being with 오빠들 never fails to make me feel like such a girl.. I love them! 

Happiness all around! ^^ I love you my people!

Cheers to the freakin weekend!

I spent the whole of Saturday with Uri and Ate Jin. We went through rows and rows of wedding dress stalls in 168 Mall searching for the perfect dress for Uri's wedding. 

I'm so happy that she's back in Manila even just for a short time. Uri is the kind of friend that can bring me back to the old days... We would reminisce the kind of things we liked back then and the boyfriends she had back then. We also hungout around DLSU area which added to the effect of going down memory lane. 

Uri is one of the most special people in my life. She is a friend, she is family, she is love. Up to this day, I still can't believe that I met someone who is an exact match to my personality, temperament, beliefs, etc. She makes me so happy :) 

The whole Sunday was spent at Santa Elena with the riot of a family I have, Reby, Ruben and Alex. 

It was drizzling but didn't stop us from swimming nonetheless. 

Swimming with Lily and Mikel because their parents didn't want to swim.. We were pool babysitters. 

Had a great time talking to Ruben and Alex as well. A lot of intellectual conversation but at the same time a lot of dumb jokes which was just great. 

I never knew I could talk to Ph.D folks and actually understand what they are saying because I didn't think I'd be able to grasp their trains of thought but I did. Which is a feat in itself... We also read similar scientific journals... They are not as far mentally as I am, I guess. Haha

There were a lot of talks about how we should never stop learning and just be a sponge when exposed to situations which is one of my philosophies in life. Alex mentioned that he came here not expecting anything but being exposed to the GK way and the Enchanted Farm as well as Human Nature. He said he was so impressed in seeing something so tangible that he has never seen before despite spending time with so many other social enterprises and community development programs. They study positive psychology and its really something thats very interesting to me. He is in awe and I am in awe because I never realize the kind of effect what we are doing has on people.

It was a good day. Exceptionally good day for the totality of my being - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

I need more weekends like this :)

Early morning thought

And so this morning... As I was putting makeup and fixing my hair, a thought occurred to me. 

All I need in life is a person who would acknowledge how hard my life is but at the same time would listen and give valuable advice on how I can push myself to move on and move forward.. To think smarter. 

My life does not need anyone who would just tell me to stop, drop everything and quit and think that its THAT easy. 

I pray to God for that sort of creature to drop into my life. Someone who would complement me in that way :) 

No to Holly

I have this genuine dislike for Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's because I really don't think the image of women she portrays is right and to think a lot of women actually like this movie as well as her character. 

Despite that, I truly love this quote.

Too many road blocks and challenges nowadays and just grateful for the people that are there for me to keep me going and inspired. 

I am not exactly sure what's going on but I feel like I've been going through something lately. Something that I can't exactly explain what it is.  However, it feels that there's a certain coming of age that is happening.

I feel like I'm maturing, having more security in my abilities as a person. I am not saying that everything's in order right now.  I see all the areas of my life that I need to work on, but then again… There are things that are making sense.

Freedom.

People talk about freedom as if it's a destination… Something you'll gain when you achieve a certain level or leave a certain job or do some sort of great feat… But today I realised that freedom to me is just being able to appreciate what you have and making the most out of your situation.

Acceptance.

I am not someone who can just get up and go and leave the things that I do on a daily basis. Embracing the facts of my life - all the leaps and bounds, the standards and all it's limitations gives me a certain freedom.  Being happy with it and recognising the fact that I am living a good life full of rich experiences that slowly mold me and make me the person that I should be.

Decisions.

I make everyday decisions.  Decisions to not be side-tracked by certain things.  Today I made a decision not to get too affected and eaten up by a situation because as I analysed it in my head as well as felt what my heart is saying about it, they both told me it's nothing to worry about.  I am an overanalyzer but knowing how to curb my analyses gives me a certain freedom.

It feels strange. The feeling of God gluing me back together to become  a whole person.  It's strange, after being so broken for such a long time.

Gratitude. Honor. Love. All these for You, the One who made me.

current events

I can't help but be bothered about all the news that I see on Facebook and the internet nowadays.  To be honest, it's pretty scary.

I really don't know what to make of them.  It just feels more real that the end is really nearing.

I feel a bit worried because when I become bothered about certain aspects in my life, it just disarms me from doing my tasks at hand.  However, I know I need to remain steadfast now more than ever.

Let's remain faithful about God's plans in our lives and for our world.

Begin Again

I watched Begin Again last Thursday and up to now I still get a little emotional when I listen to the soundtrack.

I liked the movie so much that it made me get the full album OST on iTunes which has never happened before! 

I kept on crying while watching the movie even if it wasn't necessarily a sad movie. The whole Keira-Adam dynamic just made me remember how it was back when I was in love with someone for how many years and how you feel like you know the person so well, his ins and outs... But at the end of it all, you're just two strangers, with a past... Nothing connects anymore. 

I am over all that, it just pains my heart being reminded of it in the movie. Pain in my heart is not necessarily a bad thing. It's a reminder that I did share my heart with someone once upon a time. 

Sharing a verse from the song "Lost Stars"...

"Who are we? Just a speck of dust within the galaxy.
'Woe is me' if we're not careful turns into reality.
Don't you dare let all these memories bring you sorrow.
Yesterday I saw a lion kiss a deer.
Turn the page; maybe we'll find a brand new ending.
Where we're dancing in our tears...."

Vegan day 28!

Yay!!! I lasted! Well, I honestly think I can continue beyond 28 days on this plant-based diet :) 

Celebrated by having vegan Pinoy bistek at Pipino :D 

Vegan day 23

Dairy-free, meat-free and egg-free for the past 23 days. 

I'm able to go home and cook lunch again after a long time! 

I made a tofu stir fry which I seasoned with aminos, sesame oil and coconut nectar which pretty much tastes like teriyaki.

Super quick, easy and delicious. 

I wasn't the only one who thought it was good. Angie and Ate Wow even almost licked the serving platter clean. 

Success. 

21 days after

I haven't posted in a while... Its been such a busy season.

Just wanted to celebrate my 21st day today. 

One of the main reasons why I decided to go on this diet is to make my skin better and below is a photo of my skin after 21 days of eatinv plant-based food. 

It has improved a lot and all I've been putting on my face lately is our Balancing Toner and Overnight Elixir.  

I feel like I need to put less makeup nowadays and I'm happy about that.