New life...in progress!

What to do in 2012?

I am already thinking of what to do next year.

I hope GOD will allow me to correct everything I made wrong this 2011.

Starting today...I promise myself not to depend my future to anyone else. I almost throw my life for someone, yet he decided to leave me without notice. It hurts but maybe this was a way for me to see that I deserve much better and to have the best in life.

I'm not going to make any resolutions this year...but I have one promise to myself...that is treat each day as if it were my last, enjoy every moment and continue to stand still no matter what storm hits me!

I may fall in love again next year, definitely to a new man...someone who will love me for who I am and will be my confidant in everything.

I will start to study again, but maybe I'll shift my career temprarily. It is still in the office, but a bit different and I need to equipped myself in every knowledge and skills that I could get from this academy I'm aiming for.

Hopefully, after 4 or 6 months I will finally see my dream. I know and I feel that I am destined for something BIG. So in order to achieved that dream I have to work hard and put aside my pride to get what I wished for.

For now I have to take that tiny little steps that will lead me to my NEW LIFE!

This is the beginning...

hello!!!

I've been away for quite a while because I'm busy with work and most of the time I spend my spare time sleeping. Seriously, this is becoming a habit now...hehe

I had my first check up last saturday in MMC, the result turn out good and the doctor told me that everything is cleared though I still need to continue my "treatment" for one more week just to avoid any lapses. She's surprised because I had fast recovery, and this made me happy because this haunted me for months and I must say that all the pain is worth it. I could go on with my life now without any worries.

So as a gift for myself, I went to my fave salon for a manicure and pedicure, this time I chose a Revlon "wine" nail polish and it's so beautifuulllll.... ;)

This is just the beginning of all the beautiful things that will happen to me from this day foward. I've learned so much these past few months and its time to put an end to all the drama.

By the way, no more Facebook for me, its been 2 months since I decided to close my account because I chose to be more private this time. Yes, I'd like to still keep in touch with my friends but I guess I'll do it in the "real world".

Goodbye for now...till my next blog.

Ciao!

Training day2

I fall asleep for 15 minutes during the course of the training...good thing I'm sitting at the back and I don't have any seatmate.

All theories and little hands on makes be bored and sleepy....hehe

training mode

I went early to work today because of the  training.


The transition from one system to another is quite a challenge but I'm excited because all the manual and tedious work will be lessen tremendoulsy.


I must say that this new learnings help me appreciate more how efficient GSAP is and how effective it is to have the newest version of accounting software.

Love Notes

We all fall in love, and there are times that we love so much that we lose our self in our own emotions. More often than not we wonder why there are love that grows and love that grows cold. We would start to search for some answers, and try to find where love has gone wrong. But in the end, we find ourselves where we started. We cannot question love when it has its own reasons. Love will always be as it always has been… silent, mysterious, and deeply profound.

Many of us believe that love is forever, that love never dies, only to be dissolution in the end when we find our hands empty and our hearts longing. We have mistakenly have looked at love as a need to be fulfilled, but love is only a gift given to us… we should not hold it in our hands for we may never find the strength to let it go when it decides to leave. We should only embrace its warmth and glow while it lasts, and then freely open our arms when it’s time to say goodbye.

 

When we fall in love with someone, we don’t want that feeling to end, for it is everything we are and everything that we wanted to be. We pray that love will stay and grow in our hearts; but if it doesn’t then we should never let our life taken by it, for life should not end when heart ache begin. There is always a reason why we have to move on, when we say goodbye to the feelings we wanted to stay forever let us not wave our hands with a heavy heart, for love will have to set its wings free and find a place where it belongs. We may have lost it, but then again when we close our eyes and listens to the echoes of our hearts we will hear that feeling resounding silently forever – then we will know that it has never left us, for the good that we have become because of love. It will always stay, it will always be there reminding us that we should be thankful and happy not because we have lost love but because for once in our lives that feeling lived in our hearts and made us happy.

When we truly love someone we give our best and we let that person see the pureness of our intentions. But sometimes that person makes us cry and hurts us for the wrong reason. That person must have loved us, but he/she does not love us to make us understand what he/she truly felt. Now we faced a seemingly impossible task… forgetting. We have burdened ourselves long enough, but we still can’t get out of this emotional trap. Let us remember that the more we try to forget someone we love, the more painful letting go we become. Sometimes we never have to take that person out in our heart at all, for he/she will always be there, no matter how hard we drive him/her away. It isn’t his/her presence that makes this difficult, it is our stubbornness to accept our destiny that aligns forgetting next to impossible. We keep a cold face but deep inside in our heart, there is still that lingering hope for reconciliation. Somehow we still believe that we can rekindle small embers and relight the fire that once burn in our hearts. These thoughts give us hopes, but it also breeds the seeds of loneliness in despair. The only way to forget is to accept and the only way to move on is to look ahead and let the footprints of the past be blown by the wind of time… only then can our hearts can find a partner in the dance of life and hopefully never get lost. 

Goodbye letter for Honey!

Hi Honey,

I am writing to say goodbye.

Don’t get me wrong. You have made me happy by sharing yourself and your life with me. The memories will stay in my heart forever.

At the same time you have managed to keep my feet on the ground, always reminding me that my life is my own and no one else’s. You taught me how to fully comprehend what real love is and to make me see how two incompatible persons can actually become real friends and true lovers.

We dreamed together!

Laughed together!

Whenever I needed your comfort and strength, you were always there for me.

Our relationship has gone through a lot of things but we were able to weather the storms together, mainly because we knew how to properly steer the relationship back to its proper course.

I guess the only thing that went wrong is falling in love with you, and the accompanying issues of where this relationship is really headed to and the roles that we both play in each other’s lives.

No one is to blame. Neither you, nor me…maybe I’m just a victim of circumstances like you. And since the circumstances surrounding our relationship have changed, I don’t anymore know if I can handle things the same way I’ve handled them before.

Your presence and your help will not matter anymore. I have to heal my wounds alone.

I will miss you. I will miss you very, very, very much. I’m not as tough as I thought I would be. But I will try so hard to be strong… I do not want to do this but I must.

You told me time and again to expect the worse, or assume the worst, so that when the time comes I’ll be ready. But the expectations and assumptions are different to reality and I’m caught off guard.

I love you so much it hurts to say goodbye. But I am ashamed to admit that no matter how much I love you, no matter how deep my feelings already are for you, I cannot stay in the relationship anymore and fight for you, for us. What is there to fight for? A future with you which looks very uncertain? It is difficult to stay and fight when you don’t know what it is you’re fighting for.

I know and I acknowledge that I am fully to blame for everything. I was forewarned. I knew what I was getting myself into. I thought you could shelter me forever----that you would be careful this time and that I wouldn’t get hurt. But the carelessness on your end and too much snooping at my end seemed to be lethal.

You will forever be a part of my life, thank you for making me a part of yours. I will always remember you and the past months with a smile.

You have been the love of my life without me expecting it. Maybe when our paths meet again, the wounds are healed and we’re both happy.

I have to go now...GOODBYE!

Sound of a Broken Heart by Westlife

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDZ1o5cSsNY

In so many ways I tried to reach you
And I don't know why I couldn't get through
When I tried so hard to break your guard
Didn't know it would leave this scar
Leave this scar
Now I've made it this far
And the pain isn't over
But the sun keeps on risin'
And I keep getting stronger

I never thought that I'd survive you
But I will be free
And there'll be so many nights I gotta get through
But now I see

You'll never be the end of me, no
'Cause when my world fell apart
And I didn't know where to start
I heard the sound of a broken heart
(I still feel the pain)
I heard the sound of a broken heart
(It still beats the same)

When will the world start spinnin'? Yeah yeah
And what happened to my happy ending? No
Learning what it takes to turn this page
Didn't know how to walk away, walk away

Now I've made it this far
And the pain isn't over
But the sun keeps on risin'
And I keep getting stronger

I never thought that I'd survive you
But I will be free
And there'll be so many nights I gotta get through
But now I see

You'll never be the end of me, no
'Cause when my world fell apart
And I didn't know where to start
I heard the sound of a broken heart
(I still feel the pain)
I heard the sound of a broken heart
(It still beats the same)

And I won't stay down
I know my heart's still beating
'Cause I hear the sound tellin' me I'm alright
Tellin' me to move on

I never thought that I'd survive you
But I will be free
There'll be so many nights I gotta get through
But now I see

You'll never be the end of me, no
'Cause when my world fell apart
And I didn't know where to start
I heard the sound of a broken heart
(I still feel the pain)
I heard the sound of a broken heart
(It still beats the same)

Still feel the pain for you
Still beats the same
Still feel the pain for you
Still beats the same
Still feel the pain for you
Still beats the same

HE did it...AGAIN!!!

I did not opened my facebook account for a month now...the main reason is...I don't want to check his account. Lets face it, the temptation is so strong and I am not yet 100% ok. BUT...I'm trying to move forward, deal with the pain and forget everything.

Again, my insticts are working today....I opened my FB and there it is...one friend down... he deleted me in his friends list. He's so immature. Honestly, I knew this would happened but not so soooon!

I'm just sad that it had to end this way!

Now I have no choice but to let you go.

This is it!


No turning back!


No regrets!


They say time heals all wounds...lets see!


They say everything happens for a reason...though I just can't see it now, I m hoping that when that time comes, I could finally say, "thank you for letting me go"


For now, I hope this song will help me get through this dark path faster.


When the Last Teardrops Falls
by Blake


It's so hard to lose the one you love
To finally have to say goodbye
You try to be strong but the pain keeps holdin' on
And all that you can do is cry
Deep within your heart you know it's time to move on
When the fairy tale that you once knew is gone

[Chorus:]
When the last tear drop falls
I'll still be holdin' on to all of our memories
And all of what used to be

When the last tear drop falls
I will stand tall
And know that you're here with me in my heart
When the last tear drop falls

So now I'm alone and life keeps movin' on
But my destination still unknown, oh yeah
Will there be a time when I'll fall in love again?
When I was meant to walk these streets alone
If there was just one wish I could be granted here tonight
It would be to have you right back by my side

Now it's time for me to find my happiness again
And the emptiness from missin' you
Will never ever end, baby


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB1xS0UqtHo

Pole Dancing!?!?

This is the reaction I got from my friends when I told them that I’m planning to enroll for pole dancing class.

But I really wanted to try this type of dance.

Based on Wikipedia:

“Pole dance is a form of performing art; a combination of dance and gymnastics. It involves dancing and performing acrobatic tricks with a vertical pole and is an increasingly popular form of fitness and dance, practiced by many enthusiasts in gyms or dedicated dance studios. A wide range of amateur and professional competitions are held in many countries around the world.

“Pole dance requires significant strength, flexibility and endurance.”

“Proper pole dance involves athletic moves such as climbs, spins, and body inversions. Upper body and core strength are required in order to attain proficiency, and rigorous training is necessary.”

“Pole dance is now regarded as a recognized form of exercise and can be used as both an aerobic and anaerobic workout. Recognized schools and qualifications are now common”

Sounds….F.U.N!!!!

Dancing is not my forte…that’s why I don’t volunteer myself whenever there are dance presentations in the school or even here in the office.

But pole dancing caught my attention, not only because I’ve seen Ciara Sotto’s 22” waistline, but I find it challenging. To tell you the truth, I’m a bit bored working out in the gym. That’s why I invite one of my friends for a run every Sunday in Ayala Triangle. Hopefully this will materialize. I need to shed some pounds before the year ends and to achieve my target waistline of 26 and target weight of 118lbs.

Good luck to that!!!

I’m taking this one step at a time. Let’s see how I will progress in a month, and then I’ll add pole dancing in my weekly schedule. AJA!!!

The Story of Pencil

A boy was watching his grandmother write a letter. At one point he asked:

 ‘Are you writing a story about what we’ve done? Is it a story about me?’

 His grandmother stopped writing her letter and said to her grandson:

 ‘I am writing about you, actually, but more important than the words is the pencil I’m using. I hope you will be like this pencil when you grow up.’

 Intrigued, the boy looked at the pencil. It didn’t seem very special.

 ‘But it’s just like any other pencil I’ve ever seen!’

 ‘That depends on how you look at things. It has five qualities which, if you manage to hang on them, will make you a person who is always at peace with the world.’

 ‘First quality: you are capable of great things, but you must never forget that there is a hand guiding your steps. We call that hand God, and He always guides us according to His will.’

 ‘Second quality: now and then, I have to stop writing and use a sharpener. That makes the pencil suffer a little, but afterwards, he’s much sharper. So you, too, must learn to bear certain pains and sorrows, because they will make you a better person.

 ‘Third quality: the pencil always allows us to use an eraser to rub out any mistakes. This means that correcting something we did is not necessarily a bad thing; it helps to keep us on the road to justice.’

 ‘Fourth quality: what really matters in a pencil is not its wooden exterior, but the graphite inside. So always pay attention to what is happening inside you.’

 ‘Finally, the pencil’s fifth quality: it always leaves a mark. in just the same way, you should know that everything you do in life will leave a mark, so try to be conscious of that in your every action’

Source: Like the Flowing River by Paulo Coelho

 

Problems = Blessings

May times, we act like eigth-year-old kids when problems come our way.

We fuss, fume and frown at the daily difficulties - not knowing that a few years later, many of these problems will become our greatest blessings!

(Bo Sanchez - How to be Really Really Really Happy!)

Box of Chocolates

Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.

being strong...

It's fun being strong.

You feel invinsible, like you can face anything that comes your way.

But you know what sucks being one?

It's when people know that you're strong and they think it's okay to hurt you.

A Carrot, An Egg and a Cup of Coffee

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil.. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently.. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting... However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

"The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches."

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

simple pleasures for my nails...

Last saturday, I went to Going Straight Salon at Robinsons Pioneer to get my nails done. It's only 10:30am and I am second on the list, so instead of waiting...I went for a quick grocery.

After 20 minutes, I'm back and Ate Jenny start attending to my nails. I chose french tip and the new "sexy pink" nail polish. Here's the end product:

(classic and chic)

(sexy pink)

Bucketlist#1: Pilgrimage to Israel

I think I need a vacation!!!

It has been a roller coaster ride for me and I am now longing for a long vacation and rest. But where?...when?...

I was transferred to a new team and my boss told me that long vacations are discouraged because of the critical activities that need to be completed this year. Transition from one system to another and the change in the organizational structure is the total meaning of “critical” for me.

I accepted the new role because I thought I will be in “cloud nine” forever, and that no matter how difficult the work is, I will still be happy because I have him. Have you experience the feeling that you can face and handle anything and no one can ruin your day…that is because you’re happy and you’re inspired…you’re in love!…I was like that five months ago. But…I made a mistake.

Moving on…..

Yesterday, I received an email about the pilgrimage to Israel that Bo Sanchez is organizing for February 2012. I inquired about the details but I was shocked to know that the cost would be $3000 + more.

OMG! Where can I get money for this? Attending a pilgrimage to Israel is one of my “ambitious” dreams, given the chance and the resources; I’ll definitely enlist myself for this.

These days I could barely survive with the amount of salary I’m receiving from being a corporate slave and it seems impossible for me to achieve this dream of mine yet.

But I’m not losing hope…I still have 6 days to go before the first installment. I pray that GOD sends me an angel who could sponsor me on this trip. If only HE will it to happen, I believe it will happen.

For the meantime…I think saving some of my money would be a good choice for now…just in case, this trip will materialize.

I may be crazy for thinking it might happen…but hey, it’s my dream…and I’ll think and do whatever it takes to make it happen, so help me GOD.

Purpose Driven Life - The Greatest Advice by Rick Warren

Don't date because you are desperate.
Don't marry because you are miserable.
Don't have kids because you think your genes are superior.
Don't philander because you think you are irresistible.

Don't associate with people you can't trust.
Don't cheat. Don't lie. Don't pretend.
Don't dictate because you are smarter.
Don't demand because you are stronger.

Don't sleep around because you think you are old enough & know better.
Don't hurt your kids because loving them is harder.
Don't sell yourself, your family, or your ideals.
Don't stagnate!

Don't regress.
Don't live in the past. Time can't bring anything or anyone back.
Don't put your life on hold for possibly Mr. Right.
Don't throw your life away on absolutely Mr. Wrong because your
biological clock is ticking.

Learn a new skill.
Find a new friend.
Start a new career.
Sometimes, there is no race to be won, only a price to be paid for some of life's more hasty decisions.

To terminate your loneliness, reach out to the homeless.
To feed your nurturing instincts, care for the needy.
To fulfill your parenting fantasies, get a puppy.
Don't bring another life into this world for all the wrong reasons.

To make yourself happy, pursue your passions & be the best of what you can be.
Simplify your life. Take away the clutter.
Get rid of destructive elements: abusive friends, nasty habits, and
dangerous liaisons.
Don't abandon your responsibilities but don't overdose on duty.

Don't live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your family.
Be true to yourself.
Don't commit when you are not ready.
Don't keep others waiting needlessly.

Go on that trip. Don't postpone it.
Say those words. Don't let the moment pass.
Do what you have to, even at society's scorn.

Write poetry.
Love Deeply.
Walk barefoot.
Dance with wild abandon.
Cry at the movies.

Take care of yourself. Don't wait for someone to take care of you.
You light up your life.
You drive yourself to your destination.
No one completes you - except YOU.

It isn't true that life does not get easier with age.
It only gets more challenging.
Don't be afraid. Don't lose your capacity to love.
Pursue your passions.

Live your dreams.
Don't lose faith in God. 
Don't grow old. Just grow YOU!

When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back.
Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give to
someone is your time.
Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is
T-I-M-E because the essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves


God is good all the time!

I MIss You...

I miss you when something really good happens,
because you're the one I want to share it with.
I miss you when something is troubling me,
because you're the one who understands me so well.
I miss you when I laugh and cry,
because I know that you are the one that makes my laughter grow,
and my tears disappear. I miss you all the time,
but I miss you the most when I lay awake at night,
and think of all the wonderful times that we spent
with each other for I know that they are all we will ever have anymore... memories.

Missing you isn't the hardest part, it's knowing that I once had you that kills me.

I wish I had the guts to walk away from what we had.
But I can't because I know you wont come after me, and thats what hurts the most.

After I wake up from dreaming about you,
I have the biggest smile on my face.
Then it quickly fades away because I realize that it
was just a dream and you're not really mine anymore.

And so I would choose to be with you, if the choice were mine to make...
but you can make decisions too, and you decided we needed a break.
And because I convinced myself I love you, I let you go...
But I will be right here waiting, just to let you know.

I'm trying really hard not to cry over you because every tear is
just one more reminder that I don't know how to let you go.
Forget the times he walked by, forget the times he made you cry.
Forget the times he spoke your name, remember now it's not the same.
Forget the times he held your hand, forget the sweet things if you can.
Forget the times and don't pretend, remember now he's just your friend.

A million words would not bring you back,
I know because I've tried.
Neither would a million tears,
I know because I've cried.

Give blood. Give life.

One of my birthday wish is to be able save someone by donating blood, but the timing is off so I decided to wait for the right time.

And then it came...last week one of my close friend texted me if I knew someone who has type A+ blood because her mom will undergo some operation, I was thrilled because I knew this could be it. I replied to her that I am a possible donor and I'll meet her the next morning in the hospital. She gave me all the details and after that I prepared myself.

Here's the timeline of my experience as first time blood donor: 

• 10:00am     Arrival at the hospital
• 10:30am     The nurse handed me a confidential form for me to fill in
• 10:45am     I was instructed to go to the industrial medical service department for the   physical exam.
• 11:15am     I passed the physical examination and the doctor told me that I'm fit to donate..now back to the blood bank!
• 11:30am     I fall in line again in the blood bank room and submit the form back to the nurse.
• 11:45am     Nurse got a sample of blood in my left arm, and the truth is,  both the rubber and the prick hurts. Well, I have to endure it...its for a cause...=)
• 12:00nn      The nurse came back and told me that I passed the 1st screening test; but I still have to wait for 2-3hrs for the result of the 2nd screening test. According to her this will determne if I'm positive to HIV and/or Hepa...quite scary huh! But I understand  them, because we have to protect the receiver...the purpose is to save them and not harm them.
•  12:20pm    I went to the nearest mall to take my lunch and found myself in...where else...Jollibee!..beeeeee....hehe...Kidding aside, I am very nervous, I hope I passed the test. I really wanted to do this. 
• 1:00pm      After lunch I bought some fruits and decided to go back to the hospital and visit my friend's mom first. She just celebrated her birthday and she told me that her only wish is to be cured and go home. Some of their relatives are there and we talked and laugh while watching TV.
• 2:30pm     I bid goodbye to them and went back to blood bank to check the result.
• 2:45pm    The nurse told me that I passed the 2nd screening test....yipeee!!!...thank GOD! My wish is granted and I could help my friend's mom.
• 2:50pm     I sat at the lounge chair and the nurse started the procedures at my right arm. The needle is scary though, but the nurse is good...because I didn't feel anything while she's inserting the needle. She gave me a rubber ball to squeeze in every 5 seconds. I'm not scared now, I even check the flow of my blood and I took some pictures.
• 2:58pm     The 500cc blood bag is full and as soon a she removed the needle, I felt dizzy. I was instructed to sit for at least 10 minutes and they gave me water to drink. My right arm looked pale, but after 10 minutes I could see it going back to normal.
• 3:20pm     I'm done...so I texted my friend that I'm released at blood bank and on my way home. I'm hoping for her mom's fast recovery
• 4:00pm     I'm home! The procedures at the hospital took a while but it's all worth it!

Helping is a divine feeling. I would like to do it again, maybe after six months if I'm healthy. Below are some of the shots that I took:

Here's some information about blood donation for your reference (taken at Red Cross website):

Who can donate blood?

You can donate blood if you…
- Are in good health
- Are between 16 to 65 years old (16 and 17 years old need parents consent);
- Weigh at least 110 pounds;
- Have a blood pressure between: Systolic: 90-160 mmHg, Diastolic: 60-100 mmHg; and
- Pass the physical and health history assessments.

Preparation before donating blood1. Have enough rest and sleep.
2. No alcohol intake 24 hours prior to blood donation.
3. No medications for at least 24 hours prior to blood donation.
4. Have something to eat prior to blood donation, avoid fatty food.
5. Drink plenty of fluid, like water or juice.

Steps in donating blood1. Have your weight taken.
2. Register and honestly and complete the donor registration form.
3. Have your blood type and hemoglobin checked.
4. A physician will conduct a blood donor examination.
5. Actual donation--the amount of blood to be donated (either 350cc or 450cc) will depend on the donor's weight and blood pressure. It usually takes 10 minutes or less.
6. A 5 to 10 minute rest and plenty of fluid-intake are necessary after donation.

What to do after blood donation?
1. Drink plenty of fluid, like water or juice.
2. Refrain from stooping down after blood donation.
3. Refrain from strenuous activities like:
a. Lifting heavy objects;
b. Driving big vehicles such as bus, trucks, etc.; or
c. Operating big machines.
4. Avoid using the punctured arm in lifting heavy objects.
5. Apply pressure on the punctured site and lift the arm in case the site is still bleeding.
6. If there is discoloration and swelling on the punctured site, you may apply cold compress for 24 hours.
7. If there is dizziness, just lie down with your feet elevated. Drink plenty of juice; and in just a few minutes or so, it will pass.

Connecting the d.o.t.s...

Yesterday, I received my first daily message email from Bo Sanchez, to my excitement I shared it to my friends in the office. And I am sharing it here as well:

To my surprise they didn't quite agree with me on this one. They said that it's difficult to follow, your hurt..hello!?!?. And according to them I am just fooling myself. One even ask where can he buy "happytudes".

I agree with them that its hard...maybe they said that because they knew I just got into a break up situation, for them I must be crying and sad right now...bitter in short...instead of having this positive aura I have right now.

YES! I still cry. YES! I am still sad. Come on! I love the guy. I love him so much that I am willing to give my life to him. I am willing to throw my dreams away just be with him. I am willing to have a baby though we are not yet married. I am willing  to wait for him no matter how long and how heartbreaking it is because he will always be out of the country due of his work. But maybe something happened with him that he didn't wanna share with me...and he left me...with nothing...with more questions....more doubts...and more tears...I am so tired of being sad always, of being lonely everytime I wake up. I wanted to break free...I miss smiling. And to achieved that I wanted to divert my mind and energy to a more meaningful and happy way. And to be just  grateful to all the blessings that I have right now. I realized we have to appreciate what we have right now otherwise we might lose also without even noticing it.

I remember on our first break up, I am always sick. Every month I go to the doctor for check up and medications because something is always wrong with my body. My work was greatly affected...poor performance I must say! I am emotionally, psychologically, physically, financially and spiritually stressed then and I don't want to go through that again. Honestly, I like to be an inspiration to all those people who is and who will be in my situation right now. Let's stand up! And face the reality that it's over and move forward. The road may be dark now but sooner or later we will see sunshine. Life it beautiful!

I read an article before about life's pie chart. According to that article, we should know how to incorporate everything in that pie chart in a way that we could live a balance life. This is done so that whenever we fail on one part, we still have the other parts to hold onto, and that broken piece will be the only portion that needs repair. Yes, some it is broken but not the whole pie...we could still stand up and start new.

And It will happen if we maintain a "happy attitude". This will be my challenge to myself...I pray that GOD will guide me as I go through this journey...and I'm hoping that someday my friends will realized why I choose to be what I am right now. And as I continue, I wanted to keep a positive outlook in life...as this phase will be the start of my great new LIFE! A life that I am offering to GOD. Amen!

"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith."-Steve Jacobs

God Knows Best

Our Father knows what's best for us,
So why should we complain--
We always want the sunshine,
... But He knows there must be rain--

We love the sound of laughter
And the merriment of cheer,
But our hearts would lose their tenderness
If we never shed a tear...

Our Father tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow,
He tests us, not to punish us,
But to help us meet tomorrow...

For growing trees are strengthened
When they withstand the storm,
And the sharp cut of a chisel
Gives the marble grace and form...

God never hurts us needlessly,
And He never wastes our pain
For every loss He send to us
Is followed by rich gain...

And when we count the blessings
That God has so freely sent,
We will find no cause for murmuring
And no time to lament...

For our Father loves His children,
And to Him all things are plain,
So He never sends us pleasure
When the soul's deep need is pain...

So whenever we are troubled,
And when everything goes wrong,
It is just God working in us
To make our spirit strong.

Live each day with LOVE

Life is a constant process of growth and change.
Each day is a miracle filled
with new discoveries and challenges.
... Some days bring hurt and disappointment also,
but these, too, are challenges,
and as you grow and change
you learn to handle them with more ease.

Growing older means growing in experiences,
growing in courage and compassion,
growing in love, and growing in strength.
Growing older means changing your life to make it meaningful to you,
changing your attitudes, and staying flexible about everyday living.

Life keeps getting better as long as you have a positive attitude.
Remind yourself of all the things you love about life,
stay in touch with your loved ones and friends,
and do what your heart tells you to.
Your tomorrow will always bring you good things
if you live each day with love.
 

And God Said No by Claudia Minden Weisz

I asked God to take away my pride. And God said “No”.
He said it was not for Him to take away, but for me to give up.


I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. And God said “No”.
He said her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience. And God said “No”.
He said patience is a by-product of tribulations. It isn’t granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness. And God said “No”.
He said He gives me blessings, happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain. And God said “No”.
He said suffering draws me apart from worldly cares and brings me closer to Him.

I asked God to make my spirit grow. And God said “No”.
He said I must grow on my own. But He will prune me to make me fruitful.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. And God said “No”.
He said He will give me life, that I may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me love others, as much as he loves me.
And God said “Ah, finally you have the idea!”

Novena to Gods Love

Lets start our day by saying a prayer to GOD:

Today, I receive all of God's love for me
Today, I open myself to the unbounded, limitless, overflowing abundance of God's universe
Today, I open myself to Your blessings, healing and miracles
Today, I open myself to God's Word so I would become more like Jesus every day
Today, I proclaim that I am God's beloved, I am God's servant, I am God's powerful champion.
And because I am blessed, I will bless the world in Jesus' name. Amen.

And because I am hooked up by Bo Sanchez's "The Feast", I'd like to share with you this prayer so that that we will both be blessed by GOD.