Slowing Down...

I've been feeling "low batt" lately and I can only think of one reason for it: BURN-OUT.

I work more than 8 hours a day from Mon-Fri, I spend hours on commuting, I go to school on Saturdays (and sometimes even go to the office for OT work after classes), and nights at home are spent in front of the PC (either doing more work or writing term papers for school). Thank God for Sundays, but even then I still have to "force" myself to rest. I've become as workaholic as my Japanese bosses.

For the past three weeks, I've been feeling really weak and sickly that I had to go see a doctor. No serious findings (except for the usual allergy-related ones). That's when I realized that this maybe just the Lord's way of reminding me to SLOW DOWN.

So this week, I made a resolution to do just that... And more. I promised that I will take care of myself more again. I will eat better, exercise more, and sleep more. Last night I had a two-hours massage.

Today, a Saturday, I didn't go to the office (the first time in really long while). Although I went for a walk at the park this morning, I spent most of the day just bumming around the house. Hey, I even took a long nap after lunch.

And then I chanced upon this... Something I got from the email some 8 years back. So fitting for my new resolution...

“Be still and know that God is in control.”
-- Psalm 46:11

• Slow down. God is still in heaven. You are not responsible for doing it all yourself – right now.
• Remember a happy, peaceful time in your past. Rest there. Each moment has richness that takes a lifetime to savor.
• Set your own pace. When someone is pushing, it’s okay to tell them they’re pushing.
• Take nothing for granted: water flows, corn grows, leaves blow.
• Take your food. God gives it to delight as well as to nourish.
• Notice the sun and the moon as they rise and set. They are remarkable for their steady pattern of movement, not their speed.
• Quit planning how you’re going to use what you know, learn, or posses. God’s gifts just are. Be grateful and their purpose will be clear.
• When you talk with someone, don’t think about what you’ll say next. Thoughts will spring up naturally if you let them.
• Talk and play with children. It will bring out the unhurried little person inside you.
  Create a place in your home, at your work, in your heart… where you can go for quiet and recollection. You deserve it.
• Allow yourself time to be lazy and unproductive. Rest isn’t luxury; it’s a necessity.
  Listen to the wind blow. It carries a message of yesterday and tomorrow – and now. NOW counts.
• Rest on your laurels. They bring comfort whatever their size, age, or condition.
  Talk slower. Talk less. Don’t talk. Communication isn’t measured by words.
• Give yourself permission to be late sometimes. Life is for living, not scheduling.
  Listen to the song of a bird – the complete song. Music and nature are gifts but only if we muse, ponder, and mull.
• Make time for play – the things you like to do. Whatever your age, your inner child needs recreation.
• Watch and listen to the night sky. It speaks.
• Listen to the words you speak – especially in prayer.
• Learn to stand back and let others take the lead. There will always be new opportunities for you to step out in front again.
• Divide big jobs into little jobs. If God took six days to create the universe, can you do any better?
• When you find yourself rushing and anxious, stop. Ask yourself WHY you are rushing and anxious. The reasons may improve your self understanding.
• Take time to read – the Bible, poetry, great books. Thoughtful reading is enriching reading.
• Direct your life with purposeful choices, not with speed and efficiency. The best musician is one who plays with expression and meaning, not the one who finishes first.
  Take a day off alone; make a retreat. You can learn from monks and hermits, without becoming one.
• Pet a furry friend. You will give and get the gift of now.
  Work with your hands. It frees the mind.
• Take time to wonder. Without wonder, life is merely existence.
• Sit in the dark. It will teach you to see and hear, and taste and smell.
• Once in a while, turn down the lights, the volume, the invitations. Less really can be more.
• Let go. Nothing is usually the hardest thing to do – but often it is the best.
  Take a walk – but don’t go anywhere. If you walk to just go somewhere, you sacrifice the walking.
• When things are in chaos and you are in frenzy, ask yourself: “What is right about now?” Chances are you already know what’s wrong.
• Count your blessings – one at a time and slowly.
• Enjoy the slow flow of your life… There’s really no need to be in a hurry.

A Feel of Korea... in Baguio City

Ever since I became a Rain-fan, I've been dying to go to Korea... I've been saving up for a trip and checking on Rain's schedule (If I'm going to spend about P80-100k for a single trip, I might as well make the most of it by coinciding it with a big Rain-event in Korea). But alas, nothing has come up yet...

In my frustration, I opted for the next best (or at least the cheapest) thing to a Korean vacation. I went to Baguio. A friend told me that because of the cool weather at this time of the year and the ever-growing Korean population in this summer capital, one would have at least a "feel" of Korea in spring. Aaahh, when you're as crazy as I am, that should be good enough.
So, on March 7-9, I went up to Baguio with my Ate Ruby's family (husband, Nelson and kids, Neigel and Nadine). Spending for an entire family (especially one that's seemingly always hungry as theirs) on a weekend vacation is no laughing matter. But I should say, it was worth it. This family is probably the best to go on a trip with because they are so "mababaw" and so appreciative. They don't hide their amazement even at the smallest thing (like the "smoke", the kids were insisting, coming out of their mouths because of the cold). Everything is a "wow-moment" for them. Their excitement and enthusiasm are infectious. And they thrive on anything and everything free. So I, at least, didn't get short-changed at the hotel's buffet, not to mention the use of its toilet facilities.

Here's sharing with you some pics from our Baguio weekend...

On the road...

Baguio City at 13 degrees on a mid summer day... Sarap!

Exploring Burnham Park & Session Road by foot...We stayed at the Burnham Suites... Not bad at all...

The Yaps celebrating 10 degrees weather with a night-stroll... The Mansion, Camp John Hay, and Mine's View Park...
Is there any city in the Philippines without an SM Mall? At least their version is energy efficient - no airconditioning needed...On the way back home... Lunch at the "Isdaan" in Capas, Tarlac...

Let It Go...

At one time or another, we had all been dealt with life's blows. The choice is upon us to either sulk and dwell in our misery, or to stand again, dust ourselves up and move on.

Many of us are sad because we continue to hold on to our past. Another secret to happiness that I've discovered is to forgive - the past, people who have hurt us, and most importantly ourselves. Oh, it's not easy, I know. But it starts with that decision to at least try. And when you find yourself happy again, you'll look back with a smile, as you pat yourself on the back and say, "It's a good thing you let it go..."

CLOSING CYCLES
by Paolo Coelho

One always has to know when a stage comes to an end. If we insist on staying longer than the necessary time, we lose the happiness and the meaning of the other stages we have to go through.
Closing cycles, shutting doors, ending chapters - whatever name we give it, what matters is to leave in the past the moments of life that have finished. Did you lose your job? Has a loving relationship come to an end? Did you leave your parents' house? Gone to live abroad? Has a long lasting friendship ended all of a sudden? You can spend a long time wondering why this has happened.
You can tell yourself you won't take another step until you find out why certain things that were so important and so solid in your life have turned into dust, just like that. But such an attitude will be awfully stressing for everyone involved: your parents, your husband or wife, your friends, your children, your sister, everyone will be finishing chapters, turning over new leaves, getting on with life, and they will all feel bad seeing you at a standstill.
None of us can be in the present and the past at the same time, not even when we try to understand the things that happen to us. What has passed will not return: we cannot for ever be children, late adolescents, sons that feel guilt or rancor towards our parents, lovers who day and night relive an affair with someone who has gone away and has not the least intention of coming back.
Things pass, and the best we can do is to let them really go away. That is why it is so important (however painful it may be!) to destroy souvenirs, move, give lots of things away to orphanages, sell or donate the books you have at home. Everything in this visible world is a manifestation of the invisible world, of what is going on in our hearts and getting rid of certain memories also means making some room for other memories to take their place. Let things go. Release them. Detach yourself from them.
Nobody plays this life with marked cards, so sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Do not expect anything in return, do not expect your efforts to be appreciated, your genius to be discovered, your love to be understood. Stop turning on your emotional television to watch the same program over and over again, the one that shows how much you suffered from a certain loss: that is only poisoning you, nothing else.
Nothing is more dangerous than not accepting love relationships that are broken off, work that is promised but there is no starting date, decisions that are always put off waiting for the "ideal moment." Before a new chapter is begun, the old one has to be finished: tell yourself that what has passed will never come back.
Remember that there was a time when you could live without that thing or that person - nothing is irreplaceable, a habit is not a need. This may sound so obvious, it may even be difficult, but it is very important.
Closing cycles. Not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because that no longer fits your life. Shut the door, change the record, clean the house, shake off the dust. Stop being who you were, and change into who you are.

Hi, I'm Aqueh... and I'm an Addict

(Addicted to Rain, that is... Kekeke)

I was reading through entries in my prayer journal of a year ago and I had a very pleasant realization: WOW, I'VE BEEN HAPPY FOR A YEAR NOW! And as weird as it may seem to most, my euphoric state is basically because of this one Korean fellow named Rain.

Why? How? Let me count the ways...

1. He's an angel sent from above... My Sexy Angel Bi...
Feeling depressed at the start of the year and on my birthday in 2007, I was crying in church with an earnest prayer: "Lord, please send me an angel to turn my life around and get me out of this depression." A week after, an officemate lent me her CD of Rain. And lo and behold, there's my "angel" on the CD cover. My answered prayer...


It was my first time to hear him but I fell inlove with his music instantly. Another week after, the same officemate lent me her "Full House" DVD. I finished the 8-disc, 16 episode series in just 3 days. I just love everthing about the series. It made me happy. That, I would say, started my "Rain Addiction". I was hooked. So, the following week I watched his two other series, "Sang Doo" and "A Love to Kill". And from then, there was no turning back...

2. He keeps me smiling from morning till night...

I eat, drink, and breath this guy... Haha... I am so fascinated with him that just one look at his smile makes me smile...

And his beat and his moves keep my endorphines up... His music is perpetually playing in my ears (literally and figuratively)... My ipod is so full of his music (and any other music that has a connection to him). And now with my new ipod video, even his concerts, performances, series, and videos follow me everywhere. I think I'm the only person who actually enjoys the long commute and the endless traffic in the Philippines. Because two hours stuck in traffic is two more hours for me of Rain-listening and viewing. Hehe... Hey, just this morning, 30 minutes in the FX terminal line, I was the only one singing and dancing...

3. He's my "angel" who has brought me so many "angels" this past year...

Because of Rain, I've met so many new friends this past year, not only from the Philippines but from all over Asia and even the U.S. Rain connected us all. But getting to know them more, I've learned that we share a common passion not only for the artist himself but for life in general. (I don't know... It may be Rain's influence on us because that's how he is, living and doing things with so much passion.)

My "angels" have been keeping me smiling as well. From a simple e-mail to say hi or to share updates, to an invite to meet up and bond, to friends "Rain-hunting" for me from Korea to China to Japan, to receiving packages on the mail from all over of Rain items (DVDs, posters, calendars, magazines, etc.)... Thank you to ALL MY ANGELS... You know who you are...

The other day, I emailed my friend Amy in Malaysia that I am celebrating my First Year Anniversary with Rain... Yes, it is indeed worth celebrating for me to have known this guy... Very few people I know could say that they are truly happy in their lives... Maybe I should advice them to pray for an "angel"... And pray for a sexy one while they're at it...

40 Tips for a Powerful & Abundant New Year

Your beliefs become your thoughts.

Your thoughts become your words.
Your words become your actions.
Your actions become your habits.
Your habits become your values.
Your values become your destiny.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Here are 40 Tips for a Powerful & Abundant New Year!

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if youhave to.
3. Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to__________ _ today.'
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.
6. Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, qigong and prayer.They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foodsthat are manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and letnew flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years,will this matter?'
27. Forgive everyone everything.
28. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
34. The best is yet to come.
35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
36. Do the right thing!
37. Call your mother and father often.
38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: 'I am thankful for_________ _.' Today I accomplished_ ________.
39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

Christmas Wishing at My Age...

Before I get too busy with the hustle and bustle, let me usher in this season with my favorite Christmas song... Yes, as cliche as it may sound, this is...

My Grown Up Christmas List

Do you remember me
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies

Well, I'm all grown up now
And still need help somehow
I'm not a child
But my heart still can dream

So here's my lifelong wish
My grown up christmas list
Not for myself
But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
and wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown up christmas list

As children we believed
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath our tree

Well heaven only knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown up christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth
(there'd be)

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, oh
This is my grown up christmas list

This is my grown up christmas list