New Beginning

Goodbye Tahanan....

HELLO Hillsborough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!=)

Living in the NOW

I am seriously looking forward to Jan 2008 because of a lot of great things that are bound to happen. Like my new job, though I haven't signed the job offer and the probationary contract yet, and the Landmark Forum.

Last night I had a blast with Karmi, Derek and Marco. Marco invited us to his pad in Makati, which I've been making him kulit ever since I found out he had this amazing rooftop view. So Derek and I brought wine, us four ate dinner in Bravo, then after that we stayed on the rooftop's helipad. I can still remember that, despite the scary height, the 360 degree view of the Makati Skyline is really breathtaking at night. I kinda minded the pollution hovering the air though haha I quickly took a shower once I got home! Anyway, we had wine and Marco brought his trusty SLR and tripod so we took pictures of ourselves sipping wine and having a great conversation. It's as if we were in a tarmac. I really loved it--the lights, the buildings, the lighted big Santa Ana Racetrack, the fireworks over the horizon.. Amazing view, great company. I had so much fun.=)

Yesterday while driving to Makati I was thinking and praying to God about letting me increase my territory so I can touch someone's life that day. After talking to Karmi that night, I realized that God answered my prayer. He talked to Karmi through me, or rather, He talked through me to Karmi for me. I said all that I wanted to hear from Him. The message was to be patient, evaluate concrete actions and do not be preoccupied or dwell on people or things that I want for now but maybe is not really for me. There are greater things in store for me. So I make it my life's commitment to ask for His supernatural Blessings and miracle in my life everyday.=)

Today I got struck by His Message while reading the Prayer of Jabez: my wants are secondary to my now acknowledged need which is His Plenty, His Blessings, His awesome grace which I cannot begin to fathom and which He alone knows.=)

So I am asking for His bountiful blessings for my life. I am not gonna ask for a mere cup over the edge of the river to sustain me for the day. What I will do every single daw is to ASK for His Blessings and jumped in the river! I know He will Be With Me. =)

And this is my life...
Your will Lord, whatever it is, whatever it takes. No day but today.=)

December 26, 2007

Yesterday I went to ATC with a friend who I haven't seen for 8 months. We decided to go to Town and do our usual wala lang hang in the mall gimik. We were just walking around and then we went inside Powerbooks as part of the usual stuff that we always did before. I was breezing through the shelves when I saw these semi-unclean little copies of this book sitting there on the corner of the self help books. In this little book that anyone can easily ignore bore the words of this ordinary man named Jabez:

Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil.
1 Chronicles 4:9-10

The Prayer of Jabez.

I don't think I've mentioned to you that I've been meaning to buy this book ever since I heard the prayer from Pauline during our Karis Retreat. Such an ordinary man, but what an EXTRAORDINARY BIG prayer. I BELIEVE that the book literally jumped out of the shelf, begged me to buy it, and promised to be the most wonderful gift HE could ever give me during Christmas Day.

I BELIEVE it changed my life. I was teary eyed while I was reading it last night. I found out that Our Father's nature is to bless if only we'd ASK. Friends, I want to be blessed, and I want to be blessed with specific opportunities. I want to increase my territory by asking Him to expand these opportunities in such a way that I would make an impact in the lives of more people for His Greater Glory. I know that all these opportunities are or will be so big and it will overwhelm me, yet I know that He would be with me. I acknowledge my dependence on Him. This is not my work but His, through me He will be great.=)

To be MORE for HIM...no day but today.

Amen.

Once again, Merry Christmas! I wish you happiness that is real and an exciting life.=)

Love love,

Len

"And this Christmas will be...a very special Christmas for meeee.........."

Before I end 2007 with a loud loud bang, I just want to take the time to be still and recall all the wonderful things that I got so blessed with this year. REALLY, it has been one smashing year and I would like to thank every single person and event that touched and blessed my life.

-(tried) French – check!
-movie premiere sponsorship
-one Gawad Kalinga activity
-LSS
-the SE13 weekend
-went to HK twice! One in April and one in July….I am so going back this July 2008.=)
-went to Bora and spent time with my family
-went to Ilo-ilo twice and to Cebu for the first time. I like Cebu but Davao is still up there.
-my friends from way way back…my tagteam partner who constantly and consistently puts things into perspective and who always ALWAYS reminds me to go ‘Back to Basics’…what a simple and uncomplicated life that we all possess =)
-my COT
-my SE friends especially my closest ones…
-MBA fair…at least now I’ve got things into perspective re MBA.
-my Ateneo family '
-my job opportunity! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!
-my siblings…I have no half siblings. All of them are close to my heart.=)
-Bo Sanchez…his works are amazing. Thank you for letting me learn a lot and thank you especially for reminding me that my self worth does not depend on other people’s views about me but my self worth (body image and self image) really all depends on how I LOVE MYSELF and in knowing that I have the Amazing God who loves me completely and unconditionally. I need nothing more.=)
-to Dove’s campaign for real beauty…I AM BEAUTIFUL.=)
-my Pmeinz Family. This surely taught me a lot!
-all the past experiences (with potential significant others supposedly) that made me grow and are instruments for letting me become who I am now…especially the people who made themselves involved. Thank you for touching my life…I surely did learn something. You guys are all my friends. Nothing is lost according to my friend, at the end of the day I gained a friend.
-my Parents who love me dearly and who supported me every step of the way.
-My decision - a tough one but I know that every kind of growth involves risk. This decision to get out of my comfort zone and try it out into the unknown realm is pretty challenging yet super exciting! I will truly welcome the breath of fresh air!=)
-My family. Thank you for believing in me before I could believe in myself. You truly are very wonderful and a source of strength…I feel like I can do anything and be who I can be and reach my fullest potential with you guys around.=) Conquering the world here I go!
-My God. Thank You for letting me get to know You more…I look forward to every day with You and getting to know You and being more like You…

Amazing what can happen and how I have evolved in just one year, with this I cannot wait to march on to 2008 equipped with all the learning that I have gained from the past years.
Ready? YES! Fasten your seatbelt...It's gonna be a great 2008!

And this is my life...no day but today. =)

Good vibes to everyone this holiday season!
Salut! Joyeux Noel! Cheers!=)

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to everyone! God Bless.=)

Monday (the) Morning (after).

Nothing gives a girl a fresh surge of energy than a hot cup of cappuccino on a monday morning...mmmm...I need to get a nice dose of it before I kick off. Yep! I'm gonna be productive today.=)

Anyway, the weekend that passed was very pleasant. Although I had a hangover yesterday (whoa never had an HO for the longest time), it was nonetheless very nice, and as I quote my friend "it was one for the books."

I had an epiphany. I just mistook everything. Remember my last post about being ALL IN? Apparrently, I realized that I'm not into him. I prayed about it, and for some magical reason He let things unfold in front of me. God is really good. I have no regrets. I'm really grateful because I let Him do His work, and I observed myself, my reactions, my feelings, what I think, etc. while giving it a chance.

I may not be making sense in articulating how I feel in this journal, but I really feel that it is all making sense to me now.

Nothing can make me kick my shoes off, start anything that I am supposed to be doing but left unattended coz of my confusion, but a nice dose of Clarity.=)

As for me, after 4 years and counting, I'm still going to wait for the fireworks and lightning...while seeing the person clearly, not just superficially. I'd be a little careful though with living prophylactically and doing fire prevention coz I might miss my OTL.=)

Great Monday to everyone! God Bless.

You earn your living by working, you earn your life by giving. - George L. Graziadio

Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different. - Oprah

Disturb me, Lord, when my dreams come true, only because I dreamed too small. Disturb me when I arrive safely, only because I sailed too close to the shore. Disturb me when the things I have gained cause me to lose my thirst for more of You. Disturb me when I have acquired success, only to lose my desire for excellence. Disturb me when I give up too soon and settle too far short of the goals You have set for my life. Amen. -Author Unknown

I need to be reminded...

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for You." 1Thess 5:16-18

I am on the verge of dousing the fire. But I have to get myself together. Everytime I sense the over-analyzing reflex starting again, I pray. And I guess I was reminded. I really want to see what's going to happen in the future. So each day my mindset is going to be: Let's see what will happen tomorrow, for sure it's gonna be better. Whatever happens, I believe that this is His Will for me. So I am giving it a shot. I am letting go, I am letting God.=)

Yup, one day at a time.

Theo 131: Love involves the Will. Love is a desire of sufficient intensity that is translated into action; it is both an intention and an action. It implies CHOICE - we choose to love.

***
Haay...saw Greenbelt this morning, the boys were putting Christmas lights already. I'm so excited for Christmas, such a happy season, my favorite part of the year. Now I wonder what's going to happen to me this Christmas.

2 am

For the past couple of months, I’ve been eating in CYMA twice a week on average. But for some reason I was there for FOUR times this week. The waiters probably figured that I really love their food, despite the lousy reservation service and the long line of waiting whenever I go there. So tonight is a special night, CYMA asked for my name FOR THE FIRST TIME and then surprised me and my friend Rica by giving us a free desert. It’s this really warm chocolate cake, molten on the inside and served with ice cream (ala mode), caramel syrup, and a hefty sprinkle of confectioner’s sugar for that final touch. I tell you it’s divine. The infusion of flavors inside my mouth when I first had a taste of it…hmmm….heaven…

Wish I had a cam with me so I could’ve shared a photo. But my dad lost our trusty Sony 5.1 megapixel black digicam last Sunday in Universal Studios. Heck.

So here I am on my bed, connected in the cyberspace and writing my thoughts at 2 am. Sigh. If anyone can have an opportunity to open my mind and take a good look inside, you’d probably notice that the wheels of this well-oiled machine are working overtime. Yes…I think I’m becoming an expert in this Fire Prevention Program that I’ve employed since 2004. The skills are enhanced in every experience, but I know, deep down, that in every disappointment is the HOPE that it’s going to be BETTER the next time around.

I wonder how many ‘next times’ there will be, and how many fires will I have to contend with.

What I really want to do, if you may ask, is to park all these rules and SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

You think I should go for it? Who says YES?

So this is officially a spontaneous sober declaration of my semi exhausted mind (and probably heart…)

ALL IN.

PS: I wonder if I should believe in it whenever I do this. I might change my mind in the morning, when the wheels are revved up and in tip top condition again.
We’ll see.

On blind spots

Probably I knew all these things all along but I refuse to face it. I feel comfortable with what my beliefs are at the moment. I feel that if this thing that I have created will be somewhat shaken, I know for sure that I’d be able to handle it. However, I don’t know if I’d be ready, or if I want to.

I know I can, but I think I refuse to at the moment.

I need a paradigm shift.

My life is really, really good. Yet I must admit that I need to do some tweaking of my own. I love the fact that I live a happy disposition. I’m pretty content with what I have right now, my family, career, friends, they’re all great.

The wind on my face, the adrenalin rush, that feeling of ‘pagkahulog at pagtataya’ according to Azada. I think that’s what I need.

I need an adventure. Maybe I’d go somewhere soon.=)

Things I wanna do with my life.

1. Learn a new language. Particularly FRENCH. Je Suis un etudiant de langue Francaise.
2. Go to Paris and live there for a year.
3. Travel hop! See all 7 wonders of the world.
4. Learn to cook. Je Suis Gourmand.
5. Continue this healthy lifestyle advocacy...why not? It's the wellness era darling.=)
6. Learn to dive and try that Tubataha place.
7. Create a foundation for little kids.
8. Teach a management elective in Ateneo JGSOM.
9. Ride a helicopter, the new jumbo airbus and boeing 787.
10. Study Interior Design in Europe.
11. Get a Master's Degree.
12. Try something nouveau in Hong Kong, like going to Fong.
13. Eat in Serendipity Tree.
14. Visit the Pope.
15. Attend the World Youth Day.
16. Do a Marian Pilgrimage.
17. Smell the flowers in Central Park.
18. Swim in some beach in Australia and Brazil.
19. Watch The Phantom of the Opera.
20. Go to Alay ng Puso and spend time with the kids there every December.

to be continued...

I CANNOT get enough of CYMA. Delicieux!

I know I need to get my act together, I shouldn't be distracted. But c'est vendredi and I just can't help it! Great Lunch. Kudos to CYMA and it's friendly staff for giving the much needed endorphins a girl could ever ask for.=)

By the way, have you ever tried "cruising" along skyway or SLEX on a Friday night? It's nightmareISH I wanted to cry. Quoting Anne: "Ang pula pula ng daan."
Hillsongs saved me from my anguish though. That's always a good thing, being patient while driving.

My friend inquired earlier why I changed my blog from stealmysunshyn to this. I was thinking of a deep philo answer but I can't make the wheels in my head turn so I opted for the truth, I forgot my password.=p & another thing, it felt like it wasn't me talking anymore (while I was reading the old posts the author seemed like ...well... not me) so I decided to create something that is more close to who I am now, like a (close) snapshot of a particular moment in my life. Hence the birth of Et C'est Ma Vie (and this is my life).=)

Well there, c'est tout!

Great day so far. I wonder what's in store for moi tonight.

Ciao for now!

Bon jour mes amis! Je parle francaise. =)

For weeks now (chaque mardi et judi) I've been leaving my desk earlier than usual and heading in Alliance francaise de manille. For some reason I wanted to learn something noeveau, and heck it really is new alright!

I love it. It's a beautiful language.

Anyway, every now and then I get a little affected when people leave. My co-marketing associate left me a few weeks ago, TMs leave, managers leave, people leave. I am not against career changes, developments and what have you, don't get me wrong. It's just that, I get affected somehow. I know I have to toughen up coz it's a reality of the industry. Nevertheless I can't help but feel like sighing...

It's really gloomy when I think about it. The thing that makes me happy though is that I know this happens for a lot of good reasons, we need to sift through the dirt to see the gold underneath right? Huh? haha well I just have to be optimistic.

Anyway, I am so glad a lot is happening in my life right now. I have my SE family with all our never ending activities, errands for the new house (yes we're building a house! In a few months I'll be like "J'habite a Hillsborrough..."=p) and yeah, my current job.

My job. I know I have to be greatful...I really should. (" Oh Lord, please grant me the grace to be more greatful....")

*sigh*....still can't help it, what can I say?

Ciao for now!

EGR Alert

Geez.

I never know i can be this fickle! for days I've been on a high because i felt a career clarity. but in one swift mood switch the world suddenly turned gray as i realized i wanted to achieve so much more. those are days when i feel like im back in high school again, rebelde days against my parents for holding me by the neck, which i don't think they make me feel intentionally but nonetheless...

great. my sister is accumulating TONS of money in her job. oh goodie. i wanted to do the same thing but i never wanna work for the money. i wanna work for my passion. i thought it was interior design. but just the mention of meters and CAD (good grief long hours of CAD! no. freaking. way.) and i suddenly wanted to turn my heels and sit back on my deskchair and bury my face on the piles of pending work that i have taken for granted, due to my being an emotional whack coz of....

haha ESTROGENS!

you got that right. it was THAT time of the month. nothing else.

i'm back to being my old marketing self once again my friend.

i am so back.

thank goodness.

Thank You God for the grace. I needed it.