tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16799749045814863232024-03-18T21:47:36.561-07:00Celebrate joy!Join me as I celebrate joy found on the everyday things like food, travels, books, faith and relationships.
Philippians 4:4Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.comBlogger337125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-31396186536736137332024-03-18T21:46:00.000-07:002024-03-18T21:46:37.025-07:00On Grief<p>What a March! <i>Parang first quarter palang, bugbog na tayo.</i>.. I don't know if it's just within my sphere, but there have been so many losses, grief, sickness, and unexpected things happening these past few weeks... Huhuhu, I feel you guys...</p><p>Just a week after Dennis' dad passed away (it was so sudden), we had to rush Ciara to the hospital because she had a seizure, we were confined for 4 days before we got discharged... And now, we are all nursing a really bad flu... It's emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausting, to say the very least.</p><p>But the bittersweet truth is, life goes on. And it does not wait for anyone...</p><p><i>Minsan gusto ko nalang tumulala at matulog. Ikaw din ba? So hinga muna tayo nang malalim, then exhale... </i></p><p>These days, I'm learning more and more about grief...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5j70NT86O1aB1LL0VHdbfypMm0X5NkmwIcJJbSMIHf5fkbIjTjcJNuKFsRVCLN2rnHd9pKKops7_rks6Xjf1rK431aDnLDJhfNhxdEOAytX2cV4bQSkPSgcwGRejKur1w6HbGd_rcvblzhDz1qGY0U7DFwdOcAw5RV64TnyQmZTfPF41IlIv2jOpgkY/s713/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-19%20at%2012.44.55%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="713" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5j70NT86O1aB1LL0VHdbfypMm0X5NkmwIcJJbSMIHf5fkbIjTjcJNuKFsRVCLN2rnHd9pKKops7_rks6Xjf1rK431aDnLDJhfNhxdEOAytX2cV4bQSkPSgcwGRejKur1w6HbGd_rcvblzhDz1qGY0U7DFwdOcAw5RV64TnyQmZTfPF41IlIv2jOpgkY/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-19%20at%2012.44.55%20PM.png" /></a></div><p><b>Grief is like a dark cloud that follows you wherever you go. </b>It hovers even on your busiest day, it's just there, and you know that if you just dig a little deeper and take a moment to stop, it will wash over you and seep into your soul.</p><p>So we avoid it.</p><p>We walk and then break into a sprint just to keep the thoughts from coming and drowning us.</p><p>We run the hamster wheel with much gusto until there's no space left for grief to take over.<b> But it finds its way nonetheless. It makes its presence felt in the tiniest crack and crevice of space and time. </b></p><p>But we're stubborn, so we push it away, further and further down because there are so many things left to deal with... There are exams to study for, there are bills to pay, people that depend on us, obligations to do... We don't have time for a good cry or a free day just to process things. </p><p>And grief will give us that, it will hide itself because it feels that it is never invited...</p><p>A week will pass, a month, maybe even years... but like a ghost, it comes back to haunt us...</p><p>Then we break down, in tears, in shame, in guilt... we thought we were okay, but we're not.. </p><p>Whenever I remember my unborn baby, my heart still aches and I get teary-eyed when I think about that time... I realize that grief is not a destination you get to and graduate from... I know this truth: I will NEVER NOT be sad whenever I remember my baby... I will NEVER NOT wonder whether she was a girl or a boy and what she would grow up to be like if she survived... And that's okay, I've made peace with that... <b>I've come to know how grief and joy are interspersed beautifully when they are woven together. </b></p><p>We do life in such a way that grief and joy come from one and then the other, and when we are not so determined to separate them, that's when we realize how grief is not so bad... and how joy certainly comes to those who mourn and experience loss.</p><p>So let the tears come. Allow yourself to wallow in that pile of tears to release your sadness and longing... give yourself the time and space to think of what ifs and ruminate regrets until grief becomes a friend... until it sits with you and wraps itself around you, and when you have come to embrace it, then that's when it will slowly let go...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhuZ4A148Hi74adj8uHsDhjGgWyIlT7Hdo0r22eXdEkfIePPSRmpdPx6b2LoH9RXIr2TpThwEJcb2YOVBcj0vkF5YHqDs-Usu-97uNIVYUJrkwKM7qsThYR4uECCvRtMBkWZsJWFLCr0brILZ5Yy2ZG6VdCBnODnBPt1UBntZvCwu9WL0AzpTGHyIeC4/s580/psalm%2030%205%20verse.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="580" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhuZ4A148Hi74adj8uHsDhjGgWyIlT7Hdo0r22eXdEkfIePPSRmpdPx6b2LoH9RXIr2TpThwEJcb2YOVBcj0vkF5YHqDs-Usu-97uNIVYUJrkwKM7qsThYR4uECCvRtMBkWZsJWFLCr0brILZ5Yy2ZG6VdCBnODnBPt1UBntZvCwu9WL0AzpTGHyIeC4/s320/psalm%2030%205%20verse.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-11470594876538568792024-02-28T20:35:00.000-08:002024-02-29T23:55:19.077-08:00When Things Don't Go According to Your Planner (Hello, March!)<p><i>Kung gaano katagal ang January, ganun naman kabilis ang February!</i> Did you feel that, too?</p><p>Now, we are going on our 3rd month into the year, and looking back, a lot of the things that I was hoping for didn't go exactly as planned.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT41qPhubhMo92kZqcGU_1gV9bmyv-XC1-YmBLOF32qCd92GT9rzOyG1zQvzOnzpSfN_dSPYE_ThHzsojfFlAZHumomMnBo9D5AwcvCY2OFGuEwpKKiHUM7tFXduDY1J-gYz_D5nIAVZCy2VawSYiqDFSSMBbu-7zVsLsi7fIY0PzDDhvLf5utTbE71_g/s1800/0-02-06-5826cf90c6fb6d8a9ab2cd37085e0b5e15013468fe4e27666fb9a14f0c1a94e7_1c6dbba14adfa0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT41qPhubhMo92kZqcGU_1gV9bmyv-XC1-YmBLOF32qCd92GT9rzOyG1zQvzOnzpSfN_dSPYE_ThHzsojfFlAZHumomMnBo9D5AwcvCY2OFGuEwpKKiHUM7tFXduDY1J-gYz_D5nIAVZCy2VawSYiqDFSSMBbu-7zVsLsi7fIY0PzDDhvLf5utTbE71_g/w300-h400/0-02-06-5826cf90c6fb6d8a9ab2cd37085e0b5e15013468fe4e27666fb9a14f0c1a94e7_1c6dbba14adfa0.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>As I'm writing this, Ciara woke up and decided to join me and wrote this:</p><p>]</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>=]=]</p><p>]</p><p>o[</p><p>]</p><p>Haha! Gusto din nyang mag-hello! So that's a case in point of things not going according to plan. Of course, all moms know that truth by heart. There's your plan, and then there's your baby's plan. And their plans always prevail. Ha!</p><p>So going back, this first quarter, I am reminded to hold things a little more loosely.</p><p>There are a number of things that I was looking forward to this year that didn't pan out. Maybe it's not a total NO in God's book, maybe it's a NOT YET sort of thing... but still, I felt frustrated and disappointed.</p><p>But God gave me a picture of two things: </p><p></p><blockquote><p>...Of water flowing</p><p>...Of a bamboo swaying with the wind</p></blockquote><p><b>...Of water flowing</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAYybfJ9-sppGd-lIUvigNZTtONO3YgRyvsBTuwQLGaEy6nlOEkjtEMstBvwom__WsnHDccP9fk0CirIzPsikKALRQBzSdX2EzIHlMfMMhwsW8mQ1Lo0NIfcrAxBsF94BRArirCNVpkKNAOieiNdjg1Us-haLZyXJO-gu5AICsCHGGQbfUy9UHPmdw4A/s800/E7740162-Water_flowing_from_pipes.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAYybfJ9-sppGd-lIUvigNZTtONO3YgRyvsBTuwQLGaEy6nlOEkjtEMstBvwom__WsnHDccP9fk0CirIzPsikKALRQBzSdX2EzIHlMfMMhwsW8mQ1Lo0NIfcrAxBsF94BRArirCNVpkKNAOieiNdjg1Us-haLZyXJO-gu5AICsCHGGQbfUy9UHPmdw4A/w400-h268/E7740162-Water_flowing_from_pipes.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>You know how sometimes water would gush out and sometimes it would just trickle? If you're trying to fill a bucket with water, it would probably take you an hour to fill it to the brim with just drops of water from a faucet, but when water is gushing, it would already be overflowing in just a matter of seconds!</p><p>God was telling me that sometimes I have to wait it out... and just as He guides me in the right direction, it is also He who would direct my flow or the pace on how I do things..</p><p>There are things that we are waiting for as a family, we already know the direction that God is pointing us to, but it's taking years in between when we received the word to the fulfillment of that promise. Do you also have those things? Those promises that God gave you years ago, but as to when that will happen, only He knows! Well, just like the water, go with His flow... Don't miss out on the journey, don't belittle the process.. because there is joy in those too.</p><p><b>...Of a bamboo swaying with the wind</b></p><p>I love myself a good ol bamboo, but being a Filipino, I feel like every school textbook has put the coconut tree on a pedestal. Lol! Like it's the glorious coconut tree with its unlimited uses and resourcefulness, that kind of trumps every other plant on the planet.</p><p>So for this one, let's put the spotlight on the bamboo. Woot woot!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrUg1apgeBR0rGamLPlpvQkHzvZWUqeT-3wfjmVAPkkb_yVa7-O7PqTuq__cCevwAiu2V9c6sRT8JldiaAy3RPrVO3qqOpbSEoNus_1UXgEk1k-qBqzliGIWy3xcTXpyWyJT4X7DwloKaovuFIu4guWu_kav2or6NBrBFBas6iI9pDsU5hpa7IsO-mEw/s996/green-bamboo-is-swaying-wind_927851-3322.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="996" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrUg1apgeBR0rGamLPlpvQkHzvZWUqeT-3wfjmVAPkkb_yVa7-O7PqTuq__cCevwAiu2V9c6sRT8JldiaAy3RPrVO3qqOpbSEoNus_1UXgEk1k-qBqzliGIWy3xcTXpyWyJT4X7DwloKaovuFIu4guWu_kav2or6NBrBFBas6iI9pDsU5hpa7IsO-mEw/w400-h266/green-bamboo-is-swaying-wind_927851-3322.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Take note, not just a bamboo but how it moves and dances with the wind. I remember what Dennis would tell me whenever we would go for a climb, <i>"ung kawayan pwede mong kapitan yan. Kasi matibay yan, di basta basta mababale...</i>" Well, I knew that a bamboo was quite sturdy, but I just didn't how much.</p><p><br />To copy Kuya Kim's voice in <i>"Alam mo ba?"... "Alam mo ba gaano katibay ang isang kawayan?"</i></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><blockquote>Bamboo is extremely strong. It has a tensile strength of 28,000 pounds per square inch, surpassing steel. Moreover, it’s 2-3 times harder and stronger than most hardwoods, like oak and maple. It has an impressive strength-to-weight ratio!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> - <i><span style="color: #666666;">Source: <a href="https://woodworkly.com/is-bamboo-strong/">Woodworkly</a></span></i></span></blockquote><span class="Apple-converted-space"></span><p></p><p>Bamboo is also virtually fire-proof because of the silicate acid that it has, and it is the fastest growing plant. Odiba! Syempre nagresearch din ako to write this post and it just amazes me just how truly amazing a bamboo is. So it's practically fire-proof, strong, and flexible. <i>Wow! Parang gusto ko nalang atang maging bamboo!</i></p><p>So I felt that God was telling me..</p><p></p><blockquote>I will keep you strong, just remember to follow where the wind blows as I am the wind. I will make you flexible, just be still and surrender to my heeding. I am making you grow, but it is only I who know when the season for growth is and the season to wait...</blockquote><p>Yesterday, I was going through my planner and I came across pages where I jotted plans there but didn't pushed through. I also just received an update from my sister that daddy finished his 2nd session for chemo the other day. </p><p>I felt a wee bit sad but then I remembered those two images: water flowing and bamboo swaying... <b>and I know that there are still so many things that God is doing in the background that are not in my planner...</b> While it's good to have these things that we are hoping for written down on papers, it is His hopes and dreams that needed to be etched in our hearts and minds. </p><p>And <b>we will only discover these things and find joy in them when we loosen our grip in our own plans, and allow Him to work on and through His plans for us.</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVt9qeZ0DelrxUvXqLT4LxPsoYIt1YhQa0X6OBREAfLUa0WnVv7skgHX1ot2AjZ0iRK2hqFXBuTy2h379ssbU9INkoho9yU3jdw5UeXTIR2f4UsLvGRWI3MutXEpTcaqdTFGI9R3q1lmJ2CfWSW49ghtnoiTSydAVSjNP3kWHXuXFcqUENTS5QzdVijFo/s1795/0-02-06-49971bc5e6d51f45bc4a893a443760ab8c24bbddb9586bd6218bb9ffcb7c9def_1c6dbba14a4eeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVt9qeZ0DelrxUvXqLT4LxPsoYIt1YhQa0X6OBREAfLUa0WnVv7skgHX1ot2AjZ0iRK2hqFXBuTy2h379ssbU9INkoho9yU3jdw5UeXTIR2f4UsLvGRWI3MutXEpTcaqdTFGI9R3q1lmJ2CfWSW49ghtnoiTSydAVSjNP3kWHXuXFcqUENTS5QzdVijFo/s320/0-02-06-49971bc5e6d51f45bc4a893a443760ab8c24bbddb9586bd6218bb9ffcb7c9def_1c6dbba14a4eeb.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #444444;">Just like Baby Ciara chillin' with the flow ;)</span></i></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><i><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #666666;">Photo credits:<br />https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/181245/view/water-flowing-from-pipes</span></i></p><p></p>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-50880743284738158242024-02-28T19:02:00.000-08:002024-03-07T19:38:57.062-08:00It's Always a Yes Unless It's a No<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“It’s always a yes, unless it’s a no.” I heard this one parenting advice that will make parenting more worry-free and less stressful.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIVuwc4f9Ytih2LNBOLeCfBRbD8b9VyYN5jU-RvN58qRqUV6cLxbcAxQO3aL9ajDAJtrfYGY1oyEjDm6N7LbbjRbbmK-RUq0ekL-aGH0nn4REMoiZh9e0pBEeV4Ws_5nq52CBboCo4EyPJ_VUQE6nYMB8gISW0NumvS-yMlBUDmesL0RfNKW7lMXk3BY/s2048/Ciara.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIVuwc4f9Ytih2LNBOLeCfBRbD8b9VyYN5jU-RvN58qRqUV6cLxbcAxQO3aL9ajDAJtrfYGY1oyEjDm6N7LbbjRbbmK-RUq0ekL-aGH0nn4REMoiZh9e0pBEeV4Ws_5nq52CBboCo4EyPJ_VUQE6nYMB8gISW0NumvS-yMlBUDmesL0RfNKW7lMXk3BY/w300-h400/Ciara.jpeg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If they want to take a bath in their swimsuits, go ahead.</span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If they want to run across the field with only their nappies on, go run!</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If they want to say hello to every single person at the grocery store, go at it! <span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="👋" class="xz74otr" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tfa/1/16/1f44b.png" style="animation-name: none !important; border: 0px; object-fit: fill; transition-property: none !important;" width="16" /></span> </span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If <span style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>your one-year old wants to take a bite of the french fry of her big sister, just let her have it. <span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="🍟" class="xz74otr" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t5c/1/16/1f35f.png" style="animation-name: none !important; border: 0px; object-fit: fill; transition-property: none !important;" width="16" /></span> </span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If your three-year old wants to sleep every single night with her newfound toy, no problem! <span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="🧸" class="xz74otr" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t23/1/16/1f9f8.png" style="animation-name: none !important; border: 0px; object-fit: fill; transition-property: none !important;" width="16" /></span> </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If it’s not going to harm them or hurt anybody, just say yes. <span class="x3nfvp2 x1j61x8r x1fcty0u xdj266r xhhsvwb xat24cr xgzva0m xxymvpz xlup9mm x1kky2od" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="🙌" class="xz74otr" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tfd/1/16/1f64c.png" style="animation-name: none !important; border: 0px; object-fit: fill; transition-property: none !important;" width="16" /></span></span></div></div>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-71982737396213868692024-02-26T19:31:00.000-08:002024-02-26T19:31:02.258-08:00I'm Back!<p>Hello, everyone!</p><p>It's me. It's been a long while, I know, my last update was when I announced that I was preggo with our rainbow baby!<br /><br />Ciara just celebrated her 1st birthday, and Sophia just turned 4. I have been missing writing so here I am, making up for the lost time by picking up my digital pen and blogging again. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLA34cUvSrrDy2wSQ_dGEKwmqTheIuIU7_uIbntVgU2ADGulu97V9-ZwMJvXFFKfYxe2ZL6GuwhLn1qd6G2LPcyi5B0sEu65pEu9se2eF9L6ytvvncFu0VE3d2PqxH2Lkg4w5sX_CSvMAc20Jg71zYl6s2qAN078ATTq_55NvRHAWo3udziY9I7bdqL1o/s1800/me%20and%20ciara.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLA34cUvSrrDy2wSQ_dGEKwmqTheIuIU7_uIbntVgU2ADGulu97V9-ZwMJvXFFKfYxe2ZL6GuwhLn1qd6G2LPcyi5B0sEu65pEu9se2eF9L6ytvvncFu0VE3d2PqxH2Lkg4w5sX_CSvMAc20Jg71zYl6s2qAN078ATTq_55NvRHAWo3udziY9I7bdqL1o/w320-h400/me%20and%20ciara.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Chunky Ciara at 6.5 months</i></div><p>Do people still blog these days? I don't even know... lol! Lahat ata naka-reels and youtube videos na. But all I know is that writing is the oldest friend I have relied on ever since I was a kid. It has been my companion and comrade when I am feeling down (<a href="https://tjbuena.blogspot.com/2021/07/we-lost-our-baby.html">like when I found out we had a miscarriage</a>), happy (<a href="https://tjbuena.blogspot.com/2018/11/getting-married.html">when I got married</a>), when I need to reflect, or a space to gush over how pretty awesome the world is (<a href="https://tjbuena.blogspot.com/2020/06/japan-series-mount-rokko.html">first time in Japan</a>). So sana may magbasa parin, and I hope that this space will be able to make you smile and encourage you.</p><p>So sa dami ko nang sinabi, eto nalang... some photos of my fam to catch you up!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_H0j90qftEQfk1ZSdXob1xxhNz88iHvHLoTOrV7im83Wz0N_ujxHE0wurZULyWP3ZArwQ_SHH2zjm5x8KXWg48LxL2CZ9z63wmWY9CDEsEuF8clpnmonwdwxDAAq_RntWDp-pj3cQYFK5p_NfsTLrBMKEV_4E4dv04WZoRY7ZxgOFQ1D5d_CGApCZA9g/s2048/cabilla%20fam%202.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_H0j90qftEQfk1ZSdXob1xxhNz88iHvHLoTOrV7im83Wz0N_ujxHE0wurZULyWP3ZArwQ_SHH2zjm5x8KXWg48LxL2CZ9z63wmWY9CDEsEuF8clpnmonwdwxDAAq_RntWDp-pj3cQYFK5p_NfsTLrBMKEV_4E4dv04WZoRY7ZxgOFQ1D5d_CGApCZA9g/w400-h300/cabilla%20fam%202.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PzyWQ_mia_Ohw09wDjKeSppswvdPyof0-bSnkzZuiJdNDrM0gReHzUBVweBF69O1YlpzfDZKAq2Ovwerm2_gMSo1eXOTdmP-wY6us3gaRqObHjUVouT6yasOVCvz7hybMft2oSWdbB7n9QhGwpFmJYWKOYHRcxk1KJc_jFwQrpdokm5iqRxwkAPIb4Q/s2048/cabilla%20fam%203.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PzyWQ_mia_Ohw09wDjKeSppswvdPyof0-bSnkzZuiJdNDrM0gReHzUBVweBF69O1YlpzfDZKAq2Ovwerm2_gMSo1eXOTdmP-wY6us3gaRqObHjUVouT6yasOVCvz7hybMft2oSWdbB7n9QhGwpFmJYWKOYHRcxk1KJc_jFwQrpdokm5iqRxwkAPIb4Q/w300-h400/cabilla%20fam%203.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiylAp5JpphkfGeHcZFF8EXSc_3On07jqlqulakblqYCNq9a_3zg8uTA7AXQ76Ilg59X1mBi5LpVHZegKFCWzkESzaWR-MftsI4j7NIDL-xr_I-GfFMy2Vvgqv7C7gmJrQvTiAveL7hRLyu7dP_v11M3hFV10IV6l3oRUCNa2VlCY0knTFBDIthps7Kh0/s1344/Cabilla%20Fam.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="1344" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiylAp5JpphkfGeHcZFF8EXSc_3On07jqlqulakblqYCNq9a_3zg8uTA7AXQ76Ilg59X1mBi5LpVHZegKFCWzkESzaWR-MftsI4j7NIDL-xr_I-GfFMy2Vvgqv7C7gmJrQvTiAveL7hRLyu7dP_v11M3hFV10IV6l3oRUCNa2VlCY0knTFBDIthps7Kh0/w400-h400/Cabilla%20Fam.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>PS: I promise to write again next week! Mwa mwa tsup tsup!</p>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-52168519414318793572022-09-12T18:40:00.002-07:002022-09-12T18:40:47.513-07:00Little Bundle of Joy on the Way!<p> Hi everyone! Wow, buhay pa pala ako! Lol!</p><p><br /></p><p>Anyway, so my last post was March and today is September 13, and guess what? I am 6 months pregnant as I type this... SURPRISE! Well, we announced it when I was 8 weeks pregnant and we just wanted to make sure that the baby is fine and had a heartbeat already before we officially announced... but yaaaay!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE48C5LVvBw1gXYZCLqZfUCz-Xv5mPDujHH4HimatbvRsaoKfjOVI44_8BKuF_OiWcNGXV9StrtqXjze0A5DcyD8EcC1bbekMjRz1mkLtWCehkfQ7C_jeLv1Je8j5M9kAFXbE_gZvE5zCs91bTPM4SxsdtKXaHTaQ5PsF0mkMWwoxaTxUOAOVKU-WD/s1800/0-02-06-2f07e5cff7c3b381faccf577f24e5afbe73cf45dd278f6fd794a59058785ed22_1c6dada3d4c3b3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE48C5LVvBw1gXYZCLqZfUCz-Xv5mPDujHH4HimatbvRsaoKfjOVI44_8BKuF_OiWcNGXV9StrtqXjze0A5DcyD8EcC1bbekMjRz1mkLtWCehkfQ7C_jeLv1Je8j5M9kAFXbE_gZvE5zCs91bTPM4SxsdtKXaHTaQ5PsF0mkMWwoxaTxUOAOVKU-WD/s320/0-02-06-2f07e5cff7c3b381faccf577f24e5afbe73cf45dd278f6fd794a59058785ed22_1c6dada3d4c3b3.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP4lTw_1nUJVqPux46ZlW7kttYe3MtgaMzRahVIZ9COF1eNfGXRIrJ-dEfX6na1a9tPUM31eA9UdI1E-2RFZSgWvnMO9hq_87rHkgJ3zvOvE-AqfmwHJ-raVmrkRF9RPM-D5q2D0wQWiEKWeLIvVvA0e6yhvr9JYXRfWCo0ZQwTnR8qDgdc8Wu237/s1800/0-02-06-6009381e988a1675b7d174928aa87b0edc451139008daf6998f190afe692ef02_1c6dada3d4e6b8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP4lTw_1nUJVqPux46ZlW7kttYe3MtgaMzRahVIZ9COF1eNfGXRIrJ-dEfX6na1a9tPUM31eA9UdI1E-2RFZSgWvnMO9hq_87rHkgJ3zvOvE-AqfmwHJ-raVmrkRF9RPM-D5q2D0wQWiEKWeLIvVvA0e6yhvr9JYXRfWCo0ZQwTnR8qDgdc8Wu237/s320/0-02-06-6009381e988a1675b7d174928aa87b0edc451139008daf6998f190afe692ef02_1c6dada3d4e6b8.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVo_tVG-swus4CYmyWX1AFaVA502ej77D9CrPgTeUddEwFS0Cmc5mIcO3xAa6ElCapF9qQ6XKq_h8eb7xU4BhZFldnY--Bw9-wr6JvURz1yw0UgRDnZjqwSh1oaA3Y0-R74jIxpPePT8wczH4SrP3ObBt9qOxrjX9gTFcTGwWnjgsvNHpZhqMSpPJ/s1800/0-02-06-faccd50f0c429f88983a2f546a13b794b41907909013951904ad7594f9b1ce08_1c6dada3d4c378.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVo_tVG-swus4CYmyWX1AFaVA502ej77D9CrPgTeUddEwFS0Cmc5mIcO3xAa6ElCapF9qQ6XKq_h8eb7xU4BhZFldnY--Bw9-wr6JvURz1yw0UgRDnZjqwSh1oaA3Y0-R74jIxpPePT8wczH4SrP3ObBt9qOxrjX9gTFcTGwWnjgsvNHpZhqMSpPJ/s320/0-02-06-faccd50f0c429f88983a2f546a13b794b41907909013951904ad7594f9b1ce08_1c6dada3d4c378.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Sophia making the announcement... hihi</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><p>Of course, everything is happening so fast... my tummy is so big, it's definitely bigger now that when I had my first pregnancy with Sophia. Although they say that that's normal, that usually tends to happen in your succeeding pregnancies because your stomach has already expanded.</p><p><br /></p><p>So I am just 6 months pregnant but I feel like I am already in my last trimester, and I get comments on how big my tummy is when people see me these days. I can't even wear maternity pants without them sliding off my belly so my oversized shirts and maternity dresses are my best friends these days.</p><p><br /></p><p>I am just babbling right now, and this post is really more of an update about how life has been lately so let's see where this post goes. But man, did I miss writing! I missed writing here and I miss jotting down my thoughts... I have been writing, don't get me wrong, as a freelance social media manager, I am faced with content every day... but it's different when you write with no agenda or not because you are after some output... Anyway, I hope you are able to do the things that you love, too!</p><p><br /></p><p>Here is a quick snap of our baby girl's last ultrasound, you can see how much she looks like Sophia!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZIuxWiyhKS-xXELYyBh1ZUwIQfU7EZmE9LU5UJec9tHFMOLbDZ0EGTRacnsDfD5poy0gT0dQE7xu_81xS0dUoC1lhjKJPEml9-D7Z_BS1iX-nuUCMo2lvYrmFBiOH60RVV_jDiCOIowhohPGITAlDHVogmDnmWGYIjXmGJJ-IfnP1HyAnh6VBfWJ/s1536/0-02-06-1cfbb9463c3e38dccefb6b9728093272e2dccf9b7d734d9f72940d0cc091d04e_1c6dada3d11805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZIuxWiyhKS-xXELYyBh1ZUwIQfU7EZmE9LU5UJec9tHFMOLbDZ0EGTRacnsDfD5poy0gT0dQE7xu_81xS0dUoC1lhjKJPEml9-D7Z_BS1iX-nuUCMo2lvYrmFBiOH60RVV_jDiCOIowhohPGITAlDHVogmDnmWGYIjXmGJJ-IfnP1HyAnh6VBfWJ/s320/0-02-06-1cfbb9463c3e38dccefb6b9728093272e2dccf9b7d734d9f72940d0cc091d04e_1c6dada3d11805.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Sabi nung iba twins daw, siya po yung nasa kanan. Unanan ko po ung nasa kaliwa :P</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><p>We have been telling Sophia that there is a baby inside my tummy so she can have her expectations set as the weeks go by, and I think now that my tummy is bigger she can see the possibility that there is another human being inside! During the first few weeks, I don't think she could fully wrap her mind around the fact that there is a living and breathing human being inside my small tummy.. but now she would kiss my tummy and pat it and say, baby sister...</p><p><br /></p><p>I think she will be a great big sister! Although there are times I worry if she would feel bad when my body would be tied with her little sister, especially during the little one's newborn days... But a momma friend told me that while you physically attend to your newborn's needs, you also have to emotionally fill the cup of your older kids by spending time with them and involving them in taking care of your newborn baby.</p><p><br /></p><p>So I hope I get to still smother Sophia with love when this little bundle of cuteness comes out. I am just reminded of this verse these days. To be honest, there are days when I wake up in the middle of night then my mind will start swirling with the next day's to-dos and questions about how the next few months will pan out... Like how do I juggle everything that I have right now when I give birth? Along with being a wife, a mom of 2, I also have to think of my clients and plan everything before I go on maternity leave. And sometimes, I think wouldn't it be nice to not have to plan things all the time? haha!</p><p><br /></p><p>But these days, I am reminded of this verse that has been hanging on our pinterest boards and everywhere since the beginning of time --- DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW. On the other side of WORRY is TRUST. Trust that everything will work out in the end and not allow tomorrow's worries to rob the joy of today.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/542613455095937243/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5BJyqn6J6wQBfbOONc8q_qkeTMSdRGcWLihFeMSiLC5y-9bdi9HmLECUARPaZlnuEChyBd0KZ_yDrkKiN0BCcSoegVuydvEb4Fl9GdjhF3o8sLZ0psdANUoTy_jz7ephpfKKruugYbrjFzT4XL3vXBrZDSI3l7p4tKQCOYBjWTNGspFzVjsBXm28Q=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Andami ko na naman sinabi! haha! Pero ayun! I hope that this verse also encourages you! I will also try to update here in the coming weeks because I also felt that God is leading me to write again, to write for Him, for myself and for the people I love. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So ciao for now!</div><p></p>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-74186206216575259612022-03-14T06:21:00.001-07:002022-03-14T06:21:23.285-07:002 Major Lessons of 2021<p>Hello! Happy 2022, everyone!</p><p>It's been a pretty wild start of the year, thanks to Omicron. <i>Parang pina-party lang tayo ng Pasko at New Year,</i> haha! Then after the last firework fired up, almost everyone was nursing a fever, cough, or colds.</p><p>Our family wasn't exempted. It was Sophia who first caught the colds and cough, then one of her nieces, then it was my turn, then Dennis', then the last one was his younger niece. The virus pretty much just circulated around our home for 2 weeks, but praise God we are all okay now. No symptoms anymore! Cleared!</p><p>So this is me hoping that everyone is recovering well and that you're in better spirits.</p><p>I know this is a bit late, but since my last post was last September, I figured I'd do a wrap-up for 2021. It's never too late to look back and reflect on the lessons in the past, right? So I am catching up just to make sure I don't forget whatever lessons were actually under the bittersweet moments of last year.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>1. Good days can coexist with bad days.</b></p><p>Our families - Dennis and mine- both faced big challenges last year. We lost our second baby and I had Covid during the first half of the year. Then something also happened to his side of the family which got all of them reeling. Then my dad's cancer came back last quarter of the year.</p><p>By the time I found out about my dad's cancer recurrence, I was already at that point of just accepting whatever comes my way. I knew that nothing was in my control and while at first that brought me to the point of tears, there came a point when I was just numbed already. </p><p>I felt like Jennifer Love in the movie, "I still know what you did last summer" when it was pouring hard and the murderer was out to get her and she was just tired of running away from him already. So she raised her hands up in surrender and shouted "What do you want from me?!" with frustrated tears and rain streaming down her face. </p><p>That is what I felt like, except of course the cinematic feels of rain pouring down in the forest and the shouting. </p><p>It was a trip to Boracay that gave me the space to think and reflect. Dennis and I stayed on the island for 6 days there and there would be moments when we would just sit by the shore and talk. I actually enjoyed the trip even though it was days before when we found out about my dad's cancer coming back. So while the waves were crashing in front of us on our first night on the island, coconut trees swaying in line just several meters before the waters touched the shore, and Dennis and I sat on one of those logs -- I remember just enjoying the moment and realizing that you can still find joy despite the bad--in the midst of the less than ideal world we were living in that day.</p><p>That's when it hit me what I already knew, good moments are here and there are more to come for one who is willing to take a step back, breathe and revel in God's goodness.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>2. It's not all on you, and that's perfectly okay.</b></p><p>When we had our miscarriage, there were times when I asked myself whether there was something that I did or maybe I failed to do that's why we lost our baby. To tell you honestly, we weren't planning on getting pregnant last year so the pregnancy test results took us by surprise. So I wasn't taking any prenatal vitamins, and I wasn't eating very healthy food at that time. Then I remember looking at the monitor with no heartbeat, blinking back tears, and wondering whether it was my lack of faith that got us to that point.</p><p><i>Meron ba kong nagawa sana para masave yung baby ko?</i></p><p><i>Baka kung mas may faith sana ako baka buhay pa siya ngayon...</i></p><p>But it was those moments that made me see how finite I was as a human being and how there are a lot of things not within my control, but God is completely in control. Some things just happened not because of anything that I did, but because the world is broken in the same way that my body is also broken...</p><p>And when I don't know why or how I can trust that He is working things for the good and nothing will go to waste.</p><p>So 2 lang pala yung lesson na naisip ko hahahahha! So ayun! I am actually finishing this in March, hopefully I get to write more in the coming weeks!</p>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-21833704053286111532021-08-17T19:55:00.010-07:002021-08-17T22:41:24.623-07:00We lost our Baby... and I had Covid (Part 4)<p><i><b>August 6</b></i></p><p><i>"O baka naman positive pa ko sa Covid niyan ha..." </i>I jokingly told Dennis before I had my swab test last week.</p><p>We just finished my ultrasound for the nth time to see if I still need to undergo raspa and was given a deadline by my OB that if by the following week there would still be remaining products of conception, then I need to go through raspa...</p><p><b>I was already sad with that news so imagine how shocked I was when the swab results came out and I found out that, on top of everything we were dealing with, I was indeed covid positive.</b></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><i>Waw.</i></p><p><i>Talaga ba...</i></p><p><i>Ngayon pa talaga?</i></p><p><i>Ako talaga ulit?</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPoZMMPAMAHjVpzC_X8BGSpfs5qu0VrVWG7M_9Xo3ADUUfIuMjdKCnNXwg2U16Ik-morxldUXT6syN8oosSDvt3d5L-pp8wS0av8g9PSnNG9zY3V9llth0oqn-GMFe09jL9FE7BIU8ec/s940/Untitled+design+%25285%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPoZMMPAMAHjVpzC_X8BGSpfs5qu0VrVWG7M_9Xo3ADUUfIuMjdKCnNXwg2U16Ik-morxldUXT6syN8oosSDvt3d5L-pp8wS0av8g9PSnNG9zY3V9llth0oqn-GMFe09jL9FE7BIU8ec/w400-h335/Untitled+design+%25285%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i><p></p><p><b><i>Feeling Job the second</i></b></p><p>I couldn't believe it. We were still recovering and processing our miscarriage, but there was another challenge that we had to face.</p><p>I honestly felt like I was Job that time, receiving one bad news after another... <i>pero hiyang-hiya naman si Job sa pinagdaanan niya sakin diba.. Walang wala naman to kumpara sa mga nangyari sakanya.. </i></p><p>But last week was really so tough for me, I felt like I was at the point of being numb and hopeless... I am naturally a positive person but that time was really dark for me and so many lies were being thrown at me by the enemy and I felt really low...</p><p><b><i>I wish I could say, I held on to my faith and was unfazed by the whole thing like a good and faithful Christian but sa totoo lang, nagtampo ako kay God. </i></b></p><p><b>I didn't want to feel those emotions kasi nga dapat good Christian tayo diba.. and because I know that God doesn't owe me anything, I stopped asking.</b> I also didn't felt like praying anymore because I didn't want to feel any more disappointments...</p><p>So I was at that point na "bahala Ka na, Lord..." but to be honest, it was not a beautiful act of surrender, but more like a little kid sulking in the corner kasi hindi binigay ni Lord yung prayers niya... </p><p>But even though I tried to keep it in, bitterness was brewing inside of me... </p><p>I didn't know what to make of it honestly.. hindi ko na madifferentiate yung emotions ko... alam ko lang may mali, pero hindi ko mapinpoint yung nararamdaman ko..</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i>Getting out of the Pit</i></b></p><p>It was only when someone pointed it to me that naliwanangan ako, that's when I realize what was growing inside of me was bitterness...</p><p>After sulking for days, I realize that there were still so many things to be grateful for despite how ungrateful I had been:</p><p>1. I was asymptomatic. (totally no symptoms since day 1)</p><p>2. I have a supportive and loving husband who is there for me.</p><p>3. I was home quarantined so I still get to see my baby.</p><p>4. Friends and family were continuously praying for us and sending us love packages...</p><p>5. Everyone else tested negative in the house (which I didn't know how it happened because our house is really small, so the chances of at least one other person in the house to also contract covid from me were very high)</p><p>In the days that follow, I was able to take a good look at my heart and feared that I am growing a stone cold (yeees, thank you demi lavato) and hardened heart... <b>I see people who have gone through a lot and while they have survived, it has also left so many scars on them and they grow jaded, with less faith in Jesus and slowly slipping out of the cracks of the church community...</b></p><p>And I don't want to be like that...</p><p>So I prayed that God will restore in me that child-like faith.. and that He will make me as new as before... I want to be how I was before all of these happened. I want to keep asking, keep praying knowing that I have a big God who can and is able to work things out for my good, who loves me so much... who is good, and kind...</p><p>I want to believe in all of those afresh...</p><p>And at that point, I felt God asked me again "what is your desire? what do you want, my child? ask me for it..."</p><p><b><i>Keep Knocking on Heaven's door</i></b></p><p>And so I prayed once again: "Lord, ayoko po na maraspa. I know you can create a miracle in my body to take out what is not supposed to be there and to restore my maternal health to full, I asked for this Lord."</p><p>And I also asked my friends to stand with us in prayer... I have asked them countless times to pray for the past month but seeing one prayer unanswered after another, I didn't feel like asking them to pray anymore <i>kasi parang sama-sama pa kaming nadidisappoint (see how hard my heart has grown?)</i></p><p><br /></p><p>But I remembered this verse:</p><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Matthew 7:7</div></blockquote></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Keep on knocking on heaven's door. So I asked, prayed, and believed.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><i>August 16</i></b></p><p>The moment of truth has arrived. The day of our ultrasound to find out if I still need to go through raspa or not. It has been more than a month since we received the news that we lost our second baby, so this was already long overdue. Raspa is usually done by 3rd or 4th week upon the baby's demise.</p><p>But I start to wonder: maybe God's delay is telling us something?</p><p>Hindi ko na alam ika-ilang ultrasound ko na nun, suki na po kami... kilala na nga ako nung sonologist eh... lol but out of all the times I have been there, this was the only time the sonologist was quiet. </p><p>No hints, no statements, or questions giving away my condition...</p><p>So when I stepped out of the ultrasound room, Dennis and I were left in suspense for about 20 minutes before we received the results.</p><p>And when we opened the envelope, it was there! CLEARED! "Unlikely to have remaining products of conception" and everything was normal -- my ovaries, my uterus, everything!</p><p>I was getting teary-eyed once again but this time for a different reason, I was relieved, thankful, and praising God for how faithful He is.</p><p>This was my message to our Leadership Group the day we found out:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaP0lZDVUywlILctq1mh2ORCA9qFFamZDJBUr7YcgE0abRy35zRKcPXPoSwnMCyobBh18bnOTjEHnHCjmx7CaY_CHvXHY9Fzqo47ZHiQzQAHzgQucDRuQNURovFwFILWE_y9aOR-aTSIQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="324" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaP0lZDVUywlILctq1mh2ORCA9qFFamZDJBUr7YcgE0abRy35zRKcPXPoSwnMCyobBh18bnOTjEHnHCjmx7CaY_CHvXHY9Fzqo47ZHiQzQAHzgQucDRuQNURovFwFILWE_y9aOR-aTSIQ/w240-h400/Screen+Shot+2021-08-18+at+10.24.13+AM.png" width="240" /></a></div><br />I know that a lot of people are going through a lot today, everywhere in the world someone is hurting, on top of a global pandemic that keeps on mutating (how do we kill you virus, let me count the ways...), there is war in Afghanistan, there's an earthquake in Haiti... I hope we stand together in prayer and keep on knocking on heaven's door with our fervent prayers.<p></p><div>Because despite everything that is happening, God is good and faithful. And while there are many questions left unanswered in my head, I am reminded that God always has a purpose for me and that keeps me holding on to my faith. <br /><br /></div><div>He is not yet done.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is great hope for the one who believes in Him. 💜</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIx7LWUiBPMhoxsqHWsAOizRV_8VP61I8StPNrfz_wUkeONXbg02IFYVRVbYg57dxowI785G9T1HebFEQk3-MYLJXGxWj90TY47FYNZiK81t4hBjf-NQsVnstMY-4OKnSUBOZtRCLEkQ/s585/Screen+Shot+2021-08-18+at+10.27.17+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="585" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIx7LWUiBPMhoxsqHWsAOizRV_8VP61I8StPNrfz_wUkeONXbg02IFYVRVbYg57dxowI785G9T1HebFEQk3-MYLJXGxWj90TY47FYNZiK81t4hBjf-NQsVnstMY-4OKnSUBOZtRCLEkQ/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-08-18+at+10.27.17+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-77986808231236444282021-08-16T05:45:00.004-07:002021-08-16T18:40:00.894-07:00We lost our baby (Part 3)<p><b><i>AUGUST 7</i></b></p><p>I haven't really gathered my thoughts enough for this post to sound coherent, but hey who says you have to wait for that eureka moment before writing down what's in your heart, right?</p><p>Maybe I will just keep this under my personal file... forever saved under the drafts folder for my eyes only to look back on what happened years from now...</p><p>It's August 7 today and well, I hope I can say all is finally well and my body has fully recovered, but that's not what happened. So no, I am not yet OKAY.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp71rv36PV-a5jA6vaGcff9sJuA_WDNzogS8-zy7qh8r25rdfj4nGEcB1upM0J3ZYQCT85BJ0PlbAlfQmsKoq7H3KofzCpnqDx2o6LSflpGuvB9a1C6SuLLgjTuND6hA99r8CtgLm0aV4/s940/Untitled+design.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp71rv36PV-a5jA6vaGcff9sJuA_WDNzogS8-zy7qh8r25rdfj4nGEcB1upM0J3ZYQCT85BJ0PlbAlfQmsKoq7H3KofzCpnqDx2o6LSflpGuvB9a1C6SuLLgjTuND6hA99r8CtgLm0aV4/w400-h335/Untitled+design.png" width="400" /></a></div><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p>I bled out last Friday night, and was hoping that the baby passed out smoothly and with no trace 6 days after but as per the ultrasound results yesterday, there were still "products remaining from conception."</p><p>We were really praying that we don't need to go through D&C anymore but looks like we don't have a choice if there will still be traces left found next Tuesday.</p><p>Next Tuesday.</p><p>Yup, that's the deadline our OB gave us because it's been more than a month already and it's been too long. Waiting longer may be detrimental to my overall health already. Especially since I already fainted when I bled out last week. </p><p><b><i>Flashback: July 31, the night I bled out</i></b></p><p>There really was a lot of blood that night. I started contracting around 7:30pm. At around 8:30pm I went to the bathroom because I already started staining my shorts. So I sat at the toilet for about 20minutes so the blood was going straight to the toilet (TMI much) and I actually haven't seen the fetus and maybe I couldn't differentiate it at that time anymore because there were a lot of blood clots coming out of me already.</p><p>Then I called Dennis and he helped me changed into adult diapers and led me to the sofa so I can lie for the rest of the night. Was it painful? It was like really bad dysmenorrhea but honestly, it wasn't really painful like sharp pains. <i>Para kang natatae, at nagccramps. What was difficult was that my legs, balakang, and back were hurting... nangangalalay na sila </i>so I would switch positions and ask Dennis to massage my back from time to time.</p><p>I researched and it said there that the heaviest bleeding is usually 3-5 hours. It was already 11pm and I was waiting for that twisting pain that some warned me about when the fetus would pass out, but there was none. I just continuously bled and around 11:30pm, I felt that the cramps were subsiding. It subsided enough for me to sleep at around midnight then woke up at 1:30am.</p><p>In my mind, I was thinking it's been 6 hours already and the fetus has not come out yet. I heard about missed miscarriages which lead to D&C so I was worried that was what happened.</p><p>At 1:30am, I woke up Dennis and asked him to helped me get to the bathroom so I can change diapers. I washed and Dennis was helping me in my new diapers when I started to feel dizzy...<i> "Babe nahihilo ako..."</i> then that was the last thing I remember.<br /></p><p>The next thing I know, I was lying on Sophia's playmat in the living room and Dennis was standing over me. I got disoriented and thought I was dreaming because I knew I was lying on the sofa minutes before. So I started to sit up but then Dennis stopped me. motioned me to lie still and told me to INHALE, EXHALE...</p><p><i>"Nahimatay ako?"</i> I asked.</p><p>So apparently <i>nahimatay nga ako.</i> I have experienced this before when I become too tired and feel my blood sugar will shoot down, so I told him that I think I need something to eat. So I ate a banana while lying down and drank water.</p><p>I felt better after that then slept with Dennis checking my pulse and my heartbeat regularly to make sure I was okay.</p><p>The next day, we had to go have our ultrasound to check if everything was okay. That morning, while I was eating corned beef, eggs, and milk -- still sitting on the mat and being handed everything because I was advised to not move so much... I felt tears streaming down my face. I felt weak and <i>naawa ako sa sarili ko...</i></p><p>I think this is what's difficult for moms who went through a miscarriage. it's the mental, emotional, and physical turmoil... and in the end, you're just waiting for it to be over because well, you're not having a baby. You're not thinking "This will soon be over but it will all be worth it in the end..." It's not a delayed gratification kind of thing because at the end of it, the baby is dead so there was no glorious light at the end of this tunnel. Just you, traversing through the darkness grappling and waiting...</p><p><b><i>Flashback padin: August 1</i></b></p><p>That morning, we received good news. There were still some products left but they will most likely be flushed out in the next few days. Whew! Yaaay so no raspa most likely! Praise God!</p><p><b><i>Back to the present: August 7</i></b></p><p>So after 6 days of waiting, we were hoping to be cleared...I saw the monitor and had a feeling that it was clear, but the sonologist said that there was still something left inside--<i>"meron pa pong natira</i>"..</p><p><i>What? Akala ko okay na... </i>were my thoughts as I went out of the ultrasound room...</p><p>So minutes later, I found myself crying again, this time because of disappointment. So that was it, we have 5 days left for everything to be flushed out, I was given meds to contract again but if by Tuesday, there's no improvement, I would have to go through raspa on the same day.</p><p>Right now I am not sure how I feel...</p><p>Dennis and I were praying last night and I didn't feel like praying for everything to be cleared by Tuesday, but I didn't say that anymore... Andun na ko sa point na "Lord, ikaw na bahala" and sa point na ayaw ko nang humingi kasi ayoko nang madisappoint and I just want to get this over with... And ayoko din humingi kasi baka magtampo ako kapag hindi binigay, eh alam ko naman God doesn't owe me anything... So I don't ask anymore...</p><p>So I don't know, is this giving up? Not having enough faith? entitlement? Or surrender?</p><p><i>So sabi ko nga,</i> I just want this to be a dump of my thoughts at <i>hindi ko pa talaga yan naproprocess nang maayos...</i></p><p>So today is August 7 and we will find out what happens on August 10...</p><p>3 more days...</p>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-35234782733359080392021-07-24T20:24:00.006-07:002021-07-24T22:06:09.327-07:00Seas<p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4N3TKpjyMehpLsW83_Uo4BmkBfQOI9ZgMGDw64Z6SehcJMMidl4t8Uo3IFQuZmWcY-ub43PNd5SVHCpkXR027MDEsLr5zDsZFYBIriMa8WxS1bFKwguqQJOUkC58oB9lTn1H_-U2BjE/s940/Untitled+design+%252835%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4N3TKpjyMehpLsW83_Uo4BmkBfQOI9ZgMGDw64Z6SehcJMMidl4t8Uo3IFQuZmWcY-ub43PNd5SVHCpkXR027MDEsLr5zDsZFYBIriMa8WxS1bFKwguqQJOUkC58oB9lTn1H_-U2BjE/w400-h335/Untitled+design+%252835%2529.png" width="400" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Seas</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br /></span></span></b></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Waves will rock our boats</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Winds will threaten our sails</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Currents will try to pull our anchors offshore</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But come and see</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Take a closer look</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There’s someone in the boat with you</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He is unafraid</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He is in control</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He is holding your hand</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“Fear not,</i></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I AM here.</i></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I've got this.”</i></span></p>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-76992327798121214132021-07-19T21:19:00.009-07:002021-07-19T22:17:29.958-07:00We Lost our Baby (Part 2)<div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">July 20</span></b></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />We're still waiting for the baby to come out naturally. But honestly, all this waiting is good for the soul. Although there is that part of me that wants it to happen already so I can start recovering physically... like I want to move forward somehow the soonest time possible. But maybe that's why we are still here, in the waiting...</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> because so much more is accomplished when we quiet our souls.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A week before we received the news that our baby is gone, <b>God showed me a picture of a man sitting on a big rock with sheep at his feet. </b>He had his back on me but he looks like a shepherd, overlooking the vast field, at peace, resting, unhurried...</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0ocDkt5Nrpb9DtTIdfCMddR1TYM71qa0h5mAFmrXMspsx4ESxkNyxNUusBhH32bLrHa0bjbVAPmGHCCkxS_9kao2y6jIn7Pb_3sNQP4mqvDxBBGyv40GPcMWN1jYYXPBwL-K2T1pLh0/s1080/Untitled+design+%252833%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0ocDkt5Nrpb9DtTIdfCMddR1TYM71qa0h5mAFmrXMspsx4ESxkNyxNUusBhH32bLrHa0bjbVAPmGHCCkxS_9kao2y6jIn7Pb_3sNQP4mqvDxBBGyv40GPcMWN1jYYXPBwL-K2T1pLh0/w400-h400/Untitled+design+%252833%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I immediately felt it was David. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was asking God for career direction at that time and that was the picture He gave me. I thought I was still pregnant at that time, little did I know that the baby in my tummy was already gone. </span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hmm... what does that mean? I was only looking for an answer regarding my career but apparently, He was already preparing to give me an answer for what was to come. I guess sometimes, He answers those questions we haven't even learned to ask ourselves.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><b>But what God impressed me in the next couple of days was not what the man was doing in the picture but what the man was feeling in the picture.</b> Then a few days after that ultrasound saying that our baby is gone, I was reading the Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith and it read the passage, Psalm 23!</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />It clicked that that was the image! Of course, it was Psalm 23! While David was the one wrote it, it wasn't him the passage was referring to. It was JESUS.</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgY6-erjCNQ2z9blSIdaQksAnqMvobEHdv3SrHBQuq33ulGGODK08weEKP_7a4x1nAm7FIfa7Qefv8_FNZqsOKTLipTGKRwIwgtTi7v19tLCwoEGi06bPCkXBG0fb617saBBZGNnaaJ-E/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgY6-erjCNQ2z9blSIdaQksAnqMvobEHdv3SrHBQuq33ulGGODK08weEKP_7a4x1nAm7FIfa7Qefv8_FNZqsOKTLipTGKRwIwgtTi7v19tLCwoEGi06bPCkXBG0fb617saBBZGNnaaJ-E/w400-h225/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />JESUS was the man in the picture, and well, I was one of the sheep:</span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Lord Is My Shepherd</b></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A Psalm of David.</b></div></b></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>1</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.</div></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>2 </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b>He makes me lie down in green pastures.</b></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>He leads me beside still waters.</b></div></b></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>3 </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b>He restores my soul.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">He leads me in paths of righteousness</div><div style="text-align: center;"> for his name's sake.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>4 </b></div></b><div style="text-align: center;">Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I will fear no evil,</div><div style="text-align: center;">for you are with me;</div><div style="text-align: center;"> your rod and your staff,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> they comfort me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>5 </b></div></b><div style="text-align: center;">You prepare a table before me</div><div style="text-align: center;"> in the presence of my enemies;</div><div style="text-align: center;">you anoint my head with oil;</div><div style="text-align: center;"> my cup overflows.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>6 </b></div></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> all the days of my life,</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> forever.</b></div></span></div><p class="p3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was getting teary-eyed while I was reading it because of how God has always prepared me somehow for major curveballs ahead. <b>The words HE RESTORES MY SOUL was an assurance that He is here, he is not rushing me to be okay because it is not okay.</b> But He promises me that He will restore my soul and I can rest on that, just as the sheep can rest soundly at the feet of its shepherd.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was also <b>an invitation to the less hurried life, to a life of less but more, a life of simplicity but so much deeper.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I praise God even at a time like this because He is always inviting me in His presence. I must admit that I tend to forget Him at times especially when I have been so busy with work and projects that I can't even finish an online service! True story! I can't even connect with those around me <i>kasi may gagawin pa ako... </i>I was too busy to be interrupted so when life finally interrupted me, Jesus was there and He has always been -- waiting.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He is always waiting for me, on every high and low of life, He invites and welcomes me to sit at His feet.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And maybe He is also inviting you to His presence these days, so I just want to also encourage you: He is patiently waiting and maybe we are the ones who need to pause, stop and breathe in His presence. :)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>PS. I will be updating here what happens in the next few weeks as we wait. Well, nothing has changed since my last post but come to think of it, maybe everything has -- there is still fear, and worries yes, but knowing that He is with me makes all the difference. :)</i></span></p>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-8065009789726531752021-07-19T20:43:00.005-07:002021-07-19T22:12:54.571-07:00We Lost our Baby<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">JULY 12</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was our 2nd ultrasound at 8 weeks and the line of questioning of the sonologist indicated that something was wrong.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Bakit pinaulit yung ultrasound?"</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Hindi ka ba nagspospotting?"</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Your doctor will be the one to explain it to you ha, ma'am."</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Something was also missing on the monitor. A blinking dot and a number of 100+ bps.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had been pregnant before so I knew when something was amiss.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This was our 2nd ultrasound which we had to repeat because the first ultrasound at 6 weeks didn't detect any fetal heart rate. There was, however, a faint cardiac activity, the ultrasound results read. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We went to our OB right after and she said that it's possible that the baby is too small so his heart hasn't developed yet and to repeat it after 2 weeks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">So we were hoping for the best.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But as I walked out of the room after my 2nd ultrasound, I knew something was not right. This was not the best that we were hoping for.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I saw Dennis sitting in the waiting room, with eyes closed praying as I walked towards him. He looked at me and seeing my face, knew that something was up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"I think something is wrong..." I told him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"<i>Sabi nya,</i> your doctor will be the one to explain it to you," I added.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>"Pero may heartbeat?</i>" he asked.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Wala."</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So we sat in silence and true enough, the results said: </span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fetal heart rate: N/A</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Consider embryonic demise</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was not yet sinking in, although my eyes were starting to blur with tears as we walked together to our OB's clinic. Dennis was holding my hand all throughout. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzD7fv3hjVlXbqT7_3i1cfyN6zeu2x6O3xRB1i8S7BgCa1I6w_usfdIonLDRooo_5U4O7FWu0BpJ7oHVjRRCQQshjMfABdqroWIOpz3qGv4A2XNgCCBT_E-IGHKpNROxTL8cgV41uUNT8/s1080/Untitled+design+%252832%2529.png" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzD7fv3hjVlXbqT7_3i1cfyN6zeu2x6O3xRB1i8S7BgCa1I6w_usfdIonLDRooo_5U4O7FWu0BpJ7oHVjRRCQQshjMfABdqroWIOpz3qGv4A2XNgCCBT_E-IGHKpNROxTL8cgV41uUNT8/w400-h400/Untitled+design+%252832%2529.png" width="400" /></a></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The next 2 days felt like a week-long stretch. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We went for another ultrasound the next day just to confirm. And the results were the same. <br /><br /><i>"Wala po talagang heartbeat."</i> The sonologist said, showing me the fetus on the monitor, with no movement whatsoever.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Apparently hearing it the second time doesn't make it easier. I cried my eyes out as I sat outside the ultrasound room. </span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">What the OB said after were the procedures that had to be done to take baby out of my body. We were going to wait for baby to come out naturally with meds and if D&C is required, then we have to do it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">All of these were expected to transpire in the next week.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">My mind was whirring from what just happened so I had to ground myself that this was actually happening and it was happening fast. Yesterday, I thought that the baby was okay but now I was preparing for the baby to be taken out of my body as soon as possible.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So now we wait.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am scared, worried, tired and the med's side effects are not making things better. The side effects of the meds are similar to pregnancy symptoms plus a whole lot more.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So I am physically, mentally, and emotionally drained and well, we're still waiting for the worst to happen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><a href="https://www.joybuena.com/2021/07/we-lost-our-baby-part-2.html">We lost our baby (part 2)</a></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3bKnllSYKHFDxEeRUb1j_qqd4rrQrY4T3G5R36weAQUyWXEVxNGBzj_p4gqy160bDf9QVEvUskq4ZWngLUJ2nengG-PFtv0tgsfXt9iOP8o-2WeJ5aYelOPCqSFFB1mZNZYRyZfYspE/s1080/Untitled+design+%252833%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3bKnllSYKHFDxEeRUb1j_qqd4rrQrY4T3G5R36weAQUyWXEVxNGBzj_p4gqy160bDf9QVEvUskq4ZWngLUJ2nengG-PFtv0tgsfXt9iOP8o-2WeJ5aYelOPCqSFFB1mZNZYRyZfYspE/w200-h200/Untitled+design+%252833%2529.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-330537194637635762021-04-24T22:16:00.009-07:002021-04-25T20:27:52.574-07:00Are you languishing?<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The word “languishing” was recently posted by New York Times to give a name to what so many people are feeling these days and I associate it with a dismal feeling of waiting and numbness to what's happening around you.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOpPkCtHGN4NKctMCSJaZpXEbbNwKsrfdpnWoxXiUKcVE0w_J_YIQOytZftLKV2F4-ZrafBf4dkI8DJla6DVC2BgHPsWxPpfjfhjxyBVKq7Pvr2rTLZcH1R_5Dbj6Tx3r94w-6siGPu0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOpPkCtHGN4NKctMCSJaZpXEbbNwKsrfdpnWoxXiUKcVE0w_J_YIQOytZftLKV2F4-ZrafBf4dkI8DJla6DVC2BgHPsWxPpfjfhjxyBVKq7Pvr2rTLZcH1R_5Dbj6Tx3r94w-6siGPu0/w266-h400/image.png" width="266" /></a></span></div><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">...and I guess that was what I was feeling for the most part of last year. Yes, there were wins but there was also that feeling of being lost and wondering far too many times <i>gaano-katagal-ba-tayong-ganito?</i></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Hello, curveball!</span></b></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Last year was the biggest curveball we have probably ever had to catch in our lifetime… and if you were to ask me how I was by the end of last year, I would tell you that I’m okay. Just okay. <b>Because there are still a lot of questions left unanswered in my head. </b></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I stepped down from working in the church full-time, I knew I said yes to God, but </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I haven’t seen things come full circle even after several months had passed.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>It hasn't made sense YET.</b></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It was only the beginning of this year, that the fragments of last year slowly came together and I started to see how God has been orchestrating circumstances and events behind the scenes.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Being a business graduate with a marketing track, I have always loved marketing and that was my experience for the most part of my career – marketing plus sales. I really like sales, I think that’s the <i>Intsik</i> side of me kicking in, I like growing a business and helping a company profit by selling.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Then I worked in the church for 5 years. And although there are so many skills involved in being a staff of a church, it’s not exactly something you can put on your CV.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">CV Problems for a Full-time church worker</span></b></p><div><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">How do you explain in your resume that you actually manage people, that you encourage volunteers to serve a common cause with you, and to ingrain in them the whatever-it-takes attitude that so many companies these days take years building?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">How do say that you actually run events from a plated anniversary luncheon with government officials to annual summer camps complete with the much-anticipated water gun fight of kids and dads, to the smartest race planned from scratch that is a combination of amazing race, fear factor, and survivor, to elementary outreaches to teach kids crafts, stories, and values?</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Where do you type the many lessons you learned for those 5 years that involved not just getting the job done but building your character and building relationships that matter long after you resigned from the job?</b></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So, I was that girl staring at the large chunk of space between my 2015 job at a bancassurance company as a marketing manager to my 2020 unemployed status.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>I really didn’t know what to write and where to begin.</b></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It was a blinking cursor I contemplated on just leaving blank because a marketing manager in 2015 then I’ll put church admin staff for 5 years? What will that look like for potential employers? Will that look good? Will that be enticing enough for me to get a callback?</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Sometimes Peace is All You’ve Got</span></b></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But I remember God’s voice to me last year when we had to make the decision whether to stay or to go – <i>“It is me who called you to be in full-time, and it is also me who will say when it’s time’s up.”</i></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It is God’s voice and with it, is the peace surrounding that decision so I will stick it out:</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><blockquote><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“<b>And the peace of God</b>, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in <b>Christ</b> Jesus.”</span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>Philippians 4:7</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></i></p></blockquote><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So I started applying... I really wanted to get back on my marketing track but I was actually applying even to non-marketing-related posts. <i><b>So alam mo na, kahit na alam mo andyan naman si God, I still tried to cover all bases para safe… sigurista padin.</b></i></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>The first rejection I had was from a company that I was 99% sure was going to hire me. I remember tears falling down my cheeks when I received the email and Dennis--</span><span> half-amused and half-empathetic for me--saying </span><i>“first time mo ba ma-reject?”</i><span> Obviously, I haven’t been in the corporate rat race for a while </span><i>so parang first time na naman lahat! Haha! Pati pag-update ng resume, A for effort!</i></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But the rejections that came afterward were much better (insert Regine Velasquez's "you made me stronger by breaking my heart..." song here) and I began to just shrug off one rejection after another.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And so by August, while I was still applying for companies to take me in, I was referred to a job I didn’t even apply for by someone I know and trust. <i>So sige try natin, wala naman mawawala. </i></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And extra brownie points because it was a social media post-digital</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> marketing which was really what I wanted all along! I have been meaning to get a short course on it a few years back to upgrade what I know about marketing but never got around to it. And guess what? I got the job!</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Minsan pag gumawa si Lord ng way, hindi mo talaga way eh. Hindi pala minsan, kadalasan.</span></blockquote><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Coming Full Circle</span></b></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It was also then that I started getting back to teaching writing and conducting workshops for kids and adults. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">These are all public workshops but then it was through these workshops that people started approaching me to be a writing coach, which was not even on my radar because I didn’t think I would be qualified to be one… but when I said yes to the opportunity, and that was when I realize that I actually really enjoy this because I like developing people (one of my top 5 strengths) so it also made me rediscover my strengths and at the same time, I get to write which has always been one of my great passions in life.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>So this year is the year that things are coming full circle and I am amazed at how God moves through it all.</b></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It was then that I realized that there may be more like me left grappling in the dark during a global pandemic and feeling that they're way off track to what they wanted to do. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But I want to encourage you that no matter off-tangent you may be feeling right now, God is positioning people, circumstances, and events to position you back to where He wants you to be.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></blockquote><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">All your experiences, everything that you have learned and become for the x number of years of existence -- all are working together for the good and you have to believe and trust God for that.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> (Romans 8:28)</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Nothing is wasted when God takes control.</b></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Not even these languishing days that stretch before us ;)</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqvdF6j7ItzJqw3gxfmAH19bt6-5BtlKIVbZ8n6CklqlfB4mrukI6dhSrtsuvWNbUdvkeuldN4c4ELZp3qy15BC7b6HbxF7C6i9ZPK3d6Yh_-eJXetFyYhqaLQQaukx7SgkXlNpGMxhA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqvdF6j7ItzJqw3gxfmAH19bt6-5BtlKIVbZ8n6CklqlfB4mrukI6dhSrtsuvWNbUdvkeuldN4c4ELZp3qy15BC7b6HbxF7C6i9ZPK3d6Yh_-eJXetFyYhqaLQQaukx7SgkXlNpGMxhA/w400-h400/image.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /><p></p>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-60728237643440187132021-01-27T18:06:00.010-08:002021-01-30T16:51:19.356-08:00Myth: Jesus is All You Need to Make a Marriage Work<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you met Dennis and I, then you know how different we are from each other. Our upbringing, our backgrounds, our likes, but one thing stays central and core: Jesus.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">...and that really is all you need to have in common before entering a marriage. Correct? Not really.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNuuZwhE7uctgYlgZnhANtvhSPGgYAI0AA-CWNExWb6u86PXj4yAB06YOfye80OJWw7YDfBdbu_9njP4Gg7IH8EJzlDwZ38rts8IUePP7kGYfq46BZ1qQxxEBSmiQ77ZnPWH8S-yPFC4/s1350/IMG_6919.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNuuZwhE7uctgYlgZnhANtvhSPGgYAI0AA-CWNExWb6u86PXj4yAB06YOfye80OJWw7YDfBdbu_9njP4Gg7IH8EJzlDwZ38rts8IUePP7kGYfq46BZ1qQxxEBSmiQ77ZnPWH8S-yPFC4/w512-h640/IMG_6919.jpeg" width="512" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">While Dennis and I both love the outdoors, he likes the mountains while I like the beach. He is Bisaya (born in Bukidnon) while I am a Fil-Chi from Manila.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Other factors also play a part. I think if you're a Christian and you're rooting for two of your friends in the church, you are bound to hear one party say <b><i>"Hmm, friend lang talaga tingin ko sakanya eh."</i> "No, I don't see her THAT way..."</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Dibaaaa...</i> so it means, we are also looking for other qualities aside from the person being a Christian and this is not something to be shy about because this is valid. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Other things play a part and you don't have to belittle these things because also looking at these factors makes marriage smoother in the long run.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So what are these 3 factors?</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You have to be attracted to the person</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Let's get this truth on the table: </span></p><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Physical attraction plays a part even though you both love Jesus already!</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: verdana;"> And some singles may be downplaying this aspect and may even go as far as to invalidate this quality because it's so "un-Christian." Anyway, we have to be looking at the heart of the person, right? And not the physical appearance. <i>Ang judgmental ko naman... (odiba najudge mo pa ang sarili mo hahaha!)</i></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Totoo naman yun! </i>The character plays a much heavier role, but physical attraction is not to be relegated to the wayside either. So it's okay to look for this in your future spouse, especially if you're going to wake up next to the person for the rest of your life. You are not a bad person for looking for chemistry and attraction in a relationship.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">God is not a God that would force you into a relationship just because He wants the two of you together. <b>He is a God who gives us the freedom to choose within the bounds of His will.</b></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You have to have the same goals</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I remember one of the things that Dennis and I talked about when we were already in a relationship was whether we will be able to have a baby.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Both of us wanted a baby, no doubt. We both desire to have one but I also know that I was already in my 30s at that time, diagnosed with PCOS so it may be harder for us to conceive by the time we get married.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So I asked him while we were having coffee during our dates one time: "Is this a non-negotiable for you? because if it is, we have to think whether to continue with this relationship or not..." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In my mind, I want to make sure that he knows what he is getting himself into. Of course, God is a God of miracles (as we have shared<a href="https://www.joybuena.com/2019/05/on-having-babies.html"> here)</a> so we will continue to be in faith... but what if He does not will it for us to have a baby, is this okay with the both of us?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So that was one of the major things we have to think through after getting past the fact that we are Christians and we both love Jesus.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I know two super-rooted-in-Christ people. They got in a relationship but found themselves TOO DIFFERENT like the other one wants to have kids, the other one doesn't. And they just weren't the same wavelength. So they broke it off.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Another thing that we both had to discuss was where do we see ourselves 5 or 10 years from now. </b>And since I have always had missions in my heart, going to another nation was something that is a possibility for me in the future. So whether he sees himself being in a foreign land was also something that we talked about even when we were just dating. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You have to be on the same timeline</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So great, you both love Jesus, you are both physically attracted to the person, you have the same direction... but are you on the same timeline? Meaning, are you both ready to be in a relationship? It's one thing to have your crush reciprocate your feelings and quite another to see that person in front of the altar with you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sometimes you see your future spouse in the person BUT in 3-5 years' time. Now if the other person sees you as his or her spouse in a year's time, then that is something that you have to talk about.</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is the "I like him... but I am not yet ready to marry him JUST YET." </span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is not something to bash about the person, because you have to be ready and willing to do whatever it takes to make a marriage work because it is no joke. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Marriage takes hard work and commitment. It is the covenant that Jesus instituted to mirror the kind of covenant He has with us -- to never give up on the person and to love that person unconditionally.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: verdana;">So if you don't see yourself being THAT person for the other person JUST YET, then it's better to assess your readiness early on to see if you're on the same page and season.</span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But if the other person is willing to wait, then great! Marriage is a lot about the willingness to go all the way to the other end for the person, and dating is the best training ground for it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So there! Just some things I realized when I got married and just wanted to share these things especially with the singles out there. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">This means that for Dennis and I, we have checked those things above after checking the major thing which is to love Jesus first and foremost. :) That's ultimately the non-negotiable, but there are also other qualities at play that also deserve looking at.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Feel free to share your thoughts on the matter, too!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You may also like:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><a href="https://www.joybuena.com/2018/02/she-says-part-1.html">She Says</a></i></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcalmeYnqPguUoPaxAZNs-xxD3RlXsd3peQl0WHsq8ajyuBK9dKQ_ViCKyzxGYK5bRlVDqc5McLdjSb3UfY-rR1VhCpmCN02Otsu2l7xHaQhllGPIe_061sijl065MkSOjQ2fIpd3rIrU/s2048/IMG_3820.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcalmeYnqPguUoPaxAZNs-xxD3RlXsd3peQl0WHsq8ajyuBK9dKQ_ViCKyzxGYK5bRlVDqc5McLdjSb3UfY-rR1VhCpmCN02Otsu2l7xHaQhllGPIe_061sijl065MkSOjQ2fIpd3rIrU/w200-h150/IMG_3820.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-84316369867798939362021-01-26T02:38:00.005-08:002021-01-26T02:45:38.415-08:00Sophia Zayn Turns 1!<p> .<span style="font-family: helvetica;">..and just like that, our baby is already 1-year old! Huhuhuhu! Too fast, my love!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thankfully (and maybe stubbornly lol), we got to celebrate her birthday last January 16 outside. Whoohoooo! We invited a few fam and friends to mark this milestone with us, and we are super grateful to each one who made her birthday special. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Siyempre pati host, stylists, program team mga talented ninangs nalang din! </i>Para hindi na dumagdag sa headcount because we can only squeeze in so many people with the social distancing rule. <i>So tayu tayo nalang talaga to haha!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So here are photos of that special day!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwwuW6TtLZgGulcms33F1u3zGko5GcN55ysPLC4QfZGIsnClEwDDd5vvTwdzl2MWsRFkao64aY_BMtxkvRqlsGUDxGiwGZO31FOkj8q23MaQfVxXQIKlrHqiz2xlvd8B2mxneVO8_uCc/s6000/DSC05715.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwwuW6TtLZgGulcms33F1u3zGko5GcN55ysPLC4QfZGIsnClEwDDd5vvTwdzl2MWsRFkao64aY_BMtxkvRqlsGUDxGiwGZO31FOkj8q23MaQfVxXQIKlrHqiz2xlvd8B2mxneVO8_uCc/w640-h360/DSC05715.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P9E1I5yU2U81MHQSlYf4aEijQ4d13_Bd68lcXWWKCQAkCzmqCDxMg6mh4k46gdRbB-Ulj3vXlG-la9DpzCrYBVOiNPwh3FUZXJFNrV0xS3AWhy5yrA79akaMtgkTUqu52yeK9r0_HvI/s6000/DSC05352.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P9E1I5yU2U81MHQSlYf4aEijQ4d13_Bd68lcXWWKCQAkCzmqCDxMg6mh4k46gdRbB-Ulj3vXlG-la9DpzCrYBVOiNPwh3FUZXJFNrV0xS3AWhy5yrA79akaMtgkTUqu52yeK9r0_HvI/w640-h360/DSC05352.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a name='more'></a></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCYw5usdEdmH6sMCQe5PuSjmWJMajuVODd7mUSCc0zWpFUI-tZqyVRI9PAf_jnA-odQEa70VQwAfTK4dU1WKqM26Nkh1kFggYUjaNy2Ymov8Z7BrQ0aNYk8aoNyydujVCpqrMhMY1-3g/s6000/DSC05354.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCYw5usdEdmH6sMCQe5PuSjmWJMajuVODd7mUSCc0zWpFUI-tZqyVRI9PAf_jnA-odQEa70VQwAfTK4dU1WKqM26Nkh1kFggYUjaNy2Ymov8Z7BrQ0aNYk8aoNyydujVCpqrMhMY1-3g/w640-h360/DSC05354.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWxnIkK5c2ABwb9A7J5xX4xhE-Abxl599Zb1dKvDmsT3Uk4hRgafpXUVO0NXkyUokocKrTY9DoojtsAeMXPUyHWSlV-Oe_Qj9IVdtX446hKvEfDGT6tn-qsmpr28WpfUsUqD1AYyThcw/s6000/DSC05356.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWxnIkK5c2ABwb9A7J5xX4xhE-Abxl599Zb1dKvDmsT3Uk4hRgafpXUVO0NXkyUokocKrTY9DoojtsAeMXPUyHWSlV-Oe_Qj9IVdtX446hKvEfDGT6tn-qsmpr28WpfUsUqD1AYyThcw/w640-h360/DSC05356.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFtxeuTFAh9LsIyia9JewxEtExj-54ILDB7-ClVyX6BVHlmwU2eHO7q8wskC8xcRjp-wSr_JgFEqDpQ8Y6TTquaxI_IRp5oRxGe8Qv7NZBk5OGJ1ifLtY5yvWDVoUEivEOySiBi8_tQI/s6000/DSC05713.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFtxeuTFAh9LsIyia9JewxEtExj-54ILDB7-ClVyX6BVHlmwU2eHO7q8wskC8xcRjp-wSr_JgFEqDpQ8Y6TTquaxI_IRp5oRxGe8Qv7NZBk5OGJ1ifLtY5yvWDVoUEivEOySiBi8_tQI/w640-h360/DSC05713.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7xShBi6ocmkthULrAf41Vc4sxRjgwy4yNNv0ssWgwTsf9SQq8advcnjtTZZ6JZKytGWWlrJAERCdDu_7SdhK42AC8JlEtSM0LStwvmomE0zg5-iTA-6jyWaJxD4lQhZ_ne7FVqpZk_0/s6000/DSC05719.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7xShBi6ocmkthULrAf41Vc4sxRjgwy4yNNv0ssWgwTsf9SQq8advcnjtTZZ6JZKytGWWlrJAERCdDu_7SdhK42AC8JlEtSM0LStwvmomE0zg5-iTA-6jyWaJxD4lQhZ_ne7FVqpZk_0/w640-h360/DSC05719.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jVVczZWkviFPeTi6Kn70SdHW3LrvUGuLoeO-o53Ntab1fAhWGvMx4r_o2IbsFqvgjN7y6VnTbZnMNjwVLp1hGzLSOZYDsHFBDbDp7580wXKrPFQ2F3aomVDKwMd8qK0wk0qxTGx-ffA/s6000/DSC05727.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jVVczZWkviFPeTi6Kn70SdHW3LrvUGuLoeO-o53Ntab1fAhWGvMx4r_o2IbsFqvgjN7y6VnTbZnMNjwVLp1hGzLSOZYDsHFBDbDp7580wXKrPFQ2F3aomVDKwMd8qK0wk0qxTGx-ffA/w640-h360/DSC05727.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBnlbsdIePH-_LJOoQaDLoJapo1hWirn9i-rpYQc9Mg-WQiEvjtI4skPPm_RjoK9SUwZuvZavoLv5EHNUeJfmKqkbGnU3vErO70mELcenMY5HZeQvWJ7Eoo_tvZGJ9BqmaY9egsNqFeQ/s6000/DSC05728.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBnlbsdIePH-_LJOoQaDLoJapo1hWirn9i-rpYQc9Mg-WQiEvjtI4skPPm_RjoK9SUwZuvZavoLv5EHNUeJfmKqkbGnU3vErO70mELcenMY5HZeQvWJ7Eoo_tvZGJ9BqmaY9egsNqFeQ/w640-h360/DSC05728.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDOj6hYh1iMtjxQxg5l36P1uaGTw1KdZUMFf9XkZ1V1wvZIVkg9BOWCKBo7KUesh1pHhAhtYIOlWxhL9u1TlgM4GmkrwMFy6OcS-ZlC51ciWYEo6EC-W-bKiYn6wcJRpePS2y-Pquun8/s6000/DSC05732.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDOj6hYh1iMtjxQxg5l36P1uaGTw1KdZUMFf9XkZ1V1wvZIVkg9BOWCKBo7KUesh1pHhAhtYIOlWxhL9u1TlgM4GmkrwMFy6OcS-ZlC51ciWYEo6EC-W-bKiYn6wcJRpePS2y-Pquun8/w640-h360/DSC05732.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfQeYs0txg2AGofBjuUAm-ykbbo5JdJQaVT0rDvZAUDdJwVn0v2kvgOwUzgkmDxcHARUykf2wXYXrgkgsZfkHEBFpN9BWwctJrG_Q1nxi8Et1QiiEBegbeZgT5tnl1CLcSPcUR-IWMdI/s6000/DSC05734.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfQeYs0txg2AGofBjuUAm-ykbbo5JdJQaVT0rDvZAUDdJwVn0v2kvgOwUzgkmDxcHARUykf2wXYXrgkgsZfkHEBFpN9BWwctJrG_Q1nxi8Et1QiiEBegbeZgT5tnl1CLcSPcUR-IWMdI/w640-h360/DSC05734.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: left;">We dedicated her to our Lord Jesus Christ with the help of Pastor Allan Magtoto (also one of our </span><i style="text-align: left;">ninongs sa kasal)</i><span style="text-align: left;">, prayed over her, played games, and ate delicious food!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM83G0ziofVxgYmtZ1J7PCVVRXlmvdKcAMK9qa7XVLhqnC8zXHX7F2hEToJotduvaLJoh0JjXg1mCLQIzm5qojruGXqQT1ojKv4bFriaULgwtxbYT7mSJMRMn91Q7RogWnfFWiVusU3oE/s6000/DSC05786.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM83G0ziofVxgYmtZ1J7PCVVRXlmvdKcAMK9qa7XVLhqnC8zXHX7F2hEToJotduvaLJoh0JjXg1mCLQIzm5qojruGXqQT1ojKv4bFriaULgwtxbYT7mSJMRMn91Q7RogWnfFWiVusU3oE/w640-h360/DSC05786.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfz12jHpeqb4v_1DaDehV_MJxV7gJiw76VR8y-mXiLqVf-O_sjodcxX54O-GtIqeKv7j7i69Kyt1tnJlsD4DVfYGV_q9nW94v7Knfu16FWtSDvum-oeUrBXk0Mu1mguyw06wTMWJGPto/s6000/DSC05791.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfz12jHpeqb4v_1DaDehV_MJxV7gJiw76VR8y-mXiLqVf-O_sjodcxX54O-GtIqeKv7j7i69Kyt1tnJlsD4DVfYGV_q9nW94v7Knfu16FWtSDvum-oeUrBXk0Mu1mguyw06wTMWJGPto/w640-h360/DSC05791.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0E8zFIiZ_nMdvd_8z7UfkDRg94Sd4SL1nQBDN0kpZblLOM5_NeYoBxYJtvU3VH7Wgo9uD8ogWPD4Shzgj4MJrPjKFQe2V2n2VNONjmIDKN_dCv7dZCipq2Es52gioHaXjJdOzv60AfY/s6000/DSC05801.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0E8zFIiZ_nMdvd_8z7UfkDRg94Sd4SL1nQBDN0kpZblLOM5_NeYoBxYJtvU3VH7Wgo9uD8ogWPD4Shzgj4MJrPjKFQe2V2n2VNONjmIDKN_dCv7dZCipq2Es52gioHaXjJdOzv60AfY/w640-h360/DSC05801.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Since Sophia loves to dance, we had a Looby Loo dance challenge during the program -- and as you can see, our friends from Victory are super competitive and up for it! Fun crowd!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoFB_bLABvjIdk5RdL7klO7LyP-bF0uqTesR6h9yVljYyAGg45ixIna83iKXteWQCvrXDcRukh5s7dkv3Qa7lObmRKXFdB-fFnS_9uhTJRS0BN6gdiUipmG85GwRRUh93X5WS2ja9CyM/s6000/DSC05808.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoFB_bLABvjIdk5RdL7klO7LyP-bF0uqTesR6h9yVljYyAGg45ixIna83iKXteWQCvrXDcRukh5s7dkv3Qa7lObmRKXFdB-fFnS_9uhTJRS0BN6gdiUipmG85GwRRUh93X5WS2ja9CyM/w640-h360/DSC05808.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9K4Qr_Fu2IlxWqq52UVCaI_4keJlcSYerL863ehRzjNX3gTtOT56dfG6jxR0kQPFGI-pSS0PlMbZTsfNVRl0wFf0VgdVStmppCR4IKH4lmvzGuHju9JkfmCSMtOlDcmjvJN2IDpsZ7W8/s6000/DSC05809.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9K4Qr_Fu2IlxWqq52UVCaI_4keJlcSYerL863ehRzjNX3gTtOT56dfG6jxR0kQPFGI-pSS0PlMbZTsfNVRl0wFf0VgdVStmppCR4IKH4lmvzGuHju9JkfmCSMtOlDcmjvJN2IDpsZ7W8/w640-h360/DSC05809.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We had a Mulan-themed party because while Sophia will always be our princess, she is a far cry from the damsel-in-distress usually depicted in storybooks. She is our strong and brave girl who loves adventures which is why Mulan is perfect for her personality!</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGDEGiWRnvgqR7QA5mKutyS_etgCy_L2ThkGmm-p1OX386oGr5M6u9mNTs9cJP-j_IdMdY_V8tAIst-cZx5McW4DaKBPUM2sEfQUVXdheO0iEPvYtHHiViaQbTPmD6Qy935gOkWRBuPQ/s6000/DSC05810.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGDEGiWRnvgqR7QA5mKutyS_etgCy_L2ThkGmm-p1OX386oGr5M6u9mNTs9cJP-j_IdMdY_V8tAIst-cZx5McW4DaKBPUM2sEfQUVXdheO0iEPvYtHHiViaQbTPmD6Qy935gOkWRBuPQ/w640-h360/DSC05810.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKojkzQbs-wcyShQTY4Vz-XwQ70iW4N0qs_zDFh6Pf_ETJjprGSRK1-ABPbCJgkxtqung4Gat0PEnTsoZf37E3YRbAI-vXotoM6-jRT87l9AFJd9F5frdJOBZ64NVu7vftmoRRVMn8Tb4/s6000/DSC05811.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKojkzQbs-wcyShQTY4Vz-XwQ70iW4N0qs_zDFh6Pf_ETJjprGSRK1-ABPbCJgkxtqung4Gat0PEnTsoZf37E3YRbAI-vXotoM6-jRT87l9AFJd9F5frdJOBZ64NVu7vftmoRRVMn8Tb4/w640-h360/DSC05811.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxQrezprL-ljtq9Uc6jeSuJ9-apa23zsK4wmx2ZRq0HUPJR8JhuxyqeB1vbojiVq8pObMKrWYhHxd9UTfNVJFa4w2aGGp8ys7zWbjkitIEEs7lJI2LRK-QploA7OYLx1ZsoGj1iMyhQs/s6000/DSC05812.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeujJSdvIgYPeJCsGGrsjzQW8xqY4j52G8mlcXuaIXB_8TfJs6S9apsIvuJCRWoZNpq2HghHyzToRkCKpKPYx29wRs6ERLR-PAbAV8TAQuggzwpMll1jCvW4JCFAgTAtipUiIyTmPVjlM/s6000/DSC05846.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeujJSdvIgYPeJCsGGrsjzQW8xqY4j52G8mlcXuaIXB_8TfJs6S9apsIvuJCRWoZNpq2HghHyzToRkCKpKPYx29wRs6ERLR-PAbAV8TAQuggzwpMll1jCvW4JCFAgTAtipUiIyTmPVjlM/w640-h360/DSC05846.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkSJ3SqecVyDxJLsYa-ZDeB5D7X6oiTEZj7TlcfgjB3A0YucgUrjJXkAdCHeLeeF957ZMZdIPnh6vAx_HFCXV0dDlm83rtB4AqE22TsbMNOG2OoJxJVWLlM7I_a2kxOwn-PFaq-UOHRQ/s6000/DSC05847.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkSJ3SqecVyDxJLsYa-ZDeB5D7X6oiTEZj7TlcfgjB3A0YucgUrjJXkAdCHeLeeF957ZMZdIPnh6vAx_HFCXV0dDlm83rtB4AqE22TsbMNOG2OoJxJVWLlM7I_a2kxOwn-PFaq-UOHRQ/w640-h360/DSC05847.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Coincidentally, or as destiny would have it -- Sophia and my sister, Hershey share the same birthday. Both of them are born on the 15th of January, so we surprised her also with a cake complete with a birthday song.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOaRV4Ubq068b8yQVY8GySbAxq5xUZB28eu9lL5hoFy1orjiVqaLvZc8FOQmNVu9esPOiYv2l5IZ_Xj0KE1fylHMQ6M0r8O0XywfZPitRZJXh-2LvrJrZwx9wmZLjvwAD8uLDUvi-iXA/s6000/DSC05848.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOaRV4Ubq068b8yQVY8GySbAxq5xUZB28eu9lL5hoFy1orjiVqaLvZc8FOQmNVu9esPOiYv2l5IZ_Xj0KE1fylHMQ6M0r8O0XywfZPitRZJXh-2LvrJrZwx9wmZLjvwAD8uLDUvi-iXA/w640-h360/DSC05848.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9L8jsT7U7kWvTWAnjoLsHQ27BtowJL7OaPUUJ-LZu2NxA2QRlcCli-tEPmrs26IN3dAvHbWMayM-kgLhvo-Bf2nyuaiMseQCcYL-gHckNO0aCgOV7MB1fiM8EiFHMhWsOoFVWFzAPVL0/s6000/DSC05849.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9L8jsT7U7kWvTWAnjoLsHQ27BtowJL7OaPUUJ-LZu2NxA2QRlcCli-tEPmrs26IN3dAvHbWMayM-kgLhvo-Bf2nyuaiMseQCcYL-gHckNO0aCgOV7MB1fiM8EiFHMhWsOoFVWFzAPVL0/w640-h360/DSC05849.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Lovely fam and friends who came out! Thanks so much!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ85GqkUjYUuNPJSBtktEAZOirZQtnO4lw-qTDSexQKj16J-sgTNjhcE5jrEhd0tP0Rv-ilSLG1O6Tnb9UTtkQ5NFXy5VTr7bgDmSS57q5_M9nSrHN9nf7A3jI4vitKVw_lAlqmEAdoy0/s6000/DSC05854.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ85GqkUjYUuNPJSBtktEAZOirZQtnO4lw-qTDSexQKj16J-sgTNjhcE5jrEhd0tP0Rv-ilSLG1O6Tnb9UTtkQ5NFXy5VTr7bgDmSS57q5_M9nSrHN9nf7A3jI4vitKVw_lAlqmEAdoy0/w640-h360/DSC05854.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yMUua65WBBchd6hBuIKYM67v_p22pRlNJDqQqBOtpiya5R8Az-Kc3pXAWcVJEvh619ysNI4rNXbIU7W6BuPvK9NRgtfr-p491dcJqwrv9ZFp1nFF64iNATovPsRhDep3DYUTrZHKnpM/s6000/DSC05914.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yMUua65WBBchd6hBuIKYM67v_p22pRlNJDqQqBOtpiya5R8Az-Kc3pXAWcVJEvh619ysNI4rNXbIU7W6BuPvK9NRgtfr-p491dcJqwrv9ZFp1nFF64iNATovPsRhDep3DYUTrZHKnpM/w640-h360/DSC05914.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWymEvlRQ6PH7vQLqn_xhXAYEfrrqCSLkRYNidb2d-j3Q51s27nPVXl0TRCA4eL8a2thr-vWVkElfsxdoU6F81dUU8zYD1GBoQNisd8JpTz4smy3BnSjK1aosEcqufI3Mx3kbxOzp62z8/s6000/DSC05918.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWymEvlRQ6PH7vQLqn_xhXAYEfrrqCSLkRYNidb2d-j3Q51s27nPVXl0TRCA4eL8a2thr-vWVkElfsxdoU6F81dUU8zYD1GBoQNisd8JpTz4smy3BnSjK1aosEcqufI3Mx3kbxOzp62z8/w640-h360/DSC05918.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thanks to all your prayers, well-wishes, gifts to Sophia -- but more importantly, your presence! :) <i>May 1 year old na kami!!! Anunaaaa! hahaha!</i></span><div><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: helvetica;"><i>Venue: Kandle Cafe</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: helvetica;"><i>Photos: Mico Medel</i></span></div></div></div>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-23886940629612655742020-10-28T23:36:00.011-07:002020-10-29T18:43:18.555-07:00Beach Trip during a Pandemic?<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hello everyone!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We're on the last few days of October and we're still where we were last March! Eeeeep, pandemic!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For my birthday this year, I only asked for one thing: a beach trip with friends. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W_QlKXMJ8Rcn_nDbRQaSD5TGcCWKBSVwSn6irJdRUEEzx3K_Mqb8Ckm4NRlZprO4VmtVJyJlU_IEogL-2Dx0LG5zuSyzCFeRLo9OzMc8lu0ZSynjnAtxBduv-1WNpZJKCZZdNKpr-n0/s6000/DSC05683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W_QlKXMJ8Rcn_nDbRQaSD5TGcCWKBSVwSn6irJdRUEEzx3K_Mqb8Ckm4NRlZprO4VmtVJyJlU_IEogL-2Dx0LG5zuSyzCFeRLo9OzMc8lu0ZSynjnAtxBduv-1WNpZJKCZZdNKpr-n0/w640-h360/DSC05683.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Birthday wish fulfilled! Yaaay!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I think most of us have been wanting to go out for a while now. And understandably so! Have you guys seen that meme of that travel aficionado who used his treadmill to mimic that of the airport conveyor belt? That was about as far as we can live vicariously at this point, so a little breather outside MM really does our souls good.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now that the government has eased its restrictions, we now have a leeway to book that trip but of course, we should still be vigilant of ours and others' health.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So here are quick checks that you need to do before booking a trip outside the Metro.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a name='more'></a></span><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Health-check</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Do a self-check if you have symptoms like fever, cough, and colds. If you have any of those symptoms, just book the trip some other time because you don't want to risk exposing your friends and whoever you will be in contact with during your trip.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Travel-Pass check</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some areas require this like Subic. I think the North is stricter with these than those parts of the South. Better to have this ready either way just in case they suddenly mount checkpoints en route to your destination. So where do you get your travel pass? The barangay will be the one to release it to you, some docs that they require are:</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Swab or Rapid Test (if your employer conducts regular swab tests for you, then that should suffice)<br />- Health certificate (you should be able to get this at your local health center or your local city hall)<br />- Barangay CTC (or cedula)<br />- Valid ID (TIN, SSS, Passport)</span></div><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Resort check</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You also have to make sure that the resort or hotel you are staying at has a DTI certificate allowing them to operate. They usually post this on their website or their FB pages to show everyone that they are OK-ed to open to the public. If it's not, better ask them or have them send you a copy of that certificate.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We tried booking at Agoda and Booking.com, unfortunately, the "available" hotels or resorts that come up on their sites are not updated. They would say that they're open but when we call them, they are not yet operational. So better to just call the resort directly instead of booking at these sites, at least for now.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Check, check, check! </span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Great! Now for the fun part...</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Playa Montaña Resort</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We decided to go to Batangas for our beach trip. Hooray! Batangas has many resorts to choose from, but we went <a href="https://www.facebook.com/playamontanabeachhotel" target="_blank">here</a> because we saw that the place has an infinity pool and the place looks nice just by looking at the photos.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT3BIpgWrNrm1bnZajlmpWwLpfLP7mxPqY9vXXl2XO7TN2QdXv_Vm0tbNUnziwTMccPFb6Pp8nji84U6CYesGrwyyGX70s58Bd76cRz1auIehbFJqYW9u_UF0ObrixeouCMIypo4S-9w/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT3BIpgWrNrm1bnZajlmpWwLpfLP7mxPqY9vXXl2XO7TN2QdXv_Vm0tbNUnziwTMccPFb6Pp8nji84U6CYesGrwyyGX70s58Bd76cRz1auIehbFJqYW9u_UF0ObrixeouCMIypo4S-9w/w640-h640/image.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We left Manila at 10AM, had a quick lunch at Jollibee SLEX then arrived at the resort around 3PM. Surprisingly, it was already pretty traffic so it's always better to leave earlier.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So we checked in a little past 3PM and we swam straight away to make the most out of our trip. </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">Sulitin natin!</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_iHAOSrc42BC-8DolIpT6vpu38KpmIGwyBwqGhlVOr11ogbg-uTtSEQNtoyCUGXgmdCz4bY7Ty-HpUP6Y2qxTk9F7YMKCn4W6XK_21RQcseeGxFtbQ5omvZsSPbElZ_Ti8hpPckFKUw/s6000/DSC01494.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_iHAOSrc42BC-8DolIpT6vpu38KpmIGwyBwqGhlVOr11ogbg-uTtSEQNtoyCUGXgmdCz4bY7Ty-HpUP6Y2qxTk9F7YMKCn4W6XK_21RQcseeGxFtbQ5omvZsSPbElZ_Ti8hpPckFKUw/w640-h360/DSC01494.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjibs7zZTt4y1dSj71O3DEGPs-iau6nUy82PPqrezlNx1V9aKzDfUf82DeurN7gWVUHtO6vIqnt0QWwneNbD9Dp1jJMM5Huxk2DDGoAbVtXe-UzEswxBnyvIwABjymHH0hJV6pDDSt2A/s6000/DSC01447.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjibs7zZTt4y1dSj71O3DEGPs-iau6nUy82PPqrezlNx1V9aKzDfUf82DeurN7gWVUHtO6vIqnt0QWwneNbD9Dp1jJMM5Huxk2DDGoAbVtXe-UzEswxBnyvIwABjymHH0hJV6pDDSt2A/w640-h360/DSC01447.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cANHR4-e7Zyg-hygNQq-0L9_mdev9CWz6AIFZ5awS5frPJqpQu8tFIF4Rx_q4bQBp_tou8ocdJaYt26EXKrjGw5nAmctZ4kH5FmvqrY5SSkPeDgr0wz_c-XpSM7c1g6QYu08omjBZjQ/s6000/DSC01470.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cANHR4-e7Zyg-hygNQq-0L9_mdev9CWz6AIFZ5awS5frPJqpQu8tFIF4Rx_q4bQBp_tou8ocdJaYt26EXKrjGw5nAmctZ4kH5FmvqrY5SSkPeDgr0wz_c-XpSM7c1g6QYu08omjBZjQ/w640-h360/DSC01470.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">We appreciate a place that has a beach and a pool so we alternated swimming in both. It was a little bit cloudy at that time so our skins are grateful for it (<i>may sunburn lang ako nang very very light :P</i>) and it was even drizzling during nighttime so we were able to swim under the rain! <i>Ang saya magswimming pag umuulan diba!</i></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOQutY-4_ONo3vrw326zJHhyphenhyphenxTQwQ3ZrUTbHFZjXpNoBpsVWHKCyEYQZX4tB3tToSYzTUNWCrY9YjEHYbyq8stX3VsZCvihucL3qL3hw-i83GK0td0B55SR9KFMhHL05Jt7QDnls42D0/s6000/DSC01342.JPG" style="clear: left; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOQutY-4_ONo3vrw326zJHhyphenhyphenxTQwQ3ZrUTbHFZjXpNoBpsVWHKCyEYQZX4tB3tToSYzTUNWCrY9YjEHYbyq8stX3VsZCvihucL3qL3hw-i83GK0td0B55SR9KFMhHL05Jt7QDnls42D0/w640-h360/DSC01342.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwsg8E_o8jHnehQg5EMB2FVeBsabIpD9NKNNcU5ku3lKjUdgwdi7th-aeKEH92ikJTpCyEKK-5MGrVvAamVLQ9PnPxLijFvb4G8ycGUHbDKhiBQ8vGWlO03DNFeZ9fwhE9tKrPQ_OdAE/s6000/DSC01345.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwsg8E_o8jHnehQg5EMB2FVeBsabIpD9NKNNcU5ku3lKjUdgwdi7th-aeKEH92ikJTpCyEKK-5MGrVvAamVLQ9PnPxLijFvb4G8ycGUHbDKhiBQ8vGWlO03DNFeZ9fwhE9tKrPQ_OdAE/w640-h360/DSC01345.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pwede din magdive! Odiba! Nice form, Lyle! (kala mo swimming coach ako eh! haha!)</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGEGi1K5d22HjgTsLfysglVis9VgHOpOkIi7rpsjl-HOt0M2_qWsNOKnhXyAM1tx38PuEMVzAyZFuPJ5lygMxYaOl9v9HY6cxYEdKyn_vEq_xM1SROD7puPiCl0y4YirTZZzJbtCqFWw/s6000/DSC05591.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGEGi1K5d22HjgTsLfysglVis9VgHOpOkIi7rpsjl-HOt0M2_qWsNOKnhXyAM1tx38PuEMVzAyZFuPJ5lygMxYaOl9v9HY6cxYEdKyn_vEq_xM1SROD7puPiCl0y4YirTZZzJbtCqFWw/s6000/DSC05591.JPG"><br /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGEGi1K5d22HjgTsLfysglVis9VgHOpOkIi7rpsjl-HOt0M2_qWsNOKnhXyAM1tx38PuEMVzAyZFuPJ5lygMxYaOl9v9HY6cxYEdKyn_vEq_xM1SROD7puPiCl0y4YirTZZzJbtCqFWw/s6000/DSC05591.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGEGi1K5d22HjgTsLfysglVis9VgHOpOkIi7rpsjl-HOt0M2_qWsNOKnhXyAM1tx38PuEMVzAyZFuPJ5lygMxYaOl9v9HY6cxYEdKyn_vEq_xM1SROD7puPiCl0y4YirTZZzJbtCqFWw/s6000/DSC05591.JPG" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGEGi1K5d22HjgTsLfysglVis9VgHOpOkIi7rpsjl-HOt0M2_qWsNOKnhXyAM1tx38PuEMVzAyZFuPJ5lygMxYaOl9v9HY6cxYEdKyn_vEq_xM1SROD7puPiCl0y4YirTZZzJbtCqFWw/w640-h360/DSC05591.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uk6C4zcexTN7nIjA4SeeaJXHU7TRVStkvPQGKFqfS5K_R43vjfShj6xDA1oYQVxCvmMVDnc9AP7jMsIgeYsNlXz9sim__1uBAOEjsgQoh7Jg4AzQFWAPRFE7ltTo12WAmrKM8vdMHBI/s6000/DSC05597.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uk6C4zcexTN7nIjA4SeeaJXHU7TRVStkvPQGKFqfS5K_R43vjfShj6xDA1oYQVxCvmMVDnc9AP7jMsIgeYsNlXz9sim__1uBAOEjsgQoh7Jg4AzQFWAPRFE7ltTo12WAmrKM8vdMHBI/w640-h360/DSC05597.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODVGrkDrS4v3E-fRStdAwCcUIVVej0rT0bTYEKoDyivWbeDcWZvg-yufDEdSf2W_gzLrarfR28L87lYhIpEXaQcbj2t0xujftG2ZgiTO8tpphA619VNFFlz2rSXdmUjbSLTWoEjIEQ44/s6000/DSC05598.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODVGrkDrS4v3E-fRStdAwCcUIVVej0rT0bTYEKoDyivWbeDcWZvg-yufDEdSf2W_gzLrarfR28L87lYhIpEXaQcbj2t0xujftG2ZgiTO8tpphA619VNFFlz2rSXdmUjbSLTWoEjIEQ44/w640-h360/DSC05598.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was such a relaxing time with friends--</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">just to be in a place to see people's smiles (without masks and shields) and faces is already a refreshing sight. I love that there was no itinerary and we were just really out there to spend time at the beach and catch up.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIR9VfDK3cSaIkjHkICAJ-B-Fam6gp_XiMTSlcibRSc0z5wER1CAy7bgkzKBnJdw6bhMaDZGWbO2OHRAyLoYcHWCbAdPwkviQk3NMl54x4zpz9M_FMYy_3_eq0ez8XXIs5QqbgVM4Zmo/s6000/DSC05658.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIR9VfDK3cSaIkjHkICAJ-B-Fam6gp_XiMTSlcibRSc0z5wER1CAy7bgkzKBnJdw6bhMaDZGWbO2OHRAyLoYcHWCbAdPwkviQk3NMl54x4zpz9M_FMYy_3_eq0ez8XXIs5QqbgVM4Zmo/w640-h360/DSC05658.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkimHzNvp4i0JHJA3-_N8pG2jmTnJjEWkpEn7wPsYzRqumpKop69raVTLm4_6818lTVTlUufdpA5L6AgdcxDasyb7avGyVZexgTpAVfFkyeHaWkmtS_5qMXvuoLSV6IHq2TyUDD0FUUAk/s6000/DSC05664.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkimHzNvp4i0JHJA3-_N8pG2jmTnJjEWkpEn7wPsYzRqumpKop69raVTLm4_6818lTVTlUufdpA5L6AgdcxDasyb7avGyVZexgTpAVfFkyeHaWkmtS_5qMXvuoLSV6IHq2TyUDD0FUUAk/w640-h360/DSC05664.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here, we were trying to make a game out of skipping stones. <i>Pero syempre kulelat ako! Waley tlga! </i>Dennis has been teaching me even before but I couldn't make a stone skip even just one time. <i>Bakiiiiittttt... </i>The MVPs are Mike, Lyle, Tomas, and Dennis. We challenged the singles that whoever makes the most number of skips will get married next... guess who won? lol! <i>(Itago natin sa initials na CJT) </i></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgE0IzI-qNPkRq4JmxmTA4Ulsw969CDRHGAMXVmQ_KiLODBeg5F6l1Rr56GTg72R6_tLvyDHG2dRWXi-7zJfTijDE4FHjoORB9LfPeDWIEYnJ7aZKa2iRYElDP_HDuY_LLc73M9n9Eg4/s6000/DSC05666.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgE0IzI-qNPkRq4JmxmTA4Ulsw969CDRHGAMXVmQ_KiLODBeg5F6l1Rr56GTg72R6_tLvyDHG2dRWXi-7zJfTijDE4FHjoORB9LfPeDWIEYnJ7aZKa2iRYElDP_HDuY_LLc73M9n9Eg4/w640-h360/DSC05666.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOtnJQirl5_ktfb_qEEII_OsfW16vG3JpjwgYeAYG_21rX5uf1h3fdzXgKhYvLIEjgJUl5kGZd6VNGhIfwsDbRxupoh9xeP17Wf3laA54OkztA47IefHSI4ASOSDPKDKH_w7A8kpwuJ0/s6000/DSC05602+%25281%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOtnJQirl5_ktfb_qEEII_OsfW16vG3JpjwgYeAYG_21rX5uf1h3fdzXgKhYvLIEjgJUl5kGZd6VNGhIfwsDbRxupoh9xeP17Wf3laA54OkztA47IefHSI4ASOSDPKDKH_w7A8kpwuJ0/w640-h360/DSC05602+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwiyjmHShd2CAjoWcjngzIZIKGIL_Ts6pvpTSePEJNoXCEuFo6yuNfuXDpsSZmBNTYWHtTvGjSvwSkWCU2xXKI-TxwAqee4XHvY1j7xo_ikaqfRf9cJQGS4PmHK2gW_P7YX1SCBb_x_s/s6000/DSC05603.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwiyjmHShd2CAjoWcjngzIZIKGIL_Ts6pvpTSePEJNoXCEuFo6yuNfuXDpsSZmBNTYWHtTvGjSvwSkWCU2xXKI-TxwAqee4XHvY1j7xo_ikaqfRf9cJQGS4PmHK2gW_P7YX1SCBb_x_s/w640-h360/DSC05603.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Pwede din magphotoshoot! Haha!</i></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7gFbilhpVKvYTTMFVEP3J8FQP09ZqFZ6Nv3Wb6RgJW8V5tsrEc9C_hTjZcKXnRVu7H4wxc3oWLVIvnvBpcrRGrnK7QjoX2V0nT0C9ktZT1smMCd34fWIYgTllej0MnU-fcZU0BvUhtU/s6000/DSC05607.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="3376" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7gFbilhpVKvYTTMFVEP3J8FQP09ZqFZ6Nv3Wb6RgJW8V5tsrEc9C_hTjZcKXnRVu7H4wxc3oWLVIvnvBpcrRGrnK7QjoX2V0nT0C9ktZT1smMCd34fWIYgTllej0MnU-fcZU0BvUhtU/w360-h640/DSC05607.JPG" width="360" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Papahuli ba kami? haha! I am not sure who is saving who in this picture lol!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CjJnOueYStabA_K9xXxb70ct1EFXOv4R1mPE3AYUkq9TxqZoFUZKHD9D8IAlnDVkITa8yt_KSOakNuqSZDwYxXTK4oy3X4vwkFrvSuOkbDDqTwGCJLyPpDAsyfIUc8OJkQg1cGXOPqM/s6000/DSC05687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="3376" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CjJnOueYStabA_K9xXxb70ct1EFXOv4R1mPE3AYUkq9TxqZoFUZKHD9D8IAlnDVkITa8yt_KSOakNuqSZDwYxXTK4oy3X4vwkFrvSuOkbDDqTwGCJLyPpDAsyfIUc8OJkQg1cGXOPqM/w360-h640/DSC05687.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbRKMVDFm80ycAao2MEnRMNeRQQlLptfGnLmE-GuxGwB7V4jmxbcpQ5HHDyYTK3mkDkcCmY9STO8b5TZP1KUeSWqLvdlR_Oc6EWuucKiUVaO-k2ce7w_6WvKsZhDUe-OpywHOO3vRFMo/s6000/DSC05618.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbRKMVDFm80ycAao2MEnRMNeRQQlLptfGnLmE-GuxGwB7V4jmxbcpQ5HHDyYTK3mkDkcCmY9STO8b5TZP1KUeSWqLvdlR_Oc6EWuucKiUVaO-k2ce7w_6WvKsZhDUe-OpywHOO3vRFMo/w640-h360/DSC05618.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1PpV1QzH0QDzI_PXmdrgwZbf-h9sl2SspRC6_WBmSHBMDrGQiTfaTqLT4375xezVWhRETOXEmfPQalLNd_Zfl3_6hDusAflrSpNSwrMtWWz8wbKih_vo-ZyNqgFbSzH81eIMEXvOy0A/s6000/DSC05622.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1PpV1QzH0QDzI_PXmdrgwZbf-h9sl2SspRC6_WBmSHBMDrGQiTfaTqLT4375xezVWhRETOXEmfPQalLNd_Zfl3_6hDusAflrSpNSwrMtWWz8wbKih_vo-ZyNqgFbSzH81eIMEXvOy0A/w640-h360/DSC05622.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">This place is like a buffet, that you will be able to see the beach, the mountains, and rocks in one look. <i>Busog and mga mata namin! Kulang nalang sunset!</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXroLvoDn_FUolffs_mGRcZXbex8n4OCfDYZykfCuXxDUgOgaKjT91aRpif9zBtgwdGoMGKRuHQgqOMNOZncPW2oyvoW1hV08piU0n2lBZYHYU-jQiYbyop_0F21JalpLUJKpSQnazd0o/s6000/DSC05631.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXroLvoDn_FUolffs_mGRcZXbex8n4OCfDYZykfCuXxDUgOgaKjT91aRpif9zBtgwdGoMGKRuHQgqOMNOZncPW2oyvoW1hV08piU0n2lBZYHYU-jQiYbyop_0F21JalpLUJKpSQnazd0o/w640-h360/DSC05631.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhJxSYHck4XIZABVd8jjnL393S6n00fkKiSQznj-8IPYLgzzzos-ryljyNXZnGg9aWvkTIcy6xncUKLw-1m3LeCGLtqtOZ3ML7mJ9NFW15J0mFeu3oyFIAQL5nt7FsiaSD37gQtX8RrA/s6000/DSC05725.JPG" style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="3376" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhJxSYHck4XIZABVd8jjnL393S6n00fkKiSQznj-8IPYLgzzzos-ryljyNXZnGg9aWvkTIcy6xncUKLw-1m3LeCGLtqtOZ3ML7mJ9NFW15J0mFeu3oyFIAQL5nt7FsiaSD37gQtX8RrA/w360-h640/DSC05725.JPG" width="360" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg256ebTvdtTMLdVQmyFr5R3pmD78vIZO4KalTIYivBtNIklps8mpupFLGdWKrpTK231Z_h1bzQkqmG3SUF4riSe0RJcfFD55oZ4B8hB_Wk8Lh0PJuxX6HMOmjb80PBvLIcgBZK6Ry1NYE/s6000/DSC05714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="3376" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg256ebTvdtTMLdVQmyFr5R3pmD78vIZO4KalTIYivBtNIklps8mpupFLGdWKrpTK231Z_h1bzQkqmG3SUF4riSe0RJcfFD55oZ4B8hB_Wk8Lh0PJuxX6HMOmjb80PBvLIcgBZK6Ry1NYE/w360-h640/DSC05714.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Odiba! Pati yung puno walang kawala! haha!</i></div><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQ9aQR_YzDVl0-RAZYHfdckf8dFPv39e1nQmV1aNEwrvHRG-Aw7aYWQPWYAbRFoRYn8_28t1Exisjqfo1gOvlRvypsU3Rr0v1mCiJn0_TvI38-1y0Ft-bvi8j2-cSCZ9_WKOlRwlWDvY/s6000/DSC05652.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQ9aQR_YzDVl0-RAZYHfdckf8dFPv39e1nQmV1aNEwrvHRG-Aw7aYWQPWYAbRFoRYn8_28t1Exisjqfo1gOvlRvypsU3Rr0v1mCiJn0_TvI38-1y0Ft-bvi8j2-cSCZ9_WKOlRwlWDvY/w640-h360/DSC05652.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><i>Thanks Mico for the gorgeous photos!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKihCkkRyKHTHaRa8HDq9M9UYgwaYHV8iAvzU7ZOKpyTZwlXetdIiQrPnW_j9tx-IOtLChKCZAL5wBU7zcZ-vrLHju0DDDlLZtvPmWVy94hB6IEEa-22HFsUanqW7AEu8zfRkKoKtL9gA/s6000/DSC05761.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKihCkkRyKHTHaRa8HDq9M9UYgwaYHV8iAvzU7ZOKpyTZwlXetdIiQrPnW_j9tx-IOtLChKCZAL5wBU7zcZ-vrLHju0DDDlLZtvPmWVy94hB6IEEa-22HFsUanqW7AEu8zfRkKoKtL9gA/w640-h360/DSC05761.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">These beautiful shells are going home to Casa Apalisok!</span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">We had dinner at the resort's restaurant which has a great view! The gang surprised me with a birthday song (c/o the staff) and a birthday cake! Yaaaay! I got to blow my birthday cake! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cJKG6YP4xpOUOcT9RvUo78NJaQW4M19wN5ucF7wsWaHA46up6US2iyUxhkJCf6Ox4Yo31STCX4kEgGfJTNW3I_ju4tYQp2tRhbCRzfJXnKBeWoVa6l0l8amNr6N70alV97M6SeFkt0s/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cJKG6YP4xpOUOcT9RvUo78NJaQW4M19wN5ucF7wsWaHA46up6US2iyUxhkJCf6Ox4Yo31STCX4kEgGfJTNW3I_ju4tYQp2tRhbCRzfJXnKBeWoVa6l0l8amNr6N70alV97M6SeFkt0s/w480-h640/image.png" width="480" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jQRVHmcrrOJEbHLaOLoLuhqsBU4lWde3_nyDzQBu_6XrHrYpc9l7I8QKX-FkCPGGBPSm-f5o4KNZY8gZ2kTCjJKPxAb7Rg9BHh3iSBjonpyy8DvepDkwGu1pZ_tRxH1pS-BAQNvPO-U/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jQRVHmcrrOJEbHLaOLoLuhqsBU4lWde3_nyDzQBu_6XrHrYpc9l7I8QKX-FkCPGGBPSm-f5o4KNZY8gZ2kTCjJKPxAb7Rg9BHh3iSBjonpyy8DvepDkwGu1pZ_tRxH1pS-BAQNvPO-U/w480-h640/image.png" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9anA1LzCgC67zsgGQjs80iPs-XT83h6gLpSQiIKBrPDuHCPNn9fPvZ3BfBb-zqwkMdkSmSVUKMSmPLo8MOlJDlnoOgItr9ooTBK11LOgflWxgtWq7nmh9h1amkeV9VSK761NUjRsk29s/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9anA1LzCgC67zsgGQjs80iPs-XT83h6gLpSQiIKBrPDuHCPNn9fPvZ3BfBb-zqwkMdkSmSVUKMSmPLo8MOlJDlnoOgItr9ooTBK11LOgflWxgtWq7nmh9h1amkeV9VSK761NUjRsk29s/w480-h640/image.png" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">That night, we also had an honoring session and they gave me encouraging words and prayed for me.<i> Eto yung namiss ko sa church community.</i> Huhuhu! After being cooped up for months, I know that there are also a lot of things that you miss especially for relational people like me! Nothing beats seeing your friends face to face and just basking in God's amazing creation so thanks so much guys for making this day special!</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiR-JMG5z-zukZtitaiwqaUbV9mwhJ8nL4x1c5urTavEVjPWEQ7IEZEf5Gl9EbF7ZwPxFh3k_sNj-Q-EF1zd8nOPmRU9X6T40BHxrNtbAjBoRajveonWnUP2XFQae5UP1JNVcpjb1swoo/s6000/DSC02473.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiR-JMG5z-zukZtitaiwqaUbV9mwhJ8nL4x1c5urTavEVjPWEQ7IEZEf5Gl9EbF7ZwPxFh3k_sNj-Q-EF1zd8nOPmRU9X6T40BHxrNtbAjBoRajveonWnUP2XFQae5UP1JNVcpjb1swoo/w640-h360/DSC02473.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPI0sd4ZRXh_W-vcUqMnulA7j4ZlJ-msf5o8tpEBloaEe2XGG1fHYAJUQw7M34Wfwegup1Yg7Te9OmkwaVL5woLqz3o5zZJr4b-5GVYVLy-SQv8Bc0OFHs1rmZBP-bGX1QYipwIyhYzU/s6000/DSC02474.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPI0sd4ZRXh_W-vcUqMnulA7j4ZlJ-msf5o8tpEBloaEe2XGG1fHYAJUQw7M34Wfwegup1Yg7Te9OmkwaVL5woLqz3o5zZJr4b-5GVYVLy-SQv8Bc0OFHs1rmZBP-bGX1QYipwIyhYzU/w640-h360/DSC02474.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgZQc_0OBdh72hnVBzLVxSw4QhIMGL8Q0FxxCLYtarIreSWbt1D6HTR1YApXa-uSBUM55sYsNbt1tN4UnQ3X2bp5s2QXfVHtmtj6jXfIrDaiO1wfIf80xoQaLnoQXvcd9H-GCLhnbTa4/s6000/DSC05681.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgZQc_0OBdh72hnVBzLVxSw4QhIMGL8Q0FxxCLYtarIreSWbt1D6HTR1YApXa-uSBUM55sYsNbt1tN4UnQ3X2bp5s2QXfVHtmtj6jXfIrDaiO1wfIf80xoQaLnoQXvcd9H-GCLhnbTa4/w640-h360/DSC05681.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1nsoF_A2kxZozjMqMCdraIr7oORw8BV_oq2ab8r-WLuV6GvfRhxTd4TwapwbnQbxHUdspLOY5DjVkogQ6zyuPYM1KriT8ILWUWGXFIEI9PNZZ8aDsw9T_3v3MeS4DvLbQ6xguAkdOZY/s6000/DSC05682.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3376" data-original-width="6000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1nsoF_A2kxZozjMqMCdraIr7oORw8BV_oq2ab8r-WLuV6GvfRhxTd4TwapwbnQbxHUdspLOY5DjVkogQ6zyuPYM1KriT8ILWUWGXFIEI9PNZZ8aDsw9T_3v3MeS4DvLbQ6xguAkdOZY/w640-h360/DSC05682.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks guys! Till our next trip!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;"><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/playamontanabeachhotel/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank">Playa Montana Beach Hotel</a></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;"><i>Sitio Malao Barangay Pagkilatan</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;"><i>Batangas City</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: verdana;"><i>09154595995</i></span></span></div>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-63153603245970668162020-08-24T19:14:00.004-07:002020-08-24T19:14:51.178-07:00Honeymoon: Puerto Princesa!<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">After going to El Nido, we went to <b>Puerto Princesa</b> which was such a nice surprise because we didn't think it would be as fun!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Trivia:</b> This was the post-vomiting leg of our trip because we had food poison in El Nido hehe! Quite the adventure, yes! One day we were island hopping, having the best time of our lives and the second day, we were throwing up our dinner on the bathroom floor hahaha! I didn't know that you can vomit in a perfect trajectory until that day. Eeeeew but true!<br /><br />So Puerto Princesa was us trying to still make our adventurous selves happy, we still went ziplining and rappelling! Here is a short video!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MlDoeC5RpMY" width="320" youtube-src-id="MlDoeC5RpMY"></iframe></div><p><br /></p>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-24073051210552435452020-08-24T19:06:00.005-07:002020-08-24T19:06:57.642-07:00Honeymoon: El Nido (part 1)<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Oo na nga, sobrang tagal na nito... lol!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But this whole staying-home-strictly-no-traveling situation that we have has got me dreaming of packing my bags somewhere where there are sand, seas, and sun! I think you are too!<br /><br />So here is our honeymoon video of Palawan at El Nido. Days after we got married, we went to this beautiful island!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Why El Nido?</b><br />Well aside from it being hailed as the most gorge beach in the Philippines (topping the white sand beaches in Bora and the diving-haven that is Bohol), I wanted to go to a place both of us haven't been to so that both of us would be discovering the place for the first time <i>(odiba, minsan poetic at corny akey like that!).</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So here is the first part of our honeymoon video, enjoy!</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8RlnTmx5HN8" width="320" youtube-src-id="8RlnTmx5HN8"></iframe></div><p></p>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-61081559386462153602020-07-28T03:36:00.006-07:002020-10-21T18:48:17.382-07:00When a Mommy Screws Up<font face="verdana">Just the other day, I had the greatest scare since Sophia was born. She was standing inside the crib, trying to balance herself using one hand, when she slipped and hit the back of her head against the wall where the crib was leaning on. <span><a name='more'></a></span></font><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><div><font face="verdana">I made two mistakes that night: (1) I didn't see that the crib was rammed against the wall (there is supposed to be a gap between the crib and the wall to avoid these types of accidents) and (2) I was holding my phone on one hand, taking a video of her because I wanted to show my parents that their little Sophia can already stand with one hand all on her own.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><b>Everything happened so fast. </b>One second she was holding on to the rails of the crib and the next second, she was falling backward, and a loud thud vibrated against the room. It was so loud that Dennis was shouting "Babe, babe!! Babe!" and immediately rushed to the crib.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">I threw my phone on the bed then saw Sophia's face. She first looked at me blankly, <b>then as if realizing that something hurts and something hit her, she wailed. </b>It was a loud cry that made my heart pound even faster. Then I scooped her up from the crib, and Dennis immediately took her from me and checked her head. </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">There was no blood, whew! No cuts, whew! But I remembered that this is actually more cause for alarm -- because there is a possibility of internal hemorrhage. </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">See how everything escalates inside a mom's brain in panic? <b>In a matter of few seconds, I was fear-stricken, worried, relieved then scared again. </b></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">But after several seconds, Sophia stopped crying. <b>It was as if nothing happened. </b>We have always attributed her to being brave but at that time, we wanted her to tell us if something hurts and crying would give us that signal.<br /><br />And so we laid our hands against her head and prayed for her. We prayed that she would be cleared of vomiting and other symptoms for the next 2 days.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">She slept on our bed that night and the next night... actually until now, so we can monitor her. And guess what? There really was nothing. </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">It was as if nothing happened.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><b><font face="verdana">There was not even a bump or redness in the spot where she hit her head.</font></b></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">How in the world did that happen? We knew that she hit her head hard because even her Ate Ayang who takes care of her, rushed inside our room because of the loud bang.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><b>We could only credit it to God and His miracle. </b>He has protected her before and He would do it again. And again. And again.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">It was then that I realize how as a parent, <b>I really cannot parent my child alone. </b>And just to say that I am already uber protective of her as it is. Dennis would even tease me that I am the No-No-No Mommy who is the strict one and he is the fun one. <i>May point siya</i> but even with my motherly instinct to protect,<b> I still fell short and would continue to fall short.</b></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">I need help and I need God's guidance. Of course, I know this before, or I say I know it but not really knowing it until your child hits her head, you know? Haha!<br /><br /><b>But realizing how limited I am as a parent, made me see how limitless God is. </b>It was that moment of just praying to God to keep Sophia safe that I really cannot do anything anymore, that made me look to the One who can do something.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><div><font face="verdana">If you're a mom and if you feel inadequate, that is perfectly fine because guess what, we all are. But when we look to the limitless God in the midst of our inadequacies, then we can be at peace in our imperfections and rest on His grace and strength every day. <b>Being a parent is a tough job and we are not meant to do it alone.</b></font></div></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><blockquote><i><b><font face="verdana">Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9</font></b></i></blockquote></span></div><div><div><font face="verdana"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />And as I am typing this, I realize that this is not the first time that I had to give it to God because it is all in His hands, like my birthing story, remember that? And my dad's cancer back in 2016... <br /><br /><b>God has done it and He will do it again.</b></font></div></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Do you still believe this? I hope you do too, and I am reminded of how easy it is to believe that when I see Sophia smiling at us and standing one-handedly inside the crib as if she has not a care in the world. Don't worry, the crib is already inches away from the wall this time. :P</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><font face="verdana">That was a close one! Thank you, God, for protecting my cute head!</font></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><font face="verdana"><br /></font></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><font face="verdana"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SFhn-pexN7T9wE8XAbTKjlqFZIS6r-5i4PCWOc2kCXMyv8isvvCeINND66vm8V3cKq2p13zRvv4npWI5EkCsB2dPX46CZ2MBVzsppl1S4zMejkARdPI04JWT452Pml52N2aNbJ-ud_0/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SFhn-pexN7T9wE8XAbTKjlqFZIS6r-5i4PCWOc2kCXMyv8isvvCeINND66vm8V3cKq2p13zRvv4npWI5EkCsB2dPX46CZ2MBVzsppl1S4zMejkARdPI04JWT452Pml52N2aNbJ-ud_0/w480-h640/image.png" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /></font></i></div>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-66448732473408760162020-07-06T18:57:00.008-07:002020-07-06T19:50:13.411-07:00Start, again<div class="separator"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div></div><div>Hi there!</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are also in-between, let me encourage you, <i></i></div><blockquote><div><i>relax ka lang</i>... God's plans for you are still good, pleasing and perfect.</div><div></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>I guess it is only apt to also share how this year has changed for me in a lot of ways. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjXWATKLUQrhSxsSR1bNzPPN8Q2gPE78AUj5RS3dGHJxIwVXw568_iqBXUfP_rjBcFblE_90Rx0AJhoIW-Ib0sU7PY_fKOR2a80Jl1wQp8CO_uwSNftKtnKmOwkub6mx7RPbj7LY_VDI/s809/start+again+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="809" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjXWATKLUQrhSxsSR1bNzPPN8Q2gPE78AUj5RS3dGHJxIwVXw568_iqBXUfP_rjBcFblE_90Rx0AJhoIW-Ib0sU7PY_fKOR2a80Jl1wQp8CO_uwSNftKtnKmOwkub6mx7RPbj7LY_VDI/w625-h469/start+again+2.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>VGH faaaaam (nung wala pang social distancing! :))</i></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span><b><br /></b></div><div><b>First, being a mom.</b> Being a mom changes you, in more ways than one!</div><div><br /></div><div>It taught me humility, to ask for help when I need it (and believe me, you will need it if you're a mom haha!) and it taught me that a big hug from a tiny being is enough to chase the blues away. It made me realize that naps are really powerful and that grace really doubles or even triples for moms. Just remembering our first two months with Sophia amazes me <i>na kinaya namin yun?! Yung gigising ka every 2-3 hours to feed, burp and put your baby to sleep.</i> Big Bang reruns and JB's reality show on Youtube became my companions in those wee hours of the morning. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="768" src="https://scontent.fmnl17-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/97080614_10163816934250045_2232270618865172480_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_eui2=AeH71Ybx-JbRYg1c_G1a-5jsxpIdHDJ0JaDGkh0cMnQloFI5sV4I1gMty1Tst1QBt6Q&_nc_ohc=EOAOBqeWEvEAX_NyxB9&_nc_ht=scontent.fmnl17-1.fna&oh=c553d86d7867e0a1646c37fee2be7496&oe=5F28ABE6" width="576" /></div><div><br /></div><div>It was just Dennis and I during those first three months and we praise God for not just sustaining us but making us enjoy it with our precious little one.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Second, being married while being a mom.</b> <i>Mag-iiba din to! </i>From honeymoon stage to how-to-keep-the-fire-burning-when-all-you-want-to-do-is-sleep stage? But maybe that's for another entry. We were asked recently, what changed in your marriage when you got pregnant? Dennis and I just looked at each other and answered: EVERYTHING. All the married peepz in the house, can you relate? Lol!</div><div><br /></div><div><img height="503" src="https://scontent.fmnl17-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/81951966_2749987181690463_889963325910155264_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_eui2=AeG9iqPvjUSlFeyK0iY8nISZM915vScL7lcz3Xm9JwvuV_Umfub6Bp1MKc_MWY2J71M&_nc_ohc=jdgu1_4CkSkAX_zV7lt&_nc_ht=scontent.fmnl17-2.fna&oh=87dc6c94a911018d6769d2c0e6f7b85c&oe=5F27C445" width="670" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Eto yung last date night namin, a couple of hours before ako mag-labor. :P</i></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Third, Covid-19. </b>Not much to say here than what you don't already know. With the rising cases of Covid-19 positive, it makes us wonder, when will we get to travel again? When will I get to hug my loved ones once more? When will we get together in church to worship? When will kids church be back? Waaaaahh! While asking those questions can lead us to more longing, and I hope I also have answers to those questions to keep my mind at ease...but while those questions were circling in my head, God led me to these two words: </div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote>Trust me. </blockquote></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Trust involves not knowing every detail but just trusting the person holding all the details in His hands. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Trust involves faith, knowing for sure that something good is already happening amidst the bad and that something far better is being worked in us as we get through the rough patches.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Trust means just surrendering all our plans and telling God, "let your will be done" with a posture of expectant and excitement (not of resentment or "give up na ko!" attitude) knowing that His plans are way better than our dreams.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Just a few weeks ago, I personally decided to step out of the full time ministry. It was a difficult but necessary decision. Being in full time was actually my longest work tenure --5 years and just before a few weeks ago, I had no plans of resigning yet. </div><div><br /></div><div>But while we were seeking God in prayer, while I was crying in bed having an idea already what God is telling me to do <i>(kadalasan naman alam na natin eh, in denial lang tayo hehe!)</i>, God whispered this to me: </div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote>It is I who called you into full time ministry. It is also I who will say, "time's up, my child and a new ministry is waiting for you."</blockquote><div>That resulted in puffy eyes and nose but also resulted in peace, knowing full well that it is His voice that I needed to hear. He also gave me this verse reassuring me that no matter what happens, that new place that He will bring me to, He is already there and He will always be with me wherever He calls me:</div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote><font face="inherit">Isaiah 43:1-7 </font></blockquote></div><blockquote><div></div><div><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">1 But now, this is what the Lord says—</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> he who created you, Jacob,</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> he who formed you, Israel:</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> I have summoned you by name; you are mine.</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><font face="inherit">2 </font></b></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">When you pass through the waters,</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> I will be with you;</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">and when you pass through the rivers,</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> they will not sweep over you.</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">When you walk through the fire,</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> you will not be burned;</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> the flames will not set you ablaze.</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><font face="inherit">3 </font></b></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">For I am the Lord your God,</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">I give Egypt for your ransom,</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> Cush and Seba in your stead.</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><font face="inherit">4 </font></b></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">Since you are precious and honored in my sight,</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> and because I love you,</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">I will give people in exchange for you,</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> nations in exchange for your life.</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><font face="inherit">5 </font></b></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">Do not be afraid, for I am with you;</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> I will bring your children from the east</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> and gather you from the west.</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><font face="inherit">6 </font></b></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">Bring my sons from afar</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> and my daughters from the ends of the earth—</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><font face="inherit">7 </font></b></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">everyone who is called by my name,</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> whom I created for my glory,</font></p><p class="p1" style="color: #454545; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"> whom I formed and made.”</font></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div></blockquote><div>So what will happen next month or next year? <i>Siya lang talaga nakakaalam. Haha!</i> But like a child, it made me go back to just me and God. It made me wonder, <i>ano kaya ang hitsura ng relationship ko kay God without being in full time ministry? Yung kami lang talaga gaya nang dati.</i> (Gary V, pasok!) </div><div><br /></div><div>Seriously though, I hope that whatever you are going through, you will be assured of His presence. We may not know the answers to all the questions, but if we just focus our eyes on Him and see that He is holding our hands all throughout -- I hope that is enough answer for you.</div><div><br /></div><div>In every rise and fall of the waves, God is right there beside you in the boat. </div><div><br /></div><div>God is a God of new beginnings and I hope that when He tells us to start again, albeit crying with fresh tears, we will be a child in faith--grabbing His hand and asking Him: "Let's go! Where to, God?"</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://scontent.fmnl17-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24131556_10159846916855045_1296270700389295104_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&_nc_sid=a4a2d7&_nc_eui2=AeGLbu1uLCUQqPNwpwvNVTezBBEZw9NO2LIEERnD007YsmXUwYwlgjK-7V-DxzbGf3Y&_nc_ohc=rPC7y346HqMAX_Der7B&_nc_ht=scontent.fmnl17-2.fna&oh=958f4650ce897b9574b4d76a3033f92d&oe=5F285BD1" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Love you, fam! The ministry is in us :)</b></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You may also like:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://www.joybuena.com/2015/05/so-ive-decided-to-work-at-church-full.html">So I've Decided to Work at Church Full-time</a><br /></i><img alt="Image" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmAjn3mxo2-NGeGdqJXMT3K4ZrzTJKcYuQu5l2fpohN2WoEdv9elwwcr1L1J9KdOtr2f_o5sQx6fwQnD3X3Xz5cQ1fmpRcm5qjfIn89VZMRjpXe4cNAOzDtu03sqZS5WMHS0LTEdu9Zw/w256-h160/full+time+1.png" width="256" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://www.joybuena.com/2017/05/do-you-get-paid.html">Do You Get Paid?</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3Vctz_XeJaMQORV6t5xLrtsWQYQWn0PUWz3sMGmYI0fQVVtGla081XN9n5LnYyy0zpbcuuysjGInYYDj5x7OjqQCZKV4gRSg6fDw3Oiq4OUqAuzIVjDjaEI4rCRNhM9o2INQ_UBGdZQ/w262-h197/4.jpg" width="262" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-29511051198187121002020-06-22T17:59:00.001-07:002020-06-24T18:58:04.650-07:00Japan: Nagoya & Nabana no Sato<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">Here it is! The last installment of my Japan series which will be about Nagoya! Whoohoo!<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXcW54umzi_jTea2bp6x8cq4BrlfkbpZVRyBYZKrq5i2QDiz9ZbGfSdWNwOnv34jHBbaOf40u3HRaP6dn0XKUgeYxwj8O2GR7kSXSsp-Xm2WJEGy_4O91-yZGf6X0jVxh3NqJdS6OMdo/s1600/nagoya.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="verdana"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXcW54umzi_jTea2bp6x8cq4BrlfkbpZVRyBYZKrq5i2QDiz9ZbGfSdWNwOnv34jHBbaOf40u3HRaP6dn0XKUgeYxwj8O2GR7kSXSsp-Xm2WJEGy_4O91-yZGf6X0jVxh3NqJdS6OMdo/w586-h781/nagoya.jpg" width="586" /></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="verdana" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgK-5PDo2r71a9CxfznI1t53gm9mzo-OvDlNug6wcQY37G3mbs9ZiFp-H317RDgwdVxLOcR5lRopTw84rtJMBbCNJBeVgPJBmfFAAdWelYlVPtPqpd0XakMDcpJTkY6I1R0lZvfs2r0sU/s1600/nagoya+19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgK-5PDo2r71a9CxfznI1t53gm9mzo-OvDlNug6wcQY37G3mbs9ZiFp-H317RDgwdVxLOcR5lRopTw84rtJMBbCNJBeVgPJBmfFAAdWelYlVPtPqpd0XakMDcpJTkY6I1R0lZvfs2r0sU/w586-h781/nagoya+19.jpg" width="586" /></a></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><b>Ministry Opportunity in Nagoya</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">You know how there is your plan then there’s God plan for you… Which oftentimes are two totally different things? This was one of them.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><o:p><font face="verdana"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">We were just planning to stay in Osaka for the entire duration of our trip but when Kim reached out to me for a ministry opportunity, we just knew God was opening our eyes that He has bigger plans for us than we have for ourselves during our travel.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="verdana" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiUj_OJkqA1aDNFevD_63xWzTl8VzKw90NCL0wDmFnBtgjslKiyUQQErPFnqEE7vBx3T47JuyDB0ZOTKr10WzAZ7yLdJbvsr9Gs1eCA5i5g1_zPmND-CIKXXY5J9fnAvUJ9Ha_5a6Nx8/s1600/nagoya+13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1202" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiUj_OJkqA1aDNFevD_63xWzTl8VzKw90NCL0wDmFnBtgjslKiyUQQErPFnqEE7vBx3T47JuyDB0ZOTKr10WzAZ7yLdJbvsr9Gs1eCA5i5g1_zPmND-CIKXXY5J9fnAvUJ9Ha_5a6Nx8/w375-h500/nagoya+13.jpg" width="375" /></a> </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><font face="verdana">That's Kim in the middle touring us on our 2nd day in Nagoya :D</font></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">Kim has started working in Japan for the past few years and when she found out that we were going to Japan, she invited us to train the kids ministry volunteers in her home church in Nagoya. We have been joking that we will visit her there someday, but we didn’t know that we would actually get to visit her AND minister to the people there as well.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><br />Nations have always had a special tug in my heart so when Kim asked me if we were up to travel a couple of hours away from Osaka to go to Nagoya to visit her home church, it was a resounding yes for me and Dennis.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><o:p><font face="verdana"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><b>To train in Japan and to do it with the next generation in mind? The decision was a no-brainer for me even with my current state.</b><i> Hindi mapagkakaila na buntis na talaga ako nun, Malaki na talaga tiyan ko. Haha!</i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><o:p><font face="verdana"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">But I know that God will protect me and baby because His heart is for the nations.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><o:p><font face="verdana"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0d7IWpibKH1UEyznHqoxGl7T-WAM1K2f7u_rw79H7QOmqi0mliL3L_QO5D5atDlAJqaeOCtgLXbx2T3winYGGemMVF2szW7V703v7PCQchYK2C0YFXMCGGkxdSZIKEgxHA73T_RrI7I/s1600/nagoya+27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="verdana"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0d7IWpibKH1UEyznHqoxGl7T-WAM1K2f7u_rw79H7QOmqi0mliL3L_QO5D5atDlAJqaeOCtgLXbx2T3winYGGemMVF2szW7V703v7PCQchYK2C0YFXMCGGkxdSZIKEgxHA73T_RrI7I/w625-h469/nagoya+27.jpg" width="625" /></font></a></div><o:p><font face="verdana"><br /></font></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">Doing missions has always been like that -- expecting that you will be there to refresh others but ended up being the one so refreshed after.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><o:p><font face="verdana"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">The moment we entered the church, we knew that God’s presence is thick in the place. Minutes into the praise and worship time, <i>nagkatinginan nalang kami ni </i>Dennis and we we’re both crying. <b>We felt God’s great love for these people.<o:p></o:p></b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><o:p><font face="verdana"><b> </b></font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">We are so grateful for the opportunity and we hope to someday be able to do this again. <i>Namiss ko mag-missions!</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><o:p><font face="verdana"><br /></font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><o:p><font face="verdana"></font></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="verdana"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN11w_IYrdth8hYRQuQ6cRIR6w1NXFcLn0dV9XoM3A96pz-gEczvPNGHSWarZkxCucPJtNWnccYQYGa-qcYvcqeVL08jsFHDc0dmyIeRXCUSsof15iYWe8OHyiE_7nNd6RrIpVL9-9xI/s4032/76756912_1691877127609745_3760762802776571904_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN11w_IYrdth8hYRQuQ6cRIR6w1NXFcLn0dV9XoM3A96pz-gEczvPNGHSWarZkxCucPJtNWnccYQYGa-qcYvcqeVL08jsFHDc0dmyIeRXCUSsof15iYWe8OHyiE_7nNd6RrIpVL9-9xI/w625-h469/76756912_1691877127609745_3760762802776571904_n.jpg" width="625" /></a></font></div><font face="verdana"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcIRjn6oxvtk9qb68h3lMGjcmdSst7-q0KQiUrBMkBIaVyhy3P5V4iXBDS0mnnIW63ufdXVDryH-QrOuZgUcmMNBCJlwccsW7IIGI2mpoFhbbLVhCgDqoFcpfqBLa3LK2aXBRaSF6SUQ/s4032/77260775_564575257707489_2251454944991248384_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcIRjn6oxvtk9qb68h3lMGjcmdSst7-q0KQiUrBMkBIaVyhy3P5V4iXBDS0mnnIW63ufdXVDryH-QrOuZgUcmMNBCJlwccsW7IIGI2mpoFhbbLVhCgDqoFcpfqBLa3LK2aXBRaSF6SUQ/w469-h625/77260775_564575257707489_2251454944991248384_n.jpg" width="469" /></a></div> </font><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">So everything else that we did in Nagoya were added bonus. Nagoya is also gorgeous! It has that provincial vibe like Osaka but at the same time there are also business districts with high-rise buildings and malls.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><o:p><font face="verdana"> </font></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">Gardens are everywhere in Japan, <i>at hindi padin namin tinantanan ang mga red trees.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><i><span></span></i></p><!--more--><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><i><font face="verdana"><br /></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDM-XiCDA7G5rZcjxvTMbyvpDfqWaIK3jTwKWKIqAHMnGA3s2q-Xj5OO59zjVdkf4j526PoC7ii9XRQl9OaB8sdkSUFMfiFJV7-Kf952yioQg49s0-Janw7JQHFtgQ8-rq3Dcf8JUvFi4/s1600/nagoya+8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="verdana"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDM-XiCDA7G5rZcjxvTMbyvpDfqWaIK3jTwKWKIqAHMnGA3s2q-Xj5OO59zjVdkf4j526PoC7ii9XRQl9OaB8sdkSUFMfiFJV7-Kf952yioQg49s0-Janw7JQHFtgQ8-rq3Dcf8JUvFi4/w586-h781/nagoya+8.jpg" width="586" /></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><font face="verdana">Our excuse? It's fine, we won't be back here for awhile anyway. </font></i><i><font face="verdana">They won't recognize us by the time we get back :P</font></i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIMVdgBi4WXLCNOo_We5PxhRaXTbi9bJ8qp0NIptUqVK5c3eV5ckgIvmUUXDtm9IWb44-yki6PZIICmkSlZHMrCjEF_Zj9g86boucYPU8N8KaaUCUQgzlNTrVnHLJ8wTRB_zfFCQQr48/s1600/nagoya+9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="verdana"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIMVdgBi4WXLCNOo_We5PxhRaXTbi9bJ8qp0NIptUqVK5c3eV5ckgIvmUUXDtm9IWb44-yki6PZIICmkSlZHMrCjEF_Zj9g86boucYPU8N8KaaUCUQgzlNTrVnHLJ8wTRB_zfFCQQr48/w586-h781/nagoya+9.jpg" width="586" /></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><font face="verdana">Nag-uwi kami ng mga 10 dahon dito sa Pinas haha! #PinoynaPinoy</font></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><font face="verdana"><br /></font></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in; text-align: left;"><font face="verdana"><b>French feels at Noritake Garden<o:p></o:p></b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in; text-align: left;"><font face="verdana"><o:p> </o:p> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in; text-align: left;"><font face="verdana">On our second day, we went to Noritake Garden. Noritake is a ceramic company that has been in the industry for more than 100 years. The Noritake Garden is built on the company's former company grounds so the idea is to provide a space wherein they can showcase their products while also providing recreational space in the middle of Nagoya for locals and tourists.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in; text-align: left;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in; text-align: left;"><font face="verdana">There is a craft center where the visitors can attend a workshop to create ceramics and porcelain and there's also a museum that exhibits artifacts like jars and vases. For us, we just went around and walk the length of the place because we were on a budget. Haha! <i>#tipidtipiddin</i></font></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmSw_d1gI-xInAKaLmRIHXgu0hrQ65RV0C45yqf6MEJKXbRj94afmFWD6pZk1jjrLCPuqUfKDxqf3yrjRCVJkVrA7rWLLFcjrNPPRJVTpRcJIxfogufk6YOaLerdvUnhb9ye83bevk0E/s1600/nagoya+10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="verdana"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmSw_d1gI-xInAKaLmRIHXgu0hrQ65RV0C45yqf6MEJKXbRj94afmFWD6pZk1jjrLCPuqUfKDxqf3yrjRCVJkVrA7rWLLFcjrNPPRJVTpRcJIxfogufk6YOaLerdvUnhb9ye83bevk0E/w625-h469/nagoya+10.jpg" width="625" /></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyl5hy87vp2WUI3N6iP3RzKemCuARlWbN4tdOk-neGyANtzJuT3oOFZ5YritwF_VeOnGzd3G15WUpcLs3FuW5tMHnI7MOZlYOLTNrx38VvI29wnyZmSI5BoIhY7T-C5Ev0LQaZ97OBLqc/s1600/nagoya+12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="verdana"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyl5hy87vp2WUI3N6iP3RzKemCuARlWbN4tdOk-neGyANtzJuT3oOFZ5YritwF_VeOnGzd3G15WUpcLs3FuW5tMHnI7MOZlYOLTNrx38VvI29wnyZmSI5BoIhY7T-C5Ev0LQaZ97OBLqc/w586-h781/nagoya+12.jpg" width="586" /></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">We noticed that some have set up picnic on the grounds, the parents were sitting on the plaid cloth laid out while the kids are running around playing. </font><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some were sitting on the benches, reading books or people watching. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was a nice sight to behold. It made us want to wish we brought our own picnic blanket and some snacks to munch on. What a nice place to relax in!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9zNqy37a9D9bIzZWhImvrXnWNt_M1CjsRvQg9ec3umgyWE1iMS7bQou_f2u_07PX46nMtZEtNDb9Feph3oUlen1CzBO1PLRdScwzUX3w8PiBotM9JHBpweWqXowxZGU29YX4wHB24No/s1600/nagoya+6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9zNqy37a9D9bIzZWhImvrXnWNt_M1CjsRvQg9ec3umgyWE1iMS7bQou_f2u_07PX46nMtZEtNDb9Feph3oUlen1CzBO1PLRdScwzUX3w8PiBotM9JHBpweWqXowxZGU29YX4wHB24No/w469-h625/nagoya+6.jpg" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcphZIehfwqwiRT1k_9ancglq-6jOO45cTpPqAHh4QUsskr0UnHjzQHulty_mhL6Mek87TLV5DrBWr5kvTWDJLz03Q6X7iCUN4bVQjjVGwJyQj1g2DAM473bRFOJ6dml-PaTrEfqGjo0/s1600/nagoya+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcphZIehfwqwiRT1k_9ancglq-6jOO45cTpPqAHh4QUsskr0UnHjzQHulty_mhL6Mek87TLV5DrBWr5kvTWDJLz03Q6X7iCUN4bVQjjVGwJyQj1g2DAM473bRFOJ6dml-PaTrEfqGjo0/w625-h469/nagoya+2.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijP_K5qfm0gHTlarLdLtoX1uUx3E55AB0rpAKe9PJIWNK4XVcFp7oJ2ZJFRFpLNl0XWVYEbPvBkmNWD0qbqV3O-e3Rt8xoUoqJxsP_RsyJkfFJVl8Wy80wKAFfo7iYVa25mtnwo0iTAOk/s1600/nagoya+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijP_K5qfm0gHTlarLdLtoX1uUx3E55AB0rpAKe9PJIWNK4XVcFp7oJ2ZJFRFpLNl0XWVYEbPvBkmNWD0qbqV3O-e3Rt8xoUoqJxsP_RsyJkfFJVl8Wy80wKAFfo7iYVa25mtnwo0iTAOk/w586-h781/nagoya+3.jpg" width="586" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Doesn't this scene remind you of Gilmore Girls? Hehe!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRH6_Vt4fi9oAUz_vVrcxo-W5U6Fn9V5SfcYpe0obeVkXoRjn7wyv9BKEqmKOYuffaS1_pRLlTfec_drLqzdcB8iFguwKru1KkO2NSlrRIefr5JKKZ4ntIkzOaMzeVnN1JODt4NgvyYk/s1600/nagoya+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRH6_Vt4fi9oAUz_vVrcxo-W5U6Fn9V5SfcYpe0obeVkXoRjn7wyv9BKEqmKOYuffaS1_pRLlTfec_drLqzdcB8iFguwKru1KkO2NSlrRIefr5JKKZ4ntIkzOaMzeVnN1JODt4NgvyYk/w625-h469/nagoya+4.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9M8tTuZrIgBrZ8YQ8IlZFN83cvKMSKdfz0uxw3aoF0zfV7XIoxgaUXE4wp0CyCvXqqKZJN8_XF43RqUYk3oHK4iH0ipvxz7oLwEVpIer8SRMePpJbRGtDY3psNOGN1j-nQx0jui_dSo0/s1600/nagoya+5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9M8tTuZrIgBrZ8YQ8IlZFN83cvKMSKdfz0uxw3aoF0zfV7XIoxgaUXE4wp0CyCvXqqKZJN8_XF43RqUYk3oHK4iH0ipvxz7oLwEVpIer8SRMePpJbRGtDY3psNOGN1j-nQx0jui_dSo0/w625-h469/nagoya+5.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>All together now -- "the smile on your face lets me know that you need me..." :P</i></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">Japanese have a way of marrying nature with technology and history. It's amazing how they do it so seamlessly and beautifully. We realize that Japanese handle art so subtly without needing to show off too much. Minimalism and simplicity at its best.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></p><span><!--more--></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><b>Nabana no Sato<o:p></o:p></b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">One of the major attractions near Nagoya is Nabana no Sato which is approximately 30-45 minutes away from Nagoya station.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">Japanese hold night illuminations all year long and Nabana no Sato is one of the biggest ones because it's vast and it has a light show that will just leave you speechless.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">I love lights like fireworks or just sitting under a canopy of stars on a cloudless sky so we really budgeted this one on our trip. It cost us 2,300 yen per person but that already includes 1,000 yen consumable which you can use to buy food inside the park.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOdxjv82_bch5Uk0EdfPYW4bGcWwxIXVvl1TnVjMwqpFEQ7xaeizcf4TUc7FGVq9XYJQL6Q59N-6KTPHyq2byeOoSy0zaE4J6TWDyNeKYsTyv56aBeFZwGYkWYC-aDrWgbwTZVGVFBnA/s1600/nagoya+20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOdxjv82_bch5Uk0EdfPYW4bGcWwxIXVvl1TnVjMwqpFEQ7xaeizcf4TUc7FGVq9XYJQL6Q59N-6KTPHyq2byeOoSy0zaE4J6TWDyNeKYsTyv56aBeFZwGYkWYC-aDrWgbwTZVGVFBnA/w469-h625/nagoya+20.jpg" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21dpXWHc3iRxnwcpGKcNJIdDEdxyNNA-7l6GGkXeu6Kcg7Qhk9pSGbAlTKE9np4eplss02ge9ngnrbsMzXbj6eUaKO8swOFjC3rsbSM9lOPDdvaaOYsgtp_q_7PPz-oQPjg2oV8DUmYw/s1600/nagoya+21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21dpXWHc3iRxnwcpGKcNJIdDEdxyNNA-7l6GGkXeu6Kcg7Qhk9pSGbAlTKE9np4eplss02ge9ngnrbsMzXbj6eUaKO8swOFjC3rsbSM9lOPDdvaaOYsgtp_q_7PPz-oQPjg2oV8DUmYw/w469-h625/nagoya+21.jpg" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQL8OZpSWgKIrqTXFejGEtJ40FpdNnpQrhtm5Rqc3BNkWPDwN_Cp9_dwX3NEybrM455FF0kVlBTMmFZ5Tfr_N5qXcn0j5GbGlZXuMrc9kBiNxFESqyQ4p6fnJWmslpjsNgDldiHWRUA5k/s1600/nagoya+22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQL8OZpSWgKIrqTXFejGEtJ40FpdNnpQrhtm5Rqc3BNkWPDwN_Cp9_dwX3NEybrM455FF0kVlBTMmFZ5Tfr_N5qXcn0j5GbGlZXuMrc9kBiNxFESqyQ4p6fnJWmslpjsNgDldiHWRUA5k/w500-h375/nagoya+22.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlg4XapG4XuhA0MxjWsx1CW6QoS5_Wi5YlNrptn9aeuV0wo0d1aQUavaQmcsRZBBITmJgWMfnsNxphPyReT9D8_QNFbqGXlKTA3Wc9yOzJZBgSwhDiIr8O1GihoPOKOPu9S4nJX4P4PIs/s1600/nagoya+23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlg4XapG4XuhA0MxjWsx1CW6QoS5_Wi5YlNrptn9aeuV0wo0d1aQUavaQmcsRZBBITmJgWMfnsNxphPyReT9D8_QNFbqGXlKTA3Wc9yOzJZBgSwhDiIr8O1GihoPOKOPu9S4nJX4P4PIs/w586-h781/nagoya+23.jpg" width="586" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="verdana"><i>Sobrang daming flowers, everything was in full bloom inside this gigantic park!</i></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_RQgbTCugiQ1MvOkC0mBTvQSy_CZvTGyq7mDRxRc7rx3bAPcCqUaoLusCSv8sa-H-W6FdlAArCkaKpJjV0bizlRrCP5sLOZTAPrypaQmycg1_xdV5u-R_D3kkaGxLL2MAUAkEIIdmKA/s1600/nagoya+24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_RQgbTCugiQ1MvOkC0mBTvQSy_CZvTGyq7mDRxRc7rx3bAPcCqUaoLusCSv8sa-H-W6FdlAArCkaKpJjV0bizlRrCP5sLOZTAPrypaQmycg1_xdV5u-R_D3kkaGxLL2MAUAkEIIdmKA/w586-h781/nagoya+24.jpg" width="586" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3ZYnH3bCUd_56lGbjXYhH7ijQpC0UfKZOHebyQlDehu2z4rRUGor38AZp3zn6SAxmbbccROUrYAfrp7-kCcmXaOzNutQbdRdiHmxmu-ypKkQcajKVLnWtwayePAFCI3uwEIhU7xfz24/s1600/nagoya+25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3ZYnH3bCUd_56lGbjXYhH7ijQpC0UfKZOHebyQlDehu2z4rRUGor38AZp3zn6SAxmbbccROUrYAfrp7-kCcmXaOzNutQbdRdiHmxmu-ypKkQcajKVLnWtwayePAFCI3uwEIhU7xfz24/w625-h469/nagoya+25.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="verdana">We captured the light show that night, I'll let the video speak for itself. Enjoy everyone!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwlzz-FWxRDi2Z8NlKNrhwyu2jgTzt6fhq9HRMtNSTShJyh3B7n5TXX3KHKkERJjOqT44R-pQQlMFei-BbFuA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-63474780634539225662020-06-21T00:23:00.008-07:002020-06-22T17:02:05.432-07:00Japan Series: Mount Rokko<font face="verdana">How are you?<br /><br />So much has happened since my last post – not only on a personal level but on a global level. <i>Covid 19, kelan mo ba kami illet go? Wag na masyadong clingy! Lol!</i><br /><br />Anyway, I was browsing through my old photos and I realized that my Japan posts were already way overdue! So I will be catching up on our Japan posts... this is also my way of documenting what happened on our trip. <br /><br /><i>Sana naman maalala ko pa ang mga detalye bilang buntis pa ko nun at 5 months na ang anak ko haha!</i><br /><br />So here it goes!</font><div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid; border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><b>Fave Rokkosan!</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6jPuxYEDn_-oGFCNmckhA82UvVHmd7nA9hwO0j85VH4lcNXFwaavBwkZV41_1S78giFXUzjGqfeVHIofy9jSN8JhnvGsiYcXZi7qfN5upZjRxqzlrpLpuIiGaswb1JSDZT3dTGeL1rQ/s1600/new+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6jPuxYEDn_-oGFCNmckhA82UvVHmd7nA9hwO0j85VH4lcNXFwaavBwkZV41_1S78giFXUzjGqfeVHIofy9jSN8JhnvGsiYcXZi7qfN5upZjRxqzlrpLpuIiGaswb1JSDZT3dTGeL1rQ/w655-h491/new+3.jpg" width="655" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">Mount Rokko was our favorite part of our Osaka trip because it is a plethora of what we both love and need -- nature, mountains, fresh air without the aching feet and tiring climb. Since I was already 7 months pregnant at that time, we needed to be our less adventurous selves and take it easy. Though we are so thankful to God that even with my growing belly, we were still able to go to more places and do more than what we expected during our trip. </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">Thank You Lord for protecting me and Baby Sophia the whole time! </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VH6n4Si4vTd1Htt4iVf0QoS5j7QBqFdErJA5iNhPQldoy2tUcWeVANibBhGRSnw82gnNwcElbjmaReBuIye3KbiScv9mOC_JlOJpa260u4S-KOL2yiJpPU8cmmfekBi2e7L4KYlI5ec/s1600/new+7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VH6n4Si4vTd1Htt4iVf0QoS5j7QBqFdErJA5iNhPQldoy2tUcWeVANibBhGRSnw82gnNwcElbjmaReBuIye3KbiScv9mOC_JlOJpa260u4S-KOL2yiJpPU8cmmfekBi2e7L4KYlI5ec/w625-h469/new+7.jpg" width="625" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><b><br /></b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><b>How to get there</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">Mount Rokko tourist pass. 4 words that would make your life easier if you want to include this in your itinerary. We bought this for 1,200 yen per person which is such a steal because it already includes:</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></p><ul style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.3; list-style: initial; margin: 0px 0px 20px 20px; padding: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: initial; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><font face="verdana">Unlimited rides on Rokko Sanjo bus</font></span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: initial; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><font face="verdana">1 Rokkosan Tourist Pass</font></span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: initial; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><font face="verdana">One-time round-trip ticket on Kobe City Bus No. 16</font></span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style: initial; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><font face="verdana">One-time round-trip access ticket on Rokko Cable Car</font></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><img alt="ROKKOSAN TOURIST PASS" height="201" src="https://www.rokkosan.com/en/images/pass/passimg_pc.jpg" width="786" /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You may visit their site for more info </span><a href="https://www.rokkosan.com/en/" style="font-family: verdana;" target="_blank">here.</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">There were certain areas though that has entrance fees like the Musical Box Museum and the Alpine Botanical Garden so if you want to go to all the nooks in Rokkosan, you have to prepare extra cash.<br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><br />As for us, we were happy to just get what the tourist pass has to offer so whenever there was additional fees involved, we would just walk the outskirts of the place and take photos.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh342NaQycAHiCRC2u4LFAXlSwopccRoZ-PqsgY7gC5VXJDeM5DNb-dDpnXXBGuIdxc-bUTAJz9s8y8_4Sx20OQDXVQCWC0yGyyVKaNogtD-Y9ufpQRw-hh2MO9s9rRDueboD-eccH4Vgg/s580/mt+rokko+map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="580" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh342NaQycAHiCRC2u4LFAXlSwopccRoZ-PqsgY7gC5VXJDeM5DNb-dDpnXXBGuIdxc-bUTAJz9s8y8_4Sx20OQDXVQCWC0yGyyVKaNogtD-Y9ufpQRw-hh2MO9s9rRDueboD-eccH4Vgg/w625-h420/mt+rokko+map.jpg" width="625" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">This is the map of the place so there were several stops that you can get off to via the Rokko bus, parang field trip actually! lol!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzu54gonzrNrdIWd4vau_iHqtHqPKtN-U7RkBotviJtt9PX2lgDhs0M3AoCMxvPXuqJeSlckb4ZtoiTBl9Y_A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><font face="verdana">This is the cable car going up, odiba walang kahirap hirap!</font></i></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><b>Come and see how gorge this place is!</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4wY2xaPlUwTMqlgGFVCMOKJcBWxa1XgO7_CezPIHe8iUkeR6tkP2ksm1V83cvCa2GgH4KN4kGcESFCUSZGRt0C_XTwJQ1-c_THG-R3zguqWvX9yRHuBf4Bo8Ivgm2TV0QBh9wXf65vc/w625-h469/new+1.jpg" width="625" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmaogdnq7D_Nr0WBBUjlAehj2TFTrMXbsoL-tGszfHavL9EUS-xTM31dNLMVKuByTAt2wzSkrXnu3LhTHZoOMOUsfTHGApGWN4lgXtBguTEfTkMcRnYBbWHZxoO3Ft57ZExW0DkfZQkc/s1600/new+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmaogdnq7D_Nr0WBBUjlAehj2TFTrMXbsoL-tGszfHavL9EUS-xTM31dNLMVKuByTAt2wzSkrXnu3LhTHZoOMOUsfTHGApGWN4lgXtBguTEfTkMcRnYBbWHZxoO3Ft57ZExW0DkfZQkc/w625-h469/new+2.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEcyQ0rZoWXmN-Ks9cYIPIAk4G5xVl1fZwOI6fhdqb2k8QTFN5APRKgCR3KM8wBRMCTnR6lj-5eo0OQ5FiKHBJqqNS3VQu0-5GYCjS_82qYhVPmCCyT5pSe4-4rD25jlh3cUn3Fl6gEQ/s960/mt+rokko+6.jpg" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEcyQ0rZoWXmN-Ks9cYIPIAk4G5xVl1fZwOI6fhdqb2k8QTFN5APRKgCR3KM8wBRMCTnR6lj-5eo0OQ5FiKHBJqqNS3VQu0-5GYCjS_82qYhVPmCCyT5pSe4-4rD25jlh3cUn3Fl6gEQ/w469-h625/mt+rokko+6.jpg" width="469" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana">Mount Rokko is filled with great top views with lush gardens lined with autumn trees (we still can't get over those red trees). So we were taking photos every chance we get! We already got there around lunchtime so we had the entire afternoon to spend in Mount Rokko. It may be best to get there earlier so you can maximize going around this popular tourist destination.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; padding: 0in;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYJcz71ARwHWjAuwIW0HFPDxIRdI9uicYvQRR6bqJcA40PuYSGslYvMwMMxoLFrHmdPimMcCT3CL6rRE01sIFsl6wx2bZw9dAiIY8ZhFJNiR7_gN0wLyWLmEZHOqXnMt9gooVR9VuGrI/s960/mt+rokko+7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYJcz71ARwHWjAuwIW0HFPDxIRdI9uicYvQRR6bqJcA40PuYSGslYvMwMMxoLFrHmdPimMcCT3CL6rRE01sIFsl6wx2bZw9dAiIY8ZhFJNiR7_gN0wLyWLmEZHOqXnMt9gooVR9VuGrI/w625-h469/mt+rokko+7.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwuh7E2Cu26B0sQjk4lRVCXhdszzvxcCjHoI1YAJ0BdoFS4JoMD51bSUyS2S1xtSbgFIaAmL5a5-8r18K4dca5LZRJr1ZD0aaKk6rhjtX0959_0WsnI923fbSXoBLLx37vh_s-cV_xVo/s1600/new+6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwuh7E2Cu26B0sQjk4lRVCXhdszzvxcCjHoI1YAJ0BdoFS4JoMD51bSUyS2S1xtSbgFIaAmL5a5-8r18K4dca5LZRJr1ZD0aaKk6rhjtX0959_0WsnI923fbSXoBLLx37vh_s-cV_xVo/w625-h469/new+6.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><font face="verdana"><i>"Kelan kaya ulit makakaakyat ng bundok...?" </i>He really missed the mountains... </font><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2oVZE2Qw7QJovX8ONhyphenhyphen8hU0AvDw8W-xK7FaGdVNrm9xqWnF4xfKgDlxDPtNaLuoBvgdwLIrUWRg1BmWWUkTBw3GwuZzg6nRsfdsIcZzrFNO8C4_515gpTDVqvCfIGo4oi3aJf6FCH3s/s1600/new+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2oVZE2Qw7QJovX8ONhyphenhyphen8hU0AvDw8W-xK7FaGdVNrm9xqWnF4xfKgDlxDPtNaLuoBvgdwLIrUWRg1BmWWUkTBw3GwuZzg6nRsfdsIcZzrFNO8C4_515gpTDVqvCfIGo4oi3aJf6FCH3s/w625-h469/new+11.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGnH5rbz2T6KTSPgED1TUH56jQytHMkNgEd9T0ZdoJABkVSGJSRBPTHKDkL7Z1IqCNa1oLNiQ_FAJXken69T_q6xOGXTQwYYGNJ7AUvL7TyBDmwsAo_QAiClXV2FlvZVv5ycTA4vTHno/s960/mt+rokko+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGnH5rbz2T6KTSPgED1TUH56jQytHMkNgEd9T0ZdoJABkVSGJSRBPTHKDkL7Z1IqCNa1oLNiQ_FAJXken69T_q6xOGXTQwYYGNJ7AUvL7TyBDmwsAo_QAiClXV2FlvZVv5ycTA4vTHno/w625-h469/mt+rokko+4.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">At first, we were just chillin' with our fall clothes because it wasn't too cold yet but by around 5pm, we already had our bonnets and gloves on, </span><i style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">full gear na to 'te! a</i><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">nd we were rubbing our hands to feel the warmth because it was already freezing cold! Brrrrrr!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">So just a tip if you're going there during fall, bundle up, and layer all the way!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS56RxQfg6ludeYwTRwlarBRbgf7-7Er2YKiDA25_sm3k_GqxqoUKGy3zjCPVOqNfLXOM0Ua-nKSPbyI3BCaLAGkMyyVyA7cE54gn5w3bR96sJJlBk7gjrW-HMfXu3wj4cy7Wz6mTipsA/s1600/new+8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS56RxQfg6ludeYwTRwlarBRbgf7-7Er2YKiDA25_sm3k_GqxqoUKGy3zjCPVOqNfLXOM0Ua-nKSPbyI3BCaLAGkMyyVyA7cE54gn5w3bR96sJJlBk7gjrW-HMfXu3wj4cy7Wz6mTipsA/w469-h625/new+8.jpg" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rmvoEi40YhQ0nxUj028TFa4VY-c5cw1a6zS0hb8fCfSnLlNvgFLezqxpHkOe0Bwol8zKrQS3675ulrwU8r_9GrstxVJshDe8lsu-0qN-0XkRnlhxx47TiMvRKgQrZs4hjdpv5_mDWh0/s1600/new+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rmvoEi40YhQ0nxUj028TFa4VY-c5cw1a6zS0hb8fCfSnLlNvgFLezqxpHkOe0Bwol8zKrQS3675ulrwU8r_9GrstxVJshDe8lsu-0qN-0XkRnlhxx47TiMvRKgQrZs4hjdpv5_mDWh0/w586-h781/new+5.jpg" width="586" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaIWW8fEbjBHgZF6rYhPtd9dMtSME8ksXa_hWom_c6SlMq2mgO-utbcGvWhz3bSM7zyVe16Mj3UHR1pwZFpZKF9keFeOrspoW9dV-4voHGufvKtC_KZHxNQ2wNDxDTGEKz8kj8BXTthw/s1600/new+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaIWW8fEbjBHgZF6rYhPtd9dMtSME8ksXa_hWom_c6SlMq2mgO-utbcGvWhz3bSM7zyVe16Mj3UHR1pwZFpZKF9keFeOrspoW9dV-4voHGufvKtC_KZHxNQ2wNDxDTGEKz8kj8BXTthw/w625-h469/new+12.jpg" width="625" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDyUNVOpM1y_DMKdsoogEuC8dM8_41a6FCM1BQGf1HrM8FomrVoqR4TD5LUhCDuOMCyikp1mfIH6U-McQxgfJm3Lvy_kym0A_nnU2tCEoeoyEpeIfhD7GbRa6xU41wLJFPlE3hRpR0dw/s1600/new+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDyUNVOpM1y_DMKdsoogEuC8dM8_41a6FCM1BQGf1HrM8FomrVoqR4TD5LUhCDuOMCyikp1mfIH6U-McQxgfJm3Lvy_kym0A_nnU2tCEoeoyEpeIfhD7GbRa6xU41wLJFPlE3hRpR0dw/w625-h469/new+10.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><font face="verdana">bale-leeg pose will get you anywhere ;)</font></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAi7yX4yIbM76CUmMbqUs3YgT3aosO5bzbjpkZeIXzoyt-vy04pxHB2ToedcswmXqM2GWoEBlkxAe-rYWRRXzVmZ2FJLhYMsZQV97UBXzagu4aj5M21E9nP1RJOWp7Cdu9By3hf-EeTM/s1600/new+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAi7yX4yIbM76CUmMbqUs3YgT3aosO5bzbjpkZeIXzoyt-vy04pxHB2ToedcswmXqM2GWoEBlkxAe-rYWRRXzVmZ2FJLhYMsZQV97UBXzagu4aj5M21E9nP1RJOWp7Cdu9By3hf-EeTM/w625-h469/new+13.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Just looking at the photos make me want to say that we can all get through this. We will soon get to travel once again and see the skies, the sun and bask in the beauty that God has surrounded us with -- without worry and with gratitude. <i>Kapit lang, mga bes!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrIgwsVo2SnTOgZI54yFvDBW_is7poRDLgeNZ0hm4PHmA0M7Mxk4YNIeeeLn1Q7bI2IBgNH8TQcsiPOR7ZEMWII45LGFoUjnsUXPbo9QROnaBil4lG2KC7kpnF384SrrQva8MV3cpD4A/w625-h469/mt+rokko+1.jpg" style="text-align: left;" width="625" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="verdana">I was telling Dennis awhile ago that I want to go back to Japan during springtime so Sophia can see the country in full bloom. I am sure she will love all the pretty flowers! That is my hope and prayer... our prayers go out to everyone!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="verdana">In the meantime, throwback travel photos would do. God bless everyone! </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div>Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-3832108123876955142020-03-15T17:39:00.000-07:002020-03-15T19:51:20.310-07:00Don't Shelve your Creative Self Just Because You're A Mom<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><i>Life Update (kala mo vlogger!!!)</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Our little bachuy just turned 2 months yesterday!</span></div>
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<i>Eto na ang pinakamatinong pic namin 2 kahapon haha! </i></div>
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<i>We tried taking a photo of us 3 but she was crying, soooo... </i></div>
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<i>sa 3 months nalang niya ulit ;)</i></div>
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Whatever happened to the time! It’s crazy to think that it’s been almost a year since I got pregnant, remember <a href="https://www.joybuena.com/2019/05/on-having-babies.html">how I found out?</a> And how I threw my first pregnancy kit which already tested positive because I thought the faint line wasn’t counted? Lol!<o:p></o:p></div>
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And yet here we are, me typing away on a keyboard on the dining table while my two babies are taking a snooze in the room (the other baby being my husband :P)<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s quiet in the house, which is a much welcome breather to an otherwise frantic morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thankfully, Sophia Zayn is sleeping longer at night these days so we are better rested than we were a month ago. A month ago was akin to a Walking Dead episode with my eyes half-closed, walking ever so slowly to our sofa with a much tinier Sophia in both hands (because I was super scared I would drop her!), so I can breastfeed her in the wee hours of the morning.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/218354281916483646/"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCP09de_qU6yGj_PID9GvjImwBaLJeZ10Qob586I67TxfPVwBbkGaQ9N5CQoqc9VoYQUYQ28j6g5WmRa8x4N8K8Bc7x5TtXiSsR71Otj7Ui-osX3rliREL8dBYP3toJ8199mH7KMrWOw/s400/passion+5.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<i>Pretty accurate... no, REALLY accurate</i></div>
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And look at me today!<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Laptop in front of me, a cup of 3-in-1 on my right and peanut butter lactation goodies within reach, pouring my thoughts once again as a newbie mom. I have gone a long way! Haha!</span><br />
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<b><i>How Mommyhood Has Changed Me</i></b><br />
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<b>You know the feeling of knowing that a lot has changed and yet nothing has changed?</b> I’m not trying to be philosophical but if that sounds deep, then I’ll take it!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Motherhood has changed the way I view things</b> – priorities are as clear as day! Family is second next to God, so if the choice was to write or do something on the side or to attend to Sophia, the answer is a no-brainer. It’s always Baby Sophia.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If am faced with the decision to be efficient vs to be focused, then I would choose the latter. If you know me, I like things fast and efficient. But since being a mom is so new to me, <b>I would rather take my time knowing I am doing it right, than rush into things with Sophia and also missing out on her new ways and antics</b> because my mind was so busy multitasking. It’s as if life has placed me in a new learning curve and I am feeling and plotting my way into it…<o:p></o:p></div>
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.<b><i>..Yet Made Me More Meeee</i></b><br />
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Yet I am reconciling to more bits and pieces of myself that I felt has gone dormant for awhile. I watched a few episodes of Making Mega (the magazine) last week and that jolted a sense of interest and wonder into the creativity and hard work put into it. <b>It made me want to do something creative and challenging once again.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I feel like that part of me has been shelved for some time, yes I am able to still do creative things from time to time but not really to the point that excites and rejuvenates me.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<i>Last year's workshop which had to be postponed for a month because I was on bedrest while I was on my first trimester :D</i></div>
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And to be honest, I have been putting off writing since I gave birth because I don't think I can finish a single post in one sitting because there isn’t enough time or I don't have enough energy. <b>I was looking for the right time to do it – and I didn't want to feel frustrated of not being able to finish what I started so I just didn't start.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>Flex ko lang!</i></b><br />
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But I was listening to a podcast the other day of a mom with several kids who owns a sustainable fashion line that helps people and she was asked, how does she do it? Like where does she find space to even be creative with the many things on her plate?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>And she said that it was flexibility.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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She said that if you are going to wait to have an hour all to yourself when the house is quiet and you have less things to do on your list, then you will probably wait a long time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>But if you see a window of even just 7 minutes or a couple if minutes wherein you can be creative or do something new, then grab it. </b>You have to be flexible and ride the new wave and dynamics of your changing lifestyle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then if you don't finish what you started in one sitting, it’s fine. The world will not result in shambles and you just have to find another 7 minutes to continue what you started.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>You have to keep growing, adjusting in ways so that you can still hold on to who you are with everything around you changing. </b>Don’t shelve the things that make you feel excited and passionate about.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Also, I realized that being a mom is not an either-or situation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>You don't have to choose just one</i></b><br />
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<b>Life is meant to be integrated in a way that your heart, soul and mind are as seamless with the things that you are doing and how you are being.</b></blockquote>
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Like I feel like I am a better mom if I keep on writing because then I get to reflect and store memories on how my daughter is growing up with short poems and letters for her. I am also able to think of new lyrics to replace the words of certain nursery rhymes to make it more value-laden and meaningful for kids. (I mean what is up with the “five little monsters jumping on the bed” song? Bakiiittttttt)<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the same way, I can also be a better writer because I am mom because being a mom has widened my experience and increased my capacity to love and be patient (because there are many opportunities to be unloving and impatient haha!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>What I am saying is, there is no push and pull in being who you are now (if you’re about to enter college or to get a new career) and with the things that you are passionate about.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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You can pour your heart and soul on a canvas or on piece of paper that would represent your life, your thoughts and what you believe in. And your life could inspire you to see and discover new colors and strokes to put on those canvas or sheets of paper so you can encourage others to do the same.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>You just have to stop waiting for the good solid hour of perfection and create space for creativity wherever you may be or however you feel. </b></div>
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<b><i>Created to Create </i></b><br />
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Just the other day, I was breastfeeding Sophia on the bed then I realized to try writing while at it so I grabbed the laptop and just started typing. I had to stop for a few times so I can attend to her then just returned to typing after she settled in next to me (it was also the first time I placed her beside me on the bed to sleep because I usually put her on her crib if I am going to do something) and I realized that “kaya naman pala!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>We are created to create no matter how old you are or what season you find yourself in.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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So go ahead and be on the lookout for those 7 minutes... and what do you know, maybe life can afford <span style="font-size: 12pt;">you with 2 hours of absolute stillness in the comfort of your home complete with snacks and coffee on hand like it did to me ;)</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.homelifewithmrsb.com/creatively-anointed/"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="768" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfVFQprkauX276u9jvmw17N2rF459-QAcKHlW9Ki4uTeGafXecrjtMBjqNRm0NX6iDHWVS4czrvSDLYb1IZb2AFYjhLubBVOHUerpZI9ALIjQLt9FHUKDovN25iiXOS5B2onLESadVac/s400/passion+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-54060146035347269432020-03-13T02:00:00.002-07:002020-03-13T02:23:27.958-07:00Her Birthing Story (through the eyes of the daddy)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hiiii! Isa na kong ganap na ina! :D I haven't posted for awhile because alam nyo naman, motherhood.. lol! Our little bachuy, Sophia Zayn, is turning 2 months this Sunday, ambilis! Here she is! What a cutieeee! Syempre anak ko yan!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMSM_VVS7Vzd0edSKpbqsWBhbaOX4HhiOz8N76SpqOOxHAMh8TVUQNRnaO2MAiVPPEqPaNmy1EEx1KOJWuYIGEkTyr3oh1Ktij-M73YyOVFzPtsTuHz20sgPwXz98_QnciNBuwqpO60c/s1600/birth+story+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMSM_VVS7Vzd0edSKpbqsWBhbaOX4HhiOz8N76SpqOOxHAMh8TVUQNRnaO2MAiVPPEqPaNmy1EEx1KOJWuYIGEkTyr3oh1Ktij-M73YyOVFzPtsTuHz20sgPwXz98_QnciNBuwqpO60c/s400/birth+story+5.jpg" width="300" /></a> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2F94TiAPlzcN8T-puZY39cUqAnxIZr7FkDnMIy0U0Qf1_dAzDjysamXhKQ99zzuMRRPwkmleqw_2pEWh_tcmgHCGRuq7dCNGujv39XCFa_2E5gUm7mf8ccia0l8x4NFmPWyiRWbphFmU/s1600/birth+story+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2F94TiAPlzcN8T-puZY39cUqAnxIZr7FkDnMIy0U0Qf1_dAzDjysamXhKQ99zzuMRRPwkmleqw_2pEWh_tcmgHCGRuq7dCNGujv39XCFa_2E5gUm7mf8ccia0l8x4NFmPWyiRWbphFmU/s400/birth+story+6.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJnIh1tsbxxH5-MShqnjUvD6PXQNjTgQfC7qZywbw95RpvYO__YznxlJp_u74dJ62PDo__fsrhTgVtUWxa41kv1KgA8sKOQ-CjK-tQR6vy-wtHLHAgrqKKynI9cKotvNPQQH_e4rYzFQ/s1600/birth+story+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJnIh1tsbxxH5-MShqnjUvD6PXQNjTgQfC7qZywbw95RpvYO__YznxlJp_u74dJ62PDo__fsrhTgVtUWxa41kv1KgA8sKOQ-CjK-tQR6vy-wtHLHAgrqKKynI9cKotvNPQQH_e4rYzFQ/s400/birth+story+4.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But before that cuteness came into this world, we were in for an adventure -- every trimester while I was pregnant, I was on bedrest so it wasn't the smoothest pregnancy... and the worst happened just right before Christmas, Christmas Eve to be exact. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With Covid-19 on the rise and making us all panic and worried, I thought it would be fitting to share what happened to us on my 8-month of being pregnant and hope this encourages you!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For this one, my husband, Dennis would tell you guys what happened and how that was the scariest moment we had as a couple... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hubby, <i>pasok!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dec 23 last year, my wife Joy asked me a personal question,</span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> <b>"kamusta kayo ni God?</b>" </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And after she asked me this question, it took me
30 seconds bago ako nakasagot, kasi honestly that whole month of December, I
was overwhelmed by the things na nangyari in my life... then I started
answering her with tears in my eyes saying, “I can't feel God anymore, it feels
like I’m too far from God…” Humahagulgol nako nun kasi alam ko sa sarili ko na
ayaw ko mawala si God sa buhay ko.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So Joy prayed for me that night and then at around 1am when
Joy went to the CR para umihi, she wakes me up saying <i><b>“baby, may watery
discharge ako, medyo madami.” </b></i>True enough, when we checked the heartbeat of the
baby, sobrang bilis nya than normal and pinagpapawisan na si joy nun kasi pala
nagcocontractions na siya. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">8 months palang si baby Sophia nun so nagpunta kami sa OB
nang madaling araw para macheck siya and si baby. Then after checking her, our
OB suggested Joy to be admitted.. We were like, <b><i>“Lord, pasko ngayon... baka
pwede palipasin mo muna…” </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But she was still admitted nang madaling araw ng Dec 24.
Labas pasok ang mga nurses and doctors nun dahil kailangan siya imonitor maya’t
maya.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then Dec 24 at around 10am, when the OB performed internal
exam kay joy, there was intense bleeding.. Seeing the face of the OB, clearly saying
without any words that she is a little bit worried for Joy to deliver the baby
pre-maturely and that the baby is not yet ready and she will most likely not
survive outside the womb given her weight and told us na <b><i>wag muna ngayon baka
hindi kayanin ni baby. </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>That was the scariest feeling ever. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Me myself trying to be strong, Joy was in a panic mode, she
was chilling in fear and started crying. I feel so numb kasi alam ko at that
moment wala ako magagawa. I started praying but no words were coming out of my
mouth.. I told everything to my leader and he told me to play a worship song
and I did.. holding the hand of Joy, I started crying to God.. repenting for being
prideful.. seeking God with my tears, God comforted me and assured me with his
word that He would send people to help me hear from him again and who would
pray for us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Dec 25 – </b>To our surprise, when the OB checked Joy the next
morning, she told us that we can go home already. I was shocked kasi akala namin
aabutin kami dun nang bagong taon! But after checking the ultrasound, the results were good
and Baby Sophia is safe – it was like someone is protecting her inside. The
bleeding and the contractions stopped within 24 hours! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0x19DDATdiHtVwcUhywvEvyBqDXGN05PbAZ940t_mo-3ZaZSQC7iAitmd5e6wx6RowTbjvCkQpEasGydgw_pPSrblCa5woEaj8xPFGu3nr9AUxWeQ4UrNND3TrcC4ryNmHokzguC4Zk/s1600/birth+story+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0x19DDATdiHtVwcUhywvEvyBqDXGN05PbAZ940t_mo-3ZaZSQC7iAitmd5e6wx6RowTbjvCkQpEasGydgw_pPSrblCa5woEaj8xPFGu3nr9AUxWeQ4UrNND3TrcC4ryNmHokzguC4Zk/s400/birth+story+2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Why am I sharing this? My point is in the midst of trouble
God is in control... he is a way maker, miracle worker and a promise keeper. He
will never leave nor forsake us. He will give light in our darkness, that is
who we are worshiping now that is who JESUS IS. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i></i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“But I will never stop loving him nor fail to keep my
promise to him. No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back a single
word I said.”</span></i></i></div>
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</span></i>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Psalms 89:33-34 NLT</i></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the midst of feeling natin God has forsaken us or tinalikuran
na tayo ni God or feeling natin God doesn't hear us anymore -- in reality, it is not God..<b>
it is us who build those walls in our hearts, </b>wall of success, wall of achievements,
wall of victory, wall of pain, disappointment, heart break, wall of expectation
that makes our hearts calloused because we are so selfish na ang gusto lang natin
marinig ay ang mga sarili natin..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In that battle, I learned something!
I</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">t is God who breaks every wall that I put in my heart. <b>It is God who makes a way
for me to hear from him again.. I did nothing but to surrender and let him do
the work... </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>So let us surrender our hearts to God and allow Him to make a miracle out of our lives...</b></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your
hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you.
Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of
fear. You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. Your
life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as
morning. Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest
in safety.”</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i></i></span><br />
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<i><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Job 11:13-18 NLT</span></i></i></div>
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<i>If those chubby, wriggly toes are not miracles, I don't know what is! </i></div>
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<i><a href="https://www.joybuena.com/2019/08/being-preggy.html" style="background-color: white;">Being Preggy</a></i></div>
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Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-471253720222020352019-11-22T02:31:00.001-08:002019-11-30T23:31:22.856-08:00Japan: Lit Gardens & Shrines in Kyoto + Japan Travel Tips<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On our 3rd day, we went to Kyoto! We bought a one-day Keihan railway pass since Kyoto is about an hour away from Osaka. There are different ways to get to Kyoto but the cheapest and fastest is by train. Taxis are very expensive in Japan! Buses and trains are just about the same price so you can plot your way to this famous spot either way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Fushimi Inari Shrine</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our first stop is at the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine. Dennis and I got there after lunch already so you can imagine the herds of tourists! Gasp! I guess that's why they suggested to go to Kyoto early so you can go to many places. But we had to catch up on sleep so there you go, lol!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The entire shrine is approximately 4 kilometers long and about 1 1/2 to 2 hours walk. I was looking for the infamous shrine IG money shot but that would require me to go up and good thing I didn't attempt to go all the way up, because Dennis said that you had to finish the whole thing once you start.<br /><br />He started and he finished with gasps of air and tired feet when I saw him. <i>Natawa ako na naawa nung nakita ko siya.</i> Haha! We honestly didn't enjoy the shrine very much, but maybe for the history and the religious buffs, it is a worth a visit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What was worth the visit for me was their food! Hahaha! There are many street vendors and souvenir shops at the foot of the trail -- this, I thoroughly enjoyed!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Matcha + Hokkaido Soft Serve Ice Cream!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Takoyaki! Who can resist?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Grilled Chicken Skewers!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Crab Skewers - wasn't able to try this because I was already stuffed by the time I saw this!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After that, we went to Eikando, one of the most popular gardens to visit for Fall Foliage in Kyoto. It was already late afternoon when we got there and they told us that they were already closed off for the morning but we can wait for the illumination night show at 5:30pm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We had to wait for an hour but it was really worth it! It was getting chillier by the minute since it was close to nighttime and we were just standing in line waiting for the tickets to be sold but when we entered, it was like a magical garden! We loved it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Japanese have a way of marrying nature and technology. They have a lot of illumination night shows across the country and we appreciate that they still take care of nature and highlight its beauty despite them being one of the advanced countries in terms of technology.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The photos don't do justice, it's really beautiful and the gardens were perfectly landscaped complete with shrines and bridges. Too bad they don't allow photos to be taken on the bridge, we think that's the most beautiful spot in the garden.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Malamig na, besh! Pero push lang!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As with the other gardens and shrines, they have a place wherein they pay tribute to their gods. Inside this temple, we saw that there was a huge painting of a fierce dragon under the skies. Dennis is very friendly with strangers, and he tried to ask one of the attendants there to explain the painting. Japanese are very kind and friendly people so even though they have a hard time speaking in English, they will still try to answer and respond to you. So he TRIED to answer Dennis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By this time, I felt the struggle of the attendant to explain the painting so I told Dennis to let him off the hook! Kawawa naman si kuya! Hehe! But we appreciate him trying to let us in on his culture :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks, Kyoto! Next time, gising na kami nang maaga for your other scenic spots!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For this part, I'll also share a couple of tips or travel hacks in Japan. Since Japan can get pretty expensive, here are some things that worked for us...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Where to Stay</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We booked our stay at<a href="https://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-gb.html?aid=311984;label=nest-osaka-shinsaibashi-rpuPupx6Vs3C0adU%2As91zQS162175064864%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap1%3Ap2%3Aac%3Aap1t1%3Aneg%3Afi%3Atikwd-104017537757%3Alp1011173%3Ali%3Adec%3Adm;sid=db451f00d5cc84334fa8c6c82fef0e13;city=-240905;expand_sb=1;highlighted_hotels=869445;hlrd=no_dates;keep_landing=1;redirected=1;source=hotel&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4vbarvGT5gIVx6iWCh0siA1eEAAYASAAEgJLlPD_BwE&"> Nest Hotel in Shinshaibashi,</a> which is near the subway and just a couple of minutes away from Dotonbori. We booked via <a href="http://booking.com/">booking.com</a> although you can also try <a href="https://www.agoda.com/pages/agoda/default/DestinationSearchResult.aspx?cid=1763298&currency=PHP&checkin=2019-11-15&checkout=2019-11-18&NumberofAdults=1&NumberofChildren=0&Rooms=1&tchash=m1KZv2lteLs&trv_los=3&trv_losb=3&trv_ttt=44&trv_tttb=41&test=0&mod=0&hidef=001111&ccallout=1&selectedproperty=4299279&city=13740&adults=1&children=0&hc=PHP&los=3&sort=agodaRecommended">Agoda</a> or <a href="https://www.trivago.com.ph/?themeId=280&sem_keyword=trivago&sem_creativeid=381234275481&sem_matchtype=e&sem_network=g&sem_device=c&sem_placement=&sem_target=&sem_adposition=1t1&sem_param1=&sem_param2=&sem_campaignid=351107651&sem_adgroupid=25492012811&sem_targetid=kwd-5593367084&sem_location=1011173&cip=6319000005&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3sq3tPKT5gIVw6mWCh0A2wVdEAAYASAAEgLERvD_BwE">Trivago</a>. The great thing about it is that there are options like free cancellation (if you're not yet sure but just want to reserve the room asap) or pay later (if you don't have cash on hand yet).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Nest Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi, Osaka, Hotel Front – Evening/Night" height="438" src="https://thumbnails.trvl-media.com/d-y7ANdDslSPGosavc4tS_7HYqc=/773x530/smart/filters:quality(60)/images.trvl-media.com/hotels/2000000/1110000/1100500/1100480/c9da180e_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are a lot of options to stay when you're in Japan, there are hostels, capsules and airbnb. But I would recommend just booking a stay at a hotel because of the convenience of not having to bring towels, toiletries and making sure that hot water is available and you can opt to come home to a clean room after a long day outside. :P Or maybe that's just me, lol!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Nest Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi, Osaka, Semi Double Room, Smoking (Eco Friendly Plan - No Housekeeping), Guest Room" height="438" src="https://thumbnails.trvl-media.com/G651V1jdndlgSdAtSUOX3djkn38=/773x530/smart/filters:quality(60)/images.trvl-media.com/hotels/2000000/1110000/1100500/1100480/b01c2a2c_z.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our room at Nest Hotel was just P2,300+ per night for a single room. It is the most basic room but it has all the things we need and the staff is friendly and accommodating to all our queries so highly recommended!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be wi-fi ready</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We bought our wifi via Klook days before our trip. All we had to do was show up with the voucher at the airport and they gave us our sim card which we inserted in our phone, and for just P1000+ we had wifi everywhere we go for 8 days!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bring skyflakes and 3-in-1</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lol! So baka kami lang to! Our trip was on a budget so we needed to be wa-is. One meal in Japan would cost you around around P300-P500. That's their affordable meal already so if you want to splurge on some meals, you have to scrimp on other meals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For us, we choose to just eat bread and coffee at our hotel room for breakfast and eat heavy brunch/lunch before we go on our day's itinerary.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Conbini is your best friend</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We ate at Shake Shack one time and we were shookt when the cashier punched everything and our meal was at 2,700 yen (P1,300 pesos). We were going to Mount Rokko that day and so we will spending more for the tourist passes, so because this was more than our budget for lunch, we ate at Konbini/grocery stores for 2 meals after that. Ha! </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bawi-bawi lang! </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.eater.com/2017/2/21/14668440/tokyo-convenience-store-conbini-snacks"><img alt="Image result for lawson japan" height="427" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/E89Y7SL_EfhuBzAbk1eKC3Zh1YE=/0x0:1280x854/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:1280x854):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8013693/Conbini00443.0.jpg" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-trends/Japan-s-Seven-Eleven-to-start-discounting-unsold-food"><img alt="Image result for 7 eleven japan" height="399" src="https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/https%3A%2F%2Fs3-ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com%2Fpsh-ex-ftnikkei-3937bb4%2Fimages%2F4%2F3%2F6%2F9%2F20809634-1-eng-GB%2Fseven%20eleven%20japan.jpg?source=nar-cms" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can't splurge on everything, so in cases like these, Lawson, Family Mart and 7-eleven are your best friends. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Buy tourist passes at Klook</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At Klook, you can buy one-day or two-day passes that will give you access to subways and buses. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For Kyoto, we booked Keihan Railway one-day tourist pass. For Mount Rokko, we bought a tourist pass as well. <i>Sayang we didn't get to buy the Osaka tourist pass and Kansai tourist pass hehe! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Since transportation can get pretty steep in Japan (a bus ride is around 200-230 yen, which is at least P100 while subway rides cost from 180 yen and up! And when I say up, our airport ride from our hotel is 900 yen, that's P450 pesos *gasp!) So it is really best to plan your itinerary ahead so you can also buy the passes in advanced and save a lot of money :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hope you learned a thing or two travel hacks :) Traveling need not be expensive, you can be practical and still have a lot of meaningful and fun memories!<br /><br />Next post will be about Mount Kobe, our favorite!</span></div>
Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679974904581486323.post-40118074443293540062019-11-22T00:26:00.002-08:002020-06-21T00:59:56.736-07:00Japan: Strolling Around Osaka<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was super excited for this trip, albeit a little bit apprehensive because I was already 7 months' pregnant at the time we were to land on Japanese soil. I booked our trip a month before I found out I was pregnant <i>so buti nalang naclear ako ng OB ko! Whooohoooo! Salamat, doc!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's been awhile since I wrote a travel post -- and my fingers are just itching to type away and tell you about what happened on our trip! We really loved Japan! And I want to write so that I can remember :) I will be dividing this Japan series into 4 parts: Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nagoya. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hopefully you will pick up a few tips as well if you're planning a trip to this lovely country soon!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNi_2D-Qde_B-ZKJlloPP7jpQtalkTxGihR40UDdllw82eiuh1XiVYnOgGF3MZo6eyNolEey1B0tlnWIaTUBM61Rr_NRaZTVLbp6nX8pzEeNCXONuhCcgt9ic3FAkfnwhlw8cys0-_kMw/s1600/osaka+castle+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="960" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNi_2D-Qde_B-ZKJlloPP7jpQtalkTxGihR40UDdllw82eiuh1XiVYnOgGF3MZo6eyNolEey1B0tlnWIaTUBM61Rr_NRaZTVLbp6nX8pzEeNCXONuhCcgt9ic3FAkfnwhlw8cys0-_kMw/s640/osaka+castle+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Osaka Castle during Autumn</span></i></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Since Dennis and I both love nature and Japan seems to take pride in its beautiful gardens and landscapes just a couple of hours away from the city, we inserted certain tourist spots in our DIY itinerary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Japan has so many places to wow its tourists -- from red and yellow trees lining the streets in Kyoto during magic hour, the Osaka castle that is majestic against the blue skies on an autumn morning, the cool winds accompanying you as you go up Mount Rokko with its picturesque countryside and mountain views... and let's not forget the hustle and bustle of Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori streets with the locals and tourists alike finding the best takoyaki or ramen in town... it really does seem to offer everything whatever your travel goals may be! (Parang SM lang, they've got it all for you!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... at Shinshaibashi Street</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Tourists taking the Dotonbori River Cruise -- a 20-minute cruise that takes you to different landmark bridges in the city</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We were in Japan for 9 days so we sandwiched the busy days in between chill-lang-tayo/stroll-stroll-lang-sa-city days <i>para hindi naman kami mabigla ni baby! lol!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ready? Here we go!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For the city's tourist spots, we just went to Osaka Castle and Umeda Sky Building which is just a couple of minutes walk from the subway. Amazing how you can be so close to nature the moment you get off the train.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Osaka Castle</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We got there a little bit before lunchtime so the sun was already high up, but since the weather was already cooling during these months, the heat of the sun was welcoming warmth against our made-for-tropical weather bodies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">More than the castle though, we enjoyed looking at the red and yellow trees leading up to the castle. We even plucked a couple of leaves (whooops!) para may souvenir kami! Lol! We found everything so pretty and the cool weather perfect for a stroll. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can also go inside the castle with a fee, but by this time I was already getting tired so while Dennis walked up close to the castle, I just waited for him somewhere in the park. :P</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Perfect talaga sa mga pictures, guys! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Kaya ayan naparami kuha namin! hahaha! Pinilian ko na yan!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Umeda Sky Building</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another popular tourist spot in Osaka is the Umeda Sky Building which is 173 meters tall (thank you, Google!). To go here, you just have to ride the escalator (look down if you're brave!) going up and for a fee (again, hahah! yes Japan is not cheap!) you can go up the observatory to see the 360 degree view of the entire city.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shop and eat at Shinshaibashi and Dotonbori </b></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So out first and last few days was about exploring the city's shops and eats. I eat practically anything! So my eyes were on the hunt for what I know was Japan was famous for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Melon Pan! The bread is sweet and crusty which is a winner because you can eat it on its own -- but to top it off, there's a generous serving of ice cream sandwiched in between! Yum! I tried their bestseller which is the Melon Pan with vanilla ice cream, but they also have matcha (of course!), chocolate and other flavors.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sobrang saya ko!</span></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Ramen, ramen and more ramen! When I asked Dennis what is his favorite meal in Japan, he said it's ramen. We ate ramen 3x in our entire trip. 2 of which is at the famous join, Ichiran!</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i> They say it's overrated, but while I would say that Mendokoro here in the Philippines still tops my list, Ichiran still offers pretty good ramen! And I think it's the experience of having to eat it in one of their cubicles that makes the Ichiran experience something to contend with. So mag-Ichiran ka parin kahit once for the truly Japanese experience.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>This is our most expensive meal! Lol! While the burger is pretty good, the serving is not that big. Haven't tried the one here in Manila so I don't have anything to compare it with though. But they say that the one in Japan is better. But the winner here for me, is really their caramel banana shake which is off-the-menu. So be sure to ask the staff of their bestseller if you are not sure what to order. :)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>If you love gyudon, your tummy will be very happy in Japan! Because this is probably the most affordable meal you can score in Japan and leave with a full tummy. The famous gyudon places in Japan are Yoshinoya and Matsuya and they're very easy to find. Order their sets complete with egg, salad and rice!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So after you burp and shop at your heart's content, you can take a romantic and leisurely walk along the streets of the city. I was averaging 12,000 steps when we were in Japan, so there really is a lot of walking involved in this country. But Osaka is just a gorgeous city so I think you won't mind like me :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There you have it! Next posts will be on Kyoto, Kobe and Nagoya. I will insert travel hacks while you're in Japan on the next post. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Arrigatou Gozaimasu!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Osaka Castle</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0002, Japan</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Umeda Sky Building</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>1 Chome-1-87 Oyodonaka, Kita Ward, Osaka, 531-6023, Japan</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Melonpan</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Osaka, Chuo Ward, Nishishinsaibashi, 2 Chome−11−9 RE-011 1F</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Shake Shack</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>1 Chome-13-13 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-8224, Japan</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Ichiran Ramen</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>1 Chome-4-16 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Yoshinoya, Matsuya</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Practically everywhere! Just Google maps your way to them</i></span></div>
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Celebrate Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13803618483805081240noreply@blogger.com0