Award and Meme Monday

Wow! This is nice and neat. I got an award from Bishop Matthias of "The Matthias Chronicles". I have been reading his blog and as he had said : "Well, let's see... First, I am a real bishop. Yes, that may seem hard to believe, especially with some of my right slanted views..." Thanks for this award:)
He wrote: A Grateful Heart, A personal view of life from Shawie and always on the upbeat side. That's very touching:) Believe me, if I were to write all that I have gone through like any other people- it will be too tiring for me to write and for you to read, lol! Most people that never really know me, they would say I'm just silent, happy-go-lucky sorta...but those few of whom I surfaced and open up, they wouldn't believe I've done it all and stayed positive and grateful. There's always a humor in life and I would rather laugh at all struggles rather than dwell on it with a heavy heart. I'm glad I have that "kind" of faith. Anyway, thanks so very much for this award and for taking time to read my posts:)
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Well, I'm not finished yet, haha! This tag came from KCee. Thanks, gurl! I think this is so much fun.
7 Random Facts About Me:

1. I'm a cry baby when I watch movies. I can't help but cry everytime the plot of the story is all about life, struggles, being so generous and forgiving.
2. I always turn the volume so loud everytime my favorite song is being played.
3. I would rather go out by myself in a bookstore, shop by myself, eat alone rather than spending time with someone I can't even relate to. Sorry, I felt bad about it but it seemed to me- a waste of time, haha!
4. I'm very observant and easy to please.
5. I'm always scared of the dark. I just don't know why.
6. I'm very stubborn. I just hate being manipulated.
7. If there's one thing that I'm very grateful about- it is the self-awakening. The very best gift I had ever received.

Photo Hunt "Strings"

I'm not sure if this curtain is made of strings (in Urban Thai resto) but it looks like it, lol! I was so busy doing some other stuff at work that I didn't realize it's dinner time and so we just went out to dinner in a Thai restaurant. We both ordered two yellow chicken curry and a Tom Yum Kung for starter. After serving the soup, came another plate of curry and a bowl of rice. I told Jim that the lady forgot about my order. Then, I thought maybe we should have ordered one serving since it's quiet a large plate. He just teased me that it's been combined together. When we got the bill- apparently, there's only one:) Well, we're both full, can't complain, lol!

Happy weekend all:)

Angels are Everywhere

I’m just so proud of my colleagues and friends whom I met in Taiwan. You know, working abroad and away from the family is just so lonely and difficult especially at a young age. To be honest, things changed so fast and I always thought that was the worst nightmare I ever had but as years went by- it turned out to be my sweetest dream ever. I learned a lot and I see things in a different way. Indeed, it’s true that there’s no learning without pain.

I just like to share with you this inspiring story of my friend, Diana whom I met in Taiwan. She got married and presently living in Netherlands for 7 years now. Her story is quiet an inspiration and just thought it’s worth sharing too.

She wrote:

"It was a very nice day; the sun is shinning, lovely weather. I went to the fitness center; it was too early and not much people. I stop by the reception area and have a chat with our receptionist Marion. I did not see her since I came back from vacation. We talk a lot, I told her about the foundation, she was so enthusiast, she likes to help, I was then very happy….another new member.
But it did not stop there, few weeks later got a call from her, she has a friend a high school teacher and every year they are inviting different foundation that helps children to make a presentation about their goal and project because they will be giving donation. Last year they give more than 12,000 Euro donations in Africa. We were very happy to be invited, but we have less than a week to prepare. We don’t know what to do. I talk to our municipal health doctor in Miagao, and he immediately reply that Miagao need a Pediatric and Children Ward. It was a good idea. Mildred, Guus and I will do the presentation Theo will do the programs in computer. Lineth will take pictures and operate the laptop, Two days before the presentation we received a letter from the municipal of Miagao but it was not enough, we need more information. Despite of internet and fax machines, distance makes it too difficult to communicate if you are on the other side of the world, another reason was brown out in Miagao, and they could not email or fax complete information to us.
A day before the presentation we are still busy doing research…. we decided that we will just talk about Philippines, our foundation and our proposed project, we have Philippines map, information from the internet, enlarge pictures of Filipino children….pictures of street children looking for food, pictures of children sleeping in the corner of the street…hoping that this pictures will touch there hearts and help us.
Now it is time for our presentation….we are so nervous, but when we started talking, everybody was so silent and listening. They ask many questions, that makes us feel good and confident. We went home happy and satisfied with our presentation, we had a nice experience. They told us to wait for few weeks for the result.
We arrived home, got an email from Dr. Montalban with complete information. I feel a bit disappointed because it came late. Guus decided to call the teacher if we can email the info for student so that they can read it. We mailed it.
That evening we had BBQ Party at home, when everybody was there Guus give a toast and immediately told us the good news. The teacher told him that the board had already made their decision to help our foundation. Everybody was so shock. We are lost of words and it came too soon. Yes, we made it!!!!!
Miagao will be building a Pediatric and Children Ward soon. It will be a big project and it will help not only the children in Miagao but also the neighboring town. Isn’t that wonderful?
As I look back where we had started …..4 months ago, so many things happened. It was tough, there were many problems, there were many tears. We made mistakes and we learned from that and it did serve as a lesson, to make us better and stronger.
We met many people. I can say that most of them are Angels, just like Marion she was an angel, an instrument to spread the news about our foundation to her friend, her friend who is a teacher is also an Angel who invited us to do the presentation, the student who were there during our presentation were Angels. And because of them Miagao will soon have a Pediatric and Children Ward."

That's quiet a wonderful story! I'm very proud and happy for all of them. There's just no comparable joy to being unselfish. You can also visit their website at Help Filipino Children.

Wordless Wednesday "More Summer Escapade"

Although our dog, Jakey doesn't like the river adventure...still, it was so fun taking him:) It's just a little bit amusing how a doggie is so scared at the water while some other dogs just loved it! Some even stayed on the front of the boat...hmmm, wonder if he realized it's moving, lol!

Earth's Delights

Sometimes, I feel guilty every time I buy clothes. I felt like I had more than enough and too much of a lot of stuff. Jim would tease about being Americanized. I believe so. Although, I think I spend my money so wisely; still, things were different. When I worked in Taiwan, I just go shopping once a month. I hate looking at my closet with clothes that I don’t wear at all. I just think of some people who can’t afford to buy new clothes. Even when I send boxes of clothing to the Philippines, my closet is still too occupied with some junk. I should just get something for myself every month. New clothes are only exciting when you first wear it and eventually, will become just another ordinary dress the next time you’re wearing it, lol!

As what Kahlil Gibran of "The Prophet" said:

"Your clothes conceal much of your beauty, yet they hide not the unbeautiful."

Things Undone

We have been trying to redecorate the living room few months ago. Then, we got so busy with some other things in the business and having fun at the river, lol! Now, we’re trying to pick up some decorating chores we left behind. It’s not that a big deal at all; yet, I didn’t realize how much time we spent on just looking and shopping around for the right draperies and sofas for the living room. We just do it like when we feel it’s time to buy or redecorate, hahaha! Okay, I gotta go. I have to meet the lady at the store. I’m not even familiar with the place but I love driving to new places.

Bitter-Sweet Remembrance

It’s funny how a smell, a simple song or melody or a simple gesture can remind you of something and bring back those memories and feelings - good or bad. You know, we did some shopping today and I was sniffing on some lotions and colognes of Victoria’s Secret. It pretty much reminded me of waking up so early when I was still working in that call center. I had to wake up around 4AM and prepare myself for that 5:30AM shift. Or when I used that Safeguard soap which I bought from the Filipino store- it’s some kind of facial soap to me. The smell pretty much reminded me of my college days where I’m a little insecure because I’m not like any other student who can afford a lot of things (their parents gave them more money for school allowances). Or using that conditioner from L’Oreal which I have been using on my first few weeks here- which reminds me of an awkward feeling in a foreign country and adjusting to a new life- married life. We never really had a long courtship period. Although we knew each other for 3 years prior to getting married, still there were lots of things we dealt with.

I was just watching the Filipino Variety Show on TV – “ASAP” and the week’s theme is all about the Pop ‘80’s. I was just a kid during those years (in the 80’s) and most of my cousins were already teenagers. There used to be “bayli” or a taxi-dance almost every month to raise funds for the fiesta. There's no electricity at that time and so the sound system owners had this big and loud generator. Ladies from different villages were invited or should I say, there’s a compulsory invitation to all ladies in every village. My cousins were always present in those social activities. All the ladies were being seated in a long bench. Male patrons will pay for the ticket to dance with the ladies. Oh, the not-so-pretty lady sometimes is left behind (on the bench). Of course, men would want to dance and get-to-know the prettiest lady in that event. One time, as we were walking back to our own village after the dance- one of my cousins stepped on a cow’s poop, yikes! It was so dark and just imagine walking with it for another 20 minutes, lol! Okay, it’s not fun at all. Well, all those songs from the ‘80’s really remind me of my cousins (some are now in Switzerland). We just laugh at those old memories. I’m just glad I never go through all those ticket-a-dance system or a lady being the priced flower for the night. Actually, you have no choice but to dance with some drank male patrons, haha! When Disco became popular during our high school days, old people specially my Grandma was so pissed and annoyed at the blinking lights, lol!

Meme Monday "Labor Day"

It’s just a lazy weekend to me. I’m happy I was able to sort things in my office and all the files are in place now. I was able to explore music in iTunes of which it's been in my what-to-do-lists but just too busy with some other things. I was able to download all my favorite music from all genres. Awesome! One thing I really liked about iTunes- you don’t have to buy the whole album or CD where there’s only 1 or 2 songs that you would want. When I was in Taiwan, one-eighth of my salary was spent on CD’s and books. I remembered shipping it back home, only to find out the neighbors borrowed it and never returned. Worse, they put names on it and they know it’s not theirs. Grrrrrr! Anyways, here are my top songs that I have downloaded:

The Time of My Life- David Cook
Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
Better In Time- Leona Lewis
When I Grow Up- The Pussycat Dolls
Shadow of The Day- Linkin Park
It Can Only Get Better - Charice Pempengco

Anyway, it's "Labor Day" or should I say "Friendship Day":) Thanks to Hailey for this Award of Friendship: