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Sunday, January 22, 2012

February 2012 Calendar [FP]

Just finished the February 2012 calendar. I just really love pink! And since Feb is Valentine's month, I created some baby love calendar layout. Cuteness always comes first when it comes to my designs. Heart is also a must for the love month so I put loads of hearts.

I started this layout when I got home from school, paused for awhile cos I'm sleepy then continued working on it after cooking dinner. I'm so proud that it only took me less than a day to finish this layout. Boy, I'm getting pretty fast!



 

Hope you liked it!!!

Click HERE to download

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Late Lunch at Ihaws

Jeff texted asking me what time will I be home cos he's super hungry from biking. Our prof dismissed our class at exactly 1pm and cooking will take more time so we've decided to just go out to eat. Jeff craves for anything grilled but we can't think of any grilling resto here in Malolos besides Orlando's Ihaws, so I guess you know where we end up. Hihi. It's been a while since we last ate here kaya LAMON!

You have to get a plate and personally pick the food you want them to grill.

Pork, Fish, Chicken and more. They have everything!

Seafood trays are almost empty. Obviously a sure hit!
Took a pic of our orders while it's being grilled.

Soleil playing around. She's more excited with the pastillas rather than the food.
Finally! Our food arrives.

One of the things I like about Ihaws is, you can eat with your bare hands!

Friday, January 13, 2012

The 7 Year Itch

It was said that happy marriage only last for 7 years and after that, they will get bored. Hence the term 7 year itch. Either get a divorce, file an annulment or stay for the kids. Well, I refuse to believe this axiom, It's giving me the creeps! For me, it still depends on how the couple handles their relationship. There are still plenty of couples out there whose relationship lasted a lifetime.

Why I'm suddenly bothered by this?  Mainly because Jeff and I will be celebrating our 7 years of marriage this coming June,   (But we're together for 11 years now including our bf/gf days) and I don't think our relationship is going to be on the rocks anytime soon. We rarely fight, we're unlike any other couple who argue almost every single day and there's no reason we have to. I'm so blessed to have an exceptional husband like Jeff. He's like an angel sent by God to take care of Me and Soleil.

Anyways, there are things we should do to keep the fire in our marriage burning and avoid the 7 year itch aphorism. Every couple should know the needs of their better half and provide them to have a long lasting relationship.



1.   Understand that infatuation with another person and the occasional temptation to betray the trust of the one you love is a perfectly normal feeling when it comes to love and marriage. Getting hitched to another person doesn’t make you less human.  Accept that these feelings are natural.

2.  Do not under any circumstances act on those infatuation and temptation impulses until you have taken the time to fully think through the consequences if you make that choice.  Make no mistake about it, cheating on your spouse is deadly to the trust in your relationship.

3.  Recognize that continuing and recurring fantasies and infatuations about another person is a strong indicator of something amiss in your relationship with your spouse.

4.  The “turn the corner rule”—is to address the issue head-onwith your loving partner.  Failure to do so will doom your relationship to the ash-heap of lost love.

5. Love is tough.  Frankly, sometimes you determine that your loving relationship is lost.  But more likely, you discover that you truly love your spouse. You must save this relationship by committing to the hard work it will take to rebuild the love.

6.  Seek help!  Sometimes couples turn to a marriage counselor.  Others learn how to make their relationship work by reading what others, including us, have discovered.  You can learn so much about your relationship by “discovering” what others have already learned!

7.  Sometimes we have to “fish or cut bait.”  The reality is that some marriages cannot be saved.  But hopefully an examination will reveal your relationship is worth saving.

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. -Colossians 3:18-19


Source

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Daddy and His Little Girl

A friend of my sister in law, who I'm making an invitation for her son's baptismal sent me a blog link asking me where she can buy a star balloon like the one from that blog. And since, I'm currently hooked to blogging, I browsed the whole site and came across to this post. While reading it, I noticed that a tear fell from my eyes. I felt sad cos I never had this kind of relationship with my father. My sister and I are NO Daddy's Girl.

Anyhoo, I'm still glad because Jeff and Soleil are doing some of these stuff together. I will ask Jeff to read this entry so he can do all these things while Soleil is still young.


50 Rules for Dads of Daughters by Michael Mitchell


1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.




2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.





3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.





4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.




5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.





6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.





7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.





8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.




9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.





10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.




11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”




12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.





13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.





14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.




15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.






16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.




17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.




18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.





19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.





20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.





21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.




22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.




23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.





24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.




25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.





26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.





27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.





28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.





29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.




30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.





31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.





32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.




33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.




34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.





35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.





36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.




37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.




38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.





39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.




40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.




41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.





42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.





43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.




44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.





45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.




46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.





47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.




48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.





49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.





50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.

PS: I'm such a crybaby! Did a lot of crying today just surfing the net. Haha!


Source: Mommy Fleur

Tadhana

This is the first time I watched a Wedding Proposal that I literally cried. Kinikilig ako ng bongga! Seen this many times already and I still shed a tear, especially the part when Coach Rio kneel down to ask her girlfriend to marry her. He only planned this in one week and he contemplated it very well. The soon-to-be bride's favorite band Up Dharma Down serenade her to the tune of Tadhana and played like a live background music the whole time. Who wouldn't say yes?! Love is sooo in the air!!!

Watch the video and be in love.







Snapshots of my favorite part



Who is Coach Rio Dela Cruz?
Also known as The Man with the Afro. A high-speed road runner, running coach extraordinaire and running maestro as his website would define him. First heard of him when Elaine and I joined the Run for Pasig River 10.10.10 event, then I saw him as a guest on Headstart with Karen Davila on ANC. I was inspired with how he live his life. How he did everything he can to achieve his goals by doing what he loves most, running. He is such an inspiration.

For more of him: click HERE

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Music and Me



Jeff and I are a total opposite in so many things, including our love for Music. He loves hardcore, rock or any music that includes shouting and roars. I hate listening to it! We even argue on which playlist to play at home and we'll end up with the TV. I'm not a fan of Top Charting Pop Music either, well, it's pleasurable to listen to and are most likely to appeal on mass audience, but I don't really enjoy getting a load of that type of genre. Don't judge me, I love Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, et al. It's just that I don't listen to them more often than I do with OST. (and House). Yes, I'm an OST baby! Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill, Grey's Anatomy, Pretty Little Liars are few of the many TV Series who have the best music collection of all times. I listen to them on a trip, when I'm sad or even when I'm happy! It's always a feel-good song to me. My ears will never get tired of these musics, it'll forever be a part of my journey. Collecting songs since 1998.

Here's a list of my all time favorite OST songs.

I Don't Wanna Wait - Paula Cole
Ready for a Fall - PJ Olsson
Any Lucky Penny - Nikki Hassman
Cry Ophelia - Adam Cohen
Life's A Bitch - Shooter
Grace - Kate Havnevik
Heart Door - Paula Cole
Feels Like Home - Chantal Kreviazuk
London Rain - Heather Nova
Letting Go - Kim Sozzi
Lose Your Way - Sophie Hawkins
Shimmer - Shawn Mullins
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
Somewhere Only We Know - Keane
How To Save A Life - The Fray
Just Breathe - Anna Nalick
If She Wants Me - Belle and Sebastian
Falling - Mindy Smith
Suddenly - Soraya
All About Your Heart - Mindy Gledhill
Inevitable - Anberlin
Crash Into Me - Dave Matthews Band
White Dress - Ben Rector
I Saw - Matt Nathanson
Found - Phillip Larue
Wait It Out - Imogen Heap
Beauty Queen - Ben's Brother
You - Switchfoot
Fields of Gold - Eva Cassidy
Suggestions - Orelia Has Orchestra
More Of You - Mozella
All Those Pretty Lights - Andrew Bell
Fresh Pair Of Eyes - Brooke Waggoner
Your Love - Fay Wolf
Slow Me Down - Emmy Rossum
Brown Eyes - Andy Davis
Wedding Dress - Matt Nathanson
Wait - Chandra Wilson
Down - Jason Walker
Help Me I'm Alive - Metric
Missing Me - RJ Helton
The Way I Do - Marcos Hernandez
September - Daughtry
Nothing - The Script
Science and Faith - The Script
The Man Who Can't Be Moved - The Script
Anonymous - Bobby Valentino
Make It Without You - Andrew Belle
Love Me - JJ Heller
Us - Regina Spektor
Samson - Regina Spektor
Sentimental Heart - She & Him
Smoke - Natalie Imbruglia
Soon - Moonpools and Caterpillars
The Boy Who Trapped The Sun - Copper Down
Feeling A Moment - Feeder

I need to cut here cos I think my list is too long already. I still have tons to add though. Will make another entry for it. Teehee!!




Credits to Youtube

Photos: Google

God is Faith



Do you need to see God before you believe in him? I don't! My faith is bigger than any theories in Science can explain. I'm one Proud Christian. God bless everyone!!!

Professor : You are a Christian, aren’t you, son ?

Student : Yes, sir.

Professor: So, you believe in GOD ?

Student : Absolutely, sir.

Professor : Is GOD good ?

Student : Sure.

Professor: Is GOD all powerful ?

Student : Yes.

Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?

(Student was silent.)

Professor: You can’t answer, can you ? Let’s start again, young fella. Is GOD good?

Student : Yes.

Professor: Is satan good ?

Student : No.

Professor: Where does satan come from ?

Student : From … GOD …

Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student : Yes.

Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?

Student :Yes

Professor: So who created evil ?

(Student did not answer.)

Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?

Student : Yes, sir.

Professor: So, who created them ?

(Student had no answer.)

Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?

Student : No, sir.

Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?

Student : No , sir.

Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smell your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?

Student : No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.

Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?

Student : Yes.

Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.

Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.

Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Professor: Yes.

Student : And is there such a thing as cold?

Professor: Yes.

Student : No, sir. There isn’t.

(The lecture theatre became very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.

(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)

Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?

Student : You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it is, were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?

Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man ?

Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.

Professor: Flawed ? Can you explain how?

Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.

Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)

Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?

(The class was in uproar.)

Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?

(The class broke out into laughter. )

Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smell it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face
unfathomable.)

Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.

Student : That is it sir … Exactly ! The link between man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.


Source: Friend from Facebook