While Im Waiting

My dashboard used to be "Garden of Daffodil", which speaks of my life journey. Until I heard this song by John Waller - While I'm Waiting. Beautiful song. It perfectly speaks of my season, season of waiting and obedience. This is the time when I am at my richest, in my time and space. A season when I am maximed as a single lady where I can use my gifts to serve my Lord through others. Where I can worship Him as long as I want. Where I can make use of my time and money in the enjoyment of life without the baggages of responsibility. To wait is never easy, its painful - but as I take my eyes off from myself and focus it to my Jesus, then my journey of waiting becomes lighter. I realized that surrender takes obedience and trust to the one who created me and knows me more. The One who gave His all by not sparing His son for me, the one who asks of my everything to be placed under His feet, so that He can give me all that I need, it may not be exactly what i want but its EXACTLY the best that He wants for me. My God who perfectly created the universe and everything in it, is also willingly going to give me His best, in His Best time. As I await for the moment, I will continue running the race faithfully, in boldness and confidence and taking each step in obedience....while I'm waiting... =)

I’m waiting

I’m waiting on You, Lord

And I am hopeful

I’m waiting on You, Lord

Though it is painful

But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident

Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting

I will serve You

While I’m waiting

I will worship

While I’m waiting

I will not faint

I’ll be running the race

Even while I wait

I’m waiting

I’m waiting on You, Lord

And I am peaceful

I’m waiting on You, Lord

Though it’s not easy

But faithfully, I will wait

Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I’m waiting

I will worship while I’m waiting

I will serve You while I’m waiting

I will worship while I’m waiting

I will serve You while I’m waiting

I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord

One Good Friday at Callospa

I have always admired the story of Queen Esther from the book of the Old Testament. Her's was a story of true waiting before she gets to face the King, and that is by a year of beauty regimen for only one night of facing King Xerxes. A year! Doing nothing but beautifying herself, by the king's court of course. She was also mentored on what to do on how she was about to face the king. 

That one Good Friday, literally good for me, my mentor ate lilette invited me to a spa resort in Antipolo. Since i loooove spa, i didn't had any second thoughts and instantly said yes. When we got there, we were welcomed by water mists machine to give us a cool feeling. It was around 12:30 PM when we got there. There were lots of trees around the place, very serene. There was also a pool, in case you would want to have a dip for yourself. I wasn't thinking of getting myself chlorinated so I didnt gave my mind a chance to wonder of seeing myself dipped in the pool so we headed straight to the reception area. Ate Lilette booked us for reservations, you can't just walk in and ask for a massage. Their cut-off time for massages is 3pm so, we were their last "patients", meaning we have the facilities all for ourselves, goodie!!! 

just getting myself warmed up with the place...

First stop is the sauna. I didn't have any problem getting myself dressed as I was already ready for the fight, heheh. So, I hit the shower first then hopped in the sauna room. 

Me and ate lilette getting ourselves 'detoxified' by the heat. I've always loved being in the sauna, I can actually be left alone there which ate lilette did cause she went out to take pictures of the whole resort, hahah! After 15 minutes, the lady asked me its steam bath time. I went in the room but only for a minute, told her I'd rather be in the sauna if its ok, she nicely said yes. Sauna works better for me than steam room, I felt like I'm gonna get suffocated in their steam bath.

Next, was the jacuzzi. They have 3 jacuzzis... 

This was their cold jacuzzi. Had lemon and pandan leaves on it. Very refreshing :)

Here's their warm jacuzzi, lavished with red and white rose petals... very romantic.. The two jacuzzis are situated beside each other. If you're with friends or your lovey, you'd have to be moving from one jacuzzi to the other, by which picturing it makes it look fun :)

Their third jacuzzi is much bigger and is more private. Found in a different room..

It's bigger in real setting than in the photo. Among the three its this one that I actually stayed in the longest, an hour I think. It was warm-hot temp. I love that it had bigger leg room as I fitted more in this jacuzzi tub than the other two. I liked its decors also. They placed some stones around, real bamboos with fountain on its side. Had lotsa bubbles too! Accompanied by their relaxing music, of course. Wasn't able to take pictures of me in the tub coz when I went right in I was shut-out from the world. it was very relaxing. I had it all to myself...  

30 minutes being in the jacuzzi, almost falling asleep they served me green tea and some bread (bread pan) bits with a tomato paste dip.

While in the jacuzzi sipping on my tea I was thinking of Queen Esther. It was a year of spa, whole year round for her, and I was there experiencing it only for half a day, and its like I can get used to doing it for the rest on my life. Felt like a queen being pampered and served, can I ask for anything more. I was having my best time...

After an hour, its suppose to be only 30 minutes, hahah, I was called that its time for my body scrub. With my so wrinkled fingers, I went out of the jacuzzi and headed to the next room. My therapist said i have to take all my clothes off..."ALL???"ALL. Okay so i couraged (is there such a word?) myself and complied. The scrub was soo refreshing. The aroma of the scrub she used was so good that it can bring me to sleep. The scrubbing was just right. It was 3o minutes I think that I was in the room. After which the therapist said I can take a shower then wear my dry robe and I can have my Asian massage next. I felt so clean that I didn't want to leave the bed thinking how much bacteria are around me now that am uber clean..

On my robe, I was guided to the second floor...

Here I had my massage. Didnt took pictures as I was excited to get that Asian massage of thiers.. My therapist was really hard and gentle on her strokes (ironic), she was good---with her effleurage. I asked for not so hard massage, but she gave me a really hard one. I can say that I was not so pleased with the strokes she used. The massage was hard, and she did mostly effleurage on me which basically is just a relaxing massage. I was looking for more...something else...something more... but probably that is what asian massage is to them, well I just gave it a shot though. To commend her, she did great foot reflex on me. That was my favorite which gave me really a  relaxing 10 minute of that foot massage. 

After my massage I was told that if I want to swim I have to wait for 3 hours. So I did the next best thing take a shot of the pool..

Amazing shot isn't it :) Took that shot at around 9 pm.

My just-had-a-massage look :) 

Right after my massage, I toured around the resort. They had two badminton courts, that can be converted to a reception area also. They had suites around the area for people who would want to stay overnight or more. They don't have a restaurant though, but you can bring food inside the resort or opt for delivery which is allowed in the resort. My favorite spot is the little hut that's in the middle of a pond. 

Its got table and chairs, a little 'homey' niche I can say. Good for private talks or just a place to hang around at. 

Over all, I liked the place a lot. Just when you are looking for a relaxing spot away from the busyness of the city but just close to home. Somewhere you can bring family, friends, or just an alone time for yourself, Callospa resort is something I can recommend :)

Well that was a great day. Almost half a day at the spa, with nothing but pampering and being with my mentor where we also had deep talks. Was almost like Esther that day.... but wait, where's my King? Hahahah! Soon =)

Maundy Thursday at Tagaytay (ATS and Bag of Beans)

This year's Holy Week seems like the time I check out the best food places in the metro. Just yesterday we had dessert at Banapple and today (Maundy Thursday) we had our dinner plus dessert at Tagaytay. Papa drove us for an hour from our place to this 24-hour Bulalohan in Tagaytay City. 

The place's name is Green ATS, and I'm clueless for what it stands for, heheh! It was around 7:15 PM when we got there and it was sooo cold. I was wearing my shorts and havaianas, good thing I have all the right to wrap a shawl around my neck despite the ever heated manila weather. Well Tagaytay is Tagaytay its cold all year round hahah. Anyhow, when we were seated inside our nipa hut, pops didn't have to check the menu because with the packed place getting the waiter again to take our order would give us probably 20 minutes more or so. Instantly he said, 2 Bulalos,  3 orders of Tawilis, 8 rice (gulp! did i just expose myself??),  1 1.5 coke and 1 iced tea. We were already shivering as we were waiting for our food, it was so windy and you can feel strong breeze from all directions. Ten minutes passed, then the 2 palayok of bulalos came, it was like an angel from heaven, can't wait to sip on those warm (and greasy) bulalo soup. Then followed by the others. While eating everyone was quiet. In our family if during meal time and one person is quiet it just means I love the food-leave me alone...hahaha so all of us for were loving the food. I wasn't able to take a photo of the palayok-bulalo, I was so hungry I have no time to spare to take a shot. So, how was the bulalo--well i was just really hungry. It lacked some taste. I added patis though but it still lacks something. For me and my brother Kim we still vote for Leslie's Bulalo, but for my brother John and pops, they loved it. I guess we cant just please everybody..

For our dessert a 3 minute drive and we've reach Bag of Beans.

 Yey! Today was my first time to try it. For the longest time I've always thought it was just a take out bakery. I never saw chairs inside, it was so small. But then, when we got there, the guard said the dine in is downstairs, oh my gosh the place was big. It was beautiful! It was night time so I didn't get to see how MORE beautiful it was, but it is already. It's garden type.

 Lots of trees, vines, lamps, and tables and chairs are scattered all over. We were not able to find a vacant place as the place was packed (everywhere is packed!) So the waiter said, there are more vacant tables inside. He guided us to this burtterfly-like-house, scary at first but when we entered it was so charming (there's that word again). There were tables and chairs around and couches. 

The ceiling had this white hanging cloth all over. The walls were painted white, table cloth and its table and chairs were all white also, it felt 'clean' inside for some weird reason. It was warm, literally.  So again I have the upper hand for desserts. Pops and John had cappuccino, Kim had chocolate latte, and I had americano. For dessert i just ordered strawberry cheesecake and apple pie alamonde, 

(this strawberry cheesecake is so heavenly... and I want all to myself...harhar!)

(..their apple pie alamonde is a delight, cold on the outside but warm in the inside...delicious!)

as the boys were complaining that they're full already. Our coffee came after 10 minutes. Then another 5 for the cake and pie. The pastries were a sight to look at. Papa took the first scoop from the cheesecake and then he took another, then another. He loved it. It was better than Banapple, he said. 

...my first bite...yummy!

I rebutted that its because he was having cappuccino and not smoothies so the sweetness of the cake complimented the bitterness of the coffee..hahah am starting to be a cake advocate now. The apple alamonde pie was also great.My brothers were the ones munching over it, while me am not letting dad take over the cheesecake alone hahah. 

My brother kim checking out their breads..

..and of course, I gotta grab some yummy loaves as well, to bring home to Manila :)

...the siblings...

....the boys...

...the signature smiles of kim..

...laughs with pops...

...john and his cappuccino.. (delicious!)

....pops and his 'hiya' smile..heheh

...we tried to take a complete shot of us...we tried...hahah!..

...Kims corniness cracked me up..

...with my strong black coffee americano...

...a pose with the king on the house, pops...

...john, yves and kim...

showing off their polka dotted (cute) placemat :)

Seriously dessert was over all great. The place was lovely, the food was chilled and freshly done. Coffee especially my americano had this strong kick thats why at 2:30 AM, I'm still pumped up doing this blog hahah! Their service was fast. Checking on the menu they also serve pasta, rice toppings, burger and fries, sandwiches among a variety of food choices. They also serve wine, and liquors. Price, typical of a bakery. Though our cake and pie was above 100 php each, it was fine it tasted great anyway. On our way out we went to their small bakery shop to pick up some white raisin bread for our breakfast. Their bread and pies are freshly baked, they also have yummy cookies. One weird thing i saw inside were colognes, soap and lotion that were being sold...inside the bakery! hahah! Oh, whatever, Bag of Beans was able to bag me so am giving it 5 stars :)

Late Night Dessert at Banapple

A couple of days ago, I've been craving for banoffe pie from Banapple in Katipunan. In those two days i cant seem to get it out from my taste bud. In spite of my tiring work from dialysis, that pie seems to be my escape from my busyness and thinking about it makes me look forward to having them..haha! Just this dinner time, dad asked if we want to have some coffee outside and I instantly suggested, Banapple! Hahah talk about answered prayer huh? =) So at around 10 pm we got ourselves ready, together with my two brothers and my dad. Late night dessert wont stop us, good thing i dont have work the next day. The place is usually packed and parking was always a problem but not THIS night, it was perfectly bare for us. So, we got in and instantly my eyes went betty-boop-big with all its yummy pies. I cant make up my mind, all of them looks so delish! So of course, I had to pick my top 4 favorites, thats because I have the upper hand to order for them haha! We had fudgymudgy pie for pops, chocolate chip walnut pie for John, two nut caramel cheesecake for kim, and banoffee pie for me, plus smoothies and cappuccino  to compliment them. 

My dad's fudgymudgy pie cake was more of cookies and creamish-like for me. Too sweet for my dad's taste, but for me it's fine if you want to 

satisfy your sweet tooth. It did sure looked yummy. Pops enjoyed its presentation but upon his first bite... 

 

                                     

John's chocolate chip walnut pie was really a chocolate chip pie. I liked it, that's if am craving for something chocolatey. John commented it was way too sweet. Maybe because of the sweet smoothies he had with it which made everything too much. hahah!

                                                  

Kim's two nut caramel cheesecake is a winner. I was scared at first as it might be too sweet, but it wasn't. It was just right. The cheesecake did slid upon my first bite. Very smooth and the caramel didn't overpower the cheesecake. You can really distinguish them. Bravo to the chef!

                       

And of course their best seller the banoffee pie perfect with my cup of cappuccino. The banana was cooked perfectly, cream wasn't too sweet. It was without equal. My taste bud was definitely satisfied. PERFECT PERFECT PERFECTO! Claps to the chef again.

                                              

Here's also the banana smoothies of my brother.. A sip of this and a slice of my banoffee is too banana-ish for me... Good thing I didnt turn to become the third of the banana and pajama character (heheh corny!)

By the way the place was also charming. It was warm and cozy. Really small but its the kind of place where you'd really like to have some dessert time for yourself, family and friends. It wasn't crowded when we went there probably because we were there around 10:30 PM plus it was a Holy Wednesday. One thing I noticed that made me love the place more was this old couple probably in their 70's. Really old but can still walk, have dessert in the late nights and it was a date! Thats the best sight I saw in that place for me. Next to my family of course :)

Well aside from pies and cheesecake they also serve rice meals, salad and pasta. Smoothies and coffee are given. They also serve water without you asking, how's that for great service. What's also nice about this friendly and modest bakery is that their price is right on the budget. It sure is one of those places you'd keep coming back and asking friends to try out. For this I give it 5 stars ;)

Perfect

We are always looking for the perfect relationship. The goal is to find that perfect someone who will make our lives a better place to be. It is unfortunate that we don’t realize perfection runs two ways. In order to find that perfect somebody, we must believe that whatever perfect is, we have already achieved it.

No one can give us what we don’t already have. Mr. or Ms. Right cannot be to us what we are not. If we are unhappy, unfulfilled, not pleased about who we are, we owe it to ourselves to stop looking. We have to ask ourselves: WOULD I MARRY ME? Am I doing my best, giving my all, being the best I can be to myself? If not, why are we pawning ourselves off on someone else. We need to take time to do some homework on self-love, self- esteem and self-confidence. When we can pass the test of self-acceptance, the perfect someone will compliment all that we already are. He or she will walk right through the door.

Sometimes, in our relentless efforts to find the person we love we fail to recognize and appreciate the people who love us. We miss out so many beautiful things and simply because we allow ourselves to be enslaved by our own selfish concerns. Go for the man of deeds and not for the man of words for you will find rewarding happiness not with the man youlove but the man who loves you more. The best lovers are those who are capable of loving from a distance, far enough to allow the other person grow, but never too far to feel the love deep within your being.

To let go of someone doesn't mean you have to stop loving, it only means that you allow that person to find his own happiness without expecting him to come back. Letting go is not just setting the other person free, but it is also setting yourself free from all bitterness, hatred and anger that you keep in your heart. Do not let the bitterness rare away your strength and weaken your faith, and never allow pain to dishearten you, but rather let you grow with wisdom in bearing it. You may find peace in just loving someone from a distance not expecting anything in return. But be careful, for this can sustain life but can never give enough room for us to grow.

We can all survive with just beautiful memories of the past but real peace and happiness comes only with open acceptance of the reality of today. You don’t have to forget someone you love. What you need to learn is how to accept the verdict of reality without being bitter or sorry for yourself. Believe me, you would be better off giving that dedication and love to someone more deserving. Don’t let your heart run your life, be sensible and let your mind speak for itself. Listen not only to your feelings but to reason as well.

Always remember that if you lose someone today, it means that someone better is coming tomorrow... 

My first day at RSI

Last Monday I went to RSI for my orientation and observation, but last Tuesday was really my first day. How did it go? Let me walk you to my day....

It was a rainy Tuesday when I woke up. After breakfast, my heels cant seem to rest on its own seems like i have to keep on roaming the whole house as if waiting for something to happen, lo and behold, my my favorite shoe strap snapped!!! I have a 12-hour shift for the whole day and thank God He didnt let me leave the house. Otherwise i would have to deal with that at work. So i got into my other white shoe,then hit the road. Driving along Aurora Blvd isn't much of a breeze with all the stop lights and jeepneys. At 5:15 am slow and buxxing jeepneys were surrounding me. Some were even cutting me on the road. I got passed Edsa and went to the other side of Aurora BLVD, here comes my dilemma, there were two roads in front of me which i have absolutely no idea which on t choose. So, I stopped right smack in the middle of them. It was raining, more buzzing jeepneys were pointing at me (good thing it was raining so i wont be bothered much of there howling buzzes). I called my dad twice but no respond. I was thinking of calling off from work. Too worried I might be lost and be late. I opend the window and shouted at the stout man. I asked which road goes to Betty-Go, "Betty-Go ano?" He has absolutely no idea where Betty-Go is. I panicked all the more. I asked where does these two roads go, he answered, one is going to Sta. Mesa the other to Espana. Its isnt the perfect day and time to go road mapping on where am heading especially at 5:30 am, raining, first day at new work location, and for a lady driver like me. Anything can happen here. I asked again, "which road goes to Gilmore?" He doesnt know!! What kind of a bystander is he anyway? So I asked again, which road is going to Aurora Blvd where?  I kid you not, he doesn't know! For a second there, I closed my window, hit the first gear and turned my wheel to the left and went up the flyover. Then everything went clear. I was now under the trains shelter. What does it mean? Im at the right path. then i carefully drove to look for a building with a "Dialysis Center" on it. I found it and parked in front it. I want to pat myself in the back for a job well done. Thank God again for that, He probably felt my fear and took the driver seat from me. Getting in the building I wanted to share that experience to everyone even to the guard, but of course my friendly friends werent there to tell me, good job or wow that was so frightening, thats so brave of you, yada yada... So I got there and realized my day is just about to start. Remember it s a 12-hour shift.

How was the 12-hour shift? Tiring, but its dialysis, which i love and am passionate about. However, it'll be new set of protocols, new patients and of course new people to work with. That's where the challenge comes in, and its exciting!

We may be used to the things we have been doing, but its not an excuse to be over familiar with everyday redundancy, rather we must be more expectant of any circumstance that may come its way and treat it as a surprise that can change our view. Add spice, it adds on to life =)

Be Joyful ALWAYS...something to share about

(Every single one of our dreams is coming true-coz we serve a God who gives us dreams and brings them to past)

I love people, and I love learning from them. I am in constant search of people whom I can be inspired, and draw new life from. Let us just say I am more interested in meeting and knowing new people and simply learning life from them, rather than me telling them about myself (unless of course asked). Just last July 2007, before the World Conference, one of the delegates from New York, Lynette Lewis, came and gave a women’s seminar. But because I sooo love my work and patients, I opted not to attend. But God is so good to bless me friends who gave me a cd audio of the talk, which ill be sharing in this blog. The talk was especially about women, who are in constant waiting where their joy seems to fade away because of being too consumed of their dreams.

Every single one of our dreams is coming true-coz we serve a God who gives us dreams and brings them to past. The dreams we have are all from God, he will not impress it in our heart if it wasn’t from him, but tendency we want to rush it (right?). If things don’t seem to go on our way because we think our dreams won’t HAPPEN (yet), we become discouraged and broken. But God is in the business of fulfilling our every dream. Just like Mary, when the Angle of God told her that she will bore the child of God—she asked how it could be when she is a virgin and doesn’t have a husband. Just like her we too question God sometimes on the impossibility of our circumstances, when he tells us or impresses us beautiful things, his promises, we ask him ‘how could it be?’ But she believed Him that the Spirit of the Lord is going to come upon her and the power of the Almighty will over shadow her—coz nothing is Impossible with God. Of course there we’re a lot of struggles that Mary went through, though the Bible didn’t have to mention them in detail, we women, different dream from hers, under goes the same struggle—WAITING.

Joy is the muscle that strengthens us for the journey. The muscle that shows are the muscle we work, joy is not related to happiness, for happiness is related to happening, but joy is the sustainable force that is not dependent on circumstances. Joy is the muscle that keeps us strong and helps us wait. The enemy has a lot of ploys for us to give up, not only does He wants us to give up but even if you don’t, he wants us to be so consumed with disappointment and hopelessness that we don’t have joy anymore. 

Ecclesiastes 8:15, “….Joy will accompany you all the days God has given you.” Joy that becomes less attached to circumstance and more attached to the ultimate joy giver—God. Lets be a person where life is overflowing through us. Even in season of waiting when we don’t see our dreams coming to past, still we must want joy and life to overflow us. =)

Royalty defined

God is so awesome! that's all I can say. He never does short change you. Never!

            

Last Friday was our smallgroup meeting with the ladies, we usually have it on a Sunday but due to my transition of attending service at Metroeast I have to change our schedule. We agreed it to be on a Friday 7pm. Before, we meet on a Sunday 5pm at Fab! restaurant Holiday Inn, but just last week I kept praying for our new place for the coming Friday. I kept praying, no answer, and still I kept praying and praying to God. Then Friday came. I left the house 630 pm, since its a Friday, traffic was terrible. While driving along Lanuza drive, i was thinking maybe we can have it at Window Cafe, probably at Ahsin, or how about at kfc. Then i gave up thinking and while stuck in traffic I texted my smallgroup members to pick a place where they want our meeting to be held at the same time where we can have our dinner as well. A reply to my SMS came, it was Mjay, she said "why not here inside room 2205?" Oh my gosh! How can i forget, it's their victory weekend and that they are staying overnight at the Holiday Inn suites. I rallied a SMS message to all the other ladies that we would have our smallgroup at room 2205. everyone was excited, but I think I was more excited, almost teary-eyed. 

Simple story right? But here's why i felt that emotion. I always tell the ladies that we are all princesses, we are all royalty (1 Peter 2:9), we are part of God's family. Personally, I took that verse to heart and I would always tell that to others that they too are of the royal priesthood of God. For that reason, I chose the Fab! at Holiday Inn to be our meeting place for our bible study sessions. I want them to at least feel what royalty is. Then friday came, just when I was so problematic with the place, God provided. He was already there waiting for us. He prepared the best place for our smallgroup, for His lovely princesses. But what made me almost cry is that He didn't just provided THE place, but He VALIDATED who we are in Christ. He is just so awesome, i cant find the words to define my feelings but all I know is that we are indeed His princesses and we are serving a great, mighty, and a loving King... Galing :)

So for next Friday, I have absolutely no idea where it would be, but without a doubt God would definitely provide :) 

Here's some of our photos at the Fab! restaurant and last friday at room 2205 suite of The Holiday Inn. Royalty:)

1 Peter 2:9 But You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ......beautiful =)

Am starting it now!

Finally! For years now, i have always wanted to write and share my thoughts and life experiences, at least in my "Dear Diary" journal, which i call my "little black book"...  but would always get lazy to do so. Until a good friend of mine told me to go ahead (thanks much Jan!) and here I am, giving my shot. Though, I do have some poem and thought pieces at my multiply site, but, I have never yet updated them since 3, 4, 5 years maybe. Oh well, am doing something different now. This time, am starting not just my boohoos on my  so called "little black book" , but my life's journey. From my rants and raves, ups and down adventures, to my drama and crying moments, to kilig moments (i cant wait for this!!!), to my food galore adventures, to places I'll be going and have been to, about my faith, my family and friends, simply everything in my life. Oh how I looove life!! This is going to be great. Cheers to all!!! =)