For the guys out there...

Valentine's Day is near and I'm sure some of you, guys, are planning to give flowers (and maybe chocolates) to your girlfriend or a girl you like. That's the traditional way but do you think it shows love? Not really. For those who plan on giving flowers to their special someone, here's my recommendation and kindly read throughout the whole blog post.

1. Bouquet of Flowers

(http://lovetheblooms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/_Presentation%20Red%20Rose%20Bouquet.JPG)

Traditionally, guys would give a single or bouquet of flowers (usually roses) to a girl but have you had the thought that maybe it's too much for something that doesn't last long? Some guys would even spend thousand of pesos just to make the bouquet really special for the girl. Sure it makes her happy but still, flowers die as the days go by. So this is a no.

2. Artificial Flower

(http://www.topiarygarden.co.uk/images/artificial-rose.jpg)

There is this quote saying "A guy gives his girlfriend a dozen roses; 11 real, 1 artificial and says he will love her till the last rose dies." I admit, it was sweet the first time I read it (in 6th grade) but when I thought about it during my first year in high school, it wasn't. Come on, 11 real and 1 artificial. It's like you're saying that the love will not be real in the end. "Fake love" that's not the kind of message you would want to give a girl you have feelings for, right? So, "11 real, 1 artificial" -- no.

3. Chocolate Flowers

(http://eechocolates.com/images/Flower_Bouquet_2.jpg)

Flowers and chocolates? Why not have them both in one? Chocolate flowers! Sweet? Yes, it is but this is a no. Why? They're expensive and not to mention really fattening, especially if you'll give her the big ones. I'm sure you wouldn't want the girl to gain weight and blame you for it.

Okay, so if a bouquet of (real & artificial) flowers and chocolate flowers aren't the best choice, then what is? I say the best would be... 

FLOWERS PASTILLAS!

This a simple yet sweet gift because it's in the closest form of a rose, they're cheap, you can choose different colors and the size is just small. I am sure that she will like it more than the typical "flowers and chocolates" gift. Also, it would be best that you let her share those flowers with her friends since love is about sharing. Don't let her have selfish love. (this only applies to the flowers pastillas)

However, if the girl is watching her weight and doesn't want to eat sweets, just give her this:

Fruit Bouquet

(http://www.andicakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Edible-fruit-bouquet7.jpg)

It won't be cheap like the flowers pastillas but hey, it's not typical and she will probably be very thankful for this. Just make sure that she shares those...

My main point in this post is: do not to go for the ordinary thing; try something different!

I hope this post was helpful to you guys. Have a nice Valentine's Day this year!

Blessed Day!

This day was so... AWESOME! I just can't contain how happy I am right now. If only I could just video myself instead of typing what I'm saying but sadly, I have no confidence in front of the camera, especially if it's a video... Anyways, let me share how today went.

This morning, we had our last midterm exam for the semester, which was Total Quality Management (TQM). My friends and I were worried about about failing it, so one of us thought of having a group study on the day before the exam.

It was hard at first because the fact is: I don't study! Also I usually get mind block whenever it's the review question part, but I managed to make it through the whole 3-4 hours of it. I came to realize that studying with friends is actually fun and effective because you get to share some information and brainstorm on the lessons. As Belle said, "Four heads are better than one."

When we were about to end the group studying, we agreed to come to school early (before 8:00am) so that we could have a final review before the exam. Good news, most of us arrived early. Better news, we had more time to review because the exam started at 9:30am! (No, the professor wasn't late)

When our exam started, enumeration was the first part I answered because I might suddenly forget what I studied at the last minute. Thankfully, I was able to answer most of them. Enumeration was actually the easiest part of the exam, the most challenging one was identification because he gave a different description on some of the terms there. For the other part, I just guessed them since there were choices.

The result...

It was better than I expected! Turns out that our group studying was really effective and we'll do it again for finals. As a reward for the amazing grade, I treated myself to a beef burrito and strawbana smoothie from FaBurrito.

After having my (awesome) dinner, I checked the receipt and noticed that there was 20% printed on it. Turns out that I was given a discount! I thank Jayson (the guy who delivered my order) for this! It was careless of me, though, that I didn't even notice the change was more than what I was supposed to get when I received my order. I need to be more aware next time.

SUMMARY

The things that made my day:

1.  The professor giving us more time to review
2. Getting 97% on the TQM midterm exam
3. Having a good afternoon sleep
4. A surprise 20% discount on my dinner!

That is about it, my day seemed really short since I slept for the whole afternoon but for me, it was still an awesome one.

Thank you Lord for this very blessed Saturday!

Solutions = Purpose

Everyone has problems in life, whether big or small, they are still problems. So how do we go through these problems? We find solutions.

Today, in The Feast, Bro. Bo talked about "Solutions." First he shared about how Moses solved his problem with an Egyptian, who was physically hurting one of the Hebrews. Moses just killed him and hid the body in the sand. Do you think what he did solve the problem? No, it didn't. Moses just right the wrong with another wrong.

Here is another way of explaining this topic:

Imagine that your dreams are just in front of you but there is a brick wall in the way.

(http://www.corbisimages.com/images/Corbis-42-24569545.jpg?size=67&uid=5a920d49-e662-4709-a65c-8f2bfe385648)

What would you do? Some would just give up since the wall is such a problem that they rather not deal with it anymore. Others would just put their trust in God and do nothing. That isn't right, we cannot always be spoon-fed. We can trust in God but of course, actions need to be done in order for the miracles to work. So what do you think is the solution to this brick wall problem? Get a hammer and break it? That's what others do, but that isn't right either. Breaking that wall will cause your dreams to be crushed.

(http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2008/03/28/Micro__crushed_car_Clinton__t440.jpg?9e2a24ba44807f8f9b96aad7c4082bf6ded075dc)

Nobody wants to crush their dreams but that's what others do. You know why? They use their pride in reaching them. They just focus on the problem, not the purpose of their dreams. So how do you solve your problem then? Simple, focus on your purpose! You see the photo of the brick wall above? It's just small, it's not even as long as The Great Wall of China. If you are focusing on your problem, you wouldn't even notice that the wall is just blocking the path but if you are focusing on your purpose, you will reach your dreams without having to deal with that wall.

I will share with you a story that happened to me last Friday night:

I woke up at around 7pm, from a long nap, and I had to go to the computer right away to work on a powerpoint presentation for my TQM subject. Honestly, that work could have been done over the Christmas break but I was so laid-back, enjoying the long hours on the internet without worrying about having school the next day. Very careless of me. So anyways, I had to push myself into finishing the work or else I will be in big trouble with the professor.

I officially started at around 10pm. My report was on a whole chapter and it was a long one. Searching for photos and making sure that each slide had a maximum of 6 lines was tough! I wanted to cry and start hating myself for slacking off during the break. I even wanted to tweet "TQM... Kill me now!" but I refrained myself from doing those things. Instead, I focused on my purpose for staying up late which was to finish the powerpoint presentation. It was my fault after all for not working on it when I was supposed to, so I had to face the consequence. I had no sleep that night but I managed to finish it earlier than expected. (I praise God for that!)

The next day, while I was reporting, the professor commented "I really like your presentation. When did you do this?" with a smile, I replied "Last night." He made an expression as if he was surprised yet in disbelief that I managed to work on it overnight. As I was continuing my report, he made another comment: "You know, you really have a good choice of photos." I could see it in his face that he was amazed that I did a good job on something that was long and done last-minute. That really made my day and I was thankful to God that he was by my side while I was working on the presentation. As a reward to myself for a job well done, I slept for the whole day!

If I was stressing over the problem which was staying up late and having to summarize the chapter, I wouldn't have been able to finish my work on time nor would it have turned out great. So if you have a problem, don't focus on it. Instead, focus on your purpose!

During the closing worship, Bro. Bo recommended to us on what should do to something(s) we have lost. One was about money and the other was about a person in our life. The latter one called my attention, Bro. Bo said "If that boyfriend left you for someone else, here's my recommendation: Forget it. Tell yourself "Kawawa naman siya.* He doesn't know what he's missing." and then open your heart; open your life for someone new to come in. Not now, you don't want to have a rebound relationship but take your time. Heal, find yourself and then later on, open yourself to love and joy and peace." What he said really struck me that I wanted to burst into tears. I managed to hold them back but deep inside, I was breaking down yet very thankful once again for Bro. Bo's message.

"Don't focus on the problem. Focus on your purpose."

Thank you so much Lord for Bro. Bo Sanchez!

*Kawawa naman siya means 'I pity him' (according to my sister)

Sentimental Item Lost

After blogging this morning, I remembered the ring he gave me for my 19th birthday and thought of keeping it in a safer place. I checked my wallet but it wasn't there, so I went around my room looking for it. In the end, I couldn't find it. However I found my (or his) missing dog tag, which was just on my table. Anyways, the point is... I lost another sentimental item.

It seems to me that rings are not meant for me (except the wedding ring, of course) because this is the 3rd time I lost a sentimental ring!

First this...

Then this...

Now this!

(I have no better photo of this ring)

Looks like that thing I did 3 years ago has caused me to lose the ring once I decide to move on. That's it! No more silver rings for me since they just end up getting lost. From now on, I'm sticking to silver necklaces!

Who were you back then?

"No bitter ending" I said. "We'll still be close friends" I said. Well, how are we now? Strangers, just total strangers... I guess it was too soon when I said that we'll still be friends. I wonder though, who was that person whom I once called my "best friend" back then? Was it you or your mirror?

To be honest, I strongly dislike you now, not because of the break-up but of how you were afterwards. You are a total jerk. Not to worry, I won't explain any further. I will just keep this post as short as possible. However, I would just like to say this: I do not regret meeting you; I regret not waiting for June 2012 to see who you would turn out to be. College life sure has changed you or maybe, it just showed the real you.

It's really sad to see another close friend gone. I actually lost 2 of them in 2012 and have to just move along to make sure those pains don't pull me back so that I would not dwell over it. The story of the other person will be for another day because this post is about a certain someone. Am I afraid that he or his friends might read this? No, I'm not. As I said in my first blog post, I will not be afraid to express my feelings even if it leads me to gaining haters.

Post New Year Greeting

It's quite late to greet everyone a "Happy New Year" but as my friend said "New year, for me, is not about timing; it's about cherishing old memories and opening ourselves to new ones." (Paz Diaz de Rivera)

So...

HAPPY 2013!

For New Year's eve, it wasn't the traditional 'Dinner - Attend mass in Makati Shangri-La - Midnight snack somewhere in Makati.' Instead we spent the evening in Newport Mall (Resorts World Manila): Dinner at Red Crab. Mass in Marriott Hotel. Midnight snack at New Orleans. Yeah, it sounds the same but it felt really different for me because (1)We just stayed in one place (one building) (2)We didn't get to see any fireworks since we were inside the whole time and (3)It was so crowded inside as if the mall was an extension of Republiq that night! It was fun nevertheless.

Oh, and there was one thing that made my night after the mass...

I saw Bro. Bo Sanchez!

Well, to sum this up: It was a nice New Year's eve and I hope that 2013 will be way better than 2012.

Happy New Year everyone! :)