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Its been a while...

Chatter

I'm in a place which name was derived from a sky element and nature
A place where people eat, drink and chat 
The atmosphere filled with endless noise from the people and the radio 

In front of me is a group of women
celebrating a new addition to their group 
and the week that has passed 

In my left are men 
Their thoughts spoken as if its their sword 
and their words uttered like their sparring with one another 

From another area comes laughter 
Most of them boisterous 
while some are slightly reserved

Lingering
I began to see how these chatter connect, convey and celebrate 
How in one sound they understand each other 
they feel one another  
they make sense 
they alter 

But there's also another noise that I forgot to mention 
the one that came from a lil Acer 
its keyboard clicking 
Clicking and clicking 
someone was trying to connect 
and talk 
not with someone 
but with a place where 
her thoughts are poured 
and shared 
from her mind 
to yours 

REN (08.19.21)

BitterSweet

It’s 1:26 am. For some weird reason, I am always awakened during the 3^rd watch of the night just to be reminded to write this, or at least, type this! *gyah! Finally, on my 3^rd week of ignoring the tug, I am now writing it down. 

I am sure that as you read the title you are hoping that this post will be about chocolates or food, but its not! As a human, I am sure at some point you were able to experience difficult situations and off course difficult people. Dealing with them can sometimes be easy but most of the time it’s hard or should I say, challenging especially when it comes to a point that this people are hurting you already. Well, I may not have all the solutions to all your problems but may I recommend something that helped me cope up with it – Pray to God about them!

Yes! Pray about it! Not pray for it… pray about it! Tell on them to God. Learn to tell God what they’ve done to you, what happened and how pissed you are about it. I’m sure that most of us would rant about it first in Twitter or FB, second to our close friend, and third to our friends. Maybe you’re like “Me? Pray to God about it? Hirap na nga ako magdasal tas irereklamo ko pa kay God!” It may feel awkward at first but hey! HE CARES! Psalm 62:8 encourages us “Trust in Him at all times; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us”. If what we feel at the moment or what we felt was nice and sweet, the Psalmist would not have told us to pour out. There are some things in our heart that we need to let go– hurt, anger, doubt, bitterness, unforgiveness, and confusion. The goal is to pour out (let go) of the bitter waters that may want to linger in our hearts so that the sweet waters of God (i.e. peace, joy, kindness) can go back in and stay.

It may seem weird at first, but I am sure that as you try it and practice it, it will help you step back, process the situation and see if its really worth that wrinkle in your forehead.

An Encouragement for the Weak

The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong
(Ecclesiastes 9:11)

A Daily Declaration for Affirmation and Success

SUCCESS PRESCRIPTION:  RECITE AND APPLY THESE PLEDGES THREE (3) TIMES A DAY for AFFIRMATION & RESTORATION

• PLEDGE #1:  Today I begin a new life by replacing my bad habits with good ones, for I NOW know I can do all things through Jesus Christ who Strengthens me.

• PLEDGE #2:  I have begun my new life by greeting each day with love in my heart because I am NOW transformed by the renewing of my mind.

• PLEDGE #3:  I will persist until I succeed at my new life's growth, for I know that if I ask often enough it will be given to me, if I seek diligently I will find, if I knock with persistence all doors will be opened unto me.

• PLEDGE #4:  I will reach my goals in life because I am God's greatest miracle, and greater is Jesus Christ that is in me than the evil that's in the world.

• PLEDGE #5:  Therefore boldly I will live each day as if it were my last with the confidence that all things will work together for my good because I love God and I an called according to his purpose.

• PLEDGE #6:  I will stay mindful that success requires that I must be a master of my emotions and this will be accomplished through my remembering that I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ who loves me.

• PLEDGE #7:  Armed with my new life in Christ, the weapon of love, the force of persistence, the confidence of being God's greatest miracle, the freedom of living each day as if it were my last, and the discipline of being master of my emotions, I will laugh at the world, for I NOW know that if I submit myself unto God, and resist the devil, he will flee from me.

• PLEDGE #8:  No longer will I be a slave to fear, pride, and doubt, but I will multiply my value one hundred fold and be a leader of men.  I will stay mindful to acknowledge God and He will direct path.

• PLEDGE #9:  Acknowledging God puts my faith in to action, and I will act now, for I know that faith without works is dead.

• PLEDGE #10:  To be a true success is a gift from God, therefore, I will remember to seek His guidance, and I will trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not until my own understanding.

I AM A WINNER!   I AM SUCCEEDING!

A repost from Boss the Movement 

Top 10 Lessons Learned for the Week

Actually, these are random notes to self that you might find useful for yourself too! 

10.In preparing for big tasks, events, or projects, always prepare yourself spiritually and physically. Pray and soak yourself in God’s Word for your spiritual prep. On the other hand, load up with Vitamin C and supplements to strengthen your immune system especially during stressful days.

9. Smile! I read somewhere that it’s therapeutic.

8. Obedience to God als o means resting in God. You cannot enjoy your inheritance without it.

7. We must learn to rest if we want to learn how to soar.

6.  Always choose that which will build your faith

5.   In troubled times, its not just enough that you cry out, you have to cry out to God.

4. The series Jane by Design is so cute! (Yes, maisingit lang!)

3.  True friends will make ways to be there for you

2. I have the best hommies (roommates) in the world

1. God is good all the time. 

A Morning Ritual

Maybe we should try doing it too! 

Behind Pacquiao's Loss

There were so many articles written regarding the Pacquiao-Bradley fight. I am no boxing enthusiast nor am I a super fan but I just want to process this by letting it out.

We watched Pacquiao's fight live in Mall of Asia last Sunday (June 10) and no doubt ALL Filipinos were rooting for him. The fight started late because he still watched the NBA game which we also watched live. the announcer was interviewing Bradley and his coach, both patiently waiting for Pacquiao.


The anthems started.


The fight started.


The first two rounds served as a warm-up for the two undefeated champ


Pacquiao shifts gear during the 3rd and 4th round


5th to 9th Bradley still holding up after he received Pacquiao's punches while in between rounds his coach kept on saying the F word while instructing him


10th round Bradley takes it all in and gives his all until the 13th round while Pacquiao still kept hitting Bradley but apparently his young opponent managed to miss his blows, especially his left hooks.


The bell sounded, the fight ended. The winner was announced, upon hearing the words "and the new" no doubt the people did not like what they heard. A sense of shock filled the atmosphere and some who were watching in the cinema walked out. They can't believe that the People's Champ lost.


On the other hand, you'll see Bradley
fighting his 13th round of the boxing match. Yup, his last round! This time he wasn't just fighting one man, he was fighting against the crowd (well figuratively speaking). His moment of victory was not as joyous as he expected it to be, he was waving his belt to the crowd while he gets swallowed up by the booing crowd. He went to Pacquiao, hugged him and afterwards he was interviewed and in his short interview he was still able to enumerate the technical details of Pacquiao's technique and the strength of his punch, obviously the host still cannot believe that he won. Again, its still about Pacquiao and not him.


It's better to loose and have everybody believe that you won rather than win and have everyone think that you lost.


I remember one of the lessons I learned in a church gathering when I was in college, the speaker said "wouldn't it be better if we pull up those who are beneath us and we push up those who are on top of us" I cannot control how people think and react towards a situation but I hope that inspite the results, people will not put down Bradley just to bring Pacquiao up. The condescension and the mockery which filled the net just to show that Pacquiao won did not do any good. Pacquiao was humble and steadfast even in defeat, his response served as an inspiration but it wasn't just him who lost, behind Pacquiao is Bradley who waited and trained for months just to win a fight where almost everyone, think he lost.

My Supa Cute Time Buster

Sharing to you my recently downloaded game, Bag It! Since it was my dream to be a supermarket cashier when I was young, this game's one of the next best thing to my lifelong dream. The items were so cute plus they use PAPER BAGS! A very eco-friendly way to remind people to stop using plastic haha (ano raw?)


Download and play now!

 and waiting 

level up! 

GYAHA! *moving forward*

Ouchies! *KYOT!*

Inspiration Thursday: SMILES!

These kids and their smile are just so adorable!

A child's smile if one of God's greatest blessings

a smile a day keeps the glooms away

Photos taken by REN (me) in Real LIFE Feeding program

Discovering Warhol

Having artsy friends are like an everyday breath of fresh air! I am blessed for new people in my life that add color and joy to my days.

Inspired by Louie’s favorite artist, Andy Warhol, I took a few minutes to enjoy Pop art and appreciate it.

Here are some of Warhol’s art that I like 

 Humorous

 Emotional

Truthful (Sometimes)

 Relevant 

 Royal 

Honest

For me, every work of art has something to say and for Warhol's art, his works can be considered a salt in advertising and media. His colors and style are an attention grabber for me. Looking at his art is like feeding my eyes with the sweetness and newness of his creation. 

Inspiration Thursday: Bridal Bouquet

A few months from now, my good friends Inna and Vic are getting married. 
I'm gonna play her inspiration fairy for her wedding so today, in a span of a few minutes, I was able to make albums for her wedding inspiration peg. 


Here are some of the photos that I was able to gather for her Bouquet

*I think I have a knack for this! :)) 

The Induction Cooker Day 2

More Spam  

Truly, people will notice when you start doing something new. My officemates saw my packed breakfast for Day 1 and requested that I cook for them. So here I am now, cooking more spam! Pat said that spam should not be eaten everyday but since its one of the best breakfast and comfort food, I would like to suggest a three or four times a week spam breakfast. Haha, just kidding, that really is unhealthy!

I am using a non-stick aluminum frying pan for my induction cooker that's why I use less or a very small amount of cooking oil for cooking a dish, but for some of the batch of spam this day, I wasn't using cooking oil anymore but there's just so much oil in the pan. Come to think of it, the spam that I use already has less fat. There's a lot of natural oil in a slice of spam than you know!

Scrambled eggs are part of the meal so after cooking the spam and eggs, 20% goes to my hommie and the 80 is off to my office. My officemates liked it. Haha

Waking up while it is still dark

I always hear this verse in proverbs 31 that talks about the wife of s noble character's early morning habit - waking up while it's dark (She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family-Proverbs 31:15 NIV 1984). I do that once a week (Wednesdays) but I rarely have time to notice it since I'm busy preparing for work. I woke up earlier today, earlier than my usual Wednesday wake-up time that is why amidst my rushing to the kitchen area, I was able to pause for a while and say to myself "now it really is still dark". The night lights are still on while you see Mr. Night do some turnover with Mr. Day.  

I like the way it was serene in my lil space. My hommie is still sleeping and I get to worship and play music while I'm cooking. I do my quiet time after the frying and all. It was one of those moments that I was thanking God for giving me a reason to happily get up. It's been a while since I felt enthusiastic about waking up and I really thank my Abba for it. this is one of the things that wake me up in the morning, the excitement and anticipation of cooking, not just for yourself but for others as well.

How about you? What wakes you up in the morning? 

The Induction Cooker - Day 1

Last Christmas, Patrick, my boyfriend gave me an induction cooker. After 4 months of displaying it in our condo unit, I decided to use it and go back to one of the things that I like doing most... Cooking! 

Since it takes 21 days to create a habit, I am devoting 21 days to cooking breakfast (or should I say, instant breakfast) using my induction cooker and I will be blogging about it so that I could have happy memories of my induction cooking days before I 

get to have my gas stove.

Proceeding to Day 1 - Spam and Eggs

I found myself automatically waking up early for this! Since its my first day to cook, the easiest way to go about it is to fry! Haha

Thanks to Tito Mads' (Patrick's dad) Spam goods, I was able to make my Day 1 breakfast - Spam and eggs. Cooking in an induction cooker was easier since it uses magnets to heat the pan and the pan really heats fast. My Spam frying was shortened into 3-4 minutes (induction cooker timer at minimum heat), 5 minutes if you want it toasted! 

I cooked 2 types of eggs for this morning, since I have two hommies (my condomates) who have different egg preferences. 
One's sunny side up and the other is scrambled. I usually go for scrambled but my preference vary depending on my mood.

After cooking the eggs and Spam, I placed some of it in my lunch box and some of it in a plate for my hommies so that I can share 

my first day of cooking to them.

I consider it a fair start for my first day of frying. I hope to post more cooking stories soon! Till next Induction Cooking :D  

"This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot" Ecclesiastes 5:18 (NIV)

Soledad

Allow me to sulk in solitude
where silence and loneliness meet

where I can surrender quietly
and no one will notice

for thy spirit aches
from too much rowdiness 
Let the deafening sound embrace
and pierce thy soul

calm 
cure

for the glory once found in the crowd
now stands alone

unashamed

Reborn
-REN

On God's Ways (A repost)

Sharing to you my friend/favorite blogger, Riza Olaguer's recent post on answered prayers click here. 

The Empty Chair (Part 2)

4/d in My Mind  


It's 11:57pm in my iPod's clock and still I am awake. Since my iTouch's note comes in handy for moments like this, I might as well take a few minutes and write. My mind goes back to 4/d, the only space in Highstreet where my mind is more free and it can wander. It goes back to the empty chair scene and how many other minds suggested that it should be filled with a "he", but little do they know that prior to their suggestions the space was already filled up with random thoughts on people, places and concepts, wishing that things are different than what they already are. But for now, since it's the 17th of April, allow me to indulge in a scene of a chair and a he. A jump-off from my previous post. 




An Empty Chair and a He

After taking a sip of cold water, I stood up. Suddenly, my phone rang and to my surprise a random friend was calling.  

"hello?" I answered  


"hi" he said 


"look down from the guard rail, someone's looking at you" 


"uhuh? Nice try,  you better find someone else who'll buy your jokes!" I said  


"no, okay! Sorry, just look down" he insisted.


I took a peak and saw him looking at me, he was in a formal attire."Aaaaaah,so there you are! I thought you were fooling around, sorry"  


"hey,can I go up. I just dropped by to check some books and then I saw you. I was making sure it was really you that's why I called. Pardon me for my attire tonight,I just came off from a day of job hunting and two interviews" he said, he was already walking towards the escalator so I had no choice but to entertain him.  


"Alright, I guess someone has to sit on you tonight" I said to the empty chair.  Looking at the escalator, I was expecting him to show up but then I heard a voice coming from my left side saying hi. It was him, he moves fast that's why in a nick of time I wasn't able to notice that he already arrived.  


I told him to sit down and the rest of the night was filled with joy as I rediscover this friend of mine. He listened well, he's a very good listener. He listened to my shallow rantings, my profound thoughts and my yapping. He was patient enough to endure those minutes of absorbing and processing my words while I sit there and narcissistically unload my thoughts to him, as if my journal was not enough. He would share his thoughts every now and then but most of the time he would just listen, maintaining eye contact with me. I don't like the eye contact part, it makes me question if he's really for real plus it makes me feel uncomfy knowing that this guy already scanned the details of my face! (As if he'd still notice that) 


A few more minutes passed and I surprisingly found myself having fun."I'm glad that you're here tonight. It's like a new breathe of fresh air for me coz no one sat here with me before. It's my secret spot so hush hush okay?" 


"okay, I promise." he said  


"Is it okay if we go home now? It's almost 12." I asked.  


"Okay, I'll bring you home. Let's grab a quick fishball before I drop you off, coz I'm craving for one, would that be alright?" he  asked  

"Alright! Fishball before going home it is!"  


"and uuuuhmmmm... Is it ok if I take a picture tonight? Just  one snapshot then we'll be on our way."
  
"okay!"  

*his iPhone clicks* 

"let's go now"