Happy 17th Anniversary Honey!

To the man I married 17 years ago and to the same man I will love till my last breath, HAPPY 17th Year ANNIVERSARY Honey!

Thanks for making beautiful memories with me and thanks for always being there.

I love you!

Giving Thanks Today

Photo credit: yahoo.com

It's so nice to wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and relaxed after a long and taxing work week. And what's so great about this morning is that I thank God for another day, for the beautiful weather, for the family beside me, for a quirky little pooch sleeping on the foot of the bed, for the cozy bed, for the home, for the food on the table, for the warm clothing and there are just too many to be thankful for. 

I don't have to wait for Thanksgiving to appreciate everything around me for today is another day and I shall live it to the fullest!

Happy Friday everyone! Be thankful for your blessings!

Remembering My Dad On Father's Day

My dad is no longer with us for 6 years now but each day passes with him in my thought and heart. It seems like yesterday when he was still with us. I remember how groovy he was during his younger years. He would put pomade on his hair like Elvis Presley and sometimes drove around town with his motorcycle and schuberth helmet. He would invite his friends over and watch the basketball and he would call us to join him cheer. He taught us how to ride the bike, climb the tree and held our hands when we crossed the street. He was there to guide and nurture us as we grew.

Tomorrow is another Father's Day without my dad. I feel a tightness in my heart because I am used to celebrate Father's Day with him around. I know he is happy now and I am sure that even from where he is, he knows that I love him dearly and that he will always be in my heart.

Tatay, I just want to tell you how much I love you. I didn't have the chance to say it out loud when you were here but I know you know how much I do.  I miss you every single day. Happy Father's Day Dad. You are the greatest dad a daughter could ever have.

Promiscuous Person

I know someone who had the misfortune of falling in love with a promiscuous person. I felt bad for my friend because he didn't have an iota of a clue about the real person behind the promiscuous being.

All our friends gathered to warn our dear pal about the person but love was such a strong force to reckon with. So, our friend pushed through with the relationship. We let it pass and just realized that they broke up several years ago.

Then one day, the person in question resurfaced with a major shocker. She gave birth! Our friend and all of us were in total shock. Our friend considered to take paternity test to make sure he was the father. They broke up many moons ago so why would this girl be coming forward now to reveal something as big as a baby news? 

People are really mysterious and weird. Love is equally weird but powerful to the point of blinding someone about the facts surrounding the person they love. If people are just wise and will think before they act then things like these can be avoided.

Good Bye Little Angel

Easter is supposed to beacon a fresh start, a new hope, a new life. My friend's Easter is the opposite. We just received the news that my future-godson did not survive and  whilst in his mother's womb. I know  how devastated my friend and her husband is to find out the news of their unborn. The irony of the whole ordeal is, the baby is due anytime from today until next week. My friend carried him for 9 full months only to find out this morning that he did not have any heart beat anymore.

I feel lost right now. I feel sorry for the loss of a little baby whose parents are so eager to have him come home and instead, he went home to the Lord.

There are things in life that we just cannot question much as we try to understand the reason behind every circumstance. He has a grand plan for everyone. And even if we try to connect the dots why things like this happen, who are we to question?

I just pray that my friend and her family recovers from this loss. I know that no amount of words or sympathy can comfort a grieving mother's heart. I pray for her and the husband to be strong and never lose faith in God. I can only offer my prayers but God will cast His healing love.

To the little angel we will never see nor hold even for a short while, we pray that you follow the path the Lord has made for you. Guide your mama and papa and pray for us in Heaven. So long my little godson. Rest in heavenly peace.

New Department Tomorrow

When I got the good news about my successful application to another department, I felt like I was on top of the world. Then I waited for 2 months for my notice to get over and tomorrow is the start of a new beginning in my career.

The excitement has actually worn off and I am more scared now than ever because I have no idea what to expect. I have been with the same people for the past 8 years in my now ex-department. I am now going to a place where I barely know the people. I have met some of them. I have spoken to them on the phone but I have not interacted with them in a lengthy manner. I feel like all eyes will be on me for the first few months while I get myself comfortable. Oh my!

Here I am now; opening a different chapter in my life. I thought I would never have the courage to actually jump out of my comfort zone but I did. I just hope I do well and feel that I am part of a new "family" there.

I thought I would not even say this but I am starting to miss my old department... Oh well... Forward, I shall go!

Combat Mood Swings

Mood swings can afflict anyone. Even the person with the most sunny disposition in life can go into a state of funk. However, we can all combat this change of mood by doing the following and not resorting to any substance or medication which can alter one's perspectives falsely:

1. Count one to ten.

Sometimes, a pause is just what we need in this manic world. It does not hurt to pause for a while and recover from a negative emotion. Simply close your eyes and count one to ten - or even to a hundred if you feel like it. You'll notice how your heart beat slows down and your tensed muscles relax after doing this.

2. Envision beautiful and calm sceneries.

I do this all the time when I am feeling down. I always imagine myself standing in a middle of a field of tulips and basking under the glorious sun. Such a nice feeling and boom - goes my bad mood.

3. Sing a happy tune.
- or even whistle or hum if you like. Nothing beats a moody day with a perky song number. Match it with a dance step if you may :)

4. Take a day off.
If you have so many vacation leave credits, now is the time to use it. Most of our mood swings are contributed by the stress and people around the office. Maybe a vacation for a day or two can change that.

5. Say a positive mantra like "I am happy" or "I will not let myself be down" or anything you think can help make you happy and empowered.

6. Look at pictures of your love ones including your pets, if you have one.
Their happy faces (no matter how dysfunctional your family is!) can instantly plaster a smile in our face.

7. Light a scented candle or spray an aromatic scent to boost your mood.
I always have a supply of citrus scented candles and room spray. It always does the trick because the senses have an impact on our moods.

8. Take a walk.
If there's a park nearby, why don't you take a walk with a friend or your pet. The lively and happy sound of nature and people enjoying in the park can certainly lift your mood.

9. Read a good book.
Time to pick up that dusty novel in your bookcase for a good read. Sit in a chaise or a recliner, sip a nice lemonade and enjoy your solitude reading.

10. Help someone.
Sometimes, our mood is aggravated because we keep focusing on how we feel. Try helping a friend, colleague or do a random act of kindness.

11. SAY A LITTLE PRAYER... It goes a long, long, way.
Trust me, nothing beats this one. I took this prayer from www.marypages.com and want to share it to all of you.

"Heavenly Father, I awoke this morning in a bad mood and I have been unable to shake it so far.

Everything bothers me and everyone rubs me the wrong way. 

I just can't seem to get my true bearings. 

Help me to think of Your salvation, Your countless gifts and overwhelming love for me.

Let me relax and forget life's cares by placing myself wholly into Your hands.

Grant that this mood will soon pass and I will be able to bask in Your love and communicate it to others.

Amen."

HAVE A NICE DAY EVERYONE. Remember, we only live once so make the most of it.

Dreaming of a Happy Christmas

It's been 4 years since my dad left us to join our Creator. It's been 3 Christmases without him too and honestly, all those Christmas Days has been different. It was not as merry as how our previous Christmases had been while he was alive.

It's Christmas time again. I am feeling a vacuum inside which I don't understand. I just miss my dad. It's not the same without him.

So Obnoxious... I am!

I think I am afflicted with a certain degree of obnoxiousness. Not that it is inherent but I just have this very "off" feeling about some people in my circle.

I wonder why I don't like certain people when I don't know them that much personally. It's hard to explain but whenever I see them, my blood boils and I get so irritated. I try my level best to be diplomatic but I can't. I just don't want to associate myself with them for some weird reasons. Either I am turning to a grumpy cow, going through menopause or I am going nuts!

I hope I don't get a black card from the Almighty by feeling like this. I am losing my brownie points!

Feeling Blue

I wrote this poem few days ago when I was feeling a little bummed. There's just too many things going on in my life and I can barely catch up. Anyway, this is just my way of venting out...bear with me folks :)

Feeling Blue
by Ria Cervantes

I'm feeling blue
I don't know what to do
It started this morning
But it leaves me drowning.

The perkiness is amiss
A feeling I must not dismiss
Because it dampens my spirit
I am not up to it.

I'm feeling blue
I don't know what to do
Maybe there's a cure
Not in the form I cannot endure.

Just get me out in the rut
I don't want to get stuck
I hate to feel negative
I choose to be positive.

But I'm feeling blue
I don't know what to do.
I need His saving Grace
To get me out of this maze.

I lift my weary heart
Up above in His arms
This feeling needs to depart
Because I mean no harm.

I just want to be happy
Like I always do
This feeling I call blue
Can't stay and that is true.