Navigating the Turbulent Waters of Heart and Mind, A Journey of Confusion and Discovery

In the intricate tapestry of our existence, the heart and mind often find themselves engaged in a delicate dance, each striving to lead us down divergent paths. For a wife standing at the crossroads of her emotions and thoughts, this internal conflict can be a tumultuous storm threatening to engulf her in a sea of uncertainty and doubt.

When the wisdom of her heart whispers softly, urging her towards a direction that seems to defy the rationality of her mind, the wife is faced with a profound dilemma. In the quiet moments of introspection, she grapples with the unsettling feeling that something is amiss, that a dissonance exists between what she knows and what she feels.

As she navigates the murky waters of her inner world, she is plagued by questions that echo in the chambers of her soul. Should she heed the call of her heart, despite the protests of her mind? Is it wise to turn a blind eye to her intuition, that silent guardian of truth that speaks in whispers only she can hear?

The wife finds herself caught in a web of conflicting emotions, torn between the desire for harmony and the fear of upheaval. She wonders if she should suppress the nagging doubts that gnaw at her spirit, plastering a smile on her face while the chasm within her widens with each passing day.

But perhaps, in the midst of her confusion and loss, there lies an opportunity for profound discovery. Maybe the discord between heart and mind is not a battle to be won or lost, but a journey to be embraced. Perhaps the key to unlocking the mystery lies not in silencing one voice in favor of the other, but in listening to both with an open heart and a discerning mind.

In the face of uncertainty, the wife may find solace in the realization that her inner turmoil is a testament to her humanity, a reminder that she is a complex being capable of profound growth and understanding. By embracing the discomfort of ambiguity, she may uncover hidden truths and unearth the strength to chart a new course, guided by the wisdom that resides in the depths of her being.

So, to the wife who stands on the threshold of her own inner landscape, I offer this gentle reminder: trust in the wisdom of your heart, even when it leads you down unfamiliar paths. Embrace the contradictions that dwell within you, for in their midst lies the potential for transformation and renewal. And remember, in the dance of heart and mind, the most profound revelations often emerge from the spaces in between.

Party With The Nifties

I have been wanting for months now to start blogging again.
But what do I blog about? I have nothing to say.
So today, I am trying to overcome this sill 'when you have nothing to say syndrome' just to get me going. Just to keep my finger busy...and I will keep hitting the keyboard with whatever nonsense excuse there is to talk about. Ha!

While no doubt the holiday season is keeping everyone in a rush...I on the other hand seem to slowly find my balance, and hopefully I get to have that full rest before Christmas! Last weekend was fun, I had a great time with the girls, and I promise I am going to blog about each of them! Yup, soon!

These are snapshots of the fun times we had...

 

 

 

Good food. Good wine. Great friends. Indeed, I am blessed.

If I Can't...I'd Rather Not

every second seemed to heavy to pass
the hands the clock move as if pained
hours in between roil in a seething mass
hours faded away moments just waned
if i can't sleep with you beside me
i'd rather not sleep at all


sleepless eyes open to herald the dawn
rolling and tossing, all attempts in vain
reliving everything that's said and gone
yet another attempt to hide the pain
if i can't wake with you beside me,
i'd rather not wake at all


the little things do not mean the same
without you there's nothing left to see
hope it's not gone for no one's to blame
fervent desire for another chance maybe
if i can't be me with you beside me,
i'd rather not be me at all

Love At First Chat

...when it used to be "Love at first sight."

No doubt, internet made the way we humans interact evolved in so many amazing ways. No longer the time when friends feels the need to set up another friends for a date or vice versa. If there are now certainly a number of ways to meet new friends aside from going to that party you're not comfortable to go to anyway because we can meet somebody from anywhere in this world anytime by just sitting at home. All we need is internet!

This whole concept of socializing not only widens our horizons in meeting friends but it also changed the topography of relationships among us. We now have this thing called  online dating.

This is a quite interesting concept to talk about and it is very interesting to know what we can find out what are the impact of internet on intimate relationships. I am so thankful for organizations who reached and try to take a closer look on this. If I will just base it among friends I can certainly tell that internet and online dating replaces the need to personally interact with a person in order for them to get involved. They are still able to have relationship with them despite the distance and the physical detachment.

So have you fallen in love with a chat mate? Was it developed across time? Or was it love at first chat?!

Brought to by: Oxford Internet Institute

Things I Look Forward To in 2010

Hi folks! How did you find the new year so far? We're all moving great it seems, don't you think so? Well today's the first Monday of the year 2010 and it's going to be FUN and meaningful!

I'm your host for Fun Monday this week, the first for the year and I am just so excited to read what you have for this week.

I know most of you probably have their list of New Year's resolution, I'm not going to ask for those. What I'm interested to know are the things you are looking forward to this year. It could be an event, a date, or anything. You can add photos if you want!

The reason why I chose this topic is very simple. I am a person who is a sucker for looking forward to something. Huh! Is there such a thing? No, not so much on the planning part but really more on the looking forward to a lot of things and as time goes by I get to develop plans around it. That's how I am. And yes, I complain I have insomnia I guess that caused that, too much thought, too much imagination.

For this year, trust me there are so many things I look forward to. And I don't mean wish list. These are the things I know will happen regardless and I am so looking forward to them.

I am looking forward to --

- Cebu's biggest festival the Sinulog! We always have it every middle of January and it's always fun, as you can in my Sinulog post for 2008.

- Chinese New Year on Feb. 14. (The new year's eve will be on the 13th!) As some of you know, we always celebrate Chinese new year and it's always fun and we always do it with a bang. (You can check our past Chinese Year celebrations for years 2008 and 2009!) This is something I really look forward to. I love wearing red silk on this day. I love the food, the fruits and the visit to the temple. Call me crazy but I'm already starting to plan the menu, and the number of people to invite since it falls on a weekend. I guess it will be nice hosting a party at new year's eve!

- May 8! IT Guy and I will turn another year together. We plan to go out of country for a vacation and he is in charge of the planning. So I am so excited with what he has in mind. :)

- They say this year is a good year to make grand changes, be it a career move, moving to a new location, and even marital status. I am so looking forward to that too. (I refuse to share more details for now! LOL)

- I am also looking forward to a meeting that will take place middle this month. It will be with an old business associate. Nothing fix on this, but I am crossing my fingers hoping to get that good career move I just mentioned. (I promise to share more about it soon!)

- My birthday as I will turn 31 come August!

- The birthdays of my loved ones as I always do the preparation for them, be it small or grand. ;)

- Reading more books! (Some of the gifts we received last Christmas were books.)

- And believe it or not, I am so looking forward to next Christmas already. I just happen to have a new theme for your Christmas decor and I can't wait to try them already! Geez!

I guess those are the things I look forward to in 2010 at a glance. I'm sure there will be more as time goes by but it feels good to have something to look forward to as early as now. If there is one thing that helped me get by, they're the things I looked forward to. It made me conquered difficult times because I know there are good things waiting for me in the coming days. I hope we all have a good list of things to look forward to this year.

If you are joining Fun Monday please sign up below so others can visit you. For the others, I invite you to make your quick list. Trust me it feels good after. I wish you all a happy Monday and a wonderful week!

[ADD] Let me know if you want to host Fun Monday next week!

It Makes Him Tick

PhotoHunt: Every time I LICK!

Please excuse my photo, as this is what I found in my dig. So you can go ahead and tag this with PG rating. This was taken November last year. We went out with my staff, and after several shots of tequila, well I maybe thought the IT Guy as salt?! LOL

Anyway, this is nothing unusual for me and I don't mind showing it to the world. LOL

I wish you all a very happy weekend. And no other ordinary weekend, it's the first weekend of the year 2010. And I wish I have more meaningful tip for you to go, but well, what can I say? Stay safe, stay happy and just take life one lick at a time! ;)

 

Please visit PhotoHunt's HQ to see others' LICK!

Our Relationship Is...

PhotoHunt: TIED

...with an easy thread, by angels' hands.

This is a last minute thing for me, good thing I was up so early. This photo was taken many years ago in one of the weddings I attended. I am dedicating this post to IT Guy and to all lovers in the world! ;)

Please visit PhotoHunt's HQ to see others' TIED!

On Commitment...

My Wordless Wednesday is below this post.
Please scroll down!

I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine.
Song of Solomon 6:3

I started my week with my Fun Monday post on Love and Marriage. For this week's Word Filled Wednesday I chose a verse which resonates that topic.

This verse though viewed mostly on King Solomon's relationship with Shulamite this also describes God's relationship to us.

This talks about faithfulness, commitment and exclusivity in a relationship not just with our beloved here in this world.

The moment I was able to read this verse with joy in my heart was the moment I know I am ready to get married. I may not know what commitment is in its total essence but I know that in every relationship as long God is part of the union things will always be easier.


Celebrate with us
and join us
as we share inspiring Bible verse
at Word Filled Wednesday




I wish you all a blessed Wednesday!

Of Love and Marriage!

It's Monday morning here already...and I'm here back to doing my Busy Monday combining all three different memes making Mondays always Fun full of Music though sometimes Manic!

Fun Monday this week is hosted by Hoosier Girl of Coffee Table and her topic for this week is Love and Marriage. She said --

I have been married twice, once for 14 years, once for a year (long story, for those of you who don't know me). And now I am mid-40s, involved with a wonderful man, contemplating marriage for a third time. So what I want to know is: what do you consider important to a good marriage or relationship? Tell us a story of something endearing about your marriage or your parents' marriage. Include any wedding pictures or images of love that remind you of what a good relationship should be.

Well...I'm not married yet but soon to be! Sometimes I still sit and wonder what has made me finally say yes...when for more than half my life (I'm 29!) I never believed with it...yet I just have to mention here how blissful my parents' marriage is.

I have not much to share on the topic as I am still my way there yet allow me to share some of my tales of love...

I met the IT Guy in a business meeting about 7 years ago. It was on a Chinese New Year in an Italian restaurant. It Guy is very smart and for the record, unlike other engineers here he is quite conversational and can shift to different topics. He was 30 then and was single. Amazing to know that we have common friends which let us go out several night after that first meeting. One party we're together we got into this dare thing about sending flowers to men. No big deal for me I can send anything to anyone...was my statement. The next morning...he texted me something like...so where's my flowers?! I was like...oh my...did you dare me?! LOL

So I sent him 3 white roses that day...

Then a card the next day...

And some little something on each day that follows...

He was red at the office every morning! LOL Though we still get to see each other and talk on the phone this whole time he never told me to stop...

I almost got tired of it that after like 30 days I sent him a big card with all the receipts of the items I sent to him with a note saying I've spent so much already I need to collect!

Then I got a call from him and asked me if we can have dinner...sure thing we always go out with friends...then he said, not just us! I was like okay...will you pay me?! He just LOL

So there we are in that fancy restaurant having dinner...enjoying the chat and all. I almost forgot our little war joke when he got the bill and took his card and told me I'm paid!

I was like...oh my, the man of my dreams! LOL Honestly he got me there...rarely I met a guy who can keep up with my BS and he did...and that started our 6 year affair! ;)

What lasted us this long is the fact that we always communicate...pissed or sad we always tell each other our thoughts...silent treatment just don't exist in our relationship. I hate that...and cannot stand it. Shout at me if you will as long as we keep talking! :P Also we try to attack issues and issues only. We try not to bring insecurity issues get in the way and remember and remind ourselves if we have to, that whatever we argue about at the end of the day we are here for each other. Something like that! LOL

And last thing is that (and I know this will sound weird) we both believe in love as a decision more than a feeling. We decided many years ago to be here for each other and we will uphold that decision everyday...

People ask me why I love him...I don't know...all I know is I have him for some selfish reason. He makes me happy! If that is what love is then I love him...

And of course Monday is never complete without some Music to WARM our hearts, so here is Frank Sinatra's Love and Marriage!




Love and marriage, love and marriage
Go together like a horse and carriage
This I tell you brother
You cant have one without the other

Love and marriage, love and marriage
Its an institute you cant disparage
Ask the local gentry
And they will say its elementary

Try, try, try to separate them
Its an illusion
Try, try, try, and you will only come
To this conclusion

Love and marriage, love and marriage
Go together like a horse and carriage
Dad was told by mother
You cant have one without the other


For more FUN...WARM (Manic)...and Music...please visit the following wonderful sites --

SMID for MUSIC Monday...

Coffee Table for Fun Monday...

Manic Meme for Manic Monday...


But the way, my new site on Beauty and Wellness is up. That is open to guest blogger and if you have anything to share related to the theme, just drop me a mail!


I wish you all a great week!

Confessions of Loving Heart

living forever

only to die in your arms

i love you that much!

Please don't forget to visit other people's wonderful haiku at A Mommy Story!

I Said Yes!

yes it's in my hand
and i can't be happier...
we're getting married!

Please don't forget
to visit other people's
wonderful haiku at
A Mommy Story!

Loving and Living!

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3

[EDITED]

It is not by coincidence that the photo above features a silhouette of a vine locally called as Cadena de Amor...which could be translated as chain of love?! This vine looks like THIS with its actual color and life! ;)

I'm rather late than my usual posting of Word Filled Wednesday today, in fact, it's already 30 minutes passed 10PM here...few hours from now it will be Thursday and as most of you know, time for my Thankful Thursday. So, I will make this post for both instead...not that I'm lazy...or running out of time...but because I have only one topic for both.

The title of this post speaks for my heart and mind. Loving and living...two beautiful words intertwining...summarizing the life of Mariposa. :)

I have a new a header which I am happy and thankful about! But, beyond the ramblings...Mariposa's Tales is about loving and living. Loving because the verse I chose this week says it all...there is no meaning if there is no love for God is love.

♥ I feel so blessed for being loved...and more than anything, ♥ for having the opportunity to know what love is...in all aspects of it! To love is such a nice feeling. Of course there is always the fear and hurt, yet, at the end of it all, it's all worth it!

Some people more than being to scared to love, they are scared to be loved...because it is when we allow people to love that we risk being hurt. So sometimes we feign independence and reliance, not because we really do mange on our own but because of the fear of being hurt. I, on the other hand...falls to what that category whom others might consider too naive...because well,

I keep falling in love with everyone! No, no, no, not that kind of romantic thing...it maybe worth your time to read to know what I mean. :)

♥ So many times in my life I asked myself if I should stopped being too loving and friendly...yet, I cannot...it just feels good to love people than to be detached from them...so I go on loving....living...and this week's affirms my decision...and I'd say, that outlook of mine makes life easy...and fulfilling...something to be so grateful of!

Can you believe there are some people who claims they don't know how to love? Well...there are! And I always pray for them...and if you are a stranger who happens to be doing a GOOGLE search on the topic of loving...well, you can start with putting your mind to it...I believe whatever we do consciously forms into habit...next thing you know you are into it...it works with vices...and so with LOVE, only the latter is something eternal!

Happy WFW!

Celebrate with us as we share inspiring Bible verses at Word Filled Wednesday...
And don't forget, everyday is the best time to give thanks!



Please check Thankful Thursday
and together let us celebrate
all the things we should
be grateful for!

Preoccupied

like my "to do" list

you are always on my mind

just letting you know...

Please don't forget to visit other people's wonderful haiku at A Mommy Story!

Like A Rose

“You are responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.
You are responsible for your rose.”
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

Deliverance...

The Lord your God is with you;
His power gives you victory.
The Lord will take delight in you,
and in His love He will give you new life.

~ Zephaniah 3:17 TEV

The past weeks was a training course for me and my faith...and I'm so blessed to make it this far! God had renewed my heart, and had fortified my spirit! Truly God's power make us victorious over everything...we just have to give it all up to him!

I remember one beautiful story that was related to me by SJI's father many years...we were talking about careers...ambitions...and life then. I was blubbering a lot...when he started telling the following story --

One day, a mother brought her son to the beach. The son was enjoying the water was so much, that before they knew it, he had gone to the deep and was drowning. On the shoreline was a strong young man. The mother seeing her son drowning went to the young man and asked for help. The young looked at the mother and then the struggling child, but he did not do anything. At such time when the child had stopped struggling and was slowly drowning down, the young man ran to the child and grabbed him...and brought him to the shore safely.

The mother was so thankful, yet couldn't resist asking the young man, what took him so long to help her son. The young man said, it will be easier for me to save him the moment he stopped struggling.

Then, he asked me, Mariposa, at what point are you now in your life? Are you still struggling or have you given it all up?

Since then, for every trials that come my way, I always reflect on that story...and give it all up to God.

Happy (not so) WORDless FILLED Wednesday!

To see more wonderful captures, please check Wordless Wednesday!

Celebrate with us as we share inspiring Bible verses at Word Filled Wednesday!

My IT Guy...

First off, I'd like to mention here a friend of mine, who sent me assistance for the children. Bless you heart!

And also, I'd like to congratulate you and your wife, cheers for a wonderful life ahead. I hope you informed me in advance about it, not like I learned it from her, 7 months after...that was like, embarrassing for me to have her email me through your email to tell me that and to show me your photos.

I could have passed by for both you then...but, maybe next time!

Anyways...

I have mentioned it many times here in my blog that I am a sucker for MEME, and well, I took another nice meme from her royal highness, Little Pea!

It was originally labeled My Husband Meme, and since I'm not married yet, let me just call it, My BF (Special Someone) Meme... :)


1.He’s sitting in front of the TV: what is on the screen?

Hmm...interesting...most likely it's Discovery Channel, or any shows which features gadgets...ah, news too! LOL

2. You’re out to eat. What kind of dressing does he get on his salad?

Not sure...but well, most restaurants here offers thousand island dressing...so we go for that!

3. What is one food he doesn’t like?

Not really sure...on this, I most of the time think on what he likes and orders/prepares it for him...I don't think of what he does not like...LOL

4. You go out to the bar. What does he order?

We rarely go out drinking...he is cool with anything...but he gets tipsy too soon, too fast! It's usually me who is a bar fan...but I think he is fine with vodka...beer...tequila!

5. Where did he go to high school?

University of San Carlos...an all boys catholic school!

6. What size shoe does he wear?

I think he is between 8 and 9!

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?

Cars? (Toys and real ones...)

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?

That should be Tomato, Lettuce and Cheese sandwich...easy to prepare and healthy!

9. What would your Husband (bf) eat every day if he could?

Ah, we agree on this...sushi and sashimi! LOL

10. What is his favorite cereal?

He is not into cereal...

11. What would he never wear?

Anything floral? Well, I can talk him into it sometimes...he just trust my fashion taste to let me let him wear stuff...

12. What is his favorite sports team?

Now, this one I'm not sure! LOL

13. Who is his best friend?

That would be ME!

14. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn’t do?

I do too much RCA (root cause analyses!) and tend to extrapolate on things based on that! LOL

15. How many states has he lived in?

Um...none?! LOL

16. What is his heritage?

Malayan race (as Filipino race is from that!), then a little of Chinese and Spanish!

17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind?

I do chocolate cakes...but if it's something for him, I'd rather make him sushi and sashimi...

18. Did he play sports in high school?

Yeah, I think so...

19. What could he spend hours doing?

Playing computer games...surfing the net...watching movies...driving!

And since I took this from Little Pea, let me also add here her modification, that part which is her fave about her hubby, bf, for me!

What I love about IT Guy are the following --

♥ He always keeps his promise! If he says he will find me and will make ways to contact me, it happens! :)

♥ He is a very humble guy...very frugal and is very fair to people.

♥ He is hard working...and takes his job seriously.

♥ He is thoughtful and sweet. With that said, he always surprises me with little something...like buy small stuff for me...like that candy he remembers I mentioned about weeks back...charging and updating songs in my iPod...going shopping with me...etc!

♥ He does not care much about people's opinion on him as long as he knows he is not stepping on people's toes, he is good!

♥ Finally, when he forgives, he really forgets and is not the type who brings up the issue again...

So there, that is why I love this guy...and despite all the bumps we had...having...I'm still marrying him, because I love him too much and there was never a time I doubted his love for me.

Since I just got back, I don't want to throw havoc by tagging people...but just in case, any one here gets to read this...and think of their special someone, be it a hubby, wife, bf, gf...please feel free to do this one and let me know so I can visit and read your post! Yeah, I can be nosy...LOL

Happy Tuesday people...

P.S.

To that someone whose PayPal transfer I'm still waiting, please do let me know what happened. :)

Happy Hearts Day!

I know this is rather late...but...well, here...LOVE is all around...everyday! ;)

I have a bouquet of roses...and you can pick one...for you! ;)

Thanks to ALL who sends email, messages...flowers...and all! You have no idea how you made me smile...

My V Day...was well, just an ordinary day. Wait...no one's to be blame!

I've been battling with colds for the past days...and the IT Guy's brother has been in the hospital for weeks now...he has acute renal failure...and is undergoing hemodialysis while waiting for a kidney donor. Friday evening we got a call from the IT Guy's sister about his brother 'not being well'. It turns out he is going through depression...and possibly a some transient medical psychosis...so the IT Guy has to stay at the hospital the entire Friday evening...and called me up Saturday morning and he can't pick me up.

At first I was like...wow, I'm going home alone...on a V Day. Yet, to be honest, I can't think of anything that moment but to get sleep...because my colds killing me...

So, I spent my entire day in bed...and him at the hospital. I got up midnight of Saturday and Mom told me that he is home, and was resting in another room...I did not bother wake him up anyway. Sunday morning...seems better for both of us...and well, we did go out. We spent the entire day together...we dine out...watched Valkyrie and had dinner! It was wonderful.

I'm so wanting to make a movie review here...but my meds is not letting me stay longer...so I guess, that can wait.

Also, can anyone tell me who is hosting Fun Monday?! Looks like none has volunteered yet...I'd love to join fun again...well, found IT!

[ADDED]

Gattina, is this week's Fun Monday host...and she is asking us what shoes we wear at home!

Good thing this is not too tough for me to do on a last minute...

Mariposa always wear the furry soft thingy slippers at home...like this one!







That would be all for now...have a great weekend everyone! And wish you ALL a FUN MONDAY...don't forget to visit Gattina to check what others are wearing!

P.S. Tomorrow...will be TMI Tuesday for me...I'm going to share some cheesy romantic tales about Mariposa and the IT Guy! LOL

It's All About LOVE

Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust,
Love still stands when all else has fallen.
1 Corinthians 13:7-8

It's nice to be back...and in honor of Valentine's Day...I am posting a one of my favorite verse on love. I can't seem to make the text appear clearly here...when it used to just work for me...but anyway, you can click on the photo. :)

I wish everyone a meaning Hearts Week...

Happy (not so) WORDless FILLED Wednesday!

To see more wonderful captures, please check Wordless Wednesday!

Celebrate with us as we share inspiring Bible verses at Word Filled Wednesday!

Care for some Updates?!

Hello everyone...

I think I'm now done with my cocooning stage...and I'd just like to share with you some updates with Mariposa's Life.

* I changed my header again! Did anyone notice?! Ha! I just can't seem to make the photo fit well to the header size...and I needed to frame it in yellow...not the best, but I love it!

Now, what's up with the photo?! Well, if y'all remember (maybe some of you!) that photo appeared first HERE. That was Feb. 18 of last year...and I featured that photo for Manic Monday's theme then, TWO.

Yup, that's me and the IT Guy!

* For the month of February...I will have my own theme...I will try to make 'us' the topic...after all, it's the month of hearts...though it should be every day...just don't argue with me here on that...okay?! LOL

* I will still be joining the blogging activities I used to join...but also, I will make it a point to go back to writing...like really writing...like I used to.

* There will also be some overhauling here...no, no, not the design, I love black...and it will stay that way for now...but I think I need to revamp my blog roll and all...I know I need to add to my list...and also update the old ones.

I'd like to thank anyone for checking on me once in awhile...and thank you for allowing me to lurk around...when I have nothing to say...but just being nosy and all. ;)

I wish everyone a great week!

HUGS to you all...

Look Who's Back...

I'm back!

I have been silent I know...2009 gives me so many reasons to be silent! LOL

Anyway...though let me give you an update on the things that I have been into for the past days/ weeks since the start of 2009!

♥ Ch@ni made a post on LOVE. Yes, that 4 letter word...she titled it "It's a Love Issue...and Sometimes Love is Tough..." The title was rather eye catching, as most of her posts, and as I was going through it, I was struck...and hard enough for me to make some internal assessment. Not that I don't do that, it's just that, this time, it's different.

Her post was on what is it that we are really hungry for?! For most of the times, these are the things that made us cling to some things (materials, relationships, etc.). The sad part is, these things do not necessarily do us good, though they may make us feel good for the time being.

For some people eating is an escape! For others, it's work. For myself, sleeping has replaced work. I have figured, the world tends to go round smoothly without me! LOL I am also a shopping addict! There I've said... It is not something uncontrollable since I am still yet to file bankruptcy due to shopping, yet, I always find myself buying that I don't necessarily need, and I am talking about both real and online shopping. I am an accurate example of that woman referred to the line, I have to hold her hands when we are in the mall/ store or she goes shopping! Funny, NOT!

So I did a personal retreat and examine myself...what is it that I am actually hungry for? Things that I love...I need...that most often gets substituted with food/shopping/sleep.

So I made a simple short list of things that really matters to me. Nothing fancy. I tried avoiding the generics so as not to end up talking to myself in rhetoric. I have shortened it to just 3, expandable to 5, these are the things that matters to me...and I will chart my way to it!

♥ I will start with centering my faith. They say, start where you want to end, so for this week's Word Filled Wednesday, no fancy photo for me...just the following words --

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

- Matthew 6:33

I am setting my life straight...and I have renewed my covenant with my God. I have set my priorities and this year will help me pave my way, I'm going there and I will make it!

♥ Let's talk about shopping...

Let me point it out here that for the last quarter of last year up to this date, I have been successful in lowering my shopping trips/activities!

♥ And I have been sleeping a lot on weekdays...which means, I am doing something good for my health...not the sleep I used to do when I want to escape something...because those sleep only gets to visit me after being up for 72 hours because of some things I am anxious about...that I finally stressed myself and had decided to sleep for hundred years.

I am getting good sleep...and the ones my body actually need.

♥ I am slowly circulating again...

And well, also, another reason for my silence here is the upcoming Sinulog here which will be this Sunday. I have blogged about it last year, and I hope to write more about it this year.

So part of circulating again is getting myself involved with society events again..speaking of which...I (with IT Guy) just watched Miss Cebu tonight. We got VIP tickets...so we were really sitting next to the stage and had a good look at all the lovely candidates. I will make a separate post about it, promise!

It's nice to see old faces...and I feel IT Guy's excitement with me going out in public and formal events with him. :)

So this Sunday, we are going to watch the Sinulog...something I have skipped for years. I did watch last year...but not something like really stay in the area the whole time...this year I intend to stay...and get involved!

Wish me luck...as it will be very crowded there! LOL

♥ The next week will be for Chinese New Year preparation. For those of you who are new here. my family always celebrates Chinese New Year, Cebu celebrates it too...so it has been part of our traditions...

♥ I am working on my personal development. I intend to get more studies this year and to do more trainings and write more training materials on process improvement...will talk more about this in weeks to come!

♥ IT Guy and I are going serious with our investments. We've figured it's our little way of helping the economy.

♥ And finally...ha, I wish I have photos for this...but maybe one of this days I will find time to make a post just for this...

After years of being together...I have decided to wear IT Guy's diamond ring. ;)

Yes...yes...yes! January 2010 will be our month...and I hope you can journey with me from here to that time as I will be needing lots of ideas from you all.

So there folks...the things that has kept me from being here...this is supposed to be quick and short...but well...I'm just typing this out from my head.

I will visit everyone...and I mean everyone later...and will catch up with the rest this weekend!

I miss you all and I love you all!