Thought of the day: (from Mr. Jayson Lo)

Invest in Experiences, Not Things:

Things are but for a moment, Memories of our Experiences lasts a lifetime.

e/BookSpree - Manuscript Found in Accra

Since one of my to-do lists this year is really to go back to reading - I started my stride by reading Paulo Coelho's Manuscript Found in Accra.  This is such an inspiring novel that really taught me a lot in the span of 3 hrs. This book or shall I say this ebook is hard to put down mainly because I am anticipating the next few chapters, pondering my own questions. Chapter by chapter it has struck me, just because of the very realistic life teachings, the thoughts and how clever the book was clearly written.

My own thoughts after reading the ebook:

"Live life in the simplest form, be who you are instead of who you want to be and you shall see life differently". 

3 hours of reading it made me go back on how life has been for the last 20+ years of my life. Each question, lines on the book got me thinking - Did I? Do I? Have I? Shall I? When?...

A good book for me, will always have an impact in a propelling way that I desire to go back to the chapters again and really feed my mind with Paulo Coelho's thoughts. His books are always inspiring and really impart goodness and understanding of how we should at least view life. 

Indeed a good read. Looking forward to the next set of books/ebooks reading spree.

Music Ignites what I Write

Background: Drive by Kiss (Damnbuilders)
~i may never find out where it is, i may reach you with  a drive-by kiss~ 

Such a powerful, lakas-maka-nostalgic-mood song. I've known this song from hubby of course, wayyy back early 2000-something era.  First time I've heard it, I instantly remembered Marc Abaya (vocalist of Sandwich now with Kwjan). I think the extra oomph- is the violin used in the song. Anyhow, the nostalgic feeling makes me wonder why I am in writing in the first place.   

I've written a lot of short verse poems, short articles on how I view life or basically how I felt during that time. I guess writing for me has become a therapy. They say, "Channel your negative energy into something positive" - and for me Writing definitely works!. 

There a lot of things, realizations, and thoughts about life that you can write when you're hyped with emotions - whether your happy or sad.  Which is why for me - music and writing are somewhat intertwined.  I write while I listen to the beat which is synonymous to the mood I have during that time. I guess, - the music ignites what I write.

So for today, I'd like to share a short verse poem written a couple of weeks back. As nostalgic as the background song is hitting my eardrums now, so as the thought behind this poem.


~Spontaneity~
written by: Arn (no copyright, all original)

Ending each day in a high, is a pleasant feeling - Glorify!
Whatever challenges that may come my way
I know I can hurdle regardless what they may say.
I will live my life the way it is -
I won't take any hesitation, because I don't want to miss.
Miss any moment, Miss any opportunity, 
Because we are give one chance in solidarity.

Grab the chance, take every moment of it,
Not a single doubt, not a single blink.
Whatever you got, be your all,
Because when you stumble and fall,
You can pull yourself up, take it's toll.
A lot days you will try to remember,
Whatever happened that faithful over.
Just end the day with a smile, Everything is just worth while.
None would have matter, Nothing should take you over,
Whatever you think of yourself, your thoughts,
Shall matter all the most.

Headstart 2014

Back to work mode. Back to the usual routine.

However, I am quite happy of making some changes in the usual routine and I feel I am reaping the benefits of it or rather "we" are reaping the benefits. 

For 2014, I've made a realistic list of what I wanted to achieve either long-term or short term. One of my top priorities is going back to the "bookworm mode" which goes hand in hand with "the writer" mindset. 
I will take the challenge of at least making an entry on a weekly basis without editing and writing as spontaneous as I can be. 

Also, I want to dedicate more time in planning and prepping meals for my family. Taking on the not so usual recipes. As adventurous and risk taker I am with my hairstyle - I know I can do this! 

We have ended 2013 on a high note and I plan to maintain it as it is. Way to go 2014! keeping my pace on the right track. 

2014: The Start of A Great Year

One Republic's song says it right: "This could really be a good life A good, good life".

2014 is an ode to a better year than 2013.  All that we've lost and all other challenges that we've faced - definitely 2014 is going to be a good life (year). 

Happy New Year and let this year be a blessed year to everyone. Ready to roll for 2014! 

~opposites~

Life changes every minute of every day. 

You lose friends. You gain friends. 

You realize your friend wasn’t ever really your friend, and that person you used to hate can make a really good friend. 

You look for love. You find love. You lose love. 

You realize all long that you’ve been loved. 

You laugh. You cry. You laugh so hard that you cry. 

You do this, you do that. You really wish you hadn’t done that. 

You then learn from that and are glad that you did. 

You have your ups. You have your downs. 

You see good movies. You see bad movies. 

You wonder if your life is just one big movie. 

You look at others and wish you were them. 

You then realize who they are and are glad that you’re you. 

You love life. You hate life. 

In the end you just find yourself happy to be living life, no matter what’s thrown at you.

September Hooray!

BER months are here! Which means a few months from now, we are all going to wrap up 2013 and say Holla! to 2014. Time really flies so fast and so does my son. A few years back he's just a baby, wanting and needing much attention and now he basically want to do things on his own.

So, what have I done on the onset of BER months? Last September 1, I finished off my Christmas gift list - which I always do however there are few years that I was not so keen in following my list. I even specified now what gifts to buy and all. Pre-ordered some stuffs already so I won't plunge in to sale madness.My goal is to have everything in order as early as November (focus!).

What's next for me: Well, I've been thinking a lot of what could be the things that I can do to further improve myself. I've been doing blogs, reading books, reading current issues and I feel I somehow lack the time of at least doing something physically (exercise!?). Since I worked in a home based job, I feel most of the time are spent in front of my laptop. So for the next few weeks - I'll try my best or not really try but "dedicate" some time to go back to "badminton/running" perhaps.? (fingers crossed)

I revisited my to-do list and seems like a few things I have achieved this year. I will most likely revise it, and align it to something where I can include my family. I feel that my "bucket list" is centered to what I personally want/my own goals and I wanted to revise it and make it a more of like a family-inclined bucket list.

Work-wise, I feel that I have the job that allows me to do these roles - an empowered working woman and hands-on mommy/wife. There are definitely stressed days and sleepless nights. At times, I didn't know where do I get the strength to fulfill tasks that can be a little overwhelming - (unconditional love?) Some people would even think my job is an easy as "petiks" it can be, but heck-NO!. Being in a work environment where it is you- and you alone, you have to make sure that you are strict with your timelines. It is always a double or may be gazillion effort to show your employer that you are worthy for the job and that you are doing your role (or even surpassing their expectations). 

On the whole, I feel that I have captured the essentials and now I have to dedicate (religiously) a time to go back to sports. Health is wealth so they say, and I'll bring back badminton sessions or even running in my weekly routine.  

Have a blast this September! Yuletide season is fast approaching - "Be blessed and Be a blessing to others"!