Number 23

Lame title, I know. I couldn't think of anything better. Well anyways, here I am writing this year's wish list as I turn 23, and welcome the Christmas season next month. Looking though my previous lists - from when I was still 16 up 'til last year - I find myself laughing at how ridiculous and silly some of my wishes were; some where constant (well, duh. I need to change my planner ever year) and some where different.

I noticed that getting older and growing up really do change you, it changes what you want in your life as well. And so far, this year has been the best change yet. I've been through a lot of ups and downs and I am thankful to be where I am now. As I have been thinking of writing my wish list since the month started, I couldn't even think the things that I wanted to have would reach 23 (since I told myself I get the same number of wishes as my age). So I'll just write down whatever.

1. 2014 Planner - Like what I've said, I need one every year, even though I'm not able to bring it with me ever since I started working. It's just nice to have one. :)) Got my CBTL planner with the help of my officemates! Got another one c/o kuya Kev too!

2. Macbook Pro - This is what I'm currently saving up for. I don't have a personal computer to use since my laptop broke down and it's been a long time since I had a new one. So hoping I could save up and buy one really soon. :) Without me asking for it personally, we (and I mean my family-gave-it-to-me) got one a few months ago and I decided to hog it all to myself. lol.

3. iPhone Charger/ Adaptor - I lost mine while I was in Mindanao during our mission trip and been using just the spare one I use at home. Hoping I could have one to bring with me all the time. Unless, I would get an iPhone upgrade. ;) Found a super cute Mickey Mouse powerbank instead! A bit pricey but thank God for salary loans c/o my boss. LOL

4. Instax Films - I was able to buy a lot when I was in the states but I used 'em all up already. I haven't bought one since thinking that it's way more expensive here. :(

5. Chelsea Boots - I've gotten my Docs' but I still wanted this kind of boots. Collecting boots is sort of addicting. LOL. H&M has one and I'm a size 6. ;)

6. Gold Watch - Something I wasn't able to get last year. Though I've got a silver one from my dad. Didn't get a gold one, but my dad gave me a black one, 3rd watch for my birthday.

Okay, enough with really expensive things I know no one will give me. LOL. So here's the simple things I do wish for:

7. Books - I've been reading e-books for the past few months and I would like to read an actual book. I'm a sucker for chic lit, btw. But anything is fine, as long as it's not boring. :))

8. Choco Butternut from DD's - It's really a bummer to find out that one of my fave flavors has increased its price. And since it's a bit pricey for what it's really worth, I always stick with the Nutty Choco. Officemate brought a box filled with chocobutternut munchkins and even dared me not to cough for an hour just so I can eat since I had a cold. ha!

9. Black Mascara - I don't really use it that much but when I do, I regret not having one in my kit.

10. Make Up Brush Kit - I've been obsessing to get a set/kit of brushes that I could use. I have some brushes but I want one with a kit. Like those pro brushes or even something from F21. :)

I really can't think of anything else so I'll just have to put in whatever comes into my mind. So yeah, this will be my silly wishes. haha.

11. An Ukay-Ukay Shopping Spree - I love shopping. But what makes ukay shopping better is when you're able to find some good stuff that you won't get to see in stores (well, not anymore). Plus it's cheaper than buying in the mall. LOL.

12. Impromptu road trips or food trips -  I hate that planned things never happen and I do love a great adventure, so I do wish for more spontaneous moments as turning 23 might be boring. :P

13.  An Actual Photo Album with Actual Photos - Ever since digital cameras arrived, it's quite rare for me to print out photos, or just even upload one. So I'd like to get something that's more tangible to remember people and the special moments. Aside from my Instax photos. :)

And thinking about growing up makes me think about taking another step in my education.

14. Applying/Getting in an MBA Program - I do wish I could apply in the states like I initially planned, but I guess the Big Guy up there wants me to start here. Finally pushing through! Class starts May 2014!

15. Enrolling in a Fashion Course - Another one in my list since I'm in pursuit of building a career in the industry. Unfortunately, Fashion Merchandising courses are very limited here in the country :( Got to enroll with my officemate! and thanks to my dad for lending me money. :P

I really can't think of anything else. I guess this is what happens when you grow older. hahaha.

Update: Also got a bible, which I forgot to include on the list. And a G-tech and a new EOS 600D from my dad, both which I removed from my list this year but did came true. Hihi.

All in all, I just wish that my 23rd year will be better, and more memorable, though I doubt it will top off this year. But I guess it's up to me (and YOU) to make it happen. :)

Xo,
L.

Limitless

So it's been a month now since I wrote, though I've been meaning to but unfortunately was too busy to type such a blog post. Well, now I can and I wanna say that life is good. I'm enjoying my new work and I've been learning a lot of things since it's a totally different field from what I used to do. I enjoy the company of my new workmates, and everything else. Except for the commute though and the overtime. Huhu. Then again, life isn't perfect.

Yes, life is not perfect. It may come close to your ideal life or become way far from it. But no matter what happens in life, you should never limit yourself in getting more out of it. Be it a bad experience from the past, the happiness you have today, or the future that you want to achieve, never ever box yourself to those things only. Always remember that God is in control. He holds the ball and knows what to do with it.

Last week, I was able to fly to Ozamis, Mindanao to join the mission team of our community, Youth for Family and Life, in organising our annual event which is the Youthfest. Years ago, I can only dream of going to other places for our mission trips. I wanted to go anywhere so bad just for the sake of going to a different place. But God doesn't want me to. He knew I - my heart and my maturity - wasn't ready. And going someplace might just not be worth the airfare. So yeah, I was disappointed back then as to why I cannot go when I believe that I was capable. Well, He knew better.

So finally, by His grace, and my parents' too, I went to Ozamis and supported our event. I never expected anything nor did I overthink about what my experience would be. And my crazy work schedule didn't even allow me to have room to think about anything. hahaha. So I was there for just one purpose. I just kept thinking that I will be there to serve, to inspire more people to be closer to God. And hopefully I did. I was so happy that I was able to share in an event as big as this for the first time (since there weren't many of us in the team lol).

It was a very successful event despite the numerous oppressions that has happened, from what I heard. The event wasn't as grand as the ones we hold here in Manila but the point is that we delivered the message clearly: that God is limitless and our faith, too, shall be limitless. Hearing the talks and looking back, it really applies in my life and I can say that truly He is a limitless God, and His limitless love for me is what made me to who I am today.

Even though I was just there for 2 days because I have to get back to work, I was still blessed to have some R&R in Ozamis. So the very welcoming YFLs and SFLs from there showed me around town and I was amazed to how different life is over there and it's such a humbling reminder to never take what I have for granted, and that I shouldn't complain for whatever shortcomings we have. Contrary to the stereotyped comments when you hear "Mindanao", it was such a beautiful and peaceful place with very friendly people.

Never did I expect to be brought there and have such an amazing experience (not to mention the huge amount of food that I ate. haha!). All because I let God take control of my life and I can't wait to see what else He has planned for me. :)

Here's some photos from our mission trip:

Xo,
L.

Here's to new beginnings... Again

After graduating from college whilst sporting a long hair almost often (my hair grows fast, quite a blessing) only switching from my natural curls to a straight hair, I told myself that I'll have to cut it every year and I'll be keeping my curly locks and black hair too. It's been 2 years since and I've cut my long hair short twice already and just now, the third. Sorry, I'm too shy to share a photo! x) 

I always cut it during the summer season, April, and it never failed to amaze me that in just one year, it'll grow just as long as when I was just about to cut it the year before. Unfortunately, last April, I was too busy to go and visit a salon since I was preparing for my resignation and my summer trip. Even in New York, I wasn't able to have it cut, well, because it was ridiculously expensive. haha. And I liked my locks. So I waited for the perfect moment to shorten it - my new job.

Since I'll be starting on my new job this coming Monday, I might as well start my life's new chapter with a new do to  match. I'm pretty sure my new boss will be surprised that I don't look like the girl they hired. lol. But yeah, I look forward to work with them and not be a bum anymore. Yay! 

Also, this might be the last update I can do for a while. I might be busy with work and all. But I'll still do try to write as much as I can. :)

Xo,

L.

Are You Worth It?

It's been days since I thought about this topic and I've been meaning to write about it until now, so here I am wanting to share my thoughts about our worth, your worth as a person living in this crazy messed-up world.

Sometimes, we find ourselves thinking how much are we really worth? Not just monetarily but also in terms of our value in the society. Thus, we search for our purpose and work our way into reaching our dreams and goals, our accomplishments and see what we have achieved and worked hard for once we've succeeded. And we think, all those struggles, hardships, sweat, and tears are definitely worth it and that adds to our value as a person.

Surely it's not the first time that someone say to you that you're worth it, or you're definitely worth more than that (whatever that is). And we make ourselves to believe that we are something of value; that we deserve what we have, what we ought to have, or believe someone say that you're valuable, and worth all the sacrifice. Yes, it's good to know what our worth is, what we deserve in this life, but it's not just the task of finding and proving you're worth something. What's also as important is getting people to see you're real worth.

Sometimes it's hard to show to everyone what your real worth is. And the reason why might be:

Photo not mine. Just grabbed from Google. ;)

a. You close yourself to the idea that life has so much more to offer. Your perspective may be a little bit limited and you've closed yourself to the amazing possibilities that life can bring. You may be focusing too much on life's shortcomings and negativities and couldn't see beyond the issues that you are facing.  There's always a good side in every situation. Try to find it. Don't you let the drama define your life, it will make others think you're just that - full of issues and drama.

b. You settle for whatever life brings - or what it doesn't. You're contented with your life, which is a good thing, but you don't aspire for more. You're okay with being in a job with a stable salary but stagnant growth. You think that it's better than to quit and face the troublesome of task of starting over, that pursuing your passion is a risk that only the brave ones take - and you're not one of them. If you don't chase after it, trust me, it absolutely won't chase after you, regret will. People won't see your potential, your skills and talent, only that you could've been worth something if you tried.

c. You don't believe you deserve all of it. You think you have so much that it's too good. That your boss seeing your dedication to your work all these years won you a break, a week off to yourself, doesn't matter and would rather focus on your work. You're not confident enough to accept your real worth and think that you don't deserve the things that come at you when other people notice. You become a decliner of life's grandeur and sooner or later, it will get tired of giving you chances and will hand it to others instead.

d. You think you deserve everything. Contrary to b, you believe too much that you deserve more. You deserve a break, an increase, a company car, etc. You nag on and whine to everyone that you are worth more that what your bosses think when in reality, they've already given you what you deserve, you just don't see it because you're too full of yourself. Have you even finished the project they assigned to you? Before you start complaining, do your tasks perfectly first so you have something to back you up when you request for that salary increase. And who knows, it might even land you a promotion.

So, maybe you are worth more, less, or just right. It's hard to know since our lives changes, gradually or instantly, and so does our worth. What's important is that you keep track of who you are and what you think your value is. If you know you're real worth, I'm sure life will take notice and give you things that  you truly deserve and even more.

*These are just at the top of my head and are purely based on my assumptions and deduction of others. Some I just blurted out from my mind some I can relate from experience. I didn't even thought of listing down things when I said I wanted to write about the topic. So yeah, this is just me trying sound wise in cyberspace and most importantly, fulfilling my obligation to my boring blog.

Xo,
L.