Realizations from Cebu

It's just an hour's plane ride away. My morning office trip from Las Pinas to Ortigas is often far longer that that. But Cebu... Cebu... Cebu is not Manila. And it can make you think about a lot of things.

Over a lunch of the yummiest lechon I've tasted so far, Stella and I remembered the line "Dance like no one's watching." so we immediately googled this phrase and came upon this text.

*sigh*

That's all for now...

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another.

Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are.

After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.

We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.

The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now.

If not now... when?

Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souza:

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."

This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.

So, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time ... and remember that time waits for no one ...

So stop waiting until you finish school...
until you go back to school...
until you lose ten pounds...
until you gain ten pounds...
until you have kids...
until your kids leave the house...
until you start work...
until you retire...
until you get married...
until you get divorced...
until Friday night...
until Sunday morning...
until you get a new car or home...
until your car or home is paid off...
until spring, until summer...
until fall...
until winter...
until you are off welfare...
until the first or fifteenth...
until your song comes on...
until you've had a drink...
until you've sobered up...
until you die...
until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy ...

Happiness is a journey ... not a destination.

Thought for the day:

"Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching."

Straight From Karlslunde, Part 3

I wasn't going to let the module pass by without posting on my blog straight from strange, strange Karlslunde. For the third time I am united with my fellow psycho MISE's from all over the world for two weeks of indescribable experiences.

The module is actually coming to a close now. I arrived here last 15th of October and today, 13 days, 3 exams, 10 days of 10-hour classes later, I'm getting ready to leave. As always, leaving is bittersweet.

But then again, I miss home. I really, really do.

And sadly, home would have to wait another week...

Something Venti from Starbucks

I sincerely believe that the gravity of one's problems is reflected on the size of one's Starbucks cup during those problematic times.

I just bought a Rhumba Frapuccino. Venti.

Perecletus once said...

It is in change that we find purpose.

'Nuff said. For now.

From Mariel's Blog

Was on sick leave today. Just wanted to post something, didn't matter whether or not it had sense... Taken from Mariel's blog.

EIGHT random things about me...
1. I work in Ortigas.
2. I'm always affected, never apathetic.
3. I love going home to my bed after a looong, tiring day.
4. I'm a sucker for love.
5. I wish I had unlimited call and text credit on my phone. If only Sun's service didn't suck so much, it would have been perfect for me.
6. I still dream of being in another industry, of another job.
7. Writing remains my passion. I want to die a writer.
8. I like Nina.

SEVEN ways to win my heart...
1. Be thoughtful.
2. Surprise me.
3. Smell heavenly.
4. Get to know me.
5. Always, ALWAYS text back.
6. Let me know and feel that you're thinking of me.
7. Love me. For real.

SIX things that make me mad...
1. Stupid drivers.
2. Whiny people who are in fact part of the problem.
3. Unwillingness to learn.
4. Looking down on others, for whatever reason.
5. Stealing side mirrors.
6. People who invade my privacy (specially my room).

FIVE things I believe in...
1. the power of my Creator
2. love
3. myself
4. free will
5. the good in people

FOUR things I want to do before I die...
1. Buy a BMW.
2. Publish a book.
3. Build my dream house.
4. Find the person I'd want to grow old with.

THREE things I'm afraid of...
1. Failure
2. Losing my loved ones
3. To die unhappy and unfulfilled.

TWO things I need to do right now...
1. Pack my gym bag.
2. Eat.

ONE person I want to see right now...
1. Abstain.