at 25 and beyond

...that transition from a university girl in Philippines to a wife and future mom in South Florida.. LIFE in MARRIAGE, TRAVEL, FOOD, MUSIC, BOOKS, & MOVIES. Spreading some POSITIVITY, LOVE and FAITH one post at a time. --------- MY DAILY DOSE Feedjit Live Blog Stats

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Little Man or Little Miss... What do you think? Take a guess and we will see..

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August.

Morning of August 18, 2011-- just like my normal day, got up, took a bath, and got ready for school. Two missed calls from my Father's sister. At 8am, 2 missed calls from her doesn't sound right. I sat in my room, trying to breathe and told myself that everything's ok. Then my brother told me to come downstairs. The sound of his voice, just validated what I was scared of. Standing in the middle of the stairs, I saw the look on his face. No words came out but I knew. Oh, I knew. I went back to my room and composed myself. Grabbed my school stuff, went down and hugged him. I don't know what to say. In moments like that, no words can make us feel better. I decided to still attend my classes that day like things were okay. But who was I kidding?

Travelling back home alone wasn't easy. I was not a bit excited. I just want to curl up somewhere. I just want to talk to God. I just want to disappear. I don't want to hear anything.

When I saw our house with tents outside and chairs lined up and flowers, broke my heart. It's real. He's gone. Standing by our front door, I just stared at your casket. I don't want to go near and see your lifeless body. I just want a little more time of not facing reality.

Pa, when you passed away, a part of me died, too. A part of me only you will ever understand. A part of me I wish I can keep but had to let go. Pa, know that I will always choose you to be my Father over and over again. Things were not perfect with our family but I LOVE OUR FAMILY. You have taught me how to be strong, how to face criticisms, how to pull myself up, how to be ok being alone, how to enjoy the stones thrown at me, how to embrace strong waves, how to hang on, how to love this crazy journey called life. And most importantly, how to TRUST GOD.  

I miss you and Mama. I bet you missed her too and decided to surprise her on her birthday (0819). That made me smile. Knowing you're together again. I only wish you're both still here with us so you can see how we've turned out to be. Not bad, right? And you can play with your apo's and spoil them. 

Ma, I braved the snow for you. I hope you saw that tiny message Arthur and I wrote on the snow in Chicago during the peak of winter. I'm trying to see as many places as I can for you coz I know how much you love to travel but didn't get the chance. I'm learning how to cook more, too. Thank you for letting me watch you work your wonders in the kitchen even though sometimes I know you wish I'd leave you alone. You may not have left your recipes with us but I believe, how my hand works when I'm chopping food, and mixing ingredients, seasoning what I make, and trusting my instinct, is you guiding me and whispering to my ear what to do next. Tomorrow is your birthday but I can greet you now coz it's your birthday in the Philippines! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I can imagine the Bihon, Beefsteak, Lumpia Shanghai, Atsara, and the Kakanin's you might be preparing right now. 

Oh, it's hard without you both but with your guidance, and wisdom you have shared, I know, I know things will be okay. It will always be okay.

I love you both and I miss you every single day. 

PS: Something big is coming up. I know you both know. We will make sure you will never be forgotten. 

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Three months!

Hello my dear readers (if I have any),

I haven't abandoned you. I may be gone for 3 months but I'm actually just around the world wide web-- Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. I've been thinking a lot of what to do with my blog. To go back to Blogspot, stay here, or get my own domain name. And until now, I'm not really sure. All I know is that, I want to start writing again. I'm no poet, my grammar is not perfect, and I don't care! I just want to let my thoughts out. And hopefully, I won't go missing again. So, thank you for still following me! I promise that in the next 24 hours, you'll be reading another post from me. 

Much LOVE,

A.

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I'm not a Katy Perry fan. Her songs are ok. Idk. Something's wrong with me maybe. But anyway, her song Roar was different. I first heard it when she performed it in VMAs and for some reason, it just got stuck in my head. I really tried to erase it on my mind but the mind wins! So I tried to look for a cover of the song and I'm so happy I did. Coz I found Alex G.!

When I heard Alex's version, the song had a completely different meaning for me. From what I know, Katy wrote it when she was in a rocky situation with her on-again off-again bf, John Mayer. But as I was listening to this version, it became more of a song for the haters. I'm no celebrity but lately, there's just a lot of haters around me. This song is empowering! And every time I sing it, I feel good and happy. 

Listen to this cover and lets see what you think. 

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You can follow Alex G. here:

BEAUTY CHANNEL http://www.youtube.com/thealexgtv VLOG CHANNEL http://www.youtube.com/helloalexg FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/helloalexg TWITTER http://www.twitter.com/alexgmusic7 INSTAGRAM http://www.instagram.com/alexgmusic7 TUMBLR http://helloalexgmusic.tumblr.com

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I thought. We thought.

Last Monday, I woke up early morning and everything was spinning. Like I'm in a roller coaster. I tried to close my eyes but I can still feel everything around me going round and round. My head doesn't hurt. I was just bothered by the spinning coz it lasted long. When it disappeared, I tried to change my position and the spinning started again. I had to hold my pillow tight coz I thought I'm gonna fall though I know I'm just there in my bed. Spinning continued till I fell back asleep.

When my husband's alarm went off, I also woke up. And then the spinning continued. I'm scared to stand up coz I'm just really disoriented of my surroundings. 'Twas the first time since I got here last November 2012 that I wasn't able to see my husband drive off to work. I had to stay in bed.

All throughout the day it was like that. I was like a zombie walking around the house trying to get some things done without tripping, bumping into things or falling. Told my sister about it and one of the things she said was I might be pregnant. Told my mother in-law, and she said the same thing. I just laughed coz I know my body. But still I went on-line and read the early signs of pregnancy.

- nausea

- dizziness

- fever

- back ache

- constipation

- fast heart beat

- feeling of running out of air

Those were just some of the things that I've read and all of those I had. I realized how I had those the past weeks. So, Arthur and I decided to see a doctor just to make sure. If its a baby or if I'm sick. Even if its not yet in our plan to have a baby, we would still be so happy if we're pregnant that finding out that I'm sick.

So, we went to see a doctor and a medical assistant asked for my symptoms and checked my vital stats and after that he was a little confused. While taking my blood pressure, I told him that I get short of breath at times and he paused and looked at me. And then he said, "You might be pregnant." Ok. That's better than hearing him say something about me being sick. He asked for a urine sample and after waiting for a couple of minutes the doctor came in the room and was like, "So, you're not pregnant." Ok. At that moment I'm not sure if I'm happy or not. Happy because well, we still need to save up. Not happy coz it might mean I'm sick. I was really nervous because I'm a healthy person. I mean, I don't get sick often. I may have fever and colds for a couple of days but that's it.

Anyway, to make the long story short, I had vertigo. I was in Typhoon Lagoon last Saturday and it messed up the crystals in my ears which messed up my balance. It could last a couple of days. So, I'm not pregnant (though I was secretly hoping) and I'm not seriously sick (THANK GOD).

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Various sins of the tongue.

I just want to share something I have read on a newsletter last Sunday when I attended a mass at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. I admit I am guilty of these because most of it I am not aware that I'm doing it already. See, we get too comfortable that its totally normal for us to say things not knowing that we're already sinning. Hopefully, me sharing this would help you be more careful, too. So here it is:

QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK 

Q: Could you please verify for me the various sins of the tongue like blasphemy, cursing etc.?

A: Blasphemy is a statement of hatred or defiance of God. Profanity means taking the name of God or Jesus without proper respect and it reveals the shallowness of faith. Cursing is the opposite of prayer because it means calling down evil on somebody. Swearing is calling God as a witness to the truth of what is being said. To swear on a lie is the serious sin of perjury. Obscenity means filthy talk which offends people or degrades sexuality. Detraction means revealing the faults of another without valid reason. Calumny or slander, is harming the good name of another by false statement. Saint James wrote that the tongue may be a small part of the body but think how tiny flame can cause a whole forest to be destroyed.

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Oh, HUMANS! Sad. VERY SAD.

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Coz we, The A's, went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and we have a bunch of pictures and are too lazy to edit and upload them all. 

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I got sad when I found out that Emilio won't be able to continue even if he got in Top 20 because of an injury. He had to withdraw from the competition but when I found out that Aaron will take his place, I got excited! 

Especially when I saw the SAND routine by the Top 10 guys choreographed by Christopher Scott. I am a huge fan of Fik-shun but Aaron made me forgot about him. My eyes were glued to just him! He looks so powerful on the dance floor even with 19 more great dancers surrounding him. He just stood out! 

Of course I had to post a comment on his wall just to let him know. Hoping he would see and read it. And HE DID! He even replied I just had to take a screenshot of it! I know I sound like a total giddy fan girl here but me no care.

I'm so excited for him! I'm excited to see more of him. I'm excited for Tuesday!

PS: Don't forget to check the SAND routine dance video. And of course, VOTE FOR HIM!

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Follow him on IG & Twitter: @dance10aaron

And his FB page

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Today, I decided not to go back to bed after my husband left for work. Normally, I would just crawl in our bed, check emails and messages on Facebook and wait for Arthur to text me that he's in the office already and then I go back to sleep.

But, for some reason, I pushed myself to not do it. I turned on the radio and tuned in to 88.1. The radio station I've been listening for the past 2 weeks now. They play Christian Songs which is really uplifting and it becomes my prayer time, too. It also help me look back and appreciate everything I have now. Good or bad.

Then this song came up--- REDEEMED by Big Daddy Weave.

I only heard the first verse and I felt like something came over me. Images and memories flashed and I ended up crying. I turned off the radio and looked for the lyric video of the song in Youtube.

I remembered my sister, and Papa. Two of the most misunderstood and judged people that I LOVE.

It makes me really sad but I know Papa is in heaven now. God never abandons his children and I BELIEVE Papa is with him enjoying the beautiful life in eternity.

With my sister, I hope this song helps her. I hope after listening to this, she'll know how she is loved no matter what. That whatever happened in the past is nothing but past. That no matter how many people look down on her, the people that LOVES HER will always stand by her side and that's what matters the most. That even if she'll sin, God will forgive. And that whatever happens, all she needs to do is to lift it all up to Him.

And to you reading this, YES, YOU! Know that YOU ARE REDEEMED!

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Happy Birthday, Krissy!

... we knew each other since we were 6 years old. We were not the best of friends. It was just hi and bye between us. We spent our whole 6 years in elementary together having petty fights here and there. We don't hate each other, we just don't jive well.

My first clear memory of us was when I brought you to Mama's class Christmas Party. Then that time when your Dad would leave you at our house whenever he has something important to do and no one will look after you. Also that time when Kuya started prank texting you, and when you came back from Australia and my Lolo made you drink something and ask you about Aborigines. 

We got closer after that. For some reason, we understood each other more and were more open. I'm glad. We have our differences but I won't trade it for anything else. You know why?

Because even if we haven't seen each other for a long time, not talk often, not even text, you were still there. Even if we don't know what's going on between us all the time, when I call or message you and ask for help, you are there. Times that I'm celebrating, you make sure that I know you are celebrating with me from far away. But what makes me sooooo lucky to have you as a dear friend is how you stuck with me through my worst (you know what I'm talking about) & most painful moments.

When Papa died, as busy, tired and sleepy as you were, you still traveled with me back home. YOU WERE THERE. And that means so much to me. SO MUCH!

Kris, I don't say this often but I LOVE YOU like a sister! I'm definitely BLESSED!

Here's to another awesome year!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! <3

[chiclois]

these friends who used to live in one house for almost 4 years show the world that Long-Distance Relationships really do work

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OH YEA! I miss you Te Lois and Jinjin!!! I know part of the reason we survived because we got each other. We kept each other sane. Remember that Valentines Day where its just us three? One of the best nights! Halakhak to the bones! :D

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Dear Arthur,

I hope and pray that as years pass, we will be like the old couple in the photo above. Still holding hands while walking, having late night walks, and just loving each other more unconditionally. We've been married for 5 months now and I know there's a lot of stuff in store for us. Life became more bearable and meaningful when I met you. No matter what comes our way, I trust US. I trust US with God. I love you! I will always and forever do. 

Love,

Your wife

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1st photo: HONY

2nd photo: From our church wedding taken by Sean Cinco

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Booked! First out of the country trip with the husband. Well, technically its second because we'll be going to the Philippines first. But then, Philippines is home to us so we consider Malaysia as our official first! So excited! See you this July!

Any travel tips?

Photo not mine

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Messages like these give us so much happiness! To be inspired is something. But to be an inspiration together to someone, is amazing! We're still in our first year of marriage and we hope and pray that as the years go on, we would still inspire more people to love unconditionally, learn to sacrifice, and have God in the center of their relationship.

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It's gonna be Mother's Day this coming Sunday, so allow me to feature an amazing mother! 

FENIDA MATEO.

Tita Nidz, as we fondly call her. She is my Dad's cousin. I haven't met her in person or maybe I did when I was a kid. But I can't really remember. But even if its like that, I'm blessed to have communication with her.

From our small exchange of personal messages on Facebook, to comments on our posts, from her sharings of inspirational picture messages, it helped me be more inspired. I saw a very strong and wonderful Mother in her. And I'm lucky to have her as my Aunt. And how blessed Adriyel and Andrea to have a caring and very loving Mother by their side.

The show Good News hosted by Vicky Morales of GMA News TV featured my Aunt's story for their Mother's Day Special. Please take time to watch this short video. It was aired last May 5 and I'm so glad Tita Nidz, sent me a link or I wouldn't be able to see this and share it with the rest of you. 

Let us all be inspired by her story. Learn from her and be reminded that God will always be there for us.

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Our bubbly little girl just turned FIVE! So bouncy and sweet who never fails to make us all happy. 

A night of celebration, laughter, food, & music..