A second chance

It came as a surprise on a normal afternoon. I knew that afternoon will be spent for jogging.
I changed into my running clothes and waited for him to fetch me in U.P.
He wanted to walk (as always) while I wanted to run. So we walked. Walked and walked.
On our way back to the parking area, he knelt down. I even said, "bakit mo tatangalin ang shoes mo? May dumi ba. Ang daming tao."
He said: "Will you marry me?" And put the ring on the right finger on my right hand.
I said: "What?" No....No...Di na kailangan d...(pushing him and the ring back).
I smiled. Wow. Thank you Lord.

I believe that this comes as a very rare proposal. No one does a second proposal.
And with this as the second, the answer will and always will be a YES:)

Checked for 2010

One of my goals for 2010 is to finish a 10k marathon.
Last November 28, I was able to complete the kaRUNungan 10 k Marathon in Ortigas.
I thank God for this experience. It was fun to run alongside my friend and pacer, Ate Lu. Likewise, running together with
fellow running enthusiasts (Gin and Teacher Tina), proved to be very encouraging, as well.

Truly, nothing is too impossible when you set your heart into it.

Thank you Lord!

In God's hands

This was the last picture that I took a few months back.

Yes, I cried over it a few times. But hearing such comforting words from loved ones and just gaining encouragement from the Lord, I have learned that nothing is under my control.

The Lord gives and He takes away. There is always something good beneath all of this and beyond.

I am trying to see the bigger picture. Slowly, I am understanding it.

Lord, I am learning that my commitment to my future husband is what truly matters.

There will be greater losses in the future. More daunting than these. How do I react to these things when they come?

Everything is a bonus from you, Lord. I must admit that we get easily blown off by material things, by things that shine. Yet, they fade away too.

I might have gotten too focused on the planning, that I have forgotten what matters the most- that God controls everything. He is the ultimate planner.

Maybe this was a good pause. It was the perfect time to think through things, to reflect, and to see what truly is important in our relationship.

In everything, give thanks to God.

The biggest surprise of my life..:)

Mike: (hands a book entitled: P book, a personalized book) Open it and answer the questions.

Tanya: Huh? Why? Okay. This is cute. Aww..

Mike: Let's shake our glass (after seeing Tanya read the last page).

Tanya: (shakes her glass quietly).

Mike: Shake it more.

Tanya: (eyes lit up after hearing a "ting" sound inside the glass).

Mike: (takes the ring and places it on Tanya's left ring finger).

Tanya: Whattt?? (cries, cries, and cries)

Mike: (raises his placard) Will you marry me?

Tanya: Yes (with an overflow of tears)!

I said Yes...:)
And i'm still overwhelmed...:P

Hi:)

Hey,

See you this friday. :)

Missing you.

Favorite song:)

One of my favorite love songs...:)

Earth, Wind & Fire
The Right Time lyrics

I'll give you love, I'll open up
My heart to you, girl
Cause you're the one, I've waited for
Baby, all of my life... it's you baby

(I'm ready, I'm ready, baby, can't you see)
And this time, it's the right time, baby...for love
It's the right time, lady, to make you mine
And this time, it's the right time, baby
Oh, it's the right time, honey, to make you mine

I promise, girl, that I'll be there
Ain't goin no where, this time
Won't hesitate, cause love don't wait
For anyone, not anyone...no, baby

There comes a time in every man's life
He opens his eyes and then he realizes true love
Baby, this time I'll give my all to you
Cause it's the right time for love
Can't you see that

P.S. I was looking over the internet for an mp3 version of this song but after much research, I was only successful in finding a you tube link. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVb6BVnUhGs

See you in a little while...;)

See you in a little while...:)

A cause to pause...

"Never pray for an easier life

pray to be a stronger person

Never pray for tasks equal to your power

pray for power equal to your tasks.

Then doing your work will be no miracle

You will be the miracle"

-Phillips B, Streams in The Desert

A milestone for 2010.

This was something that I never expected to happen in this lifetime.

It was always a dream to drive my own.

Thank you Lord for your provision and for your blessing.

May I bless others through this.

I'm excited for road trips to come.

missing my second home

When you ask me if I miss America, I would probably answer you with a No if you asked me a few months ago or probably last year.

Ask me now, and my answer would be a Yes.

Why the sudden shift?

I don't really know...

I was looking through my pictures of my L.A. adventure as a student and it makes me miss everyone there all the more.

I still can't believe that it's been a year since I last arrived here in Manila.

stay home

It was a restful Saturday night.

It's very rare that I get to stay home on the weekends.

But this week, I chose to.

I needed time to just rest, to relax, and to get some sleep.

It's been a long and challenging week.

Working as an research assistant for a dissertation defense

and adjusting to a new work- put them altogether in a week

and it leaves you floating from one day to another.

Amidst everything, I find joy in what I do.

My discipler reminded me yesterday afternoon that this is the season of your life that

you need to embrace. She said, you will miss this when you get married or when you get old. You wouldn't want to look back and tell yourself, "what if...what if..."

I always tell others that not everyone has the privilege to be in the field that she enjoys.

Not everyone.

So I count everything as a blessing.

Thank you Lord for you have placed me in an arena where I come alive, where I can smile and say, this is what I was born for.

:)

....

From dust you came and to dust you shall return...

Life is like a mist.

Till we see each other, Lola Vi.

how long, Lord?

One year?

Two years?

Three years?

How long, Lord.

I don't really know.

Your will, not mine.

You brought me to this place. You know what my heart desires.

Your know what I needed. You know what's best for me, at present, and for the years to come.

Thank you.

Feels like home to me.

One of the best advice I've received...

"Focus on the work but keep your heart pure."

I think this is the mind set when one joins the University.

Family is a blessing

one of those many mansions in Rhode Island, NY

I thank the Lord for another opportunity to spend a vacation with my family.

The last time I traveled to Hong Kong was 4 years ago. Even though my family would often go there these past years, I was always left behind since I was living in the U.S for quite some time. I have such fond memories of this city- good food, shopping and long walks. A perfect fit for what our family truly enjoys.

As I grow older each year, I look back and realize that in this life, apart from a personal relationship with the Lord, what truly matters to me is my family. I am grateful that the Lord continues to bless us, to sustain us and to keep us together amidst the changing times.

I am looking forward to a fun, fun, fun, three-day vacation. :)

P.S. Even though this is a vacation, I opted to bring some of my paperwork. Haha:)

Greater Things, Great Expectations

I know that preparation is the key to everything. I am hoping for two things to happen in the coming months.

First, to enjoy His will for me in the environment where He has placed me. Slowly, I am understanding His will for my life, not totally but slowly. There is this peace and joy when I think about this school year and what lies ahead of me.

Second, to train for the 10 k marathon. I've been running the 5k for almost 2 years now and I know that it's time to take the next level.

Challenges are good every now and then. It expands your horizon. It enriches yourself.

It enlarges your vision. It molds your character.

Thank you Lord for everything.

Of idealism...

I have planned my life to the last detail...

But the funny thing about

answered prayer is

they come to you in unexpected ways...

How can I plan on forever when I never planned you?

Isaiah 33: 6 "He shall be the stability of 'our' times" :)

To you, thanks for everything.

We only just begun.

I need this

The beach, we shall meet again in 3 days...:)

And He rested...

If God took time out in a day to rest, then it is just fitting that man should do likewise.

The past days have been challenging-both physically and mentally.

I had too many commitments-both at work and outside work, that I hardly had time to just pause and find rest.

Plus the fact that I had an upcoming board exam (LET), which really stressed me out. Why? I didn't have the time to study. I only had a day or two to go through the reviewer. I would at times wake up at 2 am to read through some of the reviewer and then rest for about an hour again before I head to work.

This was the first time that I took an exam wherein I wasn't prepared at all. I simply relied on my stock knowledge, the tips from friends, and most importantly, on God.

The aftermath of this all? I saw myself in the doctor's clinic the day after, seeking advise as to how to deal with the terrible stiff neck. Doctor's advice: Medications and therapy.

This was the most excruciating pain I have experienced in my entire life. I can't even have the words to explain the kind of numbness that I felt. I literally cannot move my head. I can only look straight. Talking, walking and doing the normal routines took a lot of effort. I felt helpless. I was fidgety at first. How can I rest when I have tons of paperwork to attend to? Lord, do you really want me to rest? I asked.

If only He could answer me at that time, I know He would. It was very obvious that He wanted me to take my mind off work and to just rest. Rest, Rest and Rest.

Lord, thank you for a cause to pause...

I badly needed this.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my favorite person in the world!

I thank God for you. :)

Enjoy your day!!! :p