Creating a Charmed Life

I highlighted some of the good points from the book I'm reading now-- Creating a Charmed Life by Victoria Moran. These are good mantra if I'm feeling down or it's my motivation if I want to weave my inner words in a creative way. :) Here they are:

·         I wanted to walk on the sand and leave no trace, yet I wanted to build a sandcastle and make my mark.

·         Everybody needs some time to shine. . . Nobody’s in the spotlight nonstop. Accept that you will shine, step back, and then shine again. The moon has phases from dark to full. So do we.

·         A charmed life is an exuberant life. You get one by loosening up, lightening up, and inviting in stimulating events and people.

·         When you are discreet, you protect yourself. You preserve your honor. You conserve your power. You become, in the words of actress Jacquee Gafford, “less a satellite and more a sun.”

·         Enjoy your eccentricities. These often include some of your brightest traits. They make us gifted and unique. They make us women to be reckoned with. Concentrate on the person you want to be when you were 6 years old, the kind of woman you want to become. Within that vision is the core of your uniqueness. Find it, and find a place for it in the world you inhabit now.

·         Whether you unearth the whimsical wonders inside you through this exercise or have been aware of your eccentricities all along respect them today a little more than usual. Be grateful for them. Enjoy your eccentricities and those of other people. Neutrals have a place, but not as dominant colors of your life.

·         An unhurried woman is willing to include some emptiness in her day. That way, when you ask if she’s got time for you, she almost always does.

·         Decide that you’re beautiful already.

·         Dance with your shadow. Dancing is a delightful way to get to know someone.

·         Love lavishly. Love your family, your friends, your work, your life. You know about being in love. This is living in love.

·         Redefine “Lady.”

Kudos to the author! =)

--30--

The Seven Days of Color Creation

ANGELO loves to dream about colors painted in the sand, he knows it’s difficult for him to renew the face of the earth, for it has been tainted with dull colors. He has difficulty in defining the exact color he’s about to use. He’ll remain inspired by the Starry night of Vincent van Gogh, Monalisa by Leonardo da Vinci, and Color vase from his mother who painted it for his 7th birthday. Angelo grew up in a family of artists. But he knew that he has to try his luck to follow his lineage footsteps.

For the color of blue sky, he thought it was color a bit grayish and a little blue--- gloomy and melancholic.

For the color of green sea, it was turquoise--- he knows exactly that it’s not to be that way.

In the astronomy of his elementary life, colors have always entered his orbit.

One day, his mother found out his difficulty in combining the complemented colors.

“Sweety, are you sure with you’re doing?” his mom doubts his ability.

“Mom, I just get this color and thought that this is ok,” he’s a little terrified on his mom’s expression.

There were times when he’d look at the image clearly and other times nothing but a field of dots. He became worried because he already registered his name on an annual canvas competition in their school.

On that day, he knew something was wrong, so his mom scheduled a meeting with their doctor. Angelo then mentioned his concern to the doctor and within a few minutes the doctor revealed that his mom was correct. Something wasn’t quite right. He had failed the tests. Angelo took more tests and failed those, too. 

Angelo went home with his mom from the doctor’s office in tears wondering how he was ever going to fulfill his dream of being a fine artist when he couldn’t see all of the nuances of color that most everyone else has the ability to see. 

“This won’t stop me to join the annual painting contest,” he won’t packed up his easel.

Angelo knew he could see color and so was a bit confused with how he could be considered colorblind. But the term colorblind is a bit misleading. The majority of people that are considered colorblind see color. They just don’t see certain colors or the same range of colors as the average person.

But for the color of his dreams, it was vivid, and crystal clear on his mind. It was though everything was perfectly complemented.

The people from the school he’s studying already knew his condition. And he didn’t care much of what others were telling him, all he wanted is to paint the depths of his heart and imagination.

He continued his artwork while his parents were supportive of him. They taught him the properties, principals of color from its value and contrast, warm and cool colors, and also about the color wheel and how it works.

“Oh, this is light," he grabbed its specific color.  "How can I forget its color, as I read and imagined it from the best book ever written?" he puts a grin on his face.

Next, he recalls the beauty of Van Gogh's starry night, and puts the almost same color on his sketch pad.

Then, he grabbed one of his favorite colors, blue, because he has no problem on it. He perfectly chosen the color and started to color the sky.

"Blue sky, someday, I'll reach you! The best mornings and evenings will come on my way and I'll wait on that day."

He continued using blue to cover the sea. "Yes, this was good!" Then he dipped his brush on the water, then on his water color, then pour his love as he color the brown land.

He used different colors, he told himself, "I'm gonna use different colors from yellow, orange, purple, turquoise, peach, mint green, and white and these are for the land producing vegetation--seed bearing plants and trees on the land that fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds."

As Angelo was finished dropping those colors, he quite seemed perplexed. He knew that the next objects he'll color are two of the most important things on his masterpiece-- the sun and the moon.

He went painted the right hue for these objects. Until he finished everything. "Oh, these birds, these creatures in the sea, and every living thing that moves, I'll take care of you," he said flabbergast.

When he was done with it-- he went to his parents and showed it to them, "That was wonderful," both of them exclaimed.

It was abstract though, but since they love their only child, they made him believe that it was beautiful.

Angelo was so excited on the next day, because he'll submit his canvas and when the judges were going to announce the winner.

Yes, Angelo didn't win, but he became known with the wide array of colors he used on his canvas. The judges didn't even notice that he's color blind.

His parents, teachers and classmates went to him and told him that they were proud of him.

--30--

I never write this kind of post before...

For the first time in a long time, someone wants to be a superhero for me.

I don't want this to sound dramatic or too mushy.

This man got challenged after I told him that his name is same with the character of the super villain from Despicable Me 2. Then he told me that if he'll treat me to see a movie, will it be ok if he'll become my superhero.

I can't stop laughing. I don't know if I'm falling in love already to him, but the kind of laugh that I expressed was so genuine--it's pure joy!

I asked him why he wants to be a superhero for me. His answer was so simple, because he looks like Henry Cavill and he just want to, asking me again if I agree with him. Out of pity, I agreed with him. hahaha

His steady personality, innocent smile and face, real expression, and being direct yet clever with his intention to me makes me think that maybe this is the time that someone wants to get to know me more.

I didn't expect that he'll notice me. Well, simply because I most of the time talk to him about office-related stuff. (Malay ko bang may ganun na pala sya sa kin?!?)

I'm praying that this is the time. I'm praying for clarity and to remove all the ambivalence. But if not yet, I still thank God for every moment that I'm alive and seeing the beauty and wonders of his creation.

--30--

Why Did She Stop Writing?

MAICA was once her classmates' scriptwriter, novelist, and playwright. Whenever they have a role playing in their English class. She eagerly finished a piece or script without getting worried on her grammar. She was confident with  her writing skills-- from it's technicality to its soul and rhythm.

She joined a Journalism club. She competed in school and even in National writing contest. Her parents, teachers, classmates, and everyone knows her exceptional talent. She remained humble inspite of being an achiever.

Everyone read her well-crafted poem, digested an insightful article that motivates a person to take a change, and fell in love with the dynamic characters that she puts in every time she writes a narrative prompt.

"I want to be an author someday,"  without blinking her eyes whenever someone asked her what she wants to happen in her life.

"Oh, dear, no doubt about it. You're outstanding talent will lead you into that dream," her mom assured her that she can make it.

Most of the happenings in her life were written on the pieces of notebook she has, or it's detailed on her journal. Her secrets were safe with the words inside her mind and the words she never wanted to write.

Suddenly, all the words that she was chasing ever since she was a child, started to diminish. She can't grasped them anymore. The words were shy to show their beauty to her. It's like an old friend leaving her because he has to move to another place and won't return anymore.

Maica doesn't want those friends to leave, but she has no choice, but to let them do the things they want to accomplish with their lives.

She stopped writing, because she became very sad with the lost of good memories. She didn't want to write anymore because she started believing that it has no sense anymore. Words will leave her and she won't them close anymore, so why spending time to weave the words.

Words and her had a gap.

She was in front of her pen and paper, she felt the jitters in her stomach as she began to grab the pen and write on the paper, but she was stucked. Nothing came out from her mind.

She remembers that she has to do something else aside from writing, and that is to do her accounting subject.

Maica didn't take up journalism. She was taking something that her dad wants her to take. Not what she wants but what others want her to do.

There. She stopped writing and she didn't know if she'll return to the one she loves doing before.

She. stopped. writing. And her punctuation marks were misplaced.

--30--

Oz the Great and Powerful review

Oz the Great and Powerful is a 2013 American fantasy adventure film directed by Sam Raimi.

Based on L. Frank Baum’s Oz novels, Oz the Great and Powerful serves as prequel to Baum’s 1900 introductory novel The Wizard of Oz and 1939 film. Set 20 years before the events of both sources (book and film), Oscar Diggs arrives in the Land of Oz in the year 1905 where he discovers the three witches namely Theodora, Evanora and Glinda. Oscar is then inclined to restore order in Oz, while struggling to resolve conflicts with the witches and himself.

The Land of Oz is an imaginative mix of live-action and CGI that pays homage to the iconic images and timeless sense of wonder in the classicThe Wizard of Oz. There may be missing links between The Wizard of Ozand Oz the Great and Powerful. For example, don't expect to hear any of the beloved musical cues. Also missing is the Wicked Witch of the West's mole.

Oz the Great and Powerful functions as something of an "origin story" for certain characters, detailing how both of the Wicked Witches (East and West) got their starts and how the Wizard attained his exalted position. Although there's no Dorothy and her color coordinated wardrobe or Toto, the Cowardly Lion and Scarecrow make cameos.

Oz the Great and Powerful doesn't offer much in the way of suspense or surprises. It is, after all, working toward a known conclusion: getting all the pieces in place for Dorothy's arrival. Still, it's a well-crafted story told with plenty of imagination and energy, and more than a little heart. The movie runs a little over two hours but doesn't wear out its welcome and there's some ingenuity in how the climax unfolds. It can't fully overcome the flaw of having the two villains escape but there's no way around that. As they skulk away toward the end of Oz the Great and Powerful, we know that a greater adventure awaits.

The film stars James Franco as Oscar Diggs, Mila Kunis as Theodora, Rachel Weisz as Evanora, and Michelle Williams as Glinda

Big Bowl of Food Made me Burp!

Do you have a big appetite?

If your answer is yes. 

SumoSam restaurant, a Japanese bistro located at the 6^th  level of Shangrila Plaza  Mall will delight your taste bud in a reasonable price. Visiting Japan in the future might excites you to experience eating their traditional food on an authentic big bowl and in SumoSam which means Big bowl, you’ll experience this. 

The traditional food of Japan is based on rice with miso soup and other dishes, each in its own utensil, with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients.

Must Try: Pork kimchi bowl

Stylish Koji Kabuto (terimayo topped with nori strips)

Yummy dressing of Mekanda California (kani sticks with wasabi mayo and ebiko)

Can't take my eyes of you, Katsudon

Easy to chew and swallow Sizzling plates chicken

 The ambience was also good and the waiters were all like Anime-looking.

 You may visit this restaurant someday and try to rate their food. I also love their menu, it's like Grandma storytells Japanese history to me. 

It's not having a big appetite that matters but also spending your beautiful night with a friend, loved one, or family.

Out of Ten, I'll give them: 8! :)

First, Sour Notes… Then Sweet Music

LOVE IS what makes the world go round. True.

But for me, at times, what makes the world go round is music—from its melody, to its high and low notes, especially in its harmony.

 I distinctly remember the talk series: 3Ts (Time, Treasure and Talent) which, in a gist, advised that we serve God, using our time, treasure, and talent. I’ve been blessed with a good voice. Since I was 8 years old, I’d been a Glee club member in my elementary school, a choir member in highschool, a band singer and member of the Music Ministry of the Youth for Christ in Adamson University. I’ve been invited to be a wedding or birthday singer. Plus I had joined various singing contests. attempted to write songs, too.

So following the 3T teaching, I auditioned to be a member of the Feast PICC Choir in 2010. Simon Santos, the chorus pianist, told me to go to 8^th Note studios on Quezon Avenue in Quezon City for the audition. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go because I had work on the day of the audtion. 

A few months after, I heard the Media Ministry was calling for volunteers.  I love to write, so I joined the Ministry.

I love my co-servants who have become my extended family and true friends. I enjoyed my Media work—covering Feast events and writing stories for The Feast bulletin. Yet deep inside me, I still yearned to join the Feast Choir. One time, in one of its Lobby gimmicks, the Creative and Events Group set up a big Wish Ko Lord board and invited Feast attendees to draw a specific dream on the board. I drew my dream of singing for the Lord.

Three years after, Bro. Pong Jimenez, The Feast Choir master, asked me several times to join the Choir. But I told him I already had some obligations in the Media Ministry.

Then, last February, the Music Ministry opened an audition again for singers and instrumentalists. All the music genres played both in my head and my heart as I wondered whether to take another chance to join the Choir. 

The only thing that urged me to go was one word: Believe! I took a leap of faith and auditioned.

But I encountered series of obstacles, like sour notes playing, starting on the day before the audition day. There was blackout in our place, so I spent a sleepless night. The following day, because I didn’t have enough sleep, I felt my voice cracking. I was like, “Oh, God, not this day!”

Still I proceeded to the 8^th Note studios on Panay Avenue, Quezon City, for the audition which was scheduled at 7:30 p.m. On the way, I encountered more troubles.  There was a heavy traffic so I decided to take the MRT. But alas, the MRT was not issuing tickets because the trains were delayed.

 I decided to take a bus. But when the time came for me to pay my fare, I realized my coin ourse was missing. It was snatched from my bag! My heart thumped as I told the conductor I was robbed.

I was supposed to meet up with my friend, Candice on Quezon Avenue. She would accompany me to the audition.  So I attempted to call her to let her know my predicament. But whoa, I ran out of load. Good thing my mobile phone had this amenity where you could communicate with someone via your Facebook account—even if you didn’t have enough load. So I was able to get in touch with Candice. She told me to pray ask Mother Mary to intercede for me.  I did. And would you believe, right after I said my Hail Mary, my phone rang. Another friend, Apple, who knew I was going for the audition, was calling me just to say “Goodluck.”

I told her I was running out of load. And Apple, bless her, went to 7-11 store and sent me a P100 worth of load. 

Then when I was about to get off the bus, the conductor did not demand for my fare. He gave me P20 instead. A young woman who heard that I’d been robbed handed me a crisp P50-bill! 

It was already 8p.m when I finally met up with Candice.  I was already 30 minutes late for the audition. Hurriedly we took a tricycle to 8^th Note Studios. As I entered the room, I saw the Choir members were there already. And the moment they saw me, they applauded. I never felt so welcomed, so loved! I then auditioned and by God’s grace, I was taken in. Suddenly the sour notes were gone, as sweet music played around me.

It was a rhythm divine as my dreams started to align with my time, my work schedule and my family and friend’s support. I praise the Lord because I’m able to sing for Him at the Feast every Sunday. And the moment I sing with the Choir, I feel the angels above are singing with us—all for God’s glory.

Big chorus team praising our Big God

--30--