Wednesday, October 3, 2012

We are SAVED!

We have received and accepted the Good News or should I say the Very Best News ever! We are SAVED, Christ SAVED us from our sins.

John 3:16

For this the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

We are finally baptized and accepted God in our lives. This by far is the most important decision we have made. This alone made us feel royalty, because we are now part of His Kingdom.

GRACE is a simple word but in its truest essence in relation to God's love, it is vast/unfathomable. And because of that Love, He's given us Grace. We are all unworthy but His Grace enabled us to experience His Love for us.

Our Water Baptism with Pastor Dennis and Karl's Victory Group Leader Jerry

Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit,

We are blessed to have spiritual leaders, mentors, friends who supported us and continuously supporting and helping us in our spiritual walk with God. Water baptism, Holy Spirit baptism are only the beginning. Everyday is a learning ground as we read His Word, which is the Bible. Everyday is a test of how faithful we are to Him, to His everyday faithfulness. Everyday is a process of getting closer to Him. And everyday is a battle to defy the worldly desires. Romans 6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires,

But again, God's grace is unending which make us more wiling to follow Him. Romans 6:14 For sin will have no mastery over you, because you are not under law but under grace.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Run through post hibernation

It's been few months since I last posted. Whew.. A lot had happened, wonderful things happened actually. Let me share few of these;

I am now a Zumba Instructor. It's very evident that I am a Zumba junkie (as you can see on my posts) if I may say. I have been doing Zumba for almost a year. But it was just last April that I finally took the leap and did the training under Loretta Bates who by the way is so good and so funny. I am so blessed because in just a short time I have experienced teaching and dancing in front of a big crowd with the help of Kristie and Madelle. I now have regular classes which came very unexpectedly. God really blesses me everyday!

First Boracay trip with Karl. Karl and I are so fond of the beach. We love to laze around by the shore and just eat incessantly. We've visited a couple and last April we went to Boracay with his sibs and cousins. We had the opportunity of purchasing a voucher where our accommodation is truly lovely. This beach trip's different from our other ones. I really felt that he took care of me especially when I got feverish one day. He made sure I drink medicine even if he has to wake up in the wee hours. I am truly blessed with a wonderful man.

I finally have a small group. I have been praying to God that he blesses me with a small group that can really help me with my walk with Him. God indeed gave it at the right time. It's not just me who He blessed with a small group but Karl as well. We do it and we enjoy it so much. We are learning a lot and are trying our best to live it.

Wedding gown measurement taken. When Elizabeth Hallie Vy told me that I can have my measurement taken anytime, I specifically told her that I would do that in June so I'll have time to lose weight. But came July and I still haven't reached the weight lost I was aiming for so I went for it nonetheless. Oh well, it's okay. I still have few months before the wedding.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Mama Mia!

I dug through my closet, looked for a CCP-appropriate outfit for a musical which at the same time conceals my marks from a previous chicken pox infliction. And as soon as I picked one, I hurriedly went for a bath while trying to sing the songs in my mind. Excitement is doubled and all I can say is MAMA MIA! I was on hiatus for a week from the outside world and spent each day in the 4 corners of my room. And this invitation from Karl to watch the musical got me so thrilled. Aside from being able to go out, I can also see a great musical.

I got to see MAMA MIA! first as a film and I liked it. But after seeing the musical, I fancy it more. It was heart-warming, seeing a mother-daughter relationship, a daughter longing for a father, and a budding father-daughter union. It was also really hilarious. The 2 aunts played their roles so well, audience laughed their hearts out, including me. And of course, hearing the songs made us all giddy. I am certain everyone hummed or sang quietly. And towards the end, everyone stood. Some danced, other sang, and mostly gave the cast a round of applause.

MAMA MIA! was really fun! I enjoyed a lot. Thank you to Karl for inviting me and thank you to his mom for giving us free tickets. :D

At the CCP

During the break

Karl and I had dinner afterwards. We went to Urameshi-ya at Little Tokyo and had some Jap grilling.

Our yellows are so matching :D


We just love to eat

The night's full of goodness.. good musical, good laugh, good food, and good company.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Take me to the beach, love

One thing Karl and I both love is the beach. In three (3) years that we 're together, we've gone to a number of beaches and I can't wait to go more.

The first time we visited was in San Narciso, Zambales. It's more of a surf spot. But it doesn't matter. We're after the sand , sun, and fun! (Well, I couldn't find a picture with us in it.)

And then we went to Pico de Loro in Batangas. Blair, Karl's brother's girlfriend who is a member of the said country beach club invited us. Not only does the place look relaxing, food was amazing too.

Since Karl's family often go to Canyon Woods and Canyon Cove. I got the chance to join them.

We also went to Punta Fuego with friends.

Visited Anawangin with Karl's friends. We camped, cooked the old style way, bathe using pump, slept in a tent, and only had the moon and stars as our light at night.

Experienced being sun kissed in Abu Dhabi as well. As I mentioned in my previous blog, it wasn't a good time to hit the beach when we did for the temperature was playing between 55-60 degree Celsius. We endured it though and had fun.

And just last year, we went to Coron, Palawan. Tour was excellent. I really enjoyed our quiet and relaxing vacay.

And this April, we are going to hit Boracay! I'm excited already!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Big fan of chicken but not the pox

So, I have been staying in my room for a week now since I was struck with chicken pox. This is not easy.. All I did was to sleep, eat, use the internet, read and watch tv. That goes on every day. Not to mention seeing my scars brought about by chicken pox and how I’m wishing they would fade in no time. Karl said that I’m good to go back to work but probably I’ll wait till next week when all blisters have dried out. I can’t wait to go out and work out. Since I’m stuck in my room eating every second, I am gaining much weight. I can’t wait to Zumba again!

Just so you know

Chickenpox

Varicella; Chicken pox

Chickenpox is a viral infection in which a person develops extremely itchy blisters all over the body. It used to be one of the classic childhood diseases. However, it has become much less common since the introduction of the chickenpox vaccine.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a member of the herpesvirus family. The same virus also causes herpes zoster (shingles) in adults.
Chickenpox can be spread very easily to others. You may get chickenpox from touching the fluids from a chickenpox blister, or if someone with the disease coughs or sneezes near you. Even those with mild illness may be contagious.
A person with chickenpox become contagious 1 to 2 days before their blisters appear. They remain contagious until all the blisters have crusted over.
Most cases of chickenpox occur in children younger than 10. The disease is usually mild, although serious complications sometimes occur. Adults and older children usually get sicker than younger children.
Children whose mothers have had chickenpox or have received the chickenpox vaccine are not very likely to catch it before they are 1 year old. If they do catch chickenpox, they often have mild cases. This is because antibodies from their mothers' blood help protect them. Children under 1 year old whose mothers have not had chickenpox or the vaccine can get severe chickenpox.
Severe chickenpox symptoms are more common in children whose immune system does not work well because of an illness or medicines such as chemotherapy and steroids.

Symptoms

Most children with chickenpox have the following symptoms before the rash appears:

Fever
Headache
Stomach ache

The chickenpox rash occurs about 10 to 21 days after coming into contact with someone who had the disease. The average child develops 250 to 500 small, itchy, fluid-filled blisters over red spots on the skin.

The blisters are usually first seen on the face, middle of the body, or scalp
After a day or two, the blisters become cloudy and then scab. Meanwhile, new blisters form in groups. They often appear in the mouth, in the vagina, and on the eyelids.
Children with skin problems such as eczema may get thousands of blisters.

Most pox will not leave scars unless they become infected with bacteria from scratching.
Some children who have had the vaccine will still develop a mild case of chickenpox. They usually recover much more quickly and have only a few pox (less than 30). These cases are often harder to diagnose. However, these children can still spread chieckenpox to others.

Signs and tests

Your health care provider can usually diagnose chicken pox by looking at the rash and asking questions about the person's medical history. Small blisters on the scalp usually confirms the diagnosis.
Laboratory tests can help confirm the diagnosis, if needed.

Treatment

Treatment involves keeping the person as comfortable as possible. Here are things to try:

Avoid scratching or rubbing the itchy areas. Keep fingernails short to avoid damaging the skin from scratching.
Wear cool, light, loose bedclothes. Avoid wearing rough clothing, particularly wool, over an itchy area.
Take lukewarm baths using little soap and rinse thoroughly. Try a skin-soothing oatmeal or cornstarch bath.
Apply a soothing moisturizer after bathing to soften and cool the skin.
Avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat and humidity.
Try over-the-counter oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), but be aware of possible side effects such as drowsiness.
Try over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream on itchy areas.

Medications that fight the chickenpox virus are available but not given to everyone. To work well, the medicine usually must be started within the first 24 hours of the rash.

Antiviral medication is not usually prescribe to otherwise healthy children who do not have severe symptoms. Adults and teens, who are at risk for more severe symptoms, may benefit from antiviral medication if it is given early.
Antiviral medication may be very important in those who have skin conditions (such as eczema or recent sunburn), lung conditions (such as asthma), or who have recently taken steroids.
Some doctors also give antiviral medicines to people in the same household who also develop chickenpox, because they will usually develop more severe symptoms.

DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN to someone who may have chickenpox. Use of aspirin has been associated with a serious condition called Reyes syndrome. Ibuprofen has been associated with more severe secondary infections. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be used.
A child with chickenpox should not return to school or play with other children until all chickenpox sores have crusted over or dried out. Adults should follow this same rule when considering when to return to work or be around others.

Expectations (prognosis)

Usually, a person recovers without complications.
Once you have had chickenpox, the virus usually remains dormant or asleep in your body for your lifetime. About 1 in 10 adults will have shingles when the virus re-emerges during a period of stress.

Complications

Rarely, serious bacteria infections such as encephalitis have occured. Other complications may include:

Reye's syndrome
Myocarditis
Pneumonia
Transient arthritis

Cerebellar ataxia may appear during the recovery phase or later. This involves a very unsteady walk.
Women who get chickenpox during pregnancy can pass the infection to the developing baby. Newborns are at risk for severe infection.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you think that your child has chickenpox or if your child is over 12 months of age and has not been vaccinated against chickenpox.

Prevention

Because chickenpox is airborne and very contagious before the rash even appears, it is difficult to avoid.
A vaccine to prevent chickenpox is part of a child's routine immunization schedule.

For information, see: Chickenpox vaccine
The vaccine usually prevents the chickenpox disease completely or makes the illness very mild.
Talk to your doctor if you think your child might be at high risk for complications and might have been exposed. Immediate preventive measures may be important. Giving the vaccine early after exposure may still reduce the severity of the disease.

Myers MG, Seward JF, LaRussa PS. Varicella-zoster virus. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 250.
American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases. Recommended immunization schedules for children and adolescents--United States, 2008. Pediatrics. 2008;121:219-220. [PubMed]
This article uses information by permission from Alan Greene, M.D., © Greene Ink, Inc.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

My dream to Travel the World Part 2

A month after, I was set to go to Tokyo, Japan again. I went with my 2 cousins and my aunt. It was also a short vacation about 2-3 week compared to my usual 1-2 months stay. It was fun since I was like a tourist to my little cousin. We went to Disneyland, Disney Sea which I loved. Rides were interesting. We ate everywhere. I enjoyed a lot! Sad, I could not find any photo. I deleted my multiply account a long time ago. Stored most of my treasured photos there and I didn't back up. Boo!

A year after, Meng, Maco and I went to Singapore. We stayed there for a week. What else can I say but super fun!

We went to see Sentosa.

Going to Clark Quay has been our daily routine.

Clarke Quay is a historical riverside quay in Singapore, located within the Singapore River Planning Area. The quay is situated upstream from the mouth of the Singapore River and Boat Quay. Clarke Quay was named after Sir Andrew Clarke, Singapore's second Governor and Governor of the Straits Settlements from 1873 to 1875, who played a key role in positioning Singapore as the main port for the Malay states of Perak, Selangor and Sungei Ujong.


Dinner with Meng's friend

We also had dinner at Chijmes.

CHIJMES (pronounced "chimes") is a historic building complex in Singapore, which began life as a Catholic convent known as the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) and convent quarters known as Caldwell House. The complex is located at Victoria Street in the Downtown Core, within the Central Area, Singapore's central business district.

The chapel, now a multi-purpose hall, is known as CHIJMES Hall, and Caldwell House, now an art gallery, have both been gazetted as national monuments. The complex has been restored for commercial purposes as a dining, shopping and entertainment centre with ethnic restaurants, shops and a function hall, providing a backdrop for musicals, recitals, theatrical performances and weddings.

Took the city tour

Ate stingray at the China Town

Wished to have rode the bungee but too coward to do so

And then some..

As part of my work (working at my mom's business), I joined her to her trip to Qatar. As a recruitment agency, we are continually looking for clients to partner with. This trip got me really really excited. Though my mom was against it at first, I was so willing she permitted me nonetheless. 3 weeks in Qatar and 1 week in Abu Dhabi.

Qatar is such a small but emerging and thriving country as evident to the new and emerging buildings as these.

By the Corniche

At the Souk with my mom

They say this man goes around the Middle East as attraction

Qatari people hold their culture and beliefs intact such as wearing the white robe.

But they don't mind if some would wear otherwise since they are starting to open up with the other culture. Qatari people only hold 1/3 of the population, the rest are foreigners.

After 3 weeks of work and pleasure, I flew from Qatar to Dubai. It was just an hour trip. It got me more excited. My wait's almost over, 2 days and walah!!

I stayed over at Len's, a family friend. She brought me to Burj Khalifa, Jumeirah, Atlantis, Souk Madinat, went mall-hopping, went to a small museum and rode the 1st metro rail in Dubai. I was supposed to stay for 2 nights but I really can't wait any longer. To her friend's kind heart, they even brought me to Abu Dhabi. Yipee! I didn't need to take the bus going there.

Burj Khalifa, tallest building in the world

Atlantis, hotel on a man-made/artificial island

@ Souk Madinat

Oh that's not moving

@ the metro station

And then I got to Abu Dhabi to see mi amore!

Karl gave me the Abu Dhabi adventure and it was indeed one of the most enjoyable tours I ever had.

He made reservations at the Le Meridien Hotel for an overnight stay where the 4 of us enjoyed some drinking (Karl, Kyle, Francis and I).

View from our room


Kyle, Francis and Karl

We also did swimming indoor and outdoor

and went to the beach as well. Heat was way beyond Boracay at its peak. It's really freakin' hot!

Karl also brought us to Emirates Palace (where he used to work) to have dinner.

Photo grabbed from the internet


From here it looks small but once you go inside, it's massive

We had dinner at Le Vendome where Kyle and Francis used to work at. It's the main restaurant of Emirates Palace. Though the setting is buffet, we were served with food not even on the menu. And it was awesome. Loved it!