0 New years resolution - Not!

Photo from peoriapalace.com

     Another year had passed and a new one has come and as a tradition, many of us start the year with a new year resolution. Be it one thing or a long list. But as most of us know, many new year resolutions last till the last week of February to second week of March only. Personally, I'm not fond of writing new year resolutions. What I usually do at the start of the year is GOAL SETTING.

     Being stuck at home for 5 days (I was literally bored out of my wits on the second day), I began to think about my life and what direction to take. may it be financial, spiritual, career, relationship and whatever aspect you might think of. Here is a list of what I plan to do in no particular order.

GOAL NUMBER 1

2013, I offer this year to God. May he use me to work His ways in reaching His people. I also want to deepen my relationship with Him and that i may keep the fire to serve Him burning.

GOAL NUMBER 2

Continue what I started in 2012 in terms of how to handle my finances. To continue and with my investments and to make it grow (stocks, mutual funds, business, etc) and to continue with my budget plan. No more impulse buying!!!

GOAL NUMBER 3

Travel more! I want to travel and meet people to know about their life and culture. I want to see other countries and see what makes us different from each other and what commonality we share with them.

GOAL NUMBER 4

Think about my career path. I'm still young so I think I can handle career shifts more than if I shift when I'm older. I'm still thinking if I will work outside the country or if I should stay here.

GOAL NUMBER 5

Write on my blog more often!! I'm a lazy person. I write when I feel like writing. I should set a schedule and follow it. like once a week or twice a month. whatever is more convenient. I have so much many pending posts!

GOAL NUMBER 6

Take care of my physical body more. I'm not getting younger and what I do at this point in my life contributes to my future. I should think for the long term. Exercise regularly, drink lots of fluids, have 8 hours sleep (especially this one about sleeping) and go out and enjoy the sun more. :) I also miss playing sports (badminton and table tennis are my favorite sports) I also miss taekwondo! :( Hope I can get back to training.

GOAL NUMBER 7

Though this is not top priority, I hope to fall head over heels in love again. Hope I can find someone who makes me feel like a princess this year :)

GOAL NUMBER 8

Continue being a good friend.

GOAL NUMBER 9

LOVE myself more! I've spent the past 7 years going from one relationship to the other. The other half was always the center of my world. This year, I will appreciate myself more. I wont compromise what I believe in for someone. If they love me then good. If they don't, fine. Its not my loss. The biggest loss I can have, and one I will surely wont forgive myself is losing myself in the process. I'm at this point in my life where I love myself more than any human being. This is not me being selfish but me having self-respect.

GOAL NUMBER 10

Continue with my 30 before 30 list. 4 down, 26 to go! :) i still have 7 years :)

0 2012 - The Year that Was

2012. What a year you have been. Many believed that you will bring about the end of the world. For a time, I believed that my world actually ended. Not literally, but emotionally. 2012 brought the end of the only love that I fought so hard to keep. I did many stupid things that I wont be proud of ever. In the end all effort was in vain. Well, not entirely. The ordeal made me stronger. It made me appreciate and value myself more. That if ever I love again, I should save some for myself so that if ever things would not work out, I would still have something left to move forward with. That the transition wouldnt be as difficult. What I went through this year was the lowest that my heart had ever felt. It started out great but towards the third quarter, all hell broke loose. Still, no choice but to move forward. The very fact that I'm still here and surviving and making the most of my life proves that no matter what comes my way, I can conquer them and I will come out victorious. of course, I wont be able to accomplish it without God's grace.

2012. The year that strengthened my relationship with my Heavenly Father. I'm proud to say that I had established my personal relationship with Him. Though I am not perfect, He loves me just as I am. No conditions. Though I am not worthy, He sent His only son to redeem me from my sins. He doesn't need perfection because nobody is perfect. Accepting Him as our Lord and savior and surrendering our life to Him is all that He needs. Without my victory family and friends, I would still be a drifter. Who knows what could've happened. I'm really thankful that I had been with the best crowd during those tough times.

2012. My career had been great. I got promoted, conquered things I didn't know I can and somehow contented with my current project ( more like I had no choice but to accept it though. Lol :) ) Anyway, It's just a matter of perspective. 2012 closed with a possibility of many new opportunities waiting to be taken. I know whatever path I chose, I just have to put my heart in it and everything will come out for the better.

2012. The year that I get to value my friends more. The year that I begin to share my life to girlfriends. This is a first since I was always the type who keeps everything to herself. It was always me and the boyfriend. This year, I had been more outgoing. If I had known that sharing your life to others would feel this good, I would've done this before. Oh well, its not yet too late. 23 is still young. :) 2012 had been friendship awareness year :))

2012. I had strengthened my relationship with my family and made me value them more. I got to bond with my sister more and somehow was able to establish a normal relationship. After so many years! Lol! During our growing up years, we always have this cat-mouse relationship so this year was definitely an achievement.

2012. On a personal note, everything that happened made me who I am now. I became more mature. It made me realize that I'm not a child anymore. Time to face reality and claim this stage of my life with flying colors. 10, 20, 30 years from now, when I look back at this stage, I would want to look back, smile and say to myself that no matter what happened, good or bad, I had faced every challenges head-on. No shortcuts. No easy way out and that I had conquered it the best possible, Godly and morally acceptable way. Though I will eternally have my childish ways ( yes it will always be a part of me. That, I'm sure. It is who I am. ) I know I will handle everything gracefully.

All in all, 2012 was the best and the worst year for me. First quarter started out great. Second quarter was a bit rocky but was still good. Third quarter, all hell broke loose. Last quarter was shitty but somehow it became bearable. Thank you for the lessons, memories and crazy stuffs. Everything molded me and made me who I am today.

Looking forward to an awesome 2013..

Happy New Year!!

0 HERE IN MY LIFE

I have never walked on waterFelt the waves beneath my feet butAt Your word, Lord, I’ll receive YourFaith to walk on oceans deep
And I remember how You found meIn that very same placeAll my failings surely would've drowned meStill You made a way
You are my freedomJesus, You’re the reasonI’m kneeling again at Your throneWhere would I be without YouHere in my life, here in my life?
You have said that all the heavensSing for joy at one who findsThe way to freedom, truth of JesusBrought from death into His life
And I remember how You saw meThrough the eyes of Your graceAnd though the cost was Your beloved for meStill you made a way
You are my freedomJesus, You’re the reasonI’m kneeling again at Your throneWhere would I be without YouHere in my life, here in my life?
You are my freedomJesus, You’re the reasonI’m kneeling again at Your throneWhere would I be without YouHere in my life, here in my life?
You are my freedomJesus, You’re the reasonYou are my freedomJesus, You’re the reason
You are my freedomJesus, You’re the reasonYou are my freedomJesus, You’re the reason
You are my freedomJesus, You’re the reasonI’m kneeling again at Your throneWhere would I be without YouHere in my life, here in my life?
You are my freedomJesus, You’re the reasonI'm kneeling again at Your throneWhere would I be without YouHere in my life, here in my life?

Every time I hear this song, I can't help but cry. This song explains God's love clear and simple. That no matter how imperfect, how sinful, how unworthy we are, God wanted US. Yes, you and me. He loves us so much that He can't stand us being separated from Him because of our sins. He made a way to save us from our sinful nature. He even sent His Son, Jesus, to take away all our sins. He sacrificed His own son for you and me. (John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in His shall not perish but have eternal life)Who else could love like that? No human being could exceed His perfect and unconditional love. Where would we be without His love? 

For every soul that seek and find Him, all the angels on heaven rejoice. If you experience God's love in your life, you will never want to leave His sight ever again. You see, nobody said following God was easy. Its easier to conform to the patterns of our sinful world than to follow Him but one thing is sure, its all worth it in the end. :)

0 University of Santo Tomas

UST

UST, a photo by yza_06_08 on Flickr.

Shot taken during my first ever photowalk. At University of Santo Tomas. This will be the first post for my current project, The Once-A-Week photo Project.

0 Change

You cant insist on someone that you have changed. Words mean nothing. People may doubt your words but they might believe you if they see it in your actions and in the way you live. 

0 Looking at the Silver Lining

Last Saturday I woke up feeling numb and empty. So I did the only thing i can do. I prayed. The prayer goes something like this:

Thank you for giving me another day to live Lord God. As I reflect upon my life today, I shudder at the thought that you haven't left me even though I have fallen under your grace many times. Of all the mistakes that I have done, many things could have happened. It could have been worse. But here I am today slowly but surely getting up. You are truly a great Father. Let me lead a life pleasing to Your eves starting today. No more double standards. Lead my life to serve you and do what you want me to do. Teach me to put You first above all things. I know I can't do this on my own. It is only by your grace that I will be able to get over this. I love you! Amen.

I posted this as my status in my Facebook because I don't want to forget it and for me to have something to read through whenever I feel down again. :) Walking with the Lord is not easy but if you hold on to Him tightly, everything is all worth it! :)

2 Letter to Myself

The rock, Puerto Galera, Philippines

Dearest Yza,

   Whatever happens, whatever you have done, even if the whole world is against you, ( Well, if ever you have that feeling because it is impossible to know everyone in your country, let alone the whole world ) Remember that there is someone who love you. You have me. I love you. I will never abandon you. You will never be alone. Besides, you also have a great Father who loves you dearly.

     Its normal to fall once in a while. You are not perfect. But always remember the lessons learned along the way so that you won't repeat your mistake. Committing the same mistake over and over again is insanity.Last time I checked, you are in a healthy state of mind (or so I believe? lol)

     Guard your heart. Don't let anyone hurt you. You are a daughter of God. You are His princess. You are to be treated with royalty. Accept nothing less.

     Be confident! Why will you self-pity? Never compare yourself with anyone. To each his/her own. You have the power to conquer the world.

     Continue your progress. You are doing great. Not perfect but okay enough.

     You are beautiful! Thinking otherwise is an insult to your Creator. Everything He creates is beautiful.

     Smile. It brings good vibes. :)

     Healing takes time but I know at the end, you will come out a better person.

     Be independent. Don't push yourself to someone who does not know your worth. You are precious. Don't think little of yourself. You don't need anyone's opinion. Just do what your heart tells you. Yes, you might be hurt in the process, but at least you have nothing to regret.

     Live fully, love with all your heart, do what you want! Nobody is stopping you. Be like a child, basking in innocence, trusting and always thinking positive.

     If others hurt you, forgive and forget. Don't let others bring you down. Trust fully. If they broke your trust and ask for forgiveness, give it to them. Don't hold grudges. Bitterness is a root that strangles the heart. Don't let it strangle yours. Let it all go. Don't let it define your future. You are loved. You have me.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.                                                                                                  1 Corinthians 13:4-7            

And now these thriee remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.                                                                                                 1 Corinthians 13:13

     Strenghten your relationship with Him.

But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.                                                                                                            Matthew 6:33

     Never loose hope in the future. Trust in Him. Don't forget you have your father who loves you. Lift your problems to Him. Baliktad ka eh. If times are okay, you seek the Lord, but when trouble comes, you shy away from Him. When the road is bumpy, that's the time that you should hold on to Him stronger. You can't do anything on your own. :) Why sulk when you can be happy? Life is short! Enjoy your life while you can.

     I LOVE YOU YZA! You are a strong woman. I know you can do anything. I believe in you :)


Love,
Your Inner Self