Closing Cycles

Paolo Coelho is one of my favorite authors. This is something I’ve filed away and came across again. Wise words I think anyone can relate to 🙂

——————————————————

CLOSING CYCLES
Paolo Coelho

One always has to know when a stage comes to an end. If we insist on staying longer than the necessary time, we lose the happiness and the meaning of the other stages we have yet to go through.

Closing cycles, shutting doors, ending chapters…whatever name we give it, what matters is to leave in the past the memories of life that have finished.

Did you lose your job? Has a loving relationship come to an end?

Have you gone to live abroad? Has a lifelong friendship ended?

You can spend a lifetime wondering why all this happened.

You can tell yourself you won’t take another step until you find out why certain things that were so important and so solid in your life have turned into dust just like that.

But such an attitude will be awfully stressing for everyone involved – your parents, spouse, friends, children, siblings – everyone will be finishing chapters, turning new leaves, getting on with life, and they will all feel bad seeing you at a standstill.

None of us can be in the present and in the past at the same time. Not even when we try to understand the things that happened to us. What has passed will not return. We cannot forever be children, adolescents, lovers who day and night relive an affair with someone who has gone away and has no intention of coming back.

Things pass, and the best we can do is to let them really go away. That is why it is so important, however painful it may be, to destroy souvenirs, move, give things away, donate old belongings you have.

Everything in this visible world is a manifestation of the invisible world, of what is going on in our hearts- and getting rid of certain memories also means making some room for other memories to take their place.

Let things go. Release them. Detach yourself from them.

Nobody plays this life with marked cards. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. Do not expect anything in return. Do not expect your efforts to be appreciated, your genius to be discovered, your love to be understood.

Stop turning on your emotional television to watch the same program over and over again, the one that shows how much you suffered from a certain loss. That is only poisoning you, nothing else.

Nothing is more dangerous than not accepting love relationships that are broken off, work that is promised but there is no starting date, decisions that are always put off in order to wait for that “ideal moment”.

Before a new chapter is begun, the old one has to be finished: tell yourself that What has passed will never come back. Remember that there was a time when you could live without that thing or that person.

Nothing is irreplaceable, a habit is not a need. This may sound so obvious, it may even be difficult, but it is very important.

Closing cycles. Not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, But simply because that no longer fits your life.

Shut the door, change the record, clean the house, shake off the dust.

Stop being who you were, and change into what you are.

Who is Your Isaac?

I looked through some old files and came across something I wrote back in 2009 which became relevant again, given some changes that will be coming soon.  In the face all this uncertainty, all I can hope for is that God’s hand to guide me in the right direction. Amen.

————–

I met up with a friend recently and found out he’s been having some personal problems, particularly with a girl he’s in love with. He said he kept praying, trying to find the answer he sought until one time, he was absolutely CERTAIN of God’s message. He said God told him: 

 

She is your Isaac.

I swear, that statement left me momentarily speechless. He had already continued talking and I was still digesting that statement 🙂 Simple as it was, it meant so much if you knew the story of Isaac. Abraham, a faithful follower of God, had only one son. Isaac. At one point, God instructed him: “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love so greatly, and…offer him for a burnt-offering to me.” And Abraham obeyed. He prepared all that was needed for a sacrifice and was just about to run a knife through his own son when an angel appeared, stopped him, and said “Now I know that you love God more than you love your only son, and that you are obedient to God…”

That Abraham could give up something so precious to him without question, as difficult as it was, showed his complete and unflinching trust in God. My friend’s faith is something I’ve always admired but he did say this particular message was not easy to take since he was being asked to give up someone he loved, and possibly might lose for good. But I told him if it’s something God wills, He WILL find a way to put her back in your life. He liked that 🙂

So Who (or What) is YOUR Isaac? Did you ever have to give up someone or something you desperately wanted to hold on to because you somehow felt it wasn’t the right person or thing for you at that time? Making the decision can be quite easy at times, really. It’s sticking to the decision that becomes challenging. That you relapse and gravitate again towards that thing, person or habit despite telling yourself you won’t is oh so common, ei? And this is when the strength of the will is tested.

I think one’s ability to let go despite the initial unwillingness depends greatly on the depth of our trust in God and the belief that He is preparing you for something better. He may take something or someone important to you now, but will give you something or someone even better in His own time. Isn’t that something we should all look forward to? 🙂

Below is something “angel girl” (she can see angels, seriously!) sent late last year. Not sure if it’s an original composition, but the message is beautiful, nonetheless.

Sometimes, in our relentless efforts to find the person we love we fail to recognize and appreciate the people who love us. We miss out on so many beautiful things and simply because we allow ourselves to be enslaved by our own selfish concerns. Go for the man of deeds and not for the man of words for you will find rewarding happiness not with the man you love but the man who loves you more. The best lovers are those who are capable of loving from a distance, far enough to allow the other person to grow, but never too far to feel the love deep within your being.

To let go of someone doesn’t mean you have to stop loving, it only means that you allow that person to find his OWN happiness without expecting him to come back. Letting go is not just setting the other person free, but it is also setting yourself free from all fears, bitterness, hatred, and anger that you keep in your heart. Do not let the bitterness rare away your strength and weaken your faith and never allow pain to dishearten you, but rather let you grow with wisdom in bearing it. You may have found peace in just loving someone from a distance not expecting anything in return. But be careful, for this can sustain life but can never give enough room for us to grow. We can all survive with just beautiful memories of the past but real peace and happiness come only with open acceptance of what reality is today.

There comes a time in our lives when we chance upon someone so nice and we just find ourselves getting so intensely attracted to that person. This feeling soon become a part of our everyday lives and eventually consumes our thoughts and actions. The sad part of it is when we begin to realize that this person feels nothing more for us than just friendship, or the feelings he or she might have for you is just too far from how you love that person in return. We start our desperate attempt to get noticed and be closer but in the end our efforts are still unrewarded and we end up being sorry for ourselves.

You don’t have to be bitter on love. What you need to learn is how to accept the verdict of reality without being bitter or sorry for yourself. Believe me, you would be better off giving that dedication and love to someone more deserving. Don’t let your heart run your life, be sensible and let your mind speak for itself. Listen not only to your feelings but to reason as well.

Always remember that if you lose someone today, it means that someone better is coming tomorrow. If you lose love that doesn’t mean that you failed in love. Cry, if you have to, but make it sure that the tears wash away the hurt and the bitterness that the past has left with you. Let go of yesterday and love will find its way back to you. And when it does, pray that it may be the love that will stay and last a lifetime.

There is no mistake so painful that love cannot forgive, no past so bitter that love cannot accept, and no love so little that we cannot start all over with. When you lose someone and you think you were the one who loved more between the two of you… he lost more. For someday you can love someone the way that you loved him. But he will never be loved again the way that you did.

A beautiful, big dreamer

After more than a year, I BLOG AGAIN!  My, that was a long break.  

Am actually supposed to have a new writing project but could never get myself to start working on it, which just goes to show how different (lazier) I am from this super-workaholic-have-to-make-my-dreams-come-true-no-matter-what girl that I just saw on cable tonite.

Katy Perry.  

I’m not really a big fan.  I think she’s cute, makes catchy, fun music and definitely has a style all hers.  But after watching her movie “Katy Perry: Part of Me”, I can’t help but feel I want to be part of her.

The movie discussed her family, how she started becoming a musician and the uphill journey she had to get to where she is now, including finding love and (unfortunately) heartache along the way.

 

Lesson #1: You cannot be a success through only your efforts. 

I loved how she was able to be a success and still keep her individuality intact.  That publicist who took her from Columbia Records to Capitol definitely helped Katy have the career she deserved.  Good job!

Lesson #2: Talent, talent, talent

She writes songs, she plays instruments, she sings, she dances, she designs.  With the right support (and she has), she REALLY can have a career as long as Madonna’s.

Lesson #3:  Family isn’t just biological

She has her biological family and I think it’s great how some of them with her and were with her on tour, like her sister Angela aka Kathy Beth Terry (how supportive is THAT??!).  Btw, Katy, I think your younger brother is cute!

But a lot of people who were with her when she was a success were already with her when she was just starting out, trying to make a name for herself.  I think having them around her through her journey helped a lot to keep her grounded.

Lesson #4: Don’t be afraid to be a peacock

Colorful. Expressive. Beautiful.  I became a Katy fan after watching the movie.  How she used her talent, her individuality to spread joy, fun and inspiration to people all over the world is admirable.  She wasn’t afraid to show people her colors. She was ADAMANT people saw who she was.  You gotta love her for that.

Falling

FALL is the operative term. Not walk, leap or glide but FALL.  It denotes plummeting from a height, landing with a thud, incurring welts and  bruises.  That’s why it’s called “Falling in love” – you wind up maimed or dead. 

– J. Zafra

It’s not the destination…

I was supposed to go to the land of Bagnet a.k.a. Ilocos, with my mom and three friends for the long weekend.  We’ve been planning this for over a month, prepared our itinerary and reserved the hotel where we were supposed to stay.  The night we were supposed to leave, a super typhoon struck Ilocos. Are we a lucky bunch or what???

L.O.S.E.R.S.? Not!

Determined to push through with our plans, we drove until the province of Tarlac where we braved practically zero visibility and strong rains.  After a stopover breakfast at the walang kamatayang McDonald’s which for some reason turned out to be some wacky affair (I think they put something in the longganisa), we decided safety was more important than eating bagnet and seeing the Bangui windmills (waaaah!!! 😦 ) so we headed home.

But before you call us a sorry bunch, we did a little detour to the town of Malolos in Bulacan and checked out the historic Barasoain Church where the first Filipino Republic was first inaugurated.   The nice discovery was, was that there was a museum at the building beside the church.  So it we didn’t just to church viewing after all. Ha!

Barasoain Church

Eilleen suggested we eat at Chocolate Kiss.  While we we in Diliman, we passed by UP and went around the school and stopped at one of the buildings. I thought Eilleen and Joy simply wanted to tour us around their campus, until I realized Chocolate Kiss, or ChoKiss as it’s commonly known, is actually inside the campus.

It’s a popular hangout for faculty and some students evidenced by the fact that the place was full despite it being a holiday.  Needless to say, it was so worth dropping in to.

Chicken Kiev. Winner!

Aligue Pasta

Fish Teriyaki

Mushroom and Tofu combo

Chicken & Pork Adobo

Drink-all-you-can iced tea

I had the chicken kiev, onion soup and bottomless iced tea and paid just a little under P400.  Not bad for a yummy, hearty, meal.

We were a bit bummed we didn’t push through to Ilocos but still had a fantastic time looking for other great places to go to.  Just goes to show that it’s not really the destination, but the journey, that’s important 🙂

Football fan girl

Been hearing so much about the football team, Azkals, for the longest time especially the Younghusband siblings Phil (who plays forward) and James (midfielder), even before the team won against Vietnam in the Suzuki Cup last December. 

Between the two siblings I’ve always preferred James (left),  finding him to be the more handsome brother – aren’t those warm eyes and that smile just utterly adorable???  Also, his preference for staying out of the limelight appeals to me, I guess since I’m the type who’d rather stay away from being the center of attention too.    Phil (right) however,  seems to be more into chasing the klieg lights of showbiz.

I’ve seen bit of their games here and there but it was only today that I actually watched an entire match and I was absolutely floored by James’ adroit skill in controlling the ball.  The stamina!  The skill! The passion!!! 

Even if he didn’t land a goal despite a few attempts, his assists were critical in putting some in which led to their winning 4-0 against Sri-Lanka.   Woohooo!!! *cartwheels*   He is sooo good.

Hence, my internet search for James and his pretty face.  So he has a pretty cute girlfriend.  No biggie.  No harm in enjoying the view, ei?

Guapo even if he’s all sweaty.  He cleans up pretty well too…

I will definitely watch the next game.  Can’t wait to  see James in action again.

photo source

DIY dishes a.k.a. Me, cooking

I love eating out and trying new restos.  But I realized that eating out all the time can be pretty costly when  some of the dishes I love are actually pretty simple to make.

Out of nowhere, I was suddenly hit with the inspiration to cook.  This was around the time the end of the world/Judgement day announcements were getting louder and louder.  I wondered if it was a sign that I should quickly go about this project before the world ended, or if it was instead what would happen to someone who ate what I cooked. 

My choices were limited though as I was only able to work on very simple recipes (you know, stuff even 5th graders could prepare).  Hey, if it was ME preparing it, it was DEFINITELY easy.  Oh, and I didn’t follow any recipes in making any of the dishes below.  Recipe books and I don’t really get along 😉

Here’s the verdict:

Tacos: Win!

finished tacos

here's the good stuff inside

Hey even my parents loved this, so yeah, it was pretty good.  I think that made it my favorite in this batch of experiments.

Coleslaw: Fail

coleslaw - so so

It tasted a bit bland so something was definitely missing from this coleslaw.  Then again, considering I didn’t follow any recipe…

Nasi Goreng fried rice: Fail

nasi goreng with barbeque. hey, they loved it 😉

My friends liked the Nasi Goreng but I didn’t.  Maybe I’m just not a Nasi Goreng girl.

Pho: Win!

almost authentic Pho

I would like to thank Thu, my brother’s Vietnamese girlfriend who visited a few months back, for telling me how to make this.  Of course, this cannot compare to the one made by a real Vietnamese (her), but was ok for a first try.

Hotdog: Win!

easy breezy yummy

Hey, I put in everything I want in a hotdog.  How can it not be a winner???

So my little experiment was a mix of hits and misses.  It’ll get better with practice, and maybe an actual recipe to follow next time, yes?  Let’s see.

The Chicken Rice Shop arrives

I like Hainanese chicken. Really.  So when I read an article about a new chicken rice shop opening nearby, I just had to try it.

Together with two galpals, we sought out The Chicken Rice Shop which opened in Robinson’s Place Manila the day after I read the article.  We arrived around 630pm, just in time for dinner.  There were only a few diners present so we had our choice of seats.  The place is casual, clean and well-lit.

store signs

Btw, I have to apologize this early at the poor quality of the photos since I just used my camera phone.  Photoshop can only do some much to improve an already fuzzy picture.

Naturally, I ordered the Hainanese chicken.  They had a meal for P248 which included rice, soup, vegetables, a personal order of chicken, 2 pcs of Nyonya Pai Tee (fried roll containing chopped veggies and meat) and a drink.  I was happy to find out later they didn’t scrimp on the serving size.  I love veggies so getting a whole plateful, and not just a small side dish which I expected, was a pleasant surprise.  I hope it’s not just because they’re newly-opened. A pretty good deal, I must say.  I finished everything except for the rice only because I’ve been trying to limit my rice intake (that’s as much dieting as I can do) 😉

set meal: nyonya pai tee (foreground), veggies, hainanese chicken, plus rice, soup and drinks

Galpal #1 had the Curry Laksa (sorry, no picture) which had just the right amount of spiciness and was great with rice, even if it was just the sauce.  Galpal #2 meanwhile had the crispy noodles with chicken.  Between the two, I preferred the curry since it was tastier.

crispy noodles with chicken

We asked the waiter was was in some of the food on their menu and he gave the convenient answer that he doesn’t know since all the sauces and marinates already arrive pre-prepared.  Still, I think they should be informed so they can competetently answer customers like us who actually want to know what goes into the food we eat.

It’s been open only around three weeks when we visited and they showed the common difficulty of most newly-opened stores: slow service.  We came in when there were only a few people so our food arrived fairly quickly.  When the place became full later on, we could hear the diners near us complaining why they their food hadn’t arrived yet.  Even we weren’t spared when our bill took some twenty minutes to arrive and maybe another fifteen minutes before they gave us back the credit card slip for signature.  Good thing we weren’t in a hurry to go home or it would’ve totally spoiled an otherwise good dining experience (the long bill only partially spoiled it).

I hope they’ll be able to retain the good quality of their food and serving sizes even when they become more established.  Some stores decrease their serving size or the food doesn’t taste as good as they originally did.  Good luck Chicken Rice Shop, I’ll see you again 🙂

Kaos and Old Penang: i ♥

When my brother was about to leave for Vietnam, I wanted to treat him and the family before he left.  So off we went to Resorts World to watch Kaos, the “Las Vegas meets Broadway” show which a friend highly recommended. And man, this was one show I enjoyed immensely!  The fantastic costumes, features and stunts were a sight to behold!

Early in the show, the acrobats from China swinging to the tune of Where is Love made me teary-eyed, beautiful as the scene was.  I think that was my favorite, simply because of how beautiful and delicate it was.   I didn’t want it to end.

The Human Time Machine was one of my mom’s favorites.  How this duo ran, hopped and skipped even blindfolded while balancing on this contraption also amazed me and made me grip my armrest every now and then.

My friend raved about the bare-chested duo, who she said she could watch exclusively, even if she missed the whole show.  That duo from Belarus definitely had amazing balance and flexibility.  How one guy managed to balance the other guy upside down, just using their shoulders and neck WITHOUT the use of their hands was truly spectacular.  And yes, their abs were wonderfully sculpted.  Naturally.  There was no shortage of bromance here 😉

The finale, of course was the sphere where motorcyclists would enter one after the other, with the audience gasping each time a cyclist would be added to the sphere.  It brought out the child in my senior citizen mom 🙂

The show boasts of lions and tigers.  But really, these animals were overrated.  They didn’t do anything special.  They just appeared in the cage and ate a piece of meat.  So much for being wowed by the wildlife.

After a fantastic show, we moved on to Old Penang, suggested by my brother.  He’s never tried it but wanted to since I think he was after some Malaysian/Singaporean fare.

Upon seeing Hainanese Chicken on the menu, I was done.  I just added an order or Char Kway Teo while my brother had some Nasi Lemak and Teh Tarik which he loved, loved, loved.

some Hainanese Chicken loving

Char Kway Teo

Nasi Lemak

I looooved how juicy, tasty and plump their chicken was.  The noodles were good too, but I was too busy enjoying the chicken.  Their food tasted authentic compared to other restaurants.  I love discovering restaurants serving great food that I really, really like.  A fantastic end to an already fantastic day 🙂

Photo credits: spot.ph, our awesome planet

Bacci no more

After not seeing each other for almost a year, my Nihongo classmates and I met up for dinner at Bacci, the Italian Restaurant along Paseo de Roxas in Makati. It was 7pm and I was famished! Since my friend recommended the place, I assumed it must be good.

Missy & I were the first to arrive and ordered soup. I wanted onion soup only to be told about two minutes later that out of the six or seven soups on the menu, only three were available, and that didn’t include my onion soup.  So I chose the mushroom soup instead.  The deal was, when my friend, who arrived later, ordered onion soup, it was suddenly available! WTF? When I asked why I was told earlier it wasn’t available, the waiter mumbled something unintelligible. Go figure.

Mushroom soup...so so

I was glad to have ordered soup because by the time the main dishes arrived, I was hungry again. Do NOT come here when you are hungry and intend to be served quickly. It also took AGES before the food arrived, and the place was far from being full.  Their complimentary bread (with some forgettable dip) offered little respite since there were about seven of us and only five slices of bread.

complimentary bread with some forgettable dip

chicken with the blank pasta

I ordered some chicken dish served with “pasta blanco”. Yep, turns out pretty blank.  E.g. what’s good about this dish? -blank-

My friend said they frequent this place since it was affordable and the food was decent.  I didn’t bother asking what they usually ordered since I had no plans of returning.

Spent a lot for a dinner I did not particularly enjoy which also left me still feeling hungry.   I think the not-in-stock-but-turns-out-is-available-onion soup and the long serving time spoiled it for me early on that evening.  One thing’s for sure – sayonara Bacci.  I’m not coming back.