Today has been one of those crazy days.

Really crazy days..

I chased the manager (of the restaurant I’ve been trying to get a job at) around town..and was not able to find him..so I turned my resume into Starbucks instead.  They told me to go fill out an application too.  So I did that, and went on back to Starbucks.  Funny story…when I went in there was this girl and her boyfriend there, and she looked really sad.  So I looked at her feet, and she had some adorable bright purple peep toe pumps on.  I hesitated for a moment, but then I told her “I LOVE your shoes!  They are so cute.”  she said, “thank you.” and then smiled.  I like to make people happy♥  I’m really hoping I’ll get a job soon.  I need the money to buy a car..because right now..I need a car. (o:

Bella is on her(first date right now)..I just can’t resist to put this picture of her on.  Yeah, she beat me.  I’ve never been on a date..but she has{now}(o;  She was so cute!  I love her♥

While she has been gone..the other kids and I built a fort.  IT was quite a rad fort too…we even made paper garlands, and named the thing.  Making forts makes me so happy…it just does.

Tandy and one of her magazine cutouts…inspiration that man is♥

The “Bouncy Kingdom” is amazing.  Guaranteed to give you sweet dreams♥

We made some funny faces..(o:

And I was happy.

and
I have this special post cooking up in my head right now.
Coming soon.
And if your not happy right now…you should come to my house
and I would make you tea, and we would talk about
life.
Hope you are having a killer day.

I am{in love}(with Jesus).

love..

ria♥

p.s. We won’t be doing the thanksgiving contest anymore…SORRY!
We’ve run out of time..and my plate is much to full now.
Soon though..we will throw a contest(o;

tonight my mom told me i’m looking “slim and trim” :D

          I have so many things to be thankful for this year. I can hardly enumerate it! A lot of things happened since this year started. I remember asking God     last December ‘08 to give this year to me; that it may be good and blessed compared to my previous ones, and God answered my prayers!!! I started the year 1st with a very nice haircut, at David’s Salon in Baguio. Oh yes, in Baguio (well, been having my vacation there for quite a while). Anyway, from my trademark sooper looong hair, to a very short one (next to BOB), it really is a big change of look for me, and thank God the haircut turned out too well (bumagay..). Then by February, one big news made a sudden change in my life- ofcourse this was the released of my NLE (Nurse Licensure Examination). whooohoo! I PASSED! it’s a big “YEAAAHH” for me.. Finally, I’m a legal professional now, well, that’s a good start.

          By late April/May, I was able to join my Justice League (that’s what I call my circle of friends back in college) in an out of town training in Subic. It’s a 30-day, isolated nurse staff training where we are obliged to stay inside the hospital vicinity for a week then go home during weekends. So that’s how things went there, until…. hehe. yea until, we were “evicted” haha. well, I aint bitter about it naman na, and I don’t regret if I wasn’t able to stay there for a li’l longer pa because, after my experience there, a lot of doors and i mean A LOT of ‘em opened for me. Too many great oppurtunities came. So i think, my Subic Experience, was a good one na rin despite the fact that I really didn’t last there for long. After which, I was able to join my Novartis Family and do something worth it. It was then the height of Influenza A (H1N1) in the country and everyone’s going crazy and scared of it. This is the part when I did or atleast the team did a very noble act, to be the VACCINATOR! ooh, flashback!, When I was still in college, it wasn’t an everyday practice to vaccinate people – newborn, children, elderly. But when I became myself the vaccinator during my Novartis days, oh, name it!! I experienced vaccinating 150+ people in a day!!! yeehaa! It was tiring but a very good feeling that you helped people boost their immunity against the said virus. Well, health teaching was there too, more of the fun and my self confidence was really increased to its highest level. It was nakakatakot at first but yes, “practice makes perfect” oh, what a great feeling. Then, i took a  break from it, went to Baguio and stayed there for more than a month. I don’t have plans of coming back pa sana, but another great oppurtunity came in again! After I arrived Manila, was advised by my friend, J to pass my resume to Manila City Hall for my Obstetrical cases preparing for the Midwifery Board Exam and my internship  at Ospital ng Tondo. Yep, you read it right, another board exam. I can’t get enough of it, don’t I?? hehe. So, i passed all my requirements and finished all that has to be done. In 2weeks time, my sched was released and there it goes, the start of my Midwifery experience. weee.. Months passed, i finished all my cases and now ready to apply for my Midwifery Board in November. After a month of studying, judgement day came. 2-day exam– exhausted and almost brain dead. ehehe. After 3 days of waiting, results came, and…… tan ta ra  ran! I PASSED -again.

        It really was a good year for me, though it wasn’t perfect of course. You really can’t get two good things all at the same time. To make the equilibrium, something has really need to be sacrificed. Well, this time, it was my love life. I am not to elaborate more on that, but the decision me and my partner made were all for the good and growth of us both.

        Now, as the year ends, I am asking the good Lord again, that He may grant me another blessed, fruitful and productive year; that He teaches again that I should be thankful in everything that’s coming my way, whether happy or not, success or failure, joy or tears, because in the end, all these things has its purpose — that is we learn to appreaciate and value every thing as it come and go.

God, be with me always. I am loving you everyday. In all my plans and endeavors, I lift them all up to you through your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Here is my favorite Essential Oil Recipe for stress reduction and emotional support for people and animals.  I have shared this recipe with hundreds of clients to use for themselves and their animals to help them through difficult times.

How to Use:
1. Valor
•    1-5 drops on bottoms of feet, hold for a few moments or
•    1-5 drops on one wrist & hold the wrists together a few moments.
•    For grounding, developing strength, courage, and self-esteem.

2.  Harmony
•    1-5 drops on solar plexus area, the soft spot below the separation of the ribs.
•    An exquisite blend that calms and balances.

3. Joy
•    1-5 drops over heart region
•    An exotic blend that is refreshing and uplifting.

4. White Angelica
•    1-5 drops on palms
•    Brush the head, face, base of neck, shoulders, chest, arms, Solar Plexus, down the body, over the clothes, as if creating an angelic shield…
•    An exquisite blend that is calming, soothing and encourages feelings of protection and security

Frequency:

The more challenging the emotions, the more frequently I recommend using this recipe.  People find that if they are particularly stressed, using this combination up to three times a day works well.

Why use these oils?
•    Anxiety
•    Stress
•    Grief
•    Vulnerability
•    Sensitivity
•    Sadness
•    Grounding
•    Calming & Soothing
•    Uplifting

I hope you find this information to be helpful and inspirational.
Thanks to Susan Ulfelder for first introducing me to this recipe.

The information in this Blog reflects personal experiences only and is not intended as a substitute for medical or psychological diagnosis, advice or treatment.

I recommend you use only pure, unadulterated therapeutic-grade essential oils, and follow the safety directions of the manufacturer. This email is from Young Living independent distributor #75479.  To order these blends click here;
Young Living Essential Oils

You may reprint any items from The Holistic Animal in your own print, electronic Newsletter or Blog only if you also include the following information: Reprinted from “The Holistic Animal” by Sandy Rakowitz
Subscribe at: http://theholisticanimal.wordpress.com

About the author;
Sandy Rakowitz of One Heart Healing Center for People & Animals offers a professional perspective with 20+ years experience in the field of Animal Wellness.  Sandy offers private sessions in person via telephone & Skype with TTouch, Energy Healing Medicine, Animal Communication, and Young Living Therapeutic Essential Oils for people and animals. 434-973-8864

To order these Essential Oil Blends;
Young Living Essential Oils

Four years ago today I posted this to my old journal with the title, ‘Because I know one day this will be my secret…’ I was partly right. This is the happiest I have ever been…only it’s not a secret.

[

Remember playing hide and seek as a child. Your gang of kids would select someone to count to ten whilst the others hide and then s/he would go seeking them out. The other version of the game would be to hide a ‘‘treasured” object such as a ball. The seekers would count to ten and then go on a treasure hunt. They would be guided by the words “your cold” if they were not near the hidden treasure. As they got closer they would be told they are “getting warmer”, until they were right on top of the treasure and then they would be “red hot.” It was a lot of fun to play and filled with innocent joy.  However, as we grew older and began to mature from childhood into youthhood, teenhood and then into adulthood… The more we developed, the more we hooded our treasure. We began to mask our true feelings warm of joy and we went on a new frigid treasure hunt to acquire monetary gain, at the expense of happiness, to keep up with our social gang of friends.

A new version of hide & seek was being played out and we would know if we were hot or cold by our bank balance. Money became our God … If we did not have what the advertising media deemed as essential for our happiness, then life became an uphill struggle. The domination behind the desire for money grew in the erroneously educated mind of the ego/intellect, encouraged by an equally erroneous media machine. Do not misunderstand, money is a necessity for security, comfort and every day requirements however, it is not a place where we can derive any lasting bliss. One of the main causes of heartache and sorrow are the newspapers, television programs and magazines that are administered by intellectually sound editors that have forgot how to project real meaning from their true spirit, thus they work within their narrow mind-set parameters.

 Many have to follow strict guidelines laid-down by the owners, who, in turn, have to pander to the whims of the advertisers. So money rules the type articles to be published and the variety of programs to be shown on TV. It has become a game of hiding hot true meaning and seeking cold greed and freezing fear. Hide all the authentic articles and programs from the public…. Seek and feed articles and programs filled with shams and pretense, that are shallow and superficial. It seems the more superficial the program or article, the bigger money making hit it becomes. A syndrome feeds on its own ignorance. Habitual negativity demands to feed on more and more aspects of derogatory human behavior.

A catch twenty-two situation where the downward spiral seeps into every phase of human existence. From my first hand experience, the excuses editors and producers give for not giving the public more meaningful projects is “it is not the way we do things around here and there is no demand for meaningful works” It is the same blind dogma that has been used by power crazed religions and mad dictators for thousands of years. Only now, the media holds court over what the public reads and views. It seems the big pay checks of the editors and producers who make decisions on what the public will contemplate and accept is their main consideration. Some may want to project more meaning, but the fear of going out on a limb and getting fired holds them back from projects that are more substantial. Even the ‘‘serious minded” magazines, newspapers and TV programs are run by intellects that can only act within the very narrow guidelines of their assumptions, presumptions, theories and opinions. There are but a few editors that have the courage and nerve to publish articles with authentic meaning. There are a few producers that have the fortitude and mettle to project the true nature of humanity…But these folks are few and far between.

In the main, we have a society that is fed with junk news, junk single-minded views, junk truths … All assembled by an intellectual throng of editors and producers with a sound education but lacking sound wisdom and insight. Even the weather has now become a source of 24 hour fear and dread loaded reporting. As humanity sinks further and further down the slippery slopes of ignorance, the media will continue to report all the negative events world society enacts, in their melodramatic, sensationalized manner… Tied to their umbilical cord of money and power. What a waste of a good education or was the education, not so authentic in the first place and one of the reasons the media lacks the wisdom they were born with?

Unfortunately, time is not on the side of humanity to make the quantum leap into generating authentic information.

The truth has been hidden deep inside every human beings psyche, but how many have the resolve and determination to seek and locate it.

The good news is you do have a choice how you live your life and what you accept as your reality. With an objective detachment from the chaos that surrounds your world, you can live a purposeful life filled with a tranquil ambiance of love and divine bliss. The circle of life spins around your core. Provided you stay centered at all times, you can participate as the witness to your good deeds and actions.  All the chaos that surrounds you will disappear like water off a ducks back. As you smile at adversities, you now feel the contentment of knowing nothing is hidden from you. What you once did seek, you now have found and you are once again whole in the hands of a loving God.

“Be a Columbus to whole new continents and worlds within you, opening new channels, not of trade, but of thought.”_ Henry David

Thoreau.

We are back from the monastery thanksgiving with plenty to be grateful for.

Ethan, being a non-monastic type, took to the place very well. I was a bit painful at the beginning and felt I had to  keep reminding him how wonderful everything is, until I finally kept quiet and let the monastery work its magic. He was impressed with the goodness,  intelligence and theological reasonableness that radiates from the monks and the guests.

The Gregorian chant at Holy Cross is one of the most sublime music experiences I’ve ever had. At one point, they harmonized during a Compline hymn and Ethan and I just looked at each other: “…wow.”  Those silent “wows” happen between a couple every now and then, I imagine moreso when children come into the picture.

One of the gifts of visiting Holy Cross monastery is the silence and slowness. The first time I entered the chapel, the silence felt like a third person in the room. It is so palpable and delicious. And the slowness isn’t immediately felt, until I start wishing the chant to hurry up or start scheduling myself. Then I remember where I am and why they are here. They have all the time in the world to praise God. It isn’t on their to-do list; it is their reason for being.

We were allowed to stay in the same room, in separate beds. While we lay in bed reading, it felt like a 1950s sitcom! Thanksgiving feast was unbelievable, thanks to good old Benedictine hospitality. Don’t know if we would have gotten whipped cream at the Carthusians!

At night, we  worked on our nanowrimo projects; I am now around 21,000 words.I felt a little ashamed to bring my laptop into the hallowed grounds. I figured God and the monks wouldn’t mind if I worked on a creative project. There was no wifi, so I couldn’t check email or Youtube (I tried!)

I always walk away from retreats with  inner resolves  for my life. The big one from this time was that I caught myself praying that “I may achieve inner peace.” The word “achieve” hit me sidewards- surely, this is part of the problem! I am trying to achieve inner peace with the same bull-headedness that I would attack a dirty kitchen floor! So my new prayer might be that I may be peace in the world, in fact, that might become my new personal slogan.

Be peace! Would make a good bumper sticker!

Here’s the view of the Hudson River from Holy Cross, taken at an earlier visit.

For years, I always knew next Sunday’s reading in the church lectionary. I realise that for many of you reading this, it will not be news that if one is to preach and teach and write based on it, one is well to keep all the rhythms of the readings in mind. What is read this week is well pondered if one might need to speak or write in a fortnight or so.

On occasion I was glad of this sense of flow – sometimes clergy were overwhelmed by misfortunes, or indeed by the impossibility of ferry travel, and I was (I blush to confess it) happy to step up to the plate at very short notice. Indeed on occasion at no notice at all. (Sensitive liturgists should now look away.) I remember one afternoon communion hastily transformed into evensong, and back into a Eucharist just after the sermon, when a disrupted ferry finally delivered a visiting priest very late indeed.

Here, I have really missed all this, so this week’s news made me feel incredibly glad. First of all, the Advent blog is back. If you want regular, if not quite daily, writing and photographs, then drop in on Love Blooms Bright from Sunday. Secondly, a friend now has responsibility for a small magazine, and will likely want me to write for it. There is such a pleasure in once again feeling connected to the church year, not just as a passive observer, but as participant. I hope it is not a sin, because it feels like life itself.

Shiva Shamhu Bam Bam

Bolo Shiv. Shiv.

Shambhu Bam Bam

Bam (X4)

Are Gao Re…

Nam Har.Dam,

Ye Nam Har.Dam

Jab.Tak Hai…

Bhayi Dam Me Dam,

Hayi Dam Me Dam

Bolo Shiva Shiva

Shambhu Bam Bam

Bam (X4)

Bheem.

Bhayankar,

He Brabhu

Shakar. Swami

He Prabhu

Shankar. Swami

He

Vishveshwar.

He

Parameshwar.

Ishwar.

Antar. Yami

Ye Dhun. Hai…

…,

Uttam Anupam,

Uttam Anupam,

Sare jag. Ke…

Yahi Peeta Param,

Yahi Peeta Param

Bolo Shiv. Shiv.

Shambhu Bam Bam

Bam (X4)

Are Gao Re…

Nam Har.Dam,

Ye Nam Har.Dam

Jab. Tak Hai…

Bhayi Dam Me Dam,

Hayi Dam Me Dam

Bolo Shiv. Shiv.

Shambhu Bam Bam

Bam (X4)

Shiv. Akam.

Hai,

Daydham.

Hai,

Shiv. Kanam.

Hai Saiyam (X2)

Shiv. Ji Hai Mukti,

Shiv. Ji Hai Shakti

Shiv. Ji Hai Bhakti

Ka Sangam (X2)

Shiv. Mahima

Mat. Samjo

Kam,

Mit. Jayenge

Duniya Ke

Gam,

Bolo Shiv. Shiv.

Shambhu Bam Bam

Bam (X4)

Are Gao Re…

Nam Har.Dam,

Ye Nam Har.Dam

Jab. Tak Hai…

Bhayi Dam Me Dam,

Hayi Dam Me Dam

Bolo Shiv. Shiv.

Shambhu Bam Bam

Bam (X4)

A friend of mine bought his girlfriend a birthday present over two months ago. The present was to be a completed paint by numbers picture. Unfortunately, she has yet to receive the completed painting. Last I checked, the painting was about 25% done and the man swears his girlfriend will get the completed gift by Christmas. We’ll three months late is better than never. In all seriousness, aren’t there times in our lives when even the most straight forward projects get placed by the wayside in favor of the day-to-day tasks vying for our attention?

Along the lines of waiting for “things” – I myself have recently experienced a few delayed starts. For example, I recently bought a new computer bag which had to be immediately returned due to a malfunctioning handle. Cutting to the end of the story, I ended up saving an addition sum of money on an already discounted bag because the bag was reduced an additional 10% between the first and second purchase dates. Similarly, I finally decided to buy an external hard drive to back-up computer files, etc. but when a friend braved the “black Friday” crowds to purchase one for me, he was told they were out. Upon his return home (around 5:30am black Friday) he went on line and found one for less money and with a better warranty.

As we near the end of 2009 it’s true, some of us have not obtained all that we would have liked this year. For some (like my friend’s girlfriend) it’s a gift. For others it’s a need such as a new job to replace the one lost due to the economic downturn. Yet for others, it’s something in between a gift and a need; such as a new computer bag. So what’s to be made of all this? What can we deduce when we did all we could to paint inside the lines but despite our efforts, did not get the result we wanted? Conversely, what if we took a chance to paint outside the lines, taking a risk and trying something new, but still failed to obtain the goal?

Well, as best as I can see, good things do truly come to those that wait. Economies have life cycles to them, change has its seasons, and the race is not always won by the swift. So what’s this mean for us all? I’m going to go out on a limb and say that our good things are coming, we’ll pay less for them, and they will be what we should have when we should have them. To that end, I’m happy to announce that I’m going to extend my discounted life coaching offer through the end of 2009. While I can not predict when the economy will be in full swing again or when your new computer bag will arrive, I can safely say that by taking the time now to ensure you maximize your skills and talents, you’ll be well positioned to fill it with life’s blessings.

To learn more about this topic contact Dr Marilyn at www.DrMarilyn-EAW.com

Its 3:33AM and I have 3 who rsvp-ed. Lol! But I also don’t have 3 contacts so I’m going to ask someone very kind to send me their contacts. Yay. Phew? This has been bugging me yesterday because I suddenly remembered it’s on thursday. Alright, maybe not suddenly la. Heh heh. Arranged everything today.. Hmm. I invited more because we’re all gonna graduate and aren’t gonna see each other anymore. (sigh!)

Do you love it or do you LOVE it?

Yesterday instead of Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy – and tons of other food – we decided to abstain.

Unheard of, you say?

Well – there was a very good reason.  Greg was invited to perform a wedding – and I went with him.  It was a very different way to spend Thanksgiving.  But we all know that variety is the “spice of life” – so we jumped at the opportunity to be different.

This wedding was very special.  The couple had met online – she has a two year old daughter – and they are very much in love and ready to settle down and be a “family”.  The bride’s father is a doctor – and the house is situated on the water with a million dollar view of puget sound.  A very lovely home for having a wedding.

Our daughter arrived before we did – she styled the bride’s hair – and it was beautiful!  We arrived right on time – the traffic was HORRIBLE.  But with our coffee in hand we were “happy campers” as we SAT and SAT in traffic.  When we got there – everyone was munching on snacks – elegantly laid out in the “great room” below.  The high cathedral ceiling and HUGE windows overlooking the water – was very picturesque – and a lovely backdrop for the ceremony.  I took many pictures – I posted a few below.

After the ceremony – everyone remarked to Greg that they appreciated him being so authentic and real – in telling the couple how it really is – not “sugar coating” it.  People need to hear this today – and we all know the statistics – one out of every two marriages will fail – it is important to do everything you can when you start out – to make sure you understand there are going to be good times – and bad times.  And at some point you may not “feel it” anymore – that’s when you need to remember what you sometimes forget – that you made a commitment on this day – and a promise for life.  Life can and will sometimes go “sideways” – and if you are not prepared for it – it can rock your world and blow even the strongest marriage to bits.

The mother of the bride – married 37 years – was challenged by  Greg’s words and could testify to the fact that sometimes it is that commitment that you need to remember when life has its challenges and stresses.  She was cute when she said, “It was good to be reminded – sometimes you just have to say – Oh that’s right!  I almost forgot”  This is why it’s good to go to a wedding once in a while.

Now I understand that there are extreme circumstances that cannot be reconciled in a marriage – abuse – physical and mental – and by staying with that partner you could be putting your life and your children’s lives in danger.  This is understandable and cannot be ignored – nor should the party that has to leave feel guilty or allow others to make you feel that way.  God is a loving and forgiving God – and I am a firm believer in “second chances” for those that have been involved in a bad first marriage.

But for the rest of us – here is my challenge today:  Remember those vows and commitment you made on that wedding day many years ago.  What God has blessed then – He will continue to bless – and it will repeat through your children and their children too.  Sometimes we just “forget”.  We need a gentle reminder – like a wedding.

God Bless

Being away from home always makes me contemplate my life, how it’s going, what I’d like to change, and what I really love about it.

Life is different here in Iowa. This is a small town. It’s very quiet. Everybody knows everybody, literally, or they know at least one of your relatives. People tend to stay near home when they grow up. Most of my husband’s cousins went to college in Iowa, and all but one still lives here. The one who doesn’t lives just over the border in Omaha.

There are lots of babies. Big families are normal here. Everyone seems to have at least two children. It’s sort of expected that you grow up, marry, and have babies.

People seem very comfortable with who they are. They seem to know who they are, and they seem to like who they are. There’s much less posturing and puffery. They are also incredibly kind and generous, and wonderful hosts. There is a sort of calm acceptance of their life rhythms and arcs, and it is reassuring. A certainty that things are going as planned.

I want to take some of that confidence and calm back to New York with me. I really love living in a big East Coast city, but all the aggressive oneupmanship can get old and annoying. Everyone is always trying to prove how important they are. There is much less self-assurance and much more stress. I wouldn’t want to live here, but I can see a certain appeal to the place. We are making a new year’s resolution to live with less anxiety and more joy. I love that word: joy. It’s simply perfect.

I petition for eyes to see true,
to look upon the world as a compassionate man,
hearing beauty in each voice a loving kindness,
and may i feel full of service,
a love for all beings–
beloved invest me with your grace.

Descend upon me oh divine love,
shower me with light to turn away my shades of woe,
for all my hassles are illusion–
i only wish the strength to live a peaceful life.

My darling muse drives my quest,
striving for command of my self i struggle against my own madness,
and i have learned well by heaven’s great example,
the quiet sublime way of simple existence,
the moment of the tranquil smile–
i live for this realization,
my foundation of silent joy.

Oh the weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful; and since we’ve no place to go…LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW.
OK, for some of you, that’s a bad thing to say. I personally love it. If it’s going to be cold then I want snow too. For those of us in the snow regions, there is something about the frozen liquid that sets the season off right. I don’t know how some of you who live in the south or the southwest live without it. I guess if you’ve never had it then you don’t mind.
I want you to be encouraged every time you see snow. Isaiah says to “Come, let us reason together…” In other words, let’s get real. Lets talk about it. I don’t care what you have done in your past. Know today that the blood of Jesus is more powerful than your sins or your past. God doesn’t consult your past to determine your future.
Know that you are forgiven and free. You are not bound by something that has been wiped away. It no longer holds a right to you.

“Come, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins may be scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be crimson, they shall be white as wool.”
Isaiah 1:18

It is Black Friday, the official start to the holiday season of commercialism. There are still some of us that are not out there in the frenzied madness that can effectively kill the true spirit of Christmas. Instead of the frenzied rush for sales why not adopt a troop of soldiers or donate food or time to a shelter? You will most definately end up with a bigger gift… that feeling is worth a million words!