Lavender & Coffee Stains

Dear Me,

To everyone visiting this blog, here's a message for you! =)


New Year's Reflections
by Joanna Fuchs

Looking back on the months gone by,
As a new year starts and an old one ends,
I contemplate what brought me joy,
And I think of my loved ones and my friends.

Recalling all the happy times,
Remembering how you all enriched my life
I reflect upon who really counts,
As the fresh and bright new year arrives.

And when I ponder those who did,
I immediately think of you.

Thanks for being one of the reasons I'll have a Happy New Year!

--
Of all sound of all bells... most solemn and touching is the peal which rings out the Old Year. ~ Charles Lamb

Dear Me,

There's always a feeling of exhilaration everytime something arrives from the mailman or the parcel delivery boy. Whether it's a snail mail, a card, postcard or a package and even a cargo box, the feeling I experience is utter joy.

This time, it will be a number of books I will be getting from BookMooch. I've been a member since August and I tell you, I've mooched 36 books in total. I have yet to receive 8 books from the mail within the next two (2) weeks. What a great way to welcome the new year! =)

The books I'm expecting to receive are the following:

• Dr. Shapiro's Picture Perfect Weight Loss 30 Day Plan by Howard Shapiro
  
• Turning Japanese: Memoirs of a Sansei by David Mura
  
• Lists to Live By: The Second Collection by Alice Gray
  
• The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown (audio cassette)
  
• Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella
  
• What to Expect the First Year by Arlene Eisenberg
  
• Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb
  
• The Valkyries by Paolo Coelho

Aside from loving to read and collect books of various genre, I have other reasons why I am having the above-mentioned books (explanations correspond to the sequence of books as listed):

1. curious about diet plans and wanna get an idea about the easier way to reduce weight.
   
2. I was told that it's a compelling read.
   
3. I'm a sucker for lists.
   
4. I have read and has a collection of his books. This is an audio cassette, which I am intending to send to my brother overseas.
   
5. In previous post, I am completing her books.
   
6. I'm a first-time mom and baby M is turning three (3) months soon.
   
7. I have a thing for suspense and books about murder.
   
8. Sis likes this author and I'm thinking of collecting his books for her.

Beginning January, I'm on the look-out for Mr. Mailman. =)

Dear Me,

Here's my T13 this Thursday.

Paolo Coelho has been highly regarded by his readers. The books he wrote exemplified various lessons in life as learned by the character's experiences. His insightful approach is very much appealing to me.

I would love to share meaningful quotes from his books.


graphic courtesy of Emily

Thirteen Paolo Coelho Quotes (1)

1. "Life really is generous to those who pursue their destiny."
   
   
2. "Listen to your heart. It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of the World, and it will one day return there."
   
   
3. "The two worst strategic mistakes to make are acting prematurely and letting an opportunity slip; to avoid this, the warrior treats each situation as if it were unique and never resorts to formulae, recipes or other people's opinions."
   
   
4. "In love lies the seed of our growth. The more we love, the closer we are to the spiritual experience."
   
   
5. "A warrior accepts defeat. He does not treat it as a matter of indifference, nor does he attempt to transform it into a victory. The pain of defeat is bitter to him; he suffers at indifference and becomes desperate with loneliness. After all this has passed, he licks his wounds and begins everything anew. A warrior knows that war is made of many battles: he goes on."
   
   
6. "The enemy is only a pretext to test our strength."
   
   
7. "You came so that you could learn about your dreams," said the old woman. "And dreams are the language of God. When he speaks in our language, I can interpret what he has said. But if he speaks in the language of the soul, it is only you who can understand."
   
   
8. "Defeat exists, but not suffering. A true warrior knows that when he loses a battle he is improving the skill with which he wields a sword. He will be able to fight more skillfully next time."
   
   
9. "The secret is here in the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it. And, if you improve on the present, what comes later will also be better. Forget about future, and live each day according to the teachings, confident that God loves his children. Each day, in itself brings with it an eternity."
   
   
10. "There are three things that a child can teach an adult: "To be happy for no reason; to be always busy doing something; And to know how to demand -- with all one's might -- what one wants."
    
    
11. "The wise are wise only because they love. The fool are fools only because they think they can understand love."
    
    
12. "History will never change because of politics or conquests or theories or wars; that's mere repitition, it's been going on since the beginning of time. History will only change when we are able to use the energy of love, just as we use energy of the wind, the seas, the atom."
    
    
13. "It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting."

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It's easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Dear Me,

Wanna win some holiday cash from a Pinoy blogger running a simple blog contest?

If you are interested, do take a peek at My Christmas Blog Contest and join!

The owner, Vertito is experimenting some analysis for his newly-acquired domain from a free web hosting server.

To entice you, here are the prizes he is offering:

First Prize: P1,500 peso cash
Second/Third: P300 peso worth of cellphone load (not cash, not pasa load)

The rules for joining:

1. Mention this blog contest in one of your blog post, along with its blog link. This will get you one entry and a chance to win this contest.

2. After creating your own post from your blog site, come back from this site and write a new comment. The new comment should include your email address and your blog link to make it as an official entry to this blog contest.

3. Contest participants should be able to receive the prizes in the Philippines. The prizes would then be given to the winners either by bank transfers, bank deposits, via Western Union or via LBC depending on what transfer mode and transfer date would be agreed upon after the winners have been drawn out and announced.

4. No SEO skills required, no PRs and hits required as well.

Unfortunately, the contest is Due TODAY, December 23rd - before midnight. You still have a few hours left.

Hurry and join! =)

Dear Me,

I forgot to post this entry early this morning. It's kinda late but have a bright Saturday anyway! =)

This is my 9th time to participate TNChick's Photohunt.


Started by her in March 2006, the Photohunt would present a theme every Saturday. Participants should post a photo that best represents the theme. Photos should come from the participant's personal collection and those not snitched from the web.



It's just a few days before Christmas!
Holiday lights galore in the city. =)

Happy Holidays!

To participate in this Photohunt, please get the code.

View more Saturday Photohunters!

Dear Me,

I'm still thinking if I'll go or not. My good buddies are planning to have a year-ender get-together on the 29th.


I kinda miss them since they've been the people I can call FRIENDS since my high school buddies are too busy to meet and those I thought were my friends back in college were not for real, save for a handful.

How can I convince myself to go? Hmm.

PS. photo snitched from buddy Jon.

Dear Me,

Are you a wanderlust like moi? Take this test to reveal what type of traveller you are.

	Your travel type: Travel Yup The Travel Yup likes exotic and adventurous travel, but prefers big cities with fast paced life. He has a keen interest in other cultures and always brings home a few souvenirs. Shopping in Bangkok, getting a tailor made suite in Kuala Lumpur, that's the kind of thing the Travel Yup is into. Even though he likes to get away, he prefers his travels to be comfortable.
	top destinations: Tahiti Beirut Amsterdam	stay away from: Tokyo Cairo Darien Gap

get your own travel profile

As much as some of the info is true, I would rebut the statement that: I prefer big cities with fast paced life. Actually, I don't. As much as possible, I prefer going anywhere except the cities. I'm after the vacation and being in the big city definitely reminds me of my jungle life back home, rushing every working day of my life.

Dear Me,

Read on. My heart got broken. Keep a box of tissue within reach.


What My Father Wore
by Bret Anthony Johnston

What my father wore embarrassed me as a young man. I wanted him to dress like a doctor or lawyer, but on those muggy mornings when he rose before dawn to fry eggs for my mother and me, he always dressed like my father.

We lived in south Texas, and my father wore tattered jeans with the imprint of his pocketknife on the seat. He liked shirts that snapped more than those that buttoned and kept his pencils, cigars, glasses, wrenches and screwdrivers in his breast pocket. My father's boots were government-issues with steel toes that made them difficult to pull off his feet, which I sometimes did when he returned from repairing air conditioners, his job that also shamed me.

But, as a child, I'd crept into his closet and modeled his wardrobe in front of the mirror. My imagination transformed his shirts into the robes of kings and his belts into soldiers' holsters. I slept in his undershirts and relied on the scent of his collars to calm my fear of the dark. Within a few years, though, I started wishing my father would trade his denim for khaki and retire his boots for loafers. I stopped sleeping in his clothes and eventually began dreaming of another father.

I blamed the way he dressed for my social failures. When boys bullied me, I thought they'd seen my father wearing his cowboy hat but no shirt while walking our dog. I felt that girls snickered at me because they'd glimpsed him mowing the grass in cut-offs and black boots. The girls' families paid men (and I believed better-dressed ones) to landscape their lawns, while their fathers yachted in the bay wearing lemon-yellow sweaters and expensive sandals.

My father only bought two suits in his life. He preferred clothes that allowed him the freedom to shimmy under cars and squeeze behind broken Maytags, where he felt most content. But the day before my parents' twentieth anniversary, he and I went to Sears, and he tried on suits all afternoon. With each one, he stepped to the mirror, smiled and nodded, then asked about the price and reached for another. He probably tried ten suits before we drove to a discount store and bought one without so much as approaching a fitting room. That night my mother said she'd never seen a more handsome man.

Later, though, he donned the same suit for my eighth-grade awards banquet, and I wished he'd stayed home. After the ceremony (I'd been voted Mr. Citizenship, of all things), he lauded my award and my character while changing into a faded red sweatsuit. He was stepping into the garage to wash a load of laundry when I asked what even at age fourteen struck me as cruel and wrong. "Why," I asked, "don't you dress 'nice,' like my friends' fathers?"

He held me with his sad, shocked eyes, and searched for an answer. Then before he disappeared into the garage and closed the door between us, my father said, "I like my clothes." An hour later my mother stormed into my room, slapped me hard across the face and called me an "ungrateful little twerp," a phrase that echoed in my head until they resumed speaking to me.

In time they forgave me, and as I matured I realized that girls avoided me not because of my father but because of his son. I realized that my mother had slapped me because my father could not, and it soon became clear that what he had really said that night was that there are things more important than clothes. He'd said he couldn't spend a nickel on himself because there were things I wanted. That night, without another word, my father had said, "You're my son, and I sacrifice so your life will be better than mine."

For my high-school graduation, my father arrived in a suit he and my mother had purchased earlier that day. Somehow he seemed taller, more handsome and imposing, and when he passed the other fathers they stepped out of his way. It wasn't the suit, of course, but the man. The doctors and lawyers recognized the confidence in his swagger, the pride in his eyes, and when they approached him, they did so with courtesy and respect. After we returned home, my father replaced the suit in the flimsy Sears garment bag, and I didn't see it again until his funeral.

I don't know what he was wearing when he died, but he was working, so he was in clothes he liked, and that comforts me. My mother thought of burying him in the suit from Sears, but I convinced her otherwise and soon delivered a pair of old jeans, a flannel shirt and his boots to the funeral home.

On the morning of the services, I used his pocketknife to carve another hole in his belt so it wouldn't droop around my waist. Then I took the suit from Sears out of his closet and changed into it. Eventually, I mustered the courage to study myself in his mirror where, with the exception of the suit, I appeared small and insignificant.

Again, as in childhood, the clothes draped over my scrawny frame. My father's scent wafted up and caressed my face, but it failed to console me. I was uncertain: not about my father's stature - I'd stopped being an ungrateful little twerp years before. No, I was uncertain about myself, my own stature. And I stood there for some time, facing myself in my father's mirror, weeping and trying to imagine - as I will for the rest of my life - the day I'll grow into my father's clothes.

Dear Me,

It has been quite a while since Abi and I had a chat. She has been residing in the US ever since she got married a few years ago.

She was a former schoolmate of mine back in UP. She is one of my closest friends despite the fact that we never attended the same course in the university.

I just hope she will be here in Manila during the holidays.

Dear Me,

This is my 8th time to participate TNChick's Photohunt.


Started by her in March 2006, the Photohunt would present a theme every Saturday. Participants should post a photo that best represents the theme. Photos should come from the participant's personal collection and those not snitched from the web.





While visiting Chinatown in Singapore, hubby and I got curious why a lot of people were gathering around this man. We joined the throng of observers and found out that this man was creating a miniature representation of the two (2) people sitting in front of him.

It was kinda cute to have a "SMALL YOU" as a figurine. The likeness was unbelievable!

Have a great weekend!

To participate in this Photohunt, please get the code.

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Dear Me,

Here's my T13 this Thursday.

Here in the Philippines, the Filipinos celebrate the holidays longer than any nationality around the world. That's why a lot of people (from all walks of life) tackle all their businesses and other personal matters early and quick before everything comes to a halt.

As a full-time housewife, I have my own share of things to do before the entire world bounce in the holiday cheer.


graphic courtesy of Emily

Thirteen Tasks I Have
To Accomplish Before December 21st

1. Go shopping for holiday presents for the family.
   (It's kinda hard to do when you can't leave the baby for a while since he is breastfeeding from me).
   
   
2. Tidy up my brother's room.
   (Someone's coming to occupy the room for a week).
   
   
3. Visit the bank.
   (I need to settle my finances asap).
   
   
4. Haul all the laundry in the washing machine.
   (Especially the bedsheets, pillowcases, blankets)
   
   
5. Do the holiday grocery with my mom and/or sister.
   (Supermarket supplies run out fast. We usually prepare a lot of food during New Year's Eve).
   
   
6. Make a list of food to prepare during the holiday.
   (Hehehe. This time, I am thinking of doing some cooking myself. I'm not telling them so they won't get disappointed if it's a major flop).
   
   
7. Another list for my baby's upcoming baptism.
   (Visitors and godparents, that is).
   
   
8. Draft an invitation card for the baptism.
   (via Photoshop. Honestly, I'm clueless how to do this).
   
   
9. Send holiday cards.
   (Better late than never).
   
   
10. Pick-up a parcel from the local post.
    (Due to expire before Christmas Day).
    
    
11. Get my gift from my aunt in Pasig.
    (Long overdue).
    
    
12. Clean the entire house.
    (Throw unneccesary stuff and I pray that the garbage collector will be around to help me).
    
    
13. Read books.
    (I have a pile of TBR and I'm missing this hobby of mine).

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It's easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Dear Me,

I'm so addicted with Amazing Race.

I love the feeling of watching people compete not only because of the $M at stake but also seeing the character and personality behind their names. It is so exciting to see how their strategies and reactions will determine their fate in the race.


I love Amazing Race the most because I get to travel to places I've never been. I am able to take a glimpse of other people and their diverse cultures.

I also love Amazing Race because of Phil. He really does a very remarkable job of hosting the show. He exudes this down-to-earth and amiable attitude. Goodness! I love that smile. One word or make that two words: He's GAME! Remember that part when these two (2) gay friends poke fun with Phil. If I remember it corrrectly, Danny was so dirty and smelly when he chased Phil with the intention of giving him a hug.

So now, AR is back on air again. This race is on its 12th run.

There were 11 teams but as of now, 4 teams had been eliminated (as I had watched it). I'm so sorry that sisters Julianna and Marianna as well as Lorena and Jason were booted out so early. They were two of my favorites aside from the grandfather & grandson, black siblings tandems. I'm rooting for any of these two (2).

I kinda like the pink goths, too.

In the dislike category, I was pleased that Ari guy (gay) bowed out of the race early.

In the dislike-but-not-so-much category, I just don't like the blondes and that other couple team who also had difficulty with their donkey. Hehehe.

In the hate category, I'm really pissed with Ronald for treating his daughter Christina like that. He should shut up his mouth and do his part. He keeps on blah-blah on how to do this and that but doesn't exert an effort to assist his daughter when in fact, they are a team.

Neutral: the booted lesbos team and that of TK's.

Basta, I love AR no matter what. I am planning of collecting dvd copies of the race from its inception.

I will be watching the next episode (after Lorena and Jason were U-Turned by the blondes thus costing them their place in the race) later.

_____________________

Also ongoing is the Amazing Race Asia edition 2 wherein the Philippines has two (2) teams competing. I was so exhilarated when I learned that my crush Marc Nelson was in it. It was good to see a real sports person represent the country in this much talked about reality show.


I didn't know that his partner Rovil has such big bod. Hehehe. I thought he was somewhat smaller than Marc. I'll pity the pedicab driver if he rides in it.

Anyway, I got thrilled as they were when they learned that they would fly back to Manila for the task and the pitstop.

I kinda felt disappointed when I heard Marc asked where Fort Santiago was located. But then, I understood that not all Pinoy knew that considering he didn't grew up here.

The other Pinoy team is a couple. Sheesh. The woman is such an embarassment. Better watch it if you want to know what I'm blabbing about.

Aside from Marc and Rovil's team, I am also rooting for the beautiful bestfriends tandem - Paula and Natasha. They're so good and very pleasant

PS. This post is kinda belated. I still have to watch the rest of the episodes later. Hopefully today..

Dear Me,

Just as I was cleaning my Friendster inbox, I found this forwarded "article" amongst the never-read-and-no-time pile of messages.

I am glad to share this with newbie moms like moi as well as with other mothers out there. Read on:

A Newborn's Conversation With God

A baby asked God, 'They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?' God said, 'Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.'

The child further inquired, 'But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.' God said, 'Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy.'

Again the child asked, 'And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?' God said, 'Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.'

'And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?' God said, 'Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.'

'Who will protect me?' God said, 'Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.'

'But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.' God said, 'Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.'

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, 'God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.'

God said, 'You will simply call her, 'Mom.'

Dear Me,

Someone sent me an email message. I think it's from a girl based on the username she uses.

She said she wanted us to be friends and thought I was cool. She provided a link to her page but my gut told me not to click it.

It's either spam or porn. Yikes.

Dear Me,

Today is my mom's birthday! She's turning 59.

To my dear mother, Happy BIRTHDAY TO YOU! I may never tell or show how much I love you but I really do. I'm just not too showy about my emotions but I respect and love you. =)

Hope you have a blast today!


Thank you Mom
for all that you do
I know that my thanks
are far too few

I really do love you
I don't say that enough
For me those words
are real tough

I wish I could express
all that I feel
But for me you know
that's a big deal

Have a great day
I'm thinking of you
I hope that my feelings
are getting through


One of life's special gifts
is having a mother like you
Someone who makes me laugh
and lifts my spirit, too

Thank you for caring
and understanding me
Also for all the little things
you do so thoughtfully

I'm sending you this greeting
and a wish for joy and cheer
The greeting is for your birthday
the wish is for all year.

PS. poems are courtesy of things-to-say.com.

Dear Me,

One thing about blog-hopping is that I get to read other people's blogs: what they think, their perceptions and reactions over some things, how they write, learn about new stuff, know them as a person and a friend.

Another thing is getting freebies. Hehehe. I can't believe there are blogs that gives or points you to giveaways. =)

And so I joined...

Why? Because I would love to have the freebie for myself especially if it is something that I would really want to covet.

Wanna have the X-Files Complete Collector's Edition for free?

Regnard of Screensucked is giving away a special edition X-Files Season 4 DVD set made possible by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.


I've been a fan of this science-fiction tv series since college. Created by Chris Carter, this American Peabody and Emmy Award-winning show starring David Duchovny as Fox Mulder and Gillian Anderson as Dana Scully depicts their exploits investigating the paranormal. They act as FBI agents where Mulder is the believer while Scully is the skeptic.

Back then, I was rooting for a romantic liaison between the two. They were too perfect to be just completely platonic with each other. Hehehe.

To join, follow three (3) simple steps here.

Dear Me,

This is my 7th time to participate TNChick's Photohunt.


Started by her in March 2006, the Photohunt would present a theme every Saturday. Participants should post a photo that best represents the theme. Photos should come from the participant's personal collection and those not snitched from the web.





I'm reminiscing my very last mountain climb before I got pregnant.

Together with ATMC peepz, we scaled the Philippines' highest peak last December 2006. I can still recall the long way up passing through the boulders, sulfur vents, the dead crater...It was hard breathing while climbing the boulders because of thin air and the presence of sulfur.

I can't believe it's been a year now.

Have a great weekend!

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Dear Me,

It's kinda belated. I still want to let these two (2) special people in my life right now to know how much I love them. =)

To Papi Dex, (Dec. 4)

Just because you're past 30,
Don't despair, oh no
Overnight you won't discover
You've lost your get up and go.
Nor will you become all wrinkled,
Nor ache from head to toe.
So even though you're ripening
Don't regard it as a blow,
You won't suddenly look decrepit...

...'Cause that happened long ago!



and to my baby Carlos Miguel, (Dec. 5: his 2nd month)

Happy birthday, dearest one,
Sweet child of my heart!
We've become one family,
Of which you are a part.
And so I sing out equally...

PS. poems were quoted from here and here, respectively.

Dear Me,

Sharing these Garfield postcards.