i've always said i can't wait to grow older. not in a "i'm-rushing-to-be-older-and-more-mature" kind of way, but in an "i'm-not-afraid-to-grow-old" and "i'm-so-excited-to-see-what-life-has-in-store-for-me" way. they say that 30 is the new 20, 40 is the new 30, 50 is the new 40, and so on. i've always loved reading articles about older women who have such a strong sense of self, who have a treasure chest worth of experiences, and who just are so wise about life!
it is no question that everyone in their 20s feel like they go through some sort of "quarter life crisis", if that is an actual term. i think the anxiety that comes with being 20-something is more of because it is the age where you decide what you want out of life! whether it be in terms of career, love, friendship, where to live, where to travel to, whether to spend or save, what to do! waaaah!!!
there is so much anxiety that comes with being in your 20s! do you feel it too? know that you are not alone!
i saw this issue of in style magazine with cameron diaz on the cover, and in the article inside, she put it perfectly. when i read it, i knew instantly, this is the reason why i can't wait to turn 30. :p
"the experience of growing older is that you become more introspective. you learn who you are and what you want. when you're in your 20s, you have no idea what the hell's going on or who you are or how the world works. wisdom is really underrated. we are obsessed with youth, with physical youth, what we look like and what happens to our bodies as we get older. we forget what happens to our souls, our minds, and our actual human experience."
it is good to know though that i feel my family brought me up well enough, that i know i am growing older focusing not just on the physical but more so on the soul, mind, and actual human experience!
i am extremely blessed and happy and i never in my wildest dreams would've thought i'd be the person i am now that i'm 27. but.... i gotta be honest and say i do wonder what life will be like around three to five years from now! ♥
important announcement!!!!
celebrate my blog's anniversary with me! in connection to my post, i would like to invite all of you to SHARE YOUR INSPIRING GROWING UP STORY!!!! every september i celebrate my blog's anniversary and this year my blog turns seven years old!!!! seven!!!! how time flies. i would like to celebrate this year's blog anniversary by posting YOUR best lesson learned because of an experience that forced you to grow up! whether it be a life-changing job, a discovery, a break-up, an accident, a chance encounter, a major decision, anything! i would like you to share a major moment in your life that forced you to grow up, and the life lesson you learned because of it. i will read through all of them and share some on my blog anniversary post this september, so that your story can help inspire others going through something similar! post your story on the comments section below! i am sooo looking forward to reading your stories! ♥
58 Comments:
People sometimes do not realize that their first (or 2nd or whichever is the deepest) break-up is a life changing moment. some people carry it as a baggage, as something to be forgotten, something not worth turning their backs into. On the contrary, I took my first break-up as a lesson. Of course i went through all the pain and devastation and desolation. but thing is, after that, after i've gone through all the misery, i survived. and i believe i became a better person. i was young and i was scared to face realities in life. a break up is one slap in the face for those who think life is a fairytale. for some lucky ones, it is. but for me, i knew im not living in a whole new world.
I learned that God always has a plan, and that whatever happened in the past, though stays in the past, is always a learning experience. i learned how to love more-- towards the person you love and towards yourself. i learned that love isn't a compromise of your own being but a chance to become the best person for you and your love.
some people hate break-ups. what i learned is that after all the pain, i knew i grew up, more mature and even stronger. for everything in life, i came up with a simple understatement: no regrets. :)
Growing old is entirely different from Growing up. we grow old every year, that is for sure. whether we grow up as we grow old, that is something that we choose to do, when we are ready.
continue on inspiring people, superbianca. take care. :)
Mine's here
I am also a blogger for some time.
I got the chance to met you by the way, last year during the Purple Hunt Finale. And you're great! Was one of the Yahoo Purple Crew...:')
This made me admire you that much, when I saw your blog. Kudos to you!
here's my story:
I've been from a breakup for almost 5 years in relationship. The problem is that the family of my ex-boyfriend suddenly don't like me. I've been so close to them and when all of them migrated to the US except my ex, they changed. Until, one time, I give up 'cos I can't bear them anymore. And the most painful thing is that, my ex choose his family over me. And to think, I helped them in some way while processing their papers. Well, that's might life is......
for several times of crying alone, I just knelt unto GOD,asking him guidance and wisdom to just move on. Promising myself not to entertain anyone 'cos I'm not yet ready, and I don't wanna get hurt again. I got the time to be at church every Sunday, keeping myself busy. As short as 2 months, I totally moved on. I Thank God!
Then, until such time I met a guy and he became my fiancée'. hahaha!
God is so good!
Lesson: Even in the most downfall moment in our life, if we just talk to God for the best, then he eventually give it to us. Not exactly in the moment we wanted but in God's perfect time.
His guidance and protection is just AMAZING! --end---
More Power Bianca! God be with you all the time!
Regards,
Yanmehr
yes! i super feel it! i am in my early 20's right now.. 21 to be exact.. and there are lots of things i think of doing..
i am a fresh grad and expected to work and earn for myself. but, i'm not working right now, so the pressure is on! everyone is asking "may trabaho ka na ba?" and i was like, "wala pa".. i feel like everyone is on the rush with other peoples' lives..
i admit that after i graduated, i have a lot of plans.. i want to do this, do that, go there and there and there, have this, that and whatsoever.. it is all about "wants"..
but after a few months of break with the expectations of other people, and thinking about what life do i have right now and what life do i want to have after ten years.. everything is clear to me now.. i managed to know what i really want... not what they want me to be, but who i want to be..
i thank God and my parents for letting me, to be a part of an organization that caters for the needs of children with special needs.. in which i take care of two children with special needs for ten days without going home.. it makes me more mature and responsible as well as more sensitive with other people.. it is hard to be responsible with two person who are not related to you, but then it is fulfilling to accomplish the ten days and shared everything you have to those kids.. and the most special thing is I know in myself, that I made those two kids happy by letting them feel how it was to have a family.. to have a sister who takes care of you and look after you for at least ten days.. it was heart warming to feel their hugs and feel that they are thankful to have you even if they can’t say it directly.. I will never forget their smiles.. and because of that, i became more confident and sure of the path that i will walk through.. and that is, i want to continue volunteering and i want to become a SpEd Teacher one day.. and i'm on my second step right now to reach that goal..
i can say that i am blessed and thankful to have parents who supports me and let me have what i know what is right and good for me..
xoxo bee
Happy Anniv! I'll just make my story short. I'm 21 and 3 years ago I met this wonderful girl named Myra. I'm 3 years older than her. She was still in high school when I first met her. It started out as a bet that eventually grew deeper. By the way we're both girls. It was one hell of a roller coaster ride. Biggest enemy was our family and the society. It was great until I started lying and becoming more impatient because of our situation. It wasn't perfect but we had a blast. Eventually, she found someone new during our troubled times. Karma for me.
Now, I'm with someone new but she still holds the biggest part of me. It was her love that I was used to. How I wish totoo yung sa Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, sana ganun kadali magbura ng alaala. Pero hindi eh. I may be young but I know what I'm feeling for this girl will eventually carry on until I grow old. She was so patient, and I was so stupid coz I took her for granted. From strangers we came to strangers we go back. She changed a lot after our breakup and I blame myself for that kasi alam ko isa ko sa mga rason bakit naging ganun siya. But I can't do anything about it now coz we have our own lives. Like they say it's beautiful sadness. You don't really know what you've got til' it's gone. Never a day goes by that I don't think of her.
God has His ways talaga of showing us that when one part of your life falls apart there's another one that rises. After the incident, may good news, our papers came and I finally got to see my parents after 20 long years and my sister that I haven't even seen since she was born. I'm here in the US right now and every time na naiisip ko lahat ng nangyari, sinasabi ko na lang sa sarili ko na maybe it all happened accordingly. Maybe we had to let go of our love because I was leaving anyway. Maybe it's His way of saying na "I have something better for you," Which is finally being able to be with my family. Who knows, maybe it'll all work out for us someday. Change is constant and I learned it the hard way. By losing someone I love so much. What's important is that I learned something from it, make my life better so that it won't happen again and cherish every one in my life coz in a snap He can take them away from you.
To Myra,
Thank you for making me feel alive. I still and always will love you.
Anyway, I'm fifteen, and it's definitely the best year. When I was thirteen we had to move here to Canada. I strongly disagreed with the plan but I ended up going with the family anyways. It was a tough time. I mean, I just finished my first year in high school and I thought, man, this is life! High school is definitely the bomb! I just wish I could stay as a freshman forever! But it wasn't my fate. My fate met me here in Ontario, Canada. I had to grow up. Those really good times I had in the Philippines were like a chapter in a book. A good chapter. But I have to turn the page now. I don't have to close the book, I just have to turn the page. I've been reading a lot this summer and I've learned a heck of a lot of things. I've also started a journal a couple of days ago and as I read through them, I realized, man, I've matured! I grew up. I thought I could never ever let go of my childhood. Well, I didn't and I never will for it will always be in my heart but that doesn't mean that I have to live like that. I just have to start something new. Something fresh. There're just so many things in this life that're just sitting around the corner, we pass by them all the time but never really notice or acknowledge them. I mean, we've got to open our eyes and of course, our hearts. We've got to allow our hearts to wander around the pond and just admire the fish we never knew even existed. We musn't keep them forever locked in misery merely for the sake of safety. We are vulnerable and will always be vulnerable. It's a crazy world we live in, you know. And yes, life is painful, but we gotta embrace it. Embrace it while we can. After all, it's the most precious gift freely given by our Glorious One.
Wow! Who would've thought those words would come from me? :P
My name is Sam and I'm 20 years old. When I was 13, I was diagnosed with a disease called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, or SLE for short. It's an auto-immune disease and what it does is you know how our white blood cells are supposed to be the soldiers of our bodies who fight and destroy unhealthy cells that may have viruses and diseases? When you have SLE, your white blood cells destroy even the healthy cells causing any of your organs (as in ANY) to malfunction or worse, fail. In my case, my kidneys were the first one affected. SLE has no known cause and no known cure (yet! I like to believe someday, there will be).
It was all so stressful and frustrating. Everytime I'd get better, there'd be hope, only to be disappointed for countless times when SLE would strike back again. Like I said, it has no known cure yet so the best you can do is "deactivate" it. It was hard physically, emotionally and spiritually. While my friends are busy thinking about the perfect dress for prom, I found myself in the dark of my room, crying my heart out, asking "Why me, God?" I got mad at Him. There was a time when I got tired of praying 'cause it felt like He wasn't even listening. I doubted not only Him but my existence in this world. Why can't I just live a normal teenage life like my friends?
Later, I don't know how but I found myself suddenly seeking for Him. It felt like my soul was so thirsty for His presence. It was a struggle, but with guidance from my parents and a few trusted relatives and friends, I got closer to God. And slowly but surely, He increased my faith. He sent a lot of instruments of grace in my life -- even strangers! And then, slowly but surely, miracles were unfolding right before my very eyes.
I used to look at SLE as the biggest pest ruining my life and destroying my dreams. Now, I look at it as a gift. Can you believe it? The one thing that made me suffer so bad, I now see as a gift. Because SLE is something that God seemingly used to shake me, and tell me, "Sam, you're special. I'm going to use you someday, you're going to do many great things that will give your life utter joy and happiness. You're going to live a life of meaning."
God is awesome. He works in mysterious ways. Last year, I got sick and had to check how active my Lupus was. Guess what! I tested negative on SLE! Meaning, it is now inactive. Just one of the many miracles in my life! :)
Because of my journey with Lupus, I now have a different perspective in life and a better one, I hope. I now look at the world and see it in a different light. I have a vision and a mission in my life that I just can't wait to make happen.
So there you go. I know struggles and new challenges will still come, I mean it doesn't end there, does it? But I can say, I'm ready, I'm stronger and will keep growing stronger. I appreciate how in our life, we never really run out of opportunities to grow and take any given moment as a learning experience. :)
Happy 7th anniversary, superbianca!
P.S. This is totally long! Sorry about that! I hope I at least inspired you, Bianca! God bless you! :)
story that i wanted to share..
way back high school.. maybe for me it was just puppy love but for the guy, maybe it wasn't.. i had broke his heart so many times but never did he gave up on me..then time had come that we really had to part ways..
i admit, after high school i was just too in denial with the fact that i haven't moved on completely.. at times i wonder if he still thinks of me because i did and i had never stopped..
just this year, our paths had crossed...maybe it's a small world after all..right?!we've rekindled the friendship.. Some of our common friends were teasing me… saying I should win him back then I replied “unya na lagi kung sure na jud ko” (I just wanted to be sure this time. So let’s wait and see). days had passed then something’s bothering me and it was the thought of me being sure of what I truly felt towards him.. Then I made sure that im going to win him back, by hook or by crook. Yes, it did happen. We were like finally back into each other’s arms again… i was like, me and him forever together but not knowing that it was just for awhile…the pleasure of it really didn’t last that long. Yes, we parted again..We parted for our own sakes. It was a complicated thing because he had to face his responsibility with the other woman from his past. Yeah, I felt like i was an ice that been crushed to death.
It was painful, very very painful. there was one time that I wished to sleep and never wake up again but I realized, life must go on and I know, god has something better in stored for me.
Lesson learned: Be prepared of the consequences of your actions. if you’re given the chance to have it, never doubt, grab it right away, take care of it and especially, live with it as if it’s your last.
In friendship, what matters most is who will make it to the end with you.ü
Back when I was elementary,I've lived a simple life with my family in a rural area. I could say we are financially stable that time. We have many businesses and my parents could really manage to finance my 3 siblings who were all studying in college that time. Problems do exist but we could solve it as a family.
But one accident happened in our family in October 2005 which withdrew all the assets our parents have saved for us. I'm forced to work during my high school years to sustain my education. I received a scholarship from a private company but I still have to work to cover my living expenses. I go to school from 7 in the morning to 5 pm in the afternoon.I've got 1 hour to meet up with my organizations and extra-curricular affairs. By 6 pm, I need to travel for 1 1/2 hours to go for work.I have tutorial sessions with a high school student 36 kilometers from my high school. I finish tutorial by 10 pm. Walk to the house of my aunt where I am staying.Make assignments and study for 2 hours. And sleep by 12 midnight.The next day I have to wake up dawn at 5 am to prepare myself for school and travel the 36 kilometers for school in 2 rides.Then do the same routine for the rest of the weekend.
For others,weekends are family moments. But for me, weekend is my only rest time. But I never complain though, for I knew that there's a good plan ahead for me.What I only need to do is to strike a balance between my academics and my work.I maintained to be in the top of our batch and salutatorian in the graduation exercises.
Today, I still work and I'm now in my 3rd year in university taking up BS Chemical Engineering. I'm still active in school and consistently in the dean's list.
I know that in every day, there's a lesson that we learn. Even if we make the same mistakes in the past, maturity is the measure of how we are able to come up with rational decisions in the gray areas of our lives.
Our choices are reflective of how mature we are. The path that we are taking hones our inner maturity. In the end, you can choose to be mature or not. Life is a continuous learning process.
Funny, my friends and I were just talking about this. All my friends said that they still want to maintain their looks when they get older and I said, "When I'm older, I want to be wrinkly. I already spent my 20s caring about the way I look. I don't want to spend the next 20 years still doing that."
My story:
This experience, I barely talk about because...well...after 3 years, it's still painful. But because I never got to thank you for replying to my twitter post, here it is...
In Aug 2007 my grandmother passed away. Cardiac arrest. No warnings, not even a final goodbye. And for someone who hasn't seen her for 7 years, for someone who's just saved enough money for a suprise visit, the pain is indescribable.
It's not just losing someone you love, it's losing the person you love the most. Would I take it back if I had the chance to? Honestly, I would. But I also know that she's in paradise and what kind of person would I be if I took that away?
Painful as it was, I survived it. I thank God for giving me the strength when it felt like I had nothing left in me.
The best thing about painful experiences is when we realize that we're stronger, braver and smarter than we ever thought possible.
Adv. happy birthday! :) Here is my story. I'm currently 18 years of age. When I was just 12, things started to get bad between my parents. They were always fighting, and being the eldest of 3 sisters, I had the heavy task of explaining to my younger siblings why my parents shout, and blame each other. You see, my parents wed when they were 22, because I suddenly became a part of the picture. They were young then, and came from different family backgrounds - you could say that everyone is against their relationship. But they became married anyway. My mom came from a well-off family, while my dad didn't have money to continue to college. FF, my parents tried to continue putting up with each other, and as their child it was painful to see them drifting apart. They finally broke it off when I was 15, then my dad had to leave or else he wouldn't be allowed to see us again. And my mom, works as an OFW abroad. This became the hardest break life threw at me. I had to stand and be the parents of my two younger sisters at 15, while im in high school. It was very difficult to be like a parent when you yourself think like a child. My mom was far away, earning money for our expenses, while my dad was also away doing God knows what. It was a huge blow since my sisters are really young and I HAVE to take care of them. We have close relatives who check up on us once in awhile because we're all minors. But they don't really help us, and I have to do things myself. I learned the value of self-reliance at an early age, because practically, I couldn't ask help from even my relatives. I regularly take remittances abroad from my mother, and have to budget them monthly. I paid all the bills, maintained the houses, paid tuition fees, and shop for groceries. I cook the food for me and my sisters, learned how to wash clothes, and iron them. I bring my sisters to school and fetch them. And at home, I still have to help them with their lessons and homework. Late at night, I do my own homework. And I sleep for about less than 7 hours a night just so I can do all my responsibilities.
Somehow, I felt bad because I have to suffer the most from the breakup of my parents. I felt extremely jealous of my friends who'd have the liberty of going out and having fun, while I am always stuck at home babysitting my sisters. I don't have time for myself that everything became so unhealthy for me, I lost social skills and even my studies were compromised. I even thought of marrying myself away to some rich old man, just so I can free away from the burden of my responsibilities. But I loved my family so much, I decided to bear through it. And I loved my mother so much that I badly wanted to help her, and make things easier for her. Sometimes, I would cry because of financial problems or difficulty in managing things - and that is when I turn to my close circle of girlfriends for support. They always helped me even in tiny ways like doing the dishes. At least, they make me feel better because they understand me. When I was 15, I went to prom wearing a very beautiful gown my mother saved up for and purchased for me. I felt really good. When I was 16, I had a boyfriend and we're still together this day. He knows everything I've been thru and he continues to help me fulfill my tasks. Every year on my birthday, my girl friends will be there to celebrate with me. Since I can rarely go out, we hold movie marathons at our house and treat each other to junk foods as our bonding session. When I was 17, I got accepted into my dream university, and got excited about college.I realized that I didn't really miss out on youthful experiences. I still got to feel them like a teenager growing up. I felt normal now because I didn't really miss out on my childhood just because of early responsibilities. And I just turned 18 last July. Somehow, I really don't feel like I'm 18, I feel I am much more older than that, because my way of viewing the world changed and so did my values and priorities. But the significance of my 18th birthday is that, I learned to appreciate youth and life. I am so thankful to God for making me strong throughout the years, and he helped me appreciate life better because of the hard work. i feel like I wouldn't be as responsible and mature now, if not for my experience. As a former minor, I was so excited for my 18th birthday. It was a special turning point for me, that I am past my young years, and into the transition of being a young adult. I am proud to say that I have the strength of facing much more difficulty in the future. With the help of God, my family, my close knit of friends, and the people who helped me, I learned that problems wouldn't stay for I know I'll easily see answers and solutions due to the support of the wonderful people around me. :) And that is the most important life lesson I learned to date.
-raven. :)
I realized that I didn't really miss out on youthful experiences. I still got to feel them like a teenager growing up. I felt normal now because I didn't really miss out on my childhood just because of early responsibilities. And I just turned 18 last July. Somehow, I really don't feel like I'm 18, I feel I am much more older than that, because my way of viewing the world changed and so did my values and priorities. But the significance of my 18th birthday is that, I learned to appreciate youth and life. I am so thankful to God for making me strong throughout the years, and he helped me appreciate life better because of the hard work. i feel like I wouldn't be as responsible and mature now, if not for my experience. As a former minor, I was so excited for my 18th birthday. It was a special turning point for me, that I am past my young years, and into the transition of being a young adult. I am proud to say that I have the strength of facing much more difficulty in the future. With the help of God, my family, my close knit of friends, and the people who helped me, I learned that problems wouldn't stay for I know I'll easily see answers and solutions due to the support of the wonderful people around me. :) And that is the most important life lesson I learned to date.
Minsan lang kami magkaron ng pagkakataon na magsama-sama at makabisita sa ibang blog kaya susulitin na namin. Mahabang kwento 'to, ok lang tamarin magbasa.
"Growing up story" ni "Boss Chip"
Englishin ko para medyo cute, eto na... I used to not care about anybody but myself. I had close friends and a fun/quirky family that I loved, but I didn't let anyone penetrate my personal life deep enough to make me care if they (God forbid)disappeared from my life. I never knew how I became like that. It was just the way I was.
I had a habit of just suddenly "hybernating" in my room. Not to sleep, but to get away from other people. It was my way of recharging myself. It usually lasts about 2 to 3 months. Just going outside my room to eat. I would watch TV and DVDs, write compositions, and beef up my portfolio designing sample print ads. When I want the feel of having company, I "trip" on chatters on the net. When I say "trip" on chatters, what I mean is play stupid when talking with them. I wasn't a real chatter, I did it for the stupid reason of amusing myself. Yes, I know, I was a jerk. Little did I know that being a jerk would win me a good friend online.
It started out like every tripping session. They say "hi", I say "hi". They type in "ASL", I play stupid and ask "What's ASL?". They tell me "Age, Sex, and Location.", and I say "Ohhh, ok." and so on. They didn't get a single serious answer from me. I didn't want to flirt, and I wasn't interested on having a real conversation with anyone. But there was this one girl who was firing back at my sarcasm and stupid comments, and she just won't quit. I don't know how it happened but i found myself smiling at her remarks and comebacks. Eventually we got to know each other more and we told our real names to one another, but still no flirting or real serious talks. Just bantering and sharing opinions, almost a fun debate. There were no moments of silence since I would just say "BOOM!" whenever there was dead air during our talk. It was a first time for me to enjoy talking with someone on the net. There was a moment that I wondered what that girl looked like but the thought just went away. We didn't exchange pictures like the typical chatter did. It just seemed inappropriate at the time. She found out that I write compositions, and asked if she could see one. I told her I'll show her one the following day because I didn't have my files on the computer that I was using. She didn't believe me, but I told her "May isang salita ako." (A phrase that would bite me on the butt later on) Our conversation ended very platonic. I told her it was surprisingly pleasant talking to her. She told me I was an OK person but still a jerk, then we said our goodbyes. Even though it was obvious that we enjoyed talking with each other, there were no exchange of email addresses, phone numbers, or any contact infos. It was just left like that. I didn't go back online to chat again after that time.
---continuation on next pace. Hindi kinaya ng comment box.
May you continue to blog well pass the age of 30. lol
Before, they say that it’s really hard getting to know a friend if the person is linked in showbusiness. They say that most of them are just plain ‘plastic’ to get more fans and to make them more ‘sikat’. I was thinking that maybe somewhere, there’s this one person who’s still on the ground and maybe be friends with me. And in 2004 I was right. This was a humbling experience for me. You responded to my email and was like excited to have a friend from Cebu. I was really taken aback. Wow, it’s like why did she reply to me when I’m just a plain nobody. But then again, you can’t always judge a person straight away specially when the person is from showbiz. And the rest was history. Watching Y Speak in the wee hours of the night…and watching your career grow. At least I can say that I have a friend from showbiz who I really met from Day 1. Take good care of yourself and God bless! Stephen
Ean ko pero feeling ko break-ups really make you grow up, kahit ayaw mo pa, required ata na agmature ka after a break up.haha.
Well, mine happened a year ago. :) My 2-year relationship ended because pinagpalit ako sa isang kaibigan. It was difficult because kung sinong friend ng ex ko, friends ko din.
I had to leave our org because I just couldn't stand it. It was extremely depressing because I really thought that I was alone, but good thing that I was able to read your blog and your posts about your relationship with GoD, so ayun, it inspired me to be closer to Him and with that, nagfocus ako on other things like career, studies, and of course, myself.
I also realized that there is life after a very very bad break breakup. I'm not rushing. I'm only 20 so I'm still enjoying singlehood. But still, even if my experience would have been enough to make me jaded about love, i'm happy it didn't. I'm still that hopeless romantic searching for "the one."
I've turned 23 last february. Happy 7th Anniversary to your blog, ive been reading it since 2006 and im enjoying it at the same time it gives me lessons in life through your experiences.
I've had this experince that made me grow as an individual.
I've been diagnosed of having disease.
Back then, i was just a happy-go-lucky teenager, i just eat whatever i want, i dont exercise, a sedentary lifestyle.
Because of my condition, i've realized that, i'ts time for me to be responsible for taking care of myself, be considerate of what i eat, and do everything that can make my body healthy.
That's it. thank you for reading my post.=)
But no matter how scary it is to fall in love, loving someone is still worth all the risks.
I was also forced to grow up when I went to college and stayed in a dormitory. I am an only child and I was used to having the room all to myself. I was forced to fend for myself because no one else will do that for me, you know, being away from home and everything. At sixteen, I learned to live away from the comforts of my own home. I learned to mingle with different kinds of people. I learned to stand firm on my convictions. I learned to survive on my own. Would you believe that I didn't know how to commute? When I was a freshman at UST isang way lang ng jeep ang alam kong sakyan. I cried when sa Dapitan ako ibinaba at hindi sa Espana, yun pala pwede din dun, toinks!
Now, at twenty one (I'll be twenty two on September) I'm happy to say that I'm ready to take on more challenges. Parang spikes lang ng kalaban sa Volleyball. Lakasan mo pa! Bring it on! =)
Tittle: pretending to be adult
A response post to superbianca.blogspot.com
Hi Bianca, I’m Yuli. I graduated college at 19, became a licensed professional at 20, and currently having my so-called superhero training in one of the hospitals of the country that cater the largest number of patients.
It was around 2 months ago when I was still an ordinary human creature. I sleep late, wake up lake, eat brunch, surf the net, movie marathons, then sleep late, wake up late again… it was a cycle of worry and stressless lifestyle. A Bum Life! Things were so simple.
Everything changed when I started to save lives and joined this hospital training. I have to wake up before the sun shines and be very mindful on how I spend my 24hours. When I step in the hospital, it was like there’s a transfiguration in my whole being (like how cars transform into robots in Transformers). At 20, I am forced to act like a real adult. In my career, there is no space for weak links, no errors should be committed, I have to work efficiently and accurately, in short…close to perfection.
There were couple of times when I witness people fighting for their last breathes, there were also some instances when I need to comfort patients who were informed that there’s no cure for their illness and they just have to wait for their doom. I’ve also seen some people crying their lungs out as doctors pronounce that their loved ones already left them. In my head, I would ask myself, What in the world is going on? Isn’t it, it was just few months ago when I was so carefree? And in a sudden, I’m standing on the real world, pretending to be adult, compressing chest to assist the heart on pumping blood, teaching parents how to take care of their sick children, inserting needles on veins for fluids, and during my free time I still have to read about the medical cases that I encounter and familiarize the medicines that I give. This whole situation is frenzy, It's emotionally, physically and intellectually challenging. But this is how I choose my life to be. Although I agree to you that at 20’s, were confuse on what we really want in life. I myself want to do a lot of things too, like pursuing photography, writing books, travel the world and study philosophy. I think, when you decide do something, you really have to make a commitment to stand by to that decision, no matter what it takes. I decided to become a superhero, and if I have to grow up fast to become a hero, then I will.
Life can teach us lessons in brutal or weird way. God does not throws things on us that he knows we can’t surpass. So whenever were on a plight, I believe we are still blessed. We should keep thinking positive because for sure, he is preparing us for something better and greater out there.
The whole/continuation of the story is here--> http://www.mgaepal.com/2010/08/share-to-inspire.html
Great interview with Mariel a while ago, by the way.
So here's my growing up story. It was basically about making the biggest decision of my life.
March 1, 2010: Got hired by the Philippine General Hospital. It was one of those I have to take this job because I have nowhere else to go to kind of thing. So there I was, praying everyday that the Lord will sustain for the 3 long years that I will stay there. Two weeks into the job and I just realized: THIS IS NOT THE THING I WANT TO DO FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. LET ALONE FOR THE NEXT 3 YEARS.
I had to analyze and re-analyze. I thought that maybe since it was only a few weeks into work, baka I was just stressed out and adjusting. But I realized, no! It all has everything to do with love and passion. I was not happy because this was not the career I love. I was limited. It was hard for me to excel because I knew that my heart belonged to an entirely different career. So I had to decide. Shall I leave a demanding yet high-paying job, risk the ire and disappointment from my parents who were already very clear from the start that they were against me pursuing Law School or follow my heart and live with passion?
May 1, 2010. That was the end of Labor Day for me. I resigned and pursued my dream of becoming a lawyer. And as they say I have never been happier.
That is my grown-up moment.
Foregoing a job that paid well but would be a misery because it is not something I love and going after my passion.
They say when you are not willing to die for your dream then maybe it is not for you, it's true. 2003, the day I entered UP was the day I realized I wanted to be a lawyer. 2010: This is me doing what I want. FINALLY.
I was trying to sum up my 21 year life into a few words and this is what I came up with. After re-reading it for the nth time, I felt that I've grown. In as much as I am still a brat and in as much as I choose to go things my own way, I have learned the very essence of limitation. And maybe today, I really am 21. I never wanted to age. A lot of times I felt 16 was just perfect and how I wished I stayed 16 forever. And then you get through college. And then you graduate and then you become something, if not now, at least soon. Growing up is something I dreaded to come. Maybe because the comforts of the ideal teen life sets everything in the right place. Thinking about the simple things that make you feel that it is the end of your world and all of a sudden you realize that the stupid of all things are those that you worry about.
There was nothing in this world that I did not want to happen other than just being happy. The thing about being young is that you want every day of your life to be a fairytale in disguise. Even the minute of all actions make you want to be sure that everything will be fine. Yesterday, it was all about the "in" shoe and how having it depended your life on it.
But today is a very different story.
Nothing really happened out of the ordinary. It just takes one waking moment and you realize you take things in a different and much deeper perspective. All the while, I realized that the biggest troubles and dilemma I go through make me very much fulfilled and contented. Whenever I am under the heat of all pressures, my heart screams for more pain as I feel that every form of failure and hardship makes everything better. Today, I feel blessed when I know I am not able to buy something. I feel utmost contentment when I am going through something painful. I feel complete and safe for the many tears I have shed. At most times, I know that every time I am in a lot of trouble, I am bound to be happy after. I am destined to be victorious one way or the other.
The many the problems, the better and happier I become. Such twisted form of belief. Yeah, I know. But with this belief, I feel that life has matured me a thousandfold. The many times people are in the state of darkness, they look up and say, "Why me?" -- as for me, I let out a deep sigh of relief and thank God for the possibility of an upcoming form of happiness.
The wheel is a round one all the time. One time you're down, but you're destined to go up after, one way or the other. It takes a lot of maturity to accept the things that come to us unarmed and it even takes another ounce of maturity to accept the painstaking effects of some aspects of our life. But with it, I am fully satisfied. At least I am assured that the sun will shine.
Hey, no pain, no gain. :)
Like when the time I first loved; I was the happiest, yet when some things aren’t meant to be, hearts get broken, and is beyond repair. You find yourself going home, because your heart knows where it came from. It was the first time in the longest time I ever thought of Him again, and there I gave Him my broken heart; isn’t it ironic? All he asked was for me to be weak so He could repair it. And there I was, newly upgraded and made whole. Ready to explore the world again… I was looking for something I couldn't find so I went to search in the wrong places. I was living a wasted life. But during a time, where I was running away from Him, he caught up with me and took me as His own. In the darkest moment of my life, where I’ve done a thing I’m not proud of, He took me and never let me go. For me this was what they call the U-turn moment in one’s life.
In that U-turn I forced to grow up and own up to my mistakes, and the same time surrender because nothing I could do can erase whatever I did. But still in my darkest hour I was loved. The very thing that I was chasing for was the one chasing after me. Two years passed since that glorious moment, it still the same love that I am holding unto… the same love that hugs me when I’m down, the love that washes me when I am dirty. A lesson I learned in my life is I can never be perfect and life is never perfect because it’s not supposed to be. We all make mistakes that leave us with scars. But I’ve learned those scars are not reminders of our defeat but a feature of our success, and one day those scars will shine like the stars. In Him each day is a new beginning, All we need to do is KEEP MOVING FORWARD.
Who is He you may ask? You know Him very well. You introduced Him to me. Can’t you remember? Okay, let me remind you. It was right here on your very blog.
“but there is only one thing that can heal all things broken. our LoRd and personal savior, JeSus ChRisT. when your heart is peaceful, give thanks. when your heart is troubled, still give thanks and ask for deliverance. when your heart is shattered into a million pieces, still give thanks, and ask that you may learn whatever life lesson it is that He wants you to learn. in both high and low, give thanks, because it is one of the surest things in life that GoD only works for the good of those who love Him.” http://superbianca.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html
I would like to take this opportunity to Thank You Bianca. Whenever I get lost, I always search for your entry “diary of a broken heart” Little did you know that you introduced me to Him, and changed my life forever. My heartfelt thanks! The least I could do is to share “our” love story with you. Keep touching Lives! God Bless You.
I started my own blog to help me express myself and maybe realize that I can do other things in this business besides the production side. Writing blogs also help me learn things about me and my closes friends didn't know about me. One of my friends realized that there is a possibility that I can write a book. She told me that after reading one of my blogs, she didn't know that I want to write a book and I told her that I didn't either until I reread what I wrote.
Another thing is when I spend time with other people aside from people that I regularly see everyday of my life. I have another friend that helped me see how other people see me. Personally, I know I like sports, but didn't know that I'm athletic. My athleticism was pointed out to me by telling me that I can't sit still for a long period of time, they noticed that I can throw a football, shoot basketball, etc. much better than they could; I'm always out doing something every time they call me. They tell me I can handle certain activity or workout regime cause I'm kind of athletic. I was also told that I'm conservative. I thought I was just a late bloomer, which I kind of as well as a conservative.
Writing blogs and hanging out with other people help me welcome the other personalities that I have and didn't know I have or that's been buried deep within me. I now know I can do things that I'm afraid to do or try and express my feelings.
That's my growing up and learning experience.
HAPPY 7th ANNIVERSARY! Your blog is just the sweetest! :)
i saw you s samsung metrowear s the fort this year with ms mikaela (who is super pretty too like you :) ) pero hindi nako nagkachance na magsay hi to you e..(me and my gfs kc were busy that time..hehe, hunting those Brazilian models.. haha joke lng.) then nong aug1 s airport.. pauwi na sa pinas galing sg. we have the same flight.. nasa unahan lng pala kita.. haha. i was the the smiled and said hi to you nong nagaabang ka ng baggage mo.. u wore big glasses p nga e pero i recognize you padn xempre.. haha
anyways,
happy 7th anniversary to ur blog. :) keep inspiring me and others.
I feel that I am blessed enough to know, as early as 23 years old, what my passions in life are. After becoming a CPA and worked my ass off in a multi-national company, I realized that I wasn't happy doing just that. My passion really is 'service' and there my true happiness resides. After almost working for 2 years, I decided to resign from work to become a Jesuit volunteer (without any salary) and to use my knowledge and skills towards something I am passionate about. I was assigned as an Accountant of a Mangyan (Indigenous Peoples) organization at Oriental Mindoro. My main task was to train them on how to manage their financial resources since none of them was a professional. For a year, I was with them and really immersed with their community and way of life. From that life-changing experience, I realized my call to serve the underprivileged like them. They inspired me to take up Bachelor of Law to further enhance my knowledge and skills and eventually help them with their plight due to the injustices they are experiencing in relation to their ancestral domains such as mining.
Together with this call, I am also a college professor in a university where I am able to inspire students of my experiences and hopefully to influence them to realize their own dreams and passions.
I also love to travel! I live by the famous line I have seen in a bag tag: "Live well. Love much. Travel often." <3
First of all I thought you might like this since you mentioned you can't wait to become 30. http://www.futureme.org/
- send an email to your future self when you turn 30. I wrote my letter on my future self to be received on 2015 =)
Anyways here's my growing up experience I would like to share with you guys.
I was 22 in year 2004, it was my first time to work in a call center. Suddenly my supervisor told me that I have to transfer to a different account. I was scared like a little mouse because of the sudden change, I cried and I ask him if he doesn't value me anymore, and this is what he told me. " I am not your father nor your brother to pamper you. If there is a change, you need to adjust and adapt." It may be a hard punch in my gut but up until now I always carry with me what he said about accepting changes. Yes, sometimes there is a gradual change that happens in our lives, other times it will be fast and will leave us no choice but to accept it with a brave heart. Right now, I am happy with my position in the job and I've also finished another course ;) Had I insisted to stay on that account and defy my supervisor I guess, I won't be able to share with you this growing up experience ;)
Cheers!
- nightshade
Grabe it's been 7 years na pla since i started reading your blog..how time flies tlga..Marami din tlga akong natutunan from your entries...
"Live as if your were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. -- Gandhi"
guiding lines ko on how to handle all kind of situation in life, isa lang natutunan ko tlga in my 25 wonderful years dito sa earth, lahat may dahilan si God sa mga pangyayari sa buhay just leave it to him and all will go smoothly, face your problems, kasi hndi naman yan binigay ni God kung hndi mo kaya e...Basta wala ka lang tatapakang tao, all will be good. End your everyday with a smile and
appreciation prayer that you made the day and ask for strength to face the beautiful upcoming days.
More Power to YOU!!<3
But I guess God has a different plan. In May 2010, he broke up with me stating that I pressured him to get married. I was broken in a million pieces and there were days when I felt like I will crumble in a heap if I stand up. I mean, I wasn't even pregnant and I am too young to pressure anyone to marry me.
Anyway, today almost 3 months after the break-up, life was completely different but I got a taste of what I missed out on while I was in the relationship. I also figured out how I lost too much of myself while I was with my ex for 3 and a half years. The ultimate life lesson I learned is that we have to bend ourselves in accordance to God's plan. I believe that the engagement happened for a reason other than me actually getting married. I feel like God made it happen so that I will learn my lessons that will prepare me for my ultimate happy ending. =) We are all, after all, works in progress.
I'm 37yo and i don't feel my age,i feel like i'm still at my early 20's,tumigil kasi ako mgbilang ng age mula nung nag 18 ako kaya tuloy minsan pg may ngtanong na sa kin ng age ko nalilimutan ko na at di ako makasagot agad...
the moment in my life that forced me to grow up is when i got pregnant at the age of 24,i was shocked,i don't know what to do,i just go with the flow of what will happen next. mga magulang at mga tita ko ang ngdecide na ipakasal kami ng boyfriend ko (my hubby now),wala talaga kaming alam gawin kundi sumunod lang sa kanila kasi hindi rin talaga namin alam kung ano ang gagawin namin...luckily my mother is still alive at that time,she's always beside me the time i delivered my 1st baby,she helped me in everything,nagtatrabaho ako sya ang ngaalaga ng baby ko...
ngayon dalawa na ang anak ko at malalaki na sila,my daughter is turning 13 this coming december and my son is turning 10 this coming september...actually wala namang nakakatakot sa edad,it's just a number ika nga...just feel young as you are everyday di mo mafefeel na ganon na pala ang edad mo...
despite the troubles at home, i tried hard to make my life right. I even managed to excel in class, graduating top of my class and was able to receive a scholarship to sustain my college education. I choose to do what is right even if at times I really want to rebel and give up. I did all these in the hopes that God will grant me my fervent wish.
I had my first relationship after college. he was from another religion. it came to a point that he had to choose between me and his beliefs. and he chose the latter. he asked me to convert to their religion instead. I was about to do it but in my heart I was not happy. and so, after 3 years of being a couple we call it quits. it broke my heart. I was so depressed at that time that I decided to be a bum for 6months. my dream of having a family vanished in thin air. and it hurts so badly.
I went into another relationship on the rebounds. but that too was not going anywhere. I realized it was the dumbest mistake I’ve ever committed. and so after almost a year of living in the dark, I’ve decided to fight back. I went back to school; got a job as a teacher and renew my relationship with God. it was then that I came across Bo Sanchez book How to find your one true love. That was dec.15, 2006.
fast forward to 2008, I met my husband to be. there was no initial attraction on our first meeting but from the first time I saw him I knew he is the ONE. as we get to know more about each other, I noticed he possessed all the uncompromisable qualities Bo was referring to in the book. although there was no formal courtship that took place, we just grew more into each other as time goes by. and I realized I love him more than I loved any boy in my life.
and so on February 5, 2009, I had my fervent wish came true. I said I do to the man who will make my wish a reality. as of the moment, Marlon and I are still living the kind of married life I have been working, fighting and wishing for in my life. we are so blessed that on Dec. 6, 2009 we have our early Christmas wish granted- ANDRE FRANCIS.
When I broke up with my first boyfriend, I thought that all my efforts were in vain. That God is not listening to my call. yet, now as I look back He was just only telling me that He is my biggest santa claus. He grants me my wish and more. I just have to believe, hold on to my faith and leave all my hopes unto His hands- He will definitely answer.
tnx bianca for inspiring many people by your blogs. happy 7th bday to your blog. by the way, i was also 27 when i had my wish granted...
I wanted to share my story with you. December 2007 when my life changed, my boyfriend of 5 years proposed and we were to get married October 2008. It was the happiest moment of my life. fast Forward to 2008, I got married went on my honeymoon and had fun. i was feeling that God blessed me so much, but then a week after i came back from my honeymoon, my dad told us that he was diagnosed with throat cancer...from then on sadness and disbelief was all i can think of, "what if he dies? "He was too young to die - 62"? My dad then started his treatment Dec of 2008 - he had a tracheostoomy put in , started chemo and radiation at the same time. By this time I realized - " This is really happening". The treatment really took a toll to my family because my dad looked exhausted and weak all the time but amidst all of that my dad kept on smiling, telling his funny jokes, emailing his friends and family and doing what he did best having the time of his life. Treatment lasted for 6 weeks, the last day of treatment my dad rang the infamous bell at the radiation center to proudly say he's done with his treatment... another milestone for us...I was happy... But.. two days after we had to rush him to the hospital for pneumonia, then a few days passed he bled and his heart stopped. I though he was gone - but as the Doctor said i was going to stop doing cpr but then we got a pulse. "it was a miracle" My dad survived for a month and a half.. My family were at the hospital every single day, clinging to small miracles everyday... But then March 17, 2009 - cancer free and still at the hospital my dad passed. It was the most unbearable pain a person can ever experienced.
That day made me grow up, it made me realized that life is indeed short and how important family and friends to your life. Losing someone that was responsible for molding you makes you understand that the reason he was strict with you when you were growing up is to prepare you for the time that he can't be there anymore to do it - and that he knows everything he taught you will be with you forever and will make you a better person. One thing I will miss about my dad - is my dad being just himself - the man who was contented with his life, and that all he did was not for himself but for his family. lastly, I wanted to share to you a small display i bought that summed up everything i felt for my dad "Dad's greatest gift he gave me was to believe in me".
*I am really glad i wrote this , it made me cry writing this but it was a relief sharing it to you. :o). thanks!
despite the troubles at home, i tried hard to make my life right. I even managed to excel in class, graduating top of my class and was able to receive a scholarship to sustain my college education. I choose to do what is right even if at times I really want to rebel and give up. I did all these in the hopes that God will grant me my fervent wish.
I had my first relationship after college. he was from another religion. it came to a point that he had to choose between me and his beliefs. and he chose the latter. he asked me to convert to their religion instead. I was about to do it but in my heart I was not happy. and so, after 3 years of being a couple we call it quits. it broke my heart. I was so depressed at that time that I decided to be a bum for 6months. my dream of having a family vanished in thin air. and it hurts so badly.
I went into another relationship on the rebounds. but that too was not going anywhere. I realized it was the dumbest mistake I’ve ever committed. and so after almost a year of living in the dark, I’ve decided to fight back and get out of the pit I am in. I went back to school to get my masters; got a job as a teacher and renew my relationship with God. it was then that I came across Bo Sanchez book “How to find your one true love”. That was dec.15, 2006.
fast forward to 2008, I met my husband to be. there was no initial attraction on our first meeting but from the first time I saw him I knew he is the ONE. as we get to know more about each other, I noticed he possessed all the non-negotiable qualities Bo was referring to in the book. although there was no formal courtship that took place, we just grew more into each other as time goes by. and I realized I love him more than I loved any man in my life.
and so on February 5, 2009, I had my fervent wish granted. I said I do to the man who will make my wish a reality. as of the moment, Marlon and I are still living the kind of married life I have been working, fighting and wishing for in my life. we are so blessed that on Dec. 6, 2009 we have our early Christmas wish granted- ANDRE FRANCIS.
when I broke up with my first boyfriend, I thought that all my efforts to be good were in vain. that God is not listening to my call. yet, now as I look back He was just only telling me that He is my biggest santa claus. He grants me my wish and more. I just have to believe, hold on to my faith and leave all my hopes unto His hands- He will definitely answer. And He did granted me my fervent wish.
tnx bianca for inpiring many people through your blogs and happy 7th anniversary.by the way, i was also 27 when i had my wish granted.
Full story here: http://roniflores.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-dad-should-have-been-58-years-old.html
By the way, my blog is called "The Diary of a Super Girl"...Quite similar to yours, but I know nauna ka :D
God bless and more power!
Ciao,
Roni
I wanted to share my story with you. December 2007 , I was 27 when my life changed, my boyfriend of 5 years proposed and we were to get married October 2008. It was the happiest moment of my life. fast Forward to 2008, I got married went on my honeymoon and had fun. i was feeling that God blessed me so much, but then a week after i came back from my honeymoon, my dad told us that he was diagnosed with throat cancer...from then on sadness and disbelief was all i can think of, "what if he dies? "He was too young to die - 62"? My dad then started his treatment Dec of 2008 - he had a tracheostoomy put in , started chemo and radiation at the same time. By this time I realized - " This is really happening". The treatment really took a toll to my family because my dad looked exhausted and weak all the time but amidst all of that my dad kept on smiling, telling his funny jokes, emailing his friends and family and doing what he did best having the time of his life. Treatment lasted for 6 weeks, the last day of treatment my dad rang the infamous bell at the radiation center to proudly say he's done with his treatment... another milestone for us...I was happy... But.. two days after we had to rush him to the hospital for pneumonia, then a few days passed he bled and his heart stopped. I though he was gone - but as the Doctor said i was going to stop doing cpr but then we got a pulse. "it was a miracle" My dad survived for a month and a half.. My family were at the hospital every single day, clinging to small miracles everyday... But then March 17, 2009 - cancer free and still at the hospital my dad passed. That day when everyone was crying and was devastated i had to be strong eventhough i am experiencing the most unbearable pain a person can feel, because being the eldest i have to step up and take responsibilities for all the arrangements to take away the burden from my mom.
My dad's passing made me realized that life is indeed short and how important family and friends are to your life.It also reaffirmed my faith to God - that miracles no matter how small they are happens.
Losing someone that was responsible for molding you makes you understand that the reason he was strict with you when you were growing up is to prepare you for the time that he can't be there anymore to do it - and that he knows everything he taught you will be with you forever and will make you a better person. One thing I will miss about my dad - is my dad being just himself - the man who was contented with his life, and that all he did was not for himself but for his family. lastly, I wanted to share to you a small display i bought that summed up everything i felt for my dad "Dad's greatest gift he gave me was to believe in me".
*I am really glad i wrote this , it made me cry writing this but it was a relief sharing it with you. :o). thanks! Again happy anniversary!!!
i'm an avid follower of your blog. you serve as an inspiration. i would like to share some of the lessons i learned over the summer. currently, i am in florida working as a middle school teacher...thank you for this opportunity..God bless you...
summer ... things i've learned, discovered and re-discovered
a very special and dear friend of mine told me to always be happy and that life is too short to sulk...what if i'm sad or depressed or stressed or just plain out of it, i retorted...he said, sleep... i laughed... but his words hold the truth. sometimes, life need not be taken too seriously because it will take care of itself.
it's amazing how changes can dramatically change and transform one's life. rainer maria rilke struck right through the core when he wrote one moment your life is a stone in you, and the next, a star. so, here are the things that summer lovingly bestowed on me, bejeweled moments, traveling, food, wine, laughter, joy, culture & arts, friendship, family, the unknown and so many more...
traveling
travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind. ~seneca
i've always loved traveling. i grew up a nomad. a new scenery, experiencing unfamiliar places, trudging unknown paths enrich me. it's like a whole new world opens up right before your eyes. it's an endorphin for the soul. one thing i've learned though is to always note the time difference between states because you might be left behind by your plane while you line up waiting for your cafe mocha in starbucks. lastly, travel light and always have a good book for company.
food
food is an adventure. food is best enjoyed with friends and loved ones. food is an art. food beckons like a lover... :) i can eat food and still talk about food...
mass transportation
i can give up my car anytime of the day for mass transportation. i had an amazing experience when i took the subway in L.A. on my way to the library. mass transportation does not only move people, it is also a way to make a connection with people even if for just a fleeting moment. on that day, a woman was sitting beside me and she was so enamored with the scent i had on that she even took out her small notebook and pen from her purse then asked me to write it down for her. she barely spoke english but i understood her right away. that was a nice suprise. i know there are concerns about safety and efficiency as well but it can work...europe is a prime example and the philippines too...but that will be for another blog...
family
family is like eating a selecta's double-dutch chocolate ice cream on a gloomy day. they make you feel soooo good, loved and cared for. they say what you treasure is where your heart is. my treasure is my family. my treasures are my friends.
the self
i realized that there are times when one need not respond or act immediately to a particular situation. pause. rewind. pause again. pause some more. ultimately, the wisest decision or the right choice will dawn on you which would have not come if you were in a haste.
happiness is always within reach. one must be open and allow it to enter. neither the past nor the future exists, now is what we only have...
a very special and dear friend of mine told me to always be happy and that life is too short to sulk...what if i'm sad or depressed or stressed or just plain out of it, i retorted...he said, sleep... i laughed... but his words hold the truth. sometimes, life need not be taken too seriously because it will take care of itself.
it's amazing how changes can dramatically change and transform one's life. rainer maria rilke struck right through the core when he wrote one moment your life is a stone in you, and the next, a star. so, here are the things that summer lovingly bestowed on me, bejeweled moments, traveling, food, wine, laughter, joy, culture & arts, friendship, family, the unknown and so many more...
traveling
travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind. ~seneca
i've always loved traveling. i grew up a nomad. a new scenery, experiencing unfamiliar places, trudging unknown paths enrich me. it's like a whole new world opens up right before your eyes. it's an endorphin for the soul. one thing i've learned though is to always note the time difference between states because you might be left behind by your plane while you line up waiting for your cafe mocha in starbucks. lastly, travel light and always have a good book for company.
food
food is an adventure. food is best enjoyed with friends and loved ones. food is an art. food beckons like a lover... :) i can eat food and still talk about food...
mass transportation
i can give up my car anytime of the day for mass transportation. i had an amazing experience when i took the subway in L.A. on my way to the library. mass transportation does not only move people, it is also a way to make a connection with people even if for just a fleeting moment. on that day, a woman was sitting beside me and she was so enamored with the scent i had on that she even took out her small notebook and pen from her purse then asked me to write it down for her. she barely spoke english but i understood her right away. that was a nice suprise. i know there are concerns about safety and efficiency as well but it can work...europe is a prime example and the philippines too...but that will be for another blog...
family
family is like eating a selecta's double-dutch chocolate ice cream on a gloomy day. they make you feel soooo good, loved and cared for. they say what you treasure is where your heart is. my treasure is my family. my treasures are my friends.
the self
i realized that there are times when one need not respond or act immediately to a particular situation. pause. rewind. pause again. pause some more. ultimately, the wisest decision or the right choice will dawn on you which would have not come if you were in a haste.
happiness is always within reach. one must be open and allow it to enter. neither the past nor the future exists, now is what we only have...
i'm an avid follower of your blog...you serve as an inspiration...currently, i am in florida working as a middle school teacher...thank you for this opportunity of sharing lessons we've learned...i had to divide my story in two parts because it was too large... :) God bless you.
This experience taught me a lot of things. I, being the eldest child in the family, had to be the one to be strong for my mother, and my two siblings. I remember, I only cried two times during the wake of my father, not because I didn’t love my father, but because I knew I had to be the strong one. I think I assumed the role of being the pillar of strength for my family. This experience also taught our entire family to “grow up” in a sense that we had to be stronger for each other, and be able to go through and overcome the pain of our loss. Each of us had to take our own responsibilities within the family, that my father would have normally had done for us. I, for one, have to work hard, to be able to support my family financially. Losing my father was one of the most painful things I had to go through in my life, and I still carry that pain every day. But behind the pain, I am somewhat grateful, for it taught me a lot of lessons in life, like taking responsibility, and being strong for my family.
my growing up story. bow.
i'm 22 and have been working for more than 2 years now in manila. i hail from Cagayan de Oro. i really couldn't imagine how i sort of survived graduating at 19, flying to manila a month after to try my luck in the corporate world, turned 20 alone, and now spending, thriving, living my life on my own! it definitely wasn't easy. my bestfriends then were my unlimited phone line (to talk to my folks back in CDO and my boyfriend who was in Davao), cup noodles (i couldn't cook decent food then :P) and my manila map (getting lost and fooled around by manila taxi drivers were part of my growing up xp :) but thanks to my occassional reading of your blog, seeing you at some events, reading my fave teen mag (i still think i'm a teen at times), mall hopping, eating at places we don't have back in CDO...these things keep me sane.
so, congratulations on your blog's anniversary! :D this is the Lucky 7! btw, my boyfriend is now here in Manila also. so its love love love! happy happy happy!
Happy 7th Year Anniversary to your blog.
Here's my "growing-up experience" in life:
I guess overcoming my break-up with my first-ever girlfriend was the growing up experience for me.
As a gentle, profound and hopeless romantic like me :), I've always treasured my firsts in this life: my first girlfriend, my first date, and of course my first kiss. It may sound gay, but for me my firsts were so special.
So having this mentality, I let pass a lot of nice and pretty girls thinking that there's better to come.
So came my first girlfriend. I really thought she would be my first and last. I did my best for the relationship but there were painful things that made me realize I'm with the wrong girl. But I still hoped for the best for us and remained with her, faithful to the magical sense of being my first.
But things really came to the limit. She left me for another guy.
That was so painful.
But I have to love myself and accept things, and hope for the best. This experience shook the fool dreamer out of me, made me accept the realities of this world and come closer to the Lord.
I learned a lot now and now doing the best to make my dream real.
and of course, letting my feet find my one true love. :)
May all of us live a wonderful life :)
God Bless!
kimmuel.wordpress.com
I'm Les.
Hope my story can inspire you and the others too.
Here it is.
I am 29 now and I had made the biggest decision of my life when I was 5. Sounds funny though but it really is the biggest so far.
When my parent got separated then, my lola on my mom's side asked me to come with them to U.S. while my sister stay with my dad.
Afraid for us to be separated and grow up without knowing each other, my father refused. But to be fair with my lola, he said to them that they can ask me directly. If I said yes, then they can take me with them.
But growing up in my dad's side with all my cousins there and a lola who take care of us so well, coming with my lola with my mom's side is not a choice. So easily I decided to stay with my dad. And that decision draw my life's path from then on.
We experienced so many struggles on the way. There were social grievances because we're from a broken family and the not so usual financial struggles. There were also emotional challenges that came even with our young minds. And all of that forced me to grow up faster than the usual.
With the support of my dad, we've learned too many things ahead of time. I learned to ride the jeepney in grade 1. My dad taught me how to cook while I was in Grade 5. I am already earning my own money while I was in highschool.
Life had been to harsh sometimes but I did not let things pushed me down. I took every struggles as a challenge and as a preparation for the years to come.
Now I am here abroad and had faced to many struggles already on my 29 years of existence in this world. But nothing seems harder than it seems because I was mold to be the strongest that I can be through all those years.
There are instances when I asked myself "What might have been if I went with my mom's family in the U.S.?"
But that was just thought. I never regreted my decision to stay because if it was not because of all those struggles I experienced, I will not be who I am today.
Check-ups, lab tests and waiting for the results to confirm such illness was never easy. It was my first time to be hospitalized. Injections became my best friend. I was exposed to an entirely different world.
I knew that my parents and brother were shattered. They were just hiding it from me. Like them, I never failed to pray for God's guidance. I remembered dropping by the Church everytime I feel weak and sometimes secretly crying telling Him that I am leaving everything up to Him. That I know he has plans for me. That I know everything will be alright.
Results came in. Everything changed. Thank God my doctor said both of my kidneys are still working great although I need to maintain them with medicines. All of a sudden, I can't eat my junk foods anymore. I only can eat dairy products (which I'll die without) in moderation. Meat intake should be lessened (when I say lessened, as in 3 strips). Check-ups monthly. I need to take care of myself, I can't, can't be sick. I am taking an average of 8-10 meds and vitamins daily.
I was a struggling Team Manager in a Call center during that time. It was my first year. I tagged myself as a "grumpy" young man. The job was new to me, I was handling 18 people, most of them older than me. Then this discovery. I was nearly giving up. I wanted to be out of thw industry. I wanted to study again, to teach, I was blaming this industry for everything that had happened. But I had to be practical, the company has a good health plan. I needed that. I stayed. I changed my perspective in life.
The "grumpy" young man started to appreciate life more. I started having a happy and positive disposition. Appreciating even the littlest things, every single memories with family and friends. I bought a camera and made sure every event will be captured, every memories documented. I loved life more. I loved everything about it.
One of my companions through all of this besides God, my family and close friends was my blog. I remembered posting everyday experiences, pictures of major events and even prayers everytime I'll have a check-up. Basically, it was a place where I store what's inside of me. I started blogging last year, inspired by bloggers including you. I check out blogs not only to read them but to also get ideas on what to post about. I stopped my first blog, but started blogging again 3 months ago. Blogging relaxes me, it's such a stress-reliever for me.
It was so ironic that after learning about this illness, I began not restricting myself too much. I learned how to have fun. I learned how to "live" life more. Having an illness is definitely not the end of the road. It is just the start of a journey. After all of this I said: "I will never stop dreaming, I will never stop smelling the different scents of life."
This quarter marks the first year of me discovering my kidney disease. This is my first time to share my story. I even haven't blogged it yet. Hehe.
Congratulations to your blog! Keep on inspiring, Bianca! :)
i can soooo relate to your post! do you watch how i met your mother? this reminds me of that episode with the "i'm too old for this" list of ted and barney. ted said that he couldn't wait to be old so that all the hardships of growing up were done already.
so anyway, back to the growing up story. i'm 26 and looking back, my whole 25th year was when i started really growing up. i was going through the ultimate quarter life crisis - worrying about what direction my life should take. i was an account manager in a big advertising agency. i loved my team and the fast paced industry but i knew that it wasn't what i wanted to do forever. i knew that in the end, when i had a family i wanted to be a housewife with my own business so that i can contribute to the family income yet have time for family. with the crazy schedule and meager salary in advertising i knew i wasn't going to get that. but i didn't know what business i wanted to get in to. or should i just look for another job that paid more? i had no idea what to do.
when ondoy came around, i wanted so badly to go out and help in some way but i couldn't because our client wouldn't move deadlines. that moment, i felt that what i was doing wasn't important TO ME. i didn't care about my client's posters. i was getting tired of working so hard on a project for months only to be told that it wasn't going to push through. that's when i realized that it was time to move on. life is too short not to do the things you want to do. i wanted to love my work and do something that was important to me. i didn't want my life to be dictated by my work.
after many sleepless night, i worked up the courage to talk to my boss and tell her that i wanted to leave already. i already had a franchise of a fruit shake kiosk and i came on as a partner to a dance studio. those were the 2 things i was going to focus on when i left the corporate world. now a friend of mine and i had also launched a business. its been a crazy ride but i really feel like i'm finding my way in life. being an entrepreneur is NOT EASY! now i'm really strapped for cash because i don't have a steady cash flow and this is teaching me to be more mindful of my expenses. i still have a lot of growing up to do, but i am enjoying the journey :)
leethroughthelens.blogspot.com
Anyway, what matters most are the respect and protection towards our Ex's are still there...In proper time God will give what is best for us!!! Let things go smoothly as we face the reality of life...Life is short to be wasted so let's make the most out of it. Be happy and have a great life ahead of us!!! Lesson learn from what we are going through...
God Bless!!!
we're of the same age, i turned 27 last february and yes like you i have my own life changing experience in the 27 years of existence....
born in a family where everything is well provided....we're not rich but i would say i am blessed to have the kind of parents that prepared and planned to have a family of their own.
schooled in an all girls- catholic school, i grew up prim and proper and with values that my parents inculcated to us i would say i live life the way it should be.....and being looked up by people i our community, to others what a beautiful life, i have nothing to worry in life, now that i'm taking my LLB though i have a job that pays me well my parents still support my law school and even pay for my apartment, indeed a life to be jealous of for other people....
People didn't see the girl or the lady who struggle all her life to make a name of her own, not just she is the daughter of________,
in college i took up BS Management in UP Iloilo in preparation for someday be in the world of Business, banking where my parents have their investements, Unibersidad ng Pilipinas is the turning point, the prim and proper me became the girl who joined and shouted "Iskolar ng Bayan,Tuloy pa rin ang laban," and the girl who for 16 years have the best amenities in her fingertips, now has to "bomba" for water to take a bath and instead of cd music to sleep her for the night now has the singing of frogs bring her to sleep, the girl looked up having all the values can now be seen in bars until the wee ours and now knows all the best drinks in town, the catholic-schooled girl now goes to school in her pj's or in days she got enough time to prepare goes in her mini skirts paired with colored nails and with full make-up....
those were the turning point, my 1st two years in UP Iloilo showed and made me experience the life that was shielded from me, the reality of life that we need to fall to learn, twas in those days shouting in the streets that i met the real people that they have something to fight for, that life is a war to be fought to succeed, they need to fight poverty, fight for their scholarships to be in school and wait for their monthly stipend to buy for his sick father's medicine.....after two years being with them made me realized that i got to do something because i have so much blessings in life...in my 3rd year in UP i joined a theater group where i honed my passion for acting and this time i was able to help the street children by giving workshop to them every summer until i graduated, i became a volunteer in our orgs outreach activities and at the same time in the last two years in UP i was in the dean's list.....
And now the girl who struggled to make a name of her own has done it....i got employed in government instead of helping out in our family business, and proud to say i am where i am without my parents connection and i do what i love doing most, i am a head of a unit in the office of the governor of sarangani, we conduct provincial outreaches to farflung barangays, it may be beyond what i dreamed of, be in an airconditioned office in a business suit but the fulfillment i have now is more than the comfort that i can have....
i wanted to share with you two life-changing experiences i had that helped me grow "beautifully" as an individual.
#1: I was 23 when i fell so badly in love with a guy who broke my being and soul some 8 years ago. it was a complicated love affair, but i loved him so dearly. there was never regret in my heart after all these years because that experience helped me realize that i am capable of loving unconditionally, that i can give so much love for another being without expecting anything in return. i had to get over it because i realized that i have to love myself more for me to be able to channel that enormous amount of love within. it took me a while to recover but i am glad i did:)
#2: i was 28 when i left the philippines to work in singapore. i left my 8-year old job to go out of my comfort zone. i was burned out and felt short-changed. i stayed in singapore for a year, learning things i could possible understand about the culture. but home beckoned and i couldn't resist it. i thought long and hard before i decided to go back. i asked myself one important question: what was my motivation for leaving? i then realized that more money can never compensate for the void caused by my distance from home and the people i love. if there was ever one regret in leaving pinas it was that i wasted one precious year away from my most beloved nephew. i came to realize the things that truly matter. i came home happy and satisfied, knowing that during my journey away from home, i found meaning in my life and a whole lot of peace:)
thanks very much. more power to you! keep inspiring others. it truly makes a difference.
abril
I took my redundancy payment and had a optimistic view of the future. Until a few days after I was out of a job, i was driving on my way home with some family about to pick up a friend so we can practice christmas carolling (to fundraise for a kid's hospital). I wasnt paying attention for a second to the lights then *boom* a car hits us. It was totally my fault. A moments inattention totally changed my life! An accident in a major intersection like that could have resulted in a lot of injuries or fatalities, but thank God, no one was hurt.To see my sister so shaken up and to see other bystanders that could have been harmed, just kept on stabbing at my guilt.
I took full responsibility for the accident and the judges were lenient and gave me another chance- they granted me diversion. I met up with my diversion officer and after our meeting he said, "do you want the big lesson in this?" I nodded. "The big lesson is...hold your hands up in front of you". I was a little bewildered, but I slowly put my hands in front of me. He said, "wiggle your fingers". I finally understood what he was trying to say. "I am still alive," I chokingly whispered as I tried to keep myself from sobbing. I couldn't hold it any longer, covered my face with my hands and cried my heart out, in front of a complete stranger as he told me, "You are precious". To me,it was a second chance at life.
This year 2010, I started on my graduate diploma, while volunteering 2x a week in a childcare centre. I also relieved for them once in a while and worked as a sales assistant during Sats. I realised this is what I loved doing. It was very rewarding, learning alongside the children, seeing things through their eyes and letting my imagination run free. I also started shaping up. Watching Earthlings definitely helped me transition into a pesco-vegetarian. With a little friendly competition (and some home exercise dvds), I lost 12kgs and halfway through my goal weight after 4 months. I have never felt as good as I have, and people definitely think I look younger!
As I approach my 25th, I feel like I have grown up and yet all the children around me make me feel young at heart as each day passes by, like I'm in Neverland.