Post-Thanksgiving...post?

I'm thankful beyond words. I'm thankful beyond this blog post and I'm extremely grateful for this life I am in.

A year ago, I'd say, I was in a complete different state compared to where I am right now. It was a difficult road to be in, but I've been there and I have no intention to go back. The past few months have been life changing. And by life changing, I mean... my life has changed...literally (probably close enough to turning 360 deg....k maybe about a 230 deg...and increasing hehe). Anyway, thanksgiving shouldn't be just celebrated in one day, but thanksgiving should be everyday.

Every morning, I thank God for waking me up and giving me another day to challenge myself. Every night, as I get ready to sleep, I thank God for guiding me through the challenging day that I've had. For the past months, this has been my routine, thanking God for this amazing life.

As I sit here and contemplate, I can't stop but thank God again for giving me amazing parents, a wonderful family, crazy friends, a very patient, and humble bestboyfriendever; an overwhelming/challenging/fun job, and an abundance of blessings all around me.

I may not have everything, but I'm extremely grateful with what I have right now. I can honestly say that I have more than enough that I could ever imagine! Things may not be 100% great, but with God's provision, my life feels more than 100%.

...and as I try to end this entry, keep in mind to Thank God for EVERYTHING...EVERYDAY. 

Thanksgiving.
...it's not just about turkeys, pumpkin pies, and stuffing.
(although I admit I love to eat!)

STAY TUNED.

Where to start?

I have been sitting on my desk for a little over 2 hours now hoping to write another insightful blog entry, but I couldn't. See, ever since I've moved from the old house, I seem to be less organized now. I remember my desk used to be less chaotic and well kept. Now, I struggle from putting away pens, highlighters, post-its, water bottles and even candy. (yes,  I have candy everywhere on my desk). Looking at my desk right now makes me realize how this symbolizes my life at the moment.

my desk as of 1/18/12

CLUTTER. JUNK. AND WHAT-NOTS. Two months ago I started (or tried to anyways) to de-clutter my room, i.e, throw away, sort, or keep "junk". I admit, I did pretty well on the first month. I tried to minimize the items on my dresser. Stored memorabilia in boxes, organized desk and gave away clothes and accessories which I didn't use anymore. Now I ask myself, "What happened?!". I have to admit, after the holidays, I've been just really lazy in maintaining a new game plan. 

GAME PLAN? After giving this much thought, I realized that if I can't even start changing (in this case, organizing) such a simple thing such as my desk, how could I ever start changing MY LIFE. It's such a simple concept: Keep, give, throw, maintain.  And this simple concept should be applied in my life too. Keep the good. Give to those in need. Throw the bad. Maintain.

MAINTAIN. I admit, I have difficulty maintaining my desk, my closet, my life in general. I would start strong, get all pumped up and have a clear vision on what's going to happen, but along the way, all the hype dies and I get derailed. This goes to (pretty) much most aspects in my life may it be in academics, church activities, relationships, etc. I want this to change and I want to keep a steady pace in my life. I want to maintain and finish strong just as I have started. START STRONG. FINISH STRONG.

And so, with those goals, I am just so hyped to start it! Let's hope there's consistency and lots (and lots) of patience. And now, I think it's best if I should start on my desk tonight. Don't ya think? Let that be a short-term goal for this week. 

STAY TUNED.

Hello 2012!

You told me, Look for You and I will find,

So I'm here like I'm searching for the first time

Revive me, Jesus

Make this cold heart start to move, 

Help me rediscover You

-STARFIELD; REDISCOVER YOU

Happy New Year indeed! Two weeks into the year and man, was it quite eventful! I've been fighting an uphill battle between my self and my longing for God. Two weeks have been brutal but it had it's happy moments. It's been quite eventful I tell ya! 

5th Birthday Cake: compliments to Ida

I celebrated my 23rd birthday two weeks ago and I cannot believe how time flies. I can honestly tell you right now that I do not feel any different, except I feel just a tad bit of pressure of growing up. ( I admit, I am in denial that I am already 23...it doesn't show physically anyway) Ah, but kidding aside, I've felt my little cousins, younger family friends , and those lil kiddos, have quite been looking up to me ever since. It's kind of a nice feeling having people look up to you (again just a tad bit of pressure there). I had an awesome "birth week", with five birthday cakes...come on...who wouldn't?  I thank everyone who sent their birthday greetings and what-nots, but most importantly, I thank God for another year added to my life! I know it's been a rough road lately, but I cannot stop thanking the One who wakes me and gives me breath every single day. Aiyah, fighting!

Hmm what else? I'm also back to school. Yes, after 8 long brain-idling months, I am back to the academic world! I can't explain how giddy I am when I registered, paid and started reading my book. (Book???) Yes, unfortunately though, I am only in one class this semester, but do not fret, I am back full time in the Spring! Just thinking about it makes me really excited for what's to come. (God indeed works in such crazy, and awesome ways)

Besides my birthday and schooling and what-nots, God has been crazy present in my life in these past two weeks. I cannot help but think, "WOW! I'm such a lucky person to know that God is so near and have been working in my life!". In a nutshell, I have laughed, cried, questioned, knelt, prayed, got frustrated, sang, etc, in a span of two weeks. I've never felt so emotional, empowered and hopeful. A week ago, I found myself praying and asking God's presence. Shaking, crying (bawling to be exact), and with all heart all emptied just for Him, I've never felt Him so near and comforting. It's such an awesome feeling. I felt all my worries and all my excess baggage were lifted. 

HOPE. That's pretty much a strong and comforting word that keeps me going every single day. Hope has given me a different outlook in life. Hope has given me this attitude that I never thought I had. Hope has given me the strength, patience, and wisdom I need right now in my life. The song, Rediscover You by Starfield (see excerpt above), is pretty much my song for this year. I hope to keep it close to me and would constantly remind me to SEEK God's will in my life no matter what my circumstances are. 

I am blessed. I am definitely living an o-some-sauce life. 

STAY TUNED.

Saying Goodbye to 2011

It's New Year's Eve and the feeling is bittersweet (I guess more on the sweet side though hehe).

2011 is basically 2009 all over again for me. Not that I'm proud of what happened to me that year, but it was a year full of learning experiences. (I put emphasis on the experienceS). 2011 is not all bad. It was full of tears (and bucket loads of 'em), but good tears outnumber the bad. A lot of growing is in the works and I am hopeful that 2012 will bear fruit quite nicely. Of course I can't expect that 2012 would be my year (seriously, who does that? hehe ), but I am hopeful that 2012 will be better than 2011. 

Every minute I had in 2011 was tailored by God. Every bad situation, every unexpected circumstances, every joyous moments I had was meant for me to experience. Every people who came to and left in, every failed attempts and successes, God has written it all out in his perfect plan for my life. In every little thing I have shed a tear, I am thankful that God has blessed me with an eventful year. I am happy knowing that God has my back and is very apparent in telling me that He is there in every situation, good or bad. AND I believe that 2012 is going to be custom-made for me by God...as well. :) I am hopeful.

I need not  elaborate on the "bitter" part of the year, but I guess the rightful thing to say is, I'm glad I've had those moments. I am human after all. Don't you agree?

My prayer for 2012:
Dear God, 
I want to take this moment not to ask for anything from you, but to simply say how awesome you are and I am forever grateful. 2011 was good, but I know that 2012 will be awesome. I am excited to see what you have in store for me in the coming year. I thank you for being there 24/7. Thank You.

So here's my farewell to you 2011....

...I will be on the right track because 2012 will be better.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

STAY TUNED.