Mine was spent with Friends…
Bicentennial Park Picnic (8 March 2008)
and Relatives.
Dinner at Marcelino’s Place (8 March 2008)
Tita Edith’s Birthday (9 March 2008)
It was a weekend of foods a-plenty, great conversations and abundant laughter.
How was yours?
Soup
For the past few days, I’ve been eternally grateful for the blessing that I love my work and that my work loves me back.
Since we got my husband’s visa approval, we’ve been challenged by many little problems that seemed to be sprouting all of a sudden. And I find myself finding refuge at work, looking forward to coming to the office and being able to use my energy to positive endeavors instead of thinking negative unhappy thoughts.
This has always been the case for me whenever a certain part of my life is somehow neurotic. That’s why it’s always been important to me that I love what I do for a living. That other than earning, I love doing something that I know helps me as a person and that I’m able to help other people. That my workplace is a place that I can run to…like home.
Sabi nila, isulat mo ang mga pangarap mo para mas maging totoo ito sa’yo. Ang sabi ko naman, why not, chocnut???
I have always believed in making lists. When I make a list and look at it, it becomes more real to me. And when it becomes real to me, I begin to plan my way around it.
Two years ago, I started studying places I want to go to and I’ve finally come up with a list of countries that I hope to explore:
ASIA
Cambodia, China (Beijing), China (Shenzhen), China (Hongkong), Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam
EUROPE
Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Russia, Spain, Switzerland
NORTH AMERICA
United States of America, Canada
SOUTH AMERICA
Brazil
CARRIBEAN
Jamaica
MIDDLE EAST
United Arab Emirates, Israel
AFRICA
Egypt, Namibia
PACIFIC
Australia, Fiji, New Zealand
Oh ha? Per continent pa yan ha? Ilan kaya talaga ang mapupuntahan ko dyan? At ilan naman kaya ang mapupuntahan kong lugar na hindi kasali sa list ko?
So far, eto palang ang napupuntahan ko:
Philippines, Australia, China (Hongkong), China (Shenzhen)
That’s 4 out of 31 places…27 more to go.
I don’t plan to go to all, wishful thinking lang naman. But I want to go to at least half of the countries that I listed above. Keeping fingers crossed! Life is full of endless possibilities so we’ll never really know what’s going to happen next…my dreams of travel might really come true someday.
I want to travel because I want to learn more of the world. I want to learn of other people’s cultures, way of life, religion and cuisine. The keyword is LEARN.
I want to travel because I want to capture photos that tell a story. And thru these photos, I want to share how beautiful the world is.
I want to travel because I want to meet different kinds of people and learn from them and their experiences.
TRAVEL AS PART OF OUR LIFE
Chris and I have talked about putting premium on travel as we grow old together and as part of parenting our future kids. Since we were able to experience an itsy-bitsy slice of the world, we are hoping that our kids would have the same learning we’ve acquired like having a bigger perspective in life, thinking more of others and not only of oneself, being insightful and independent, becoming tough but never losing the compassion for others and valuing experience more than wealth.
As the sole treasurer of our household, I have decided that it is important to have a travel fund for (1) emergency reasons [we have friends and relatives abroad and it would be nice if we can visit them especially when they need us] and (2) for recreation and learning of the whole family.
AND IF I CAN’T TRAVEL, NOTHING CAN STOP ME FROM LEARNING
That’s why I have started a collection of The Lonely Planet Guide Books.
That’s why I always always always look at the World Map.
That’s why I’m interested knowing about what’s happening around the world.
That’s why I like reading people’s blogs from other countries.
And with that, let me end by sharing one of my credos in life:
Writer’s Notes:
This entry took the longest to finish and get published. It took me awhile to finalize my list based on research on the net, books and family’s/friends’ recommendations.
All quotes used are my favorite travel quotes which made a positive impact on me and my life.
All photos are from The Lonely Planet website. Photos 1-4: Burj Al Arab (Dubai), Ivan the Great Bell Tower (Russia), Fushimi Inari Shrine (Japan) and Mt Mayon (Philippines).
I was tagged by Jan (thanks Jan, I enjoyed doing answering this quiz!)
The Rate My Life Self-Help Quiz will ask you a number of questions and then compute your life rating. In addition, it will break down your score on the following categories: Mind, Body, Spirit, Love, Friends/Family, and Financial. Finally, it will analyze your scores. Please note that this quiz is intended for entertainment purposes only.
Will your bars be shades of orange, or blue? Take the quiz and find out.
| This Is My Life, Rated | |
| Life: |  8.9 |
| Mind: |  8.3 |
| Body: |  9.3 |
| Spirit: |  9.2 |
| Friends/Family: |  6.6 |
| Love: |  9.1 |
| Finance: |  7.9 |
| Take the Rate My Life Quiz | |
Your Life Analysis:
Life: Your life rating is a score of the sum total of your life, and accounts for how satisfied, successful, balanced, capable, valuable, and happy you are. The quiz attempts to put a number on the summation of all of these things, based on your answers. Your life score is amazingly high. This means that you are in tune with your needs and on a path toward great personal fulfillment. Despite the challenges of life, you have achieved harmony and balance. Continue doing what you are doing right; do not allow yourself to slip or falter.
Mind: Your mind rating is a score of your mind’s clarity, ability, and health. Higher scores indicate an advancement in knowledge, clear and capable thinking, high mental health, and pure thought free of interference. Your mind score is within a healthy zone. This means you have achieved a level of mental balance and harmony consistent with living a healthy, happy life. Continue doing what works, and keep your focus. In our fast-paced world, mental clutter is all too common. Be vigilant in maintaining healthy mental function.
Body: Your body rating measures your body’s health, fitness, and general wellness. A healthy body contributes to a happy life, however many of us are lacking in this area. You have an excellent body score, which means you are incredibly focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Continue in that focus, and your body will remain healthy and strong.
Spirit: Your spirit rating seeks to capture in a number that elusive quality which is found in your faith, your attitude, and your philosophy on life. A higher score indicates a greater sense of inner peace and balance. Your spirit score is dramatic. Continue on your path, do not stray. Continue to reap the rewards which your spirituality brings forth.
Friends/Family: Your friends and family rating measures your relationships with those around you, and is based on how large, healthy, and dependable your social network is. Your friends and family score is not bad but can be improved. Maintain your current social net, while you try to expand it. Try new things and form new friendships. You will be rewarded greatly.
Love: Your love rating is a measure of your current romantic situation. Sharing your heart with another person is one of life’s most glorious, terrifying, rewarding experiences. Your love score is very high, which means you are in a very happy situation right now. Do all you can to keep it strong.
Finance: Your finance rating is a score that rates your current financial health and stability. You have a rather good financial score, which is not all that common these days. Keep doing what works. Avoid common pitfalls and save for the future. You will be glad you did.
