FRIENDS FOR KEEPS: THAT’S WHAT WE ARE

Finding “genuine” individuals that we can call “angels without wings” or simply “friends” is no longer an easy quest nowadays. In fact, it’s becoming more and more difficult and to some extent- uncertain. Treating this as a trivial matter signifies imprudence and it invites unnecessary emotional risks. We need to remember that in this kind of pursuit, we are investing our precious emotions, striving-to-be-upright disposition and reputation, valued TRUST, firm loyalty, unconditional love and real care. Hence, it is important that we choose our friends wisely. They don’t have to be perfect, as no one on earth is, but they should be the kind of people who will influence us to achieve our utmost capacity and foster us to become the best that we can be!

Working outside my native land, the Philippines, for how many years has given me the opportunity to meet a number of people from all walks of life and diverse cultural background. My experiences in dealing with various individuals have taught me so much, especially in determining to whom I should only give my trust! I’ve learned that not all people who are kind in front of me are trustworthy or have good motives or intentions towards me. But I’ve also learned that judging others before even having the chance to get to know them is wrong and unfair. Unless PROVEN unworthy of our friendship and trust, we should allow others – with reservation of course – to demonstrate their offerings of familiarity and kindness. Who knows, it might be genuine! Nonetheless, DO IT WITH PRUDENCE!

I have always lived away from my immediate family since I entered college; truly, life has not been that easy thereafter. Battling homesickness has always been challenging… Without my friends, I don’t think I would be able to carry on!

I’m no longer alone in my journey especially in this unique place (the KSA); however, the importance of having good friends remains true, my mom taught me so. My husband and I consider our friends as part of our family. Like any of our family members, they (our friends) are our source of wisdom when we are blinded with ambiguous things, strength when we are down emotionally and spiritually, happiness when we are hurting and depressed and inspiration when we are thinking that quitting is an option. God has really been so good to us because He led us to those good-natured strangers who we got to know, developed camaraderie with and eventually turned out to be our “angels without wings.”

 

Rowel and I are really blessed to have friends who…

… love and care for us regardless of our imperfections

… can say both good and bad things about us when we are around

…celebrate with us when we achieve something instead of pulling us down because of jealousy or envy

…are honest and loyal to us

…love to discuss brilliant ideas and personal experiences with us

…share sound advices to us

…laugh with us

…reprimand us for our unacceptable actions

During my time of meditation, I can’t help myself from asking; “What did I do to deserve all these blessings?” I oftentimes feel inadequate! Nevertheless, at the end of each day, I never fail to express my heartfelt gratitude to my Heavenly Father for not only giving me a wonderful family and a loving husband but also great friends.

I treasure my old and long time friends as they have had significant contributions of who I am now. Truthfully, I am thankful that their loyalty and love never falter. The friendships that we built in the past remain strong despite the test of time and distance! I love you, my dear friends!

To all our newly found friends, we are thrilled to build more memories of lasting friendship with you guys. Thank you for being who you are! We love and cherish each one of you too!

“Friends for keeps” –that’s what we are indeed!

Acknowledgement:

Thanks…

Len Obcena for providing the pictures…

Bon Talampas for editing…

France Roxas, Khris Cruz and Duard Valle for the thoughts and suggestions….

ENTHRALLING JAPAN / Bucket List # 6

Our decision to visit Osaka, Japan last June 2010 was made in just a wink of an eye!  Believe it or not, my husband and I didn’t have to go through the usual painstaking process of debating and compromising things just to come up with a fair decision for the benefit and satisfaction of both parties.  Do you wonder why? Hhhmmmm…. Japan was the only country that Rowel and I had in common in our list of dream places! Awesome Japanese Anime, delectable Japanese cuisine, fascinating Japanese language and amazing Japanese technical prowess were some of the reasons why we really wanted to go to Japan. Surprisingly, after our visit, we were bombarded with more reasons… I will tell you why…

When Rowel and I got off the aircraft and our feet touched the Kensai Airport for the first time, we immediately felt that unfathomable excitement and repeatedly uttered the word “WOW!” Wasting not our time, I hurriedly took my camera out of my bag and asked Rowel to strike a pose to almost every corner of the airport. Rowel told me, “Okay Mahal (love), it’s your turn. This is for your Facebook page!” In Japanese language and while pointing to the “no photography” sign, one of the police officers in the Airport hurriedly came to us and forbade us from taking pictures in the immigration area. We were so embarrassed! Because we were so enthralled in the airport alone, we almost forgot that my cousin and her husband were already waiting for us outside! I know! We were so hilarious!

Because of this picture, we got busted… hahahaha

When we were on our way to my cousin’s mansion, Ate Bening and her husband, Tsuji, asked us if there was a particular place in Japan that we eagerly wanted to visit.  “Being in Japan alone already satisfied our fondest longing,” I replied in my thought.

We were really captivated by Japan’s beauty and grandeur when my cousin toured us around…

OSAKA

Ate Bening’s mansion

 

Universal Studio Train

 

Inside Japan’s MRT

 

Humongous raddish

 

 First authentic Ramen experience

 

mouth-watering ramen!

TAKOYAKI: Osaka’s best

If you want to know what TAKOYAKI is… hit this site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takoyaki

 

Dotonbori: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dtonbori

With Ate Bening in one of the shopping centers in Osaka…

 

Sanrio Gallery

 

KOBE

KOBE’s shopping center

 

China town…

 

KYOTO

The MAP!

Somewhere in KYOTO with Ate Bening and Tsuji

 

FOOD TRIP: Italian cuisine

Beautiful ladies with their KIMONOS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimono

 

Old Japanese Temples

Such a beautiful place!!!! I love Kyoto!!!

 

ETC. ETC. ETC.!

first authentic Japanese dining experience

http://www.kaiyukan.com/language/eng/

Doraemon

Rowel and I at USJ (Universal Studio Japan)

NARUTO

Tempozan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempozan_Ferris_Wheel

 

I smiled, but deep inside me i was scared to death

Tempozan at night…

OKONOMIYAKI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okonomiyaki

Our trip to Japan was really worth remembering. My husband and I fell in love more with the place. I am so grateful for having relatives who are very generous and thoughtful! Thank you Ate Bening and Tsuji for making our trip so memorable and fun!!!! WE love you!

DOMO ARIGATO GUZAIMASO Ate Being and Tsuji!

If there’s one place that Rowel and I will never get tired of going back… it is definitely Japan!!!!

SAYONARA JAPAN!

MATA NE Japan!

 

WE SHALL RETURN….

 

 

 

 

Heartache: This too shall pass

Have you ever experienced that excruciating pain not because you were involved in a tragic accident or had a malignant disease, but due to a failed relationship and a heart being broken? Were there times in your life when you were watching a comedy movie but your tears were falling profusely from your eyes because of heartaches?  Did it ever occur to you that eternal love was just a fiction and life had no meaning? Have you ever experienced cursing your life and swearing to death because you lost faith in love? Were there moments in your life that even in your dreams you were hurting? I strongly believe that somehow or somewhere in our mortal existence, we answered those questions with a groaning YES! I must admit, I am no exception!

In my viewpoint, the pain that we experienced because of love or failed relationship is either inflicted by others (our partner) or a consequence of our wrong decision or choice. The hurt  imposed by other people is beyond our capacity to control. What can we do if our partners purposely looked for someone else or were just too weak to resist temptations (so lame) or just simply were fallen out of love? On the other hand, sometimes it is “us” who are inviting pain to come upon ourselves. Perhaps, there were times when we knew that the relationship was wrong from the very start; and yet, we still persisted believing that love knew no boundaries and reasons; and when it failed, it dragged us to melancholy. Or, we plainly gave in to that “natural man” and unfortunately chose to hurt the “one’ we love – which sadly led us to that road of sorrow and regret! Regardless of the reason(s), we should not let our misery due to unsuccessful relationship shatter our hope and faith in love.

My heart goes to those individuals, especially women, who are brokenhearted at the moment (due to a wrong choice or caused by others). I was once in your shoes, but now I could say that I am the happiest woman alive. There are a number of suggestions that I would like to share on how to mend your broken heart and ultimately help you retrace your steps to happiness. However, I would like to warn you that these are easier said than done and these might not work for everyone. Just give it a shot anyway!

• Acceptance is the gateway: It is impossible to start finding your way back to happiness if you are still holding on to false hopes and dreams. If your partner is cheating on you or the other party is no longer interested to make the relationship works, allow yourself to mourn for a moment but never let heartaches and denial drown you. Immediately open that gateway to healing through accepting that it’s time for you to get going!

• Commitment is necessary: You can never move on unless you have chosen and decided NOW that you will do so. Commit and focus yourself, even if it is difficult, to keep moving forward…YOU CAN DO IT!

• Pick up the pieces of you: Do not lose hope that someday, somewhere you will find that someone who will make you complete and will give you the true meaning of “everlasting love.” For now, start picking up the pieces of you, enhance the beauty that is already in you, love yourself and start anew… Remember, you can only give your all if your heart is whole!

• You cannot find bliss in solitude. It is easier to forget
  your heartache if you will not do it alone! Spend time with your family. Be with people who have that sense of positivity and humor. Socialize. Don’t be so pathetic by just staying in your room and crying all day long.

• Cease all sorts of communication: When I was still in the process of fixing my broken heart, I realized that it was extremely difficult to move forward because we’re still connected even if we were physically apart. Hence, I restricted myself from answering phone calls and SMS or responding to email messages. Also, I erased the previously received sweet nothings that were stored on my cellular phone and deleted those messages I saved in my email account for so long. Since then, forgetting the unwanted feelings and the pain was no longer a problem! Note: Restore the communication only when you are no longer affected and you have already totally moved on!

• Do not underestimate the power of prayer. Always remember that Jesus Christ experienced both physical and emotional pain and suffering when He atoned for our sins. He can best comfort you because He comprehends what you are going through. Pray for strength that you might be able to endure the pain. Pray for courage that you might be able to forgive yourself or the one who caused you so much hurt. Pray for guidance so that you will be able to walk back to that path of joy and love without fear. Pray for wisdom that your heart will know when and to whom it should beat again.

I love the saying, “What won’t kill you makes you stronger!” Gratitude always fills my heart every time I think of how I have become because of the sufferings that I went through in the name of love. Hearing ourselves or others questioning our Maker because of heartaches and despair is an unfortunate display of conviction that fall short! It is a sad truth! But, cheer up my friends! Remember, heartaches, pain, sufferings and despair: these too shall pass. Keep praying that your broken heart will soon be mended; so that when the time comes that love will find its way back to your heart again… you are ready to welcome it with a bang! (winks)

Acknowledgement:

I would like to thank Mr. Bon Talampas for editing the picture and Ms. France Roxas for being my featured model!