DIY Birthday Card

I pulled an all-nighter for this DIY birthday card (as usual, Pinterest inspired) but it was all worth it. When I saw R's surprised and definitely happy face in the morning of his birthday, it was all definitely worth the cutting and the gluing and the twisting.  I'm not really good at instruction, so for a step by step procedure, please see this.

This was just one of the many surprises I had in store for him and I'm glad I did it.

Tales of Spring

Blooms. This is what I will always remember what Spring is all about. :)

Spring and Soft Light

These two things have changed my life lately: spring and soft light. 

Spring. I have fallen truly, madly and deeply with spring blossoms or cherry blossoms.  If you happened to be friends with me on Instagram, you'd know that I have flooded my IG with sightings of pink blossoms day after day since April.

Soft Light.  I am loving the soft light brought about by the warmer and longer evenings of spring time. It's just so perfect for taking portraits as the back light has this dreamy effect on the subject. And on that note, I have been inspired lately to take photography more seriously, like enroll in a photography class.

This time of the year has surely awaken my senses. I feel more upbeat and more alive and I am inspired to write again and give some TLC to this neglected blog.

For A While, it Felt Like a White Christmas

Only it was March. Only everyone was anticipating for Spring. Christmas was over "three" months ago and it wasn't white. The idea of white and snowy one remained just that: an idea, a mere wish for the hopefuls like me who has never experienced snow, a dream that would be carried over to the next season when snow-wishing would began anew.

Christmas came. New Year came. Not one bit of snow fell. Then the Valentines. Then my Birthday. Then came along March. As the calendar moves towards the second quarter, our snow dream was replaced with these new exciting possibilities: cherry blossoms, warmer weather and longer days, in that order. But I think life's great surprises do happen sporadically in a year. In my countless experiences, I have known that God loves to surprise us, in ways and moments that would catch us off guard, in a good sort of way.

It was a holy week, a Wednesday. For unknown reason, I woke up earlier than usual, checked the weather (something that I learned to do out of necessity) and got the best surprise of the year ever: snow had built up in our tiny front yard! It was snowing so peacefully that for a while, it felt like Christmas, that for a while and for posterity, I wanted to call our loved ones in the Philippines to wish them a merry one! I just stood there at our glass door transfixed by the falling pieces that flickered midway in the air. I stood still and wondered what God was thinking sending snow in March, the beginning of springtime.

I could only think that this is His world. It's His call when to command a snow even if muggles like us wouldn't thought it's possible. You see, impossibility is His specialty. That's the lesson I would take away on that surprisingly snowy morning. Another dream in the bucketlist has been ticked. :)

The scenes while I rode the bus to my workplace. The snow didn't last long in the part of the city where we lived. I heard it lasted for days in some part of Ireland. 

Oooh, so till next snow-dreaming season!

A Week of Reflection

It was another holy week gone by in this fleeting life of mine, my first one since residing in a city where my faith walk has had its own share of ups and downs and bends and stretches.

For the past three years, holy week has taken a different level and meaning in my faith journey. This year, I committed to just slow down and reflect on God's goodness and greatness. I know this is something that I "should" practice everyday, but I'm still a work in progress needing a lot of molding and even pounding most of the time.

With my Instagram photos, let me walk you through my first holy week in Dublin and the reflections that came along with them: 

Monday Blues - On Monday morning, we walked our usual path and we were surprised to witness that ray of sun penetrating the thick grey clouds that enveloped and depressed the city for almost two weeks now. Finally, a little bit of sun would do this city good.

A stroll in the park Tuesday - I finally paid a lunchbreak visit to that park near the office and was charmed by those sweet daffodils in shades of yellow and white.  While I sat and ate and endured the freezing weather, I wondered what work it was that would make me happy, like truly happy. I lifted the question to God and that little pain I always felt when discussing about my career. At the end of the day, I felt grateful. I should be grateful. A lot of Irish folks had no job and couldn't find one in their own land.

Snowy Wednesday - I woke up earlier than usual, checked the weather and surprise, surprise: snow had built up in our tiny front yard! Oh, I had the best quiet time ever in front of the falling snow. For a while, it felt like Christmas and I just tucked my chin on my palms, wondering what God was thinking sending snow in March, a springtime.

Blue Skies of Thursday - What made my Thursday: I love you from my father, a boss who declared tomorrow a holiday, a blue skies, fluffy clouds and a pinkish sunset to gaze on while I walked from office to home.

Home Alone on Friday - So I learned that Black Friday is not a usual holiday in Ireland and it depends on your employer whether to call it an off or not. I was blessed to say I did spend the whole day at home in my pajamas while poor hubby had to work for one more day. I truly, madly, deeply miss my bum days.

Sharing on Saturday - We watched some clips from the Passion of Christ and we posted this question to our bible group: "What does the Passion meant to me?" My simple sharing consisted of this: "I just know that I need a Savior because I sin everyday." It still boggles my mind how Jesus endured it all, but one thing's for sure, because He loves me so much and it is one of my deepest desires to make something good out of this one precious life that He paid for in the cross.

Oh-Happy-Day Sunday - Nope, it's not about the Easter Eggs nor the Bunny. I know that for a fact, thank you very much. Behind those Easter Eggs was the celebration all around the world. To end this, I would just echo the words sang by the kids at our church with a hope that you too will know why we this week was holy and why today, of all the days, should be a one happy day. :)

"Oh happy day, Oh happy day

When Jesus washed my sins away...

Oh happy day..."

First Valentines Together

Our first Valentines together, not literally, but physically. Our love story will tell you why. This is just one of our firsts that I've been trying to document and memory-keep while I can. 

***

The morning of the 14th was icy cold as expected from the weather app: 5 degree. Days leading to Valentines, there's a certain buzz in the air in the city of Dublin. Gigantic red hearts and Valentines signage were all over town where as flower vendors were noticeably taking over time and obviously taking advantage of this season high fever. 

Our plan for the day: Sneaked out from respective work at lunchtime to have a quick lunch together. 

My plan: Woke up early and secretly taped a cheesy Valentine note on his laptop while he was still sleeping. 

His plan (that I didn't know of): Roses in variety of colors to hand to me on the morning.

As it turned out, both of us had plans to surprise each other. We didn't have a grand date nor grand gifts for each other as you can see. We simply appreciated the day for what it was---our first Valentines together that we weren't spending in Skype screen, in different countries and in different time zones. The past two Valentines had been like that. More than the love story, we celebrate the blessing of being together on this day. At the end of the day, no amount of roses nor chocolates can replace that blessing. 

If you are in a long distance relationship, it is my hope and my prayer that you too will be reunited with the one you love. Choose to be together no matter what. All kinds of sacrifices will be worth it in the end. 

Two. Thousand. Thirteen.

Well hello 2013, we're so glad you came! :) Today, January 1, is one of our many firsts:

1) First new year away from our beloved Philippines.
2) First new year in Dublin, Ireland (silence at 12 AM almost killed me, haha! it was a complete opposite of what I was used to. I guess that goes to say that nothing beats the celebratory noise and warmth back home.
3) First new year as husband and wife.
4) First Blessings Jar! And we intend to make one year on year to cultivate gratitude in our hearts. We even plan to pass this tradition to our future kids (ehemmmm)! How fun it would be to look at the jars lining up our living room, wouldn't it? :)

5) First time to make a list of our commitments to God this year.

The past year was full of leaps and bounds, of love and forgiveness, of endings and beginnings. I've learned a lot in 2012, needless to say. It's always been God who held me in the palm of His hands leading me on, showering me with His TLC in so many ways that Has always left me in awe.

So to You, my Awesome, Wonderful, Magnificent God, I offer this year with all the faith my heart could muster. :)

12.12.12

I've tried hard not to write any intervening post to my 30-Day blogging challenge (which means not wedding and just married life-related) but today, they say all over the world wide web, is an auspicious day. Now I've never been a believer and practitioner of any superstitions. I simply believe that any day could be as lucky and as blessed as all the other days, depending on your perspective.

What I'd like to marvel on today is that I'm alive, on a date which only happens once in a century. Aren't you just glad about it? What I'd really like to say is: 12.12.12 thanks for stopping by in my lifetime. I truly believe God had me in His mind when He created you. :-)

Day 26: December Dear

26/30: First Christmas away from Home. This first of December just sends all the nostalgic nerves in my system at an all time high! *Sigh. I'm longing for home so much, you have no idea. Back in the Philippines, (where I hail from, proudly) I had always looked forward to December and all the wonderful things that went along with it---cooler breeze that always made me curl up in my bed one hour longer, Christmas songs playing everywhere (MRT, jeep, taxi, fx, neighborhood, malls, office, oh you name it!), holiday foodie (bibingka and puto bumbong!), lights in Ayala Triangle, kris kringle, shopping/discounts, gathering of relatives, meet up with friends, PARTIES, carols of the neighborhood kids, I could go on and on!

Both hubby and I are celebrating our first Christmas here in Ireland and we really don't know what to expect. We heard that it's not as festive as our homeland's, not as noisy, not as grand, and obviously, not as warm. But we are here and we're not flying 6,000 miles back (though we would love to if we could!) So eventhough I'm nostalgic as it is, I'm also aware that this is my new home now. It's also our first Christmas together as a married couple and there are plenty of things to look forward to (if only I could stop wishing I'm in PH this time of the year!). :(

To cheer us up somehow, we busied ourselves doing this little creative project today: our Advent Calendar (thanks to Pinterest for supplying the idea). We haven't completed attaching notes/activities until Christmas Day but the calendar is up on our wall now, letting us know it really isn't bad out here. We've gone a long way this year from our LDR: us reuniting in December 2011, separating in January 2012, reuniting in June 2012 for our wedding, separating in July 2012, then reuniting at last and for good in August 2012. Despite the fact that we're away from our loved ones' hugs and kisses, we do have a lot to thank God for!

December dear, welcome! Let's fill that calendar and wrap this year up with awesome memories, shall we? :)

Day 25: The Vows and The Rain

25/30: Wedding Ceremony Pt2. Our 23rd months together today as a couple and 5th month being married :) Let me just indulge myself to some memories on that one rainy afternoon of June 30, 2012.

*** 

It was raining cats and dogs the whole morning. While I was being prepped up for the biggest day of my life, I knew there was nothing else I could do but to surrender everything, our hearts most importantly and the weather secondly, to the One who authored this day. We were having an outdoor ceremony, thus we badly needed a calm sky. "Please God, stop the rain" was my ceaseless prayer.

At 2 PM, the downpour ceased and the heavy gray clouds disappeared. A sigh of thanks and relief. Fast forward to the ceremony at 4:30 PM, the entourage marched down the aisle in a humid afternoon. I walked down to meet my groom and eventually, our officiating pastor took over. It was a pretty calm sight during the ceremony despite the uncomfortable humid air hovering over us.

Half-way through the message, the sky suddenly darkened. At that moment, Lando and I held hands tight. I knew we were individually knocking on heaven's door for the weather to calm down again. But it didn't. Then came our vows which were delivered with the presence of harsh winds and droplets of rain.

But as you can see, we only had our eyes and ears on each other. :)

Just seconds after I finished my vows, it rained! At that moment, I just completely let go. I whispered to my groom, "Let's  just enjoy this day. This will only happen once and look, ang daming tao, di natin ito inexpect!"

So therefore, the ceremony had taken a halt. Everyone scattered frantically looking for a shelter. After a while, the rain stopped and the ceremony was resumed but this time, the audience were all over the place. We didn't mind. Look, we were running giddily, entangled in our veil and cord!

The rest of the ceremony was done in a rush but at least the major part was over: the message and the vows.

As you can see, we stood under the umbrella all the way through the completion of the ceremony. :)

***Later, we heard comments that it was "swerte" daw when it rained on your wedding. Someone even added that we were going to be rich! Someone on the other hand asked what I felt when the rain poured down. I simply answered, "Sabi ko lang kay Lando, i-eenjoy lang namin yung araw na yun, sobra yung hirap namin sa preps, we just wanted our wedding to be over yet still enjoy every minute of it. Besides, it was beyond our control na. In the end, we surrendered that it was God's will to rain that day. I think that was His way of making our wedding memorable, of humbling us or perhaps testing our faith, if we would grumble over it. And actually, what I'd like to think was... He was also blessing us, in a unique way! He had turned us into rainmakers, that's got to mean something!" :)