food for the soul 03.2010

“I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.” -John Burroughs

If he felt this way at the start of the 20th century, imagine what he would think today. We have the freedom to do more now than ever before. But more options can bring more frustration, because we can still see all of the things we don’t have time for.

Before you plan another day/week/month/year, write this thought at the top of the paper: I Cannot Do Everything. It’s a truth that applies today even more than it did 100 years ago. Life becomes easier when you accept the fact that you will never be able to do everything you want. Once that happens, you can start to look at what you want to do the MOST, and plan accordingly. Priorities bring peace of mind. They help you relax, knowing that you’re doing all you can by making the most of your opportunity. Low priorities are the seeds of wasted time. And days don’t need any help getting shorter. -SPARKPEOPLE TRANSLATION

learning horticulture

I am having a full plate of horticulture --- on weekends and at night time when I get home from work. It never occurred to me it would be so much fun monitoring one's collection of plants. It does get frustrating sometimes when you see a leaf dry up or a twig fall off. Thankfully, I have my mom and sister who gladly help me with the ropes of gardening. Imagine the late night calls I give them whenever a plant looks dry and dull!

Growing one's garden requires great effort. But to see buds turning into flowers and ground cover plants crawling on your backyard is truly rewarding! Oh, and have I told you that learning horticulture is therapeutic? You should try it too! Here are the first few of my garden collection. I hope to grow more plants soon --- flowers, ornamentals, vegetables and herbs.

food for the soul 02.2010

Step back and take a look at yourself. Would you want someone to have your attitude? Are you generally happy, optimistic, and enthusiastic about life? Or are you generally frustrated, pessimistic, and bored with life? It is true that attitudes are contagious. Think about that one person you know who can walk into a room and make everyone smile and celebrate their arrival. Now think of the person that comes in and gets blank stares because people know that they are going to bring the mood of the room down. Which person are you? If you are feeling bored and frustrated with your life, take a second to think about why you might be feeling this way. Is it your career, your relationships, yourself, etc? Perhaps it is time to think about your Purpose and your Values and Beliefs and begin restructuring your life? Wouldn’t it be great to have an attitude that everyone can admire? -Sparkpeople Translation

landscaping 101

It has been 2 weeks since my husband and I moved into our new home yet we still have some stuff to sort and organize. Except for Lola "Mama ni Glenn" living across our house (that's how she wants to be called), we haven't really met our neighbors too! You may be wondering what is keeping me and my husband busy the past few days. The answer to that is landscaping 101!

We never thought landscaping could be so interesting. Like what my Facebook shoutout states "landscaping entails your patience as you wait for your plants to mature, it requires a lot of cash, but landscaping is equal to F-U-N". Every weekend morning, Gino and I go straight to our backyard and have our breakfast there. Staring at the few plants we have while drinking a warm cup of chocolate drink, our morning conversation will mostly be about which plants to grow and what type of garden set will suit our outdoor theme. We are both lucky to have mothers introducing us to various palms, trees and flowering plants. My sister, who is an architect, is a great help too in giving ideas on how to layout our garden!

I am not leaving everything to our relatives though. I am doing my homework too! From what I have read about growing one's garden, there are 3 things I have to remember: colors, height and curves. Play with various colors of leaves and flowers. Blend plants in different heights. Add curves as borders to create a zen mood.

Now I have to go and catch up on my landscaping readings. Oh, and I have to water our growing papaya and palm trees and my attractive yellow sundrop flowering plant!

settled and at home

Unpacked boxes. Dusty furnitures. Uncultivated garden. So goes the tale of a married couple who just moved into a new home. But despite several downsides of transferring to a new house, Gino and I are in a state of bliss! We have finally settled here and we feel so at home!

Credits HERE.

a new beginning

It has been said time and again --- start the new year right. A new you. A new outlook in life. A new beginning. For my husband and me, the new year means a new home!

After living in the cramped space of our 3rd floor unit, finally, Gino and I are moving into a new and bigger home. This will happen this Friday, the 8th of January. And for the first time in our lives, my husband and I will live in Southern Metro Manila. It will be a major change, especially for me, since it's far from my place of work. But this new home is a bountiful gift left on our door, without us praying for it.

Commuting around the metro will be difficult, that I don't deny. But with a comfortable house to go home to, opening its gate, unlocking its door and exploring its garden are the things we'll look forward to!

new hopes in 2010

As the year 2009 comes to an end,
Gino and I are wishing you and your family
new hopes, new joys and new beginnings in 2010!

Credits HERE.

Happy new year blogmates!