...happy birthday margie!

               

             

      

       I have known you for almost 2 years and in that span of time, you have not only become a colleague but a friend and sister as well. You have shown and taught me a lot of things about life. And you have truly become an inspiration to me. 

       Here are a few reasons why I truly look up and admire you:

• ·         Your optimism towards life taught me that challenges and problems exists not to break us but to make us even stronger and braver to face the complexities of everyday life.
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• ·         Your love and support for your family made me appreciate my family more.
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• ·         The way you stand up for what is right made me realize that no person should ever make us feel inferior. That sometimes it is alright to fight back if you know you are right.
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• ·         The way you laugh at things makes me realize that it is okay to be crazy sometimes and that we are still young at hearts no matter what.
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• ·         Your faith made me believe more in His power. That all things are possible if we just entrust everything to Him.
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• ·         Your generosity opened my eyes that you can make a difference and make people happy even in your own simple ways.
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• ·         You simplicity makes you rare. That sometimes makes us truly happy are simple things in life– family, friends, new movies to watch and new food to share.

And since it’s your birthday, here are my wishes for you:

• ·         I wish that you find happiness and peace of mind all the time.
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• ·         I wish you and your family good health always.
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• ·         I wish that you may reach the places that you have dreamt of visiting.
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• ·         I wish that wherever life will take you, you will find people who will always make you feel that your home.
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• ·         I wish that you will find someone who will love and accept you for who you are.
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• ·         I wish that this friendship that we have will continue for the coming years.
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• ·         And most importantly, I wish that God will give you all the desires of your heart.

     Enjoy your special day! Laugh, eat, and be crazy! And let me say this, no matter where life takes us, always remember that you have a friend in me.  

HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY MARGIE!

·         

...to the first man in my life!

Year 1987 when I first met you,

I'm just a baby girl but then I knew,

That you'll the first man I love with all my heart,

And that you'll love me in return too.

Everyday you make me feel really special,

Like a princess free as a butterfly

You've sacrificed a lot,

Just to give the desires of my heart.

You've protected me whole your life,

And made sure that I'll grow up alright,

You've accepted me for who I am,

And loved me more for who I become.

For years you have been a good provider,

And now it's my turn to return the gesture,

You always remind me that you are my first man,

And I'll be forever your little one.

Today allow me to say,

A happy happy birthday to you,

I wish you happiness and good health

And that God will give you more years too.

I may not say this often,

But deep in my heart I knew, 

That each passing day, I will love you so,

And thank you for just being you.

...to the only constant man in my life,

A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

...it's our turn!

When I first stumbled upon a saying which says, "It's better to give than to receive", my first reaction when I was 7 years old was, "What the heck? How can you give something and don't expect anything in return? That is unfair! 

I think it's just normal for a kid to react that way. For all our life we were given by our parents things that we needed and for free. 

From the moment we were knit in our mother's womb, we were given our first present - the gift of unconditional love. They didn't hesitate to make us feel loved and appreciated even if we were still a strangers to them. They waited patiently for the right time of our arrival without even complaining about the hardships and responsibilities given to them. Instead they value our presence and consider us as God's gift to them.

When we first laid eyes on the world, they provided us the security that no one will ever try to harm us. They made sure that we are taken care, treated fairly and that we are the most beautiful creation in the world. 

Growing up, we were offered with proper clothes, nutrition and descent education for us to be fully equipped when we conquer the world. They never get tired to teach us lessons of life for us to be stronger and wiser individuals. 

When we are ready to be out in the world, they never fail to encourage us. They never stop to cheer in our success and drop a tear every time we fall. They carried us during our weakest time until we are again ready to stand with out head up high. When we are lost, they would hold our hand and will not let it go until they are sure that we are on the right path.

And most importantly they were never scared to let us blossomed from a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly ready to soar really high up in the sky.

Chasing for our dreams is always the most exciting, wonderful and yet challenging part of our journey. But don't dare to forget the two most amazing people behind you. After all, who and what you are depends on how your parents raised you. For in the middle of our walk, there will always be a sign on the road saying:

REMEMBER IT'S NOW YOUR TIME TO GIVE BACK!

Giving back may not always mean capital M-O-N-E-Y. For money can't always give us or them real and genuine happiness. What matters most are the simple things like;

saying thank you for all the hardships and sacrifices that they went through in order to give us comfortable life.

appreciating them and making them feel really special. After all, they deserved also to be loved unconditionally just like how they loved us all our life.

spending time with them enjoying picnics, lunches or travelling places just like the way they enjoyed watching every school program and events in our life.

providing them with proper nutrition, appropriate clothes and medication to lengthen their life. For they should be honored and respected for all the amazing things they did for us to survive this crazy world.

reminding them of their worth as a person and offering them the security that no matter what we will always be on their side. For they should never be left alone just like the times when they would stay with us during our nightmares at night.

never fail to hold their hands during our walk to make them feel protected and guided.

kiss and hug them every chance we got. And don't be ashamed to say how much we love them. For you'll never know what tomorrow brings.

It may seems mushy, but it's true. For sometimes the most simple things bring great impact on our life.

For sweet captured moments and memories will always be etched in our hearts.

xoxo

...the deleted scene

Life always have it's up and down. They say it's not always a smooth ride. There will be days that it could get crazier or worst. But it's up to us to make the ride fun, memorable and worthwhile.

Some days will bring us laughter and fun that all we wanted is for it to never end. We pray and hope that the coming days or even weeks will always be like that. No problem. No challenges. No regrets. 

If life is like that then we stop to learn. For life is never made to be easy. There will always be problems, challenges and obstacles that would mold us to be a better person. 

In our mistakes, we learn to be better. 

In our failures, we learn to stand up and be strong. 

In every challenges, we tend to be smarter than we used to.

In every dillema, we learn to hope.

And when life gets worst, just remember to move on. Never get stuck. Just continue to walk. For we sometimes can pretend that all those hard things, bad memories, and failures never happen.

For once in our life we just can forget that problems never existed. 

We can do that! Just like in the movie industry, it's always called the 

deleted scene!

xoxo

...locked in a small box

I am a person who really loves to be out in the world. I just hate the idea of being stuck in one place all day. All I want is to try new things, discover new places and experience life's wonders and adventures. My friends would agree with me if I say that I am a person who likes the outdoors so much. I just love to hang out, talk and laugh with them every chance I got and go on trips out of town if our schedules allow us.  

Like a bird, I just want to fly really high and do all things that I want. 

But my freedom was taken away from me, locked in a small box hidden somewhere. I know I made a choice. And I truly accept it with all my heart. Now I realized that I am more fortunate to be born and raised in a country where we are free to express ourselves. 


I am now like a bird in a cage, patiently waiting to be free again.


xoxo

...let this be my not long hidden bucket list!

Make a list. This statement popped into my head while lying on my bed one cold November night. I got a pen and paper and tried to list down things that I want to have, places I like to visit and and adventures that I want to try.

A girl can still wish even at 24. So right now, here's what's inside my bucket list. 

1. The places I wanted to visit ever since I was a little girl.

DISNEYLAND. My obsession with this place started during my elementary days when I was first introduced to several Disney movies like Cinderella and Snow White. I never thought that this place really exists not until I read from an article on a magazine which features the history of the theme park. Right at that very moment I started to dream of visiting the place not long enough. But when I learned that it was located on the other side of the planet, my hopes crushed into bits. Since I was just a kid and I have no money of my own, obviously I can't afford to get myself a visit. But I never stop dreaming. I told myself that whatever it takes, I'll be there soon! I still continue to dream that someday I'll get a chance to walk through it's streets, enjoy the rides, and experience the magic that only Disneyland can offer - the experience of being a kid once more in the happiest place on earth! 

PARIS. The Eiffel Tower is the main reason why I wanted to visit. I just want to experienced the joy of seeing it glows under a starry night. I heard from some people that when it lights you just can't look away because of how amusing and beautiful it is. Plus, European tour rocks!

SOUTH KOREA. Specifically Seoul. I am addicted to some of Korean movies and Korean teleserye. I had to shed a lot of tears just watching it's simple yet heartwarming movies about love and life. If given a chance, I'll visit the place during those moments where cherry blossoms are in abundance. It's so relaxing and so girly seeing those pink flowers bloom at their finest.

VATICAN. I will feel really complete if be given a chance to step on the grounds of our Pope's official residence. I remember during my high school days when Pope John Paul II was still alive, I have always been telling my friends that there are two places that I am dreaming of visiting and Vatican was one of it. I just really wanted to see the Pope in person. I have this thought that if I see the Pope, i'll be the luckiest and blessed person in the whole wide world. 

2. The things that I wanted the most.

HOUSE. I've always dream of building my own house someday. Simple and beautiful where my family and I could spend time together. A house out of my hardwork and love for my parents. A place where we are safe and we can call home.

DSLR. I like to take pictures during out of town trip with me friends and family. I just like the idea of capturing every shared moments together. Cause sometimes by just a mere captured moment in a picture, a whole story can be told. 

APPLE LAPTOP. I am not really a gadget person but I always had a thing with laptops with a fruit as it's logo. I am amazed of how brilliant it's inventors are. Some people say, it makes life easier. That adds to my curiosity and makes me more eager to have it to be able to experience how amazing it is. How iWish I'll have it soon! 

3. Adventures that could blow my mind away.

ROLLER COASTER RIDE. To feel the rush of emotions brought by a roller coaster ride is such a liberating experience for me. I like to challenge myself on how strong and tough I am during those moments when you feel that you are about to fall on the ground. And for once to scream our heart out and enjoy the fun and crazy ride just like life.

UP UP AWAY IN A HOT AIR BALLOON. I like the idea of being on top of the world overseeing God's creation and realizing how blessed and lucky we are to be chosen to live in a wonderful world. 

It will took a lot of hard work, a long patience and continued believing that someday I get to have and do these listed things. With God's grace and guidance, I know I'll be able to accomplish all of it, just be positive on all times and you will be surprised.

Right now, I'll just put this list back inside my bucket and just hide it for a little while. But not for a little while for I know and I believe, not long enough the list will be: 

picked on, crossed out, and done with pride and joy.

...my book's next chapter - a start of a beautiful friendship

They say, that life is like a book, full of wonders, amazing events, and characters that would be a great part of one's story. But unlike a book, life has more to offer - it's crazy and fun happenings, it's complexities that makes us a better and stronger persons, it's great lessons to mold us as to what God planned us to be, and it's unending chapters to write and read for us to see that we are who we supposed to be. Everyday is a great opportunity for us to unfold yet another beautiful and meaningful chapter of our lives. As they always say, if one continue to breath and feel alive, there is always a new story to share and tell.

Let me tell and share with you the next chapter on my book. 

It all started on September 11, 2011 at around 1:30 PM when I first laid eyes to two beautiful persons who welcomed me with an open heart and hand. Whatever reason there was, whether it could be fate or just a mere coincidence, on that one ordinary day, Rachel Gallardo and Rachel Lopez Ramos was chosen to be written and be a part of my history.

That day, being on a strange land a million miles away from home, both of them became my friend, my instant sister my extended family. A thank you is not enough for all the things that you have done for me for almost 2 months of being together. I can't show you right now how grateful I am for the both of you. But let me write these things to show you how I appreciate and value the moments that we shared. 

In times when I am in doubt of my own capabilities, thank you for making me see that I have more to offer. You both encourages me to do my best and cheer whenever I accomplished something. You are always there to calm me down whenever I am confused and started to panic. 

During our gala moment, you became my tourist guide and my shopping companion. You don't get tired on showing me around and introducing me to places that would serve as my home for the coming months and years. I never told both of you this, but everytime you take and hold my hand during our walks, I feel secure and safe that I have a sister in you.  

When I was pressured to learn their language. Both of you did not hesitate to offer your helping hands and on that very day, you became my teacher. You always have a smile on your faces everytime I ask about something I don't understand. You always remind me that all these hardwork and sacrifices would pave way to something more bigger. And I am truly overwhelmed for both of you are God's sent.

During the times when we just simply talk over things and share life's experiences, I was amazed on how beautiful and amazing persons you both are. You do these things not just for yourself but for your family as well. You made me realize that we could be happy when we done something for ourselves but we could be the happiest when we knew that we had helped someone else's too.

With the laughter that we shared, you make me view life differently. That it is alright to be crazy and be a kid again. You make me enjoy life despite the pressure and responsibilities that was put on my shoulder. You remind me to just smile. For things will be fine in God's time.

Yesterday, seeing you go, I hold back the tears from falling my eyes. I was wishing for the last couple of weeks for the clock to tick slow for us to spend more time with each other. It hurts me to see you go, but I have to. For in every hello there is always a time to say goodbye. That's part of life anyway and I know God has a beautiful plan for both of you. 

Always remember that you are already a part of me. That somewhere along the pages of my book a RACHEL GALLARDO and a RACHEL LOPEZ RAMOS have been a part of my story. Bookmarked and highlighted. Consider by the author as one of the most memorable part of her journey. And all those moments that we shared will be forever etched in my memory.

See you soon then!

xoxo