No Worries

"Hakuna Matata - No worries for the rest of your days"

~Swahili Phrase

The picture was taken in our school science garden.

Hakunana Matata is the magic phrase for a natural born worrier like me. That's me 20something years ago, before I went back to teaching. Now, the word "worry" was offered a little room for rent in my life hoping that soon it would finally found a new house to occupy.

See what teaching done to me. I'm becoming less of a worrier and more like a clown....well sort of. Clown to make my students alive and to my friends, for them to be happy.  Hahaha!!!

Do it now

"I shall pas through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall  not pass this way again."

~Stephen Grellet

Hanging coffins

(Echo Valley, Sagada, Mountain Province)

Oh well, it's been a while. If not for the student's I teach, I will not have the time, or rather would not find a time to post something. I've been caught in a very busy schedule of teaching, doing lesson plans, instructional materials, counseling, home visiting and inspiring that I almost forgot I have this space.

Thanks to them whom I tried to inspire. They inspired me to write again, for it is something I should't neglect.

Formula for Happiness

You will never achieve what you are capable of

if you're too attached to things you're supposed to let go of.

~Marc and Angel Hack Life

I am a woman full of emotional attachment to almost anything that touches my life. But along the way I learned that "changes" are inevitable and at a point it time we have to let go (of anything, whether it be love, a thing or someone who had to pass by but would never be part of our life forever) and move on.

God is really gracious to remind me of the perks of moving on. Quotes and thoughts about moving on and letting go were pouring since yesterday. Just in time for the new year eh?

Stairways to Heaven

"Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, 

but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it"

~Andy Rooney

Mountain Province

Euphoria, yes it was! The best trip of my life thus far.

The road to Sagada wasn't an easy one. You will go through curly,zigzag roads which seems endless and will make you feel like puking. But thinking about the destination and journey itself is exhilarating. 

Our life can be compared with this road, the ups and downs may seem endless but the lessons and experience are priceless. And in the end you'll realize that despite everything, life is worth a try!!!

Letters

"A teacher's purpose is not to create students in his own image,

but to develop students who can create their own image"

~Anonymous

Philpost Board

I never had an idea that I will post this picture in time when I am back to teaching. Procrastination sometimes has its own reason. This paper reminds me of the countless letters I received from my students way back 19forgotten (jk). I almost forgot how it feels to receive one, until one of my students gave me a letter yesterday (she made me love teaching even more - Thanks A.M.).  Teaching is exhausting, but as long as I can touch lives - the h*** with exhaustion - PROUD TEACHER here dearies.

Inspiration

"It is during our darkest moments

that we must focus to see the light"

~Aristotle Onassis

Here's a bit of inspiration for all the people out there who need to find the light to guide them. 

Hang on and let's celebrate life.

Take time

"Beware the barrenness of a busy life"

~Socrates

I thought when you pour out your effort, heart and all at something you will be fulfilled. But they don't. Being busy doesn't always equates progress, self satisfaction and fulfillment. Now, not only my head but also my heart knows that we cannot make it for the lost time. We don't have the future yet, we only have the present so might as well live one day at a time and enjoy life. There are far more awesome things out there. I know it.

The way home

"Our way to practice is one step at a time,

one breath at a time"

~Shunryu Suzuki

Caleruega

In life, sometimes we have to take detours. But time will always come, when you'll feel that you had reached the end of the road and there's no other way than to turn around and go back where you truly belong.

Appreciation

"Appreciation is a wonderful thing:

It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well"

-Voltaire

Christmas is almost here. I am now on the highest peak of my happy mood hunting gifts for loved ones.

So busy  I may fail to get that one thing I desire the most to practice my new found desire to capture life. I sulked for like 7 hours. But it led me to the conclusion that nothing will happen even if I do that. So I braced myself and accepted the fact that it wasn't here yet cause it's not the time to be.

God has a plan. And for that I will wait for the right time.

Wallflowers

"I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod;

my shadow does that much better"

-Plutarch

Wallflowers? Nope, just when we wanted to. Right guys?

Wear your emotion

"Nature always wears the colors of the spirit"

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nature wears the colors of the spirit.

When I was a teen, I was fascinated with pink. 

I stayed faithful to it until I fell in love with red. A color I despised before. 

But can you believe that now, I am in awe with yellow? A color which made me puke when I was young 

(no exaggeration).

Although this sudden changes in my favorites brought confusion in me, I at least came to the most acceptable reason I can think of. And that is, "we wear our emotions". And by that I mean my color depends on my mood (hope that makes sense)

Caleruega

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them
that your strength lies"
-Mother Teresa

Caleruega's Transfiguration Chapel, 

Caleruega made me gasp at first sight and the only word I managed to say was wow.  

It is indeed a perfect place to ponder and pray 

and to free your mind of heavy loads.

Bridge over troubled wated (jk)

"Cross the bridge when you get there"

I am such a worrier, like worrying is my hobby. 

And most of the things I worry about never happens,

and they concern the future. I tend to over think things.

Duh, it making me sick.

Can I just be happy go lucky sometimes,

and cross the bridge when I get there?

It's the Climb

"It is better to take many small steps in the right direction

than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward"

-Proverb

Caleruega, Nasugbu, Batangas

And that is a no sweat title, cause I imagined Miley Cyrus singing when I saw the stairs. What's with the step and direction? It's so redundant, so I'll leave it for you to figure out.

P.S. I finally created a Facebook Page for this blog. Only click like if you want. Gee, thanks

Lapse of Judgment

"Judgments prevent us from seeing the good

that lies beyond appearances"

-Wayne Dyer

 taken at Caleruega, Nasugbu Batangas.

I thought this picture would be an ugly duckling. But  I had a lapse of judgment,

cause it's one of my favorites (beauty is indeed in the eyes of the beholder).

Love and light

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that"

Matrin Luther King , Jr.

When you are in the midst of pain, it seems so hard to give out love and forgive.

Like life  itself is so hard to sustain. And yet when time had healed the wounds of yesterdays, 

you will be amazed with yourself on how easy it is to forgive.

Everything really just need to take time, so that the lesson from past mistakes

could be embodied and absorbed well, so not to be repeated again.

A tinge of loneliness

"Pain is not a sign of weakness,

but bearing it alone is a choice to grow weak"

-Lori Deschene

That feeling when you are surrounded by people and yet you feel alone.

That instant when you thought you're not doing any single right thing.

Dearies, give yourself a break, I mean give our hearts a break.

And every time your heart feels a tinge of loneliness,

start counting the blessings and cast those fears aside.

Carry on

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather,

always bring your own sunshine"

-Anthony J. D'Angelo

Fort Santiago

No matter how long, I may stumble, I may fall but I will carry on.

Life is...

"Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect.

It means  you've decided to look beyond the imperfections."

-Unknown

Life has its fair share of bad, sad, stressful and busy days. But in spite the uncertainties, all things are passing and everything will fall into place.

Gratitude

"There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle,

or you can live as if everything is a miracle."

-Albert Einstein

Mary Immaculate Parish (Nature's Church) - Cafe

It's a long weekend (for us). There is nothing more serene than to rest on the comfort of our homes.  This picture reminds me of our old home after the volcanic eruption. A refuge my father built for us while our home was being built on a new and higher location.

Simple, good old days! Love them!!! I want them back, I miss them.
I give thanks for them.