An Epic Movie: 10 Things I hate About You

          One of the things that I usually do on a weekend is watch some movies. I would download via torrent then watch it after. This weekend, my best friend since childhood stayed in our house. I invited her over because it would be a long weekend for me. Our company, specifically our project, follows the US holiday and since its Labor Day in the US today, i will not go to work tonight.

This is my best friend Grace.

          And so my best friend brought her external Hard Disk Drive and all the gadgets with her which I really enjoy using. She has a lot of movies in it and I decided to borrow it to look for some movies to watch. To my surprise, there were tons of movies in it, orderly categorized from action, drama, bollywood, comedy to tagalog movies. I almost doze-off just by looking at it and searching for something to watch.

       
            Out of all the movies that is stored in the HDD, I decided to watch 10 Things I Hate About You. This film was shown way back year 1999 during my High School days. I've watched the movie several times already and after seeing the title twice from different folders, it felt like I had a confirmation that its the one. Haha :))

          While watching the movie and seeing the cast, I immediately had this equation on my mind... Batman + Bourne = 10 Things I Hate About You. The cast in Batman series, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and of course Heath Ledger was there, and Julia Stiles who's on Bourne series was also there. They all look good and cute during their teenage years and all of them became popular after that movie. And i guess everybody knows what happened to Heath Ledger (except my best friend, she is really clueless ^_^) its really saddening because he is such a great actor.

          His epic scene where he sang "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" can really melt every girls heart. I'm still having goosebumps and it still gives me this "kilig" feeling of teeny bopper sweetie patootie every time I watch him sing that song. Every girl would be so overwhelmed if a guy would serenade her in that way.

          Watching 10 Things I Hate About You is like a flashback for me. It brings back good old memories during my high school days. The only difference is that i dont really pay attention to the script before, but now that i am older, i have another goal when watching a movie. I am now the type of movie watcher who would wait and listen and be very particular with the script and lines. I appreciate movies with great lines even if the movie is not really good at all. And i realized that there were a lot of great lines in that movie. Here are some of my personal favorites.

"You dont always have to be who they want you to be. "
"Who needs affection, when I have blind hatred"
"Dont let anyone make you feel like you dont deserve what you want. Go for it."
"Just because youre beautiful, that doesnt mean that you can treat people like they dont matter."
"I dont like to do what people expect. Why would I live up to other peoples expectation instead of my own?"

          And just before the movie ended, I was stunned to hear Julia Stiles version of her sonnet (where she recited the 10 things that she hate) which is dedicated to Heath Ledger. My favorite FM radio station is 96.3 Easy Rock, where they play mellow music, less talk, more music ^_^ Anyway, in between set of songs, they have this short advertisement where they quote lines from movies. Im familiar with the other lines but these one was another surprise. I didnt know that it was from "10TIHAY" I would hear it everyday and ask myself from what movie could that be. I find it a very realistic line and only to find out that i already watched the movie years ago. So heres the famous line...

"I hate it when you're not around, and the fact that you didn't call. But mostly I hate the way i don't hate you. Not even close, Not even a little, Not even at all."

The 30 Day Challenge

          About 3 weeks ago, Pastor Peter mentioned in his message on how to create or form a new habit. He said, that for something to become a habit, you have to do it repetitively everyday for 30 days. Some says its only 21 days some says its 40, so 30 days is the safest being in between. I've tried developing a new a habit before but I always fail.

          After some recent revelations in my life and being bothered by some issues, I decided to take the 30 day: Form a New Habit Challenge. This was also brought about by the series in church about pursuing intimacy with God. I admit that I'm not really that consistent in journalizing and I really want to be faithful in writing dow all the things that I've learned. For me its easier to type than to write. My hand gets easily tired when I'm writing. Unlike with typing, you can easily say anything you want and delete if you dont like it. The problem with typing is that it might be deleted permanently. So I never considered saving my journal in my laptop...again, since it happened for around 3x already.

          Being in a very hectic work day schedule, my mind, most of the time if not always is preoccupied by things or stuff that is related to the office. That includeds people, friends, bosses, work itself, when will be the next holiday, rest day, double pay, sick leave, vacation leave, pay day and a lot more. The moment that I wake up, I would immediately ask myself if Im already late for work. Since that is becoming a cycle, I know that i have to do something about it. Before, the first thing that I would think of when I wake up or first thing that I would say is "Thank you Lord" but it slowly fade because Im always in a hurry to prepare for work. I know im not pleasing God with that kind of attitude.

          It has always been my prayer that I would really fall in love so deeply with God. That only His love will satisfy me, that He alone is enough. Just like in any other relationship, if you really want to know more about the person, you have to spend time with them. And I know that the more I spend my time knowing God, the more I will fall in love and be in love with Him.

         Here are the things that I decided to do in 30 days:
1. Talk to God immediately upon waking up. Say Thank You or Good Morning.
2. First thing that I will do before anything else is have my Quiet Time then pray.
3. Journalize before going to sleep.
4. Read the bible again before going to sleep.

         Currently, Im already on my 21st day today. I was even surprised upon counting the days and how many days hae gone so far and how many days were left. Honestly this challenge was not really easy. Its hard specially when you're not used to it. The hardest for me is the journalizing part. I still missed some days. But even before I start with this challenge, I already had this mindset that i should not be so hard with myself and be so legalistic. I know that if it happened, I will just feel so guilty missing on some days, then I would end up not finishing the challenge because of so much guilt. I would elaborate more the challenges that I encounterd during the 30 days period on my next blogs.

          I have learned so much from this experience. It has been of great help for my everyday life as a christian. Being preoccupied with the thoughts of God and being excited to spend time with Him. I asked God to give me a new bible if I finished the challenge successfully. Of course it would not end on the 30th day. It should be a habit. Not just a habit in that sense or for the sake of doing it but doing it because its already part of my life and part of my day doing it naturally.

Philippians 4:13

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 

Matthew 19:26

New International Version (NIV)

²⁶ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
 

          

Exact Fare only!

          That moment when you have to pay for your bus ticket only to find out that you left your wallet in your locker at the office. PANIC! 

          Since we don't have a lot of work load last Friday we were allowed to go home earlier than usual, and that is already a blessing. So I packed my things and went to the locker to get my bag and other stuff. What I didn't noticed and my bad for not checking is that my wallet was not inside my bag.

Earlier that Day

Faith and Me

          Me and Faith (a close christian friend in the office) went down to ministop to buy something to eat. While paying for all the food in front of the cashier, Faith gave me 4 pesos. That 4 pesos was not actually a payment nor a change, she just gave it to me. So I place it in my pants' back pocket.

So going back to the wallet.

          Just like the usual "time to go home" bus ride, when the bus conductor approached me to get my payment, that's the time I realized that my wallet is missing! Uh-oh..Panic Attack! I even remember saying, "Ay Manong pababa na lang pala," hahaha... but he didn't heard me so I started searching for "mga natatagong pera." I started to pray that God will provide for my fare, then I found the 4 pesos that Faith gave me earlier that day. But, its not enough so I searched again, at the side pocket, I found a 20 peso bill.. Haaaallelujah! 

          I can't help but smile on God's provision for me. Can't help but continuously thank Him for providing right that very moment. Who would have thought that, that 4 pesos Faith gave me earlier that day would also be a blessing in disguise. Maybe God prompted her to give it to me unconsciously while we were in the cashier... me, accepting it even if i have money... I don't know, all I know is that God really provides for His children. 

    

          So all in all, I have 24 pesos in hand, which is the Exact Fare that I need to pay to be able to go back to the office and get the forgotten wallet. God is really sweet and thoughtful, I can definitely go back to the office by walking, but He knew that I don't like the feeling of "pawisan" and "mainit" so He gave me money instead. (They call me madam boxi, cause i'd rather take a cab than to be pawisan)

          Now I appreciate manong guard in the office. He would always tells us, in his native Bacolod/ Ilonggo tone... "Uuwi na kayo maam/sir? Wala na po ba kayo nakalimutan?" Confident enough, we would/ I would always answer... "wala po." We used to imitate him and make fun of him because of that. I think I owe him some apology and would take him seriously next time. ^_^  

Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

         

The Blogger

Before and After of my Journal draft entry for my blog

          I consider this day as my Couch Patatas Sunday (taken from couch potato). I have been reading a lot of articles, news, stories, recent and old facts and blog sites since I woke up. So far I am blessed to find good reads, specially christian blog sites.

Jen and Me

          I started writing blogs way back 2010 after my office girl-bff Jen encouraged me to create one. I have no idea how to maintain or even create a blog site. I'm not even good with writing. I think i will just mess up and make a fool of myself because of wrong spelling, wrong grammar and a no-brainer-not-thought provoking-not-interesting topics. But even so, i took the challenge and created one.

          

          The main purpose why I created a blogsite is for me to share the works of God in my life. How He revealed Himself in different situations, circumstances, and how He rescued me from every fall and wrong decisions that i made.

          Hesitant as I am in sharing my innermost thoughts for public viewing, I trust that God will be in control. Before, I thought that creating a blog will require so much information of my private life, that I have to say everything, but I realized that it is not the main purpose. 

          I want my blog site to be a blessing to other people, that whoever will happen to read it will see God's goodness through my life. That they will know how Great our God is. 

          After reading the blogs of Joe Bonifacio, Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio and Joy Tan Chi- Mendoza, I was inspired to be more consistent in updating my blogs and sharing. I have also decided to delete some old blog entries that are not edifying or will not bring glory to God. 

          I want to start with the Now and leave Yesterday behind and hope for a blessed Tomorrow.  

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Foody Goody

Certified food lover… that’s me. One of the things that I love to do is eat… well who doesn’t anyway? When I am under stress, I would eat my heart out to release whatever tension that is within me. I would definitely buy and indulge to my appetite to whatever food that comes to my mind that is good and edible. I’m also a small frequent eater. I’m not good with bulk eating, like I have to take everything down that very moment. But, if I’m going to eat with one or two hour interval I will surely finish all of it. Having a fast body metabolism is an advantage for a woman of my age and I’m really taking advantage of it… “lucky” I think is the right word for that. Though I eat often and eat too much junk(or even real food), I don’t get fat and gain weight. My body never came to a state of being “fat.” Until now I can still wear the clothes that I bought four years ago... and yes that includes the pants. Some of my friends were a bit envious of my “katakawan” yet I’m still “payatot” having a flat stomach and no bilbil on the sides…or so they thought…hahaha…Im already seeing flabs on the side..and the best way to hide??? Tralalala…hold thy breath for as long as you can…hahaha :D

To be honest, though I have a “good figure” based on general standards, sad to say, I am not a healthy human being as per Anatomy and Physiology, MS 1 and 2, and Pathophysiology standards. I have hyperacidity that if not managed well will lead to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or the ever famous GERD. I also have a gall bladder polyp that if I will not be careful with my fatty, oily and salty food intake will lead to gall bladder stones…still lucky??... naaah… not at all. The doctor restricted me from eating most of my favorite food, though he didn’t told me not to eat at all. I’m still allowed to eat but in moderation of course.  Then goes the saying “everything in excess is bad..is bad..is bad” haha paulit ulit?? guess that applies to all. And so the other girls go on a diet to have a fab and slim body while as for me I go on a diet to be healthy…so I will not get sick…or I’ll die! Well that’s for worst scenario..hehe

Last year I had a whole abdomen ultrasound, that’s the time that I became aware of my condition. Straight scared for myself, so I obeyed the doctor…for a while… but when I already felt that I’m doing good…viola!.. back to eating all the forbidden foods. When the signs and symptoms started to show up again I started to go on a diet again. Then it became a cycle…feeling good…eat all…not feeling good… diet. But that’s not the way it should be.  If I really don’t want to suffer again from all the pain and inconvenience of my digestive problem, I have to completely obey what the doctor told me. So it’s true.. “masarap ang bawal.” Right now I’m doing my best to avoid all the forbidden foods as part of my self- discipline regimen. 

So what is it to you and me anyway? 

The Bible says

Man does not live on bread alone

Matthew 4:4

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’^[a]” 

                Food is not the only thing that will satisfy the needs of our body.  We also need the word of God, the Bible. Through reading His word, we don’t only feed our body but also our soul. We get to know more of Him and His love which is far more greater than any food in the world.  I’m not saying that eating is sinful or is less important. Our body needs nourishment but so is our souls. Food is for the physical aspect while the Word is for the spiritual aspect. Being physically healthy will help us cope with our daily life, while being spiritually healthy helps us to respond well and according to the will of God with anything that life throws at us.   

Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 6:19

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

                Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, therefore we should take of it. I bet you all know how to take care of your body,  and you are just having a hard time doing the right thing because you can’t give up whatever  it is that is making you feel good. What makes you feel good can be in many forms like food, vices and other more. We do not own our body and we should honor God with it by taking care of it and by using it for His glory. 

You shall not be mastered by anything

1 Corinthians 6:12

“I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.

                The other version for this is, Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. Yes we are allowed to eat whatever we like but not everything that we eat will be beneficial for our body. Food or any other else should not be our masters. We should not be enslaved by anything in this world and that includes food, vices, material things, money and many more. We should learn to control ourselves and as for this particular blog…our appetite.  

The Revival

         Its been a long time since i opened this blog site. I have been very busy with my life that i got so lazy writing my heart out and pouring my thoughts out. Now i have decided to write again.. yes, write and be bolder with my thoughts. The past year have been another round of different rides...riding it all over again and regretting the ride. Though it has a different scenery to offer..much more enticing, but was not worth it. I've been a lone ranger, fighting the battle alone. Struggling and becoming a stone. Not caring. Not listening. Running. Ignoring. 

            But my God has always been faithful to me. Patiently waited for my heart of stone to break and get down on my knees to call out to Him again. Breaking every piece of the stone and revealing its precious core..the heart that longs for God. The broken and contrite heart. Once again, He saved me and redeemed me from my self destructive behavior. 

Often we are filled with our own desires and motivated on a daily basis by things that will Never Truly fill us up.  But when we delight in the Lord, our hearts become one with God's heart. - Heather Bixler 

              Here I am, humbled and in awe of how great my God is. I don't deserve anything good in this life because of my stubborn and ever-wandering heart and mind, but by the grace of God i'm still here, and I'm still His child. To God be all the glory and praises. 

Thank You for Emptying My Cup 

 

(from the other blogsite copy|paste|updated time settings)