Vantage Point

My daughter and I spent a few minutes "arguing" about what dress we should buy for her. This is going to be used for our major church event next week. I thought the printed dress with frills and laces suit her. It's in between dainty and trendy. But she chose not to hear what I was saying.

It did get into me that she did not like anything I suggested she try. It exasperated me. I told her just look for something she wants. She wanted this black dress to which I said no. It doesn't match with the sacred occasion she is going to attend. I just had to let out a big sigh.

She's about seven months away from being a teenager and we are already having this "disagreement". I know this day will come. I heard this kind of story from my parents. I just have to accept that my daughter has her own preferences already. She knows what she wants for herself especially in what to wear.

Things ended well in our pursuit for her dress. It's a great thing that we both like what I picked. She wanted the dress so much plus the shoes we were both eyeing. And she had a bonus Spongebob shirt from me. :)

Generally, my daughter and I love to bond. There are a thousand and one things we love doing together. We both love shopping (what mother and daughter do not?). We both love books and a trip to the bookstore is one activity we both enjoy. We love magazines too. We love music though from different genres. I could go on and on.

But it's a fact of life that mothers and daughters have their own choices. We may like the same things but there will come a point that the daughter will take a different course. She has a mind of her own and I should respect her disposition and choices. Early as it sounds at 12, I want to be prepared for this. It's the dress now, I am not sure what later on. But I will always be a mother, ready to guide and coach her, maybe from a distance. I promise not to hover but stay at a good distance, keep a good vantage point. That should be fair enough.

De-stress

What do you do when you are so stressed? De-stress of course, at least try to. I have been under so much stress these days. How do we really get rid of the stress in our lives when we face the cause of stress everyday?

Well, sure, we should come to terms with it, treat it like a mature person would meaning deal with it squarely and look at the brighter side. Been there, done that, still doing it. That's what I actually do. Face what is stressing me head on so I can do something about it and then I can freely move on throughout the day.

Aside from that, other things work for me.

1. I take a deep breath, try to be still and pray. I am a living testimony that prayers work wonders. Whatever I'm about to do, I pray first. It gives me a light feeling knowing that I have my God with me all the way. Praying calms me down, this is my number one de-stressor. And it definitely works. Maybe not in an instant but you will see, things will just fall into their proper places. You will be amazed.

2. I exercise! I focus on burning calories and strengthening my muscles. I sweat it out. I feel so recharged after every exercise that I feel like I'm a new person after. I am reborn. :)

3. I do household chores. I cook even if there is someone else who can do that for me. I wash the dishes. I clean the kitchen. All these take my mind off whatever it is that is causing me stress.

4. I turn to multi-media. I read my favorite book for the moment. I channel surf until my mind bleeds and find something interesting. I surf the net.

5. I pour my heart out in my journal and then magically, I get to clear my mind and think straight less the emotional baggage of stress.

6. I think of my favorite things (think Julie Andrews, yes). I think of my dreams. I think of beautiful thoughts. I look forward. Remember, nothing lasts forever. Whatever is causing me stress, it won't last forever. This too shall pass.

7. I read inspiring stories. I look at inspiring people. They too get stressed out but they manage. So can I.

Sometimes it's easy to get rid of the stress we are feeling, sometimes not. But ask yourself, is it worth it? Is being stressed out worth all the trouble? My answer is a resounding NO. Give yourself a break.

In a nutshell.....Accepting what is.....doing something productive to counter stress while looking forward to a wonderful what will be.....praying.....calm me down.

Pixie Hair

I am loving the pixie hairstyle. I have experienced all sorts of hairstyles - long, bob, straight (as in relaxed or rebond), wavy as my hair is naturally wavy, big waves actually. But I have been sporting short hair for years now. I sort of got tired having my hair rebonded. For one thing, I look younger donning short hair.

Yes, I keep on trying to make them longer but it ends up short whenever I go to my hairstylist. Wavy hair needs so much maintenance. Now I want the pixie hair! If I'll have short hair, why not have it in style? Pixie haircut with highlights, in subdued colors. Just to make the pixie cut more alive. I just might do this before the year ends. It now fits my slim figure.

Isn't it fun to continue reinventing oneself?

I love these girls in their short, short hair, Emma Watson and Roxanne Ritchi from Megamind. Love their personalities too.

*Emma Watson's picture from Hello Magazine, Roxanne's picture is from nick.com.

Ready, Set, Go!

On this day of your life, Lynn, we believe God wants you to know ... that God will give you everything you need once you are ready to receive.

God is abundant and is only waiting for you to make yourself ready to receive what you truly need. Think now what can you do to make yourself ready?

I am so ready, God. :) I can feel it.

I am surprised with myself lately. I have longer patience. I am calm in situations which otherwise agitate me. I feel so happy with my husband and daughter. I am just so excited and looking forward to ---------------- this, these, that, those. Let me just keep them to myself and my God. :)

It's Hard To Look The Other Way

Things went fine today. All good as a matter of fact. The saying "the day will take care of itself" is true for today. Nurture your positive thinking and things will fall into the right places. I thank God for that. Smooth.

Snapshots of my day.....

I voted in the morning together with my husband. It's the local elections and we practiced our right to vote.

It's supposed to be a holiday but I have to be at the office in the afternoon for the monthly strategic review. It turned out good and suddenly, I really didn't mind if we were called to report for the meeting unlike how I was feeling when I first read the announcement for it. We are pressed for time as next week will be another four-day work week because of All Saint's Day. This was my first time to attend the organization's strategic review since I am new. I prepared for my presentation and glad it was a breeze. I know now what to expect next time.

There was good camaraderie among my colleagues. I hope this continues.

Great sales performance! My team and I received a commendation for it.

My daughter had her screening at the church finally. It also went well. She had her church duty tonight.

My daughter and I were able to schedule her reviews for their mastery tests in advance. :)

I was home early. I brought home siomai fron Hen Lin which really tastes good.

I had a fairly smooth ride even if it was raining.

And with all these blessings, it's hard to look the other way.

I was lining up in the taxi bay when a man carrying a baby appeared among the crowd. He was selling fresh sampaguita flowers to each person in the line. As expected most people ignored him. I tried not to look when he came in front of me. But I gave in.

I looked for my wallet and gave the man P20 without getting the flowers. On my mind was the money was for the child at least. What is it compared to how he must be feeling? He's not actually begging but selling flowers but with that pity-me stance, holding a baby on a rainy night. Talk about abuse. But what the hell. Let me spare a few pesos. That won't hurt me but maybe he'll use it to buy some food.

Did I just help a parasite? Well, he was selling sampaguita. Let God take care of the man, especially the child he was holding.

Home Sweet Home

It just feels good to be home. :)))

*Picture from All Things Cupcake.

My Comfort Zone

I prayed for this, for the position at least. And now I have it. I am tempted to tell myself be careful what you wish for. But no, I am thankful God has given me this opportunity. It's not easy but I know He has a purpose in giving this to me so soon. On my mind was I'll prepare myself thoroughly for this position a year or so after I've flexed my muscles some more in the corporate world.

Ironic as it may sound after landing this valuable but painstakingly demanding job, there's one thing I realize and this comes from the heart. My career does not define me anymore. Whereas before I see myself as a fulfilled woman having to balance career and family life, among other things, I see my life now in a different perspective.

Sure my career is very important because it gives me financial freedom. It fulfills me in the sense that it opens more opportunities to learn new things, meet all kinds of people, contribute significantly to the company and share my learning to my team and co-workers. I give my best in my line of work.

But gathering from my experience, everything is temporary. We cannot hold on to things or positions like our life depend on them. We will thrive, a great life will go on without them. Apart from my family, my happiness lies with the thought that I serve a God who never abandoned me in my life (even if I thought He did, shame on me), who always restores me whenever I go astray or failure hits my plans. I am comforted by the fact that I am secured because I have a God who sees me through, leads my way and helps me succeed. I have proven this since I was a child. I serve a God who does not mind if I am a vice president of a company or if I am a stay-at-home mom whose happiness is to take care of her family. Why would I mind either or other people?

I am calmed by the thought that God sees me as a whole person no matter what I do. I feel secured because God has given me the gift of faith. I entrust God my life for His plans for me, and my family, are always for the best. I have witnessed that so many times in my life. All I have to say is Thank You.