JUNE THOUGHTS

Normally, whenever I post on Facebook there’s always a photo attached to it. A photo that inspired me to create lines and share them with you. This time, I thought of just putting them on to my Facebook page.

I’ve been thinking a lot last night. I’ve been missing him. I miss those times when we sit together, have our coffee, he lights his cigar then he starts to educate me about life. I was thinking, how many days, months or years left for me to live, to enjoy this life? Tricky question isn’t it?

Just the other day when I was inside the temple. I had a sudden thought of giving blogging another try. I will re-start my blog and share stories that I may encounter or freshly a story of my own. The thing that drew me to share my Life’s stories was the idea of writing a story that shows the way Father God is at work in my daily life.

However, as I look at some of my stories these past few years, I began to wonder whether I had any interesting stories to share. I had been a stay-at-home Lorna since I became a widow, (sorry I don’t like to mention his name as it’s my deliberate choice) I wanted to try to convey that something was missing in the story. In this case, I’ll just share what comes to mind. So…what could I write about? Did or do I have any stories that anyone would want to read? Most of the time, when you share blogs or stories some may appreciate it, some will even love it or some may just tell you, “great share” or some may say.. "move on..." After a while I decided to come back to the vision of traveling. Yeah, I have been traveling and seeing places and it feels pretty good. It felt good especially when I’m driving and discovering places that I've heard of but never been or never seen. 

Then again, I might as well share some of my reflections of faith from my everyday life. I began to think about the things Father God taught me when I lost my husband. I thought I was left all alone and emotionally drained. Drained by so many things then finding how to calm this busy mind. Fortunately, it will naturally settle down, then you will come back to senses. I say Amen to that!

At the time, I wasn’t sure how I was going to survive, but by God’s grace. I did and still continue surviving. God has a way of letting me understand that we all have a purpose in life and He used those years of my feeling alone to change me, my heart and my attitude to situations. Everyday, God’s faithfulness in our everyday struggles, I love to share that prayer is very powerful.

Sometimes, when I am overwhelmed I tend to forget things. Normal, perhaps? But I am very grateful for all the blessings that God gave me and the blessings I receive every day.

I remember blogging about stories of those times when I was fortunate. Ha! Yeah, I was there too long time ago. I shared a lot of photos. Having the chance to wear fancy dresses, being in a high society parties and cocktails, eating expensive meals and drinking expensive wines and champagnes. I was taught how to open a champagne using a sword, yes, that was really something. I learned how to communicate properly with people… Wow! What a life, ha… but in the end, I also have a heart for helping people. That’s where my photography came in. I took photos and exhibited them for a cause. It worked surprisingly well. I was able to expand my creativity as an artist and learned a lot from that experience. 

Those years of being totally independent in life taught me a lot, so much lessons that I simply can’t name them all because there was always something going on every day. I am sure there are people who can relate with my experiences but sometimes, I am craving for words to define life when the situation gets complicated or tricky.

Sometimes, we start to see the goodness in a person once they’re gone. We start to appreciate their good deeds and their good intentions when we don’t see them anymore. I mean, I do appreciate and grateful to people when they are nice to me or when they do good to me. Thing is, I just don’t want you to become a candidate of someone feeling so guilty about something that you wished you could have done before. Some people post stuff on Facebook like a snap of a pose because they were standing for a minute in the suburbs and sometimes I can’t help but wonder, did they really feel it? Did they sleep there, interacted with the community and talked about their daily lives? Yeah, because at one stage, I did. We did! Somewhat felt like a tourist and whatever you do, you don’t actually fit in, so just pack your things and leave. 

In a way, I started blogging everywhere I go, taking any opportunity, about any thoughts, when I’m in a typing mood, in my laptop which I actually find entertaining and relaxing. Although, sometimes, I am quick to start then I find myself having a difficult time ending it, lol, sort of what writer’s refer to as writer’s block.

I feel like there is something fitting about (continuing to share) my blogging. I’m so thankful for all the blessings that is coming to my life. I love adventures because whenever I am driving all by myself or all alone, it gives me the opportunity to reflect on the daily gifts God has given me and the way He uses difficult circumstances to teach us lessons of patience, humility and love. And for that, I am thankful. 

I will still try to continue to reflect on my life’s events and try to share them on my Facebook page. It might not be all the time but when I can, I will use words and photos as a mirror of life. 

IT'S HARMLESS!

"We still enjoy swimming." says the couple vacationer swimming this morning at the beach. I went for a walk this morning and I've seen a bit of the dead sea grass floating covering the crystal clear waters. 

If you've been on the water in Nah Trang yesterday you've seen clear water but this morning, you are looking at dead sea grass plaguing the area. The staff here told me that this is the time of the year when dead sea grass are floating on beaches. I was thinking that it's probably the effect of the typhoon which is happening nearby countries. I've been to few beaches but I don't remember seeing dead sea grass this much. The moment I opened my curtain, I saw them floating near the shore, “fisherman are not affected as its not really covering a lot of the sea.” say's the hotel staff.

The fresh water kills the sea grass -- meaning some sea life must go elsewhere. "It's essential for their survival. Whether it be for their reproduction or just as a refuge for their habitat, without those sea grasses they can no longer reproduce or use those areas.” 

 

It was indeed a cleaning up time on for the beaches. I was looking at them collecting the brown sea grass and putting them on the boats to dispose. The cleaning took at least few days. For now, the dead sea grass come and go but at least it's not a lot like the other weeks. I've seen that tourist are enjoying their time because they have access to the sea. 

MY FIRST THREE WEEKS IN NHA TRANG!

This week was another wonderful week! It’s my third week and now settling is becoming easier. My first two weeks was a bit uneasy but thank God for the beautiful scenery that whenever I open the blinds in the morning, an uplifting beauty is always waiting to be seen and appreciated.

Coffee taste good every morning and I must say that my stamina for many things is going pretty well. Nature is playing its role for this. Good example would be the part that I can go to the city alone and was able to find the grocery store and have an idea of what to buy.


Yesterday was really fantastic because me and my husband were able to find the store where they have most of the stuff or groceries we wanted. Like in Bangkok, they have also huge BIG C department store here, what made me smile was, when I saw Jollibee, yes. there is Jollibee inside the store. Im not a big fan of Jollibee but it certainly reminds me of where I came from, Pilipinas!


This time, I can find my way to few places nearby without asking for help. Nha Trang's transportation is pretty easy, (easier as I expected.) They only have two-lane and the moment you arrived at the city, you can easily navigate where you are. Getting a taxi is easy as well as most taxi drivers speak good English. This three weeks, to me, was more on settling in and being able to decide on things and places to visit. Socially, I continuously receiving invitations but I thought i'd better take it easy for a while. Socializing will come later.

(Maybe) this coming week, I will go and explore Nha Trang. Not going for shopping but getting to know their cultures by visiting their touristic places. Perhaps, locating the places to visit twice a week would probably help. I will not take the tour as its a bit pricy but going for an adventure and discovering the place would be nice.


Whilst typing this, it reminded me when I just arrived here in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Our journey from Thailand to Ho Chi Minh started very well. The moment we arrived at the Nha Trang airport, we were welcome by the hotel rep with her big smile wearing their Vietnamese traditional attire and accompanied us to our transport for Vinpearl.

Twas really a good trip. A bit tiring as we have to fly twice from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh then to Nah Trang. 

Along the way, I never thought about how different it would be. Before coming to Nah Trang, I browse online and check the place and I complain a lot but the moment I arrived, my perspectives changed completely.

From Nha Trang airport to our destination, the scenery along the way was really beautiful and there was NO TRAFFIC! Don't get me wrong, I have been living to cities where I had to use the BTS (trains), subway, taxi, tuktuk and moto and t'was pretty a good experience. But driving on a street where there's no traffic, is really something! At one point, I asked the driver if its possible to stop and to enjoy the scenery but in the end, we choose to keep moving on. We then arrived at our destination before 6pm.


Back to the story; my three weeks here in Nha Trang is going really smoothly. The local people are amazing, they're friendly at least to me. I was honestly stunned. This fresh three weeks experience taught me a lot. I am slowly adopting the culture and continuously learning.

Lastly, I have no advice for now but its always good to check on google the things you wanted to do in Nha Trang: I say, stop thinking too much, stop planning too much and just live. As cheesy as that is, if you constantly plan and think you’ll miss out. I'm sure Nha Trang has a lot to offer.

FIRST TANDEM OF THE YEAR: UNDERSTAND & FORGIVE --- (and learn from it)

"...people change, even good people, if they get the wrong thing in their head. And not everything is always what it looks like and sometimes just because one person looks weak, they might be very strong, and another person might look like a spooky freak but he might be one of the kindest people you'd ever meet. And I guess I learned that time is slippery...We have to enjoy every second, love with all our hearts, all we can, while we can.”  ― Lee Thompson

How i really wish that sometimes, people will also understand and respect your feelings and NOT take that for granted. Sometimes, in some situations, people always believe that you will ALWAYS understand them, even in an obvious situation that they are the ones at fault. There are many circumstances when we encounter people like this. Does it has to do with familiarity? It's when you open the door to certain people and when that door is fully opened, sadly.. some will just take that as an opportunity, an opportunity for you to become their prey. 

It feels so funny when people don't let go of the past. They stick on that memory and will use that as their defense mechanism to protect their guilt. Pathetic! What a sad way of letting go of someone whom you thought its a good person. 2015 is here and like the rest of us, let go of the past and life must move on. Unfortunately, even if you're avoiding those past (unhappy) experiences and negative people, they are always there. Lucky there's a word.. 'choice". On the other hand, I always believe that when you are kind to these people, you are always the victim of their trashy personalities.

Many experiences came along my way and i tell you, all those experiences thought me to understand the word, FIERCE! Even though this may seem pretty obvious to a lot of people, you still find way to realize how lucky you are.

The other day, i received a message from a good friend, she mentioned to me about her crappy experiences. Apparently, stories were accumulated and she can't take it anymore. I asked her how things happened and she started to tell me.. "i heard from..... " I listened to her stories until she felt better, whilst reading all her stories, i realized that i just wasted 60 seconds of time, reading all these non-sense so i told her.. "you're basically hurt because of the stories, YOU HEARD?..." and she replied and said... "yes, because the person who told me was a close friend of mine..."



The day, i discovered the people who are truly fake (at least from what i've proven was right) i've given another chance (they don't even know that.. lolz..) until i had enough of them and honestly, it was very easy for me to accept who they are.. t'was an A-plus to let go, to understand, to forgive and to never forget what they taught me (on how) to deal with them, perhaps? Mostly, there will be NO space of sorrow or anger. Purely, gained my inner peace... and for their own benefit, it's a free world after all, so i'm just gonna enjoy eating my pop-corn watching them with their own little, tiny, bitsy, mind grinding with all their stories on their brains and proclaim they are always RIGHT.. lolz.. 



I don’t appreciate being judged, and I know I don’t deserve it. Just like none of us deserve misdirected rage from a family member, coworker, or stranger. We have a right to set boundaries and communicate when something is not okay. But the world is a better place when we choose to do that from a place of love and compassion, instead of righteousness and judgment. We all act thoughtlessly at times. Most often we don’t mean to hurt each other. We just don’t recognize or remember how to STOP hurting ourselves.

WELCOME 2015! -- Resolution..s? ;)

...someone asked me the other day, what's my New Year's Resolution, and i replied and say... for me, i normally don't do a list on that matter and if ever i have one, i just keep that to myself and when its done, I'm secretly proud about it... otherwise, I evaluate myself (like every end of the day) and see what needs to get rid off and to keep and yes, keeping the best of goodies and learning from the bad, nightmare, terrible or whatever experiences that waken me up.. lolz.. 

(metaphorically speaking), I already started to plant my own tree. Hopefully, it will blossom with new leaves. You must be thinking now saying, that depends on how i water it.. ;)

2015 is finally upon us. It doesn't actually mean that we forget the past events but somehow looking back into the unfinished matters that still needed our attention. Made me smile because when you get carried away, you go around and tell everyone about your NEW YEAR's RESOLUTION but the time you're back at your work, you're actually looking at finishing the works undone late last year! lolz. (hopefully you'll be able to finish this week.) sigh.. lolz...

Normally, like every day, Monday is the day where you start to sort things out like noting your weekly things to do and its crazy when you just came back after long holidays. Of all the half-hearted resolutions, I'm still learning too on how to cobble together my yearly resolutions. When i come to think about it, it actually benefits my mental and physical wellbeing. I like to read my daily achievements, little yet productive, that kind of self-motivating too. (is it called, being selfish?) lolz... 


At the end of the day, the only ones i manage to adhere to with any degree of my little daily achievements are those concerning my habits and my passion. My daily pursuit of happyness... (everyone wants a-pe-niss? -- got this line from the movie, Hector and the search for Happiness) lolz

Right. That's my lot for 2015. Fancy sharing yours?

(thank you manang Rosalie for the lovely mug and dear Vicky for the goldy journal.. ;) ) 

FIRST AND A HALF OF DECEMBER THOUGHT

I had the pleasure of enjoying my first and half week of December. Meeting up with friends and was able to cope up with my husband's demand.. "you and me time!" Few invitations here and there.. Calendar is a bit busy lately.. lolz..

In terms of life.. generally speaking.: I choose to stay positive even if sometimes, you encounter negative people, right? lolz..

This week, I've been reading few blogs. I thought my wish is to meet the writers but perhaps Santa might skip this part of this year, as they are so many of my favourites. I love to read post about life, wisdom and fresh experiences shared. It's inspiring and sometimes, motivating! To mention, one of my favorite blogger is my sister of course. Her personality really shines through which i adore, plus.. she's not just a mom who works and comes back home and look after her family but she blows my mind, and she always has such a positive outlook on everything. How cool is that.

Anyways, since we've been talking about Gratitudes. I thought I'd say thank you in a different way. Non stop THANK YOU! As always, as long as we keep going and moving on, daily routines its just something normal?

Big love and big thanks my beau-friends for reading my fb journal. Enjoy your December.... (Up's and Down's we encounter sometimes... but perhaps, its like that, noh?) Sharing you this Japanese proverb and sharing you too love and peace my coolest online friends..