Sunday, July 9, 2023

finding satisfaction amidst the busyness

 


I woke up this morning with not having much sleep. I remember I forced myself to sleep at around 2AM because sleepiness had not visited me yet. I was surprised to wake up at 5:30AM feeling just okay, not feeling groggy, not sure if I really slept or not. 

I am not sleeping well lately. Rest has been so scarce. I am so preoccupied lately for my graduate school applications and in our preparations for our upcoming Graduation Ceremony this July 10, tomorrow. We just had our last graduation practice yesterday, I am sure it was the cause of my adrenaline rush, causing me to stay awake for hours-- or it could be my anxiety. I thought I am handling my graduation anxiety better this year than last year, but I am close to going back to how it was before-- irritable and had bouts of breaking down once in a while. I know I have to have some alone time. 

Today is Sabbath day. I am already late for the CCF Morning Service so here I am at Lil Brew Cafe spending some quality time with myself and with the Lord. I know God will meet me where I am.

and indeed, as the song goes "my soul is satisfied in Him alone"


My heart is better now. The Word has never failed to comfort me and remind me that I should put my worth in Christ's love at the cross-- He found me worthy to save despite being a sinner. I have many times disappointed my parents, my workmates, and myself lately. My heart is not okay for a conflict at the workplace but the message encouraged me that as long as "it depends on you, be at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18) I know in my heart I did my part in reaching out, and forgiving. Indeed, even in this trouble I am in, God has always been so faithful to me, never leaving me in any circumstance. 

I also learned in today's message by Pastor Peter Tan-Chi that when we do our devotionals and Bible reading, let us not seek just the knowledge from the scriptures but to ask ourselves what we have learned of the character of our Father in heaven.

Today I learned (again) that He is merciful to me, a sinner. He is also a just and a loving father. Are these two qualities possible to exist in one person? Yes, just like a father disciplines his child whom he loves. To reconcile being just for the sins we have committed and being a loving father to us, not wanting us to perish, He allowed His Beloved Son to die on the cross to be the great sacrifice once and for all. And what's left for us to do? It is to believe in this gospel, that Jesus indeed died for us and rose again. 

I am reminded that no matter what we are going through, nothing is too great for God. Just lean on Him.
This is truly the rest I needed-- quality time with the Lord and hearing His Word.


Also, commending Lil Brew Cafe. I am the only customer for 3 hours yet they still have given me the warmest service haha I love their food (chicken arabbiata :3 nomnom) and matcha latte!!! They also have service water!! I think Lil Brew Cafe is now tied with Bread & Brew at my top choice for Iligan cafes. Haha 

Long time no blog! Looking forward as I'll have more time to blog in the next months. Blessed Sunday. <3


Sunday, April 16, 2023

Life Lately 2023

 Hey, it's been more than two years since I last updated this blog.  Lots of things had happened and has been going on, I just can't really find time to gather my thoughts and post it in the blog. The perfectionist in me had procrastinated so much already. (OMG I just realized now, how could there be procrastination in perfectionism? Is there a connection? I will probably ponder about this in another blogpost haha.)


But hey, what's so hard about a life lately post? 


  

Here are some photos I captured yesterday. Lately has been peaceful and controlled unlike in the past year. I remembered how messed up I was in the past two years-- juggling too many work, adjusting in a new role, conflicts in workplace, heartbreak, postgraduate studies. 

I am in a much better place now.

I am in my last school year in DepEd as a teacher in Tomas Cabili National High School, and savoring every moment with my students and colleagues. Here are my very responsible and fun students of Grade 12-STEM. They made it easier to be their homeroom adviser. <3



I still keep my friends close-- especially those who matter. My main gurls, my highschool friends, my frenChEps. (I would also like to include here my main Dgroup gurls-- Cha, Chiqui, Megan-- but I can't find pics.) And adults as we are, we hardly have time to see each other as we go on with our daily lives, and yet we kept in touch once in a while. Thankful for these bonds.


I've also met new people. I have been attending CCF Sunday Service and B1G Fridays/Saturdays and I have encountered amazing people. I was included in a new Dgroup by Ate Gee and met good people there. I could not count with my hands how many people, whose lives are touched by Jesus Christ, I've already been inspired on. I've been with these people for only a few moments yet they treated me like we've known each other for a long time. This really amazes me.

Now, every week, I try my best to join GLC classes every Tuesday, B1G Fridays/Saturdays, Dgroup sessions, and Sunday Service. I am also getting back to my daily devotionals and Bible reading which I had put into pause in last two years. The Lord is faithful, still.


   

Personal check: my family is still in tact, praise God. My two brothers are placed in stable jobs. My parents are still healthy. And me, currently the driver of the family, I am just trying to get by everyday, wondering what the future holds. Here's a recent selfie of mine.

Ah, right! I have an update-- sadly, I gave up drinking coffee everyday because I experienced hyperacidity. It was a habit I liked so much and continued for 3 years but I was able to let it go. 

Oh, life's ebb and flows. 
Only God's love is constant-- I am forever grateful.

Friday, December 31, 2021

last day of 2021

I am spending the last day of 2021 here at Brave Work Cafe, squeezing some me time to have a year-end reflection. December holidays had always been busy but this time, I decided not to get dragged by the Christmas rush. There were a lot of invitations to go out here and there but I had to choose my priorities and decided to spend the last days of the year with my family. Glad I did because I had more time to be home and I was able to serve my family and relatives well. I savored this chance since there’s few days left already and work’s back again on Monday.


There are things I need to put down before I could go on to next year. The following things are what I realized this year and I don’t know how long the list is gonna be, let’s see.

1. Don’t live in luxury. I had encountered this year a genius invention we call ‘gel manicure’. I need to remind myself that I don’t need to get my nails done every month with gel manicure which costs nearly $10 (450-500php). I should not get used to this posh life. There are better things to spend unto.

2. Less social media presence. One thing I’ve been addicted to this year is social media. I kept jumping from one app to another, from FB to Twitter to Instagram. Many times also I’ve deactivated because I can feel I had been too preoccupied by the apps. Maybe the interaction with people online and wanting to be seen is what’s addicting. I need to lessen it.

3. Do not bring work to home. Leave all papers needed to be checked in school. Too much time is already allotted for work, around 8-10hrs everyday, don’t bring work to home. Spend time with friends after work, or offer to make the dinner, or watch some movie at night.

4. Do not be afraid to ask for help. I’m the kind of person who thinks I can do most things on my own and rarely asks for help because I don’t want to burden others. Ahhhh 

5. I easily give up.. or not. But the point is I should not easily give up especially now that I have responsibilities. Students are looking up to me for help, and I need to be reliable and trustworthy. I have lost my perseverance. But I need to get back on it. 

6. Need to buy less. And buy more durable and sustainable things. Need to stop the window shopping on Shopee which would turn out into buying things I don’t really need. There’s too much waste and clutter around us and as an environmentalist, I want to produce minimal waste as possible. 2022 will be the year I would definitely be going minimalist. Reduce! Reuse! And recycle!

7. Super need to get back to my morning devotionals and prayer. I am undergoing a very dry season of my spiritual life and I know this is the reason why I have a little to no motivation sometimes.

8. I will not be in rush anymore! Never again I will be beating the time in our biometric. I want to drive slowly and surely and in peace. I will wake up early to avoid having to rush things. I will plan things ahead to be prepared in unforeseen events and avoid accidents. 

9. Try to initiate and invite others again. This is one of the distinct traits I had before I had gone.. introvert. I was once the initiator of parties and get togethers. Now, I just wait for others to invite me because I think I am fine on my own. 🤷🏻‍♀️ But there’s growth outside my comfort zone, so I should do it once in a while..? Or maybe one in 3 months? 😂

10. Do not talk/chat/call with other people if I’m not actually listening to what they’re saying. I have a talent of multitasking listening and making people feel like I’m listening and they were heard. Sorry. But most of the time, I’m talking but my mind is in another. To more paying attention! 

11. Bad habits should die. Need to stop pinching my nose!!! I shall do my laundry every weekend!! Clean my room everyday and do not leave table cluttered! Do not scratch any mosquito bite! Do not sleep until skin care routine is done!!! Drive slowly! 😂



I think that’s all for now because I need to fetch my relatives from the mall any moment now. I am thankful for this year, for the memories and lessons. This year passed by so fast. Last year I vowed not to meddle with love for a year haha let’s see if I’m ready now or should I wait for a year again 😂

Happy New Year!

Thursday, September 30, 2021

the lost letter

 


I had already given a letter to my friend during her wedding but unfortunately, maybe because of how hectic the event was (or probably because I did not attach the letter properly huhu), Sha was not able to receive it. Nearly three weeks had passed already since your wedding, here's my message for you, sanay ka naman na late ako haha <3


Congratulations to the newly weds Shelton and Sha! 


No words could ever express how happy I am for you two, Shelton and most especially, my dearest friend Sha. I'm actually still in shock of how things went and how fast time passed by. I was really in tears when you messaged and shared the good news to me. I know that you have really waited for this moment Sha, and I am really thankful that Shelton has found you. 


I can still remember your high school crushes and how you fangirl-ed Muslim couples and how you yearned to have what they have someday. I remember how I teased you and you just try your best not your kilig be shown. I am so thankful for all the memories we had in high school, Sha. I so hate the fact that we didn't have enough technology back then to record our memories. I remember how we were not clingy to each other and tease each other when we get clingy, "Gi yaksss clingy kaayo ka" hahaha. That's how our friendship was. And I am so thankful for it and for you, Sha.



 Life happened between both of us. College happened and we had different college barkadas.  I was not there for you most of the time in college but you still leaned on me at times and still trusted me with your struggles even when you were in USTP na. I may not be present in your wins and falls lately in your life-- you have found new friends, and now Shelton-- but know that I'll always be here cheering you on from afar, like you had always been cheering for me ever since.


I think the last time we saw each other Sha was when I went to CDO last June 2019 and I could still distinctly remember how you were happy for me for finally graduating college and you were ranting on how you were left behind and you feel like you're so old na haha. You are the kind of person with big dreams and goals with deadlines in mind. I understand the frustration you had because that's the trait I really liked about you, your perseverance in everything you do. I can also remember you complaining why you still don't have a love life hahahaha who knew that the next time we see each other is when you're getting married na? Who knew you'd be the first one to get married sa batch Zenith? 🥺



But looking back, if everything went "right" according to your plans, if you had gotten a slot in civil engineering in MSU-IIT and we would still had been best of friends in college, had you not transferred to CDO, had you graduated in college on time, would you have met Shelton?


All the "delays" you were complaining on before led you to meet Shelton. <3 Indeed there is no delay in God's timing. I am so happy for you that you are now finally happy and settled. The long wait has made love more worth it, right? God indeed make things beautiful in His time. 



To Shelton, thank you so much for pursuing Sha.. and for being her peace. I am happy that Sha is happy now because of you. It is so nice to meet you. Uwuuuu. May God bless your marriage with lots of love and happiness through and through. Stay in love, lovebirds. 


Your love story is such an inspiration to me.. it gives me hope and to also just wait patiently for mine to come. Charrr 


That's all for my message. 


(And I hope you had a good massage. Please commend my gift wrapping skills haha)


Love you, Sha. Hope you cried with tears of joy hahahaha


Love, 
Gillian


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DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE PHOTOS. ALL PICTURES USED IN THIS BLOGPOST ARE FROM HUGBIG PHOTOGRAPHY AND ARE USED FOR PERSONAL PURPOSES ONLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.


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