Count Your Blessings... Every Part of It

I have been practicing this since last two weeks. It is kind of hard to really think about your blessings when you are afflicted with problems. But, I am really trying hard to not think about my problems, instead I think of all the good things that are happening to me.

Allaah is giving my every cell a chance to live. HE is giving me air to breathe. HE is sustaining me with food. HE has given me so many good souls who help me whenever I feel down. I can see. I can hear. All my senses are active. HE has gifted me so much.

I am switching from being a pessimist to being an extra optimistic girl. :) I hope Allaah makes it easy for me and for you to accept anything he gives to us. Because HE does not give us anything that is bad for us. Anything from Allaah is for our own good.

In sha Allaah. Ameen.

Please pray for me. Include me in your dua.

When the Train Halts… My PNR Story

Trains have always fascinated me. In fact one of my dreams is to ride the bullet train in Japan.

Coming to Metro Manila, you would always expect to ride the railway transit available to make your travel a lot shorter and faster which of course is a great benefit. But, riding the train in Manila would come with a great cost.

There are three railway transits in the Metro: Light Railway Transit (LRT), Metro Railway Transit (MRT) and Philippine National Railways (PNR). I’ve ridden in those trains so many times already. So far, the rides went well although the trains are always jam-packed with people (I meant, skin to skin scenario). And my personal favorite transit is LRT 2. Well, at least not until my experience yesterday with PNR.

I and Kah Mor went to Divisoria to look for cutesy items since it is also her first time to go there. To get there from Taguig, we rode the PNR which would take us directly to Tutuban Center. Considering the route and travel time when taking the cab or the jeep, PNR wins. The train travel to Tutuban from Taguig went well. Although, the train was full, at least we arrived to our destination without any aberration. Travel time was more or less 45 minutes.

Photo taken by my crappy phone camera.

Of course, upon going home, it is expected of us to also take the train. We took the train at 5:30 something. And it started traveling at 6:07 PM. My, that was the fullest train I’ve ever ridden in my entire existence. I was really glad that Kah Mor and I were able to have a seat, otherwise, my anemia would have caused my passing out. The sad thing is the people-filled train was not the highlight yet.

Our route was from Tutuban to FTI. Our travel to the stops before FTI went smoothly. BUT! When we reached the mid section of Nichols and FTI, the train slowed down to a halt… in the middle of both stations!!!! At first, we were all keeping cool. People around are joking about it. By the way, we spent more than half an hour in a busted train in the middle of the railway with no air conditioner. The boys aboard had to get the windows opened or else we’d all die of suffocation.

Then come the time that some passengers were so hot-tempered (probably due to lack of air conditioner aboard) and tried to really blast the door and windows with their punches. That very moment opened my eyes as to how some Filipinos react to affliction. They get stubborn easily. And they would destroy public property if they wish so. Of course, there were those who tried to keep everything calm.

Frankly speaking, I was really afraid yesterday of how the events would turnout. It was my first time to get stuck inside the train. It was a good thing that there are two Tausugs who happened to be our seatmates. They have constantly been talking to us which made us forget of the situation that we were currently in. There is also one guy who would always give points as to riding PNR. I’d like to call him, the PNR guy because he knows a lot about the train. He’d probably been riding the train for so long already.

The train conductor would also always update us on the matters of the train (whom I think was fooling us around). First, he told us, “One bar na lang po ang kailangan, at tatakbo na ulit tayo”. (One bar to go and we’ll run again.) Then, the punching of the train. He told us again, “Wag nyo pong buksan ang pintuan. Makakatakbo na sana pero binuksan nyo ang pintuan.” (Don’t open the train doors. We might have already run, but you opened the door.) Lastly, he exclaimed, “Parating na po ang next train doon sa Nichols station. Ipapabalik natin na lang doon ang tren at doon na kayo sumakay sa paparating na tren. Pasenxa na po talaga.” (The next train will arrive in Nichols station. We’ll go back the previous station and you can ride the other train from there. I’m really sorry.)

Then we went back to Nichols. Slowly.

When the train had its full stop at Nichols station, everyone hurried outside. We waited for most of the people to get out. The train conductor called for attention, “Pakitawag naman po ang mga guards. Binubugbog na ako dito. Please naman po.” (Please call the guards. I am being hit here. Please.) He called out many times until the guards finally came. Then we finally headed out.

We decided to take the jeep instead of waiting to be transported by the other train. We had to walk the skyway just to get a ride. Man! That was really tiring. If you’ve seen the skyway along the entrance to Taguig, you’d understand me. We also had to be first of the people who want a ride too.

Glad we managed to slip into one of the jeepneys routed to Alabang via SM Bicutan. We got down at Tenement area where we rode the tricycle to Maharlika Village. Then walked home.

THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!! NO!!!!!!!!!

But it was an experience I would not forget. Truly, you would always come across this experience when you commute around Manila, esp. if you ride PNR.

So yeah, you should try it too. ;)

Getting the Perfect Prom Look

Prom is the night of glam and being beautiful and handsome. However, it has always been dreadful to most of the high school students. Looking their best had always pose difficult problems to juniors and seniors. For all of us, prom only comes twice in our lives. One in our junior year, the other one in our senior year. So, there is only one time to revive the moment if you did not make the first one great.

Which dress? What look? What to do? Those are only some of the many questions that prom-goers face. I had that problem years back. Oh am I glad that was over. But anyway, these tips are for those who are going to prom this year and the next.

Choosing The Dress

Your dress would either make you look good or otherwise. So, you have to choose the dress wisely. There are tons of online shops such as http://www.dressv.com/ that offers affordable yet beautiful dresses. So, you should always be ready to hunt down that dress of the year.

Dresses from http://www.dressv.com/prom-dresses-2014-c103441

The first one is still my favorite. You might have seen it already in my other post here in my blog. It looks simple yet so lovely and charming. The second one looks gorgeous and gives you the princess-y look.

For those who wants modest dresses, you have to have a vest or something to cover the arms and neck. Of course, the first cocktail dress needs to be long, making it a gown. :) Nonetheless, the dresses should also complement your skin tone.

The Hair Style / The Hijab Style

For non-hijabis or those who does not wear the headscarf, getting the perfect hairstyle is a must. You should keep in mind that you have to be classy and sophisticated for that night.

Choosing the right headscarf for Muslims is also vital. It must go with the dress you are wearing. Of course, you have to be keen in the choice of material for your hijab or else you would not be comfortable.

Etcetera

Under etcetera are the shoes, purse, and makeup. These three matters a lot. But you can go for neutral colors. That way, you don't have to bother about choosing what color matches with what color.

I have one motto in choosing which matches which. It is:

If all fails, go neutral.

Try to apply it. It never fails me. :)

Now you are ready for prom. Don't forget to bring that smile with you. Prom is about getting to know people. Learn to acquaint yourselves as much as possible. And oh, don't do things that you will regret later in prom. Don't make it a day that you will loathe forever.

:)

Being One and Only

You might have already known that I am the only child in the family. Most of the children would trade lives to be an only child. Why? Of course, the benefits. You get all the attention from your parents. You don't have to share your gifts and stuffs with sisters or brothers. Parents will listen and attend to you because they are afraid to lose the one and only blessing that the Almighty gave them. And the list of all the good things goes on....

But of course, you will always be judged by others as a spoiled brat (which in most cases is true).

However, unlike any only children, I am not spoiled. Everything I get is the mere fruit of the efforts I put into them. Circumstances had me learned everything.

Ever since I was young, I've always learned things alone because I have to learn them A-L-O-N-E! It's not like my parents aren't there for me. I just had to learn everything on my own. It's a way of discipline for me. As far as I am concerned, it kinda worked.

Being an only-child is sometimes boring. Sometimes. Why? Because all the advantages of being an only child is oh-awesome!

As you grow old, being an only child would only put rocks on your shoulders. You begin to feel the need of somebody to lean on during sad moments. You need someone to advice you when you are faced with decisions.

Until yesterday, I've been thinking. What if I had a sister/brother? Would it be far different? Would I not feel this weight on my shoulders? Would I have someone to carry the bricks for me? It has always been the same questions.

But no! I am not questioning why Allah made me an only child. As I told you, the advantages run over the disadvantages.

It's just pure curiosity. You know, often, when you're not busy with something, your brain tends to cross universe.

It's a blessing that I have many best friends, friends, etc etc. My extended family is huge, as well. How on earth would I feel left out with all the good people around me?

Blessed.

Gaining Weight and Some Random Rants

Weight Issue

For most girls, weight is everything. I mean, it does look bad to be so skinny. But getting bigger is another issue. When you get fat (I'm sorry, I have to say the word.), it is rather hard to loose the weight already.

So, I made sure that I won't gain so much weight. Then...

College was so good to me. It did not change my weight at all. I am 45.5 kg since highschool. I graduated college with the same digits. I passed the board exam with the same weight.

Come the age of unemployment.

I gain 3 freaking kgs in just a matter of months!!! I am not over-reacting. It's just that I never EVER got used to gaining weight that fast in months only. I've tried it for years!

They say that 45.5 kg is not a good weight for my height. I am 5'3". My BMI says I am too skinny? Maybe gaining a little would suffice to call me normal? Accordingly, for a healthy and normal BMI, I need to be at least 47.7 kg which I surpassed already. haha. I have to make sure that I don't go beyond 61kg, or else I'd be overweight.

But still. I can't get over the fact that I have been under-worked these past few months. I really really have to get a job already. (I do, but I need plane tickets to go back home. T__T) I am so doomed.


Camera Issue

My Olympus EPM-1 has been with me since May 2012. It is almost giving me 2 years of service. However, just recently, its M.Zuiko lens had given up on me.

It used to just tell me to "Please check the status of the lens." Until it reached the point that it just doesn't work anymore.

I was really devastated by the fact that I do not have any camera to use anymore. I did not bring my almost 6-year old Sony Cybershot. So, I rely only on my crappy phone camera. Sad!

Anyway, I brought it to the technician yesterday. He said that its the flex that isn't working. He also mentioned that it is due to the locking of the camera lens always.

So to all Micro 4/3rd users, do not lock the lens! Let it be. Or else, you'll experience the same too!

I will get my lens fixed soon. I hope the technician can have it fixed.

Celebrities and Their Wedding Dresses

Whenever a celebrity gets wedded, the whole world is curious about the wedding dress of the bride. The eyes of the people are hungry of the design of the bridal gown. Many of the people wants to see how extravagant and gorgeous the wedding dress is. This is why for celebrities and known personalities, it is crucial to have a beautiful wedding gown.

The perfect example of this is the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton. The world was indeed watching during the whole ceremony. When Kate went out, the world was astonished by her simple but elegant wedding gown. Kate was wearing a simple yet elegant Alexander Mcqueen gown with lace design designed by Ms Burton.

In the Philippines, the surprise wedding of celebrities Carmina Villaroel to Zoren Legaspi captured the hearts of many individuals. The crowd couldn’t seem to fathom how everything went smoothly for the wedding. Her wedding gown was part of the surprise too. It was supposedly to be worn for the icecream commercial. Instead, what Carmina didn't know that it would for be her wedding.

On her renewal of wedding vows with husband Pharell, Mariah also looked great with her mermaid wedding dress. It was a simple white wedding dress with a mermaid style and a black ribbon. This type of wedding dress matches girls with curves so much. It accentuates the curves and brings out good shape. 

Wedding dresses such as what these celebrities are wearing looked really classy and beautiful. In your wedding, you would also want to attain these. Just like them, you want a beautiful dress. Such can be found at http://www.dressv.com.

Here' my personal favorite dress which can be found at: http://www.dressv.com/mermaid-wedding-dresses-c103392/. The dress is just so pretty.

Which celebrity wedding did you liked most, btw? :)

Sheer Voile Curtains Made to Perfection

Voile is a versatile fabric used not only for making a dress but they are a perfect fabric for curtains. If you wish to wear a voile dress, don’t get embarrassed if you found the same cloth embellished in your friend’s home. If you really like the cloth for customized dress made of this material, avoid big floral prints because they are ideal for curtains. 

The popularity of voile in curtain making is they are light and soft because they are composed of 100% high quality cotton or a mixture of polyester and cotton. Sometimes voile is termed as net curtains as they are favorite material in making mosquito nets for malaria and dengue infested countries. In fact, most homes in the tropics are embellished with voile because of their warm temperature enough to block the sun rays but not as strong as thermal curtains.

Sheer voile curtains are top choices of homemakers because they are affordable while they allow the natural light to illuminate the room during daytime. The colorful and vibrant colors of most voile sheer curtains can deter strangers from peeping directly through your window. Despite its soft fabric voile is not translucent so they are perfect as criminal deterrents. Voile curtain panels look striking when they are combined with bold colors, say orange and lime, green and white, baby pink and mauve, white and blue and white and pink.

Voile sheer curtains with pink, lilac and violet floral prints are perfect for your kids’ room. The pattern makes the occupant less hyperactive and they can sleep faster compared to a room that is embellished with shocking colors. Indeed every curtain panel with voile fabric can make everyone cool and comfortable. There is a psychological effect on the person staying in the room the moment they wake up and go to bed with those lovely sheer voile curtains that look similar with chiffon and lace.