Thursday, May 30, 2013

Uh-oh!

Enough of these sweets and sugar?! What happened?

I just had my usual Starbucks treat, my favorite, my only guilty pleasure, and suddenly, without warning, my body felt I've had it with sweets?! Well, that's the warning! Sweet poison, you sugar!! And I was just talking about the power of advertising!

The powers that be are with me! So timely as I'm cooking a healthy veggie dinner tonight which is very rare, me cooking, that is. My body is telling me something and I listen to my body - always. I try to, anyway. Nature support!

Hey Sugar... thanks, but no thanks.

The Power of Advertising

I was walking the streets today and there were little words here, messages there, that got my attention. Advertisements, in other words. Wherever we go, wherever we look, we see them. Some may seem unnoticeable outwardly, but subconsciously or unconsciously, they do something to us - they trigger our minds, our emotions, our bodies! See what happens -
HELLO SUMMER (Jurlique) - Picture Summer... What's not to like?

HEY SUGAR (Sift) - Sugar ain't good, but "Dessert, anyone?", why not?!

From skin care, clothes, food, drinks, cars, houses, anything, everything you can think of, advertisements are everywhere! They may mean nothing initially, but sooner or later, they get us! They get us to pull out our wallets and before we know it, we're buying their products or services. Perhaps, just to try them, we rationalize. Nevertheless, we  buy 'em... or we already bought 'em.

Some of the best commercials come from NFL Super Bowl on TV. You need not even go out! They get us right in the comforts of our home. Believe me, I can miss a play here and there, but I can't miss those commercials. They're so hyped-up! And guess what we have while watching the game - potato chips, Coke, Pepsi, what else? All the ads we've seen on TV! We needn't go out! We had already gone to the markets to buy them before the show. Believe me, I don't really go for these snacks, but on a game like Super Bowl, I'll even try a beer - Budlight, Budwieser, Heineke, whoever gets the better of me!!

The power of advertising, I tell ya!

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Join Me!

@Video Cafe

My favorite cafe where I love to share one of my favorite stories - TM.

Sit down... Wanna try some Ayurvedic teas?

Postscript

This proverb can only be a Spanish original. Spanish culture is known for its siesta (nap), and the manana (tomorrow) habit. And with my roots, Philippines having been under Spain for 400 years, I know damn well what this is all about.

A little reminder -
Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today... Or you might forget what you're putting off for tomorrow... and there you go!

But for us, Yollie, what does it matter?! There's nothin' doin' so what's there to put off! Asi es la vida! Love you, pal.

Thought of the Day

How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then to rest afterward. - Spanish Proverb

Story of my life... (it's my friend's). I should say, goal of my life - wouldn't that be nice! But I'm halfway there. More than halfway! Norman calls me the author of Rest. He says no one knows how to rest more than me, (although not lately). 

I'll get there... and we'll be sharing the same story, Yollie.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Window Displays

by GAP

GET DRESSED FOR SUMMER -
   In cold San Francisco?...
   In cold and windy San Francisco?...
   In cold and windy San Francisco all year round?...
   In cold and windy San Francisco all year round, where you can count on one hand the hot days you can wear tank tops without a sweater or a jacket?...
   In cold and windy San Francisco all year round, where you can count on one hand the hot days you can wear tank tops without a sweater or a jacket, where, wasn't it Mark Twain who said, "The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco."?... 

by GAP

But don't they look gorgeous, though? I love those purples, (I'm a purple color person), and aah, that long pink dress with the jacket!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

The Orchid Story


There were some beautiful orchids I saw at Whole Foods Market the other day and I wanted Norman to buy me one, but since we were just walking, I thought it was a little too bulky to carry. Just a wish! I didn't tell him. The following night, someone gave him this beautiful orchid plant at our piano store and, of course, he gave it to me. I got my wish - Coincidence?

Why is it that some dreams, wishes and such come to pass fast? While others take so long to come true?

Did you notice that our desires, dreams, wishes, prayers, thoughts or what ever you call them that get fulfilled the fastest are those we are most detached from? We've all experienced that, like when we casually talk about someone, simply mentioning his or her name, "Speaking of the devil!", and suddenly, he or she appears. Or you think of a flower, and out of the blue, someone passes by carrying a bouquet of roses and perhaps, seeing you smile, gives it to you... yes, you, for no particular reason. Or a fruit and, voila! a basket of fruits in front of your very eyes, and on and on and on - Isn't that true, a million instances like that!

How does that happen? Perhaps, it's because we allow the universe to unfold our desires in its time rather than we pursuing them. Simply, non-attachment, thus, everything is effortless, and though seemingly magical, it's simply natural as it should be. I can't think of a better explanation.

As Neale Donald Walsh puts it beautifully -
Do not wonder why things are "taking so long." In fact, everything is rolling out exactly as it needs to, using not a minute more than Perfection requires. Rest easy and be at peace. Life is working its magic even as you take your very next breath.

"Quote for the Day"

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ― Albert Einstein

Amazing, isn't it - Glorious!

What Could be a More Beautiful Day!

http://www.healingeucharistinc.com/sunday-tv-mass-with-father-jerry-orbos-may-12-2013/


Everything falls into place, indeed! And what a special day to fall on! Not only did our sponsored mass last May 12, (exactly 2 months from our pilgrimage to the Holy Land) fall on 2 special events, Mother's Day and Ascencion of Our Lord), but for us here in the States who anxiously waited for the broadcast here, it happened on Pentecost Day, the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles (at the Upper Room, one of the holy places we set foot on in Jerusalem!). What could be more meaningful for us, the alumnae/pilgrims of College of the Holy Spirit, We couldn't ask for more! 

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 
It is Pentecost Sunday today! The opening song in the mass this morning is, "Come Holy Ghost..."  Maybe it was meant for us to wait a week and view the Mass this Sunday here in U.S...
Leonora & Marc

Hi Jerichs,
I just watched the whole May 12 mass.  It brought back wonderful memories of our pilgrimage! Especially since we, Jerichs, were doing all the readings and assisting Fr. Jerry.  It made all of us really proud! The timing of the Mass was also perfect - 2 months to the day of the start of our pilgrimage, Ascension Day and Mother's Day.  We couldn't ask for more!
Oskie

On 18 May 2013 20:51,
Thanks, Prez, for keeping your foot on the accelerator - already A WEEK...maybe soon.... Thanks, Deanna

See related stories -
Life is Good
A Side Story

Sunday, May 12, 2013

PILGRIMAGE TO HOLY LAND... WHERE JESUS WALKED : JERICHS JOURNEY 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82cyxKLIu-o&feature=youtu.be

What a beautiful video of our group, JERICHO, on our trip to the Holy Land last March by co-pilgrim, Vine! We are the "Voices of JERIcho" led by Fr. JERRY Orbos, SVD, and we, the "voices" to echo his message and mission to the world, (as Deanna resoundingly says). And "JeriCHS" (see post title) as Fr. Jerry "coined" is our short name, as it was our school, College of the Holy Spirit, (CHS) that organized the trip thru Christina on the occasion of our school's 100 year celebration this year 2013.

Proud of you, Chris. From a mere thought to reality, you made our dreams come to life! Thanks so much. I'm speechless...Vine, your video allows us to relive our pilgrimage, every bit of it! I get teary-eyed watching it over and over. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. HUGS! (as Joyce always says - love it!)
Yes, to all the JeriCHS, especially those who we "adopted" and are now honorary CHSians, without whom our pilgrimage would not have pushed through, thanks for joining us. We are all ONE ... with "faith in action and a mission in motion!" (a beautiful slogan by Cynthia).

THANK YOU. LOVE YA'LL!

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Thought of the Day

Enjoy the passage of time... it's timeless.


That's all there is.  What more can I say.

Monday, May 6, 2013

In Honor of Cousin Henry

courtesy of Cesar Ejerta

The late Henry Fernandez who served in the U.S. Air force for 20 years was rendered a military funeral with full honors today, with guards of honor, a flag draping over the coffin, the folding and presentation of the flag to wife, Vangie, and only child, Nwanee, a full gun salute, the playing of TAPS by a lone bugler, military jets flying over the burial place with the flag flying half-mast at Riverside National Cemetery.

Solemn, stately, well-deserving, very touching, it was an extraordinary ceremony, a most momentous way to bid farewell to Henry!

Goodbye, Henry. Rest in peace now and forever. We're all proud of you. We love you  and we'll miss you... Goodbye.