Personal {Just One}

Recently, I've been thinking a lot about friends and family members who've come and gone.Blame it on the weather, but I've been on a contemplative mood lately. The recent passing of a friend also made me think about how short and fragile life is, and how sudden it can be snuffed out. It may sound like we already know it and it's been said a thousand times, but it is true and it doesn't always have the effect that it should, but (*looooong sigh*)...

life is short :(

The thought of people I've known and loved who have passed on before their time always brings a blanket of sadness, but I would like to think that there's always somewhere better than here. But still, here is a beautiful place, too. Tonight, I'll say a prayer for all the people who I've met and formed a part of my life in one way or another, but who moved on ahead of me. I hope they found beauty and light and love during their stay here, and perhaps more wherever they are now.

And as the song goes, I can't believe we get just one.

It's all in the state of mind...

First exam starts on Saturday, the 2nd-to-the-last activity in a day that will start with a 3-hour class and end in a 2-hour radio show, with the exam thrown to make things more fun. I can only wish that I and the rest of the class get through the weekend in one piece. Gotta hit the books! But before I do that, a quick pick-me-up.

:)

“If you think you are beaten, you are;

If you think you dare not, you don't.

If you'd like to win, but think you can't

It's almost a cinch you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you've lost,

For out in the world we find

Success being with a fellow's will;

It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you're outclassed, you are:

You've got to think high to rise.

You've got to be sure of yourself before

You can ever win a prize.

Life's battles don't always go

To the stronger or faster man,

But soon or late the man who wins

Is the one who thinks he can.” 

― Walter D. Wintle

Family {Johann's Big Day}

A rose can say "I love you",

orchids can enthrall,

but a weed bouquet in a chubby fist,

yes, that says it all.

~Author Unknown

 Tuesday morning found me making my way to my friend Serlyn's house for a quick pre-birthday shoot with Johann, her not-so-tiny toddler who is turning 2 the next  day. Johann looked sleepy and grumpy when I arrived, but surprisingly was not fussy. I fiddled with their computer while waiting for Johann to finish his breakfast, a piece of bread that he would chew thoughtfully as he stared at me, like he was wondering about what I was doing there at 8 in the morning. 

wish I had this when I was a kid

After breakfast he went over to me and rummaged through his chest of toys. He had a couple of small stuffed toys that he laid out on the floor. A budding organizer, this one! He also kept saying "Bye" to me, which is probably his way of telling me to go, although I surely wasn't going anywhere with this cutie in front of me!

How cute are these? Johann wanted to put all his bears on the windowsill once he saw what I did with these three.

I'm developing a new love for kiddie toys...for a minute there I wanted to pocket this toy train home and not say a word to Mommy Serlyn ;P

Johann wondering where his train went!

Aw, that smile melted my heart!

Johann pretending to read. For an almost-2-year-old, he is pretty smart and he already knows a lot of words!
(proud Auntie moment :D )

mom and baby enjoying a morning smooch

Johann felt sleepy as we were wrapping up, but I didn't notice that until I saw him creeping next to his toys and laying his head down on the quilt. Apparently, this little guy can sleep anywhere since he doesn't sleep with pillows. 

There's that smile again!

 I cannot imagine myself having a baby (not yet anyway!), but looking at Johann and spending the morning with him made me realize that not all babies are fussy! They're actually fun, and it's so cute to see them curl up into little balls and sleep when the urge suddenly hits them. I just found that so adorable. And hey, I just realized that he's 2 today, so Happy Birthday little guy!

Magic Things

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” 

― W.B. Yeats

I go out every day and just marvel at how beautiful the sunlight is. Maybe it helps that we have pretty flowers in our garden, or that we don't have a lot of buildings blocking the sunlight and our view of the blue skies. We are surrounded by so many beautiful things, and sometimes all it takes is stopping for a few minutes so we can take it all in. Tomorrow is Saturday and for some reason,  I'm a little bit excited to see the sunshine again :)

Most people exist, that is all...

Found this quote as I was transferring my photos from my camera to my computer. I was reminded to not let  a day pass without doing something I loved. Circumstances can become pretty overwhelming but knowing that I am blessed enough to be able to do the things I love (with some time for things that I DON'T LOVE thrown in to break the monotony), somehow makes things a bit easier.

And onward to another week!

:) 

On the Road to Siaton: Our Lady of Fatima

Sunday afternoon found me on an impromptu drive to Siaton with the brother. We took off at about 2 PM and planned on taking photos along the way. The weather was perfect, not too hot but it didn't rain, either. It was the kind of cool that you would pair with a long, roadtrip. This one was fairly short, but it was fun, and there were so many things that I missed about the road to Siaton so I had fun looking over the window and just enjoying what was passing by. We decided to stop by the Shrine for the Lady of Fatima which was just a few kilometers away from the town itself. I'm not a Catholic, but that did not stop me from going up there and buying a few candles and lighting them up. The differences between my religion and Catholicism has always intrigued me, and this was one way to see how they worship and pray. Of course, we were respectful, although the people who were praying at the shrine did not mind us as we discretely took photos of the candles and the view (the view from the top is amazing!)

bought 4 of these colorful candles!

a long walk to the top but it is worth it ;)

I love these ornate signs 

I did not expect to see so much color during this trip. Definitely a reminder that saying YES to unplanned things can result to pleasant surprises.