The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Everything happens for a reason. There's no doubt there is, always. No single event in this universe exists wholly for itself, everything is related and interconnected. You and I, she and he, they and them, we all are, just like Daniel Bae and Natasha Kingsley. It may sound superficial, but it is the truth. You know it is, and you don't have to deny it.
My first book in 2022, tanan, The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon, is a young adult book for a not-so-young adult like me. haha
Yoon's book is dreamy, yet ironically realistic. The drama and comedy of life are vivid in this short-lived love story between Daniel and Natasha. Fate brought them together and soon enough they got separated in a one-day time. A fast-paced love rendezvous from morning 'til nighttime of two youngsters who have opposing beliefs about love.
The alternate point of view of the male and female leads in the book brings equilibrium to the whole concept of the story. It balances the opposing ideas incorporated in the story. Life is a comedy and a tragedy. Love is superficial and scientific. Human existence can be good and bad. But it is the whole experience of living the life where we can get the most of it. That despite the pain, there can still be joy.
We only have a dainty span here on earth and the best we can do is to live it with a purpose. Have you found your purpose in this confusing world? I pray that you already did, if not yet, let's continue to pray about it. Let's go!
The pacing is divine. The timing is perfect. The book is superb. A good book to start the year right!
For still the vision awaits its appointed time;it hastens to the end—it will not lie.If it seems slow, wait for it;it will surely come; it will not delay.
After many years, we finally had a visit to our relatives in Nueva Ecija. As far as I remembered, ever since I started working as a teacher we never visited the place as a family. It might have been 11 years since my last visit. It appeared that we had an extra budget this year so visiting the province was made possible. Praise God! <3 It would be nice to do this every year, I thought.
We stayed at our relatives' house for 3 days and 2 nights. We were provided with delicious and native food during our stay. Adobong manok, ginataang manok, tinumis and binagoongang karne were my favorites. The meat was all fresh from the pen, we ate native chickens! There was quite a difference in the taste compared to the 45-day chicken we usually bought at the market in a city. Native chicken meat absorbs flavors better and richer.
I also missed the espasol my sister and I used to eat whenever we went to Nueva Ecija during school vacation when we were just kids. I was delighted when my father bought a tub of espasol and kalamay. Espasol is the best, not too sweet, just perfect, and the texture is chewy not too soft or hard, just perfect as well. Perfect score for the superb espasol!
We also had a chance to drop by at Farm Villaronte at San Antonio, Nueva Ecija. The place reminded me of the Sirao Flower Garden of Cebu. There was an entrance fee of 50 pesos per person. We were supposed to visit the ancestral houses at Gapan City, the newest and latest attraction in town, but that did not happen because we were always sleepy early at night and I preferred to sleep. haha We will and should visit it next time.
There were different kinds of flowers but Zinnia got me the most. They were everywhere even our relatives had those flowers in their backyard. I wanted to ask my father to bring at least one plant of daisies, but we were pretty cramped up in the vehicle so I decided not to push through with my wants. Maybe next time. I must say that Farm Villaonte is a nice venue for a prenup, hehe, a good recommendation for those who plan to get married and have something like a prenup photoshoot.
Beauty and wit are noticeable concepts at Farm Villaronte, perfect for people who are fond of posting Instagrammable pictures. We felt like we traveled to some famous places in the world, and encountered replicas of a few iconic and historical items. There were also some funny memes in the area, haha, one is a swing for the singles which I didn't even attempt to sit on. haha
Lovely Zinnias <3 I am in love with God's creation, bless your eyes with these picturesque photos of flower power! haha To be honest, I thought they were Daisies and I was wrong. They are actually Zinnias, thanks to Bixby Vision I double-checked the name of the flower before publishing this blog entry. haha
Paying a visit to our relatives in the province was a bit nerve-wracking on our part except for my father. The last time we went there was a misunderstanding among adults. Time healed everyone and God's timing made it all possible. My father so wanted to come and see his brothers and sisters and cousins and friends. He was excited and couldn't hide it, just how the song said it. He missed them and the home he used to live in. It was just sad that a cousin of ours passed away during this festive season that urged us to push through going to Nueva Ecija. All went well for good by God's grace, and we ate the best ulam during our short stay.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
Mahal Mo Siya. Mahal Ka Ba? 'Di Bale Na Because His Love Endureth Forever
Thursday, December 30, 2021
Mahal ka ba?
I don't even understand the question. Please translate it. haha
Kidding aside, this is my second book from the king of hugot, Marcelo Santos III, and my last read this year 2021.
The content of the book felt irrelevant to me as I read it. I wonder why I felt detached from the ideas written on some of the pages. I thought I might be bitter and not so in love like the ones who could definitely relate to the content of the book. That must be one of the many reasons I can't relate at the moment.
Manhid na ba ako? I asked myself, maybe that's another reason I couldn't empathize or even sympathize with the author's point of view. I am afraid my heart is becoming calloused when it comes to romantic love which I haven't formally and officially experienced. Kay God na lang ako kinikilig, I thought sometimes.
I don't want to demean the purpose of this book, some readers can and will definitely feel the message of this book just how it is supposed to be. It's just that right now I can't feel anything from it as if there's no spark or connection between me and the book.
Nevertheless, I certainly learned a thing or two. One thing that struck me the most is that God must and should be the center of a relationship and I must add that it should be applied to any kind of relationship, be it romantically or whatnot. He should be! And that's irrevocable!
I would also like to mention that the layout and the quality of the physical book are superb. Glossy paper all throughout with some colorful pages of calligraphy! It is aesthetically pleasing.
Another thing is I love the part where the author asked his friends and acquaintances about the meaning of forever. One of them is KZ Tandingan, a singer here in the Philippines, who answered "His love endures forever". Her answer reminded me of the extent of forever, which is not and never based on human standards. Eternity is God's, His mercy and love endure forever.
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.His love endures forever.2 Give thanks to the God of gods.His love endures forever.3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:His love endures forever.4 to him who alone does great wonders,His love endures forever.5 who by his understanding made the heavens,His love endures forever.6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,His love endures forever.7 who made the great lights—His love endures forever.8 the sun to govern the day,His love endures forever.9 the moon and stars to govern the night;His love endures forever.10 to him who struck down the firstborn of EgyptHis love endures forever.11 and brought Israel out from among themHis love endures forever.12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;His love endures forever.13 to him who divided the Red Sea asunderHis love endures forever.14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,His love endures forever.15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;His love endures forever.16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;His love endures forever.17 to him who struck down great kings,His love endures forever.18 and killed mighty kings—His love endures forever.19 Sihon king of the AmoritesHis love endures forever.20 and Og king of Bashan—His love endures forever.21 and gave their land as an inheritance,His love endures forever.22 an inheritance to his servant Israel.His love endures forever.23 He remembered us in our low estateHis love endures forever.24 and freed us from our enemies.His love endures forever.25 He gives food to every creature.His love endures forever.26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.His love endures forever.
December is the Christmas Party season and I recently attended one. The truth is I was really nervous. It was a face-to-face gathering and most of the attendees were people I first met via Zoom.
Kale, Mitch, and I tagged along on a ride with Kuya Jan and Ate Cha. Instead of taking the busy main road to Tagaytay, Casile Road is a shortcut and a good alternative to reach the venue in minutes. I don't know the name of the place but I remember it has a few golden yellow Bahay-Kubo.
The food was good and my favorites are Bulalo and Pork Sisig. When lunch was over the exchange gift and games liven up the mood more than it already was. The people I encountered beamed with energy, they are positive energy. As for me, I am on the calmer side of the planet or I have an intermittent connection with the world, or maybe, it is the 'tita' in me that is gradually emerging. Seems like tita moments are here to stay. haha
I realize I do not have the energy I used to have in my early 20s. Now, I allot my time and energy to things that really matter.
The Coffee Project at Crosswinds was supposed to be our next stop for another round of fellowship and games, but there was no more space for parking. There were a lot of Pine trees which I don't have any pictures of. The place gives off Baguio vibes. Around the area of Crosswinds, Windmill Lausanne is a new restaurant that attracts tourists for a Tagaytay experience, so we went there instead.
Matcha Latte at Windmill Lausanne is pricey at P240 for 12 oz. The restaurant offers Italian cuisine based on its menu, or probably Swiss (visit the place, you judge). The place looks expensive so as the price of the food. I doubt if I ever return and order anything from there, the prices just do not fit in my budget honestly. But for those who can afford and love to visit places like Windmill Lausanne, please do visit, the place is nice and you'll love it definitely. Just be careful not to disturb the residents of the subdivision where the restaurant is located, some are really private persons.
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| Photo Credit to Mitch E. |
The ride back home was a fun and purposeful conversation. Life or more like spiritual lessons blessed my heart and mind. "Feeling blessed like I should" was a lyric of a song that bugged me after that Christmas party. I really should.
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