Okinawa's Froyo

If you want a healthy and customized treat that you will never forget, Okinawa has also something for you guys. Partyland Mihama  is a self serve frozen yogurt cafe here in American Village Chatan, Okinawa. It is located at the second floor of Carnival Park. You could drop by  not only for a personalized cup of froyo with exclusive  toppings  but for your healthy smoothies and mouth-watering crepes as well. As of the moment froyo is really big time here in Japan as an alternative to ice cream especially during summertime. And because it is made from milk instead of cream, it is indeed far less fat and more nutritious. Most women prefer to have frozen yogurt now instead of ice cream. At Partyland, you really can add a personal touch to your froyo by adding brownie, fresh strawberries (which I love most), bananas, nuts, kiwi, and a lot more. It indeed challenges your creativity. You've got a dozen options of flavors plus toppings that you could have as few or as many combinations that you desire. There is no required amount that you need to buy as long as you weigh down your cup with as much yogurt and toppings you love and of course  you are willing to pay for it (hehehe). Partyland has a number of branches now in Japan. You may now visit the branch nearest you. Here in Okinawa, the store opens at 11am to 11 pm daily. 

Just remember, THE BEST FROYO IS THE ONE THAT YOU CREATED YOURSELF! Party! Party!

My First Taste of Okinawa

I had a chance to check out Okinawa, Japan's sweet taste before I started working as a Kindergarten Teacher. I arrived here on Saturday, 26th of July at about four o'clock in the afternoon together with my other co-workers through a connecting flight from Manila to Osaka then Osaka to Okinawa via JetStar Airlines. The two flights were good and I did not experience any untoward incidents during the transfer. Landed first at Kansai International Airport located near the Osaka Bay, the airport was so tidy and the airport people were very accommodating and helpful. I was so amazed when I saw the next airport after I got off the second plane. One of the busiest airports in Japan, Naha Airport was really awesome. The flowers that you see in almost all parts of it were truly relaxing after a more than two-hour flight. Almost all airport officials were smiling at you upon arrival. 

I together with my co-teachers were fetched by the school administrators accompanied also by some of the Pinay teachers that are already teaching in the school where I chose to work for in 365 days (hopefully be renewed after a year contract). Then we were brought to Cafe' Restaurant Gusto found in Takahara, Okinawa. The restaurant offers great food. As like all Japanese restaurants, menus are placed on the table. There are push buttons that signal to call the servers who are all Japanese. Drinks are all unlimited. I had healthy tea for a drink and breaded shrimp and pork for dinner. It was awesome. It is one of the biggest nationwide chain of restaurants in Japan. The restaurant actually offers hamburger, beef, shrimp, and chicken that is truly adaptive to Japanese tastes. I quickly ate all of my food and it really gave me a smile afterwards. I was really very pleased seeing cups, bowls, plates, spoons, forks and knives together with all the condiments needed were all organized and properly placed exactly where they should be.
          
Cafe Restaurant Gusto is a wonderful restaurant especially for those who desired Western dishes with a touch of Japanese tastes as well. Most of the dishes for adults are priced from 499 yen to 999 yen. From noodles to tempura, tonkatsu, salad, pizza, curry, pasta and a lot of desserts, you say it..they have it. Who would say no for an ice cream after a wonderful meal. Not me of course. They also offer kids menu  that costs from 399 yen to 499 yen.You could add up 150 yen to 300 yen for bottomless rice, soup or beverages. The restaurant is open Monday to Friday  from 9:00 am up to 5:00 am and Saturday-Sunday at 7:00am to 5:00am. 

 I hope I could visit more of Okinawa's great restaurants. Indeed, I am really in a relationship with food. Hahaha! ;) ;) ;)

            

Celebrating Life At Forty

    Does life really begin at forty? For me, it doesn't. Life really begins at any age. Life is a never ending chain of failures and successes. One has to learn from his missteps and defeats to enjoy the value of life. Growing old plus getting matured is a happy experience. Traditionally, 40 was the age where one was able to start enjoying life after achieving financial security and stability and to some married people whose children already approached self sufficiency.  But what about those who haven't reached that status yet but already are at forty? A lot have been saying that life begins at forty because people become matured enough at this age and have learned about life's struggles and joys.  So far some people I know really hate turning forty. They say that middle age brings more stress, fatigue, and diseases.   While a lot of people dread their upcoming 40th birthday, I really have a different reaction to it. I am very excited knowing that at this age, I am still in good health. The fact that I was given a chance to work at an International School here in Japan is a wonderful birthday gift and experience. I enjoy every opportunity that comes along with learning daily. I value every occasion that makes me meet people that may contribute to my development and improvement as a person. I enjoy times with great friends who support and love me all the time. What I am indeed sure is that, the good life does begin when we hit our forties. IF and only if we make God and our family a priority, our health an ally, and our job an inspiration to touch other lives as well. So as I reach this milestone, please help me climb more steps towards love, opportunity, and success. HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY TO ME!

           

I Embrace My True Value as a Woman, I am Empowered

Gifting yourself with personal empowerment is the greatest thing that you can do to yourself. Every woman in the world should feel happy, healthy, confident, and encouraged all the time. Embracing your true worth as a woman means empowerment.

I have goals and dreams. I have plenty of things that I would want to do for my family and for myself. However, everytime I think about these goals, I always stop and ask myself when and how will I begin achieving them. As a full time elementary teacher in a public school, a wife, and a mother of four children, I am indeed a very busy woman. I know that all successful people empower themselves to reach their highest potentials. Thus, in order for me to live the best life possible, I BEGAN EMPOWERING MYSELF THROUGH THESE WAYS.

1. I teach myself to believe that I am unique, lovable, and I am what I am.

Gaining awareness of myself helps me feel healthy, powerful and more balanced as an individual. I always believe that I can do amazing things to myself, to my family and friends and to all the people around me. I don't pretend to be "anyone" to be a better woman. I am unique in a lot ways and I know I am special. The first step towards self-empowerment is loving yourself.

2. I always speak the truth.

Doing things that are based on truth and honesty strengthens myself as a woman of value. I gain trust and confidence of all the people that surround me. I use my voice that God has given me to say what is right and what is true.

3. I try to identify my weaknesses and strengths.

Knowing my weaknesses and of course my strengths enable me to engage in activities that will help me become successful and fulfilled. I also try to turn all my weaknesses into strengths by constant practice, asking others' help and by involving myself to training, seminars and workshops. 

4. I practice purposeful driven life.

Having disappointments and discouragements will never cease me in pursuing my dreams in life. Dynamic approach in the pursuit of my goals help me demonstrate self-confidence. Identifying my purpose and significance as a woman aids me to direct the correct path I need to take daily. 

5. I read, I learn, and I share. I empower myself to empower others.

Teaching the young generation of today is my duty. I need to create and support positive learning environment to my pupils. Our life's learning process has not to stop. It is a continuous cycle. My life is always about learning new things as I age. My own personal experiences and struggles are my guides to learn and re-learn the right things in life. Reading helps me a lot in empowering myself with different tools that I  need to empower others.

6. I am adaptable to change.
I thrive on change and challenges. I am optimistic and enthusiastic to every opportunity that comes my way. I am flexible and adaptable towards responsibilities and always willing to learn new tasks. I enjoy working in a challenging and quality environment. 

7. I surrender my concerns to God. I glorify God in my work and in my life.

Believing in our powerful God and yielding my concerns to Him help me live a healthy and contented life at work and at home. All the blessings come from our Almighty God who always enable us to become stronger in facing our daily journey. 

I am a woman of value. I appreciate my true worth as a woman. I respect   myself as a woman. I believe that I am doing my best with my talents as a great contributor to our society. I would like to let the world know that I embrace my true value as a woman, I AM EMPOWERED.

Let us celebrate #WomensDayatMegaworld with recognition and acknowledgement of the biggest influence and wonderful contribution of all the women in the world.

A Teacher's Challenge

After more than a decade of teaching, I just want to ask myself again of things that teachers have to do to ensure that students will leave school fully equipped  with knowledge and skills to face life challenges. How would I define good teaching as an instruction that shape good learners? Are academic skills important than good behaviors? Our profession needs us to view every pupil as an account wherein we need to deposit experiences that are truly beneficial and encouraging to him. So do we have to focus more on the academic progress or behavior improvement? 

Among the many challenges that teachers have to confront daily, often the most strenuous is how to deal with pupils who seem disruptive, unreachable and those that are resistant to different learning activities. 

It is really true that a child's academic excellence is never an absolute measure of his intelligence. His behavior actually plays a vital role in academic achievement. And this definitely can affect his ability to learn. Therefore, a teacher's challenge is to think of ways on how to engage with this kind of call.

HOW CAN TEACHERS DO THIS? 
Let us try some approaches that can be of help to us. 

1. Try not to be too much disciplinarian or authoritarian. 

When a student's behavior bring problem, opt to find ways on how to find out what's going on. There is always a reason for misbehavior. Do not control them and always demand obedience. remember that a problematic behavior comes from a number of reasons.

-health problems

-personal or family issues

-academic difficulty

-developmental issue

- and a lot more

 *Love them as they are like your own children.

2. Know their interests and goals. 

Teachers should not forget that motivation starts from within. Develop trusting relationships that help them connect learning to their goals and interests in life. 

*Let them follow their hearts. 

3. See their mistakes as opportunities for learning. Respond properly to pupil's mistakes. Find ways to explain to them that they will learn even when they experience failures. 

*Teach them with patience. 

4. Use positive reinforcement still. 

Do not forget to give encouraging and positive remarks/messages. Children that are given positive reinforcement are most likely to become cooperative, enthusiastic, confident, and inspired. 

*Be persuasive and appreciative 

5. Say sorry when you create mistakes. We are not superma'ams. We create mistakes as well. If there are situations as such, never forget to apologize. 

*Be courteous and respectful to your pupils. 

6. Always teach lessons that involve life's reality.

Teaching is readying your students to face life's challenges in the near future. Having them understand how wonderful what life has to offer even with struggles help them become responsible citizens of the world. 

*Be an inspirer. 

Doing all these consistently can create resilient and responsible students. We may not create a lot of intelligent students but we can always create students with proper values that will definitely aid them to become successful people achieving their goals in life. With these approaches, we build positive relationships with them. These positive relationships stimulate them to learn more. Thinking teachers are caring teachers. Let us all try our best to influence them positively.
REMEMBER, TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THEIR LIVES.

                    A teacher can make or unmake a child.

Scared to RANT?

Having critical thought is one of the attributes I most admired with people. Being critical  specifies that one is able to analyze things or situations not just take them as they are. However, I presume that those who have the expertise of being critical are able to take criticisms as themselves and turn them into something positive. 

Sometimes comments or analysis made by some people have to be made in public to highlight not only the failure and incompetence of a leadership generally but more on the bad actors to be held accountable. The recent clusters of scams and scandals in our government that exposed vast corruption are truly alarming. Spending someone's precious time ranting against the wrong-doings of the bad government leaders should never be a crime. Though I also know that negative quips and criticism would not help create solutions, but there are times that people should speak up and express their call, disgust, grief and also even their approval and compliments to remind the persons leading of their responsibilities and duties to their people. Well, becoming passive about assessing our public servants' performances is of course not going to help either to solve the issues of the state I guess. 

( Source: stefanbarretto92.wordpress.com)

Every person sometimes has his her on views on some issues that differ from the others. Involvement in the public discourse is our duty in the society. Each of us has several rights and one of which is the freedom to speak one's mind but indeed those rights must go with responsibilities at all times. Discussing one's views and perspective to a large group of people in the community is in some ways advantageous to invite the exchange of good ideas between individuals. In some cases, keeping other people passive and obedient is limiting their spectrum to give their positive points and feedback. As for me, encountering an opposing point of view is a chance to gain a different perspective and an indication to a better and deeper understanding of the issues at stake. Primarily, to achieve a most positive exchange of ideas is by letting others speak and of course listening to other viewpoints as well. Encouraging critical and dissident views promotes better thinking. 

Expressing one's opinion is indeed an important element in a democratic country provided responsibility always has to be present. Choosing social media as outlets to share one's opinions, beliefs, conclusions on issues regarding politics, business, and religion constitutes social involvement. Every citizen has a right to offer his opinion and suggestions in the discussion of the problems confronting the community or the nation. View often stresses individuality on people's outlook in life thus, MY OPINION may never be the same as others'. Therefore, as far as one knows the purpose of his or her statement or impression and knows his or her responsibility as a social network user, I stand firm, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO VOICE YOUR THOUGHTS! SCARED TO RANT? You should not be. 

Hehehe, May I borrow this line, of course JUST THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK!

On Being a Superma'am

As public school teachers, we are swamped with a lot of problems and challenges most of the time. We usually handle children that come from the poor areas of our community. We deal with different kinds of people daily. We plan lessons, prepare visual materials, search on videos and PowerPoint presentations that correlate with the lessons, check workbooks and test papers, record pupils' scores, compute grades, attend NAT reviews on Saturdays, attend training and workshops, do home visits, organize remedial classes for slow students, teach  everything from discipline to all the things about different subject areas and a lot more. I have one question for you my dear fellow lovers of the academe. Are you enjoying your work? Are you always excited in doing your tasks? Or would you want to resign and forget all about your responsibilities to your more than fifty pupils? It is typical to feel engulfed and shaken sometimes. We are not wonderwomen or superma'ams.

I know that the kind of work required for us does not compensate the salary that we get. The work involved in public school teaching is different to the work of a teacher rendering service in the private school. Teaching in the Philippine public schools requires commitment, dedication and sacrifice to the service.  But we chose this profession for a purpose of changing the lives of our pupils. Although there are a lot of problems in the system and the challenges are vast, our commitment to our pupils  as public school teachers has to remain resolute and untarnished.                                           
                                                                                                                    (Photo credit myhomequote.com)

And because of the overwhelming tasks in front of us and we are not even superma'ams after all,  here are some recommendations for you.

*Set your priorities clearly.

Determine the order for dealing with the number of tasks according to their relative importance. Cramming should never be a strategy for educators.

*Recognize your boundary.

It is really needed to finish all the necessary assignments given to you by your administrator. But as a worker, you need to consider your work limits. Pushing yourselves outside the said limits may result to sickness and fatigue.

*Focus and forget about your fear of having multiple assignments and numerous reports.

Shape your perspective in a stimulating and fun-filled approach and strategy.

Do not be afraid of multi-tasking. Enjoy your daily journey as a teacher who values what she can do for  her pupils than what she can do for herself. You may never know, you are done with your tasks just in time.

*Be contented with your job

Being satisfied and happy with your job invites optimism and positivity in your life. If you value your work and you feel contented, it could create positive  work environment.

Just always remember that teaching is more than a noble profession. It is a mission, a vocation, a calling...Superma'ams are not teachers who can do several things in school. Superma'ams are not only the efficient and effective teachers. Superma'ams for me are the affectionate teachers, they are those who love teaching and are those who love children. They are those who teach children meaningful experiences.They are the teacher-heroes that pave learners' way in their quest for education. Although teaching surely does not guarantee financial security, it is indeed fulfilling to know that every child entrusted under your care becomes a better person with meaningful purpose and ideals. Sometimes teaching means investing almost twenty-fours of your time, resources, and even energy. And sometimes it means pain, heartaches, and disappointments as well. It is not important that you are never called a SUPERMA'AM, touching the hearts of the children, opening their minds to greater possibilities and opportunities are the ones that matter most. And especially bringing joy, smiles, and contentment to their lives that no amount of money can buy is the most significant of all.

  

What Michael Christian Martinez' Olympic Debut Taught Us

(Photo courtesy of Sports.inquirer.net)

The seventeen-year-old Michael Christian Martinez started skating at the age of eight when he went to a shopping mall here in Manila. From then on his love for skating began and he managed to learn all steps in figure skating by watching videos and by doing them by himself. After a few years, he has mastered triple jumps by his own. In 2010, he began making trips to Los Angeles for training with coaches John Nicks and Ilia Kulik. A month before the Sochi Winter Olympics 2014, he went to Moscow to undergo training under Viktor Kudryavtsev.

       (Photo courtesy of Sports.inquirer.net)  

He experienced wonderful firsts in his Olympic Debut as a Filipino figure skater.

The first Filipino figure skater to compete at the Olympics.

The first to represent a SouthEast Asian country in the said event.

The very first skater to step foot in the practice rink before the Sochi Olympics 2014 start.

I happened to watch his performances on Thursday and Friday (February 13 and 14) although the telecast was shown very late. I have seen his passion in doing his craft. After the well-applauded performance during Michael's short program  to Romeo and Juliet which was choreographed by Phillip Mills, he landed on the 19th place  with the score of 64.81 and made him qualified for the free skate round. He was able to fulfill his goal and wowed the audience by his outstanding performance as the youngest competitor. His expertise in spins and jumps as well as his gift in musicality left the cheering crowd in awe. Skating to Malaguena, Martinez glided towards the hearts of all the spectators of the Iceberg Skating Palace during his free skate routine and scored an impressive 119.44. His historic performance drew a loud applause from the audience. The first Filipino Winter Olympian gave everything he's got and fought strong until the finish. His dazzling performances and remarkable achievement made all the Filipinos proud. Moreso, Martinez' Olympic debut taught us a few lessons in life.

First

That all mothers will do everything and anything to support their children's needs and dreams.

Second

That nothing is really impossible. There are ways that lead to everything if we have the will, patience, and love for what we do.

Third

That even a chronic ailment can not hinder us in seeking any of our objectives and aspiration in life as long as we believe that we have the talents, skills, and abilities.

Fourth

That even our country lacks suitable training facilities, it should never stop any athlete to continue pursuing his desires.

Fifth

That through hard work and dedication, one can achieve success.

Sixth

That it does not matter if you win or lose in a competition, what matters is that you have managed to fight and face the possibility of being defeated.

Seventh

That Filipinos are really talented in everything that they do.

Eighth

That your opponents are also there to inspire you.

Ninth

That Filipinos are indeed tough and resilient in times of struggles and hardships.

And as for me, the most important one is

Tenth

That Filipino athletes who excel at any sports and who work hard at their craft deserve support from the government. Other than the hero's welcome...I think THEY DESERVE MORE.

Loving the Crabs?

One of the dumbest things I usually do is to post my feelings and even my ordeals in my Facebook Status. I have always become so stupid and post statuses that tackle my sentiments regarding my day to day experiences in life. Statuses that hundreds of people might see, statuses that they may not understand and statuses that they do not care about most of the time. Frequently, I would do such in order for me to feel relieved in times of stress and despair. The fact that my friends would be able to put suggestive remarks, helpful comments and excellent advice,  I know it's a way that will surely inspire me more to face all my trials as I journey through life . 

I am definitely sure that most of us have experienced dealing with people who have crab mentality attitude. We all go through these infamous gossiping, backstabbing, slandering, character assassination, and other situations that make us depressed and stressed in some ways. Different people and different circumstances upset us. Some people pull us down when we are trying to pursue our goals in life. We are often victimized by crabs. 

I have experienced a number of situations like this. I had one painful experience during the time when we brought our youngest son for liver transplant operation in Taiwan. My husband and I were put down, ridiculed, humiliated until our spirit was torn into pieces leaving us so dejected and broken for almost a week. This was done by a fellow Pinoy in a foreign land. But after  a few days of thinking, I decided not to dwell much on the experience and just opted to move forward. We have triumphed the battle over my son's liver disease and the negative and damaging words thrown on us never restrained my hopes and my opportunities to pursue more of my goals. 

I am talking about a strange and negative mentality called crab mentality. Crab mentality is a metaphor that refers to a kind of egoistic behavior that means "If I can't have it, neither can you." This metaphoric term is being widely tagged among Filipino character traits but as a negative attribute. This kind of behavior refers to the action of people who pull others down, belittling them instead of helping them pursue their dreams. This behavior is often associated with envy, jealousy, and selfishness. Crabs are found in all levels of life. Some of our friends and even colleagues are having "crabby" thoughts and agenda for us sometimes. They refuse to support our plans into pushing with our endeavors. These crabs are our biggest challenge in life. They frequently talk negative about us, insult us, and even spread lies to the people that we know. Their mental mindset is truly different. This negative trait stops groups, organizations, corporations, the government and its people from attaining their purpose and achieving  success. And this stigma is still present up to this time in our society. This mentality is a dangerous lethal attitude that can destroy anyone's hopes. These weak-minded people who have this mindset often believe that people who have dreams are not supposed to succeed, are not to be loved but have to be hated more.

In my point of view, crab mentality is somewhat a product of insecurities, incapacities, and false competitiveness. The individuals who are insecure and incapacitated in doing what they want to do, and may not be as competitive like others feel worried and fearful. Thus in order for them to cover-up their weaknesses and be on top easily, they practice this negative attitude towards people who thrive  more to attain their goals. Those who toil suffer and are left behind. The problem then lies on dealing with these people who pull us into a place where a lot of sadness, stress, and depression dwell most. How are we going to manage being with persons having crab mentality in the place where we live, where we study or even where we work?

 

                                     (Photo courtesy of ssaapodcast.com)

Dealing with them is kind of difficult. Here are some suggestions that may help you handle the situation properly.

1. Know your circles well.

Stay close to people whom you trust the most.Persons with crab mentality will always try to know your plans and your dreams. They will find ways to make your plans shattered into pieces. Tell your plans only to real friends.They will definitely encourage you and inspire you to realize your dreams.

2. Let your negative feelings out.

Ranting is never a crime. You may share your ill feelings about the situation to someone you trust the most. Your real friends will surely understand you and will help you discuss the matter seriously to lessen your burden. Do not allow anxiety to ruin your dreams and disposition.

2. Avoid the mentality yourself.

Do not forget that people sometimes get envious and jealous to others. Keep away from having this mindset yourself. Be selfless and inspire others as well. Support your friends' dreams and help them reach their goals. Do not be involved in gossiping. Being part of this intensifies the fire of misunderstanding and conflict.

3. Treat people with crab mindset nicely.

This is one tough and awkward way to deal with those people. But being nice to them may control their chances of pulling you down. Most of them do not have true friends, you may help change their negative attitude into positive ones. In other words try to love the crabs.

4. Never ever complain.

Always stay focused on your job and purpose. Do not complain about the assignments and tasks given to you. Complaining may invite and incite  disagreement. Encourage yourself and co-workers to do both your jobs well instead. In this way, crab mentality may be avoided.

5. Watch out for saboteurs.(clever crabs)

Oftentimes your efforts in dealing with negative people are not working.They seem really sure to sabotage your plans and targets. In some cases,their deliberate actions affect your performance immensely. The only way now to deal with it is to get away with them. Confrontation may not always get positive results but may aggravate the situation somehow. Cut ties with them if necessary. Then create a new circle of friends that will bring the best in you.

In some cases that you are still having difficulty handling people with this kind of mentality. These scriptures will definitely aid you more.

Philippians 4:8 
Finally brothers, whatever is true, what ever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of your praise, think about these things.

Proverbs 12:18 
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Ephesians 4:29 
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Luke 6:27
But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.

CAN YOU SUGGEST MORE WAYS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE CRAB MENTALITY? PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD THEM IN MY COMMENT BOX. TAKE CARE FRIENDS.

The Agonies that Brought Me to a New Perspective

 A lot of my experiences brought me to the verge of despair and hopelessness.  I went through a lot of spells of feeling down. I felt sadness during difficult times. My life episodes dealt more on challenges and struggles. I really felt the agony of battling with life daily. But such experiences brought me to a new perspective. I usually feel that I often fall short as a mother on providing the needs of my family. Thank God, I've got a real friend who always reminds me of things about how I managed to face life's journey. Thank you Dear Sally for always inspiring me to move forward. 

The agony started when I learned that my youngest son has gotten  a congenital liver disease called biliary atresia that is only curable by having him undergo a liver transplant operation. It has been already a decade when we came to know that our precious youngest son was afflicted with a dreadful disease that eventually might lead to his death anytime. But God worked in mysterious ways. He has given us a chance to save our son JC from dying. He has helped us to meet people who were very willing to help us in different ways.  We were able to raise funds for his liver transplant operation that cost so much. My son was able to have his new liver in 2009. My precious had a lot of complications before and during the transplantation for six long years. It was indeed agonizing to see my fragile son in and out of the hospitals fighting for his own life. The unbearable pain that my husband and I felt during the times we were looking for millions of pesos to fund the operation. The mockery and the rejection that were thrown to our faces by a lot of organizations, foundations, and even famous personalities as well torn us into pieces. But GOD STILL PROVIDED.  A lot of people came for help. Many people were used by God as instruments into helping us cope with the difficulty.  A number of people supported our family during the tormenting struggles. The agonies that I felt brought me triumph and joy. JC was discharged at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in March 2010 after almost six months of admission. Trials were also severe during those times. Funds were not enough then. But what was wonderful then was meeting a lot of people from different walks of life who treated us like their own family. And the tormenting pain helped me to become closer to God, reminding me of his faithfulness, love, and mercy. 

Another harrowing pain brought me to depression when I learned that JC had to be brought again to Kaohsiung for stent placement due to mild stenosis. God surely worked again in mysterious ways, Jan Ciryl did not have to undergo stent placement. The said diagnosis was proven otherwise in 2011. 

Two long years have passed, I have fully realized and proven that the quote "TOUGH TIMES DON'T LAST BUT TOUGH PEOPLE DO." is indeed real and true. The words struck me deep. My son's medication is lifetime and financially draining. Having four kids studying at the same time and providing medical needs for JC are my top and tough priorities. I work as a public school teacher and my husband Ronnie sells snacks daily in our neighborhood to support the family needs. Our income can not really provide the medical needs of my youngest child regularly. Expensive medicines and laboratory tests are really part of our periodic struggle. Trying times basically are chunks of my day to day crises. 


What indeed brought me to light after all these and shaped my thoughts were indeed Norman Vincent Peale's quotes. 

1. "The way to happiness: Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Scatter sunshine, forget self, think of others. Try this for a week and you will be surprised."

 2. "It's always too soon to quit."



 3. "Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You'll find  they haven't half the strength you think they have."


 4. "I place this day, my life, my loved ones, my work in the Lord's hands. There is no harm in the Lord's hands, only good. Whatever happens, whatever results, if I am in the Lord's hands, it is the Lord's will and it is good." 

5. "Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities, always see them, for they're always there." 

6. "Believe it is possible to solve your problem. Tremendous things happen to the believer. So believe the answer will come. It will." 


 And most importantly, verses from the bible 


7. Philippians 4:13
 "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

8. John 5:30  
"I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me."

9. Philippians 4:6-7

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

10. James 1:2-4 

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." 

11. Isaiah 43:2-3 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. "For I am the LORD your GOD, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place." 

12. Jeremiah 29:11-13 
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." 

The agonies I felt brought me to a new perspective. We all could choose to begin the day with a thought that strengthens us or disempowering thoughts that will paralyze us. Coping with life brings a lot of glitches. Our hopes with God should exceptionally be impeccable. Life's voyage will surely not be always straight and serene, but with Him everything will always fall into the right perspective. Let us all choose God's words to guide us daily. Choose to become an optimist thinker rather than the pessimist one. The choice lies in our hearts, hands, and mind. We can all make things better with the thoughts that we think through Christ who always erases all our agonies in life. Our Christian life is indeed full of trials and hardest times as God wants us to turn over our problems to Him.Surrendering  to God all your worries and agonies during the midst of your trying times help you feel peaceful. Let us pray that God will help us use all these verses from the Bible to speak to us. 

And if you are also going through tough times, please read these quotes and scriptures again to give you encouragement and inspiration to face life's journey towards happiness.

Sources:

Norman Vincent Peale Quotes 
The Holy Bible-New American Standard Version

Are You a Supermom?

Mothers are society's most courageous, tireless and lion-hearted warriors. Filipino mommies are also fit to be called supermoms nowadays. According to experts full-time moms spent 12 to 15 hours attending to household chores while working mothers with a combination of career workloads and home duties spent about 15 to 16 hours doing both. Also according to some authorities, women suffer physical and emotional stress than men do. Most of these strenuous problems  are felt by working mothers. And some stretched-out mothers are reported to eat a lot during worn-out periods that is usually caused by deep stress.  As mothers, we want our family to feel loved, happy, and worry-free. Because of this, we take on additional workloads and responsibilities, doing everything within our means to make our family's life wonderful and easier. These are the things being done by supermoms yet overburdened ones. Balancing things about money, work, and family made supermoms superstressed. Are you a supermom? Are you a woman who performs the traditional duties of housekeeping and child-rearing while also having a full-time job? Have you ever experienced preparing your reports for work while waiting for your washing machine to stop spinning, and preparing your children's school things at the same time waiting for  a lunch menu to be cooked on the stove? If yes, you are truly a supermom. How then do you deal with stress that being a supermom may bring? Most of our supermoms of today are also superstressed. Nowadays, becoming  a mother comes with a pressure of becoming a supermom. While the word supermom is very positive as it seems, it also demands  a very different perspective when it comes to our roles as mothers. Many expect a lot from a supermom. Supermoms have a very big risk of experiencing fatigue, mental concerns, health problems, weight gain, marital issues, and personal problems as well.How? Almost all the mother  responsibilities make supermoms overstretched and stressed out. Working moms face difficulties with their bosses, colleagues, friends, husband, and of course their children. The results of this chronic stress may not be helpful to become a better mom. One way that you can provide better things for the members of your family is to lessen your stress by having a proper health care system. 

Because Valentines Day is fast approaching, it is indeed a great time for mothers to know the significance of addressing and managing the stress you're getting by being a supermom. Learn to love yourselves by caring for yourselves in a healthy way. Here are some strategies to help you a bit. 

One, Pray, Eat, and Play 
Pray for a few minutes to God to ask for guidance in making your mind and soul ready for daily tasks or enjoy a moment of silence before you start the day.
Eat but be very mindful of what you eat. Most of us mothers eat sweet and high in carbohydrates foods when strained. These make us more stressed. Make healthy food choices then.
Play in order for you to reduce your stress. Play includes various relaxing activities, exercise, and meditation. Do something nice for yourselves by having activities that you enjoy and value. 

Two-Plan, Evaluate, and Balance 
Plan your daily schedules with utmost attention. Create a proportionally graph that shows proper distribution of your tasks. Choose the things that require your attention and prioritize. Put things in perspective. Prioritize things that really matter most. This enable you not to cram on issues that need prioritization. Reflect on your real priorities.

Evaluate your idea or concept of being a supermom. Unhealthy behaviors and unhealthy concepts will never reduce stress but escalate it more. Make realistic approaches and strategies to finish your targets that will not sacrifice your health.You will never be a good or great mom if you have personal or health issues.You may delegate responsibilities.You may also ask the support of family members to lessen the loads that you are carrying. Do not also forget to say no to things that are least important. 

 Balance all the aspects of your life. Establish symmetry in all your duties to avoid burn out. Create a well-balanced strategy to meet your spiritual, physical, psychological, emotional, social, sexual, and personal needs. 

Three-Laugh, Live, and Love 

Laugh because laughter is the best medicine to an ailing life. Remember to be with people that matter to you. Laugh at each other's jokes during special times. And always find humor in your problems.

Live your life with optimism and enthusiasm. Do activities that will bring balance, happiness, and triumphs to your life. Embrace your imperfections. Nobody is perfect, remember? 

Love your partner in life. Talking, hearing, understanding, and loving your partner improve your ability to persevere during stressful times. Love all the people that surround you with respect. Strengthen the relationship with all the members of your family to inspire each other. Forget about those things that exhaust and diminish your resilience. Mothers often put the needs of all the members of their families first before theirs. At the end, they usually neglect their own needs. Remember that supermoms are only a product of our imagination. Armoring ourselves with those mythical superstrength, superspeed, and supervulnerability powers may result to depression, anxiety, and unhappiness if goals are not met. We are real moms. We do not have to put a lot of pressure to ourselves. Do not compare yourselves to other mothers. Every mom is a real mom. All mothers experience challenges and struggles. Every real mom faces difficulties in life. Do not live so much with others' expectations. Avoid things and people that contribute to the reduction of your full potential and depletion of your self-esteem.Forget about your supermom capes. You do not really have superpowers, let go of being a supermom. Forget perfection and choose happiness. Make realistic goals for yourself and your family.

Just remember the happiest moms are not the supermoms but the real moms. What is more wonderful than being real moms ourselves. Enjoy our family life by savoring the tiny things that we can do to all the members of our family  daily. Do not push yourselves too hard. PUSH for being nicer to yourselves instead. PUSH for a possibility that there are lot of kinder options in life. 

                                                           ( Courtesy of Kids Social Network)