Aesthetic Inspiration

Months ago, there was a point when I felt completely anhedonic - too lazy to work for something that I want to do.

Those were the days where all I just care about was to finish my grad school classes (which I had been doing in a very carefree manner...and it worried me). There was also a point where I just feel completely lost, which surprisingly included my sudden lack of passion for something I thought I would never get tired of doing - photography.

I am not exactly sure how it happened. But it seems that every photo I took only depicts mediocrity.  I believe I kept on doing the same things, over and over again.  I hate to admit this, but yes, I was losing it.

I am completely clueless how I have taken back my creative mojo, but one thing is for sure - 

I don't want to lose something that makes me happy...:)

04-02-12 Hello, summer!

Finally, after 3 weeks of hiatus from the world wide web, my grad school classes were finally over! And, if there was one thing that motivated me to end it right, it was the thought that summer just stood on the other side of all those requirements and exams.

Looking back on all my favorite summers though, I realized that two months of freedom isn't equated with two months of laziness.  It isn't a time to hold back, or be too timid. Rather, it is the perfect time to try different things and discover the different sides of ourselves. :)

As for me? I came up with quite a long list on my mind. I am literally overflowing with ideas of the things that I want to do before I'll traverse the medical arena this June - put up my own photo blog, do a volunteer work, blog more often, be fit, eat more nutritious foods, read more intellectual books...the list seems endless!

Currently, I am already working for my photo blog... will be posting some of my random snapshots here soon. :) As of now, here are two of my latest photographs.

Hopefully, I could do all the things that I planned for this summer.

Wish me luck!

:)

It's not too late to start - moving!

I've been feeling so unmotivated lately - I've been procrastinating more and more!=(
Earlier this year, I committed myself to procrastinate less and, for almost 3 weeks, I've been very faithful to my words - been an all-nighter just to finish my school reqs. But what can say again? Temptations always come dainty that I easily give in. =(

Yesterday, while I was blog hopping...I stumbled accross Ms.Vicky Herrera's Blog . - yes, the famous fashion model, writer and also, a former radio DJ. I saw her post about the "35 Fast Tips to Make This Your Best Year Yet by Robin Sharma" and thought that maybe, I could re-blog it to keep myself reminded of the things that I have to do for me to achieve my goal for this year - make 2012 my year!

So, here it is...the 35 Fast Tips To Make This Year Your Best Year Yet by:

Robin Sharma

1. Remember that the quality of your life is determined by the quality of your thoughts.

2. Keep the promises you make to others – and to yourself.

3. The project that most scares you is the project you need to do first.

4. Small daily improvements are the key to staggering long-term results.

5. Stop being busy being busy. This New Year, clean out the distractions from your work+life and devote to a monomaniacal focus on the few things that matter.

6. Read “The War of Art”.

7. Watch “The Fighter”.

8. In a world where technology is causing some of us to forget how to act human, become the politest person you know.

9. Remember that all great ideas were first ridiculed.

10. Remember that critics are dreamers gone scared.

11. Be “Apple-Like” in your obsession with getting the details right.

12. Take 60 minutes every weekend to craft a blueprint for the coming seven days. As Saul Bellow once said: “A plan relieves you of the torment of choice.”

13. Release your need to be liked this New Year. You can’t be a visionary if you long to be liked.

14. Disrupt or be disrupted.

15. Hire a personal trainer to get you into the best shape of your life. Superstars focus on the value they receive versus the cost of the service.

16. Give your teammates, customers and family one of the greatest gifts of all: the gift of your attention (and presence).

17. Every morning ask yourself: “How may I best serve the most people?”

18. Every night ask yourself: “What 5 good things happened to me this day?”

19. Don’t waste your most valuable hours (the morning) doing low value work.

20. Leave every project you touch at work better than you found it.

21. Your job is not just to work. Your job is to leave a trail of leaders behind you.

22. A job is not “just a job”. Every job is a gorgeous vehicle to express your gifts and talents – and to model exceptionalism for all around you.

23. Fears unfaced become your limits.

24. Get up at 5 am and take 60 minutes to prepare your mind, body, emotions and spirit to be remarkable during the hours that follow. Being a superstar is not the domain of the gifted but the prepared.

25. Write love letters to your family.

26. Smile at strangers.

27. Drink more water.

28. Keep a journal. Your life’s story is worth recording.

29. Do more than you’re paid to do and do work that leaves your teammates breathless.

30. Leave your ego at the door every morning.

31. Set 5 daily goals every morning. These small wins will lead to nearly 2000 little victories by the end of the year.

32. Say “please” and “thank you”.

33. Remember the secret to happiness is doing work that matters and being an instrument of service.

34. Don’t be the richest person in the graveyard. Health is wealth.

35. Life’s short. The greatest risk is risk-less living. And settling for average.

So, that's it guys...the 35 tips by Robin Sharma. And, if you also feel unmotivated...lazy...procrastinating

remember: it's not too late to start moving!

The Reason for the Season

It's the season where everyone is happy. Exchanging gifts, hugs, kisses, thank you's and I love you's.

The best time to end the year right - say sorry and to forgive.

Christmas - the most wonderful time of the year!

The main reason, why we celebrate CHRISTmas... 

Thank You for all the blessings - for the good life, loving family and true friends.

Thank You for always standing by my side. For the times when I stumble and on the verge of giving up,
You are always there, giving me hope.

Thank You for everything!

Thank You for Your love!

Happy Birthday!:)

Journal entry: December 25, 2011

An Epilogue

We may sometimes question His decision. But, maybe...just maybe..He just wants us to see life at a different perspective - so we could appreciate life more and realize how blessed we are. 

***

Thinking about what happened in CDO makes me realize how thankful I am - that I can still celebrate Christmas happily with my family and loved ones, that I have nothing to worry about  satisfying my physiological needs, that I am still alive...

In light of what happened, let us continue to pray for all the victims of the typhoon Sendong.

Hoping that this prayer could alleviate their sad plight.

RN, still.

I 'm a big fan of playing it safe. I've always been afraid of taking risks knowing that it is somehow synonymous with  uncertainty.  Because in risk taking, we could only possibly fall into two things: either we'll make it, or break it.  That is why we should invest on great faith. We should trust ourselves and most of all, trust God.

Two months ago, I wrote an article about  "Dreams and Gamble", in which I came up with a decision to take a risk.

It was a risk choosing to be back on a bum state knowing that I could have finish my units for MA if only I enrolled as a full-time student this semester. It was a risk to take an examination which would determine my future career path.  And, the risk has been done. And, I have no regrets. :)

Yesterday, I already received my examination result. This might sound melodramatic, but before I officially came up with my decision two months ago, I first asked God for a sign. Since I am fully aware that med school is not just a walk in the park plus, the financial expense that accompanies it. - "If I could get a percentile rank of 85...I'll go with med school. But if not, I'll continue with the Nursing profession."

Sadly, I didn't reach the 85 percentile rank. Although I am few steps closer already... I did my best. But, if this is God's will..so be it. After all, He never fail to answer my every prayer, this is just the first time He said "no". So, I guess, this is it...

I don't consider this instance as a misfortune, though. I would actually consider myself as a lucky one. 

At least now, my career path is clear to me. 

RN, still. :)

What boredom brings me

My MA class has been taking forever to start! And, every day has just been like the day before: eat, sleep, watch TV, internet, with an occasional variation like reading a good book, or playing with our dogs. But basically, everything is a routine. Every day and every thing amounts to nothingness.

My day would usually starts at 8:00. After my cup of coffee, I read the newspaper to update myself with the country's latest rants.  And, then lunch, followed by series of TV shows. Sigh, nothing can be more depressing than this...sitting whole day on a couch in front of the television, changing channels from time to time.

On the sane-r point, I realized that I have to steer forward! And use boredom to ignite my worn-out passion, and make me feel productive, even in simplest ways.:)

And today, I had this colorful photographs...

See? boredom isn't just about drowning yourself with foods, or the sleep-TV-internet routine; if only one knows how to use time wisely. :)

1st Day of December

It's the first day of December already!!! And, this would mean: 2011 is coming to a close and Christmas is just around the corner!!!:) 24 days to go!

This holiday season comes around each year, but making it extra special is a new challenge for me each time.

Remember that this month isn't just about exchanging perfect presents. It's also about making an effort to end the year right - even in simplest ways.

And, my first step of ending this year right is for me to go back with my readings.:D Yep, I just sneaked in for me to update this blog since I've been neglecting the World Wide Web for the last month.hehe. I made a treaty with myself to limit my internet time into 1hour so I can devote more time doing my readings and I guess, 1 hour is enough for me to update my IG feed, check my mail, and do the birthday ritual on FB. 

I hope that with this hard work, coupled with prayer and positive attitude would give me a fruitful result. :)

3 days to goooo!!!

HARD WORK.

PRAYER.

OPTIMISM.

:)

Wishing Upon Non-existent Stars...

, 

Sometimes, I wish I was a different person...

• Someone who isn't afraid of doing what she wants.
• Someone who isn't afraid of fighting what she thinks is right.
• Someone who isn't  afraid to take risk; and at the end of the day, could proudly say to herself, "at least, I have tried."
• Someone who isn't afraid to love, feel the pain - knowing that it is inevitable.
• Someone who is braver...

     I want to be that someone.

xoxo,

Joie

Angels

Being an angel has been one of my wildest dreams when I was a little girl.

I loved angels!

... their white dress, halo and most of all..their feathery wings.

I can still remember how my aunt first taught me the prayer for the Guardian Angel (which I still pray even until now).

I grew up believing that each of us has its own angel...

Someone who protects and guides us everyday of our lives. - this was actually the very reason why I started collecting these angel figurines...

This angel figurine is somehow special among the rest...hehe

It was given by my best friend.

She said that it was the "Angel of Love".

Now, that I have all grown-up... I realized that angels aren't just the one who is dressed in white, has a halo and has wings...

Instead, they can also be the people who may either be close to us, or even people whom we barely know. ;)

So, do you believe in angels?

...I do..:)

xoxo,

Joie