Shopping Tips!

I am always a mall visitor. Be it an important errand, paying bills, wanted to eat, buy something, relax a bit, window shopping, or watching a movie, I find to do it all comfortably at the mall. And through the years, I have developed my "SHOPPING ETIQUETTE."

Follow these DO'S AND DON'TS  and you'll be the mall's favorite customer!

DON'T handle the items roughly as if you own it.

DO touch the items with care. Always remember, if you break it, it's considered sold.

DON'T ever touch or remove items from the window display.

DO ask the salesperson for some assistance if you wish to see a product from the display.

DON'T ignore the person if he or she greets you at the door.

DO respond kind. You'll find that doing this makes the sales staff more inclined to help you.

DON'T get angry at a salesperson if the item you want is unavailable. It is not their fault.

DO treat the clerks politely and with respect. Always request, never order.

DON'T push or crowd at the counter.

DO wait patiently for your turn, but speak up if you sense someone else being rude.

DON'T talk loudly on your cellphone while waiting in line. It's very distracting.

DO reserve your calls for when you are in a more private area. No one wants to hear what you have to tell you friend.

I'm in a Relationship

First Question: How can you describe an important event in your life without giving any details about it?

Weird huh? Well, that has been my problem that it took me almost a month to figure things out on how will I describe that life changing experience without giving any details about it.

Well, to all the people who have been with me in this journey, this is for you.

As I have mentioned above, I have been in a journey; a very important journey of discovering relationships. These relationships are intertwined together that played a very important part in my life. These relationships are bound by love, happiness, friendship, salvation, and continuous learning.

Learning of what, you ask?

Let’s start by the weather on that day. It was sunny on the morning, cloudy by noon, and rainy on the night. I came excited and a little prepared for what will happen to me on that three day journey. Like any other event, I met the people who I’m going to be with for the next three days. I introduced myself, and then ask their names and where they’re from. I smile at them from time to time then share my little thoughts on how things are going on. I just realize that it was the first step in building the foundation of any relationship – friendship.

We ate together, sleep together, laugh together and sing together. It was amazing. It just felt like kindergarten again where all the children you’ll talk to will be your friend for the next five minutes.

Moving on, I also established a deeper solid foundation with the people within my age bracket. They share a part of them to me that I learned a lot just by talking to them. And it is the type of learning that I will treasure and be inspired to follow because I can clearly see that it was a step towards happiness.

If I ask you, “What for you is the greatest love?” What will you answer me?

Well, if you’ll ask me that, this is my answer: The greatest love I encountered is the love of God.

Now, “How do you take betrayal? What do you do?”

This is what my Saviour did:

In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus is afraid. It’s dark. He knows the soldiers are coming. And His friends are asleep. It will be the last time He sees them before they abandon Him. He knows their betrayal is only minutes away.

But He doesn’t accuse. He doesn’t lecture. Instead, He chooses to pray. He prays for His sleeping friends, and for the people he will encounter from that point on.

We also know that He begged for an exit. “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.” (Luke 22:42) If He could have, He would have turned His head back on the whole mess. But He didn’t.

He didn’t because He saw us. Right here in the middle of a world that isn’t fair. He saw that we are betrayed by those we love—in our own garden of gnarled trees and sleeping friends. He saw us, and He didn’t want us to be alone. He had made His decision. He gave his own life for our salvation.

Very powerful.

Now my friend, how will you pay Him with what He did for you?

This is where the learning comes in. You, me, together, we’ll figure it out. Let’s start by reading the Bible everyday and coming to Church every Sunday. Talk to people whom He gave for you to meet. Maybe not in person, you can message me here or on facebook and I’ll introduce you to other people I know who are excited to meet you.

You know, I ended that three day journey with a bang! Just look at our faces in full smiles!

I believe this is just the start of my journey in knowing and experiencing these relationships. By the way, I have a new name and its:

Overcomer Ayra!

Comeback

I love Comeback Stories. Its about perseverance against suffering. You know, I myself has a comeback story.

When I was four, I was diagnosed of Dengue. I have a high fever, my platelets count drop down, and the thing I remember the most is having a severe headache. I will just cry so loud in the middle of the night that my Mama will panic just because my head hurts. How selfish am I huh?

Anyway, I had a blood transfusion. And for me, this blood transfusion really made a big mark in me. I am such a brat when I was a kid. I will bite my cousins because I feel like it (I have four shark teeth y'know :P), I will show tantrums because I don't want to drink milk, and I will gather all my toys because its only for me, not for others. Well, after the transfusion, I got better. And I say, really BETTER. I no longer bite my cousins and I become a very obedient kid.

So whoever's blood was put on my body, thank you. God used you to save me.

You see, I'm bad so I got sick, then someone's blood saved me then I became better. Occasionally, we need a comeback. We need to correct wrong directions or compensate for wrong decisions.

In those times, we have an example in Peter. He had failure written all over him. First, he nearly drowned when his faith faltered (Matthew 14:30). Then he said things that were so wrong Jesus called him "Satan" (Matthew 16:22-23). And when Jesus needed Peter the most, he denied that he even knew Him (Matthew 26:74).

But that's not the end of the story. In the power of the Spirit, Peter made a comeback. On the Day of Pentecost, he preached and 3,000 people came to faith in Christ (Acts 2:14,41). Peter returned to effectiveness because his faith was renewed, he guarded what he said, and he stood up for Jesus.

Struggling? If Peter and I can come back, so can you.

-some were taken from odb.org

Now or Never

Have you ever made a decision that's so impulsive, so fast, and seems so silly and in the end, you'd feel great because you took that risk? I know, I did.

A lot of things have changed since I graduated from College but one thing remains the same: I'm still impulsive, hahaha! Yes people, I belong to those group who acts first before thinks. Actually, other people views it as "unintellectual move" but for me, it is just me. In fact, it helps me to enjoy life even better! Let me share to you my top 3 unforgettable impulsive moments.

TOP 3:

DATE WITH LOUIE AND NELVIN

Last May 11, Louie tweeted us that he wants to meet up at SM Megamall to eat! Of course my blood vessels suddenly became excited! That's food and its free! he'll treat us, Yey! -- or so I thought. He just wants to meet up just because of eating! No libre (treat), no anything, and to think that was near on the payday so the only money we have is from the last salary; we are soooo poor that time but Ked and I still go. We miss those guys anyway so we did not mind spending a few bucks from the little money we have.

Little we did know, that night was also the premiere night of In the Name of Love, the movie of Aga Muhlach and Angel Locsin. And we got a chance to see them live! Aga Muhlach even waved at us! waaaaa! total starstruck moment for us! I was so thrilled! It was the highlight of our meeting; sorry Louie and NiLben, Aga really won my heart that night. :P

TOP 2:

LUGAW HUNTING WITH AIKZ AND CRIS

This event occurs two years ago. It was around October; me and my classmates are practicing for our Humanities presentation and I decided to meet my two closest buds since Highschool. My bestfriend Aikie suddenly wants to eat Lugaw, its kinda rainy that time so its understandable. We searched that lugaw far and wide because from Bagumbayan, we travelled up to Signal just to be dissapointed because there is no lugaw! T.T

Good thing Ked saw a mami vendor and we decided to eat that 'coz we are so hungry! I remember that experience as hot and wet. Hot because that mami was hot and spicy and its raining so the surrounding is Wet! But let me tell you, the feeling I felt that time can never be compared to anything. Seeing my friends from High school and a friend from College are comfortable talking to each other and sometimes making fun of me, is a wonderful product of friendship that brings joy in my heart. Thank you friends! :-*

Sorry guys, no pictures available.

TOP 1:

BURGER HUNTING IN PUP STA.MESA

This was eleven months ago. We just got out from our morning class and its near lunch time. We're hungry so we decided to eat a burger. Well, the burgers from our school is so not appealing and we started comparing it to the burgers in Sta. Mesa. Then in an instant, an idea sparked to go to Sta.Mesa just to eat burger! Everyone agrees to it without second thought so from Taguig we rode the train to go to Sta.Mesa to eat their 25 peso burger. The fare during that time is 20 pesos back and forth. And we did not mind paying that, which is almost the price of the burger that we came for.

Infairness to the burger, its yummy, its juicy, its healthy and its even better than the last time I tasted it because I have my friends with me while I'm eating it.:)

After the trip to Sta.Mesa, Ked and me still decided to go to SM Bicutan. And guess what, it was a display week for the life size action figure of Justice league! You can never guess how giggly I was when I saw Batman. I'm in awe and excited at the same time. I throw away my shy self just to have a picture of him. I did not mind the people who's taking pictures too, and waiting for me to let go of the good spot to take a picture with Batman. I was with Batman! The super hero I love for the longest time! The one I super adore! My Batman ♥_♥

Enjoy the rest of the Justice League!

Allure

According to Wikipedia, Allure is the power to attract or entice.

Here’s my three dark allures:

Actually, most of these is because of Halloween :P

Ready, Go!

Bullying is a topic I am happy to talk about. Not because I was the bully and felt the majority of my power but because I was a victim who survived it with flying colors.

When I was in grade school till early high school, I was a timid little girl that rarely talks to anyone. I guess that opens the gates to the people around me to test my patience. My classmates would throw broomsticks to my head and will never say sorry. They would laugh at my back and in my face because I was a super fatty. When I walked in front of them, they will move their leg forward and let me stumble with my face on the ground. They will come and disturb me while I’m writing my formal theme just to answer what’s the English of the word they want to know. Then the adults would tease me to death just to lower my confidence and when it did, they will say “that’s just a joke, can’t you accept a joke?”

That was before; bullying now takes on a subtler form—it’s no longer just a case of David versus Goliath, or the physically wear versus the physically strong. These days, it involves power play, social status, and a whole lot of mind games. This kind of emotional and psychological bullying tends to be more hurtful, and leaves a more lasting impression on the victim.

As a victim who survived bullying, I also don’t want others to feel bad about themselves. Here are the things I did to lift up my spirit and to be the winner I can be:

I pray. In anything that troubles me, I pray. I ask for guidance but mostly I ask questions why those people are doing this to me. I seek for answer through Him. Actually, it is mostly cleansing of the heart. At an early age, I already know that a corrupt heart will only have a corrupt life.

I say to myself: “I am beautiful”. Most of the reason why I was being bullied is because I did not protect myself and let them hurt me. But when I decided to face the mirror every morning, and say “I am beautiful. My family loves me, God takes care of me.” A start of the change happened.

I let others to talk to me. In this world, it is impossible that no one will talk to you. It is only possible if you can’t talk to them back. When I was in high school, I was seated to a corner but when my teacher gets mad to one of my classmates because she is so noisy, we changed seats. There, I was in a middle of two very talkative boys and they continuously talk to me like that was the first time they’ve met me. I am glad that those two likes’ people to laugh and I easily became comfortable.

I look for my circle. It took me a whole year just to find the people who will accept me for who I am. And I’m glad I waited and prepared myself first because when we’re together, we are a crazy ball of little ladies! We were from different cliques and when the time comes that each of us takes a little step backward from our comfort zones, we found each other and never let go. I even joined and participated in different activities that mostly are rejected but when I entered it, they have seen the effort I put in it and I gained the respect I thought I would never have.

And lastly, I look for reason’s to be happy. I ate chocolates from time to time. I use my creative talent and make a bubble talk out of my classmates pictures (they did not get mad, in fact, they are happy to see them in a happy situation), I DIY my own accessories that always gets attention and I read a lot of happy books.

Hey, life is too short to stay down there. It’s time to get ready yourself and go with the happy boat. Ready? Go!

Forever Treasures

Oh I miss School!

After sixteen long years of studying, I never thought that I would say that now. Oh wow! I must have been a good student! Hahaha. Yes, I'm a good student but not great. I have topped some exams here and there, joined competitions from time to time, and have been an honored student sometimes. Yes, sometimes because my educational ways have pattern. During my "Odd Years" (year levels in Odd number pattern like First Year and Third Year), I'm really good at English; then on my "Even Years" I'm good at Math. And to think that was in High school and now that I graduated from College, what happened to my brain??

Anyway, Since I missed schooling, I looked for things that would remind me of how fun school was. Aside from my collection of test papers (even with zero mark, I still collect it. I'm weird I know! I'm just happy to see I have a zero mark because it feels like I experienced the high of Highs and the low of Lows), Diaries of activities, old notebooks, pictures of ugly me (I know a lot of you can relate how ugly duckling you are when you're young) and secret crushes (wit, wit!), I found this: My Medals!!!

Technically, Not every medal I found was mine. The three medals above was achieved by my sister. I just posted it because it was the three medals she owned that I like. The bronze with yellow was from her Preschool. The silver with blue is from our Mayor that recognizes her as top 10 of the 546 graduates of batch 2009. And the gold with Red and Blue is from our Congresswoman that recognizes their achievement and guarantees them with Educational Assistance.

Now this mine. Actually I'm very proud of this two because I achieved them through the talent God has given me. I won it when I joined the Declamation Contest, Filipino category. I really can't forget those moments because it was an image changing experience. You might ask why image changing? The answer is: my super buds did their craziness on my costume and makeup! I was supposed to look like a beggar but I looked like a mental patient! They even wrote their names on my legs using an eyeliner as a good luck charm, more like a kahihiyan charm. Hahaha! The funny times.

Now this is treasure. I got this two medals because I was a CAT Officer. I really worked hard to be an officer and it paid off more than I expected. Honestly, I started joining COCC because I simply wanted a regular exercise (Yeah, yeah, call me desperate but I would really use any means I can get just to be thin!). On the benefits part, I got close to my classmates that I rarely talk to, I established a relationship to my predecessors, and I gained a position that balances a whole big system. Can you guess my position?

C'mon, guess it! I'll be waiting! ;P

the check mark

I have been using Microsoft Word since I was 12. And most of the time, I encounter a problem on how would I enter a check mark on the document. So what I did during those days is to use the square root symbol that somehow looks like a check mark.

But today, I've had enough. I decided to move on and find the right keys/ ways to put up a check mark. So I searched the words check mark symbol microsoft word on kitamo.ph (the meta search engine that our company developed). I chose the second article because the first is for Visio. and here are the steps that I found:

1. On the insert menu, click Symbol.

2. On the Symbol dialog box, on the symbols tab, on the Font box, click Wingdings.

3. Scroll to the bottom of the list, where you will find several common check mark symbols. Double-click the symbol that you want.

and Viola! I found the checkmark