Goodbye 2013

Date check: 2 more days till 2014. Wow.

A million memories are flashing through my mind right now, i mean i can't even describe how different and how blessed i have been this year. If i was to sum my year up in a sentence it would be like this; I met awesome friends and church leaders in Singapore, moved back to the Philippines alone to start college life, reunited with my old friends again, got back together with my first love, made new friends in Baguio City, did well on my first semester in university, realised i can do well in school and dance well, and experienced the
crazy hardships of being independent.

Yep. That's about it. But... 

There's so much more to that vague sentence. I've experienced so many new things that made me wiser. Been through tears and have reached a breaking point at one point in time, but all those just made me wiser. It's a tough world out there, and living alone kind of pushes you off the edge. Living alone made me realise that i can't be strong all the time, though choosing to be, with the help of genuine people who care about you, is the first step. I was able to be strong through many circumstances because i had a great support system, my boyfriend, my best friends and my family. They all remind me each time time to stay true to myself and to continue doing what i can. They remind me when to chill down and have fun when i start stressing out. They remind me to do well in whatever i am doing so that i can reach my goals and dreams. And lastly, they remind me that no matter what i am going through, they'll be there for me.

What i've learned on my own? Well i learned to not trust people easily. I learned that giving your trust to someone is a pretty heavy thing and that if given to a wrong person, you'll feel the heavy weight of regret on your back. I've realised that being too kind is not a good thing either. I'm way too kind, and though i know i shouldn't be, i still am right now. I still have to work on that. And lastly, i've learned that though it's a tough world to live in, there are still small but great things to smile about each day. Like the hugs and kisses you might get from a special someone, or a cute letter a friend would give or the chance of discovering a talent of yours or how smart you can actually be. And the fact that you're given a chance to wake up each morning is a huge blessing already; or that you're given the time to do whatever makes you happy, i think that's such a blessing. 

Thank You Lord, again you have made me go on a roller coaster ride, and again i know You were there riding with me. Thank you for all the experiences; through ups and downs Your presence was felt. Thank You. I'm looking forward to what 2014 will offer me, excited about what You will offer me. 

Cheers to new experiences, to new lessons and to new discoveries this 2014!

A few memories captured on film. Thank you guys for helping put a smile on my face this year!

A few things that make life worth living

Long conversations late at night. Ice creams. Waking up and realizing you still have a few minutes left to sleep. Traveling and exploring new places. Accidentally hearing someone saying something nice about you. Hot tea or hot chocolate on a cold rainy day. Making new friends or spending time with old ones. Falling in love. First kisses. Giggling Laughing at an inside joke with your friends. Laughing at yourself. Laughing so hard your stomach hurts. Laughing for absolutely nothing at all. Just plain laughing. Simple family day outs. Sleeping over at your best friend's place. Holding hands with someone you care about. Remembering last night's dream. Random phone calls that would make your day. Eating something you've been craving for. Watching the sunset. Unplanned imperfectly perfect outings with close friends. 

Tep

Amen to that!

I'm pretty hyped up about everything that has happened today! You know that feeling when you finally get to eat the food that you've been craving for for months already? Or when you finally buy that shirt you've been saving up for? That's how i felt today.

We went to a new church. Tita O, My parents' friend goes there every Sunday, and has mentioned how we can go there since we were looking for a Christian church. We've been wanting to go to that church since the end of December last year, however we only managed to ask about the location of the church just yesterday. And so today, my sister and i finally had the chance to check the church out.

Five minutes before the service was to start when we got out of the bus (though we didn't really need to take a bus since it was just a couple of blocks down the road. haa!) when we saw the big sign on the building that says "Grace Assembly of God". We got a bit nervous since we've never been to a new church by ourselves before. We didn't really know whether we should just walk in and sit on the chairs located at the back of the room or not. However, to my amusement, everyone was very friendly and kind! The others got up from their seat just to welcome us there. I really felt the warm welcome they were trying to convey.

The message being preached today at the church was very nice. It was about having faith in yourself and in God, despite the obstacles that may come your way. That in time, what's right for you will be given to you. Towards the end, the pastor asked who in the room is willing to know Jesus more. I raised my hand. At that moment, i knew i have never been that ready to do something like that before, to confess how eager i am to learn more about Jesus. I also started crying out of the blue. Tears continuously dropped from eyes as the pastor was asking us to confess our sins, ask for forgiveness, and to ask for a new beginning. At that moment, i felt very thankful and content with how i am facing today and how i am planning to face tomorrow. I felt genuine happiness.

To add up to that fulfilling happiness that i felt, my sister and i got to meet new friends! It feels great, knowing that i met new people my age who are pretty fun to be with, considering how i only met them for an hour or so. Like the adults who welcomed us happily, they too did the same. We played the Truth or Dare game to get to know a little more about each other. It was exciting knowing certain details i probably won't get to know in a usual one hour meet up with a new person. Hihi.

I got to fill my 2013 Jar Of Happiness today with my first entry! 

I hope more days like today will happen! I'm looking forward to filling my jar up with more amazing memories! I know i will be able to. God is good, all the time. 

Tep

Cheers to a new year!

Woohoo! It's 2013 beybehh! 

Okay seriously, i still get this crazy feeling where i can't believe another year has already passed by! I woke up this morning and was like, "Dayummm, it's the 1st of January already?!" But anyway, New Year's Eve was fun last night. We celebrated our first New Year here in Singapore! It was pretty different here though compared the New Years in Germany. It was pretty quiet around our place last night. No fireworks going on (probably 'cause people are prohibited to light up fireworks), no loud noises, no screaming for joy and laughters, and no loud music. The only huge celebration was happening in the city. It was kind of a bummer. But despite that, we managed to have fun ourselves. Chyeah, we always do. Haa! Just gotta think positive.

Okay, we didn't really do anything special, and it was just the four of us celebrating together. But as usual, we prepared some of our fave dishes, added some circle shaped food on the table (it's a filipino thing) and of course dressed nicely to show that we're ready for the new year. We also danced around while waiting for it to be midnight, and when it was already the New Year, we just went crazy! We jumped a million times (it's a superstition that when you jump on New Years, you grow taller. Haa!), and made loud noises. It was so much fun! If we had fun when it was just the four of us, what more if we have all our friends over aye? Haa! 

Wow, this is it. Time to change old bad habits and start afresh. Time to achieve all the things we've been wanting to achieve since last year. I have to admit, i am a little scared of all the things to come this year.  I know that there'll be new obstacles to go through and new happenings to experience. But depsite that, i will fulfill all the promises i've made to myself and my family. I will make them proud this year. I'll still be the old me, but i'll also instill in me all the things i've learned from last year. I'll be happier and wiser. 

Hope all our prayers will be answered in time, and i hope that amazing things will happen to everyone of us. 2013, Bring it on! 

Happy New Year y'all! 

Tep

My New Year's Resolutions

Some of the things i want to do when the new year has started:

- Be more productive.
- Eat more healthy food. (But of course i won't deprive myself of all my favourite snacks. I just need to control myself more. Haa. )
- Start exercising more. (At least 3 times a week)
- Start studying more often.
- Read good books.
- Be able to save a lot of money
- Learn to open up more to people.
- But still be selfless.

First of all, I want to focus on being more productive just because i haven't been productive for the last couple of months. I've been thinking that maybe if i start doing more productive things, i'll be able to gain more experiences and have more variety in my everyday routine. Plus, it's not a secret to any of my friends and family that i'm a lazy person. So with that being said, i'm seriously going to focus on changing my couch potato attitude.
Next, i want to pay more attention on how i've been eating. I eat a lot, and i eat fast. Those are two things which are technically not good for your health. I've actually been eating healthy lately (eating more vegetables and drinking more water), so i'm focusing on just eating more healthy food next year. Also, i seriously need to exercise more! It's actually fun to exercise, it relieves stress when you're going through a lot. So i'm excited about the idea of exercising more often. The only question is, can i do it? Haa!
Moving on to the "study more often" part of my new year's resolution. Well i'm actually very excited about this idea! I've been so eager to actually start studying and to read more things lately. I guess it's also because i'm eager to take control of my future already. I want to be successful one day. And to add up to that, i'm excited to show my parents that i can be a smarty pants as well. Haa! I want them to be proud of me.
Oh and next year, i definitely need to save up a lot of money. Gosh, i'm eager to buy all the things we need, and i'm also eager to buy a ticket back home. It's been years, i tell yah! Far too long. I need to spend a couple of weeks back in my hometown. That's my motivation to spend less on things i only want, and actually spend my money wisely on things i really need.
Lastly, i definitely need to open up more to people. Honestly, i never like opening up topics about myself, even to people i'm already comfortable with. I only share things about myself when people ask me questions. It's not so much of a bad thing, i reckon. However, i can sometimes be misunderstood, since they don't know much about what's been going on with me lately. I'm the type to smile a lot and laugh a lot. I'm the bubbly type, as my friends describe me. I mostly think about them and would think of how to help them with things their going through. I'm happy about that actually. Being selfless brings me happiness sometime. But i need to stop thinking about them sometimes and actually start thinking about myself. I need to start doing things that makes me happy as well. I should fight for what i want and need as well, so i can be genuinely happy.

Well fingers crossed that i'll be able to do every single one of the things i've listed down. Think posititive Steph! You can do it. Haa!

I'm so cheesy for adding this song. But yes I'm On My Way. Haha! 

Plus, i love them! So i gotta share this song.

"You hit a goal, you achieve a goal. You keep a resolution"

TTYL,
Tep

From the bottom of my heart, thank You.

"Wow." That’s the first word that comes into mind when i think of 2012. Unfortunately that’s the best i can do since my mind struggles to find the perfect word to summarise and describe how this year has been for me. Well, i guess one word isn’t enough? Because this year has been full of variety, full of excitement and full of changes for me. 

Let's take a glimpse of a few memories i've had in 2012...

I started this year entering an unexpected relationship, making me forget about past pains. But as i have expected from the very beginning, we weren’t going to last. 'Till now, i can honestly say i have no regrets. He helped me enter this year with a smile on my face after all. Well i started my year with a smile and i’m ending this year with laughter and exploding joy! Seriously, being able to experience awesome night outs, with both close friends and new friends, probably made my year. I got my lazy arse to get out and have fun this year! From awesome small parties to chilled get togethers at bars, nothing can top all those unexpected events! I experienced riding a freakin' limo as well! How sick was that?! And shortly after that, i was able to talk and become friends with a past lover. That's one memory i'll probably be thankful for since he was and is a special person in my life. Okay to liven up the mood, i should probably mention that we got to TRAVEL TO PARIS! I even turned 18 there. Yeah, i’m pretty proud and happy about it. Haa! It was such a dream come true. You know that feeling where you rub your eyes thinking twice whether it’s a dream or reality? Yeah, i had that feeling a couple of times when we were up there. Up to now actually, it’s bizarre how dreams can come true. After that, my closest friends and i traveled to Sylt, giving me such beautiful memories as i've seen another side of Germany while being with 3 of the most awesome peeps on earth! Have you ever swam in the ocean when it's 12°C - 15°C cold? Chyeahh, i was able to do so! It was so cool! Like literally. Haa. Then we had to start packing 'cause at the end of August, we were scheduled to leave Germany for good and move to Singapore. It was fun in the beginning 'cause i got to hang out with new friends and experience different things. Also, my sister and i were able to hold a simple farewell get together with friends. Well, scratch that! It wasn't a simple get together at all, but a wild and crazy one! And lemme tell you, i had a blast! Despite all the other things we had to take care of (cops, wasted people, parents, etc.) Our last remaining weeks in Germany couldn't have been great if it weren't for our amazing friends. I love them to bits! And with that being said, we certainly left Germany with a huge smile on our faces.

Well here we are now, we're in Singapore. Since arriving here we were able to experience a few things we thought would never happen! From watching the Azkals win a match (plus getting to see the ever so hot James Younghusband. Hihi.), to watching the ASAP concert live here in Singapore! Gosh, i never thought i would be able to see some of my favourite celebrities! It was a wicked night for us, we left with half our voices gone because of too much screaming and spazzing. Haa! And just recently, we celebrated our first ever Christmas in Singapore. 

So many has happened. So many memories to reminisce over. So many lessons learned. So many moments i am forever thankful for. 

Thanks 2012, for being so good to me. And thank You for all the blessings i've received this year. Cheers to the remaining days of 2012, and to the year to come! I can't wait to see what He has in store for me and my family in 2013. 

Few of the many memories captured on camera.

TEP

My Love For My Hometown

"You're so lucky you're in Europe.", "Wow, you're life will be better there than in the Philippines", "Consider yourself very lucky with the opportunity given to you".

I hear those all the time from people who do not understand me. Yes, i know i am blessed because we're given the chance to live in a developed country such as Germany. Being in Germany i could taste food some people in the Philippines would never have the chance to even try, i could get the things i want and i could experience a better life here. But i guess for me, i'm still longing for what my life used to be in the Philippines. Where it may be hard, but fun. Life there may not be as luxurious but i like it that way. I am happy with just the simple things in life and in the Philippines, i can live a really happy life by just being simple and being myself. I have lived in different countries already, 4 to be exact including the Philippines. I have to admit that no other place would ever beat my hometown.

In the first place, i didn't want to go back to the Philippines since i got use to life abroad. I don't know anything about my country, i didn't know how to speak the language and i didn't know how to live life in a simple way. But after living there for 3 years, i fell in love with the Philippines. The people there taught me how to be a better person. I also met real and true friends, who i know i can always count on. Lastly i met a guy who has truly changed me and made me a happier person. Everything i need in life is in my hometown. 

So when people judge me saying i'm crazy and that i don't know what i'm saying, or telling me that i should be happy with living abroad, i just stay silent. I know for a fact that i don't have to explain myself to them. I don't have to go deeper with how i feel. I don't have to explain why i think differently from them, because they firstly need to step into my shoes to experience what i have experienced, both good and bad, to understand my perspective in life. To understand that i do want to go back and live in the Philippines again not just because of my friends and boyfriend, but because i know that i can be myself and that i can be successful one day in my own hometown that i love.

A great day to remember

Wow, where can i start. October 18, 2009.
i woke up at around 7:10 in the morning to prepare. My plan for that day was to go to church for the last time at Nazarene and to meet up with old friends. I was with two friends of mine when i arrived at church. It was great to be in that place again after some time. After church i got to hang out with two of my old church mates or two of my buds. It was so much fun talking, laughing and hanging out with them again. After quite some time, My friend was acting kind of weird, i was feeling something fishy. But then i erased that thought of mine and went on with the flow. After some time we headed to my other friend and then left to go somewhere. I thought we were going to my friend's house because that was the plan. My head was full of question marks when we got out of the tricycle and i saw the Clarissa Resort sign. After a few step my two friends then took out a blindfold out of their bags and began to cover my eyes. That was the time when i now know everything. But then of course i was still wondering why they were doing that. Then we arrived at the place, i was so shocked to see every one of my friends there. Even two teachers of ours were there to surprise me. Gosh i couldn't explain my emotions then. But i can say it was the greatest feeling ever. The greatest day ever.


Special thanks to Euriklea Estrada who planned the party. Also to Ma'am  Guillet and Enriquez who were there. Also to my two buds/churchmates - you know who you are :D
And thanks to my whole batch.
Seniors of LUCI o9-1o.


The best kayo. You guys made my day yesterday. I love you guys.

TEP. signing out.

What a morning!

This morning, October 9, 2009 at approximately 3 o'clock in the morning; my father woke my sister and I up. He was shouting "baha!" meaning flood. When my sister and I heard that, we couldn't believe it because we were in the second floor of the apartment we are currently renting. When we got out of the bed, it was only then that we believed our dad. To make things worst, there was no electricity but good thing we had a big flashlight to help us.
We then got a dustpan, a mop, boots and raincoat for our dad to use. He went outside to the balcony and realized that the problem occured outside. The whole day and night, the rain kept pouring non-stop and the water in our balcony wouldn't go down, forcing the water to enter the second floor of our house. Thank God that the first floor wasn't wet at all because most of our electronic stuff were kept there. After around 30 minutes we managed to take out the water inside the room. Gosh, what an experience.
Thank God nothing happened to us. Thank God our things weren't ruined.


Wow. I'll never forget this.
TEP.

Rollercoaster Ride

Wow. I had the most hectic weekend of my life. Kinda like a roller coaster i should say 'cause everything's going great but things suddenly surprise me out of no where. Well anyway it's all fine now and i thank God for that - answered prayers.

Well, anyways hectic schedule also. And we have around 4 days to pack. Gosh, to be honest, our house is such a mess. Can't believe there's even room to walk around here. *laughs And our final exam's next week already. Gosh, i'm so not in the mood to study anymore. My mind is revolving around Germany and the things needed to be done before i leave. *sigh , so frustrating. I'm happy, but so confused. *laughs.

Need to research now. And do my homework. And make an article. And help pack.
ROLLER COASTER. The word for my week. (:


TEP. signing off.

The Best Few Weeks Left

Everything is turning out great. Far from what i expected. Gosh, i've tried many "firsts" these past few weeks. Very funny i should say. I tried for the first time to be embarrased about my "visitor" but it was okay for most. Broadway musical was the best. I also tried dancing for the doxology during teacher's day. It was great! even if i had a mistake on my turn. And dinner with my friends after the event. Well need i say more? The best! So fun. lakas trip or out of the world experience. Imagine us all in formal attires? And there comes September 30, the day i won't forget. *smiles

Hay, everyone is making me feel like i'm not going away yet and i thank them for it. Though some are already saying goodbye which i can't blame them for doing 'cause i'm doing the same thing. *laughs.

Think about it, there's so many things and so many people for me to miss but they only have me to miss. Kind of unfair to be honest. But yes, life will go on as I always say.



Sweetdreams. Signing off.
TEP.

My Days Are Numbered

Oh gosh. 1 month and 2 days left till we leave this country. I can't really express what i feel; i don't know if i am happy or sad. This mixed emotions of mine is starting to bug me. I cry at times but i guess i try to smile every now and then to show that i am strong and okay with the situation that i am in.
Wow, Not only am i going to leave my friends behind, but i'm also going to be leaving the greatest person i have ever met. I'll also be missing out on a lot of stuff at school if we leave. Even graduation with the greatest batch ever. The perfect plan of performing in the plaza for SBO is also shattered by the plan of my parents. But i guess that's life, and i have to deal with it. I've got no choice anyway. I guess they know what's best for me, and for them, leaving is what's best for all of us.

I'll just make the most of my time here. It's hard, but i'll be saying goodbye soon.



tepp