2019 in a Nutshell

**Disclaimer: This post was meant to be published before the year ended but I was caught up with a lot of stuff. Better late than never! Happy New Year!

January

My 1st month in Nashville was a little sentimental. I was missing home a whole lot. I missed having my family and friends around. I'm thankful for technology though because I got to Facetime most of them especially my nephew. But on the later part, I also enjoyed my time just resting and slowing down. I realized that I was always on the move for the past years and didn't get a chance to just pause and breathe. I was also blessed to land a job very quickly.

February

We started to explore what Nashville has to offer, and so far I'm very happy that we have the access to do nature tripping. We don't need to drive very far to be able to do it. I said to myself beginning of the year that I will try new things, explore new heights and so here I am venturing out indoor wall climbing. I must say I need to work on my upper body strength. Phew! Also, in Feb, Nelson turned 33 and we had some of his workmates come to our apartment and I was able to cook for them. (Side note: I love it when I get to host a luncheon.)

March

Miggy turned 1 and I got the chance to fly back to New York and celebrate with the family. I was also able to see some friends and man, it felt so good to be surrounded with some familiar faces. The food trips which I apparently plan due to the limited food options in Nash, the life updates, the laughs and everything else, I was silently capturing it to my most cherished moments. I also realized from this trip that the Big Apple will always be part of my fiber but it is time to put that behind because I can't keep up with the hustle anymore.

April

New found friends. I am beyond grateful for finding new sisterhood to nurture. The very first thing that I did upon moving was to check the catholic community in Nashville. I was hopping from one church to another until I associated myself with a young adult community where I was able to meet these lovely ladies. (Pro tip: You really need to put yourself out there.)

May

Nelson and I decided to do a road trip and celebrate our 2nd anniversary in NOLA. The 20 hour drive back and forth was worth it. We enjoyed the French culture, food and all the jazz. This is a place worth visiting, it's really out of the ordinary.

June

I got a chance to meet with Nelson's high school buddies in Tampa, FL. It was fun to see him with them as they were going back memory lane of all the crazy adventures they did together. Of course, what is a Florida trip without going to the beach right? Even if the weather was not cooperating, it didn't stop us from taking a plunge. I was ecstatic to meet up with cousin who lives there now. By the end of the month, my siblings came to see us in Nashville. It was a happy reunion. Back story though, during their visit, Nashville experience a state wide blackout due to weather conditions and it's been years since I experienced such. One for the books! 

July

This has been the hottest summer according to some folks. A record breaking of 100F temperature was hitting Nashville. In order to cool off, we have checked out some bodies of water around us. Luckily, we are surrounded by lakes and waterfalls that are in close proximity to us. I still prefer the beach but I'll take what's available.

August

There was a major change at work that led to a bittersweet goodbye. I'm still thankful for the change because it allowed me to do some thinking and solo traveling. I went to San Antonio to visit my good friend, Angie and her family. It was a week long of life updates and future goals. I also got a chance to meet their baby, Charley. I thank the Freemans for the time well spent and most especially for bringing me to Magnolia Market in Waco, TX. On the other hand, I flew to New York to surprise my parents. I pulled it off with the help of my siblings. It was such a great feeling to be home, to be with my nephew, to eat some home cooked Filipino food, to meet up with some friends, to be in the beach and to make new memories. One thing is for sure, New York will always hold a special place in my heart and I will and always be forever grateful of the life lessons it has taught me.

September

I came back to Nashville recharged. I also started with a new work opportunity which I'm so grateful for. God really works in mysterious ways. I have so many doubts and questions but of course, He has answered me and assured me once again that His plans are greater than mine. Just like the waterfalls, He will continue to be the source of strength, hope and abundance.

October

This year, I'm so grateful for the new found friendships. The beginning of 2019 was a little bumpy. I was homesick, lonely and sad but I was given an opportunity to meet these wonderful ladies. I feel loved and appreciated by all of them. I continue to pray for this God centered sisterhood and to remind myself that there are no coincidences in life but only divine appointments.

November

We spent some time to be with Nelson's family in Florida as we celebrate his sister's pregnancy. I also got a chance to meet some of his siblings for the first time. Bigger family, the better! Also, this  month is so special and will be cherished forever because I gave my sweet YES to my best friend.

December

Turned 30, got married= a double check on my bucket list. But seriously, God has truly graced me with so much favors this 2019. I have reached a new milestone, married the love of my life and celebrated my first anniversary in my new home. I'm so thankful for the many blessings I have received. Time and again, God has reminded me that His plans are better than mine and He for sure listens to our prayers. 

I bid goodbye to 2019 with a grateful heart. It has been a wonderful year for me. It is in my prayer that as I embark the new year, I will be able to put into actions the lesson all I've learned and to try to always have an open mind and heart for the new challenges that will come my way. 2020, I'm so looking forward for you! Lezz do this! #Roaringtwenties

Upward Venture

Are you passionate about something and you really really want to make it happen? But every time you're set of "trying" it out, you already have millions of reason to back out? Your mind is already filled with negative thoughts and discouragement gets ahead of you. There's also that feeling that everyone else is progressing except you. We struggle in figuring out what we're meant to be and we can't seem to make that leap.

My friend, you are not alone. We are on the same boat. It's everybody's life struggle. Although I have learn that in order to get things done, you simply need to begin. It's a very powerful phrase indeed and here I am hoping to venture out. 

As some of you are well aware, I love to cook. I don't know when or how it all started but I'm very comfortable in the kitchen. I cook by experience meaning I try to replicate a dish by how I remember it when I first tasted it. That is why, I fancy eating at different restaurants and enjoy every minute of it. Watching a lot of cooking shows helped me improve my skill set too. I'm learning different kitchen terms and new techniques.

In my family, both my parents cook but most of the time my dad often prepares our meal. Even without following a recipe, my dad can  make most of those meals taste delicious. I would probably say that he kind of inspired me to get into cooking. Now, I spend some ample time in planning and making meals. Being in the kitchen is my way of relieving stress. It also allows me to express creativity by experimenting new flavor profile or by simply trying out seasonal ingredients. I also get to feed the people I care about and it feels great when I'm complimented that they've enjoyed what I prepared for them.

As I think about my future plans, I have given a serious thought of pursuing a culinary career but at this point, it's not yet feasible. I'm starting by getting a word out, in the most logical way nowadays through social media. I've created an Instagram handle where I can personally showcase the food that I've made from my own kitchen. A good friend of mine helped me in coming up with the name, it's Q'sina [Ku.si.na] which means kitchen in Filipino. I will be making different kind of cuisines but also sticking to some of favorite Filipino dishes. 

It's a baby step but who knows maybe one day I can make a gig out of this. So if there's something that you're passionate about and wants to pursue it, give it a go because honestly, there's no harm in trying.

A Powerhouse Prayer: Litany of Humility

"To be taken with love for a soul, God doesn't look on its greatness but on the greatness of its humility."- St. John of the Cross

I just want to share a very moving and powerful prayer with you. It's a prayer that cultivates humility and practices self-denial. The Litany of Humility was composed by Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val who served as the Secretary of State for Pope Pius X.
 
To be humble is to realize how weak we are, how helpless we are to change the course of our lives in our own power. We need to allow God to work in us and through us. We need to remember that God is God and we are not. Yes, we are imperfect, flawed and inadequate but if we come before Him, He will give us the grace to become more virtuous and loving. God doesn't demand us to be perfect but He simply ask us to accept His guidance so we can learn from our mistakes and grow in perfection. 

So if you are struggling with pride, self-centerdness, just remember this prayer:

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed,

 deliver me, Jesus. (Repeat after each following line)

From the desire of being loved…

From the desire of being extolled…

From the desire of being honored …

From the desire of being praised …

From the desire of being preferred to others…

From the desire of being consulted …

From the desire of being approved …

From the fear of being humiliated …

From the fear of being despised…

From the fear of suffering rebukes …

From the fear of being calumniated …

From the fear of being forgotten …

From the fear of being ridiculed …

From the fear of being wronged …

From the fear of being suspected …

That others may be loved more than I, 

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. (Repeat after each following line)

That others may be esteemed more than I …

That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease …

That others may be chosen and I set aside …

That others may be praised and I unnoticed …

That others may be preferred to me in everything..

That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

Amen.