Monday, June 30, 2014

Book Comment: Making Your Emotions Work For You

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Title: Making Your Emotions Work For You
Authoar: Harold J. Sala
No. of pages: 232
Published: 2009
Read: May 31, 2014
★★★

This is one of the hauls I got during the OMF Literature super sale. Finally after several attempts I am finally done reading it. Not that it is not good read but because of things I can't explain this book seems to disappear each time. It is a non-fiction book which I greatly related to. For your information, as this blog attests to, I am an emotional person and chancing upon this book while browsing through the racks of the above mentioned bookstore is an instant "Hello Merie, buy me I know you need me." Nangusap talaga yung libro sa 'kin. True enough I learned quite a lot in this book.
Just as there are many colors, many negative emotions can fill your heart and overwhelm you. Yet no matter how hard you wish that these emotions simply fly away, the only way for you to face them is by learning how to manage them. In fact, you can even use these emotions to your advantage!

In Making Your Emotions Work For You, you will learn how to confront inner challenges and apply biblical principles to unleash God's power in you.


... With insights from God's Word and practical advice from this book, you can learn to make your emotions work for you and become a more positive, confident, and fulfilled person.

So this back-of-the-book summary got me. I know there are a lot of things needed to be worked out in me, most especially my emotions. This book has 11 chapters which starts with helping you understand more who you are and your worth. I must state that this is in a Christian and spiritual perspective which is one reason why I also bought it. Each chapter has "Questions for Thought and Discussion" which was a good aid in self-reflection. It also has some practical guides at the end of each chapter. A chapter is also dedicated for each negative emotion. It gives scenarios and similar biblical stories with an explanation on how the biblical character dealt with it and/or what were the effects of good and bad responses to negative emotions. It also gave real-life situations of people and how they were able to cope or not.

It is a relate-able book. I have learned that I am not the only one going through such emotional tunnels. Reading this book, I appreciated the Bible stories, encouners, characters, and passages related to each emotion. This book will surely be a reference each time I am in an "emotional" state.

My rating would be 3 out of 5 stars. 
The greatest enemies are not the ones out there somewhere, lurking in the dark, awaiting the proper moment to attack me. Rather, they are the ones within.

Do you fully believe you can be different? Instead of being angry with the world because you aren’t six inches taller than you are, that you don’t exactly have an hourglass figure, that your physique doesn’t mirror that of Arnold Schwarzenegger, or whatever, you can work in harmony with the Holy Spirit in developing the kid of personality that lifts you six inches higher, that reveals integrity and strength within, that reflects the handiwork of god both inside and out. Gradually the light comes on – you are one of a kind, a creation of the Almighty, and it’s okay to be you!

When Christ adds Himself to the most insignificant individual, you become a person of value. Redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, you’re now a person of real value.

So don’t give the person permission to make you feel less valuable than how God sees you.

Ego is “Edging God Out”. You will never be able to fully control your environment, and you often cannot change you culture. There will always be people who rub you the wrong way. The weather won’t always suit you,. Neighbors may not please you. But you will never be in a position in which you cannot choose your emotional response o your environment, and this knowledge is liberating.
Refuse to allow bitterness to creep into your life. Remember that you become the loser when you do this.

Not all fear is cowardice. It can be your friend, because it causes you to rise to the challenge, It is when you panic and fail to deal effectively with it that you become its victim.

Rudyard Kipling was right when he wrote, "Of all the liars in the world, sometimes, the worst are you own fears."

When someone is afraid, ridicule, criticism, or minimizing the fear doesn't work. Logic doesn't always work either, because fear is an emotional response; it is not based on reason.

Fear is not something you overcome; it's something you manage.

Life is a matter of choices. Not all of those choices are between good and bad. Each of us must evaluate several good things and then choose the best. Sometimes those choices become difficult. Life is often a compromise between what you would like to do and what you can do.
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Merie Eats: Carpaccio Ristorante Italiano

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Boss Amo worked for 16 hrs on a Saturday and it resulted to something fancy --  this dinner date at our second favorite Italian restaurant. He felt like he needed to reward himself, of course including the love of his life who is by the way ME hahaha, after ridiculously working long hours on a Saturday.
We have "discovered" this restaurant just early last year and we loved it. Now we're back to finally taste their carbonara haha!
One of the best things in life are appetizers. I'm such a sucker for well-baked pastries and good-tasting spreads kahit konti lang yan basta masarap! 
Another one of their appetizers!
This time around we ordered for ourselves some classic Italian pasta dishes, my favorite carbonara and his favorite lasagna. Oh boy it was soooo good!!! I really don't know how to critique a dish, specifically an Italian dish, but their lasagna is ultimately my kind of lasagna. Lots of cheese most especially mozzarella cheese all over. The taste has the right combination of sweetness and saltiness, hindi ko madescribe. Plus the texture of the food is really okay.
And here people, I present to you my MOST FAVORITE CARBONARA EVER! After years of searching I think I have finally found "the one". But of course I won't stop searching until I go to Italy to try an "authentic" one. For now, Carpaccio's stays on top. Al dente and swak na swak siya sa taste ko. It was pure heaven! Haha! The sauce was perfect! We are definitely soulmates. 
This time around we also got to try their gelatos for dessert and we absolutely loved them as well. :)

What a delight! I want to say, oh boss amo work ka ulit 16 hrs tapos splurge ulit tayo sa food, but I'd rather spend 16 hrs with him pala hahaha! Anyway, what a treat. Last night was heaven all over my mouth. 
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Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Wednesday Inspiration: Anna Wintour Career Pieces of Advice

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Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WireImage

I came across this article on the pieces of advice from the Anna Wintour. May mga pinsan siya si Anna Summer, Anna Autumn, Anna Fall. Ang joke joke. Moving on, she is the EIC of American Vogue, for those of you who are clueless. Definitely a fashion expert and successful in her chosen field. When I watched her in September Issue, on how she manages all of that pages of Vogue, I can't help but question myself, someone who wants to be in the fashion industry, definitely somewhere like Anna Wintour's place. Ni dumi yata ng kuko ni Anna Wintour di ko level. Hahaha! Anyway, sharing below some wise words from Anna (yes first name basis) which I know most of us can relate, fashion-career-related or not. 

Tip 1: Learn from the pros first. It’s okay to work under someone.
“The only thing I worry a little bit about—going straight from school to starting your own business—is not that many succeed.” –Anna Wintour

Tip 2: Think about your long-term goals.
“It’s possible in today’s world to be instantly famous, whether it’s through Instagram or whatever platform it may be, but it’s a very different matter to be successful financially in the long term.” –Anna Wintour

Tip 3: Your personality and presentation matter. A lot.
“In today’s world you have to interact. You can’t really be some difficult, shy person who is not able to look somebody in the face. You have to present yourself. You have to know how to talk about your vision, your focus, and what you believe in. If you can’t be passionate about who you are and what you are doing: how can they [your audience] be?” –Anna Wintour ​

Tip 4: Get employed, even if it’s not your dream job.
“Go get a job. Whether it’s working as a designer or working in a restaurant and then doing your own thing in your own time. It’s a reality of life. In the end it’s going to be helpful to you and so many others.” –Anna Wintour (Emphasis underline mine)

Tip 5: Make sure you have a mentor.
"It’s important to have someone to talk to and discuss everything with and bounce ideas off of.” –Anna Wintour


Source: WhoWhatWear.com 
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Beng's 26th Bee-day

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Jollibee, Commerce Ave.
June 21, 2014

A kiddie birthday bash for Beng's 26th! Fun games and Chicken Joy-spaghetti-fries-sundae combo! Thanks Beng!! To two decades of friendship and more birthdays to celebrate together. May God bless your heart for giving back to the kids who don't have slippers! :) Excited for them to get the pairs.
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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Ang ya-Yabu Niyo!!

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Yabu, Glorietta 5
May 10, 2014

This was supposed to be a celebration of Seph's (who would be flying back to the US of A) and Candy's birthdays, and also the chance to gather us again after the wedding. Boo. E ayun ang yayabu drawing. We were just four and a plus one. Kaya Yabu dinner na lang.
Yay, at least kudos Geh you made it and glad to meet your girlfriend. Ayieee. Nagbibinata na hahaha! It was yet another night of laughter and catching up.

So SFF, kamusta naman tayo? Kailan na tayo mabubuo?

Cr: Tin for the photos!!
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Seph and Reatha's Wedding

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Need to blog on this, despite the three months lapse, because it's just the second wedding among ALL my closest friends! And the first was last 2010?? 

Seph is a close college friend. He just migrated to the US and had first tied the knot there last year. Nakakalungkot ang layooooo. But as they (with his wife) promised, they went back here last April to again give their wedding vows Philippine edition haha. 
We traveled to Pampanga, the couple's hometown, last April 26, to witness the unfolding of another chapter in their lives. Sadly, SFF wasn't complete. C'mon it's a wedding and still we can't be complete! Haha! We've been to Seph's place in Pampanga a few times during college days. And being back somehow relived them. We then just needed some escape from the toxicity of college life and now we're back for a wedding. Time flies so fast. 
Seph's "coursemates" and co-owners of Aedes Corp. were also present making the group merrier. Seph is the second one to tie the knot in this group. Cindy was first. Guys, pakasal na kayo please invite niyo ulit ako. Oh the joy of happy endings and exciting new beginnings of weddings. Dali dali dali! Haha!
Mabuhay ang bagong kasal!!!
I liked the reception set-up wherein there was like a gallery of the prenup photos. Gives me an idea hmmm...
The newly weds!!
Purple theme!! Of course it's my favorite color. Makes me wonder what them I'll be using on my wedding when the time comes. My eyes also feasted on some of the gowns of the sponsors. If only I took photos of them. The purple gown worn by Reatha above is to my liking. 

You know you are getting older when friends start to be engaged, get married, have babies. And this is one of them. Somehow, witnessing this made me wonder when my turn will be. Hmmmm. Tapos lumalabas pa yung pagka-hopeless romantic ko when I heard their vows. I pray that their love will continue to blossom and excited for SFF's baby!!! See you soon again Seph and Rheata. We are willing to be ninang's and ninong's!

Now, who's next??

Cr: Tin, Kat, and Cindy for the photos.
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June 22

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One Sunday well-spent with boss amo who I haven't seen for six days. Mahaba na 'yun okay?? We reminisced the "Tokyo Cafe days in McKinley Hills" by dining in Tokyo Cafe Southmall and ordering the usual stuff except for the Tokyo White Pizza. I am not so sure what to feel but I don't like the new look and texture of their french toast! Okay, sad. May emotional attachment ako.  :(

Anyway, we started the day (since he stayed in at home) watching a delayed telecast of Argentina-Iran Worldcup 2014 match, with a McDelivery breakfast that filled our tummies. We also watched some documentaries in the NBA Premium and NatGeo channels. Oh, definitely Luke. Then we headed for church. Re-energized. Then we had some food trip around Festival mall. Simple lang. Magkasama buong araw. :)
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Monday, June 23, 2014

Coffees and Lunches: Sumptuous Treat

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Mamou Too, Rockwell
May 30, 2014

As promised by someone who got promoted, hence this dinner at Mamou Too! After our (Micah and I), back-to-fashion-school, after some hours inside a coffee shop, after waiting for the one in charge, hahaha, we headed to Rockwell and finally tried Mamou Too. Bale, ito yung restaurant na sumagot kay Yabu. Ganito kasi yun:
Restaurant 1: Yabu
Restaurant 2: Mamou too..

Ay ka-sweet nila! If you didn't get that, you are not welcome to read the rest of this post hahaha! Sige na tawa na please. Thank you! ;D

I have long wanted to try it here and because someone said he's gonna give some treat because of his promotion, ta-daaaa my mind grabbed that opportunity and suggested this restaurant. As we arrived, it was actually jam-packed. Their dishes must be really that good. Mamou is best known for their steaks but we are yet to go back to try them.



Lorenzo's Truffle Cream Php375
Beer Battered Fish with Malt Vinegar Php295
My top choice among these we ordered
Roast Pork and Chicken Php525
(Cr: Micah for this snap)
Yay. Since fashion school started, we were usually together on a Saturday, but this is the first time we three were snapped in a photo

Ganda ng quality ng photos no? Hahaha! Added to these we also ordered Pecan Pie with Schlagsahne (Php185) for dessert which tastes good but too sweet. 

Yes, these two college friends had some catching up too and they had some tag team against me. Jk. It was another sumptuous dinner, masarap na, mas pinasarap pa ng libre ni Boss Amo. Thank you, Luke! Sa uulitin!! Hihi!

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Sunday, June 22, 2014

Mama's 55th on an Easter Sunday

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Crisostomo, ATC
April 20, 2014

Two months ago hahaha! Trying to ease all the backlog and be back on track. Oh well papel gusto ko tuloy ng bagel. Ang labo. So yeah, Mama turned 55 two months ago, on an Easter Sunday so it's like a double celebration! We always rejoice on the commemoration of the day The One Way rose again. :)  

Anyway here's Mama with the goodies she got from us. That Conti's choco mousse is a hit. Yummmm. 
Mama with her favorite godchild. O ayan terno pa sila on her birthday.
Yup, biglang lumaki si Otep in a span of an hour hahaha! I kid. That's my brother's best/friend.. I'm not sure. Boyfriend? I kid again.
And of course, Clarete's adopted eldest, Boss Amo Luke is present. Joke. Boyfriend ko po siya. 
One happy extended family!! We had dinner at Crisostomo's in ATC. We enjoyed every dish we ordered. It's a tad expensive but worth a try. I must say there was always that twist on the typical Filipino dish. I also liked how they creatively named the dishes.
Adobo Damaso Php345
It's my kind of adobo, the right mix of sweet, salt and sour. 
Simon Php 485
Maria Elena Php225
It's kangkong and lechon kawali chips. It's a hit that night!
Ensaladang Erehe Php195
Every ensalada is good to my palate. 
Iday Php180
Suman with Chocolate Fondue. We tried this as per a friend's high recommendation and it didn't fail!!
We also had a photo op as soon as we got home. My Mom nowadays "Picture-an mo ko anak... Picture-an mo 'to anak. Anak picture picture..." Hahaha oh social media what have you done??! Patol naman ako hahaha! And this is how we celebrated.
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Saturday, June 21, 2014

Father's Day 2014

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Soga Miga
June 15, 2014

This year's Father's Day Celebration goes Korean - our first time to dine in an "authentic" Korean restaurant as per my sister's request who have been somehow frequenting a Korean restaurant somewhere. Good thing there's one in Molito complex. It was yet again a good "first". So ganun pala pag Korean restaurant ang daming side dishes. Hahaha! Mama and Papa were so cute asking our server 'panu ba'to? para san 'to?' Hahaha!
Father's Day Cake
I enjoyed the leaves and the veggies and the fruit-veggies the most. I think, just like in Yabu and Saboten, I can already live with the side dishes. Ang dami pa pag Korean hahaha! For Korean food lovers out there, you might want to try it out here. It's a tad expensive than the usual as per my sister, but she did enjoy every dish we ordered. :) 

Anyway, to my father who tries to make a way and work around things ever since the lowest days of our family, thank you. Thank you for being a father to the best that you can and not leaving us. We love you!!



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