Advocacy: May Yabang ang Pinoy!

So, you’ve seen this picture. And siguro naiinis kayo sa mga pose kase pare-pareho lang naman and somewhat overly redundant. But I hope you don’t turn your back on me because of this. This photo is actually a teaser to this entry.

I’m sporting my new priced accessory. Yes!I’m referring to that abaca bracelet around my wrist. It’s a priced accessory not because of its cost, at Php50 it’s the cheapest bracelet I’ve worn. But it’s more than just a bracelet and the value attached to it is not at all cheap. It’s a Yabang Pinoy bracelet!

Yabang Pinoy is an organization who advocates in uniting the Filipinos through different events involving Filipino music, sports, travels, bazaars, etc. But they are most known for that Yabang Pinoy bracelet. I learned about them about 5years ago in a TV feature. It was also around that time when my Mom was scheduled to visit her sister in New Jersey, so I thought yabang pinoy bracelets would be a nice pasalubong to my cousins, it will give them an identification more associated to their roots. So, I looked for yabang pinoy bracelets in the malls but couldn’t find one. Eventually it slipped my head.

Moving forward to last Friday; I went to Robinsons Galleria  for a last minute shopping. I needed to buy a pair of shoes to wear for a workmate’s wedding on Saturday last week. And as my skill in memorizing directions doesn’t really work when I’m in that mall, my feet took me to the sports boutique section of the mall. It’s not really where I needed to be. So, pressed with time I stormed back and forth that whole section looking for an exit.

But as I was about to leave that section, a shop clustered among those sports boutiques caught my attention. I noticed the items on display on their glass walls have that Filipino theme on them. And then my eyes went to the direction of the cashier counter of Capital G Urban Arts Center (C.A.L.Y.E), that’s the name of the shop.

I found my gaze on the trinkets on display at the counter and my eyes automatically recognized their abaca merchandise, my Yabang Pinoy bracelet was among all the other abaca merchandise on display. In nanosecond I was already at the counter fitting those Yabang Pinoy bracelets on. It was a bonus that Jen the staff manning the counter was very accommodating. She even invited me to their anniversary it’s a weeklong celebration. Unfortunately I was unable to join any of their events because of my schedule. But you might be interested to give them a visit, on regular days they offer music and dance classes at their shop.

Now going back to Yabang Pinoy, I don’t think a lot of us know them. I’ve been wearing this bracelet for a week now and nobody even noticed it, nobody even asked what it is and why I’m wearing abaca bracelet on my wrist. I have a new bangle I started to wear the same time I started wearing my Yabang Pinoy bracelet and many a pair of eyes noticed it because it’s classy, it’s pretty and it’s sophisticated; not just a single time I was asked to take it off so they could fit it on. I want people to look with the same admiration at my Yabang Pinoy bracelet. It deserves the same admiring look because of it’s unique character it’s made of the strongest natural fiber, it’s simple but is an artistic piece on its own, and it carries in it a purpose; a promise that each piece sold feeds a home, and every wristband worn is a step closer to its goal of making Filipino's to be shouting proud Pinoys, sa isip, sa salita, sa gawa. Isn’t it more admirable than a fancy glittering accessory? It frustrates me...

Let’s not turn a blind eye on this. Help me promote Yabang Pinoy to the world share this and the Yabang Pinoy website with your friends. Like their site and become an advocate. It’s about time that we become involved. Let us support all the Filipinos who are taking part in nation-building. A better Philippines will become easier to achieve if we take part in creating a change. I know we have shown clear enough that we care about our country. But let’s try to show our love a little bit more. May Yabang Ka! Ipakita Mo Pinoy!

Show the world you’re proud to be Pinoy by wearing a Yabang Pinoy bracelet. You may purchase them from the Yabang Pinoy Partner Stores.

Live Life!

Mai

PS: The list for the partner stores may not be updated anymore. PowerBooks in Mega Mall doesn’t have it anymore but I’m told it’s available at PowerBooks Glorietta, Happy Feet at Robinsons Galleria doesn’t have it too.

The I Do Project: Video Series #1

So I told you on my The I Do Project: So Tell Me What’s your Love Language? post about a friend who tasked me to help him plan his marriage proposal to his girlfriend. So, while I stayed home calming a troubled heart yesterday day. No, it wasn't broken but it was skipping a beat literally, I had trouble breathing.No, don't worry, I'm used to having shortness of breaths every once in awhile,besides that's not the story for this entry. 

Now going back, while in that state I decided to seriously search for weddings and proposal videos, that's all I did half of my day. To start with here's a sample of a marriage proposal video, some of you might have probably seen this already since this is one of the most viewed marriage proposal videos at Vimeo and Youtube. And rightfully so, it's simple, it's cute, it looks like they were just enjoying what they are doing, and you can see the guy(Tim) is happy doing it.I guess that's the best you can do in a nerve racking situation like that, to just enjoy the moment.=)

So, let's join them in. Enjoy and celebrate happy moments!This might inspire some light bulb in you head if you're planning to propose too.*wink,wink*

Ohh, by the way load the entire video first before playing it again.Umm,just sayin'.=)

The I Do Project: Video Series #1

Video Credit to: Meme Proposal | Tim * Audrey from Crazy Monkey Studio on Vimeo.

I hope this makes your day.It did mine. Expect for more!=)

Live Life!

Mai

Advocacy: A candle for World Suicide Prevention Day

It’s World Suicide Prevention (SuPre) day today, September 10 as recognized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). And we are all invited to participate to the event by lighting a candle by your window at 8pm tonight to support suicide prevention, and remember a lost loved one and suicide survivors.

You may take a creative picture of your lighted candle and post it on your Facebook Page or tweet it in your Twitter account. You may also post it on the IASP and NGF Facebook page or send an email at ngfoundation@gmail.com to inform them of your support to the World Suicide Prevention Day.

To know more about World Suicide Prevention Day Click on the links below: 

International Association for Suicide Prevention(IASP): 

http://www.iasp.info/wspd/light_a_candle_on_wspd_at_8PM.php 

Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA): 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Philippine-Psychiatric-Association-Inc-PPA/189366371110309 

God alone has the power to create life and take life away. He has not authorized man to decide for whatever happens to his Life. Life is beautiful,let no trouble defeat you and your God.Let's breathe life, the best he has designed for all of us.=)

Live Life!

Mai

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture."

Psalm 100:3

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

On Life Lessons: A Letter to My Son, on Starting Out In Life

Hello SavourLifers,

This is a very interesting article I stumbled upon while rummaging for articles for my “The I Do Project series”.  Read on and let’s see if like me you’d end up thinking very deeply… 

  Dear Seth, 

You’re only three years old, and at this point in your life you can’t read, much less understand what I’m going to try to tell you in this letter. But I’ve been thinking a lot about the life that you have ahead of you, about my life so far as I reflect on what I’ve learned, and about my role as a dad in trying to prepare you for the trials that you will face in the coming years.

You won’t be able to understand this letter today, but someday, when you’re ready, I hope you will find some wisdom and value in what I share with you.

You are young, and life has yet to take its toll on you, to throw disappointments and heartaches and loneliness and struggles and pain into your path. You have not been worn down yet by long hours of thankless work, by the slings and arrows of everyday life.

For this, be thankful. You are at a wonderful stage of life. You have many wonderful stages of life still to come, but they are not without their costs and perils.

I hope to help you along your path by sharing some of the best of what I’ve learned. As with any advice, take it with a grain of salt. What works for me might not work for you.

Life Can Be Cruel
There will be people in your life who won’t be very nice. They’ll tease you because you’re different, or for no good reason. They might try to bully you or hurt you.

There’s not much you can do about these people except to learn to deal with them, and learn to choose friends who are kind to you, who actually care about you, who make you feel good about yourself. When you find friends like this, hold on to them, treasure them, spend time with them, be kind to them, love them.

There will be times when you are met with disappointment instead of success. Life won’t always turn out the way you want. This is just another thing you’ll have to learn to deal with. But instead of letting these things get you down, push on. Accept disappointment and learn to persevere, to pursue your dreams despite pitfalls. Learn to turn negatives into positives, and you’ll do much better in life.

You will also face heartbreak and abandonment by those you love. I hope you don’t have to face this too much, but it happens. Again, not much you can do but to heal, and to move on with your life. Let these pains become stepping stones to better things in life, and learn to use them to make you stronger. 

But Be Open to Life Anyway
Yes, you’ll find cruelty and suffering in your journey through life … but don’t let that close you to new things. Don’t retreat from life, don’t hide or wall yourself off. Be open to new things, new experiences, new people.

You might get your heart broken 10 times, but find the most wonderful woman the 11th time. If you shut yourself off from love, you’ll miss out on that woman, and the happiest times of your life.

You might get teased and bullied and hurt by people you meet … and then after meeting dozens of jerks, find a true friend. If you close yourself off to new people, and don’t open your heart to them, you’ll avoid pain … but also lose out on meeting some incredible people, who will be there during the toughest times of your life and create some of the best times of your life.

You will fail many times but if you allow that to stop you from trying, you will miss out on the amazing feeling of success once you reach new heights with your accomplishments. Failure is a stepping stone to success. 

Life Isn’t a Competition
You will meet many people who will try to outdo you, in school, in college, at work. They’ll try to have nicer cars, bigger houses, nicer clothes, cooler gadgets. To them, life is a competition — they have to do better than their peers to be happy.

Here’s a secret: life isn’t a competition. It’s a journey. If you spend that journey always trying to impress others, to outdo others, you’re wasting your journey. Instead, learn to enjoy the journey. Make it a journey of happiness, of constant learning, of continual improvement, of love.

Don’t worry about having a nicer car or house or anything material, or even a better-paying job. None of that matters a whit, and none of it will make you happier. You’ll acquire these things and then only want more. Instead, learn to be satisfied with having enough — and then use the time you would have wasted trying to earn money to buy those things … use that time doing things you love.

Find your passion, and pursue it doggedly. Don’t settle for a job that pays the bills. Life is too short to waste on a job you hate. 

Love Should Be Your Rule
If there’s a single word you should live your life by, it should be this: Love. It might sound corny, I know … but trust me, there’s no better rule in life.

Some would live by the rule of success. Their lives will be stressful, unhappy and shallow.

Others would live by the rule of selfishness — putting their needs above those of others. They will live lonely lives, and will also be unhappy.

Still others will live by the rule of righteousness — trying to show the right path, and admonishing anyone who doesn’t live by that path. They are concerned with others, but in a negative way, and in the end will only have their own righteousness to live with, and that’s a horrible companion.

Live your life by the rule of love. Love your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, with all of your heart. Give to them what they need, and show them not cruelty nor disapproval nor coldness nor disappointment, but only love. Open your soul to them. 

Love not only your loved ones, but your neighbors … your coworkers … strangers … your brothers and sisters in humanity. Offer anyone you meet a smile, a kind word, a kind gesture, a helping hand.

Love not only neighbors and strangers … but your enemy. The person who is cruelest to you, who has been unkind to you … love him. He is a tortured soul, and most in need of your love.

And most of all, love yourself. While others may criticize you, learn not to be so hard on yourself, to think that you’re ugly or dumb or unworthy of love … but to think instead that you are a wonderful human being, worthy of happiness and love … and learn to love yourself for who you are.

Finally, know that I love you and always will. You are starting out on a weird, scary, daunting, but ultimately incredibly wonderful journey, and I will be there for you when I can. Godspeed.

Love,

Your Dad

 

At the onset of reason I have resolved to embrace an ultimate goal in Life. To be happy.

Happiness encompasses all aspects about living but one that is not very easy to achieve. And I am certain a lot of you have worked on this same ultimate mission. And how do we fair?

After reading I realized if this is the way to achieving that goal of peace, contentment and happiness then this means I am still way too far from home. I have to catch up.

Once again I am reminded of some very obvious things which I indomitably refused to acknowledge. Admittedly, I am guilty to several of the stages mentioned. Being hard on oneself is among the many notable ones. Though I have very-slowly-learned to tame myself a little, still there would be days when the mighty thoughts would deliberately point you a certain direction saying; this is where you should be and what you should be doing, you should aim for perfection; this is what’s right, what’s good and what’s proper.

Sometimes it’s just really tiring to argue with myself. It’s tiring to always have to fall way below my own standards and my own expectations. “You know self I can never be perfect, accept it and just be happy with your imperfect self…So now I’m telling you, to look in the mirror and shout at yourself and say YOU ARE FLAWED!!! then smile your prettiest, move away from the mirror and decide just live life the way it should be lived”.

Ohh Monday drama...But don’t worry let's not dwell on it.*wink,wink*.Happy Monday.Yeah!=)

 Live Life!

Mai

Text Credits:  A Letter to My Son, on Starting Out In Life (By: Zen Habits)

**** Zen Habits is really a great read. Visit their site for more positive vibes.=)

The I Do Project: So Tell Me What’s your Love Language?

 

What do I really know about love and romance? 

No matter where I am, who I’m with or what I do; the past months have been many talks about love, relationships, proposals, engagements and weddings. I’m not sure what caused this, I don’t know if it’s me who’s attracting this conversations and consultations or if people just think it’s easy to talk to me about these topics. I’m lead to wonder; when people look at me what do they see? Do they think I’m a hopeless romantic (though I’d like to tweak this phrase a little and make it sound more like me, Ms.Positivity, so I’m saying “hopeful” romantic,yes! and yah, kumocorny na ako ngayong, Oh!I think I’m getting a headache.hahaha)? Or, do they think I know a lot about love and romance? Or, do they just simply think I have good taste and sound head that’s why they come to me to ask for my opinion for their eventful romantic lives? The last choice is somewhat close to who I am so I choose to settle to believe this last option is what they see in me.

I haven’t been proposed to (at least not yet), but a few months ago a friend of mine asked me for help for his proposal plans to his girlfriend who’s also very close to me. When the request came I thought to myself, “I don’t have a personal reference for this; I’m sure this is going to be a challenge”, but I’m not backing down on this. I wanted to become a wedding planner some years ago and I thought maybe it’s not too late to resurrect that other fancy dream of mine. I’ve done weddings, no, not really planned a wedding but I am really hands-on in helping some of my friends prepare for their weddings, several times I’ve been involved in talks with several different suppliers for several-different-friends-wedding. But proposals, this is the very first time I’m doing this so I thought I need to do a little research. To make sure the couple, not just the girlfriend, will like the proposal I have in mind.

My research took me as far back as Personality Theories 2 in College to the topic; The Five (5) Love Languages by Gary Chapman. According to Gary Chapman, there are 5 types of love languages; Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service and Physical Touch. College friends and classmates I don’t know if you still remember this but I have always kept this at a special folder in my head, it always comes in handy every time a friend would complain to me and say “hayyy!naiinis na talaga ako!hindi ko talaga maintindihan (si girlfriend,si boyfriend, si husband or si wife)".

Many a time I’ve said, “the reason why many relationships end is because people speak in different love languages”; this means a gesture of love for someone may not mean the same for the other, thus, making the other person showing the affection feel unappreciated and the other person “supposedly receiving the affection” feel taken for granted. Most people comes back and forth with this same routine trying to do the best they can in making their partners feel loved, important and wanted (but) according to the terms of how they want to show love and affection, yet become unsuccessful and most times end-up with a broken relationship. And then the questions; “what did I do wrong? I gave my all, was it not enough?”

Well maybe it was or maybe wasn't. Really I don’t have the answer. But here, I’ll try to offer you some help. Maybe you’ll find the answer to your questions here. This would help you understand how you love and wants to be loved, and how your partner loves and wants to be loved. Then from there make the necessary adjustments. Take the test to understand your love language; you can do this together like some sort of an activity, a detour from your usual dinner and movie date; a bonding moment to get to know each other better.

Now if you’re in a struggling relationship and it seem too corny for your taste or too offensive for your ego but then you’ve already tried everything and still nothing has changed, then I think it won’t hurt too much to take your egos to the ground, subject your ailing relationship to a personality love profile. You might be surprised what it can do. It might become your way to go to a happy relationship. Ummm, I sounded like a cheesy romantic movie. I hate myself! Can I redeem myself? On second thought, just try to think it wasn’t me being cheesy, ok? Anyways, to take the test click here. Good luck and have fun.*wink,wink*

I took the test myself the second time I took it; the first was in college when this was introduced to us, the second is for this blog and my result is consistently pegged in the Quality Time profile (that one below are my test results). Honestly, I need not take the test, I have known long before that’s my love language. I’m literally the kind who will cross the ocean for you, who’ll climb a tree and swing rope-to-rope (are the lines familiar? sing with it. hehe) just to be with the important people in my life.

When I was new in Manila and friends would tell me they’ll be here for a few days to attend to work concerns I’d always find time to meet with them. It doesn’t matter if it’s for a day or for an hour for as long as I’d see a familiar face. I would willingly travel the extremes of the north and the south even if they’d say “malayo ata sayo Mai” or they’d say “Mai,hindi ko alam kung san to I can’t give you directions”,my usual answer; “stay there I’ll find you.” Sure we text or call each other, but it’s still different when you get to see the people you really care about, an hour spent truly makes a difference.=)

I also took the test for the Apology Language Profile I got curious since we only had the Five Love Language in college. I was actually thrilled while taking the test because I wasn’t really sure what my Apology Language would be. I did not read the 5 apology language profile before taking the test too to avoid manipulation tendencies. After checking the result, I was surprised to find out the result is solidly pointing to the apology language that is very familiar to me. Yes, that’s me I want a straight forward talk, no blaming game, no lying, no trying to make me believe a different truth because I’m not naïve and I’m not stupid!Remember that!Awww,ohh…Sorry, I was carried away.hahaha. But really, some truths really hurt and would take all the wits out of you, but nothing is more painful than being lied to. So now you know me. What about you? I’d like to get to know you too. Tell me your Love Language or Apology Language so I’d know how to better deal with you. See, I told you this is going to be fun.=)

Hooo!!!Wow! This post is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, did you feel it? It was running smooth at the start, and then suddenly went a wrong turn before it ended. Hmmm, sounded like a relationship headed for a bad break-up doesn’t it?

But relationships don’t have to be like that…←Ohhh, that phrase right there? That’s a prelude to my next post, expect to read more topics related to this but don’t worry the next articles won’t have the same whirl-windy feeling, it won’t be as complicated trust me. I’m excited to share great articles with youuuu…so stick around!*wink,wink!=) 

Speak your love language but don’t forget to learn to understand mine (no, not exactly my love language I mean your partner’s love language, what am I saying…?*blush*…) And together, we walk to discover and renew love through this love language journey.

Great life, great love, rediscover love.=) 

Live Life!

Mai 

 

 

Advocacy: Let’s Talk About Garbage and Those Little Packets

Almost a month ago after the flooding from the monsoon rain and I still often find me in deep contemplation about the things I can do as an individual to somehow help create change in my own little ways.

I’m NOT your most makabayan at makakalikasan kind of girl, I don’t try to project myself that way. Besides, I’m quite certain somehow in my own mindless ways I have sure contributed in pushing Mother Earth to destruction ― I’m trying to internalize the intensity of the emotion of what I just said and I can feel it’s a sad thought; it’s mind-boggling. Can you feel or somehow imagine what I feel? I can taste the bitter truth, I hope you can too.

Ohh! Hold on, don’t be scared I’m not going to teach and preach or jump on the blame wagon here. I don’t need to do so as I assume all of you who accidentally tripped or was-forced to be here in my blog site are all intelligent and responsible individuals. That being said only means we need not be told as we carry in our heads a very good sense of judgment, don’t we? So, don’t worry I’ll try not to bore you, so just stick with me, will you?=)

I just want to share a few realizations I had as I was about to refill a packet of dishwashing liquid to my used dishwashing liquid bottle. Ok, after complementing your intelligence and good judgement you’re free to laugh at me for having called out profound thoughts while doing such a menial thing. But another option is to hold-up laugher for later until I’m done with my explication. Whatever the decision I’d appreciate if you’d stay with me, I promise not to waste your time.

So, the meritorious thought occurred to me through an innocent dishwashing liquid bottle looking idly at me. Right, the situation is really silly but here goes.

Call me obsessive compulsive but there are things that I do which I want done a certain way. My illogical self prefers sachets and small packets of anything for use for cooking, for bathing, for housekeeping; basically for everything. It gives me a feeling that what I’m using is fresh, new and more effective. I can’t even remember the last time I bought a bottled shampoo and conditioner; I always buy those in sachets as I feel their scent is more lasting when they’re used fresh from a packet as compared to the bottled shampoo or conditioner that’s sitting exposed in the bathroom for a few weeks or months. Even my cleaning essentials; detergent, fabric conditioner, beaching agent, dishwashing liquid, glass and furniture cleaner I buy in small sachets. I want my condiments for cooking and food products in packets too, though this one is more reasonable. I live on my own so naturally I won’t be able to consume milk, sugar, seasonings, etcetera, etcetera in just a few days. And if it’s food, it’s really advisable that they’re served and prepared fresh; even my pepper corn I want freshly cracked, so...

Can you now see where I’m going with this? Well, let me take you where my point is. The obvious is clearer now. Garbage. A single worded cause of disaster.

^[1] “From flooding to dengue, from polluted rivers and creeks to mountains of trash, from the unnecessary death of fishes that accidentally swallowed plastic bags in the seas to global warming, garbage is the common denominator,”- Environment Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje (On his interview with The Philippine Daily Inquirer on August 16, 2011)

(This photo is from the Philippine Daily Inquirer from the same article cited below )

With my preamble-ing, I think it’s obvious to you how garbage becomes the subject of this topic. So, it occurred to me. Since when did I get to the habit of buying all these sachets? And, how come I choose not to realize that every emptied packet is an addition to the garbage I throw away?

Then another thought. The trouble is, sometimes tragedy is relative to some people. That means if bad things happen to others, it’s alright so long as it doesn’t happen to them. And most times this cause us not to feel responsible for the tragedies of the world ― or of the flooding during typhoons Ondoy, Pepeng, Sendong, the monsoon rain and all the other floodings that happened in the past. It’s easy to wash-off guilt and even social and environmental responsibilities by simply saying “I throw my garbage at the right place all the time”. But is it enough that we segregate, that we throw our garbage at the right place? Yes, we send out our help, donating used clothes, food, voluntary works; we do all the necessary efforts to send and get help, but are these enough?

According to Ms. Emy Aguinaldo, executive director of the National Solid Waste Management Commission to the same interview at the Philippine Daily’s, “a single resident produces an average of 0.7 kilogram of waste a day, about “130 percent higher” than the global average of 0.3 kg per person per day”. That sounds a lot to me, does it to you? According to the same interview 16 percent of the total garbage from Metro Manila is plastic; plastic which we excessively produce, mindlessly use and carelessly throw away, plastic which would take a lifetime to decompose and would require millions of money should it go through decomposing procedures ― money which we could use for more important aspects in nation building. This could lead us to the never ending blaming game where the only perpetrator we see is the government, enough blaming the government! Everyone is at fault. And it’s about time we make a stand for humanity, for Mother Earth, for ourselves, for everybody else.

I hope this is not too late a realization I have stumbled upon. I’m sure I’m not alone with the kind of disorder I’m breeding, having said that means there are several of us who’re contributing to the 16 percent of plastic garbage collected every day. We have to stop. Let’s try to re-think our options before grabbing those little packets from the grocery stand. Before we take them to our shopping carts, let’s think first; is it more nature friendly if we get the bottled shampoo and conditioner? Is it more nature friendly if we get the one in the glass container for the soy sauce and vinegar instead of getting the plastic bottle or the one’s in the packets; is it more nature friendly if we get the bigger bags of detergent powder instead of throwing away several smaller sachets of the same product?

I know we are conditioned to consume and buy different things, sometimes even to buy things for our “perceived” but more likely illogical needs. We have become such irrational consumers who entrusted so much of everything that we need to whatever is available in the market which our money can afford for us to have and buy. But I believe beneath our hard-skulls and clouded logic is a real human being who truly cares for Mother Earth. Every one of us aspires to be able to do meaningful acts in his lifetime ― this is not a-hope, this is a statement of genuine trusts to the goodness and the intelligent judgement of people. So much had already happened to the world, to our country. It’s about time that we become involved in making a change. Let’s make it our personal mission, our purpose in making life better and safer not for a few but for every Filipino.

With this realization I’d like us to make a pact. Let’s try to make intelligent decisions. Little as it may seem, I’m sure will make a big difference. Let’s try the more logical view of things. A lot of us will surely benefit. On my next visit to the grocery I’ll get the bottled shampoo and conditioner to replace my beloved freshly opened shampoo and conditioner from the sachet, I’ll take the larger bags of my other purchases too so I don’t have to throw away plastics very often. I hope you’d do the same logical assessment when you’re shopping for your household needs. I would appreciate if you’d honour our pact even when I’m not looking, even when no one is looking. I need you to agree with me on this.

Again I’m not your makakalikasan and makabayan kind of girl nor am I playing a hero. But I’m a girl hoping to help save the world one sound thought at a time. I need you with me in this cause. One-arm-reach-one. Give me your hand and let’s work as one.

We only have one shot to life and this is a rare opportunity for another chance to make a difference. Let’s take this shot and make this count.

Life is a challenge but we’ll survive it. We always do. Let’s savour life’s bitter sweet taste it will make us appreciate whatever the future brings.=)

Live Life!

Mai 

P.S.: This is not a sponsored blog entry

P.P.S.: I did not do research as to whether plastic bottles thrown away in less frequency as compared to sachets are cheaper in production and if it would contribute to lessen the load of garbage in a per day basis. I’m just using plain logic in writing this entry. If I turn out to be mistaken, I would appreciate if you let me know.

You might also be interested to read on a related topic from another blogger on his entry: Does “tingi” or plastic sachet packaging really benefit the Filipino masses?  

Citation:  ^[1] The Philippine Daily Inquirer: Metro Manila produces a fourth of Philippine garbage

If it’s Love:Morning Reverie (courtesy to the song that woke me up today) ♥

The morning is cold. The earth’s temperature has dropped I think after the many days of raining we still did not get enough sunlight to warm the earth; I reached for my blanket, ohh, I love its warmth, it’s heaven. Immediately, I’m back to sleep. A few moments later, something calls me from my sleep. I’m awaken by hmmm, what is this scent? Ohh, vanilla, the scent of vanilla oil from my oil burner is touching my nose. I open my eyes, looked outside my window through my curtain still lying in bed. Ohh, it’s morning but it’s still dark outside.

Then my phone’s alarm rings, a signal for me to get out of bed. But instead of getting up, I listened to the sound coming out of it. My phone's alarm is set to default to my radio station Monster Radio Rx 93.1. Most times it’s Chico, Gino and Del of The Morning Rush show that wakes me up. Their voices and their laughter are the first sounds I hear every morning. But last night I set my alarm to random music so  this morning  I awake to this:

Train - If It's Love Official Music Video (This video is by youtube)

The stillness of the morning made me listen intently to the song and to the message it wants to get across.

♪♫ If it's love

     And we decide that it's forever

     No one else could do it better

     If it's love

     And we're two birds of a feather

    Then the rest is just whenever… ♪♫

It echoes my understanding of love. Yes, we fall that’s the romantic part. And there’s another part, the reassurance; we have to decide on it, stand on it, believe in it, fight for it, and win in it. It sounds hard work yes, but we can work to make it beautiful. And if it’s LOVE it should be enough to make us decide to do the works of making it last forever. Suddenly, it feels like Christmas. Sulking for not being able to fly to Boracay temporarily forgotten, I might as well relish this day.=)

This is going to be a great day for sure. ♪♫Love, love it’s enough forever, Love,love…♪♫=)

♪♫ Love, love

     Got to have something to keep us together

     Love, love

     That's enough for me…♪♫

Ohh, I have to rush. I have an event very early today. And ohhh,on second thought I just wanna say it still pains me that instead of taking a cab to the airport going to Boracay today, I’m taking a cab going to an event instead. Ohh my! my head hurts and I’m broken hearted.Arrrrr!!! But, well…love,love it’s enough for me.♥ Wish me luck.=)

A very high spirited thought very early in the morning indeed. Ohh well, don’t mind me. Laters baby.*wink* =)

Live and fall in love! (hhhmmm, this sounded like a message to self.hahaha)

♪♫  Love, love

      That's enough for me…♪♫♥=)

Live Life!

Mai ♥

P.S.At posting time,I'm taking a cab going to my event....I'll make this day a great day. ♪♫Love, love that's enough for me…♪♫=)