There is "I" in Happiness

I haven't finished the book yet but I could figure out that, based on The Happiness Project book by  Gretchen Rubin, I am genuinely a happy person. Though I have my times that do become unhappy which everyone else is entitled to, the factual statements on the book made me smile 

on every each page as I recalled the times I have been like that to myself and to other people. 

One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy.

And one of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself.

I felt pretty much attached to my friends that I would, without a single thought, choose my friend who needs me than to be with the any guy! Seriously! And just as I read Chapter 6 of the book, where it tackles friendship, I realized that I am blessed to have few but great friends I've met along the way.  During midlife crisis, one of the most common complaints of people is the lack of true friends. I have a bestfriend from way back high school which we still are. I have my Sorority Sisters from college. I have a variety of girls I appreciate when I got in my job. It's cool to say that though we maybe far different from how we are in dealing with men or how we express fashion or who we are in the society or how we deal with our  own problems--- we have one thing in common and that is the reason why we clicked! We all know how to have fun! We acknowledge to ourselves what we enjoy not what we wish to enjoy. We're not afraid to act silly and laugh at ourselves.  

We're all excited for our first inaanak from 5J!!!

Me and the gorgeous Mom-To-Be!

Love, who recently had a shower for her baby Jaden Blake, enormously love the party we organized for her. I was assigned to host and conduct games! I managed to find simple but really fun  Baby Shower games for the guests. Tin, volunteered to do the cupcake souvenirs which she baked and designed herself. 

Created by the Batch's master Baker herself, Tin!

Chi went out her way to just to attend the shower. Pinky and Tish we're really helpful with everything. Mhaybelle, who was too busy because she has a wedding to attend to and will have a shower of her own soon took time off to go the the Baby Shower.At the end of the Shower, we all agreed we should put up our own events company! It was such a huge success and everyone went home happy! 

According to the author, if something is really fun, it should pass this test: You look forward to it; You find it energizing, not draining; and you didn't feel guilty about it later.

If you wish to watch, the mom-to-be's message, click here 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9JlvVtvudM&feature=plcp

 So let me end this post with a quote from Epicurus, " Of all the things the wisdowm provides for is the living one's entire life in happiness, the greatest by far is the possession of friendship".

HAPPINESS RECALLED

 Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross' five stages of grief:
1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance


By contrast, Gretchen Rubin has this four stages of happiness. According to her, to eke out the most happiness from an experience, we must:
1. Anticipate it

During our Batch's Little Christmas Party 2011
(1st row L-R) Tish, Virna, Love, Me (2nd row L-R) Chik, Pinky, Chi 

2. Savor it as it unfolds

I was teary eyed with my mouth open during the fireworks display.  That was priceless. I could do it over and over again and I would still end up with tears. May 2011 

3. Express happiness, and 

Traveling is always a form of happiness for us, especially when we do it together! Clark Quay, Singapore Jan 2011

4. Recall a happy memory

Ocean Park, Hongkong May 2011

Universal Studios, Singapore, Jan 2011

Disneyland, HK May 2011

Enchanted Kingdom, Phil July 2011

I spent my childhood in Rizal, Nueva Ecija and attended my lower elementary days in a public school in that little town. There was this plaza across our school and every March (which is as we know, the near end of classes), there was this cheap amusement or what we can "peryahan" to mark the start the month-long celebration of the town's fiesta. Every night, people gather to the plaza to play Bingo with prices ranging from plates to plastic wares to some petty cash---the old ones favorite since they all knew how to play it and it didn't require much strength and  Balloon Dart, where every balloon popped using a dart (as the game suggests), is equal to a gift which is my second favorite. I usually went home with a bag of junk food or two with this game. There was this game called the  Color Dice where you put a bet on 6 different colors and 3 dices of colors will be rolled when you pull the yarn. The colors that will appear as the dices landed the plane wins 100 percent of their bet. My 4-peso investment will grow up to 16 pesos! I was usually the only girl in a group of boys in this betting game and mind you, I was even the one holding the yarn and I'd pull it at my convenience! There were rides that I would never forget. The silly (right now, at my age) Horror train that I hopped on with my cousins. I never could have describe the horror in that except that I know it was totally dark and everyone was screaming because I didn't open my eyes the whole time we were inside that "dungeon". The Ferris wheel was also a tough one for me because I was afraid of heights until today. The classic Caterpillar which most of the families ride  together. Bibingka and Tupig were our favorite to munch on before we head home with dusty feet and slippers. But it was FUN. And more importantly, I we went home  HAPPY.
There's something about amusement parks where I feel I am at my happiest. I would always want to to back and I think I would never get tired of enjoying the simple pleasures of feeling like a kid again. It's partly because of the rides and the I entertaining shows but more to that, it's the place where I can be as carefree as I can be and people are as careless as I am. 
How about you, what's your happy memory?:)

xoxo
Mae

Lovely Angel

Dear Mamita,

Lovely Yap, 24, International FA, Single :D oh, and 5'7

I am totally convinced that I am truly blessed in so many wonderful ways. God only gives us the things that our hearts desires in His own time. And yes, everything happens for a reason. You said that God send us angels in a form of a human being.

 And I believe you were my angel. I thank God and Mama Mary you were with me on that scorching hot Wednesday in Baclaran church! I know we weren't under the same church (though you'd argue and I would agree we believe in the same God) and it was the only day you get to spend in Manila this month. I, on the other hand, was in my usual Wednesday routine for the past four weeks. I would definitely be there with or without companion. But since, we were meant to meet and catch up, I dragged you to pass by our humble beginnings' place and hear mass on the miraculous Church. Even if we were only a few minutes late, the set up on a Wednesday on this place is chaos. It was a struggle to find an available seat for us two so we decided to hear Mass on the side, standing. The heat was unforgivable. And if only our legs could speak, they would be screaming at us to find a nearest chair to sit in or else, spider veins will come haunt us on our 30s. I was thirsty throughout though I mentioned about buying water only after the communion. And then the Priest gave his final blessing. I was good, but I mentioned about hankering for some water. And then we sauntered slowly out of the place when I my vision blurred. I stopped and grasped on to the railings and told you I was feeling dizzy. I could hear you talking but I was more attentive of my consciousness. I guess I disappointed myself on that, because the next thing I remember was I was sitting with my head in between my knees. One thing I confirmed on that incident was that our sense of hearing is the  last to be imperceptible and the first to be sentient of all our senses. I could hear people talking of bringing me to the clinic and others saying they thought I was having seizures or asking you if I have eaten something for breakfast. I wanted to tell them that yes, I did eat a full meal for breakfast, that I'm fine and I'm not suffering from any disease but the most my body could do was to sluggishly find your voice and hold your hand. Still on the same first aid position, I felt everyone was fanning me, trying to give me some cool. When I finally got my strength to lift my head, everyone was smiling, including you.  I had dirt all over my left leg and arms but I was generally okay except for my  my neck which suffered a great deal of pain due to overextend and over-flex when I passed out. You 

Three layers of Salonpas for my neck pain

constantly asked if I was okay. I couldn't thank everyone enough. The old lady who was sitting next to me helped you transfer me   because you said I was too heavy you thought you could do it alone but couldn't. She lifted my lower body and you on the upper. Everyone was concerned they repeated the same questions and perceptions they had of me when I was still unconscious.  The high school girls on my other side was even too shy to say welcome but they did anyway, through their wide grins. And then, there appeared someone who gave me a bottle of water, smiling. We weren't sure if it was a man or a woman because we lost sight of that person as soon as he/she handed me the water. I was so grateful to everyone while I kept apologizing for what happened. Minutes later, I thought I was good to move. When I stood up, everyone was staring at me and for a moment I felt like a celebrity only that my best actress featured act cannot be replayed and well, it was for their eyes alone. But really, I felt a little embarrassed  over what happened that I couldn't bear to look at them, so we walked out of the church immediately. You said, I shouldn't be because it was an emergency situation.

Well, what I am trying to say here is that you are my angel you told me about. And I am thankful there are still a lot of good people around. I don't want to think about the scenario if you weren't there because you were. And I constantly thank God for it. You are not only beautiful inside out but you carry any situation with  such grace. I am so proud of you, Mamita. You are my savior!   See you soon!! 

Love you, 

Mae

How Far Do You Go To Chase Love?

Imagine waking up at 2 in the morning. Take a bath, put on those uniform and make up and head to the office for work at 330. Do a four-sector duty greeting the guests, and keeping them safe until 12 noon. Go home. Look at the next day's schedule and realize you actually have more than 24 hours rest because your duty will start at 9 in the evening and will end at 4am. The day after tomorrow, you'll be like Cinderella as your duty will begin at midnight until the sun hits it big at 11 in the morning. Check the airline website for available flights. No--actually, you already have your own copy for that particular destination. Check the time on your watch. There's still time before the last flight hit the 45-minute counter closed. Change your clothes and immediately head to the airport still with the make up on. All your efforts are paid off because you get to have your boarding pass! And then there's this bit of delay which is really frustrating. Boarding, take off, inflight, landing. You won't notice that, you're too busy dozing off on your way. And when you see that person meeting you with that big smile on his face, you let out that big smile too as you tell your sleep debts to kiss your ass because you won't be sleeping anytime soon. Yes because you'll do it again the next day. Hop on an airplane ride on its first flight and meet the airport at dusk to catch the last flight back home to become Cinderella. And yeah, debts will be paid, but not too long. 3 days off. You'll soon be back on that place where you have left your heart. That's where your real home is. 

Show. Don't Tell.

Dear Twitter,


The memories we had will forever be in my timeline that I just deactivated. Sincerely, I'll miss you. I will miss how we accompany each other through many sleepless nights. When I just want to blab about something, or just want to have some of my favorite lines record on history or whine about my schedule or simply putting to  a 170-character all that is on my mind, I know I can rely on you. And thank you for the wonderful pictures I get to share to the world through you. Thank you for keeping up with me when I don't have internet and can't update you from time to time.  
Few days ago, I was listening to Jim Paredes' bubble about how time flies by so fast
http://bubbly.net/v/86fcff7b-2eff-4017-9d67-82fb6b021596  and I was reading this book entitled The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and it just came to me that, yes, I spend almost all my free time checking you, or stalking people who doesn't even know me. Most often, instead of resting my eyes for a tiring day at work, I usually do spend at least an hour for you. And I usually end up envious, which is not a really good sign to life, because these people are so beautiful, and they're living the lives they have always wanted. That's what my life is since I've known you and this crazy virtual world.
 It came to me that I've not been living the life I ought to live. This sounds pretty cheesy for you but I know I made few great friends good enough to last a lifetime. I want to show them the world instead of just telling it to them. I want to meet them in person, have dinner with them, have a crazy night with these remarkable people I missed so much and talk about anything, catch up where we left off without using the keyboard. I want to be secure of myself, to appreciate my life with what I have instead of whining on what I do not have. I do not want to one day, say that 'if only I have the time to spend with them...' Now is the TIME. I better start before it's too late; even this means I have to say goodbye to you. For how long, I do not know. 
Continue to help people, your job for me is through. Adios, little bird. Find another tree to nestle in. :)


Sincerely,
Mae

Lucky You

Dear Princess,


How does it feel having your Prince Charming by your side and starting your happily ever after? 
I have been dreaming that myself for the longest time. I have desired to have someone to have and to hold, too. Despite my weaknesses and imperfections; my being stubborn and mean, I have been waiting for that knight in shining armor who would rescue me from this life of insecurities and broken hearts. Maybe this is one of the reasons why I am like this. Or it could be the only reason. I believe that everything we do in life is a way to be loved a little more. Though most of you would disagree with what I say and do, well, this is my way. 
I was once like you, Princess. I was once idealistic of the happily ever after. I once sat on a tree and sang melodies together with the birds on a summer morn. I once believe that I would wake up to a true love's kiss. I once hoped that my feet would fit those glass shoes. But life is not all singing and be merry episodes. I learned  because I've seen people get hurt that much but still put themselves out there. Over and over, like they never get tired of it and then they love some more and fail some more. They never learn. I had my share of those moments, too. But I learned that lesson enough to keep people for hurting me. So I build my walls too high for them to tear down. Do not mean what you say, and do not say what you mean is an affection I've learned over time. I was guarded with my own emotions. Do not blame me, I am just putting myself in a favorable position. 
You are one very lucky person to have found the love of your life. Very few people get the chance to do so. When you started you lives to always and forever, everyone on your kingdom expects a lot from you. Everyone you know were there present and couldn't be happier for you both. He saved you from poison to all those evil dragons with his knight in shining armor. You woke up to his kiss because he is your true love and you are his. But love him more with his armor down. That's the real him, the person that he is.  Sing with him when he's singing his heart out. He's just happy you are together. No matter how wrong his lyrics are, or how out of tune he is when he's singing the chorus, join him and notice how beautiful you two sound together. Dance with him even if you're a terrible dancer. He's one great dancer, and just follow his steps, he'll teach you how to  anyway. Don't worry much about the crowd because he doesn't and just dance to the music. Laugh when he cracks jokes but never forget to tell him if it is corny. Hugs are free, so do it as often as you could, especially during mornings. Kiss him when he's happy, kiss him more when he's sad and  ask him to kiss you when he's about to get angry. Cook for him and let him cook for you, even if you both end up in the bathroom, you need not worry because he will always let you have the toilet first. Leave little notes on how much you adore each other and never forget to say I love you, and mean it, always. Make funny faces with him for no reason and never stop playing--- the world is your playground; and act like children, sometimes, even if you are grownups.Trust him on his decisions; he is a prince for a reason.  Let him be the person that he wants to be without eyes judging him and stand up for him, especially, if all eyes are on him. 
He is the most beautiful person you could ever meet. The one every woman, would like to have and to keep as theirs. I once had that kind of man, too. He was, by far, the biggest leap of faith that I ever took in my life.  Yes, I wanted him that much. But ours isn't a fairytale. I have to let him go because the kingdom won't approve of us. I wonder if there would even be people attending to our celebration. I wonder what it would be like seeing him lose everything he worked so hard for. Worst, seeing him with regrets on choosing a villain over a princess. Maybe, in another lifetime, when I am the princess in my own fairytale.  


Take care of each other and make each other happy with the little things. 


With all love,

Evil Witch