Weeds to Flowers

During the mid 80’s to early 90’s, walking was the only option left for us. Living in a provincial life then, transportation was not a necessity. Everybody was walking to school and so were my siblings and I. We walked like four kilometers a day.

I didn’t really complain about walking. I loved it because of the flower-bearing weeds along our trail day after day. Those mums-like tiny flowers were my greeters on my way to school. They always made me smile. At times, I could not help myself but pick them up and arrange them like a bouquet of fresh flowers. There were moments that if I was alone walking, I would do a monologue that I am giving away as a gift the… what I think is a beautiful floral masterpiece.

Then, of course, like most kids, I grew up pretty fast. I graduated from grade school so the… my-talking-to-myself moments stopped. I attended high school and college in the city which eliminated my weed monologues. The more it was totally erased when I started working and got transferred in a highly urbanized city where mostly towering buildings are on my wayside – no more flower-bearing weeds, no more greeters, no more monologues, no more beautiful floral masterpiece.

In 2005, Jarold, a close friend of mine asked me if I could buy a bouquet of flowers for his bride on their wedding. Of course, I bought it at, Dangwa, the flower terminal here in Manila where flowers are sold a lot cheaper than other stores and shops.

Well, I never thought that that moment, going to Dangwa, would lead me back to the beautiful floral masterpiece, my greeters, and eventually, my flower-bearing weeds. But please…. not with my funny weed monologues!

At first, I just asked the vendor to choose and arrange the flowers for me. After Jarold, another friend got married then another friend and another friend and the friend’s list goes on…

One time while I was waiting for the bouquet of flowers to be done, the florist told me that I could arrange next time. That I could just buy flowers from them and I have it do it myself. He did not know that I was thinking of giving it a try one day. Until one day, Jonah, another friend who is about 4 years younger than me called by surprise and told me that she’s getting married. She asked me if I could make her bridal bouquet. Without hesitation, I agreed and told her that it’ll be my wedding gift for her. Since Jonah was my mentor on camping matters, I said to myself that I would arrange Jonah’s bouquet.

Apprehensive though, I did it still. Here is my first bridal bouquet:

Photos taken and edited by Jonah's cousin - great job, kid!!!







After Jonah’s, more weddings follow until I specialized bridal bouquet. I admit, I only had little knowledge and still learning. I may appear to have been practicing a lot through my friends’ weddings but they all allowed me too. Haha!!! I loved their encouragements!

Photos below are some of my amateur projects:

Malona's bouquet... carnation, roses, and... blah! blah! blah!



Another look...



Claire's yellows...



Claire's bouquet! She loves yellow! I so love it too.



Can't get over it...



Here's Eileen's dozens of roses...


Eileen's... I tried using abaka here... But I guess, the shade of pink here is not a good pick. It's so light. I should have chosen a stronger shade.

Mary, the blushing bride and the colorful roses...



More of Mary's...


Photos taken by Kuya Wilmor... Professionally done!

Aside from bridal bouquets, I tried this basket of flowers for birthdays. In here, I used roses and gladiolus...



I know I need to learn more.

Last April 6, 2010, I traveled to Kuala Lumpur for two reasons: first, meet my cousin, Grace, and second, find a better-paying job.

I was really thinking about working at a very prestigious company where my 10-year experience as a Support Specialist would be of great use. I thought, the years I had working is an advantage and so I am fully equipped. When I got there, all the opposite things happened with regards to work. It’s very difficult to find an office job and even harder to get a working visa.

Since my flight going back to Manila is fixed, I looked for other options to kill boredom. My cousin accompanied me to Poetry of Flowers and introduced me to one of the owners, Ungku Mel. She is very sweet and accommodating. Later, I was introduced by the other partners, Ungku Wai and Zafia. Six days a week, I stayed at the shop and tutored by Kaka Zaila and Aziemah. They are a mother and daughter team-up. Both are very good florists.

Aziemah mentored me first since, her Mom, Kaka Zaila was off on my first day of tutorial. Though we are cultures and language apart, we were able to get along well with each other. Aziemah is very nice and she even taught me a lot of Bahasa Malaysia. The first thing she taught me was familiarizing the names of the flowers and leaves.

I also met Kaka Rose, of Indonesian nationality, who worked for POF for years and is in-charged with the café/resto area.

The next day, Kaka Zaila came and slowly filled my hungry artistic mind. Hehehe! She is very expert. I always get amazed every time she arranges flowers. She would always say, “I want you to do something like this”. She showed me how then I do as she instructed. She thought I was a great student. Hehe! Of course, she is a very good teacher. Kaka Zaila told me a Japanese florist taught her. She started with artificial flowers and expanded to fresh flowers. Here are some of her amazing masterpieces:

Safari combination, orchids, and gerbera daisies... Table and restroom arrangements...



This one is the beauty of Madonna lily.



Stargazer lilies, and button mums...



Roses, stargazer, and button mums... I love button mums! This arrangement is for a store opening.



Another table arrangement using roses, gerbera daisies, and orchids.



Isn’t she a huge of an artist? I’m hats off to you, Kaka Zaila. I am forever grateful to you for widening my knowledge on Ikebana and I know I still have a lot to learn.

As we know, life is what we make it. Sometimes, the path that we are treading is blurry and we can hardly see what’s ahead. Just like weeds to flowers. I had no idea that my childish weed monologues would one day take me to Ikebana or the art of arranging flowers.

Every inch of what we do when we were young, or say, a little younger, contributes a lot to the future that lies ahead even to that future behind the blurry pathway we are taking. We may play with the weeds Now… but will eventually become a master florist Later.



I wish this is my masterpiece. Hahaha!!! I'm getting there.

The Mountaintop

One reason of our existence on earth is to be tested and to experience life in its full package.

I love nature trekking - green and cool breeze everywhere. Rivers, lakes, streams, waterfalls, trees, wildflowers, fruits, birds, stones, rocks, hills, and mountains – nature is, indeed, mesmerizing.

Life can be compared with mountain climbing. The mountaintop is our goal and the experience of the whole nature trekking is part of the climb.

Mountain climbing has its ups and downs. Experiencing uphill and downhill slopes is imperative. At the start of the trek, climbing seems so easy where we just simply walk and enjoy the scenery, jog, or maybe run as fast as we can to get to the top. On the other hand, there are times when the climbing gets really tough that we can’t even lift a foot to keep on moving. And if we don’t really immerse ourselves into the thought that we will be meeting countless natural elements before getting into the top, we will complain and will keep on complaining.

When we get so tired, the beautiful masterpieces our eyes are seeing become stumbling blocks. To us, they are keeping us away from our goals. We often grumble that without this river or rock, we could have reached the top faster and on-time. We, somehow, forget why these nature’s wonders exist.

They are not stumbling blocks but stepping stones. Each one gives us experience and taught us lessons. Each one is making us think. Each one is making us wise. Each one will serve as our aide if we know how to use them and convert them into stepping stones. If we don’t complain and take them as challenges, our climb to the top of the mountain will be full of adventure and fun.

My questions are… Are we not grateful that our Father in Heaven does not dictate every single thing to us? That He trusts us a lot? That we really are His and we belong to a wise Father? That we are patterned to Him? That if our Heavenly Father is wise and so we are?

He had His own share of life’s experiences before He became what He really is right now. That is what He wants us to do. Instead of complaining, we must accept whatever we meet in life and find ways to get through it. No matter how wide the rivers or how huge the rocks are in our lives, it doesn’t really matter. There is always a way to cross on the other side. There is always a way to keep on moving and reach our mountaintops.

Accepting life in its full package will help us reach the top. There may be rivers or rocks that would block our way but the wisdom that we inherited from God will assist us. They are part of the test. Complaining will not bring us to the top. Grumbling won’t give us a great view either. We just have to enjoy life’s adventure! Enjoy the beauties of nature and keep on climbing! Before we know it, we’re almost there! Almost to the mountaintop.

November 2008 Coron, Palawan Experience

Wishing that I could take a break and change the orientation that my eyes are seeing each day, I have prayed about it.

One day, a dear friend called me and told me that there’s an inexpensive trip going to one of the Philippines’ best tourist destinations – Coron, Palawan. And when a rare opportunity knocks on your door, what else would you do? Of course, I’m opening my door wide enough to invite and welcome it in. I might as well grab it as fast as I can. It is quite an exciting weekend getaway because we haven’t taken a ferry trip for years already. This time, we have chosen to.

It is like a fourteen hour boat ride so the two of us are thinking of the things to do not to get bored on the trip. Yet, being tagged as “busy women”, we don’t see each other except during the scheduled vacations.

When that day came, we both went to our offices early that morning until before lunch. Then we met at Jen’s place. The scheduled time for the ferry to leave is at 5pm.

Instead of going an hour before the scheduled departure, we left her apartment about one or two in the afternoon because we need to get my ticket at the ferry office. However, no matter how early we were, life has complications and we are about to take our share.

We had a hard time getting a cab to the pier. Then when we finally got one, we were slowed down by a heavy traffic. But we are proactive women and just talk the worries away. When we finally reached Pier 15, we rushed to the ticketing office. Since, it was our first time to get ticket right at the dock, the people tossed us to and fro. People at the pier told us to go one place only to realize later that it’s not the right one. With our bags, cams, and tripod we moved from one point to another under the sun’s heat and crazy drizzles. I said crazy because…who can have drizzles under the super powerful sun heating us both on the fully cemented place. We were not totally soaked by the drizzling rain, but with our sweat, I was thinking we could get pneumonia. It, probably, took us about an hour before I finally got hold of my ticket.

To make the story short, we were able to fix it, got my ticket and off to Coron the two of us. The rest is history! The whole Coron, Palawan was great! Jen and I had a wonderful time enjoying nature and meeting new friends. :)

at Banana Island... we wondered why Banana Island, actually, because we saw zero banana there... Hehehe!!!

with new found friends... still at Banana Island.

Jen at Barracuda Lake

at Banana Island... postcard-ready pic. hehehe!!!

Like A River

White Horse

C A F F x2

C Am
Say you're sorry that face of an angel
F G
Comes out just when you need it to
C Am
As I paced back and forth all this time
F G
Cause I honestly believed in you
Am F
Holding on the days drag on
G
Stupid girl

I should have known, I should have known


(Chorus)
C Am
I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairy tale
F
I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet
G
Lead her up the stairwell
C Am
This ain't Hollywood, this is a small town
F G
I was a dreamer before you went and let me down
Am G
Now it's too late for you
F C
And your white horse, to come around


C Am
Maybe I was naive, got lost in your eyes
F G
And never really had a chance
C Am
My mistake, I didn't know to be in love
F G
You had to fight to have the upper hand
Am F
I had so many dreams about you and me
G
Happy endings, well now I know


(Chorus)
C Am
I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairy tale
F
I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet
G
Lead her up the stairwell
C Am
This ain't Hollywood, this is a small town
F G
I was a dreamer before you went and let me down
Am G
Now it's too late for you
F C
And your white horse, to come around


Am G F
And there you are on your knees
Am G F
Begging for forgiveness, begging for me
C G Am F
Just like I always wanted but I'm so sorry


(NONE) C
Cause I'm not your princess, this ain't a
Am
fairytale
F
I'm gonna find someone someday who might
G
actually treat me well
C Am
This is a big world, that was a small town
F G
There in my rearview mirror disappearing now
Am G F
And its too late for you and your white horse
Am G F
Now its too late for you and your white horse,
C Am
To catch me now
F G C
Oh, Try and catch me now
Am F G
Oh, it's too late
C
To catch me now

Dont Just Say It

I could still envision one day when everything falls into its right place. Like when you’re with the one you truly love and that person loves you in return.

Nevertheless, is there really a happily ever after ending? Why do we always love someone so much, and later, realize that his heart falls for someone else? Is it true that in love we just can’t get what we want? And if we are truly in love, we are willing to give him everything. Everything we have that sometimes we are left with nothing to give. Then we feel so inadequate. Since we are so addicted about giving all that we have to that person we thought we love, we get so crazy finding ways just to get and give whatever he wants. Most often than not, it costs much. It may be our whole life, which includes our integrity – the one that we are protecting for almost a lifetime.

In whatever relationship where love exists, it always is a two-way act. When you want it lasting, you have to give and must be taking something in return. Your partner should understand that. Though, it doesn’t really have to be the same kind of something that he gave but just a simple gesture of thank you is enough. This is because the taking of something in return does not always mean something material. It maybe a simple smile, a wink, or any quick body language that says you appreciate what was just given to you.

Even though we are not really asking something back, but when someone values what you give, there is always a special warm feeling that stays within. This is the one that burns our hearts and make every single thing lasting. It’s not really the fancy bouquets of flowers or the best chocolates, the signature apparels, or mansions and cars, but it’s the simple acts that says you value whatever is given to you. After all, we have been taught what gratitude is.

Make it last. Don’t just say it, act!

Stuck on Work!

Have you ever tried rushing to leave and are only waiting for the one last file you badly needed? You’re on your final step of transferring data to a disc, then suddenly something wrong happened? The file you’re saving prompted errors and you’ve got to redo not only burning but your whole work? Instead of going home at 4:30PM, you’ve stayed for another 3 hours just to get everything done? You’ve missed all your appointments and all doors at the office are closed except for the fire exit doors? You’ve got to use the stairs because the elevator is being fixed? What will you do?

This is happening to me and I’m still here. Heh! I saved my file over and over again and still it’s not working. Help!!!!! I probably have to call 911. But do we have this here in Manila? Perhaps we do have but I’m not just the “aware kind of person”.

So… what am I doing now?

I have exported and imported all my reports but still I’m "stucked". I have filed my piled-up paper works but still I’m waiting for the data to finally finish the process. I have picked up morsels of food on the floor and wiped the equipments yet the computer’s not helping me. I have brushed my hair a hundred and more times but up to now it’s still on its 42nd % progress. I’m calling all angels to come and rescue me. Please come…………

As for the record, I am now on my 13th hour here in the office. I have already seen through my glass window the clouds and the moon chasing each other... But still, Khrissy is here!

I have tried making re-links of my files and then trimming and joining video clips to make a new video. I hope it will work.

Can I complain? Nope! Been praying that it’ll work somehow and not that long because I could not miss the last session tonight at the temple.

Oh… wait! Seems like the angels are here! I could feel it’s working already. I hope my feelings are not in vain. Please……………………..

Good heavens! It went through! Yeepee! Yahoo! Google! MSN!!!!! Thanks!

My prayers are being answered! Adios mi amigos! Gotta go and cross on the other side for temple! It’s now 8:04 in the evening! I have to attend the 9PM session.

Till then.

Wild Wild West!

One huge party for the whole ranchers! :) Everybody was so serious enough to look like real Bandidos and Bandidas!

Square dance, roast cow/beef (lechong baka), steamed corn, potatoes, salads, root beer... all but Western food!!! We love it!

The funny thing was... I won the Best in Costume!!! I always thought that I was like a rebel or a woman activist in my costume. Maybe it was all because of that toy gun!!! Maybe the judges were scared that I might shoot them. Hahaha!!!

The Bandidas

Birthdays

Every second half of the year, S&I start counting birthday parties!

Let’s begin with June where two of our colleagues celebrate their birthdays this month, Liza and Lynna. Then just have month rest in July and party again every August 16th (my big day).

After August, another party’s up for September birthdays, Bro. Amistad, our big boss, and Grace, our friend from the Security Department.

Asking about October? We still have two, Bro. Querido, Institute Director of Quezon City Institute of Religion and Elder Costales, my former immediate supervisor who got transferred to Tacloban as a Seminary Coordinator. But since he’s also serving as an Area Authority Seventy, he gets to visit us every now and then here in Manila. That, of course, would mean another party for party goers like us! J Party in the sense of taking a longer lunch break and eat super heavy meals than what we usually have.

We enjoy each other’s company and add some pounds to our weight just like this.

full and happy!

the QCPIR men and Kuya Ceasar

ate liz, bro. q, & bro. jojo


gracie

kuya caesar, ate liz, me, gracie, and ate lynn

grace! obviously, enjoying her food

When Money is the Barometer of your Faith

One Sunday, Mama was sick so she is not going to Church. I also felt like so sick… and so down thinking about life and the struggles I am facing lately. And with me focusing on those things, I felt like I’m getting sick as well. My heart became so heavy. It seemed like it’s going to burst and tears started to fall. I had to run and find my place in the bathroom where I could fully turn the water’s knob or something. And there, nobody could hear me sobbing and I could just get a shower after my dramatic act.

But until almost an hour inside the shower, I needed to go out and dress up for church. However, instead of dressing up, I laid down with my Mom and continued with my drama. In short, I was not able to attend Church meetings.

When Papa came, he asked me why I didn’t go to Church. I responded that I decided to attend Mama’s needs. Then jokingly I said, I had no money for fare going to Church. I could not tell him too about my emotional scene before he got back from Sunday meetings.

I don’t want my parents to feel the pain of my struggles. I want them to enjoy old age and I do everything to let them feel that I am not having a hard time.

With my reasons, Papa told me something that’s really piercing. He’s a teacher by profession and is so good at teaching us gospel principles in various ways. That Sunday he was straightforward, he only asked a couple of questions, “What is the barometer of your faith? Is it Money?” Right there and then, I felt guiltier since I let my emotions stopped me from going to Church. I already know that everytime I felt like not going to Church, the more I should go. It’s a battle between right and wrong. I maybe tested for a countless times but I should not have followed the Lord’s counterfeit and do something wrong.

When money is the barometer of our faith, not a single member of the Church is attending meetings and even magnifying callings would be more difficult.

I repented at once and asked the Father’s forgiveness for allowing the mists of darkness to ruin my choices. Then I recalled one time, asking a friend why he was attending the priesthood meeting. The answer was the same as mine… no fare going to Church. I told him that if there’s a will, there’s always a way as the old saying goes. That if he really wanted to go to Church, he can do something about it. Now, I couldn’t believe that I am telling this to myself.

The whole night I spent assessing myself and then recommitting to the Lord the things that I should be doing as His disciple. I knew that life is full of challenges and I accepted it way, way before but have forgotten my vows when winds few blows come.

Before I totally lost my consciousness and be carried away by my sleepy head, I have learned and re-learned countless lessons in life.

The Lord has never left us. It is always “us” who went our own way, not Him leaving us. He is watching over us all the time. He is always ready to rescue us every time we need Him and no matter how heavy are our burdens, He can always lighten our load. He always carries the weightier part of our spiritual and emotional loads. And even if we feel so down and so lonely, He comes to our rescue everytime. He always wants us to be happy.

So… when you feel that your cup of faith is running out, turn to the Lord always for refill and your cup will always be full, or at most, run over.

Are you asking me if money is the barometer of my faith? Of course, not! At least, not anymore. I have repented and please forgive me for giving my human nature the empowerment to ruin part of my faith. I don’t want to feel that guilty again.

I know better now. Thanks, Pa!