Who Says Skating is Easy?

Know how to roller skate? I bet that you will like ice skating more.

Last summer, I had the opportunity to try ice skating on one of the malls in the Philippines. At first, of course, I was scared because of the super duper slippery ice I was standing on and while skating, I was looking after my niece from Australia. So how can I guard her if I don't know how to skate? Ha ha. Funny huh?  By sliding my feet step by step, I learned how to skate! But it did not end there. After a few minutes, they did something in the ice that made it more slippery! oooh.. How can I survive now? With great courage, I tried sliding my feet on the ice again and started skating again.

Just like life, we take challenges step by step. If we take a big leap then we will slip, if take smaller steps then we will be left behind. We should take the right step to remain on the right track.

The first step is always the hardest. Just because I don't know how to skate doesn't mean I can't. If you'll look on the ground and focus how slippery the skating range is then you'll absolutely get scared and might not want to take a slide in. But if you take a step in and think that you can do it then you definitely can. How can we learn if we're not going to try, right?

Lastly, it's all in the mind. As people say, we cannot live a positive life with a negative mind. We cannot achieve something if we keep on thinking negatively.

It was freezing in the skating arena so you should bring with you your jackets and hand gloves. Oh, here's a photo of my niece showing her skills. She skates better than I do 'cause she skates in Australia every winter. Cute right?

And another thing, don't skate by yourself. Always have someone with you in case you fall while skating like I did. LOL.

Why Should I Love him?

"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" - Matthew 5:44

This is the verse that struck my heart today. I am very much in guilt of letting anger stay in my heart and not forgive people who hurt me that easy. 

I experienced persecution before and it made me really down. Yes, we all have our own opinions and I know that we cannot please everybody but why is that it is very hard for me to forgive? When I experienced persecution, I felt really sad and thought of not coming to church anymore and even not serve the Lord anymore. But someone inside me told me, isn't it enough that Jesus paid his life for you? Even Jesus experienced persecution so why surrender that easy? This is just another challenge to face for following Christ.

We can't experience only happiness. We can't choose what will happen next. We can't expect all of the people to understand us. Instead of pushing them away, love them and pray for them as Jesus told us to. Who knows what reward you'll be having for obeying his word! Remember that God is using you. The battle is not yours, it's the Lord's.

Reveal the hidden ability in you

I love how rainy days energize me, I don't know why. Since I have no classes today, no school works,  I spent time surfing the net. I remembered that a friend of mine shared a link where you can edit pictures and even make a collage from different photos. Out of curiosity, I visited this site and started editing our family pictures. At first, I don't know what I want to do with those pictures so I just experimented some effects on it. I applied this effect, and that then walah! It resulted into a good picture.

I discovered another ability, an artistic ability which I wanted to have for a long time. According to research, an average person has 500-700 abilities. Amazed? Now try to list your abilities. There are a lot of it like the ability to sing, dance, walk, drive, fix a car, bake, debate, solve higher mathematical problems in your head, compose, and many more!

Explore things which you haven't done before. Who knows maybe you're the next famous painter or maybe the next Albert Einstein. Only you can discover the hidden talent in you.

Is Beauty Everything in This World?

Have you ever looked at the mirror and tell how ugly you are? Saying "If only I have Angelina Jolie's lips.." or "If only I have straighter hair.." or, "If only I have greater nose.." It's every woman's nightmare, to look ugly.

I saw a commercial from the television telling things what a woman would like to change in her face. It's a very persuasive commercial and I know a lot of woman would like to have that beauty make over. Who doesn't want to be beautiful? Of course all of us does but having a face surgery just to look beautiful? I don't think so. Don't count me in.

Imagine a painter who created his wonderful painting and considering it his masterpiece. For him, it's a very special painting because it's his masterpiece, but for some people it's just a piece of trash. They don't find it good. They don't even think the painter can paint good. What do you think the painter would feel?

Just like people. We always criticize people for what they look like or even what they wear. But have you ever taught what God feels when we criticize people? It's like criticizing Him as well because every single one of us is God's masterpiece. You're not just somebody that your parents made but you are God's masterpiece! So what do you think God feels then if you feel ugly? It's like telling God that He made an ugly masterpiece. Does it make Him feel good? Do you please God with that? NO!

Okay then just a review, what was the reason that God created us people? Is it to live beautifully? Is it to study, work, then die? God created us for His pleasure, to please Him. We don't live for ourselves but we live for God.

Why am I telling this? I just want to let you guys know, not only for the girls, that you are beautiful. You don't have to wear make-up or wear a fancy dress just to look beautiful. Being just yourself is enough. God didn't made an ugly masterpiece. He is perfect, He doesn't make mistakes and He even made us in His own image. How great is that huh? Let us appreciate each other and love each other just as God loved us.

Just to make it clear, I'm not against any beauty product. I'm just stating my opinion.

Cold Summer Days

Looking for a perfect summer tour? I have the perfect place for you! Welcome to the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio. This place is called the "City of Pines" and is known for it's cold climate.

Before entering Baguio City, you will first see this lion at Marcos Highway. Some hotels offer an overnight stay for only 500php. If you have your family with you, I would suggest for you to rent a room. We stayed at Gonzales Inn near teacher's camp and it costed us only 1,500php a day with kitchen and 3 beds.

One of Baguio's greatest spots is Minesview Park. You can buy great things there for a cheap price. It also has a great view as you can see here in the picture.

At Burnham Park, you can have cycling, foot massage, boat rowing, and even taking a nap. Ha ha. Just kidding. It's the best place for you and your kids to have fun.

For souvenirs, you can clothe like the ethnics or dance like them and pay only 10php per head. Not bad.

These are just some of the places we've been in Baguio. I'll post the other spots next time.