Yours truly, book crazy

I have moved back to my old Blogger blog. You may now find me at:

http://bookcrazyblog.blogspot.com

See you all there!

Bora-bound

Two weekends from now, I will be in Boracay again. The beautiful, blissful Boracay… The place I don’t think I will ever tire of going to. Yes, it may be highly commercialized now, it may get a little dirty at times. But it is still beautiful to me.

I’m so excited. This is just the thing I need right now. Can’t wait!

I am grateful.

I had the most wonderful day today. No, I am not engaged. Hehe. No, I did not inherit a fortune or win the lotto. But I might as well have. That’s how wonderful I feel.

God has really been teaching me a lot of things these past few weeks. I’ve been making mistakes recently that have caused me to feel like a failure, to feel dejected, to feel immature even. But as I took every issue and every concern out of my heart (a difficult and painful process) and laid each one down for God to take, I began to see that God allowed for these mistakes to happen to expose things about me that He wants to change. I realize more and more how much I need to rely on His grace every single day. Every single day, I need to allow Him to do His work in my life. Of course I still make plans; of course, I still need to be faithful and prepare. But I need to make room for what He’s doing. If He really is Lord, then anything He says and does goes. Sometimes all I see is the mess–the plans that don’t push through, the unexpected delays, the efforts that fall short, the disheartening disappointments, but when I take the time to be quiet before Him and really let go of my stubbornness, God allows me to get a glimpse of what He’s doing and He shows me a perspective I never saw before because I was too busy forcing my own way. And even though I don’t see the whole picture, I am assured that the God who made the universe so grand yet so detailed, so complex yet so ordered, so unpredictable and yet so mind-blowingly beautiful, can surely be trusted to fulfill His promise that He will make things beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

There are just so many things I am grateful to God for. This day alone brought wonderful surprises from Him. Here are some of them:

1. Favor with people we met with today.

You have to understand that I am not much of a salesperson. And so I have always dreaded meetings where I have to convince people to do something I’m not sure they would be keen on doing. But today, everything was almost too easy. Approval from ASC for our TVC – check.
Radio deals – two approved, no questions asked; two pending but response was favorable so we just have to follow up
TV deals – two signed almost immediately

2. Favor with the boss.

Totally unexpected, I tell you. Our boss emailed me to congratulate us for exceeding our 08 targets and says she is proud of me and my team. Kulang na lang tumambling ako. The response was so unexpected because we were so far from hitting the media mileage target for one title we’ve always had trouble generating publicity for. I was expecting she would focus on that and not  recognize that we hit our targets for the rest of the other titles.

3. A PR dream team.

We may be undermanned now but I can’t complain because my team is STELLAR. I have THE BEST writer and THE most organized, hard-working, and intelligent PR officer ever. I also have THE BEST publicity pitch-er and THE most flexible, hard-working, and intelligent PR associate ever. What more can I ask for?

4. The potential addition to our dream team.

I am currently interviewing applicants for another associate position in our team and although I saw only one candidate who could be the right fit among the five I’ve already interviewed, I am happy that we’re on the right track because we know exactly what we’re looking for. I am confident we will find the right one before this month is over.

5. One Life to Live at the Fort

I am so psyched that I decided to attend the One Life to Live talk at the Fort today. I actually only went to keep an officemate of mine who has been attending the talk these last three weeks company. I ended up being so blessed by the lesson, which was taught by one of my favorite preachers (Pastor/Doc Jun Aguilar who also used to be my immediate superior when I was still working for Victory Fort)  and the discussion among the people seated at the table I ended up facilitating. It’s really, really awesome to witness how God works in the lives of the most unexpected people. Grabe.

6. Dinner with one of my closest friends.

Ended the wonderful day spending wonderful time with a wonderful friend. God has changed both me and Marge so much from the way we used to be that we just have to laugh now when we look back at all those times we used to cry or get upset over the littlest things (na syempre dati napaka big deal for us). Haay, only by the grace of God, indeed.

What is up with my skin?!

Okay, this is so not funny anymore. I am 30 years old and I am breaking out. And it’s not one zit at a time breakout. It’s many humongous and painful bumps on my chin, the sides of my nose, and my forehead.

I just went to the dermatologist last week, for goodness’ sake! How can I be breaking out so soon?!

It can’t be my mineral makeup (I hope) because I’ve been using it for a month and a half and it seemed fine until the last few weeks when my skin started acting up again. It can’t be because I’m working out again, can it?

Anyway, I’ve decided that I am tired of this and so I will demand oral medication from my dermatologist tomorrow. It apparently gets worse before it gets better with this medication and the side effects are drying of skin, nosebleeds, and headaches. It’s true what they say, I guess. No pain, no gain.

Some updates

I am exhausted.

The past few weeks have been unbelievably busy with work and ministry.

Here are some updates:

• Been pretty busy at work preparing for publicity for the March issues of our magazines. March is usually a busy month for the company that I work for. It doesn’t help that we’re now a team of 4 people. Hard, but that’s that and we just have to take the challenge and make the most of what we have.
• Been very busy also with the Singles’ Ministry at church. We’re preparing for a Singles’ Getaway, which we’ve decided will happen on the last weekend of March. It’s fun working with a group of very diverse personalities. Tiring at times, because we usually work on the ministry after eight or more hours of our own respective work. But it’s all worth it — fulfilling and fun at the same time.
• I’m back in Gold’s Gym. Finally got to avail of the corporate package after a month of waiting. It feels great to be working out again. I went running for 40 minutes yesterday. Really great to get back on the groove.
• I am really happy about the growth of the small groups of women that I lead. I know it’s not a numbers thing. But every single week, new women come and attend the small group meetings. I had to start a new sked on Thursdays so there’s more room for women to attend my Sunday sked. But now both groups have at least 12 people. I am so grateful to God for entrusting these women to me. I don’t know why it’s happening now but I am just overwhelmed. 
• One of the women who came last Thursday is one of the writers of this You Changed My Life, which is set to hit the moviehouses on Wednesday. I am SO excited. SO excited! Haha, I just had to say it twice.

What I’m loving now

Okay, I am absolutely going bonkers over this song. I first heard a snippet of it when American Idol contestant Anne Marie Boskovich sang two lines from a song she’d heard Kara Dioguardi sing in a concert in Nashville.

The song is called Strangers and Angels, written by Kara Dioguardi, Jess Cates, and Chris Tompkins.

Strangers and Angels
(as performed by Kara Dioguardi)

Why is that man taking up my time?
Bringing me down
‘cause he’s begging for a dime
Why don’t he get a job?

Why is that girl
Holding up the line
Don’t she know
I got somewhere to be
Got a busy life
Why don’t she hurry up

Sometimes it feels like
They’re all against me
Standing in my way

But what if these strangers
Are telling me something
Oh I gotta slow up
I’m always in a rush

What if these strangers
Are really my lessons
And the little I have
is gonna be enough

Maybe I should be thankful
Stop being so ungrateful
For all of these strangers

Coz what if they’re angels
What if they’re angels from above

So what if those kids
crossing the road
are keeping me
from somewhere
I’m not yet supposed to go
And they’re teaching me patience
Patience

We’re all living
Like we’re made of steel
Like the clock ain’t tickin’ away

But what if these strangers
Are telling me something
Oh I gotta slow up
I’m always in a rush

What if these strangers
Are really my lessons
And the little I have
is gonna be enough

Maybe I should be thankful
Stop being so ungrateful
For all of these strangers

Coz what if they’re angels
What if they’re angels from above

So what if that man
Who was taking up my time
Was about to say something
That was gonna change my life
I think I’ve figured it out

All of  these strangers
Are telling me something
Oh I gotta slow up
I’m always in a rush

All of these strangers
Are really my lessons
And the little I have
is gonna be enough

Maybe I should be thankful
Stop being so ungrateful
For all of these strangers

Coz what if they’re angels
What if they’re angels from above

The AI fever is on!

I’ve been a fan of American Idol since season 3, when the show first aired in the Philippines through Star World.

Year after year, I would head on home early (or into our storage area at the office where we had a TV with cable) to watch every single episode.

American Idol has seen me through good times and bad. I remember watching Season 3 with my former significant other before we parted ways five years ago. Season 4 marked the beginning of the end. By the time the Top 12 of Season 4 had been decided, we had broken up and AI became my refuge. The following seasons were not as tumultuous but were exciting nevertheless.

Season 8 started a few weeks ago and I’ve already got some favorites:

Matt Breitzke – who auditioned in Kansas and sang “Ain’t No Sunshine.” I like underdogs. I liked Scott Savol, Taylor Hicks, and Elliott Yamin, who from their auditions didn’t seem like they would get far in the competition. He’s not young, current, or gorgeous. He’s your average American man with a blue collar job. But when you hear his voice, WOW! The man’s certainly got it.

Danny Gokey – who auditioned in Kansas and sang “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.” His wife had passed away and he wasn’t even sure if he was going to audition because he was overcome with grief. Well, I’m sure glad he went ahead and auditioned because the guy’s got soul! He’s pretty cute, too.

Anoop Desai – who auditioned in Kansas and sang “Grateful.” I didn’t expect that voice to come out of Anoop. But who auditions wearing slippers? Haha! He looks like a pretty funny guy. I think he might make it far in the competition.

Joanna Pacitti – who auditioned in Louisville and sang “We Belong.” She was already signed by a recording company but didn’t make it far. She looks like she’s gone through a lot and I’m glad she’s getting this break. Pretty girl, powerful vocals.

Alexis Grace – who auditioned in Louisville and sang “Dr. Feel Good.” Her name alone is ready for stardom. She’s cute and has a big voice.

Leneshe Young – who auditioned in Louisville and sang something she composed herself. Cool girl! Cool song! Very young, very fresh, wonderful voice.

Can’t wait for Hollwood week!

“Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.
Acts 14:17

As if it’s not enough that He provides for all that we need and even more, always at the right time, God goes as far as involving Himself even in the little exciting details of our lives. He finds ways to make us smile. He prepares delightful surprises for us.

Like cold weather on a sunny day.

Finding the book you’ve been looking for forever in a second-hand bookshop, almost in mint condition.

A compliment from someone who never says anything nice to anyone.

Finding an old friend on Facebook.

Discovering that the top you’ve been eyeing is now being sold for half the price.

Someone coming into your life when you least expect it.

My New Year’s Resolutions

Every year, before we start our church’s annual 7-day Prayer & Fasting, I make sure to complete my faith goals for the new year. Faith goals are NOT New Year’s resolutions. They’re things I’m believing God for, things I know I can’t make happen on my own. That’s why they’re called faith goals, because they require you to believe that even though you can’t pull it off for yourself, certainly God can.

I love making faith goals. But I also love making the other kind of list. The one most of us usually make at the start of the year,  a list composed of the things I resolve to do for the year.

I’m not posting my faith goals here but I think I need to make my resolutions public so I can be held accountable. Feel free to ask me how these things are going, to keep me on my toes.

1. I resolve to read more this year, to spend at least an hour everyday to read.

2. I resolve to get back in shape by working out regularly. At least four times a week, I need to do some kind of physical activity that will get my heart rate up. The goal is to lose at least 30 lbs. (OMG) I’ve done it before. No reason why it can’t be done now.

3. I resolve to smile more this year. Someone remarked just last night how much better I look when I smile. Being a grouch never helped anyone.

4. I resolve to sleep earlier and wake up earlier everyday. I’m failing this already.

5. I resolve to blog more and write on my journal more.

6. I resolve to plan more get-togethers, to really learn how to throw a party. I am super bad at thinking of themes, games, and other party stuff.

7. I resolve to get to know more people this year. Not just meet them but really take the time to know them. To remember names. To make people feel special by paying attention to them. Sometimes that’s all it takes to make a difference in someone’s life.

8. I resolve to spend less and save more, to know how much I have and never spend more than I can really afford. This is even harder than sleeping and waking up early.

9. I resolve to be more productive and organized not just at work but even in other areas of my life.

10. I resolve to be more open. To allow others to know me. To put myself out there, even if it means risking getting hurt.

What about you? Do you have any New Year’s resolutions for 2009?

Loving this now

I am totally loving the new mineral foundation I bought. It’s by Smashbox. And it’s called Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder.

My problem with makeup, foundation to be specific, is that I don’t like to look lighter than I really am. I actually prefer that I look tanner than fairer.

I’ve been using the L’Oreal mineral foundation for quite some time because it’s got good coverage for my not-perfect skin but I find the shade to be too light and too ashy for my complexion. So I always have to pile on another layer of darker mineral makeup (from Revlon).

My co-worker Marie Calica, who happens to be the beauty editor of Marie Claire Philippines, suggested Smashbox as far back as summer last year when I told her about my problem. But of course, being the cheapskate that I am (I’m not likely to spend more than a thousand for any makeup product), I delayed trying it until another co-worker, Haze, raved about it before the Christmas break.

So when my L’Oreal mineral foundation ran out last Thursday, I decide to go for it. I had to shell out P2,950 for it (gasp!) but I love it! I love the shade, I love the packaging, I love that it has 21 grams of mineral powder (the L’Oreal one only has 10g), I love that it has a cute kabuki brush, I love that it’s matipid to use. Hopefully, it will last me three months or more. If it does, wow, then it’s definitely a keeper.

I am also interested to buy Smashbox’s O-Gloss. My Mom bought the O-Glow blush, but I don’t see too much of a difference from other cheek tints. I think it might be better suited for lighter skin tones. O-Gloss has won both Allure’s and Sephora’s beauty awards and was also one of last year’s winners of the Cosmo Beauty Awards so I’m confident O-Gloss is another must-buy.