Mission accomplished!

My coffee mug would be so proud.

***

I've always disliked being routinized. It is important to me that my everyday has a good deal of variety attached to it. Otherwise I am inclined to float away and do random things out of the blue, even if sometimes I turn out to be unproductive. But as I got through college and review school I realized that being routinized is inevitable. I maybe taking a short break from it now but as soon as I start on my career, monotony would be hogging the spotlight once again.

On the lighter stuff, I figured that buckling down under this situation won't resolve anything. I had to maintain balance. But somehow, while I patiently waited for those few times I could take the time off, I overlooked the little things. By never experiencing the moment, we miss the chance to savor life's small pleasures. I've read that on a magazine just recently and I know it is time to hit the panic button pronto!

I keep thinking about how I'll feel or what I'll do during those much awaited breaks that I fail to savor the joyful mini moments along the way. I think we all have the tendency to be distracted with matters we've been juggling mentally or the tasks that keep our daily planners loaded up that we fail to take in those little reminders telling us that we can be happy any time of the day.

I've been using the same coffee mug every morning for two years now. It also has been my companion during those countless all-nighters I've managed to pull of during college. This is why I can't believe that for years I have failed to take note of four words, printed on the inside which represent the secret mission of my coffee mug. That is, to wish me a great day ahead. (I'll post a photo soon.)

I am not saying that being mindful of the mini moments that can liberate us from that I'm-too-busy state of mind is just about using printed coffee mugs. (I just wanted to give my coffee mug credit for being true to its mission and for wishing for my happiness everyday while I'm too busy to even pay attention.)

With this is in mind, I am now focused on heeding those little things that transform my busy days and even my downright boring days into bliss. It can be the sound of laughter after my sister cracked a silly joke over breakfast while we share chocolate-chip pancakes, or an unexpected call from someone special who always seems really happy at the sound of my voice, or a good news shared by a friend confirming an answered prayer. The fact that more than a dozen feel-good mini moments can start happening right when I get out of bed until the time I'm comfortably tucked in my covers at night is enough for me to always have a nice day. :]

MILESTONE

Graduation day.

It was the day we've all been waiting for. Suddenly my constant whining about school stuff and about how sleep-deprived I was during my five years of college became nothing when compared to this. March 25, 2009 was definitely well worth the wait. :]

On the day that marks a great milestone on my simple life

I remember feeling like something has come to an end. After all, going to school was something I've done for seventeen years, I was happy, relieved, excited and hopeful. This marked the end of getting up in the mornings to put on our white and green uniform, it marked the end of our fifteen minute walk from the entrance of the university to our college building. It marked the end of countless problem sets, laboratory reports and exams. It marked the end of lunch with my closest friends at the canteen then in the student's lounge, huddled together in our group sharing stories, laughing and most of the time cramming for assignments and quizzes until the bell rang. It marked the end of our barkada bonding after class, our movie dates, shopping with the girls or patiently waiting for the boys while they bask in on computer games. This marked the end of my 5 minute- powder break turned 15 minutes chikahan session with the girls in the CR while the boys wait by the door; I will never forget their exasperated what-took-you-so-long looks when we finally had the urge to come out. :]]

I will surely miss my dearest friends and the rest of the ECE 51. They are the very reason why I still look forward to going to school everyday despite the very heavy workload that awaits us each day and a serious form of fatigue that goes along with it. It sucks that the two belonged to a single package.

I will definitely miss my professors, and I will always be grateful to them for giving us the benefit of their wisdom.

The most important lesson I've learned isn't about the stuff I learned from textbooks or laboratory experiments or from the long hours of sitting in class. It is the lesson I've learned through meeting the people who touched my heart.. and still do until now! :]]

Pains, Lessons and Blessings. Part II

FRIENDS= HAPPINESS.

The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.




This one's a given. They are one of the few reasons why my sanity is still intact even though college has taken its toll on me since day one. They are one of the few reasons why I always look forward to sem breaks and holidays.


And Sharmaine, who has been my dearest friend since fourth grade. I've learned enough lessons from her to last me a lifetime. She reminds me of the type of person I wanted to become. And in times of troubles, when all others fail, hers is the hand I can always reach out to.
24/7.


HE LOVES YOU, SO BE NICE.

To love is to place our happiness in the happiness of another.


2008 was the year we turned two.
Sure, we do argue a lot. There were many times I refused to speak to him for days. But it still doesn't change the fact that two years later, I'm still in love with someone who makes me suuuper happy. And loves me dearly even though my mood swings proved to be a real pain in the ass time and time again. Who tries hard to keep up with my shopping sprees and treats complaining as a big no-no. Who treats my family as his own. Who holds my hand as if he's never ever gonna let go.

THANK YOU.
You're the very reason why I would love to believe in HAPPILY EVER AFTER. :)

Pains, Lessons and Blessings. Part I

"Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect and Thank God it can go."
****
2008 has been my own whirlpool of ups and downs. Got me close to tears at some point, crying my heart out in another, but happy and contented most of the time.

Lessons-

COURAGE.

The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing the heart.

There were a dozen times during the year when I have felt defeated.
I was almost in tears when I found out that Daddy was sick. That was by far, the biggest blow. I immediately prayed for him to be okay, but the damage was already done. One of the hardest parts, apart from from not-knowing and dealing with uncertainties is facing my shattered views. Just because he's the best father anyone could have ever had and he takes good care of everything, and he lifts you up even from the deepest pit of your darkest days, it doesn't mean that he has this impenetrable shield and he's always strong.
Those six months was among our darkest days, and I thank God with all my heart that it's all over now.
Yes, I've dealt with my shattered views about my father's health. But how I see him as a person will never change, or shatter like a broken glass. It's hard as steel.
He is still the world's greatest dad.

ACCEPTANCE.

Acceptance is not submission; it is acknowledgment of the facts of a situation. Then deciding what you're going to do about it.

One failed mark last semester was enough to send me locked up in my room for three straight days while crying non-stop. That sucks. A lot. But thankfully, I've gotten over it with a lot of prayer that everything will turn out fine. The thing about failure is (though it sucks a lot), it gives you the opportunity to bounce back higher.
Because of that subject, I'm taking different classes now for the first time. Technically. It's not really the first, but the first one's internship so that doesn't count. I had to face my first 200 hours of internship alone while everybody else had to take classes on Signals and Spectra again over the summer. (Remember when we filed a complaint regarding of our professor and I'm the only one among my friends who passed the subject. Yep, that's why.)
Now, I've decided to omit taking different classes on my things-that-I-hate-to-do-since-it-totally-sucks list. It does not really classify as overly-majorly bad. In fact, I'm happy that I'm taking different classes. It's good that I'm learning different things and I got to spend one whole day every week with Ann and Ria alone. And looking back, it's good that things got really shaky last semester break. Since I was too worried about the possibility of not graduating on time, I got Archie and myself into skipping the semester break and starting with our internship early to avoid schedule-problems. Now Archie, Billy and Gaudi, all three who expected to be summer grads are almost done with 400 hours of internship! Now all that's left for us to do is get pass this huge obstacle called thesis back to back with pre-board exams and we'll be done with school. For good. Best of luck to all of us!

CHARITY.

Kindness is contagious.

Probably one of the best things that I've done this year is embracing the gift of service by joining Charity Focus. Writing for HelpOthers.Org and touching other people's hearts from different places across the globe really IS something. This is certainly one good way of spreading my blessings brought by other people's kindness.


Too bad I'm too busy at school, I've posted only five stories so far. That's nothing compared to dozens of stories most volunteers post each day. I promise to make time during the weeks to come. Writing for HelpOthers.Org has become my sort of theraphy. My personal escape from my busy world. :) Here are some of my favorite comments posted to my stories.

From my story Smiles (April 14)

On Apr 16, 2008, lovebug says:
Life is very often, not a pretty picture, but you gave what you had. That is enough.

On Jul 13, 2008, Aurelia says:
Smile because what you did made a big difference in him...a few coins and a big smile...perfec combo. :0) ~Aurelia

From my story Straight From a Woman's Heart (April 16)

On Apr 16, 2008, martzi says:
it was proven that God really exist using the people around us. your sharing is really good. here is my smiles for you.

On May 1, 2008, lovebug says:
Sorry, it has taken so much time to catch up with your story of April 16th, it really touched my heart. Hope you will post again, I might learn something before my time is over.

From my post Happy Father's Day to my Angel In Disguise (June 15)

On Jun 15, 2008, wayfarer says:
Arnee, I used to sail with guys from Sierra Leone who did the same thing, worked at sea ten months a year to provide for their families. I thought it was heroic then and I still do. Your dad is a hero!

On Jun 15, 2008, lmil1954 says:
That is a wonderful tribute to your dad, arnee. You are blessed and so is he. Happy father's Day to all...and my daughter said it to me this morning too (and Im her mom) Love, Lida:)

On Jun 15, 2008, makesomeonesmile says:
That is great arnee! What a special dad and special person you are too!

From my story Love, Life and Service (July 8)

On Jul 8, 2008, JuneBug says:
Yes, a beautiful story! There were many services I have missed because of the pain of my disease. I always regret missing out. Then I came to the conclusion, I'm gonna hurt wherever I am, so might as well be in church with my church family and growing closer to God. Yes, He knows our pain well....:)

From my post Eight Lies of a Mother (August 29)

On Sep 1, 2008, warmth says:
i salute all the women i know of my life. Your story have inspired me to appreciate them. Thank u and God Bless u


There you go. The first part of my year-end report. Part II's due tomorrow. This is a promise I have to keep.
Gotta go. Gotta go. I still have to help mom with all the cooking. :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! Cheers to another chance to get it right!