Thursday, January 28, 2010

Last Year, This Time of The Year...



Where did the time go? It blazed past by although last year, it was seemingly endless. Around this time of the year, I remember conjuring up plans with 3 other ladies, trying to figure out how we can celebrate Valentine's Day with our hunnies. I suppose the oddest part is that we were all planning a road trip together when none of us ever met each other before until the trip to NC.

How come? Why would strangers get together for Valentine's Day when it is meant to spend time with people you love? Strange things do happen when the love of your life is in the military.

Unless going through it yourself, time is of an essence when you know that your heart is going to be leaving and the precious time will dwindle towards a long absence and having thousands of miles apart. It was such a bitter-sweet moment when you feel grateful for every second being with him but a throbbing thought in the back of your mind keep reminding you that he's going away soon.

I remember our mixed emotions before we were on our way. It has been phone calls, texts, emails, and IM chat galore for the next few weeks to come. We were all jumbled up in our feelings... feelings that are mixed with happiness, sadness, nervousness, anxiousness, love, heartbreak, excitement, and fear. We would be contacting each other to discuss the details of our road trip. Then all of the sudden, we needed each other for support while we break down and cry. Since this was going to be the first deployment for all of us, the unexpectedness is our worst enemy.

Reflecting towards what we have done, deployments make people do crazy things. Who would have thought about taking 16-hour drives and hundreds of miles with strangers? Who would share your deepest thoughts with ones who you've never met? Alas, this is just a little bit of what it is like to be a Marine girlfriend...

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Unwinding Destiny



Just thought to post up an old poem I've written back in 2001 for old time's sake...

Unwinding Destiny

Confused, Lonely, and Frustrated before I have found myself;
It was a time when troubles
Always seemed to find me-
When I just don't know what to do;
Always seeking for a way to find that one thing
That would banish Misery forever.
Days, months, and years had passed;
I still haven't found it.
It wasn't until I began looking around me and myself,
I found out the only problem was me-
Not having enough Trust that I was able to do it.
It was then that I have found myself.
In the winding road of Life.
It was then when I found
Optimism, Laughter, and Fortune.
From then on I would always find myself-
When I was down, I would get up
I don't know what the future holds
But I am certain that
I would discover my Unwinding Destiny in time.

Monday, January 18, 2010

YUM YUM: Mochi



After working hard all week, I looked forward to just kicking back and enjoying a treat. After countless reminders that a new restaurant, Mochi, is having its grand opening, I finally surrendered and decided to make a pit-stop in Downtown Orlando at the last minute.

I must confess that I did come across another Mochi up in Jax a few months earlier and have a little dibs in what their delectables are like. But that didn't stop me from being excited to try out everything they have to offer. Mochi offers low-fat yogurt in various delicious flavors that would delight your taste-buds. Even better is being able to customize your treat with different toppings from chocolates, gummy bears, fruits, and (of course) mochi. (Here's a link on more information about what mochi is -> Mochi,what it is...)

Oh what a great way to please a guilty pleasure in a healthier way (unless of course you load yours up w/ lots of chocolatey and sugary delights). Mochi definitely won my friend's heart and should be soon a favorite meeting spot.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Challenge Number One: Be Pharmacy Tech Certified by February



I've been offered a temp job in a pharmaceutical company. They're looking for permanent hires but at the same time want to check out its candidates first through a 90-day contract with the temp agency. Since right now all I care more than ever is to have inflow of money to pay of the bills and keep me sane, it's to my best interest to be permanently hired.

After speaking with the HR, he stated that they're looking highly on certified pharm techs. So therefore, I'm pursuing the certification. Some people who spoke with me regarding the certification think that I'm crazy to be wanting to take it so soon. For myself, I felt that I'm giving myself too long of a time frame.

Then comes my cousin. After speaking with her, she said that she only studied for 2 weeks prior to the test and passed. She only used one book. She advised to just study hard and I should be fine. Finally, someone who doesn't think I'm nuts. She inspired me to just get it done. She didn't even go to school for it nor had prior experience. I suppose quick-learning is part of the family trait.

So therefore, I've entrusted myself with my first challenge of the year: Be a Pharm Tech certified by February. Crazy? Maybe. Impossible? I don't think so!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Cocoa, Anyone?



FL is far from the illusion of a warm, sunny, beach-day these last few weeks or more like the last couple of months. Temperatures have been dropping to the low 30's. Looks like FL have finally caught up with the freezing fronts of the other parts of the country. Although it isn't quite as low, it is still yet way lower than the usual 60's weather around this time of the year. The cold wind whipping across one's face would have anyone running for a nice, comfortable, winter coat.

Broken-down heaters and water pipes added to the discomfort of some residences. Who would have thought about having a field trip just to go to the bathroom? It's amusing to watch little golf carts shipping groups of people just to relief themselves. Alas, an experience to blog about.

So this weekend, to my fellow Floridians, I'm holding up my mug filled with hot cocoa and marshmallows... May you have a nice and cozy weekend inside your warm homes. *CHEERS*

Thursday, January 7, 2010

One Call At A Time Keeps Collectors Away...



Keep the collector at bay and at the same time a better credit score.
1. Call Collector
2. Negotiate the amount of money affordable w/ own situation
3. Ask for the result of the negotiation in writing
4. Pay negotiate amount on or before due date
5. Keep track of records

Result: Less restless nights with a budget you can afford

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Not Just "Me" - It's All About "Us"


"Lean on me, when you're not strong And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on." ~Bill Withers

Even through the darkest and bleakest hours. Even when all seem lost and hope faded away. Even when desolation is the only company. Support and love even from just one person can shine through and touch one's heart. It makes all the difference.

When setbacks and plans backfire, it is often easy to isolate oneself to solve the problem rather than leaning on one's circle of support to find a solution together. Society embedded in our minds that asking for help is a sign of weakness. More often than not, situations and problems that arise that are way over one's head stays unresolved. It is a natural tendency to "keep it in" rather than seeking good counsel.

Quite the contrary, soliciting advice is an act of courage. Knowing when to ask for help shows that one is ready to start learning. As the Jamaicans say, "There's not problems, just situations." Since each unfortunate situations comes from mistakes, learning how to accept one's mistake is key. A wise man have once said, "Learn from your own mistakes make you smart. Learn from others make you wise."

In my own struggles, I tend to forget to seek the comfort and advice from friends and family. I have taken for granted that even when I'm in my rock bottom, I have been blessed to have individuals around me who are more than willing to lend a hand or have someone to lean on. I see that I'm very fortunate that I have at least have a solid foundation to stand on even when everything else around me is dilapidated.

I've woken up this morning and thought to myself how it's not just about me, alone and in the dark. No, it is about us, working together - supporting each other through troubled times. And that's the best part of all.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Beginning of a New Chapter



A really good friend of mine gave me a book called Three Feet From Gold as a gift for Christmas. She claimed that it's what I needed to turn my head around and go down the right path again. I've been putting it off for quite some time and saving it for a nice reading for the new year. After reading just a few chapters, I realized that she was right. At this moment of my life, it is something that I needed to help me push past a lot of the setbacks and misfortunes that have been appearing more frequently from bad decisions.

The golden nuggets of information within the pages of the book have shed some light into changing my current condition. Since my new year's resolution is to get a better grip on my financial situation, I see this opportunity to start a new adventure and surpass my failures in the past. As someone have told me once before, knowledge is meaningless unless it is put into action.

My biggest setback arise from living my life as a bitter lady lugging around a heavy suitcase full of regrets and glories of the past. As Genevieve Bos of PINK magazine have said, "Never let mistakes define who you are." I'm finally throwing my luggage down the river and starting a new life. Who knows where life is going to take me. One thing is for sure - I'm taking a sip of life one adventure at a time.