The Fault in Our Stars

I finished reading my first book for 2013 yesterday as part of my new year's resolution to start reading regularly once again.

Although this book is categorized as Young Adult Contemporary, and a young adult I most certainly am not, I found myself tremendously enjoying it. In fact, I laughed and cried and cried some more (I am cliche like that). I had no expectations prior to reading this book so i was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. I'm not good at book reviews so I will make no such attempt at that but I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read. This is my first John Green book and now I can't wait to read all his other books

Some of my favorite lines:

“That's the thing about pain...it demands to be felt.” 

― John Green

“My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations.” 

― John Green

“You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world...but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices.” 

― John Green

“You are so busy being YOU that you have no idea how utterly unprecedented you are.” 

― John Green

“Without pain, how could we know joy?' This is an old argument in the field of thinking about suffering and its stupidity and lack of sophistication could be plumbed for centuries but suffice it to say that the existence of broccoli does not, in any way, affect the taste of chocolate.” 

― John Green

“Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth it is a city of freedom. And in freedom, most people find sin.” 

― John Green

“I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once.” 

― John Green

New Year's Resolution

I have never been very fond of New Year's Resolutions as I have found that most (if not all) of the time, these are hardly ever kept or achieved.

However, I have found that declaring my goals out loud (or putting it in writing somewhere public, (i.e. Facebook, blogs ) motivates me to work hard, or to at least try to work towards it.

So for 2013, here's my list although they seem more like goals more than resolutions.
1. Get back into shape! (Note to self: Round is NOT a shape!)
2. Write a blog post at least once week
3. Finish one book every week
4. Save save save!
5. Bring the kids to a fun place at least once a month
6. Read to the kids every night
7. Go on a mommy & daddy date at every other week
8. Learn to be more practical

Hmm... Doesn't seem much of a New Year's Resolution at all but those so far are my goals this year. Short, realistic (I think), and fairly easy to achieve... so here we go.

Reviving My Blog This 2013

Wow. It's 2013.

My last blog post was back in October 2011 and a LOT has happened since then. I have always thought of going back to blogging but my schedule has prevented me from doing so. One of my resolutions for 2013 is to start writing again because I've missed writing, and I've missed documenting the random things about my everyday life especially what my kids do... things that I'd like to read about  and look back at a few years from now.

A lot has changed since my last blog post and now here I am, a week away from turning 30 and almost 30 pounds heavier than I was on my last blog post. I always thought that being in the 30's would mean I was getting old (sorry to my 30-something friends!) but now here I am, trying to relish my last few days of being 20 something. Hah!

One of the major things that's happened to me is that I've started working. Yes, after a few years of being a Stay-at-Home Mommy, I'm now officially employed!!! It's wonderful news especially because I love my job and the people I work with and I honestly cannot imagine myself doing anything else at this very moment or anytime in the near future.

2011 ended pretty well for me and my family. Art and I got to have our "Mommy and Daddy Time"/Overdue Honeymoon Euro Trip that we've been dreaming and hoping and praying about. The kids and I got to spend our Holidays in Zamboanga with the family and we welcomed 2012 in HK Disneyland which is one of the kids' most unforgettable vacations to date.

2012 was more challenging, to say the least. We had several setbacks but as usual, it was all was part of God's grand scheme of things. It was by God's grace alone that we have surpassed it all.

First, I decided I wanted to go back to being employed but learned the hard way that it isn't that easy to find the right job. I must have applied to over 100 openings and gone to over 10 interviews and had very little luck! I was frustrated and depressed and I will be eternally grateful to a good friend of mine (Raquel) for helping me score an interview in her company and now I am happily thanking God everyday that I am where I am. The difficulty and delay was a great test of faith and patience and in hindsight I believe that God perfectly orchestrated it all to properly prepare me mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically for what He deemed was best for me.

Second, well this part is not my story to tell but let's just say that an unexpected incident caught our family by surprise and it was a very trying time for us.  It was akin to getting a rug that you've been standing on for a long time get pulled from underneath you. Despite it all, God made sure that we were surrounded by ever supportive family and friends and not once did He ever forsake us. The incident was a humbling experience and a great way for Him to open our eyes to how blessed we were and still are and teach us to never ever take things for granted. He also showed us that again, in His perfect timing, everything will make sense.

Third, there is no third point except to say that a lot of wonderful things have also happened that didn't necessarily start as a challenge. Like us finding the perfect Nanny for the kids! Ate Jackie is heaven sent! (more on that later) But it's a big deal how I can now work and have peace of mind knowing that my kids are in safe and capable hands! Also, I finally got over my fear of driving in Dubai roads and got my Driver's License (on my third try!) Moreover, 2012 was the first year where we got to spend all the kids' Birthdays and Christmas together as a family! It feels so great to be always together and I pray it will stay this way from this year forward.

Now 2013, I look forward to what you have to bring! Surprise me, Challenge me, Amaze me! I can't wait for it all but I know now how to take things one day at a time and enjoy all the little things that come our way.