Tag Archives: 30 days of celebration

Dear Diary, In His Steps

The Point

day eight.

This is a late post, because yesterday I was rocking out to Paramore. :P More on another post.


I was on my way home last night, thinking about International Women’s Day and feeling happy and empowered about being a woman, when I realized something: My, that post sounded a wee bit cocky.

Yes, this is another one of those “See how I was before and this is how I am now” posts, and yes, this is about my spiritual life again. I’ve gone on and on about how I miss my college life because I was more “spiritual” then, because of my community, and I’ve also gone on and on about how I haven’t been making enough effort to pray, and it’s showing. I realize that my blog posts are another example of that, of how I see to be less…I don’t know, spiritual? Prayerful?

I mean, take my post yesterday. I went on and on and on about how women rock, and how women rule and how cool Kathryn Bigelow is for winning Best Director in the Academy Awards…that’s now. I realized that it sounded a bit cocky and too feminist, and if I were the same prayerful person I was before, I probably would have posted about the Proverbs 31 woman, or maybe being  God Chick. Those kinds of things. I would have written about being a woman after God’s own heart, and all that jazz.

Not that I’m saying that being proud of being a woman isn’t good. Of course it is. But after reading my post again, it just felt too…feminist for me.

Maybe I’m thinking too much.

But then that got me thinking of how I write my posts now. I feel like they’re losing substance, most of them are too shallow, and it’s always about me, me and me. I feel like that’s not the whole point of this blog.

So then what is the point of my blog?

I guess I never really thought about that. Or maybe I did once, but I didn’t focus on it. Refine Me is a personal blog, yes, but it’s not just about me. I hardly blog about how my days went because I don’t think people even bother to read it. I admit: I’m not blogging only for myself, but I’m blogging also for an audience. This may be a personal blog, but it’s not a diary or a journal — that’s where the dailies come in. This blog chronicles the way I see the world, the way I get “refined”. I’m not sure exactly what I should write about there, about refinement, but it must be something more…deep. Right?

Okay, okay, I may be pressuring myself, but it’s a valid question right? It may not seem celebratory, but sometimes some epiphanies, or some self-realizations merit celebrations.

May this post remind me of that question: why am I blogging? What’s the real purpose of this blog? Maybe, if I can get to answer that, I’ll be able to reach more people, and inspire people…in some way. Let’s see.

Dear Diary, Entertaining Angels

What You Want, What You Get

day five.

I meant to blog this last night but I was too lazy to bring out Teo, plus it was late and I needed to sleep.

So I was browsing through Twitter last night and this tweet got my attention:

Of course that cheered me up. I didn’t realize it’s only a month till Dave’s new album comes out. To say I’m very excited is an understatement — we all know how much I love Dave, and how awesome his single from this album is, right? Right?

Then about half an hour or so later, I saw this tweet:

Guess who scrambled to get her computer out and pre-ordered the album? :P You don’t need high-end video cards to get that, I think. :P

So before I slept last night this morning, I had a brand new legit album in Macy, and I couldn’t be any more giddier. See?

Ah. Sometimes what you want is what you get. ;) I can’t wait to get my hands on the actual CD.

What are you waiting for? Go get Dave Barnes‘ new album, now!

Dear Diary

Luxuries

day four.

Finally, it’s Friday. I feel like it’s been such a long week even when it’s really not. I’ve just been really busy, I guess. And I know I said I love my job and all, but loving it doesn’t mean I don’t love my weekends. :P

…Although there came a time when I did dislike not going to work (I know, right?!?!) because…well, not only because I like my work but for other reasons. I’d really rather not elaborate, thankyouverymuch.

So anyway, Friday! And weekend!

A couple of days ago, Earl and I were talking about our own luxuries in life and why we seem to be running out of money all the time (haha). One of my major luxuries is books, of course (which is why I’m fasting from buying them now), followed closely by food (of course). I kind of wish I spent more on clothes before, because it’s kind of painful to shop for them today. But I don’t think I’d love books as much if I spent more on clothes. :P

Anyway. After some thinking, I realized that another thing I spend money on lately is all my weekend gimmicks with friends. Thinking back, I realized that I seem to be out every weekend, save for one weekend that I try to be at home. Ever since January, I’ve been out to birthday parties, movies, musicals, gym days and fun runs, trips, concerts and all kinds of stuff with my friends. I’m not complaining, of course. It’s fun to be out with awesome people, who can discuss movies, plan parties with, given the chance. I did say my friends are awesome, right? :) Who needs a guy when you have awesome friends? (I just have to say that :p)

This weekend, although low on funds (oh, but wait, I got a blessing earlier from work, so yay!), I’m going to enjoy it. :D Here’s the line up:

  • Gym tomorrow morning — Body Combat with my gym friends.
  • Pamper day – hair treatment and possibly foot spa and pedicure, because my hair and feet need it, badly.
  • Shopping day, if there’s time. I swear, I need to make time for this, but I don’t know if I can make time/have enough money to do this tomorrow!
  • Alice in Wonderland!
  • Sunday with the family.

I’m declaring it an extended weekend too, even if I have to go to work on Monday. Because…

Yeah. Weekend (and then some), here I come. :)

Dear Diary

Lost

day three.

It’s only the third day, and I’m already running out of things to write about. How about that.

So earlier today, I heard that summer is officially here. The northeast monsoon is over, and it’s time for the dry season and all that and whatnot. Even earlier, my brother and I were talking about the heat, and he tells me that’s even scarier because the hotter it is, the harder the rain.

And…let’s just say that rains aren’t really my friend right now. It hasn’t been since September.

Of course I need to get over that. I can say I’m mostly okay, but sometimes when I remember what happened that day, I still get nervous. I’m still afraid. I don’t think I’ll stop being so until our house gets renovated, or…that. Of course I can’t wish the rain away…it’s just that I don’t think people want too much rain. Not here, anyway.

But. Yeah. I can’t stress over it because it’s going to drive me nuts. I need to trust God that He’s taking care of me, of us. Sometimes Most of the times I just think too much. But then again don’t we all?

Ah look at my attempt to sound wise and be deep when I can’t really think of anything to write about. I wish I’m like other people who can always think of something profound to write, even if it’s about the most mundane topics, like Kohler kitchen faucets. I’m sorry. Maybe tomorrow.

Dear Diary

Last One Working

day one.

And just like that, I’m the only one left here in the office for our team.

I was getting ready for work earlier when I got a message from Reggie, my teammate, telling me that two of our team members were on sick leave today, as well as asking me if I could go to work early. I was already wearing my gym clothes then, and I thought of doing a quick work out before going to work. I figured I could still get to work at around 1…but then I decided against it because I don’t think I’ll be able to have a relaxing work out if I have to think about work while I was there. There’s nothing like a rushed work out to make my day sour.

So I went to work and helped hold the fort while the others are sick. There’s nothing serious that needs oximeters, though, just colds and fever, probably because of the extreme heat and cold from outside and inside the office, respectively.  Two people on sick leaves is okay, but we also have another teammate on maternity leave and our team lead is also sick (the originator of the virus, hah!), I knew I needed to get to work ASAP. And since my midshift partner, Earl, is also out sick today, I’m alone here for midshift. At least until 9:30, when I can finally go out.

Thinking about work suddenly made me realize how long I’ve been in this company. I’m turning three in this company this July, and although it’s not as long as others, but it’s the longest I’ve stayed in a company. Then again, there’s no comparison, because this is my second company ever — third, if you count my OJT company. And I can’t see myself moving to another company anytime soon.

I’ve posted about it a lot of times before when i was new here, and I know the posts about it has been scarce for the last, oh, I don’t know, two years? I guess being so used to work has kind of left me jaded about how blessed I am to be here, even if my stress levels can get to the high heavens. Sometimes, when stress and annoying people get in the way, I forget how much I prayed for this job. I forget how blessed I am to be chosen to be here, and to like what I do. It’s easy to forget these things.

So today, while I’m alone here at work, holding the fort — at least until 9:30PM — I’ll take the time to appreciate the work that I do, and what being here means to me. Work doesn’t rule my life, but I can’t deny that I wouldn’t be who I am if I weren’t here. Yay for the work that I do! :)

I just realized: after what I wrote here, I must be every manager’s dream employee. Haha. Kidding. :P

Okay, time to get some dinner.

Big, Fun and Scary Things

March: Thirty Days of Celebration

So here’s the deal.

I want to do something kind of big this month. Again, March is one of my favorite months, and I don’t want this month to go by without challenging myself somehow. I know, it sounds crazy because I seem to find a lot of challenges to join for myself every now and then…but what’s life if you’re not challenged, right?

Or maybe I am just crazy.

Anyway. The last time I did a 30-day blogging challenge, I failed at the end because of the flood that caught all of us by surprise. I’m sort of pretty sure a flood will no longer happen — at least, not anytime soon, so I guess it’s pretty safe to have another 30-day challenge, right?

But I realized that last year’s blogging challenge was kind of hard for me because I didn’t have any focus, not unlike Riz, who focused on blogging about 30 awesome things. I didn’t have any kind of theme — I just blogged because I felt like it. This time, I want t have some kind of theme with my blogging, and because I’m turning 24 this month, I figured…why not write about things worth celebrating?

Tada! Here’s 30 days of Celebration!

I have a feeling I’ll be complaining about this sometime soon, about how I’m running out of things to write about, but I do hope I’d contradict myself and find it easier this time. :) It may be something grand to celebrate about, like watching the upcoming Paramore concert, or turning 24, or even something as simple as getting roller blinds…I’m pretty sure there is something worth celebrating everyday, right?

The 30 days will run from March 2 to March 31, so the official start is not until tomorrow. I thought of writing this as my first post…but that might be cheating. And yes, I’m doing that to challenge myself further. :p

Oh, and there will be an additional challenge for myself this month, but I’ll mention that when I’m done, because I’m not really sure if I can actually do that challenge. Okay, I may not have made sense there, but…yeah, I’ll explain next time. :P

So, hello, March. :) You’re going to be awesome. ♥