Monday
June
8, 2015
My
Expectations
Another year has started and I am now on the last stage
of my college life. (Yeah, finally!) This semester, one of our major subjects
is Creative Writing. To be honest, I am not so confident of my writing ability.
But I have here some expectations for the class, for our teacher and for this
subject. First, I am expecting that we will have a great time with our two new
classmates, our kuya and ate--- kuya Rhine and ate Ellyn. I look forward to the
new experiences that we will be having with them. Then, aside from our new
classmates, our teacher is also new for me since this is the first time that
she will be handling us.
The first time we had our class, I thought of it as
scary. It was because I am not really into writing but later on, I realized
that this class will be a blast! I love the way how our teacher deals with us.
For instance, when she gives us some life advice, it’s like I’m being
enlightened, and the way she teaches us is not threatening. I know I will be
learning a lot from this course. And I just hope that aside from leaning, we
will also have fun. I may be young and I still have lots to learn, but with the
experiences I have, I really do hope that I could be a good writer someday.
Tuesday
June
9, 2015
Promise (Peksman :D)
“Promises are meant to be broken.” That’s what I always
hear from people who were promised by someone but nothing happened. Despite
from that, I still believe that it depends on the person whether to keep or not
to keep that promise. Keeping a promise is an extension of honesty. So I have
here some promises which I really hope I can keep.
This year, I have plans and promises to keep. First, I
promise to myself that I will give my best shot since I am already a senior
student. Second, I will eat the right foods, and I will exercise (like for
real! :D) so that I will be healthy and fit. Third, I promise to read lots of
books to broaden my knowledge. I believe that reading is the cheapest way to
travel. J
Fourth, I promise to be a good daughter, a loving sister, a noble student, a
kind friend and a better person. Lastly, I promise that I will do my best to
keep these promises. Keeping your word is a black and white issue. You either
make happen what you said is going to happen, or you don’t. Above all, keeping
your word makes a difference.
Wednesday
June
10, 2015
Perfectly Imperfect
“Love your curves
and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections.” I may have flaws, but
I am perfectly made by God--- that makes me his princess. Well, let’s get this
on. I am 5’4 and I weigh 49 kls. I have a fair complexion. My eyes are kinda
big and they say my eyelashes are long. I do have a big forehead and I am very
much proud of it. My hair is straight, not so long and has a brown and golden
color. The holes of my nose are a little bit big, Hehehe. I don’t have a
perfect teeth, but that doesn’t stop me from smiling.
I am not skinny. Let’s just say I’m healthy and cute, Hahaha
:D. I do have baby fats in my tummy. I have a stitch in my right breast. I got
this from an operation 7 months ago to get rid of a cyst. I don’t have a
curvaceous body but I am sexy in my own way. The size of my foot is 9.
Approximately, I have 15 moles in my body. This doesn’t include my moles in my
head.
I have imperfections but I am content with what God has
given to me. I am a first rate version of myself. I am proud of what I am
because if I don’t have any of these, then I am not Princess Olive Ocat Baldoza
anymore. Above all, I believe that I am perfectly imperfect.
Thursday
June
11, 2015
5 Years from Now…
“The
best way to predict your future is to create it.” 5
years from now, I’ll be 24 years old already. I can imagine myself as an
English teacher in High School, probably just in our place in Bindoy. By that
time, I had already finished my Master’s Degree. I’ll be very much happy with
my profession. Most of all, my class will not be composed of my students----
hence I shall call them my family.
Ever since I was a kid, I always dreamed about my dream
house but this house is not only for me, but for my parents. 5 years from now,
I’ll be able to have the enough money for the renovation of our house. By that
time, it will be a 2-storey house already. Then, I can buy the things that my
siblings need and want. All I want 5 years from now is really for my family.
Maybe the only thing I want for myself by that time is that I can travel around
and outside Negros. Well, on my
love-life side, I also pray to God (if we really for each other) that I will
still have him beside me when that time comes.
Five years may seem like a very long time, but I know God
has reserved something special for me.
Monday
June 15, 2015
My
Guiding Words
Proverbs
3:6
“In all thy ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.”
This is my life verse. This
verse applies to all believers, and of course I am one of those believers. Yet
is even more than to those who are in service of God. God never chose any
person to work for Him because of the ability within themselves. God chooses
people with no formal training or in simple terms, just ordinary people.
If we look for things to thank
God for, we can surely find more and more reasons to be grateful for. On the
other hand, is we look for things to complain about, then we will find more and
more reasons to complain. This also means that God will bless us if we will
thank Him and if we will do things in His way. Even if many times, we seem not
to understand the things that is happening to us, we just have to trust God.
When we depend so much on our own ability, we fall short. That is why we have
to acknowledge Him and He will surely lead us to the right path.
Tuesday
June
16, 2015
Words to Guide My Way
“Life is not a matter of chance, but a matter of choice.”
Attitude
plays a very big role for a person to succeed or to fail. Success begins with
adopting the right attitude. On the other hand, a bad attitude holds most
people back and prevents them from succeeding. Life is not just about a bed of
roses, it also has many thorns. We can’t escape the countless challenges that
life brings. Hence, it depends on us if we will lose faith or continue to live.
You may not always end up
where you thought you were going, but you will always end up where you are
meant to be. God has plans for us but we also have to take or part. Most of us
would say that life is just from birth to death. Yet we must not forget what’s
in between those letters, letter C which stands for choice. Life is a story and
we are the actor of our own life. Therefore we should make our story the best
seller. I don’t believe that we only live once. We die once, but we live every
day. So make the most of it.
Wednesday
June
17, 2015
The Voice of My Soul
Music is what feeling sounds
like. We have this odd feeling like there are songs which perfectly fit to what
we feel, true right? Well. I don’t have a particular favourite song because it
really depends on my mood but Jessie J has this song called “Flashlight” and I
love it. It’s the soundtrack of the amazing movie, Pitch Perfect 2. I don’t
know but since I heard this song and learned about the lyrics, I started to
love it. This song is for my family, my friends, my loved one and God.
“When tomorrow comes, I’ll be on my own, feeling frightened of the
things that I don’t know…” This is the first line of the song. Basically,
I’m also afraid of the things that may happen along the way. But as the song
goes on, it says “I’m stuck in the dark
but you’re my flashlight, you’re getting me through the night.” With the
persons I have around me, I will not be afraid anymore for they are my
strength. Whatever happens, as long as I have them, everything will be fine.
Thursday
June
18, 2015
Food Porn
“I’m on a seafood diet. I see food
and I eat it.” (Funny! Hahaha) I really love to eat. But
more than just eating, we love to eat home cooked food. “Luto ni mama” is the
best for me. She cooks with love. She always say that nobody taught her to
cook, she just observed my grandmother and tada…
she’s now a good cook.
A few of her best sellers are humba, and adobong manok. These dishes of hers are really mouth-watering. Most
of the time, having a family of eaters, Haha, not even a single piece could
have mercy. :D I am not choosy in terms of the food I eat (it shows in my bodyJ). But seriously
speaking, I will not exchange the foods that my mother cooks to others.
By the ways, most of the time,
if I were to be served with any food, I’ll be glad to eat (taste) it all, :D
Hehehe.
Friday
June
19, 2015
He’s the Man!
Dads
are made because they are the only guys, except from God, who will never break
your heart. Yes, my favourite person is my father. All the people I love are my
favourite, but this entry is just for him since I already featured mama. His
name is Nichol Balasabas Baldoza, 42 years old. He is a laborer at Central
Azucarera de Bais. He works there for almost 20 years.
I am not very close with him,
He is strict at times but he is also a joker. I’ve been into various
disciplinary moments with him. And every time I think about it now, I just
laugh about it because I hated him but actually, it was all my fault. Papa is a
very hardworking person. He can so as many jobs as he can just to send us all
to school. I guess I got many features from him. Aside from the physical look,
I also share some traits with him just like being talkative. He also sings…
when he’s drunk. To add, he cries when he’s drunk. Fathers also commit
mistakes. Yet whatever happens, they are still one of the great contributors to
the birth of great persons. I am proud of him and so much blessed because he’s
my father.
Monday
June
22, 2015
Source of Strength
No
magic potions, no fairy dusts, just what’s inside us. That’s what you called
inner strength. Strength does not come from what you can do. It comes from
overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t. I have learned to
distinguish my strengths so that I can overcome my weaknesses. I really do have
the desire to improve myself in many aspects. I am smart and I have the
eagerness to reach my aspirations. I acknowledge my mistakes and I am open and
willing to seek for help and change. I am also humorous and lovable. I am a
quick learner and versatile.
Aside from those that I’ve
mentioned, I’m also a listener and a keen observant. I can speak and convey my
thoughts in front of other people. I guess I still have to discover my
strengths (other strengths) inside me. But, the real source of my strength is
my family, friends, loved me and most especially-God. It’s like I can do
everything or I can face any trials and circumstances as long as I have them.
That’s how important part they are to me. They are my power bank…
Tuesday
June
23, 2015
My Kryptonite
Admitting
your weaknesses does not diminish your strengths, it only shows your courage.
Knowing what I am weak in can help me become a better person. I am lazy
sometimes. If I have deadlines to meet, I usually say “later” or “I still have
time.” Most of the time, I do my tasks on the last minute before the deadline.
Procrastination it is. I’m also a sensitive person. I easily cry and I admit,
it’s my weakness. Also, I have this attitude that even though I already know
the answer or I have something to say in my mind, I’ll just keep silent. I
don’t know. Sometimes, I’m very vocal but there are times that I really don’t
want to express my thoughts and feelings.
If the people I love are my
strength, they are also my kryptonite. Because of my love for them, I get so
affected when they are being hurt by others. Or perhaps the other way around
like every time we have misunderstandings, I get so emotional. Maybe I am just
so attached to them and the real thing is I don’t want to lose them. If
possible, I want to be with them till eternity. Without my family and God, I am
nothing.
These are my weaknesses. My
weak spots. I may seem to look as a strong person outside, but the inner side
of me isn’t. Despite that fact, it speaks of myself. It’s part of who I am but
I have a choice whether to get stuck in it or use it as tool for me to become a
better person.
Wednesday
June
24, 2015
My Triumphs
In
my 19 years of existence, I have been joining into many competitions already.
Perhaps the greatest triumph in my life was the day that I was born in this
world, hehehe. For me, the word triumph is quite broad. I guess survival or
living every day is already a triumph.
Now let’s talk about my
triumphs. I was a consistent honor student in my elementary years and I
graduated as valedictorian. During high school, I also performed well. Then,
when I was in my first year in college in Bais, I was a dean’s lister. God
blessed me with a gift in singing. That is why I won several competitions ever
since I was like 5 or 6 years old. Just recently, I won the title Miss Bindoy
2015. Aside from that, I am now in my fourth year in college and soon I will
become a teacher (hopefully). Even though I still have lots to face before I
reach that but I just feel triumphant that I have survived. Above all, being a
child of God is also a triumph for me. The fact that I live a life from him is
a gift which I will use and live wisely.
Thursday
June
25, 2015
A Dream that You Wish Will Come True
“A Dream that you wish will come true.” Isn’t
it wonderful to have a fairy god mother who will grant all your wishes just
like Cinderella? How I wish I could have one too. Well I have many dreams in
life, it’s free so it means I could have as many as I want. Aside from my dream
to become a teacher, I also want to become a celebrity, Hehehe. I guess all
most of us have reached that point of imagining ourselves inside the
television.
In line with this, the reason
that I want to become a celebrity is to meet my long-time-crush. He is Lee Min
Ho (Jun Pyo of Boys over Flowers). Yeah! I’m so ambitious, Hehehe. Aside from
that, I also really want to travel around the world. I want to meet people from
all races and most especially, I want to taste all their delicacies (modus
operandi! Haha). Then, I would also dream to become a chef, a wife with 2 kids
(of course with a husband), a mother, a musician and to be happy for the rest
of my life. Above all, I will not dream about my life but I will live my
dreams.
Friday
June
26, 2015
Mr. & Mrs. Baldoza
My
mother is my superwoman and my father is my first love. They are Oping and
Nichol Baldoza. Both of them came from a not-so-happy past. At the age of
12, my father had to work for his family because his father left them and had
another family. His mother had a cancer of the ovary. That situation made him not
able to finish school. My mother was an achiever way back in high in her
elementary and high school years. But because of poverty, she wasn’t able to
proceed to college. At the age of 20, she got married to my father.
Mama and Papa are my
inspiration. Despite the fact that they have 6 children, they really do their
best to provide our needs. They do everything just for our sake. I will work
hard after I graduate to give them the life that they deserve. They taught me
to never give up and to always believe that my future could be whatever I want
it to be, that I just have to believe in myself and to God. My parents are not
perfect but they are the most precious gift that God has given to me. I am who
I am today because of them.
Sometimes, we are busy growing
up and often we forgot that our parents are also growing old. I love my parents
very much and I am proud of them.
July
3, 2015
The Who?
This person is a girl. She
wears eyeglasses sometimes because there’s something wrong with her eyes. She
has curly hair. She walks like a boy. When she talks in Cebuano, you can really
identify where she’s from. She has a loud voice. And she is a politician. Like
she’s saying “Enough! I don’t like him anymore, and then the next morning… back
to normal.” Hehehe. Peace yow!
The person I’m talking about is
obviously Janice Segue.
Tuesday
June
30, 2015
Red Carpet
“In the future, everyone will be
famous for 15 minutes”- Andy Warhol. What do I want to be
famous for? Or do I really want to be famous?
Living this life I have now
is truly a blessing. It’s like the things I want and need are present in my
life and these are all given by God. So if I will be famous, which I don’t want
to happen, especially when it means being a celebrity. I believe being famous
also means losing your identity. For a period of time, people will praise you
but sooner or later, someone better will come out and you will be forgotten.
What I want is just to live a life in accordance to the will of God. I will do
good things to my family, my friends, my colleagues, and to the community where
I live in. As a would be teacher, I will do my best in creating and honing
humans for the betterment of the world. In that way, I can be remembered by the
people who knows me. Every time they hear my name, they will immediately smile
and tell good things which they can remember about me. Now that’s what you call
famous. We can all be famous in our own special way.
Wednesday
July
1, 2015
Ella Elephant
In the herd of elephants, there’s this baby elephant
named Ella. She is so nosy. She has lots of questions in her mind and sometimes
some of her friends get irritated with her. Despite that, Ella is an adorable,
cute elephant.
One
fine day, while she was
taking a stroll to get some water from the river, she saw grandpa elephant who
was also drinking. Ella approached grandpa elephant.
“Hello Grandpa Elephant”, greeted
Ella.
“Hi little fella. I’m glad seeing
you here, replied grandpa elephant.
“Can I ask you a question grandpa?”
asked Ella.
“Oh, do I have a choice? Hahaha,
exclaimed grandpa elephant.
“Hmmm… I was just wondering, how did
we got our trunk? asked Ella.
“Come here Ella. I will tell you a
story.
Ella was very excited to hear the
story of grandpa elephant.
Once upon a time, our ancestors
looked just like pigs. They didn’t have trunks. There was a baby elephant who
was drinking water at the river. While she was drinking a crocodile came up and
took her neck and threw him in the water (crunch crunch crunch). Many baby
elephant were killed by crocodiles during that time. Then one day, a big
elephant named Max bravely went to the river, he wanted to see the killer
crocodile, but he grew impatient when he didn’t see the crocodile. Max got
thirsty, he got nearer to the river and when he was about to drink a crocodile
rose up from the water and grabbed the nose of Max. They pulled and pulled,
both showed real strength, until the crocodile let go of the elephant’s nose. Max
fell back and realized his nose had grown 3m longer! Very quickly he ran back
to the elephant herd and said. “Hey guys! Look! - having a long nose is awesome
because you can lift stuff and drink water easier!”
“And that’s how
we got our trunks Ella.”
“Oh I see. Thank you grandpa
elephant”, said Ella.
“You’re always welcome Ella.”
Tuesday
July
7, 2015
Candid
Way back in high school, I really
had solid friends, well we still are today. In a class, we were just 20 all in
all--- 3 boys and 17 girls. From first year to fourth year, we were classmates.
All the good and bad things happened to us, but what’s nice about it is that we
were there for each other. When graduation was fast approaching, we decided to
choose to sing the song “Today My Life Begins” by Bruno Mars. Back then it was
really a popular song. I was the one who
held the microphone. We all had big smiles on our faces knowing that we will be
facing another chapter of our lives. “Oh
just like all the seasons, never stayed the same. All around me I can feel the
change.” That’s the line where I saw some of my classmates crying. I remembered
what I said to my classmates that we shouldn’t be crying because our make-up
will be ruined. While I was saying that, I was just controlling my tears from
falling. It became harder for us when we were told to hug our parents. That was
the time that I really burst into tears. My father and mother were there and
they too were crying.
“We
only got one life to live. So you better make the best of it.” That’s the
line where I realized that for four years of seeing their funny faces almost
every day, I can say that we almost know each other’s personality very well.
Now, every time I can hear this song, I can reminisce all the memories we
shared together. Even if we are far from each other and even if we have
different priorities in life now, we still make sure to spend time together.
Indeed we are called to grow
together, but we are destined to mature ourselves far from one another.
Wednesday
July
8, 2015
Wish it, Dream it, Do it!
If I could wish upon a star, my wish
would be to have a chance to travel to different places around the world. If traveling is free, I would never be seen anymore. I started to have a desire
to travel when I was in first year college and I saw a post on the internet
showing many awesome places. I was like, “WOW!” From then on, I started
collecting pictures of beautiful places. I downloaded videos to feel the
feeling of traveling or being in that particular place. Perhaps that’s really
my wish. If that may happen, I could possibly forget other things that I should
be doing and worst, I will have no more time for my family and friends. Maybe
at the right time, I would really love to travel because for me, going to other
places will bring me closer to God. I could meet people from different walks of
life and I could appreciate even more the wondrous creations of our creator. I
have read this quote from Cesare Pavese that says, “If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off your
envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears.”
Tuesday
July 14, 2015
I am Ready
If I have one
window to look out for the next six months, it would probably be inside a
classroom with 40-50 high school students. By that time, I’ll be doing my
practice teaching. That classroom will be conducive for learning, and the
environment will not be threatening for my students. I chose this particular
view because it feels good to see myself standing in from of my students, and
there I am, teaching with compassion. Every time I look out that window, I feel
I am on pins and needles. At the same time, I feel excited. 6 months may still
be a long time but as of now, I am preparing myself for the start of the
greatest battle of my life. This window will serve as a venue for me to prepare
myself with all the things that may happen. Although I really don’t have a hold
of the future but I have faith in God. He will help me in passing all the exams
in my life.
Wednesday
July
15, 2015
Tattooed Heart
There was a time
where Ditdat, a 25 year old teacher, heard a knock from the door. She went
outside to see who that might be. There she saw a courier. They’re about the
same height. The scent of the courier seemed familiar to her. Then the courier
gave a box to Ditdat, she opened it and there she saw a bizarre thing---it was
a tattooed heart (not a real heart though). She was puzzled because her name
was on that heart. The box didn’t have a note or something that would tell her
who sent the box. She wanted to ask the courier but when she looked around, the
courier was gone. When she was about to enter the house, she noticed that
there’s someone behind her. When she turned her head, she saw her long-time
boyfriend named Vince. He was kneeling and holding a ring. The courier guy who
gave the box was Vince, only he put some prosthetics. Added to that is the
tattooed heart which symbolizes the love of Vince to Ditdat. It made the
choreography even better. Plus all her friends and family were there. At the
end, Ditdat said yes to the proposal of Vince.
Tuesday
July
21, 2015
Mask
A family came to
me to have their photograph taken for a holiday card. The family looked classy
and rich. They wore elegant clothes and they smelled really good. I told them
I’ll take first a photo of the mother and father. They seemed okay but I
noticed that the father didn’t look at his wife. It was as if there was no
spark between them. The couple had 3 children. The eldest is a fine young man.
He looked so serious like he doesn’t know how to smile. The middle child is
also a boy but I can sense that he’s not what he really shows to his family.
The youngest is a cute little girl. She wore a beautiful dress but her eyes
seemed to have no emotions at all. Perhaps she’s sad. When I asked them to
gather for me to take a picture of them together, I felt sad because there’s no
love between them. I can’t feel it. I came to realize that most of the wealthy
families are experiencing this kind of thing. They have all the money and the
things they want and need. As a result, they hardly talk to each other because
they have busy schedules. They have their own worlds and that created a barrier
for harmony and peace to come in. It was really hard for me because I’m not
used taking photos of sad people. In front of other people, they smile a little
and act as if nothing is wrong. Yet one can really see the difference
especially when they have a good relationship with their families, just like
me.
Wednesday
July
22, 2015
An Abode of Love
A newlywed couple
decided to buy a place which is quite far from the city. The woman is a
licensed teacher and at the same time, she’s into modelling. The man, on the
other hand, is a licensed engineer. He works at a big company abroad. They have
different jobs but they both love music. Sam and Jed has been together for
almost 10 years. They studied at the same school way back in college. They got
married in the church where Jed proposed to Sam. The couple live in a simple
yet cool house. Ever since Sam was a kid, she wanted to have a two-storey house
with a terrace. Then, when she grew up, she wanted her house to look native but
concrete outside and sophisticated inside. Jed took care of that since he’s an
engineer. Jed chose the place. He wanted to live in a peaceful place. In their
house, they don’t have a maid. They help each other in doing the chores.
The house is filled with
laughter. It only proves that this is the couple’s abode of love.
