Celebrating the Gift of Life

"God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well." - Voltaire

I am so thankful to God for giving me another year here in Kobe Japan, another wonderful year that is full of blessings.  I am also thankful for the gift of wonderful family and friends who remembered me on my birthday. The birthday wishes were just overwhelming.

I have learned many lessons in life in my forty something years, but this is the most important lesson that I've learned -- Count your blessings whether big or small,  and not our troubles or problems.  This way, God will continue to shower us with blessings :).

And here's my birthday gift for my self - Macbook Air :))).

The Rainbow After the Rain

You can not have a rainbow without a little rain.

THE RAINBOW AFTER THE RAIN

Author: Maple

God never promise us a good life on earth;
but He gave the assurance that there will always
be a rainbow after the rain.

Life on earth is not always what we expected
and wanted it to be. But if we can put our
trust in God, He can sail us through definitely.

God never let us bear what is impossible;
and He makes sure what we bear is the
limit that we can take without much difficulty.

After the rain, things will be changed;
everything on earth seems to be new
and clean. With these renew scenario,
we should be:

- a more positive and courageous person
as indicated by the RED of the rainbow;

- a creative, thoughtful and joyful person
as indicated by the ORANGE of the rainbow;

- an intelligent, confident and logical person as
indicated by the YELLOW of the rainbow;

- a renewed, generous and practical person as
indicated by the GREEN of the rainbow;

- a peaceful, sincere and responsible person as
indicated by the BLUE of the rainbow;

- a relaxed, devoted and wise person as
indicated by the INDIGO of the rainbow;

and last but not least, a spiritual and idealistic
person as indicated by the VIOLET of the rainbow.

Taking Care of the Temple

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?”1 Corinthians 6:19

Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live. ~Jim Rohn

We are what we eat and we are what we do to our body.  If we eat unhealthy food and do not take care of our body, then we are doing harm to the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Since our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, we have to be kind to our body by taking care of it, by eating healthy food and exercising regularly, for ourself, our family, and for our loved ones.

It was last year when I reached my breaking point. I was not really overweight, but I couldn't stand the way I look in the pictures and I couldn't wear my favorite jeans anymore. So, I decided to lose weight. My effort has paid off. I achieved my weight loss goal, and I feel healthier now. I can now wear my favorite jeans and so happy of my achievement. After all, I am responsible of taking care of my own body because it's the only place I have to live.  

Recently, I received an inspiring feedback from someone who told me that I have the body of a twenty something woman and that person likes my new pictures where I look really fit.  Isn't that amazing?  It feels really good to get nice feedback like this. Now I am more inspired to continue my quest to take care of the temple.

Arroz a la Cubana Recipe

I saw this recipe of Arroz a la Cubana at PanlasangPinoy.com and I want to try it soon :). This is actually a Spanish recipe, not a Filipino recipe. Wanna try?

Arroz a la Cubana Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
• 1 lb ground pork
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 cup frozen green peas
• 1 medium yellow onion, minced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 6 pieces fried banana (saba)
• 6 pieces fried eggs
• 6 cups of hot steamed white rice
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Cooking Procedure

1. In a large cooking pan, sauté the onion, garlic, and tomato
2. When the tomato becomes soft, put-in the ground beef and pork. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes.
3. Pour-in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and raisins. Stir and then cover the pan. Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or until the liquid evaporates.
4. Remove the cover and then put-in the green peas. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes in low to medium heat.
5. Arrange in individual plates with steamed rice, fried bananas, and fried egg.
6. Serve. Share and enjoy!

Number of servings (yield): 6

Random - Little Mermaid's Cinnamon Bread

I so love this cinnamon bread at Little Mermaid's bakery. It's not so sweet and the taste is just really good. I know it has lots of sugar and the topping is full of calories. That's why I only eat this cinnamon bread once a week, otherwise I will get fat :). I eat this cinnamon bread during the weekend as a reward for myself for working hard during weekdays.  I work out everyday, so eating this cinnamon bread once a week should not do me harm :).

I'm also going to miss this cinnamon bread when I move to Singapore next year. That's why I never miss to eat this once a week while I am still here in Japan.

Then and Now

This picture of mine was taken over a year ago. This was how I looked like before I started running and working out. I was more than 5kg heavier and feeling unhealthy then.

August 2011

This is how I look like now, after losing more than 5kgs.  I look thinner and feel healthier too, and now becoming an exercise junkie :).  Can you see the difference?

September 2012

I may not be there yet, but I am closer than I was yesterday.

The Love Letter

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.

John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad

Almighty God 

Fitness Junkie

I love to exercise. Ever since I achieved my weight loss goal through exercise and healthy diet, I decided to continue exercising regularly to stay fit. I feel that I always have more energy and I can think better every time I exercise. For me, this is not just about being thin or skinny.  It's about being fit and healthy.

I don't go to the gym. Going to the gym is not my thing. I instead do 5km running 3-4 times a week at the Greenbelt jogging trail. Those days that I don't run,  I do dance exercise or aerobics with weights at home.

Instead of spending money going to the gym, I decided to invest money on the following dance exercise DVDs.

Here are my favorites:

I love Zumba!!!

Core Rhythms - My DVDs are in Japanese. There's no English version, but this is easy to follow, so the language does not matter :).

Billy Blanks Taebo

My latest addition - the Jillian Michaels' DVDs. These are more intense and more challenging. There are different levels of exercise. I am still in Level 1, but I find level 1 already intense.

He Will Carry You

A beautiful and inspiring song that is worth sharing with everyone. I love listening to this song. Whenever I listen to this song, all my worries and fear of uncertainties disappear, for I know that the Lord God will never ever forsake me especially in times of trouble.  I just have to trust in Him with all of my heart and everything will be fine. Happy Friday!

Celebrating Five Years of Faithfulness!

It's been five years since I decided to sponsor the schooling of one poor child in World Vision.  I'm so thankful to God for giving me this opportunity to help an unfortunate child who wants to go to school but can not afford due to poverty. My sponsored child is now in high school.  How fast time flies!