Silence my heart Lord, let me be reminded that You are here.

Silence my heart Lord, let me stay in Your love.

Silence my heart Lord, and embrace me with Your amazing power.

Silence my heart Lord, as You create a clean heart for me.

Silence my heart Lord, as You strengthen my inner will.

Silence my heart Lord, as You heal me.

Silence my heart Lord, as I listen to You.

Silence my heart Lord, as I follow You.

Only You can heal my life

Praise, honor and glory Be to Your Name.

AMEN.

-day 107

Photo
Arizona, USA

Thank you Robi Marapao of Faith, Hope and Love!
for the VERSATILE BLOG AWARD! Yay!

Robi writes about inspiring soul food articles that will help you
grow closer to God. Please do check him out!

RULES TO FOLLOW:

* Thank the blogger who awarded you and add a link to their blog in your post.

* Share 7 things (possibly nobody knows) about yourself.

* Share the award with 15 other recently discovered blogs that you love and inform them!

SEVEN THINGS ABOUT MYSELF.

1) I am the eldest of three, the only female!

2) I wore eye glasses at Grade 4, contact lenses in college and then back to eye glasses!

3) I've always had pimples, acne and super oily skin!!! PROACTIVE did me good!!!!

4) I love to write! As soon as I'm over writing it, I'm ready to move on!

5) I love Leo Buscaglia, the writer of Living, Loving and Learning book!

6) I've been blogging since 2006.

7) My son, Mimoi, loves ABC MOUSE (online games for Pre-K to 6) - educational, fun and free!

ABCmouse.com: Full Online Preschool - Kindergarten

It is my pleasure to share this award to my TOP 15 fellow bloggers!!!

My Top 15 Versatile Bloggers:

Blanca Santos Dela Cruz - http://blancnotes.com
ChrisAir Martinez Abenes - http://www.fitandfashionmom.com/
Crumpyblog Liong-gan - http://www.tsinoyfoodies.com/
Gagay Dinampo - http://walkingnewspaper.com/
Irene Cortez - http://softvoiceofafreespirit.blog
Joy Blanca - http://www.joysflair.com
Mark Morfe - http://markpogi0121.blogspot.com
Mary Jane Tauyan Fitzsimmons - http://www.tauyanm.com
Noel Dela Cena - http://www.oninsperspective.com/
Noks Sosa - http://www.siningfactory.com/

Sumi Go - http://www.thepurpledoll.net/

SuperStu Saldajeno - http://therealsuperstu.blogspot.com/

Stef Dela Cruz - http://www.stefdelacruz.com/

Tess Torrecampo-Chancellor - http://smartssway.blogspot.com/

Yuu Ki - http://www.mangabookmagazine.com/

Enjoy the award and hope you'll share the love to others!

NAMASTE.

-day 106

At home in New Orleans!

New Orleans, Louisiana through my lenses!

Join me as I ignite my lovely memories of the city I lived in for more than three years!

The city that welcomed me with open arms.

The city that taught me lessons that helped me grow.

The city where beautiful, warm, caring, thoughtful and loving Filipinos live!

B L A S T F R O M T H E P A S T

MY JOURNEY - OUR JOURNEY.

Check out

Coming to New Orleans - Canal Street
Coming to New Orleans - The House
Coming to New Orleans - Airport and Out!

at PINOY TEACHER'S STORIES.

Thanks for reading! :)

NAMASTE.

-day 102-104

I play SOCCER!!!

Prior to entering 2nd year college, we were interviewed, one by one by our College Assistant Dean.

He looked at my grades and then asked, "Are you sure you want to major in Computer Technology?", I said, "Yes Sir!", he blurted "Mmmm... why not PE?"

PE was my lowest grade!

"Are you OK sir?", I answered, "As you can see, I do have the lowest grade in PE!!!"

I wasn't into sports, well, during high school days, I did play Volleyball with my friends. The homeowner's association would organize summer sports for youth, and I was part of that. I did have PE classes - table tennis and dance! and I did play fun running and other games when I was a kid!

But that's about it!

I mean, I would rather read and write than play sports!

So, I kinda surprised myself yesterday BECAUSE for the very first time in my entire life, I PLAYED SOCCER (the whole 9 yards!)

Well, I was in for a surprise! I was catching my breath the whole time!!!

I haven't exercised for 2 weeks and then this!

The league has just began! (for sure I have more stories to tell!)

For the mean time, my body aches! LOL!

-day 101

Liebster Award

I've just been given the Liebster award!!!

Thank you Michi - check her out at My Other Nook. (She blogs about giveaways, promo, contest, sale, announcement, tips and anything under the sun!)

Liebster is a German word that means beloved or favorite. This award is only for blogs with fewer than 200 followers, so up-and-coming bloggers are recognized for their creative works!

Here are the rules to accept this award:

1) Each tagged person must post 7 to 10 things about themselves.

2) Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.

3) Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

4) Copy and paste the award and rules on your blog.
5) Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
6) And most of all - have fun!

10 Things About ME.

1) I am still, up to now, learning how to cook!

2) I love to read! I'd make sure to finish what I'm reading even if it's past midnight already!!!

3) I can be with my computer all day, all night!

4) I miss the Philippines! (It's been 5 years since I left!!!)

5) I don't have tantrums ever! Not sure why! Lol!

6) I can have very good appetite! Especially with junk foods! -BEFORE! (trying to change! promise! :)

7) I love to take photos (which reminds me, I want to buy a new camera...mmmm)

8) I want to buy an Apple laptop (soon!!!)

9) I want to finish my Masters here in the USA!

10) I want to travel to Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia! :))

My 5 TOP PICKS are:

1) Violy Vallester of Vivi's Random Ramblings - she's a a traveler and a photography enthusiast and blogs about her adventures from Asia, to Middle East and Europe!!

2) Mhe-anne Ojeda of My Comings and Goings - she blogs about "...just where life takes me!"

3) Lorenzo Caballes of enzo's point - he blogs about love,life,leisure,lessons and more...

4) Ritchell Thibodeaux of Improving Life with Ritchell - she blogs about simple things learned in life.

5) Gil Camporazo of Gil Camporazo's Random Thoughts -he blogs about lifestyles, news and commentaries on various topics, worth-emulating works and of general interest.

Be sure to check out their blogs and leave them some love!

Enjoy!

Gemma

-day 100

Go placidly...

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life,

keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

DESIDERATA

Max Ehrmann c.1920

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28

NAMASTE.

-day 99
Photos:
Enriquez' aquarium
Gallup, New Mexico

My Life In A Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco, USA

I feel like I am currently in a "bridge". My life hangs at the moment. My life on hold.

I don't want to be poor.

I don't want to be old.

I don't want to be fat.

I don't want to be alone.

I don't want my color.

I don't want to be stuck in this job!

I don't want to have enemies.

I don't want to be sick.

I don't want this... I don't want that!

Funny,

but the more we dwell on things WE DO NOT WANT,

the more W E W I L L A T T R A C T I T!

I repeat, the more we FOCUS on things, people, places WE DO NOT WANT, the more WE ARE CREATING those same things, people and places to come into our lives!

We cannot fight NEGATIVITY.

It will always win!

It is a total waste of time!

 I N S T E A D

Focus, dwell, picture, VISUALIZE
things, people, places, events that
YOU WANT!

Turn negative thinking to POSITIVE THINKING!

I am rich! I have lots of dollars!!!

I am eternally young!

I am slender, healthy and sexy!

I now move on to a better place.

I am peaceful.

I have good friends.

I am surrounded by friends, family and co workers who are supportive, committed and goal-oriented!

I am happy with my boss!

I love my wife/husband.

I am totally healthy!

I am filled with love and affection.

I choose my words, thoughts and actions wisely. 

I am free! 

A matter of changing our VIEWS on life. 

A matter of shifting our thoughts to what works and what matters!

Nothing to lose. Let's try it together - Let's see our RESULTS!

A RECOMMENDATION 

Check out this excellent book on self-healing!

You can heal your life 

NAMASTE.

-day 97

Embracing Change!

 We live in a world where things are always changing. The seasons come and go, the tide comes in and out, inflation goes up and down, people get hired and fired... You would think we would learn that the underlying law of the universe is change! Instead we get angry!

Happy people don't just accept change, they embrace it!

Andrew Matthew's FOLLOW YOUR HEART

Check out my A Dream Come True! 

post  at PINOY  TEACHER'S STORIES 

blog site.

Thanks for reading! :)

NAMASTE.

-day 95/96

Snow White! - Mud!

I just could not contain myself when I first experienced snow in New Orleans!

I was talking to my principal then, when she suddenly blurted, "OMG!, you wouldn't believe this!", and I responded (my back facing the windows), "that it is snowing?!", she said "YES!", and I jerked! It was snowing!!!

This was the first and last snow experience I had in that state.

Coming to New Mexico, not even a week old in this state and we were greeted with snow, snow and more snow!

Beautiful white!

Real beautiful, except for what's also real - mud!

-day 94

Run, Gemma, RUN!

After too long years we played children's game again!

Cebuanos call it "Buwan-buwan".

My heart was pumping hard!!! This was way better than Zumba!

The game also got me thinking to start running as a form of exercise already!

THREE REASONS WHY:

1. I want to fit into my old pants again!

2. I've been delaying this activity for too long already! Too many excuses - not good!

3. I want my "recollection/retreat" time - this could be it!

It was a great way to end our Spring break- I wish we'll have snow day tomorrow! Lol!

Thanks playmates!

March 17, 2012
Bebeth's residence
Farmington, New Mexico

Photographer: Mario Mari

-day 93-

No Coincidences!

"You see, whenever something unexpected or "unthought of"  

falls onto our path, it's ALWAYS a stepping stone in a journey 

to a "place" that we have been thinking about, because in time and space, as you well know, there are NO ACCIDENTS and COINCIDENCES.

Life is far too amazing, majestic and perfect for accidents and coincidences to exist that would rob us of our freedom, glory and power."

GREAT BOOK
Check it out!

On a related note, 

I've also created MY VISION BOARD to help me in visualizing my dreams!

Believing our thoughts become things and that there are infinite possibilities- why not?

See if it'll work out for you too - here at

Pinoy Teacher's Stories. 

-day 92