Saturday, January 5, 2013

Happy New Year!

I've got no new year's post here.

Because I have decided to create another blog for more serious, thought-provoking, inspiring posts (at least i hope that to be)

I call that blog "love and graces" because first -- it's the meaning of my name! first name means "beloved" and second name means "full of grace." :)))) And secondly, because I want that blog to feature thoughts and experiences that manifest God's love and grace in my life, and in the lives of those dear to me.

Here's the link if you're interested...http://loveandgraces.blogspot.com/

Have a blast this year!

all the best,

mcshe

Women and Shoes

When I visited the book fair (MIBF) last September, I found this book entitled "Why men don't have a clue and women always need more shoes."http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Have-Women-Always-Shoes/dp/0767916107

Upon seeing the book, a particular incident with my husband immediately flashed through my mind.

When we were moving out from my former single's pad (to our rented apartment), my husband was disgusted when he found out I've got too many shoes. He said "do you really need all those shoes?!" I answered, "Of course!" and then he stressed -- "I don't even see you wearing most of them."

I didn't answer back, as it would only fuel an argument, but in my mind was a raging question -- why can't he understand I need those shoes?!

I was tempted to buy that book so I could have my husband read it, and make him understand my fascination for shoes, but knowing that it's just one of those books which feature the great controversy of the sexes (only with a funnier title), and I was on a budget constraint, I figured out it wasn't necessary.

And it wasn't necessary indeed!  Because now, my husband has come to understand that every once in a while, a new pair of shoes is necessary to keep my sanity :) A lucid wife is a happy wife. And a happy wife means less whining and nagging the husband.

So on some occasions, he agrees to stashing out a portion of our budget for my new pair of shoes...on a condition that he can buy something for himself too -- sports gear, car accessories, or his own pair of shoes!
his and her shoes
But, to be fair with me -- I have already deviated from being sooo imeldific! In fact, I have decided to keep only a few pair of shoes, and give away the rest to charity!  I think that will be one resolution that I can easily and immediately achieve!

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Husband's Profile

On December 1, 2012, my husband FINALLY became a full fledged PASTOR! He has worked in the field for 16 years, and was not ordained until he got married! (Thanks to me, joke :)

Here's a profile I wrote for the Ordination's souvenir program. I feel happy, and honored that SCLC requested me to write this for him.... :)

JOSHUA ECAL CASTILLO



His most cherished dream is to become a medical doctor. But some twist of fate and circumstances made him to walk the road less travelled.

Joshua Ecal-Castillo was born on September 24, 1970 in Catarman, Northern Samar. He is the eldest child of Ricardo Ariola Castillo (deceased) and Remedios Cuanico-Ecal.  He was not born in a Seventh-day Adventist family but he was baptized at the early age of seven together with his father. They came to know the faith through an evangelistic crusade.  The rest of his siblings were baptized in the years that followed, while his mother who comes from a devout Jehovah’s Witnesses family was the last to be converted.

He finished elementary in Tabacuhan, Elementary School in Olongapo, and then graduated in high school as member of the pioneer batch of Central Luzon Adventist Academy in Bataan.  He first came to Philippine Union College (now AUP) in 1987 and took BS in Medical Technology while working in the school’s farm department.  After a year, he was asked to come home and stop schooling.

He was out-of-school for three years.  Though it may seem that it was a meaningless period of his life, God must have used this “idle” opportunity to make him realize what He really intends him to do.  Through his father’s encouragement, he reluctantly joined the summer canvassing ministry in their place. During this time of meeting other people, and sharing  the printed pages, he said-- “I’ve realized that most people are afflicted not with physical ailments but with spiritual maladies, thus the world needs more pastors than doctors.”

In 1990, he came back to PUC (AUP) to pursue  Theology.  When he finished in 1995, he chose to work in South Central Luzon Conference as a Literature Evangelist. From 1998-2011, he went to all provinces and to almost every place in the SCLC territory serving in various capacities as teacher, evangelism assistant, church pastor, and district pastor.  His first work assignment as a regular-denominational worker was in Lubang Island. Like the Apostle Paul, he was so filled with idealism and fervency in fulfilling his mission to such extent that getting married was out of his plan.  But God had a better plan.

In 2011, he met, courted, and married Ms Sheryll Ann Manese who works as Guidance Counselor in AUP Academy.  After their wedding, he was moved from Southern Quezon 1 where he served as district leader for three years, to Eastern Batangas 2.  On February 25, 2012, this newly married couple is blessed with a bouncing baby boy Johann Josh who is now nine months old, and who continues to be the couple’s unfailing source of inspiration, and pure joy.  On June 2012, he was called to transfer to Central Luzon Conference, where he now serves as Pasay City Adventist Academy’s school chaplain, and Bible Teacher.

His life has obviously gone through a lot of unexpected twists and turns – from his dream of becoming a doctor to fulfilling a mission as a pastor, from leaving south to moving north, from being joyfully single (for the longest time) to being happily married (and unexpectedly having a child), from CLC to SCLC to CLC again –through all these, the one thing that remains unflinching is his love for God and His work. And so for him – his heart resonates the words in Joshua 24:15  “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord ” whenever, wherever, whatever!

Thoughts From a Loooong Bloggin Break

For the past months, I've been busy. Very Very busy that blogging had to be put aside.

And once I get this rare chance to blog...I sit in front of the computer, and before I even open my blog site, my mind rages with several blogging issues, I couldn't deal with them and so I had to put off writing.  It happened several times. Hence, this very looong blog hibernation.

This morning was different, however. I got into the same scenario -- I am in front of the computer, and once again my mind prompted me to blog, still, the same issues rage over my head -- but unlike the other times, I braved myself this time, set the issues aside, and write!!!! Yehey, for me!

So, what were those issues?

First, I struggled with the fact that due to my very busy (and busy-busyhan) schedule, perhaps I really couldn't and shouldn't maintain a blog. There were times, when I had good and exciting things to write about, but because of more important things to do first, I couldn't find the time to write about it, and when I do, it's already outdated. Sayang. I have to be realistic. Maybe this bloggin thing is not for me.

Second, I find it hard to decide on a blog theme. Been following a lot of blogs lately, and I noticed that most blogs have themes to which they write things of a main topic, i.e -- motherhood, marriage, food, travel, career, etc... Should this blog be about my mommy experience? How about my experiences at school? As a teacher? How about my travels, seminars, and other gigs? (parang may gigs nga, hehe!)

Third, I doubt how this blog would affect me, and other people. Since I'm opening my thoughts, my self, my life to the world wide web, that's for all the world to see, I wonder if  I'm creating a good influence? Do I get to inspire people? Or just entertain them? Or do I just make them read a lot of nonsense so people might think I'm nothing but nonsense?

You see, I wanted this blog to be some form of a ministry -- that's inspiring and informative at the same time, but I don't know how -- I'm NOT a very serious person. I'm happy, and giddy, and perky, and loud (hehe) almost all the time, and my writing's just the same. Inspirational thoughts are supposed to be serious, and formal which is not me, at all.... so, how? I'm afraid I might be misconstrued as someone whose just having fun, and nothing else.

But today, I put all those issues aside. I have decided to:

1. Not push myself to maintaining this blog. I will write whenever possible. I don't mind getting into a long blogging break again. It's better than not writing at all. I will put first things first, and then write to blog when I get the chance. If it becomes outdated, sorry na lang :)

2. Not put any theme to this blog. That's why I called this blog "she's all that!" it's really supposed to be about a lot of things under the sun! A blog should speak of who you are -- and this is me -- RANDOM!

3. Just write. And pray that despite my informal writing, I will still get to translate good vibes to others. For seriously, I am happy, and perky like this because I am blessed. :)

Sunday, October 7, 2012

ANONG NANGYARE?!

I know. I know. I have not been updating! It's been some time. Been very busy these past weeks, so even if I had so much to write about... I was forced to do first. things. first.

just for a timeline -- here's what happened.

September 14-23 -- Accreditation preparations. Cleaning the office. Clearing files. Doing Exhibits. I spent a lot of times in the office. Time in was 7 AM, time out was 11 PM. Bonggang bonggang overtime! Dinners were Jollibee delivery... my bad!

September 24-28 - ACSCU Accreditation. I'll write about accreditation and what happened during our accreditation when the results come out. hehe.

September 24 -- hubby's birthday. I wanted to write about him. About how wonderful a husband he is.... but. but. but!!!! -- there was accreditation... so.. hay. Some other time na lang. We did a little party for him, though, and I mircroblogged it on fb.

September 29 -- Johann's dedication. Brother-in-law's family, and mother-in-law came to visit. Fun times.

October 1-5 -- was just filled with meetings, counselings, and program preparations. Oct 5 we had special program for Teachers' Day. I will write about that too...

Today. Today is not a good time to make several updates in this blog, either. I have two examinations to finish. Plus I have hubby's lesson plan to finalize.

That's all for now.

FIRST. THINGS. FIRST.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

For the love of Books!

I am Manila International Bookfair's frequent visitor.

For two reasons -- I love to be surrounded with books, and second -- it's the time of the year when books are sold for great great discounts!

I first learned about MIBF back in two thousand three. My friends and I attended it at the SM Megatrade Hall where I bought my very first leather-bound NIV Bible, and some books by Max Lucado.

I returned in two thousand seven with a group of faculty members from the academy, that time it was at the World Trade Center where I scoured books about Sciences for our Library... I remember we were all treated for a hearty lunch at KFC courtesy of a book company.

Then again in two thousand eight, and nine, and ten at the SMX Convention Center. I missed last year's MIBF because I was preggers.This year, since we have no classes for two days because of the ingathering and no classes will be disrupted, all faculty members is allowed to go..So at seven-thirty am, a busload of teachers and students <members of the Booklovers club> left for SMX Convention Center. We came to the place about thirty to forty-five minutes earlier than its opening time which is still at ten am... so we took chances for some picture taking...



here's Ma'am Bosito who's as goofy as....

ME!

one click...

isa pa...

isa pa ulit...

isa pa ulit

paulit ulit?!







By ten am, the hall opened, and we each had gone our own ways...Due to a very limited budget <I'm buying for my office' collection>, I had to be very wise in choosing -- reference book materials published abroad costs thousands of peso pesoses! grr. So, I hopped from one booth to another, choose for the ones I like, and then reserve! reserve! reserve!

By noontime, I got into the FULLYBOOKED booth, and found practically most of the things I wanted, which made me realize that this bookstore is better than NBS -- collections wise.. hehe... And then this---

this costs 5K!





this costs five thousand plus, minus twenty percent off, which makes it four thousand plus na lang... I flipped over some pages, read some reviews, browsed some topics, put it back on the shelf, got it back again -- hay, I was in a dilemma. This book would mean everything to the practice of my profession, but then again, if I buy this as a reference material for my office, this would be the only thing I'd be able to buy! I told you I'm on a limited budget. I thought of checking with the University Library if they have a copy of this...but! I don't want to borrow, I want this to become a personal companion...

Just as I was deciding, the husband texted and he said he's coming over so we could have lunch together... I talked to one of the salesladies, and told her to reserve the book for me. Maybe, after lunch I could make up my mind....

The husband came, and we looked for a place to dine, and chose -- Chef de Angelo which offers an Eat All You Can Buffet for only One Hundred and Seventy-Five Pesos! We checked for the menus -- there's two types of pasta, mushrum soup, garden salad, rice, chicken salpicao, and mixed veggies...we thought it's sulit, so we both go for that Eat All You Can!!!

<for the record, Chef de Angelo was the place -- of --- 'the day he met my mother'!> so that's another significant place for us.
Even if I always end up giving mini lectures on dining and eating-out etiquette, I don't mind spending a lifetime dating him.

Obviously delighted! I like Italian dishes!

No sharing na, kung no sharing!







After lunch, we headed to the department -- SM Baby Co to be exact to buy things for our little boy <whom we sorely miss>...At first I thought of buying only a pair of Sabbath clothes for his dedication... but we ended up buying fifteen items!!! I thought my frugal husband would complain... but he was even the one who told me to buy this, and that...

By three pm, I was back at SMX, my husband who also has a forgotten love-affair with books wanted to come in, but he had to be in school for their three pm Week of Prayer session.

I went back to FullyBooked booth... and, I knew it! I will buy the Counseling book, and use my personal money to buy for some other books that I like. Never mind if I go over the budget, I figured out I can have my personal money reimbursed, and justify why I need that book so badly. I bought two other books from Fullybooked which cost seven hundred plus, and four hundred plus respectively.  Then I went to CSM booth <Christian Strengthening Ministry> which is being managed by Baptists. The sell all their books for only a hundred pesos <as in everything 1OO! parang bargain lang>-- including books by foreign authors Smalley, Chapman, La Haye, Sala, and others.. plus other local authors such as Ed Lapiz, and my UP Prof -- Dr Grace Koo. I bought Dr Koo's book entitled "Raising Wise Dads, Moms, and Kids" which now occupies our bedside table.

I spent Five Thousand Eight Hundred Forty -- that's for the school's books, and two hundred ten pesos -- for children's books. All that, for the love of books! And there are some more books which I still hope to buy soon, or sometime... like this one --
this costs around four hundred fifty five



or you <readers!> could probably give that one for me as an early Christmas gift! <wink, wink>

at the end of the day, nothing can be more delightful than coming home and seeing this bundle of cuteness

who is obviously more delighted for the mere fact that mommy splurged for him!!!
By the way, the Manila International Bookfair runs until tomorrow... i have more free tickets, pm me if you like. I don't have pictures inside the hall because I was busy -- reading! hehe

Saturday, September 8, 2012

BABY'S DAY OUT Part 2

After mind museum we had a quick lunch at Jollibee which was just right there at the lobby, then we headed off to Manila Ocean Park.

I have always wanted to visit Manila Ocean Park.  For the past years, I had hoped that the Student Government would choose it as a field trip destination, but students always opted to go somewhere far <oo nga naman, Manila can be visited anytime kasi...> For this year, however, students thought to give MOP a try.

I just learned that Manila Ocean Park has several areas, each with different entrance rates.  The main area was actually the Oceanarium, but students who have been there said that it's just a small, rather short tunnel of glass of fishes, and it's not really that nice, they said.... and so we chose their latest attraction which is THE TRAILS TO ANTARTICA. It has three main parts -- the Penguin Exhibit which showcases live Humboldt penguins in their natural antarctic habitat. Johann loved watching those little penguins flapping their happy feet... maybe because he thinks he actually looks like them, hehe; the next part is the ice slide <which had no ice when we visited> where visitors can have a "salbabida sled ride experience." I didn't get to try that because I was carrying Johann... but i heard my companions well-out hooray on that slippery inclined plane... must be fun; the third part is the Snow Village -- Johann was not allowed to get inside because the guy there said it's really cold, and it sure was ffffrrrrrreeeezzzzzzinnnnng.We were given jackets before we entered a small snowy room that looked like an appropriate background scene for the song Frosty the Snowman. There's nothing to do there except dance in the snow, and pose for pictures. We did not stay long, it was really cold you'd get frostbite.

with kuya ted
johann's fascinated with the dolphins


that's inside the snow village...brrrr

posing to the tune of frosty the snowman....

see! i told yah... he's startruck with those happy feet!



BUT. We're not choosing it as one of our I-T. We think it's not worth it... it's probably good for smaller groups, but for five hundred plus students... they will just crowd the small area and do nothing since there are only three things to do inside. Personally, i think it fell short of my expectations.

 I still want to go back to MOP, though.. to visit the Oceanarium, experience some fish spa, or maybe... enjoy a night with my family at the H2O hotel... that's just hoping for now... hubby's very frugal, i'm not sure if he'd allow us to spend for that.

After MOP, we went to MOA, visit the NSDC, and the Robot Zoo. We had the chance to visit NSDC during its first opening... I liked it before... I don't know what happened to it now... it should have gotten better in five years time... but it got worse.  The Robot Zoo features animal robots. Cool for kids.

Before we headed home, we got to ride the MOA eye...since it was past class hours, my husband came to join us. Unfortunately, the bulinggit was not allowed to ride with us... it might be dangerous for the little one daw... so it was just me and hubby with some kids inside the cubicle. When we got down, we thought we should have brought Johann up there... it's not scary naman pala.

Baby's day out just confirmed one truth about my bulinggit -- he loves to be anywhere but inside the house! He's more behaved and controllable when he's outside than when he's inside... mana mana lang talaga!








After getting off the MOA eye... feeling sorry that Johann was not able to join us up there.