onelife

Dream Came True

2015-09-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

September 20, 2015
A dream became reality since my last
post in December 2013. Dreams do
come true.... 2014 Euro trip.

But first my freedom jump

in the old town in

Dubrovnik, Croatia....

2014 and 10,000 Hours

2013-12-31T21:18:00.000-08:00

A happy abundant prosperous and all things nice 2014, everyone.
10,000 hours they say is the time used up to become an expert in
just about anything.
The New Year's resolution is to be an expert in positive thoughts,
emotions, feelings, attitudes, expressions and actions.
10,000 hours is roughly 1 year and 2 months. So, I have until
the end of Feb. 2015.
Long way to go.....but it shall be done.

A Time of Transition and Greengate at UNIQLO

2013-10-22T19:20:00.001-07:00

A time of transition, I find, is not the most active time for blog-posting. I'm neither here or there, but I know my direction.I guess it's the inertia of the past acting like gravity, meanwhile that the new plans, dreams, mindsets and habits kicking in act as propulsion to the future. A hiatus, but at the same time, a 'zero limit' dimension where anything is possible, including my plans and dreams. But, ironically, those plans and dreams are actually a return to the real self , the authentic self or aspects of it, that I left behind in the process of growing into adulthood and dealing with the world. And the real self is what really brings joy, happiness and contentment in life. And discovering Greengate designs at UNIQLO brought me back to flashes of childlike and ageless sunny joy .

Thanks to Greengate website for the pics.

2013-08-14T17:59:00.002-07:00

For a blog that started as personal and transitioning into a monetized one, all means that could help to increase traffic and exposure are welcome. I've tried affiliate programs and links to other sites, and to some extent it has increased traffic, but so far, not adequate enough to generate income. Another way to enhance the monetizing capability of my blog would be much welcome. I found LinkFromBlog in a another blog I was subscribed. I decided to register and part of the activation procedure I selected was to put this hyperlink in a post : buy blog reviews. For those who are in the same boat as I am and to those who are interested, there's nothing to lose and everything to gain in trying this out.

Random Act of Kindness from/for Cofee Lovers -- " Suspended Coffee" and Being on A Sate of Suspension

2013-08-08T18:39:00.000-07:00

Three months since last post. On a transition, waiting and expecting some things to come to pass. Planning and taking some baby steps for the plan to take off, gestating, germinating, like being in the cocoon/larvae stage. And building/testing my patience and faith. On a transition and swaying between expectation/excitement and anxiety/impatience. Not quite here and not quite there. But will bounce back. In the meantime, sharing the post below. This was posted on Facebook via Amazing Things in the World and I think it’s inspiring!
Suspended coffee donations
"This story will warm you better than a coffee on a cold winter’s day:
We enter a little coffeehouse with a friend of mine and give our order. While we’re approaching our table two people come in and they go to the counter: “Five coffees, please. Two of them for us and three suspended.”
They pay for their order, take the two and leave. I ask my friend: “What are those ‘suspended’ coffees?”
“Wait for it and you will see.”
Some more people enter. Two girls ask for one coffee each, pay and go. The next order was for seven coffees and it was made by three lawyers – three for them and four ‘suspended’.
While I still wonder what’s the deal with those ‘suspended’ coffees I enjoy the sunny weather and the beautiful view towards the square in front of the café. Suddenly a man dressed in shabby clothes who looks like a beggar comes in through the door and kindly asks “Do you have a suspended coffee?”
It’s simple – people pay in advance for a coffee meant for someone who cannot afford a warm beverage. The tradition with the suspended coffees started in Naples, but it has spread all over the world and in some places you can order not only a suspended coffee, but also a sandwich or a whole meal.
Let’s try to embrace this tradition at our local coffee shop/cafe. If you can, donate a suspended coffee or meal to someone in need. Maybe someone will be inspired by your actions and pay the good deed forward.
" Sharing is caring.

Love to the World -- In Words and in Spirit

2013-04-30T18:14:00.000-07:00

If you can send words of love and the spirit of love to the world through the web -- that would be great. Global Love Letters does it with physical means through love letters dropped in the most ordinary places. Loved are the people who finds them. And may the movement succeed , as I'm sure, it eventually will, in these, their beautiful, laudable intentions:

"To shift the energy from pain to love

from struggle to flow,

from closed to open,

from unconscious to conscious,

from unaware to aware,

from lack to abundance,

from separation to unity,

from nobody to everybody,

from alone to all one,

from asleep to awake,

from suffering to elation,

from dis-ease to ease,

from not enjoying your experience to celebrating every moment,

from not knowing who you are to being ok with not needing to know,

from impatience to peace,

from needing to letting go,

from wanting to receiving,

from conditional to unconditional,

from expectation to allowing,

from judgement to compassion,

from being dissatisfied to gratitude,

from sad to joy,

from resistance to acceptance,

from disconnection to connection to all that is……….

Uniting fear and love as one….let fear be your friend and guide to the unmanifested…

Writing an anonymous Love letter and dropping it anywhere in the world for somebody to find is pure unconditional love in action. The beautiful thing about this is that you write it to you (we are all one) and you need no money to do this. This is divinity in full essence. There are no blocks to LOVE, only the ones you create within your own mind and choices.
You are in control of your reality, you paint it every day with your choices and the thoughts you think, the actions you make, the promises you say, the intentions you feel, the beliefs you uphold. So if you want to feel unconditional love today in its purest form, be part of the Global delivery of Love letters………."

Color Your World

2013-04-19T19:05:00.001-07:00

Coloring my world not just visually -- Pantone can definitely do that -- but through my imagination, through thinking positive and beautiful thoughts and feeling good inside, without the aid of external circumstances. "One Light, a million colors." Love color. Live color.

Sunflowers

2013-04-11T15:51:00.001-07:00

Summertime in the Philippines and an annual tribute to it is the sunflower-lined avenue leading to the University of the Philippines, around May.

Ice Cream in Three Languages

2013-04-11T04:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, can't help but post this ad for Nestle Ice Cream of the World Temptation series:

-
Quite engaging as the ice cream itself. I've tried Italian Coffee Affogato and its velvety/satiny/silky texture and almost subtle coffee-ness is AAA++++. Although I could use a little less sugary-ness. I've yet see French Salted Caramel in the supermarket, though. Will hunt for it.

Ok, this Italian looking guy speaking Italian and this Russian looking girl speaking French on the phone re their formal ice cream date ( have yet to get the translations of their conversation) . The unexpected endearing twist is the final exchange that surely captures the Pinoy sensibility, at least mine -- girl says "Sarap" (Delicious) and the guys says "Sobra" ( more difficult to translate and capture the exact nuance that the Pinoy idiom conveys --- over the top, more than satisfying, more than OK, to the max, I'm at a loss ...) Just get the ice cream and state your verdict in whatever language

2013-04-05T16:27:00.000-07:00

Easter, rebirth , resurrection , springtime ... it's celebrated and marked once a year. But every morning can be a time for a new beginning. So is everytime you pick yourself up from a fall, everytime you say sorry and everytime you forgive, everytime you set up a new goal or plan, everytime you say hello.

Happy Easter everyone!

(Thanks to www.japantv.com for the pic.)

2013-03-27T17:52:00.001-07:00

March 28 , 2013 -- Maundy Thursday Meditation :

Without Christ, the cross is just an instrument of torture . With Christ, it is an instrument of Love and Redemption -- "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall no perish but have eternal Life. "

J'Adore Dior --- The Poetry and Perfumery of It All

2013-03-09T13:41:00.004-08:00

"If it's out there, Dior will find it. The most desired secret ever. Born in the sun, water, air, fire and earth, Through the rarest flower gardens, beyond the deepest seas, to the edge of the world, where fragility finds her strength, and the material becomes the ethereal. Falling like a drop of gold, into your waiting hand. Perfectly formed, perfectly free. You don't discover this essence, it discovers you, J'adore, Dior."

The power of advertising at its best.Engages the mind and emotions and finer sensibilities, and hopefully the pocket.

Symbols/Metaphors as Expressions of Mindsets -- Dove, Serpent, Eagle ---

2013-01-30T00:45:00.000-08:00

One lesson I've had to learn in trying to deal with the world, realistically and effectively --Matthew10:16 -- be cunning as serpents but be gentle as doves. As an idea, it is quite interesting, because of the contrariness of the two symbols. Graphically/visually, the imagery is disturbing , but strong --

( Thanks to the sources/owners of the images from the net.)

The eagle invariably denotes power, strength, vision and leadership. What is less encountered is its symbolism for transformation, growth and renewal, as what the following excerpt expounds --

" Eagles are the most long-lived bird in the world. By the time they reach 40 years old,

their claws start to age, losing their effectiveness, making it hard for them to catch

their prey. The lifespan of an eagle is up to 70 years old. But in order to live this long,

the eagle must make the toughest decision when it’s at 40. Their beaks begin to grow

long to the point that it reaches its chest. Its wings are extremely heavy due to thickened

feathers making flying extremely diificult The eagle is left with two choices – do nothing

and await its death or go through a painful period of transformation and renewal. For

150 days, it will first train itself to fly beyond high mountains, build and live in its nest and

cease all flying activities. It then begins to knock its beak against granite rocks till its old
beak is completely removed. When the new beak is grown, it wold use it to remove all it
claws and await quietly for all new claws to be fully grown. When the new claws are
fully grown, it would use these to remove all its feathers, one by one. Five months later,
when feathers are fully grown, with renewed strength, it begins soaring in the sky yer

once again and is able to live for the next 30 years.

In life, as an individual, in a ministry, even in an organization, sometimes, we have to learn

to make difficult decisions so as to make room for changes. Changes bring about renewal. And

the only way for us to soar again is to let go of old ways,old habits, old life. For as long as we

are prepared to put aside our old baggage (past glory or shame, past success or failures), be willing to become zero, with an empty cup mentality, we will be able to discover our potentials

and head towards a renewed perspective in any aspect of our lives. Yet, at the same time, I am

also reminded of Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

I used to wonder why the Lord would associate those who wait upon him with the eagle and not other birdslike peacocks, chickens or turkeys. God has intended that we should soar on wings like eagles, run and not be weary, walk and not faint. But this could only be possible when we

hope and wait on Him to renew our strength and be prepared to be moulded all over again – be zero again, be still again, be quiet again. And the journey of renewal will be painlful and requires an attitude of – “ I want. I am willing”.

May this sharaing encourage you all. Finally , bold, be strong , for the Lord thy God is with you.

365 Creativity

2013-01-12T17:08:00.001-08:00

Here's a New Year's resolution for 2013 to keep the creativity on gear every day of the year -- create something everyday ( "365:A Daily Creative Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" by Noah Scalin)

The book gives a list of URLs of those who have done it. Your passion is it, your oyster, your world. The possibilities are endless.

Check this out -- creating miniature 365 dresses -- one-a-day:

Angels Over Switzerland

2013-01-01T20:29:00.000-08:00

Neutral, quiet, peaceful, private as in banking secrecy, independent but not necessarily non-committed -- the impressions one gets of Switzerland, even for someone like me who hasn't been to the country, just from reading about it. As in the Twilight saga novel when Bella declares "I am Switzerland." in the midst of an altercation between a vampire and a he-wolf. Really, that made me laugh. Or just from watching "The Sound of Music" or from singing/hearing "My Favorite Things" which I assure you can calm me down. Nice,no,gorgeous, as in Urs Buhler of Il Divo. Not to mention Lindt chocolates. Angels might just be flying over Switzerland.

Angels Flight over Switzerland by bestdestination

Pantone 2013 Color of the Year - 17-5641 - Emerald Green

2013-01-01T19:24:00.000-08:00

Emerald green, declared by Pantone as the color of 2013 -- green, being the color of life, nature, abundance, growth, good health and the color of money -- an apt color for the kind of year 2013 I claim will be for me. ( Images from Pantone website and from Pinterest, thanks). This is one Pantone event I watch out for every year.

Living the Beautiful Life in 2013

2012-12-31T10:22:00.001-08:00

Just a little more than two hours after the 2013 countdown, just came from a 'media noche' with the family and the wine is still keeping me awake. It seems like a good time to lay down my New Year's resolution. Here is my list:
1. Be unfreakable. Do not let myself or my inner self be affected by adverse external circumstances of any kind. Do not expend any energy reacting to undesirable things;
2. Be of an abundant state of mind and manifest a better place to live in, a home for my soul; and live the life in a style that says 'life and its living is beautiful';
3. Do the things and enjoy the things that will make my heart, mind and soul sing.

In short, live a beautiful life in a beautiful place doing and experiencing things that are beautiful!

Ready for Christmas

2012-12-14T22:02:00.000-08:00

Yey, I'm done with my Christmas preparation, the tree is trimmed and the presents wrapped and I had them all pose for souvenir pictures before the gifts are sent away to their owners. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

The center-point, of course, is the nativity scene.....


I think my tree is prettier this year, especially with the Victorian-looking trims in red and gold	.

And , of course, Santa should be there...

Paris Thing

2012-12-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

Posting here an addition to my collection of Paris-themed stuff -- this time, a video of Minnie Mouse in Paris. Thanks , You Tube , Disney and Barneys, NY.

I Believe in Santa Claus

2012-12-07T13:32:00.000-08:00

I believe in the idea of 'Santa Claus" symbolizing the spirit of giving, of abundant giving and giving for the sake of giving ... as in giving yet another mug for Christmas to somebody who doesn't need yet another mug because that's what the budget would allow.

It would really be nice if I could see the real physical Santa Claus and not just the trimming on the Christmas tree or the myriad Santa Claus toys hanging like acrobats in windows and Christmas displays. But I believe in the idea of Santa Claus winging through the Christmas night sky in his reindeer-powered sleigh dropping off gifts.

Yes, Virginia, I believe in the idea of Santa Claus enough to log every Christmas on a Santa Claus tracking website ( a Norad site, is it?) to know where Santa Clause is this minute and that. It's a Christmas treat, doing that.

But, let's here it from an expert on religious and spiritual things. Here's a very nice discourse from G.K. Chesterton :

" What has happened to me has been the very reverse of what appears to the the experience of most of my friends. Instead of dwindling to a point, Santa Claus has grown larger and larger in my life until. It happened in this way. As a child I was faced with a phenomenon requiring explanation. I hung up at the end of my bed an empty stocking. I had done nothing to produce the things that filled it. I had not worked for them, or made them or helped to make them. I had not even been good --- far from it.

And the explanaion was that a certain being whom people called Santa Claus was benevolently disposed to me.

And as I say, I believe it still. I have merely extended the idea. Then I only wondered who put the toys in the stocking \; now I wonder who put the stocking by the bed, and the bed in the room, and the room in the house, and the house on the planet and the great planet in the void. Once I only thanked Santa Claus for a few dolls and crackers, now I thanks him for stars and street faces and wine and the great sea. Once I though it delightful and astonishing to find a present so big that it only went halfway into the stocking, now I am delighted and astonished every morning to find a present so big that it takes two stockings to hold it, and then leaves a great deal outside, it is the large and preposterous present of myself, as to the origin of which I can offer no suggestion except that Santa Claus gave it to me in a fit of peculiarly fantastic good will."

OK, while wondering who would and why give G.K. Chesterton dolls when I read or saw a picture somewhere that he is a boy/man/male, let me go back to gift -wrapping the mugs.

Merry Christmas, and happy holidays, everyone. HO-HO-HO!!

Vera Wang - Design in Fashion and Architecture

2012-12-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

I love it when a fashion collection has a distinctive idea or concept behind it ... when the intellect is intrinsically and palpably engaged in the design process in fashion or clothing ... when the concept or idea is transmuted into something material and physical as a piece of clothing .. fashion design as an intellectual process or activity ...

Check out these ideas and words from Vera Wang ---

"Vis-à-gris
Opposites (black and white, structure and flou) are reconciled in grey. Grey, at once industrial and poetic: hard as steel, dove-soft.
Illuminated with flashes of color, sparkling ornamentation, an engineered architectural print, the achromatic granite-toned scale throws the textures of sculpted wools, solid felts, and cowled chiffons into relief.

Clothing as sanctuary: The body protectively enveloped in the soft armor of a fitted sheath, the sharp discipline of fencing-inspired jackets, the structured carapace of a coat."

Kinetic Art

2012-11-30T20:36:00.000-08:00

Here's a new thing for me --- kinetic art. I don't know yet how long it has been around , nevertheless it's a new and curious thing for me, just discovered it this Saturday morning and it just got to me that well , I'm posting something about it ( Thanks You Tube) here .. to mark the event ..

November Update --- The Christmas Spirit Is Getting To Me

2012-11-25T02:01:00.001-08:00

Just started putting up my Christmas tree - still a work in progress - actually three weeks delayed. In the past, I usually trim the tree right after All Saint's Day. There must be something about the Christmas spirit. I was thinking of not doing the decorating and gifting thing this year -- I'd rather rest and chill and dodge the Christmas crowds and traffic. But here I am picking up Christmas gifts here and there, and just last night, dusted off my old tree from hibernation and started dolling it up ... Guess I'm going with the Christmas fun and frenzy this year, after all ...

Well, the mall beat me to it with its 'Hello Kitty Christmas' theme this year and I must admit it got through my planned jaded veneer with regards to the stress of holiday festivities and just keep to the essence and reason of the season, the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Well, if Christmas holiday glitters and partying is one way of celebrating and expressing the joy and happiness of the remembrance of that holy birth, I'll jump right in again, though not as early as I did in Christmases past.... quite late actually, since Christmas in the Philippines starts in September and ends first week of January.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, one and all !

Paris Souvenirs

2012-10-14T03:16:00.000-07:00

If ever you're in Paris and looking for some iconic souvenirs that don't do much damage to your purse, why not check Bons Basiers de Paris out... Simply, tanks with ---

Of course , the Eiffel Tower ......

and, on the 14th of July ....

and Oh-la-la , the French maid's uniform, the sexy version ...

.... French poodle , as if there is any other kind of poodle ...


Can-can , as only the French can ....

( Images from www.bons-baisers.fr )

For the Bucket List - Dance Around the World

2012-09-28T15:44:00.001-07:00

Here's another one for the bucket list :

I'll start in my own room ...