Prinsesa

A Bold Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:44:26 PDT

Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart
For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth.
- Psalm 26:2-3

My Ever After...

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:36:24 PDT

New work starts tomorrow! Yes, new work. For those who doesn't know it yet, I've finally decided to resign from my previous company. Sabi nga ni Jorge, "Buti naman nagkalakas ka na ng loob mag resign".

Honestly, it was not an easy decision. After all, I've been there for almost six years but I really felt that it is now time for me to move on and do some growing up.

Jucyn made this video on my last day...

and Nic made a super nice scrap book for me as a take home with lots of messages from the people I've worked with for my 6-year stay there.

I was trying my best not to cry the whole time it was shown and while I'm reading their messages. Haha. But it's just pure happiness. Just like the fairy tales, my stay is a combination of ups and downs but it just made the whole story more exciting. I'm so blessed to be have met lots of good mentors and found great friends there. They are truly my "happily every after". :)

As they say, there would never be Goodbyes, just "See you later!"

Thanks so much, Smartees! See you around. :)

Tinipak Rocks in Tanay

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 07:46:58 PDT

I'm gonna blog this before I completely forget or get too busy again. Hehe.

After our successful #AlanganingWeekendRoadTrip to Pansol then to Nuvali then to Canlubang, we found ourselves on a road trip again to Tanay, Rizal. More specifically, to Tinipak Rocks by the Daraitan River in Barangay Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal. We called it #TheHaggardGames! Haha.

I've always knew Rizal too has a lot to offer when it comes to tourism, but I honestly haven't heard about this place until a friend showed us its awesome pictures when they first visited. Thanks, Jeloh!

According to the brochure given to us by one of the local tour guides,

DARAITAN RIVER was awarded as the cleanest inland body of water in Region IV and a finalist for national competition. It is an ideal site for mountaineers, backpackers and trekkers.

TINIPAK with it beautiful rock formation has splendid naturally sculptured marble formations that look like they have been chiseled or blasted by a machine, A favored place for fans of 4x4 drive and trekkers.

Clean body of water just a few hours near our area? Well, yes! And I hope it stays that way...

Tinipak Rocks and Daraitan River

But before we get to that, we first had to wake up as early as 5AM to meet everyone at McDonald's Q-Plaza in Marcos Hi-Way by 6AM. We rented a jeepney to take us there. Our ETD is 7AM but was moved to 8AM. It's almost a 3 hour drive from Cainta. We got there past 10AM.

The #HaggardGames tribute on our ride.

Of course we had our Don't miss out this sign when you're going to Tinipak Rock!

This way to Tinipak Rock!

Before we got to the trek, our jeep had to survive this wooden bridge first!

Wooden Bridge to Tinipak

The first thing to do when you get to Daraitan is to register in the Daraitan Barangay Hall. As of this writing, they charge P10 if you would want to visit the river. A fair price for me considering that it's a jewel to this town. You may also want to do your business when you get here since there will be no comfort rooms in the trek. Also, call or text your loved ones before you start the trek because there will be no cellphone signal in the mountains.

Daraitan Barangay Hall

After you register, you can now start your long but exciting walk to Tinipak River!

This will be the start of the trek. Behind that mountain is the river.

Make sure that you wear your trekking shoes because the road will really be rocky and slippery. We had to walk into streams before we get to our destination, and they say we already took the easy road! It took us about one and hour hour (including breaks and photo ops) before we got to the camp site. It was a long and tiring walk but the river is really a sight to behold! What else to do but take lots and lots of pictures! :)

We would've taken more pictures but we're running out of time. We have to move if we want to reach the camp site before sunset. But along the way, we already saw a few groups who's already camped in some parts of the river.

Finally, after going to a very steep downhill, we reached our destination...

Thanks Francis for the photo! :)

... it feels so good to jump slump down by the cold river!

And that's exactly what we just did the whole afternoon after setting up the tents. :)

While we enjoy the nature, complete with a roving eagle (or so we thought) above us and the sound of rushing river, Rye on the hand amuses himself with his stone towers...

The sun is almost setting, and so we decided to clean up and take a bath. Yup, by the river! Taking a bath has never been so challenging. Haha. Not only do we have to keep our soaps and shampoos from being floating away in the river (byebye, conditioner, huhu) but we also have to keep ourselves steady or else we too would be dragged by the current.

Bath by the river. Thanks Francis for the picture!

After freshening up, the boys set up the bonfire and we had our s'mores! :) Yummm! Dinner was a bit challenging. We had to lose a few hotdogs first before we got to eat. Hehe. We realized none of the boys attended boy scout and only Yvette has girl scout skills.

The weather was perfect and then it's also a full moon. God is so good. :)

I was already tired after dinner and so I went to ~~bed~~ tent early. The rest of the group played guesstures and talked til almost dawn. I woke up at around 4am because there's a sound otutside our tent (and i'm itching all over!). Good to know some of the guys are also up. :)

Cleaning up. Rye's rock tower is still standing. He's so proud.

By breakfast, we had to eat up everything we can so we wouldn't have to bring it to the trek again. We tried, but failed. We just gave them to the small house near the river. After cleaning up the camp (no garbages, promise!), we headed back home. I say it's easier to go back than to go up there. By this time, we're all craving of ice cold Coke and Jollibee!

More photos along the way, of course..

Thank you Lord for giving us the opportunity to do this! Thank you Tanay for the wonderful experience! It's nice to gain new friends while trekking down in your mountains. And I must say, the people of Daraitan, Tanay are all friendly. :)

PS. After the trek, you may want to visit the famous P15 fried chicken of Ate Nita! We forgot to take pictures, but it's in the corner across the barangay hall. Better yet, make a reservation before you go up the mountain. It's selling like hotcakes in there!

Repost: A Letter to My Children About Marriage

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 03:48:57 PDT

Sorry for another repost. But I think this one is worth it. :)

Got it from Raising Homemakers

Dear Children,

Should the Lord give you the good gift of a husband or wife, and I hope He does, there are a few things I want you to know. Things that you may not hear from anyone else, and certainly not on TV or other media. Sadly, your church may not even tell you.

Marriage, sweet little people, is not for the purpose of your happiness. Happy as I want you to be and hope you will be, you must yet understand that marriage is God’s design and His purposes must be pursued in order for you to be truly happy. His end is holiness and He will use all things in a life devoted to Him to fulfill that end.

To my girls:
Marry a man whose first pursuit is Christ. After that, he is not hard to please. Admire him, cheer him on and show gratitude, and he will fall over himself trying to please you. Smile often, speak well of him always, and do whatever necessary to try and maintain a pleasant mood about you so that it transfers to your home, making it a place where he and your children love to be.

You’ll have bad days of course, crying days even, and that’s when you go to your bedroom, kneel on the floor and beg the Lord to carry you. Then get up, get a fresh perspective (crayons will come off the wall), and try again. Above all else, make a home.

To my boys:
Marry a woman whose first pursuit is Christ. After that, she may be hard to please only if you don’t know “the secret”. What is that? I’m glad you asked. The secret to pleasing your wife is to make her feel safe and treasured. You may have to move out of your comfort zone to do this at times. She won’t always readily translate the oil change to love, though it means that. But let me give you a “secret question”–a question you need to ask her often. It’s not just in the asking, though. Be sure to focus your eyes on hers, maybe even touch her shoulder or face, and then ask: “What’s on your mind these days? “ And then be ready to listen. She wants you to draw her out. She will perceive this as your protection over the matters of her heart. Tenderness, listening, protection. That’s what she wants.

To you all:
If your wife or husband does something really stupid, forgive. If they do it again, forgive again. Forgiveness must be the propelling force in your lives each day. Dwell on the strengths, push out thoughts of their weaknesses. Take every thought captive–choose to love.

Here’s that part you are not going to hear often:

If you find yourself “not happy”, having lost attraction, disinterested, etc., you are not permitted to even think about a divorce. If you find yourselves arguing more and more, don’t think for a minute that “the children will be better off out of this”, because they won’t.

The vows you took on your wedding day were not suggestions. They were covenant vows, before a Holy God, family and friends, to stay with this person the rest of your life, even if you don’t feel like it. You swore a solemn oath and if you can’t live up to it, don’t get married. Decide up front that your marriage is irrevocable. There is far more motivation for getting along if your “marriage house” has no door.

Do not share intimate thoughts or feelings with anyone of the opposite sex. Do not find yourself alone for any length of time with such either.

Divorce is not a “private option”. It will affect multiple families for many generations. When you “separate what God has joined” you permanently injure far more than just yourself.

Guard your marriage as fiercely as you would guard your own life. Treat your spouse as an extension of your flesh, just as God sees you. Treat your spouse like other family members. You know, “you gotta love ‘em, they’re the only family you’ve got”.

I want you to be happy, I surely do. But I will pray for you to be holy.

Repost: Study Your Girl

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:35:27 PDT

This is just a repost from Pastor Dennis Sy's blog, Act Like A Man:

Study your Girl

Here is a formspring question:

Can you give some practical guides in studying the girl?

They say if you want your relationship with your girlfriend/fiancee/ spouse to flourish you have to study them. Here are some practical ways to study your girl:

1. Listen to her.

If there is one thing a girl likes, it is a man who knows how to listen attentively. When she talks, listen sincerely.

2. Know what she likes and what she doesn’t like.

Sa Tagalog, alamin mo ang kiliti niya.

3. Know her love language.

Does she respond with words? with an act of service? with gifts? with time spend with her? with touch? Read the Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman for a detailed look on the love languages.

4. Communicate.

Talk to her on your dates. Movie dates are ok but you don’t communicate on movie dates. Have coffee. For husbands, force yourself to dig deeper in the relationship. Sometimes the challenge is that there is nothing else to say but as you dig deeper or become more vulnerable, you are able to share a lot of what is in your heart.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:54:26 PST

Masaya pala tumambay sa poolside ng Condo pag umaga...

Sayang lang that we're always busy that we can't have the simple joys like this.

Double Rainbow! Double Covenant!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 10:00:19 PST

I am currently in a season where I must face many crossroads. I actually think that I may be suffering from a severe case of middle-life crisis. Fear of the future, regrets of the past, frustration with my present are just some of what's going on inside my head the past few months.

At the beginning of the year, God gave me this verse and I knew this is his word that He wants me to hold on to for this year:

For nothing is impossible with God. - Luke 1:37

And so I dreamed for the impossible. I prayed for the impossible. But I am now having doubts if God will truly fulfill those extravagant promises or if I would just have to settle again for what I can grasp right now and on the things that I could work on now.

But last Thursday, God painted a double rainbow in the sky just for me. Yup, not just a rainbow but a double rainbow. :)

Unfortunately, we only have the 55mm lens and I wasn't able to capture the whole spectacle.

Fortunately, my friend Marla who works in the area was able to caught it.

Photo by Marla Flavier

This was taken in McKinley Hill, Taguig. We just happen to be in the area on our way home when we saw this but I believe in my heart that God painted this in the sky just for me. :)

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth. - Genesis 9:16

Well, God did not only remembered His covenant with me but he remembered it twice!!!

So I guess that's the answer I am looking for. It's like God telling me: "Yes, I promised that to you. I remember that promise and you should remember that too. Believe it! Believe it! Believe it because that is my promise to you. Get it? Get it?"

Yes Father, I get it. Thank you for being faithful to your promises despite my doubts.

This One's Cute

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 03:45:15 PST

This image has been circulating in FB lately..

I find it really cute. :)

I can't trace back to it's original owner but kudos to whoever made it. But I think they should make it "not for you.. yet." and another one for girls too.. honestly, girls tend to be more clingy and makulit :P

"Love is Patient..." - 1 Corinthian 13

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:55:50 PST

"Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, an sing with joy.

For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does.

He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth."

- Psalm 33:3-5

Thank you Lord because I can rejoice and be joyful in every situation I am in. I trust Lord that you are true to your word and your promises. I believe Lord that you are in control of my situation and that your unfailing love will never let me go through this without a purpose. I know the answer to your promises are here.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:53:23 PST

10 As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the LORD,11 and they said to Moses, "Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren't there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? 12 Didn't we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, 'Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It's better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!'"

13 But Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."

Our journey with God and his promises is never a smooth road. He sometimes allow us to go through humps when we take a journey with him. Just like the Israelites, we take a step of faith to that promise and just when we thought everything is going well, our problems (in their case, the Egyptians) will start chasing us and try to catch up with us. Just like them, we will panic and will feel like giving up. We'd rather go back to our familiar lives and just live complacent lives. But this is not the life God wants for you and me. He wants us to live a full and satisfying life and he wants to take us there.

In this passage, Moses told us that the we shouldn't be afraid when our Egyptians come because the Lord will fight for us and he will rescue us. Yes, this is true. But we must also remember what God told the Israelites after:

15 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!16 Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers.18 When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the LORD!"19 Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them.

Here we see that God also tells us to "get moving!" As James tells us, Faith without action is dead (James 1:6). He also tells us to get into action and exercise that faith. Yes, God will rescue us and he will fight for us but we also must also act on what we ought to do. We can't just cry every night and then wake up to see our problems go away. Our faith causes us to be unafraid and unafraid people move confidently. Unafraid people are brave. Unafraid people move. This is God wants for your and me.

What are the Egyptians of your life? What should you do to "get moving"?

--
SARAH ALARCON CURATIVO

"Act Justly. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly."~ Micah 6:8

Blog :: http://sacurativo.blogspot.com

Twitter :: @sacurativo

Lola Lydia and Her Violin

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:04:27 PST

We went earlier to a recital concert by Seasons of Love by Key Strings where a good friend is going to play the violin publicly for the first time.

Congratulations, Ethlyn Kaye Sayson! :)

I am very proud of my friend but this post is not about her. Hehe. This post is about Lola Lydia Mondares, the beneficiary of the concert.

When Mama Bear told us about this concert, we didn't hesitate to go. We reserved tickets and blocked off the date because we wanted to support her. Honestly, I didn't read the details of the concert. This is why I was very amazed when they introduced Lola Lydia and that she's the beneficiary of the recital.

They introduced Lola Lydia as a "street fiddler with a passion for music" and that caught my attention. She humbly stepped on the stage and played Paper Roses and Atin Cu Pung Sing Sing. I was captivated. There's modesty and grace in the way she played. Both are simple songs but there's something in her music that I can't explain. I wanted to know her story and where she learned to play music. I want to know why she's in the streets.

It was only then that I learned that she was already featured in I-Witness. True enough, there's more to this street fiddler than meets the eye.

She's the fiddler on the street. Like many in this caroling season, Lola Lydia performs in crowded alleys in Manila for change. But she is an unusual sight -- she plays the violin, a lonely musician in a city where many do not recognize, much less appreciate, the sweet-sounding classical instrument.

Howie Severino and his documentary team encounter Lola Lydia in Baclaran where she is trying to earn enough from street performing so she can go home to Pangasinan for Undas to visit the grave of her mother, who taught her to play. Lola Lydia still plays the broken violin that she inherited from her mother.

The I-Witness team accompanies Lola Lydia home. But on the way they stop in Zambales where they visit the famous concert violinist Coke Bolipata, who has taught dozens of local children how to play the instrument. Lola and Coke amaze each other, and together with the community's young virtuosos perform on the beach as the sun sets. In that precious moment, Lola Lydia is no longer a lonely violinist.

Arriving in Lola Lydia's home village in Pangasinan, Howie Severino and his team discover that the fiddler has a legacy in the community which she was too modest to reveal herself.

Biyolin is a documentary about the simple joys of music and what it gives to its most passionate performers no matter what their station is in life.

From: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/236630/publicaffairs/biyolin-dokyu-ni-howie-severino

Biyolin (I-Witness) Part 1:

Biyolin (I-Witness) Part 2:

Biyolin (I-Witness) Part 3:

Biyolin (I-Witness) Part 4:

There's so much to learn from Lola Lydia's story but I want to mention one thing: appreciation for music and art. I am no artist but there's really no more appreciation for beautiful music and art nowadays. It seems that these things are just for the elite. When we see a beautiful thing, we always count how much it costs and how many hungry mouths it could feed. I agree, there are a lot of important issues our country should focus on. But this doesn't mean we should neglect culture and art because culture and art doesn't mean wasting money and denial of the problems in our country.

For all we know, our key to success might be in culture in arts! But we're so focused in trying to solve our problems the traditional way (employment, for example) that we don't see other opportunities. Lola Lydia was able to learn and teach violin on her own, what more if she was given the opportunity to study her passion. The whole barangay is playing music without formal education, I wonder what they could do if they would have the opportunity to pursue their gift instead of just trying to survive for a day.

For Lola Lydia, I pray that God would bless her more. May she continue to play her beautiful music and may she always play it for our Lord. I am believing this verse for her:

Sing to the Lord! Praise the Lord!
For He has delivered the life of the poor

From the hand of evildoers.

~ Jeremiah 20:13

Lupang Arenda Outreach

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 07:43:26 PST

Yesterday, I had the privilege to be part of another outreach. We went Christmas caroling to Lupang Arenda, Taytay but instead of the usual asking of gifts, we were there to give gifts and bless the families living there.

All I gave for the outreach is my time and a few photo shots but after going through 7 families who graciously welcomed us in their small homes, I went home extremely tired but blessed.

We suddenly drove away from Lupang Arenda with the most luxurious red Kia car.

I changed my clothes with the most fashionable shirt.

I went home to our mansion and slept at the most comfortable bed ever.

As I lay in my bed, I asked God to forgive me for my ungratefulness and thanked him for all the blessings he gave me. I pray that he would send more workers for that family to nourish not just their physical needs but most importantly, their spiritual needs.

Moreover, I pray that He bless the people of Lupang Arenda and that he would bring his people out of that place. The place is really not safe, no matter what the government says.

Once Upon A Time (TV Series)

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:00:02 PST

Stumbled upon "Once Upon A Time" earlier today at Star World and I found it pretty interesting.

It's our usual fairy tale charcters -- Snow White, Prince Charming, the evil Step Mother, Rumpelstiltskin. Geppetto, Pinocchio and even Jiminy Cricket -- but they were able to somehow connect it to the present day.

Here's the trailer:

And the list of characters (copied from Wikipedia):

Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret Blanchard
Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan
Lana Parrilla as The Evil Queen/Regina Mills
Josh Dallas as Prince James "Charming"/David Nolan
Jared S. Gilmore as Henry Mills
Raphael Sbarge as Jiminy Cricket/Archibald "Archie" Hopper
Jamie Dornan as The Huntsman/Sheriff Graham
Robert Carlyle as Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold

Since I was able to watch only one episode, the one where The Huntsman died, I cannot really say if it's good or not or if it's even safe for the kids to watch. But as I said, I found it interesting and might watch another episode again. :)

Born is The King, It's Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 02:18:46 PST

I know it's late but I wasn't able to do a Christmas blog. Sharing with you Hillsong's "Born is the King"

More than the gifts and events -- it's about The King, Jesus! :)

Born is The King

Born unto us this day a Savior
Gifted from heaven to a manger
The hope of the world
A light for all mankind
All of the earth rejoice
It’s Christmas time

So lift up your voice and sing out His praise
It’s Christmas
Born is the King, rejoice in the day
It’s Christmas
Make a joyful sound
It’s Christmas
Let His praise resound
It’s Christmas

Goodwill to all the earth
And peace divine
All of the earth rejoice
It’s Christmas time
It’s Christmas time

So lift up your voice and sing out His praise
It’s Christmas
Born is the King, rejoice in the day
It’s Christmas
Make a joyful sound
It’s Christmas
Let His praise resound
It’s Christmas

So lift up your voice and sing out His praise
It’s Christmas
Born is the King, rejoice in the day
It’s Christmas
Make a joyful sound
It’s Christmas
Let His praise resound
It’s Christmas

So lift up your voice and sing out His praise
It’s Christmas
Born is the King, rejoice in the day
It’s Christmas
Make a joyful sound
It’s Christmas
Let His praise resound
It’s Christmas

Time to Give Back! Help Sendong Victims!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 02:24:22 PST

Just before Christmas, Typhoon Sendong or Tropical Storm Washi brought tragedy to the thousand lives of Filipinos living in southern Philippines, particularly Dumaguete, Cagayan De Oro and Iligan.

Cagayan De Oro and Iligan are the first provinces I have visited in Mindanao. It was actually one of the most memorable trip me and my friends had. We enjoyed the white water rafting and the thrill of watching the majestic Maria Christina Falls.

Dumaguete, on the other hand, is my father's birth place and we've been there before when I was younger. We also have some relatives there.

I've had really good memories of these places and it really hurts to see the images I am seeing now in TV and prints.

To date, the death toll is already 1,500 (source: Inquirer.net)

Having been a "victim" of the Typhoon Ondoy, I could imagine the horror of our friends in Visayas and Mindanao. But then again, maybe not. Ondoy was nothing compared to the damages Sendong has brought.

I'm seeing lots of organizations who are doing their best to help in any way they can and to make helping more easier. Here's a list of some of them.

There are also drop boxes everywhere where you can drop off your in-kind donations. I know one in The Columns Ayala Avenue where I am staying now. You can choose which organization you trust the most. What's important is that we get to help our brothers and sisters in Dumaguete, Cagayan De Oro and Iligan.

And most of all, let's not forget to pray for them. May they find comfort in God amidst this crisis.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

This article might also help: http://bible.org/article/when-tragedy-strikes

Jodi King - Happy

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:44:50 PST

Happiness is YOU!

Happy song on this not so happy moments.

Happy
Jodi King

All alone by myself
On my own no one else
It's a dream
I admit but sometimes
It can feel like a life
It's all I've got

Maybe cold, maybe dark
Maybe it's all my fault
I'm a girl
I admit which should mean
I don't know
what it's like to be loved

But late at night I see your face
I'm caught and found

That's when I see your eyes
That's when I feel you by my side
Happy is when I'm
Happy is when I'm
With you when day begins
With you until it ends
Happy is when I'm
Happy is when I'm with You

I was free, I was fine
Went my way, had my time
With all that I needed
I had found every piece in my life
So I thought

Now that I've found you
Now that I know
I should never return
To the way that my life was before
To the way that my life was before

Saved Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:46:31 PST

Who said Christians don't know how to party and rock?! We did it last November 26 during Saved Festival and it lasted for six straight hours! Haha. The best part of it is most of us still needed to get up early the next day to go to church with a hangover -- on God's presence. Hehe.

Thank you Lord for your grace and provision and for letting us have the VIP tickets for Saved Festival! :) (Shoutout to Joshua Nieva for the super awesome seats!)

Every centavo is worth it! I honestly don't know some of the band who'll be playing but went on to buy anyway. A worship lead by Gary V is already worth it, but I was in for a huge surprise! It was seriously a six-hour packed of singing, dancing and screaming! Haha.

But more than the music and the fun of worshiping with other believers is the challenge of the concert for "Saved" people to act like one -- to live a life with no compromise, representing Christ in this world, living a holy life.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ~ Romans 12:1

Here's a list of songs or the set list that were sang during the concert, gathered from the Saved Festival's FB page.

Gary V

Sa Yahweh
Open the Eyes of my Heart
Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos
Gaya ng Dati
Take Me Out of the Dark
Could you be Messiah
Shout for Joy

(Although we missed the introduction video, which I heard was very good, and the first four songs :( )

Quest

Party Life
Everywhere That I Go
You'll Come
Rise and Shine
I Could Sing of Your Love Forever
Back to Love

Jodi King

Breathing In, Breathing Out
I Live For You
Amazing Grace
Happy

Happy would be my favorite song for the night! :)

Sideshow

Life Light Up
Alleluia Sing
As The Deer

Parachute Band

Gave It All
Your Love
Come to the River
Our God
Living Rain
How He Loves
Mercy
Glorified

Martin Smith

Rain Down
Here We Come
History Maker
Our God Reigns
Waiting Here For You.

Starfield

Revolution
Top of Our Lungs
Hosanna
Reign In Us/The Stand
All We Need

Citipointe Live

Break the Silence
Let It Ring
Name of Jesus
Devoted
You Reign

Aside from these, we also got to hear the most awesome testimony of Pastor Steve Ruetschle and his message on the Four Men on a Roof (Matt. 9:2-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:18-26)

Thank you Lord for the faith of our friends and family. Thank you Lord for my Mom who prayed hard for all our family to be saved.

Thank you Lord for the salvation that you give! :)

I took new photos.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:14:54 PST

prinsesa took new photos:

http://lemele.me/kahFjbG91ZGFwaS1pbnN0d2FsbHISCxIJUGhvdG9GaWxlGMfyzEoM

Happy Lemon

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 03:36:03 PST

We've been hearing a lot about this new drink that claims to have the World's Yummiest Drinks so we have to try it.

We've been to Happy Lemon twice, actually. I ordered Milk Tea on our first visit because I'm trying to compare different Milk Teas. Well, it's nothing special. It tastes like the normal Milk Teas.

Cocoa with Rock Salt and Cheese

So on our second, I tried one of their best seller -- Cocoa with Rock Salt and Cheese. Interesting, huh?

I was told I shouldn't drink this with a straw in order to fully enjoy it. Well, it's yummy and I've never tasted anything like it before. It's a combination of sweet, chocolatey and salty but it's more of a dessert to me than a drink.

Cocoa with Rock Salt and Cheese and Lemon Yakult

Rye loved Lemon Yakult on his first visit and ordered it again. I can't really taste the Yakult, so it tastes like a normal lemon shake to me.

I don't know what else is on Happy Lemon Drinks but it did made us happy and made us a little crazy. Haha.

Happy Lemon offers a lot of variance compared to other milk tea shops. Most of their drinks also also below P100 so it's also more affordable, making it a hit for many students.

It's also a great alternative to coffee but their branch in Eastwood is always crowded so it's not really nice place to hangout.

Our verdict: 4/5

Happy Lemon is located on the following venues:
.

G/F Promenade, Greenhills, San Juan
4/F Eastwood Mall, Libis, Quezon City
2/F Archaeology Annex, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City

For more info:
happylemon@happylemon.ph

http://www.happy-lemon.com
http://www.twitter.com/happylemonph

While I was Eating My Porkchop...

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 03:37:20 PST

I noticed this tissue holder...

The little piggie giving me the look!

But I ate it anyway. Am I bad? :(

From LemeLeme

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 19:19:55 PDT

Real Life Outreach

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 01:29:27 PDT

Real Life Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps underprivileged Filipinos have a better future by providing an opportunity to a good education and better communities through their LIFE Scholarship, LIFE Coaching and LIFE line programs.

Here’s a brief description of each program, according to their site http://igivetolife.com

The LIFE Scholarships program provides high school and university scholarships to poor but deserving students with good academic standing who, if not for the scholarships, would have no chance of obtaining a university degree.

LIFE Coaching is the character development program of the Real LIFE Foundation which provides mentoring for our scholars in Leadership, Integrity, Faith, and Excellence.

LIFE line seeks to motivate and mobilize people to engage in meaningful community service.

One of the LIFE line programs is the Saturday Feeding Program. Every weekend, children ages 3-10 from the squatter community around Pasig and other parts of Metro Manila are fed through the sponsorship of volunteers. Last October 15, Rye and I had an opportunity to be part of this together with other volunteers from Victory Metro East.

Victory Metro East volunteers

With just P250, we were able to provide a nutritious meal for these wonderful kids and receive these cool shirts. :)

Helping others...

Never goes out of style.

What I loved most about Real Life feeding program is that they recognize not just the physical needs of the child but also the need of kids to be loved and cared for.

Games and other activities are also part of the group. During our outreach, we taught them the song Jesus Loved Me.

It was a well-worth Saturday morning spent together with these kids. I’m sure they would not remember our faces but I hope that throughout their years, they would remember the message of the song.

With the other volunteers and Real Life staff

Happy to help! :)

If you would also like to help out and have an unforgettable Saturday morning with Real Life and the kids, you can sign up at Real Life office or via this form.

For more information on Real Life, please visit http://www.igivetolife.com

More pictures on my Picasa Web - Real Life Outreach

Blueprint: In God's Image

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 05:30:31 PDT

Green Team

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 06:49:04 PDT

27th Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah Curativo) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:28:12 PDT

I know I already said this last year on my 26th, but it's really all I can say...

I can't believe I'm 27!

Well, yeah. I'm 27 and a happy 27 year old at that. :) I'm blessed to have a series of celebration for my

birthday with my friends and family...

9.18.2011

Pre-Birthday Luneta Trip with Rye... I loved Luneta! But I'll have to talk about that on a separate post. :)

Pre-Birthday Dinner with Abbie and Das at Papa John's..

I also had a quick catch up with Ate Rose before that but we didn't get to take pictures. :)

9.19.2011

Going home on a Monday! But first, Tinapa Rice at Mesa for Dinner...

Midnight of my birthday, Rye woke me up with a birthday song and Cloud 9 birthday cake...

9.20.2011

Off to Hidalgo for my Birthday gift! :)

Test Shots :)

Dropped by UP for Moonleaf's Wintermelon Milk Tea and yummy BBQ and Isaw..

Starbucks at Ayala Techno Hub before picking up my parents for dinner..

Dinner at my favorite resto, Cafe Lidia, with family...

9.21.2011

Dress day at the office...

... and some Pizza from the September celebrants!

Also celebrating Rjam's Birthday :)

I was also flooded by birthday messages in FB/Twitter/SMS and got international call and texts from my friends abroad. :)

Happy Birthday to Me! ^__^