Inspired by Tangled

I am in love with the  floating lantern scene from Tangled.    Right this moment, my thoughts are way ahead of present time.  Thinking of Christmas and dreaming of floating lanterns around my home for the holidays. That would surely be awesome!!!

 

March 22, 2010 GOOD SHEPHERD

After a rough Saturday morning, I believe that I was destined to visit Good Shepherd in Tagaytay yesterday.

I have been a fan of Good Shepherd since I was young because of their strawberry jam (they now have sugar free), Ube and all-natural lemongrass soaps.  But in my frequent visits, I never had the time to explore the entire grounds. 

Until yesterday.

The visit at Good Shepherd was only meant to replenish my soap stocks.  But since we were early for lunch, my top of mind friend, Patti, suggested to take a quick tour of the convent grounds.  So, we did.

The moment I stepped foot on their "main house", I felt this . . .

I was speechless.  I allowed the feeling to embrace me.  I walked slow to capture every single sight that crossed my path.

 

Behind the image is the Taal Volcano

the main house

Inside the house, I took time to read these notes posted on their wall.

It is this particular note that struck me . . .

I then wanted to find a spot where I could meditate the words written on this note.  I did not need to look far. 

Patti and this path . . .

. . .  led me to a cottage called the Prayer Hammock.

The Prayer Hammock is considered a holy ground.

 

View from the Prayer Hammock

Surrounded by plants and colorful flowers

Husband in a meditative (or sleeping) mode.  Lol!

Patti, I, and my bead :)

In our 30-minute tour, I realized that "quick" healing does happen. 

It took a half day of roughness. An overnight of grudge.

But only a 30-minute tour to heal.

Before we left to meet the rest of the Top of Mind friends, I looked back and promised myself to visit this place again soon.

 

Visit this link to know more about the Good Shepherd Sisters and Maryridge Healing and Renewal House. http://www.thenewstoday.info/2008/11/13/the.good.shepherd.sisters.at.maryridge.html

February 26, 2010 HEAVEN and HELL

My husband received this email which he in turn forwarded to me. 

FW: Heaven and Hell
Date: Monday, February 22, 2010, 9:09 PM

One day, while walking down the street, a corrupt Philippine Senator was tragically hit by a car and died.  His soul arrives in heaven and he met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the Senator.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from the higher ups. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."

"Really?, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the Senator.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the Filipino people.

They played a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and the finest champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who is having a good time dancing and telling jokes.

They are all having such a good time that before the Senator realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him, "Now it's time to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours passed with the Senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."

The Senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders.

"I don't understand," stammers the Senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"

The devil smiles at him and says,

"Yesterday, we were campaigning ... Today, you voted."

Hmm . . . absolutely something that  need to be pondered upon. 

The street posts, walls, practically everywhere in the metropolis are clogged with campaign materials. Public transportation, like buses, jeepneys, tricycles, and private vehicles are new  campaign avenues for displaying manicured or younger-looking faces of candidates. Television ads and radio jingles are aired on an hourly (maybe half-hour or every 15-minute) basis.   Even some homeowners have posted campaign materials of the candidates they are vying for on their gates  (if you happen to live in BF Homes Pque, you must have seen it.  Could be the house (or headquarters) of the candidate?). All these are probably effective in creating awareness.  Results of surveys are regularly aired on the news anyway. 

But to me, one thing is for sure... the campaign clutter makes it more confusing!

BEAUTIFUL words, accomplishments, plans, promises, commitments are heard, watched and read every single day.  But how true are these?  The reality is---we will only know the true intentions after the declaration.  When expectations turn to disappointment, then  expect the events of the past to repeat.

The truth, I still have NO CLUE on who to vote for in the coming elections (???) ... and I seem to care less this time. Let's see what happens and hopefully I be able to make a firm decision soon.   At this point, I think the only option for me is to rely on what I believe in.

Beauty can be seen and heard anywhere . . . even at first glance . . . even with a single sound . . .

But I have always believed that TRUE BEAUTY LIES WITHIN A PURE, SINCERE AND GENUINE HEART~! 

If HE or SHE leads to inspire ... then, HE or SHE is the leader I am praying for . . .

February 13, 2010 Precious Treasures 2

I bead with a story. 

I treasure the story of  each precious treasure I own. . .

This came from my friend named Phone Pal. I have never met her in person. I have no idea how she looks. Perhaps, she was the lady I saw in a newspaper article about beauty queens. They had the same name. Maybe yes, maybe not. But we do talk a lot over the phone.

I met an Indian lady 3 years ago in a bazaar. We talked and talked all throughout the 3-day activity. I learned from her how beautiful and artistically rich India is. I wished since then that someday I would be able to visit her in her homeland and experience the India she passionately talked about. On our last day, she gave me this neck piece wrapped in a handpainted elephant blanket.

Sonyas Garden will forever have a special place in my heart.   This was the very first gift given to me by the girls of Sonyas a few months before I tied the knot.   They have helped me in so many ways . . . from special moments. . . to my beads.

I got to know him during a turbulent time in my former work. Amidst the rubble, I found my long lost young brother. He is now living his dream abroad. He gave me this a few months before he left.

We ended at two o'clock this morning.  Afternoon or after dinner coffee/beer-talk sessions are set when hearts need to be heard.  Our names are the same . . . Patricia.     But SHE . . . a traveller . . . with such a beautiful soul . . .  my kindred "sister".  She gave me this last Christmas.

This heirloom came with a note . . . To the daughter I never had . . .

I was feeling low that day. So, I treated myself with this gift. . . . an arrangement by Get Happy! 

A Moon and Star Pendant. The very first precious treasure given by my husband when we were still single

She was one of my judges in an annual awards event. A feisty TV broadcaster. Got into trouble but survived. She gave me this after our Cebu stint. It is this treasure why By Beaded Story now exists.

February 12, 2010 PRECIOUS TREASURES 1

I kept my promise. Went on a quest for rings day after sabotaging a hundred peso bill yesterday.  But instead of finding rings, I found these . . .

PRECIOUS TREASURES fom LOLA

Lola's lockets

I remember the days when summer vacations were spent in her school.  She taught Literature and directed school plays.  I usually sat in her class and pretended that I was her student. 

When I got bored, she gave me hamburger stubs which I claimed from the school canteen. Those hamburgers were really good.  After, I would roam around the school, hang-out with co-teachers and chat with her students.  When there was nothing else to do and Lola was still in class, I swept the floor of the faculty room.  Lol! 

Moving forward . . .I met with a lady in her 50s a few years ago regarding her wood craft business. As I was about to introduce myself, she claimed that she knew me. She introduced herself as Lola's student and said I was that kid who roamed aimlessly in Lola's school.

Lola's pill box and Perfume cap

She introduced to me the world of Bayanihan.  Watched me in my swimming classes.  Sat beside me at the school gate while waiting for Driver Aunt to pick us up.

Lola's earrings and medallions

In the afternoons, she listened to her records played in a phonograph with her eyes closed.  This explains my love for songs of yesteryears. 

In the evenings, we spent watching TV shows together.  Lola on her favorite chair, while I on the floor.  I still practice this floor habit to this day, most especially when I bead. 

Lola's necklace

On Sundays, Lola cooked lovely dinners and served strawberry, raspberry or grape flavored jello for dessert.  My brother and I absolutely delighted our hearts and bellies on each jello bite.

Lola's pin and Stone pendant. 

The background image is a bookmark I had since grade school.

She was ahead of her times.  Ladies wore long, She wore it short. She spoke her mind when everyone else hid. Her heart was tough while others cried. 

A few of Lola's cross collection.

I miss her.  There are moments when I think of her.  I still see her school especially on days when I visit Quiapo.  

But when I want her near me, I find comfort. These precious treasures were handed down to me two years ago. . .

Lola's rings.  The ring on the left was her wedding ring.

The background images are from this novel

A book given by Lola to my Aunt.  This book now belongs to me.

Little Women was the last play Lola directed in school.

This is it for today.  There are a few more precious treasures from other folks that I was able to unearth.  Will share these with you very soon . . .

P.S.  I think everyday should be a quest day to divert my hands from sabotaging beads or hundered peso bills.