Strolls and Coffee

Yesterday, my younger sister-in-law and I went out for a mall stroll after dropping the lessons at the Post Office. It was actually our first time to go the mall together since we usually go out as a family. Lately, I had been 'seriously contemplating' and 'thinking' of going to a coffee shop with a cozy atmosphere, soft-cushioned chairs, quietness, and an affordable cup of coffee while browsing through a book (something which I didn't even brought with me).

I did some surveying as we walked past the shops, and after a few stops, we ended up at Krispy Kreme. The place was warmly-lit, with printed mural, comfortable furniture, and it has a cozy appeal. I had a cup of Latte, which for me is quite expensive (a small-sized cup is worth eighty pesos!), and I still had to add sachets of brown sugar and creamer to neutralize the bitter taste, but it's really good tasting after all. We bought two pieces of spicy samosas from Passport Food just before we headed to the coffee shop, and my sister, who doesn't drink coffee, ordered a peach tea drink instead.

Before going home, we stopped by at a quaint vintage shop,  with many special goodies. I bought a scrap book which I'm going to convert as my new photo album. I haven't updated my personal album for years now and it's been a plan which I had been delaying for such a long time. Finally, here it is! We bought some samosas and an egg pie to bring at home.

Another mid-week adventure!

P.S. Though using public transportation allows one to observe and walk with the common folks, I couldn't help but feel disgusted with the huge amount of air pollution brought by motor vehicles.

On Coming to Terms

I was supposed to write some things that are happening to my life right now, some thoughts that occupy my mind every now and then. And when I came up with that line from a book by Aidh Al Qarni, I realized that it sums up the life reflections that I had been undergoing through these days. I must say that I'm a person who likes to reflect about life and its meanings, and learning about where I came from. I look both at unfortunate events and beautiful blessings as both that God had willed to happen. Everything that God plans for every person is ultimately for his own good. I had also written many times before that I always look back at the past not only to learn from it but also to come to terms to it and bring a past chapter to end and eventually, to let it go. I guess my days in psychology school had a very huge impact on that particular mindset and perspective of mine. I don't know exactly why, but I have such a fondness for nostalgia - memories that bring warmness to the heart. And this fondness may sometimes even couple with despair and sadness because these memories are also accompanied with many unfortunate events.

I often wonder why I find myself so distant from people (except my family), particularly from from my so-called friends and acquaintances from many years back. Could it be because I love introversion? Or is it because they accuse me of being aloof? I don't think so. I could be the warmest and understanding person if they will only take the time to know me better and not judge me merely on the surface. Probably, it's because I just hate many things that I see around me, including the many nonsense that I see them doing right now. I could go on and now ranting about the many things and people that I dislike, but who am I to judge them? I may dislike so many things, but those are just based on my personal preference or opinions. I believe that though I'm saying my opinions, it is only God who has the right to judge between the differences of His creations. So I eventually stay away from the things and people that I dislike and which God orders me to be distant from and avoid. Through the help of God, I constantly evolve as a person, and I never stop learning. I stay away from the artificial and focus on strengthening my mind and my faith. 

As I grow older, I look forward for changes of perspectives and priorities. And among those changes include having a general concern for those who are less fortunate, suffering and those who are in need of understanding. Maturity with proper wisdom comes as a result of growth. And maturity also entails transcending beyond judging others, constant complaining and self-centeredness, towards reaching out, making a positive impact on other people's lives, and doing good for the sake of God. 

Finally, I wouldn't mind if nobody won't recognize me anymore when I walk on the street. This might end and I will not apologize if I stay away, because what I'm running away from are the things that will bring me farther from the faith that God had given me. And it's no longer my business to keep up to date with the news of other people's lives if the artificial relationships fostered through the internet are not based on the genuine reality that real life affords. So be it. I don't like the noise, the artificiality, the showing off, and bragging, much less the seeking of attention, popularity, approval, and fame. I am only a quiet girl who lives a simple life. I prefer truth, humility and genuineness. God willing, I always strive to become a better and mature person, and Alhamdulillah, slowly, I'm coming to terms with the past with better hopes for what the future brings.

Dreamed Fence

Travel to Baguio City (Part 3)

Last Friday, we went to Baguio City, a city located on the mountain province of Northern Luzon, Philippines. It's one of our family's favorite places because of its cool weather, clean environment, many trees and flowers, friendly and gentle people, and its fresh fruits (like strawberries and oranges) and vegetables readily available. It was a one-day travel only because by afternoon, the rain began to fall, so my parents decided that we must go home as it's not convenient to stay there while the rain was falling. It was a very wonderful trip as we traveled with our new car and got to visit the many parks. We're planning to go back at this beautiful place, hopefully with our whole family by the end of the month of Ramadan and celebrate the incoming 'Id  this coming July or August, God willing. : )

Road filled with pine trees.

Mines View Park.

Horses and stairs at Wright Park.

While on the Highway.

The Rose Gardens at Burnham Park.

Sidewalk at Burnham Park lined with white, cup-shaped flowers.

An Afternoon on a Different World

Every year is a chance to discover and continue projects which had been sitting unfinished for many days, and even years. Whereas last year was a year of making art, I consider this presnt year as a year of exploring photography. Just like art, photography had taught me a lot, including taking me to many places all over the world. With a single photograph, you could instantly be teteported to a place which lies miles apart from you. You could be transported instantly to the moment the place or memory was captured through the lens of a camera. Just thinking about it, amazes me . Within this wonder of photography, I was able to appreciate and discover it more through magazines and coffee-table glossy books.

So this afternoon, I decided to browse through my collections and some of my parent's magazines which had been with me throughout this journey of the world of taking beautiful photographs. Armed with my simple camera, I shoot some of the pages which inspire me a lot  since childhood and took me to many places and stories...

A Peaceful Life, A Peaceful Mind

Hello Saturday! To note, this day not so much spent on bright colors. Since the weather had been quite unstable outside, an entire day spent on an air-conditioned room brought some chills on my body and abdomen. But before we went home, a pretty table laden with coffee and some bread with strawberry jam brightened up my day and made me ignore the pain somehow. We visited a pretty house and the hosts served us a simple snack. I made friends with a black and white cat and gave him some of the bread I was eating.

And yes, though I really don't want to vent this out. I had been quite lonely lately, in the sense that I had trouble re-connecting with my old friends and acquaintances. I've written about it before, but the disconnection with some people I had known and I believed still valued and remembered me was in a sense, quite disappointing. Well, this is life, what else could I do? I came back not as a career-soaring woman, but as a quiet girl with feet planted on the ground, presenting God's words to them. I tried to let them see my art, but I was met with indifference. I couldn't blame them if they don't remember me anymore because I had been on a healing hiatus for three years, but when I tried to come back, none of them cared to whatever happened to me (and which brought me to doubts if I was that kind of bad person). I still wear my veil and long clothes, I don't wear make-up, I don't wear designer and expensive clothes, I don't flash my smiles and broadcast them to the internet and be liked by people. I don't own expensive gadgets, and I don't belong to any money-making organization. I don't even seek any praise or attention or recognition. What I just wanted to do was to re-connect to them genuinely and let God's words fill them in these very materialistic and approval-seeking times. But only my little brother took the time to read my messages, not the 'friends' I was hoping to read them. I realized then that it's true that the more you stick to your faith and religion, the more people will run away from you because you are different from them. They would rather pay attention to their own invented words and lies instead of surrendering themselves to the Will of God. So, I'm going away from them, just like I had been doing ever-since.

I had been alone, and within my heart, God is with me. He knows me better than the rest of the world, and I found refuge in Him in my loneliness. I have God and my family as my constant companions in my life and it doesn't matter if I get hated or disliked for living and standing up to my own principles and faith. And my happiness does not depend on being liked or being surrounded with many people who, at many times, would only want you for something that you have. God's love and companionship is better, isn't it? Who needs the artificial company of others if God is by your side? Wouldn't it be better to have a quiet, humble, sincere heart and a genuinely lived life instead of a so-called successful life but devoid of genuineness and true faith?

Louons Dieu pour tout, parce que dans tout ce qu'il permet de se produire, il est la bonté ... 

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