Prayer

15:37:00 APRILSKELTER 0 Comments

Lord, I thank you for the gift of life
The gift of good health
For the great family
And the company of good friends
Thank you for the ability to love
To forgive
To be hurt
For being able to feel all kind of feelings in the world
For the heartaches and failures
For things that I am yet to understand
For the purpose
For my mission
For making me who I am
Help me bring out the best in me in everything that I do that I may be
able to glorify You everyday in all the things that I can.
In Jesus' mighty name, Amen


Here's a short and simple daily prayer (and at some points, rhyming though unintentional) that I use to say whenever and wherever I felt like talking to Him. It reminds me to always be grateful about everything and to accept every life's challenges and always work our way out towards the best.

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If I Die Tomorrow, These Will Be Played on My Funeral

15:00:00 APRILSKELTER 0 Comments

Nah.

But I just remembered how I've been asked by a friend if I could actually burn a CD for our deceased friend's favourite songs to be played on her funeral. I saw the list and was like, "Anobaaaaa, mas nakakaiyak 'to" knowing how much she loved those songs and it has been a tough time, to be honest. "Last na 'to kaya itodo na natin." My friend told me. All of us are devastated by the very untimely demise of Sheena. It was like rubbing the wound with salt. But it was a request made by the friend's boyfriend and it was all that we can do to help and somehow comfort him.

So much for a depressing intro, this post, however has nothing to do with it (Shee would have wanted us to move forward, though it's still pretty hard to) other than this is also a list of songs. At some point, these songs have given me solace when I needed it; helped me to cope up with something (good or bad); all of it are special to me so I think it is just quite fitting to put up a list in no particular order. I actually thought of making a countdown out of it, but I just love them all I can't pick of which I loved more. I just kept on adding and adding random songs till it is this long.

Note 1: Long list. You've been warned.
Note 2: Making this list kind of reminded me of Jofer's Last Will and
Testament (for his books).
Note 3: Don't judge me by the music that I listen to. :)

***

1. Ain't It Fun - Paramore
"What are you gonna do when the world don't orbit around you? What are you gonna do when nobody wants to fool with you?"

2. Annabelle - A Rocket to the Moon

"Fine as hell but I think I might as well drop Annabelle." This is actually my favourite line.

 "Annabelle you think you're so damn special but there's a million other girls like you." A reminder not to think too highly of ourselves, in a way. Hah.

3. Go All Night - RadioDriveBy

Fun, feel good music you just want to put on repeat.

4. Anodyne - MWK


If you're observant enough you'd notice that my blog's name is inspired by this beautiful MWK song.

"How many times will I play the hero? How many lies before it's true? How many times will we clock out at zero? How many tries before we're through? How many lives 'til another you?"

5. Crown (demo song) - The Cab


"You are stronger than you know." and so much more. Tha Cab (the band) has helped me in ways one can never imagine.

 6. Another Day - Paramore

"Do you ever want me? Do you ever need me? I know that you left before goodbye and it's okay, there's always another day. And anytime you want me, anytime you see me. I don't think you meant to say goodbye and it's okay. There's always another day."

7. Coldhearted - Urbandub

"Cause i'm tired to be the one alone and wait for all the things to get better." Everything about this song is perfect.

8. The End - Hale

"This time we say goodnight, can you feel that it's not right, do you see? Do you see this coming?"

 9. Ever Enough (Acoustic) - A Rocket to the Moon


"I will always be yours, forever and more, through the push and the pull. I still drown in your love and drink til I'm drunk. And all that I've done, is it ever enough?"

10. All My Loving - The Beatles

"Close your eyes and I'll kiss you, tomorrow I'll miss you. Remember I'll always be true. And then while I'm away, I'll write home everyday and I'll send all my loving to you." The song that's played in the hospital as John Lennon's being proclaimed dead. Epic.

11. Feed Your Ego - Axium

"Hide behind your bitter fate, to keep inside your bitter pain. You don't like what I do, well, it's not about you. So go on and feed your ego." Angsty.

 12. Find You There - We The Kings

"Even when my heart stops I'll keep looking 'cause I know I will find you there.."

 13. Not Alone - Darren Criss

"You're not alone 'cause you're here with me, and nothing's ever gonna bring us down 'cause nothing can keep me from loving you and you know it's true. It don't matter what'll come to be, our love is all we need to make it through."

14. Hate To See Your Heart Break - Paramore

"Love happens all the time to people who are kind, and heroes who are blind, expecting perfect script in movie scenes who wants to knock with silent mystery. How are you to know?"

 15. Heart Falls Out - David Archuleta

"I wasn't ready for a change, but you can't control what you don't see coming."

16. Here, There and Everywhere - The Beatles

"I want her everywhere, and if she's beside me I know I need never care, but to love her is to need her everywhere. Knowing that love is to share."

17. I'll Run (Strings) - The Cab

"Have a little faith in me.."

18. In My Place - Coldplay

"I was scared, I was scared
Tired and underprepared
But I'll wait for it

If you go, if you go
And leave me down here on my own
Then I'll wait for you."

19. Interlude: I'm Not Angry Anymore - Paramore

"I'm not angry anymore." Apparently. :)

20. Jealousy - Darren Criss

"I know that I'm speaking but I don't know what I'm saying."

21. Just One Yesterday - Fall Out Boy featuring Foxes

"Anything you say can and will be held against you."


"I want to teach you a lesson in the worst kind of way still I'd trade all my tomorrows for just one yesterday."

 "I don't have the right name or the right looks, but I have twice the heart."

22. Last Goodbye - Jeff Buckley

"You gave me more to live for more than you'll ever know."

 23. Legendary - The Summer Set

"Don't be afraid to die, 'cause to die would be an awfully big adventure."

24. Like We Used To (Piano) - A Rocket to the Moon


"Will he love you like I loved you? Will he tell you everyday? Will he make you feel like you're invincible with every word he'll say? Can you promise me if this was right, don't throw it all away?"

25. My Stupid Mouth - John Mayer

"The way she feels about me has changed. Thanks for playing, try again.."

26. Miss Missing You - Fall Out Boy

"Sometimes before it gets better, the darkness gets bigger, the person that you'd take a bullet for is behind the trigger."

 27. Love Has Come For Me - Colton Dixon

"I'm never gonna get it all together, so what's left to do but surrender?"

28. Much Has Been Said - Bamboo

"So maybe tomorrow we'll find, a taste for the old days, hard lessons we've left behind."

29. Nothing Ever Hurt Like You - James Morrison

"Loving you is easy, playing by the rules. But you said love is so much better when it's cruel."

30. On Your Side - A Rocket To The Moon

"You know that my love is on your side."

31. One True Thing - MWK


"After all you've taken, can you give me this one true thing?" I  LOVE everything about this song.

 32. Our July in the Rain - He Is We

"Lift you up so you finally see the love you are to me."

33. Overboard - Ingrid Michaelson

"Fall overboard just so you can catch me."

34. Rearview - MWK

"You'll always be the one that got away."

35. Save Me - Gotye

"And you gave me love when I could not love myself, and you made me turn from the way I saw myself. And you're patient, love. And you help to help myself. And you save me." The sweetest.

36. Sleight of Hand - Urbandub

"I'm at lost on how to replace a heart we never thought could break."

37. Somebody Out There - A Rocket to the Moon

Always make me feel hopeful. In love ;)

38. The Story of my Life - To Have Heroes


"Where will I be if you close the book tonight? Am I the hero or the villain? Is it a history or fiction? Will I still be here in the end in the story of your life?"

39. Standing in the Dark - Lawson

"It may sound stupid that I'm wanting you back but I'm wanting you back.."

40. Through the Dark - One Direction

"And you don't need to run, and you will see it's easy to be loved, I know you wanna be loved."

41. Turn The Pages - Kris Allen

"Everything is temporary, every line of every story, let me be the hero in the one that never ends. It ain't over til it's over, wishing I could hold you closer and we could turn the pages.."

42. The Weight of Lies - The Avett Brothers

"Lies don't need an aeroplane to chase you anywhere."

43. When We Die - Bowling For Soup

"Nothing's worth losing especially the chance to make it right."

"The tattoed mistakes are gonna fade over time."

44. Balance - Axium


"At peace I trust in you every step of the way to stay with me til the end of the day. So move on to your tomorrow as we all say good night. 'Cause you're my sense of balance for the rest of my life."

45. Wicked Game - Phillip Phillips

"Strange how desire will make foolish people do."

46. World Spins Madly On - The Weepies

"I thought of you, and when you're gone, and the world spins madly on."

47. Reasons - To Have Heroes

"Well you're leaving on my favourite season. I just hope you have your reasons."

48. Cut Me Some Slack - Dave Grohl, Paul McCartney, Sound City Soundtrack

Just way too awesome to not be included.

49. Come Home - One Republic featuring Sara Bareilles

"Hopefully the hate subsides and the love can begin."

50. Feelings - Up Dharma Down

"When I get through this, I hope I get through you." The chills.

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Faith On Fire

08:34:00 APRILSKELTER 0 Comments

While everybody else is sleeping soundly in the early hours of October 5th, a group of six is all excited for the grand event that is to happen later that fateful (and faith-ful) day. Cannot blame them, though. First, it is the first time in the longest time that they will be gathered again in one place, talk and bond like everything has happened yesterday and college days are...wait, it has been two years, hmm? And secondly, they are to be a part of history, a life-changing, mind and eye opening event that will be engraved in their hearts and lives for as long as they live in this world.

"Faith on Fire. 🔥"

It was the main theme of the first ever Bulacan Grand Feast. It was like a full series (divided into four topics from the main theme) that has been rolled into one event where you would be hearing talks from different well-respected Feast builders from all the Feast in the province with bonus from the likes of artist/performer Geneva Cruz, well-known writer, motivational speaker and preacher Sister Rissa Singson Kawpeng and of course, from the man himself, Bro. Bo Sanchez.

It may not have reached the full capacity of the venue but it was an event that is "'made in heaven"; God has meant it to happen even before it was even procured in the minds of the very able organizers.

It was very successful especially with the thing that most of the attendees will agree: God's presence and His ever flowing love is evident all throughout the said gathering.

There's too much truth in all the talks that this blog would never get to contain in as much as the world can never contain all the teachings that can be found in the Bible (for it has no beginning and no end). There are just too many funny banters and punchlines that may or may not have made us laugh for some good minutes in our seat; too many realisations that has hit us straight to our core; too many pieces of evidence of how much God loved us and how He will never leave or forsake us even if most of the times we would sin...repeatedly.

Bro. Alvin Barcelona, the senior Feast Builder from Feast Marilao
lit up the fire with the story of the two disciples heading to Emaus relating it to how rekindling our faith is like a journey, a walk with God. He was there even from the start but we do not recognise Him. Later on we will be the witness of His resurrection, that He has never left us. He is alive.

It was then followed by a very inspiring talk by Bro. Jomar Santos of Feast Meycauayan discussing the value of friendship and of how Jesus Christ has called us His "friends" as was mentioned in the washing of the disciples' feet.


One can never forget how Bro. Bo Sanchez delivered his almost all-Tagalog preaching ever. Well...most of it was. I remembered how one time he has mentioned (in one of his talks in the Feast PICC) that he really is not good with talking in Tagalog let alone conduct a preaching in our native tongue but he was not bad at all. I feel so special, touched and impressed. Maybe because of the idea that he has preached in Tagalog and that we were in Bulacan (Gitnang Katagalugan everyone) and it was my first time to hear him talk that lot that has made the event even more special.

He has talked about our dreams; about how God has prepared the best that we could ever imagine. That we needed to feel all the hardships in order to find that certain push and hunger to succeed. And in the end we will be able to (succeed), because that is where God wants us to be.

"My child, what do you really want?" The lord has asked. Once we know the answer to that question and we have the drive and the passion to whatever talent God has given us then we will be "unstoppable" to reach our destination, that is for sure.

Truly, the event is a start of something really huge. I cannot help but look forward for the things to come, for His plans in our lives.

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The Happiness Jar 2014

08:40:00 APRILSKELTER 0 Comments

Okay, so it is not a jar, actually. But ever had that feeling of
seeing something and knowing right then that it is the perfect one?

Lookey, lookey, piggy bank. The sign just fits. It's the happiness
project, after all.

Let's see how many little happy things would make it to my rundown this year.

xoxo

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Book Hoards

11:57:00 APRILSKELTER 0 Comments

I judge a mall by its bookshops.

Having said that, Gateway Mall in Araneta Center is definitely one of the faves. Not only that it houses the main branch, and probably the largest in area and book capacity that there is, of National Book Store, there's my "home", Fullybooked. And I could not believe my luck to find that their having a 50% sale on all items last Friday, and I am not one to pass for the opportunity to hoard. The sad news is that they will be closing for quite some time because of the renovation and relocation but the good news is that I get to buy three new books making me a happy booknerd that night.

I got:
1. Lucky, Alice Sebold
2. The Book of Tomorrow, Cecilia Ahern
3. Ayn Rand

All written by women. *wink* I still have not decided on my Goodreads Reading Challenge for this year (I was able to accomplish my 47 book-challenge last year) but these are going to be included on my list. Cheers!

PS: I got my jar for the Happiness Project already!! It's not a jar, actually, but..still. (Will be putting up a separate post for this)

xoxo

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07:59:00 APRILSKELTER 0 Comments

Do you care what I believe?
Or that I wear a heart upon my sleeve
And are there any words to say
That I would ever mean enough
When the light runs from the day
Will the darkness be too much?
Will I ever be enough?

Cause you love,
And you bleed,
And you stole my soul to set me free

It's my declaration
So tell me you can hear these words tonight.


Declaration
by: David Cook

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I'll Run

19:43:00 APRILSKELTER 1 Comments

I never really am the one who exercise regularly. Well, if it isn't obvious by my physique then.... But I realised as we grow older, that we should prioritize our health. Most of the illnesses usually reveal themselves after 40, some would say. But that is so 2000 and late. These days where the effects of global warming and pollution and vices are everywhere, some get diagnosed with diabetes on their early 20's. Some die because of hypertension and overfatigue (if there is such a word) at a very young age. It helps to be vigilant. It is better to prevent and not just deal with finding solutions when the problem arrives.


So I guess it won't hurt to give walking and jogging and running a try. Sometimes I go out with my aunt in the afternoon and by going out in the province it means brisk walking through the vast fields, "pinitak", "pilapil", near the pond (my aunt as pictured and that is how we roll). Plus I cannot help but admire the beauty and purity of our place. We all need this kind of calmness that the nature effortlessly provides in a while.



I also am not the one to splurge on things unless (1) the previous one cannot be utilized anymore; (2) I needed it. But there's this running shoes which is nice and comfy (by my standards) and guess that would be the "start". Let's be honest, we feel good when we're wearing what we think is good and appropriate. It doesn't always have to be costly but as long as you feel confident and it won't be a hindrance to you as you jog or run or go somewhere then you're good to go.

I also have tried to sign up to some fun run and surprisingly it was fun. This Sunday I will be joining the Color Manila Run 2 and I am totally stoked about it. This is going to be my first time to go on a 10K run and man, my friends think it is suicide haha but at least I'd die happy and with colors (because that is the highlight of the marathon. Er, Color Manila. What a dead giveaway.)

To a healthier 2014! Let's do this!

Playlist for the moment:
Run For Your Life - The Beatles
Running - David Archuleta
Run - Delta Rae
I'll Run - The Cab
I Just Wanna Run - The Downtown Fiction
Check Yes Juliet - We The Kings
Running From Lions - All Time Low
Runaway - Hale

Why? Go figure. ;)

xoxo

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What's Inside....

xx


Me Before You
November 9
P.S. I Still Love You
To All the Boys I've Loved Before
These Inconvenient Fireworks
Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes
Six Earlier Days
Are We There Yet?
Confess


April Ann's favorite books »

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