Time to be Better

Cherish every single moment with the people who mean the most to you. Happy New Year everyone!! :) Hello 2013! I'll do better this year. :)

Symbol of Hope

I was amazed with this big orange and black butterfly that stayed first in our garden then was shocked when the butterfly was already in our door. Few days ago, I also saw a big butterfly somewhere. I don't know the meaning of this but it brought happiness inside me because it is very rare that a huge butterfly will show. 

BUTTERFLY ---- symbol of hope for Lupus patients. :)

Just a Reminder

A reminder for my fellow fighters :) You are loved. We are loved. You matter. We matter. You are special. We are special. :)

One more try.

Found this picture at Google images then edited it. Very cute and inspiring. :D

unknown

Feeling sad without knowing the reason behind? 

-- JUST REST. PRAY. SLEEP. --

Insecurities

Why do some people never get tired of hating someone. And I wonder how can they survive in everyday life that they don't want their companions. And yet they don't confront them what they don't like. When asked, they will say "No, there's no problem." But their actions show that they are not happy with the group. Worst thing about it is that they keep on telling other people about it.. about the bad things they're thinking. Do not seek for attention in that way. You'll never achieve happiness with what you're doing. You can never be happy if you're focusing on others' fault. One more thing, do not let 'crab mentality' flow into yourself. 

"If your brother sins against you, go and confront him while the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. - Matthew 18:15 (International Standard Version, 2008)

Employed to Unemployed to Employed

Time flies so fast. I started working under DOH (RNHEALS) last November 2011.. and 3 months from now, my contract will be finished. But I do believe that there are so many jobs out there for a nurse like me. All we need is faith, patience, and perseverance. I was thinking yesterday what will be my next job.. I already tried two jobs which are related in community. So would it be nice or better if I'll apply as a volunteer nurse in a hospital or choose other job which can compensate me? 

Art of being Happy :)

Look what I've done today. Simple yet meaningful words. May we spread love and happiness around. God Bless everyone.

21st ♥

People don't know how important this day may be. For some, it may be an ordinary 15th of June, but for me, it is a great blessing. Knowing that I have SLE, a disease that doesn't have cure yet, makes me think that I can die tomorrow. Everything is possible. I may not live tomorrow. I may die today. That's why I make sure that I must celebrate my day with special people I've known on my 21 years here in life. 

I've wished for a tripod the morning of 14th and never expected that I'll have one at night! Thank you to my RHU family.

The tripod I've been wishing for! :)

JB & JD also surprised me with foods :)  Thanks to Chef JB ♥

On the day itself, Kuya Nash, Ian, JR and I ate at Gerry's Grill. Can't resist this brownie ala mode :)

SB :)

With Ian and his funny pose! :))

FOOOOOODDDSSSS :) I love!

JB & I tried something new :) SumoSam at Harbor Point, Subic :) then watched Snow White and the Huntsman after.

My brother. My hero. My love. My JB :) Thank you for making my birthday special. 

and of course, I celebrated my birthday at work :) BAKED MAC + YELLOW CAB! ♥

It was a blast! :) Thank you po Lord for giving me this one great blessing. I am happy. You made me happy, Lord. ♥

Double :)

my two heroes :)

my twin :)

Starting to learn photoshop little by little. :) It was fun! Perfect past time when I'm bored.

Happiness at Work :D

Who would have thought I'm sick? :) SMILE!

Done with my part! SPEAKER # 2 :)

will never miss a camera shot! haha

and I'm busy doing the powerpoint. But I love doing such things!

It is indeed true that there will be positive result at work if you're in good terms with your co-workers. As the saying goes, "Two heads are better than one." Working at RHU is a great opportunity for me to apply my nursing skills. And I've got the great blessing you can find at work -- NEW FRIENDS! :)

Final Walk Down the Runway

It was my first time to watch Mutya at Lakan ning Sta. Rita. Ate Neri asked me a favor to take pictures of her cousin Karen Ramirez, the Mutya ning Sta. Rita 2011. So I agreed. Too bad, my camera's auto focus is not working. :'( No choice but I have to used the manual setting. Forgive me for the bad photos. I'm not that good in photography especially now that auto focus is not working. Probably, I'll end up buying new lens but still thinking about it. 

her final walk

I'm telling you. She's beautiful inside and out.

Mutya ning Sta. Rita 2011

Karen David Ramirez

Bone Check

 Every Monday, flag ceremony is being held in front of the municipal hall. On the 14^th day of May, Dr. Lennard De Vera, our Municipal Health Officer, announced that there will be free bone screening. The bone check was sponsored by Anlene. Together with the help of RNHEALS, the said screening was indeed successful. 

Ate Joy, Ate Neri and Raf were assigned to list or fill up the forms that are needed for step 2. 

After completing the form, you need to fall in line. But no worries for you will not wait for a long time. 

So this is what the machine looks like.

And now my turn! Haha! Actually, this is not my first time to have bone check, The first one was in SM Pampanga.

After the bone screening, a person from ANLENE will give a lecture or few facts about bones and explain the risk of osteoporosis. They say that 1 out of 2 Filipinos is at risk of osteoporosis. This is based on 668,225 people scanned in the Philippines from June 2005-July2010. So what is Osteoporosis? It is a condition wherein the bones become fragile and brittle. This can eventually lead to stooping, fracture and even death. It is a serious disease that develops when bones lose minerals such as calcium. 

Maximum bone mass is achieved between 30-35 years old. Until this age, bone continues to gradually increase in mass and density, as calcium and other minerals are deposited. However, after the age of 35, bone breakdown can start to outweigh bone formation, which can eventually lead to a gradual decline in bone mass and strength.

And though Osteoporosis is an incurable disease, it may be prevented by following these steps:

-          Have a diet rich in essential nutrients such as Calcium and Vitamin D

-          Be physically active and partake in sports and putdoor activities regularly

-          Avoid smoking, alcoholic drinks and excessive caffeine

-          Get a bone health check at least twice a year and consult your doctor on bone health

-          Drink Anlene and start preventing osteoporosis

And so I did. My Mom bought me Anlene (chocolate one. Haha!). It tastes great. Then I felt the difference. Since my medications can cause acceleration on bone loss, it is highly recommended to drink milk that is high in Calcium.  

Again, consult your doctor or get a bone health check at least twice a year. Remember, prevention is better than cure. J

Let Go

Few months from now I'm turning 21. I've been in different situations in life.. been in the toughest stage, experienced the darkest moment life may bring. But still I'm here. Living, staying sweet to all people I encounter, and currently doing what I love - helping other people. #proudtobeanurse But why is that people waste their time talking about other people and tell negative things about them? Aren't they tired of acting like that? They criticize other people but don't they recognize that they are also talking or should I say they also describe their attitude? The point is better not to talk if you will just say bad things about others especially if you don't know the real story or the real reason behind his/her behavior. Why waste your time? Why would you prefer talking about them and commit sins? May we have peace in our minds. Remember that we cannot pray for world peace if deep within ourselves we cannot feel inner peace.  Lets just be happy. Pray for your enemies. Pray for yourself. #friendlyreminder

He Saved Me

I almost died last night. :'( Thank you Lord for giving me another life. #anighttoremember

Old to New

Say hello to my new Twitter background! :))))) Supporting Lupus fighters all the way! I love it. 


BTW. Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there especially to my angel - my Mama. :)

10th of May :)

Decided to update my blog before going back to work :) 

HAPPY WORLD LUPUS DAY!

And to show my support, I'm wearing my butterfly scrub suit. NEVER EVER GIVE UP! Please help me in spreading awareness about Lupus. Thank you! ♥

I Know I Can

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.

Thomas A. Edison

To my fellow fighters, please be strong. Please hold on even for one day. Then try to live the next day until everything will be okay. I know you can. I'm with you. Lets do this together. Together we will fight Lupus. 

Our Day

Thursday 10th May, 2012 is WORLD LUPUS DAY!!!!! 

Don't forget - text or e-mail 10 people who do not have lupus and tell them.

The Voice of Lupus Foundation (VLF) has deemed the day PURPLE THURSDAY. We are asking persons to wear purple on this day!! How far can we spread the message? 

Message from The Voice of Lupus Foundation.

Living Life

TreeDrop

Feels so lucky that I was given a chance to experience a fun adventure like this. Since I don't have work last May 1, met J, Kim and Jessie and decided to go at Subic. Honestly, we do not have any idea where to go. The original plan was to go at Zoobic Safari, but then Kim rejected the said idea. So we ate first at Max's Restaurant at Harbor Point then decided to go at Treetop! We tried the Canopy Ride, Tree Drop and Superman Ride. Everything was so fun and great! Feels like a normal human being. #happykid

Accepting the Risk

Do not tell yourself or to anyone that you have loved if you did not experience pain. A wound is a symbol that you have loved and you are strong. It gives you time to know and find yourself. Happy Sunday everyone!

Growing Faith

Yeyyyyy!! Done reading the book of Mitch Albom – Have A Little Faith. I’ve bought this book last year but read it this April 2012. Haha! Busy much! I can say that Mr. Albom for the nth time touched my heart. These past few months, I felt that I have lost faith, but this book gave me a powerful lesson – a lesson that allowed me to find my faith again. This is really a highly recommended book to everyone! Also, do not forget to read his other books – Tuesdays with Morrie, The Five People You Meet in Heaven and For One More Day.

Just want to share few of my favorite wordsssss from the book.

“Faith is about doing. You are how you act, not just how you believe.”

“That’s what faith is. If they spit in your face, you say it must be raining. But you still come back tomorrow.”

“When you come to the end, that’s where God begins.”

“I’m not as good as I was yesterday, but I’m better than I’m gonna be tomorrow.”

“Never gonna let life’s troubles get you down.”

“Being part of something big while doing something small.”

“Nothing haunts like the things we don’t say.” (Saying Sorry)

“It does no good to be angry or carry grudges. It churns you up inside. It does you more harm than the object of your anger.”

“If two people are communicating well, they have good chance. If they have similar belief system, similar values, they have good chance. Love they should always have but love changes. Love –the infatuation kind- he’s so handsome, she’s so beautiful – that can shrivel. As soon as something goes wrong, that kind of love can fly out of window. True love can enrich itself. It gets tested and grows stronger.”

“I think people expect too much from marriage today. They expect perfection. Every moment should be bliss. That’s TV or movies.. but that is not the human experience. The trick is when things aren’t so great, you don’t junk the whole thing. It’s okay to have an argument. It’s okay that the other nudges you a little, bothers you a little. It’s part of being close to someone. It is a blessing the joy you can get from the other. People forget that. Because the word commitment has lost its meaning. A committed person was someone to be admired. He was loyal and steady. Now a commitment is something you avoid. You don’t want to tie yourself down.

Mitch: And if you don’t commit?

Reb: Your choice. But you miss what’s on the other side.

Mitch: What’s on the other side?

Reb: Ah.. A happiness you cannot find alone.”

“It’s the blending of the different notes that makes the music.. music of believing in something bigger than yourself.”

“You knew me.. you knew that person but you don’t know the person that I’m trying to become.”

“You are not your past.”

“When you give, you get.”

“So many people are in pain – no matter how smart or accomplished – they cry, they yearn, they hurt. But instead of looking down on things, they look up, which is where I should have been looking, too. Because when the world quiets to the sound of your own breathing, we all want the same things: comfort, love and a peaceful heart.

“You’re a man of God too.. Everyone is.”

“We, who are born, are born to die.”

“Why he thinks he became a rabbi?

1.   -    Liked people

2.    -   Loved gentleness

3.     -  Have patience

4.      - Loved teaching

5.       -Determined in faith

6.       -Connects to the past

7.       -To live good, to do good, and to be blessed

Mitch: I didn’t hear God in there.

Reb: (smiles) God was there before number one.”

“With a little faith, people can fix things and they truly can change.”

“I am in love with hope.”

Very nice book. Hopefully, I’ll be given a chance to meet Mr. Albom soooooon! J

Maundy Thursday

at Sta. Rita Parish Church

Feel the fragrance that emanates from Christ. 

-St. Philip

Reflections Within

Yesterday April 2, 2012, we had our recollection at the conference room of our municipal hall. Father Aljhim is the facilitator of the recollection. He started it with a little information about himself then an introductory video entitled “Canvas of Society”. The video was an eye-opener to the society. It focuses on different lives of people who can experience pain and sufferings. The painting is similar to the Last Supper of Jesus with His disciples but this time children were His company. I think the video was available in YouTube. I am not really used to write in every recollection I attended but this time, I don’t know. I think Father Aljhim brought an impact to me that time.

So here are some words from Father Aljhim. I hope you too can reflect with this.

Questions on Sufferings:

*Why do we have to suffer?

*What do we get from all suffering we experience?

* Why is that sometimes the righteous suffers and the wicked prospers?

*Can’t God just remove human sufferings?

                In my own opinion, we need to suffer to be strong and to experience the real meaning of life. With that, we can able to cope up or adapt with things easily whether it is a happy one or sad one. For me, those who suffer are the chosen ones. They are very lucky for they were given a chance to experience suffering. I agree with Father Aljhim when he said that God can remove sufferings, but like I said it is a test, an opportunity, a chance.

*Why did Jesus have to suffer?

                Father Aljhim said that Jesus joined and became one with us in our suffering. When we suffer, we feel alone, but we humans are born to be with someone. We do not need first money but a companion. If we’ll not carry God’s cross, we can’t follow Him. Without it, we cannot follow Christ. Jesus understands us and God knows because He himself experienced being betrayed and being hurt.

                Jesus also gave suffering a new face, this is why the cross is not only a picture of death but of life as well. Remember that there is always grace in pain. There is grace in suffering. Through suffering, there is life in pain. We need to learn how to live on our own. Life is not perfect. We need to be ready in times of disappointments. It increases our tolerance, our resistance.

Two of my favourite quotes Father Aljhim shared to us was “Sacrifice is the best expression of love” and “Only love can make sufferings and pain meaningful and bearable.” Unconditional love was also tackled. Father Aljhim said that unconditional love challenges us to accept those people who hurt us.

I just love attending recollectionssssssss, enough said. :) 

Look how fat I am hahaha!

So this is me when I started to have high dose of steroids. Depressing right? 

recent picture

But now, I learn how to manage it. I didn't stop my steroids. I’m still taking them but look at me now..  The point here is we need not to be depress in every situation that may happen to us. Yes, I've been in disturbed body image stage but I find ways how to surpass that stage. Again, the key is to exercise and eat healthy, right amount of foods.

More Fun in the Philippines

And here we go again. Summer. I’m going to enjoy you now. Please allow me to be with you this time. I know it is not good to be with you but if I’ll limit myself now, I don’t know when will be the next time I’ll enjoy you again. Lupus, please don’t stop me in doing what I love. Please be good to me. Please allow me now. I’ve been good these past few days. I drink my medicines religiously, exercise every morning and I always sleep early. This time it will be your turn to give me a chance. Let me enjoy and experience the fun in the Philippines. J

See You Soon

 One Sunday morning, I met a man with white attire and black pants. He was there, quiet, silent and has flat affect. I don’t know if that is really his attitude but I respected it. At my first sight, my eyes wanted to cry. I wonder if he sees me with those teary eyes. But then he was flat affect. I told him I’m here for him, but then he was flat affect. I told him I forgive him but he remained silent. I thanked him but he didn't answer. I love you I said to him but I don’t know if he hears me. I want to hold him that time, wake him up and I demand answers for those unanswered questions but again I respected his silence. Soon I’m going to see him, meet him afterlife, and hoping by that time I’ll know him personally and sincerely. There are many words unspoken, so many iloveyou’s unsaid. Dad, I hope you can read this blog. This post is for you. Sorry if I’m not with you in time of distress. But please guide me now whenever I take care of the sick people. Please ask God to bless my hands, mind and heart so that I can do my duty as a nurse. Till we see each other again. May you rest in peace. I love you. 

Lights Off

Five minutes before Earth hour ends.. So I was here lying in my bed .. Thinking every single memory about my life without lupus. I have no idea where I got SLE. 100% sure, I’m not a smoker. I may drink alcohol but not always. Milk, fruits and veggies are my best friends. But instead of thinking negative things, I consider lupus as one of the best gifts God gave me. He made me realize that I’m special and I was chosen because He knows I can make it. I’ve been in different situations before, childhood trauma, and heartaches. But because God is with me, I know I can do everything. Lupus is just a simple challenge that I need to take. Never be affected by a simple thing. Instead make every single extraordinary dream come true despite of the illness that we have. Happy lupus life everyone! 

Questions

Someone asked me, “When you hear his name what comes into your mind?” I answered HAPPINESS. He is my happiness in times of sadness, my cure when I feel sick, my strength in times of weakness and of course my love. I tried to protect him because I don’t want him to be involved in my work so this is very unusual that I published something like this. A lupus fighter like me may be an emotional but I’m very much sure of my feelings. I’m deeply in love with the person I met when I was in second year of my college life. We were both silent type of person but as we’ve known each other, there are many discoveries and unrevealed things about ourselves. I considered them as our secrets. It is fun to know him day by day. In every relationship, bad things do happen and no matter how bad it is, we know how to solve them. When can you really know if he is the one? Are there signs? I don’t know. If lupus has no cure, until when can I spend happiness with the one I love? But I do believe that God loves me that He let me feel this kind of feeling – the feeling of being loved and the feeling of being hurt. As I said before, pain reminds me that I’m still alive. There is no reason for giving up. I will live life to the fullest, inspire many people as long as I can so that in the end, I’ll have no regrets. Love is like lupus. There is no cure for it. You have just to believe that there will be always a positive result in every medicine you take. And finding a cure for it is like patiently waiting for one true love. It may not happen now but who knows – maybe tomorrow.

Getting to Know Me

*I've found this file in my laptop today. So I decided to put it here in happylupuslife blog. I think I wrote this in college. Never mind the wrong grammar :) haha! *  

Having a single-parent type of family does not mean it is already called as incomplete. I live with my mother which I call Ma or Mama in personal. She is a kind of person that knows which is good and which is bad. Her disciplinary actions are just right for my conduct and she performs the role of being a mother and at the same time being a father. She tries her best to raise me up as her only child and hopes that someday I will become one of the successful persons in the whole world.

I was born in Mother of Perpetual Help Hospital and grew up in my grandparents’ house wherein they have a mini store as a source of income of my grandmother. As her grandchild, I was tasked to help her in selling foods which were available in her store. It was in my sixth grade when my mother decided to get her share in our lot and built a house located near the fields. The environment is refreshing in which there are different kinds of trees, plants and flowers surrounding the area.

         My Mom began working in the government for how many years already even when I’m not still in her womb. Because of her work, she needed the help of our neighbor and my other aunties and relatives to take care of me while she is in office. On the other hand, she teaches me about my homeworks and reviews me whenever we have our exams even if she is coming home late at night. I did not grow as her spoiled daughter. I only receive what I deserve. Those things given by my mother were enough. Obviously, my mother is the one making decision in our family. She is the one who settle on or decide about different matters at home and other aspects in life. When talked about decision making, I still consult or rely on my Mom though most of the time I solve problems by myself or with the help of my friends.

          Though I do not have any siblings, I still have my cousins in which I can join their group and have fun with. We have these similarities on the things we like and dislike that’s why we have a special and closed intact relationship. Our whole family meets every Sunday and whenever there are special occasions such as birthdays and thanksgiving celebration.

          In times of stress, I rely on my friends. I can open up my problems with my friends because they know when I’m stressed and they will find a solution so that I would be okay. To name a few, they are my highschool and college friends and the people I’ve met through an online forum courtesy by Lupus Inspired Advocacy(LUISA) wherein I began to experience the love from a social support group teaching me on holding on despite of the illness I have. I have many friends of the same sex wherein they help me whenever I need them, talk to me whether in happy or bad times. I am sure that they love and care for me. I also have friends of the opposite sex and the closest person to me is J who acts as my little father, a brother and a friend.  

          There will be no problem when it comes on helping other people as long as I can. It makes me happy whenever I see others who received my help. It is very nice to hear whenever one person will let you hear his or her sincere “thank you”.

          If I were given the chance to take care of a newborn, I would gladly accept it since I do not have any siblings. Another reason is it is good to see newborns that are smiling on you and talking to you though their words are not fully understood.

          As of now, I cannot live independently since I’m still reliant on my mother. But my mother started to train me and teach me about other things I need to learn because she is always saying that she is already old and she can’t be with me all the time. She emphasizes that I need to develop a good heart and mind and respect should not vanish.

          Whenever I enter a school or university, one thing is for sure, they will think and notice that I’m a silent type of girl but easy to be with. I am frequently shy with my teachers but love to be with my schoolmates and classmates. At the end of every term, I can give happiness to my Mom by simply dedicating to her the awards I got in school years. On the schools I have attended, they taught me and build up my personality as a simple person and as a student.

          To make sure that I made the right decision, I consult other people about it. Sometimes I easily get influenced by environmental and social factors which may lead of having an unstable decision. When faced with problems, I asked Lord’s guidance and have a talk with my friends and special persons in my life. Sometimes, I’m losing my appetite when having problems or I prefer to eat ice cream and other delicious foods in which they can relieve the stress in me. Most of the time, I consider problems as challenging ones. I get excited and at the same time nervous when a new situation would happen. I usually finish projects that I begin but sometimes it takes times before I can finish one. I admit that sometimes I’m losing my patience on working with other things which are difficult but then other things when finish is a great achievement for me and that adds strength to my personality.

          I can describe myself as a silent type of girl but when I’m with my friends I feel comfortable enough that I can’t keep myself talking and talking. I have my plans in the future regarding my career which includes working first here in the Philippines and if ever there would be a chance to work in abroad I would grab the opportunity. 

          Community activities were my passion when I was in younger years. When I started to be in 2^nd year college, I failed to attend a youth group organization which is called Parish Youth Ministry which lead to my decision that I need to drop it and focus to my studies.

As of now, I can see the improvements in our community since our parish priest together with the government and barangay officials were good combination to aim for a goal and that is to improve and transform our place to a beautiful and peaceful place to live in.

          I believe every situation happened to me has a reason behind it. It may be bad or good but still it added something of what I am now. If I was thinking as an immature person, I would think that life is unfair. I did not even experience of having a real father or having a perfect family which consist of a father, mother and their children. But later I’ve realized that God has been good to me always and life is not unfair. Other people think of me as a person with strong personality. Despite of the problems being experience and the life I had, I am here having a positive outlook in life that someday I can surpass all of these and tell myself that I made it. What I really want is to be that someone who can inspire and help many people by serving them and at the same time learning also from them about their life’s experiences. One more thing is to give back to my Mom the love and care she showed me and I know that she deserves that kind of love from me. 

made with LOVE :)

Sourstrips from Candy Corner :)

It is my first time to arrange something like this.  

sencillez de la vida

source: JD's cam

I've been to many places, but Dingalan gave me so many memories to be remembered. It reminds me on how God shows His greatness for the gift of mountains, the clear water, the hospitable Filipinos and the gift of humility. The simplicity of the people there made me realize that we can survive without the latest technologies in the world. With that, we can spend more time for our families, more bonding moments, more communication and stories to tell. What is so amazing here is about the driftwoods. Try to discover different places especially here in the Philippines. 

I bought this necklace somewhere in Manila :)
*symbol of hope*

Butterfly - Traditionally the butterfly represents freedom, transformation and recovery. Also, one of the more common symptoms of Lupus is called a butterfly rash. It is a red rash across the nose and cheeks that resembles a butterfly. That is why the butterfly has become the symbol of hope for Lupus patients.

Source:http://cure4lupus.org/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=153&chapter=2