Lead Me, Lord

My future may look bleak and uncertain, but I lift up everything to you, Lord. You know what is best for me.

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays

And we know that all things work together for good

to them that love God, to them who are called

according to His purpose.

-Romans 8:28

Monochrome Friday: Uniforms

World War II Uniform Jacket

On display at the Orange County Regional History Center, Orlando, FL

What's for Lunch Today?

I've been on a weight-loss mission for almost twelve days now. "Almost" because there were some days when I went over my carb intake. For example, the other night, I indulged myself to a taco salad after having a hearty but healthy broiled salmon dinner. I am slowly (painfully slow) losing those unwanted pounds although I still have a looooonnnnng way to go before I reach my ideal weight.

When I am on diet, I prefer eating at home when I can prepare my own food. Dining out is just a good excuse to break my diet. When I do the grocery, I am very particular about the amount of carbs in the food I choose, and I make sure that I buy only those which are carb-friendly. I am glad that I can still endulge in my favorite comfort food - chocolate through Carbsmart's chocolate ice cream bar. It may not be as rich and delicious as Haagen Dazs but it is friendly to my abs and thighs.

So what did I prepare for lunch today?

I stir fried some broccoli, red and yellow peppers, carrots, celery, sugar snap peas and tofu (firm) in szechuan sauce.

I also prepared deviled eggs (substituted pepper for paprika).

Juice is pineapple-orange flavored Crystal Light (0 carbs) and dessert is CarbSmart chocolate ice cream bar (3 net grams).

Who says you can't have fun while you're on diet?

On Diet?

Summer is here ! It's the time of the year to flaunt our sleeveless tops, spaghetti-strapped floral dresses, tanks, minis, shorts and swimsuits, right ? Well, for those of us who are too "meaty", we need to lose those unwanted pounds in order to look good in our summer get up.

Losing weight means going easy on our food intake like staying away from or going easy on carbs and sweets. Exercise is also a healthy way to trim down. These days, my exercise consists of doing laps on the pool. I enjoy swimming and at the same time, I know I am working out my whole body. Others prefer to supplement their food intake with diet pills. There are different kinds of diet supplements available in the market but not all of them work or are safe. Many manufacturers and suppliers claim their products are the best diet pills in the market; however, it is best to do some research and get sufficient information before making a decision on which diet supplement to buy.

Health is Wealth

We cannot stress enough the importance of good health. With a healthy body, we have the energy and vitality to do things that we enjoy, work with efficiency and productivity, and lead a longer and happier life.

Our immune system does a great job in defending our bodies against infectious organisms that causes infections, diseases and different kinds of illnesses. However, pollutants, chemicals, stress, unhealthy lifestyle can weaken our immune system which causes us to pick up colds, bouts of flu, or infectious diseases. We, therefore, need to strengthen our immune system by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, good diet, avoiding stress and taking adequate supply of immune system boosters .

Message of Upliftment

Let God take care of you His way

and He'll not only bring you out,

but He'll bring you out better than you were before.

Thank you very much, Peachet, for this very inspiring message.

Scenic Sunday: Missing the Peaceful Life

Private beach in Cauayan, town in Negros Occidental, Philippines owned by Peping and Carolyn Chavez, my BFF.

This picture brings back bittersweet memories of life in the Philippines: the happy times spent with my family and friends. I really miss those days.

The Lady and the Horse

One of the events I like to watch in the Summer Olympics is the equestrian. I like how an equestrienne looks when she's mounted on the horse: regal and poised, and graceful like her horse as it trots, jumps or gallops around the arena; the rider's and horse's movements in rhythm with each other. I especially find the equestrian apparel so elegant. I think the clothing and apparel adds to the rider's classy look.

Watching a lady in white breeches, tall dress boots, light colored shirt, sometimes worn with a dark coat or vest, wearing a dark hat and white gloves while riding a horse simply looks amazing.

Time for Change

Today, the people of the United States of America celebrate their nation's Independence Day with picnics, barbecue, get-together with family and friends, for merrymaking. In the Philippines, the country where I come from, we do not celebrate our Independence Day with much fanfare. We have simple parades, programs, flag-raising ceremonies, and, of course, street rallies and marches by cause oriented groups demanding changes in government policies.

I was in Hawaii when I first experienced the Fourth of July celebration. I thought the people were so apolitical because of how they celebrated their Independence Day. Back home, I was active in street demos as a student, and I always associated Independence Day with rallies and street marches. However, looking at how the U.S. government has taken care of its people, I consider the Americans more fortunate than most people in other parts of the world for having been given the opportunity to enjoy freedom and democracy. That is why Americans have this joyous celebration on the Fourth of July - they have a reason to celebrate.

It is, however, a disappointment to hear and read in the news about leaders who have fallen into sexual immorality, covetousness, greed and dishonesty. How can they be trusted to run the government in an honest way when they are not honest with themselves ?

The prophet Ellen G. White said, "the greatest want of the world is the want of men- men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though heavens fall."

Each of us has a responsibility to make our part of the world a "better place." How are we doing with our share in this task? Time for change... and it starts within ourselves.

True Love is Like Diamond

The Bible says, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh." This explains why a person in love is so inspired that he becomes poetic when talking about love. Jim Bishop must have been in high heavens and in the throes of love when he said, "True love is night jasmine, a diamond in darkness, the heartbeat no cardiologist has ever heard. It is the most common of miracles, fashioned of fleecy clouds - a handful of stars tossed into the night sky."

It is also said that one can give without loving but cannot love without giving. Hence, lovers express their love by giving gifts to each other. On special occasions like engagement and wedding days, those who can afford will give, for example, a diamond heart jewelry as a sign of their true love.

Expressing one's love is, however, more than just giving and receiving of material things. It needs to be expressed verbally and through actions. Both must always go together, to give love it's true meaning.

Photo Hunt: Pink

Flowers in our garden

photohunt

Thanks, Fellow Blogger

Thank you, WriteGirl, for these twin awards. These are very much appreciated.

They Don't Care About Us

A controversial song with a powerful message.

Another version of MTV of the same song is also worth checking.

Written and performed by Micheal Jackson

Video directed by Spike Lee

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence which proclaimed the independence of the 13 British colonies in America. It marked the start of a political process that had begun as a protest against oppressive restrictions imposed by Britain on colonial trade, manufacturing, and political liberty and had developed into a revolutionary struggle which resulted in the establishment of a new nation.

The political philosophy advanced in the Declaration of Independence became a source of authority for the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution. It has also influenced the philosophy behind the Declaration of of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, adopted by the National Assembly of France in 1789. In the 19th century, peoples of Europe and Latin America fighting for freedom included in their programs the principles formulated in the Declaration of Independence.

Today, Independence Day is celebrated in the U.S. on the fourth of July, to commemorate that event which changed the course of history of the U.S. and of the world.

We hold these truths to be self-evident,

that all men are created equal,

that they are endowed by their Creator

with certain unalienable Rights,

that among these are Life, Liberty

and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights,

Governments are instituted among Men,

deriving their just powers

from the consent of the governed.

That whenever any new Government,

laying its foundation on such principles

and organizing its powers in such form,

as to them shall seem most likely

to effect their Safety and Happiness,

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that

Government long established should not be changed

for light and transient causes;

and accordingly all experience hath shewn,

that mankind are more disposed to suffer,

while evils are sufferable,

than to right themselves by abolishing

the forms to which they are accustomed.

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations,

pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design

to reduce them under absolute Despotism,

it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government,

and to provide new Guards for their future security.

(portion of the Preamble, Declaration of Independence)

ArtsPark at Young Circle

Located in the 10-acre traffic circle in Downtown Hollywood is ArtsPark. From our condo I can always see children running around the Children's Play Area which has an interactive fountain that spurts water from a concrete plaza with an irregular rhythm at varying heights. Prominent in that area are a colored butterfly sculpture and a mother and child sculpture.

When banabear and I went walking around the park yesterday afternoon, we saw people relaxing, jogging, walking their dogs and a couple doing some exercise routines in the grassy area.

A few meters from the Children's Play Area is the is the Millennium Springs, which interprets the life energy of the baobab tree, considered as one of the oldest and largest trees in the world, a couple of which are planted in the park.

There is a Visual Arts Pavillion, a building which houses studios, exhibition space, room where dance and fitness classes are held. One can also see displayed art (like hand blown vase) by resident artists.

On a clear evening, residents and visitors are treated to a free performance by local bands which we can see and hear from our condo.

At the corner of the circle is an outdoor stage which is venue to free concerts and programs. On this site, the city plans to build a performing arts pavillion and an ampitheater.