A Reading of Alfred Noyes' "The Highwayman"

My Mama's the first fan of this poem. Then, my sister followed. When I read and listened to one reading of it, I fell in love. Here is my version of reading the beautiful tragic poem of Alfred Noyes.

How to Really Have the Power to Wow

One TV advertisement's tagline goes this way "The Power to Wow". Of course, considering it's a skin product, it delivers the message that someone needs to have white and fair skin in order to acquire that power. How about us morena girls? Don't we have the power to wow? :)

For me, the real "power to wow" does not only settle for skin deep factors. No. It's more than that. It's all about one person's over-all personality, one person's bearing. Here are some things that can boost your "power to wow". :)

1.) Feed your mind.

Girls, don't be someone who only talks about shopping, shoes, bags, clothes, make up and boys boys boys. Guys, don't be proud of the fact that you can master the language of DoTA and Counter Strike (girls aren't really into blood and shooting and killing). 

Be educated. Choose to be smart. Love learning. Thirst for knowledge. Read about various topics from health to politics. Isn't it amazing when you can relate to a certain topic one person is talking about? That person will definitely say "Wow, this person has a bright mind".

Read good books. Increase your vocabulary. There's a popular saying that goes like this: "Good grammar will bring you to great places". Don't just beautify your outer appearance. Beautify your mind as well. :)

2.) Tap, develop and share your talents.

One anime that I really love (Skip Beat) opened with "Before someone's born, God gives them a box. It will be unopened for a time. But there will come a time that that box will finally be unlocked." Those words send us a message that everyone HAS a talent. Yes, let me emphasize that. EVERYONE HAS A TALENT. Don't believe that you don't have one. Sometimes, it's just there in the corner waiting for you to tap it. Discover what your talents are. You could be good at singing, dancing, cooking, baby sitting, making people laugh or you have a genuinely caring heart. After discovering your talent, develop it. Practice, practice, practice. :) 

The final step is to share it. This is where the real "wow" factor takes effect. When you share your talent, people will appreciate you. People will say "Dang, that person's not only smart but also talented." Sharing also means you teach other people how you tapped, discovered, and shared your talent. :)

3.) Be spontaneous and creative and fun.

I love that adjective! SPONTANEOUS. That means you can be prim and proper, fun, wacky, adventurous!     For me, it's really a "Wow" if someone is fun and always ready for adventure. Although being prim and proper is important, you also need to sometimes let your hair loose, be relaxed, play like a kid, and never worry about poise. :). People will say "Wow, he/she is fun!" Have you seen Angel Locsin's Whisper (or was that Modess?) commercial? She went on a date with someone. Her date's car broke down. She smiled at him and said "Commute? Go!" Then they went walking, running and ended up eating fish ball. The guy said "wow, she's different!" 

Be versatile. Be a lady. Be a gentleman. But don't forget to have fun. :)

4.) Live a good life.

When you take in good things, you will radiate good things. Don't settle on being "young, wild and free". Be different. Be good. Be kind to people. Be a true friend. Have some spiritual source in your life. Develop a good relationship with our Father in Heaven. Always choose to follow Him than to please your peers. :). Make good choices because they will definitely determine your future. When you are living a good life and you are choosing good choices, it will radiate in your aura and people will say "Wow, there's something different about him/her". And the bottom line? You're not only attracting people, you are also happy. :)

Even though physical beauty is important, always remember that deep beauty is more attractive. Having a deep reservoir of knowledge, talent, spontaneity, and goodness is definitely something that can make people say "WOW!" Now, isn't that quite a power? ;)

Me Want Teddy Bear

I am a sucker for teddy bears. No, not those small, you-can-place-on-your-bedside, midget teddy bears. I have always wanted a huuugggeee teddy bear. I really would like to buy one someday.

(I can hear Alona saying "You are a SINGER. A SIINNGGGERRR!")

Pardon my lack of art skills but this is pretty much the kind of teddy bear I want. :). Life size. Where you can hug it and it can really hug you bag with its big furry arms.

I think this extreme love for huge teddy bears started when my best friend (Jibsy) and I went to Gaisano Kabankalan and I saw this really fluffy, huge, cream-colored teddy bear. It has eyes that seemed to say "Won't you take me home?" I would have bought that bear but P3500 five years ago is a large amount of money and that's what I lack. So, I just sighed and left the cutie-patootie bear. I then made a "well-kinda-promise" to myself that if I get paid someday, I'll save some to buy myself this beary bear. :)

However, I think it's nice is someone will be sweet (hello future boyfriend) enough to buy me one. But I don't think allowing someone to spend that amount of money on you is fair. :). So yeah, scratch that. :)

Teddy bear, just 5 more year and we'll finally have each other. :D

My YSA Darlings

What do you get if you combine all the Young Single Adults? A havoc. Fun havoc. :)

I spent all of my today together with my really amazing YSA friends. During the morning, we went to the chapel to register online in the New Family Search. We had fun! We were still in the chapel when the missionaries arrived. We invited them to have lunch with us and they did join.

After our lunch, we went to play some board games, took a rest for a while, then proceeded to watch a very inspiring movie "Pursuit of Happiness".

When the movie ended, we met with the missionaries again for a Family Home Evening in the Antonio Family. Spent two and a half hours of laughing and playing and sharing testimonies. :)

It rained the whole day but it is undeniable that we really enjoyed this holiday. Truly, with my friends, I can bravely say "What, life? Me boyfriend-less? Challenge accepted!" :D

Well, Hello Ian. :)

He was supposed to be out on April 15, 2012. However, this baby fulfilled my request. :). I was telling him since he was eight months old that he should come out on April 24 so we can both be "ka-birthday". Thia (Ian's mom) had a hard time, though. (Ouch, my fault). She endured labor for two days. Through it all, she's blessed with a really lovely son. :D Here is the little cutie pie:

Ren Ian Yael Morales. Isn't he as cute as a little button? :). I knew it! Those who are born on April 24 are really good looking. Hahahaha. :D

A Firm Foundation: What's that For

When the earthquake struck Japan on March 11, 2011, a Japanese family was having a lunch in a restaurant. As the earthquake commenced, these Japanese remained calm and composed and never left their seat. They just sat there waiting for the earthquake to end. Why did this Japanese family never panic even if there's danger around them? It is because they know that the building they are in is built in a strong foundation.

Those closest to me know that my favorite hymn is "How Firm a Foundation". Its message always reminds me that if I wanted my life to be happy despite all the troubles in the world, I should establish my life in a strong foundation. The scripture clearly tells us where to build our lives. In Helaman 5:12, it says " And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the^arock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your ^bfoundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty ^cstorm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." 

During my years in seminary and institute, my friends would often give me skeptical looks everytime I tell them "I can't come on Saturday. I have a class". They would ask "A class? Where?" "In our church, it's like a Bible school", I would reply. They would then ask "What's that for?"

What's that for? What is seminary and institute for? Why do I need to attend in my classes?

Now, I decide to answer the question. 

1.) For me to know who I really am.

The youth and young adults are bombarded by the media every day that sometimes, we forget to realize our great worth. The scriptures remind us who we really are and what is our divine purpose here on earth. Seminary and institute have made me realize that I am indeed special in Heavenly Father's sight because I am His daughter. The world may tell me that I am insignificant. But the scriptures tell me that I am "great in the sight of God."

2.) For me to able to share the gospel

Full time or not, we have the responsibility of sharing the gospel to other people. How can we share something that we have no idea about? Attending seminary and institute will help us to know the gospel better thru lessons and examples. They will help us to love the message that we share. By experiencing this, we allow ourselves to become better missionaries. The Lord said "Seek not to ^adeclare my word, but first seek to ^bobtain my^cword, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my ^dSpirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the ^econvincing of men.". 

3.) For me to be able to teach my children well.

As a woman, I know my divine purpose is to become a mother, bring children to this world and help them return to Heavenly Father's presence someday. In this world of confusion and temptations, I can help equip them by teaching them the true "points of his doctrine" so that when the time comes that they will be faced by a challenge, they will know where they can rely on and they can bravely say "We do not doubt [what we believe in], our Mother knows it".

We are a chosen generation. It is Satan's plan to confuse us because He knows all the things we are capable of doing. I know that "feasting upon the words of Christ" will indeed tell us "all the things that we should do". It is important to give importance to seminary and institute. The church needs us, the Lord needs us. Let us all build strong foundations while we are young so that when the challenges come our way, we will be like the Japanese people; calm and immovable because we know that our lives are built upon Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer.

General Conference

Having a General Conference every six months is truly a blessing. I felt inspired, lifted up, enlightened and edified. :)