No Regrets

Tweet

I wanted my first serious boyfriend to be the man I would marry. When I finally met the person I had the courage to commit myself to, I was determined to have the ideal courtship. He secured permission from my parents for our courtship, and they kept us accountable.

However, our relationship was challenged by our different principles, different faith and by what I began to sense to be the different directions of our heart. When the apprehension was echoed by my family, I was alarmed, nevertheless, in my pride, I persisted in my relationship with no peace. We're working on the same company. He's 29 and I'm 21 when he proposed to me. But since I had no plans to get settle down, I humbly heeded all the warnings and said "no." My decision shocked him. Soon, I've decided to resigned from my work. When asked to wait for him, I hesitated, I could not maintain a relationship from a distance with a person I was unsure of.

Yet he insisted that he'll wait for me. Thinking that the commitment he was offering was a development from God, our relationship continue. I was in that relationship for 2 years. Until he confesses that he got someone pregnant (sounds like in a movie huh?, but it is true.).

I can't believe what I'm hearing! I was totally shock.  Though he said, if he has to choose over me or the baby it'll be me. That  he don't love the girl that it was just a mistake. >roll eyes< Seriously?!

I am very hurt. :( For several days I could not eat. I was in a states of mind called self denial. Tender grains of rice tasted like small pebbles against my tongue. My eyes were swollen from tears, my voice deeply hushed by sorrow and my heart terribly anguished with His memories.

Although I suffered much from the separation, I heeded God's command to obey Him rather than obey my sinful self or anyone else. I heeded His warnings in His Word about the consequences such decisions would bring about in my life, as well as in the life of my children and my children's children. (if I would still choose to continue the relationship with him) True, it's really painful to say goodbye to someone you don't want to let go, but that decision, giving up the guy for the baby's sake,  gave me insurmountable peace.

My dream to have the "ideal" relationship was shattered. But I believe that what happened was part of my journey with God in forming my character. It was a time to learn new lessons on faith. It was time to give up what I was  holding on to and trust God once again for something better. Words from the Bible, family and friends gave me the courage to move on.

Through this experience, God broke through to me in order to humble me and to value what He was saying through my family, both immediate and spiritual. Some time later, other men came my way. But God's wisdom had warned me not to entertain men who have no fear of the Lord.

It has almost been 3 years. With confidence in God's plan for my life (Rom. 8:28), I can humbly say that I have no regrets.

Roman 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love  him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Google +1 Button to Compete with Facebook 'Like'

Tweet

Google just announced their new personal recommendation button the Google +1. I guess, this is Google’s direct competitor to Facebook’s ‘Like’ button. ^^

This is a must read to all SEO. Because the NEW SEO is the social vote so this is very important! Adding Google +1 button is really a must to include in all SEO strategy.

Basically, this is how Google +1 button works. If you have a Google account and you are logged in while you are searching on Google you may see search results with recommendations from people you know. Things they shared on Twitter, Flickr, Digg and other social media sites.

Basically, this is how Google +1 button works. If you have a Google account and you are logged in while you are searching on Google you may see search results with recommendations from people you know. Things they shared on Twitter, Flickr, Digg and other social media sites.

“Today we’re enabling you to share recommendations with the world right in Google’s search results. It’s called +1—the digital shorthand for “this is pretty cool.” To recommend something, all you have to do is click +1 on a webpage or ad you find useful. These +1’s will then start appearing in Google’s search results."

The +1 button will appear next to each search result. After pressing the +1 button, you have the option to undo the action immediately. (Just like facebook like button huh!)

For instance, I'm Planning a trip in Calaguas Island, when I do a search, I may now see a +1 from my Bestfriend Calaguas Island hopping next to the result for the happenings in the area. Or if I am looking for 2011 Fashion Clothes, google will show me a +1's from my Top fashion designer schoolmate.

The importance of +1’s is their relevance - you get the right recommendations (because they come from people who matter to you), at the right time (when you are actually looking for information about that topic) and in the right format (your search results).

However, I've just tried now and it's not available yet for websites just for Google Search.  But eventually? I guess, this Google plus one button will surely apply in all blog sites.

Well, this new update really makes it official Social Marketing is real. It will change then the SEO game on Google. Personal votes might be more important than link votes. Google SERPS will get even more personalized than they already are. Also, with personal votes I think the results will be even more different.

What you think?

Static FBML is Outdated (as of March 18, 2011)

Tweet

Facebook already terminated the ability to add STATIC FBML to user's Fan Page.

The last time I tried to add static fbml application on one of our client fan page was on March 20, 2011. Only to find out that Facebook finally did what they said they were going to do on March 18 .... they've already eliminated the ability to add the Static FBML app to Pages.

Pain

Tweet

When tragedy and suffering are experienced in life, our pain is sometime inexplicable. Words cannot give justice to the intensity, depth and complexity of the painful experience.

The older I become the more I realize that all these pain, frustration and embarrassment I experienced, even the shameless mistakes I made, or someone in my family made, add to the depth of my  existence. It is also through these experiences that each new challenge and journey in my adult life today find strong footing; with its deeper roots allowing for undeniable wisdom.

Now, I'm all fond of making fun of myself, of laughing at myself and seriously, embarrassing myself! =))

Spending Valentine's Day with Strangers?

Tweet

Whether you're single or in a relationship on Valentines, it is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and demonstrate love. Love is so much more than romance and celebrating Valentine's Day is not all about spending time with special someone - boyfriend, hubby, family, you can share Valentine's Day with strangers with just a little effort and time. :0

These strangers we all have a date with are the one whom we see on the street, the homeless one - the underprivileged ones. February 14, we roamed the streets of Mandaluyong and start the distribution of old clothes and  goods we received from our kind-hearted sponsors. ^^

As we start distributing the food, people gather in an instant. Somebody from our group asked them to form a line and we start giving away the old clothes and goods that we have for them. One by one people received their packed good and before they finally leave the line, they would always express their gratitude to us. Their sad smile somehow put off our fatigue.

It always feels good that even in my own little ways, I'm able to lend a hand and make other people happy. It’s fulfilling and rewarding. :)

Valentine's day - Time for universal gladness of heart ~ jmi

Real Estate in Metro Ads

Tweet

From Religiosity to Relationship

Tweet

Wednesday to St. Francis Church, Sundays to Pasig Cathedral, and a daily visit to a small chapel near the Pasig Cathedral after school -- somehow religiosity was in my system. I was very sincere in seeking God. But I also saw the reality that my religiosity in church did not carry over to my life at home. I got angry at my nieces and pinched them whenever they touched my things, gave my mom, my ate,  a weeks/ or month of silent treatment in rebellion to their strictness, spent hours devouring novels and giving way to my imaginations. I was selfish and self-centered.



Then I met “Christians” through a college friend.  I saw joy on their faces and in their lives. They spoke of God as someone so real to them. And their friendship was genuine. I was attracted, although wary that I might be converted to another religion. When I started attending Bible studies with them, that was year 2008, I began to understand that God was not offering religion, but a personal relationship with Him. God was inviting me to get to now Him for who He truly is, to walk with Him and follow Him daily. Things began to make sense when, in response to His invitation in Revelation 3:20, I asked Jesus to come into my life as my personal Savior and Lord.

Before long, I began to see changes in me. The Bible I used to keep for years in our bookshelf started to come alive. Woo-hoo! And God DOES speak through His Word! When I needed assurance, comfort when I was down, or guidance for making decisions, God’s Word became my anchor. I began reading it daily and memorizing passages that meant a lot to me.

His Word began to change my outlook and behavior as well. I began to understand my mom and my siblings and even appreciate their protection over me. I became patient with my nieces. I began to take genuine interest in others. I was also beginning to not only know about God, I was getting to know Him!

    Jeremiah 10:14-16 explained to me what made the difference: I was no longer worshiping the god of man’s own making; I was getting to know the God of the entire universe in a way that He wants to be known! :-)