Today is the last day of the Year 2007. This means this post is definitely my last post for this year. Since this is already my last post for the year 2007, I want to talk about New Year's tradition. New Year's Eve is very important day in my country. How about yours?
In my country, New Year's Eve, so with Christmas Holiday, is the time for family reunions. Some of my countrymen working abroad always wanted to go home and spend the holiday seasons with their family. Of course, there are instances when they can't, probably because of priceless plane tickets or work demands. However, as long as there is no hassle in going home, they always do.
The gathering of family for the Media Noche or midnight meal is one of the exciting traditions in my country. This is a feast that symbolizes hope for a better and more prosperous New Year. Another tradition is the collection of 12 kinds of different round fruits. It is believed that doing this will also bring more prosperity throughout the year
New Year's Eve is also the time of banging gongs, blowing trumpets, lighting firecrackers and fireworks - just to make noise during this time. We do this every year because of our belief that noise will drive away bad luck and bad spirits.
So, does your country also celebrate New Year’s tradition? Would you like to share yours here?
Happy New Year!
New Year Rush With The Tradition
Thank You Everyone!
One day to go and it's already 2008. Goodbye 2007, Hello 2008.
Before the year ends, I would like to thank everyone who touched my life and supported my blog as well. I read a post yesterday in Bluedreamer's blog, so I thought I'll mimic the idea of his post by thanking everyone. Thanks Bluedreamer :D
First.. thanks to my family - mom, dad, and siblings. Thank you for letting me live my life the way I wanted it to be. I love you guys :D
To my hon, thanks for being here especially when I needed you. Love you :D
To my true friends (you know who you are)... thank you for accepting me the way I am, pals.
To my friends who do not keep in touch... it's ok because I know we are still friends even without saying "Hello" often.
To my former colleagues and office friends, who visited and doesn't visit my blog... hope someday, you will give it a look so you will read this post, thanks for those days - the dinners and breakfasts we shared, the laughs and fights... I miss you :D
To my online friends who I meet here in the blogging world, thanks for your support on my Space of Reality blog. I really appreaciate your visits, feedbacks (both good and bad), comments, and supports. Hope you will keep on reading every article I post here and I hope these posts will affect your life in a good way. Special thanks to Bluedreamer who happen to be my most active visitor and commentator.
Thanks a lot everyone!!!
Happy New Year!!!
2008 New Year's SMS Messages
Two days to go before the New Year's Eve...
Awhile ago, I was searching for New Year's quotes and text messages to send to my family and friends and I found four cool and touchy quotes. I thought of sharing them here so we can all send them to our loved ones. Of course, you can also search them in Google if you try... but to save the effort, I still want to list these SMS here :D
Here they are:
Think of joy, forget the fear...
Hold the laugh, leave the pain,
Be joyous, Coz it's New Year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Fill your life with Happiness & Bright Cheer,
Bring to u Joy and Prosperity for the whole Year,
And it’s my New Year wish for you Dear…
Wish u a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Nights are Dark but Days are Light,
Wish your Life will always be Bright.
So my Dear don't get Fear
Coz God give us a “BRAND NEW YEAR”.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
When the midnight bell rings tonight,
Let it signify new and better things for you,
Let it signify a realisation of all things you wish for,
Let it signify a year of courage and beliefs.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
You can also visit Post Messages blog for more text messages for the holiday seasons and daily life :D
Happy New Year, everyone! This is just a summary of this post, go here to read the full article...
Four Days Left Before Year 2008
Wow... it's only four days left before year 2008. Time slips too fast. The last time I checked the calendar was Christmas Day and now, it’s only four days left and it's already New Year's Eve.
Welcome year 2008!!!
Now that we only have only four days for the year 2007, why don’t you make some reflections on what you did for the whole year? Did you influence one’s life in a good or bad way? Did you make your life better or worst? Did you gain or lose friends? Did we hurt or love people? Did you learn new or lose some?
Knowing that you only have four days left for the year 2007, how are you going to spend it? Will you spend it doing some good or bad deeds? Will you use the remaining four days to ask forgiveness to people you hurt both by verbally or emotionally? Will you call your friends and family who are not beside you? Or will you just shrug and say "I don't care." Or maybe, just let these days pass and wait for the year 2008 to settle things down.
What will you do?
Now that you still have four days, why not forgive those people who sinned against you? Why not ask forgiveness to people you had hurt- intentionally or unintentionally? Why not call those people who are physically away from you and tell them how much you care, miss, and love them?
Why not end this year forgetting the hatred and starting the year 2008 with serenity and peace at heart, by giving, caring, and loving? Why not start the year 2008 forgetting the past and living the present and looking forward to the future? New year, new life… right?
Just a simple thought of mine... :D
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
Finally, it's Christmas day!
I woke up late because we stayed up until two o'clock in the morning today. We celebrated Christmas eve by cooking, gift giving, and hanging out. It was fun. Another great Christmas eve. I have a lot of things to tell how fun was our Christmas eve, but this post is not about our Christmas eve. So, to wrap it up, our Christmas celebration was 100% fun.
Anyway, the purpose of this post if about Christmas reflections. Last Sunday, I mentioned about saying "Sorry", "Thank you", and "I love you". You can read more about this post by clicking Christmas Countdown.
Had you already said "I am sorry" to people you unintentionally hurt? Had you say "Thank you" to those who treasured you? Had you already said "I love you" to those you love?
If not yet, then what are you waiting for? Today is Christmas day and grab this opportunity to say these words. It's not yet too late. Never too late. This day is the great day for forgiveness, love, and caring.
From Santa and me: Merry Christmas to everyone!!! Enjoy today and always!!!
Go and spread the love!
Christmas Countdown - Two Days To Go
Two days to go and it’s already Christmas day.
Are you happy? Did you already say "sorry" to those who you hurt unintentionally? Did you say "thank you" to those you treasure and treasured you? Did you say "I love you" to those you love and loved you?
If not yet then take this opportunity to say "thank you", "sorry" and "I love you" while it’s not yet too late.
I will start :D
To my friends, I'm sorry if I haven't been a perfect friend. I'm sorry for my shortcomings. Despite my imperfections as your friend, I treasure you all. I'm so thankful I met you. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you too for accepting who I really am. I will do my best to keep up the friendship.
To my family, I'm sorry if I don't keep in touch often but God knows I really do miss you. Thank you for being always there when I needed you and thank you for loving me. Remember, I love you too.
To my love one - my honey. Sorry for hurting you and sorry for all the petty fights I caused. I am truly sorry. I really do love you with all my heart. Thank you for listening, understanding, caring, and loving me. I will always be right beside you. Not a promise, but you know I'll do.
Thanks for everything.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Hye
Christmas Seasons: Time for Gifts or Love?
Four days to go and it’s already Christmas day. Had you bought your gifts for your love ones already? I haven’t bought my gifts yet, maybe tomorrow. I am still in the process of thinking the best gift to give to my love ones.
Anyway, since it's only 4 days left before Christmas day, I will be covering topics that are related to Christmas until the end of the Holiday season. To my readers, hope you will still keep on dropping by and leaving your feedback. I really appreciate it when you share your opinions about my posts.
Here's another Christmas article. Hope you’ll like it :D
The children in my neighborhood are again singing their Christmas carols. I really can't stop myself from smiling listening at their lyrics. Yesterday, I tell about how children sing the Silent Night carol. Now, I want to share another Christmas carol.
I was watching my favorite TV show awhile ago when I heard group of kids singing in my neighborhood. After singing their song, they were expecting someone to give them coins or candies. But because the house (where they sung a Christmas song) is closed (probably the owner of the house is out), no one gave them anything. So the children sung these lines:
Thank you… thank you… ang babarat ninyo… thank you!(Translated in English: Thanks for no thanks, selfish people!)
I was just wondering if these kids actually know the real meaning of Christmas. Do they sing Christmas songs from house-to-house expecting for coins and gifts? Or simply just to spread the spirit of Christmas? It looks like they are singing Christmas carols because they are expecting something in return :( This is just a summary of this post, go here to read the full article...
Silent Night As Sung By Kids
Christmas is already in the air. Every night, I hear children singing Christmas carols in the neighborhood. It even made me smile when these children sing the lyrics incorrectly.
Awhile ago, while I was typing a post in my other blog, a group of kids about five years old or younger were singing the song "Silent night" incorrectly. So I thought of sharing their lyrics here in Space of Reality blog.
Here is how they sung the song:
Silent night wo-holy night;Isn't it funny? I mean no offense but I can't stop smiling whenever I hear kids from my neighborhood singing Christmas carols. Though they sing the lyrics incorrectly, they hum the melody correctly. I think what matters most is we are hearing and feeling the essence of Christmas, right?
Wol is come, Wol is bright.
Rounding Virgin Mother and child.
Holinfang so tender and mild
Sleeping tenderly piiiiisss.
Anyway, here's the corrected lyrics of the song "Silent Night" (not the one above).
Merry Christmas! :D This is just a summary of this post, go here to read the full article...Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in Heavenly peace
Do you attend "Misa de Gallo"?
I am sure not everyone here knows what "Misa de Gallo" means.
For those who are not aware what "Misa de Gallo" means, it is a Spanish phrase for Midnight mass, mostly translated as "Rooster's Mass". In our native language, we call it “Simbang Gabi”
Maybe “Rooster’s Mass” is not celebrated in your country. Or maybe yes. As for my country, it is our tradition. It is the time where we attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve. As practiced, this custom lasts for nine days, starting on December 16 until December 24. Many devoted people in my country attend this mass as a devotion to God and Blessed Mother Mary. Some even believe that if you complete the nine masses, your wish will come true. When I was young, I used to believe that too.
What I like about most attending midnight mass is the selling of Filipino delicacies, such as puto bumbong, bibingka, hot cocoa drink, and many other foods. You can buy these foods mentioned after the midnight mass. Yummy. It is amazing most Filipinos are still practicing this tradition.
Does your country practice “Misa de Gallo”, too? If not, what do you usually do?
The Best Gift To A Loved One This Christmas
It's a time to be kind to one and all.
It's the time of year when good friends are dear,
And you wish you could give more
Than just presents from the store.
Are you familiar with these song lyrics? Maybe yes. Maybe not. In case you don’t know, this song is one of the most popular Christmas song played during Christmas season in my country. Right now, my neighbor is actually playing this song while I was writing this article.
In my country, Christmas season is already in the air. Children were singing Christmas carols everywhere. Christmas lights are lit every night in every house. Lanterns are hanged in windows. In malls, people are rushing to buy their gifts…
Speaking of gifts, had you already thought the best gift for your loved one? For dad? Mom? Siblings? Friends?
It’s only ten days left and it's already Christmas. I haven't thought yet the best Christmas gift for my loved ones. Honestly, I am thinking of something special. It's not necessarily expensive. It can be cheap, but not ordinary. What matters is its value. Just like the saying "It's the thought that counts."
How about you, what do you think is the best gift to give this Christmas? Are you hoping someone will give you your dream iPhone? Or your dream laptop? Or just simply hoping you are with your loved ones this Christmas.I think the best gift this Christmas is love, forgiveness, and peace. It’s good to receive material gifts, but isn’t it better when love is in the air too? This is just a summary of this post, go here to read the full article...
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Mark Twain
In most cases, actions indeed speak louder than words but not most of the time, as Mark Twain said in his quote above. There are still instances when we need words. An action alone is not enough. Actions and words blend in together.
But what if it is only pure words... no action?
Let's admit, we've been hearing this idiom for the rest of our lives. In schools, we often hear "Action speaks louder than words". In our homes, we hear it from our family, as well as from our friends.
Anyway, what does the idiom "Actions speak louder than words" exactly mean?
Let's have this definition from thefreedictionary.com:
Actions speak louder than words means what you do is more important than what you say.
Agree? Or do you have another definition for the said phrase?
We may admit it or not, there are times in our lives that we don't keep what we say. Some are small things, while most are big things. As an example, you often say to someone "I love you", but you don't show her how much you do. Or you often say "I missed you" but you don't even bother to call and say "Hello".In this world, words alone is not enough. If you really mean what you said, show it. But remember that life is not also only about actions. You also need some words. They blend in together. Without the other, the other is not complete. Agree? This is just a summary of this post, go here to read the full article...
The True Meaning of Respect
I was thinking of the exact meaning of the word "respect" so I did a Google search and it gave me the above definition from Wikipedia. Well defined but it was not actually the one I am searching for. I tried opening the other search results hoping I will find what I am trying to find, but I failed. I did not get what I was searching for - the true meaning of respect.
In this case, how do you define the word respect?
I noticed that respect had been sometimes misused or misunderstood. Wise men may define it perfectly, but if no one will practice it, then respect is as good as null and void. I often hear people saying "I respect my parents... I respect my elder sister or brother... I respect my mentor... I respect you... etc.
But have you ever wonder if these people really mean what they are saying? Or did they just say it, with a big PERIOD! Maybe I was the only one who noticed it. Or maybe, you noticed it too but you just ignore and say "Who cares?!"We may admit it or yes, it is true that actions speak louder than words. Simply saying you respect him is not enough. You have to mean and show it. It is worthless to say “I respect you” but you don’t actually mean it. You are just saying it as a “word of mouth”. If you respect someone, show it.
Now, if I were to ask you your own definition of the word "respect", how will you define it? This is just a summary of this post, go here to read the full article...
Trust Your Instincts
"Trusting your instincts lead you to the right answer..." - Anonymous
Do you agree with this sentence? Why not?
If yes, why?
Honestly, I agree with the statement above. In most cases, trusting my instincts often lead me to the right answer. However, I did not listen. For example, while watching a game show, my instincts told me the right answer to the host's question. But instead of listening, I did not. Then, the next thing I know, viola, my instincts are right. I should have answered the question correctly.
Anyway, there are a lot of situations about my instincts and for not listening to them. But if will write them all here, then I am pretty sure I will finish this post tomorrow and it will be very wrong. I don’t want that to happen because I know readers don't want long posts, right? So I think, these three situations I cited above will suffice as an example of trusting my instincts that could have been lead me to an answer, but too bad, I did not listen.
I read an article saying studies shows that instinctive snap decisions are more reliable than decisions taken using higher-level cognitive processes. Can you believe that? Do you agree?
In my opinion, all of us have our instincts. I think it is normal in us to have instincts. However, we may admit it or not, sometimes, we do not listen to our instincts because we are having seconds thoughts thinking "What if my instincts are wrong". But then again, after we learned our instincts right, we sigh and mutter "If only I listened to my instincts" :(
People Often See One's Mistakes
In my opinion, it is really true that people often see one's mistakes easily rather than the good things he or she did. I think most of you agree with me. For those who don't want to agree or want to deny, then try to answer the following question :D
What do you see in this image?
Most of you reading this post may answer "a dot" or "a big black dot". If someone answered differently, then that person may be different from most of us :D
What is your answer, anyway? (You may post it at the Comments area so I may know, too.)
Anyway, when I was asked the same question for the first time, I also answered similar to those who answered "a dot". If I remember it right, I think my exact answer was "a big black dot". My former boss in my previous company was the one who asked the question during our weekly meeting. Most of my colleagues answered the same as mine.
Actually, there is no right or wrong answer in this question. What I am trying to imply here is, we normally see one's mistakes or imperfections rather than his good deeds. Let's take the image above as an example. Most of us answered "a dot". Did anyone here answer "white square"? I think there are. But only few :(
Follow Your Passion: Do Something You Love!
Earlier June this year, I was thinking of quitting my job because I was quite fed up with the things happening in our office. Sorry, I can't disclose them here :D
During those days, I read an article titled "Stop doing stuff you’re not passionate about", or something like that. I can't remember the exact title of the article, or even the writer! But I am so sure that the idea of the article is to stop doing things I am not passionate about and start doing the things I love.
I agreed with the author. Life is just to short just to waste it doing the things I don't love. I should waste my time to the things I wanted and loved. That way, I won't have any regrets in the future.
I followed his recommendation. I quit my job and re-considered another better opportunity. I am too glad I listened to him. Now, I know something better is waiting ahead of me. I no longer feel stuck, bored, and demoralized. It is a great feeling knowing your passion and doing what you really love.
I guess the lesson here is that "If you’re not excited about what you do for a job - change it as soon as you can. Take that first step, whatever it is, towards doing something you love." :D
