Looking back to 2012 and Moving forward to 2013!

3 days left before 2013!!

Happy New Year to all in advance!!

I figure it's about time for me to review/recap everything that has happened and is still happening in my life before this year end to see & reflect what I can do to improve my life the coming year. I haven't totally processed the whole experience but I can say that 2012 has been a bittersweet year for me. It is this year that I've cried and hurt a lot but at the same time became fully aware of what really matters in life afterall the things I've gone through the past few months.

Though, 2012 welcomed me with a terible start-- from our unexpected separation that leads to the cancellation of our church wedding, betrayal of some people I've put my 100% love & trust and witnessing a death of a friend and uncle-- all these have taught me several important & positive realizations:

1. That God is always in control. I realized, I've over-planned, over-organized  & over-think of my life but no matter how long I plan & work hard to get it.. if it wasn't God 's will.. it will never happen. And so, I've learned to surrender everything to God & trust that all things happen for a reason & a purpose.

2. Money can't buy you happiness. I've heard it many times but it is this year that I've realized the true essence of this old saying. While it is true that money can buy you expensive car, mansion, branded shoes, clothes, bags and etc that can make you live your life comfortably & be temporary happy but it can never ever buy you the lost trust, pure love, real friendship, time that's been wasted, contentment, life that has been taken away by God, respect & peace of mind.

3. What death have taught me. During the time that I was still grieving &  completely shattered over our separation & cancelled wedding, I thought I was the most miserable and pitiful person in the whole wide world until 3 weeks after our split, another sad news came in.. My cousin's boyfriend of 3 years died in an accident. And as I witnessed how the family & my cousin mourn of their loss, I can't help but be ashamed of myself ... Who am I to question God for my misery when other people are even experiencing a more painful, almost unbearable trials? I am just dealing with my brokenheart and they're dealing with a loved-ones death? My situation is just nothing compare to theirs, right?

 .....

Rendell's death taught me a lot of life-lessons-- that we should always appreciate the simple joys in life.. that in the end a good life is not about how much recognitions & money you earned but the quality of relationship you leave to the people who are closest to you.. that we should always get the most out of your life because you will never know when will your life be taken away from you.

And eventhough Rendell died young but for me, he lived a very full life because of the values he lived by. :))

4. We all experience sufferings. My antie almost got everything.. a happy marriage, blessed with 2 beautiful daughters, a successful career and a comfortable life.. she seems to have everything. Until October 2011, her husband was diagnosed with a gallbladder cancer stage IV and was given a short-time frame to live. After a year of battling...my uncle died July this year.

 Like Rendell's death, Tito Jake's passing have also taught me a lot in life.. that true love still exists.. that in time, you will find someone who will love you till death do us part like they did.. that all people in this world (whether rich or poor,  famous or unknown) experience sufferings and that no matter how difficult it may seem.. life must still go on and we should able to accept it...

5. Learn to forgive. Forgiving the people who have hurt me is something that I'm trying to learn these days.  I believe that forgiveness doesnt happen on its own, you must choose to forgive. I wish I could say that I have completely forgiven them , but I'm not. I'm a work in progress and still have a long way to go. In the same way, I also have forgiven myself for my actions as well. I know I have done & said things that caused pain to others. I believe by continuously doing so would help me to ultimately move on in my life & be happy :))

.....

Anyway, I would like to end this post by summarizing the good things that has happened to me this year:

1. I was able to survive a heart ache! :)

2. I was able to land a job.

3. Had a wonderful 21st Birthday Celebration

4. Was able to close deals with my AXA Business

5. Meet and gained more friends.

6. Became even closer to God & family

7. Was able to finally see Lee Min Ho in person :))

8. Attended for the first time several company christmas parties :)

9. Found someone that inspires me :)

10. and became a better version of myself

Here's my latest picture taken at our Christmas party almost a couple of weeks ago..

I know, I know nakakasawa muka ko. lol. :))

I apologize if you find this post so random. hehehe~~

Till next year everyone! (｡◕‿◕｡)

Happy 2013~~

xxx

Always,

Rica ♡

PAL & AirphilExpress "70's themed" Christmas Party

Hello! Hello! (^_^)

Dropping by my blog which I know I've sort of neglected.

Things have been so crazy these past few weeks that I was unable to give an update.

I apologized for that my loves...

Then again, I'm back with my usual documentation post of my recent activities-- as you know, this is my way of remembering all the precious moments that has happened in my life--I'm just not sure how interesting it would have been for you to read an update of my life **laughs**

So last Monday, Philippine Airlines (PAL) and AirphilExpress celebrated together for the first time a very fun-filled "70's themed" Christmas Party held at PAL-PNB Building. With almost 4 thousand attendees, It's so fantastic to see how everyone participated and dressed in their funky 70's outfit.

With my officemates, Jan and Nico! They looked so hilarious with their afro wigs. :)

it was only then that I realized, PNB Building has a great architecture! :))

Group Pictures! :)

I laughed out loud with this pic of Nico. I wouldn't even recognized him at all if I dint know he's wearing an afro wig and a mustache. 

 I look like just my dad at this pic. lol

Daryl and I. 

 I love how my officemate, Jan,  edited  this pic to make it looked like it was taken in the 70's era. :)

A 1970's beauty queen. :))

So that's just it. Just sharing the photos. hehehe~~

I went home that day with the lyrics..
♪ ♫ Hahahaha Stayin' alive.. Stayin alive.. ♪ ♫ 
keep playing on my mind till the next day I woke up. #LSS :)


Next post would be our department's christmas party held last night. Wait for it :))

Have a good night everyone!

Always,

Rica ♡

Lee Min Ho Benchsetter Fun Meet in Smart Araneta Coliseum

It has been exactly 24 hours since I saw Lee Min Ho and yet I'm still in cloud nine. I can't still believe that I finally saw him up close with my very own eyes [though I was not able to hold his hand and take picture with him [but atleast we were just 2 rows apart from the stage]. :)) 

The moment he entered I felt so breathless... and speechless! And yes, Lee Min Ho looks more dreamy in person.
   

Here are some of Min Ho's photos that I've taken last night. DSLR were not allowed inside the Smart Araneta so I only used my digicam.. Sorry for the low quality photos. 

My gosh! How come a beautiful man like him exists? ;)

I was quite not impressed with the stage design.. Its just a plain flaming red backdrop. How I wish Bench made more effort to design oppa's stage. He deserves a better stage! Oh well.. If not with Bench I will not be able to see Min Ho so never mind. hahaha. Thank You Bench!^^

Min Ho's photoshoot was shown in the backdrop. Woah! Drool! ~~

Count down...

There he is. ;) My Prince ♥

The lucky 16 yr old girl who won the act that scene contest. She's so lucky! I envy her!

Oppa already saying goodbye~~ ;(

And to have some sort of evidence that we've watched the bench setter fun meet last night, here's our photo [with cousins] taken before Min Ho's appearance..

So now I could proudly say that we were there. hehehe~~

Eeiisshhh we looked so haggard.

I can't sleep.. I still have hang-over from that wonderful night.

Absolutely a dream come true for me.

Thank you Lord and Bench!!^^

I hope to see Lee Min Ho again.~~

Jaljayo!

Always,

Rica ♡

My Japan Adventures

I thought I got rid all of my ex's pictures until I organized & de-cluttered files in my laptop today & saw a couple of pictures of us together during my first Japan trip last December. And although I had a not-so good memory of my first travel there (because that's where our relationship ended), I still want to share with you some random pics of my Japan adventures.. afterall, it has always been my dream for years to travel Japan and thanks to my ex that I was able to visit Japan because of him . **evil laugh**

Warning: This post is photo-heavy ;) 

This beautiful corset was given to me as a wedding present by Yuu (my ex's Japanese friend) that I should have worn under my wedding dress (if only the wedding pushed through) T_T

and my first ever picture in Japan taken at Fukuoka International Airport. And because I didnt anticipate the very cold weather, I had to change my black flats to boots right away.

Hakata Station

This is the bathroom of the hotel where we stayed in. The whole bathroom was made of plastic--- and its common to all Japan hotels. Suteki ii ne?  ;)

 On my fourth day, my ex & I ate at a famous ajisen ramen restaurant near their place.. Oishii ^_^

This is Rolly-chan.. a very kind Pinoy friend of my ex. She toured me in Dazaifu Shrine on my 6th day while my ex was at work & even let me stayed at their house for one night. Isn't she so nice? ;)

They're the nicest Pinoys I've met in Japan. Thank You Rolly-chan, Nikki, Mike & Joel-kun for your kindness.. though, we may never get to see each other again but I will always be grateful that I've met you guys.

Famous Purikura Box 

at Dazaifu Shrine 

Rolly-chan's cute siblings! (^o^)

Hello-Kitty Car! Kawaii! ^0^

A nice interior of Starbucks Coffee in Dazaifutenmangu Ometesando, Fukuoka. 

My advice to all first time traveller in Japan is to always follow the rule "keep left unless overtaking" when on escalator. ;)

Kumamoto Castle 

 me posing like a crazy at the entrance. 

This was taken at Kumamoto church on christmas eve. On the contrary of our Christmas tradition in the Philippines, Christmas in Japan is actually a lot like a Valentines day. You can see couples everywhere instead of celebrating it with their families.

Suizenjin Jojuen Park. 

 This is really breath-taking!

I love this tree! ^_^

Hah! I feel like a real Japanese in this kind of sitting position with my ehem.. **ex** hahaha. But its an awesome feeling that while I was looking at our pics together, I literally felt nothing at all. No sad or bitter feelings, really. I guess I'm finally over him---Oh well, whatever happens, he would still be part of my life regardless of the reason why we didn't make it. (^o^)

I hope everyone's having a great weekend! 

Till next time! (^_^)

Always,

Rica ♡