The Start of My Perfect Summer

SUMMER. This is the time of the year that everyone, and I mean every single one, looks forward to. For most people,  summer is the time to rest after a year's hard work. It's the time to take a nap all afternoon in the hammock. It's the time to see the latest movies and better yet, make every week a family night. It's the time to pig out and eat all day. It's the time to dip in the water when you're feeling bored. It's the time to read a book from cover to cover. It's the time to keep a journal and write a diary of all the events on that day. And most of all, it's the time to travel places you've never been to.

The persepective of summer for people now-a-days goes something like this, "This summer, do something you would never think of doing, like going on a roller coaster or that water slide; the one that you've always been scared to go on. This summer, act crazy and not care what anyone thinks. This summer, don't worry if you're single or not. If you're in a relationship, then that's great. And if you're single, that's what friends are for, right? This summer, stop worrying about what people say about you 'cause drama is made for school. This summer, live each day like it's your last 'cause before you know it, it'll be over. Make this summer the best and live without regrets."

It's my fourth day of summer today, and I can say that yes, I've slept all day. I've eaten too much. I've spent hours going movie marathon and just laying on bed. It's only been four days, but it feels like years. I get to the point that I really really feel bored. They say one must value spending summer properly because you won't get to have so much time to do the things you want to do everytime. And so, I would want to share something that sparked me just a few minutes ago. As I was going through my Bible, I passed through one of the most important verses in the Bible. Revelation 2:4-5 says, "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken Your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." After reading this passage, I started reflecting about my life. I've come to realize that my usual reasoning that I could not spend time with God was that I was busy with school. I was always busy with school, and I know that's not a reasonable excuse to stop spending time with God. I talked to God and He made me realize that I'm not making Him my top priority. That is something I know to be true. And for that, I am very guilty. I got so many flashbacks back on the days when I was still prioritizing God above everything else. Back then, I didn't care about anything at all except for spending most of my time singing praises to God and talking to Him. And I feel very thankful to have read this passage, because the lost Michele finally has found the light. I am very sorry, dear Lord and I know there's nothing I can do to take back the things I have done in the past, for not prioritizing You, or for making the things that don't matter my top choices. But from this moment on, I commit that I would start all over again. It's time to do the things I did at first. Yes, Lord. I will. Now, this is my way to start the perfect summer ahead!

My Best Friend, My Other Half, My Big Brother

Somewhere down the road, someone comes along and makes a lasting effect in the decisions you make and the way you perceive life. It is that one person who knows you best and has the most influence in your life. This person can be very inspirational, caring, and loving. Even more, if he is someone close to your heart. My brother has always been there for me right from the moment I was born. He has been there supporting me in my decisions, be it smart or foolish ones, and it is thanks to him that I am the ambitious, responsible, and God-fearing person that I am today. I... just don't know what I'd do without him in my life.

What, then, makes me say that he is the best among the best? Well, here are...

The top 10 things about having a brother  MY BROTHER:

1. "When everything comes to pass, only those done in Jesus' name will surely last." 

When asked about his motto in life, this is what he tells everyone. The top and best thing I admire about my big brother is that in everything he does, he always makes sure that he is able to make God smile. Whenever I doubt myself, I come to him and seek for help in making decisions. I remember how he would always tell me that I shouldn't choose the best thing, but instead choose the right thing. It is also thanks to him that I have a better relationship with Christ now. Above all, just by the way he lives each and every day, you would clearly see Christ in him (which gives him 100++ pogi points!)

2. He's a built-in therapist and he'll always care for you.

I love how he always talks to me, even at around midnight, just so he could show he cares for me. Even the simple things like, "How do you feel?" and "What are doing today?" can make me smile. There are times though when I feel really down to the point that I just sit around the corner in complete silence. During times like these, he would start conversations, and he allows me to rant and say what I really feel. He's not like other siblings you would have that would just ignore you when you're sad. He would really take time to listen and comfort you through singing. YES, you got that right! He sings for me and whenever he does that, I feel a lot better.

Here is the song:

3. He'll help you out, especially if you ask nicely.

Even if his schedule for the day is so jam-packed, he would be there to help me. At first, he will tell you he's too busy and that he has things to accomplish too. But at the end of the day, I always win. It just proves to show how much he loves me. Knowing the fact that I am really slow, he still has patience and gives me an hour every single day. He won't stop until I get the lesson. Even in simple matters like getting things that are placed in places I don't reach, he'll help me (with me asking nicely, with the cutie patootie eyes. HAHA), and even with my projects that involve electronic stuff and wood works. To sum up, he helps me in everything - from the simplest things to the life decisions I make.

4. He'll give you compliments when you need them.

Even if I don't have a "brother-approved" outfit on, he would compliment me in some way; from "nice shoes" to "You look great today!" Sometimes I go through tough situations and my brother complimenting me makes me feel special.

5. He'd always be your #1 encourager and motivator.

In everything I do (unless of course it's bad), he supports me and cheers me on. He never allows me to feel left alone. I'll never forget how he always reminds me, "Alam kong kaya mo Ach e. Kaya mo e. You can do better than that." This is also something that you would not always get just by having a brother. That's why I am really grateful that he never gets tired of reminding me what I am capable of doing and what I can achieve in life.

6. He'll tell you when to shut your mouth so you don't get in trouble.

I'm that sister who can really be so talkative that at times, I don't make sense anymore. When my parents reprimand me, I sometimes make faces and answer them just because I feel like I'm not good enough. Then my brother enters the scene and signals me to zip my mouth so I won't get in trouble. And once again the day is saved, thanks to my dear brother!

7. You always have someone to bug!

My brother is weird. Trust me, he can always go wild and randomly sing and dance in front of me just because he 'wants' to. He'll tell me the random-est things in the world and make me laugh. I admit, sometimes he can really be annoying (just like me). But once in a while, when he's not there, I start to miss him and all his craziness. Having a brother like this 'loser boy' (because he always calls me 'loser girl') is like no other!

8. Kastaridaphobia - Fear of cockroaches (LOL! HAHA)

Honestly, I never knew that he's afraid of cockroaches until he told me. He told me, "Well, everyone's afraid of something." Then ever since, I started scaring him. When we walk along the street,  I go "Ahia!!! May ipis!!!" and he suddenly jumps and jumps and runs. And that's when I laugh real hard. He doesn't show his fear of cockroaches, but if you really know him... you'll see. According to him, he's more scared of 'flying ipis' daw (LIKE REALLY REALLY SCARED!).

9. He takes a bath for long hours.

I don't know how or why he does that, but every time he enters the bathroom to take a shower, you will have to wait forever. As for me, I always make sure that I take a bath first so I won't have to wait for a long time. While he takes a bath, I get to be productive. Yep, that's one of the perks of having my brother! :)

10. He believes that, "Everybody deserves a second chance and a third chance and fourth chance."

His exact words were, "I believe that everybody deserves a second chance and a third chance and a fourth chance because the third chance is the second chance of the second  chance and the fourth chance is the second chance of the third chance. Therefore, everybody deserves infinite chances. Forgive and forget. Because everybody makes mistakes and everybody makes decisions that they regret in the future. Because second chances are to make things right. It's like when you're given an opportunity to go back to the past, yeah?"

BONUS:
11. "He always tells me I'm fat even though I'm no. But, it's really true!"

So sorry, I just had to. He just asked me to do this and because I love him, here you go brother! Thank you for being my best friend, my other half, my big brother. ❤

HEARTS EVERYWHERE!!!

Thank you, Ms. Patty!

During our November club meeting, we enjoyed listening to Ms. Patty Laurel's talk. She taught us different things on how to become a better blogger and blogging itself. I have to admit, right from the moment she started the talk, I felt eager and excited. Later on, I learned that she really is a friendly and great blogger. She shared her experiences as a blogger and how she loves to blog about food and traveling. She even had a powerpoint presentation and gave us some key points we have to remember if we really want to be better bloggers in the future.

I learned from Ms. Patty that even a young student like me can be a great blogger right now. She inspired me to write more and more about anything under the sun. Thanks to her, I learned the perks of being a blogger, and all the risks I will have to take as a blogger.

Now, I am better informed with blogging and everything that involves it. I am thankful that I got in Bloggers' Hub and had the chance to meet THE MS. PATTY LAUREL! Most of the time, I really want to blog and write and write and write, (write just needs to be emphasized. haha) but I always lack time in doing so because of all the heavy load the intensive class has brought to me. Anyway, when break arrives, get ready! :D

Lastly, there are three things I would like to share to everyone reading this post. These are the three things Ms. Patty has left us with. :)

1. Write from the HEART.
2. Be a positive voice in the blogosphere.
3. Have FUN! Enjoy blogging. ;)