Miracle or Magic Fruit?

Unbelievable! This fruit is really unbelievable. My officemate brought some of those one day and he said that this fruit will turn our taste bud sweet. Along with this fruit, he also brought some lemon to test. First, he lets us eat the lemon and the taste was absolutely sour. After that, I partake one miracle fruit, he said that we should let its pulp stays around our mouth for at least 30 seconds. Okay, I chew it and its taste was blunt, no sweetness or whatever. After we threw the seed, he lets us eat the lemon again, and there the miracle happens. Sour taste lemon now becomes sweet like a lemonade. I even finished eating the whole lemon alone. Its sweetness property will remain in the mouth up to 2 hours. They said that aside from sour food, it's also best for bitter food. I wonder how bitter lemon taste when eaten along with this miracle fruit. To know more about about this unbelievably miracle fruit, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_fruit.

Pamper me...

My body does not function well these days. Maybe, it missed long vacation since I had 4 days off last christmas and New year and after that, I always felt dizzy. My foot hurts for 3 days now (don't think about alipunga this time), and I really long to have a foot massage real soon. I missed going to spa even more. The last time I had my massage was on our anniversary last year (April 28). I had a good steam bath then, complete set of facial, foot and body threatment. I recommend "the spa" in Podium. The price is a little bit higher but the service is excellent. I missed being pampered like a princess. If someone will give me free spa gift check now, I will not think twice to grab it!

Am I smarter than a 5th grader?

My answer is a big "NO". I love watching the show and I can't believe I already forgotten most of the things I learned in my primary school. Acute Memory gap and I can't accept that fact of the matter so I bought this book.

Upon reading through, the more I realized that really... I really really don't know anymore about histories, greatest invention. I was even shocked that bubble gum was one of the greatest invention in the history and Vatican City is a country (smallest country indeed). Ask me about computer and I might know the answer. History?? jeez thumbs down. My mother is better off in this field. She's a plain housewife but knows the name of the presidents of each country and their prime minister. I even crossed check in the internet if she really knows the name and their absolutely correct! I teased her that the reason behind is that she just sits all day and watched news :-) Don't dare ask me about the capital of each country or from what continents that country belongs to. Good thing, I had a refresher about the states in the US. I could proudly say that I could draw the map impromtu and point to you where Mississipi is. :p

I enjoy reading this book but most of the things cited are in US since this book was published there. Once I finished this, I will try to see other versions of almanac.

20 things I'd like to say to a person (different individual).

1. Don't be hypocrite! Practice what you preach.

2. You act as if you are someone.

3. You think you are very intelligent huh?!?

4. You made me realize something good about you.. I am wrong when I thought that you are rude :-)

5. I know you know what you are doing to me. Thanks though for letting me see your true color!

6. I'm not sure if you still see me as your friend or just an acquaintance.

7. The more you put me down, the more I will rise up.

8. Not a good combination, beauty and empty brain.

9. Forgive me; I had a bad impression on you.

10. I wish I was your friend so I could have some pieces of advice. I read many things about you and you really inspire me.

11. You can do it, I trust you.

12. I wish I was able to help you and I've been a good influence on you.

13. I know I didn’t always help but at least I’m trying and you must appreciate that!

14. You're a very good speaker, I wish I could be just like you.. one day... speaking to many people and jotting down every word I say.

15. I want you beside me until I’m bed ridden hehe..

16. You are the bestest friend I ever had.

17. I miss you so much, can we hang out again?

18. Thanks for seeing me as someone I never thought I am. I really appreciate that!

19. I wish I could sing the way you sang those songs.

20. Thanks for always spending your most precious time to me.

Looking back in my younger days.....

Everybody starts giving their full name when describing themselves, I might start with giving my full name as well :-) My Name is Mia Torreno Bernardo. I was born in quezon city on the 25th day of May 1980, my father was half bulaceño and half kapampangan. My Mother is pure Ilongga born in Bacolod City. I was raised in Pampanga by my relatives. My father died early when I was 9 years old (the day of my birthday) so my Mom had no choice but to work abroad and leave us with my relatives. During my younger days, I learned so Much... as in much earlier compare to other children in terms of household task, discipline, time management, patience, and goals.

At the age of 9 while some children at my age was playing outside after school, I was thought to wash my clothes instead, cooked rice for our dinner and then of course do my assignments. I also learned early to buy stuff in wet/dry market at the age of 11. Even the vendor was amazed how expert I am to negotiate for bargains at my age.

Living in Pampanga was not easy. During rainy season, it always flood in our town and the toughest time was when mt. pinatubo erupted. I felt like the world is really tumbling down on me every time we were in a hurry to save our valuables before the flood/lava flows inside our house. The effect of the lava is 1st degree burn if you stayed longer in just a few minutes, not to mention all the bacteria I will get from the flood. I actually had foot allergy (alipunga as they call it in tagalog) during my primary and secondary years in school. Aside from I need a good quality of sleepers for sensitive skin, I had to put a lot of medication to ease its itchiness. I remember that rambo sleeper (good one to have for tumbang preso because it has thick sole and very durable) was very popular those days and sad to say I can't have one because of my allergy.

During my HS, I'm a late bloomer I may say but proudly street smart. My teacher and classmates sees my personality as small but terrible (I'm the smallest in terms of height). Having a boyfriend in this stage had never occurs in my mind (euuww..) and no one will ever attempt hehe. I had lots of crushes though and having a glimpse of them was the happiest time of my day. I learned to cheat during exam (who doesn't???). I had many regrets also such as during my JS Prom, i was part of our cotillion but I dropped when I found out that my partner has a crush on me hehe. I really regret afterwards, I hope I still join for the sake of memories and pictures. I'm a really shy type of person and my classmate usually confused me as being suplada. I hate it when my crush found out that I had a crush on him. Now, that i'm 27 years, I realized that it's just okay. Oww.. HS school days are really one of my favorite moments in my life. I also remember when my Teacher said, "Relax, take it easy, savor this stage so that one day when you get older and look back in your memories, you'll just smile and laugh" and I just did.

Posted Article from "A day with my Idol"

Just read this article "A day with my idol". It was written by someone who went out with his IDOL which happens to be Francis Kong. He shared the following pointer he learned from his IDOL. They're short yet inspiring so just thought of posting in on my blog as well.

Reference: http://www.income-tacts.com/

1) For head problems, use your head. For heart problems, use your heart. There are many people who interchange and that causes a lot of problems.
2) You need talent and discipline. Talent alone will not bring you true success. Talent combined with discipline will make you realize everything that you aspire and that success can be sustained.
3) When it comes to our faith, we need not be legalistic about it. HE will know what's inside our hearts, and that's more important.
4) We need to see things in different perspectives. Our perspective may oftentimes be too narrow that we fail to see the big picture.
5) Its best to have an entrepreneurial mindset even if we are not entrepreneurs.
6) Be flexible, even Jesus himself was very flexible in dealing with different people.
7) The Bible is a great source for handling money and productivity.
8) Every so often, one should find the need to reinvent himself.
9) Spend 20 minutes per day reading a book, you can read as much as 20 books in a year if you do this.
10) In our Christian faith, it's not limited about the feelings. The Lord can also touch you through your logical mind. I was dumbfounded why I can't seem to be as emotional as other Christians but Francis was able to finally make me understand that not everyone is the same and the Lord talks to us differently. Best lesson of the day.

The "Last" thing...

Last cigarette: I don't smoke!
Last car ride: FX, my usual public transpo going to the office.
Last good cry: Last sunday, after reflecting on myself, sunday service.
Last Library book checked out: hmm... library?!? don't remember anymore the last book I checked.
Last movie seen: knocked Up!
Last book read: Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Last food consumed: Starbucks Tall Hot Capuccino
Last crush: Aside from my bf (LA), my last crush was of course BradPitt.
Last phone call: Jen, one of my officemate. She called to cover someone who was on emergency leave.
Last TV show watched: News, TV Patrol
Last time showered: 6PM before going to work
Last shoes worn: Nike Swoosh
Last CD played: Never Saw Blue Like That sang by Sophie Hawkins
Last item bought: Shoe in Celine, it was on 50% off
Last downloaded: work related but I don't remember what was the name of the file.
Last annoyance: Office to secret....
Last disappointment: last year, being ignored by my friends :-( I moved on :-)
Last soda drank: Sprite
Last thing written: This!!!
Last key used: Room key
Last words spoken: haha...
Last sleep: yesterday, I woke at 3:30 PM
Last IM: with Joyce, my officemate
Last sexual fantasy: secret....
Last weird encounter: ME
Last ice cream eaten: ube and buko salad flavor
Last time amused: by my nephew... I can't believe where he got all the nautiness/act he's doing. He always ask questions which is really amusing such, are we going to die? why do you say/do that?
Last time wanting to die: I don't want to. I'd rather wish to go and wander when Im in trouble.
Last time in love: Now, I still am :-)
Last time hugged: yesterday by my nephew.
Last chair sat in: Office
Last time you went dancing: two weeks ago, i include dancing on my exercise.
Last web page visited: lea salonga's multiple. there is where I got these questions.
Last fruity photo taken: 2008 New Year's day check out http://authenticmia.multiply.com

Courage... Commitment...Character

Just listen to the word of God last night which was spoken by Ptr. Peter Tanchi in CCF. I am not a regular member of CCF but I usually download MP3 from their site and had it installed in my IPOD. I usually listen to it when I travel from our home (bulacan) to the office (Quezon City), before going to sleep as part of my bible study habit. The topic was very nice and it made me reflect so much after listening to it. I may also add this on my new year resolution. He actually pointed 3 things in his topic and that is courage... character....commitment.

To note each... here they are:

Courage the definition of courage is actually not the absent of fear but the willingness to do the right thing not because it's popular but it's the right thing to do. In short, it's doing what you are afraid to do.

Yeah, I agree, it's really difficult to do the right thing to do especially when there are many oppositions. I wonder if there are still people in the goverment who could still stick to their integrity inspite that there are lot of people who opposed to integrity. I believe and I pray that are still some. It's actually sad when I reflect sometimes and just thought the the only solution to fight against graft and corruption is to sweep out all leader in the goverment and elect new ones by people who only deserve to vote. Not all people in the philippines deserves so. People who deserve are those people who only do the right choice!

Ok... there you go! I will start to believe again that change should start in me and then everybody else around me will change. I bet, this don't happen sometimes. For example, in our office, I always remind myself to be punctual in meeting, deadlines etc but no matter what, there are always people who are late and because they are late, meeting will not start on time. That's how people are in the Philippines. They paid so much empathy for the late comer than those who came on time so meeting will start late. Not a surprise, facilitator are usually the late comer.

Commitment, when you begin, finish it.

Very well said. The meaning really speaks for itself. Ptr. Peter also quoted that Jesus commited His life to us so to commit our life to HIM is a great privelege. Only Christians can fathom what this mean.

Character If reputation is what people thinks about you; character is what God sees about you. This is the very clear definition of what character is. I like what Ptr. Peter Tanchi had also quoted from Abraham Lincoln:

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, if you want to test man's character give him power" -- Abraham Lincoln.

So true! If you are not in the position, it is very easy to judge but when you are already in the position and have the power, it's nearly difficult to make decisions. Character is being tested most of the time. Mindset is one of the big contributor in our character. What we think, becomes our actions, our actions become our habits, habits becomes our character, character becomes our destiny.

New Year... New me...

Last year has been a good year for me... Thanks God! This blog wouldn't have enough space if I will count all my blessings from last year. For this year, I'm not expecting so much but praying for good health for me and my family. More of emotional and of course physical. Actually one of my new year's resolution is to be more mature emotionally when it comes to decision making and my attitude towards everything. I must admit that I still have a childish thing specially when it comes to loosing my temper on simple situation. I still have tantrums and thank's God again that I have my bf who is always there to understand me when this things happen.

To mention some, here are the list of what will pops on my mind:

1. Know my priorities.
2. Learn more patience and understanding.
3. SAVE. Save. Save.
4. Attitude - don't think about what other people will say because at the end of the day, it's not what people say will matter but it's Me!
5. Study more.
6. Read more.

I had so much list but these are what only pops on my mind. I will add some on my next blog.