Stereotype you and me not.

Image credit: Richard Foreman/FOX

Let's be fair.

If I were to label you as something you're not, or even as someone you used to be... That wouldn't be very nice.

It really is pretty easy to think of things as you would automatically do. And to add up to that, as a quote from the most recent episode of my favorite TV show, Bones, says:

"Truth is, people always think the worst when given the choice."

In this show, Bones, that line was spoken by a new intern at the Jeffersonian, Finn Abernathy (he's a looker!). A young Southern chap endowed with much intelligence and knowledge, but unfortunately had spent a few years in juvenile detention. After his release, his records were stripped clean thus he was accepted into the forensic institution. Yet as he does a rather stellar performance in his work, the idea that he may have murdered someone lingers in some of the others' minds. I understand why they would do that, but if he had to do that to them, I'm sure they wouldn't be too fond of that either.

I admit it, I see a little trigger and left to my natural self I would tend to think of negative things right away, especially when I've been familiar to that for a good chunk of my life already. I guess that would also be part of my nature where I usually always expect the worst.

But then again, let's all be fair.

If we continue to think of people negatively, we tend to keep ourselves in a box too. On a personal note, I've recently tried stepping out of that box and I have come to realize that some people who I thought weren't going to click very well with me, actually did, and surprisingly to such an extent where I would ponder, "What was I thinking?"

Those who I thought had already changed forever, actually were still the very same people I knew before, and better yet, with much "upgrades" in their lives too.

So yes, let's all be fair.

But then come to think of this too. One of my good friends, who I look up to, spoke with me a couple weeks ago. As she spoke, I felt as if a stinging slap landed rather hard on my face:

"No matter what other people have done to you, no matter how much they have insulted you, you are all the same. No one is really better than the other. All of us are still growing. Protect yourself and you also have to protect them. How do you do this? Protect your heart and protect your mind."

At that, never mind about being fair. I guess it's also doing yourself a huge favor. Keep your walls up if you like, but throwing arrows and bullets rather blindly is definitely not a very good idea.

Even medical textbooks get updates. Subtle changes may be found, but the lastest edition is always of much greater value compared to any old one.

So I guess that's that, for now. Time to study the heart, literally.

~Ella :)

Is it time?

I've been fond of writing short stories for years. How about I try my hand on one in my spanking new blog? I just feel really "kilig" and inspired right now, for some reason. This is basically fiction, not a speck of this is reality but I have to admit I've been inspired. Maybe it's the hormones. Kind of comes with being a girl. I wrote this story down in one sitting, in record time. Haha enjoy.

~ Ella :)
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He stared at her from a distance. Trina. Her long black hair and her almond-shaped doe eyes smiled as she spoke with the rest of their friends. The edge of her full lips pinched as she stifled a laugh. Her little dimples pierced sharply right through her light olive skin.

But no. He couldn't. How could he fall in love with one of his closest friends?

If any of rest of their friends knew about this, they would not show him any mercy. They would never forgive him, and would torture him with teasing that would be the core of their jokes for the rest of their lives. He couldn't afford that. It was highly likely that he would even lose her in the process. This would have to be his own secret. Nobody was to know this, not even his best friend.

So how does he keep this sacred secret hidden? Ah, of course.

"Hey Darren, if you were to choose to marry anyone in this room right now, who would it be?" Michael quipped. He always had the randomest questions popping out of nowhere.

All eyes stared at him.

"Eyyrrmm, Trina?" Darren winked.

Everybody looked at each other and dismissed what he just said. Melissa rolled her eyes, "Oh please. You never take these questions seriously."

"What? Haha, nobody said they were serious!"

Darren smiled to himself. It worked. But for how long will this last?

*               *               *

Ten years after, he steals a moment to look at her from a distance. He still sees that long black hair, beautiful eyes, and heartwarming smile. He loves her still the same. He's been using his method of keeping his deep secret for so long already and everybody still takes it as they always have.

So much has come and gone, but his heart tells her she is still the one. She always was.

Is it finally time?

Everything's accounted for. Let's go!

This is a repost of an old blog I had when we just transferred to the United States years ago. I didn't like the move (at first), and I couldn't let go of the life I was rather comfortable with in the Philippines. Let me share with you how I eventually got over it. Now I find it pretty applicable to more than just the aspect of transferring residence. :)

*         *         *

Yikes, old photo. I love Tag-alongs - my favorite. Girl scout cookies!

Every time we get a chance to see our fellow countrymen is usually something that I really look forward to. I say usually because there are just those weird days when I'd throw a little tantrum and demand that I stay at home. Hahaha.. But on such occasion I'd still be forced out of the house and off I go.


To be able to speak in Ilonggo quite a lot around here is very comforting. It really heaves off a lot off the chunk of homesickness that may be starting to enlarge deep down. There really are those days which I couldn't flick off when I'd be imagining what I could be doing back in the Philippines if I were still there and how happier I would.


One interesting thing I find about the Filipino ladies (like the moms) out here is just how much they fuss over you. I couldn't blame them, it really has been a while since new people from the Philippines have come over. The retrogressions that have kept us from coming here earlier have kept them from seeing new Filipinos for about three years.


They've stared at me and said that "May ka-mukha ka [you look familiar]" It sort of creeped me out a bit. Then when "Sino nga'ng artista 'yon? [I can't remember which actress.]" was added to that, I just laughed it off. I mean seriously, that happened to me more than once. I didn't say anything. I just laughed a respectful laugh (which sounds really lame, I tell you) ample for the situation and just went on with something else I would have been doing. I concluded that maybe they're like that simply because I'm something new for them to behold. They're cute. Haha


And when they saw my brother, well.. They would be whispering to each other, "Ay, ang pogi! [Wow, he's handsome!]" Then every time I would hear that, I wouldn't fail from laughing my head off that my brother would wonder what the hell got into my head again. It has happened several times already at several different places. He's really aloof and cocky out here. Unlike when he was a little kid, he really made a whole lot more friends than I did. Now it's really like the "torpe pogi [stuck-up handsome]" atttiude. FEELER.


Last Friday we went to Manong Rey Nolido's home for a Bible Study. Nong Rey is from Bacolod, but his wife is from Manila. I like their family a lot because it's at least half-Bacolodnon. The two very pretty little girls can't speak neither Ilonggo nor Tagalog. Their parents are sort of confused on how to incorporate either to both of them since it would be three languages bumping at each other. So, they're both cute American sounding little girls. So far, they're my favorite family out here.


After dinner, Pastor Louie had the word on Philippians 3:13. It goes like this..


"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead."


He went on the say that even though the mistakes that we may have made in the past are stuff that we can learn from. We mustn't dwell on their negativity that keeps on haunting us because they're already in the past, they're DONE. He added also that it also applies that we may keep on looking back to the Philippines and our life back there too much that we forget that HELLO? we're already out here. We have to keep pinching ourselves so that we keep awake to the fact that this is our future already, and we have to make the best of it.


What Pastor Louie got me thinking a lot. I mean, of all the people who are here, I think I could be one of those who wasn't very thrilled about coming here. Even though I've heard that verse like a gazillion times in my lifetime, it was laid out to me once again in the most appropriate time possible.


My life in the Philippines is history.


I'm not saying that my homeland isn't part of my future anymore. Anything is possible. Yes, I do get connected with all the people I love back home. I have to stay connected. I wouldn't do without them, I'm telling you. But as for now, my life in the Philippines is nothing but a part of my past. And don't get me wrong again, history is one of my favorite subjects. :)


Bottomline: I have to let it go.


God put me out here for a reason. He's in control of my life. A desire to please Him is what He desires from me. And as the verse that has always made me feel better goes, Romans 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.) I have nothing to worry about. I just have to keep my head screwed on tight and keep myself in line. I am very much aware though, that it definitely is not a piece of cake.


And concerning this matter about Phil 3:13.. People have kept on asking me one similar thing that would decidedly be quite amusing.. It has flattered me though, for them to think that it wouldn't be impossible for someone like me. From Mom's colleagues to the nurses to my new friends, the question is this.. "May iniwan ka ba doon? [Did you leave anything or anybody special there?]"


Whatever is in the past stays in the past. What happens in the future is what I shall behold, oh I wonder how it shall be. Perfect timing is key.


So what do you think I'd be telling them? I'd laugh and shake may head.


"Wala." :)

*           *           *

Well, I'm back in the Philippines now, for school. I didn't think I'd be. Somehow I've been faced with this situation again lately, with a rather different twist in the scenario. Hey, the growing never stops. :)

~ Ella

Talk about love over and over again.

So I've been bombarded with topics like these for the past months. Not that I hate it, I actually find it a rather archaic area to grow in character, as I am continuously swamped by stinging slaps on the face as I am endlessly faced by correction. Gratitude is due for the opportunity to minister through this also, as I have never been able to touch as much lives as I have right now.

It is rather stupefying.

The Gathering with my favorite bunch of girls today was as you would expect it, following the Victory Group material for this week. But then it doesn't end there as Ate Zi or somebody in our group would inject another topic based on a Word, a book, or something they have received recently -- spiritually. Everybody would be intent on listening as the conversation is never short of being animated. Everybody shares, everybody has a laugh, and everybody kisses each girl goodnight with something new and timely planted in each respective heart.

Love right here. Haha

Now, what would you expect ladies my age would usually be speaking about?

Apart from the usual whatnots you would hear about the Biblical sense of love, there was this one single point shared by one of us that really struck me the most, which actually almost made me tear up a bit.

Ate RJ and I attend the same medical school, and she is a year higher than I am. She's that kind that you would expect to always stick to the rules, follow a good example, and have the soft-spoken nature that you could never dare to trouble with. Though she and I aren't exactly alike in a lot of places, I look up to her in so many ways. I admire in her intelligence, her character, her insights, her take on medical school, and her walk with the Lord. I can see in her the rampant desire to grow, because as though she is already like that, she shows that she still looks up to the perfection of Jesus to keep shining upon her life.

I always take note of what she says, and what she said earlier tonight was the best I've heard so far.

"The best indication that would tell you that a person is worth it all... Is that the ONLY reason why he or she would ever want to let you go, is that he has to choose ONLY between you and God." 

I know that a man or a woman like that isn't exactly somebody that you would easily find. But if you ask me, I know full well for a fact that a case like that, is totally and completely possible. The more that a person puts God first in his life, the more he learns how to truly love and honor, because His character and His favor continuously flows in him. Not for personal gain, but as a basic gesture of love and devotion for the First and Truest Love.

It is my prayer that I never cease in my quest to be keep Him as King in every aspect of my life. Though I may stumble and fall, I know that His grace is always enough for me.

"Wait for the Lord ; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." ~ Ps. 27:14

Lovely to be back in Iloilo. :)

~Ella

Crazy, Stupid Love.

(c) Warner Bros. Pictures 2011

So Eunice and I watched a movie in my laptop last night

We loved it. Why? Because of Ryan Gosling.

I kid! It was because of Emma Stone.

Okay, so it was both their beautiful faces.

To be honest, it was that kind of movie that made you gag several times. The kind of movie where you're left thinking, how in the world does a story like this ever exist in reality? But it had the kind of plot that made you want to finish it to connect the dots wavin' at your brain.

As to the lesson of the story, let's see... It was about fighting for your soul-mates, rediscovering yourself after separation, seeing that love is more than just skin-deep, and all that shizz. A little cliche-sounding, don't you think?

Well, as I thought about it, the movie does more make sense than most in some places. What's striking about it, compared to other similarly sappy movies are these:

• Even if everything goes wrong along the way, even when there seems to be no hope, you will always fall back to the one who was made for you. (I've seen this happen in real life.)
• Sometimes, it takes for everything to go wrong that will force you to stand at a distance far enough for you to see clearly. Then you realize a truckload of things. (More than one truck sometimes, if you ask me.)
• Don't say things as you think they are and insist that it's all they will ever be, ever. 'Cause having to eat your words is a pretty nasty thing to do. (Trust me on this.)
• Lastly, it takes time. (Don't give a thirteen-year-old boy questionable paraphernalia though, that is just sick. *Blech*)

Haha this scene was really kind of, stupid.

I'm in love with this verse in the chapter of love in the Word. It goes like this:

"We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all clearly as God sees us, knowing Him directly as he knows us." ~ 1 Cor 13:12 (MSG) 

Love ain't crazy nor is it ever really stupid. We grow in it, we learn it, and everyday we will see more clearly. The best way to do it, is to learn from the One created it, the One who IS LOVE (1 Jn 4:8).  Not just learn from Him, receive unconditional heaps of that from Him too because He sees us in love, even when we don't deserve it. Now doesn't that make you want to love Him back?

We may fall down here and there, but get up and keep on going.

Happy Sunday! Haha
~Ella :)

Friday found me where? ;)

When I thought I had Friday all to WVSU, I found myself still very much at Bacolod City.

Texted Jam and Gracielle that I was around. Eventually transported to Cafe Bobs to meet with them and Deni at the University Courtyard just across my good 'ol alma mater. Our old tambayan looks different now, it feels more candy-ish and less serious. Hey, change is good.

Stripes.

Plum paint. What you doing Manong Barista? Haha

Ah, yes. The courtyard.

Left for the colorful Main Strip Alley just a few steps away along La Salle Avenue, I had to try this new Zen Tea place. Another cute place to stay during free periods, plus yummy tea mixes! I would definitely go back to try more. Kind of made me miss La Salle again.

I still don't get why that paint is that bluish hue.

Gracielle's hair. :)

Main Strip Alley. Saw a lot of familiar faces here.

Zen Tea.

"Daw YP." Okay, no more clamped up hair!

:)

Now, which to choose?

Gow-jus. :)

Another gow-jus face.

Flavors.

Yum.

Oooh! Look who I found!

Thumbs up? 

.

I always love how she does her hair!

Also your future doc. I can see it in her. :)

Just after twilight, we decided it was time to change location. My beloved Fermila just arrived from her vacation to Laoag with friends and I missed her. According to my sources, she was at Starbucks with Ivan, Herbert, Raisa, Japoi and the other usual people. She didn't know I was still Bacolod, I think. Well, did I surprise her?

Yeah, she's surprised alright. #EPICFAIL Haha

Hey Bib!

Hi cookie.

Christmas cookies are here!

It's Christmastime again at Starbucks. :)

Thanks Dai! I missed you! 

The last sem-break Friday of this year. It was good! Bow.

~ Ella :)

Last hurrah. Or not?

I woke up yesterday with the realization that it was officially my last day as a free woman in Bacolod City. With that thought in mind I tried to make sure I spent my day well, and that I did. None of the deep chitchat and jibber-jabber this time. Let me share with y'all how lovely it went in black and white, and in color photos. :)

I spent most of the day along Lacson Street, and boy did I accomplish quite a feat.

First of all, I had a good-natured breakfast date with my neighbor/good friend Raisa at Bascon Cafe Mandalagan. It was refreshing to spend time with her again, I loved it.

Young and inspiring life.

Caffeine addiction.

French toast. Raisa's pick.

Treats.

Veggie omelette and wheat bread.

Art on the walls.

With a full belly still, met up with my college/pre-med girlfriend, Alexis, for lunch and gelato at Cafe Bobs just a few meters away down Lacson Street. Caught up on things and talked just like the way I remember it. She goes to medical school in Bacolod. I can't believe it's been more than five years since we met each other (June 13, 2006). Tough and sweet, she hasn't changed a bit.

Hi Lex!

Who cares if I was still full? I finished this baby. Haha

Reminiscent of college break hours. :)

Text. 

Aaahh gelato. 

Mint/bubblegum and dark chocolate. Both really good!

I like the colors in this one. (That aircon
in the back is a photo-bomber. >:|)

Dark chocolate on my lips. Nyak haha

Andoy and Lexoy.

With an appointment at the salon with Eunice, walked a few blocks to Virtu Salon located at L'Fisher Chalet rooftop for a little girly pampering/investment. *Wink wink!*

Eunice.

Goodbye roots, hello new color!

Chalet rooftop at night.

Different view. Pretty neat.

Bacolod City lights.

Thought I was heading over to McDonald's to meet with my high school friends Gracielle and Bodie, but they decided instead for Cafe Bobs. So I walked back to where Alexis and I had lunch. Jeorge, Rex, and Ben Carlo dropped by for a couple minutes. The place has a different vibe at night. Had a minty white frappe again after so long (you should try it too).

Grak

Barista's can only get Gracielle's middle name right. Shame on them. Haha

Rex, amo man gyapon chura mo! Haha

Hello Minty White.

Um, what are you re-enacting again Bod? Haha

Ice cream cakes!

Good old Bobs pastries.

Bodie, Gracielle and I decided to change venue and thought of Calea (ahh, pride of Bacolod.) Decided to walk a few blocks down Lacson to Balay Quince. With Starbucks in the way, we stopped by, said hi to my dear friends. Ivan, Josh, Herbert, Rinnah, and Raisa were just about to leave.

Bort and my dear Bambi boy. :)

My Bibi and Raisa again!

Balay Quince was packed. :( No Calea tonight. Here are a few shots of the place. The old Calea place beside L'Fisher should finish renovating already.

Calea.

Calea, and L'Fisher Hotel just across the street.

None of my friends are fans of C's Cafe. But it's just across Calea.

Gracielle's cousin Marlo offered to drive us so it was decided that Miren at the Art District was a good alternative. Had a short drive up north to the Art District where you can find Miren Desserts and Cafe. Stayed there until everyone decided to call it a night. :)

What it says. Haha

Gracielle's sister Rinnah all grown up now. :)

Cakes again.

The back area.

The Art District at night.

Bodie's piece of cake.

There you go. Nothing compares to my birthplace and my hometown in the Philippines.

If you've never been here, come and visit! All these are only the tippy tip of very huge iceberg. It will take you weeks to really enjoy the City of Bacolod to the fullest. So many new investments and projects are also on the rise, so watch out for them!

If I could, I'll post more before this sem break officially ends. Otherwise most of what you'll see after are of my medical school escapades in the City of Iloilo just across the sea.

'Til the next! Whatever or wherever it may be.

~EllaDING :)

PS. To my friends on Facebook, I have more photos of this in my profile. :)