Ending the Year 2012 with a Leap of Faith! (",)

Year 2012 has turned out to be my nightmare .... yet this year has taught me more about MYSELF. Things I never taught I can be and I will be because of the situations that God has allowed me to experience. 

This year I've learned:

1. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to Disagree. I have learned that sometimes its better to apologize than to be always right and fight. Its not a weakness, rather than it is a sign that you are more understanding than someone else.

2. Silence the Mind. This way it gives you time to think before saying or doing something. Peace of Mind is the best gift you can ever give to yourself because in doing so you can accomplish many things more efficiently and effectively.

3. Don't compare yourself with other because you don't have any idea what their journey is all about. God gives us different challenges depending on what we need to improve and realize for ourselves.

4. Embrace Brokenness. Everyone has been broken and has experienced pain. The best remedy is to go back to the center with God and submit to him your broken heart and trust that in His time He will give you a new heart that's fulfilled and more spirited.

5. Let Go. Just keep loving and when its not for you, you have to learn to let it go. Don't push yourself to something you are not welcomed because it gives more frustrations to yourself. 

6. Love yourself. Make yourself happy and fulfilled before you can finally share it with someone. Find yourself and find your balance.

7.  and to Believe in Miracles.... every thing and every one changes.... but if you have that strong Faith in God, He will reward you with something far better you wished for.

This 2012 has made me realized that despite the trials I had to face, I was never alone on it...I had Gods grace with me all along. I chose to fight for something that wasn't given to me yet I knew in myself that I did a good fight. I was scared the entire year and the greatest lesson was to JUMP INTO THE LEAP OF FAITH. LET GO and LET LIFE HAPPEN! Trust Gods will and let Him bring you life's surprises. 

When I look back on my life, I see pain, mistakes and heart ache. When I look in the mirror, I see strength, learned lessons, and pride in MYSELF.

Cheers to a Better, Bigger, Brighter 2013 Everyone!

In God's Time

Growing up as the eldest of 5 kids in the family, my parents would always tell me that "I was the luckiest". Indeed, I am and somehow people knows me as "The Brat" (very impatient)

As a child, I recall how my dad and I would always sing "Somewhere Out There" by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram... there was even a betamax (back in the 80's) copy of it to which my dad kept. That song, always reminded me how my dad wanted to see me one day with my God-given Prince.

The thought of growing up scares me, but nevertheless it became easy with the overflowing love my family and friends have been giving me. I was a late bloomer in the sense that i focused on my career at the age of 18 being a TV Sportscaster and only had my first boyfriend at the age of 25. I remember at that time I prayed for two things: a great love life that will sweep me off my feet and an opportunity to see the world. To my surprise, both were given at the same time... I had the time of my life traveling yet it neglected my long distance relationship with my partner. The following year, I agreed to compromise to save the relationship yet it was a test on God again as my partner needed to focus on his career.

Yes, I was Impatient and yes I want things my way --- which gave more damage in my relationship with my family, friends, the people around me and God. From that moment, I stopped and reflected how "timing" played an important role in my life..."In Gods Time" I kept telling myself! 

The next thing I knew, I came back to the center with God and focused on myself. I believe that He was the only person who can make it right for me.  At this point I started loving myself more, making myself fulfilled, happy and overcoming my insecurities. 

The Bible became the food to my heart with this very nice verse:

“Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone – to have a deep soul relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and exclusively. But God, to a Christian, says, “No, not until you are satisfied, fulfilled and content with being loved by Me alone – with giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me – 

with having an intensely personal and unique relationship with Me alone will you be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you. You will never be united with another until you are united with Me – exclusive of anyone or anything else, exclusive of any other desires or longings. I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing – one that you cannot imagine. I want you to have the best. Please allow Me to bring it to you. You just keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things – keep experiencing the satisfaction that I am. Keep listening and learning the things I tell you. You just wait. That’s all.

Don’t be anxious. Don’t worry. Don’t look around at the things others have or that I’ve given them. Don’t look at the things you think you want. You just keep looking off and away up to Me, or you’ll miss what I want to show you.

And then, when you’re ready, I’ll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than any you would dream of. You see, until you are ready, and until the one I have for you is ready (I am working even at this moment to have both of you ready at the same time), until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I prepared for you, you won’t be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with Me, and this is the perfect love.

And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love, I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me, and to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty, perfection, and love that I offer you with Myself.

Know that I love you utterly. 

I am God. 

Believe it and be satisfied.”

This helped me rebuild the "Ms. Independent" image I always had.  I recall an incident when I graduated college and had plans of working in NYC but God didn't allow it to happen because His plans for me are better. A year after, I got this once in a lifetime opportunity to travel around the world. True enough, that it was far better to experience the World than to be in NYC.

At this point, I learned to utilize my time of singleness to prepare myself to become a godly spouse, and to work on building and strengthening the most important relationship I’ll ever have: my relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Consider the possibility; you may be ready for what God has for you, but somebody else who is going to be involved is not ready yet.

Learn to trust His timing.  Don’t go in a hurry; don’t grow impatient; don’t try to force doors to open.  Don’t try to make things happen in your own strength.  Let God do it His way.

The sad truth is, if you push hard enough, and if you’re so stubborn that you must have things your way, God will sometimes allow you to undertake a project without His blessing or at the wrong time.  The problem with that, of course, is when you start something in your own strength and in you’re own timing, you’re going to have to finish it and maintain it in your own strength. When you let God start something, He’ll finish it for you.  He’ll provide everything you need.

When we try to force open doors and make things happen in our own strength, the end result is a constant strain on us and a drain on our resources.  Life becomes a constant struggle.  Nearly all joy, peace, and victory dwindle from your existence.  That is not a place of contentment and satisfaction.

The lesson here is to be PATIENT and to TRUST his timing. In His time it’s not going to be one second late.  At exactly the right time, God is going to bring the perfect person into your life, and he or she will not be one second late!

Let Go of whats wrong in your life and Let God make things right!

Take this time to focus on yourself and give yourself a chance to grow. 

And always remember in choosing the right person: He/She must love everything you hate about yourself, He/She is proud to be with you, He/She is not afraid to say "Im Sorry" and He/She is ready to grow with you.

La Dolce Vita in Sorrento, Italy

Land of the Mermaids. Land of Orange and Lemon Groves. Land of Colors. This small city in Campania has earned a plethora of alluring names. 

Legendary for its sea cliffs, the town's steep slopes look out over sapphire waters to Ischia, Capri and the Bay of Naples.

The birthplace of Limoncello liqueur offers several fine diving, great sea fishing, boat cruises and tempting restaurants. 

According to Greek legend, it was in Sorrento’s waters that the mythical sirens once lived. Sailors of antiquity were powerless to resist the beautiful song of these charming maidens-cum-monsters, who would lure them and their ships to their doom. Homer’s Ulysses escaped by having his oarsmen plug their ears with wax and by strapping himself to his ship’s mast as he sailed past.

Dominating its own little bay-within-the-bay, Sorrento's seaside vocation is given historical depth by its wealth of Renaissance palazzi and Romanesque churches. 

We all know how undeniably Italians are fashionable and if this is one place in Italy to find cheap trendy clothes and apparels.of marquetry and wood inlay, you might want to check out Museo Bottega Della Tarsia Lignea.

Another interesting attraction is the Museo Correale di Terranova, which was  once the home of the brothers Alfredo and Pompeo Correale, counts of Terranova -- an old aristocratic family of Sorrento -- who donated their villa and private collections to the public.

The place gives a unique overview of the decorative art from the 16th to 19th century

Visitors can also take a boat to Naples and the islands, or sail round Punta della Campanella at the tip of the Sorrentine peninsula to visit Positano or Amalfi.

These and a lot more at the very scenic Sorrento... piacere la sua vacanza a Italia

The Dramatic Views of Capri Italy

Travel to Capri is the best part of a Naples or Amalfi Coast holiday. Capri is an enchanting and picturesque island made of limestone rock. It remains to be a favorite with Roman emperors, the rich and famous, artists, and writers.

view from the highest point in Anacapri

Capri is in the Bay of Naples, south of the city of Naples and near the tip of the Amalfi Peninsula, in the Campania region of Southern Italy. The island is in the Mediterranean Sea.

its windy on top of the rocks

The island's top attraction is the famous Blue Grotto, Grotta Azzurra.

Tourists arrive by boat at Marina Grande, the island's main harbor. Beaches are scattered around the island.
There are only two towns - Capri, just above Marina Grande, and Anacapri, the higher town where lemon trees, flowers, and birds are abundant.

at the port with our sailor

Public buses run around the island. The funicular railway (funiculare) takes visitors up the hill from Marina Grande to the town of Capri. To get to Mount Solaro, the highest and most panoramic spot on the island, there's a chair lift from Anacapri during the day. Taxi service is reliable and the convertibles taxis are a nice way to travel on warm days. In May 2008, taxi fare was euro 20 from the harbour to Anacapri and 15 from Capri to Anacapri. Boats at the harbour offer tours around the island or transport to the Blue Grotto. There are rental boats there, too.

Must Buy:
Limoncello, a lemon liquor, and items made with lemon are found in many shops and some shops offer limoncello tasting.

Handmade sandals, ceramics, and perfume are specialties of the island, too. Via Camerelle is Capri's fashionable shopping street where you'll find exclusive fashion shops and luxury boutiques.

unwinding thru shopping time 

Visiting the Blue Grotto:

The Blue Grotto, Grotta Azzurra, is the most fascinating of the island's many caves. Refraction of sunlight into the cave makes an iridescent blue light in the water. To enter the cave one takes a small rowboat from near the cave entrance. Once inside you're met with the spectacular sight of the blue water.

What to See in Capri:

Faraglioni, rock formations are one of the island's natural wonders. The Faraglioni beach is one of the island's most beautiful beaches. 

Anacapri, the highest town on the island, has splendid views of the harbor below. Near the central square there's a chair lift to Mount Solaro and a street lined with shops, several of which offer limoncello tasting. Olive trees, grapevines, and flowers give it a Mediterranean charm.

Villa San Michele, in Anacapri, was built by the Swedish writer Axel Munthe in the late 19th century on the site of a Tiberian villa. 

Capri is the main town of the island. Piazza Umberto I, often called La Piazzetta, is the central square that houses cafes and the cathedral of Santo Stefano. The piazza is filled with people both day and night. 

Certosa of San Giacomo is a 14th century monastery near the town of Capri. It houses a museum and library and holds concerts. Nearby are the beautiful Giardini Augusto, gardens of Augustus. 

The Phoenician Steps, 800 ancient steps connecting Anacapri to the sea offering splendid views.

Milos, Greece -- The Island of Lovers!

Milos is a volcanic Greek island in the Aegean Sea, just north of the Sea of Crete. Milos is the south western most island in the Cyclades group.

Milos is largely an undiscovered island, with perhaps the most interesting coastline of any other island this size in the world. A volcanic island, Milos is known as the island of colors, mainly because of its spectacular, colorful rock formations. 

Milos is also known as "The Island of Lovers" because it is the discovery site of the famous statue Venus de Milo, the ancient Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty, and every summer and especially during the month of August it is the favorite destination of thousands of young and not-so-young lovers.

The island is famous for the statue of Aphrodite (the "Venus de Milo", now in the Louvre), and also for statues of the Greek God Asclepius (now in the British Museum) and the Poseidon and an archaic Apollo in Athens. The Municipality of Milos also includes the uninhabited offshore islands of Antimilos and Akradies. 

The Greek island of Milos in the Cyclades is a surprise for the traveler adventurous enough to take a detour from Santorini, Mykonos and the other popular islands. Milos, like Santorini is an island that is not only rich in minerals but also in the things that travellers come to Greece looking for: beautiful beaches, history, white-washed Cycladic villages, excellent food and good-hearted people. 

These are photos of various places we went on the island of Milos:

milos sifnos island

snorkeling on the beach caves of Milos island with some guest onboard

ageri studio in Milos

Sarakiniko Beach

Firiplaka Beach

Combined with Sifnos, one hour away, Milos makes a perfect holiday destination for those who want to experience Greece in all its beauty, without the crowds that are found in the more popular Cyclades Islands.