Happy New Year

Hi everyone, this last day of 2009 I would like to say Happy New Year. 2009 has been a good year, hope it was a good year for you too. Let us all start a new year with happiness thoughts. Let us all start 2010 with new hopes and dreams. Whatever it is, I always wish happiness for your through out the year. Happy New Year..

Each moment in a day has its own value.

Morning brings HOPE,

Afternoon brings FAITH,

Evening brings LOVE,

Night brings REST,

Hope you will have all of them everyday.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010.

(image source from here)

When things go not accroding to plan...

Can I ask you a question? What do you do when things go not according to your plan? Are you going to be mad or just let it happen because it was supposed to be happening anyway? This question came up in my mind a while ago when something that I have been planned quite sometime turn out to be not the way I want it. Some thoughts came across my mind like whether it is a sign that I should do other things or maybe it is just another phase that I have to go through so that I will be able to think further later on...or what? The more I think of it, the more I blame life about making it happen. But then I realize that life has been written, but as human..we can change toward the direction that we want to or at least we try. I remember someone told me that when things do not go according to plan, you just have to let it go. As long as you've tried your best, you will be able to find better things all along the way.

So, I kept thinking about it again and again. I came up with a thought that maybe something needs to be changed. Maybe we have to give up something in order to get what we want, I know that we can't have it all. We CAN have it all, but we just CAN'T have it all at the same time, right? Here's some piece of an article called "Making it happen vs Letting it happen". I posted it just to give another point of view about who controls your life, is it the environment or you?

If you were to think of Life as a video game, who is it that holds the controller when playing a game?

YOU

You are in complete control of your life. Sure, there are challenges flying your way, but only you are in control of your maneuvering. You can go back, forward, up, down, or sideways. You can jump, stand still, or roll over. If you don't like where you are in the game, then you move forward. If you stand still whilst in combat mode, you will be killed. You are in charge of defending yourself and moving ahead in the game. The end will not come to you. You must get to the end. You will get scared, you will get hit, and you will get defeated on occasion, but you will survive and move forward. You are the person in control.

There are two types of people in this world--those who are controlled by their environment and those who control their environment. In the second group are the successful people. Successful people know how to take control of their environment, never letting others dictate what they do or, more importantly, how they feel.

Which of the two types are you?

Does your environment control you? Or do you control your environment?

Could you choose not to let things affect you? Most people live life in reaction to the events and circumstances that surround them. People let their environment or circumstances dictate what they do, when and where they do what they do, and how they think, feel, and act. Why?

Rather than reacting, look at living a life based on your desires and requirements. Act based upon the focus of what you want in order to achieve it. People who are distracted by everything happening in their surroundings do not excel because they are so caught up with insignificant events. Many people behave in a reactive way to changes that occur in their life. They spend countless hours, days, weeks, even years dwelling on past events. Their time and energy is spent. When people are driving on the highway, it is as if most of them spend more time focusing on the bugs hitting their windshield than the road they are traveling on.

Incidents happen all the time. Think of them as the bugs that hit your windshield. The key is to simply take control of the wheel and look beyond the bugs to the road ahead, as you focus on getting to your destination. That doesn't mean that you deny the fact that things can happen, and oh yes, things will happen. Work on being in complete control as you come across challenging circumstances in life. It may be daunting at first, just like taking your first baby steps, but have you thought about walking lately? Very quickly, new skills become natural.

(article source by Kevin Abdulrahman from selfgrowth - images from xanga and livejournal)

evening..

spending a lovely evening

Do you have any plan to spend the New Year's Eve? To be honest I have no plan at all up until this moment. I kind of bored doing this and that for New Year's Eve. Maybe this time it would be perfect to spend New Year's Eve doing nothing. Just sit back and relax...time to contemplate my life in 2009. Try to rewind back those good and bad things that have happen. Try to make some really good resolutions for a better year ahead. But if I were being asked to spend New year's Eve, here's how I want to spend it. Absolutely far away from big party theme. I would love to spend the moment with family and close friends. Just like the pictures below...Lovely.

(image sources: weheartit, , oncewed,wehearit, motleyphotos, 101layercake)

What is LIFE?

Year 2009 is almost over. In fact, today is the last Monday of the year. Are you happy to face new year in a few more days or are you feeling sad to leave 2009? Well, life goes on...no one wants to stuck in time. As time moves on, so do we. There are many things we can learn when we keep on moving. Keep those good things that have happened this year and throw away all the sorrow that have happened this year.

WHAT IS LIFE?

Life is an Adventure ... Dare it
Life is a Beauty ... Praise it
Life is a Challenge ... Meet it
Life is a Duty ... Perform it
Life is a Love ... Enjoy it
Life is a Tragedy ... Face it
Life is a Struggle ... Fight it
Life is a Promise ... Fulfill it
Life is a Game ... Play it
Life is a Gift ... Accept it
Life is a Journey ... Complete it
Life is a Mystery ... Unfold it
Life is a Goal ... Achieve it
Life is an Opportunity ... Take it
Life is a Puzzle ... Solve it
Life is a Song ... Sing it
Life is a Sorrow ... Overcome it
Life is a Spirit ... Realize it

-anonymous-

(images from deviantart and flickr)

the beauty of this world..

Here are some of the winners of National Photography photo contest. What do you have in mind when seeing beautiful pictures like these? I think that our world is a very beautiful place, the nature, the people, the building and so many more. Other than that, seeing the pictures below make me want to always say my gratitude to God for letting us be in this amazing and wonderful earth. I realize that there are so many things out there that we can see that makes me want to really explore this mother nature...

I carry your heart with me

This is my most favorite poems by EE Cummings. Every time I read this poem, I feel like floating in the air and every time I am in love, I always read this poem again and again. And this time...I think the reason I make this posting is because I feel the LOVE around me especially from my guy. I might have posted this before but I just can't help but post it again here. I hope all of you who read this can feel the love..

I carry your heart with me

I carry your heart with me
I carry it in my heart
I am never without it
anywhere I go you go, my dear;
and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling
I fear no fate
for you are my fate, my sweet
I want no world for beautiful you are my world,my true
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun
will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;
which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart
I carry it in my heart

-ee cummings-

(image from bklynbrideonline)

Shutting dow the negativity

Many of my friends are annoyed by the negative thoughts they have in their mind. In fact, just a day ago, a friend of mine called me because of having those negative thoughts in her mind about things that I think she shouldn't be worried about. I told her to get rid of those bad thoughts and try to think about something more useful. She was aware that the thoughts started to bug her in a way that she can't kept the negative thoughts away, even just for a moment.

It is not easy I know. It is known that people tend to have negative thoughts on their mind. But different people have different degree on how they kept going on thinking of the negative thoughts. I bet no one will fall into a negative hole, right? I am sure that everyone prefers to swim in the ocean of positive thought and optimism. Here's an article on how to close your negative thoughts. It can be hard for some people or it can be easy for other people. Whatever it is, it is worth to try. My favorites are point 3 and 4.

Shutting Negativity Out of Your Life

(By Bree Davis)

1. If you really want to rid yourself of these people, you've got to make a mental list of who specifically is adding to any unhappiness you may be feeling. These are the people you should cut out from your life.
2. Once you've identified these people, it's time to start shutting them out. Avoid their phone calls and stop meeting them for happy hour after work. You can make up excuses if you happen to run into them unexpectedly, but they'll eventually get the hint and stop calling you.
3. Negativity isn't solely perpetuated by negative friends, negative music and television can be just as detrimental to you overall happiness. Avoid these types of programs and opt for more uplifting music and television.
4. Books can also be a source of negativity. If you are constantly reading about unhappy, negative fictional characters then if may be affecting your mood. Again, opt for more uplifting and encouraging reading materials. Comedy is always a great option as well.
5. Avoid negative activities. Bars specifically cater to negative people. When people are unhappy and negative they often turn to alcohol for a lift. You don't want to become one of these people and you don't want to encounter this type of person, so avoid going out and drinking on a regular basis. Find other avenues for socialization. Joining a book club or taking a class is a great way to meet others who are working towards personal fulfillment and happiness.

(Article Source: EzineArticles.com - images from flickr and here)

Warm drink..

How's winter everyone? I leave in a tropical-climate country, so My version of winter is this rainy season we are having now. In fact, it was raining and so cloudy outside while I'm typing this posting. And you can guess that I have here with me a warm cup of coffee to fill up my morning and to give me good mood for the day. Here is another thing that can warm your body and also your soul. It's called White Hot Chocolate. I got this yummy drink recipe from The Good Mood Food Blog.

Yummy White Hot Chocolate!

Ingredients (Serves 2):

• 150g white chocolate
• 500ml milk
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, gently melt the chocolate in the milk, make sure to keep whisking until the chocolate is completely melted.
2. Bring the mix to a gentle simmer and whisk in the vanilla extract and the cinnamon until combined.
3. Serve in big mugs and slurp down straight away!

It might be you

Have you ever heard this song? It's an old song. It's a song called "It might be you", the singer is Stephen Bishop. It's a song from the 80s and was the soundtrack of 1982 film Tootsie, starring Dustin Hoffman and Jessica Lange.

I love the movie. At first I didn't know that the song was on the movie and when I watched the movie and hearing the song was on the movie..I was like, wow...this is too good to be true. The song is so good and the movie was very good too. Tootsie is one of my most favorite movies. Dustin Hoffman was in the movie, so no question asked=)

Every time I hear this song I feel very sure that someone is out there, the perfect guy for me is waiting=) You might want to ask why do I make this posting on Monday morning. It is because I feel so in love with my boyfriend of 2 years=) In fact, I've been in love always with him. So, I guess I will dedicate this song to him .. "Something's telling me it might be you" I pray and hope that God will listen to my prayers that I can spend forever with my boyfriend..a guy that I've been waiting for all of my life. Love you...

IT MIGHT BE YOU (Stephen Bishop)

Time, I've been passing time watching trains go by
All of my life
Lying on the sand watching seabirds fly
Wishing there could be someone
Waiting home for me

Something's telling me it might be you
It's telling me it might be you
All of my life

Looking back as lovers go walking past
All of my life
Wondering how they met and what makes it last
If I found the place would I recognize the face

Something's telling me it might be you
It's telling me it might be you
So many quiet walks to take
So many dreams to wake and there's so much love to make

I think we're gonna need some time
Maybe all we need is time
And it's telling me it might be you
All of my life

I've been saving love songs and lullabies
And there's so much more
No one's ever heard before
Something's telling me it might be you
Yeah, it's telling me it must be you and
I'm feeling it'll just be you
All of my life
It's you, it's you I've been waiting for all of my life
Maybe it's you Maybe it's you I've been waiting for all of my life.

Challenge..

When you read the short article below, read the first paragraph. It is asking you this question:

"Are you waiting for things to get better before taking action?"

Many of us are afraid to make changes by taking and doing challenges. Some of them are afraid that the challenge that they will take will change their life that they have been used to live. I think changes are always good in a way that the changes must be in a positive way. Changes might be the outcome of the challenges that someone's taking. It takes courage to take life's challenge. Don't think about the size of the challenge, big challenge..small challenge. Just take it. Just do what it takes to make changes in life.

Savor the challenge

Are you waiting for things to get better before taking action? The fact is that things will not get better until you go ahead and get yourself moving forward. The best time to start is always now.

For no matter what the outside circumstances may be, the most effective strategy is to get your inner strength revved up and rolling right away. If you're waiting for things to be perfect, you'll wait forever. Instead, grab hold of what is here and now and find a way to make positive use of it.

Though your excuses for delaying may be very reasonable and impressive, those excuses won't move you forward. Circumstances will improve when you make the effort to improve them.

Even the smallest effort is much better than doing nothing. And small efforts that bring results will motivate you to take bigger, more effective steps. You know from experience that you can do what you set your mind to do. Set your mind on the best of what can be, and savor the challenge of making it happen. -- Ralph Marston

(article from greatday.com - images from: tumblr, vi.sualize,us, here)

Unforgettable Portofino

I always love the works of the oh-so-talented photographer, Ellen von Unwerth. She was born on 1954 in Germany. She used to be a fashion model for ten years before moving behind the camera. This time the photo shoots theme called "Unforgettable Portofino". Check out her works below. Aren't those great photos? So colorful and cheerful.

(images from here)

BiG Hair..

I love big hair. I love hair with volume. While everyone seems to use hair straightener, I tend to look for hair curlers and stylist foam to make my hair look bigger. I have a really straight hair that it took me so hard just to make it looks like having more volume. I can't do it on my own, I have to go the the beauty salon to make such hair that I like. But then I always have to use lots of hairspray so that the volume won't go away so quickly. The good thing about having a straight hair is that you can just always leave it like that and it will look just neat..no messy hair...no frizzy hair. Well, that the story about me and my hair. And these are the BIG hair styles that I loooove...So pretty.

(image sources: drew, beyonce, briggitte, jessica stam, red hair, black and white, big bow)

Zodiac signs in year 2010

Fate of twelve zodiac signs in year 2010

Ever wondered how your 2010 will be for you? Surely everyone is hoping for a better year. No one wants to be in a lower condition than before. Do you believe on what the zodiac says about you and your life. I sometimes believe it but not really into every single words it says but I often read it just for fun. I have a list below of the fate of each zodiac signs in year 2010. Mine is Gemini. part of it says:

Gemini individuals always have an instinct for fun and they need a stimulus for the mind. If you tend to follow a routined life, it shall be like death to you. Do not make your life monotonous.

What's yours said about you?

Aries

People under this sign are more or less dominating by nature. They have an intellectual bend of mind which makes them stand out of the crowd. They have been always full of life and have displayed vibrant energy. They love to socialize and indulge in entertainment whenever they get a chance. Spending time with your near and dear ones is expected.

Taurus

The Taurus people generally know how to keep their cool and are logical. They have a charming, elegant and graceful character. The negative trait about them is that they have an inclination to develop opinion about others. They cherish the love and adoration from others. Sensuality, gentleness and patience are the main traits of their character.

Gemini

These people have a great social nature. No one should ever try to dominate the people falling under Gemini as that may instill a rebellious nature in them and they m ay become arrogant. Gemini individuals always have an instinct for fun and they need a stimulus for the mind. If you tend to follow a routined life, it shall be like death to you. Do not make your life monotonous.

Cancer

People under the sign of Cancer have the tendency to conceal their feelings quite often. They are unable to bring out their inner feelings. They are in a way thick skinned. They are moody and easily get hurt. They are quite an extrovert and that is why they have been qui te an attraction element for many.

Leo

Leos are best identified for their passion and intensity. Constant attention should be paid to your personal life and avoid a strife with your beloved. They admire constant flattery and get disheartened when they do not find the right kind of appreciation. They have a passion for sportsmanship. They love to compete with their peers for better results.

Virgo

Virgos are good thinkers. They have immense thinking capacity and rely a lot on that. They are really very caring and the best among the others signs to exhibit love and care. They have a penchant to sacrifice their own happiness for the benefit of others.

Libra

Librans always have this inhibition to look out for harmony. Want of harmony at the end results in a balanced relationship. The most happening Libra trait is that they have a bend for forming partnerships. And they love to get involved in a long-term relationship and bondage. The other character traits are that they are indecisive, peace-loving and love to stay calm and cool.

Scorpio

Scorpions always have an aggressive and determined attitude. They are typically emotional and bring up their intuitive feelings on the surface quite often. Power and passion are the two traits that they exhibit always. They have a magnetic attitude and exciting personality. This makes them stand out of the crowd.

Sagittarius

Sagittarians are souls who always love freedom. You try to hold them tight and they will retort back. They have a inhibit positive approach in solving all sorts of problems. Any problem in life and they are known to solve it in no time with their steadfast attitude. They are fun-loving and bear a good-humor, that’s why they know how to smile from the heart. They admire honesty and straightforwardness.

Capricorn

They have a penchant of being practical and prudent. Their ambitions are high-flying and this coupled with immense discipline have always given them success in life. They are the ones with utmost patience. They tend to remain cautious in every dealing and con tract that they make – be it professional or personal.

Aquarius

Aquarians are blessed with a friendly attitude which is liked by all. Their love for honesty and to remain loyal has made them great human beings. They adore an independent attitude and do not want to get blocked by others whims and fancies. They love freedom and they better not get entangled in any types of relationships. Originality is their biggest trait.

Pisces

They have an immense sense of imagination. They are sensitive as well. They have a kind and caring attitude. They are selfless and always remain earthly. People try to take advantage of their sympathetic nature.

(source from 123newyear - image sources: here, vi.sualize.us, flickr)

Haute Couture

The dresses below are Giorgio Armani's Haute Couture. I've seen the dresses quite often but I just found out that those are actually Giorgio Armani's Haute Couture. The beautiful images were taken by Mario Sierra. No wonder all of them look so perfectly nice and glamor but at the same time it can be said as a simple elegant dress. I really like the first, third and the fourth dress. But if I can get all for free, I would take them all=) What do you think about the design?