Maia Nuguid

A Unique Valentine’s Day Gift

Maia — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:03:23 +0000

With Valentine’s just around the corner, I know of a lot of people trying to find the perfect way to make the occasion special for their loved ones. Sure, buy them roses or chocolates, treat them to a dinner or movie date, or perhaps give them something they long wanted. I think I’m beyond that kind of Valentine already. I no longer think of Valentine’s as an excuse to be mushy (you should be mushy and cheesy all the time!) I think of Valentine’s as a refresher, a reminder, a testimony of how much you love. Not just your boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, or partner if you must, but all the important people in your life – your parents, your children, your friends. And while I’m cooking up something myself, I would like to honor some of our friends, who went beyond the cliche of Valentine’s.

At the Valle Verde Feast the other week, Shepherd’s Voice Publications launched a new book entitled “40 Stories of Finding Your One True Love.” I initially thought it was just a book, for they launch a book every now and then, but it wasn’t until last Monday, at the Ortigas Feast, that I realized that it’s no ordinary book. A couple of our friends were in it, their love story I mean, and little did we know that another couple were there too. One of the sisters secretly submitted their love story for the book, and was selected, without her husband’s knowledge. The book was launched, her husband had no idea, and the wife would be surprising him on Valentine’s. Or at least he was surprised at the Ortigas Feast. Cool huh? How unique is it that for Valentine’s you’d see your love story published for all the world to see? I honor you both, my friends. You are an inspiration.

It’s not too late yet to get your copy! I believe the book is sold at all National Bookstores branch. Yes, we plug it like that. And on Monday, February 15, we’ll be having a post Valentine’s celebration at the Ortigas Feast. Single, engaged, married, or separated, come one, come all! Love does not take into consideration your marital status. Jesus didn’t. See you there!

Photo Credits: www.shepherdsvoice.com.ph

Start your week right! With Ondoy’s wrath and Pepeng barely out the door,...

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Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and let’s bring it on!

Maia — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:42:06 +0000

Before the holiday cheers die down, let me greet you a belated merry Christmas and wish you a happy new year!

Our move went well, our sofabed (and all our other stuff) were sold to good friends and new friends (thanks!) and we’re now living in our new home. It’s all goooood. Now, on to more pressing matters…

2009 was a rollercoaster ride for me and my family. A combination of good and bad things. In 2010, I claim that all will be great. I realized that it doesn’t matter if life’s good or bad, as long as you are with family, it will always be good. Love conquers all. Love casts out all fears. Love is what makes the world go round :)

And because I love (I love my husband, my son, my parents, in-laws, friends, all of you!) I want to make 2010 a year of blessings. Not for me, but for you! I want to bless you and you and you. I don’t know how exactly, I just know I will :D

So, let’s bring it on people! 2010 is a year of breakthroughs for me, and for you. Exciting? Yes! Game.

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Sofabed for Sale

Maia — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:17:51 +0000

Yep, the big blessing is here! We’re moving to our own condo mid December, and we’re letting go of some of our stuff because of space constraints. Including our beloved sofabed. We’re looking for foster parents, perhaps you would want to adopt it?

We bought it for ~20k pesos and we’re selling it for just 10k pesos. It’s queen sized, with mahogany finish, green cushioned sofabed in very good condition. Here are more pictures of our sofabed. As you can see it has a side basket on both ends, and the side arms open up as hidden storage. :D

We’re also selling some of our excess appliances. I’m sharing the price list, go check it out here. In the mean time, enjoy the pictures!

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Cheering myself up

Maia — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:55:37 +0000

Today I’m feeling a bit low so I tried to shake it off by watching an uplifting, life changing, serious movie which gives me a deeper realization of what life has to offer and what road am I exactly traversing… I’m a bit distracted, that’s for sure. I have so many things going on in my mind, so many things to do but having little time to do them. I know we all have 24 hours in a day, but sometimes I wish I have more. But since I’m distracted, I don’t know if having more hours will actually result in me doing more. I guess I have to follow this wisdom:

The mind is like water. When it is agitated it becomes difficult to see but if you allow it to settle, the answer becomes clear.

I keep on regretting what I could have done yesterday that it overflows to today. My to do list is so scattered. But I guess I should just move forward and start appreciating the now. After all…

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.

Contemplating on the actions I need to take to achieve my goals, I remember the old feeling of starting out in your career, where you don’t know where you’ll end up with. I can say that me being where I am right now is just an accident, a lucky chance, but…

There are no accidents.

… I believe I am where I should be because God wants me here. Even if I do try to run away because I do sometimes, when I am overwhelmed, I know that whatever I do, I’ll end up good. No turning back or wishing for a new road to travel.

One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it.

Like many, I also feel the need to ask for validation, affirmation, confirmation. It’s like, I can’t believe right away, I need evidence. Today I just feel like that too. I want to know if this is right, if our plans are doable, feasible, following the S-M-A-R-T rule. I need help. But there’s an answer waiting for me…

No, you don’t need my help. You just need to believe. You must believe.

And I will choose to believe because with God…

Nothing is impossible.

… and He will not answer me, as Master Oogway did Master Shifu…

I dunno

Now, it’s starting to become clear to me again… Lol.

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Happy Birthday my Son!

Maia — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:09:11 +0000

Today is my son’s birthday. I’ve been a mom for two years now. Wow. It’s been two years already? I can’t believe that just yesterday, I’m pregnant. Now, I have a bouncing toddler. Literally. How time flies. My son’s been through a lot in his young age. I am so proud of him. Looking at him every night, before I turn in, I see so much potential, so many blessings. I know that even though I am his mom, he really is special. I’m not saying that just because.

I pray that he grows up to be a blessing to the world. I pray that he fulfills his special mission, by God’s grace. He has changed so many lives, and will continue to. I pray that me and my husband be the best parents we can ever be, for him.

Happy birthday my son. I love you.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and let’s bring it on! Before the holiday cheers die down, let me greet you...

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Reflections on Climate Change

Maia — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:58:23 +0000

I’m new at this, having only taken interest in climate change when I saw the wrath of Ondoy in major Manila cities. I guess I always knew the climate was shifting. At the back of my head I knew that the usual rainy season here in Manila lasting from July to August now starts earlier but ends later. The usual chilly October to January is now hot and humid, if not wet. It isn’t until February that we feel the cold. Summer’s longer now than before. If before you’d feel the heat just in April, now, as early as March you’ll work up a sweat without the effort. Either I’m observant or I’m just getting old to see the shift.

For this year’s Blog Action Day, the theme is Climate Change. What a timely topic for Filipinos. Coming out of Ondoy and then Pepeng, typhoons so strong we haven’t seen anything like it in previous years, up to now majority of Luzon is inundated with flood waters. The areas that we thought were immune to flooding have experienced the worst flooding. Top that with all the earthquakes happening. I’m scared honestly. You see, I have a son. And if I used to not care, I can’t no longer.

I drafted up a family plan on how we can do help in our little ways, but with all the stuff going on, revolving around the Blog Action Day, I realized one thing. I don’t even know how our local government is handling these issues. Much more our national government. I know I need to sleuth some more, research some more, probably ask some more. I would probably be comforted as I know more. Or maybe not. But I do pray that someone is doing something about it. And I pray that I find that someone so I can help in my own way too.

I’ve taken the first step. I need to run to catch up, but taking part in today’s Blog Action Day, I also hope to raise awareness that it’s not too late to start caring. I’m not ashamed that I was indifferent. But now I know better and am more committed to take action. I hope you will too.

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Post Ondoy, what now?

Maia — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:44:18 +0000

I am thankful that my family and I are safe, and that friends and loved ones survived Ondoy’s wrath. With the devastation comes a realization that after that fateful Saturday, life moves on. Unsung heroes, survivors, no matter what part you had to endure, the question is, what now?

As I was taking my solitary walk home from the office, thoughts about how I can help improve our world and maybe, just maybe, contribute to a better world. I looked through how we live our lives and decided to start on what I can actually change. Here are three simple steps we are going to take to do our share of helping restore our environment back to health.

Stop using plastic bags – did you see those garbage blocking the water ways over the news? They’re all in plastic. I’m sure it’s going to be difficult but with more and more establishments going green, I’m sure I’ll eventually pick up the pace. I need to find a sturdy bag to put our groceries in.
Segregate wastes – I know local governments should have segregation programs, but even if they don’t, we’re still going to do it. Biodegradables and non biodegradables should be separated so that our garbage will be minimized. I guess I have to get another trashcan and label them so we can start on it. I also have to get an organic cleanser which we can use to clean the trashcans. No more plastic remember?
Start transitioning to cloth diapers – or perhaps speedy up my son’s potty training. All those diapers. I don’t know why I thought of it only now. Maybe because of the convenience of using diapers, I didn’t realize the inconvenience it brings to our environment.

I’m no expert on how I’m going to do all these, I’m still researching and praying, but when I look at my son, I just know that I have to.

How about you? What will you do now?

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Start your week right!

Maia — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:35:35 +0000

With Ondoy’s wrath and Pepeng barely out the door, many of us can’t say that they are okay 100%. You might be questioning why it all happened, or you might be shocked at the devastation around us, but don’t lose hope. It is said that man can live 40 days without food, four days without water, even four minutes without air, but we can’t live even a mere four seconds without hope. Hope that we can share with our friends, friends who inspire us to live life to its fullest and to whom we have fun with, despite all the strife.

Come and be blessed, starting October 12, 7pm, at the Roofdeck of the Prestige Tower in Emerald Ave. in Ortigas Center. Everyone’s welcome.

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