I Took the Ring Off

"...I have loved you with an everlasting love..."

~Jeremiah 31:3

You may remember the Christian movie Courageous released nearly two years ago.  It was such an inspirational movie for the Christian community.  One of its most popular scenes was when Nathan Hayes takes his daughter's hand and makes her a promise to take care of her and offer her his full blessing when the right man comes to her life.

You can see it for yourself on this YouTube clip below.

When my single-hood began again in 2011, my older sister, being inspired by the movie, bought me a ring that I was supposed to wear until the one for me comes along.  So, yep, a promise ring- not the Asian definition of it, but the more American one, and not only for the chastity of my physical body, but for the chastity of my heart.  However, I wished for my dad to have given it to me rather than my sister because then it would have been more meaningful, like in the movie.

Then on November of last year, I took the ring off.


No, not because I broke my promise.  My reasons were...

1) A ring for $15 is not meant to last and be worn for a long time, so it had tarnished greatly in the short while that it was on my finger.

2) I became tired of people mistaking that I was married.  (I guess promise rings are quite foreign things to people around here.)

3) I felt that I needed to be free of all vows (good and bad) that reminded me of my past mistakes and hurts.  Whenever I looked at that ring, I did not see my future.  I saw my past and the reasons as to why I would be wearing it.  It also reminded me of my desire for a far-off someone to take away my loneliness.

During the first days after I took it off, I felt weird that for the first time in so many years, my finger was free.  There still remained a tan line on my skin- a lingering reminder of all the rings I've worn: rings from broken relationships and then, most recently, the promise to my family and myself.  "These tan lines," I thought, "along with their memories will fade away with time- yet, of course, much more quickly."

Four months later, during my last prayer ministry session, I felt as though God was asking me, "What are you waiting for?  Who are you waiting for?"  And I wept.  I know where I was mistaken.  All these years since childhood, vowing that I could provide for myself that "right" man and moping because I do not have him yet, have robbed me from loving God.  "Who are you waiting for when I have been with you all along?"

Who am I waiting for?  I do not need to wait for someone to love me dearly because He is already here!  And not that I want to become a nun- He knows that.  When I finally come to that moment and place where God will bring about the expression of His love into a flesh and blood spouse, we both will be ready for each other.  And until then, my life will not be in a stand-still: my heart will continue to heal, my life will continue to transform, and I will keep living and loving for Him.

Images:
Ring
Girl in flower field

Real Life Sundays, ed. 24

It's almost Christmas ^____^  My favorite holiday of all!

Despite the rush and busyness of the week prior, there's always something warm, traditional, and peaceful at the core of the holiday.  No matter what we think about it, whether we celebrate it or not, we all long for love, kindness, peace, and family- values that are so descriptive of Christmas!  ^____^

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The week before Christmas was very busy again, although not really at work because we did not have a Christmas carnival this year.  Rather it was all the personal Christmas preparations, with the break being so close to Christmas Day!  Last-minute shopping, packages that still haven't arrived, a wedding, lots of baking, a bunch of bills to pay, and parties, parties, parties!

Beautiful wedding and the weather remained so pretty and agreeable ^_^
Thank you, God!

My girly tree in pink and light blue♥ I'm such the tree artiste ^.^

You know where I've been!

My decorations- all at 75% off at K-Mart!  Shout!  (^0^)

Incredibly yummy desserts at my cousin's graduation party :9

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I got to spend some time with a bunch of my favorite things during these first days of vacay, which makes me feel more relaxed already.  

• Morning prayers
• Christmas carols
• The Hobbit (twice already ^0^)
• Fun.
• Inception

Image:
Inception

Severine Inspired Look

Yes, I did say that I could not make another inspired look until Christmas Break.

And yes, I broke that promise with the Angelina Jolie inspired look.

And yes, I'm about to break that promise again.

☺☺☺

I felt mucho inspired after watching Skyfall last week.  Oh my gosh!  The glam, the spectacle, the action!  Oooh!  The Bond girl!

Severine is so beautiful, I couldn't help gushing.  She has some resemblance to Jennifer Lawrence, doesn't she?  Or should I say the other way around.

Anyway, the look is very glamorous and sultry.  I tried to imitate the darkness of the look- the eyes, the chiseled cheeks, and the lips.

I had a few grievances though.  I misplaced my matte black eyeshadow and had to make-do with a glittered one, and the foundation I used had SPF so it was reflecting light, making my face glow a ghostly (ghastly) white.


So here it is and in the timeless words of Ray Arnolds in Jurassic Park,

"Hold on to your butts!"

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I really had fun with this, although I think it could have been made darker around the eyes.  It's one of my first times to play around with such dark colors.  Fun fun fun!

Now, go!  And watch the movie!

Image:
Severine Skyfall

Mockingjay and "The Girl on Fire"

Hi friends, ^.^

  Ever wondered what in the world are you going to do with them cute, little bottles that you get from your circle lenses???  Sometimes, I feel bad to just throw them away @.@  You know, we gotta be eco-friendly and stuff.  (Maybe, we can give them away with the rest of our recyclable glass.)

  Anyway, I've gots a great idea!

Ping!

I repurposed them into...

...Miniature Vases!

They make for really cute flower arrangements ^__________^

I may be seeing things, but I name
this arrangement The Mockingjay :)

A tribute to the "girl on fire"

You know where I've been! :D

I'm definitely a fan now~

And if you are, too, then here's for you.  Enjoy much!

Images:

Question 

Lightbulb
The Hunger Games cast

You Handsome, Handsome Man!

Tony Stark, you handsome, handsome man!

My favorite photo of him.  Don't ask me why... -___-
*Gush*

I was watching my number one favorite superhero movie of all time: Iron Man!  Hohohoho!  ^0^
Yes, the first one.  The second was pretty cool but the first one was revolutionary... with just a touch of heart.

And certainly, Robert Downey, Jr. has touched my heart with this movie (and The Soloist).

♡♡♡

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