patience

During a conversation early yesterday afternoon, one of my mentors shared a nice reminder with me...

"Remember, God is never late...but He is also never early."

bittersweet

On move-in day at the dorms my freshman year, I immediately realized that my college days and nights were going to be pleasantly unfamiliar--exactly how I hoped it would be. As I waved 'see you later' to my parents on that first day of college, I sensed that a fresh cup of "something" was about to brew, and it smelled SO good.

Introducing myself as "Joy" instead of Laurene that first day, was refreshing. I couldn't call it reinventing myself because I had always been "Joy" growing up...but it was the name I was used to hearing only from my parents, family and closest friends. It must have been introducing myself as "Joy" to complete strangers that initiated a bold step out of my comfort zone and enabled me to shed some layers--exfoliating the shy, introverted goody-goody that had been known to my grade-school peers. Allowing these fresh faces, my dorm-mates, an ability [for them and myself] to begin discovering who I was in the raw. I was putting myself out there, and I quickly learned that turning complete strangers into acquaintances wasn't so hard to do.

In high school, and especially the summer following it, I set goals for myself...brainstorming upon activities I would want to potentially get involved with. Today, I realize that nearly all the accomplishments accrued during the past four years could have never been attributed to a list of prematurely-jotted "wants" and "to do"s. Things just happened...

Being away from home was accompanied by larger responsibilities, pressures, homesickness and the scarcity of financial assistance at my fingertips...I quickly learned that it was time to take care of myself...and equally important, time to pave a path I could look back on with gratitude.

And I am so thankful...to my family near and far, friends near and far and God who is always with me.

In the next month or so, I will begin compiling a list of happenings that I never thought would have occurred during my college experience...as a simple reminder that life cannot be predicted or planned out to a T. To keep me humble when I am at a high and give me hope when I am low.

I'll continue to challenge myself in the choices I make...

“Education is the path from cocky ignorance to miserable uncertainty.”
- Mark Twain

so cute

found from "absolutely beautiful things" blog

"I will": life thoughts in progress

• love You unconditionally always
• care for those who need my time the most
• write a book [or two...or more]
• learn how to become a joy of all trades

one of my all-time fave photos discovered on the web: makes me smile!

"rhythm of spring"

I found a beautiful photo on flickr.

Today, I celebrate the lives of the man who helped raise me and the woman who helped raise him. Both are such powerful and inspirational figures in my life...and I continue to grow through their stories. Every so often my dad will take a moment to rekindle the values of his youth--while he'll occasionally share playful childhood stories, it is his memories of overcoming challenges that ultimately remind his children to include a little more humility in [our] lives.

Being home with family, currently in Las Vegas, I'm drenched with the presence of unconditional love, an abundance of nourishment and shelter. However, accompanying these comforts are the stresses of reality. As a recent graduate, I'm faced with uncertainty in the steps I take to build my career, which in itself is a topic I continue to meddle with.

Living, learning, and growing away from home, and even having the opportunitiy to witness the dynamic standard of living conditions in the Philippines, have taught me the following (in no particular order):

• humility
• selflessness
• responsibility
• networking
• ambition
• possibility

Reflecting on how my experiences continue to enhance these traits within me, I am so grateful for the amazing people who have influenced my life. My father and grandmother are two such people that I will always hold in my heart.

Thoughts on paving my career path:

"You must do the thing you think you cannot do."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Note to self!

Remember!

Today, I submitted an application for full-time employment at Las Vegas' City Center (still need to include resume on the online application)! Opening in September 2009, the new addition to the strip will bring in new opportunities for many...

***Interview***
Vdara Hotel & Spa
June 19, 2009
4:00pm