Arlene Manocot's Blog, page 5

NJ: An Entry Point to NY

New Jersey was not I expected it to be. It looked like a setting of an apocalypse movie and I did wonder if some of the end-of-the-world films I watched were actually shot there. It was not as vibrant as I anticipated it would be, probably because we visited during winter. As I landed on Newark International Airport late at night, I realized it was a humble airport. I had to ride a train to leave the airport just to bring me to another train station. I thought the places I saw seem old and experienced. I could sense the mark left by humans who used or maybe abused the place. The New Jersey Transit reminded me of the Philippine National Railroad I used to ride on when I was taking my master's and doctor's degree at PUP Santa Mesa, it felt nostalgic. 
New Jersey was our entry point to our main goal, New York. With my friends, we did not do much exploration in New Jersey. We stayed in a hotel located in NJ throughout our trip. It was only on the last day that we decided to see at least one tourist attraction from our entry point. 
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park







On the last day of our New Jersey X New York trip, we visited one of the historical parks in New Jersey. That visit gave me more joy than any exploration we made in the famous city of New York. I tend to enjoy more. of the nature rather than man-made attraction. Thought the temperature was below freezing point, it did not hinder me to enjoy the magnificent sight of the falls. There is always something relaxing and calming with water, but waterfalls have that relaxing and exciting effect on me. 





I also got to see a statue of Hamilton where the Paterson Great Falls were and I only have a vague idea about him. The statue looked poetic and diplomatic, so I thought he must be involved to something literary or like politics. He must be a writer, that was my thought. 
Athens Coffee Shop






You are not wrong. The coffee shop sounded Greek, but we were still somewhere in New Jersey. We decided to have our lunch, and for me it was more like a brunch, my breakfast and lunch. I ordered a regular American breakfast, pancakes and sunny side up eggs with coconut cream iced coffee. It was a sumptuos amount of breakfast and lunch that I badly needed to get me through the travel going back to Austin. 
Newark International Airport


It was mid afternoon when we decided to head to the airport. Newark Internationa Airport appeared more bright and new in the broad day light. I judged to soon when I said it was old and not so vibrant, it was a nice airport I must say. We were comfortable waiting for flight back to the different states we all came from. 
I am glad I got to experience New Jersey even as a side trip. I have another state marked check on my bucket list. Thank You, LORD!

Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power    and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,    for everything in heaven and earth is yours.Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;    you are exalted as head over all.-1 Chronicles 29:11

Life Updates Before 2024 Ends

Hi everyone. It has been four months since I posted something here on my blog. It has been lots of super busy days and lots of challenges and difficulties, but with lots of happy days too. Everything is a lot! Praise the Lord for the good days and bad days! 

2024 is more meaningful, exciting, colorful, and challenging at the same time.

My second year of teaching here in th US has been more challenging and hard to the point of giving up and questioning my ability and all those years of experience I gained back in the Philippines. It feels more like I am back to zero. I guess that is how it is. Teaching in the US introduced a different environment, culture, and diverse set of colleagues and students. I just do the best I could as a teacher. I always pray to God to give strength, endurance, patience and wisdom to survive every school day, every class period,levery encounter with my colleagues and students. I surrender every single day to God and cry to Him for help.
At the age of 34, I have my first boyfriend. It was a long waiting season for me. I had always wonder what it was like to have someone special, aside from my family of course. My friends had their boyfriend and my sister and they eventually got married. I am genuinely happy for them, always been, yet there was a part of me that persistently wonder what it would be like to have a boyfriend or get married.
We started dating January of 2024 and it was a nerve-wracking but exciting new chapter of my life. This dating season in my life was one of the many things I prayed for. Everything that I have and I don't have is an answered prayered. Then, here came a lot of overthinking when the dating gets going. 
I always tell God if it is not from Him and not for me, please take it away from me. I know it is going to be a hard process. Letting go is always a difficult job to do. So far He wants me to be in this season.
This year has been good to me and my family. I thank God for being with us as we went through arduos challenges and joyful moments in our lives. It has been an overwhelming year for me, but thank You God.

It is what it is. All is well. Whatever will be will be.

Every moment is a gift from above. Treasure them more. Every person we meet is purposefully placed in our lives. Show them kindness and love. It is written that every good and perfect gift is from above, and yes it is. 
Merry Christmas and a happy new yeary'all!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. -James 1:17 NIV

the sun and her vulnerable flowers

Another book done, and it’s finally one of the books of Rupi Kaur. I have been intrigued by her books ever since she became popular with her first book Milk and Honey, I couldn’t afford to buy her books back in the Philippines, and probably here in the US I would still consider the book as a bit pricey. And that’s just for me, it is never a professional valuation I just set a specific range of budget for the books I buy.
the sun and her flowers by rupi kaur is the recent book I finished reading for my reading challenge this year. I must say it was a short read, and I like it. I have been taking more interest in poetry books ever since year 2024 began. One thing that got me into it is, yeah, you guessed it right maybe, it is a short read. Another thing is most of the poetry books released nowadays talks about human emotions with all the mental health issues we are dealing with right now make them more so relevant. Short read and relevant.

Also, honesty is something that I really appreciate in this book of Rupi Kaur. She made herself vulnerable while solidifying as strong identity of who she has become as a person and a woman. Her sincerest intention of making herself relevant in order to reach other people who might be going or have gone through touched the little girl, teenager, and the woman who is in a working progress in me.
The book has five (5) parts which all the delicate yet vigorous pieces of poems were chronologically arranged based on the life experience of the author, at least that’s how I see it as I read the poem and reached the final page.
Here’s the blurb of the book, check if you like and make you want to read the whole book.
this is the recipe of lifesaid my motheras she held me in her arms as i wept this of those of flowers you plant In the garden each yearthey will teach youthat people toomust wiltfallrootrisein order to bloom

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character10 [a]A wife of noble character who can find?    She is worth far more than rubies.11 Her husband has full confidence in her    and lacks nothing of value.12 She brings him good, not harm,    all the days of her life.13 She selects wool and flax    and works with eager hands.14 She is like the merchant ships,    bringing her food from afar.15 She gets up while it is still night;    she provides food for her family    and portions for her female servants.16 She considers a field and buys it;    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.17 She sets about her work vigorously;    her arms are strong for her tasks.18 She sees that her trading is profitable,    and her lamp does not go out at night.19 In her hand she holds the distaff    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.20 She opens her arms to the poor    and extends her hands to the needy.21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.22 She makes coverings for her bed;    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.24 She makes linen garments and sells them,    and supplies the merchants with sashes.25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;    she can laugh at the days to come.26 She speaks with wisdom,    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.27 She watches over the affairs of her household    and does not eat the bread of idleness.28 Her children arise and call her blessed;    her husband also, and he praises her:29 “Many women do noble things,    but you surpass them all.”30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. -Proverbs 31:10-31 

This is the Journey, Live it Through God's Grace

This is the Journey is the second book I read from Alison Malee. It is a collection of poems published by Andrews McMeel Publishing. If I may be honest it is my dream to be published by them too. I also have a collection of poems too and I hope they keep on piling up. 
Just like the first book that I read from the Malee, the book cover also got me. Surprise, I love flowers. There is just something beautiful and iridescent about them and I cannot help but be attracted, allured, captivated, charmed, and be enchanted by these delightful creations. Some may say it is shallow, well if it is I do not care really (hehe, peace yow). The book cover is beautiful and it has caused me to get the book and read it. It was what made me interested in the book aside from it was being a poetry book and shorter to read.

This is the Journey by Alison Malee is a poetry collection about moving on, and some few reasons why we should keep on going forward until we finish the race, the journey. Life is not easy and there are extra baggage that we have to carry as we go along in life, and sometimes they get heavier and heavier, that is why forgiving yourself and giving grace to yourself are essential skills that we must cultivate throughout our lives. Life is already hard as it can be, so don't be harder on yourself. Be gracious and forgive. 

Life is a journey, it doesn't end, it just only gets more exciting. Life is not just about us. It is more than us. 

Acts 20:24 NIVHowever, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

This is the journey. Live it! Love it! May our lives be a living testimony of God's amazing grace.

Sayo Got Denied on Amazon KDP

 

Sayo is on Amazon now! 

Oops! It's a prank. 

Sad news!

But to be honest, yes, I did upload Sayo on Amazon. I tried. Sadly, my latest book was written in my native language, and the online bookstore didn't accept content published in Filipino. 

To be fair, I was aware that my native language was not supported by Kindle. I just took a chance that maybe it would go live and it did, but only for 17 days. 
Here're a brief book description: 
Sayo by Arlene Manocot contains poems in Filipino language, all published on my Facebook page and personal account, and Wattpad last year 2023. Sayo is literally translated in English as 'for you', 'I'm yours', or 'I belong to you'. This poem collection might be for you.

Good news!

You can still download a free e-book copy, just click the link:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EzLNUD2FMMPMfte_v5a1VPF8kUZp5Mxo

Other related post:Cover Reveal: Sayo by Arlene ManocotBook Giveaway: Sayo by Arlene Manocot

Life Rewind: There's No Such Thing

Rewind is a Filipino movie that I heard that was so last year during the Christmas season and I did not pay any attention, not a bit. I must admit I am not much of a fan of the mainstream Philippine movies right now. I would prefer the old movies and the ones that would be considered as classics. 
At the beginning of summer vacation, I was kind of curious and had free time and a little desire to watch a movie. A Netflix app has been sitting on my tablet, so I decided to browse the huge selection of movies and series, and the Rewind movie got my attention. I remember the good reviews and raving reception of Filipinos here in Manor. It got me curious about the impression they had about the movie. 
What's the movie about?
Netflix says, "After his wife passes away during a tumultuous period in their marriage, a man strikes a peculiar bargain that transports him to the past with the opportunity to mend their relationship, albeit at the cost of his own life."

Alright, so I was ready and prepared for whatever the movie would throw at me. If it was dramatic, I was ready not to cry because I was tired of crying last week. I needed to rest my eyes and tear glands, please.
But that did not happen. I was crying, practically bawling my eyes out. I was not prepared, was not born ready for this movie. Oh my. My eyes got swollen throughout the scenes in the movie. 
What did I learn?Life is not about work or the job we have. We have to set our priorities right. Give time to what is more important and something that money cannot buy or material things cannot replace.Forgive. We should not stay angry for too long. Learn to forgive to free ourselves from all the hurt and pain.Say sorry if you must, if you have to. Be humble to accept that there are times that we can be wrong. Do not let our negative emotions ruin good relationships.Communicate our true feelings especially to the ones we love, to the ones most important to us. There is no such thing as rewind in real life. Make the most out of it. Be good, and give grace to others and to yourself. Show our love and care to the people most important to us through any form of love languages we know and can.Surrender to the One who is in control of everything, it is going to be hard, but we have to have faith and entrust all the things we cannot control. He knows what is best and good for us and the people we love.
Do I recommend this movie?
Definitely! It is the kind of movie worthy of your time. Watch it with your family, with your partner, or the ones you love. Plan a movie date with them, right now!

The Day is Ready for You and Me

the day is ready for you is a collection of poems written by Alison Malee and published in 2018 by Andrews McMeel Publishing. The book is a short read you would not want to miss and the cover is aesthetically pleasing. 
The book cover had me. I fell in love with the look of vintage flowers on the cover. So, yeah, I am weak with flowers. With a little idea of what the book could be about, I took the risk and pulled it out of the shelf and tried to buy it along with the other books for myself, but no, someone grabbed the rest of the books from me when we were at the cashier and made the payment for my books, yes, my books. That was a first. 
I liked a few pieces from the collection and they appealed to me the most. The collection conveyed a message of getting back on one's feet, that was how I received the meaning of the book. 
The book is meant to encourage women or people in general not to be discouraged if a day is a bad day or they feel like they are experiencing the worst day of their lives. There is always a new day and always ready for you and me to take on and live to the fullest. A bad day is not the end. There is always another day to face on and make the most out of it. 
I had many bad days and they all passed. I mourn, lament, feel sad, process, accept, move on, learn, and try to do better from that bad day, and look forward to the good things my God will make out of it.  I trust Him forever because my LORD God is my everlasting rock. The storm in life may shake us, but it will never defeat us once we are rooted on the everlasting rock. 
I know that bad days are there to come, because that is what they do, they come and go, but the good news they never stay and my God always stays. He is there all the time, with you and me. He desires to be with us in good and bad times of our lives. 

‭Isaiah 26:4 ESV‬[4] Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

So, yeah, this day is ready for you. Live it! Make it worthwhile! Be rooted on the One, Jesus, who can put meaning in your life!

Attitude of Gratitude with Tuesdays with Morrie

Tuesdays With Morrie is a book that I got to know through a friend. I saw one of his online posts, and didn’t waste my time having a second look. It was just one of the many passing updates on my news feed from my online friends which I rarely put too much attention to. 

It started with curiosity and a book that was on sale at Goodwill. It was cheap and I could afford it hehe 

The book left me with the impression that nothing is forever. Nothing lasts for eternity. Well, except for the One who is Eternity. 

People come and go. They stay for a season and a reason. Some choose to stay, some choose to leave, and some just have no choice but to submit to the natural way of life, which one of them is death. 

Humans die. Human death is a dead end, everyone must face it. To leave the physical world is something that no one could ever run away from. 

But the memories we create with our loved ones, with the people who stay for a season and a reason worth all the struggle and pain we face in life. The experience of being alive and living and loving the moment is a gift from the One who lasts for eternity. 

The present is a gift I am in the process of consistently trying to be grateful for. I can be an overthinker sometimes and that ruins the gift of the present. I am always praying to have a grateful heart, a heart that is overflowing with gratitude. In good times and bad times, I desire to be grateful to the LORD. 

The attitude of gratitude is a good way of living a good life, of no regrets, of contentment, and of joy.  

I hope and pray we also find peace as we journey to a life that is filled with gratitude to the One who stays and lasts forever. 

‭1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV‬

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Book Giveaway: Sayo by Arlene Manocot

Birth Month is free book month! 🥳

Download an e-book copy of my latest book hehe 

What is Sayo about?

Sayo by Arlene Manocot contains poems in Filipino language, all published on my Facebook page and personal account, and Wattpad last year 2023. Sayo is literally traslated in English as 'for you', 'I'm yours', or 'I belong to you'. This poem collection might be for you.

Cover reveal blog post:

https://www.arlenemanocot.com/2024/04... 

Kung ‘di man ikaw ang para sa kanya, sa’yo na lang ‘to. Charr, charmander, Pokémon! Gotta catch ‘em all! Charr again! 😅😂🤣

Free e-book copy download link is here: 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folder...

Yay! 😉

Cover Reveal: Sayo by Arlene Manocot

April is my birth month and I just feel like sharing a part of me through the pieces that I have written. My works are not that impressive and I don't intend to impress anyone hehe I put out my works for everyone to see in hope that it could help one or two souls who may have the same struggles as me and to remind them that they're not alone, and that what they're going through is something that will pass too and can be overcome. 
And tada! 🎉 
Cover reveal day of a new poetry collection on birthday month! 


Sayo by Arlene Manocot contains poems in Filipino language, all published on my Facebook page and personal account, and Wattpad last year 2023. Sayo is literally traslated in English as 'for you', so this collection is for you.
Another year older. Another year arte. Another year wiser? Hopefully, yes! TYL! 🌸🩷
I will post a link soon, so you can download a free digital copy! Yay!