Arlene Manocot's Blog, page 6

Constant Constantine

Constantine was a movie I always had been curious to watch. It's about angels, demons, and humans. John Constantine was born with a gift or a curse of seeing beyond the physical world. He has accessed the world of the spirits.
I have always been curious about this movie. I had watched some clips online and at one point encountered it on a free National TV back home, but I never had finished the whole film, not until I saw one of Keannu Reeves, The Devil's Advocate. 
Curiosity got me watching this movie, well aside from Keanu Reeves as the main act here, I do enjoy stories about angels and demons, they tickle my fickle human mind.
If your faith is not founded in a solid rock, then this movie might question your belief. Be ready to defend your faith from self-doubting. 
Constant doubt might just be hovering around you, and waiting for the right moment to attack the vulnerability in your faith. Make sure you stand your ground and be firmed to fight against or flee from the work of the enemy. Be steadfast. 

God Will Make A Way Better Than Ours

God Will Make A Way is a book written by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. As far as I remember, this had been my current for almost two years. Yes, you read it right, I read this book for almost or more than two years. Hehe. 
I so wanted to finish, but it didn't happen as soon as I wanted to. There just had been times that I could only read a page or five or pages. I never finished a chapter in one sitting. 
But I found beauty in the long process of finishing this book. Most of the time some of the messages of the pages I read fit perfectly or somewhat relevant to the season I was going through or to the situation I was dealing with. 

I am in awe and amazed by the coincidence. I'm trying not to over spiritualize my journey of reading this book. Maybe, it is not even a coincidence. It is a form of redirection. God knows what I am going through or the situation I am in. He knows exactly what I need at the right moment, at the right time. 
It's a long journey reaching the last page of this book, but every turn of the page was worth it. 
If you're lost or a little bit clueless of what to do, this book might be the book you need to read right now. This one might come in handy. 
God will make a way better than our way. Because He can.Because He will.Because He loves you. Because He is God. 

The Dandelion on a Bumpy Ride

This book was my companion during my stay at an airport in FL. I stayed the night at the airport since my flight back to TX was scheduled the next day. I tried to sleep, so hard, but it wasn't even a  sleep. Nap in between waking up was a better term for it. 

I had a long chair all by myself so I could stretch out my legs and sleep in comfort even just a little, thank God, but the bright lights and the tall Christmas tree screamed at me as if telling me I should be wide and awake. I kept an eye on my things just in case, because no one else would. 
The book, Dandelion by Gabbie Hanna, reminded me of the books I also wrote. Yes, you heard that right, I write books, I tried to write. God knows I tried. 
Her writings brought me back to the times when I was so scared to tell the dark little secrets I kept in me out of shame, out of guilt. I bottled up all my feelings, the good and the bad, until I ended being depressed. 
I needed a savior, a healer, someone who would accept me for who I was, someone who would lift me up from the dirty pit. 
Someone. I needed someone.
But nobody came the way I expected it. I waited and waited. God knows I waited. I started to question Him. I thought He didn't listen. He ignored my prayers, my mourning, my lamentation.
I cried for help, for someone who could save me from all the misery, pain, and shame I willingly took under my care. I nourished them with all the negative and bitter thoughts I once had and gave birth to a perfectly healthy depression. 
Then, someone returned to my life. I was lost but found. Again, always. He pulled me out of that dirty-muddy dark pit. He saved. Jesus saved me. The answer I didn't want to accept but what I badly needed. He is the answer to everything! Jesus is the answer to every problem!
You might also be a dandelion on a bumpy ride in your life right now, well I hope you also find Him, because He will definitely find you in a way you never imagine. 
The book Dandelion by Gabbie Hanna was a good read. I bought this copy from Goodwill for a good price. It kept me company for two days. A short read I badly needed. Haha.

A New Year in New Places

FL was great! I was blessed even when my friend's aunt and uncle drove us all the way to South Carolina. We were beyond grateful to them for spending Christmas with us. They have been in the US for decades.
Spending holidays away from home truly makes someone emotional. I thought it just happened in the movies or tv shows, but it was real. So real, I missed home. 
Walterboro Downtown


My friend's housemate toured us around the Walterboro Downtown. It felt so vintage and classy. It felt like a mini theme park, but it is actually an old business center. Some stores were thriving and some weren't anymore. 
Anywhere and everywhere you look appears to be aesthetic and historic. 
Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary



A tour in a wildlife park ended our first day in Walterboro, South Carolina. It impressed a creepy atmosphere at first since we went there in the afternoon already. I thought the place was scary and a wild animal might suddenly appear on the path walk or a serial killer hid in the forest. I had those extreme thoughts but as we entered the sanctuary seemed more relevant and inviting. It was a literal and figurative sanctuary. The park with all its forestry demonstrated security and peace for the animals and human beings. It is a fortress.

Charleston Downtown



The downtown in Charleston was something I didn't expect and something that shouldn't surprise me. It felt like I entered a time machine. The place screams royalty, class, kings, queens, princes, and princesses. The structures are all well preserved. The place turned into a shopping district of high end brands I couldn't afford. (Haha)
Charleston Downtown felt surreal and magical. 
Angel Oak Tree



Angel Oak Tree is a historical landmark in Charleston, South Carolina. It is a 400 year old oak tree. I thought it was just an ordinary tree on our way to its location. I was in awe when I encountered the humongous tree face to face. It wouldn't be called a historical landmark for no reason, a tourist destination you shouldn't miss. 
Waffle House 


The Classic waffle of Waffle House is one of the tastiest foods I have tried in SC. It was simple yet tasteful, just the way I wanted it. The place imbibed the concept of old American restaurants like the ones I saw in the movies. My friend's housemate boasted of its goodness and savory taste. Waffle House is a food chain all over the US. Their steak sandwich didn't disappoint me, the meat is juicy and tender. Chocolate milk brought me to nostalgia as I remembered my favorite chocolate milk drink back home. 
SC is a green place especially in Walterboro. There are tall trees all over the place. It is a peaceful little town to fall in love with once you visit the place. It is a peaceful place and may the true peace be always with us!

Home Away From Home in FL

Winter Break in TX, Christmas Vacation in PH!
Two-Week Winter Break calls for a trip or gala as we all call it in the Philippines. It's time for the gala we planned more than a month ago.
Universal Studios

We planned to go to Disney World, but fate led us to Universal Studios. The ticket was pricey for us but we ceased the opportunity and pikit-mata (eyes closed) we bought the ticket on their website.
The theme park exceeded our expectations. The experience was great! These are the rides we got to visit. 
The Bourne Legacy StuntacularThe Krusty LandMen In Black Alien AttackThe Wizarding World of Harry PotterTransformers: The Ride 3DRevenge of the MummyRace Through New York Starring Jimmy FallonDespicable Me Minion Mayhem
The blockbuster ride is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter because of the long cue. There were a lot of people waiting in line for the Harry Potter ride. Many love Harry! But the scariest one is Revenge of the Mummy. 
We missed some rides because we went to the theme park at noon so I suggest you go early. They have three (3) parks, my estimate is one day per park if you plan to visit them all. We just visited one park, budget and time wise.
Daytona Beach & Ormond Beach


My uncle's friend said that you've never been to Florida if you haven't visited some of their famous beaches. 
It was raining when we left the house. I thought it was wrong timing to do beach hopping in such cold and rainy weather. 
There were not many people at Daytona Beach. The waves were a bit strong even though there were two or three people surfing. I was in awe. There were also people who fished with their fishing rods. It seems like the cold never bother them anymore.
Ormond beach is more family and old people friendly. It has free and aesthetic tables and benches to sit on for some donuts and hot coffee. 
My friend, since she'd been to, said that the beaches in FL with all the modern accommodations seem similar to our famous Boracay, back home. 
Teddy Morse's Harley-Davidson 

My friend's uncle and aunt are fans of big bikes and they love anything that has something to do with it. They brought us to the second largest Harley-Davidson shop. We saw brand new and vintage bikes, some were even historical. There were lots of merchandise in the store like hats, t-shirts, mugs, wine glasses and many more. 
There are still a lot of places to visit in FL. It offers surprises that can or cannot exceed your expectations, depends on your perspective.
If you have the chance, grab it and cease it. Be grateful and show your gratitude the best way you can! Our Christmas this year 2023 felt like home away from home. Thank you LORD!

OK na Ok in OKC

Thanksgiving week! It's my first Thanksgiving day. I was looking forward to it. One week break for our Thanksgiving day here in our place. A break we all deserve!

It took us 6 to 7 hours to reach Oklahama City. It was long yet fun and exciting drive. We visited a lot of beautiful, historic, and artsy places around the city. 


A two-day trip from Texas to Oklahama was something we can afford from the one week Thanksgiving break. We weren't able to visit places with entrance fee. We tried to limit our expenses on this trip. 
Oklahama is the second state I got to visit among the fifty in the United States of America. It's still feel surreal sometimes that I am already here. It wasn't an easy journey and I am grateful to God for sustaining me every single day, every hour, every minute, and every second of every moment. 
Okay na okay sa Oklahama City!

We Are Heavenly Bodies, Are We?

What if the governing entities of this NASA are heavenly bodies who want to return home? And they have been doing it since humans barely learned how to get out there, in outer space. They have been trying to put themselves back in the heavenly realms yet until now they haven't fully discovered the most efficient and effective way to return where they originally come from.
Or maybe, we as humans always have that intense desire to return home, to the heavenly realms. We, ourselves, are heavenly bodies and we're just trying to make it back home in our own way, in our own time, in our own effort.
These were just a few of the many thoughts I had when we visited NASA Space Center in Houston, Texas. 
I was excited and so looking forward when there was a plan to go there, well, except for the unexpected expenses that might go beyond my budget but I had no choice but to take risk or else I wouldn't be able to visit it on my own because I had no car and the more the merrier. 
All I could see were pictures and realia and souvenirs, and I was not enjoying it. I was looking for something that could make me experience what it was like to be in outer space. My expectations were too high.
We continued to roam around the Space Center and finally something caught my attention. I saw people sitting comfortably on a makeshift chair for astronauts. The two persons were looking on their own monitor as they felt how it was like to be seated on a skyrocket that was about to take off. The vibration added to the experience of the take off. There was a short line waiting to experience the same and we also did wait for our turn. I liked it. I enjoyed it. 
We got to tour the facilities while riding a tram of the actual working area where they practice the astronauts and develop equipment and machines that would help the human race to further have access to outer space. A life size skyrocket ship amazed by how huge it was. 
So what if humans really are heavenly bodies? What if we're originally from outerspace and we so desire to go back where we belong, to return back home? Just think about it, we might be the aliens of this world and the native dwellers are the animals we rule over with. What are odds!

A Time To Be Lonely

Her eyes were filled with water from the heavy rain drops of life's joy and pain. Overwhelmed, she tried to hold up the tears in the corners of her eyes. Wishing time would stop and save her from the rush of emotions that was about to trample her defenses. But instead of fighting back the tears, she surrendered and let the rain fall down on her cheeks, on her face.

As the tears poured out, shame and guilt were nowhere to be found. Instead, she was freed, she was at peace, she had joy. 

Tears persistently trailed down on her cheeks as she stood up in front of her class. Shocked, her students asked, "Are you okay, miss? Why miss?" Concern was evident on their faces. She was too stunned to even give them a response.

"Please, give me a minute." She pleaded and turned her back from them.

Inside the room safe from the eyes of the young ones, she wept and wept as she completely surrendered to the raging time of loneliness. As if that loneliness demanded to be felt, to be released. She thought to herself now was not the right time, "Damn it!" 

Yet, it was the perfect time, not according to her, but according to the One greater than anyone. "Probably, now is the time to be lonely," she thought to herself again.  

A few moments passed, she returned to where the young ones were. 

"Are you okay, miss?" They asked again, once she made it to where they were. 

She replied, "Yes. I'm okay, maybe I just missed home."

"Aww, miss..." Some gently interjected, as they group and side hugged her. 

"You okay, miss?" Some asked again.

"Yes. I just missed home." Sincerely with a smile on her face, she replied.

Little Woman in a Little Forest with a Little Dream

It was the long weekend I so looked forward to. I did not plan to be grand. Staying at home was the first thing I had in mind when I learned that there would be a long weekend in our district this October. Giddy and excited, the meaningful and purposeful days passed by in almost three weeks. I listed down in my journal the things I needed to accomplish. I started my to-do list and was successful with some of them.
Watching movies and series is one of the hobbies I get to enjoy ever since I was a child, yet that joy seems nowhere to be found now. I have been wandering and looking for a movie or series that can bring back the spark and joy in watching cinematic art. 
My wandering in the land of streaming and binging brought me to Tubi, an on demand video streaming app. The shows on Tubi appeal to my interest. 
The South Korean movie 'Little Forest' caught my attention and awakened the dormant joy I had whenever I watch a movie. 
The female lead was a familiar sight. Cute was the first word I would describe her. Her whole demeanor was a breath of fresh air.
The changing season in a small rural area in South Korea is like bringing colors to the black and white scenery of life. 
The cold winter comes with sadness whereas a blooming spring brings hues of hope to the loneliness of the little woman. The summer heat pricks the skin of ignorance from the fickle-minded little woman. The falling autumn journeys with the wind as it goes along to the course of life and suffering. 
Time makes the seasons change. Time makes little dreams come true. How time works is simple, yet the most difficult to understand with just our feeble human minds, without wisdom it is impossible.
The Little Forest is me, or maybe you. 

Live With A Grateful Heart

I have nothing to write. I only have been posting once a month for the past three months and it also has been busy months. I have not finish reading a book. I have no motivation to post my thoughts at all. It feels like a repetitive cycle for me. Perhaps, I have lost interest in my own thoughts. Probably, nothing compels me to share anything on this blog. 
I am nothing but grateful to the Lord for all that I am. Yet there is that one thing that has been bugging me even though I surrendered it all to Him. I gave up already even on the idea of having it or experiencing it. But it keeps coming back, the desire to have it, the desire to experience it. I avoid to be greedy just to have it, to possess, and experience it to the fullest. 
Or maybe I need to be greedy?

I always ask God and he never answers me with a 'no', it has always been wait, wait, and wait. I do not want to sound impatient, but when is it my Lord, until when am I going to wait. 
Shameless as I can be, there are times I feel like I really do not need it, I really do not like it yet there are also few times I yearn for it that I even talk to God and question Him of His time, will, and ways. How shameless I am!

There are things in life that can be a two edged sword in the human perspective. What meant to be good for you can hurt you sometimes and what you thought is good for you may cause you pain that lasts longer than it is meant to stay.
Dwelling on such thing that needs to undergo season of waiting until it is fully riped can definitely bring anxious and ungrateful thoughts. And those kind of thoughts are the last thing I want in my life right now. 
The act of gratitude can save us from a lot of pain. Just being grateful even for the little things in life can help us overcome anxious thoughts. This may not come in an instant. It takes time, practice, and change of lifestyle, but we will surely get there if we have faith. 

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭94:19‬ ‭CEV‬‬And when I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure.
Oh Lord, guard my heart and mind. Protect me from my own devices. Give me a grateful heart every single day of my life. Amen.