Posted by teacherjulie @ 8:24 am
Shelved under Information, My Thoughts

I am turning a year older tomorrow and so will my only son. He will be seven and I will be thirty-something ;)

When I was younger, thinking about 25 seems a long way to go. Now that I am much more older than that, I tend to reminisce and look back at how I have lived my life.

During college, in a major subject called Group Dynamics, we were asked to make a time line of what we have been through, our experiences, be these major or minor, and how these experiences has changed our lives. Mine was a bit “tame” compared to the experiences that my group mates went through.

Save for one major family problem that could have broken up the family which we have survived hurt but not broken in spirit, I felt that I have been living an insignificant life, unexciting even, a “normal” life sans teenage angst and (mis)adventures.

Do I still feel the same today?

Now that I am at this stage in my life, I feel that I have accomplished things far greater than I have ever hoped I can do.

I have helped children more than I can possibly imagine I can ever do.

I have been helpful (I hope) to parents, not just the parents of my students but also those who have been reading my blog.

As of now, I like to think that I am doing a good job, together with my husband, in raising a family that we way we want it to be.

My father who got sick almost two years ago is now better. My mother is well and strong. My brother has a good job teaching in a university.

So many wonderful things to be grateful, so may blessings to count.

If there are some things I would probably go back too and change, there would be three challenges.

First would be being more strong enough to take risks. I did take some risks but I was cautious and I wasn’t able to accomplish half of what I have expected to accomplish. I know it is still not too late to be able to do these things again for the opportunities abound for me, it is just probably me who is holding back.

Second would be to have more time focusing on myself, taking care of myself. I have not been exercising and have gained significant of weight. How would I focus achieving the goal in losing some of the excess weight? Walking? Exercise? Diet pills? Yoga? Less time spent sitting? Restraining myself from eating my comfort foods when I am stressed and tired? Yes, I know, it is not the physical appearance that really matters but as I said here in a post I have written, it is not the kind heart and wonderful disposition that matters in a fitting room :D

Third would be to learn how to drive. Yeah, at my age, I admit I can’t drive. I am afraid to try. If one sees how Filipino drivers drive, one would understand. But still, I would not be able to accomplish my first challenge. This too, would still be up to me.

Amidst all the hardships and struggles people are experiencing these days, I still find lots of reasons to smile about and thank God for the blessings :)

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 13th, 2008 at 8:24 am and is filed under Information, My Thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

13 Jul, 2008 @ 10:34 am
ganns said:

Happy birthday, Julie! I pray God’s blessings on you in abundance with this next year of your life!

13 Jul, 2008 @ 11:04 am

happy birthday teacher! i’m not at all surprised at the many great and beautiful things you have done. cheers, and may you be able to bless many more people =)

o – san tayo????

13 Jul, 2008 @ 11:04 am

happy birthday teacher! i’m not at all surprised at the many great and beautiful things you have done. cheers, and may you be able to bless many more people =)

o – san tayo????

13 Jul, 2008 @ 11:59 am
mixednuts said:

Happy Birthday! When I turned 40 I questioned if I had done good with my life. Now I just want to be happy. I think this is so important.

13 Jul, 2008 @ 6:37 pm
noemi said:

You are still so young and you can still start an exercise regimen. Actually it’s not the looks that made me start exercise. I knew my heart will give in if I don’t.

Taking care of yourself is a good thing to do. Start with simple doable tasks.

Happy birthday. Enjoy life.

13 Jul, 2008 @ 7:53 pm

Happy birthday Julie and Julian!!!

13 Jul, 2008 @ 10:10 pm

Happy Birthday Julie and Julian. May you have a beautiful and memorable birthday celebration tomorrow. May you continue to receive wonderful blessings. Take care and God bless.

14 Jul, 2008 @ 10:05 am
rhodora said:

Wow! Happy Birthday to you and your son!

It’s my first born son’s birthday today too. Last Monday, July 7, was my second son’s naman.. and on the 31st, si Gem naman!

Enjoy your day with your birthday son and family, Julie! Saka mo na lang ako i-blow out.. hehehe

14 Jul, 2008 @ 11:23 am
Joni said:

Happy birthday!!! :) May God bless you even more this year. :)

Julie, ask ko lang po.. aside from ppp, sponsoredreviews, & reviewme, ano pa ang marerecommend mong similar sites? Would appreciate the help! thanks :)

14 Jul, 2008 @ 1:26 pm
julie said:

Thanks, Ganns :)

By the way, I saw your Ref Door Project, I love it :)

14 Jul, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
julie said:

Thanks, Cess :) Your greetings mean a lot to me. I am also thankful for meeting wonderful people like you :)

14 Jul, 2008 @ 1:30 pm
julie said:

Thanks, Mayi. I think we all have the tendency to do just that, look back and examine how we have lived our lives and what else we ca do not just for ourselves but for the people around us.

Being happy is also one of the best things we ca do for if we are happy, everything seem easier :)

Thank you.

14 Jul, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
julie said:

Thanks, Noemi :)

Its kinda hard to lose weight na when one is a little older but I know it ca be done, one step at a time. And yes, its not just for the looks for mainly for the health. We would really want to live longer and enjoy life more, with its perks and problems :)

Have a great week!

14 Jul, 2008 @ 1:43 pm

[...] A Year Older [...]

14 Jul, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
julie said:

Thanks, ECL.

I am so glad to have met you in the blogosphere :) I hope when you come visit the Philippines we would be able to meet :)

Have a great week!

14 Jul, 2008 @ 1:49 pm
julie said:

Wow, triple celebration, and just right after your birthday :)

Thanks for the greetings. I hope i can finally meet you when you go to Ortigas Center to visit your daughter :)

14 Jul, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
julie said:

Thanks, Rachel :)

I also would like to thank you for being a wonderful friend. Have a great week! :)

Advance Happy Birthday to Yohan :)

14 Jul, 2008 @ 1:52 pm
julie said:

Joni, I will email you :)

Thanks for the greetings :) Have a great week!

15 Jul, 2008 @ 10:38 am
bertN said:

Happy birthday to you! I’m sure you will be able to accomplish your very modest short goals – live a little “dangerously”, lose weight and learn to drive.

15 Jul, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
N!cE said:

I love how you put it…how you feel so grateful for everything in your life. :) You are so blessed Teacher Julie.

N!cE
http://www.nicemorning.net
http://www.mommastuff.com

15 Jul, 2008 @ 11:13 pm
julie said:

Thank you very much Bert :) I am taking the step to learn to drive, maybe this week. Not that I can afford a car but I need the driver’s license :D

Thanks for the visit! Have a great week!

15 Jul, 2008 @ 11:18 pm
julie said:

Thanks, Nice :)

By the way, did you get the link I made for a tag you asked me to do?

16 Jul, 2008 @ 7:32 am

[...] A Year Older [...]

16 Jul, 2008 @ 3:28 pm
feng said:

as usual, huli na naman ako sa pagbisita. di bale, personal naman kitang na-greet nung Monday. :)

Happy happy birthday to you and Julian as well.

love this post. very meaty. what introspection of things to be grateful for! teary-eyed ako, promise! you don’t have to put the close in parenthesis there for the word (hope) because definitely you are a great help to all the kids with special needs and their parents. :)

17 Jul, 2008 @ 1:53 am
julie said:

Thanks Feng.

Sa totoo lang, nape-pressure ako sa mga nag-eemail sa akin. Para akong online consultant :D

20 Jul, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
annamanila said:

Aha! At 30 something, you have achieved a lot — as a teacher, mother/wife, blogger. I think you have that in you, the drive to excel whatever you set your sights on.

As a blog friend, am so proud of you.

Take a bow, TJ.

21 Jul, 2008 @ 7:41 am
julie said:

Thanks, AM, coming from you, that is an honor :)