Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Happy birthday to my sister, my friend

Happy birthday to my sister, my friend
September 30, 2014


All the wealth of the world isn't enough to compensate for the love of a sister.
So I don't want to miss the opportunity to wish you a happy birthday!

Sisters not only share clothes and accessories but they also share a life together –

I thank God for giving me the greatest gift ever, in you. You are a wonderful sister and I love you always.

Sisterhood is a relation gifted by the God. It tells you that you'll always remain special to someone.



Sweet Sister
Happy birthday,
sweet sister of mine.
Whenever I see you,
my heart seems to shine.
You're a truly wonderful,
sweet sister and friend.
birthday hugs and kisses,
I'd like to extend.
Happy birthday,
sweet sister of mine.
It brings me joy,
when we just spend time.
I'm eternally grateful,
you've always been there.
Through your actions and words,
you show that you care.
Happy birthday,
sweet sister of mine.
Life with you,
is exceptionally fine.
I hope you enjoy,
another great year.
I promise my love,
shall always be near.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Mens Sana in Corpore Sano

Mens Sana in Corpore Sano
September 28, 2014
By: Gina Yoryet Roman


A healthy mind in a healthy body, June 28, 2014


Mente Sana en Cuerpo Sano, June 28, 2014

Reflexions
‘From day one in this journey of mine, I was gifted with a faithful companion who’s been the only one who’s stood by me through ups and downs, good and bad, black and white, rough and smooth...
He is the most loyal and everlasting companionship who has withstood all the strain it’s been through since the kick off. 

He has crawled, walked, jogged, ran, sprinted, surged, climbed, hiked, hurdled, he’s been temporarily bent but never completely broken, he’s prevailed amidst multiple injuries, (a fatal accident that put a halt to my running career, which later led to a surgery, and then an excruciating fall into a sewer). My engine was fabricated to come forth against all odds and to create through love and hope.

The immaculate temple I was given, has remained resilient all these years from the point of departure as it has a purpose to fulfill - alpha, A. K. A., Victoria Esperanza. When I’ve finally accomplished another one of my long-sought victories and purposes, I may slow down, at this time my sanctuary is not quite ready to succumb to life’s setbacks...’

For this utmost important reason, and due to the non subsiding throbbing and bothersome pain, on Thursday September 25, I went to get my operated knee checked once again. I’d been avoiding it for a long time in virtue of the fear of the outcome. I was daunted by the thought of the doctor’s affirmation, that I would need another surgery and that running was out of the question forever.

The outcome was a lot more positive than what I foresaw all these months. According to him, I, for a fact will be able to slowly integrate running within a six month period after I have completed the treatment (5 shots on my knee within a 5-week period, spaced one week apart). I will have to modify my physical activity and prolonged weight-bearing activities for 48 hours post injection. These injections (Gel injections to for joint knee pain) supplement the fluid on the knees to lubricate and cushion the joint.

This news was very adrenalizing and motivating, and on the grounds of this joy, I will take better care of my body. Now that I’ve become acquainted with not being in shape and aware that real beauty is much more than meets the eye and how symmetric the face and body are, inner beauty is what counts! Someone with outer beauty can be momentarily captivating to the eye, but someone who beholds inner beauty, is soul captivating forever.

Since I’ve been recovering, I’ve learned to capture beauty in its purest form, through my temple’s strength and for what it is capable of creating. When I truly allowed myself to let go and stop searching for superficial beauty, I was able to find it within and I was changed for good. I have always known that beauty is not in the perfect outfit, the perfect shoes, the perfect makeup, the perfect pose, the perfect smile, the perfect jewelry, the perfect nails. But I was oblivious that raw beauty is in life itself and the gifts we were granted, in the daily happenings we encounter everywhere. In the beauty of a wholesome mind, body and soul (not in the size or volume of my butt and boobs), and how my body, mind and soul remain effervescent when they are nurtured with the proper fuel...
 

Orandum est ut sit mens sana in corpore sano.
fortem posce animum mortis terrore carentem,
qui spatium vitae extremum inter munera ponat
naturae, qui ferre queat quoscumque labores,
nesciat irasci, cupiat nihil et potiores
Herculis aerumnas credat saevosque labores
et venere et cenis et pluma Sardanapalli.
monstro quod ipse tibi possis dare; semita certe
tranquillae per virtutem patet unica vitae.
–Roman poet Juvenal (10.356-64)


You should pray for a healthy mind in a healthy body.
Ask for a stout heart that has no fear of death,
and deems length of days the least of Nature's gifts
that can endure any kind of toil,
that knows neither wrath nor desire and thinks
the woes and hard labors of Hercules better than
the loves and banquets and downy cushions of Sardanapalus.
What I commend to you, you can give to yourself;
For assuredly, the only road to a life of peace is virtue.


Se debe orar a los dioses que nos concedan una mente sana en un cuerpo sano.
Pedir un alma fuerte que carezca de miedo a la muerte,
que considere el espacio de vida restante entre los regalos de la naturaleza
que pueda soportar cualquier clase de esfuerzos,
que no sepa de ira, y esté libre de deseos
y crea que las adversidades y los trabajos terribles de Hércules son mejores que las satisfacciones, la fastuosa cena y la cama placentera de plumas de Sardanápalo.
Te muestro lo que tú mismo puedes darte, con certeza de que la virtud es la única senda para una vida tranquila.


Sunday, September 21, 2014

10 Commandments for the Runner

Ten Commandments for the Runner
September 21st, 2014

1. Thou shall not compare thyself to other runners. A mile is a mile.

2. Thou shall never say “I am not a runner.” If you run, you are a runner.

3. Thou shall not skimp on sleep.

4. Remember the “rest day” and keep it holy.

5. Honor thy muscles and thy “aches and pains” and do not push through an injury. Runners are not invincible.

6. Though shall not forget to hydrate.

7. Thou shall not commit the sin of wearing cotton; especially on race day.

8. Thou shall not ignore thy shoes. Get properly fitted and check for wear often.

9. Thou shall not get stuck in a “rut,” but will vary thy running by switching up elevation, distance and pace.

10. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s medals.

This is running law and if any of the commandments are broken, it is a sin punishable by poor weather, bonking and in extreme cases bad race days.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Romanus Hortus Domus

Romanus Hortus Domus
September 20, 2014
By: Gina Yoryet Roman

John 4:20 - If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

Luke 14:26 - If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.


"Family" is from the Latin word familia, which means "family; household" and, originally, "slaves of the household". The word for an individual slave was famulus for a male, famula for a female.

In a world in which it is very easy to get sidetracked, family is one of the greatest gifts we are provided by God as when we are in dire need of emotional support, our familia is our strongest pillar. The most memorable and most important moments are those spent with family. Those who don’t have one, divagate like lost souls in this long journey.

 As of lately, the Romanus Hortus Domus has been in my mind, the family which I come from, the ten of us, it makes me reminiscence of that program in the 80’s, ‘Just the Ten of Us.’ An American program presenting Bill Kirchenbauer as Coach Graham Lubbock, a teacher and head of a large Catholic family with eight children who lives in Eureka, California.

When I first watched the program, my comprehension of English was very poor, but I resonated with the name. Later on, despite not watching the series on a regular basis, I was in sync with it. My intellectuality led me to believe that said show was created based on my family because we are eight siblings plus my parents. We were born and raised catholic, part of our childhood we lived in California, about 217 miles from San Francisco, approximately a four hour drive.

The Lubbock family had to face constant challenges but their faith made them remain spiritually, mentally and physically resilient, the same way my family had to face adversity against all odds. In illo tempore (at that time) life was indeed much harder for a relatively young woman (my mother), who many times had to take both roles, that of a mother, as well as that of a father, for various reasons. But in the end, she prevailed with her greatest allies; faith, courage and strength.

That woman warrior may have been bent temporarily bent, NEVER completely broken though. A myriad of poignant memories always come back when I flavor my mother’s thoroughly and lovingly made meals. They harbor a nostalgia of my childhood, not because of sadness, but because I wish we were all together physically. Sometimes I am suddenly impacted with strong emotions, especially when we see each other and we have to part once again.

Distance will never matter because we know we will always be there for one another. I’d like to believe that the Romanus Hortus Domus will reunite in the near future. My family like it was once in illo tempore: Mom, dad, HR1, HR2, HR3, RG1, RG2, RG3, RG4, RG5, DRG21, SJJR, HR1-2, HR2-2, HR3-2, ABJR1, AWR2, EM1 to celebrate the Roman Dynasty, our family legacy.

Friday, September 19, 2014

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS
September 18, 2014

If while pursuing distant dreams
Your bright hopes turn to gray.
Don’t wait for reassuring words
Or hands to lead the way.

For seldom will you find a soul
With dreams the same as yours.
Not often will another help you
Pass through untried doors.

If inner forces urge you
To take a course unknown.
Be ready to go all the way.
Yes, al the way alone.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t
Draw lessons from the best,
Just don’t depend on landing words
To spur you on your quest.

Find confidence within your heart
And let it be your guide.
Strive ever harder toward your dreams
And they won’t be denied.


- Bruce B. Wilmer

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Fitness is like marriage


Exercise. Eat, Ignore


A healthy body



Health is hope




The greatest wealth



Motivation vs. habit