being happy...

somebody once tagged me in facebook with a quote that said, "when life isn't the way you like it... like it the way it is." it made me paused and thought about it for a while. because most often this is really the case in our lives. many times we plan about many things but most of the time the outcome is not what we expected. then it becomes the source of discouragement, and often times we look at it as a failure. then we start to lose confidence and then we stop taking risks because of the fear of failing again.

sadly, more often than not, this is what we feel and this is how we react. but the truth is, we need failures in our lives to be better at what we do. a famous quote from Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, said, "i have not failed. i've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." taking from that quote, when we fail, it is just a way of learning things we should not do.

having this outlook in life will help us enjoy life as it is. even if it is not the way we like it, but we will eventually learn to like it because we begin to accept that everything, be it good or bad, happens for a reason. it is just a matter of how we look at it, whether in a positive way or the opposite. it's just like looking at a glass of water as half-full or half-empty.

enjoying life does not pertains to a perfect life without failures, pains or sorrows. but to enjoy life is to accept that everything that happens enable us to learn and grow in strength and in wisdom. and as we grow, we slowly find our purpose and finding our purpose brings contentment, love, satisfaction, pleasure and joy. and when we get to that point, then we can truly say that we are living and enjoying our lives...

in God, all things are made...

God puts His signature in the things He made. this was a new discovery to me when i watched the videos 'Indescribable' and 'How Great is our God' by louie giglio. those were such amazing videos which show the vastness of space and the complexity of our bodies. it couldn't possibly happened by accident or by millions of years of evolution, it could only have been created by a supreme being. and i believe that is the God i am serving, my Creator.

history shows that nature has always surprised us. every time man invent something and use it to look at nature, it doesn't fail to amaze us with what we discover.

the hubble space telescope took an image of the whirlpool galaxy about 31 million light years away from us and in the core of the whirlpool galaxy we see this picture...

i don't have to tell you for you to see that this image taken from the core of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) is in the shape of the cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

even in us, humans, God has imprinted His signature. we ourselves are a miracle we see each day. we started as a single cell and developed into 75 trillion cells that formed the entire human body. and the best thing about it is the thing that holds every cell in our body together. it is called "laminin", the cell adhesion molecule. it's the thing that glues every single cell in our body. and here's what laminin looks like, after being magnified by an electron microscope...

even nature itself is showing that there is a God in heaven who created all things, even you and me...

there's a saying that goes... "if you believed in God and He does not exist, you loose nothing. but if you don't believe in God and He exists, then you loose everything." which would you prefer?

God has already showed us that He exists even in these small ways. bottom line is ,there is really a God who created all these things and all we need to do is just to open our hearts, accept Him and believe in Him.

I want to leave you with this verse found in Colossians 1:17 - "He (Jesus Christ) is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."



you may check these images here:

http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/entire_collection/pr2005012a/

for "LAMININ" just go to Google > Images and type "laminin" then click Search Images.

the day i picked her up...

desclaimer: i wrote this blog more than 10 years ago. i'm not sure how and why i wrote it, but reading it again today made me realize how sentimental i was back then. after reading it i feel like i wanna bang my head against the wall and jump from a bridge hehehe. i think i am way pass this state... or am i? zzzzzz... anyway, just for fun, enjoy reading... [and laughing at me after]☺☺☺

here goes...

i was sauntering along a lonely road facing the rising sun as the smell of the flowers in the field fills the air. then a blow of the morning breeze gently kissed my cheek causing my face to turn slightly...

then that moment froze as a tiny glitter caught my attention. i cannot resolve the object at first, but something in my mind is telling me to draw closer to it. as i came near, i found a flower struggling to grow on the side of the road. the hard and rocky ground is slowly withering her and preventing her from blooming. my heart was sadden at the sight of this precious thing...

i wanted to pluck her from the ground immediately and place her in a vessel so i can care and nurture her, but the thought that she might not survive the ordeal brought me to a standstill. i stood there confused, perplexed and at a lose not knowing what to do. i needed answers, i needed wisdom. then, when i thought everything was lost, a gentle Voice whispered in my mind, "pick her up..."

that was all i needed to hear and instantaneously i kneel down and gently lifted her from the ground, making certain that her roots will be dug up as well. then hurriedly, i went home and got a beautiful vessel that is worthy to share her glory when the time will come when this precious beauty blooms. i placed her in the vessel and gently cover her roots with good soil, then lightly poured some water that came from the fresh, pure streams flowing down from the mountains...

everyday i took care of this precious beauty, assuring my love and dedication for her. days passed and slowly she regain her strength and vigor. i can never explain the joy i felt that time when all my efforts have been rewarded with the assurance that she is getting stronger and stronger each day...

i found my inspiration from this precious beauty. each time problems and burdens overwhelm me, just the sight of her would detach everything that is bringing me down. her presence have kept me going. caring and nurturing her is caring and nurturing myself. i found a different kind of joy in my life...

then i day, when everything seemed perfect, her leaves started to wither again. i cannot understand what happened, i tried to do everything to restore her vigor but somehow there is no effect. all my efforts seemed to be in vain. days passed and she doesn't seemed to respond at all. deep inside of me was the awful thought that she might give up and succumb to defeat. that i will not be able to see her bloom in beauty and magnificence. the day that i have been waiting for all my life might never happen. i was ready to give up...

my heart cried out and Someone heard it. the same voice who told me to "pick her up" is the same voice who is telling me now, "I am not yet done with her." then peace just poured down like rain in my life, until i was drenched. then assurance, hope and love came to me in different forms, strengthening my faith more and more. then the memory of the day i picked her up from that side of the road came back to me. tears built up and started rolling down my cheek, the same cheek that the gentle breeze kissed and made me noticed that precious beauty...

now, i face everyday with hope that this precious beauty will one day bloom in glory and magnificence, not solely because of my efforts but because Someone much more greater than me is also caring and nurturing her. and when that day will come, it will be perfect in every way...

building a raised garden fish pond

This is my DIY raised garden fish pond project at home which I worked on during weekends (and holidays) when I have no other things to do. I have been browsing some websites and also youtube to get some good ideas on how to build it. I chose to build the pond on a free space beside our garage where it's mostly covered but a little portion of the pond can get some sunlight during the afternoon. I used wood rather than concrete cause it's cheaper and also because I don't want it to be permanent (in case I get another idea later on). But for now, this is what I wanted and I am very satisfied of its outcome and I just want to share this build and maybe you will get some ideas too.


Step 1: Find a suitable location for your garden pond.

I chose this location beside our garage because it has not been fully utilized except for some few garden plants and my previous project (hanging vegetable garden) which was a failure ):

Step 2: Prepare the materials needed.

I used some 2" x 2" x 8' and some 1" x 2" x 8' lumber to serve as a frame on the side walls of the pond. A marine plywood for the walls and a black canvass as pond liner. I also used a 1" x 10" x 12' pine common board to serve as the top cover of the pond which also serves as a bench for sitting. You will also need some nails and screws.

Step 3: Building the frame for the side walls.

I built 1 pair for the long side wall and 1 pair for the short side wall. I pre-cut everything before putting them all together.

After the 2 long side walls were formed, I fitted them on the actual location of the pond so I can get the exact measurement for the 2 short side walls.

I made some additional reinforcement for the frame to make it sturdier, but the concrete wall of our garage and the concrete beam on the other side of the pond structure will also act as support to hold my pond together after it's filled with water.

STEP 4: Treat the wood frame.

I treated the frames with a wood preservative to make it last longer as well as to avoid being eaten by termites. I also used some old extra paints which had been stored in our storage room for a couple of years already.

STEP 5: Install the plywood side-wall.

I installed the plywood side-wall using 1 inch nails. This design allows double-walling which will make the entire structure stronger since the plywood walls will add strength to the frames.

To avoid sharp edges on the corners, I added some moldings so the pond liner will not be stretched into the corners after it is filled with water.

STEP 6: Installing the pond liner.

Before installing the liner, I filled the flooring with about 2 inches of wash sand to eliminate the sharp edges from the rough concrete flooring. I then placed an initial layer of old tarpaulin before placing the pond liner.

After I placed the liner, I filled the pond with water about a quarter deep then started smoothing out the bottom of the liner. Then I filled it again with water until about half-way then smooth the sides of the liner. I tried to remove or minimize the wrinkles on the liner as much as I can. I then cut the excess liner on the sides of the pond using scissors. Do not use staple or nails to attached the liner to the wall, just allow the weight of the water to hold the liner.

STEP 7: Beautify the garden pond.

I used some pine common boards on the top of the pond which also serve as a bench where I can sit on to watch the fish. The boards were varnished with a mahogany colored varnish which looks great. The varnish will also add some protection to the board as well.

My wife suggested that I used a plastic sticker wallpaper with bricks design it turned out to be a great idea. It looked perfect together with the varnished board. 

I made a storage box on the other end of the pond which will hide the filter system but it is still a work in progress. I planned to add some doors to it and place some removable boards on top so I can have easy access to my filter. I currently have a pump and a basic filtration system which circulates the water in the pond and keep the pond water clear.

Overall, I am very happy with the outcome of my project although it is still about 90% done as I am still planning to add some more water plants as well as finish the storage box for the filter. I am also planning to add some accent LED lights so it will look nice at night and also improve my filter system with a bio-filter and skimmer. I currently have 12 small kois in the pond but I'm also planning to add some more fish like goldfish, etc.

I will be updating this blog again soon. I hope you enjoyed this DIY guide. God bless.


*** UPDATE (06292018) ***

I was able to setup my bio-filter using some Scotch-Brights and kitchen sponges for my 1st stage filter. For the 2nd stage I used filter I bought from a pet shop and for the 3rd stage I used about a kilogram of ceramic rings to grow beneficial bacteria that will convert ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate which is beneficial to the fish.

I also added a small skimmer which will help in trapping anything that floats on the surface of the pond. I improvised a black, plastic trash bin by placing a small submersible pump inside and then covered the half portion with plastic tray where I cut a hole in the middle and place a filter. I placed it in one corner of the pond by attaching its side-handles with hooks then place a rock inside to weigh it down and prevents it from floating. It can easily be removed for cleaning and I plan to hide it with some large water plants later on to keep the pond neat looking.

From the filter, the water will come out through a pipe where I bore holes. The pond still lacks plants which I am planning to add in the near future.

One interesting addition to my pond is the cylindrical glass (it's actually a large flower vase) where I placed it inverted and purposely allowed about a little less than half of it to come out of the water. I placed some plants inside and from time to time a fish enters it from below and swims above the pond.

I just added some small Kois and Goldfish so I now have about 21 kois and 6 goldfishes in the pond.

I am still looking for some nice water plants to add later, so that's it for now. Thank you for checking out  my blog. God bless...