I began my morning with a whisper of grace,  

Matthew 17:1-20 lighting my place.  

God is divine, my strength, my song,  

In His embrace, I forever belong.  

As evening fell, a truth was told—  

For wisdom, ask, be bold, be bold.  

No fear, no doubt, just prayer, just trust,  

His gifts are generous, loving, just.  

Through every trial, through weary sighs,  

He lifts me up, He hears my cries.  

When I am weak, His strength is near,  

A whispered promise: *Do not fear.*  

And as the night begins to call,  

Matthew 17:20 stands tall—  

Faith like a seed can move the sky,  

With Him, no mountain stands too high.

Label: Reflection

Label: Reflection

God cares for our well-being, both in body and in soul.  

He is always there, pouring blessings upon us—  

even in the smallest, unnoticed things.  

It struck me today: how often do I long for something,  

never whispering a word, yet He places it gently in my hands?  

For this, I am deeply grateful.  

And yet, I am sorry too—  

for the times I have spent His gifts carelessly,  

forgetting they were answers to unspoken prayers.

Label: Reflection

IN A WORLD WHERE YOU CAN BE ANYTHING, BE KIND 

A phrase I always tell myself before starting my day. I acknowledge that I can be moody, short-tempered, and indifferent at times, which often leads me to forget this phrase and hurt others with my actions.

Label: Reflection

Today, I've just finished reading The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan, and I am deeply moved by it. It is a profoundly moving story that forces me to reflect on the power of empathy and the importance of understanding multiple perspectives in a conflict. The relationship between Dalia and Bashir is both inspiring and heartbreaking, as it reveals how two individuals from opposing sides of a deeply rooted struggle can connect on a personal level despite their differences.

What strikes me most is the courage it takes for both Dalia and Bashir to engage with one another. Dalia’s willingness to listen to Bashir’s painful story and question her own beliefs is a reminder that self-reflection and empathy are vital, even when it’s uncomfortable. Likewise, Bashir’s choice to revisit his old home and form a relationship with Dalia shows remarkable strength in confronting loss and seeking dialogue instead of harboring bitterness.

The lemon tree itself symbolizes hope, resilience, and shared humanity, which resonates with me deeply. It reminds me that even in the face of conflict, there are always seeds of understanding and peace that can grow if nurtured. This story teaches that while historical wounds may not heal easily, personal connections have the power to bridge divides, offering a glimpse of what reconciliation could look like.

Now, with the peace we have longed for finally arriving as both Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and decided to release all prisoners, I feel a sense of cautious optimism. I hope this peace is not temporary, but everlasting. It’s a reminder that real change begins when people and leaders make the bold choice to listen, empathize, and act for the greater good.

Ultimately, The Lemon Tree reminds me that peace is not just about resolving conflicts on a grand scale—it’s about cultivating relationships, understanding one another’s pain, and striving to build a future where coexistence is possible. It’s a lesson in humanity, resilience, and the enduring hope for a better world.

Label: Reflection

Today started with the familiar unrest of waking from bad dreams, a pattern that’s been lingering lately. My morning routine was disrupted as I couldn't take my dog for a walk due to lingering leg pain from yesterday's slip. This minor injury has been a frustrating reminder of how quickly plans can change.  

Also, teaching 1st graders took a lot out of me, as usual. It’s challenging to bring high energy to the classroom, especially when my natural introverted nature craves quiet and solitude. But I managed to fake enthusiasm for their sake, even though it left me feeling drained.  

The evening didn’t begin any better, as I had to wait 30 minutes for my extra-lesson student who overslept. It was a test of patience, but I managed to keep my composure.  

Despite the hurdles, I made an effort to be better today. I consciously avoided sugar, a small step towards healthier habits. Though I couldn't jog due to the rain, I pushed myself to complete a short home workout. It wasn’t much, but it felt good to stay consistent. I also start to do some reflection. Though it's an assignment, I think it's nice and fits well with my plan to use this blog as a space for rambling. Oh, I also learned something new today! It's about how frenetic the new US president is. Looking at how he quickly enacted so many policies in just one day after his inauguration, many of which seem like a direct juxtaposition to the former president’s stance, it makes me wonder where the US is headed. Though many of these policies appear advantageous to Americans, some—especially those affecting foreign relations—seem excessive, bordering on authoritarian. It feels almost like fascism in the way they could enforce dominance over other countries. But who am I to judge, as I'm just a citizen of a third-world country, one that is much more troubled, both by its government and its citizens?

Anyways, each day has its challenges, but I’m learning to focus on small wins. It’s these moments of effort that keep me moving forward.

Label: Reflection

Hey everyone! It's been a while, but I'm excited to share something special with you – my personal glossary!

Building my vocabulary has always been a priority, and one method that works wonders for me is keeping a glossary. I write down new words in a spreadsheet, include a sentence with similar nuance to the original sentence where I found the words. This helps me understand the word in context thus I can remember it more effectively.

I try to make it a habit to review them before bed. It's a simple yet effective way to learn and retain new vocabulary. I hope his inspires you to create your own glossary too! Let's keep expanding our vocabulary together!

P.S. This spreadsheet will be updated automatically. Although there are times I feel burnout from reading books, I always try to spare time to at least read the news and learn new words from it. So you can look forward to updates every day!