doodles and babbles

Isang Kababalaghan...

2009-03-14T06:14:00.000+08:00

TANONG:

Kapag ba nagpapapicture ang maskot... nakangiti rin ba ang taong nasa loob ng maskot...?

Wala lang... matagal nang bumabagabag sa isip ko yan...

Bertdey Bash sa TMC :-)

2009-03-13T19:48:00.000+08:00

Birthday Bash for January, February, March -- done!

Haay... salamat Lord... may na-cross out na naman na task list sa aking task note book. :)
Hindi pa tapos ang quarter, ubos na ang notebook ko sa dami ng mga sinusulat ko... daig pa nung highschool. Hehe!

Last Friday, March 13, TMC had its birthday bash for the employees who celebrated birthdays last January, February, and this March. Haaaaaay nakuuuu.... napakadugo ng birthday bash na itoh!!! Salamat sa grace at favor ni Lord... nakaraos ang bday bash na ito na masaya ang lahat. :)

Masyadong mahaba ang details... basta all in all,
...kahit madugo ang approval ng budget,
...kahit super rush ang cash advance,
...kahit na kulang ang party amenities at di sinabi samin agad na may binawas pala sila
...kahit na photo-finish ang mga decors namin

...naging masaya naman ang lahat sa birthday bash. :)
Masaya ang games ng facilitator.
Ang ganda ng gift ng McDo na sling bag!
Ang kyut ni kiddie McDo, yung maskot.
Masaya sila sa food.

hayun...

all in all, natapos na siya.
pero, sa susunod... baka di na namin kunin ang branch na yun ng McDo... super nice naman ng team na pumunta sa tmc, kayalang mejo nagka-abirya sa party ammenities... importante pa naman yun...

Pero kahit na... thank You pa rin Lord... :) May Your grace help us learn in this event so we can do better next time. :)
Salamat din as always sa buong HR... maaasahan talaga kayo sa oras ng katoxican.. hehe! Oh well... sino-sino pa ba magtutulungan?

Next stop: Operation 201 File! :) Go JCIA 2009! Go HR! hehe!

Salamat Lord!

2009-02-20T19:49:00.000+08:00

Haay!! :)

Just like what I said, paglipas ng Feb 20, masaya nako!

Ano meron sa Feb 20? Di lang bday ni maui at ni kuya mike.

Feb 20 ginanap ang 22nd Annual Awards Night ng Medical City...

1st major event ko sa Employee Relations...

...trophies... certificates... souvenir program... pictorials... audio-visual presentations... catering... flower arrangement... lights and sounds... invitation... tarpaulin... vip guest... performers... seating arrangement...

haay... lahat yan... sabay sabay... kung di dahil sa strength ni Lord, eh sumabog lahat yan. Salamat sa lahat ng mga tumulong at sumuporta. :)

sa Lunes, back to normal...

...parking... absenteeism & tardiness... clearance... exit interview... administrative cases...

**GAAAAAHHHSSSPPP!!!!***

annual report pala sa tuesday!!!!!!

grr... seems like my happy days--happy hours--are over.

A peace that passes all understanding...

2008-10-14T18:06:00.000+08:00

Your peace is like a gentle rain

Tapping on the pane

Your peace is like a dove

Soaring high above

Your peace brings me joy

Your peace makes me smile

Your peace surpasses all minds

Your peace, I desire

Your arms that gently fold around

My weak and frail whole

The warmth of Your affection

Pierce through my chilling soul

And in your presence

Where else can I hide?

Beneath the shadow of your wings

There I can glide.

Let the peace of God that passes all understanding rest in your heart today;

An assurance that firmly plants your feet in every step of the way;

Let it be a cloak behind you that would serve your guard and arm;

A mantle of security, and a mantle of warmth.

Work

2008-09-11T19:24:00.000+08:00

Just wanna share God’s amazing grace and faithfulness in my life. I couldn’t even describe in full detail what I’ve been through for the last couple of weeks… It was all a daze. Please bear with me. J

. . .

With lack of manpower and overload of projects, trainings, and routines, I feel my tensed muscles working double time involuntarily. It seemed like my brain doesn’t even have to command them. They just move. And do what they have to do. I was floating.

. . .

Last week I went to Tanay, Rizal to assist my former manager in conducting ER department’s teambuilding. That was Friday and Saturday. And the rest of the week I managed to prepare all the materials needed. And I managed to pack them all up—LCD, laptop, projector, flip chart, flip chart paper, and the rest of the training stuff—and with the help of some good ER guys, I managed to load them all up in the bus.

This week, we received a news from my former manager that she won’t be able to conduct the teambuilding for the 2^nd and 3^rd batch of ER department. (We had to do the teambuilding by batch in ER. As much as we want to, we just can’t pull them all out and post a sign in front of our Emergency entrance: “ER is temporarily close due to some departmental activity. No emergency cases will be entertained from Friday morning to Saturday afternoon. Please bear with us. Sorry for the inconvenience.” Haha! We can’t do that.) But we have to continue on with the teambuilding for the 2^nd and 3^rd batch. So we pulled ourselves together—me, my officer, and our HR AVP—to take over in the conduct of ER’s teambuilding.

. . .

This week is our Ministry Training Program in our church. And our subject for this week is the “Book of Genesis” taught by Sis. Linda Holmes. I was looking forward to it. But for the past three days of class, I came in 2 hours late due to late meetings because of the ER teambuilding. And on Friday, I won’t be around because I will be in the teambuilding. I’m gonna missed our quiz. Goodbye certification.

. . .

A couple of days ago, I conducted my first Stress Management program. It was my first time. And my first audience were intern doctors. 32 white-clad MDs. I was so stressed… haha… irony. In the morning I had to substitute my co-trainer in her training session (Basic Service Architecture Seminar) because she came in late due to unexpected incidents. Then just before I lunch, I dismissed the participants early so I can start setting up in the other conference room for the Stress Management. At the end of the day, I feel so dead tired… I feel like floating and all numb… my energy was all sapped out. Maybe because of all the effort I exerted during the facilitation plus nervousness. Praise God both did well! Especially in the Stress Management. There are some room for improvements. There will always be. But I’m fulfilled with the experience. Thank God, I don’t have to trust myself… I just have to trust HIM! My confidence is in the Lord. 1 Tim 4:12 kept on ringing at the back of my mind during the rest of the session. I kept telling myself: “They’re just people wearing white. You are still the facilitator. You are the one in the platform holding the mic. You have the authority over them. They can’t do anything about that!”

. . .

I never got my real routine job done for this week. The Employee Satisfaction Survey I’m working on remained stacked on my desk. And the stack gets higher and higher… trainings to evaluate, schedules to plot, certificates to prepare, files to arrange, posters to design, modules to arrange, exams to record…

. . .

Oh well. In the midst of all these chaos, I’m grateful to find in my heart the peace, confidence, and trust that comes from my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the one holding me, and keeping me in one piece. He stretches my mind and gives me wisdom. He stretches my patience and increases my understanding. He is so faithful… even though I find myself very busy… He is never too busy to take care of me. He is never too busy to encourage me, teach me, and lift me up in all this fuzz around me. He’s the source of my passion, strength, and peace that passes all understanding. He’s my “staying power”. He’s the reason why I’m still holding on and keep on going and going… I don’t know where. But as long as He’s the one leading me, all is well for me.

. . .

Alright. I got to pack now.

Questions three years ago... Answered today!

2008-08-14T19:55:00.000+08:00

Just read Josh’s recent post on his bloody examination period. I remembered my blog posts more than 2 years now when I, just like Josh, was getting through a gruelling moment of projects, thesis, exams, field work, and all…

I browsed my previous blog posts during my college days. And let me share this one post that made me smile. Check it out:

Note: Font in red are the original questions which was posted almost 3 years ago. Then the blue fonts are my answers today, August 14, 2008.

TITLE: QUESTIONS

POSTED: November 10, 2005

LOCATION: In the internet café, 2^nd floor of Coffee Indulgence, P. Noval St.

tapos na sembreak. nakaka-one week na kami pumapasok.

ganito pala feeling paggraduating na. ang dami mong iniisip. these things always crowd my already-cramped mind:

- thesis

- what will happen sa defense? -- long story. To cut it short, the panel were very merciful, they allowed us to revise our thesis and make it from experimental to an exploratory study so it would fit the results that came up. Praise God it’s so done!

- wala bang kwenta topic namin? -- well meron naman kahit papaano. Pero, gasgas na kasi ang topic ng self-esteem. If we had ample time, we could have thought of a better topic. Hehe.

- matatapos ba namin thesis namin by december?-- we finished it around February of 2006 I guess… just in time for graduation. J

- will everything go smoothly during our intervention?-- not so smooth. The results were kinda messed up due to the external factors from the environment, and even from the respondents themselves—the reason why we had to make it an exploratory study instead…

- sana matapos na practicum (sportpsych) – praise God, we did! With a grade of 1.25!

- anong sports pipiliin ulit namin? – We had the volleyball team during the 1^st sem. Then the lawn tennis team during the 2^nd sem.

- matapos kaya namin yun before mag-end ang november? – that I can’t remember… basta, we finished the practicum. J

- kelan namin matatapos practicum sa clinical psych? – around Feb din ata.. or late Jan… can’t remember.

- kelan kami makakapagstart dun? wala pa yung prof namin... – can’t remember when we started... But eventually, we did start.

- matapos kaya namin yun within a month? -- hm…I guess we did finish it within a month.

- baka sumabay yun sa intervention ng thesis namin... – yes, it did.

- ano kaya na-fifeel ng mga classmates kong mas mabibigat pa ang load kesa sa akin? – I can’t imagine…

- siguro iniisip nila ang babaw ko (noh myk? ^_^) – haha! Yeah… speaking of Myk, get well soon!

o sige, so much for these school stuff. eto naman yung iba. yung mejo futuristic view:

- what will happen sa graduation night?-- Very memorable. It was a graduation day. My hair was curled; I had my black graduation gown over my pink pomelo gown; my hood was blue; we started quite late; we marched with the background music of that which played during FAMAS awards; I was teary eyed when my parents ceremonially put on my hood and my cap (Mama was telling me, “Dati lampin lang pinipin ko sayo. Ngayon toga na…” and she was teary eyed as well)… picture picture after the grad rites. oh well… so many things happened! But it’s all memorable!

- ilang panyo kaya dadalin ko sa gabing yun? -- One was enough. J

- sa gabing yun, siguro tatawanan nalang namin yung mga stressful days ng college life -- Oh yeah… definitely… absolutely… so nice to look back at those stressful days, sigh, and return my gaze to the days ahead… It has been a long road indeed. But by God’s grace, I made it this far. But the road still stretched ahead further… and further… and further…

- saan ako magtatrabaho?-- Medical City

- matatagalan ko kaya ang HR? -- It has been more than 2 years now… and I have no plans of leaving HR yet. J Kahit na super toxic…

- hanggang kelan kaya ako tatagal dun? -- Just as I said, I have been there 2 years now… and counting…

- matutupad ko pa kaya ang iba ko pang dreams? -- That I’m still praying…

- sino mapapangasawa ko? (At ng iba ko pang mga friends?) -- That, too, I’m still praying for… J

- saan na kaya ako nakatira after 10 years? -- Give me 7 more years to answer that question…

- matuto ba ako magluto ng mga masasarap na putahe just like my mom? -- I hope I would! And I must!

- magkakaroon kaya ako ng kusinang maganda katulad ng kusina ni nigella lawson? ("nigella bites" sa lifestyle channel) – Still dreaming about it…

- kasama kaya sa plano ni Lord na magfull time ako sa church as a youth leader? -- That I’m not quite sure yet… let’s see what God’s plan is…

- magiging youth leader nga ba ako? (i mean, like ate ca, kuya mike...) -- The road seems to lead me there…

- dito pa rin ba ako sa manila titira pag may sarili na akong pamilya? o baka naman sa probinsya ako matira, or kaya sa ibang bansa...? -- Keep praying about it.

- kelan kaya magrereunion ang 4cpsy? -- Maraming beses na kami ay nagmini-reunion. J

- kani-kaninong kasal kaya ako maiimbita? -- Sa ngayon, wala pa naman. J

- gagawin ko bang abay lahat ng PLP? anim din yun... may iba pa akong gustong gawing abay. -- Teka… saka na natin ito pagplanuhan. Kapag andun na. hehe.

Pati na rin itong mga sumusunod… saka na pagplanuhan dahil wala pang kasagutan…
- puwede bang nasa 20 ang abay?
- ano kaya motif ko sa kasal? nakuha na ni orange ang blue green eh...

- bakit kaya ang dami kong tanong sa buhay? -- Bakit nga ba?

- sana talagang mapreserve ang mga youth ngayon para sa darating na last days. -- AMEN!!!!

- ilang taon kaya ako pagdating ni Lord? -- Hmm? Ilang taon nga kaya?

- how glorious would it be? -- Oooohh… surely, it would be far from my imagination…

- magkaka-apo pa ba ako? or dadating na si Lord bago pa mangyari yun? -- That I’m not quite sure yet.

- may kutob ako na hindi ko na aabutan ang senior-citizen days ko dahil malamang, dumating na si Lord nun. i don't know. it's just a hunch. -- Still a hunch.

- kelan kaya ako unang makakapag-share ng good news? -- I can’t remember the first time already… but… I can only count these moments with my finger…

- kelan kaya ako unang makakapag-lead ng sinner's prayer? -- Same answer as above…

- magmimission kaya ako sa ibang bansa? -- Yup! Just been from Vietnam last May 1-8, 2008 for our first Youth Revive International mission trip! Hallelujah! And I pray, if God wills, makapunta pa ako sa iba pang bansa. J

- i wonder... kelan kaya ulit kami magpapansinan ni... "___" -- Ehem! Intriga ito! Haha! Next question please… *hehehe!*

- it's been like years... kelan nga kaya? Let’s proceed to the next question…

- i wanna befriend that person again… Pagpray mo nalang! Sige, move forward to the next question...

- but... would that person want to be my friend? don't know... Fast forward now to the next…

- makakakita pa ba ako ng snow (sheesh, ang babaw.) How I wish!

- makakapag bake kaya ako ng cake, cookies, and sweet stuff pag mom narin ako? Sana…

- how does it feel to be mom? It’s still a question… let’s see 10 years from now if I can answer this na.

- how does it feel to see your first kid wrapped in bundle of white cloth? It must be an inexplicable joy…

- what else can i ask...? When will I be able to answer this list completely?

hay. sa ngayon, yan pa lang naman ang mga tanong ko sa buhay. hindi ko alam kung madadagdagan pa yan. thanks for patiently reading my post. :) i know some questions are also in your minds...

(Back to present) Akalain mo nga naman! Magtatatlong taon na itong post na ito! Wow! Babalikan ko ulit ito after 3 years… tingnan natin kung may madagdag na kasagutan. J

Kaya sa mga estudyante jan… try listing some questions that are bugging your mind right now. Then get back to them after some years… It’s fun answering them! It’s like, going back to time and answering back your younger self. Amazing. J

Dream Job

2008-08-06T17:51:00.000+08:00

I miss blogging already... it has been quite a while since my last post. Wala rin naman kasi akong maipost.

But recently, I had this thought in my mind... Ate Di and I were talking about dream jobs in one of our chat moments. I'm not sure if I'm authorized to disclose what is Ate Di's "dream job". It would be better if she tell it herself. :) (Kinda complicated kasi the story eh behind her dream job...hehe)

But anyways... I remembered telling her that my current job is not really my dream job. Yeah... I'm ok with it. Contented. Thankful of God's faithfulness, strength, and favor. And I trust His plans for His plans are the best and perfect. But at the back of my mind, I never imagined myself really growing old as a "career woman". I don't know... it just doesn't thrill my heart whenever I picture myself in blazer, skirt, dark stockings, and heels.

So... what do I picture myself?

I have two dream jobs:

First, to be an astronomer. To work in NASA. If not to ride a space shuttle, to be in the observatory and gaze at the indescribable creation of God in the endless space... stars, galaxies, nebulas, supernovas, planets, comets, moons, black holes, quasars... whatever you call them, I wanna see them. :)

But here's the catch. It's all gonna be MATH. Working in NASA is not just to gaze at the twinkle-twinkle stars and have a great time. You have to deal with every millisecond and every millimeter of the heavenly bodies’ motion in relation with their mass, size, age, and all. Parabolas, probabilities, trajectories... all numbers, integers, variables... they all count. A .01 error in computation would spell DISASTER in 20 or 50 years...

Math is not my thing. Sooo not my thing. I would rather be contented sitting on my bed, looking out the window and gaze at the dimly twinkling stars.

But I still have a 2nd dream job. :) I would be equally thrilled if I were given a chance to be in this kind of work. I wanna be an artist in Disney-Pixar. Yipee! It makes my blood rush whenever I imagine myself in a huge, lighted, slightly angled desk with a drawing pencil at hand, tracing papers... then on one corner, a huge double-monitored (if that's what they call it) PCs and working on some 3G character... Then just scattered around my desk are unfinished sketches, drafts, half-filled cup of coffee, some colored pencils, and the miniature models of the character I would be working on.

Wow.

Hm. I don't know what will come out of these dreams.

But for now, I am thankful for where God has placed me. His plans are far better—best—than mine. And He perfectly knows the future that lies ahead. I just have to trust Him and cleave to Him.

There’s no better place than to be right in the center of God’s will… wherever it may be.

So… how about you? What’s your dream job? J

Get well soon, Mykel!

2008-06-26T18:49:00.000+08:00

Please pray for our college classmate and friend, Mykel... That in his sickness, he may know and witness the greatness and the love of God... That he would come to know Him and find the strength, joy, and peace in Him... That He would continue to fight and be strong... That he would see everything in God's perspective... That his family would be strong as well and be a source of his endurance and hope...

...and that God's loving hands would touch Him and the healing waters that flow from His throne would wash away everything that is bad... physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually...

May Mykel's life become a living testimony of God's miracle...

*Mykel: from top row, 2nd grad picture.

Birthday...

2008-06-16T19:53:00.000+08:00

I had a simple, yet memorable celebration of my 22nd birthday. ^_^

I'm on leave today, so I was able to hang out with my mom. We went together to the market to buy food for tonight's simple celebration. Then at home, we cooked together (which rarely happens because of our tight schedule in the workplace and in church). We had a huge steamed tilapia for lunch, matched with mixed veggies and mushroom in oyster sauce (ulalala...). Then for the rest of the afternoon, we prepared the fried chicken, the salsa, and the garlic mushroom...

In the evening, my parents joined our Youth Leaders' Fellowship in ICACF Pasig. They had to give us a ride because of all the yummy food that we were going to devour later that night.

Yum-yum-yum!!! Games... dinner... It was a simple, yet memorable night indeed.

Who I am now, where I am, and what I have... I owe it everything to the Lord. His unfailing love and His abounding grace sustained me through the cliffs, valleys, and plateaus of this life’s journey… His unending mercy and faithfulness always bring me back to my feet. His unfathomable greatness strengthens me wherever I go and whatever I do.

What more can I ask for…?

There’s still one more thing…

“One thing I ask of the Lord,

this is what I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to seek him in his temple.”

I will always ask for more the Lord… more of the Lord to fill my life… more of His light to shine through me… more of revelation and wisdom from Him… more of His Spirit… more of His character… more of His love and compassion for the brethren… These I can receive as I dwell in His presence more and more, as I spend more of my days with Him…

Amidst everything, may I still burn passionately for Him. May I know Him more intimately, just as a sheep knows its shepherd.

Thank you Lord for your 22 years of faithfulness in my life. More of You, Father, in me.

Amen.

Let the River Flow! ::: MZCF's 29th Anniversary

2008-06-15T18:29:00.000+08:00

Praise God for His goodness and faithfulness in our church for the pass 29 years!

It has been a busy-busy-busy-busy-busy week for most of us... special mention to the creative arts team. hehe. :) Indeed, it was only by God's grace that we were able to accomplish the projects assigned to us...

Most of us slept early... early in the morning. And not to mention kuya PJ and Jay who did not sleep at all from the eve of the anniversary till the actual NIGHT itself!!! 48 hours... And yet, they still looked alive and awake the rest of the evening. They were able to play their part in the choir, in the skit, and in the rest of the post-event chores. Saludo ako sa inyo! Glory to God!!! And I'm sure, there were lots and lots and lots of people that sacrificed their time, their pockets, for the success of this event. The Lord knows you and will greatly reward you in eternity.

Hay... habang ginagawa ko nga ang newsletter last night around 11PM, I was thinking...

"Hindi rin madali itong ginagawa namin... pero, I'm sure, pag hindi na namin ginagawa itong ministry na ito, mamimiss din namin ito. So might as well cherish this very moment..."

And I just continued on with the newsletter with tired eyes and shoulders, yet with a smile in my heart... cherishing every moment.

It is a privilege to be an active part of God's Kingdom. It is an honor to be servants of the King. We don't just get busy and get productive, but we actually do a worship before the Lord. And, what is amazing, the Lord will always teach us somethings right during our tasks. The Lord will suddenly give us an impression or realization and it becomes a learning for us.

Thank you Lord for Your abounding grace and strength! Everything we have, everything we are, we owe it all to You. The least thing we can do is to use it to give You the utmost glory that You deserve...

The joy of the Lord is our strength! May we always have a cheerful heart in everything we do. Amen. :)

It's Time to Fly

2008-06-01T14:56:00.000+08:00

You we’re there when I was born

You’re eyes saw my helpless form

As I broke free from that hard shell

My future, my destiny, yet, you couldn’t tell

When I was young and quite a prey

For the beasts that were gone astray

Your wings stretched, your shadows hovered

In your presence, I was safely covered

As I grow up, getting wild and free

You taught me well and let me see

While snuggled for some time in this cozy nest

You brought out from me the very best

Then one day, I was no longer small

All this time, I thought I was still a fur-ball

You brought me to the edge of the cliff

And told me “Now it’s time for you to lift.”

I didn’t know what you were saying

I looked up at you and started asking

“What do you mean, it’s time for me to lift?”

“Trust me,” you said, “It’s about time, I believe”

Then you leaped off the cliff, wings stretched wide

As the air lifted you up, you gracefully glide

High above the sky, you soared up high

Then you returned to me and said, “Now, you try.”

“Wait! Wait! Wait! You must be mistaken!

Counting the months, I’m only seven!”

“No son. You are already eleven.

Now stretch those wings and meet the heavens!”

Reluctantly, I did obey

I could never forget that very day

You carried me off into the air

I was yet to experience my biggest scare

One moment I was on your back

The next moment, I was falling like a sack

I screamed as I picked up speed

A punishment for something wrong I did?

Just when I thought I’ll be dead

You swooped, caught me, and said

“Flap your wings; it’s time to fly!

Be brave, my boy! You shouldn’t cry!”

Once again you brought me up

I braced myself, when in midair you stopped

Again, the free fall of death

As I plummeted, I held my breath

The cycle went on, again and again

Darkness came rolling, covering the heaven

You never gave up, you were so determined

For me to learn to glide in the wind

Your perseverance inspired me

Your courage and strength was the key

To unlock the power hidden within

Of flapping, flying, gliding, and soaring

One more soar, one more drop

My fear would not make you stop

As I fall down I stretched each wing

And before I knew it, I was already soaring!

And just before the sun kiss the sea

You were soaring high together with me!

What joy! What freedom! What fun! What glee!

Bonding above the clouds just you and me.

We owe to our parents who we are today. If not for their selfless love, patience, and devoted prayers, who knows what could have become out of us?

So… thank you mom and dad! You taught us how to soar and fly. We thank God for giving you to us. Mwah!

Dead Tired... But it's all worth it!

2008-04-06T20:24:00.000+08:00

It was a looooooooooooooong day. Literally a long one for me, for I've been awake from Saturday morning till tonight, Sunday evening, with wee sleeping moments that would sum up into three hours. Whew! It was quite an experience and another valuable lesson that God taught me.

Saturday morning, I rose up quite early to continue editing the audio-visual presentation about our church's recent camp, which was held during the holy week. I sat and cramped myself in front of the pc to get it done. I finished the 1st and 2nd part of the presentation. But I had to leave it for a moment for our 3PM Youth Aflame gathering. I arrived at the church an hour earlier to practice with Josh, since I was the assigned worship leader for that day.

After the youth fellowship, I immediately started the newsletter. We still had to collect some of the articles... and when everything seemed to be perfectly right on their places, an important article was added... so I had to adjust not-so-all-over-again to lay out everything nice and neat in an 8-page newsletter.

On that same night, I am supposed to practice with the worship team for the Sunday worship the following day. But as I was doing the newsletter, I was already thinking if I could beg-off just for this time, because I had to go home early and get the videos done for tomorrow's service. Then came in the other worship team members discussing that one of us couldn't make it that night so somebody had to fill in her spot. Then I said to them, "Yikes...I'm planning to beg-off too actually..." But they told me, "No you can't... not this time."

Owkey... perfect. As I'm doing the newsletter, there was a raging battle inside me. My typical reaction in times like this is usually of a self-pity response and overwhelming sensation that usually manifests through...crying. Haha. But tonight, there was this question that unusually hanged over my head: "Don't you want to experience God's greatness first hand?--and that upon experiencing it, you'll have the authority to encourage people and proclaim with all your heart that GOD IS GREAT?"

What is funny, I actually texted this very same question to a friend of mine that needed encouragement just a day before. (Uy... Nix, sino kaya 'to? ;p) Now, God is asking it back to me. So, instead of getting all confused and welled-up by tears, my mind dwelled on that question and I sought my heart for its answer.

Before I finished the newsletter, we practiced for the Sunday worship. I resumed my work by 8:30PM, and thank God, I finished a little bit pass 9PM (which was quite early actually than my other layouting nights.)

I got home, ate dinner, snugged myself in the computer chair and glued my eyes on the glaring screen to pick up on what I left of the raw video file that morning.

Click, drag, play, pause, import, cut, paste... my fingers moved in reflex across the keyboard. By 1AM, I'm finally done with the three parts of the video.

Now the grueling part... rendering.

The first video lasted for about 6 minutes, so it rendered (or saved into a .avi movie file) for 2 1/2 hours. The second video was around 4 minutes; it rendered for 1 1/2 hours. The last video only lasted for 3 minutes, so it rendered around 1 hour. I started rendering by 1am. While waiting, I grabbed the chance to nap. And in betweeen those naps, I checked on the status bar... I started 1am. I finished the entire saving process and vcd burning process at exactly 7:00AM. I have 1 more precious hour to sleep straight... (I needed to get up by 8:00AM to prepare, so I can leave the house before 9:00AM)

I took a bath lightheadedly... but as I continued on with my ritual girl-stuff preparation, my sensorium gradiually leveled back to normal.

And the rest of that Sunday morning was terrific! With God's presence during the service... His message for us through our pastor, the worship and all... Hallelujah indeed!

After the service, our youth stayed for the preparation of our major event this evening: The Grad's Night--a sepcial celebration for the graduates of Batch 2008. So many things were needed to prepare (food, games, flash presentations, skits, table set-ups, prizes, tokens...) but by God's grace and wisdom, and the unity and sense of responsibility that He gave to us, we had a simple, yet wonderful and meaningful Grad's Night for the graduates and their parents. (Please see at Di's multiply site to view the pictures. zealousheart.multiply.com) *o, plugging pa yan 'te ha. May commission ako dito ha! hahaha!)

Haaaaay... looooong day, wasn't it? And now, with all confidence and authority, I can really proclaim that GOD IS GREAT!!! All battles can be overcome in His name! If we will just pause for a while and see things in His perspective, then we will understand better where we are and where God is leading us. A close-minded, near-sighted vision of our circumstance would really make us mad... I myself could have brooded a rebellious heart, and unknowingly flung my doors open wide for the enemy's attack. It was by His grace and His great love that I actually surpassed this circumstance. Now, I'm back on a hill top, gazing over the valley i have just passed through. What an amazing journey with the Lord by my side.

Tomorrow is a holiday... just in time for a good day of rest. Isn't He amazing? He makes everything work together for our good and for His glory. Amen!

Missing Vacation

2008-04-01T19:22:00.000+08:00

Since the day I finished my studies, I am quite convinced for sometime that I am not missing studying. I do miss my school, the bonding moments, the fastfoods, the internet cafe, the parks, the fishballs, the pond, the kubo, the sec-c... I miss a lot of them. But studying itself--nah. Assignments, projects, quizzes, long quizzes, reviewers, prelims, finals, thesis, defense... I am so HAPPY I'M SO DONE WITH THEM ALL!!!!!

...but then again, there are pros and cons for being a student and a taxpayer.

PROS for being a student: classmates, school, bonding moments, food, vacant schedules, early dismissal, suspended classes, holidays (ha! lalo na sa uste...) vacation at the province, weekends... when I was a student there were still moments that I get to do my hobbies. I still find myself comfortably snugged at my favorite corner sketching, reading, or writing...

CONS for being a student: exams, assignments, projects, thesis, defense, deadlines, grades, tres, sinko, review, reviewers, prelims, finals, paranoia, brain-drain, allowance-dependence information overload... at the end of a tiring day, you go home and study more, or do an assignment or project..always thinking for the next day's submission of whatsoever.

Now, how about being a taxpayer?

PROS for being a taxpayer: earning your own money, being of help to the family, you go home with nothing to think about.

CONS for being a taxpayer: overtime, routine work, brain-drain, deadlines, no summer vacation at the province, immunity from typhoon signals, no more time for hobbies...Since I started working, I lost time for sketching, reading and writing... usually I get to read at least 1 book in a month, 2 to 3 sketches in a week, and hours of writing in a week. Looking back now, it seemed I haven't done it for... years.

Hm. Now that everybody's in vacation... I feel envious. I know it's not good, but I've got to admit it. I feel that way. And I must deal with it. And since it's not so right and it's not so helpful, and not so encouraging, I submit it to the Lord... may I be content where ever I am right now, and be joyful in whatever I am doing right now. It's hard, but, hey, who said battles are no-sweat? It's just a matter of having faith, clinging on, trusting God, and fighting a good fight. Guards up! Never let it down! Not a single moment! Not a single chance!

It's a tough battle... but I'm still fighting with my Lord!

* * *

Hm. I want to sketch, read, and write again... even just these three things that I used to do. I miss it so much.

Missing Vacation

2008-04-01T19:21:00.000+08:00

...but then again, there are pros and cons for being a student and a taxpayer.

Now, how about being a taxpayer?

PROS for being a taxpayer: earning your own money, being of help to the family, you go home with nothing to think about.

It's a tough battle... but I'm still fighting with my Lord!

* * *

Hm. I want to sketch, read, and write again... even just these three things that I used to do. I miss it so much.

Bowling

2008-03-03T19:27:00.000+08:00

Last Monday night, was our fun night in our Youth Revive Youth Leaders' Night Out. So we went to Megamall to unwind... eat and play!

Ha! It was my first time to be in a bowling alley! It was my first time to touch a bowling ball! Boy, that sphere of marble is really heavy indeed! And, and, I'm so amazed at how the ball--after being swallowed down the end of the alley--merges out right next to you and gets lined up together with the other bowling balls... amazing mechanism! Imagine if you there's no such thing... you have to run down the alley, dive in the tangle of tumbled pins and get the ball back. Whew!

It was quite an experience when I first threw the ball down the alley. The feeling of releasing that heaviness from your hands and watch it roll down (the canal!) was really exciting! And frustrating at the same time.

I never understood the scoring. Anyway, the boys won against the girls, even though we outnumbered them. Life is just full of mystery, isn't it? Haha!

If you wanna see the pictures, you can visit my sis Ate Di's site.

One thing I learned here (or rather, was confirmed): Sports is just SO NOT part of me. Definitely. I'd rather play it in the computer. Now that where I'm pretty good at. Haha!! ^_^

Cherished Moments

2008-02-24T20:33:00.000+08:00

Right after our YA Sunday Night Special tonight... um... technically last night (because it's 1:12AM already) YMT (Me, 'te Di, Josh, Mau, kuya PJ) with the newlyweds, Kuya Arjun and Ate Cet, went to Greenhills to munch donuts and sip coffee. It was a rare experience. With our ministries at hand, office works, school works, we just don't get the time to go out together. Totoo nga na kapag hindi pinaplano, most likely na matuloy, kesa kapag matagal mo ng pinlano. Buti nalang walang pasok kinabukasan. (Except for ate Di. Ok lang, double pay ka naman!)

Ayun, very rare na makumpleto kami... I mean, yung dating bumubuo ng group ng YA Core... (Except sina Kuya Mike and Ate Ca, leaders namin sila eh!) Hindi pa YMT noon. And, kahit iced coffee lang ng Mister Donut ang kape namin, at hindi frapuccino ng Starbucks, masayang-masaya na ako. And I know lahat naman kami.

Our discussion mainly revolved around the interesting stuffs in Bible School... favorite subjects, the teachers, doctrines, interesting facts in the Bible that were proven by science, as well as Biblical facts that were usually looked over, last days, miracles and signs and wonders, God's awesome power and creativity... Then before we left, Ate Cet prayed for us. It was really fun! And meaningful...

I'm just so happy because we had the oppurtunity to sit down together with our two older spiritual siblings. They have their own church in Antipolo na kasi. Ika nga eh, pinromote na sila ni Lord. From Youth Leaders, to Church Elders. O diba? Iba talaga magpromote si Lord! Kaya bihira na namin sila makasama. But even though, they will forever be part of YA. Parang mga... hm... what's that word... uh... legend. Or pillars. Kumbaga sa industry, they are like former employees na naging consultants na. Technically no longer employee, but they're still kinda part of the company kasi sa kanila nagcoconsult. Parang ganoon sila.

Nagkataon na walang pasok bukas, naisipan nilang dumaan sa church, na nagkataon rin naman na may Sunday Night Special kami. Inabutan nila kami sa kalagitnaan ng aming exciting at in-the-dark treasure hunting. Haha!

Haay... kelan ulit kaya mauulit 'to? Ito ang first time naming nagkasama-sama ulit nang kasal na sila. hehe! Next time, baka may baby na sila! Yey!!!

These kind of moments I cherish most in my heart. Thank you Lord!

***oh no... ate Di, para di ka ata nakapagkuha ng picture!?? oh meeeeen!!!! oh well... mental still shots nalang. :)***

Mary

2008-02-10T17:26:00.000+08:00

"And Mary said, 'Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word."

These were Mary's words in Luke 1:38, when the angel Gabriel brought the impossible news to her.

A young teenage girl, already engaged to be married, suddenly pregnant?? What would the people say? How could she face them? Would they believe her if she would tell them that an angel appeared to her and said that the child she would bore would be from the Holy Spirit? How could they believe this? No matter how she would explain this, no one would believe her.

And among the people who might intrigue her, she worried Joseph most. What would he think of her? What would he say? What would he feel? Would he pursue his marriage with her? How could this affect their relationship?

Question after question crowded Mary's mind. Not to mention the event that were yet to unfold 33 years from now. Mary had no idea at all. However, something made her utter the most unlikely response...

With all humility and obedience, she said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word."

What could have made Mary say these words? What could have made her obey? Did she know what she was saying? Did she think of what the people might say about her? Most especially Joseph? Why did she jump into this deal without thinking and weighing things first? Did she know what trouble, what gossip, what sorrow, what grief this huge decision would cause her? What made her say "Yes, Lord"?

If you were Mary, can you say "Yes, Lord!" right there and then? How high is your faith? How deep is your love for God? How passionate are you to delight Him and fulfill the desires of His heart? Mary's questions were overcame by her love for God. Her desire to please Him was all that mattered. And her strong faith brought her peace that passes all understanding. No wonder, she found favor with God.

If faced in a similar situation, what would be our response? If we are tasked by God to do something, are we willing to say yes? When God chooses us to do something, He doesn't look on our capabilities, skills, and talents. He doesn't look how many times we have fallen, or how many times we have overcome. He looks for an obedient heart, instead. That must have qualified Mary. She had an obedient heart. Therefore, God saw her faithfulness and her love for Him, so she was chosen.

God taught me in many situations that a cheerful obedient heart delights Him most. Because if we obey His commandments and His will with all our hearts, it encompasses all expression of our love for Him! Worship and praise, yes, He delights in it. But if the heart of the worshipper is not obedient, this will be as bad as a stench in His nostrils.

Let us humble ourselves before God and ask His grace to be upon us every single moment. Ask for an obedient heart, that is willing to sacrifice, willing to say 'yes' to Him no matter what the future holds. Ask for the peace of God reign in our hearts--the peace that passes all understanding. And may our doubts and hang-ups be overcome by our love for the Lord and our desire to please Him.

Queen Esther

2008-02-10T10:27:00.000+08:00

"...the king loved her more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti."

I always admired Esther's beauty. I can imagine, she must have been clothed with grace and humility. Her voice must had been soft-spoken, and her smile must had been so gentle, it lit up her face and just made the hearts of most men melt away. But that beauty was not only skin deep. It exuded from within her spirit.

The moment she was about to be presented before King Xerxes, she didn't adore herself with ornaments of her choice. Unlike the other women in this beauty pageant for queenship, Esther took the advice of Hegai, who knew very well what would really please the king. And she was admired by everyone who saw her (Esther 2:15). As the king beheld her, he fell in love with her that instant. And as stated in Esther 2:16, the king was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti.

The king was so delighted with her! Because she let herself be prepared to be pleasing before the king.

Do we please our King? Are we pleasing before Him today? If God would behold us this very moment... how would He see us...?

In white shining garment of righteousness? Studded with diamonds and precious jewels? Scented with expensive spiritual perfume of meekness, self-control, and humility? Would He see the mark of the blood of Jesus in us?

Or would He see filthy clothes? Garments soiled with sin, that need to be washed and soaked with Jesus' blood, or need to be totally changed? Stenched with pride, self-righteousness, and self-indulgence? Would He see our filthiness instead of Jesus' righteousness?

How will he see us? Would we be like Queen Esther, delighted by the king? Or would we be like Queen Vashti, banished from the kingdom because of her disobedience?

I pray, that when we stand before the Judgment Throne of Christ, our hearts will be overwhelmed by the beauty, the loveliness, the majesty, the glory, and the splendor of our King... instead of being gripped by fear, guilt, and humiliation because of our own filthiness. Let us seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit and ask what would please the King. Let us submit ourselves to the preparation, the beautification, no matter how hard and how painful it is to be spiritually scrubbed. Let us not depend on our own human wisdom. Let us not rely on what we thought would please our King. Seek and know what is in His heart. And delight Him like a beautiful bride delights her bridegroom.

At last... at home early by Saturday Night

2008-02-09T17:18:00.000+08:00

It has been years... 3 or 4 years... since I was home early on a Saturday night.

Yup. I have a night life! haha! AT CHURCH! hehehe!

I am part of the Music and Creative Arts Ministry since... I can't remember. 4 to 5 years ago? And one of my major duties here is the final layouting of our church's newsletter--the MZCF Sunday Bulletin. For the first 3 volumes (3 years) I shouldered most of the work. Article writing (news, updates, feature), photo gathering, and layouting. Since back then, I have school during weekdays, and recently, I have work on weekdays. I only have Saturday night to patch the articles and pics, and wrap it all up. I can't do it on a Saturday afternoon because we have a youth gathering every 3PM. In the morning, well, I still don't know what would be included in the news yet.

Anyways, for some time now, I have been doing this job until late night. I usually get home by 11PM. Getting home by 10PM was already early for me. There are number of nights that I even get home past 12MN... my dad had to pick me up.

Recently, the composition of the newsletter team was reshuffled. I still had the job as the layout artist. But thank God, He included other people in the team that would really be of great great help! There's Tita Cora, who acts as our head. She gathers all the news, and mostly writes the articles, and determines the content of the newsletter for Sunday. There are our faithful writers as well, Abby and EJ. Abby is the official "decoder" of the digitally recorded prophecies declared during Sunday services. She is also one of our official photographers. Always armed with a camera--anywhere, anytime! She gets to write other articles as well, usually youth related events. EJ also contributes articles, usually the Friday Night of Prayer and Worship events. We also got Ate Di, one of our official photographers as well. I hope she could contribute some inspiring articles someday. She's a pretty good writer, you know. Praise God! Then we have Kuya Mike! Before he heads the newsletter team. But God is calling Him to the next level. He did not have to totally leave us though. He's still part of the newsletter team. But more on support now. He take photos as well during events.

And thank God too for the other youth who contributes articles from time to time

With the reshuffled and more task-defined newsletter team, a lot of load has been lifted from me...

It has been two Saturdays now that I get to finish the newsletter before 6PM. The significant news are emailed to me usually on a Friday night. I still had to stay up late on Friday to work on the layout. But at least, I'm already home. And no pressure to wake up really early on Saturday morning. On the afternoon of the following day, all I need is a little patch up, proofreading, editing, and finally printing!

Thank God... I pray that it will continue on like this from now on... and for the rest of the days that I'd be fuflilling this lovely duty for the Lord and for His people.

"May my love and dedication for this duty increase even more, Father. May I find more delight in doing it for You. Amen."

I want to design books

2008-02-01T16:30:00.000+08:00

I want to work in a publishing house.

Lately, I've been imagining myself sitting in front of a computer, designing front cover of books... layouting contents... bringing to life through shapes and spectrums the world "between the lines"... I would looooove to do that...

I love books after all. I love reading. I love writing. I love graphic arts. Why not combine them all?

It is the desire of my heart. But could it be God's desire as well? I'm pouring out my heart to Him now. May His peace and assurance rest upon my ever-troubled heart.

*sigh*

hm...I would really love to design books...

...really. :-)

Journal Archive: "HUNGER"

2008-01-27T12:56:00.000+08:00

Here's another archive entry from my original diary...

* * *

"HUNGER" -- January 14, 2008

Can you teach your stomach what to hunger for? Hmm... I guess the stomach itself doesn't really care what you stuff in it, as long as it's edible and not poisonous. As long as there's something to grind, it will be contented.

I think, the one that really cares for the things you stuff in your stomach are your tastebuds. It depends on the "mood" of your tastebuds if you're gonna eat something sweet, or salty, spicy, or sour, fried, or soupy... And if you're planing to control your diet, it is your desire to eat that you should discipline. It is your spoiled tastebuds that you should overcome. Do I make sense?

Anyway... Can I teach my soul what things to hunger for? Human beings have inate human desires, which, as we know by some of us, are mostly corrupt.

I pray that God would birth in me the hunger to know Him more. The hunger to understand His word. The hunger to know His perfect will. The hunger to know my specific calling and fulfill my duties and responsibilities for the King and His kingdom with delight... with all my delight no matter what circumstance I'm in.

May God teach my soul to suppress hunger for unhealthy, dirty, and poisonous stuff that seem delicious in the natural eye, but fatal in the spirit.

Lord, give me right desires... Desires that are in Your heart as well. Put it in my heart so our desires will be one. That I may fulfill everything you want me to fulfill with all my delight.

* * *

Journal Archive: "CHOICE"

2008-01-27T12:44:00.000+08:00

I stumbled upon my past entries in my personal journal (as in, paper-and-pen journal), and I can't help but to be amazed on how God is continually changing me and moving in my life. Most of the entries there are my personal prayers to God--prayers of adoration and thanksgiving... some are prayers of fear and doubt... others just plain questions that kept on running in my hand... and sometimes just random thoughts that I share to God, mostly about the things that He made me realize through simple circumstances.

I'd post some to share them to you... it may become some words of encouragement for you guys...

* * *

"CHOICE" -- January 9, 2008

I have a choice. In every circumstance, I have a choice.

To be sad or to be happy. To fret or to trust. To whine or to pray. To complain or to give thanks. To grumble or to give praise. To give up or to overcome.

We may not have the control over the circumstances in our lives. But we have the choice on how to respond to it.

May God give us His unique grace for every unique circumstance that we encounter in our lives.

The joy of the Lord is my strength! And whatever His will, I choose to delight in doing it.

* * *

Journal Archive: "CHOICE"

2008-01-27T12:43:00.000+08:00

I'd post some to share them to you... it may become some words of encouragement for you guys...

* * *

"CHOICE" -- January 9, 2008

I have a choice. In every circumstance, I have a choice.

To be sad or to be happy. To fred or to trust. To whine or to pray. To complain or to give thanks. To grumble or to give praise. To give up or to overcome.

We may not have the control over the circumstances in our lives. But we have the choice on how to respond to it.

May God give usHis unique grace for every unique circumstance that we encounter in our lives.

The joy of the Lord is my strength! And whatever His will, I choose to delight in doing it.

* * *

Weird things about me...

2008-01-20T10:13:00.000+08:00

Sometimes, there are weird things about yourself that you don't really notice. As a response to Michael's tag, here are some funny weird things about me... (well, i don't know if you'll find it weird...)

1. I have low tolerance for sweet. Kaya pag kumakain ako ng matamis, kailangan may kasunod agad na maalat. Or else maloloka ako. One time, I ate too much crema de fruta. Ang sarap eh. Ako kasi gumawa. hehe. :) After 2 slices, narealize ko, nauuwa na pala ako. Wala ng stock ng tsitsirya. Wala na ring tirang ulam. Wala na ring asin... sabi ng Papa ko, may tira pang bagoong diyan sa ref. Kaya kinuha ko sa ref ang maliit na mangkok ng bagoong na naninigas sa tulog na mantika. mga kalahating kutsara lang naman ang kinain ko para mawala lang ang umay ko... and I was relieved!

2. I laugh out loud when I'm dreaming something really funny... sabi daw ng kapatid ko at pinsan ko na kasama ko kwarto. Twice I woke up finding myself laughing hard. hahaha... at least hindi humihilik!

3. I looooove sabaw! As in yung mga libreng sabaw sa restaurant, sa canteen, o sa carinderia. Kapag hindi kinakain o hindi inuubos ng mga ka-officemate ko ang masarap na sabaw nila, hinihingi ko nalang. :) Tawa nalang sila sakin. Basta malinis pa noh. Kapag sinigang o tinola ang ulam, may sarili akong mug ng sabaw. :)

4. And in connection with number three, I can have instant noodles for my breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

5. My regular serving of pancit canton is three packs.

6. I, as well, think out loud and talk to myself aloud when I am alone.

7. I haven't been in Enchanted Kingdom... or in any carnival (Star City, Euro Star, peryahan sa barangay plaza...) Haven't ridden a roller coaster... But I really really want to try!!! Wala nga lang pagkakataon.

8. When I can't answer a quiz / exam from number 1 til the last item, I answer it backwards... from the last item to number one. And I'm able to finish it.

9. I love watching shrek 2 again and again... and again... and again... (Actually I feel watching it right now... )

10. I don't like butterflies... they make me shudder deep to my bones... I'm not really sure why...

11. When I'm so hungry or kaya masarap ang ulam, mas gusto kong nagkakamay. (puwera nalang kung masabaw siya, katulad ng tinola at sinigang.) Lalo na kung fried chicken at may super sarap na ketchup (kahit UFC or delmonte) inihaw na talong na sinasawsaw sa bagoong na may suka, tinapang tilapia, daing na bangus, masarap na binagoongan, adobo,

There's still more, I'll just post it some other time.

I tag everyone who reads this!!! :-)

Post-Christmas Post!

2007-12-30T19:26:00.000+08:00

Kay bilis talaga ng panahon... akalain mo't tapos na ang pasko? Parang kailan lang... binibilang ko ang araw kung ilan nalang ang natitira bago mag December 25. Tapos ngayon... tapos na siya.

Just like what I've posted in my christmas '07 album, we've never celebrated Christmas in Manila. We've always spent it with our dear ones in Mariveles, Bataan--our relatives on our father's side. It was quite memorable... but in a queer way, rather. Why, you asked? Well...

1. December 22 - We were still in Abucay, mother's side. I spent most of the day doing an avp project for my "wedding client", Ms. Jacky, my officemate.

2. December 23 - We went to Tarlac to bring my mom's sister and her family there. They had their Christmas break there together with their relatives on their father's side, since we would be staying in Mariveles during those dates. We got back in Bataan at around 5pm and went straight to Mariveles, arriving there at around 6pm

3. December 24 - Ever since, were were used to have everything prepared by 24th. Our moms would go to the market to buy this and that for the simple noche buena. Then by afternoon, the preparation will start. Before midnight, we will have our simple noche buena together.

However... it didn't happen the way everyone expected. On the 24th, we had to bring our cousin Reb (age 12) to the doctor. Nakagat kasi siya ng puppy 2 days ago! Hindi naman super lalim, pero nagkasugat siya. Hindi niya sinabi agad. Worse... namatay ang puppy. And we all know that that is so scary kasi yun yung sign na may rabis yung dog. So my parents and his mom brought him to the doctor, 6 towns away. The doctor gave him the initial anti-tetanus shot. Since the puppy died without showing any signs of "pagka-ulol", the doc opted to check if the dog really died of rabis or of sickness. (Since before the incident, the puppy was sick na pala dahil sa nakain or something..). So, the doc instructed them to dig up the dead puppy again for lab examination.

Since we were the ones left at home, me, my cousin Ian, and my lola, excavated the poor dead puppy. His name was Max. Haha! Feeling ko CSI ako! Binalot namin siya ng sangkatutak na yelo para mapreserve, especially yung brain area. Buti nalang hindi pa siya nabubulok. Since nung early morning lang naman siya namatay. My lola burried him at around 6am. Good thing, nakalimutan niya na dadaan ang basura that day. Kung naalala daw niya, malamang, ipinatapon na niya ang puppy sa mga basurero... yikes!

So, that was it. They got back in the afternoon na. And all the planned preparations for the dinner had to be postponed.

Well, it doesn't matter now. Thank God, the results were negative. The puppy didn't die because of rabis. He really died because he was sick... poor doggie. And anyway, kahit hindi kami nakapag-noche buena noong gabi ng 24, at least, I experienced to prepare the ref cake all by myself! It was so fun! And, by 25th, the rest of our relatives came. And all the eating gallore was done on the 25th.

4. By 26, before we go back to Manila, my mom had this fun yet meaningful "gimmick". Papaexperience daw niya sa mga boys (my younger cousins, 6 boys sila, ranging from 11 to 16) how to have a fun and safe "social drinking" with Welch! Yumyum!!! I loooove Welch... kaya kung nakita niyo dun sa christmas album ko, meron dun picture nag umiinom kami ng Welch. My mom just shared to my cousins, and to their parents as well, some words of wisdom when it comes to drinking, bonding with friends, crushes, and all that. She opened their minds regarding peer pressure, the effects of alcohol, and all those things. It was fun! My cousins were intently listening to her. And it was really a treasure of wisdom she left to all of us. Kasi, nasa teenage stage na yung mga dati kong cute na cute na mga cousins. Dati cute sila, ngayon barako na. Kaya habang maaga palang, inorient na sila ni mama kung ano ang nag-aabang sa kanila sa mundo...

In the end, it seemed that my cousins have understood and have absorbed the wisdom my mom shared to us. We just pray it will stick to them and they will stick to it for the rest of their lives.

So, that was how our Christmas went. Stay put for my next post on New Year Celebration at Abucay, Bataan!

"Noon gunag panahon, sa tuktok ng isang burol..."

2007-12-16T19:19:00.000+08:00

“Noong unang panahon, sa tuktok ng isang burol, mayroong tatlong magkakaibigang puno…”

Hmmm… no one knows how much I looooove this story. “The Tale of Three Trees.” I love this story so much that our youth group was able to present this story twice. The first one was presented I think two years ago. And we did it in silhouette, flinging cut outs of trees, people, manger, boat and cross against the LCD projector. Then the second one was just a few hours ago during our church’s Christmas celebration. And this time, we did it live. The audio was pre-recorded, with patched ambient music on every scene.

The story just makes me appreciate and realize all the more the reason for Christmas. This is an old story. The original author was unknown. Anyway, it goes this way…

It’s about the story of three young trees, dreaming of what they want to become when they grow up. One tree dreamt to be a treasure box, one dreamt to be a mighty ship, and the other one dreamt to be just a tall tree who would point God in the heavens. Unfortunately, when they were chopped down from the hill where they were rooted for ages, they didn’t exactly end up the way they dreamt to be. The tree who dreamt to be a treasure box ended to be a manger. The one who dreamt to be a mighty ship became a small fishermen’s boat. And the last one, well, the moment she was chopped down, her dream was chopped off as well, that is, to be just a tall tree.

But a certain moment came when the ultimate purpose of God came to pass. The one who ended up as a manger, happened to be the exact manger where baby Jesus was laid on when Mary bore Him. She didn’t get to hold fine jewels and precious stones of this earth… but she must be the most blessed manger in the entire universe when she carried the most precious treasure, both on earth and in heaven—baby Jesus.

Thirty years later, the tree who ended up as a fishermen’s boat was so blessed to be ridden by the 12 disciples, and of course, Jesus Himself. He got to witness the authority of Jesus over the sea and the storm. He felt how it was to be tossed and turn by the humongous waves at one moment, and be so still in the quietest waters in the next. He didn’t become a mighty ship and was not able to carry kings and queens of this earth. But he was able to carry the King of kings and the Lord of Lords—Jesus!

Lastly, just few years after, the last tree was brought out from the dark warehouse and was stripped into long pieces of square wood. She became the cross whom Jesus carried and where He was nailed as well… On her wooden arms and body, flowed the blood of Jesus…

They didn’t become exactly what they were dreaming. But God has the best plan for them. The first tree carried the most precious treasure both on earth and in heaven. The second tree carried the King of kings and the Lord of lords. And the third tree, every time people would think about her—as a cross—they would remember Jesus.

Cool isn’t it? I hope the message of this story would reach other places and be used as an evangelistic tool to proclaim the Jesus’ gift of salvation.

The Stick

2007-12-11T18:43:00.000+08:00

Sometime ago, I installed a simple RPG game here in our PC. In the first part, the main character in the game didn't know that she has special powers. One day, while she was strolling, a group of boys bullied her and started teasing her and hurting her. She picked up a stick to defend herself. But the moment she waved the stick, a surge of magical power flowed out from her hand and onto the stick, sending the bullies flying several feet away from her. Some people saw what happened. And they whispered, "She must be really powerful. Strong powers must be needed to make that stick become a very powerful weapon."

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not promoting any RPG games here, much less, playing RPGs.

Anyways. There is just one thing that stuck in my head with the story of that game. It was the stick. That brittle strip of branch... The people in the story didn't say, "Whoa! What a powerful stick! It must be a magical wand!" Instead, they immediately notice the power of the girl--the one who was holding the stick.

Each of us are just but a stick. Powerless. Brittle. Nature’s natural waste… It is in the hands of God when we become useful and powerful. The power and the strength don’t come from within us. It comes from the Source. If we are detached from the Source, we return to lifeless sticks, just enough to fuel a bonfire. Just as Jesus said in John 15:4-5, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

We have no right to claim the glory. It was not the stick that was seen powerful. It was the person who was holding it. God alone deserves the glory for all the things we have reached and we have accomplished. He is the One holding us. He is the One who makes us what and who we are right now.

So every time we are in the verge of savoring the glory… Clutch the robe of humility around your body ever more tightly and may God remind us of the stick.

“I am a but stick… It is in Your hands I became more than I could have imagined.”

All glory to the Highest!

A whole new world!

2007-12-09T18:00:00.000+08:00

Okay... this will be the very first time I will post my blog here at multiply. Wala na kasing bumibisita sa blog ko sa blogger... hehe! At andito na rin kayong lahat. I mean, halos lahat ng mga church family ko. So, makikisali na ako.

So many things already took place since the last time I posted. But I'd rather not enumerate and recall them because details of events are quickly fleeting away from my memory these days... So I'll post something very very recent nalang.

This afternoon we went to MZCF Antipolo to celebrate with them their Christmas Celebration. Kuya/Ptr. Arjun requested if we can present something for their Christmas party. Siyempre, malakas samin ang kuya namin... kahit pastor na 'yan, siya pa rin ang 'Kuya Arjun' namin at hindi magbabago yun. Praise God for the youths who offered their talents, time, and energy to prepare the 2 presentations. Madali nalang naman kasi napresent na siya before: ang personal favorite kong "Nasaan ang Kahon?" at ang walang kupas na "We Are The Reason."

During the service, Kuya Arjun was the emcee, Ate Cet was the WL, Tita Amie was the speaker. Ang daming new visitors! And praise God for the souls who received Jesus that night after Tita Amie shared the message of Christmas. God is really amazing how He speaks to the heart of people who are hearing the Gospel. I've heard the message of the Gospel many-many-many times... during camps, retreats, Christmas season; there were moments na parang I felt wala ng dating sa akin... which I found really alarming as God made me realize it. But during those moments na I felt parang wala ng dating sa akin ang message ng Gospel, it was when I really understood that it is the Holy Spirit who speaks and moves in the heart of each soul. We are just mere 'speakers'. If the message of Salvation is real in our hearts and we are so eager to proclaim the Good News, no matter how we speak, how we look, what words, what technique we use, the Holy Spirit will speak in the heart of every soul we evangelize... Amazing isn't it?

Offering

2007-08-08T23:12:00.000+08:00

OFFERING

This song can be played at my imeem box over there... at the right panel.
All Glory to the Almighty God!

The sun cannot compare
to the glory of Your love
There is no shadow
In Your presence

No mortal man would dare
To stand before Your throne
Before the Holy One of heaven

It's only by your blood
And its only by your mercy
Lord, I come

(Chorus)
I bring an offering
Of worship to my King
No one on earth deserves
The praises that I sing
Jesus may you receive
The honor that You're due
O Lord, I bring an offering to you
I bring an offering to you

The Box

2007-07-19T22:01:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, (July 18, Wednesday) me and my training team attended a the Philippine Society for Training and Development (PSTD) Tipanan. It's a monthly thing seminar that they conduct for all trainers in various companies.

It was my first time to attend there. The theme for this July's tipanan was:

"Don't just get out of the box... Get rid of it!"

Speaker: Pido. I forgot his full name. But he was sooo good! Really! He's a faithful steward of creativity. The topic was about--of course, creativity.

And then as we do these crazy creative activities... I just suddenly missed my college days. Not the quizzes and projects and THESIS and all that stuff. But those moments when I still have time to sketch, to write on my journal, to read books after another, to write stories, to doodle, to write poems... all those things...

I thought for a moment, did my work sapped out all aesthetic juices in me? I hope not! That's me... It can't be gone... I cannot let it be gone... I would lose "me" if that would happen...

I wanted to do it again. Sketch, write, read, doodle... and most of all, to honor God with these things. "WHY NOT!!??" says Pido.

I also realized, my fascination in celestial bodies is still within me... I'm still fascinated with the stars, the space dusts, the black holes, aurora borealis, lightning dances... everything up there that is lightyears beyond our naked eye... everytime I think of these awesome side of creation, I just can't help but mutter... God, You're simply amazing. Truly, You are a creative God! Who would have thought of that?

That's all. Just sharing. :)

Missing you all...

kamusta

2007-07-14T11:18:00.000+08:00

O, kamusta naman jan?

Ako heto, patuloy na hinuhubog ni Lord. Apprehensions, battles within, obedience, sacrifices...
with all of these going on in my life, only in God's mercy and grace will I be able to pass through it all.

A battle in a field is scary and tiring. So is the battle within each of us. But as David had sung in the book of Psalms...

You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart with songs
Of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid I will
Trust in You

I will trust in You
Let the weak say I am strong
In the strength of my Lord
I will trust in You

Thank you Lord because amidst all these battle, I know that I am in Your hands and You are fighting with me. After all, this is Your battle. And victory is assured to those who completely trust in You.

Twenty-one

2007-06-23T23:07:00.000+08:00

"Is anyone twenty? ...twenty-one!"

Haha! If anyone of you knows the song "Is anyone thirsty?" that's how that mocking tagline sounds like.

How fast time flies... one moment, I just said "I'm twenteen years old." Can't believe it's been a year already since that moment...

Well, I cannot hold back time. I'm growing old. But I'm not growing taller. It's not a big deal anymore. I love my height. :) Just right.

Praise God for His faithfulness in the last 20 years of my life. Looking back at the path I have been walking on, I realized that God is really walking with me. There were times that I swerved from the path. Sometimes my foot is walking on the path, and the other one on another path. I walked through thick forest, dark valleys, wild rivers, quiet seas, imposing mountains, vast plateaus overlooking an overwhelming beautiful landscape... it's been a journey. And until now, I am still in a journey towards wherever God had planned me to be.

I celebrated my birthday with my Youth Revive family. June 16 was the third Saturday of the month, our schedule for our monthly Youth Revive gathering. Praise God for the words of blessings that I received on this day. And for the experience He gave me to worship lead the youth of YR for the first time. It was not my birthday party. But even so, I felt like it was. :)

The following Sunday was father's day. In the evening, my family and I went to dine out to celebrate fathers' day and my birthday. Then came Tuesday, the schedule for our Cell Group. We ate Monster Pizza, junk food, and coke. And that was enough for dinner. Healthy, right? Haha! This was still in celebration of my birthday, and also, the "passing-of-baton ceremony" from our Cell Group leader to me. She has to move on as God brings her to a higher calling. And so it's time for me to take her place. To take care of our small cell group and nurture them into fruitful Christians. I have to move on as God brings me as well to a higher calling. It's not at all my forte... It's not at all my dream job. But I want to obey the Lord. That's all that matters. By God's grace, and by God's grace alone will I be able to fulfill whatever God wants me to do right now.

All praises and glory to You, my King, my God, my Father, and my Savior!

Guinayangan

2007-06-03T14:15:00.000+08:00

YOUTH REVIVE:
GUINAYANGAN, QUEZON MISSION TRIP

May 25, 2007, Wednesday, 12:00 MN – departure. Not until this moment that I realized I am really going to this mission trip. I cannot say that I am qualified. But God is merciful and He has plans far greater than what we think. We never knew who would really be included in the final list of the team until we all got in the bus. Twenty-six. Twenty-six people carefully handpicked by the Lord. The reason I was included in this team is because God’s grace and mercy abounds. And He has plans... greater plans that I haven’t even thought of.

…

Guinayangan was more of a “mission” trip compared to Bontoc (my last mission trip). We settled inside the church building of Revival In Christ Christian Ministry. The boys set up their tent in the church yard. The girls were distributed in three areas—at the balcony inside the sanctuary, in a bigger spare room, and in a smaller spare room (almost like a cupboard). As we settled and took a 3-hour nap in our humble abode, I realized, “This is the mission trip”. Well, praise God for giving us a room to sleep in, tiled floors to sleep on, a decent toilet, enough water supply, and great FOOD! Praise God!

We have 8 prepared presentations (that still needed to be polished) at hand when we left Manila—good for one revival night—plus a whole pack of faith that we would be needing to come up with more presentations for the next 2 revival nights. God is just soooo amazing… He is truly a creative God and praise Him for giving us the wisdom, strength, patience, creativity, and joy in coming up with more or less 15 presentations. All I can say is… Praise God!

God really works in different and mysterious ways. Sometimes He moves explicitly. Sometimes He moves subtly. At first we may think He’s not working at all. But in truth, He really is working. That was what happened during our ministering at Guinayangan. As our pastors have discerned, there was a stronghold that kept the youth from responding to God. It kept them from fully absorbing God’s message. It kept them from letting go. But that did not stop God from doing His work. And it did not stop us from doing what He told us to do. It even increased our faith. We believe that God was doing something in the hearts of these young people. And so we strived on—cultivating the soil; sowing God’s message; not settling for past victories; always crying out for fresh anointing. And we know God was also working with us.

And in the end, the victory belongs to the Lord! “Strongholds came tumbling down!” And the youth of Guinayangan chose to fear Him and made their vessels available for the Master’s use. God was simply… amazing! And He did not only fill the youth in Guinayangan, He also filled everyone in the YR Team and gave fresh word and revelation.

One of the most memorable part for me in this trip was when the YR team was divided into 4 groups to visit the 4 different churches in Quezon. The three groups took 45 mintues to 1 hour trip to their designated churches. A jeepney ride on a rough-rode; two-bus rides to the boundary of Bicol; and a 45-minute boat ride across the sea. Each faced a different battle. But though we were scattered in placed, God united our hearts and spirit.

As for our team, we went to Jesus’ Good News Church in Tagkawayan. We took two bus rides and reached the church, without knowing that we already crossed the boundary of Bicol! It was a small church with more or less 25 members. Less than a kilometer from their place was a military headquarters. And maybe—just maybe—some wandering NPAs near the vicinity. Deep inside I was so scared. But God gave me peace and confidence.

I had the privilege to lead the worship for that Sunday service. It was my first time to write my line up songs on a manila paper. I could hardly imagine having the entire Song Base written on a manila paper and bringing it with you wherever you go. I appreciated God’s blessing of technology even more. But thank God He made me experience it. J God doesn’t look on state-of-the-art sound system, or cool multimedia and instruments. He looks on the heart of the worshippers. And that’s the only thing that matters to Him. That’s what He taught me as I lead the worship while flipping the manila paper every next song or every next chorus. J

Before Ptr. Rey preached God’s word that morning, an old lady testified God’s faithfulness in her life. I was so blessed because in her old age, she is still so eager to serve the Lord. She used to visit houses miles away in her youth days just to share God’s Word. Now that she’s old, she could no longer do what she used to do. But her passion to share the Gospel is still there. It turned out that she was one of the people that God used to start their church.

Almost everyone was prayed for during the altar call—youth, workers, and the rest of the congregation. One soul received Christ. He’s an old man and a stroke victim. Though he could not speak much, tears were in his eyes when Ptr. Rey lead him through the sinner’s prayer.

And praise God again for another victory He has given to us! I realized, mission trip is really a challenge. But if it’s the way to obey God and bring joy to Him, and to share His love to others, it’s all worth it!

…

For the two mission trips I joined, God always had something for me. Before going to Guinayangan, I had some struggles in worship leading. I always keep on thinking that it’s not my forte, I don’t sing well like others, I get intimidated with the crowd… But in this mission trip, God taught me to obey Him and put my complete trust in Him. To make my vessel available for Him, willing to be used anytime. Then Tita Oss prayed for me, and it was somewhat confirmed. Worship leading may not be my forte. But God is calling me into it. I’m not worthy for such duty, but I am willing to obey Him and my complete trust is in Him. Then God also impressed on me that I should stand firm on my decisions. That I should make strong and firm decisions of running the race, never looking back, and finishing strong, so I could breakthrough the stronghold that keeps me from being fully used by the Lord.

I can imagine ourselves like warriors going out to battle... then finally coming home with songs of victory. All glory belongs to the Lord most high!

spidey

2007-05-08T22:00:00.000+08:00

Okay. So I've watched spiderman last sunday. Looking at the poster, I have a different expectation compared to the actual movie. But it's okay. Great cinematography and effects... talagang super ameyzing... wala akong masasabi sa mga epek epek na ginawa nila.

Pansin ko lang. (Ewan ko kung napansin niyo rin) Parang ang haba ng storyline sa first half ng movie. Tapos parang biglang siniksik lahat sa last half. Tapos parang bitin na ewan yung ending. Tapos meron pa, hindi sinabi yung mga pangalan ng villains sa movie mismo. Sa credits nalang sila pinakilala. Kung hindi pa nagbasa ng preview ang isa naming kasama na nanood ng movie, di ko pa malalaman ang mga pangalan nila. Specifically Venom and Sandman (a.k.a. Nardong Putik pag nababasa. hahaha!!!) Oops... am I writing a spoiler here? Sorry sa mga hindi pa nakakapanood! ;p I'm sure naman na karamihan sa inyo napanood na eh.

Hyun lang. Maganda naman yung lesson in the end in fairness. "Everyone has a choice..." That is so true. There's no such thing as "I have no choice." We always have a choice. Minsan nga lang, nagigipit tayo kapag nag-iisa lang ang "better" choice. Alam kong alam niyo na yun. ;p

All in all, it was... a good film. Pero gusto ko mabasa/marinig ang masasabi ng mga good critics natin jan. :D (Mykel, I'm specifically talking to you! ;p) Mas magaling kasi sila mag-explain ng mga kuro-kuro nila eh. Can't wait to read your posts. :D

... and can't wait for Shrek 3!!!

Pirates... oh well... pagnagkaroon ng chance na mapanood cge lang. Hindi ko na kasi nasimulan eh.

O yan. Maikli lang post ko ha. Ewan ko nalang kung hindi kayo nakaabot dito... babye!!! :D

2007-05-05T22:52:00.000+08:00

IT'S ALL WORTH IT...

Last friday was so hectic... "toxic" as they say.

Six (6) staffs kami sa training. Our manager attended an external training in UP, while our officer was on leave. So 4 lang kami nung friday. Usually, ok lang naman kasi dati nga apat lang kami talaga. Pero..iba pa rin kapag ang wala ay ang mga superiors. Parang minsan nangangapa ka..may mga tanong na hindi mo masagot. May mga decisions na medyo mahirap gawin.. at may mga nakakabiglang deadlines na bigla bigla nalang sumusulpot out of nowhere, slamming right on us. Wala man lang kaming buffer ng aming mga superiors. Usually, sila kasi ang unang nakakaalam then they will cascade it to us. Or minsan, samin sinasabi tapos ipapaalam namin sa kanila and then they will take it from there. Wait nalang kami ng directives nila.

Nung friday, kaming 4 staffs na nga lang ang naiwan. Sakin inendorse ng officer namin ang mga pending tasks niya na may deadlines. My other 2 co-training staffs ay magcoconduct ng training. Yung isa naman, gumagawa siya ng training plan for the new upcoming training for the special diagnostic staffs ng TMC. Anyways... Ilan sa mga tasks ko ay:

-kumuha ng Cash Advance para sa isa sa mga trainings namin,
-coordinate the meal for the ENG101 participants,
-prepare and give letter of request to our dietary dept para sa meal ng mga participants
-buy the PM snack and dinner for the ENG101 facilitator
-confirm proposed schedule of Ateneo Medical Students' 3-day exposure on different departments of TMC
-prepare IDs for OJTs and Nurse Trainees
-encode/compute/finalize/print the grades of the recently graduated Nurse Trainees
-update OJT masterlist
-conduct recap activity for the current Nurse Trainees
-administer exam for the current Nurse Trainees

All of these I have to finish that Friday.

Yan. Wala pa jan yung pinaka-task ko talaga. As in yung dapat kong ginagawa talaga, which is yung computer-based training at competency. Since malayo pa deadline ng mga 'to, ipinagpaliban ko muna dahil may mga mas urgent at asap na mga bagay.

But to top it all, I had to conduct a special corporate orientation to 12 applicants (ward clerks, nursing attendants, and midwives) who will be hired on the 16th of May. Super special 'to dahil wala ito sa sched ko. Sobrang pinilit na isingit lang talaga dahil kailangang kailangan daw... Nakasched 'to ng 10am hanggang 12nn. Pero 10:30 nako nakapagset up dahil kinailangan ko pang iset up ang computer sa training ng mga nurses namin. 10:00 nako natapos eh magsesetup pako ng training ko naman. I had to pull out my cpu dahil isa lang ang laptop namin at ginagamit na 'yun sa isa sa mga trainings namin. Pinull out na rin ang isa pang cpu namin para naman dun sa training ng mga nurses. So ako, pull out ko rin ang aking cpu para sa corporate orientation naman. Nanghiram pako ng LCD from other department dahil ginagamit na rin ang 2 naming lcds. Ang venue ng aking training ay nasa 4th floor. So with the CPU, speakers, keyboard, mouse, avr, and the LCD, dinala ko lahat yun sa 4th floor. (buti nalang may gulong ang cpu ko... kung hindi baka ako na ang gumulong sa dami ng bitbit ko). Inasistihan naman ako ng isa pa naming staff sa training. So carry pa naman.

Thank God nakapagset up ako ng maayos at nasimulan ko ang training ng 10:30. 12:30nn nako natapos so nung tumawag ako for assistance sana ulet sa pagbaba ng mga gamit, wala ng tao samin dahil naglunch na sila. Kaya, ako nalang mag-isa ang nagbaba. (imaginine nyo nalang kung paano ko nababa ang mga gamit...:D) Dito sa TMC, kapag part ka ng training department, hindi ka lang dapat beauty and brains, dapat you have muscles din. Kasi, training mo, set up mo. Pasalamat ka kung may available na magaasisst sayo. Pwede namang magrequest ng housekeeper na pwedeng magassist. But it will take years bago sila sumulpot sa HR. Kami nalang para mabilis. Pati silya binubuhat namin (using trolleys) kung sa ibang lugar ang aming venue at maraming participants ang expected.

Hayun... sa hapon, ngarag ngarag na kami. Tapos biglang nabalitaan namin na kailangang tawagan ang last 2 batches na nakatapos ng aming nursing training (Nursing Training Adaptive Program or NTAP). That would be Batch 3 and Batch 4. Kasi kailangan silang itrain for special areas bago sila ma-hire (special areas are: ICU, OR, and ER) Ang problema, ang grades ng Batch 4 ay hindi pa tapos dahil may mga hinihintay pa kaming papers galing sa kanilang mga headnurses na nagmentor sa kanila during the course of their exposure in the nursing units. So ang Batch 3 lang ang natawagan ng maaga. Buti nalang pala, currently, may IV Therapy ang mga Batch 4. So nung friday, nandun din pala sila halos lahat sa TMC. So hindi nalang namin sila pinauwi. Pinahintay namin sa kanila ang aming manager na mag-iinterview sa kanila bago sila mailagay sa training ng special areas (kailangang salain kasi ng mabuti). Ang manager namin ay manggagaling pa sa UP dahil nga may external training sha doon.

Bandang hapon habang kami ay nangangarag at ako'y nagmumulti tasking na to the max, (dahil magsastart na ang ENG 101 na pinaghahandaan ko rin at ineencode ko rin ang mga grades ng Batch 4 para malaman ang top 25 na puwedeng pumasok sa special training) biglang dumating ang aming officer! Niyakap ko talaga sha dahil sobrang... WAAAAGGGHHH!!! na talaga... Kahit naka-leave sha pumasok pa rin sha (participant kasi sha ng ENG101. kelangan nilang umattend dun eh). Anyways, ayun so na-lift na sakin ang mga tasks na inendorse niya sakin na hindi ko pa naaaccomplish. Thank God...

Pagsapit ng 5pm dumatin na rin ang aming manager. Katulong ang isa sa mga clinical instructor (CI) ng nursing services office, nagstart na silang mag-interview ng Batch 3 and 4 ng mga trainees. Natapos ko na rin computin ang mga grades ng Batch 4. Pero may ilan sa kanila na incomplete pa. So yung mga complete lang ang nakapasok sa top 25. Kayalang heto na po... nung nabigay ko na ang final grades nila sa aming manager at sa CI na katulong nya, dumadating ang mga pahabol na papers ng mga trainees na incomplete pa. So icocompute ulit yung grade nila, recompute the ranking then print ulit ng panibagong grades. Ang masaklap dito, since ang mga ibang incomplete ay tumaas na ang grade dahil completo na sila, may ilang nalalaglag sa original top 25. Eh nandun na sila, so hindi namin ngayon malaman kung paano namin sasabihin dahil nainform na nga namin sila na kasama sila sa top 25. Hindi ko na nasundan kung paano nila naayos yun. Basta ako, naka limang print pa ulit ako ng hindi na natapos-tapos na final grades ng Batch 4 nurse trainees dahil panay ang pahabol ng mga incomplete papers... hindi naman kasalanan ng mga trainees. Kasi hindi sa kanila manggagaling ang evalutations and all... sa headnurse nila manggagaling. Kaya naku! Na-stretch talaga ang patience ko sa mga headnurses ilang mga units... Thank God for stretching my patience...

Pagsapit ng gabi, printing of contracts na para sa mga nakapasa ng interview. Di naglaon, kami nalang dalawa ng manager ko ang naiwan. Natapos na ang training ng ENG 101. Buti nalang at may nag-assist na rin sakin na asikasuhin ang snack and dinner ng facilitator dahil hindi talaga ako makaalis sa upuan ko. Baka kasi may hingin na paper ang manager namin. Kaya stay put lang ako. Tapos nagpiprint pa nga ng mga contracts...

Passed 8:30... natapos rin ang huling interview. Sobrang pagod na pagod na ang manager ko dahil nanggaling pa siya sa training sa UP. Tapos mga 40 na nurse trainees ang kanilang ininterview sa loob ng 3.5 hours. Then kinabukasan uuwi pa siya ng probinsya at kailangan niyang umalis ng bahay ng 4:00 ng madaling araw. Kamusta naman...

Sa sobrang pagod niya biglang nalang siyang nagdrama sakin. She hugged me and thanked me for always staying with her daw. Hindi ko ineexpect yun, although kilala ko naman ang boss ko as being expressive with her thoughts and emotions. Pero that moment, parang na-wash out lahat ng pagod ko... It's really nice to know na naaapreciate ng superior mo yung efforts mo. And it's another thing if she really shows it to you. Praise God talaga for the strength and patience na binigay niya sakin nung Friday night na yun... Kahit nung kasagsagan ng katoxican, I could really feel the unexplicable strange strength, calmness, and patience that comes from the Lord.

At sa aking pag-uwi, lahat ng tasks na nakasulat sa aking post-it ay nakacross out na. Glory to God!!! I could not do it without Him... Tapos may bonus pa ngang appreciation from my boss. So talagang, kahit physically pagod nako, masaya pa rin ako. It's all worth it...

Heto pa... pinayagan na ako ng boss ko na magleave on May 23-25! Mission trip kasi namin yun. Matagal ko na siyang inuungutan na magli-leave ako ng mga araw na'yun. Ayaw pa niya ako fully irelease. Sa tuwing bini-bring up ko yung topic na yun, tinatawanan niya lang ako. Para bang, "Asa ka pa... dami nating ginagawa..." But thank God at pinayagan na niya ako. :D Yehey!!! Ifa-file ko na yun sa monday bago pa magbago ang isip niya. haha!

Yun lang. O, baka may magreklamo na naman na ang haba ng post ko... ganun talaga pag may ikukwento ka. Pero salamat na rin sa mga nagtsagang bumasa. Thanks for always being ready to read my all-in-a-days-work stories...

God bless you guys! May God's strength, patience, and wisdom be upon you as well--may it be in work or in med studies. Miss yah!

Eagle Point Outing

2007-04-29T14:49:00.000+08:00

OUTING!

Woohoo!!! I feel like fresh from the oven!!! I'm toasted!! haha!!

Katatapos lang kahapon ng outing ng TMC sa Eagle Point Batanggas. Adventure ito...

* * *

The 6-hour trip to the edge of Batanggas...
We left TMC at around 4PM with 3 buses plus a coaster for the big bosses. The bus was really neat. Brand new, 2 months old, with 3 LCD screens, "sosy" look, neat dashboard, (with a screen, glowing buttons, radar, and all)... kayalang, hindi mapaandar ang TV dahil wala daw satellite. Puwede daw VCD lang. And dala ni manong driver na mga movies ay DVD. Nag-iisa lang ang VCD niya. Finding Nemo. Haha! Eh no choice, bugnot na bugnot na ang mga pasahero kaya yun na lang ang pinasalang. Since favorite ko, ok lang. Nagenjoy pa rin ako. :D

Ang tagal ng biyahe kasi medyo traffic. Tapos ang tatagal pa ng stop over namin. Lumipat pa ang mga pasahero mula sa coaster dahil naflatan sila ng gulong. Twice sila na flatan. Nung pangalawang beses, dun sila lumipat. Kaya squeezed in kami dun sa bus. Buti nalang nasa front seat ako, I have enough space to breathe, kahit 3 na kaming nakaupo dun sa 2-seater na upuan.
Hindi lang yun, pagdating sa Mabini, Batanggas, kumikitid na ang daan. Ang bababa pa ng mga cable ng kuryente. Minsan huminto pa kami para lang maggive way sa kasalubong na sasakyan na hindi makadaan dahil kinakain ng bus ang 2/3 ng kalsada. Tapos, sumabit pa yung isang bus namin sa hose ng tubig na nakabitin across the road. Kala nga namin cable ng kuryente. Buti nalang hose lang ng tubig. Yun, mga siguro 20 mins kami naghintay dahil gumawa pa sila ng mahabang kawayan para maiangat ang hose at makadaan ang mga higanteng bus sa ubod ng kitid na kalsada.

Pagdating sa Eagle Point, tumambad samin ang isang seemingly isolated parking lot. Dun pinark yung mga bus. From there, hindi na kasi makakapasok ang sasakyan dun mismo sa Eagle Point Resort. Kaya sinundo kami ng mga shuttle (jeeps and van) ng Eagle Point para dalhin kami dun sa resort proper. Ay... grabe... panalo ang 3-minute drive na iyun. Isang jeep lang talaga ang kasya. Hindi na nga kakayanin ng bus. Tapos sobrang tarik, sobrang sharp ng mga curves. Kailangan pang umatras ni manong driver para lang makaliko na hindi bumabalandra sa pader (na nagsisilbing hati sa kalsada at bangin). Thank God... thank God... at nakarating kami ng matiwasay sa resort. (expert talaga ang mga drivers ng shuttle. No sweat!)

The Shindig Party
Supposedly, 8pm ang aming ETA sa resort. Kayalang 10pm na rin kami nakarating. Kaya pagdating dun, kain nalang ng dinner tapos tulog na. Hindi na namin alam ang nangyari sa shindig party... May nag emcee sandali at nagfacilitate ng video okray, pero karamihan ng mga tao ay natulog na sa mga kwarto...

The Hotel
Ganda ng room! Very cozy, at malaki. 8 people ang capacity, pero napagkasya pa namin ng 11! May mezanin floor tapos sa mezanin floor may bed pa ulit. And its spacious enough para makapaglatag ng mattress sa floor. Tapos may veranda, overlooking the sea!!! Haaay... may dream house... ganun na ganun ang gusto kong room. Yung early in the morning ocean ang tatambad sa iyo... (naalala ko si Orange. ;p)

A Cloudy Sunrise
I went to bed at around 12mn. I think I fell asleep at around 2am dahil ang iingay pa ng mga kasamahan namin sa room. We woke up at around 5am para abangan ang sunrise. Pero, hindi nagpakita ang haring araw dahil maulap ang kalangitan... sayang.

So, nagstroll nalang kami along the shore. Actually, hindi talaga shore. Kasi nasa cliff yung hotel, so batuhan na agad. Pumunta nalang kami sa gilid gilid ng breakwater (yun nga ba tawag dun?) at inenjoy ang picture perfrect view. Syempre hindi mawawala ang kodakan. ;p (kayalang wala akong dalang sariling digi cam nun eh. Kaya yung mga pictures namin nasa ka-officemate ko pa. saka ko nalang ipost).

The boat ride to Sepoc Island
7:30 am, pumunta na kami sa Sepoc Island. Nagcheck out na kami dahil after lunch na ang balik namin sa hotel. So dala na namin ang aming mga damit. It was a 20-minute boat ride to the island. 50 pax ang capacity ng boat. Umupo kami sa outer side ng boat para mas masaya! (as in nakalawit na ang inuupan namin sa dagat... pero safe naman.) Hindi naman masyadong maalon. Oks na oks lang.

Sepoc Island
White sand sha. Pero di sing-ganda ng Bora. Di hamak na mas pino ang sand sa bora. Dito kasi, white sand nga, sakit naman sa paa. Daming pebbles. Kaya, naka tsinelas ka dapat pag swimming kung ayaw mong maging chopping board ang talampakan mo. Malinaw ang tubig. Maalat siyempre. We had kayaking din (tama ba spelling). Sand castle making contest and cheering rin (pero yung iba lang sumali dito nakinuod nalang kami habang kumakain ng sitsirya). Tapos swimming ulit. Tapos, lunch time, kainan na! Inihaw ang mga pagkain kaya masarap. Sulit na sulit ang food. Tapos yun, banlaw na, tulog sandali, then uwi na. 1:30 pm kami umalis ng island.

The Crashing Waves
Nagpatihuli na ang HR sa pagsakay ng boat. Pinauna na namin ang iba. So pagdating namin sa maliit na daungan, wala ng space sa boat. (hindi ko alam kung pano nangyari yun. Samantalang, nagkasya naman ang lahat. Siguro yung mga naunang boat hindi punuan.) Sumakay nalang kami (8 kaming taga HR) dun sa harap na harap ng boat. Open na yun at walang upuan. So nakaupo nalang kami sa edge ng boat. Humawak nalang kami sa hawakan. Safe naman sya kasi may harang rin naman yung edge ng boat. (yung parang plank na nilalakaran ng mga manong bangkero sa gilid ng boat). Tapos lahat ng bag namin dun sa floor ng boat. Sinabihan kami ng mga manong bangkero, "Mababasa ho kayo jan." *with Batanggeño accent*. Pero ayos lang samin. Kaya hindi na namin masyado pinansin ang kanyang warning.

Heto na... pumalaot na ang banggka. Medyo maalon na kasi hapon. Medyo tumatalsik talsik nga ang tubig. Since naka-upo kami sa gilid ng bangka, basa na ang mga shorts namin dahil inaabot ng tubig. Dumating sa point na super lakas ng alon. Tapos bigla nalang kami nagulat nang may parang balde-baldeng tubig na bumuhos samin! As in basa kaming lahat. Basa ang bagahe namin sa sahig, basa ang mga sarong namin naka balabal samin, basa ang handbag namin, basa ang mukha namin, basa kaming lahat! Tilian kami ng tilian dun sa bangka. Samantalang ang mga manong bangkero... NR. And amazingly, tuyong-tuyo sila. Ni talsik ng tubig wala ata. Kasi nakapuwesto sila dun mismo sa pinaka tip ng bangka. Sa loob loob siguro nila (Yan, sinabihan na kayo eh. Ngayon titili-tili kayo jan. *with Batanggño accent*).

So pagdating sa daungan sa resort, nagbanlaw na naman kami at nagpalit ng damit. Buti nalang may extra pa kaming damit. Kaya ako, hindi talaga ako mapagta-travel light. Never. I will always bring extra clothes. Ang mga ganitong pagkakataong ang aking pinaghahandaan. Buti nalang...

Homeward Bound
After nun, uwian na.

***THE END***

Salamat sa pagbabasa! Sorry sa mga sumakit ang mata. Heto, nilakihan ko ng nga ang font. Mas humaba nga lang. Salamat sa mga nagtsagang bumasa... yan ang gusto ko sa inyo eh. ;p.

Sige, sa susunod ulit na nobela. Paalam! Sana makasama rin ako sa outing ng class... May 19 and 20... We'll see...

Miss ya! God bless!!!

Count down before outing...

2007-04-27T14:34:00.000+08:00

It's 2:30 PM... 1 hour to wait before we leave for our outing! Yey!!! Excited na ako!!!

Hm... for me, this is going to be a little different. Kasi, I'm used with our church outings / retreat, na more on kabusy-han ang aking inaatupag. But at the same time, I get a lot and lot of things from the Lord. :D Kahit nakakapagod, in the end, it's all worth it. With all the refreshing presence of the Lord. :D

Heto naman... hm... bihirang bihira akong makasama sa outing. Yung outing lang. I mean, bukod sa family outing. Eh yun naman wala namang programa yun at kayo kayo lang naman. Eto may program. Games and all fun. It's gonna be a little different than what I'm used with.

Fun is all I'm expecting here. Fun with the nature, with the people, with the white sand, with the water, with the sun, fun with the people...

... But still, there will be still something missing.

Well, ganun talaga. Sana magenjoy ang lahat!

2007-04-10T19:30:00.000+08:00

"But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal or like a strong soap that whitens clothes. 3 He will sit and judge like a refiner of silver, watching closely as the dross is burned away. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold or silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord."-- Malachi 3:2-3

Fellowship of Ministers and Christian Churches
Family Camp 2007: FIRE OF GOD

Woohoo! Home sweet home!!! My soft bed awaits me!!!

After our 4-day camp in Paenaan, Antipolo, at 4:00PM, Sunday, I went straight to my room, unpack my bag… but not completely, then stashed it away somewhere in the room. Then I stretched on my bed… Ooooh!! How I miss my sweet bed! My soft pillow… my soft covers… I closed my eyes and just felt the joy snuggling in the covers… Then the soft breeze of the electric fan rocked me to sleep…

Ok. Ano ba ang nangyari bago ang aking mahimbing na tulog? Apat na araw din yun… 4 unforgettable days of refreshing, rejuvenating, recharging, refilling, refueling.

Just like a soldier, worn out from the battle, then going home to the sweet haven of his own camp, meeting with the other sweaty, greasy, and bloody warriors who have fought with all their might. It felt like that. You greet each other with old familiar smiles you haven’t seen for sometime, while bearing your blood-soaked swords and tarnished shields; a scrape on one knee and a cut across the arm. It didn’t matter. It’s good to see the other warriors who have been fighting all this time. It’s good to be together again to take a rest in the presence of your Great Commander.

So much for this metaphoric picture… We had a 4-day camp in Paenaan, Antipolo during the Holy Week…

…and it was a BLAST!!! Wooohooo!!!

The theme was “Fire of God”. Too deep? Too heavy for a youth? Yeah, maybe, at first. But it was just the right theme.

I don’t know how I am going to tell the entirety of the camp… but what I can say is that God once again moved in the midst of His people as we all cry in one voice singing praises and worshipping Him at the top of our lungs! We danced before His presence; our hearts pouring out with inexplicable joy and our body ignoring every muscle that ached. It’s so amazing…

God also moved in our youth cells (ages 15-16). Nung una, iniisip ko pa, ano kaya ang message na puwede kong ishare sa magiging youth cell ko? God gave it to me just in time. Thanks rin sa aking co-leader na si Rems. Meron pa dung pasaway nung una sa group namin. But by God’s grace, we were able to endure him… hehe. By God’s grace, Rems and I lived up with our group name: PATIENCE. (From the 9 frutis of the spirits). Alam ko namang may kabutihang natatago sa kanya. Haha! Kaya yun, at the end of the camp, mabait na sha. Although makulet pa rin. But I believe God also spoke to him and moved him in some way. Kaya alam ko may nagbago rin sa kanya. Praise God for what He did in our youth cell! Sana i-treausre nila ang munting token na binigay namin sa kanila.

Then there’s the revival nights. All campers gather in the auditorium and sing praises and dance in worship before the Lord. Afterwards the Word of God (freshly baked with God’s holy fire!). Then altar call to respond the word and to the move of the Holy Spirit. Then more praise and worship ‘till the end.

In the first night, many people received Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. The heavens must be rejoicing! Then those who want to be filled with Holy Spirit and speak in different tongues were also prayed for. It was just awesome!

In the second night, the speaker did not have a chance to share the Word. Diretso na agad sa altar calling. First, pinagpray ang mga worship leaders, cupbearers (backup singers), musicians--lahat ng part sa worship team to be filled fresh with the fire of God.. Hindi ako papahuli! Then afterwards, tinawag naman ang mga involve sa computer. Hindi na ako umalis sa puwesto ko! Hoooo!!! Double blast of fire! Haha! Tapos marami pang sumunod na ipinagpray. Parang ngang last day na nga eh.

On the third night… heto na! There’s this new thing that we learned from our visitors (missionaries: the team of Ptr. Dennis Teague). The Tunnel of Fire. The pastors / ministers from our different churches formed two lines, facing each other. People will pass through the line and each pair of pastors / ministers will pray for that person. The person will pass through the line… through the tunnel until he reach the end… if he reach the end…

Because of the strong presence of God, people just could not stand on their feet. They all just fall down. And if they fall down while in the “tunnel”, they have to be carried out of the “tunnel” and give them some time with the Lord. Thank God I reached the end of the tunnel with my knees strong and stable. (The presence of the Holy Spirit manifests in different ways in different people.) At the end of the tunnel, Sis. Dianne met me and she just touched my head and prayed for me. Pinapakiramdaman ko ang knees ko kung magsheshake or manghihina. Pero stable pa rin. Tongues lang ng tongues…. Sige lang. Pinapakinggan ko ang prayer ni Sis. Dianne. Then she whispered to me… a word from God!!! She said, “The fire that God is giving you is the fire to stand up on what you believe… That is the fire that He is giving you.” I took hold of it and claimed it! Thank you Lord!

Haay… words are not enough to describe God’s amazing and awesome power. When He reveal Himself to you through His glory and magnificent power… it’s just… indescribable… no vocabulary could fit its description. Parang ang gusto mo lang sana ma-experience nalang nila ang naexperience mo para maintindihan nila…

Thank God for another refreshing camp. Indeed, indeed… the warriors were able to rest and refresh themselves. And they were all ready to get back into battle. But the battle is not that which is seen. But it is a battle within.

For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12).

Back to my room...

...the next moment I opened my eyes, guess what time was it? 8:00 AM, Monday. 16 hours straight of sleep! Lahat ng pagod naitulog ko na. Grabe. dalawang araw ko ring tulog yun!

Kakapagod talaga camp. Pero hindi naman matatawaran ang kapalit nun...

Hi

2007-04-03T21:05:00.000+08:00

Dagdag post lang...

Tagal ko ng hindi nagpopost eh. :D

Kmusta naman sa lahat?

Ako ok lang! :D

Miss ko na kayo!

A Sunny Sunday Afternoon

2007-02-25T13:54:00.000+08:00

Guess what? It's Sunday afternoon and I'm in the office right now...

TMC will be having its pilot test of its first ever computer-based training on Monday, February 26, 2007. The concept came from our new AVP so that us trainors would save time, do more work, be more productive, and of course, save our voice box. As of the moment, we have now ONE training developed into an "E-Learning Program". It's the Corporate Orientation Program which I used to discuss to an average of 50 nurses and an average of 30 non-nurses every other Mondays. Whew! Starting tomorrow, I won't be talking in our Corporate Orientation. I'll just slump my participants in front of the computer, plug their headphones, click the start button, and leave them for about an hour. After the training I will give them a quiz to test their retention. Sooner or later, the quizzes will become on-line to. We're still waiting for our HRIS...

So... what am I doing here in the office in a sunny Sunday afternoon? I'm finishing the final touches for the digital training...

Guys... I had my dream job!!! :D Amazing how God works and just put everything on its right place. Who would think that I would be having this kind of work here in Human Resources? Only God. He's simply amazing.

The idea of "going-digital" came up on December of year 2006 when our new AVP came. She's so dependent of computers and database and automation that when she saw our paper-rich office... she wanted to faint. She could not believe our exams are still paper-and-pencil. And our training manuals are still reproduced through memeographs and binded with a single staple wire. We would like to say, "Welcome to Jurassic Park!"

But not for her vision--and her quite demanding personality--we won't be having this digital stuff developed.

And I'm glad to take the job!

But... there's just this one little catch. I get to do the job I want to do. However, I'm not paid with the usual pay one can get with this kind of job. You see, a 15-second flash presentation could cost you THOUSANDS. And I've been like working on a 1,200-second interactive flash program and I just get a pay of an HR assistant--of The Medical City. (if you get what I mean...). Plus I get to work extra hours due to the crawling memory of my computer. Our IT said the specs was upgraded compared the usual computers they deploy. But it seems it needs more upgrading. Plus, working with my boss (AVP) means working in perfection. Mmm... not really 100% perfect. But at least 99.9% perfect. :D Edit here, edit there... she has a very keen observation that she sees every minute details. Well... she's just doing her job. Though... she stretches my patience sometimes, God just add up ounce after ounce of patience and strength to do the things I have to do.

I'm not complaining. I'm just laying down facts of my life. ;p I know God has a plan. And He's teaching me a lesson. So whatever oppurtunities He gives to me, I'll grab it! As long as it comes from Him. And as long as I'm walking on His will. Ever since, salary has never been a major issue to me. Of course, money is money. And you need it to live. But the right time will come. I don't need to rush things and get a fat bank account all in one snap. But you guys who get a really good pay today are really blessed. Give thanks to God.

Right now, I am saving a 12-minute movie about TMC's world class facilities. And its gonna take 4 hours to save it completely. So... I'll be here until... around before 7pm. I still have to fix some links in the flash.

*sigh*... if not for God's strength and patience within me, I won't be here in the office in a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Maybe... someday, I'll get to work in a real studio. Or maybe, put up my own business. But definitely, I'm gonna be using this gift for God's ministry.

Just want to encourage you guys... you'll have your dream job. :D Just have faith and delight in whatever God wants you to do right now. Be faithful in little things before He gives you bigger things. Time will come... time will come. And pray for that dream job too. Make sure it's really what God wants you to do.

God bless you!

botante

2007-01-12T08:07:00.000+08:00

Sa Mayo, botohan na naman...

At di pa rin ako kasali doon.

Kasi naman... last week of December ang registration of new voters. Nasa probinsya naman kasi ako noon... Bigla ko nalang nakita sa news, may fini-feature na isang lugar na super haba ng pila para sa registration.

Kaya, heto. Wala pa rin akong silbing mamamayan. Well, at least, I'm paying the tax. ;p

Kung sa bagay... parang hanggang ngayon wala pa rin sa muwang ko yung boto-boto na yan. But then again, I'm losing my right.

May alam ba kayo na extension ng registration? Parang feeling ko nakakahiya naman kung sa susunod pang election ako magpa-register. Baka sabihin nila: "Tanda na nito ah. Ngayon lang magreregister. Hulihin yan!!!"

WAAH!!!

hehe.

sige... sa susunod ulet. Happy voting! ;p

happy new year

2007-01-10T13:15:00.000+08:00

HAPPY
NEW
YEAR!!!

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-25T08:55:00.000+08:00

Hi! Merry Christmas!!!

It's been a month since my last post here. So here I am. Updates, updates, updates...

Ok... so what was keeping me busy this Christmas season? Kakatapos lang ng aming youth concert sa church last December 15. We had less than a month to prepare and to rehearse... I never thought it would be successful. Of course, I prayed for its success for God's glory. But then again... I lack optimistic spirit these days...

Anyway... praise God talaga sa kinalabasan. :D Amazing... On stage, the fear was still there. You know... fear that you won't be able to lead the people to worship. But we know na si Lord ang magmu-move... by His grace alone. And we just praise God for the outcome of the concert. Glory to God alone...

Then, the next major event that happened lately was my weeklong Christmas party. Party sa Church, then sa youth, then sa division ng company namin, then sa class naman. Hindi na nga natuloy yung Christmas party ng department at ng section namin. Kung natuloy pa yun... hay, kapagod.

I really enjoyed our class Christmas Party, Dec 22-23 at Pai's house. Kahit na nakatulog na ako ng around 2am, masaya pa rin dahil at least, nakasama ko ulet kayo. :D Akalain niyo yun... last year, hati ang attention natin. A part of us wants to enjoy the party. The other part wants to finish the thesis... such a bittersweet memory. At gaya nga ng madalas nating sabihin noon, balang araw ay babalik-balikan nalang natin ang thesis days natin. Ito na yung araw na sinasabi natin noon. :D Amazing isn't it?

Hayun...

Last night, Christmas Eve, I watched Polar Express sa HBO. Nakakatuwa yung digital graphics (pero mas maganda pa rin ang gawa ng Pixar). Nice moral of the story. Nice ending. Overall, the movie was good. Great for kids. But then I noticed... I was not happy watching the movie. Why...?

Because, Santa Clause was so highlighted in the story. Parang... all glory to him! Thanks to him we have Christmas! Yeah i know, it's just fantasy. Just a story. And it's for the children. But then again, the true reason for Christmas is being... neglected. Forgotten. Taken for granted. Especially by the kids. At a young age, iba na ang main character ng Christmas para sa kanila. Giving, love, family... yes it's all part of the spirit of Christmas. But the very reason for Christmas is Jesus... and not Santa. Believing in Jesus, knowing His love for us, and accepting the salvation He gave to us is the entire picture of Christmas. From the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger to the man ripped of clothes and flesh and nailed on a cross... it's a far picture from Santa's red suit and sack, dropping off presents through the houses' chimneys. Yes, both convey the spirit of giving. But still, it is He who who was born to die for our sins who deserves the glory.

Uh... yun lang. It just bothered me. That's all.

Merry Christmas to you all! May the true reason of Christmas reign in your hearts. Remember, this season is not only for children. It's for every single soul living here on earth. Becuase God's gift--Jesus--is for all of us. Share God's love and salvation.

Bye bye!
Next year na ulet.

Christmas Party

2006-11-24T19:01:00.000+08:00

Yahoo! Pasko na!!!

Ang tagal ko na namang hindi nakapag-net. Kaya eto, ligaw na naman ako sa mga nangyayari sa klase natin... Leah, salamat sa pagtawag! Mwah!

Sana makasama tayong lahat. =) Yung video ng grad natin... um... pasensya na. Hindi ko pa rin nasisimulan. Kulang pa rin ang grad pics. But I'm not expecting any pics na... kung magpapass kayo, mas mabuti. Pero pag nasimulan ko na... pasensha na lang po. Magdo-drawing nalang ako ng gradpic niyo at creative shot. (nyahaha!!! ano mas gusto niyo? gradpic niyo o drawing ko??)
joke lang... Basta, gagawin ko yun. Kahit makatapos pa tayo ng post grad degrees, gagawin ko pa rin yun. =)

Hayun. =D Hmmm... miss you all a lot! =D God bless you all!

update

2006-11-11T12:43:00.000+08:00

Sorry, ang tagal kong hindi nagpost. Tagal ko kasi hindi nakabili ng card.

Lots of updates! Grabe... And I just give all the glory to God for all the things that happened lately.

First, I got my regularization contract signed. Yahoo!!! Increase sa suweldo! Pero di hamak na mas malaki pa rin ang sweldo ng iba jan... ^-^

Secondly, tapos na ang accreditation ng TMC... and we had a good feedback! Ibig sabihin, pasado kami sa accreditation! Yey!!! Pero wala pa yung gold seal. Mga four to six weeks pa daw. Kaya, sulit ang lahat ng pagod... lahat ng OT... lahat ng sabado na pinasok namin... yung overnight namin... HAAAY... we deserve a bonus! haha!

Thirdly, yung dinner namin nila orange, lola, gay, czar, sd, myk at lynard. Kahit walo kami... busog pa rin kami. Hehe. ^-^ Super nostalgic talaga ako pag-uwi ko... how I miss my classmates so much!!! Sana yung iba magparamdam naman at magpakita minsan-minsan... next time ulet! Sayang lang wala picture. (uy orange! yung divisoria bonding natin ha!? sked natin yun!!!)

Ano pa ba... Hayun! Thank God for His faithfulness in my life though I'm not always faithful to Him.

God bless you!!! Mwah!

narci trip...

2006-10-07T23:52:00.000+08:00

koHaha! Ang kulet nito. Hindi mo alam kung mabibilib ka, o pagdududahan mo... yung iba mukhang totoo, yung iba mukhang kasinungalingan, at karamihan mukhang kalokohan! hehe! Pero masaya!

Kaya ito, makiride nalang kayo sa narci trip ko...

(Tribute to She. Siya ang nakadiscover nito. :D)

ME AND MY COPYCATS... (nyahahaha!!!)

O diba? Kapanipaniwala ba? Bahala na kayo manghusga... hehehe...
Kung gusto niyo rin subukan, sign up kayo sa http://www.myheritage.com. Tapos click niyo yung link na face recognition. Tapos yung collage. Susunod nalang kayo sa wizard.

O siya. Salamat sa pakikisama. Kung may objections man sa mga mukhang ito, sige lang, post niyo jan sa tagboard! hehehe! :D

Bye! Miss ya all!!!

wala ng nagboblog

2006-09-30T08:06:00.000+08:00

hay...

masyado ng busy ang mga tao para mag blog.

wala ng bumibisita ng blog ko...

huhu.

anyways, sige, magpopost pa rin ako. para sa kung sino man ang matalisod dito. :D

dito ako ngayon office. Sabado na sabado. may training kasi.

O sha. un lang. dumaan lang ako. God bless sa inyong lahat. Be strong in the Lord.

life...

2006-09-27T22:25:00.000+08:00

I've been visiting other peoples' friendster and blogs lately.

It's fun getting to know updates from them. Especially their pictures. You get to know how do they look like today.

Elementary... highschool... college...

Everyone.

Anyone.

I just enjoy seeing them again. Maybe not in person, but at least, through their pictures.

--

Pasensya na nagdadrama lang po.

Ano na ba nangyari sakin lately? Eto, pagod. Pero kayod pa rin. Sa office, sa church... sa bahay (mostly para matulog na lang) Eto na buhay ko.

Naala niyo yung huli kong post? Tungkol dun sa training ko na singkwenta ang participants ko? Praise God! Amazing talaga kumilos si Lord. Nung umaga, super aligaga talaga ako. Hindi ko nga naubos lunch ko. Tinatawanan pa ko ng manager ko dahil natetense daw ako. Pero inencourage naman niya ako. Nung malapit ng magstart, medyo unti-unti na nagsa-subside yung kaba. Hanggang nung magstart na, ok na! No throw-ups, no sick feeling, no mental blocks. All went smoothly. I just can't contain my gratitude to the Lord for giving me the words and guts to speak. May advantage rin pala kapag geriatric--este, kapag di hamak na mas nakakatanda sa'yo ang audience mo. Kahet corny joke mo, kagat pa rin! Bwahehehe... kahit di sila madaling turuan, madali silang utuin. Hehe! Joklang... Pero, kidding aside, all glory to God!

Service architecture ulet yung training. Iniisip ko nga, sa tinagal-tagal ba naman nila dito sa TMC, hindi pa ba nila alam 'to? Eh, hello? Tinuturo 'to kapag newly hired palang. Pero, doctors' secretaries pala sila. At hindi sila dumadaan sa proseso ng HR. Direcho sila sa doctor. Kapag nagustuhan sila, OK! May trabaho ka na! Doc's din ang nagpapasweldo. Kaya in short, hindi sila empleyado ng TMC.

Unfortunately, they have to render a quality service that is at par with other world class institutions. Because they bear the name of TMC. Kayalang, nagrereklamo sila. (Para ngang naging grievance session yung training eh...) Dami daw masusungit na pasyente, toxic ang ibang mga doctors, et cetera et cetera... Parang di nila kayang gawin yung framework ng service na tinuturo sa aming service architecture. Yes, they bear the name of TMC. But TMC doesn't recognize them as part of the institution. Hindi sila empleyado. Hindi sila kapamilya. Wala sila nung benefits na tinatamasa ng mga empleyado talaga. Haay... kawawa naman sila.

Kaya nung nag air out sila ng kanilang mga hinaing, pinakikinggan ko lang sila. Malay ko ba kung ano ang isasagot ko sa kanila. Kaya hinayaan ko nalang sila na mag-express ng kung ano man ang nasa sa loob nila. Alam naman nila na hindi ako ang tamang person na makakasagot sa kanila eh. After the training, I grabbed the chance to pray for them in our closing prayer. To give them more strength, patience, wisdom, understanding... lahat na. Para maayos at masaya silang makapagtrabaho.

I hope through these trainings, hindi lang ako makapagshare ng knowledge. Sana, maging channel rin ako ng blessing para sa mga trainees. And may God's goodness be reflected through me in any way possible.

Ok! yun lang. Kamusta nalang sa inyo. God bless you! Be strong in the Lord! Mwah!

post

2006-09-18T22:29:00.000+08:00

Got home today with a heavy headache... dull pain all over my head specially at the nape area. Can't stare still and focus my eyes that much on things kasi lalo sumasakit. Parang gusto magpop out ng eyeballs ko. Ang saket. Kaya too bad, I wasn't able to attend our Youth Leaders' Meeting. Hinihintay ko pa naman din yun kasi it's one of my spiritual wellsprings. Stress lang siguro. Mostly psychological. May schedule na naman kasi akong magtraining tomorrow eh...

Di ko pala nakukuwento. I had my first training as a facilitator last week in the Service Architecture with the Arellano Nursing Students na nag-eexposure sa TMC. Kabado siyempre. Pero iniisip ko na lang na parang reporting lang ito...

Pero... hindi pa rin eh. Kasi, in college, when you report, you just deliver the information. Pero sa training, you don't just give them the information. You instill it to them. You help them chew it. You speak the words right from your heart, not just from your short term memory. Kaya hindi pa rin na-alis ang kaba. Kahit naattendan ko naman na yun, at nakita ko naman na siyang iconduct ng aming trainor talaga, iba pa rin pag idedeliver ko na.

Praise God it turned out well. Konti lang naman ang students. 10 lang sila kaya madali lang utuin--este, turuan. Hehe. Pero sadyang boring ang topic kaya kahit gaanong pilit ko silang gisingin sa pagtuturo ko, hindi pa rin mawala ang antok nila. I understand them. Super. Ganon din kasi ako eh. Bali, 2 hours yung lecture. Mabilis na yun. Kasi usually ang Service Architecture ay around 3 1/2 hours. Pero ayoko namang magtagal ng ganon. Nakakaawa naman yung mga students. Parehas lang ang attention span namin.

Haay. What stressed me out this morning was when i learned that I have another schedule of training tomorrow. Sa mga doctors' secretaries. Same topic. Pero, matatanda na mga 'to kaya ewan ko lang kung mabibilog ko ulo nila. Hehe. Pinanghahawakan ko nalang yung 1Tim 4:12 -- "Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young. But set an example to the believers in speech, in life, in faith, in love, and in purity." My confidence in not in my self. It is in the Lord.

Pero hindi pa nagtatapos 'don. Guess what kung ilan sila... tumatagingting na SINGKWENTA. 50. LIMANGPU. FIFTY. Kaya siguro sumakit ulo ko dahil dito.

Well, tingnan nalang natin bukas. Bibilisan ko lang. Brief but concise. Tutal, sabi naman ng senior trainor namin, ang kakain ng oras ay ang pagshe-share ng mga experiences. Since mga may edad na sila, mas marami silang mashe-share. Makikinig nalang ako. hehe. :D

O sha, hayun lang. Bihira na talaga ako makapag-post. Aaargh!!! I'm really crying out for one extra day sa isang linggo. 8 days a week!!! 8 days a week!!! 8 days a week!!! Haaaay... Buti sana kung puro work lang iniintindi ko. But I have responsibilites in our Chruch rin. Sa family and house rin. And most especially, sa spiritual life ko. I can't drop any of them. Iniisip ko nga, pag-ako naka-ipon na ng maganda ganda. Magbui-business nalang ako. Magtatayo ako ng editing studio ko. Harhar. :D Taopos mas makakapagconcentrate na ako sa work ko sa Church and I'll have all the time to spend time alone with my Lord. Tutal, hindi naman talaga ako after sa top ng corporate ladder. Kung yun ang will ni Lord so be it. I'll try my best to accomplish it. pero ngayon, wala pa yun sa heart ko. Because for me, success is not money and fame and perfection and dreams coming true. Success is when you finish what the Lord wants you to do. When you accomplish His will. No matter what it is. To be a president of a company, to be a loving wife and mother, to be a person of influence... it doesn't matter. What matters is for us to do God's will. No more. No less. And we won't accomplish it unless we're walking along His path.

Kaya yung mga wala pang work jan, grab this time to seek God's will for your life. Boy, I tell you, life is TOO short! Not time to make petiks petiks. Seek God. Seek God's face. Seek His path. Seek His throne. "Seek Him while He may be found." Hindi naman kasi tayo pipilitin ni Lord eh. He will wait as He make ways para pansinin natin Siya. But He won't wait forever. That's the scary truth. That's why if you must decide, decide NOW.

O siya sige. Have a blessed week. Miss you all.

2006-08-31T23:49:00.000+08:00

grrr.... ang haba ng latest kong post!!!

NABURAAAA!!!!

Ano ba...

ulet na naman...?

ano pa nga ba...

bukas na nga.

the hare and the bunny

2006-08-17T07:07:00.000+08:00

It was my first time to facilitate our FMCC Youth Leaders' Meeting in ICACF, Pasig this Monday. What do we do here? Well, we just get together... all of us youth leaders of FMCC just see each other, praise and worship God together, pray together, strengthen and encourage each other... Though it is not a formal meeting, for me, it's somethign special. Because it is really one of my spiritual wellspring. Every Monday, I always get a fresh word from the Lord, a fresh spark in my heart that adds up to the blazing fire within.

Each of us are scheduled to facilitate in this meeting. My schedule was last Monday.

I have been worrying about what to share for the past two weeks before that Monday night. I sought the Lord's heart and for that two weeks, I thought it was a futile attempt. Not knowing that God had already impressed in my heart what He wanted to tell to the rest of us on that particulary Monday night.

One or two months ago, right after we draw lots on the schedule of facilitating the meeting, I suddenly became interested reading the life of Solomon, since he was a very wise king. He particularly asked the Lord for wisdom. And God gave him to it. Thus, he became the most wise king of Israel.

But while I was reading it, I realized that I should start from the roots of Solomon's life... and that is his father David. So I flipped my Bible to the book of 2 Samuel. But it was not enough. I really want to start from the beginning of his family line. So I started reading 1 Samuel...

And it was awesome! It was like I was reading a novel and each scene really pops up alive in my head. The wars, Saul's pursuit for David, David's fugitive days... I really enjoyed reading it.

And as the Monday night came nearer and nearer, I really asked God what He wants me to share. Two weeks before that Monday, I ran across an article in the Ilumina software. (It's a Bible software. Really helpful) It was about the book of Samuel. And it says there, it was a book of great beginnings... and tragic endings.

Why?

I'll tell in my next post. Got to go. My stomach is rumbling.

Kain muna ako ng breakfast.

And yes, I'm in the office as early as 6:35 in the morning. Coding kasi papa ko. Wala akong ibang masasabayan pagpunta dito.

See ya!

dinner

2006-07-22T23:04:00.000+08:00

Haaay... sa wakas! Nakita ko na rin ang mga classmates ko...

Hindi ko talaga pinalagpas ang chance na 'to na makita sila ulit. Masaya ako. :D It makes me smile. Sabi nga ni trish: "Tumataas pisngi ko eh. Di ko mapigilan." hehe...

It has been a tiring weekend for me. Friday night, we stayed over night in the office to arrange the 201 files. FYI, TMC is not a paperless office. Not like what you are in your offices maybe. Sure, we have 201 database. But we have this room called the "stock room" and in that room we kept the monstrous files of 201. Papers. Papers. Papers. Papers. Papers... Papers... Papers...
But I was amazed with the huge improvement of that 201. Nung nago-ojt pa kasi kami, grabe... parang kang nasa ibang mundo pag nasa loob ka ng stock room... sobrang nagkalat ang mga papel. Ang mga folders. Minsan hindi mo na makita yung ibang 201 dahil sobrang gulo nga. Pero ngayon, a year later, aba, maayos na ang files. They are now nicely lined alphabetically inside the filing cabinet and on the new customized shelves along the wall.

But then again, now that TMC is on the JCIA thingy, we have to work double time. Kelangan maayos ang lahat. Kailangan maging OC ang lahat pag nagtatrabaho. We even have to study the everything about TMC. Disaster plans, service architecture, corporate orientation, patients rights and responsibilities, HR policies... grabe...

Back to the overnight. Ayun nga, nag-overnight kami. Grabe. Wala talagang tulugan. From 8am to 5:30 am. o diba? 12 hours din OT yun. Hindi ko lang alamkung ano mangyayari sa case ko. Kasi hindi pa ako entitiled sa mga OT pay na yan eh. O-TY lang ako. Pero gagawan daw nila ng paraan. Kung hindi gagawing extended off, baka bayaran.

Ang saya ng overngiht. Kahit super pagod-pagod kami. At kahit nagmukang evacuation center ang hr dahil hinakot lahat ng kalat sa stock room palabas. Nagparaffle pa ng mga gifts na hindi na naibigay sa mga employees dahil resigned na.

Kakapagod lang talaga ng overnight. I got home around 6am. I slept till 12:30 pm. Ok na. bawi na rin kahit papaano 6 hours. Tapos direcho ligo. Punta sa church for the youth fellowship. Then after that, round 6pm, ni-rush ko na ang newsletter namin para makaabot pa ako sa dinner. Buti na lang maaga nagsubmit ng mga articles ang mga dapat magsubmit ng articles. Hindi naman marami mashado, hindi rin naman mashadong kaunti. Tamang-tama lang.

And thank God, nakaabot rin ako sa dinner. Ang saya talaga. Natutuwa ako sa mga itsura na nila. Parang lahat nagmature. But I know, they are and they will always be the sec-c that I've been with. Natutuwa ako sa mga naririnig kong mga kwento. Tungkol sa work nila, sa med school, updates sa buhay at sa mga nangyayari sa iba pa naming classmates. Sana sa susunod hindi na ako mashado ma-hassle sa pag sama sa dinner. Ang hirap kasi mag-sched eh lalo na pag may permanent commitments ka na.

I really thank God for allowing me to see my classmates again. I also thank my dad for giving me a ride to robinsons and waited for me until the end of the dinner.

Haay... tiring day but filled with fun and memorable moments.

God bless you! miss yah! Thank you very much to those who organized the dinner. Sa uulitin. :D

open doors

2006-07-09T21:22:00.000+08:00

My contract with TMC is only up to July 14. And until last week, I've been so anxious on what will happen next. Last monday, (july 3, Pasig day, non-working holiday) I went to Cityland to try out their opening. Since it's a Christian company, and my mom knows a few people working there, I tried it out. They told me to wait their call this coming week.

Um... there's just one problem. I don't "feel" the workplace. Well, I know, hindi ako dapat maging pihikan sa pagtatrabahuhan ko. Kasi, baka dun na pala ako gusto ilagay ni Lord. Baka yun na yung workplace na pinrepare Niya for me. Tapos nag-iinarte ako. Edi I missed what He wants to do for me na. But then again... yun pa rin yung nafi-feel ko. Ok. Let's just say... habang nagtetest ako, wala akong naririnig na iba kung hindi typewriters. And, everybody looks old. And it was just one big office, lahat ng departments andun na. Parang faculty. Same table. Same sizes of table. Lots of papers... Dito nga kaya ako gusto pagtrabahuhin ni Lord? Well... I'm not that sure yet. But if it's His will for me to work there, I will work there.

Then this entire week that just passed was like a huge crossroad before me. I had an oppurtunity in TMC.

Kasi ganito, hindi pa ako naeevaluate kasi. Eh sa 14 na end ko. Hold na nga sweldo ko eh. Sabi ng recruitment namin, pwede daw ako ilipat sa ibang department-- sa Medical Quality Improvement, research assistant. Item daw talaga yun kaya may chance talaga na maregular ako. They advised me to stay in TMC kais maganda daw yung benefits, specially yung health benefits. After praying for it, I decided to take the offer. Wala naman akong ibang offers sa ibang company.

On the day that I was scheduled for an interview with the head of the MQI Department, a news came from one of our staff--she over heard that our training manager is in need of a training staff. And she is considering me. I was... thrilled. A little. But at least, if it would be true, I won't have to leave HR dept. Anyways, I waited. Before I go home, kinausap na nga ako nung manager. Yun nga daw, she is in need of a training assistant. A person who is creative who can do leg works in training and at the same who can speak and facilitate seminars. Kasi ngayon, nagpapa-accredit ang TMC internationally. They call this Joint Commission on International Accreditation. So naknakan talagang dami ng trainings in preparation for the accreditation this comming october november december. So yun. She asked my background, what I am doing right now. I told her I'm involved in our creative arts ministry. Man, she was so thrilled! And it was good thing that we share the same faith. She's a born-again Christian as well, a super active member of one the ministry in their church. (But I hope her relationship with God is as active too.) She asked me if it's ok with me to facilitate seminars. Honestly... well, guys you know me. I don't speak that much. But if I have to, I will speak up. By God's grace, and by God's g I will speak up. So I told her that. So I told her that. Leg work is fine with me. But talking is not much my forte. But I want to try it. Actually, while we were talking, I was excited to take the job. I asked God to search my heart. Baka kasi surge of excitement lang. Tapos sa huli, magsisi ako. Pero, hanggang ngayon naman yun pa rin nafi-feel ko.

So ayun... finally nung friday nakausap na rin ako nung manager namin (mam noys). And she asked me if the arrangement is fine with me. I said yes. She told me that my status would be neither casual nor probi. It would be a project basis that would extend till around march 2007. By that time, according to mam noys, I might be able to get on board.

This coming week will be my transition week. Hay... Praise God for what He is doing in my life. Pray for me. For clear directions. I'm happy for you all! God bless.

...

2006-07-01T09:27:00.000+08:00

4C UPDATES

Gladys called last night. She updated me of what's going on right now with our class. (kasi, alam niyo na, napaka-SMART ko para malaman ang mga nangyayari sa ating GLOBE-al community)

Anyways. Ang saya-saya ko nung pinapakinggan ko mga kwento niya about her work and how she's doing fine there and how she's having fun. Plus, other extra stories that really... um... shocked me. Well, not that really shocked me. I'm just suprised kasi nga, wala akong kaguni-guni sa mga nangyayari sa inyo jan. Hay naku... wala bang nagbebenta ng extra cellphone unit jan? Kahit 5110 papatulan ko. Magkaglobe lang ako para naman makarinig naman ako sa inyo... teka... naalala niyo pa ba ako? Naaalala niyo pa ba na once upon a time, you had a classmate named ARIANNE? hehe... :D joklang.

Si mike din pala, pasok na sa sykes. Congrats! Onting tiis. Ganyan talaga magtrabaho. Ika nga ni Ma'm Nerisse (kinakamusta ka niya kasi) walang madaling trabaho.

At si Lele! Grabe! Amazing! Sa meralco ka na pala Le! Biruin mo yun? Nakapag-trabaho ka na at lahat-lahat, saka palang nila naprocess ang application mo? Pero at least diba, God used sykes to be your training ground. :D God bless Lele! Discount naman jan sa kuryente o. hehe...

Si Ness rin hindi ako makapaniwala!!! Sobra!!! nasa college of accounting ka na pala??? Grabe! Ma'am Ness ka na!!! hehehe! Sobra... gusto kita makita Ma'am Ness! I'm so happy for you. May you be a channel of encouragement and blessing to the students.

Si tiffy naman, siya na ang humahawak ng business ng nanay niya. Kamusta naman ang presidente natin noon? Presidente na ng business ngayon!!! BIGTIME!!!! WOOOHOOO!!! Bow talaga ako sayo tiffy!

Sino pa ba ang may work na jan? Kamusta na kayo? At sa mga nagmemed jan! Pagbutihin niyo ha? Kayang-kaya niyo yan! At sa mga naghahanap pa rin ng work, God bless you sa inyong patuloy na paghahanap. I'm sure na may nakalaan na workplace sa inyo si Lord, kahit saan pa o ano man yan.

Ako... heto... hanggang july 14 na lang ang contract ko sa Medical City. Pero hanggang ngayon di pa rin ako naeevaluate. Na-hold pa yung suweldo ko kahapon dahil ganun yung policy nila. Yung huling payday before you leave, ihohold nila yun. Sayang nga. Kasi, kung july 15 ako mag-eend, ang ihohold nila yung pang july 15. Sayang... hay... ika nga ni orange, "pabigat na naman ako sa lipunan"... So, once lang ako sumweldo... hay...

Hayun. Updates naman sa blog ninyo. Para naman hindi ako ma-OP. hehe. Sige, God bless sa inyong lahat! Luv you all! Miss ya!!!

just wanna thank you Lord

2006-06-16T23:31:00.000+08:00

"Hi! I'm Arianne! And I'm Twen-teen years old."

...haaay.

Hirap ipilit noh? Hindi talaga puwede. Goodbye suffix "-teen". Hello suffix "-ty".

So, how's my 1st day as a 20 year old? Well, it was just like any other day. Wake up early. Take a bath. Dress up. Make up. Go to work. Pray along the way. Work till 5. Go home. Go to church for a meeting. Go home. Eat late dinner. Seat in front of my laptop to check mails and update blogs and friendster...

Yup. Just like any other day... just like any other day that I would be grateful for. For what?

- Because I woke up this morning with God's fresh new mercy showering and with the knoweldge that He has prepared a pack of grace good enough to last for the entire day.
- I also woke up with my inbox filled with text messages of greetings from many people whom I love and love me as well.
- The first thing that greeted me downstairs were two pecks of kisses from my mom and dad plus greetings of "Happy Birthday!" from my entire family.
- My mom prepared my lunch so I won't have to buy expensive food in the foodcourt at TMC. (With the help of Michelle, our new 'housemate' here.)
- My dad brought me to my workplace, just like what he patiently does ever since I started prep, then elementary, then highschool, and up to college.
- I had the ride towards work with my ate Di, my childhood friend whom God is constantly using as a source of encouragement, not only to me but also to other people, specially youth.
- I entered the office and everybody greeted me.
- I had a great lunch with my officemates and with the food that my Mom prepared for me.
- I had a good supply of strength, patience, wisdom, and joy for my work that day from God.
- I got hold of my first fruits of labor (Oh yeah! Wooohooo! 1st time mag-withdraw sa ATM! Promise!!!)
- Had a meeting with my co-leaders regarding youth ministry and our next activity for the next fellowship
- Had a safe trip home
- Had a good late night meal

Yup. Just like any other day to be thankful for.

And the rest of the 20 years... well, can't enumerate all the things I'm grateful for. But maybe, I can summarize a few...

I am grateful to God for:
1. Giving me a life and a chance to live and to serve Him for His glory. And for giving me saving grace.
2. Giving me parents who have been by my side since the day of my conception.
3. Giving me this family and giving me to them.
4. Giving me my relatives who are always supportive, and caring, and thoughtful, and encouraging.
5. Giving me friends who have been with me through ups and downs... and sideways. In sane and insane moments. In laughter, in tears... elementary, high school, and college...
6. Giving me a family in my college, the sec-c, and my special circle of friends, plp
7. Giving me a family in church, my co-leaders, my second parents, my ate's and kuya's and lil' bros and sis in Christ
8. Giving me a job, a nice company to work in, officemates and new friends, and new experiences in the real world of work.

And I just thank God for 20 years of His faithfulness to my life.

Praise God for those TWENTY years! Who knows what's instored for me for the next decades...

tired...

2006-05-29T23:41:00.000+08:00

I'm getting tired of what I'm doing in the Medical City... As I can see it now, they don't really need an additional staff in HR. Kasi, feeling ko, nauubsan ako ng work. Hindi dahil sa mabilis ako gumawa. Pero dahil walang ineendorse sakin. Yung immediate superior ko kasi, busy rin kaya hindi niya rin ako masabihan kung ano ang mga dapat kong gawin. Sa ngayon, ang mga ginagawa ko lang ay gumawa ng certificate of employment, at ayusing ang files sa kwarto ng ex-boss namin na nag resign.

Now this brings me to my dilemma. Part of me, of course, wants to get a stable job as soon as possible so I can start helping out with my family and save up for my future. But another part of me (which I think is a lot bigger part) just wants to end this contract I have with TMC. Kasi nga, parang... talagang nabo-bore ako sa ginagawa ko. Pero siyempre, what can I expect? I'm the lowliest in position among them. Ako ang bago. So start talaga sa simula. I know that great things start from small beginnings... It's not that I feel degraded. It's just that I'm bored. I know myself too well... I get tired easily with things I do again... and again... and again... and again...

But I tell you guys... God is ever faithful. it is only through Him that I am able to cope up with all of these things--with work, with the growing ministry, with the great responsibility at hand to shepherd the flock of youth God has given to us. It is only by His grace. And by His grace alone... No more. No less.

For now, I'm not so bothered with my growing tiredness of work in TMC. But what bothers me is when I get tired with my work in the ministry. It scares me to think that someday, I might burn-out of fire to serve the Lord and to serve His people. That's what I am guarding myself of right now. I'm really really praying to God that He would really give me the strength to run the race and win the prize for Him at the finish line. That he would equip me to win the raging battle within me--my spirit against my flesh--and within the ministry as well. Everytime I think of some of the past youth leaders that grew weary and tired, and finally succumbed to the deceiving offers of this world, it scares me a lot. It could happen to me. It could definitely happen to me. That's why I'm really praying for God's protection and preservation. Wisdom, strength, patience, love... everything that I have to have in order to live up a true Christian life--holy before the Lord. Purely consecrated for Him. Worthy to belong in His kingdom.

All of us youth servant-leaders in our church must be struggling as well. Especially my two siblings in Christ, who are really in a big struggle as well. Just like me. God is faithful. And if we would just cry out to Him and call on to His name, He will never forsake us. He will be the one to give us the strength to finish the race, to win the battle!

I really pray that I would be able to carry out my responsibilities as a daughter to my parents and to my heavenly Father, and as servant-leader as well.

By God's grace alone. By God's grace alone.

work

2006-05-26T23:26:00.000+08:00

Haaay... kapagod magtrabaho. Papasok sa umaga ng Lunes, 8 ng umaga, wala ka ng ibang iniisip kung hindi 5:00 ng Biyernes ng hapon...

Biyernes na ngayon... dumating rin ang inaasam-asam ko...

Let me share to you guys what I'm doing in the Medical City:

1. Certificate of Employment - easy task kasi may template na. Just have to change the name, the department, position, salary, date started, date resigned (if they are already resigned)... plus, double check everything if you did it right.

2. Routing - or "magpapareceive". Pero mas matindi ang "routing". Kasi, dito, parang magdidistribute ka ng mga documents sa LAHAT ng departments ng Medical City. From Lower Ground to 15th floor. 15th floor down to 5th floor, puro nurses' station lang ang drop off ng documents. But 4th floor down to Lower Ground, diyan nagkalat ang iba't iba at samu't saring mga departments... kakaligaw... kakalito... kakahilo... kakaiyak... kakaantok... kakapagod... kakangawit... so kaka!!! More than a week nako sa TMC. Pero hanggang ngayon, my immediate superior still has to note in what floor I can find the departments... grabe...

3. Maghanap ng Tickler - ang tickler ay ang employee's record--card ba tawag dun? Basta, dun nakarecord kung kelan ka nagstart, magkano ka nagstart, ano huli mong sweldo, at kelan ka nagresign (kung resigned ka na). Ginagamit 'to sa paggawa ng Certificate of Employment (COE). May kanya-kanya silang taguan at naka-grupo according to departments (But not alphabetized...) Since marami ang nurses, nakagrupo na sila according to letters. Ang masaklap sa paghahanap ng Tickler, ay kapag hindi mo sila makita sa dapat nilang kinalalagyan... kelangan mong ISAISAHIN LAHAT ng mga tickler. (Mga 1,000 + lang naman ang empleyado ng TMC)

4. Ayusin ang kuwarto ni Sir Crispin Peralta - Kasi, si sir Cris, siya ang Asst. Vice Pres. ng TMC. Sa HR siya. At resigned na siya. Last day niya nung May 15. Yung Manager namin ngayon, si Ma'am Noys, lilipat na sa kuwarto ni sir Cris. Eh nagkalat ang folders. At mejo tattered na ang mga folders. Kaya pinapalipat niya sakin lahat ng files sa bagong folder, gawan daw ng magandang label (computerized) at ialphabetized... ang problema, walang extra folder sa warehouse. Kaya maghihintay pa ako ng darating na stock para masimulan ko na...

5. Magtawag sa mga departments kapag may kelangang iannounce - Easy lang. Feeling ko nasa call center ako. "Hi goodafternoon this is Arianne from HR. May I speak with the supervisor or the headnurse? Thank you."

6. Gumawa ng Memo for Tardiness at Awol - Eto ang masaya. Kasi ito yung 1st time kong gawin this week. Nakakaantok mejo sa paghahanap ng mga late at awol sa napakahabang list ng time-in at time-out para sa April 16-30. Pero ang sarap naman ng feeling kapag may nakita kang employee na may 3 lates na lagpas ng 10 mins (kasi may grace period) at awol! Haha! Tapos gagawan ng memo.

Hayn... so far, yan ang mga pinagkakaablahanan ko sa aking isang linggo sa TMC. Minsan nauubusan ako ng trabaho. Kasi paisa-isa mag-endorse yung immediate superior ko. Hmph.

O siya, yun lang. :D I'm praying na makahanap na ng trabaho ang mga dapat ng makahanap ng trabaho. And God bless sa mga magmemed!!! Malapit na pasukan niyo? God bless you with wisdom and strength and patience and love for studying and learning!!! Plus financial blessings rin!!! I Miss you all guys... *sniff* Sana matuloy rin ang outing kung saan man yan. At sana may pera tayong lahat. At sana available ang lahat... kung hindi lahat, ang karamihan... at sana kasama ako sa "karamihan" na yun...

Sige, paalam for now!

mi3

2006-05-17T21:45:00.000+08:00

Naalala ko... 2 weeks ago, nanood kami ng mi3... hindi ko naipost. Kaya eto...

WAAAH!!!!! Kaloka!!! Kakahingal!!! Maganda nga sha. Super astig. Pero sobrang nakakahingal!!! Hay... I therfore conclude... pang Disney lang talaga ako. OA na kung OA, pero talaga... kahit pag-uwi ko sa bahay nanlalambot pa rin ako. Wala akong ginawa sa sinehan kung hindi tumili. Kalagitnaan ng movie gusto ko ng umuwi kasi hingal na hingal na ako...

Kaya, sigurado, sa mga taong love na love ang action movies diyan, hay naku! Siguradong enjoy kayo dito.

Hay!

Pagnaririnig ko tuloy yung theme song ng MI, parang tumataas dugo ko eh.

Hay.

Yun lang. Hehe. :D

start na

2006-05-16T14:16:00.000+08:00

Nabibiling na ang mga huling oras ng aking bakasyon.

Bukas, magsastart na ako magwork sa Medical City. Haaaay... 3 to 5 months... Hindi ko alam kung ipagpepray ko ba na sana magtuloy-tuloy na o sana, hanggang 3 to 5 months lang muna... Well... let's play safe. Let God's will be done! Whatever it is, it is for the best!

Kahapon, our family had a rendezvous in Mariveles, with the family ng aming senior pastor sa church namin, which happened to be my father's high school classmate. Binalikan nila ang kanilang nakaraan. Ang kanilang pinanggalingan. Ang mga bundok na tinahak nila araw-araw para makapasok sa eskwela. Ang munting basketball court na kanilang pinaggraduatan nung HS, na ngayo'y mumunting ruins nalang na nakalubog sa stagnant water. Ang lote na dating kinatatayuan ng kanilang mga bahay. Ang pinagtrabahuhan ng kanilang mga ama... at marami pang ibang "scenic spots" sa kanilang mga buhay na pinagsaluhan nila.

Hehe. Ang drama eh noh?

Nakakapagod. Kasi sobrang layo ng biyahe. From manila to pampangga, we traveled 2 hours. Sinundo kasi namin sila sa kanilang house sa Floridablanca. After breakfast, ayun, start na ng biyaheng masakit sa pwet. 3 hours kami nagtravel mula Pamapangga hanggang sa town proper ng Mariveles, Bataan. Bihira lang din kami mapumnta sa kaduluduluhan ng peninsula ng Bataan. Pagnagdadrive kami sa highway papuntang Mariveles, gustong gusto kung yung view kasi overlooking the ocean at ang island ng Corregidor na kung sabihin nila ay hugis balyena daw. At pagnakakakita ako ng dagat, naaalala ko si Orange. Kasi pareho naming gusto tumuira at magtayo ng bahay sa ituktok ng isang cliff overlooking the ocean. :D

Marami pa kaming pinuntahan dun sa pinaka bayan ng Mariveles. Tapos, pinuntahan namin yung mga kaklase nila papa. Grabe, 30 years silang hindi nagkita since HS. Maluluha pa sila habang nagkukwentuhan at nagrereminsce ng mga araw... tapos, dinalaw nila yung mga teacher nila. Nakakatuwa kasi hanggang ngayon kilala pa rin sila nung mga teachers nila kahit 30 years na ang nakalipas. Galing noh?

It was a long day... and a long journey. Pero kahit nakakapagod, personally, naapreciate ko ang lakad na 't. Kasi, parang naiimagine ko, 30 years from now, more or less, ganito na rin tayo kasabik makita ang isa't isa...

Imaginin niyo, may kanya-kanya na tayo sigurong pamilya. Tapos, yung mga anak-anak natin kakagraduate lang din ng college... hehe... parang napaka blur pa ngayon. Pero, i'm sure, masaya yun. Tapos pupunta tayo ng uste, bibisita rin tayo sa mga teachers natin. Sana maalala pa rin nila tayo noh? Haaay...

Miss ko na kayo classmates ko. :D

Sana paglipas ng maraming panahon, kahit nasan man tayo, magkikita-kita pa rin tayo.

Maikli na lang 'to, promise

2006-05-10T23:29:00.000+08:00

Maikli na lang 'to, promise

1. Nagtest ako sa Medical City nung Tuesday. Halos kabisado ko na sagot. Nakakaanotk. Nagtataka yung isa naming nakatrabaho dun na si Ma'am Nerisse. "Arianne, bakit ka pa nagaganyan, eh alam mo na yan?!" sabi niya. Ay ewan.

2. Ininterview ako ng manager. Ma'am Noyce is her name. And yes, she is noisy. No joke. Pero mabait. Tanong tanong. Sagot sagot. Ano natutunan ko daw from the training, blablabla. Sabi niya 2 people na ang nagleave. Plus si Mam Lorraine pa na manganganak. I'm gonna fill in those GAP. My gulay...

3. She said it's gonna be toxic. I know. I anticipated it. But she said I won't be left alone. Everything will be explained to me before they give the job.

4. I said I'll be honest with her. I have a pending application in Union Bank. I don't want to commit yet until I'm sure. She said it's ok. She said I'll just let her know what would be my decision.

5. Afterwards I went to Union Bank. Had my initial interview. No vacancy. The ambiance is cold. Strange. They'll try to fit me into contractual jobs in HR. Expect their call next week.

6. I went home. I realized kung wala rin namang vacancy ang UB at contractual lang din offer nila, eh, sa MedCity nalang ako. Mas ok na ko dun. Gamay ko na ang lugar. Medyo kilala ko na ang mga tao. At sila ang mas may need. I decided to let go of UB. So MedCity na ako.

7. I called my mom. She said na sabi daw ng mga officemates niya, di na rin daw masyado maganda UB ngayon. Dati oo. Pero ngayon parang may problems daw. I don't know how to explain but I surely understood it. And I'm glad I chose MedCity.

8. I know. Toxic. Toxic. Toxic. Some people are maybe hard to work with but I'm not yet sure of that. But I know it is here that God wants to put me. Maybe for the meantime. Maybe for life time. Whichever, I give praise to Him for leading me to the path He himself set before me.

9. I called MedCity. Said I'm pursuing my application there. I'm now for medical exam. And for the completion of requirements (201 file). Be back on monday to pass them.

10. I realized, shucks... a year ago, I'm filing who-knows-who-are-these-people's 201 files in the cramp storage room of MedCity HR. Next week, mine would be among those in the filing cabinets. Long folder. 4 pix. Red background. Fastener. Big name label. Surname first.

This is it.

NBI clearance. Police clearance. SSS. Sedula. Adult world stuff. I can't believe I'm actually dealing with them now.

Shucks. I'm an adult already.

eto na

2006-05-08T23:45:00.000+08:00

Hay naku...

Parang ang haba ng Monday na ito. Feeling ko Wednesday na bukas. May ikukwento ako sa inyo!!!

Last week, I received a call from Union Bank. For exam daw ako on Monday (today) 8:45am. Kaninang umaga, sooooobrang tinatamad talaga akong bumangon kasi puyat puyat at pagod pagod kami nung nakaraang weekend. Feeling ko hindi ko pa masyado nababawi. Anyways, ayun nga. Sobrang tinatamad ako so I really dragged myself out of the bed para maligo. Medyo mali ang time estimation ko. Sobrang traffic na pala ng ganung time. Tapos ang hirap pang makasakay ng jeep mula samin papuntang Meralco Ave. Hindi punuan pero madalang dumaan. (Antipolo sinasakyan ko.) Hayun. Almost 8:30 na ako nakasakay. I have 15 mins left.

Tapos ang traffic. Naku... pero paglagpas sa Rizal Provincial Capitol (o kapitolyo ika nga ng mga jeepney drivers) Mejo lumuwag. Pagdating sa Meralco Ave, mejo trumaffic ulit. Eto pa nakakatawa. Nung nakita ko yung Union Bank, ewan ko ba, naduling ako or something. Nakababa ako ng jeep na malayo pa pala ang Union Bank. Kala ko, before sha ng fly over. Yun pala, after pa! So I had to walk... walk... walk... (buti nalang nang makita ko ang payong ko kanina ay dinampot ko). Hay, sakit sa paa. Hanggang marating ko ang Union Bank. It was 5 mins. before 9. (yeah right, what's new?)

Pagdating ko dun, nakita ko yung same guard na sumalubong sa amin nila Orange and Gladys nung nagsubmit kami ng resumes. Anyways, asa pa akong maalala niya ako noh? Edi yun, pasok na ako sa HR. Buti nalang at tama ang kutob ko. 9am pa nga ang start. Nandun pa yung mga applicants sa waiting area. Just a few seconds after I sat down, one of the staff (which I think was just a trainee) called those for exams na. WHEW!!! I made it!!! Thank God... Haaaaaa...

Ganun pala test nun. May 2 tests. Bago ka makapag proceed sa next test, kelangan makapasa ka muna sa unang test. So we took the 1st test. Simple math problems, sequencing, and vocabulary. 126 items, 20 mins lang. kelangan 60% and above ang makuha mo para magproceed sa next test. After nun, sabi nung staff fill-upan muna namin yung application form while she checks the papers. After niyang icheck, iaanounce niya yung nakapasa.

Hehe, kinakabahan ako kasi baka ako lang ang hindi makapasa... kakahiya naman. Hayun. After niyang macheck sabi niya, "Congratulations, you all made it for the 2nd qualifying test." WHEW!!! Thank you Lord ulet!!! Biruin mo, di ko natapos yung test ha. Pero lahat naman di nakatapos eh. Hehe.

The next test was abstract reasoning divided into 4 subtests. 1st and 2nd subtests ay may tig 3 mins kami para sagutan. 3rd subtest ay 4 mins. And ang 4th subtest ay 3 mins ulit. After nun, pinag-essay naman kami habang chinecheck daw yung papers. Thank God, lahat ulit kami nakapasa naman... haaay...

After that nasched na kami for interview. Tomorrow 3pm. So that's it. It's over. Balik ako bukas ng 3pm.

Edi yun, umuwi nako sa bahay. Pagdating ko sa amin, nagcheck ako ng cellphone ko. Aba may unknown number. At nang aking basahin, ito ang sabi: (Orange, Ghala, Myk, Pai... brace yourselves...)

"Hi Arianne! This is Pam from The Medical City. You are scheduled for an interview today at 3pm. Please confirm asap. Thanks!"

WHAAAT!!! Ano ba naman yan! Kakagaling ko lang sa Meralco Ave!!! Grr talaga... (that was 11:30 am)

Edi, isip isip pa ako kung tatanggapin ko. Nagtext ako kay Ate Dianne, ang aking ate sa church, na nagwowork dun sa MedCity as an Occupational Therapist. Sinabi ko sa kanya. Sabi niya, sige lang! Oppurtunity din ito. Medyo naencourage naman ako. Oo nga naman... ayokong palampasin ang mga ooprutunities na dumadaan. Hindi ko alam, baka eto na pala ang gusto ni Lord na company for me. So kung hindi para sakin, hindi ako matatanggap. Yun lang yun. Everything is etnrusted to the Lord.

Eh... mejo natatamad na ako. Saka... parang... ayun... Med City nanaman? Haay... So I texted this "Pam" and asked her if it would be possible kung maresched nalang ako ng Wednesday 3pm. Hindi daw puwede. Ngayon daw talaga yung interview. Hay... O cge, pupunta na nga ako...

Kaya naglunch lang ako sandali ng 2 bowls of noodles (yes, it's enough for a lunch na para sa akin) tapos tulog. Eto nanaman... ayoko na namang bumangon... 2pm na ako bumangon. Nagrefresh lang sandali bihis ulit. Tapos lakad na naman sa init ng araw. Ayun, ganun ulit nangyari. 2:30pm na ako nakasakay. Traffic. By 3:06pm, tumatawid pa lang ako ng overpass across meralco ave papuntang MedCity. (Yeah right, what's new?) Mga more than 5 mins na walk din yun. At pagdating ko dun sa employee's entrance sa Lower Ground, the time was 3:07pm. Aba biruin mo, 1 minute lang ba yun? Hinde. Late lang oras sa Med City. Buti nalang.

Ayun, pagpasok ko sa HR (same scent along the corridor. Amoy ulam), marami pang nagwewait for interview rin. Hehe. Mejo matagal din bago natawag ang name ko. Habang naghihintay ako, ayun, daandaanan lang ako nila mam Jewel, mam Lorraine, mam Noyc, mam Del, at kung sino sino pang mga lumang empleyado. Marami ring bagong employees. (Siguro hindi kayo masyado makakarelate for the next lines. Sina Orange Ghala Pa and Myk lang. Pasensya na. :D) At eto ang nakakagulat. Si Mam Lorraine buntis! Muka shang batang nabuntis. Liit kasi baby face pa. As in ang laki ng tiyan nya! At nandun pa si Mam Nerisse! Tinititigan ko nga sha, pero hindi ko makuha eye contact niya. Anyways...

Ayun, ininterview na ako nung bagong employee dun. Yun nga si Ms. Pam. She's from UST psych din. Pero dina ako nagtanong ng iba pa. Sabi ko dati ako ng OJT dito, blablabla, kilala ko yung iba blabla, what's the meaning of quality service, blablabla, how do you handle stress blablabla... (FYI: those where the same questions I asked nung naginterview ako ng applicant a year ago when I was still a trainee. Hehe. Sa bahay pa lang, napractice ko na ang sagot. HARHAR!)

Tapos yun. Inexplain na sakin ang job. They're looking for a reliever kasi maglileave na si Mam Lorraine dahil any moment ay manganganak na sha. So asap talaga. Tapos, may isa pa silang nagsick leave. So if ever na matanggap ako at tanggapin ko ang job, 2 positions ang irerelieve ko. Talagang pinakita ko na nagulat ako. Dahil haller? Toxic ng HR dun! Tapos 2 positions? But anyways... sige, I listened for the rest of the details. P8k daw ang start as a casual employee. Baka 3-5 months with minimum chance of regularization. It depends upon the performance. Ganito nangyari:

Pam: Are you willing to take the job as a reliever?
Ako: Um... (Nyah!!! ANO GAGAWIN KO???) Um... it's fine with me. I am still a fresh grad so I am really looking for some experience. Contractual is fine with me. (TALAGA! dahil ayoko magstay dito ng matagal!)

After that pinaghintay ulit ako. Yun yung moment na nakilala na ako ni Mam Nerisse dahil familiar nga daw ako. Tinanong niya kay Ms Pam at yun, naalala niya sina Pai. Hehe. Kamustahan kami. Ayun, toxic pa rin daw dun pero ok lang. Bagay sa kanya yung uniform. hehe! After that, si Mam Shaye naman naginterview sa akin. Nakilala niya rin ako. Kaya sabi niya, this won't be a usual interview dahil kilala naman na kita. So yun, tinanong lang niya ako ng stuff...

Sabi niya sa akin, parang, since I have all the ideas how toxic HR there is bakit pa daw ako nagapply. Di ko lang masabi (Isa lang naman kasi kayo sa pinamudmuran ko ng resumes. Since tumawag--este nagtext kayo, edi kayo ang kausap ko ngayon. At naconsider ko kayo sa my last resort. I have no interest in working here again, actually... last resort talaga.) Pero syempre, alanga namang sabihin ko yun.

So yun. May blessings naman na ako ng aking mama. Go for it na nga daw sabi niya. Pero, titingnan ko pa rin kung nao mangyayari sa Union Bank. Hindi ko alam kung paano. Sana after ng exam bukas may isa pang final interview. 3pm pa kasi ang interview sa Union Bank eh. di ko alam kung ano mangyayari dun. Siyempre pas gusto ko dun noh...

Hay naku... grabeeee... Lord, saan niyo ko gusto mapunta? Sa bagay, reliever lang naman yun. Sana if ever...kapag natapos na yung contract ko dun, may dumating na new and bigger oppurtunities. Basta. Si Lord ang may hawak na niyan. Mas Siya ang nakakaalam kung ano ang mas makakabuti sa akin. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung ano, pero papa-suga ako sa Kanya. :D

Yun lang. Ikli noh? Bitin ba kayo? Kung nakaabot kayo dito salamat... Salamat sa tiyaga. God bless! Tutulog na ako.

2006-05-05T13:10:00.000+08:00

Ola ola...

Ano na nga ba ang pinagkakaabalahanan ko ngayon?

Heto, wala pang balita sa sa mga trabahong pinag-aplyan. Yung Monde, nagkalimutan na kami. Hehe. Pahinga muna kaming tatlo nila Orange at Gladys sa pag-aaply. Pagbalik nalang ni Gladys from Negros ulit kami mangsusuyod ng mga kumpanya...

Marami naman akong pinagkakaabalahanan ngayon kaya di ako masyadong bored. Sobrang busy namin sa youth ngayon sa church dahil dumadami ang aming population. Thank God! Tapos, busy-busihan rin sa house. Hehe. Sa wakas, medyo nakakapagluto na ako. Yahoo! Laba-laba, linis-linis. Kumpleto na ang araw ko. Hehe. Sa gabi, magcocomputer, magnenet, at nagsisimula na naman ng panibagong story na sana ngayon ay matapos ko na. Haha. Wala na akong natapos na story. Hehe. Pero alam ko balang araw makakagawa rin ako kahit isa. Basta in God's time. Siguro hindi pa ngayon ang time. Kaya for the meantime, gagawin ko nalang muna shang outlet.

Sa ngayon yun palang ang mga pinagagawa ko ngayon...
Sige, yun lang. Bye-bye! Sa susunod nalang ulet.

everybody's bored...

2006-04-25T22:07:00.000+08:00

I've been blog hop-hop-hop-hopping tonight...

And...

Everybody's bored.

Ay naku. Ganyan talaga. Ano ba masasabi ko... um... ewan ko. Hindi naman ako masyado bored. I mean... sinusulit ko na ang mga nalalabing vacation days dahil alam kong sooner or later, ay magtatrabaho na rin ako. Naiintindihan ko yung sinabi ni She na ayaw pa niyang matali sa responsibilites pero ayaw niya rin namang maging bum for life.

Hay... narealize ko tuloy... There are somethings na kapag una kong ginagawa, nageenjoy ako. Pero kapag yun at yun na ang ginagawa ko, napapagod na ako. Nagsasawa na. Kinakatakot ko, baka ganun din mangyari sa akin kapag nagwork na ako. Naku... kelangan talaga may passion and committment tayo sa mga magiging trabaho natin. Kung hindi, wala tayong kapupuntahan. Kaya as of now, oks na oks sa akin ang contractual. Kasi, fresh grad palang naman tayo. Wala pang experience. So it's better kung makakuha muna tayo ng experience. Then after ng mga contracts natin, mas may chance na tayong makuha sa mga nicer companies kasi may experience na tayo... ewan ko... ganun ang naiisip ko...

Teka, about my holy week naman.

We had our 4-day church camp sa Paenaan Camping Farm, Antipolo. Bali, kasama namin ang mga daughter churches at mga affiliated churches. Lahat ng iba't ibang churches na ito ay under one big umbrella called Fellowship of Ministers and Christian Churches or FMCC. All in all, there were 500+ campers.

Grabe, campsite talaga yun... sobra. Walang kapuno-puno. Lahat ng puno nasa gilid. Tapos yung gitna ng camping field patag na patag sa ilalim ng MATINDING sikat ng araw. Yun ang pinakamainit na camping sa buong buhay ko. Nung first day, dumating kami dun around 10 pm. Edi, tent pitching na. isa ako sa mga na-assign na maglead ng group ng youth. (Bale, may 3 groups lahat yung youth ng church namin). With the help of my group mates, tinayo na namin ang tent namin na good for 10 people. Grabe... sobrang init talaga... sobrang dripping talaga yung pawis ko sa baba ko... Thanks sa sunblock, hindi naman ako masyado nangitim.

Tuwing tanghali talaga hindi namin matambayan ang tent namin dahil sa sobrang init... bilad na bilad kasi sa araw. Buti nalang may mga sessions kami sa umaga at sa hapon. Bumabalik lang kami ng aming camping area kapag lunchtime. Tapos, balik ulit sa session hall para sa iba'tibang activities.

Pagsapit ng hapon, ok na. Nakakatambay na kami sa tent. At, oras na ng paliguan. Buti na lang, isa sina papa at mama na nakapagrent ng dorm within the campsite. So bedroom sha na may matinong CR. Ang hirap maligo dun sa CR within our camp area. Hehe... sementado naman. Yung CR eh isang mahabang row ng cubicles. Pero yung kurtina na nagsasara dun sa mga cubicle ay bitin! Puwedeng puwede kang ma-peekaboo ng kung sino mang papasok. Kaya kapag maliligo yung iba naming kasamahan, maramihan sila. Para maraming bantay. Pero kami ng sis ko, dun kami naliligo sa room ng parents namin. Hay...

The best kapag gabi. Malamig na. Tapos ang daming stars!!! Kapag around 7pm palang to 10pm, nakikita ko yung Orion's Belt. Pero pagdating ng around 11pm to midnight, yung Big dipper naman ang nakikita ko. Wala na yung Orion's belt. Ang saya! I therefore conclude na umiikot talaga ang mundo! Hehe! Ang daming stars talaga. Feeling ko ang daming constellations pero hindi ko alam kung ano tawag at alin dun sa mga yun... nakaka-amaze talaga. At ang mas masaya pa nun, Full moon!!! Ang ganda ng buwan... Hay... Kung hindi lang malamok, mas gugustuhin ko pang matulog sa labas ng tent namin... Para makapag star gazing ako...

Hayun. Siyempre hind mawawala ang mga sessions. The praise and worship were very glorious. Ang sarap talaga magworhsip kay Lord at magbigay glory sa Kanya. You worry about nothing... your focus is just on Him. And my heart just bursted with passion to worship and praise Him with all of His glory and splendor.

Sa bawat session, may nagsi-speak na pastor. Yung theme namin is "Building with Gold, Silver, and Precious Stones" based from 1 Corinthians 3:12. The main challenge of every pastor that spoke sa mga session is that, there will come a day that the works of every believers will be evaluated. They will be passed through a fire. Only those works that are made up with gold, silver, and precious stones will surivive the fire. But those works made up of wood, hay, and stubble will be burned into ashes. Sa heaven, hindi lahat pantay-pantay. It's not enough to get saved and to get assured that you are going to heaven. Dahil sa heaven, may parang "awards day" doon. Only those whose works that will survive the test of fire will receive rewards. But those whose works are burned into ashes will receive no reward. Yes, they are saved. They will be in heaven. Pero... sad to say, nasa bandang edge nalang ng heaven. Pero yung mga makakarecieve ng reward, sila yung malapit kay God. Man... it would be so awesome to worship right before God! Right before His footstool! So, why settle for a work made of wood , hay and stubble diba? That's the reason why we need to store up treasures in heaven by doing works that are worth with gold, silver, and precious stones. Siyempre, one must be first assured of his or her salvation. Or else, every work that he or she has done will worth nothing. He or she will still end up suffering the consequences of sin...

So for those four short days... kahit mainit, kahit malamok... parang bitin yung camping. Kasi, it's where you refresh yourself . It's where you draw back your strength. Like the way they put it allegorically, us christians are like warriors in a big battle between good and evil. Each of us have our own battles in life. Battling with temptations, battling with emotions that shifts our focus away from God, battling with fears, battling with bad habits... it's a raging battle out here. That's why from time to time us warriors need to retreat back to our camps. To take a rest. To gather strength. Kaya nakakabitin ang camps. Gusto mong magrest pa. And it feels safer in your own camp diba than outside the battlefield. Pero... kahit anong gustuhin man namin na humaba pa ang camp, it's time to set forth in the battle again. Thank God, He is always faithful and gracious enough to equip us in our battles. That's why, here I am again... fighting... determined to win the battle for the Lord by His grace.

So after the camp, we went home na. Hayun. That's what happened during the holy week. I hope everybody had a great and meaningful holy week as we remembered how the spotless Son of God paid the wages of our sins...how He suffered and endured every lash, every torned tissue, every drop of blood, every cut, every thorn, every, pierce, every spit, every curse, every mock... just to give Glory to the Father by fulfilling His will to save His rebellious creation from the consequences of sin... hell. But we rejoice as well upon knowing that He has been raised from the dead and He is forever be the only living God! I hope... everybody would accept this gift of salvation. It's a free gift to us. Humankind have two choice: receive it, or reject it. Rejecting it would mean suffering the consequences of sin. But receiving it is renewing the connection between God and man through Jesus. And the assurance of heaven.

Hay. Napost ko na rin ang holy week escapade ko. Hehe. Hayun.

***
Siya nga pala, hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin tumatawag ang Monde sa akin for interview. hindi ko alam kung busy lang talaga sila, or may nakita na silang iba. Sabi ni Gladys, tumawag daw sha doon. (kasi, nagtest din sha doon at tatawagan din daw sha for interview pero hindi pa rin sha natatawagan) Sabi sa kanya, on hold pa daw yata yung mga applications. So may paga-asa pa. update ko nalang kayo later... got to go...

Is it Monde...? Or what...?

2006-04-18T23:10:00.000+08:00

Is it Monde... Or what?

Ano na nangyari sa aking job hunt? Here's the update:

Ayun, isa sa mga napuntahan namin sa Makati ay tumawag sa akin nung April 7, friday. Nagtest ako, hiwalay from the rest of the applicants taking the test dahil psych daw ako, 3 psychological tests, puro personality test. Tapos ininterview na agad ako. Pinagsubmit ako ng sample ng psychological report. Pero ipassa ko nalang daw next week, monday or tuesday. Then balikan ko daw ng wednesday. I passed it on tuesday through fax. Binalikan ko nung wednesday, wala naman na yung head na magiinterview sa akin. So sabi sa akin tumawag na lang daw ako next week monday para iverify. (Hay naku... sayang ang get-up ko nun. Ganda ko pa naman...hehe...)

Dumaan ang holy week, dumaan ang camping (i will have a separate entry for that. :D) At hayun, pagdating ng lunes, tumawag ako. They sched me for an interview ng tuesday. Which is today, April 18. Pagdating ko, medyo matagal pa akong naghintay kasi hinanap pa nila papers ko. (naman... walain daw ba?) Eventually nahanap nila. tapos yun, kinausap akon ng head. Sabi niya papagawan niya daw ako ngtest interpretation. Pero before that, inadministeran muna nila akong DAP. Syempre, confounded na yun... but I tried my best to be mangmang para hindi naman masyado maconfound. Hayun, after that naginterpret na ako ng isa sample ng DAP test. natapos na ako ng 1:30. Hindi na ako naglunch kasi wala naman akong kasam maglunch. Hindi ako sanay na kumain sa labas na mag-isa lang. Nung matapos na ako, sabi nung staff, iinterviewhin pa daw ako. Eh kayalang, hindi pa daw dumadating yung head from lunch. mga 2pm pa daw. Tapos marami pang nakapila for interview. Eh marami pa akong kelangan gawin. Kaya i requested to have my interview resched nalang. Ok lang naman daw. Tatawagan nalang ako. Tapos pag labas ko ng building, nakasalubong ko yung head nila, si Ms. Jopen. Namukaan niya ako agad. "Tapos ka na?" she asked. I said, "Yes ma'am. But ma'am I'm sorry I won't make it sa interview this afternoonl. I have other appointments kasi." Sabi niya, "Ah it's ok. Papatawagan nalang kita."

Kaya ngayon, heto ako, kakapakapa... Sa Monde na nga ba ako magwowork? hay naku...

Ang dami dami kong iniisip ngayon. If ever na matanggap ako sa Monde, sana pumayag sila na magstart ako kahit 1st or 2nd week ng May. We have a mission trip kasi sa Tumauini on April 26, 27, 28. I really like to join that mission trip. Marami kasing nangyayari sa mission trip. You get to have a full blast of God's presence, glory, and annointing. You may have a fresh revelation from God as well. I had one during my 1st mission trip in bontoc. And I long to receive more revelations from Him. Also, you get bonded with the your other co-ministers. And most of all, the ultimate reason of why mission trip is so exciting, is because you get to minister with the people there for God's glory. You experience of being a vessel used by God for His glory. Parang... you experience of being a channel of His annointing, of His blessing... What a joy i when you bring Glory to our King, to God!

Kaya... sana talaga, makasama ako dito sa mission trip na ito... But of course... let His will be done. Let his perfect plan be fulfilled so I may bring glory to Him.

At marami pang bagay na bumagabag sa isipan ko... hay... i'm praying that God will take away all unnecessary emotions especially those that don't come from Him. And replace these with His peace...

Hayun lang... sige, yung tungkol naman sa camping ang ipopost ko... :D

Makati...

2006-04-11T19:18:00.000+08:00

Thursday, April 6, 2006, I had this eekieee water-filled swolen skin on my two pinky toes. Lintog daw tawag dun. The way I understand it, it's some kind of a "skin defense mechanism" when it gets burned. Like, kapag natalsikan ka ng mantika habang nagpiprito, maya maya yung area na natalsikan magsu-swell tapos may water sa loob. Yung water daw sa loob ay nagsserve as a protection para dun sa burned spot.

In the case of my two pinky toes... hindi sila talsikan ng mantika. Nasobrahan sila ng friction against my sandals nung kami ay pumunta sa HSBC ortigas, tapos sa GLOBE Telecoms sa Boni, at sa 6750 Bldg sa Makati... ang init na, ang sakit pa sa paa. Medyo corporate pa ang attire. Buti sana kung tshirt, maong at rubber shoes lang... hay...

So, our adventure in oritigas-boni-makati went on like this...

Orange, Gladys, and me met at robinson's galleria. Kumain kami. Tpos nagsubmit ng resume sa job fair. Sa Sykes Asia. Tapos nakita namin si Leah with Iman. Ang saya ng feeling ng makakita ng classmate after sooo long... Namiss namin ang yakap ni Leah. :D Nagsubmit rin sha ng resume sa job fair sa Sykes rin. After that, yun, bye bye na. Patuloy ang lakad naming tatlo...

Pumunta kami sa HSBC mula galleria. Lakad lang. Medyo masakit na aking paa. Wala pa kami sa kalahati ng aming lakad para sa araw na yun. Pagdating sa HSBC, nag washroom muna kami dahil feeling namin amoy sunshine na kami. At bilin rin ng aking mama (na isang HR head) mag freshen up muna kami bago pumasok sa offices. Dahil tiya, mangangamoy EDSA kami (*Amoy edsa = Amoy usok, sunshine, pawis, at lahat na. Kahit wala ka sa EDSA at ganito ang amoy mo, amoy EDSA ang tawag niya dun.) Kaya sinunod namin ang kanyang payo. Pero pagdating sa mismong floor ng HSBC, si manong guard lang pala ang haharap sa amin. Pero ok lang, at least, mabango na kami. At looking fresh ulit ang mga mukha. Pero the moment na lumabas kami sa building ng HSBC, hala... there's haring araw ulit making lusaw sa aming powder...

Hayun. Tuloy ang lakad namin patungong Globe sa Boni. Mula HSBC naglakad ulit kami papuntang Shaw MRT station. We went through megamall para makariting sa MRT station. Somehow, nalamigan kami kahit kaunti. Pero no hope para sa aking mga paa... (*Buti pa sa orange tsinelas ang suot. Pero hindi naman halatang tsinelas...)

Matapos kami sumuot sa megamalll, narating din namin ang MRT shaw satation. Ang layo... ang layo ng nilakad namin. Ngayon, amoy sunshine ulit kami.

So pagdating sa MRT station, bigla kong namiss ang LRT2... hay... So hayun... sakay kami. patungong ayala. At pagdating sa ayala... pagbaba ng station... hala... "Where are we?" Nakita namin ang Oakwood. At ang Ducit Hotel. At ang Glorieta. At ang iba pang unfamiliar buildings. Kaya pumasok muna kami ng Glorieta. Nagpahinga at nagusap. Si ghala nagventure out muna habang kami ni orange ay nag-iisip ng iba pa naming dapat gawin for next week. Na-realize namin na kung mag-eexplore kami sa makati dapat explore lang at naka tshirt maong at rubber shoes lang. kasi kung pagsasabayin namin ang pagaply at explore, mahirap kasi nakatakong kami. at naka-corporate attire dapat. At habang pinagiisipan pa namin ang mga dapat naming gawin, dumating si glady. punta daw kami sa 6750 bldg dahil marami din daw companies dun. so kahit sakit sakit pa ang mga paa namin, lakad pa rin.

Sa 6750 nakapagaply kami sa 4 companies: Monde Nissin, Caltex, Microsoft, at saka... meron pang isa... hindi ko na maalala. Ah, Procter and Gamble.

After everything else, umuwi na kami... hay sa wakas... umuwi na kami... at yun nga, pag-uwi ko, i discovered this eekie swolen skin sa aking dalawang pinky toes. buti nga ngayon wala na.

Sige, sa susunod na post nalang ang iba pang kwento... mahaba pa yun eh... heheh... paalam. :D

job hunt

2006-04-05T13:54:00.000+08:00

JOB HUNTING...

So, this is how it feels to look for a job... Masakit. Mainit. Umaasa. Pinagtatabuyan. Sinusuga. But above all these, in fairness, nag-enjoy ako sa pag-walk-in namin sa mga companies sa ortigas. :D Jollibee, Meralco, Union Bank, Medical City, at isang hindi kilalang pharamaceutical company na hindi ko na rin maalala ang pangalan. Ha! The best ang company na yun. Pagdating pa lang namin sa entrance ng kanilang glass door, hayun at may nakapaskil na papel: "DROP YOUR RESUME HERE:". Tapos, may arow na nakaturo sa baba. On the floor ay isang kahon na nakabalot ng gift wrapper. Dun daw namin ishoot (or ishyut) yung resume namin. Hala naman... malaki ang pag-asa... malaki ang pag-asang maitapon lang kung saan ang napakaganda naming resumes. Nyahaha!!!

Ang pinak nag-entertain sa amin ay ang Meralco. Grabe... ang ganda pala nun sa loob! Naalala namin bigla si Lele. :D Hayun, dun kami pinasuga-suga ng mga guards hanggang makarating kami sa HR Department. At doon, inentertain kami ni Ms. Dang Sarabia (Lele, do you know her?) Binigyan niya kami ng test: essay. 30 mins ang time. 2 questions. At least 20 sentences each. Hay... yung 1st question, nagawa ko pang istretch ng 20 sentences. Pero yung pangalawa, hala, wala pa yatang sampu ang nagawa ko. Pero I'm confident na na-express ko naman ng maayos yung sagot ko sa tanong nila. Hindi nga lang 20 sentences. Magpapaikot-ikot lang yun pag pinilit ko pa... baka lalong hindi nila ako tanggapin.

Ang ganda rin ng uniform nila. Basta. Sana pumasa kaming tatlo nila Orange and Glad dun.

Tapos, tinry pa rin namin ni Glad sa Medical City. Although si Orange, ayaw niya na talaga. Talagang ayaw niya na sa Medical City (after ng aming industrial practicum dun). Nung pumunta kami ni Gladys dun... hala... bumalik ang lahat ng alaala ng aming practicum... (with Myk and Pai). Ganun pa rin yung amoy ng corridor along HR... amoy ulam. Tapos--Myk, Pai--si Ma'am Leanne preggy. Tapos may mga bago rin. Nakasalubong pa namin yung head ng HR na si Sir Crispin. Pero hindi niya na kami nakilala. :D At wala na ring opening sa HR pero pina-iwan na rin ang resume namin for future references.

Hayun. Ang saya ng aming adventure sa Ortigas. Super sakit lang talaga sa paa... as in... Sa thursday, Makati naman ang susuyurin namin. Naku... kahit ayoko dun dahil clueless ako dun, kelangan naming iexplore. It's about time. Maramin ring magagandang companies dun.

Well... we have no idea of what's to come and what's to happen. Basta, all our plans are laid down before the Lord. We entrust everything to Him. Wherever He leads us, we know that it is the best path for us. We have to allow Him to lead our lives in order to walk on the right path. Sure, there are many paths ahead of us. And the choice is in our hands which path to take. But I am very sure that only one path that would lead us to our true success, and that is the path that God Himself has chosen for us. We have to let God lead us to that path if we want to achieve true success. I know that all of us believe that it's not all about money or achievement or fame when it comes to success. If you fulfilled the calling God has given you--may it be a housewife or a president of a company--you are trully successful. If we love God and allow Him to work in our lives, His desires become our desires as well. We will love to do whatever God commands us to do.

Kaya, I'm looking forward to see all of us successful in God's eyes. God bless you! Miss you na! :)

is it over? yes... i guess... it is really over...

2006-03-26T21:08:00.000+08:00

Is it over?
..
Yup. It is over.
..
That's it?
..
That's it.
..
Whaaat?
..
What are you freaking out?
..
But-but-but...
..
But what?
..
That was four years!
..
Yeah. So?
..
It passed by so quickly...
..
That's quite contrary on what you said during those four years
..
What did I say?
..
You said you can't wait to see the day when everything is done, everything has come to pass, and everythin is just a fleeting memory.
..
Oh yeah. I did say that. But that was for all the projects, assignments, thesis, practicum, yada-yada...
..
Well, just like what you have hoped for. Everything was done. Everything did come to pass. Everything is now just a fleeting memory. Why the gloomy face and teary eyes?
..
Well... "everything" is supposed to be just the projects and assignments and tests and all that... not really, EVERYTHING.
..
Um... I don't get it.
..
You see, in school life, there are these stressors such as the projects and tests and the likes. But there is a part of this life that I don't want to let go.
..
And that is...?
..
My friends. My classmates. The memories we shared together. All the fun and... just everything that I shared with them. My classmates themselves. I don't want to let go of them.
..
Honey, school life is one big life. And there are two parts of it. Responsiblities as a student, and friends. These two comprise this big life. And each one cannot stand alone.
..
Uhuh...
..
If one has to go... both of them will go. You cannot let go of one and hold on to the other.
..
That's very sad...
..
It is really sad. Well, you have to move on. To another life. And besides, you are just letting go the mere presence of your friends. But the bond among you will never go. As long as you want, you can hold on to it. Tie it around your waist or all over your body.
..
Yeah... it's like an elastic bond that will never break.
..
Yup. Now, you go on with your different lives. Each has to take different paths. But though you are far from each other, all of you still remain connected with this elastic bond. it stretches beyond possibility. It defies distance.
..
Can we still see each other?
..
Of course. As long as that elastic bond remains, you will still see each other. Since it's elastic, it can never break. And moreover, both ends will always return to each other, no matter how far the distance between them.
..
I see... now I understand. But it's still sad to know that I won't be able to see them everyday.
..
Well, that's inevitable. Just be thankful for the bond that you have right now. Hold on tight to it. That's all that you've got to keep them.
..

Para sa lahat ng aking mga blockmates... Sa muling pagkikita.

Siya nga pala, ito po yung letter na binigay natin sa psychology department. Narito po at inyong basahin. Pasensya na kung hindi na namin nahingi ang inyong opinion regarding this. Night before the baccalaureate na kasi nagawa ito. Well, here it goes...

To our Beloved Psych Professors…

It has been four years. And within those years, you have instilled in us knowledge about our field. You have taught us how to understand and accept people as who they are, and at the same time, how to understand and accept ourselves as who we are. As for the coming years, we will forever cherish the knowledge you have unselfishly shared to us, the memories you have made with us, and the chance you have given to us to know ourselves better and change whatever that is needed to be change in us. We know that you will have hundreds and hundreds of students to teach, to influence, and to treasure for the coming years. We will understand if you forget some of us 4C. But we know that deep down inside your subconscious, and mostly in the unconscious realm, our memories will forever be alive. But of course, it would be much better if you will not repress it.

Each time you fish out a candy from this cute candy jar and each time you eat on these pretty plates, we hope that it will trigger some memory of us in your busy minds—may it be funny, embarrassing, horrid, pleasant, or simply ordinary moments.

May God bless you with more wisdom, strength, and love. Always remember that we love you from the very bottom of our hypothalamus…

Your dear dynamic students,

4C-Psychology
Batch 2006

It's all finish.

2006-03-09T11:02:00.000+08:00

This is it...
... this is the week that I have been daydreaming on last 2 weeks when everyone of us were head over heels in finishing our thesis, practicums, and stuff...

Sigh. Just like what we all have thought of. That "Saturday" shall come to pass somehow. And it did.

It did.

We're actually done with everything!!! :D Oh... I just can't believe it. I just can't believe it that now we are just looking behind the Saturday event. I can't believe that we're just reminiscing everything now...

Speaking of reminiscing. I have been quite sentimintal this week. Ha... just like what I did in my last day in my high school. Every contour, every tile, every feeling of walking down the corridors of the college of science, I make it sure that it gets recorded in my memory. One day, the moment of our stay in our college would only be a fleetng memory. So I make sure that for the next years, it would be still vivid in my mind as it has been in the past.

... the feeling of walking in the quiet corridor during classhours
... the feeling of making your way out of the crowd just right after classes
... the sight of the sunlight casting rays through the ancient windows and on the yellow-tiled floor
... and how it makes a long row of bright squares along the corridor floor
... the brown doors of the classroom
... the small three-digit number above them
... the sky-blue door of our department
... the sense of its high-class atmosphere
... the long tiring stairs up to the third floor
... much more up to the fourth floor

what else? There's so much more. I can't enumerate them all in here. But I know, that it's fresh in my mind. And it's there. I can just relive the feeling whenever I want to.

It has been four years.

Four years.

But is it long or short?

Maybe when it comes with requirements, quizzes, thesis, hard subjects, it is quite long.
But when it comes with friends, and the family that have been formed within the four corners of the classroom, four years is too short.

Right?

If you can only wish to have another four years... just to be with the class you have loved, you have laughed and cried with and no homeworks, no class, no requirements. Just us. If you can only wish...

But we have to go on. This is the final stop of our train. Some of us has to go down, transfer rides, different rides, and some have to stay and continue on with journey. We can't forever stay in one journey. We have to go on. We have our own paths. We have our own railroads.

But of course, that would not mean we have to forget each other. Just like the way I remember the details of our beloved 3rd floor, main building, I know, all of us would remember each other vividly as much as possible.

We can still reach each other. Thanks to technology. We can still stay in touch.

To my dear classmates, 4c psych. Congratulations! We did it.

And for those who still have to continue the journey, don't worry! We're still here. And if we have to ride the train again, we will try. But if we can't, we assure you that we will be there to meet you when you arrive at the final station. :D

Luv you guys. May you have God's abiding grace and guidance in your next train ride.

just fast

2006-03-01T12:19:00.000+08:00

Wednesday... 3 days before defense.
...
Ano kaya ang mangyayari...?
...
Yun lang ang naiisip ko ngayon...
...
Saturday... Saturday...
...
Sana dumaan nalang siya ng mabilis...

lessons from God

2006-02-13T09:39:00.000+08:00

Good thing I decided to attend church last Sunday befoer going to sport psych practicum (But then again, I'm very sorry to PLP because I didn't tell them earlier that I wouldn't be able to make it in the morning. Sorry again...)

Anyways, as I was saying, I made the right decision to attend church. For in the message of our guest speaker, Rev. Alen Claycomb, I heard God's assuring words for me. He has prepared us for His greater glory in the future. He has laid before us a promising future despite of every circumstance, assured with His covering, anointing, and everlasting love. As long as we walk in His Spirit, continually devoting ourselves to Him, following Him close to His heels, He will be on our side. After all, He is always by our side. It is we who drift afar from Him. But if we will stay close to Him, all the hope and assurance in the world will be in our hearts that can't be find among men. It's only found in Him alone.

So, now, I guess, I have finally found hope. As long as we walk in His path, as long as we walk in His spirit, rest assure that everything will be just fine. :-)

doubt...

2006-02-09T10:29:00.000+08:00

It seemed my heartbeat stopped for a while when I read Ate Dianne's post in her blog (she's a close friend of mine in our church. She's my big sis there.) She passed her board exams for Occupational Therapy.

Before her exams, I witnessed her great strife to review for the boards. She had to make sacrifices so she could concentrate on her review. We missed her so much in church. But even she seldom attends church activities for the last few months, I know that she didn't fail to make it up to God by continually feeding her spirit with His word and listening to Him during her constant devotions. Maybe, sometimes, she also felt obligated to have her daily devotion with God. But she overcame it. She overcame it. The hunger and thirst for God came back in her heart. Thus she desired to comune with the Lord, rather feel obligated.

During the entire period of her reiview, she has been completely dependent on the Lord. She drew strength, wisdom, and knowledge from Him. And she brings back all the glory to God as well. Now, she has passed the boards. All her strife and all her sacrifices paid off. Praise God! Praise God for his faithfulness and gratefulness.

As for me, I had mixed emotions right now--they are terribly mixed together, I'm not sure how to describe it. I'm happy for Ate Dianne's achievement, and very grateful for what God has done in her life. She inspires me of her faithfulness and love for God despite of everything. But negative emotions accompanied these happy ones... Doubt. Fright. and yes, envy. I envy her because she's now finish with everything. Now, she's ready to face the real world of work. The real battlefield. I'm scared of what lies ahead of me now... I have still so many things to finish. So many things to accomplish before March. Case study, Psych report, sport psych requirements, marriage presenation, what else? I forgot some. And plus the most dreadful requirement... thesis. As we all know, our group's intervention had significant effect on our participants. I heard that thesis with insignificant effects are really scrutinized by the panel. What's worst, we are the last thesis group to defend. I just hope that our related lit and discussion in Chapter 4 and recommendations in Chapter 5 would be sufficient enough. I am praying right now that the we may all have favor in the eyes of the panel. I want to get through with this thesis. I want to graduate on March.

Now, despite of the great testimony that ate Dianne has, I still have some doubt. It really bugs me. I know that God is very capable of doing it all. He will all let us pass our thesis... that is, if He wants to. If it is in His will. But... what if He has some other plans? What if He wants to give some lesson by... who knows in what way. I know it is very wrong to doubt God. I'm not doubting His unmatchable capablity. Nothing's impossible for Him. But what troubles me is what's in His heart. James 1:6 says, "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt..." So... I guess... probably, I'm not doing the right thing.

Right now, I just pray that God will give me--and you also, my dear classmates and batchmates --the assurance of His favor. We won't reach as far as this point if it was not for God's faithfulness to us, despite of our unfaithfulness to Him. Let's just trust Him and ask for strength, patience, wisdom, and knowledge to finish it all.

2006-01-31T13:41:00.000+08:00

Ang tagal ko palang hindi pa napagnet. Salamat sa inyong mga nagsimpatya sa thesis... alam kong pare-pareho tayo ng pinagdadaanan.

Hay. Ewan ko ba. Gusto ko ng matapos 'to. But, that would mean graduating na rin. And that would mean na magwowork na tayo. Also, that would mean we're going to earn our OWN money. But that would definitely mean we have to work hard for it. Meaning, we have to exhaust 8-hours in the office, doing mostly routinary jobs. I mean, since we'll be fresh graduates in the realm of Working place, we're gonna have the lowlest jobs. I mean, like, doing the xerox thing, and everything. Naiisip ko madalas, pagka-graduate natin, hindi na tayo practicumers. Hindi kaya mag-iba ang treatment satin? Kasi, nung practicumers tayo, at least, nasubukan natin lahat diba? Pano pag trabahador na talaga tayo? Hindi na tayo puwede magreklamo na "hindi po yan ang nirerequire ng school namin na gawin namin". I mean--diba? Nagets niyo ba?

Kaya ngayon... parang gusto kong grumaduate na ayaw. Parang... nafi-feel ko ulit yung na-feel ko before when I was about to enter college. Everything is so uncertain. Everything is veiled with thick black curtains. You can't take a see through the veil because it's do dark to see. Sa mga ganitong panahon ko talaga mas pinanghahawakan yung promise ni Lord sa Proverbs 3:5, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean in your own understanding. And yung isa pang verse sa Psalms, When I am afraid, I will trust in You; My God whose words I praise; In God I trust, I will never be afraid. I forgot the exact verse. But it's somewhere in Psalms 50 - 70.

Sana... sana... ma-seek ko na yung ultimate purpose ni Lord para sakin. Para medyo hindi masyado madilim. But I know that He will always be by my side. Always leadng me on my path.

2006-01-20T14:54:00.000+08:00

My back aches. My head throbs. My eyes stings. Man... it's hard to look for related literature. I'm here in the library, looking for a conceptual and research lit for our thesis. Unfortunately, our interventions are insignificant... too bad... really. After all the hassles to get to the institution, and all the hassles to buy those participants gifts and foods, and all the money that we spent to get the intervention done... all we got is a critical value less than the obtained wilcoxon T value. Insignificant. Accept the null hypothesis. I wanna cry... we all want to cry...

I just hope that we won't have to conduct an entire intervention again. I hope that these related lits would be enough to justify the result of our intervention. I hope that we would be able to justify it clearly.

*sigh*... *sigh*...

Ok. Back to work.

sport psych

2006-01-07T10:42:00.000+08:00

It's saturday. I'm supposed to be in our humble abode. But I'm here in UST for the sport psych sessions. Just me and veron. Jaq arrived 30 minutes before we end the session.

Before the session, I was so... grr... a little irritated I guess. Because I can't do the sessions alone. Thanks to veron. She joined the session even if there was only two of us amidst the 10 players of tennis. I had to take off my shyness. I had to force myself to be outgoing. I had to force myself to be talkative. I had to force a different personality into me so we can get this session over... smoothly.

When we entered the tennis court, we felt like unseen entities. Others noticed us. A little wave.
A little smile. Finally, coach saw us.

Whew.

But he suddenly turned and walked to the opposite direction.

Great.

But after a few minutes, he came. At least, he knew that we were there.\

We spent an hour watching the players practice. Tock... Tock Tock... Tock... Tock... I like the tennis ball's rhythm. And it's neon yellow color.

After the practice, coach finally allowed us to do sessions with the players. Veron and I decided to talk with them in pairs. It went fine. Kinda boring. But we had to do it. Questions popped up in my head. Well, I forced to pop them in my head. I asked them everything that should be asked.
Good thing they had some answers. Although short ones. After the first pair, another pair came.
Same questions. Different answers. My mouth felt like a recorder. Same words went out automatically.

The entire session lasted for 2 hours (observation included).

2 hours only?

No. TWO HOURS! TWO LONG HOURS! Let's be optimistic here, ok?

When the last player was done with the session, he called up coach. "Coach! Ikaw naman!" veryone laughed. Harharhar... Now, it's finally done. 2 hours session completed.

With ease?

Nah... but with triumph! haha.

Somehow, I was able to supress my old quiet self. And I wass able to be somebody else. I hope it would be a part of myself too. I hope someday I won't have to do so much effort to force myself to be outgoing.

But then again... it is my weakness. And my weakness brings me closer to God.

So... I guess... I would just stay, "God, make me more outgoing. Let me be more sociable. It's only You who can make me one. Thank You."

Two hours done... two hours.

after the break

2006-01-06T14:54:00.000+08:00

ay naku, halos isang buwan din ako di nakapagpost. i reviewed my post about the retreat. sinabi ko pala dun na yung letters ko ibibigay ko ng "wednesday," kung ano mang date yun... i'm sorry, hanggang ngayon nasa drawer ko pa rin lahat ng mga letters niyo. may ilan-ilan pa akong di natatapos. malamang, before graduation ko na maibigay yung mga yun. hehe. :D buti nalang at pang-graduation na yung messages na sinulat ko dun. kaya, antabayanan niyo lang.

Okay, the past christmas break was not really a break. Amidst all the fun of preparing gifts, preparing for the kainan, the thoughts of impending thesis and 2 practicums just make me anxious. Very anxious. I just want to finish them ALL! AH! GIVE ME A BREAK!

All the happenings during the christmas season already seemed to be a distant memory from the past. Let me recall... gumawa kami ng suman, nakapagluto ako ng napakasarap na togue, (with some help of course), umakyat kami ng Mt. Samat--you know that mountain guys? Sa bataan yun, yung mountain na may malaking cross sa tuktok. Yung cross na yun, building yun. Yung vertical beam ng cross has an elevator that will bring you up to the 36th floor, which is by the way, the only floor in that building. That 36th floor is the horizontal beam of the cross. It's a viewing deck. And when you poke your head out of the window, (which is quite scary), you'll be looking down 36 floors below. Kita yung manila bay, saka... china sea ata yun. ang galing. ang ganda... ang lamig ng hangin! siyempre, open ang windows. and to think, habang nilalakad namin yung length ng viewing deck na yun, walang support yun sa ilalim. kasi nga siya yung horizontal beam ng cross. ang saya na scary talaga. bigla ko naalala si jelo... ano kaya mangyayari kay jelo kung andun siya...? hehe!

hayun. yun yung pinaka highlight ng christmas and new year ko--the mount samat experience.

ngayun, tapos na ang maigsing bakasyon. Bago palang magpasukan, i tried to condition myself with all the things that was left pending last year--thesis, practicum. hay. thank God at tapos na ang thesis intervention namin. I just hope na matapos namin ang 1st thesis draft namin in time. shucks... ni hindi pa nga kami nakakapagsimulang mag major major revision ng aming chaps 1 - 3. May nabago pa sa related lit namin. Tapos hindi kami makakita ng related lit dun sa isang topic namin... yikes. yikes. i hope everything will just POOF! gone... but it won't. *sight*

Ah basta! matatapos rin ito. Diba? Diba?! DIBA!!!???

I need my weekends... but it's hard for me to sacrifice my precious weekends dahil naka-commit yun sa church activities. well... wala naman ako magagawa. first things first. kaya kailangan mas ma-strengthen ang spiritual life ko if I have to spend my church time to my school stuff. Gotta to feed my spirit with God's word every now and then. Talk and wait on Him as well. His my only refuge and strength.

2005-12-07T17:18:00.000+08:00

Whom have I in heaven but You

... there is nothing I desire in this world beside You

My heart and flesh may fail

... But God is the strength of my heart

And my portion forever.

*this is in Pslams... forgot the verse. ^_^*

hangover ng retreat

2005-12-05T15:16:00.000+08:00

Caleruega hangover...

haaay naku...! kay ganda at kay saya ng retreat! sayang naman at hindi nakasama ang lahat...

That school retreat was a lot different from what we used to have in our youth retreat in our church. With what we have in our church is something that would bring you closer to God. Our sessions is all about getting to know Him more, about loving Him more, and about maturing more in the spirit. And we have refreshing praise and worship too... it's really nice to think only about your first love which is Jesus and to know that your songs of praise bring a smile on His face. Isn't that great? Especially if you're in the midst of majestic mountains covered with luscious green trees, and with the air so cool and fresh... you just can't help but to wonder about His great love.

However, our retreat in Caleruega is much different for me. I don't know with you guys about what you feel. I know that each of us experienced different things in that retreat. But one thing that I know we all experienced in common--the bonding we had. I never felt so, so, so, so much closer to you guys... just like what i mentioned during the "hot seat" session, I really prayed fervently to God for my college life because I was really scared during those time. I was scared to be alone, I was scared to be lonely, I was scared to do things my own, I was scared to be rejected, to be out of place... so I prayed that He would give me true friends so I won't be very lonely and very scared in my college life...

And there you are! First, he gave Gladys, who have been with me for the very, very, very, very, very first hours of my college life. And then came PLP: Orange, Carla, Jacq, Tiff, and Veron. Oh how I love these guys! And God wasn't through with answering my prayers yet... he even gave me an entire class--4C!

God really amazes me... whenever he answers prayers, it would just make me cry out with joy of thanksgiving. And when he gives blessings, it's over flowing. Just overflowing. Thanks again, Lord, for putting me in the most dynamic section! This section may not be the most intelligent (but not the least!), but it's the most caring section I've every been in my life. I feel secured. I can be who I am. I can be real.

Kaya guys, thanks sa lahat lahat ng memories mula pa noong first year. hay... i just pray na hindi tayo magkalimutan kahit puti na ang mga buhok natin... :) basta, keep in touch, keep blogging. ok? Tiyak, sa blog pa rin tayo magkikita-kita ng madalas. kaya pagka-graduate, wag hayaang langawin ang mapanis ang blogsite ha? hehe. :)

namimiss ko talaga ng husto ang retreat. every minute of that retreat, kahit yung oras na tumatakbo kami from the big scary beatle na lumilipad sa loob ng room namin, mamimiss ko yun. :) at yung pagkain ng mga sitsiria (or chichirya or junk food) sa dorm, yung star gazing sa plaza de aza, yung pagpicture at pagpose ng plp with the sunset, ang paggising sa mahamog na umaga, ang scary na hangin na para bang may bumubuhos na malakas na ulan sa di kalayuan, ang mga picturan session, ang joke time with fr ching, ang food, ang beatles, ang bus ride, and duktungan... hay naku... hindi ko na maisa isa. alam niyo naman na ang mga nangyari eh kaya kayo nalang ang umalala. :)

o siya, hanggang dito nalang muli. mwah! God bless you all!

*PS: sa mga nagbigay ng letters--maraming, maraming, maraming salamat po! I appreciate your time of writing those letters for me, as well as for our other classmates. Pasensya na at hindi ko pa nabibigay yung sakin. By wednesday, I'll give my letters na. :)

yey.

2005-11-22T10:28:00.000+08:00

hay, sa wakas, nakapagblog na rin... weeks na rin ang nakalipas since the last time a blogged. kating-kati na finger tips ko to blog...

...

ano ipopost ko? hehe... wala lang, gusto ko lang magpost. sige... let's see... what shall I post here?

...

o sige. updates with what's happening to me in academics. so far... so tired. ewan ko lang. wala pa kasi kami masyado naaacomplish. yung sport psych namin, somehow, medyo umuusad na. naka 6.5 hours na kami dito sa tennis team. naku, bale... mga 25-30 hours nalang ang kulang namin... naku naman... i just pray na maging maayos na ito. at sana'y magcooperate sila di tulad dun sa nakaraang team... sabagay, naka back-up samin si ma'am glody, dahil si ma'am glody mismo ang humahandle sa kanila. they're planning to have a team building pero di pa sure ang date. it's either this coming weekend or first week ng january. once na makasama kami dun, kahit isang araw lang, malaki ng bulk ng hours yun... 24! hay... sana matuloy. pero kung sa first week of january pa, baka tapos na rin yung kulang naming hours bago pa sila makapag-team building. anyways...
...
sa thesis naman. mejo pasaway dswd these days, pero kanina, finally, naka-usap ko na rin yung taong dapat naming kausapin. so later sa bahay, kailangan naming gumawa ng program, chart ng days and everythinng... para madala rin namin tomorrow sa dswd ang mga important papers at para mabigyan na kami ng permit. ayos.
...
sa clincial... yikes, wala pa rin kaming institution. pumunta na kami sa lourdes hospital, ust hospital, huspicio (tama ba spelling?), at uerm. lahat wala. hindi tumatanggap, sarado, maraming requirements na hindi mameet at marami pang mga kadahilanan. ano pa ba ang puwede naming hospital or institution na puwede pasukan? sana maka-kita na sina tiff ngayon...
...
natutuwa naman ako at kaming plp ang naging magkaka-grupo sa thesis, clinical, at sportpsych. we divided the responsibilities among us. nag-assign kami ng magmamanage sa bawat course. bale sa thesis, kami ni orange. sa clinical, sina tiff at veron. sa sportspych, gladys and carla. teka... saan si jaq? kung saan kailangan ng tulong! hayun. but that doesn't mean na kanya kanya na kami. may mga naka-assign lang magmanage. like kung sino ang kakausap sa dswd, sa hospitals, at sa mga athletes. at kung sino din ang mag-aayos ng mga important papers. o diba? mas madali ang buhay kung magtutulungan. :)
...
bukod pa sa academics, ang dami ring responsibilities sa church. i'm a part of our creative arts ministry team kaya sa amin naka-toka ang photo gallery na pinaplano nilang itayo dun sa church, at saka yung weekly newsletter. kaya pag-weekend, nakatutok ako sa minisitry.
...
hay... amidst all these pressures, responsibilities, stress, God still remains faithful in giving new abundant grace and sweet mercies every single day. He remains faithful in replenishing my strength within. physically, emotionally, mentally, and most of all, spiritually...
...
hm... right now, something is really bugging my mind. and it starts bugging my heart as well. siguro sometime, mapopost ko rin to dito. but right now, i'm still dealing with it. Thank God because He gave me an ate who's always willing to lend a shoulder and an ear... thanks ate di! :)
...
o siya, nagrereklamo na 'tong si gladys. ang haba na naman ng post ko daw. salamat sa inyong pagbabasa. yan ang gusto ko sa inyo eh. :)

questions

2005-11-10T12:48:00.000+08:00

tapos na sembreak. nakaka-one week na kami pumapasok.

ganito pala feeling paggraduating na. ang dami mong iniisip. these things always crowd my already-cramped mind:
- thesis
- what will happen sa defense?
- wala bang kwenta topic namin?
- matatapos ba namin thesis namin by december?
- will everything go smoothly during our intervention?
- sana matapos na practicum (sportpsych)
- anong sports pipiliin ulit namin?
- matapos kaya namin yun before mag-end ang november?
- kelan namin matatapos practcium sa clinical psych?
- kelan kami makakapagstart dun? wala pa yung prof namin...
- matapos kaya namin yun within a month?
- baka sumabay yun sa intervention ng thesis namin...
- ano kaya na-fifeel ng mga classmates kong mas mabibigat pa ang load kesa sa akin?
- siguro iniisip nila ang babaw ko (noh myk? ^_^)

o sige, so much for these school stuff. eto naman yung iba. yung mejo futuristic view:

- what will happen sa graduation night?
- ilang panyo kaya dadalin ko sa gabing yun?
- sa gabing yun, siguro tatawanan nalang namin yung mga stressful days ng college life
- saan ako magtatrabaho?
- matatagalan ko kaya ang HR?
- hanggang kelan kaya ako tatagal dun?
- matutupad ko pa kaya ang iba ko pang dreams?
- sino mapapangasawa ko? (At ng iba ko pang mga friends?)
- saan na kaya ako nakatira after 10 years?
- matuto ba ako magluto ng mga masasarap na putahe just like my mom?
- magkakaroon kaya ako ng kusinang maganda katulad ng kusina ni nigella lawson? ("nigella bites" sa lifestyle channel)
- kasama kaya sa plano ni Lord na magfull time ako sa church as a youth leader?
- magiging youth leader nga ba ako? (i mean, like ate ca, kuya mike...)
- dito pa rin ba ako sa manila titira pag may sarili na akong pamilya? o baka naman sa probinsya ako matira, or kaya sa ibang bansa...?
- kelan kaya magrereunion ang 4cpsy?
- kani-kaninong kasal kaya ako maiimbita?
- gagawin ko bang abay lahat ng PLP? anim din yun... may iba pa akong gustong gawing abay.
- puwede bang nasa 20 ang abay?
- ano kaya motif ko sa kasal? nakuha na ni orange ang blue green eh...
- bakit kaya ang dami kong tanong sa buhay?
- sana talagang mapreserve ang mga youth ngayon para sa darating na last days.
- ilang taon kaya ako pagdating ni Lord?
- how glorious would it be?
- magkaka-apo pa ba ako? or dadating na si Lord bago pa mangyari yun?
- may kutob ako na hindi ko na aabutan ang senior-citizen days ko dahil malamang, dumating na si Lord nun. i don't know. it's just a hunch.
- kelan kaya ako unang makakapag-share ng good news?
- kelan kaya ako unang makakapag-lead ng sinner's prayer?
- magmimission kaya ako sa ibang bansa?
- i wonder... kelan kaya ulit kami magpapansinan ni... "___" (ate di, you know who.)
- it's been like years... kelan nga kaya?
- i wanna befriend that person again. that person has been my kababata. sayang naman...
- but... would that person want to be my friend? don't know...
- makakakita pa ba ako ng snow (sheesh, ang babaw.)
- makakapag bake kaya ako ng cake, cookies, and sweet stuff pag mom narin ako?
- how does it feel to be mom?
- how does it feel to see your first kid wrapped in bundle of white cloth?
- what else can i ask...?

hay. sa ngayon, yan pa lang naman ang mga tanong ko sa buhay. hindi ko alam kung madadagdagan pa yan. thanks for patiently reading my post. :) i know some questions are also in your minds...

Youth Retreat

2005-11-04T10:49:00.000+08:00

Youth Retreat 2005

Hay naku... paano ko ba ito sisimulan...? Basta, all I can say is THANK YOU, LORD for all your faithfulness and your sweet mercies that You never withhold from us. Our recent youth retreat was such a blast! Our experience with the Lord in ZMI Antipolo was like a pool of refreshing cold water that poured out from the heavens and washed over us... followed by a warm and tight hug from our Lord's gentle arms... (uy, in-english ko lang yung line sa story ng group namin! hehe...)

This year's theme of our retreat is Waiting, Wanting, and Renewed. Isaiah 40:30-31 says,

"Even youths grow tired and become weary, and yough men will stumble and fall. Yet the strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord will be renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won't become weary. They will walk and won't grow tired."

This verse truly spoke to me, and I believe, to all of us in the retreat. Especially today, with all the stress and crisis of this world... even the energetic youth like us needs to rest. Because everything around us just make us very very tired. Physically, emotinally, mentally... and most especially, spiritually. Para sa akin, mapagod na ako at lahat-lahat, huwag lang ang spirit ko. Dahil once na mapagod ito, that would be very very dangerous.

I'm very grateful for this oppurtunity na binigay sa amin ni Lord para makapag wait sa Kanya. Indeed, the fire that we have brought home with us is worth the wait. And all our experiences with the Lord during that entire retreat will never equal any worldly experience. Especially our praise and worship... when we kneeled down before the Lord and just cried... pouring all our tears as we humble ourselves to the God... how I wish we never went home... if we can only stay in the presence of the Lord forever. But of course, the day would surely come when all overcomers and all who have faithfully run the race for the Lord, would forever worship God...

Yung mga activities rin na ginawa namin ay nakakatuwa. Giyera patani sa gitna ng mga makakating talahib at iba pang mga games, treasure hunting, where I learned to really seek diligently. (Kasi, yung group namin ang nauna sa spot ng treasure, pero hindi pa namin siya nakita dahil hindi kami nagseek diligently. Kaya yung ibang group ang nakakuha. But it's okay. We got our lesson. :) Then, yung isang "group dynamics" na ginawa namin. Ano ba tawag dun? Hindi ko alam eh. Anyways... And of course, yung story na ginawa namin for our group.

Nakakabless kapag naririnig ko yung mga experiences ng mga youth with this retreat. They were really renewed. Before the retreat, hindi pa nga namin sure kung marami ang makakasama. But then, God is so gracious. He gave provisions para makasama ang marami sa retreat na ito. And just like what I've said earlier, everything is worth the wait. I just pray that the fire that's once again ignited in hearts of our youth will continue to burn fervently for the Lord... and will never die out.

I know that these words will never be enough to describe our awesome experience with the Lord during that short 3 day retreat in Antipolo. If I can only bring you all to the past and just show you how it went... hay...

Maglalagay rin ako ng pix namin. Wala pa kasi akong copy eh. Once na nakuha ko, i'll post it here. :)

God bless you all!

Soar on wings, eagles!

dear ma'am joy

2005-10-18T14:27:00.000+08:00

hay... ano ba ang magagawa ko kung hindi maglabas ng isasng napakahabang SSSIIIIIGGGHHH...

ma'am joy naman eh... bakit naman kasi bukas pa niya ibibigay yung thesis? dapat nga last week pa yun... nasira na lahat ng plano namin... hay naku. magpapracticum nalang kami...

andito kami nina ghala at ni orange sa school. naghihintay kay ma'am joy. tapos bigla hindi na pala siya makakarating... *sigh* ayoko magka-wrinkles kaya sigh nalang ako. ^_^

o siya, hayun lang. gusto ko lang huminga. sige. bukas nalang natin kunin ang ating thesis. ano pa nga ba magagawa natin? patience is a virtue... must always remember that especially when you're in world filled with VIPs... gr.

hanggang sa muli.

ola!

2005-10-12T20:41:00.000+08:00

ATTENTION: ALL 4C PSY

ay naku, sa kalagitnaan ng mga pressures sa thesis at sa practicum... heto, ang mga kaklase ko, nagpapastress pa sa iba't ibang mga circumstances na puwede namang maresolba kaagad para hindi na makihalo sa mga toxic ng mga bagay katulad nga ng thesis at practicum...

4c, gaya nga ng tinag ko kay carla, such people are the spice of life! sure, mejo napapadalas na ang mga instances na na-ooffend kayo. pero, afford pa ba nating ma-offend sa mga ganitong panahon? afford pa ba nating magdagdag ng stress sa kalagitnaan ng ating thesis at practicum and all? guys... afford pa ba nating magkagalit galit ngayon maghihiwa-hiwalay na tayo?

come to think of it... onting panahon na lang... for four years, we've been together, taking all our fragrances and stinks as human beings. hindi pa rin ba tayo makakatiis ng kahit LIMANG BUWAN?

siguro, mas makakabuti sa lahat, kung iintindihin nalang natin ang mga pangyayaring sadyang nagpapakulot ng ating noo at nagpapataas ng ating kilay. just one... deep... deep... deep breath... then release... you must understand. it's hard to change a person especially if that person is not willing to change. would it be possible kung imbis na yung person na yun ang ichange natin, yung sarili nalang natin? like, if you can't control the external forces, then go adjust the internal forces. to maintain balance. :-) so maybe, we can adjust our mind sets... alam ko, hindi madali. it's easier said than done. pero... anong mangyayari kung both sides parehong nagmamatigas? so, maybe one of the sides can let go at umintindi nalang... much better. at much much better kung both sides ang gagawa noon.

alam ko, some of you are already planning to talk with this person. maybe it would be better if all of you guys (affected most) would approach that person and talk with that person... in a very nice way. in a very very very nice and loving way. we don't want to change that person for the sake of our justice right? we also want to change that person for that person's sake as well. so let's talk with that person in a loving way. let me qoute this: "A gentle answer turns away rage, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (prov 15:1)

so... classmates, ano? settle na natin to ha? :) sana naman sa graduation, uuwi tayong luhaan... hindi dahil sa mga regrets, but dahil sa mga unforgettable sweet--at kahit ang mga bittersweet memories natin together as C. and forever, itetreasure natin yun.

please take this post as a friendly reminder from a very concerned classmate of yours. sana hindi niyo isipin na nakikialam ako. i hope, in my own simple way, ay makatulong ako. masarap ang feeling na walang ka-atraso. diba? luv ya classmates! Godbless you all. :)

2005-10-05T10:58:00.000+08:00

pansin ko lang... mas may gana akong gumawa ng thesis pag wala sa bahay... hm... kasi sa bahay ang daming distraction. tv, computer games, pagkain... e dito sa computer shop, mapipilitan ka talagang gumawa at bilisan ang paggawa dahil tumatakbo ang metro.

i just needed a nice sleep last night. nagbe-breakdown talaga ako pag feeling ko wala na akong pag-asa. kung anu-ano tuloy ang naisusulat ko.

hay. basta sana matapos na namin ang thesis. :) At sana, matapos niyo na rin ang sa inyo. :) What if kaya kung individual ang thesis...? Naku... buti nalang talaga by group tayo. Ewan ko lang sa iba. Baka may iba sa inyo na preferred and individual thesis. Nung high school ako ganun. Mas gusto ko individual. Dahil wala akong maasahan sa mga nagiging ka-grupo ko. Pero ngayon, i have plp. Kilala ko sila. Pag kailangang-kailangan, talagang maasahan. :) Pero minsan... umiiral talaga ang pagiging individualistic ko. Memories of high school stress and nightmares continue to haunt me...

hm... hindi naman na siguro mangyayari yun. iba ang college sa high school.

hay... sinu-sino kaya sa inyo ang nakakarelate sa akin?

Ayan, ganyan ang talagang arianne. :)

yoko na.

2005-10-04T19:51:00.000+08:00

Yoko na.
Napapagod na ako.
Kelan ba matatapos ang lahat ng to?
Minsan napapapikit nalang ako
At napapahinga
Yun lang naman ang magagawa ko
At saka manalingin...
Sadyang si Lord nalang ang nakakapagpatayo sakin
Kung hindi dahil sa Kanya
Siguro bigla nalang ako hihilata sa kalsada
Sa sobrang pagod...
Sa sobrang pagod...
Ayoko na...
Kelan ba matatapos to?

Sa mga taong nakakasama ko
May napapansin ba kayong kakaiba sa akin?
Kung meron man... wag niyo nalang pansinin
Kung minsan hindi ko kayo napapansin
O minsa ayoko ko kayo pansinin
Pagod lang ako...
Pagod lang ako...
Ayoko na kasi mag-isip
Ayoko na muna magsalita
Dahil napapagod na ako.

Pagod na pagod na ako...

graduation

2005-09-21T11:07:00.000+08:00

GRADUATION... again...

just had our grad pictorial in color point. hay. when i wore the toga for my grad pic, naisip ko, "shucks... this is it! gagraduate na kami! am i wearing this black toga for real? shucks... parang kailan lang, yung puti lang ang suot namin..."

hay.

"tilt your head hear, tilt your shoulders there, then smile... best smile pa!... sige pa! kulang ka sa ngiti... ayan! that's it! now hold it... FLASH!"

then right after our formal (toga) and informal (shawl) shots, bihis kami for our creative. binihisan ako ng muslim. ever since i was a kid, kahit sa mga theatrical presentation namin sa church, i always get the role of a muslim. well... the costume was fun! the gay adored his/her creation as he/she looked at me. (hehe.) then punta ulit sa studio A. then pose, pose, pose, FLASH! tilt here, smile there, wacky pose, demure, pa-cute, FLASH!

o diba. first time ko yun. the photographer kept on asking us to smile pa. pero feeling ko parang sagad na ngiti ko. kangawit. hirap palang maging artista. nyehehe!

kasabay ko si glad (she dressed up as 'cleopatra'), orange (tribal costume), veron (showgirl), gay (angel yata sha), gjeff (panday), cezar (...hindi ko alam tawag basta may face paitn sha. mukha siyang cartoon)

hayun... grabe, kapal ng make up. but it was quite satisfying naman. can't wait to see it next week! :)

grabe... graduation na. i don't know, but somehow, i feel excited. sure, my future is a little bit uncertain pa. but i have drawn my suggested timeline. if God wills, i'll follow that timeline.

yung iba kong friends, they're planning to go abroad. ako kaya... will kaya ni Lord na makapag-abroad ako? it would be fun! pero mas masaya kung kasama ko family ko. hm... i'll wait for God's go signal.

hay... graduation. *ngiti*

childlike bliss

2005-09-14T12:17:00.000+08:00

childlike bliss

just like a child
i run and play
with boistrous joy
i laugh all day

just like a child
i dance in the rain
get soaked and all
till i get all stained

just like a child
i gaze up at the moon
wondering if i
can reach it by balloon

just like a child
i lie on the grass
make forms and shapes
as each cloud pass

just like a child
i get scared too
especially when
the owls start to "whooo"

just like a child
i get stumble and fall
wounded and bleeding
i cry out my all

just like a child
i am small and meek
in this big world
i am fragile and weak

but just like a child
to my Father i run
when darkness swallow
the light from the sun

just like a child
on her Father's eyes
He wipes away the tears
and hear all my cries

just like a child
i hug Him tight
as He gently lead me
back into the light

just like a child
i find my safe haven
in the arms of my Father
up above in Heaven

just like a child
i trust in Him
He is my Father
and i love Him.

-arra- :)

season

2005-09-06T12:11:00.000+08:00

once upon a time, a girl named summer
lived in splendor and wonder
she made the birds twitter and the rushing river
creation was alive as ever

she made the trees at its fullest lush
praised the blossoms until they blush
touched the butterflies as they gently brush
for one moment till they fly in a rush

but there came a time
she had receded from her prime
rang did the wind of time
saying goodbye with a sad chime

summer slowly slipped away
the greens became brown in decay
drifting clouds slowly turned gray
goodbye summer, may you come back I pray

autumn came
in her graceful body frame
slowly walked like a gentle dame
silent as a lamb that is very tame

but along with her was loneliness
trailing at the end of her rust-colored dress
her eyes so gentle yet filled with sadness
she touched anything with longing caress

until the whole world turned reddish brown
just like the color of her light lace gown
flowers shed their petals down
creatures hid in their shelters with a frown

cold wind blew so gently
as autumn waited by a pond quietly
for the next maiden that would terribly
envelope snow around the world entirely

came winter in a glass ball
from the high sky she gently fall
this maiden that is next in call
to reign the nature above them all

autumn did not say goodbye
she quietly left whispering, "why
does this world have to lie
beneath this freeze... oh why?"

winter... she's so white and cold
turned everything into one big mold
each snowflake obeyed when told
to fall, to cover, to take on hold

for some time, the world soundly slept
beneath the snow they were safely kept
but even though they stayed in the depth
life beneath slowly crept

from the cold crystals of snow
new life will be born, I know
spring would surely glow
life would soon start to flow

as mist started to fade
winter began to bade
a goodbye she uttered and waved
to the white world she had made

along the snow covered ground
came sprouting a bud so proud
little though with the thick snow around
it knows spring is about to bound...

yey!

2005-08-11T16:54:00.000+08:00

woohoo!

bago na ulet ang aking background song! yey! thanks kay orange. :)

hm... ano ba maganda ipost? dati gustong gusto ko magpost. pero ngayon, nakalimutan ko na ipopost ko. Ang masasabi ko lang naman ngayon... heto, medyo busy. I mean, hindi lang medyo. Talagang busy. But God is faithful. He continues to strenghten me and give me hope na matatapos rin ang lahat ng ito.

Last week, my friend ate Dianne gave me a letter. She lit up my spirit dahil nga medyo nalulugmok na ako for this past few weeks. Ang dami dami ko na kasi burden. Not only studies, not also my ministry responsibilities, pero pati na rin emotional burden. Well, thanks to Ate Di, she cheered me up through her letter. She shared her experiences as a graduating student last year. Sabi niya ganito daw talaga. Nakaka-drain. Nakakapagod. Gusto mo ng sumuko. Pero kelangan nating tapusin ang mga dapat tapusin. With God's help, she managed to survive all those intoxicating school stuffs...

I just pray na just like her, I would be able to finish strong. Then, she also suggested Psalms 20. When I read it, it's full of promises that were really encouraging. Parang nung binabasa ko yung verse, gusto ko pa magbasa ng iba kasi ang tagal ko ng hindi nakapagdevotion. Lagi nalang ako inaantok. Tinatamad. Kaya nung night na nakapag devotion ulit ako, I was once again refreshed. It's nice to remember God's promises especially when you're toxic.

Hay... I'm still holding on to the hope that every toxic things will pass in time... surely it will. By God's grace. And I also pray na sana, other things will smooth out also... And may God continue to change my heart. There are still lots of things that He has to change in me... lots of things that He has to break in order for me to live up worthy for His kingdom. Hm... sometime... in His time...

Just like the quotation I've read:

There's no oil withoug squeezing the olives;
No wine without pressing the grapes;
No fragrance without pressing the flower;
So when things press you down,
God is taking the best out you.

Isn't is so true...? :)

hay.

2005-07-15T14:28:00.000+08:00

After graduation: "Now what?"

yey. ang tagal ko nang hindi nakakapagpost.

Busybusybusybusybusy...

Ang daming dapat gawin. Ang daming dapat bayaran. Hindi ko naman akalain na ganito pag graduating ka na... Thesis, gradpic sa college, gradpic sa university, yearbook ng college, yearbook ng university, graduation fees... hay. Ano pa ba? Siguradong marami rami pa ang kailangang bayaran... tumatagingting na P6000 na ang kelangan naming bayaran for our graduation. May graduation ball pa. May retreat pa. Hay...

Kailangan right after ng graduation makapagtrabaho kagad para maka-bawi sa lahat ng gastusin. And besides, nakakahiya rin naman sa mga magulang natin. Ako nahihiya na nga akong humingi sa kanila eh. Kaya as much as possible nag-iipon ako para pag may kailangang bayaran sa ipon ko nalang kunin dahil nahihiya na talaga akong humingi. Kaya gusto ko pagkagraduate ko makahanap na ako ng job para kumita agad at makatulong.

Hm... job. You know guys, ngayon ko lang na-realize na hindi ko na masyado feel ang psych. I don't know. Hindi naman sa hindi ko na siya gusto. Pero parang wala nang appeal yung mga job oppurtunities sa psych. Gusto ko nga sana, mag-aral ulit sometime after graduation. I want to study something about computer graphics, graphic arts, whatever. Something about those. Feel ko kasi yung ganung job. Layouting stuff... designing stuff... Kayalang, dagdag gastos na naman yun. Kaya ipagpapaliban ko muna. And besides, ipagpe-pray ko muna. Baka plano ako ng plano hindi naman pala yun ang plano ni Lord sakin. Hintayin ko muna go signal niya before I do anything else. Sa bagay, God always move just in time. So I don't need to fret. :)

... but I can't help but to fret... sometimes... :(

So for the meantime, mag-aaply muna ako sa HR setting. Since yun naman talaga ang pinaka safe kong fall back. And I need to help out. Or else, magiging palamunin ako. Yoko nga.

So far, hanggang dun palang ang nakikita ko sa aking future. But beyond that... I'm clueless. Basta, I just trust the Lord na lang. Alam ko naman may purpose siya sa akin. Siguro kaya hindi pa niya sinasabi sa akin ay dahil hindi pa prepared ang heart ko. Or maybe, I'm not listening keenly pa...

Kayo? Siguro may mga plano-plano na rin kayo. Classmates, sana pag nagkita kita tayo ulit sa mga susunod na panahon, sana yun pa rin tayo noh. At sana successful tayo lahat. I'll be looking forward sa ating reunion. Promise, makakasama ako. :)

Sige, sisilipin ko muna mga blog ninyo...

yey!

2005-06-16T10:08:00.000+08:00

This is gonna be fast...

tagal ko na kasing hindi nakakapag-internet. may problem kasi yung internet namin sa bahay kaya hindi ko ma-enjoy yung pagsu-surf dahil every now and then may pop-ups na lumalabas. kaya heto, ngayon ako nagpapakasulit sa internet shop. i'm with my friends since 1pm pa naman class namin.

hmm... how does it feel to be a 19 year old girl? I don't know. I'm just starting to be 19 today! Well, actually, i will be officially 19 by 11:58 am. hehehe... so... mga, ilang minutes pa yun? kayo nalang magcompute, mahina ako sa math eh...

hm... sige, saka nalang ulit ako magpopost. wala ako maisulat eh. basta, masaya ako ngayon at 1pm pa pasok namin. Ayokong biglain yung sarili ko. matagal ako magre-boot eh. antagal tagal kong naka-vacation mode tapos biglang papasok ako ng 7am... nyak.

oki... gotta go. bye! till next time...

updates...

2005-05-15T15:19:00.000+08:00

Alright... here i am again. Grabe, ang tagal ko na ngang hindi nakakapag-blog... yung mga classmates ko kaya? I'll check your page right after this...

Hay... piyesta samin ngayon. Kaya heto, ang ingay-ingay sa street namin. Yung bass nung sounds nila dumadagungdong sa buong bahay namin.

Tapos na finally ang ojt namin. Nung last week of april pa actually, but since i had no time updating my blog, i wasn't able to mention here. It was a big realization for me of the real world. Magwowork ka para may pera... tapos yung work mo halos paulit ulit lang everyday. Parang mejo boring ang work sa HR. Same job lang lagi ang gagawin. Hindi naman ganun kahirap. (like for example, pag sa recruitment, hindi naman mahirap mag-administer ng test, mag check, mag-evaluate) Kayalang pag pag-ulit-ulit na yung ginagawa mo, nakaka-bore rin...

Pero iniisip ko pagka-graduate ko, baka HR rin ang kabagsakan ko. Siguro for the meantime. To make some money muna para makatulong sa parents ko. I just ask the Lord na bigyan Niya ako ng longer patience when that time comes... and I also pray for a good company--hindi lang sa name, kung hindi sa working atmosphere rin. Hay... san ano nga kaya ang mangyayari sa akin sa future? It's really funny... hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa rin alam kung ano ang gusto ko pag nagtrabaho nako...

Which reminds me of Orange. During our ojt, habang nagst-staple kami ni Orange ng carbon paper sa mga papeles, we shared our dreams... parang gusto namin pumunta ng Japan para magging cartoonist or something there... hehe. Natatawa talaga ako. Pero feeling ko malayong mangyari yun. I don't think that's my calling...

I really have to learn to listen more keenly to God. Para malaman ko na kung ano ba talaga ang gusto Niyang mangyari sa buhay ko. Para yun na ang i-fulfill ko. Para hindi na ako magpaikot-ikot pa... diba?

O siya sige, hanggang dito muna guys. Gagawa pa ako ng scrapbook namin... (i have to drag myself from this computer to finish our scrapbook... ugh... sinusumpong na ako ng katamaran but i have to finish it dahil bukas na ang pasahan nun... ugh!!!)

Wait lang... thank God sa grades namin sa ojt! All glory to Him! Salamat sa strength and endurance na binigay Niya sa amin. We all made it!!!

camp testimony

2005-04-06T11:36:00.000+08:00

Yey! Ang saya talaga ng camp namin. Enjoy na, nakaka-bless pa. So guys, if you wanna read my testimony about it, go ahead and read. But warn yah, medyo mahaba-haba po. Don't worry, may pix naman na magpapa-aliw sa inyo ng onti... :)

Hay naku... I can't say anything. I just feel... so grateful and sothankful because of all the blessings and all the love that I havepersonally received from the Lord. It's a total tsunami of God'sgoodness, you know. I'm so overwhelmed and I could not help but totake a moment, stop for a while, take a deep breath and let a teardrop trickle down... no amount of thanks could be muttered inexchange of God's work in my life. And probably, with my co-youthslives too.

Itong camp nato ang pinakamemorable sa akin. Dahil first time kongmaglead ng group dito. And it was very stressful too. Bago pa langmagcamp kabado na ako. Wala kasi akong time to meet my groupmates. Iwas very busy during the days before the camp. Finals kasi namin,tapos pumunta pa ako ng singapore. (Thanks sa provision ni Lord!) SiMaui, ang aking assitant, ang nag-asikaso lahat. The banner, yungmeals for the entire camp, yung assignment ng bawat isang member, siyang mag-isa ang nagprepare lahat. That was why when I arrived,everything was settled na. (Thanks again, Mau. You were such ablessing.)

Eto po si Maui. Ang assitant kong mabait at makulet.

Marami akong naexperience sa camp na ito. Not only the sweet feeling in God's presence, but also the stressful and tiring experiencesthat surely stretched my patience and exercised my faith. God usedthis experiences to teach me one great thing--that is, not to bejust a leader, but to be a servant-leader.

During this camp, I felt very incapable as a leader. You see, I am areserved person especially among newly acquainted people. I onlyexpress my thoughts (extensively) through writing because I get mythoughts all jumbled up when speaking. With my little voice, it waslike impossible to influence other people. I felt small and inferiorwith my witty groupmates. But God showed me that leadership doesn'tdepend on how well you speak, how loud your voice is or how charmingyou are. Leadership depends on a person's heart to serve and be aservant to other people. Humility is one great factor in being aleader. During the times when I felt so disappointed because of myincapablity of influencing and getting the attention of my group,God gave Moses from the old testament as an example. He was such ameek man and a poor speaker too. Yet he was able to lead thousandsof thousands of people out of Egypt. So that gave me the courage tocontinue the race, knowing that it is God who will give me thestrength to lead and serve my group. God made my weakness as mystreangth. Leadership is servanthood. Leadership is not speaking outloud, but fervently doing actions. Leadership does not invovlepride, but it involves humility. Leadership is not lifting ourheads, but bowing it low. Leadership does not come from ourselves,but from God. After learning that lesson, I focused on my job to meet my members' needs. Ok lang kung may mas magaling sa akin magsalita. At least,natutulungan nila akong irelay ang mga gusto kong sabihin sa group.Ok lang kung hindi ko alam gawin ang lahat (especially sapagluluto). Because others had their chance to contribute theirgifts for the group. Ok lang na mapagod, basta para sa group ko,especially, para kay Lord. :)

Galatians Group! Group namin!

Banner namin!

God stood by my side and held my hand all this time. He never left me. He love me so much that I could no longer count the instancesthat he had helped me. Kung hindi dahil sa Kanya, wala talaga akongmagagawa. The reason why I was able to lead my group is because ofHim. Alone. 100%. All I can do is to give back all the praises angglory to Him and offer everything I do for Him.

Pagod na ba kayo sa pagbabasa. Sorry ha. But I hope you also learnedsomething from my experience. :) Praise God!

***PS: I thank God for Lovely and Angel dahil sila ang matsagangnagluto for the entire duration ng camp. Salamat sa inyo. Kunghindi, namuti mata ng mga Galatians dahil sa gutom. :) Salamat dinsa mga naging ka-group ko dahil hindi kayo naging pasaway. You were so patient sa paghihintay ng ating food. At salamat rin sa mga taona nag-encourage sa akin: ate ca, ate cet and ate dianne. You dried my tears away. (hehe. andrama.)

Lovely

Angel

Sige po, yun lang naman. Ikli no? Pasensya na ha, wala akong masabieh. (hehehe...)Praise God! God bless you!

Mount Zion Church of the Firstborn Youth Aflame
Summer Camp 2005

2005-04-06T11:10:00.000+08:00

hm... it's summer. I can feel the scorching heat of the sun burning my skin...

but it won't match the fire that burns within my heart. A fire for the Lord. A fire to serve Him. A fire to worship Him. A fire to to give may best for Him. Thank God for the revival that He sent during our camping. It was such a memorable experience... His presence was so strong and tremendous amount of tears had been poured out for Him. I just hope that the flame in our hearts will forever burn...

How I wish the whole world would also experience what we had experienced during our camp... madalas kong iniisip na sana dumating na si Lord. Nakakapagod ng tumira sa mundo natin. So corrupt... so evil... But a part of me says na wag muna sana dumating si Lord. Marami pa akong dapat ifulfill sa mga commandments Niya. Specially the Great Commission. I haven't shared the gospel to a single soul yet. Siyempre pag-punta ko sa heaven ayoko naman sa outer courts lang ako. Gusto ko malapit ako kay Jesus. :)

Kaylan nga kaya dadating si Lord? Sana buhay pa ako pag nangyari yun. Definitely maabutan ng generation natin yun. Pero sana nabubuhay pa rin ako. But that also means experiencing all the hardships and persecution of the upcoming tribulation... yikes. But by God's grace, by His protection, I will not be moved.

Alright, just wanna share my thoughts.
God bless you all! :)

waiting...

2005-03-10T13:10:00.000+08:00

alrightieee... one hour to go at mag o-OD na tayo. hay, sana maaga tayong idismiss ni mam gregorio noh... gusto ko nang ituloy yung case study ko. Andun palang ako sa observational data. Di ko pa nasisimulan yung test behavior. Hay... sana naman ganahan ako mamaya. Sana maraming ideas ang pumasok sa akin para tuloy-tuloy na yung pagta-type. At sana rin, hindi ako antukin dahil pag dinalaw ako ng antok, wala akong power! I'm so weak and helpless pag may sariling puhay ang mga talukap ng aking mga mata at kusa silang pumipikit kahit anong command ng brain ko na wag pumikit... bakit nga ba ganun? Hindi pala ganung ka-powerful ang authority ng brain natin kapag drowsiness na ang pinag-uusapan. Nagkakaroon ng sariling brain yung mata natin. hehe... ampangit nun...

andito kami nina orange, glad and me sa humanities. andami pala computer dito. andami rin novels at mga old story books na sobrang antique na. (kanina nga ay may napunit pa akong page ng book na luma. hihi! wala pa namang 1 inch saka sobrang luma na kasi nya. Onting ihip lang eh magiging pulbos na... ahihi!)

Antahimik... everybody's like... reading? Of course. Kasi sa ibang internetan ang ingay eh. Ansarap pala magblog kapag hindi maingay. Andami kong naiisulat. At ang naririnig ko lang ay ang tack-tack-tick-tick-tack ng keyboard ko...

Yey! makakasama na me sa singapore. susunod nalang me doon. Thank God for his financial provisions at mararanasan namin itong rare chance na makapunta outside the country. Bali, the day after ng finals (which is saturday) susunod ako doon. Sana nga friday eh kayalang si Doc. J sumingit pa eh. ay naku... sana naman sa case conference this friday and sa next friday wala siyang mahatak na iba niyang kasama galing sa grad school. Baka masyadong sabunin yung mga pinagagagawa nating case study. Ayoko ng case study na yun! (well, sino ba may gusto?) sana hindi na lang niya tinuloy yun. Or sana hindi na magpa case con. Puwede namang yung papers na lang ang gradan niya diba? Mmmm....

uy, 1:30 na. Anong oras kaya kami lalabas dito? siguro mga 1:45 nalang...

Naku, yung project pa pala sa OD. AY NAKU!!! yung script pa pala sa guidance!!! isa pa yun... grr... Sa bagay, yung isang session lang naman ang gagawin ko. Arrgh! sana maisingit ko pa siya mamamya sa case study ko!!! naku... sana maaga ako matapos. Nyak! tatanungin ko pa nga pala si ma'am roan yung family drawing ng patient ko!!! At yung percentile pa ng ravens kailangan kong tanungin kay sir marc... huhuhu... ano bang ginagawa namin dito sa internetan? sana pumunta nalang kami dun ngayun na para matanong namin yung mga dapat namin itanong diba?

Sige... layas na'ko. Salamat sa panahon ng pagbabasa ng aking walang kwentang paglilitanya... bow.

case study...

2005-02-25T11:40:00.000+08:00

yey... sa wakas makakapag case study narin kami...

kayalang heto kami, nasa isang internetan dito sa Pasig... hindi pa namin ma-interview yung mga clients namin kasi may socialization chu-chu pa sila. Hay naku... ang tagal-tagal nung mga intern nila dun. Late pa nagstart yung program. 9am palang andun na kami para nga makapag administer na kami ng test. kayalang hindi pa kami binigyan ng patients kasi nga may program sila. so sa hapon pa kami makakapag start...

kumain kami sa tapsilogan at eto... nagpapatay ng oras sa isang internetan. kasama namin sina ghala, orange, gay, lele, kyang, rhezi, esdi, jelo, czar, and of course, me.

hayun... hayun lang. saka nalang ulit...