bebs&me 

i really feel so bonded with bebs right now. she's really like a younger sister to me... natutuwa ako sa mga reflections nya... i am so grateful she's growing up really nicely... in some ways, parang proud ako sa kanya kasi she's really earned it... aside from all this, i really find her so sweet and charming... if i had a shobe, i'd love her to be like bebs! i appreciate how she appreciates the small miracles in her life, and how she thirsts for God... it's so inspiring...

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had dinner with jeps (john paul - for the benefit of char ^.^) kanina at teriyaki boy. he had an idea he wanted to share with me so i listened to his biz idea... nakakatawa sya... but am still thinking about it kasi nga i'm really thinking that i won't be in events by that time he kicks off with his idea. what was funny about the dinner was we talked about contraception, sexuality and other pro-life issues including the ever debatable where life begins. it was a good debate... he wasn't really too judgemental over things... and i wasn't like preaching naman... i felt great kasi i'm able to advocate prolife issues in my own subtle way! ;)

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i texted john oliver kanina about the ateneo thing i'm joining next wednesday to... nakakatuwa kasi the text was so vague that you really won't have any idea about it... but my point of texting him was if he'd like to join the bible study group... and i know he's busy with his mba but i just wanted to try my luck... so we talked on the phone just now... he will be busy nga but he offered to drive me home!!! i was actually flabbergasted kc i wasn't expecting this. nakakahiya sobra! but that would give us time to talk naman daw so i guess ok na din... paminsan-minsan. ;) ahiang-ahia ko talaga sya. ;) felt blessed lang when i talk to him kc he's so supportive!

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i had an iridology exam kanina... kuya jigs was at the office and sister pilar all treated us to have a check-up (that usually costs P300 outside)... he had this magnifying glass with lights and asked me to look at his earlobe while he inspects my eye.... he saw that i have high cholesterol nga daw because of the bean-like deposits from the corner of my eye... he recommended me to drink "reactivated charcoal"... it's like a capsule or powder form to drink every night and in the morning, all your toxins will come out. i'm gonna try this thing tonight and see if it's effective. anything to help me at this point in my endeavor to being healthy!!! i want to try pilates!!! tae-bo's nice kaya lang minsan i don't have the energy to do those strenous exercises. pilates daw kasi is a stretching kind of exercise... mejo couch potato exercise... anyway, im so excited for the cds bebs will burn for me... can't wait to try them!!! ;)

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lord, i had fun today meeting people and seeing you in the different people i interacted today. thanks for sr. cora, for letting her drop by at the office to be with us... help me lord to be able to compose a theme song for her 50th year as a nun... i want to show her how much i love her by organizing it for her in december... lord, i lift up everything to you for your greater glory! thank you for being my focus in life!

i'm scared... finally, it's hitting me... all the unhealthy foods, those binges i couldn't control, all the instant food and chemicals i've put into my body... at 26, i have high blood!!! i can't believe for the first time ever, my blood pressure reached 150/100!!! (jeff, sabi ko sa yo mauuna ako sa yo eh)...

i learned of this last sunday night, and come monday... i wanted to go badminton to shed some toxins in my body through the age-old way... exercise! and i searched for badminton centers that were near the area... there was one in hemady which i thought was okay, on mondays and fridays, they charge you P100 and it's play all you can. and on ordinary days, it's P300 per court, plus P25/person... anyhoo... it turned out that mahal pala sya! my brother used to go to a badminton center in north edsa that was only P160/hour... unlimited persons even! so no choice... it was getting late already... so when we went home, it was almost nine, and charmed was up so my sis and i watched it then we tried to look for the tae-bo vcd my brother used to exercise with... we found one, but it was the advanced version, but what the hey, we tried it... it was fun! i liked it and i swore am going to work my way to being healthy by tae-bo and eating right! i decided to do this today and the test was when i was offered to eat chicharon from bulacan... but i didn't even blink when i refused... sana tuloy tuloy na ito and hope i don't give in to temptation!!!

last weekend, i had the chance to help my twin* Char on her glitter tattoo booth... she put a seahorse tattoo (the color of water, green, teal, blue and violet shades) on my wrist and it looked like a colorful wrist band. i was an advertising billboard asking everyone to look at my wrist and encouraged them to have a glitter tattoo! i had fun manning the booth... and spending time with char... sobrang minsan na lang kami magsama... i miss those days when i'd i'd have time to have lunch with her on a work week.... i used to go around malls so it was possible to do this! now, i'm stuck in katipunan (though lovin' it because there's no pollution... literally!!!) anyway, am glad to spend time with char and vange and jeff with those glitter around us... para tulay naging surreal yung imagination ko with that statement... oh well...

speaking of katipunan and my work, i really feel blessed that i came here to work... i just finished layouting the newsletter/tabloid of Pro-life and am so excited to see it come to life! My only owrry is if my boss would change the format and the fonts... but somehow i know he has to trust my taste kasi the tabloid's for the youth na... ;) oh well... kaya nga writer na lang ako sa editorial staff kasi baka ibahin nya layout and kung hindi ko gusto at least my name's not there... ;)

going back to this weekend, bday ni jja nung saturday and i painted her a.... i don't know how to call it... basta it was acrylic paint on a canvas and there was a meaning to everything in the painting... i wish i really knew how to paint... kakafrustrate but siguro when i reach my 40s and have more time in my hands, ill pursue this!

8 na! tae-bo time! ;) am signing off na...

i was able to celebrate mass kanina. and i felt so great. the spirit led me there... i wasn't planning to go to mass but i had a feeling i should... and since i'm trying to celebrate mass as often as i could, i went to mt. carmel church after i went to maryhill to get their course information on pastoral education which i'm eyeing on november. the reading was about a leper who was healed by Jesus. but i was struck because the priest mentioned in his homily about loving difficult people. it was a beautiful story about a parish in france. he mentioned that in facing difficult people, we learn the value of patience. we learn to see our blessings in the midst of the difficulty. and it was just so amazing because i've been reaffirmed about my craziness to love people even if they have hurt me in the past...

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jeff and i talked on the phone for two days straight... just talking... about stuff, about life, and in some parts, discussed some things na wala nang katuturan. and it felt good to laugh about some things that happened in our past. one thing i was struck with was that i felt i've grown in this friendship of ours... before i used to be so sensitive, but our friendship has taught me to be level-headed which i am now... and which i had to admit, takes a little getting used to. but i'm really happy. because i know we've both grown...

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i'm so glad erika and i talked last wednesday and cleared some real issues. i'm glad i didn't hurt her by saying i really wanted to drop bbec already. i know there's still a lot to happen but i really feel that i need to simplify my life and with all the developments in my life, i really don't see bbec there any more. but i told her i'd still be there. i'd still help out if she needs it... and i'll keep an open mind pa rin about the partnership.

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lord, thank you for such a great day! i hope i always see your presence in my life even with the storms brewing all over the place. i lift up everything to you and i give thanks for the instruments you give me to let me know you love me. amen.

my "idol" at the moment... she co-wrote "i believe" 

after a period of what seemed like silence, the writer in me longed to express and try to translate what seems to be of late, a mind full of questions and a heart full of love and compassion.

i've always been the one who uses the heart first. i've had this strategy for as long as i can remember. listen to my heart first, then my head to analyze what God wills for me, the back to my heart where God rests. and whatever circumstance and situation, i try to use this.

lately, i've been feeling strain in our choir. It's like a rubber band stretching itself to the limits. gone were the days when everybody, honest-to-goodness, got along. it almost seemed like yesterday when we really were having fun... and then i woke up in a dreadful nightmare where suddenly, everyone seemed to have a personality and an attitude problem. i know i shouldn't dwell in that hopeful environment... but experiencing it was like going to heaven then going to purgatory if it makes sense at all.

The middle child in me wants to make everything a-ok. i've been almost always a person who gets along with everybody. and even if i did hurt some people in the past by my actions, i manage to still be able to be friends with that person. so with my personality, i really want to make things ok. i know this sometimes bother people, but hey, this is me. i can't please anyone... but i know i'm not hurting other people because of this trait of mine.

But sometimes, you just can't. But you can hope. And pray. And i've been trying to do this for the last few years... though i'm getting tired, it's all i'm hanging on to...

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i remember a passage in the bible where it says in not so many words, that when you are about to take communion or do something important for the Lord, and remember that you are not reconciled with your brother, to drop everything, reconcile with your brother first and go back to where you started. it's like saying that before anything else, make peace with your brother first. and i'm reminded that if we want something done, it's not the end results that counts sometimes, but the way we get to the result that matter. i wonder sometimes if my choirmates ever think about this passage...

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i've been contemplating my life and i have tried to simplify it over the months. i'm happy for this move, and am still trying to find ways to simplify it. there are a lot of things i've involved in right now... and there's one thing i'd really love to drop. however, the circumstance surrounding it seems to affect so many people who i love. i'm still trying to find out how and i'm hoping God will show me how.

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american idol freak. that's what i call myself these days. i love the song "I believe"...

Have you ever reached your rainbows end
Did you find your pot of gold
Ever catch a shooting star
Tell me how high did you soar
Ever felt like you were dreaming just to find that
you're awake
And the magic that surrounds you can lift you up
and guide you on your way

I can see it in the stars across the sky
Dreamed a hundred thousand dreams before,
Now I finally realize
You see I've waited all my life
For this moment to arrive
And finally
I believe in the impossible

If I reach deep within my heart
Overcome any obstacles
Won't let this dream fall apart
You see I strive to be the very best
Shine my light for all to see
Cause anything is possible
When you believe

I can see it in the stars across the sky (Yeah)
Dreamed a hundred thousand dreams before
Now I finally realize (Now I finally realize)
You see I've waited all my life
For this moment to arrive
Finally, finally
I believe

I said I believe (ohh yeah)
Love keeps lifting me higher
(Love keeps lifting me higher)
Love keeps lifting me higher
(You ought to try it for yourself)
(Lifting me higher)
Love keeps lifting me higher
(Yeah.. Love keeps lifting me higher)
Love keeps lifting me higher
(Higher, higher, higher, higher, higher)
Love keeps lifting me higher
(Love keeps lifting, love keeps lifting me higher)
Love keeps lifting me higher
Yeah..
Higher
Oh yeah..

i absolutely love this song. i'm reminded of my dreams and how God can make it all possible for me. but on the funny side, i hear fred's comment on the show: it's great because it encourages support of the family and it really is a quality show... and i agree, it's just that it comes from fred and he made me smile when he said it. fred is one tough cookie to crack... but he cares, and deep down inside, i see goodness that can only come from the heart.

Si Padre Jorge ay isang pari sa isang munting bayan sa isang Malayong lalawigan.

Isang linggo nang hapon, dumating siya sa kapilya na may bitbit na luma at kinakalawang na hawla. Ipinatong ni Padre sa pulpito ang lumang hawla.May mga kilay na nagtikwasan na tila nag-uusisa at tila bilang sagot ay nagsimulang magkuwento si Padre Jorge.

"Naglalakad ako kahapon sa kabayanan nang makita ko ang isang binatilyong palapit sa akin. "May dala-dala siyang hawla na naglalaman ng tatlong ibong pipit na nangangatog sa takot. "Tumigil ako at inusisa ko ang binatilyo,

'Anak, ano iyan?'

"Ang sagot niya, 'Mga ibong pipit lang na nahuli ko.'

"Tinanong ko siyang muli, 'Aanhin mo ang mga iyan?'

"Ang sagot niya, 'Iuuwi ko at paglalaruan. Pipitik-pitikin ko sila, hihilahin ang kanilang mga balahibo, at pag-aaway-awayin ko!'

"Ang sabi ko, 'Pero pagsasawaan mo rin ang paglalaro sa kanila. Ano ang gagawin mo pagkatapos?'

"Ang sagot niya, 'May mga pusa akong alaga. Mahilig sa ibong pipit ang mga pusa. Ipakakain ko sila. O kaya, titiradurin ko sila.'

Tumahimik sandali si Padre Jorge, bago nagpatuloy ng pagsasalaysay,

"Inusisa ko ang binatilyo, 'Magkano mo ipagbibili sa akin ang mga ibong pipit na iyan?

"Napakunot-noo ang binatilyo, 'Aanhin ninyo ang mga ibong pipit na ito? Ibon lang ang mga ito. Pangit ang kanilang huni. Hindi sila magaganda!'

"Muli ay nagtanong ako, 'Magkano?' "Sumagot ang binatilyo, 'P100?'

"Agad akong dumukot sa aking bulsa ng P100 at ibinigay ko iyon sa kanya.

"Dali-daling umalis ang binatilyo at iniwan ang hawla na naglalaman ng tatlong ibon. "Kinuha ko ang hawla at nagtungo ako sa lilim ng isang puno, at doon ay binuksan ko ang hawla at pinalaya ang tatlong ibon." Ang hawlang iyon ang nasa pulpito.
At muli, nagkuwento si Padre Jorge...

Isang araw, nag-uusap sina Satanas at Hesus. Kagagaling lamang ni Satanas sa daigdig, at siya ay bumubungisngis at nagmamayabang.

Sabi ni Satanas, "Hoy, Hesus! Nahuli ko ang lahat ng mga tao sa mundo! Nabitag ko silang lahat! Ginamitan ko sila ng iba't ibang pain at kinagat nilang lahat ang mga iyon!"

Nagtanong si Hesus, "Aanhin mo sila?"

Sumagot si Satanas, "Magpapakasaya ako! Tuturuan ko silang magpakasal at kapagkuwan ay maghiwalay! "Tuturuan ko ng kamunduhan at tuturuan ko silang ipalaglag ang mga sanggol sa mga sinapupunan! "Tuturuan ko silang mamuhi sa isa't isa at magmalabis sa kapwa nila! "Tuturuan ko silang maglasing, magmura, magsigarilyo, magsugal, magpakabangag at magpasasa sa laman at kung anu-anong bisyo! "Tuturuan ko silang gumawa ng mga baril at bomba na gagamitin upang magpatayan sila! "Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Kalulugdan ko ang mga kabuktutan at kabaliwan nila!"

Nagtanong si Hesus, "At pagkatapos, aanhin mo sila?" Nakangising sumagot si Satanas, "Pahihirapan ko sila, at lilipulin ko silang lahat."]

Nagtanong si Hesus, "Magkano mo sila ipagbibili sa akin?"

Sagot ni Satanas, "Aanhin mo sila? Tao lang sila. Wala silang silbi. Kunin mo man sila, sila pa ang magagalit sa iyo."Duduraan ka nila. Aalipustain. Pahihirapan. Hindi mo gusto ang mga taong iyan!"

Nagtanong muli si Hesus, "Magkano?"

Sumagot si Satanas, "Lahat ng iyong luha at lahat ng iyong dugo.

"Bulalas ni Hesus, "Sige!"

At nagbayad si Hesus.

Hindi ba kakatwa na napakadali sa mga tao na ibasura ang Diyos at kapagkuwan ay magtataka kung bakit ang mundo ay patungo sa impyerno? Hindi ba kakatwa na may nangangalandakang, "Naniniwala ako sa Diyos," ngunit sinusundan pa rin niya si Satanas? Hindi ba kakatwa na nagte-text ka ng libu-libong kabulastugan at ang mga kabulastugang ito ay mabilis na kumakalat tulad ng mabangis na apoy, ngunit kapag nagpadala ka ng mga mensahe tungkol sa Panginoon, Makadalawang ulit pa na pinag-iisipan ng mga tao kung ikakalat nila ang mga ito? Hindi ba kakatwa na mas inaalala ko ang iisipin ng ibang tao tungkol sa akin kaysa kung ano ang iisipin sa akin ng Panginoon?

Ipinagdarasal ko na ang mga magbabahagi ng kuwentong ito sa kanilang mga kapamilya at kaibigan, sa lahat ng kanilang mahal sa buhay ay bibiyayaan ng Diyos sa paraang natatangi para sa kanila.

Juan 3:16-17 "Gayon na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa sanlibutan, kaya ibinigay nya ang kanyang bugtong na Anak, upang ang sumampalataya sa kanya ay hindi mapahamak, kundi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan." "Sapagkat sinugo ng Diyos ang kanyang Anak, hindi upang hatulang maparusahan ang sanlibutan, kundi upang iligtas ito sa pamamagitan niya."Kaibigan, maari mo bang ibahagi ito sa mga tao!

Vangie and I bonded over a movie, dinner and a phone call this evening. Tonight made me realize a lot of things. I used to be very afraid of talking about my true feelings, exposing myself and being vulnerable. But after tonight, I realized I can be "naked"... because I've accepted myself for who I am and God allowed me to realize this thought. I became true to myself and am loving myself for who I am more. Vanged talked to a very "raw" arlene... parang exposed to the bone. I talked to her about my fears, my being sensitive, my insecurities and all the while appreciating the beauty of all these negative things. It's actually a long time since I bared my soul... sometimes, people seem to judge you or think the better of you so you would rather shut up and say nothing at all. Sometimes, you also think of a better way to say it but end up saying nothing when you should be voicing out and speaking in honest terms. I wasn't even afraid to tell her about needing a man in my life... I used to be very close-minded to the idea of needing a man in my life. I believed that even if one day, I should have a boyfriend, I would never let him love me and affect me in a way I can't control... but I realized you can't do that. I still believe in living a single-blessed life. Let's just say I'm also opening up the option of the other side of the road as well. (and everything that comes along with it... yes, even raising up kids.)

Che's Despidida 

(jayne, che, me, cathy, marge, and abuy)
taken last May 07, 2004, gerry's grill, makati

My day started really great. I received a text from che... grabe, miss ko na tong friend ko. She went to the US na, staying there indefinitely. She texted me to tell me she enjoyed the jeans story of my life and asked me how i was... i really miss her na... she's one of those few friends I can really be myself with... i don't need to pretend whenever i'm with her... i can say things and vent out my feelings to her and she'd get me through it... i remember one time i was soooo stressed out, she really stayed by me and kept me company! i really appreciate our friendship, we're not the everyday-text-call-email buddies, but we connect... sometimes, iniisip ko pa lang syang tawagan, she'd do it na... sometimes iniisip kong lumbas, she'll think about it too... grabe. definitely one of my greatest friends. i don't want to dwell on missing her, i know... i have to move on... but i am naman, it's just sometimes you just wish you could see her, have a heart-to-heart talk every now and then... siguro this kasi i can't do with jeff... lalaki kasi, u go to them when u want straight answers and action. pero yung mga feelings feelings, mejo na...ah. although jeff can sometimes take it, pero iba talaga si che. icompare ba? no, just saying that men are from mars, women from venus...

Anyway, as i said, my day started great. After reading the texts, I found out the water supply wasn't working so I texted my officemates I'll be late... pero kakatuwa kasi i was even able to come ten minutes before time! Lucky me because I was able to get a tricycle (which i had to wait 10 minutes usually!), got on a train on the lrt as soon as i went up the platform (which i normally had to wait for 2-5 minutes)! Ang ganda talaga ng araw ko... and I was so productive today!

After work, I went to St. Peter for singles... but at the last minute, most people backed out... so that left Erika, John and me... and Fr. manny. so we just discussed na lang the marketing side of the 50th anniversary of our parish.

Fr. invited us for coffee, so we went to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf... we had green tea (beat Starbucks - landslide!) and banana cake... grabe, heavenly yung banana cake... no dryness whatsoever!!! I'll definitely come back for that... a slice is P65 lang... not bad! Anyway, we talked about some of his concerns and we did give him a lot of ideas... sana magrealize yung mga plans ;)

So, today was really a nice day... I felt God is there all the time... thank you nga ako ng thank you sa kanya... especially the first few hours of the morning... and now that the day has closed, i realize every beat, every moment, every smile, every friend I met, there has to be some reason... because that's how good God is... If we see the small miracles in life, we'll realize all the more how blessed we are... (right bebs?) ;)

I've been on the hunt for a new jeans since my reliable jeans gave up on me a few weeks ago...

So I went to Guess, where I buy most of my jeans (perfect fit kasi ako dun... or so I thought!) when they go on SALE... fortunately, they were on sale but unfortunately, wala ng size!! So, I went to other malls... to different stores... on different dates... and to no avail!

But today, I really had to buy a pair of jeans... and I went to Guess again.... pero wala... to Surplus Shop... wala pa din... to Hang Ten... after several tries, finally found one... pero mejo baggy ng konti... pero ok na so I bought it... e hindi pa rin ako happy... so I went again to search for another one... I tried Oyxgen... mejo pricey but not quite... and finally, a nice pair of jeans!!!! salamat naman! So I'm having it altered right now so that's why I'm in a net café right now...

Anyway, I'm a bit tired na... so this is it for today... (and me off to pick up my altered jeans ;)

My brand new assistant Bebs 

Actually, this is not the first time we worked together. We worked in Youth Camp and I must say, this girl is really something! She exceeded my expectations! If I had my own company, I'd hire her immediately! ;) Ganun kagaling. She's just in college pero sobrang professional na magwork... And now, she's my assistant na sa souvenir program! Buti na lang she told me sa chat namin about her church service and how she didn't want clerical works... so I offered her the job and i told her I'll ask Fr. Manny if it's alright! And gud thing he did say yes! So we had our first meeting kanina and i was thinking na baka ma-off sya sa dami ng work! But she's such a great learner... I really like her attitude in learning... she doesn't mind doing the "dirty job"... so to speak... Sometimes kasi, I realize, ang daming newcomers na ayaw utusan gawin mga bagay-bagay... not knowing na it's their way to get CONNECTIONS and to build their careers! So back to Bebs... her attitude is really amazing. Aside from the zeal to work, she also is very hardworking. The results she gives is really amazing... mas nakikita ko pang maganda outcome nya sa work than the others who are professional na... And I'm not even exaggerating here. So that's why I'm so excited to see her work kasi mejo professional na ang gagawin namin.

Aside from her being my assistant, she's also my shobe sa FC. I really love this person. We may not know much about each other (nagst-start pa lang kc yung closeness namin) but sobrang "bosom" buddy ko na sya. I admire her faith, and she continues to give me inspiration! I don't even know if she knows how much I appreciate her thoughtfulness and her words to me... natouch nga ako ng youth camp kasi they have so many good words for me... from my past, i never thought i'd affect people... and when they say it in such a sincere way, my heart is so full of that love... and Bebs also affirmed that love on that night... ;)

I love talking about people who make an impact on me... and tonight, bebs did that to me...

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Thank you, Lord, for the gift of my friend, shobe, assistant Bebs... I realize she's your gift to me, too... a sign of your love for me... Please bless her more and more... I am grateful for her presence in my life and I continue to give thanks to YOU, our author of life, for connecting our lives together... May this friendship be blessed by you and may you work in both of us for your greater glory!

Today, I was finally able to finalize and personalize my blog. Am so happy at the outcome. ;) It finally had a concept... and hindi na ako tatanungin ng tao, "Ano uli, reflex?" sagot ko: "hindi, reflects." Sagot nila, "Aaaahhh. Reflex." Poink!

::..**~~000~~**..::

I watched Shrek 2 kanina.... ang cute ni puss! Lalo when he's doing the paawa effect. I watched Shrek with my family. I had fun with them kanina. Before that, we ate at Cabalen... grabe, i am eating light tomorrow!

::..**~~000~~**..::

Tomorrow is a busy day... I'll be joining a praise and worship session and then off to mass, then off to a meeting with ate rose... then try to drop by Queenie's ting hun... then back to St. Peter for practice session... I'm not sure I'll be able to handle everything but let's see...

::..**~~000~~**..::

Short Prayer

Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can't change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. My heart is full of gratitude for your blessings, Lord. When I fall and stumble, remind me to be humble enough to bow down and confess and be ready to receive you again.

Last night was fun! I had a chance to be with the boys (Bernie, Jetsson, Marc and Jec) of FCCY. We went out to watch Harry Potter. Before watching, we ate at Nacho Fast and had rice bowls and a tortilla pizza at Rockwell. I wanted to try sana the buffet (P199 lang kc) but decided against it... I just wanted to try lang the appetizers kasi. ;) Then we went to Power Station, where there were arcade games, etc. Balik ako sa pagkabata! (Masarap pala!) I wasn't able to play games pero ang saya to watch them do their stuff. May bago na palang kapalit duon sa dancing game. Meron na palang dancing using hands... Kakalito pero kakatuwa. Ang gagaling ng mga tao! ;) After that, we watched Harry Potter na. It was okay. I forgot the book na altogether but I wasn't disappointed naman. Ang gwapo ni Daniel Radcliffe! Then we waited for the car to arrive. Habang nag-iintay, Bernard and I were teasing Jetsson... and nung nasa car na kami, we found a great way para hindi na mag "SS(Sinto-sinto)-mode" si Jetsson! We asked him to pay everyone present P5 every time he goes into his "SS-Mode". It worked!!! Til when kaya? ;) Overall, it was really a nice night out with the boys.

::..~...~**00**~...~..::

Highlights of the week:
- Encountering Desiderata
- Meeting Rhoda at Podium last Wednesday
- Had a bonding session with the girls in my family
- Had a "Boys Night Out"
- Learning about God's will for me

Desiderata
Anonymous

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

...~**ooo**~...

My best friend liked this very much but I never read it thoroughly. After encountering it tonight, I now know why.

I couldn't resist... i love this shot! i haven't watched shrek yet but i'm going to... soon! ;) sino pa ba di nakakanuod ng shrek 2???? 

Finally! After days of writer's block, I finally wanted to write something. ;) I don't usually procastinate but the past few days has been sad for me and I didn't want my blog to be full of them so I restrained myself from writing anything. And today, there is reason to be happy about so I'm back to writing again!!!

I finally read the "Read It or Rue It" booklet which gave a lot of insights on purgatory. I prayed for them the whole day and I'm grateful that my talk (though crammed) went well naman. There's a lot of things that aren't so clear pa rin with regards to this topic but if we don't start somewhere to understand our faith... then what about the responsibility we have as Catholic Christians? Though it's hard to just have a passion for the poor souls in Purgatory, I believe we have to do our part and pray for them...

God is so good!!!! He humbled me not to accept the offer in Mindoro (but the offer is still standing daw kahit kelan ko gusto!) and accept my life in pro-life and accept the fact that I do have to cut back on some stuff in life... but Sr. Pilar led me to this decision when she said that she'll try to give me allowances or increase in salary. After that, I realized it's not time for me to leave. Nakakainis na nakakatawa. Nakakainis kasi I really want to go... I feel that I've been taken for granted na by the people around me... and I want to free myself of expectations from other people... and a time to really just rest and finally take care of me... but God still has plans for me here... he wants me to witness pa siguro the birth of my pamangkin this september... and i remember that in pro-life, i still have a role to play for Ate Rita... at the start kasi, God sent me a message that I'm a constant reminder of his love for Ate Rita so that she can finally accept His plan for her... hay, ang tigas ng ulo ni Ate Rita kaya siguro ayaw pa nya ako paalisin... oh well. Nakakatuwa din kasi I know that there are a lot of things he wants me to experience... and the humbling and accepting of my fate (even if i had to die to my desire to go) is a sacrifice I offer to Jesus' passion. God is good because He really find ways to show me His love! Kasi I'm to watch Harry Potter with d boyz at fccy (bernard, jetsson, marc... o diba?) and I was actually wondering where to get the money to watch at ROCKWELL! But God is good kasi birthday pala ni Jetsson so libre pala nya!!!! Grabe, you can't outdo God talaga with His generosity! I'm also happy that I accepted their invitation to go with them... mejo maiba naman ng company para I won't always expect from the company I always keep. God has a way talaga to show me He loves me. He knows kasi I'm so tired na... and He uplifts me talaga in numerous ways. (Thanks, Lord!)

I'm also happy today cause Charlene & Jec went to the Singles... and our number grew from four... to... NINE! O diba, bountiful blessings of God! I'm also happy that Char came... tagal ko na kasi hindi nakikita 'tong TWIN friend (makes no sense but perfect sense to Char & me) kong to... and i really love her for being such a sunshine! I know my day will brighten up just by her presence... and tonight, she did shine on me! ;)

Happy din ako kasi we celebrated Papa's birthday... am glad He's still alive... I really mean it... I know we have difficulties, but God's going to get us through the rain... so to speak...

So a day is about to close... but I'm really happy that God allowed me to experience everything... this made me hang on to Him more... he really showed me that each day is a gift, a miracle to unfold every minute... if you open your heart and mind... you'll see the blessings... in any time... in any way...