HEART and SOUL [Dear AUNTIE]

2012: Be careful of what you ask for...

2012-01-17T19:19:00.013+08:00

Happy New Year! Welcome 2012

I am grateful for everything...thank you Lord!

It was a tremendous 2011...and for sure an exciting year ahead!

The start was a bit jaw dropping, thought I had the job of the year then the inevitable happened. Back to the Job Hunt!

I found this marketing manager job online for a car dealership which catered 11 brands and their main was in San Fernando Pampanga. I went back and forth traversing through cities just to get it...Manila to Pampanga, Baguio to Dagupan, Pangasinan, then 3x Baguio to Pampanga again. It cost me a lot! A whole lot...not only in moolah but in time and effort.

OH WELL! CHARGE IT TO EXPERIENCE!

The GOOD thing >>> I saw their true colors...blessing in disguise...all in DAY ONE!

The BAD things >>> The job was set for North Luzon, so I was sooooo excited! Finally a job I know how to do and which I can be productive, progressive and learn something new from it. A little perk was to have a service vehicle of course...in a nut shell it was better than what was on the menu of other opportunities posted along the way.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS >>> I got the job offer on Dec.27th, I traveled 183kms. just to sign a piece of paper...I traveled from 8am and got there 3pm using public transports I could...the trip was longer than the signing of the document. I got back home midnight :( it was really an arduous task.

YEAR 2012 >>> So I was set to start Jan.2 but asked for Jan.9 as I need to process my papers/requirements which was also at my expense...medical etc. etc. all my expense...they are so thrifty or should I say wise!

DAY ONE >>> I couldn't find a trip which could bring me there on time but I got there just right. Prior to that I kept asking them details, what to expect and other things which might be essential to the job.

I got there, signed some documents, then Lunch Break. I was with 3 other newbies. Then the waiting game began. We sat in the conference room for about an hour and a half, wondering what is next because no one seems to be interested in briefing us on what will happen. It was like a guessing game. Until they came in with some more documents.

WHEW >>> I've seen a lot of HRs in my lifetime. I've been to many types of interviews/exams/job applications/hiring/job offers/career related stuff and this is the first time I experienced such. I had my HUGE luggage with me with a backpack and a bag. I was introduced to the person who will be training me supposedly...who seem to be at a lost as well on what he was supposed to teach me... donning a poker face in front of the boss because he felt threatened of my presence and my role in the team. I don't know if they really knew what they were doing or they just kept trying because that's their routine and they've been doing it for some time now.

AT THE END OF THE DAY >>> Still no official protocol except they gave me 1k for my accommodations because I was advised that the staff house was not ready for me, and to think they hired me weeks prior to my arrival. I also heard from an angry bird that the staff house was bare, just mattresses on the floors...no basic household items. They bought their own pail & dipper and potable water to drink. To top it all, we were asked to sign a non employee-employer relationship document which also stated that our training allowance will be given only after the training...WOW! So what would be the purpose of my training allowance if this would be given after the training...why didn't they tell me this fact when I asked them first hand...why tell me now when there seems to be no way out. They discussed about corporate attires which I didn't had in my luggage because they didn't tell me beforehand when I kept asking...now they pointed out requirements which should've been told weeks ahead.

EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED >>> Since it was a reputable (so to speak) AutoGroup in San Fernando Pampanga, I expected that they would at least give me a ride to where I was supposed to stay since I wasn't familiar with the place. Lo and behold they assisted me by hailing a Tricycle (a motorcycle with a carriage for passengers), just imagine my disgust carrying a huge luggage and 2 bags with me, I almost didn't fit in the Tricycle. I'm a down-to-earth person, I can live in tents because I was a very active girl scout, but what I didn't like was the lack of preparedness this company presented. I was surprised that they couldn't even provide a decent transportation to aide their management team or to billet them in a comfortable/decent hotel.

SLEAZY MOTEL >>> So I crossed the national high way and asked to be taken to Sogo Motel in Mexico Pampanga. When I got there, no cheap rooms where available for a 12hr rental. In fact HR told me that check in time was 8pm, it was only 6pm and they suggested that I leave my stuff at the lobby and buy time at SM Pampanga. Another WOW! I was really tired and hungry for travelling half day then to realize I couldn't settle in because of these factors. I only had enough money in my pocket to get back home and I was not going to spend it for the night because they didn't want to spend for me. I begged the service attendants to give me a room for a reasonable price because I was from out of town and I needed a roof on my head. Finally they gave in. I got a cigarette infused room just vacated by a couple who had a short stay...okay that's not too good but what the heck, I was desperate!

MOMENT OF TRUTH >>> I couldn't sleep coz the electricity was on and off...the AutoGroup didn't even bother to check if I got there, got a room or what, I had to tell them and they responded like it was all fine. I hadn't taken my dinner...I was really tired so during my stay, I decided if they were like this on the first day, what more on the next. I just couldn't believe this was all for real. When I got up the next day, no breakfast and again---riding a tricycle, I asked if there was a bus going back home since this was next to impossible and I was also in a dilemma on how to get my luggage through another jeepney ride just to get to the bus station.

FORTUNATELY >>> there was a bus going home...without a blink of an eye, i waited and took off without saying goodbye...my first night was a nightmare, i was in tears because aside from the fact that I was away from my family and my home, it was terrible to experience such. God was good enough to send angels via this bus going home...and I took this chance, no matter if I lost my first job for the year.

LESSON >>> I've always vouched for HONESTY, INTEGRITY, and TRANSPARENCY...which this AutoGroup didn't practice nor its employees...now I know why they're named such because if translated to English they are really "LOSERS" for making their employees undergo such. They ask for security because some employees leave them making their company a training ground...but now I wonder why these employees left. I thought I found a new home, a new family, but...all I found was a closed door so I could open a new window in my next journey...going back home! Finding the right job! A better company...even without a ride, I will continue...until I find it...for now it's going to be fine...I'm going for it...

Mitsubishi Evo by M-Pics

'Tis the Season to be Jolly...

2011-12-22T07:59:00.004+08:00

Time flies so fast that you barely notice that it's almost end of 2011. It's that time again where the air is cool and everyone is kind and giving...the season for Christmas time. We, Christians celebrate the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ on December 25. I think we should make it Christmas daily because it's the only time when people become kinder to each other. They tend to be more Christian like than most days which I believe we should practice the whole year round.

It's difficult to be forgiving, I know, especially to those who are very unkind to us...but we must try our very best to put our good foot forward and be a living example to the new generation. We must be beacons of positiveness as well since these days the world is so negative, full of evil and even mother earth is experiencing decay.

Family and Friends, let us continue to be resilient even amidst the hardships of life. We must keep believing and pray unceasingly that the Lord Jesus Christ with His Loving Mother Mary, the Saints and all the Angels, grant us a good, peaceful and abundant life.

Merry Christmas to All and A Prosperous New Year!

Praying today!

2011-10-17T15:35:00.003+08:00

Photo: Christianity Cross by graur razvan ionut

Praying is the only thing that keeps my sanity each day. I pray unceasingly...when my eyes open, sometimes even if I am half awake and half asleep...I pray when I eat or drink my cup of fresh brew. I pray when I am in the shower...when I do the chores...when I walk...when I commute...it doesn't really matter where I am and what I am doing...I never stop praying.

The year is almost ending...although I feel that a lot of goals were not met and I experienced a lot of road blocks but there were also a lot of good things along the way. In fact, answered prayers were unimaginable to begin with. Having found a partner for life is the Best Gift that GOD has given me, YES, unexpectedly but life saving. Healing of many afflictions. Yet the ones I still carry are also part of that journey.

I am blessed, having all these in my life. Despite the trials and the many troubles I face each day...financial issues which gives me a headache...I pray to find a stable source of income that I may be able to provide and be able to settle. This is my goal. These are all superficial and can be resolved when you just keep on hitting even the air. I accept the other loads to carry because I am blessed. I only pray for healing...complete and total healing.

As much as we want not to worry, as much as we want to stay positive and to inspire other people, we are all human. We get to that point when we realize that we can only do as much, yet we are more than blessed than those who are less fortunate than us. Instead of channeling our energy towards these worries, why not use it to pray and pray with all your heart and all your might. Let GOD carry the load for you, the burden in your heart, lighten the soul...because He is a loving Father. A merciful healer and great provider. He will never forsake us because He created us and know what our life is even before we were born.

I want to CHANGE today. To pray more than I ever did. I feel that I have missed out on my praying lately. I have given thought more on other things which distracts my spiritual growth.

TODAY I just want you to PRAY with me. Even if in doubt, just PRAY. I remember my mom, who will celebrate her 11th death anniversary on Oct.31, she was a role model. She prayed all the time, morning, noon and night. Until her last days, she was praying. Perhaps even in her last hours. I just hope I can be more like her in many ways, especially in PRAYING.

So as this new "Dear Auntie" blog entry ends, pause for a while. Whatever you are doing, say a prayer. Say it LOUD in your heart, in your mind, in your soul...let the heavens be moved by your praying and let GOD hear your plea. GOD is good all the time and He answers our prayers in HIS time. GOD bless your day. You are in my prayers.

the crying man

2011-10-15T21:55:00.010+08:00

Photo:Depression by Salvatore Vuono

I saw a man the other day, he was walking briskly...for a moment he paused, sat on the pavement and looked up in the sky, like wondering, asking why? I thought he was about to cry but instead he wiped his face with a white towel, the blazing hot sun was making him sweat like a runner in a marathon. He moved under a big old tree, where the shade was, trying to cool off.

I watched some more. He pulled out a water bottle from his back pack, drinking a little to quench his thirst. Again, he looked up in the sky, starring blankly like nothing else matters. I can sense a feeling of sadness written across his face. Loneliness that engulfs his core. Screaming inside just wanting to get out.

For several minutes he stayed in that manner, until I walked over to see if he was alright. I asked how he was...he looked at me and didn't say a word. Motioned his hand and put his right thumb up. A way to tell that all was just going well. I sat across him, right under the next tree, strangely after a few minutes, he began to cry. I didn't understand why?

He hailed like a lonely wolf on top of the mountain. Pouring tears like the rain on a stormy night. I can feel his sadness...deep rooted sadness...a sadness beyond one can ever imagine. I patted his back and tried to comfort him. It was not working. I tried to force a smile out of him, but nothing. Even cracked a joke but only silence roared amidst the tears.

I stood up and left. As I walked away, I wondered. How much pain was weighing him down that he could not contain and made him burst into tears. Perhaps it was a pain that cuts through the heart. A cut that never heals. Each time it is touched, the wound becomes deeper...more painful than ever...

I knew that the man was so sad...I only pray that his loneliness would fade away...his grief would turn into laughter...his pain into bliss...for how long
he will endure such, no one could tell...for now it is just a story. Perhaps one day, you might meet him along the way...and when you do, you'll know what to do.

No one wants to be sad or lonely...in case you meet someone who is, be a friend, listen if you can, or just tap his shoulders and say, "everything will be okay"~

I Stopped Running...

2011-10-15T16:15:00.006+08:00

Photo:Download Arrow Sign by ntwow

We get up each day, grateful that we are still alive...that itself is a blessing...
First thing we do is take a step when we get out of bed...then another step...then one more...in life that's how we do it...we take steps!

Some take baby steps...some take giant leaps!

Most days, we know where we are going...but what if we don't know which road to take? Where do we go?

I am no longer RUNNING...

I found my sanctuary...so it seems...shouting my prayers towards heaven.

The rat race keeps you seeking for that ideal job...one that you like to do and compensates well, added bonus if you have a nice office and great colleagues, right? Perhaps some are lucky to have these in their lives...and for some who are lost at what life throws back at them...they struggle to survive...it's a fight for unemployment. It's a different ball game. You cannot pass the ball to any one just like that. You need to keep dribbling till you reach the goal and take that shot.
It doesn't really matter if they like it, if they are happy with it, they just soak in it and absorb it all to have a decent meal on their plate.

Being an itinerant, like the late Steve Jobs, I keep searching for the right one. But I have settled...I found my happiness...in the persona of my lifetime partner. Perhaps not in the career I aspire for, because believe or not, I never wanted to become a writer...never imagined I'd be doing this as a source of income...I have always been creative, an innate passion to create and to be in the field of arts, but I never thought this would lead me to a writing career. I am still learning. I want to hone my writing skills further. Attend workshops and be able to utilize it to its maximum potentials.

I may be in search right now for projects and online jobs...or a secure employment but that doesn't mean I am still RUNNING...because I am not. The steps I am taking right now are no longer for myself...but having the financial security to provide for my family...but happiness is not based on these alone...you need to have realizations along the way...that being blessed with someone is more than what one can ask for. Definitely GOD gives you what you pray for. Life would be different if I didn't have it all together.

So today, ask yourself if you have found your happiness in some form or the other...because if you did, it's time to retire those running shoes and head off to the right direction. Stay Happy.

silence...

2011-10-09T14:18:00.005+08:00

Photo:Rain In London by vegadsl

the sound of the rain falling as the storm hits into the walls of the heart...

smashing waves breaks the silence echoing in the distance as it roars...

terrified each time it hits the depths of the soul...

reflections of the past keep haunting...

the joyous milliseconds seems to be lost...

searching is almost a lost cause...

how can one find the answers to questions that is not...

drifting into a sea of uncertainty, sailing far away...

when can one find serenity...

where is that place called heaven...

angels may be lurking but too much pain...

in the stillness of the darkness...

a hope to see the light...

emotions that are forgotten...

trapped inside the recesses of the mind...

until it all stops...

silence...silence...silence...

It's TIME...

2011-10-09T12:46:00.005+08:00

Photo: Road In The Mist by Evgeni Dinev

Uncertain as it may seems the road to life is twisted and complex. There are many decisions we have to make, some good, some bad, along the road you keep on making mistakes, but each time you do, the learning is inevitable. Changes are constant. You cannot choose the family you were born into, it's a given! I am thankful I have one. But in every family set up, especially in a big clan, you will experience a lot of happiness, sadness, tension and problems.

God created us to be equally different. He knew the lay out of our lives even before our birth. Everything is up to us when we are born. Of course, our parents guide us until we are able.

Different personalities...
Different quirks and rationalities...
Different strokes for different folks...

There is a fine line between independence with freedom and living with you family.
It's a matter of defining the realities according to your preferences.
A need to cooperate and tolerate.
Somehow it can be unbearable at times.

Each day...
Do the things that will make you happy.
Treat people right and be kinder.
Learn to accept the criticisms of others even if it's not true.
Apologize if you need to because that's the right thing to do.
Make the most of what's in your plate,tomorrow might not come.
Soar, fly, take risks, face challenges, and keep dreaming.

Like what the late Steve Jobs said in his favorite quote "Stay Hungry"...
He said..."don't settle, find it..." find what you love to do, find whom you love, never settle...in order to do something great, you have to do something you love.

Life may be a never ending road but each time you take a step you move on.
There may be villains along the way but you have the power to eradicate them.
Utilize the goodness you find and share it with others.
Never let anyone get you down, make you feel shitty like you're a total loser.

You have the power to change the course of your life.
Only you have the ability to make things happen.
Stand up. Keep fighting. Go forward.

It's TIME!

Colors of my mind...

2011-09-26T17:12:00.006+08:00

Photo:Postbox by anankkml

Gray...

Rain...

Still...

can you still feel?

Blue...

Ice...

Cold...

am i just becoming too old?

Red...

Passion...

Bliss...

that is what I truly miss?

Black...

Night...

Mad...

one thing that makes me sad~

Yellow...

Day...

Soar...

a wish by the boar~

Purple...

Heart...

Broken...

is this my only token?

Green...

Eyes...

Stare...

are you still aware?

Pink...

Flowers...

Bloom...

could erase all the gloom~

but all the colors in the world cannot tell you what is untold...in the depths of the deep waters the waves are smashing at the rocks...the sound of the wind is deafening...but until death do us part~~~

Life is Full of Adventures ~ Ride it out!

2011-09-13T14:36:00.016+08:00

Photo:Girl Drinking Coffee In Paddy Field by sakhorn38 http://c69282.r82.cf3.rackcdn.com/_MG_0164.jpg

[DEAR AUNTIE]is a blog column by Zach Tala Ray
do not use without permission, thank you

Trusting your Instincts

I’ve always been a trusting human being. Wherever I go, whether it is work related, a social event or even just sitting at the farthest corner of a coffee shop, strange as it seems, somebody would just approach me and start a conversation. I’m just friendly and would like to be kinder. I have been in this industry for a very long time now so part of it is dealing with different types of people and interacting with them so I just can’t stop in a flick of a finger and become a gargoyle.

Today I encountered something odd when out of the blue this man asks for the time then just tells me (while I was reading the broadsheet) “why don’t you write for them and become as popular as Ninoy Aquino? Sitting from where I am, I can see the Ninoy Aquino monument on Ayala and wanted to tell the man that I want to writer a column in a broadsheet and become popular like the Senator but I wouldn't want to be a monument yet. He asked what I was doing with the newspapers; bluntly uttered that I was just copying the Daily Bread Bible verses. After asking about my religion, he then started a mini preaching and said that one has to learn the scriptures, and have a personal relationship with God. It is only then one can be saved through being born again.

I felt weird but at the same time puzzled if this was a twist of “faith” or somebody up there was just kidding around because the Proverbs which I was copying struck me in some way and I wanted to remember it. Why? It tells about anger and it’s something I am guilty of and which I would like to get rid of and tell about in another blog on another day.

Then another man approaches me asking for the time (again)...I was dumbfounded... what the heck was it with the time check? Am I the time keeper? Perhaps it is a realization of many factors by some cosmic destiny that is happening now that I am 40.

Well, I am hoping to be a source of enlightenment to my readers...to become a beacon to those who are not really lost but experiencing a dim light in their lives ( like me)...to become a source of inspiration or maybe laughter. In this crazy world we live in, everyone is so serious and going about their busy lives that they forget to lighten up a bit. ( I do experience that of course, that's why I am writing and starting this blog column "Dear AUNTIE"...)

Honing the Positives

Each day upon waking up...on your first breath into a new day, that itself is a blessing. Be Alive. Be Grateful. Be Inspired. Be Beautiful. Be Productive. Be Who You Truly Are. Be Kind.

Be Alive
The fact you are still breathing and not six feet under means you are alive in the physical sense. Feel the world around you. If it’s early morning, enjoy the stillness and quiet moments while the city is still asleep, free from the noise that usually engulfs the world. Feel Life while blood runs through your veins, pumping it in your heart and making your body function. Even if you are afflicted with some ailment, one more day added to your calendar is a feat. Open your eyes and be aware of everything.

Be Grateful
Blessings come in various forms. We sometimes don’t realize it but the simple things and the little details we take for granted are the ones called ‘divine providence’...we barely ask for them but they’re given freely by God to us. We tend to notice easily what we don’t have and what we lack and complain about them rather than opening our minds and heart to what we have. So today instead of looking for what you don’t have, look at what you have...

Be Inspired
Do you remember when you were a child; you appreciated whatever is handed to you and even shared this with an imaginary friend? You didn’t mind if you looked insane having this fantasy or dream which you made real because this made you feel good. This oiled something inside you and made you feel that you can do almost anything, even fly. Why not keep that passion burning inside you and believe in the power of your imagination and your dreams.

Be Beautiful
Many say beauty is in the eye of the beholder...true enough but beauty is not skin deep. It goes beyond what the eyes can see. What matters is the beauty inside which comes from the true persona. Exude that kind of beauty. Ugliness comes in the form of greed, selfishness, being envious about the success of others and trying to bring harm to them. Beauty is a radiant light that comes from the heart of a soul that knows only goodness not only for himself but most specially for others.

Be Productive
I know the feeling of doing nothing all day and trying to find something to do. We can be lazy most days especially when we want to head off to the beach and have a tan or cool off in the ocean. We can do that of course, but life is more than just a vacation. It’s a non-stop labor of love for those of us who really need to work and earn a living. Find ways to be useful not only for your families, at work or in the community. Do what you can to help others and make the most of your GOD given talent.

Be Who You Truly Are
I come from a conservative family and there are some things which are not discussed like preferences or sexual orientation just because we hail from a Catholic country and we were raised to be good Christians. I have a personal relationship with my GOD and I know He did not create me to be a freak but He made me into the being that I am today. I may not have all the answers and I cannot say I am thoroughly good but I believe I have done my part through the years. I want to be completely OUT...to let everyone know that I am what I am and that I have been this way since birth...that I am a woman who prefers to love anyone regardless of Gender, Race/Color or Religion. I do not want to label LOVE because it is something beyond measure that only one who experiences it deeply can truly fathom its meaning.

Be Kind
Last but not the least, be kinder. In the last 40 years of my life, I’ve noticed that more and more people are violent. Everyone is shouting. Cursing...Making a Point. Arguing...Discussing...aaaaaaaaarrghhh...it’s like everyone is Right and no one is Wrong... NO ONE WANTS to be the LOSER! Everybody wants to WIN. Just be KIND...use kind words, practice kind gestures, be a kind soul even to those who are difficult to deal with...it’s not for them...it’s for you. You will gain a better perspective in life and you will be a better person inside and out. Not easy but trying each day will make the world a better place to live in. Try it.

Doing your Part

At the end of each day, you have no one else to evaluate what you have done and what you are supposed to do but yourself. Set a time to relax after a busy day. Find a room in your house where you can listen to your favorite quiet music and meditate. Do some visual realizations of your day...see what goals or aspirations you have fulfilled? Your thought becomes your actions so eliminate all the negatives and retain the positives. Dream some more. Soar higher. Live in the now. You can only do as much in 24 hours so congratulate yourself for a good job and try to make up for the things you need to accomplish. Don’t be too hard on yourself, life is full of adventures...you need to ride it out and learn to keep on smiling, laugh if you can.

If you have something to share or would like to ask anything under the sun, just leave your comments or email me at r131177@gmail.com ~ Have a great day! Be Good! Check out my page at Facebook RiaBabes :)

BIG FOUR O- birthday thoughts...once again...

2011-09-03T03:59:00.010+08:00

Birthday Cake by Dynamite Imagery

i've been blogging my birthday thoughts for the past four years now...it's time once again!

okay so where do i start?

hmmmm...overall my 40th birthday was great! greetings galore...like the previous years, i still have no work...why? perhaps it's because i haven't found the job i love to do...i know it's partially my fault but i've been working in jobs that just fill in the paycheck yet doesn't fulfill...i always settle.

I HAVE TO CHANGE THIS!!!

Oh well...what else...

it's the first birthday i celebrated with the love of my life...and she's the reason why i am smiling most days and why i am acting like a crazy fool...because i'm so in love with her...i just can't stop kissing and hugging her...simply irresistible.

though i may not have most of what i want in my life...mostly the material stuff...i can say that this birthday is the best, truly life begins at four O because my dream has come true...the dream of having someone to love and grow old with.

yes, i am praying that this will go on and on and one despite the disagreements...i know in time we'll find that balance.

I HATE my TEMPER...it's something i'm not proud of yet i'm confident that I will be able to turn around. I just need to make myself better and learn to calm down, be more understanding esp. when situations are not favorable.

it's a 50/50 thing...
happy / sad
i'm just afraid that somewhere along the rocky road,
i get more bruised and jolted.
hopefully less tears,
more smiles and better communication...
we need the Balance.

for now i pray...
i ask for guidance...
for love, peace and mercy...
complete and total healing...
to be a good partner, good mother, good friend, good daughter, good person...

Attitude...it's your key

2011-07-23T16:35:00.005+08:00

Feedback Options On Blackboard by Grant Cochrane

Everyday we meet new people.
From all walks of life...some are good, some are not...but we have to deal with them.
There are moments in our lives we have to make decisions...difficult? yes, but that's how it should be. We cannot just be stagnant where we are planted. There are many ways to improve and grow. It's up to us. Attitude is the key to our successes.

If we choose to be negative all the time, whining, complaining, uttering the bad and just letting the down side affect our day then that's what we will get. But if we learn to keep our minds in the positive, believing that no matter how shitty the day is, it could turn around with a smile or a positive reaction to a negative person or situation.

We don't know how our day will end, but it's how we start it matters. So instead of having that MEGA-NEGA face , change it to a MEGA-POSI face to lighten your load. It's easier said than done, but the challenge here is how you want your life to move on. It's all up to you. People can make your day as bad as hell, it's how you take it that will count.

Live life the way it ought to be, sun and shiny even if the rain (literally) is pouring outside like there's no way I'm not going to get soaked but what the heck...that's the law of nature. And how I react to it would make it good or bad...so let's just say that I'll imagine the rain to be ice cream drops...vanilla-caramel flavor...see, now I can enjoy each drop as I walk in the rain.

THINK ABOUT IT...a situation wherein you need to be positive...

why are we?

2011-06-25T23:02:00.004+08:00

Couple Arguing by Ambro

at times i don't understand...
i try so hard to do what i can yet i fall short of expectations...
one move, one action, one emotion...
no pretenses, no barriers, no limitations...

can i just shout it out?
cause you can't seem to hear my plea...
it's like a never ending story...
you keep getting hit, wave after wave...

why are we rocking the boat lately?
what's the matter with you baby?
am i the one you want?
or you just can't find the one?

there are many things i want to say
but i am too scared to even sway
i might start to cry and feel the rain
of this loving heart that can only bear so much pain

i feel like i am making you lonely
i just thought that we were very happy...
can we just take a hiatus from all this petty
and make love till we get crazy...

tonight i pray and hope the heavens will hear me
that things will be fine and we'll get through this finally...
cause i cannot bear to live my life without you beside me
i'd rather die a thousand deaths than to see us this crappy.

what to do? what to do?

2011-06-25T17:36:00.006+08:00

IMAGE CREATOR (AMBRO)

A year has passed... don't stop trying, in between rounds, give it your best shot...
Major Changes: YES

new life
new love
hopefully soon, new job...

step by step, plan, act on it, fail, get up, take another step, move move move -that's how it goes and the road can be tough and rough, keep on going because success will happen to those who wait for it.

hot temper - no room for that, it's an inevitable mood but it should be cleared off since it doesn't do much of the good work. it usually creates havoc and tons of pain.

loving is such an adrenalin rush, turned on and turned off but that's the good of it all, it's a different world each day, although sometimes it gets tiring though when stressors are triggered by clutter, it's like an every Saturday thingy which I kinda hate to see...I try to help but it seems like my efforts are not doing much for the change...it's like my presence and my coupling is not working to alleviate the things which cause chaos. strange but true, it feels like an OCD case, if it's done by someone else, it's not accomplished in her book...will there be a cure?

2 plus 1, that's the way it was and i knew it from the start, i get it, i like it, i want it, i love it...but each time i shoot for the moon it's like i drop down in the bottomless pit of the ocean. never seem to please the one i love with my selfless actions and unending loving emotions...i get whipped by her thoughts of how she can manage the children including me...it's the same line each time, i try so hard to make it better but my effort falls short all the time. i don't know why she never sees that i am here now to be the partner and rescuer...

what to do? what to do?

you tell me...add on the monsters lurking in the corner. i am the dragon slayer, i will kill but for now, i will chill.

you don't feel the pressure, that's what she uttered, unknowingly the pressure in my shoulder is tougher because i wanna see her get through this ordeal, the pressure of acceptance in the family, the pressure of not having a job to provide...the pressure of eliminating all the people who make it all miserable...the pressure of wanting to have more...to pay debts, to settle life, to make it all right...i just don't show how pressured i am right now...i always try to put on a poker face, why? because showing it wouldn't help at all and wouldn't change the scenario...

so what do you want me to do?
say i love you?
or show you how it really is so we can both clash and explode in a flash?

you just don't know how i feel because you can't still accept the realities that i am real, that i am here to stay with you forever and day...that i will never leave you...please do, because i don't know how to tell you that i am so much in love with you and you're my world, my life, my all...

the right moment...

2011-06-16T19:55:00.005+08:00

UNEMPLOYED

credit to the image creator (winnond)

Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish. ~John Quincy Adams

I have embraced a new life... a life which I have been dreaming of for a very long time. I have always imagined to grow old gracefully with someone and no matter how good or bad things may be along the way, we will both persevere and be patient with each other because we truly love each other.

That's how I feel now...

There are good days...and there are bad...life is never perfect and that is the good thing about it. You don't know how each day will turn out so you hope for the best and if things get a little derailed you iron it out and start the engine once more to continue to the journey. That's the beauty of loving...

I see my dreams turn into realities and I keep on dreaming some more because I know, with GOD's help, it is possible. You just have to keep on praying, have faith and believe.

I'd like to work again, a stable source of income...a job wherein I can excel and be able to do what I can for one organization...I want to save up and pay up...I need to live life the way I see it...not too extravagant but just right to take each day as it is...in a stride...

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and a season...and it takes sheer determination, patience and perseverance to get to where you want to be...and I need to keep my mind focused on the things I envision. In the right moment, I know it will all fall into place...for now, let it be as it happens...just hang in there...

Prayer is the Key!

2011-06-11T19:29:00.005+08:00

Silhouette Of A Man by markuso

A year has passed and yet there are many roads to travel...I chose one which is full of bumps and holes, muddy and difficult to walk through yet you know that at the end of this path there lies an oasis...a paradise...an ocean of infinite impossibilities...a wonderful haven of happiness.

Each day I fight like a soldier in battle. I carry my sword and my shield, confidently wearing my armor. I psyche myself that all my enemies are puny because I turn green to red in a matter of seconds. My temper yields yet I calmly breathe through the steel helmet I am wearing. I fearlessly lurk the vast field of emotions, waiting for the entrapment.

The sweat dripping through my forehead implies my passion for the one i truly love whom I would like to protect...to take care of...to love unconditionally for the rest of my days.

If silence prevails then it's not that I do not want to speak but I would rather choose my words, not all debates are won with utterance. I have been in that jungle and I do not wish to see the snakes which comes out from the mouth. There is no dignity in such, it turns so chaotic that it deafen your ears from any kind of sound.

If one has the resolution, one can be steadfastly do almost anything even the impossible. One can fight any drunken dragon or a jester who seeks nothing but destruction. A bold move can be achieved if there is a greater and stronger desire coming from within.

We cannot change anything if we are not willing to change it from within...if we continue to give them the power to rule over us, to abuse us, to use us and to get the best out of us. We can overcome all these, it's up to us to turn the wheels into a different direction. Sometimes we just conform because we are used to the hurt and the pain it gives and we'd rather sulk in it than believe in ourselves and fly away from it.

The key is prayer! The power of prayer moves mountains and brings forth the enemies to their downfall. All you need to do is have faith and believe...it will happen, in GOD's time and through GOD's will. As we storm heaven with our prayers, it will soften all the hardness and evil that lurks in our midst. We must pray unceasingly because that is the KEY, the only weapon we can use against out enemies.

Ride the wave

2011-05-06T22:17:00.004+08:00

Kitesurf by hinnamsaisuy

I have often seen changes happening around me...there are times I failed to recognize the good it has contributed in my life. Before it was just in a dream state...contemplating on how to go about life and progress since the inevitable of turning 40 is just around the corner.

There are many things we cannot understand even if try so hard to see the explanations or the reasons behind it all. The road is hard...so tough that I can feel the bumps each time it hits my fenders. Rocking the core of the very being of this soldier.

If words are uttered it will turn the tides up high, if not then it will still create a mile high resonance that could eventually be deafening and drown the meaning of its existence. Shooting for the moon can be tiring, sometimes it is so exhausting that it seems so impossible to just look at. A shout can be good but definitely not the answer to resolve any difficulties.

BAM! BAM! BAM! a sound so dreadful it can create havoc inside the mind. Turn left it gets painful, turn right it even gets worse, which way should I really go to face the music. It's so irrelevant but must be danced. Gracefully? I don't think so. It's like you have two left foot inside your shoes.

The tunnel is so dark that the bleak light at the end doesn't give much help. Hands are tied, feet are stumbling each step...where must I go, I really don't know. Who am I? What am I doing here? Why is it that the road ahead is just distorted? Am sure this is the one I want to tread!

In the end, life will go on...grey hair will be nurtured...for now there isn't much to do but ride the wave and go where it will take you. I cannot ask for more than life has to offer, this is what the heavens gave so let it be enjoyed differently.

Hold on to dear life, faithfully.

Family Bonding

2011-05-01T20:54:00.010+08:00

Today marks the first day of May 2011...thank you Lord for this day...for our lives...for our families...our friends...everything that we have...all that is present in our lives. Even if we have trials and problems overwhelm us here and there, thank you for giving us the chance to do something about it. There are days when we feel that everyone is ganging up on us, that all our enemies are out to get us but we know that if we seek you first, all else will follow.

It's nice to have family up here in the mountains...my dad, my eldest brother with his wife and two children spent their weekend here...it was my brother's birthday and we celebrated it here, simple yet meaningful. We were surprised to see them...we didn't know they were coming...we were stunned and we scampered out of bed hehehe!

For the first time in a long time, we felt good having family around us...a decent meal with loved ones is a happy time. We know it would be short-lived but it's the best feeling to have families care for you and bond with you even for a short time! Sometimes it's what you really need though most of the time, family's are the ones who give you a hard time, a headache or a cold shoulder when you least expect it...yet you know deep inside, blood is thicker than water and no matter what they'd come around and be by your side.

I am not feeling too well...have this virus infecting my nose, eyes, throat plus the thought I have my dreaded monthly thing...OMG! ewwww! hahaha! Nevertheless it is a great day...being with people i love the most. My dad, my kuya, ate, my nephew and my niece and of course my one and only love, my lifetime partner! I can say that I can fight off any of these and face head on the weeks ahead with a positive and productive attitude. It's just the start of making life progress, that is the right way to go and the right attitude to spread.
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Lord, may you continue to guide and strengthen us...make us stronger each day as we face all the trials which are trivial compared to the goodness of your Divine Providence...be with us in our daily struggle and keep us in the light of your salvation in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen!

Only You...

2011-04-16T23:26:00.006+08:00

In life we come across many crossroads...we find ourselves in situations beyond our control. It's like we want to get ahead yet we end up back to where we started. Sometimes it becomes frustrating but that's the challenge we need to face each day. We need to see it through...the things we have started and what the results would be. There are difficult days...what the heck, each day is a struggle...it's how we react that matters...

the HECK...most days I cannot control it but now I am a changed woman! I can say that my life has changed for the better and I can say that I have direction in my life right now. I want to become a better person each day...I want to strive more...to do the things I haven't done and aspire to make it all happen for the one i love...

it's not a bed of roses because there are many complications along the way, but that's the good side of it...there are times i want to have the things i need like money, job and more to make it all right but at the end of each day, seeing the person i truly love makes it all better even if we don't have it all. knowing that we have each other is more than enough...more than the riches in the world or the things we don't have in this lifetime.

sometimes it is just sad that we find pebbles in our shoes, the ones we don't like to feel...it burdens us so much that we can't do anything but just realize that the pain will eventually subside and we'll go numb from whatever it is that is hurting inside us. it will fade away and die a natural death...there are times i wish i was beyond this lifetime...that i am far far far from this turbulent world...far from the things i have no control of...far from the people who make my life miserable...

i want to be with my love...she's the only one I want to spend life with and grow old with...i am happy being with her, she's the best thing that has happened to me in a very very very long time. I cannot imagine my world again without her...I'd probably die too. How I wish I had the means to provide more for her and her children...I had the power to change the situations...I had the capacity to move mountains and walk across the seas...

but when i think of leaving this earth, i feel like i'm just cheating it...that i'm giving it reason and control over me...that i am giving it the ability to ruin my happiness. i am happy, very very very happy with Kay right now...and I want this happiness to last for a very long time, until my soul sees the next place...for now i keep praying for better days...days that will give me the strength to work it all out...days that i will find my way, the job i seek...to make it all better...to do the things that will make us a happy family...

i love you so much my love...more than life itself...and there are times I can't believe that I have you with me...that you love me...that we are together...that this is the one prayer i asked God and Mama Mary to answer...there is a purpose and reason for it all and I know that I don't deserve someone like you that I am like the biggest winner in the whole world for having you beside me...and I am thankful for each day...I am grateful for your love...I am lost for words on how much I appreciate having you in my life.

the song 'Marry Me' is playing right now...

Forever can never be long enough for me
Feel like I've had long enough with you
Forget the world now, we won't let them see
But there's one thing left to do

Now that the weight has lifted
Love has surely shifted my way

Marry me today and every day
Marry me if I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe
Say you will, say you will

Together can never be close enough for me
Feel like I am close enough to you
You wear white and I'll wear out the words I love you
[From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/t/train-lyrics/marry-me-lyrics.html]
And you're beautiful

Now that the wait is over
And love and has finally shown her my way

Marry me today and every day
Marry me if I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe
Say you will, say you will

Promise me you'll always be happy by my side
I promise to sing to you when all the music dies

And marry me today and everyday
Marry me if I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe
Say you will, say you will marry me

My Love...I marry you...I marry you...I marry you...now and forever... until the day i die i will love you and only you...

Grateful in many ways...

2011-04-13T21:32:00.005+08:00

Two months has passed since my last entry... I promised that I would blog more often but it's like my life came to a halt the past months. Unexpected turn of events and it's like things happened differently... I thought that I will never find the happiness...I have been praying fervently for a long time and GOD has answered my prayers. I am now in a place where I feel at home...I can continue my life's journey.

There are many things that I do not understand, I try my best to be a better person. I do my best to give my time and love to those whom I care for and love the most. My family, my friends, my love... I change for the better... I strive to bring out the positive sides of life...I want things to happen but of course according to GOD's plans.

Life has its many ups and downs...the trials we have can bring us to a place where we least expect it. It's hard to begin...to prevail...to journey...but that's what makes it worthwhile. It's the journey that keeps you alive...giving you a new perspective...giving you meaning...having your life in a place where you want it to be.

I admit there are times I feel bad when I realize I still can't find the work I need...I feel impatient, but I know there are good things to come. I just have to keep faith and believe in what I pray for. I have to rely on GOD's divine providence. I want to do things now and make the most of what is on my plate. I want to achieve more and do more...I want to soar...I want to explore...I want to make it happen.

Thank you for the blessings Lord, thank you for the life I have...thank you for the love I have...for my family and my friends.

a sunshiny brew...

2011-02-07T23:02:00.004+08:00

Another week has started...another day is ending...yet there are times I want it to be longer...not because I am unsatisfied with everything that is going on in my life...but because I want to cherish every moment that lingers by.

Moments are to be cherished...so what's next?

Ignoring the pain of my afflictions...I know GOD will deliver me from any harm and that all these will be healed in due time...for now, I only ask for strength to carry on each day. I am grateful for every morning I see...it's a magical moment that I always smile about...to smell the morning dew, to see the sun rising in the horizon...it's a wonderful feeling to be alive...so please say THANK YOU!

I admit am getting impatient, to find a new job, a new source of income, a new writing sideline, a new this and that which I need...and a new lover which I want hahaha...good luck!

Single is okay...but hey it's going to be Valentine's day...hahaha!

Will someone send me flowers? How I wish!!! Red, white and pink roses please :)

Thoughts of someone keep on hovering in my mind but I guess it's too complicated to even assess...why is it when I begin to think thoroughly that's when I feel nauseated by all that is happening...it's like a spinning wheel, takes up too fast until you fall down face flat!

OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!

Oh well...it's time to get some rest...I have tons of chores to do...applications to go to...just finished helping a friend with her writing job...need to catch up on my sleeping...said my good night so that will do...for now i keep on walking till a door opens...i will not bid you adieu...but see you in the morning when everything has a sunshiny brew... =)

a week of adventure...

2011-02-06T21:16:00.015+08:00

Last week I was at the end of my rope...diminishing funds...no supply inside my cupboard or refrigerator...bills to pay...can't even buy a decent meal at the fast food...and believe it or not I had to use even my lucky money to make ends meet. I call it survival...and the beginning of an adventure...because God's provisions never ends if we just keep on trusting and believing...we have to have FAITH.

I finally decided to give it a shot at a local fast food franchise, they were looking for MT's. At least this time there were no age limit...which is too odd in the Philippines unlike our Asian counterparts, when I visited Hong Kong the employees of the same fast food chain were senior citizens and yet they were given a chance and a decent means of living. And so the adventure begins...a schedule for examination...then you wait for a day to see if you will be given a first interview...then wait again if you'll pass for the final interview...which was just plain scrutiny from the owner of the franchise...it wasn't actually an interview but more of his "feel" if you are good for his business or not...which ended not so good. He just said, look for postings in the coming days...Open Ended thing...so how can you move on to the next application if you don't even know if your in or out? DUHHHH~! to think it's McDonald's...hayyyyyyyy! It should be corporate even if it's a franchise...it shouldn't keep applicants in the black hole. They should be professionally responsible for the outcome of the process and advise accordingly.

As much as I wanted not to be tagged as overqualified 'again' or look like that I was different since other applicants even thought I was the manager who was going to interview them...that was funny! As usual I was not one of them...but...

The good thing happened...

I just met a girl named Maria And suddenly that name Will never be the same To me...(song from the West Side Story)

One of the applicants who thought I was the manager, she even greeted me and I will always remember that first smile...and there were a handful of others whom I got acquainted with too. Which is timely since I haven't got that many friends here in the mountains though my family has been residents for many years.

So the next days were exciting...anticipating for the application...got to see an inspiring movie...had a few rounds...lunches that were heartwarming because of insightful conversations...now I look forward to seeing my new found friends and spend more time with them. I guess God knows when you need company. Thank you!

I've never been so transparent to a stranger, it's like I've known this person for a long time. We discussed inner thoughts and asked questions a lot...somehow leading to a better understanding of each other. Although it has been just a week...it feels like forever...and it makes you wonder how the magic of friendship begins.

I can say that heaven sends you angels to be your friends...and I met one definitely. There are many reasons...a purpose...why they are now in my life...and I quote an sms message sent to me by this angel...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"In life you will realize that the people you meet have a purpose...

Some were put there to test you,
Some would use you,
Some would teach you,
And some would bring out the better if not the best in you...

Some may even cause you pain and heartache, but one must learn to move on...

So let go of the people who can't treat you right...

And hold on to those who loves you back and see your worth..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I even found quotes on the web which speaks of how I felt for this adventurous week and let me share it with you...

I want to be the girl who makes your bad days better, and the one that makes you say "my life has changed since I met her".

I can't get you out of my mind, I keep thinking of how much I love talking to you... how good you look when you smile, how much I love your laugh... I day-dream about you off and on, replaying pieces of our conversation, laughing at funny things that you said or did...I've memorized your face and the way that you look at me... I catch myself smiling again at what I imagine... I wonder what will happen the next time we are together, I know one thing for sure, your the best thing that ever happened to me in a long time.

And also sharing the song which I think summarizes it all:
One day, you came to me freed me from misery I touched the music in you...You started to feel so happy...Makes me jump up and down...You know my heart gets a beat... Each time that we meet I am so happy I met you...Happy I am feeling so happy I´m gonna go happy...You make me so happy...Can´t you see I´m happy now...

and the adventure in our lives never end...it keeps on going as long as we have that passion to make the most out of life and we are grateful for each day GOD has given us.

ACTION:TNT – Today not Tomorrow!

2011-01-30T21:43:00.006+08:00

Direction by renjith krishnan

I was watching an episode of Storyline on ANC last night and the feature was about blind people. It was amazing to witness these people could do what a person who could see, do...like: get married, have children, cook, work, so on, so forth. If they could do things, how much more 'WE' who are normal can do...yet most of us are too lazy, too proud, too nit-picking, and a whole truck load of reasons more! There is a saying from the elderly which my mom used to say often "kapag gusto may paraan, kapag ayaw maraming dahilan" (if there's a will, there's a way...if unwilling, there are many excuses)!

I totally AGREE with this saying because I have witnessed first hand, family members, friends, and acquaintances who are capable of accomplishing feats in their lives but feel they are the unluckiest being on the planet and they deserve to be treated with respect and care for they cannot do things or...should I say, REFUSE to do things...that they should be cradled with understanding and extended help all the time for their insurmountable dilemmas.

You are responsible for your life and no one else is. If these blind people could earn on a daily basis doing whatever they can, even sending their children to schools, feeding their families with their meager incomes…how can you not do the same thing??? Since you are normal and lucky enough to see, use your hands and feet, your brains, your body…everything!!! Why aren’t you doing your best to provide for yourself, for your family, for those whom you love…? WHY???

I cannot fathom the idea of being idle…just wasting my time doing NOTHING…even if I know that reality would bite me with bills to pay, financial issues, debts etc. etc. etc. Money is not everything but it is essential in this lifetime and it is something we need to have in order to function in society.

I know some who would rather be miserable, having no plans of action, refusing to work for the future and leaving it all to fate and to faith…they keep on complaining why life has been cruel, saying ‘I wish I had this, I wish I had that’, envious of other people’s fortune...aren’t you getting tired of not doing anything to get what you want in life??? You’d rather wait for your luck to change, win the Lotto or by some twist of fate; riches and glory will fall on your lap.

I don’t know about you…I don’t know what goes on your mind before you sleep at night…but one thing I know is that Life’s too short to just waste it in an idle mindset…if you don’t move your butt, you are going to be stuck in the shit hole for the rest of your life. And I quote James Lee Valentine…ACTION:TNT – Today not Tomorrow!

ATTENTION: TOURISTS and VISITORS of BAGUIO CITY

2011-01-29T02:21:00.011+08:00

...it's 2:22 a.m. nice time...it's the 29th of January, today is Saturday...I haven't slept because I'm trying to take advantage of the Smartbro connection at this hour of the night or should I say early morning where it is feasible to do your internet using this portable connection...as much as I want to snooze, my unlimited surfing is only for 5 days so I have to make the most out of it, right?

I'm here to tell about what happened yesterday evening...I went to hear mass at Our Lady of Atonement Church aptly recognized as the Baguio Cathedral, then I went to the grocery to get some fruits like papaya, apples, avocado and pear. Then on my way home, as I was approaching the jeepney terminal, I heard a man shouting "magnanakaw...magnanakaw" or to translate that in English "thief...thief" and the criminal just swooshed right in front of me. Part of me was scared and part of me was ready to smack the man to oblivion...but on a second thought he might have accomplices so I hesitated and backed off a little...besides, my hands were carrying two heavy loads of fruits and groceries. If I pushed the perpetrator then I might have been hurt too.

It is just sad that I am witnessing such in this beautiful town I have come to call my home...Baguio City is the summer capital of the Philippines. My parents planned their retirement here and we've been residing here for more than 25 years...we usually stay in Manila but we visit often, every month and recently I have moved here to be healthy and try my luck. I have been here since June 2010.

Unfortunately...ATTENTION: TOURISTS and VISITORS, as much as I recommend the place for a good and relaxing vacation, I just need to warn you of the petty crimes happening in the city lately. Snatchers, Hold-uppers and Robbers are lurking. They prey on these people who are not paying attention and are too carefree, frolicking under the sun...in short, those who are naive of the perils that are bound to haunt them.

I grew up in this SUMMER city and it's a sad plight to experience all these. I appreciate seeing Police Officers roving around the city but I think they are patrolling the wrong places and should be wary of the points where these criminals usually attack. I hope the the local government would act on this issue because this is something that would bring down the town's economy in terms of Tourism.

One suggestion is to always carry a WHISTLE...my dad (a semi-retired physician who served as a senior superintendent for the Constabulary) would always ask us if we are carrying our whistle...which is very handy, believe me...I've used it during traffic situations, crowded places, and I would've used this when I witnessed the snatching yesterday but sadly I wasn't able to...but it is a handy tool and weapon instead of shouting and calling attention.

Another suggestion is to carry a wooden club, just a small one, something that security officers carry in their belts...it is not a deadly weapon so you can bring it even inside the groceries...this is a good weapon to hit a criminal, easier said than done right, but it could save you from being mugged.

Last but not the least, always say a prayer to St. Michael and the archangels for constant protection from all danger. I realized I was wearing my brown scapular, my St. Benedict cross and I was praying to my guardian angels...I was protected...thank GOD.

waiting...

2011-01-26T18:46:00.004+08:00

There are moments in our lives that we get impatient. I know how that feels...when the job we want is almost within our reach yet we don't get a response from the employer...or the vacation we want is open but we don't have the budget for it...the love of our life is just right in front of us but is unfortunately committed to someone else...oh yes, it can be that simple but cruel at times...and the waiting game is just excruciatingly unbearable...

The year has just started and we try to sort out many things and we try to remove the clutter, the negativity, the things which we feel doesn't help us get to where we need to. And sometimes the harder we try to make things a bit better, the more we struggle...the more we find it difficult to keep on walking...but that's just the tip of the iceberg...

I keep on looking far ahead and all I see is an endless ocean of possibilities...I know out there is a victory...and I am steadfastly praying for the day to see that...for now I keep waiting...

Heaven - #1 HQ (Original Techno Trance Remix)

2011-01-11T11:43:00.000+08:00

Will I Ever...

2011-01-11T11:34:00.001+08:00

Alice Deejay Will I Ever Lyrics:
Nanana...

I don't care to let it show,
Therefore you will never know.
What I really feel inside,
and how I lay awake at night.

(Chorus)
Will I ever fall in love,
and if I do will it be with you?
Will I ever fall in love,
and will you be the one for me?

Will I ever fall in love,
and if I do will it be with you?
[ Find more Lyrics on http://mp3lyrics.org/msF ]
Will I ever fall in love,
and will you be the one for me?

Nananawheho nanana nananawheho
Nananawheho nanana nananawheho

I guess it's all in my head,
and I will be alone instead.
Dreaming of a night with you,
and all the things that we would do.

Will I ever fall in love,
and if I do will it be with you?
Will I ever fall in love,
and will you be the one for me?
(3 X)

Nananawheho nanana nananawheho
Nananawheho nanana nananawheho

Let the Joy Rise

2011-01-11T11:15:00.000+08:00

Abigail - Let The Joy Rise Lyrics @ LyricsTime.com

2011-01-01T01:19:00.000+08:00

Happy New Year Comment Graphics

Comments & Glitter Graphics for Myspace, Hi5, Orkut, Friendster

2011-01-01T01:17:00.001+08:00

Myspace Happy New Year Comments & Graphics

Myspace Happy New Year Comments & Graphics

2010-12-31T22:33:00.001+08:00

It's time for your CHRISTMAS Cheer!

2010-12-25T16:22:00.009+08:00

Today is the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a day to celebrate life...the blessings we tend to overlook daily in our lives...the simplest things like waking up to a brand new day...having a roof on our head...square meals...a nice hot shower...a cup of hot coffee...a piece of bread...a bowl of rice...a delicious meal...all the things we have which we feel are inadequate or insignificant yet if we re-evaluate our lives we can say we are more blessed than others. We usually look at what we don't have...seek what is lacking in our lives...whine, complain, rant, rave about the cruel things which happens to us in our daily struggle yet we forget to be grateful for the simplest blessings right in front of our nose.

Being with ailment for a while now (my left 5cm ovarian cyst, a couple of gallstones, asthma, allergies...) I realized that I am so blessed...so lucky that these are all I have to endure each day and there are a billion people who are suffering more than I am...I am unemployed at the moment, finding ways to make ends meet...doing odd things to earn a little, have a little, yet amidst the challenges, I am so thankful for what I don't have because I can see the blessings I have right now and am so grateful for them...if not perhaps, I would still want more and keep that rat race mind track...

I spend my time now up in our mountain home because the solitary confinement helps me live a healthy life since vegetables and other healthy ways are there, even if i miss my family so much, i will carry on...I will try my best to keep healthy because that is what will make me a better person...I try to focus on the things which can help me live longer, healthier, wiser and I try not to overlook the things/blessings I have each day...I know what I don't have and it's not that I don't dream or strive to achieve to get them, but my outlook is different...I value more what's important in my life...absorb the positive vibes...look at trials/tribulations and problems as challenges which will help me in my victory in the coming days of my life.

If we look at our lives, we will see that if we're in our 40's we barely have enough time to go on and think that we can't do more, right? but heck, do what you can with the time you have...climb a mountain if you want to...see places you've never been to...try something new, different, exciting...SMILE and LAUGH each day...don't let sadness, gloom, frustrations, disappointments, problems eat you up...one day, our clock will stop ticking and would you rather spend your days doing what you LOVE and LIVING the LIFE you want than being a miserable old goat?

IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY...the real meaning of it is to be like CHRIST in many ways...enjoy life, love even the hardest people to love, believe me, I'd like to smack my enemies but why waste my time thinking of what they did to me...I try to exude the positiveness of what I have in my life right now...I try to be kind, generous, loving, Christian like with the best of my abilities...no one is perfect but do what you can, and do what you must do...if not, then you are making your life a living hell!

it's time for LOVE, HAPPINESS, HEALING, FORGIVING, BLESSINGS...time to share these with everyone...no matter what race, creed, sexual preference or color...let me quote ellen de generes "BE KIND to one ANOTHER"....DO YOUR CHRISTMAS CHEER, shout it loud so everyone can hear...have a MERRY CHRISTMAS, from my family to yours...GOD BLESS.

Hey Girl lyrics - Raiomond Mirza

2010-11-21T16:47:00.003+08:00

Hey Girl lyrics ( as i have transcribed it from listening to the song, i don't know if it's accurate but i can't find the lyrics in any website so here goes...hope it makes sense, just wanted to share)

By: Raiomond Mirza (feat. Vivienne Pocha)

Hey girl welcome to my world, tell me what to say, tell me what you want to be.
Hey girl look into my mind tell me what you find, do you have the same kind of dreams as me. Or are you just watching me go by…

Hey girl this is all right, look at my style
Get down to your wire
Hey girl this is what I do, never scare you
Or does it make you wanna do the same thing to.
Or are you scared of everything?

Yeah let it go, I could deceive you…let it show, who could believe you…I don’t know why you play this game.
I just don’t want to be another rerun.
C’mon girl fly into the sun, you love something real from the pain

Hey girl give me some affliction, give me some life, let me tell you my surprise
Hey girl welcome to the show, time for you to go
You don’t have to go home, do you think you know it all?

Hey girl look at what you’re missin’ , see how I listen to everythin’ you don’t say
Hey girl do you know my name? Do you think of me when I should ever be the same
Or do you just want to be me?

Yeah let it go, I could deceive you…let it show, who could believe you…I don’t know why you play this game.
I just don’t want to be another rerun.
C’mon girl fly into the sun, you love something real from the pain

Hey hey hey…yeah!

on the road to "THE BETTER LIFE"

2010-11-05T10:31:00.003+08:00

I have a quest and that is to make the most out of my life while I still can...while my health has not completely deteriorated...and while I am still alive. For 39 years I have done mostly what would please others, it's not that I want to be a bitch and just do whatever I want and be insensitive about the feelings of those around me. It's just that we only pass once in this lifetime and we always look on what others will say, think or do towards what we do in life.

I know some people who'd rather take in the negative and sulk in their little corners waiting for things to happen. They keep on whining about how hard life is yet they refuse to do something about it. They let days pass by without trying even to do what matters in their lives. They hate changes. They hate doing something worthwhile. They would rather wait for the heavens to fall and just let life slip by without caring on how they affect other people's lives. They forget that GOD gave us this life and our unique gifts and abilities for a purpose.

Let me quote something I read on Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life" book...

"In the same way, God has given each of us a unique emotional "heartbeat" that races when we think about the subjects, activities, or circumstances that interest us. We instinctively care about some things and not about others. Another word for heart is PASSION. There are certain subjects you feel passionate about and others you couldn't care less about.Repeatedly the bible says "Serve the Lord with all your heart". God wants you to serve him passionately, not dutifully. People rarely excel at tasks they don't enjoy doing or feel passionate about. God wants you to use your natural interest to serve HIM and others.

The first telltale sign is enthusiasm. When you are doing what you love to do, no one has to motivate you or challenge you or check up on you. You do it for the sheer enjoyment. You don't need rewards or applause or payment, because you love serving in this way. The opposite is also true: When you don't have a heart for what you're doing, you are easily discouraged. The second characteristic of serving God from your heart is effectiveness. Whenever you do what God wired you to love to do, you get good at it. Passion drives perfection. If you don't care about a task, it is unlikely that you will excel in it.

We all heard people say, "I took a job I hate in order to make a lot of money, so someday I can quit and do what I love to do." That's a big mistake. Don't waste your LIFE in a job that doesn't express your heart. Remember, the greatest things in life are not the THINGS. Meaning is far more important than MONEY. The richest man in the world once said, "A simple life in the fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches".

Don't settle for just achieving "THE GOOD LIFE" because the good life is not good enough. Ultimately it doesn't satisfy. YOU CAN HAVE A LOT TO LIVE ON AND STILL HAVE NOTHING TO LIVE FOR. Aim instead for "THE BETTER LIFE" ---serving GOD in a way that expresses your heart. Figure out what you love to do---what GOD gave you a heart to do---and then do it for his glory."

Again, let me repeat that I am on a quest...not for greatness, power or glory...not for money or riches...but for something that would make me feel good while serving GOD and others. I plan to do things which will make my heart sing at the same time be able to help others and serve GOD. I am tired of always building for this world...in reality our destination is in the eternal home...so we have to do things differently or else at the end of our lives we will not be able to say this "i have lived my life to the fullest"!

POSTED BY RIACDM AT 9:24 AM

Do you BELIEVE?

2010-09-22T02:02:00.006+08:00

I have always wanted to relocate and find work here in the province. I often prayed for discernment on what actions to take and that God will allow me on this journey because sometimes even if we want it badly, some things, if it's not in His will, it just doesn't happen. I planned this journey with an old college friend whom I wanted to help as well in terms of encouraging her to go back into the corporate world or perhaps find new meanings in working. I've known her for many years and one thing is certain, she always exuded pessimism! Before the trip we had to battle many obstacles like having no money in our pockets and encountering some pot holes along the way. This discouraged her tremendously to the point of asking me to go on without her but I insisted and I told her that I have a mission.

Last night when we were about to leave Manila, we had difficulty finding a taxi cab big enough for all my stuff ( I had 3 suitcases, 2 large sack bags, my laptop and a travel bag) so we needed an "avanza" taxi unit. This could carry all my stuff to the bus terminal. My friend, in exasperation blurted out, "mahirap kumuha ng taxi na avanza" meaning we'll have difficulty in finding an avanza unit at 10p.m.!

When she frustratingly said these I left her on the other side of the street...we had a little debate later on since I kept telling her that I have a faithful and living GOD and my GOD is big enough to provide this taxi since He can move mountains and feed 5000 people in the dessert. So as to prove my point to her, I was just praying and praying, singing 'Yaweh I know you are near' as I was pacing and waiting to hail the kind of cab we needed. I told GOD that if He allows me to show my friend how faithful He is and if He grants this favor, I will do my mission and serve HIM and evangelize my friend and others.

A few minutes later my friend found one avanza taxi but the driver refused when my friend asked him to take us to the bus station coz he needed to eat and had no time. I intervened and politely asked the driver again re: our dilemma to the bus station and the driver suddenly agreed to my terms. IT WAS A MIRACLE! I told my friend, see what I mean about GOD? He is faithful and loving, will provide all our needs just as long as you BELIEVE. He wants you to just believe in HIM completely, no questions asked, just know in your heart that anything you ask for, if it's in His will, nothing is impossible.

I told my friend that once we are in the province we needed to hear the first mass in thanksgiving for the blessings and the safe trip. The mass was celebrating the feast of St. Matthew, who GOD summoned to serve no matter what his background was. We just had to grin when the priest mentioned "FELLOW BELIEVERS" thrice...it was like GOD was talking to my friend telling her to also see the fact that just as long as you believe, nothing is impossible with HIM> and the story about St.Matthew was God's way of telling me that I had a mission/calling. When we walked outside the church after the mass, the first thing we saw was an auto supply shop named "FAITH". I believe everything that has transpired was inspired by God and the Holy Spirit.

So never ever DOUBT when you are PRAYING because whatever you ask for will be granted if this is according to His will. I am grateful for this encounter with the Lord, through the intercession of Mama Mary, the angels and saints. It is something I will never forget and will continue sharing with others so that they will come back to HIM and restore their faithfulness and just keep on BELIEVING!

Lost in Facebook

2010-09-09T17:23:00.006+08:00

I'm waiting here at the Starbucks Shangrila Mall Edsa, I will meet with the sister of a former colleague from ABS-CBN Global who bought the camera of my friend. Inside the public commute I bumped into my best friend's mom, so I had to ring my best friend to tell her about it. I have 3 telephones, 1 PLDT landline and 2 mobile phones, a smart and globe pre-paid line, so those with unlimited text or calls can get in touch with me on both mobile carriers...most of my friends use globe and my family uses smart so I need to have both. OH WELL, nuff said about that!

I realized that way back in High School and College, I used to be a Telephone Monster. I'd spend hours talking on the telephone...this was during the era when people got by with life using telephones connected to the telephone post...some even had party lines or shared lines with other people since there were only a few lines available. I would talk to my friends for what seems like eternity, without caring and talking about non-sense.

In this technology age, where communication is done not only via telephone lines, but via mobile lines, internet, wifi...name it, we almost have it by a click of a mouse or push of a button...I barely use the telephone! I don't have anyone to call on a regular basis, and to think I have a PLDT land line with me and 2 mobile phones plus our telephone at home. No one calls me, I get a few SMS every now and then, and once in a blue moon mobile voice calls. I rarely receive snail mail these days, I don't even remember the last time I got a personal mail. Way back in my hay day years, I even had pen pals to write to...hahaha! Nowadays, I have to check my email all the time to see if someone wrote me or not and that's funny too, most of my emails are subscriptions to websites.

I just wonder where have all the people gone to? I feel like time stood still and I'm lost. Are we really that busy? We barely get in touch with our families or friends, I guess we do it through social networking like Facebook. We update our lives through this, we keep in touch via games like baking life, farmville, farmtown, mafia wars, cafe world...we use the 'LIKE' button to tell them we appreciate them and that we care...we make comments to communicate or to let them know that we are still there. Have we become that robotic and lost the personal touch?

PRAYER TO JESUS, THE BLACK NAZARENE

2010-08-31T15:56:00.004+08:00

PRAYER TO JESUS, THE BLACK NAZARENE

BELOVED LORD JESUS, BLACK NAZARENE, I COME TO YOU TO HELP ME.
LIFE IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE, AND I NOW FEEL THE PAIN OF MY JOURNEY.
BLESS ME JESUS AND TEACH ME TO LISTEN, TO ALL THE EVENTS OF MY LIFE,
KNOWING THAT NOTHING HAPPENS BY CHANCE. EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS HAS A REASON.
WHEN I FEEL THE PAIN OF SICKNESS, TEACH ME TO COPE WITH LOVING SURRENDER
AND TO BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF HEALING.
WHEN I EXPERIENCE EMOTIONAL, FINANCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL BROKENNESS,
HELP ME TO RISE UP WITH BELIEF THAT WITH GOD, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.
I COME TO YOU TODAY, TO PRAY FOR HEALING TO LISTEN TO MY PETITION (SAY PETITIONS...)
I PRAY TO YOU AND MY MOTHER MARY TO ANSWER MY PRAYERS AMEN.

BLACK NAZARENE I PUT MY TRUST IN YOU!

Don't be a MEGA-NEGA

2010-08-31T12:02:00.006+08:00

"Renew Your Mind Daily"
Today's Scripture:

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ"
(2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV) .

Today's Word:

So many people today are not really enjoying their lives because of the condition of their minds. They constantly dwell on negative, destructive, harmful thoughts. They don't realize it, but the root cause of many of their problems is simply the fact that their thought life is out of control. They just dwell on any thought that comes.

More than ever, we have to understand that our lives follow our thoughts. If you think negative thoughts, then you're going to live a negative life. If you think discouraging, hopeless thoughts, can't-do-it thoughts, mediocre thoughts, then your life is going to go down that exact same pathway. That's why we have to take captive every thought and renew our minds with the Word of God on a daily basis.

I want to challenge you today to think about what you're thinking about. Don't let those self-defeating thoughts linger in your mind. Instead, speak God's promises over your life. Declare what He says about you. Take captive every thought and renew your mind daily. As you do, you'll be empowered to move forward into the abundant life He has for you!

Prayer for Today:

Father God, today I choose to take captive every thought. I choose to renew my mind according to Your Word. Holy Spirit, thank You for being my teacher and helper. I invite You to direct me in the way that I should go. Help me fulfill my destiny. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Source: butch0523.multiply.com

I was going over my multiply site and read this sharing by Bro. Butch. It's true that most of us think NEGATIVELY...we harbor these thoughts rather than think POSITIVELY and desire a fruitful outcome of events. 99% of the time we are pessimists and we predict a frightful turn on situations in our lives. We have this WHAT IF's tucked inside the back of our heads and we never believe in what we PRAY for. We always do this! Perhaps right now you would deny it and say, I don't do that or I just try to be on guard or I just try to prepare for what is inevitable. Well, that's exactly how NEGATIVE we can be.

I understand, we don't want to be in situations where we can't do anything. We want to plan ahead and we want to be ready at all times. But if we truly believe in a higher power, that GOD, our LORD JESUS CHRIST will never forsake us no matter what, if we hold on to HIS words and if we just have FAITH in HIM because HE loves us so much because HE suffered for our sake...in fact HE has planned our lives even before we were born and all things happen for a purpose and a reason. Nothing happens by chance!

So today, look at your life and ask yourself if you have been a "MEGA-NEGA" or mega negative person? Wouldn't it be easier to just PRAY and think of GOOD things to come and BELIEVE in the power of PRAYERS? ...it's time to become an OPTIMIST and live your life right!

What I have to do for the rest of my life!

2010-08-27T16:50:00.018+08:00

In 7 days I will be turning 39 and looking back I begin to realize that I feel like I have not accomplished much in my life...there are moments of regrets...of not having saved for myself and establishing a future (ex. having my own house...children...) I guess I thought my mom would always be around to give me a helping hand because that's what she would always tell me before, you will always have a home with me. It has been 10 years since she has passed away and not all promises can come to its fulfillment especially when the house my parents built is shared among my siblings and I. I guess, I didn't realize when I was younger...that there will come a time that my siblings would and could kick me out of the house I have been staying at all my life. I never imagined that I'd end up this way because I didn't get married or bought my own place...I didn't think that I'd end up homeless. I remember telling my mom before, I don't care about inheritance or money, all I wanted was a place to live at...Lo and Behold! My intuitions or predictions are coming to its realization, I do not have a place of my own...and I do not know where I am going to live in the coming days.

After finishing high school I wanted to take up mass communications or fine arts. One of my siblings interfered (and she doesn't even remember she did this to me) saying it was better to take up a course in commerce so I can work at a bank...and my parents agreed with her...and NOBODY EVEN ASKED WHAT I WANTED to do in life. They already had this life created for me, and all I had to do was to follow what they wanted for me. As a good daughter and sister, I rested my case and just gave in to what they wanted me to take up in college. I entered the College of the Holy Spirit, took up Economics and messed up. I transferred to another school, Dominican College and finished Management. I wanted to please my family even if I didn't want this for myself. After college I started job hunting and GUESS WHAT...I ended up being hired for a TELEVISION NETWORK, see...they should have agreed with what I wanted, taking up the course in Mass Communication...it's not my fault I got hired there, it was where I was good at.

I was happy with my 'showbiz' job and I excelled in it but my family couldn't understand it, they think it was waste of time. They never supported what I really wanted to do. I quit showbiz and moved to different companies which I thought would please them. I've been around...trying to find what would please them the most or better yet, what would satisfy them, since all I wanted was to go back to "show business" but they still thought that "showbiz" was nonsense. I took every job I could find. I've made bad calls and some companies had mergers, business failures and mostly bad management...in the end I am the one harvesting the crap all these incidents have created. I cannot say I regret my career because I have learned a great deal in all the jobs I have undertaken. I am grateful and thankful to have experienced all of them because if not, I would have not been this persistent to face the adversities and to have this courage to fight when I am almost knocked out.

Now I am facing another chapter in my life...another year has passed and I have come to the end of my rope...I have done my mom's dying wish which was to look after my dad and my unmarried sister...but now I think it's time that I do something for myself. I think it would not be selfish to do things which would make me happy or to follow what would be pleasing to GOD. I think 39 years of following my family's wishes is long enough...they don't seem to realize that I have done all they wanted me to do and yet they blame me for what has become of my life these days. ODD BUT TRUE. It's just a vicious cycle.

While praying last Sunday during mass with all of my family, I was at a point where I cared less about what they would say or do to me...I am done pleasing them...I can't do this for the rest of my life. For years I have been ill with my asthma, allergies, gallstones and a painful ovarian cyst which needs to be removed (don't have funds yet for my surgery)...I shouted out to GOD in pain saying "Lord, I'm tired and I want to be FREE." I can't go on doing the life they want for me...I can't please all of them...I can't force myself any longer, to do things which makes me unhappy and if I screw up, they keep on blaming me...which makes me miss my mom more...my mom would always support you and listen to you no matter what. She was my strength and the only one who would try to understand.

I went outside the church crying my heart out...I was with some of my nephews (they are all in college now) I told them that I'm just tired and they know my story...one of my nephews even said, "now I understand Auntie why you always encouraged us to take up and do what we were interested at, you never forced us to do something which you wanted for us"...the more I cried cause I realized I was more closer to them than my own siblings...my nephews and nieces understood my plight better and vice versa.

After mass I saw this poster on the church bulletin board, it was GOD's answers to my prayers! It was a poster for the Sisters of Social Service and reading through it made sense...it said "You're single...you're in school or have finished...you've worked in one or more careers...And now you've come to a place of choice and maybe a time to change...WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?"

We all have a calling...and I believe that GOD has mapped out our lives even before we were born. I was named after St. Rose of Lima, who was a suffering saint, and I realized that perhaps I was named after her because I needed to suffer for others...I still have many questions in my mind, but one thing is certain...I know GOD wants me to serve HIM...perhaps I need to find myself now and I need to find the answers to all my questions. And I need to serve my purpose in life...

we have HOPE because as FILIPINOS we have FAITH

2010-08-26T17:28:00.010+08:00

Kung titignan mo ang lahat ng mga nangyayari sa atin, sa bansa natin, sa mga Pilipino, iisipin mo bakit kami pa? bakit kami pa ang napili bigyan ng ganitong pagsubok...pero kung makikita mo ang kalagayan ng ibang bansa na dumaranas ng gera at kung anu-anong patayan...iisipin mo na mas suwerte pa din tayo sa kanila. May isang article na ipinabasa sakin ang isang kaibigan na isinulat ng isang foreigner. It was a comparison about Indonesia and our country, sa Indonesia daw may HOPE...so in short sa Pilipinas walang HOPE. Parang ganon na daw, kasi hinahayaan daw natin na maupo ang mga walang kwentang tao na mamuno satin, tinatanggap natin ang mga binabato satin ng mga taong ito at wala tayong kibo o ginagawa.

Pananaw ng manunulat yung isinulat niya at kung yun ang analysis niya, okay lang. Pero bilang Pilipino na dito ipinanganak, dito na lumaki at tumanda sa Pilipinas, gusto ko din sabihin na madali para sa kanila ang husgahan at punahin ang mga bagay na bumabalot sa atin bilang isang Pilipino...pero nasubukan na ba nilang maging Pilipino? Nasubukan na ba nilang paulit-ulit na sakupin at paulit-ulit na pakialamanan ng mga bansa na mas malakas sa atin? Buti nga sila nasa mas maayos silang kalagayan, suwerte nila, pero hindi ako makakapayag na sabihin na wala tayong HOPE.

In fact bilang isang CHRISTIAN NATION ang tingin ko nga mas angat pa tayo sa kanilang lahat dahil tayo ay KRISTYANO at may matinding pananalig sa DIYOS. We have FAITH which most people do not have...We BELIEVE in our GOD, the Lord Jesus Christ...sige, isipin mo lang kung ilang beses ka na nagdasal at kung ilang beses na itong dininig ng Diyos. Paano nya masasabi wala tayong HOPE eh madasalin nga tayong lahi. Sa ano man krisis na pinagdaraanan natin sa buhay, sa ano mang panahon patuloy tayong nananalig sa PANGINOON. We put our TRUST in our GOD whom we know will DELIVER us from all these TRIALS.

Kaya kung may mababasa man kayo na negatibo tungkol sa Pinoy, okay lang, opinion nila yun eh...pananaw nila yun...ang importante eh hindi tayo nagpapaapekto dito. Patuloy natin ginagawa ang part natin bilang anak ng Diyos...imbes ubusin natin ang oras natin sa pakikinig sa mga balitang negatibo, o sa pagbabasa ng mga ganyan, dapat iukol na lang natin ang panahon natin sa pagdarasal. Kung kaya natin magbasa at makinig sa mga ganyang balita at batikos, kaya natin magdasal din ng matagal at taimtim. Di ba mas okay pa yun ang gawin natin, kaysa absorb natin ang negative impact ng mga pangyayari at mga nangyayari.

Ako'y buhay na patotoo na sa Power of Prayer walang impossible. Marami na akong miracles sa buhay at hindi sa ganitong pagsubok ako susuko...maaring ngayon para tayong hinahampas ng alon sa bawat batikos at sa bawat pang-aapi na ginagawa sa atin, pero through PRAYERS we will be VICTORIOUS in the end. For our GOD is a good GOD, a living GOD and a miracle working GOD and if we LIFT our burdens to HIM and storm the heavens with prayers, I BELIEVE that there will be a BETTER TOMORROW...
...in JESUS NAME we pray AMEN!

No going back...

2010-07-23T02:47:00.005+08:00

I have been in this weird spell...a dose of awkward sleeping patterns, this has been corrected but every time I worry and think so much, I end up being creative at night and snoozing during the day. It's July 23rd...it's my parents wedding anniversary...they got married in 1956..it should've been their 54th, but my mom passed on 10 yrs. ago to the Big C. I miss her terribly. I am grateful for the way she brought me up. When we lost her, it was like everything in our lives fell apart and nothing has ever been the same. She was the one holding our family together and it's not that we all have grown apart, but there are more misunderstandings and misconstrues in the family since then.

I am proud to have my family...I love them all dearly, but we all have our own lives to live. I want to live the rest of my life doing what I think my purpose is...not living in the shadow of what they perceive my life should be. I've been in this cycle for a long time, I want to break free. I want to see a difference...I'm turning 39 and it's high time I move forward to what I am supposed to do. I know my mom asked me to stay on and take care of things but I cannot live my life this way...I must move on.

I never had the chance to get married...or have children which sometimes I think about...but no regrets to my singlehood...perhaps I am one of those who belong to the "not-so-typical-girl" to be tied down and have my own brood...I am different~

I can feel this vicious cycle in my life and I need to break it so that I can do things...I want to live in our home in the mountains and spend the rest of my days there because that's where my mom and I used to spend out time esp. during our birthdays. My mom's birthday is Aug.30 and mine is Sept.1 so we go there have a little celebration and just enjoy each other's company. I really miss that.

I promised my mom I'd take care of things for her...but since I am the youngest, I feel I have not lived my life to the fullest because I have to bear all that she left for me to look after...I don't want to whine about it, but 10 yrs is a long time...and I'm not getting any younger so I want to do things for myself for a change.

I only pray that I am on the right road...not being selfish but being practical because life is short...we can only go this road once...there's no going back.

all about WORK!

2010-07-10T05:55:00.012+08:00

I haven't slept a wink since I got up around past 3pm yesterday and until today I am awake. It's not that I don't want to sleep but lately I have not been in my normal sleeping pattern. It's a bummer and I hate it since I have adjusted to a normal life when I was still working as an editor for a medical journal in Makati City but since I quit that job due to medical reasons and principles, then I worked briefly for a TV co. which needed me to do graveyard shifts, I am back to my weird sleeping habit.

I have been in between jobs right now because I needed hiatus and rest. You see I have this 5cm left ovarian cyst and a few gallstones which the doctors discovered in 2008. It has been bugging me for awhile now and I need to undergo surgery to remove these. I have not been able to do it for many reasons aside from financial constraints. I know that GOD will not give me something which I cannot bear and I know that HE is taking care of my life and I just put all my trust in HIM. I am taking action but HE is in charge and I will do my purpose in life right now and let HIM do HIS work in my life.

I've been working since October 1993 and I can honestly say that I have my assets but I haven't saved that much for the future. I have been seeking the right company, the right job, the right colleagues, the right this and that all these years...yet I keep on hitting a brick wall every time I do that. I've encountered so many mergers, business failures, pioneering projects, jobs that are not registered at SEC, worked with pain-in-the-butt-not-working-but-social-networking-chatting all day-colleagues, met some power trippers along the way and I can say that I am still grateful for every job and every company I have been with. I will not be who I am and where I am if not for all of these experiences.

Right now, I am officially not working but I would like to if I can find a new job and a new company. If you have any job leads for me, I'd be willing to try almost anything since I've been in the entertainment, media, hospitality, IT, medical, call center and so on...so forth industries in my entire career. But what do I really want? I just want to do my job well as expected of me and hopefully those whom I work with are doing just the same and I hope to be fairly compensated for this job and be given opportunity to grow and learn more. Simple right? But believe me, I've seen it all (almost) and I've been there, done that and it's not really that simple to begin with.

I am not complaining, in fact I am so thankful that I have the ability to work and that I have been given many opportunities to contribute...I am happy that I can call myself a worker, that I get through each day and wake up the next, for that alone I am so grateful. Of course it's not a bed of roses and we have to put up and keep up with so many things on a daily basis. But life's challenges should not put us down, it should inspire us, motivate us to fight some more.

So today, let's put on our positive hat or productive hat or whatever-motivates-you hat and just do what we have to do...hoping that each step we take will make a difference not only in our lives but for the lives of others as well. And at the end of each day let's give back all the Glory to GOD who gives us everything we have right now.

And don't forget if you have a legit job out there, let me know okay! Leave me a comment here or send me an email. Thanks. Have a good weekend!

Are Negative Emotions Causing You To Get Sick?

2010-07-06T21:44:00.001+08:00

SOURCE: BoSanchez.ph

Are Negative Emotions Causing You To Get Sick?

One day, a man had flu.

So he won’t spread his germs, his wife dropped his plate and utensils in boiling water.

Their 5 year old daughter saw this and asked, “What are you doing Mommy?”

“I’m boiling the dishes to kill Daddy’s germs,” she said.

The girl remained quiet. After awhile, she said, “I have an idea. Why not just boil Daddy and kill all his germs?”

Germs.

We blame them for our sickness.

But that’s only partly true.

Our immune system is so terrific, it can fight almost all germs. But we get into trouble when our immune system gets weak. And one thing that causes it to weaken is our negative emotions.

The Shocking Truth

This blew my mind.

Studies show that 85% of all disease is rooted in our emotions.

Wow.

That means that among the 17 million people who died of heart disease last year, and among the 7.2 million people who died of cancer last year, 85% of those diseases were rooted in their emotions.

Man! If only someone taught them to work on their emotions (not just on their bodies), some of them might still be alive today.

Here’s what I believe.

Most of our diseases are messages.

What message? Diseases are telling us that we have a spiritual need that we need to fill.

But instead of listening to the message, we kill the messenger. We get rid of the sickness without addressing our soul needs. Very soon, the sickness will reappear.

Sometimes, in a fatal way.

For example, our sickness may be telling us, “You need to forgive and get rid of your anger,” but instead of forgiving, we take a pill. Or our sickness is telling us, “You need to stop worrying and trust God more,” but instead of trusting, we take a pill. Or our sickness is telling us, “You need to stop working too hard and relax more with your family,” but instead of playing with our kids, we take a pill.

In primitive societies, doctors were also priests. When people got sick, the cure was holistic. Aside from giving them herbs, doctors told them to pray, to forgive, to trust in God.

And then the scientific revolution came, and doctors focused purely on the body.

Today, the old model is coming back.

Because now, my friend doctors are praying with their patients, are telling them to have faith, to forgive, and to spend time with their families. They’ve become doctors and priests again.

Two Reasons Why We Get Sick

How do our emotions cause sickness?

In two important ways.

First, when we have too much negative emotions.

Second, when we have too little positive emotions.

Let me tell you how both are deadly to your system.

1. Too Much Negative Emotions

Let’s take stress.

When I was a small boy, I regularly massaged Dad’s shoulders every night. Part of my “chore” as a kid.

But everytime I did, I’d complain.

Because his shoulders were as hard as steel! They were no match for my tiny thumbs.

Even then, I knew the tension in his shoulders came from his job. Dad was a manager in a large food company.

Mom said he also had hypertension. As Filipinos love to say, “mataas ang high blood niya”. (Wow, that’s really high.)

Dad had hypertension all his life.

All his life, that is, until he reached 65. That was the year he retired from his job. From that day on, he never had hypertension, all the way until the day God called him home at young age of 88.

One day, when Dad was already retired—but very busy serving God—I remember he was eating in the dining room. I went behind him and gave him a shoulder massage.

The difference was amazing! His shoulders were soft and supple. No more tension in them.

That’s the power of stress in our lives.

Let me ask you a question: How stressed are you?

Stress And Sickness

Who are those most susceptible to heart disease?

Those with a “Type A Personality”: People who are aggressive, easily angered, competitive, controlling, and always rushing.

Here’s a scary fact. 82% of people who have heart disease have a Type A Personality! Why? Stress. (Type A Personality isn’t just a personality. Type A is a spiritual disease.)

Here’s another fact: More strokes and heart attacks happen on Monday than at another day of the week. (We need a Presidential Decree removing Mondays from our calendar!)

I know a woman who liked her job but didn’t like the boss she was working for. There was a lot of conflict. Wanting a break from her stress, she took a 15-day vacation. And she enjoyed her two-week vacation. But on the 14th day, when she knew she was going back to her job, she suffered a massive stroke. Today, half of her body is paralyzed.

Which was a perfect picture of her life—half of her body wanted to go to work, the other half didn’t want to!

Because our bodies were not made for prolonged stress.

Another negative emotion is anger…

Anger Has An Expiry Date

One day, a man was sitting in his living room when he heard a knock on the front door.

He opened the door and saw no one. But as he looked down, he saw a snail, saying in a little voice, “Can I borrow P100?”

The man shouted, “Get outta here!” and kicked the snail off his porch.

One year later, the man is sitting in the living room and he hears a knock on the door.

He opens it and sees a very angry snail, asking, “Why did you do that?”

Some of us are snails.

After a year, we’re still angry!

People who are like snails won’t enjoy optimal health.

Here’s the truth: God never designed your body to keep anger for a long time. Anger’s purpose is to spur you to action. Once that purpose is fulfilled, you should get rid of anger by forgiveness.

In other words, anger has an expiry date. Once past is due, it becomes poison in your body.

Are you angry with someone?

Surrender your anger to God.

Angry People Die Sooner

They made a study of 255 doctors and asked them to take a “hostility” test.

In other words, how they respond to drivers who cut them on the road. Or to people who criticize them. Or to friends who are disloyal them.

Thirty years later, the researchers went back to these same doctors. What did they find out? Some of those doctors who scored high in the hostility test were already dead! Their death rate was six times higher than those who scored low in the hostility test. Remember: Angry people die sooner.

Don’t Escape!

If we don’t want to get sick, what should we do with stress, anger, sadness, fear, and other negative emotions?

Ignore them? Pretend they’re not there?

Nope. That will make it worse.

Here’s my big message for you: What you can feel, you can heal. What does that mean? Don’t escape your negative emotions.

Perhaps you have money problems now.

Or you have conflicts at work.

Or you have a broken heart.

Or you have marriage problems.

Or you have problems with your kids.

Or you’re sick right now.

And you’re tempted to escape from your anxiety, stress, anger, fear, and depression.

How? Some people become numb.

Others escape through addictions: drugs, alcohol, sex, video games, food, shopping, relationships, and workaholism. Remember that all addiction is really emotional anesthesia. So we won’t feel our emptiness, our fears, our depression, our anger, we distract ourselves.

But when we don’t feel our negative emotions, they come out in our bodies as respiratory problems, ulcers, headaches, skin allergies, digestive problems, even cancers.

Even Childhood Emotions

John Sarno is a doctor specializing in back pains, neck pains, shoulder pains, and leg pains. When he was a young doctor, his main tools were like every other doctor—surgery and pills.

But soon, he got very frustrated with the results. Many times, the pains of his patients would come back—even after expensive treatments and invasive surgery.

That’s when he overhauled his method of healing.

Now, his tools of healing people are two lectures! Basically, he tells them how their unacknowledged and unfelt childhood emotions cause their pains.

He explains: Their subconscious mind was giving them real physical pains to distract them from discovering—and feeling—these very painful emotions buried in their past.

Perhaps their father abandoned them when they were children.

Perhaps they witnessed their parents getting a divorce.

Perhaps they were beaten as kids.

The fear and rage and sadness were so overwhelming, they buried them all in. They pretended everything was okay.

After ten, fifteen, twenty years, these dark emotions manifest in all sorts of diseases.

The results? (This is amazing.) For the past 30 years now, Dr. Sarno has treated 10,000 patients with a 95% cure rate.

Using what? Two lectures!

Some of his patients experience instantaneous healing. Others took a longer time to heal, as they had to discover these painful emotions within them—and feeling them again. They did this via small groups, journaling, or psychotherapy.

Friend, do you want to experience healing too?

Feel Your Feelings Before God

If you want to be healed from your diseases, feel your negative emotions. More specifically, feel your darkest emotions before God. Weep. Be angry. Question Him. (Believe me, He’s big enough to take it.)

Go to God now. And share your inmost heart. Tell Him what you feel, whether it’s anxiety, stress, fear, anger, sadness…

The Psalms of the Bible are exactly like this! They contain what I call “terrible” prayers.

For example, Psalms 22 says, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer…”

And in Psalms 55, it says, “My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.”

But that’s precisely why they’re in the Bible.

God is telling you to go to Him no matter what you’re feeling.

Friend, God is waiting for you now. So go ahead. Before Him, feel your darkest emotions.

Soon, those negative emotions will pass.

Because all storms come to an end.

And you’ll notice the healing of your body too.

And here’s the second reason…

2.Too Little Positive Emotions

Two weeks ago, I met Fr. Georges-Etienne Beauregard—an old Jesuit priest.

His age? 97 years old.

He’s led an incredible life: Imprisoned in China, built churches in the Philippines for 12 years, and worked with the aborigines in Taiwan for the last 42 years.

What is he doing today at 97? Still very busy, working in a parish and hospital (which he also built) among the aborigines in Taiwan.

How healthy is he? When he was 95, he was still riding his motorbike!

I asked him, “Father, what is the secret of your long life?”

He chuckled and said, “I have no problems. Others have problems with me, but I have no problems.”

In other words, he didn’t focus on his problems.

In my short time I had with him, I noticed he chuckled a lot. He loved to laugh!

The secret to his long life was no secret at all. It was very obvious. He had a light, jolly heart.

Your Need For Joy

Your body was made to operate with the “oil of gladness” flowing through your veins, tissues, and cells. You were made to laugh, to celebrate, to be happy!

One day, Norman Cousins was diagnosed to have heart disease. In his book, The Anatomy of An Illness, he shares how he got healed: By taking Vitamin C and mega-doses of laughter. Everyday, he would watch comedy films and enjoy 10 minutes of genuine belly laughter. And he was healed! Doctors thought he would live a short life. But he lived for 30 more years.

That’s why the Bible says, A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22).

Are you a happy person?

Do you enjoy life?

Are you fulfilled?

Are you self-assured?

Many studies show that positive emotions strengthen your immune system.

Optimists Live Longer!

Scientists studied 1,100 patients at the Mayo Clinic and asked them to do a personality survey. These studies classified them according to optimists and pessimists. Thirty years later, they went back to these patients.

Here’s what they found out: Optimists have a 19% higher chance of still being alive than the pessimists.

Here’s one fascinating explanation.

In one study, scientists studied one of the body’s natural “good mood chemicals” called serotonin.

When they placed serotonin in a test tube alongside tumor cells of Burkitt’s lymphoma, the cancer cells kill themselves.

Here’s a quote from that study: “An exciting property of serotonin is that it can tell some cells to self-destruct. We have found serotonin can get inside the lymphoma cells and instruct them to commit suicide.”

How To Have More Positive Emotions

How can you be happy more often?

How can you have more content, self-assurance, fulfillment, and a deep sense of profound peace more often?

Let me end this discussion by showing you two ways:

First, Gratitude

Maricel is our house helper.

She shared to me a very touching story.

Last month, she went home to her province in Dumaguete. She borrowed money from us to buy the little plot of land that her family house was standing on. She also brought home her savings, buying a sack of rice for her family.

She also went home to spend time with her siblings and their children—her little nephews and nieces. So one bright morning, from the barrio, they travelled to Dumaguete City. Maricel paid for all their jeepney fares.

Everyone was excited, she said. Because for some of them, it was the first time to visit the city.

She brought her family to a mall—and the kids were beside themselves with joy.

What they loved most was the escalators. They shrieked with delight, “Ate, yung hagdan, tumatakbo!” (The stairs are running!)

When they went home, everyone was so happy.

One of her little nieces hugged Maricel and asked, “Tita, sa susunod na taon, ipasyal mo kami ulit, ha?” (Auntie, bring us out next year, okay?) Clearly, it was the high point of their year.

Casually, I asked Maricel, “What did you eat in the mall?”

“Hindi po kami kumain, Kuya Bo. Walang budget, eh.” (We didn’t eat. I had no budget.)

Her answer brought me to tears. Those kids went to the mall and went home without eating, and yet they were so happy.

Sometimes, I forget how blessed I am.

Sometimes, we have food in front of us, and we even have the gall to complain that it isn’t our favorite.

No wonder we lack happiness in our lives.

And no wonder our bodies are sick!

Learn to be more grateful for life. Live in gratitude. Celebrate God’s goodness, even in the smallest blessings!

Soon, happiness and healing will flow into your life.

Second, Trust

Heart disease has killed more people than any other disease in the world. It’s the number one killer in the world.

And I believe the number one cause of heart disease is stress.

From my experience, there’s only one antidote to stress: Trust in God. It’s the greatest stress-buster in the world.

How much do you trust in God?

A deep trust in God will make you avoid stress and keep you healthy!

I invite you now to surrender your problems to God. Follow the Bible when it says, Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

He does care for you, my friend.

Give Him all your fears.

Surrender yourself to God.

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

DOING our PART if we really want CHANGE

2010-07-01T03:38:00.003+08:00

let's start DOING our PART if we really want CHANGE to happen for our COUNTRY! ~~~my views

Listening to the replay of the Inauguration Address of President Noynoy Aquino,i like the part 'walang wang-wang, walang counterflow'!sana nga matupad ito,walang privileges, walang protocols
lalo na sa taga gobyerno at nasa posisyon.dapat TUMULONG din tayong mga mamamayan,matuto tayo sumunod sa simpleng batas na araw araw nating nakikita...maging TUWID tayo imbes gumaya sa mga pasaway na karamihan!

sencia na bato bato sa langit, tamaan wag po magagalit...BUT we all have to do our part in making our country BETTER, di lang puro salita at dapat tumulong tayo sa pag gawa dahil di naman kaya ng Presidente solve lahat ng problema sa bayan di ba! yun simpleng magbayad ng taxes kahit ayaw natin lalo na kung alam natin may naninindigan nga pero working for a co. that doesn't pay taxes w/o mandatory benefits for employees. mali yun pero sige kasi nakikinabang tayo ng husto pero may malaking epekto yun para sa nakararami.

pero deadma lang tayo kasi okay tayo, kahit ang ekonomiya apektado sa ginagawa nating mali. oo lahat tayo gumagawa nyan kaya kung gusto natin makaahon dapat magsimula sa atin ang pagbabago kahit mahirap at maapektuhan tayo kasi in the long run parang chain reaction yan, ito rin ang magpapahirap satin. kung patuloy tayo sa baluktot na nakasanayan!

sumunod sa batas trapiko, tumawid sa tamang tawiran,motorista respetuhin ang pedestrian lane. yung magiingay tayo kaka-KTV at may steel manufacturing factory sa residential area dahil pupuede bayaran sa City Hall at sa Barangay kahit alam natin mali at may napeperwisyo tayo. wag yung lahat tayo marurunong, lahat tayo tama. matuto tayo sumunod sa tamang pamamaraan,law, rules at regulations hindi yun may sarili tayo palusot, under the table at kung ano ano pa. kaya nga di umuunlad ang Pilipinas at ang Pinoy...

makiisa tayo sa Presidente at sa pamamalakad na tuwid...tagal na nating baluktot sa Pinas, kinatandaan na nating lahat ito. guilty din ako sa ganyan, so I want to do my part too... so let's start DOING our PART if we really want CHANGE to happen for our COUNTRY!

Pero ang tanong ko is what Ninoy said before...THE FILIPINO IS WORTH DYING FOR...is it really worth it? o bahala na kasi lahat ng tao yun naman ang ginagawa yun MALI so SALI na lang tayo at bahala na kasi puede naman tayo mag ABROAD.

MAHAL NGA BA NATIN ANG ATING BAYAN AT ATING MGA KAPWA PILIPINO?
IKAW ANO ANG GAGAWIN MO PARA SA PILIPINAS?

links:

Doing GOOD or BAD, it's your CALL!

2010-06-15T14:02:00.006+08:00

I had many encounters in this lifetime. People who get intimidated without any reason...those who feel that you are a threat to them because of the choices you have made along the way. I am a person of integrity and this has been my life force. My mother taught me honesty in all my dealings. To speak the truth even if it would hurt. And many times those who hear the truth are blinded by their own selfishness and they tend to stick with their beliefs and unpleasant attitude (even when they are wrong). They refuse to see the goodness in people and insist on what they think is right!

We cannot choose the people we interact with especially at the workplace. We have to adjust and we have to be a team player at all times. We have different personalities, backgrounds, and capabilities. It is all integral in the work force,in order to achieve the goal for a business or organization, we must work hand in hand and finish the job.

I make it a point to do my part. To abide by rules and if there are no rules(implement my own) and to WORK during work hours; not loiter around making personal calls or errands, do social networking online, or chat all day like you are being paid for doing all those. You see, it's a matter of DISCIPLINE! When at the office, you perfectly know that you are hired to do a job and to act accordingly. You are not there to waste company time and resources to accomplish your personal agenda. Call me whatever you want but if you don't want to work then why get hired. Just stay at home and goof around all day if you intend to do all these instead of working.

I've seen this scenario a thousand times. I am not saying that I don't check my FB at work, but I do that on lunch break or when there's a window during work where you can slip a little recreation for about five minutes. When my YM is open, I make sure that I inform whomever is online that I am at work and I have no liberty to chat. I do most of my net browsing when I get home or when I'm on my way home using my mobile phone.

Some people think that they can do whatever they want because the want to. They do not consider setting good examples especially to newbies in the corporate world. They feel and act like gods, creating havoc and carrying a flag saying, "this is me, i can't adjust to your precepts, do what i want to do"! Yes, a burning attitude which spells L-A-Z-I-N-E-S-S! An alarm which sounds off being unprofessional and unethical in the work place. Yet, they get away with it. They easily brainwash their superiors with their charm and sleazy buckets of jargon until they have succeeded in doing this day in and day out.

So as a human being and as an individual where does this get you? I really don't know if this is your happiness and contentment. I do know that MONEY isn't everything and that doing EVIL always has consequences in LIFE. I believe that KARMA is a digital clock that strikes when you least expect it. It's a matter of choice...doing GOOD or BAD...it's your CALL.

"HOW TO LOOK BUSY WHEN YOU REALLY ARE NOT."

2010-05-27T00:09:00.003+08:00

My eldest sister lent us the May 2010 issue of Kerygma magazine which was aptly titled: "When God writes your job description"...I am reading it and came across a special feature which really made me chuckle coz it was a familiar scenario which I have encountered and wanted to share, perhaps you have seen the same scenario at work...and since I am in transition and prioritizing my health, I just hope that those who are blessed with jobs would realize how blessed they are and be good at it and really WORK!

HAVE YOU COME ACROSS THIS EMAIL? It's entitled "HOW TO LOOK BUSY WHEN YOU REALLY ARE NOT."

(source: Kerygma May 2010) Nos.1-6
1. Always walk with a few documents and folders in your hands. People with a few folders in their hands look like they're hardworking employees going to an important meeting.

2. Use computers to look busy. Anytime you use a computer, it looks like work, even if you're just surfing, downloading, emailing, social networking, chatting or playing online games.

3. Have a messy desk. Build huge files of documents around the table, even if it's one year old. Pile them high and wide.

4. When the boss is working late, leave the office late as well. You could read magazines, do crossword puzzle, or play solitaire. Just make sure when the boss leaves, you leave with him as well.

5. Creatively "SIGH" for effect. Sigh as loud as possible when there are many people around giving the impression that you are under extreme pressure.

6. Build vocabulary. Pick out a jargon or simply invent words you don't understand. Use phrases freely in conversation with your bosses. Remember they don't have to understand what you say but you will sound Impressive.

(source:http://www.wikihow.com/Look-Busy-Even-when-You%27re-Not) Nos. 7 - 10

7.Have a book or notebook and pen right next to you. If someone passes by you, just pick it up and start reading/writing

8.Try and have multiple tabs open on our computer. Keep one tab open on some very boring research. When someone comes close, switch to that tab and pretend to be deeply engrossed in it. Your boss will leave you alone forever. Maintain that expression, even while on a different tab.

9.Always keep a word file open and cut paste some weird stuff there. When they see you chatting just Alt+Tab to the word file and pretend that you have typed it there yourself.

10.Shift objects to make you comfortable. Don't get up and start walking around moving tables, just pretend you are organizing your workstation.

(source: http://www.ehow.com/how_5216581_look-notfor-middle-age-employees.html) Nos.11-15

11. Write a long email to an old friend you haven't written to for a while, or go on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

12. Look up old friends/coworkers using various search engines.

13. Read a book online --- go to "Online Books" or several other sites, and read a book for free. Benefit: imagine how absorbed you'll look in your work!

14.Look up information on a hobby or interest -- or go on ebay and just poke around. Explore various vacation sites and packages, including air fare and hotels and local attractions.

15. Check your home email account, delete obvious spam, and email responses as necessary.

(source: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/top-10-ways-to-look-busy-at-work.html) No.16

16. walk really fast when you are going anywhere as to appear something important is going to happen

(source: http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2008/11/14/how-to-look-busy-at-work-not-as-easy-as-you-think/) Nos.17-19

17. Pretend you know confidential things and drop the names of important people into your conversation

18. learn everyone's trade to some degree, so that you're one of the more indispensable members at work

(source: http://blog.cathcath.com/how-to-behave-in-the-office-to-look-busy-if-you-are-not-3252.html) Nos.19

19.Looking impatient and annoyed.This applied to an officemate who was in another department. Talk to him and he would not respond. The truth was, he was listening to the radio where everyday, a lucky caller gets a special prize. Sheesh.

20.Stacking strategy.A new male executive secretary had the habit of stacking some documents and books on the floor near his desk.

When something is God's will...

2010-05-03T10:40:00.006+08:00

...my personal thoughts on illnesses & trials in life...

I took a hiatus in blogging because I got busy with my new job. I must say that I have learned a few new tricks in another industry/field which is neat. It's a good way to start your year, be working and being able to contribute to a project. Though I miss my writing, the research work I do when I have an article to write (for print or for web), it's not the same as my job now where I seldom write words and express what is needed. Yet, I am grateful that God gave me a job to save up for my health/family needs.

Another long weekend and holiday has passed. I didn't do much because I wasn't feeling well since last week. My tummy has been aching weird. If I eat healthy something happens, if I don't, still shit happens hahaha! I'm just thankful that I have my medication and my father (orthopedic-surgeon) who is my physician. Well that doesn't stop there, due to the extreme heat my asthma has been bugging me as well and my specialist Dr. Daniel Tan has been asking my dad if I'm taking my meds and if I'm following his instructions (of course I am doing those) but the air is just bad and the heat makes it worse.

You see, having illnesses should not be a hindrance to having a good life. It should not make us feel that we are less than those who are healthy or normal. I believe that everything has a purpose and reason: Ecclesiastes 3

1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Even if we experience trials in our lives, when things at home get messed up or when work drags you down and people put a huge heavy cross on your back when they don't like you or when they feel intimidated...when the person you love doesn't care for you...when you map out your goals and it doesn't work out...these are just examples of our struggles in life. Just go on and do what you have to do (easier said than done, right?) but you just can't GIVE UP. You just have to keep moving and moving further might change the path.

I have this book by Sri Chin Moy "on the wings of joy" and I have read this many times since 1997. It has continuously inspired me and let me quote "When something is God's Will, we will feel a kind of inner joy or satisfaction even before we start doing it. While working, we will also get joy. Finally we will feel that we will be equally happy if our actions is fruitful or fruitless. Ordinarily, we are happy only when success dawns and we see victory at the end of our journey. But if we can have the same kind of happiness, joy and satisfaction whether we succeed or fail, and if we can cheerfully offer the result of our actions to God, then we will know that what we have done is God's Will."

not YOU but those around YOU...

2010-03-05T20:44:00.000+08:00

2010 has been a blessing! God never gave me anything which I could not bear. I had my shares of trials, problems with the family, with friends, with colleagues, with work, with enemies...and today I feel the FREEDOM from everything which has been crippling me the past years. Relationships which didn't work, Jobs which were not ideally 'dream job' material yet made ends meet and Life's complexities which made everything a struggle...but life without sacrifices is meaningless...we must learn to endure the hardships and learn from the lessons we encounter each day.

I have always professed this as my quote "I hate being the last to know, I want the real honest deal" and I have tried to be truthful in everything I do. Of course in our journey we meet all kinds of personalities...most of them are unreal and scrupulous. Perhaps those who really know me, would know how much I dislike people who backbite and who create stories behind my back. I never back down when my integrity is at stake. I would always speak my mind even if it would hurt because that is the plain and honest truth and if you can't accept or handle it, then GOD be with you for I cannot change people's beliefs. I can only pray for their enlightenment.

I wish everyone well. I do not like to burn bridges but instead I am hoping that there will come a day that peace and harmony will prevail. Life is too short to be angry. I do not intend to be self righteous because like everyone else I fall short of other people's expectations but let us not forget that as human beings, if we make mistakes we must learn to correct them. If we did someone wrong, we must ask their forgiveness and if someone has hurt us badly, we must not repay them with revenge. In God's good time, they will realize what they did was wrong and they will know in their hearts how much they have hurt you...and when you meet them again, be ready to wipe those hurtful moments like footprints in the sand.

Everyday, we must never miss the opportunity to grow...to make our lives better. We must not wallow in the same old precepts, that people are out there to destroy us or they are envious or they are plotting against you...it's a vicious cycle. Instead try to listen to your heart, be mindful of how you treat people because what you sow is what you will reap. We are just passing by in this lifetime, this is not our permanent home. We must always be ready to face our maker when the time is up.

Try to do good at all times...help others but never count the times you have extended your hand to help them...never point out your kindness because that's the point of helping, a selfless act to be given unconditionally. If it is in your heart then do it, do it without asking for anything in return. Be a good Samaritan.

And in this Lenten season, you are not being asked to perform triumphant feats...a simple gesture of charity such as sharing whatever you have, no matter how small it may be...to forget about yourself and think more of how you can be of service to others...to listen to them instead of making them listen to your rants and ravings...to be mindful of what you do and what you say so as not to hurt others...to forgive, to lead a life of good examples...to be able to say at the end of the day, that 'I have done my part to make another person's life a little bit better'...then that is what matters...not YOU but those around YOU.

5 Tips for Better Work-Life Balance

2010-03-04T13:42:00.000+08:00

Source: WebMD

WebMD guides you through 5 practical steps toward better work-life balance.
By Sherry Rauh
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson Mathis, MD
1. Figure Out What Really Matters to You in Life

Personal coach Laura Berman Fortgang, author of NOW WHAT? 90 Days to a New Life Direction, says getting your priorities clear is the first and most essential step toward achieving a well-balanced life. The important point here is to figure out what you want your priorities to be, not what you think they should be.

"I use an exercise for figuring out what matters most," Fortgang tells WebMD. She has her clients take a couple days off from work to contemplate the following series of questions:

1. If my life could focus on one thing and one thing only, what would that be?
2. If I could add a second thing, what would that be?
3. A third?
4. A fourth?
5. A fifth?

If you answer thoughtfully and honestly, the result will be a list of your top five priorities. Fortgang says a typical top-five list might include some of the following:

* Children
* Spouse
* Satisfying career
* Community service
* Religion/spirituality
* Health
* Sports
* Art
* Hobbies, such as gardening
* Adventure/travel

Ismael Al-Ramahi, a graduate student at Baylor College of Medicine, says his current priorities are his wife, his 4-month-old son, and his research. He tells WebMD the key is not only knowing your priorities, but devoting your full attention to just one priority at a time. "Split your time and your mind so that you're thinking about work when you're at work and you're paying attention to the baby when you're with him."
2. Drop Unnecessary Activities

By making a concrete list of what really matters to you, you may discover you're devoting too much time to activities that aren't a priority, and you can adjust your schedule accordingly. Since having a baby, Al-Ramahi says he and his wife have become much more efficient in managing their time -- cutting back on television, for example.

If at all possible, Fortgang recommends dropping any commitments and pursuits that don't make your top-five list, because "unnecessary activities keep you away from the things that matter to you."
3. Protect Your Private Time

You would probably think twice before skipping out on work, a parent-teacher conference, or a doctor's appointment. Your private time deserves the same respect. "Carve out hours that contribute to yourself and your relationship," says Stevan Hobfoll, PhD, distinguished professor of psychology at Kent State University, and co-author of Work Won't Love You Back: The Dual Career Couple's Survival Guide. Guard this personal time fervently and don't let work or other distractions intrude. "Stop checking email and cell phones so often," Hobfoll advises. "Few people are so important that they need their phones on at all times."

If work consistently interferes with your personal time, Hobfoll recommends discussing some adjustments with your boss. "There's a mythology in the workplace that more hours means more," he tells WebMD. Demonstrate that you can deliver the same or better results in fewer hours. Your job performance "should never be judged in terms of hours of input," Hobfoll says. Protecting your private time often leads to "greater satisfaction in both work life and personal life, greater productivity, and more creativity."

How to Avoid Asthma Triggers

2010-03-04T10:22:00.001+08:00

Source:
Children's Hospital of The King's Daughter

How to Avoid Asthma Triggers

Many things can trigger an asthma episode including:

* upper respiratory infections
* allergies to dust mites, pollens, animal dander, mold/mildew, or cockroaches
* exercise
* irritants such as cigarette and other forms of smoke, strong odors and perfumes, fumes from woodstoves or kerosene heaters, and air pollution
* weather changes

The following is a list of things you can do to limit your child's exposure to common triggers.
Allergies:

Dust: Dust is the most common year round allergy. The allergy is caused by tiny insect-like creatures called dust mites. Dust mites are found in mattresses, carpets and upholstered furniture. They thrive in warm, humid conditions and feed on the shed scales of human skin. The best way to prevent allergy symptoms caused by dust mites is to limit your child's exposure. Be sure to pay special attention to the bedroom where your child spends much of his/her time.

Bed: Every bed in your child's room should have wooden or metal frames. Do not use a couch, sofa, or hide-a-bed. If your child sleeps in a bunk bed, he/she should sleep in the top bunk.

Mattress/box spring: Place the mattress and box spring in a zippered, dust-proof cover. Tape over the zipper with electrical or duct tape. If there are other beds in the room, place the mattress and box springs in dust-proof covers as well.

Pillows: Encase pillows in zippered, dust-proof covers. Pillows should be made of Dacron or other synthetic fiber. Do not use foam, feather, or "Down" pillows.

Bedding: Avoid wool or down blankets. Wash all bedding (sheets, pillowcases, blankets) in hot water. Cold water will not kill the dust mites. Older children who can safely use an electric blanket may use one. Dry all clothes and bedding in the dryer to avoid pollen sticking to them when on a clothesline.

Floor coverings: If possible, remove wall-to-wall carpeting. If not, vacuum the carpet frequently (at least twice a week). Only vacuum when your child is away and will not return to the room for several hours after you have finished. Substitute multi-layered vacuum bags for regular single layer bags. Small, washable cotton rugs may be used if washed often. Wood, tile, or vinyl flooring without a rug is best, and they should be mopped at least weekly.

Closet: Remove all stored toys, boxes, and other articles from the closet. The closet should contain only your child's clothing and should be as dust-free as the room. Keep all clothes in closets, never lying around the room.

Furnace (heating): Electric or gas heat is recommended. Do not use wood stoves or kerosene heaters. Change the air filters on the furnace every month. Cover all furnace outlets in the room with special filters or cover the outlets with ten thicknesses of cheesecloth or muslin. This will catch dust in the furnace air. Change the cheesecloth when it gets dusty underneath (about every two weeks).

Air conditioners: Window unit or central air-conditioning is ideal. Change or clean all filters every month. Electric fans or ceiling fans should not be used. Windows should be kept closed, especially in the summer.

Doors: Keep the bedroom closet door and bedroom door closed as much as possible.

Walls: Paint walls or use washable wallpaper. Avoid pennants, pictures, wreaths, flower arrangements or other dust catchers on the walls.

Window coverings: Avoid heavy curtains and Venetian/mini blinds. Use window shades instead. If curtains are used, they should be washed monthly in hot water.

Humidifier: Avoid the use of humidifiers, dust mites grow best in high humidity. Use a dehumidifier to keep humidity in the home less than 50%.

Furniture: Remove all upholstered (stuffed) furniture and replace upholstered furniture with wooden or plastic furniture. No open bookshelves--they are great dust catchers.

Sleeping and napping: Your child should nap or sleep only in his/her own bed, which has been made dust free. When your child travels or visits, he/she should take their non-allergic pillow with him/her.

Playing: Do not allow your child to jump on furniture or beds nor wrestle on carpeted floors. Your child's bedroom should not be used as a playroom. Avoid fabric toys or stuffed animals. If your child has stuffed animals they should be machine washable and washed in hot water or placed in the freezer overnight at least weekly. Store toys in a closed toy chest.

Pollens: Pollens can be a problem in this area from February thru November each year. If your child is allergic to pollen, during pollen season it is important that you keep car/house windows closed and use the air conditioning.

Animal Dander: Pets that have fur or feathers often cause allergy troubles. If your child is allergic to animal dander (the “skin" of the animal), it is best not to have pets and not to visit homes where these types of pets are kept. If your child must have a pet, "hairless" pets such as fish, hermit crabs or snakes are okay.

Mold/Mildew: Mold and mildew grow in areas that are dark, humid and have poor ventilation.

Outdoors: Avoid damp, shady areas; remove fallen leaves; avoid cutting the grass.

Bathrooms and Kitchens: Always use the exhaust fans when cooking or bathing. If you do see mold/mildew, clean the area with cleansers made with bleach.

In the House: Use the air conditioner. Avoid using humidifiers, as mold/mildew can grow in the water tank. If you must use a humidifier, clean it daily with a bleach and water solution. Reduce indoor humidity to <50% - use a dehumidifier, if needed. Empty and clean the dehumidifier daily.

Cockroaches: Some people are very allergic to the substance the cockroach leaves behind. Cockroaches are very common in warm climates and in homes of people living in the city. However, even in climates with much cooler temperatures, the use of central heat allows the cockroaches to live. To avoid exposure to cockroaches, it is best to use insect sprays (air out the house after spraying however) and roach traps.

Exercise: Even though exercise is a common asthma trigger, your child should not limit his/her participation in sports/exercise. Exercise is good for your child's health and for his/her lungs. Some forms of exercise such as running long distances and playing basketball may be harder for your child to do. Activities such as swimming, golf, and karate are good choices for children with asthma. However, children with asthma should be able to participate in most physical activities.

Always warm-up prior to exercise and cool down at the end of exercise. Using your reliever medicine 15-20 minutes before starting exercise can be very helpful. Talk with your child's doctor about exercise and asthma if this is a problem for your child.
Irritants:

Smoke: Do not allow family and friends to smoke anywhere inside the house. Do not allow smoking in the car at any time. Smoke is very irritating in an enclosed area and its odor may be trapped in the car's upholstery for a long period of time and continue to trigger symptoms. When eating out, always sit in non-smoking sections of restaurants. You should also have non-smoking child care providers.

Strong Odors/Perfumes: Your child should avoid things that have a strong smell such as cleaning products, perfumes, hair spray, tar, fresh paint, gasoline, insect sprays, and room deodorizers.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your child's physician. The content provided on this page is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your child's physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.

Reviewed: 03/2005

Asthma Triggers and Precautions

2010-03-04T10:19:00.002+08:00

Source: I have asthma

Asthma Triggers and Precautions

When there's difficulty in breathing, is that asthma? This is what most people conclude when there's even the slightest sign of breathing difficulty. But what really is asthma?

Asthma is considered a disease of the lungs. It's not just an ordinary virus attack that occurs now and then. Most viral infections just go away. Asthma needs serious and immediate medical attention. It is caused by "triggers" or allergens that stimulate air passage constriction, blocking oxygen to the lungs. When this happens, the lungs are deprived of substantial amounts of oxygen and the heart also does overtime work. We know for a fact that the heart pumps oxygen into the blood stream to nourish vital organs. All these may be affected by a severe asthma attack.

Common triggering elements are usually airborne. They cause difficulty in breathing, panting with sound or wheezing, some chest pains, coughing, some pressure on the chest. Triggers come in various forms. Mold growths on moist surfaces are one. When there's lack of free air circulation and humidity is too much in a room or area, asthma can be triggered. Hence, clean exhaust fans necessary. Shower curtains, tubs, lavatories, basins, toilet bowls, etc., ought to be checked for allergens as aforesaid. Check the plumbing and air-conditioning systems (leaky pipes and tubular connections).

Then check the bedroom, specifically the bed itself. Make sure everything is dust-free and extra clean. What we're watching for are dust mites invisible to the naked eyes. Check especially the pillows, bedspread, and bed sheets. Check air-con ventilators, electric fans, and exhaust fans for dusts. The curtain rooms may also be a culprit. The thing is to keep everything fresh and frequently cleaned or washed and properly dried.

Cigarette and cigar smoke is also a no-no. Check especially second-hand or minor stream smoke---or smoke coming from another smoker. Make sure to keep away from smoking areas. Another dangerous culprit is a burning cigarette butt. This is smoke source is commonly ignored. Thus, a very practical precaution against asthma is to avoid or cut smoking.

Cockroaches are not just house pests, they may also trigger asthma. Make sure the room or area where asthma sufferers are is free of cockroach wings, legs, and other body parts. Cockroach eggs and wastes must also be thoroughly cleaned. The spot where cockroaches frequently gather also emit a nasty odor and must be cleaned and sprayed with disinfectants.

Asthma is a lung disease triggered by allergens. Thus, the basic thing is to avoid triggering elements. Knowing these can quite possibly save your life or the life of a loved one.

MATURITY 101

2009-12-20T13:36:00.004+08:00

Meal Time 101
dad: who made this pork chop...it tastes bland...

older brother: who fried this pork chop, it's too hard to chew, might break my teeth...i don't like this banana coz it's not ripe, i can't change my views that's how i want my banana, ripe and ready to eat...

oldest sister: this pork chop needs salt, it's not flavored...i put salt on mine when i buy at the grocery blah blah blah...

Maturity 101
Yesterday and today, I learned that you really can't please everybody. I am the type of person who rarely complains at the table even if the food is not that delicious. I try my best to appreciate the blessings I have, because not everyone has food on their table these days.

I have learned not to make life too complicated but those older than I, well, do that on a daily basis. They like making simple dilemmas into gigantic puzzles. One Filipino trait which I dislike is that when you are older, you think and believe that you are always correct and those younger than you are, are less wiser because they were born after you were, so that makes your experiences in life a basis of knowing what's right or wrong...really now?!!!

Maturity is not measured with age!!! It comes with the deep ability to accept the realities of life. The discomforts and the hassles. The daily traffic on the road, the tons of people at the mall, the endless discussions during meal time...these are just at the tip of the iceberg. There are more underneath the surface...minor and major issues...

I guess my mom raised me well because I am able to accept the harsh realities of life no matter what. I have the resilience to stand up each time I fall hard on my face...I move on and make resolutions instead of whining and griping all day building stressful situations and anxieties which in the end give us a headache...but my siblings and my dad still practices their ever reliable age old tool called 'WORRY'!!!

I admire my mother for her tact and her disposition. She would always find solutions and make amendments. She would sacrifice a lot, even to the extent of eating something which was not so good because those are the blessings on the table. You would never hear her complain or whine! She would always bring out the best in every situation.

I think if you preach something, you should practice it.

You cannot say that many are hungry and we should feed them if you are choosy with the food that is available and you can't eat anything. You cannot say that only Catholics are Christians because those who are not Catholic are going with the flow or just showing off or they are not real Christians because they do not conform to your standards of beliefs. You cannot say that you are thankful for what you have if all the time there is something you complain about. You should find ways to resolve problems for anxieties like having a nice massage at the SPA even if costs a bit since you spend more on other unimportant things for your car. Your car will never get ill but you will. Get your priorities right!

I am not judging anyone. It's just that sometimes people are not acting maturely or the way they should be. They are on the pedestal of their high horses thinking that since they are older they are never wrong! They say what they want, they do what they want. They never admit when they make a mistake. They are always RIGHT!

I only hope they would realize that but like my niece said, it's hard to teach old dogs new tricks...I can only HOPE and PRAY that they would try even a bit...to make their lives less complicated than it is right now...that they should realize that younger people can have a more mature outlook than they do...and that sometimes it pays to listen to them because they are living the life of this generation which is something that older folks refuse to adjust to.

a slice of my mind today...

2009-11-07T00:54:00.004+08:00

Since the tragic flooding of our country and our homes has happened I have been in a different mode. I am a fun loving cheerful positive person but when bad things happen in your life, it's human to feel the loss, to feel the pain, to fall down when everything seems to be falling apart. I am not superman who can easily fly away when I am threatened with trials. I am not made of rock or steel not to feel the anxiety and pressure of life's daily toils. I believe in GOD, who is all powerful and mighty, my creator, my savior...He will heal me, guide me, strengthen me and deliver me.

BUT...give me the space to breathe...give me the chance to pull myself together...give me the time to heal...give me the peace that I need right now...give me the understanding that I ask of friends...give me the freedom to express my emotions...give me a hug when i need to cry...give me a smile when i can't...give me the respect when you doubt my integrity...give me the truth when you can't speak it...give me the liberty to be myself...

I have gone through a journey which I can say has taught me valuable lessons. I have met thousands of characters, some good, some not so good, some evil, some very evil...and yet I continue to walk on. I take the risk to believe that in every person there is something GOOD inside. I entrust my true being because I am not a person who likes to pretend. What I show you is what I am.

Perhaps some will like it, some will not. I cannot please everyone. I can only stand by my values and principles which were instilled by my parents, my family, my teachers, my mentors, my former bosses...those who were true allies...those who wanted me to grow into the person that I am today.

I want to break free from the vicious cycle of giving my all then finding myself in the mire of confusion and misconstrues. I still envision myself helping and being of service to others because I believe that is my purpose...but I am not satisfied because I want to inspire others more. I have bigger dreams...goals and aspirations to fulfill...I want to share what I have learned and continuously love people because according to Byrd Baggett "IF YOU DON'T LOVE PEOPLE, YOU'LL NEVER LEAD THEM..." According to Mr. Baggett, Thomas Edison was partially deaf and it was said that he refused to have a hearing aid because he said "I DON'T WANT OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINION TO AFFECT MY THINKING..." again Byrd Baggett said..."SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE PRECIOUS FEW WHO BELIEVE IN YOU...DREAM BELIEVERS...NOT DREAM KILLERS..." so like the lyrics of the song 'When I close my eyes" says...."when I close my eyes I'll see the LIFE I'm DREAMING of...when I close my eyes, I AM FINALLY FREE...to LIVE the LIFE I choose for ME...."!

There is a thin line on being a friend and on being an enemy. It is all up to you...I have gained wealth in this lifetime by having tons of true friends from all the places I have been to...I have been truly blessed and I am thankful that I have all of them because one day when it's time to meet my creator, I want them to remember how I touched their lives with my SMILE, with the GOOD that I have shared...I want them to reveal the real person behind this comic structure. I want to hear them say, "HEY...this person was my FRIEND"! Then I can say that I have lived my life knowing I have served my purpose.

Do our PART to help in Climate Change!

2009-11-07T00:52:00.002+08:00

Since our area in Kalentong was badly hit by the flood and the tragic events have been triggered by climate change and the neglect of people to be more aware of their environment as simple as segregating trash,we can do our part to help in the CLIMATE CHANGE campaign... (",)

Suggestions which we do at home:

1. Segregate your trash at home. Separate plastic bottles which can be given to those people who sell these instead of letting them destroy garbage bags disposed in trash bins. Separate bottles for "bote dyaryo" including cans, iron/steel materials, cardboard, boxes...

2. Use bio degradable items such as fruit peels, vegetable peels or leftovers as fertilizer. If you do not have big areas, you can use an old pail or pot with enough soil which you can also ask from neighbors who might have extra soil so you can mix these bio degradable materials at and transform them into fertilizers. Bio-degradable waste are the by products which consists of natural stuff ,such that when you throw it out side nature (Small tiny atomic creatures) will degrade it and release the natural products back to atmosphere. Take an example of your Garden's waste. you throw it out side and one day it will turn into Compost;a very good fertilizer.

3. On the other hand Non-Biodegradable stuff can not be decomposed like glass, steel etc. They wont be melting in Nature no matter how strong are the organisms are. So it is advised that these product should be recycled so that they can be of use again.

RECYCLE plastic 'sando' bags which can be used again or donate them to small 'sari-sari' stores esp. in the market where they can re-use these items. make sure that you donate only clean reusable ones. Make it a habit to put these plastic containers or sando bags in one trash bag since these items are very harmful to clog rivers, canals and they are made of materials which do not degrade.

4. BE A GOOD CITIZEN by not throwing your trash anywhere. Even as small as a cigarette butt or candy wrapper. LET US DISPOSE these items properly so it will not contribute to clogging our drainage systems. If you have piles of garbage, contact your local barangays for the schedule of garbage collection or bring your trash to garbage bins located in some areas in the barangay.

5. If you have wood which you need to dispose, maybe you have neighbors who uses wood for cooking, post a sign at your gate "Free Wood for pick up" so others may have good use for them.

Let's DO OUR PART in helping in our own small ways for the protection of our environment. In simple ways we can do a little which we can suggest to others and perhaps this will be a big impact to help us be rid of floods during rainy days since our drainage will be garbage free.

Thank you. Have a nice day.

Another Journey has begun.

2009-10-12T01:31:00.004+08:00

Another week has begun, it's a Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 and the time is 1:35 a.m. I have just finished viewing a feature on EWTN Catholic network about St. Gemma Galgani. I never knew about this Saint until today. I know that God has purposely allowed me to view that channel airing that program for a reason and a purpose because nothing happens by chance in this lifetime. I have been worried about so many things in my life...like how to pick up the pieces after the flood that hit our home and destroyed most of our possessions; how I will be able to find financial resources to support myself and help my family; I am also worried since my allergies, cough, and asthma have not been completely healed plus my left ovarian cyst seems to be aching so I want to have another abdominal ultrasound or pelvic ultrasound coz it's been a year after my last check up. I put my trust in the Lord but I know that I must do my part. I worry because this will be costly and I have no other means at the moment since I am handling matters at home. Though some of my siblings are helping, it feels that sometimes the world is upon my shoulders.

I know that learning about the life of St. Gemma is something I would like to imitate even just in terms of praying. I was named after St. Rose of Lima and she was a devoted and loving servant to our Lord Jesus Christ as well. I want to be like them in small ways or even bigger. I know that I have gone astray and now that I have found my way again, I only want to serve HIM who is the provider of all. His will be done not mine. I know that there are many trials and sufferings in my life at the moment and I want to bear all these with humility and perseverance even if others will think ill of me.

This typhoon/flood is a sign of awakening...it's a time to reflect on our lives and see where we are heading. Most of the time we go astray and we forget our spiritual journey, as simple as praying. I am not a saint but I do not intend to be a sinner...I want to change my life for GOD and to serve others esp. my family even if there are times I am losing my temper and patience in doing so. I must learn to bear my crosses with a smile.

I know some people would think otherwise, I don't care what they will say. It doesn't matter because only GOD will judge me when the time comes. I want to deserve HIS love. He has given me so much and I have always failed HIM. I also ask the intercession of our Mother Mary because she has been a comfort and she has saved us during the typhoon.

A new day has begun...and new chapter of my life. If this journey will lead me to HIS will, I accept it with my whole heart.

make it through the rain...

2009-10-02T22:06:00.003+08:00

Since Sept.22 I have been ill with my regular asthma then had flu (cough/cold) and fatigue from work, family obligations and other responsibilities. My body was shutting down and telling me that I needed to rest and have a break. I wasn't able to do that until now because as I was trying to regain my health the unexpected happened.

I woke up feeling groggy at 5 a.m. Sept.26, 2009 coz I got bothered by the rain so I prayed the Holy Rosary until I fell asleep again. The time I woke up I heard people going to and fro...my dad, brother and cousin were busy saving our cars, my scooter...when i got downstairs some of the stuff were on top of the regular shelves we use during flood which was waist high...my niece helped me around the house and i went to check my little store trying to gather food and anything I could get but the flood began to rise and I saw our appliances inside the house slowly tumbling down, I went in to save some of them but it was too late by the time I wanted to get the food I gathered inside the store, the waters were too deep.

I began to cry because I felt helpless, I couldn't do anything plus the fact I was ill made it worse. I couldn't save my pet dogs, my myna bird, they drowned...we had to turn off the electricity and when I was back in my room praying, I had a discernment...the Lord Jesus was saying to me "are you ready to let go of all these?" and I couldn't answer right away...I wanted to just say "YES" but felt sad that I was losing a lot of things which I know I couldn't get back because I had little means and resources these days.

That night I fervently prayed for the rain to stop and the flood to subside...I began to accept the realities...I slowly answered "YES" in letting go of the many things in my life...I realized that being alive with my family was the most important thing. I hadn't eaten the whole day but survived with a little water and sugar until the next day when the waters subsided and I saw the devastation...I opened my heart and said, LORD I give it all back to you.

I am not yet well today, I even got scared 2 days ago coz I was coughing with a smudge of blood but perhaps it was due to the irritation caused by the flu and because I was really exhausted with the cleaning, trying to put everything back in order and thank you to my sisters,my brother, my cousin, my nephews and nieces who helped me though their houses were affected as well...

I rested the whole day today and was glad that internet connection was back and I was able to go online again after all these has happened. It's first Friday and we said the Holy Rosary together before we had dinner (thanks to my kumare and kumpare from abs cbn bong and ruby for the sinigang they gave us)...we prayed that the coming typhoon will not harm us again.

I am thankful to my Headstrong Family for the food, water and meds they shared...to Hoho who assisted me despite her loss...to Nancy who visited us and cheered us up with food and wine...to Ency for your comforting words though I know you too have lost a lot in the flood...to my relatives and other good friends (you know who you are) ...who shared food&money, who called us, sent messages, those who prayed for us, those who showed their concerns, those who messaged me at ym, here at facebook...thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.

I believe that God will make a way when there seems to be no way...all these things shall pass...I pray for those who are suffering...those who are less fortunate than I am...the people who are in other countries suffering as well because of flood,tsunami and earthquake...let us continue praying.

my 38th bday thoughts...

2009-09-13T14:23:00.008+08:00

I turned 38 last September 1st. I felt so blessed being alive, having my wonderful family and my dear friends. I had a simple dinner with my family then my colleagues/friends gave me a memorable ktv bday bash. It was a simple day...as you grow older, it becomes less complicated...that's what I think...but we all have different views...I guess that's what I want, less complications. We go through life with a series of difficulties...we start with school, then work, love, relationships, friendships, growing old...then you realize that as you mature, you want simplicity in all that you do. Less stress, less problems, less negativity...but sometimes it doesn't go that way. At least every year I get to celebrate it differently...I am thankful that along the way, friends go out of their way to make it memorable and no matter how financially broke I am, I'd always have good people to celebrate it with me.

Every birthday I ask myself, what good have I done all these years? Sometimes I feel that I am still stuck where I started...but I know it isn't true, I know I have done a lot but with all the goals, dreams and frustrations you have, you feel that when you didn't hit the mark, you failed, right?

I am still single, unattached, without someone to even hold my hand when i feel cheesy...I have no savings except for the few assets I have but I try to help others esp. my family despite my situation...I live at my parents home so I'm fortunate to have a roof on my head, I eat thrice a day, sometimes even more than that...I have tons of debts to pay...bills to settle...huge problems in life...work, finances, health, love, etc. etc. and yet I am so blessed!

We are just human to feel pinned down with the negativity of the world. I find my solace in Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary whom I constantly run to in prayer...some friends find it weird when they see me praying the Holy Rosary no matter what time of day or place, as long as I need to pray, I do it. While commuting to work, before i sleep...prayer is my lifeline!

My faithfulness doesn't have to collide with my being a lesbian. I also admit that I am gay...it's not something I hide or try to cure because this is who I am since childhood. I don't have all the answers but I know that there is a purpose for everything that is happening in my life. I want simplicity but I also want to feel the goodness of this lifetime...I want to learn hairstyling and make up or learn to be a bartender, then work in Australia or somewhere in Europe or Los Angeles where my sister is but I don't have the means yet. I still have to fulfill my obligations first. I want to travel. I want to find a stable and good source of income to save up and provide for my family and for myself. Perhaps have my own house, car or the simple pleasures of this world...but if these are not for me, then I faithfully accept the sufferings with a smile in my heart and soul.

These are some of the things going inside my mind. I strive to do things but sometimes you just can't because life is just that way. You have to do your best wherever you are right now, hopeful that tomorrow you will see yourself in a place you dream of. For now, I am thankful!

Let's talk about FRIENDSHIP

2009-07-12T00:38:00.002+08:00

I am sharing this post from my multiply site and group Catholic Friends. This was posted by Malga, my polish online friend/owner of Catholic Friends and I'd like to re post here and share with everyone. The topic is about FRIENDSHIP which is timely because I am missing a friend whom I think I've lost because of miscommunication. I hope that in time, healing will come and we'll be good friends again.

As the name of the group suggests we are not only Catholic but we are also Friends: Catholic Friends. That is why , apart from the religious topics, I would like all of us to ponder on the topic of friendship today.

In our fast -paced life there is not too much free time for friends. In our technological era we more often see our friends, real or virtual ones, online rather than face to face, or we talk to them on the phone. Real moments spent face to face with our friends are especially treasured for most of us.

Perhaps some of you are lucky enough to have a lot of time for your friends, but I am not. Being busy with my two jobs and family life I have limited time for my friends. No wonder I like to sit in front of my laptop in the evening (when you normally do not meet real life friends) to meet my virtual friends in Multiply.

I would like you to think of one / some of the following topics and comment on it/ them in the comments parts. If you want to write about anything else regarding friendship, you can do so too.

1. Do you have a special friend (real life one)? Why is the person unique?
2. Can someone you know from the Internet also be equally special?
3. What do you value most in a friend?
4. Do Christian values help build strong ties between friends?
5. Can a man and a woman (especially the same age) be very good friends without falling in love with one another?
6. What do you think of Internet contacts? Can Christian Internet contacts (like Catholic Friends) be considered friends?
7.Can people of different age (much younger or much older) be good friends?
Thank you very much for any comments and may Good God bless us all!
God bless all Friends!
God bless Catholic Friends!

=======================================================================
MY SHARING AT CATHOLIC FRIENDS

HELLO!
Malga and my dear catholic friends...it's been awhile, a hibernation with my sharing, i apologize for the busy moments. I know I've been out of touch and I will do my best to be more present. I hope that everyone is fine and I know GOD is always with us in good or bad times and though we may not be around all the time, I know that our simple friendships here online is to last.

My sharing on the topic:

1.Do you have a special friend (real life one)? Why is the person unique?

I have tons of real life friends from high school to college, friends from the different companies I've worked for, people from all walks of life. I can say that I am truly blessed to have so many TRUE friends, which now includes people I've met online which I also consider good friends...like the few I met here at Catholic Friends. I have 2 to 5 close friends in real life, one of them is Ronan who was my colleague. He is my house mate until today. I've known him for more than 8 yrs. now. He is like a brother to me and is part of my family as well. What is unique about him is that even if his father is a Pastor and they are protestant,we may have different views at times in terms of spiritual beliefs but we are the best of friends. I always say that he is the brother I never had. He is always there to give me a hand esp. in times of trials and when I have problems he is the one I usually ask for advice.

2. Can someone you know from the Internet also be equally special?

It is possible and I've met a few whom I've become close with. I have a special friend whom I interact online but since we rarely communicate in person, it is mostly done via email or chat, we somehow lost the real essence of FRIENDSHIP. We were not able to express more of our emotions. It is nice to have online friends but the interaction is limited. We can't experience the individuality of the person because all we see are the superficial conversations online. It is better to have them or see them in person because you get to interact with them fully which makes the friendships more meaningful.

3.What do you value most in a friend?

I value a friend's true character. Not the physical attributes but more of the personality as a whole. The essence of a person's true self 'good or bad' makes him a valuable confidante, an ally and a person you can rely on to be there for you.

4. Do Christian values help build strong ties between friends?

Yes it helps because you have something in common. The values you have are probably the values your friend has that's why you get along well. This makes the friendship beautiful and spiritually balanced.

5.Can a man and a woman (especially the same age) be very good friends without falling in love with one another?

Yes. As I mentioned in no.1 my best friend Ronan is like the brother I never had. It can work purely on the grounds of nothing more than being friends.

6. What do you think of Internet contacts? Can Christian Internet contacts (like Catholic Friends) be considered friends?

I consider my online friends esp. at Catholic Friends my friends. Although it would be wonderful to get to know them better personally, I still treasure the friendships we all have despite the superficial settings since it is grounded only online. I believe that it is all up to us how these friendships will flourish.

7.Can people of different age (much younger or much older) be good friends?

Regardless of Age, Race, Creed, etc. etc. , it should not be a barrier to friendships. I believe that GOD sends us friends, people whom we need to get to know in life because there is a purpose behind it all. He gives us these people to help us in our lives in one small way or another. It doesn't mean that we should be all of the same age. What's important is how we value the person and how we make the friendship grow.

on the edge

2009-06-28T08:15:00.008+08:00

I've been having this weak system the past few weeks...and to put more pressure on it, is the h1n1 scare. I just need to rest and sleep, sleep, sleep!!! I did not take good care of myself and thought I could still endure sleepless nights. heck!!! that was 10 yrs. ago! I can't do that now! What I must do daily is have a good night's sleep. Eat healthy food (well I have been eating healthy for a year now). Exercise more often (get back to my kickboxing routine or biking or maybe swim again). I need to strengthen my system and restore my health pronto!

I remember my first job...at TFC back in '93, gosh those were the hada days...3 days no sleep coz of shoots/tapings/editing, booze sessions...endless nights of gimmicks...whew! I don't feel old but I can say that I am feeling less of my youth. I cannot do the things I used to do. It's like my body is telling me "it's payback time" and these are the consequences of my actions years ago. :(

Last Saturday morning around 4am I was roused from my sleep because I couldn't breathe. I was telling my dad, Friday night, I was having allergic reactions with the meds I took...but wasn't sure what it really was or maybe I was just having another asthma attack. Back to that Saturday morning, before I woke up I was dreaming of my mom. In my dream I saw her near our dining room and I was eating bread, I told her not to go upstairs and to wait for me. I knew she was my mom but I could only see her hair, no face. I kept shouting at her not to go ahead, to wait for me because I wanted to go upstairs with her. I woke up choking. I called my brother to pray over me coz I knew I was on the brink of crossing over. Thank God I am still here.

That morning, my dad told us that there was a yellow butterfly at the altar(where I last saw my mom in my dream). It was perched on the painting of Our Lady of Fatima. My mom was a devotee. Odd as it may seem, where did that big yellow butterfly come from? There was no open window or door around the area...we all concluded that the butterfly symbolizes my mom's presence. Perhaps she was taking care of me since I am the youngest and she usually does when I am ill. We were all happy to see the butterfly. Here's the photo:

Today, I woke up and the butterfly was gone. I was sad not to see it there. Maybe it was time to go. I am thankful that my mom was there when I needed her. I guess she feels bad too because I haven't been taking good care of myself...which I will start doing again! I have a long week ahead... I have to shape up... I have a few things lined up... a marketing post at the magazine where i write for which starts next month and i will look at a job offer in Vietnam which i'll find out tom ... i don't even know when and will i ever see bella again... but i'm hoping that all these will happen at the right time. For now, I will cease the day!

Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
Benjamin Franklin
US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)

SIMPLY the BEST!

2009-06-05T21:11:00.008+08:00

The last time I updated my blog was May 3rd, I was up in the mountains of Baguio, cozy in our humble home… I had my detox time for two weeks. I went back to Manila only to find myself back in the hustle and bustle of city life. I don’t agree with the statement which was declared by a colleague “you might be getting old if you want a quiet and simple life”. I don’t feel my age and my neighbors would say you’re getting younger, what do you do? It’s simple, I try not to complicate my life…as complex as it is…when I wake up each morning, I am thankful that GOD has given me another day to spend on this earth. It’s a reason to be happy about…to see your family and friends…the people you care for…the person you love…my life is truly blessed.

It's not a life without trials or problems; we need to make it balanced. As I’ve read in a friend’s astrological sign … to have an ideal of peace, balance and harmony in life. Let’s not make fuzz about everything we have in our lives. If we find someone who makes us smile, a source of inspiration…, one who can make us a better person, then just let it flow. People come into our lives for a reason, we don’t know how it happens…it usually hits us like a wave…unexpectedly! I had a different mindset 2 or 3 weeks ago…I didn’t know that after all the storms in my life I’d still find a sunny day behind a smile that melted my heart.

I know most of my friends are happy to see me this way but we can’t please everyone and I know some are telling me to stop, look and listen before I fall and tumble down the road of heartache again. But that’s the beauty of being alive, you have to LIVE a little, GIVE a little, let your poor heart ACHE a little, that’s the story of…that’s the glory of LOVE. ;) We only pass this way once…when I like or love someone I tell it right away because I don’t even know if tomorrow I will still be here to say it again. I want to live my life to the fullest…I want my family and friends to know that I am here for them. I am happy if I have made them smile, gave them a hand, said a prayer for them …somehow they feel better …that I was part of their lives.

These days, I try to savor everything in my life...it's 'SIMPLY the BEST'...simple as having 'talbos ng kamote' for your meal, meaningful conversations despite busy schedules...the time spent online...small gestures...small pleasures which I will forever treasure and be grateful for...the sweetness, the giving, the laughter, the smiles, the inspiration, the friendship... ;) SIMPLY the BEST!

I am SOLTERA

2009-05-03T00:17:00.000+08:00

Last night I was able to catch the movie on Cinema One..."SOLTERA"!
This film featured Maricel Soriano and it was very memorable for me since I was able to work as copywriter for Star Cinema during this time. Although my name was not in the credits, it was okay 'coz helping out in the editing of trailers for television and the other things I did in the promotions department was very fulfilling and in way helped me to become who I am today.

Check out one film I had my name on the credits "Oo na Mahal na Kung Mahal" this is at IMDb.com and when I saw the link and my name, I was elated for being able to contribute in a small way in the film industry.

Going back to "SOLTERA"...well if you have not watched it I suggest you do...especially if you are a single woman like me. It's just that I can relate to the film...being single until today...but like what the character of Maricel (Sandra) at the end of the movie , it was something like this "na realize ko na di pala sukatan ang pagkakaroon ng asawa at nang anak ang pagiging buo ang pagkababae. buo ang pagkababae ko kahit wala akong asawa at anak. masaya ako sa pamilya ko, sa mga kaibigan ko..."

there were many memorable lines in the movie which i will blog about some other time...
like in the movie, Sandra fell in love deeply and in the end was left by the one she loved the most...but the moral of the story is, we don't really need someone to be complete...we can be happy being single...

I am happy to be single and it's not that I am closing on my doors...I want to meet the right one, get married and like in other fairytale live happily ever after...but today, I can say that I am living the happy road because I have my family and my true friends.

So the Soltera life is not that bad if you think of it...I know that God has good plans for me and if this means being single all my life...it doesn't really matter...as long as you live the life you love and love the life you live.

the Lord's BFF

2009-04-30T03:00:00.001+08:00

I was watching EWTN catholic channel,one of my favorite show is Mother Angelica's. It was past midnight and I think God paved the way for me to watch that show because a colleague also benefited in listening to it. The show was about FRIENDSHIP. Do we really have FRIENDS? True friends, those whom we can be ourselves and say anything we want, they know the good or bad and yet still be our friend. Of course, they will not always say only the good things...true friends say things which are not pleasing as well because they mean well. They want us to be better persons.

One of the questions Mother Angelica asked was something like "Do you know where you plan to go? or maybe plan to do? That made me think again...about my life, my work, my plans in life. I feel that this was one of God's way to remind me...He is answering my prayers...He is guiding me.

I have been on a journey and I know that one of my goals or plans is to continue serving the Lord and become His servant. I also know that I am not a saint and I have my own shares of sinfulness. I sin and repent...I move on...I make changes...it is a constant struggle.

To live the life of faithfulness is a road less traveled...it is full of hardships...TRIALS of all kinds...problems with family, with friends...it is a never ending cycle of faithfulness. To put your trust in the Lord and His Mother Mary, all the angels and saints...to live your life according to the precepts of the church and most importantly according to His laws and the Holy Bible.

I am not being preachy or being saintly here...like everyone else I am human but this doesn't justify my sinfulness...I know my purpose in this life...and that is to serve HIM despite my flaws. I must share what GOD has given in my life even if others might hate me or treat me badly. It is not about me....It is about HIM!

God is our best friend and Our Lady is our best friend next to HIM as told by Mother Angelica. All we need to do is to run to them when we feel burdened by life's many problems. Visit the Blessed Sacrament, talk to the Lord and tell Him everything inside our hearts. He is willing to listen...to forgive and to forget...HE is our true FRIEND.

So if I am asked what my plan is? I plan to be the Lord's BFF (Best Friend Forever)

i will love again

2009-04-06T13:14:00.000+08:00

Did I ever tell you how you live in me
Every waking moment, even in my dreams
And if all this talk is crazy
And you don't know what I mean
Does it really matter
Just as long as I believe
[Chorus:]
I will love again
Though my heart is breaking, I will
love again
Stronger than before
I will love again
Even if it takes a lifetime to get over you
Heaven only knows, I will love again
People never tell you
The way they truly feel
I would die for you gladly
If I knew it was for real
So if all this talk sounds crazy
And the words don't come out right
Does it really matter
If it gets me through this night
[Chorus]
If I'm true to myself, nobody else can take the place of you
But I've got to move on, tell me what else can I do
[Chorus]
I will love again
One day I know, I will love again
You can't stop me from loving again, breathing again
Feeling again
I know, one day, I'll love again

my friend Lita at MV Doulos

2009-04-05T13:47:00.000+08:00

MY FRIEND LITA @ MV DOULOS SHIP

Hi Friends,

I am sharing this email sent by my dear friend Lita Teodosio who is now onboard MV Doulos as a mission crew. Let us continue praying for her and if you would like to donate for her just send her an email lita.teodosio@gbaships.org since they are volunteers, they need to support their stay on the ship. Each one of them needs to raise about $300 to sustain their mission work.

Here is Lita's email:

Salamat ng marami

We are safely here in Taiwan , after 2 and a half day of rough voyage.

Thank you for your prayers, I was okay although a bit dizzy.

We arrived midnight last night and had to start working at 6am to

Be able to be ready for the 3pm official opening.

We are here in Kaoshung, in front of Fisherman’s wharf, so nice…

God is really amazing. We have so many translators onboard and

We need to learn few Chinese words during voyage.

Salamat uli. And please keep in your prayers,

For God to work through me and in me at all times.

God Bless!

Serving Him,

Lita

PS. Kindly send to others who knows me.

Some pix for you.

This is how rough the voyage is… the bow cannot be seen because

Of the big waves…. Check the difference.

Book Ex doing the work. Full Pack Down before voyage.

Devanand’s

(book-ex asst. mgr) farewell speech before the book-ex.

Book Ex people as environmentalist. Rubbish Books, cardboards, and fliers.

No plastics pleaseJ

WELCOME to Kaoshung , TAIWAN . Right in front of Fisherman’s wharf.

Thanks for praying. It made the difference.

God bless!

Lita

Will email you soon.

Praying for you.

i was healed

2009-04-03T00:50:00.000+08:00

My eldest sister and my fourth sister accompanied me in attending a healing mass celebrated by Fr. Joey A. Faller at the CHAPEL OF THE EUCHARISTIC LORD
I quit my job last July 2008 because I was not feeling very well and was diagnosed with gall stones. Although I only have 2 stones the size of a corn kernel, the symptoms I encounter when my gall bladder malfunctions is constant belching, bloated stomach, vomiting, nausea and tremendous pain at the left lower side of my back is where the pancreas is. When the gall bladder is malfunctioning the pancreas is also affected. The ultrasound also revealed a cyst in my left ovary which my Obstetrician said not to be alarmed about.

Before I learned I had gallstones, I had several food & environmental related allergies which lead to asthma, this was diagnosed in 1997. Perhaps it is related to genes and I took a wrong turn in taking care of myself that's why I am suffering with these illnesses now.

Fr. Faller said that GOD allows sufferings/illnesses because HE loves us and we are among the chosen ones to carry His cross. We sometimes complain but this is nothing compared to the Lord's sufferings. Fr. Faller also mentioned that St. Therese once asked the Lord why she was suffering so much and the Lord said that HE was just sending kisses of love to her. And St. Therese said, Lord you are kissing me too much because she was suffering.

After the mass, Fr. Faller took the Blessed Sacrament around to start the healing. There were more than 500 people inside the church, mostly sick people. I was standing at the back with my sisters. We were asked to kneel and raise our hands. When Fr. Faller was near our area, he healed those who had gall stones...when I heard this, I just cried. I was crying and praying that GOD will hear my plea that I will be completely healed of these illnesses.

Then we lined up for the laying of hand of Fr. Faller. My number was 582 and people were getting anxious, impatient and some lined up even if it was not yet their turn. When I reached the altar, like in any other healing session, you need to close your eyes and position your palm into a receiving gesture. When Fr. Faller touched me I just felt the heat of the Holy Spirit inside me and my knees bended and I ended up in seated position.

I believe I am healed...I really don't want to go to surgery and have my gall bladder removed plus I can't afford it right now being out of work and having no medical insurance. I have to seek a charity surgery procedure because I only have enough for incidental expenses such as medicine etc.I feel better today and my tummy is not bloated and not inflamed as it used to be. I was able to eat better because I have a hard time digesting my food since the vile is blocked by the stones.

I know there is a purpose for this suffering. I will continue to praise and glorify the Lord for this healing. Thank you Jesus.

the manhole and the devil

2009-03-23T00:31:00.000+08:00

when i opened my store i tried to fix the cover of a manhole in front of my store so no one would fall but instead it caved in because our local gov't. who constructed it, made it flimsy, the usual case scenario of pocketing the funds so most of the manhole covers in our neighborhood are broken. it is a hazard but not even the community officials are doing something about it...my dad phoned the community hall, a community officer came over but just scratched his head seeing the problem and left...we called again but the community leader said they will probably have it fixed tomorrow if they have the means. "WHAT THE..." leave the manhole open enough to trap two people or three children if they fall in there...bad luck if they fall into it, right?!

i was on the verge of getting mad but GOD sent two angels to help me. these two boys were "mangangalakals" or those who scavenge the garbage for reusable materials to sell. they were my "alagas", i help them out by collecting plastic bottles and segregating them so they wouldn't go through the garbage for it. i also give them food once in awhile or water. they saw the open manhole and volunteered to help in putting the large block of cement back which probably weighed like 4 people. i asked my cousin and a friend to help out too. i gave the two boys some food & soft drinks and gave them a little money to help their families since they were very poor.

when you good to other people they remember you...i was surprised that they offered to help me despite the gravity of this task. i am grateful. i was counting on our local community officials but sadly they are never there to help their community...i am so disappointed, frustrated and sad because the Filipino trait of "bayanihan" is fading...except for these poor children who are willing to endure the hardship to help me out, to return the favor, the kindness i have showed them, the Christian values I have imparted to them...The CHRIST i have showed them. i am so blessed to have met them...

...it was a good night i said to myself...until before i closed my store, the devil came by in form of drunkard who frequents our street. usually i refused to give this man money, he was asking for food, so i wanted to be a good Christian so i packed some rice and soup in a plastic container...when i gave it to him, he retorted "soup? that's it! just give it to the cats, this is dog food"...i couldn't believe what he said. i was tired and i was not in the mood for arrogance...i shouted back at him and told him how disrespectful he was because i shared with him our food and this is what he says...i told him never to come back and in my rage i cursed him...i wanted to hit him with my baseball bat to let him realize what kind of a man he was...

it was a bad move to get angry because i acted on my temptation. it was my mistake...and i am sorry for this, no excuses. i guess there are times when our human weaknesses gets in the way. we do good and then the devil hits you with his ally and lashes you to sin. whew!!!

this lent, i vowed not to get mad towards my bad neighbors and i was getting there until i broke my vow tonight...it's exactly midnight as i am ending this blog...another day, another chance...hopefully i will do right later and make good again...for now, i pray for peace and a restful sleep.

3 a.m. ---the hour of the spirit....

2009-03-17T04:09:00.000+08:00

For some apparent reason, on a daily basis, I am roused at this hour
3 A.M. and when this happens, I have a hard time going back to sleep...what usually happens to me:

...i get a terrible asthma attack and tremendous difficulties in breathing
...dogs are barking continuously and sometimes to the extent of deep howling
...some force wakes me up with a jolt
...i get weird dreams
...i hear strange noises which wakes me up

I have been having this cycle for years now and there were times I asked why? I mentioned this to my family and some friends. Some say that 3 a.m. is the hour of the spirit...meaning this is the hour when spirits or those unseen or from the netherworld are active. Perhaps this is true...and I guess it is somewhat true for me because of 'the gift' I have been carrying with me for a long time. I am aware of these but have become accustomed to it...I know it is not natural but I have accepted the fact that there are some unexplainable circumstances and I need not see it to feel it.

But it is also at this hour when I am awake that I fervently PRAY because I also believe that it is during this hour that GOD is waking me up to Praise HIM and pray for those who I need to pray for. I also believe that this is the hour of great mercy because I am a devotee of the Divine Mercy...it is the hour of the 3 o'clock prayer as well.

Waking up at this hour is a strange occurrence in my life which I have accepted...it has become a part of my routine...so I just let it be...so be it...but let me share some notes which I found on the internet about this hour.

I don't know if this is true or not...just want to share the information with you...which might help in explaining this hour...but like I said, for me this hour is for praying.
~~~Ria

FYI from the Internet about 3 a.m.

* Source:http://www.theonion.com/content/node/31629

Vatican Declares Hours Between 3 A.M., 5:30 A.M. 'Ungodly'

VATICAN CITY–In the first papal edict against a time of day since 1560, Pope John Paul II declared the two-and-a-half-hour interval between 3 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. "wholly ungodly." "If a man dares to come home during these demonic hours, he shall be declared anathema," said His Holiness. "Likewise, anyone calling during these hours shall face excommunication." The pope added that in some cases, devout Catholics may receive special dispensation from a priest in a different time zone

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* Source:http://lasalettejourney.blogspot.com/2005/10/from-spirit-daily-3-am-hour.html

From Spirit Daily: 3 am hour

This article, a compilation of experiences different people have had at 3 am, may also be found at: www.spiritdaily.com:

FROM THE MAILBAG: VIEWERS WEIGH IN ON EXPERIENCES THAT OCCUR AT THREE A.M.

It is intriguing, this notion that three a.m. bears special spiritual significance.

We've been reporting about it for years. It spans nations, religions, and the cultural milieu -- with even secular movies working it into their themes.

Most recent was The Exorcism of Emily Rose, which has many of the chilling events happening at this switching (or should would say "witching") hour?

Our review of the movie led to a deluge of e-mail from those who claim their own experiences.

Is it a time when the "veil" is especially thin? Is it an evil hour? Or a combination?

"I got goose bumps when you mentioned three a.m.," wrote John O'Brien of Lake St. Louis, Missouri. "I can't tell you how many times -- hundreds -- I have awakened at precisely three a.m. I have always assumed someone needed prayers. I had no idea it was a common thing."

Common indeed. In devotional circles, rampant. Does Jesus, does the Blessed Mother, rally forces at this time that is also an active hour for witches (the end of their midnight-to-three ceremonies)?

"On one occasion, just recently, I was dreaming that I was being followed by something evil, there was chaos and destruction all around," reports another reader, Caroline Jarzabek of Toronto. "I was trying to get away but I had that dreaded feeling that this entity was getting closer and closer, a deep fear crept in. Just then in the distance I could hear a group of people (maybe angels), praying the Rosary. I immediately joined in and there was instant peace. I woke up and you guessed it -- it was three a.m."

Want to get a bit chilled? "My friend George Lutz -- of the highly documented Amityville Horror demonic persecution -- woke up each night at 3:15 -- which was thought to be the time a young man murdered his family of six in that same house 13 months earlier," notes a viewer from the West Coast.

During apparitions of the Blessed Mother at Kibeho, Rwanda, points out yet another viewer, it was claimed that three a.m. was the hour that Peter denied Jesus for the third time. Others point out that three a.m. is the reverse of three p.m. (the hour of Jesus death, and now the hour of mercy), or that it may have been the moment of Resurrection.

We're not sure of that, but at Rwanda, which has Church sanction, one seer claimed he was told that "those who sin at that hour cause both the Eternal Father and Jesus Christ such deep suffering due to numerous sins being committed at this hour that the Eternal Father feels He could destroy the world but because of His great love for us will not do so."

For your discernment!

Is it also the hour to pray for souls in purgatory?

According to Patty O'Neil of Phoenix, she and her family began waking up at three a.m. after speaking with an American seer, who they visited after their dad died (in 1989, saying his Rosary).

"In the period after his death, we visited with Estela Ruiz, family friend and visionary in South Phoenix, Arizona," says Patty. "She had a message for us that when our dad died, that Our Blessed Mother was there with him. We all began waking up at three a.m. shortly after. Once we started talking about and realized this was happening, we then learned of the significance of that holy hour. Our spiritual lives have increased and grown steadily so that now it no longer surprises us but we will start praying because we believe someone needs prayer. We've been visited by souls who passed on, been attacked, and one sister received a phone call at three a.m. exactly with no one there. Her caller ID read 'Unknown.'"

As we said: for your interpretation. "One three a.m. experience was a week before St. Gennaro's in 2002 or 2003," relates a viewed named Donna Maria from Calabria, Italy. "I fell a sleep on the couch which I usually don't do. I woke up and looked out the window and across the street from my house is a lemon tree and I saw what at first I thought was the guy across the street put a huge statue of the Madonna in front of the lemon tree. As I focused closer it was not a statue, and I don't need glasses. It was flowing but not solid like statue. It was a little more defined than the silhouette photos of the Madonna of Medjugore. Then she raised her arm pointing to the northeast and disappeared. I looked at the clock and it was three a.m."

There seems to be a spiritual battle, with representations from both side. From the dark side, notes one viewer, comes the smell of sulfur (noted in many locales these days).

"I am often awakened at three a.m. and take it as a time to pray for what Jesus wants me to pray for, so I pray the Rosary and most often pray in tongues, my prayer language, as that is what I feel the Holy Spirit wants me to pray for at that time," relates a woman named Francesca from Dayton, Ohio. "Perhaps I sense for someone in trouble, danger, ill or whatever. I pray till I fall asleep again. It is also a good time to pray the Mercy Chaplet as it may be for a person dying, or just pray it for Mercy to be shed upon the world in our time of dire circumstances."

If not three a.m., it seems to be precisely 3:33 a.m.

But the stroke of three is by far the most widely reported -- hundreds have done so to us over the years.

Michael is often involved, as is the Blessed Mother. Some felt under attack until they began praying more, or fasting.

"I wake up many nights, or should I say mornings, at three a.m.," says Janice M. Stolle of San Antonio. " When I do, I pray to St. Michael the Archangel to protect us all from evil and harm. During Katrina, it was almost every night, but now it is more sporadic.

"Three a.m.!" writes a viewer named Rene M. Schneider of Willow Springs, Illinois. "Many times I find myself awake with my rosary saying the Divine Mercy Chaplet! I am awakened and 'told' to pray! It feels like many curses come this time."

Often it gets back to the concept of Mercy.

"I always wake up during the three o'clock hour in the middle of the night," writes Barbara McPhail. "I am extremely devoted to the Divine Mercy and coordinate these devotions for our parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lindenhurst, New York. I always felt that God wants us to pray at that hour that is why he constantly wakes me (and many people I know) up during that time. So I pray and talk to Jesus and tell Him how much I love Him and I also say Jesus I trust in You many many times during that hour for as long as he keeps me awake.

"I never looked at 3:00 as a witching hour and I never will. Three o'clock will always remind me of Jesus dying on the cross for me and of the Divine Mercy."
Notes yet one last one, Janice Stravinskas of Saugus, Massachusetts: "I have been awakened suddenly at this hour, many times, with promptings to immediately begin praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, to ask for mercy on the world. I have read Sister Faustina's Diary, cover to cover, and after that began a serious devotion to the chaplet. Since then, I have had these experiences of being suddenly awakened, at this hour, mostly between 3:00 am and 3:30. After I pray, I return to a nice peaceful, restful sleep."-----Paul

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* Source:http://www.paganspace.net

What is "Dead Time" and Why are spirits more active at 3 am?
I was watching Paranormal States last night and they always refer to "Dead Time" being 3am. Granted it's a TV show and I understand this, but, is this a Paranormal States time they have chosen? Or, is there any merit to this 3am dead time?

I was always under the impression that the vale between the physical world and spiritual world to be its thinnest at midnight?

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* Source:http://forums.pennstateprs.com/lofiversion/index.php/t5008.html

First things first.

Dead Time is a term used because all power that isn't needed to run their equipment in the house is turned off, partially because its believed entity's have easier time manifesting in darkness, partially because the power could trick some of the equipment i.e. EMF meters (Though I've rarely if ever seen them use it), or the thermal cam.

Its held at 3am because it is an hour that the paranormal is BELIEVED to be MORE active, that's not to say its only active at 3am its simply believed to be more active, and its the mockery of the hour Christ died.

Now a seance is when you are attempting to contact the dead, be it a lost one, or something else, you are not to say calling out to anything in the area, it is actually said that you are somehow opening a portal to the other side and calling for the loved one to come forward and speak. This can have negative results if you do not know what you're doing. Sometimes this is even done with some sort of chant before you start opening the portal.

What PRS is doing on TV during dead time is NOT a seance, they are not attempting to open a portal and talk to the dead. THey are calling out to anything that may be ALREADY in the area to try and communicate. Thus they are not opening portals, they are not chanting or doing some sort of ritual to kick off the session (unless you consider the white light thing a ritual), they are simply trying to see if there is something in the area and it can already communicate with them.

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* Source:http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/146375/?page=3&

Does anyone else wake up at 3:00 am in the morning and then toss and turn for the rest of the night? (Why always 3:00?)

1. Good question, I do wake up at 3;00a.m, I've read in spiritual articles that the reason why we wake up at that hour is because Our guardian angel is trying to get our attention. during the day, it's impossible for our angel to communicate. It's just a way to communicate with us. Why does our angel pick that very hour, I don't know. I hope this helps you
2. 3 am is NOT the devil's watching hour, its called "the witching hour".. 3:00am to 3:59am is supposed to be the hour where evil spirits are supposed to be the strongest.3 AM is the witching hour because Jesus Christ was thought to have died at 3 PM.I wake up at 3am all the time, i refuse to step foot out of my bed or bedroom from 3am to 4am, you can easily find out if it is something paranormal waking you up by setting a tape recorder on record when you go to sleep and when you wake up in the morning cut it off and play it, see if you hear anything (i.e. train whistles, kids screaming, whatever)or video tape you sleeping

Forgiveness,Compassion vs. Grudge and Anger

2009-02-24T03:39:00.000+08:00

Forgiveness,Compassion vs. Grudge and Anger

Last Saturday I had a battle inside me...to show compassion and to forgive...to be angry and revengeful...this was how my weekend ended up...being torn between bitterness and to show acts of mercy.

There were 3 children (aged between 7-9yrs.old) I knew them because they were my neighbors and one of them was the sister of my rival store. I frequently spoke to them and they were asking me how I made ice Popsicle which they like to buy from my store...I told them the secret ingredient was praying over the mixture so it would taste good. They said the ones they made was not as good as mine...so we were having this nice conversation and I thought they were buying popsicle when one of them said they were buying a pack of cigarettes. I asked why and they said a man from their compound asked them to do this errand for him.

They had a large bill so I told them to tell the man who's asking them to buy it, to just go to the convenient store on the next street. They came back asking how much the pack costs since the man gave them P20 pesos. I told them that the pack cost P38 pesos and so they left again. This time the man who asked them to buy approached my store and obviously he was drunk began badgering me about the price of the cigarettes. He said that if I don't give it to him at the wholesale cost I should issue him a receipt. I told him that "sari-sari" stores do not issue receipts only larger establishments... asking me for a receipt was like asking a street peddler to issue an official receipt...anyway back to our heated argument...

The man was shouting and harassing me. My older sister heard it and went to see what I was arguing this man about I told her that it was okay and I was in control of the situation but in reality I was pissed off over this man who was arrogantly speaking of non-sense about how the government is losing money etc. etc. and how the economy is bad etc.etc. I told him politely that if he wants a receipt then he should buy elsewhere but he kept on shouting back at me so in my anger I went out of my store with my baseball bat and asked him to leave my store.

Since the man was totally disrespectful my sister called my brother and my father who apprehended the man...they asked me to come inside and since I was shaking in anger they asked me to put the baseball bat down and calm myself. It turns out that this man was the cousin of one of our tenants who was just visiting and they were having a drinking session at 3p.m. in the afternoon.

Our tenant apologized to us but bluntly told us that his cousin was a military man and was working at the Malacañang Palace...in my frustration and I was more angry this time for this statement...I told them "I DON'T CARE" because being in the military and in the government doesn't give him the right to harass people and doesn't give him the right to a lesser tag price because he is bragging about his status quo. And more importantly doesn't give him the right to ask children "MINORS" to buy cigarettes for him.

The children even apologized to me and I told them that it was not right for them to buy the cigarettes in the first place and it was not right for this adult to use them. I told them that they should not follow the footsteps of this man...that they should refrain from drinking alcohol and getting drunk and using cigarettes as well when they are all grown up especially when they are working for the military and for the government, they should be setting good examples to the younger generation.

I was in RAGE to confront this man again and tell him that his position does not empower him to disrespect me or to harass me at my store. I wanted to tell him that if he is really a soldier and works at the office of the President of the Philippines then he should be ashamed of his display of character.

This is the reason why my country is becoming morally corrupt because of people like this man who thinks that because he is in the government or military, he is entitled to more privileges. That he can do whatever he pleases because of his rank....that he can use his position to intimidate children or small store owners such as I am to give in to his whims.

I admit, right at this moment that I am writing this blog on FORGIVENESS and COMPASSION...I am having a hard time to let go of this incident because I am so frustrated about how some of my countrymen have turned into greedy and ruthless beings because of POWER and MONEY. It angers me more to see how our country is turning into a circus of corruption.

I want to FORGIVE and I have prayed for this person that he might be enlightened but I am also praying for enlightenment that I will not turn into this bitter person because of this incident. That I will be more compassionate towards these kind of people who pollute the country with their selfish ambitions.

I know that most of you reading this have experienced one way or the other a similar frustration towards a person...a community or a country.

Anger leads to sin... we should pray fervently to forgive instead of harboring a grudge inside our heart...it is difficult but it is a challenge we should face and lift to GOD.

Leviticus 19:18

18 " 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Bad manners and Bad attitudes!

2009-02-15T14:35:00.000+08:00

I heard Sunday mass today and the homily was about how children get values and right conduct first and foremost through parents. How the parents reflect God's unconditional love. The parents set the examples every child will follow all through his life and this made think of the people I see everyday.

I have this mini store and I have a signage there telling customers to dunk their candy wrappers, cigarette butts or whatever trash they have to throw into the rubbish bin. I even tell them personally not to litter because it's one big way to help clean the environment. The trash you irresponsibly throw will eventually come back to you when for example a flood occurs which usually happens during typhoon season here in the Philippines. There were a number of university students at the beer house near our home. They threw their alcohol bottles, food wrappers and cigarette butts everywhere...and to think these are students from Jose Rizal University who should be educated and upholding values for the next generation...and yet everything falls on a deaf ear...they always LITTER!

Another thing I despise is when MEN especially drunkards coming from KTV beer houses here at Romualdez Street, Barangay Daang Bakal Mandaluyong City, Philippines, URINATE like DOGS on the street, sidewalk, driveway, on the tires of vehicles parked on the road...THIS IS DONE BY DOGS to mark their territories...MEN should be courteous enough to hold their leak and do this in the toilet not anywhere they please.

You will easily see how these people were brought up by their parents...How little their values are...and how their attitudes reflect their upbringing and personality.
I am SAD because this nation is one of the major CATHOLIC countries in ASIA and one of the prominent ENGLISH speaking culture. And yet why are FILIPINOS this way???

If everyone would instill good values and discipline...good principles in them...this country would be a great nation. GOD gave us a beautiful land and HE gave us the will to use it for the good of all...yet we are too lazy and we do not give value to all these! Do we really care for our nation and for our fellowmen?

In Memory of my dear friend...Lia

2009-02-05T03:14:00.000+08:00

Hi Family and Friends,

Please visit www.kalingalia.blogspot.com
This is for someone very dear to me, Lia Balacano. She was my inspiration...a person who helped me during my heartaches. I will forever miss her. Let us support her legacy. Thank you and God bless!

Ria

Posted at Kalinga Lia by Lia's sister, Leila:

As most of you know, my sister, Lia Madeleine, or Len, died last 03 July 2008, two weeks short of her 24th birthday. She died in her sleep of pulmonary thrombo-embolism, a traitor disease that strikes without a warning.

Len's sudden and unexpected death left so many people bereft. Family, friends, schoolmates, sorority sisters, office mates - the sheer number of people who turned up during her wake, both in Manila and Bicol, was a testament to this. Len's absence is felt by all of us, and that loss will always be a part of our lives.

But there's a void that we, her family, are trying to fill. You see, when Len died, she was sending three kids to school- providing for their tuition, uniforms, and school supplies. At the same time, she also provided school supplies to several other kids in our barangay in Daraga.

Kalinga Lia is a project put up by the students of Aquinas University of Legazpi Science High School (AUL-SHS), where Len was an alumna (Class of 2001), under the guidance of Fr. Ramon Mendez. The project kicked off with a fund-raising and a play based on Len's life, which was presented by the school's drama club last September.

Our family is in the process of putting up the foundation, but even as the papers have not been finalised yet, we are already continuing Len's work. As it is, we have adopted Alvin, a grade five student, who now lives with my family in Bicol. And as much as we can, we have given financial assistance to the other two kids, Biboy and Dana, who live with their mother, Kathy, in Taytay.

Part of Kalinga Lia too is the high school scholarship that Fr. Mon, in partnership with AUL-SHS, is working on offering, hopefully by next school year.

I have put up this blog to record all the Kalinga Lia activities, as we are planning to continue the legacy that my sister had left behind. Updates on the foundation and the scholarship, and any other Kalinga Lia- related activities will be posted here.

Should you have questions, comments or suggestions, you can email us at kalinga.lia@gmail.com.

Backsliding from GOD

2009-02-03T01:34:00.000+08:00

I was able to hear Sunday mass after being absent for two consecutive Sundays (because I was not feeling well the first and the second I was not in the senses to go to mass)...

The great thing I accomplished this Sunday aside from hearing mass was being able to to go to confession (which I badly needed) under our Polish parish priest of the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy located at Maysilo Circle, Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City Philippines.

I was in tears while in confession...I was so sorry for the things I did. I knew I hurt our Lord Jesus Christ. I was on the right track...then I was a backslider and gave in to temptations and acted on it so I sinned tremendously. I am guilty of these sins: Anger, Lust, Pride, Envy...

I told the priest that I was active at Catholic Friends and a part of my work in this group is with the Personal Testimony Corner, in doing so I feel my purpose in God's work, yet I have sinned against my GOD despite my being a servant.

The priest gave me as penance to spend at least 30 minutes in the Blessed Sacrament. I was only able to do it today, Monday February 2, 2009 since I also heard mass because of the blessings of Candles, for the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, also known as Candlemas, the priest blesses the candles before mass.

Life is a constant struggle...and in my struggle I could not be at peace with myself because I knew inside my heart I have done things which is displeasing to GOD and I must cut off all these things to renew my life with HIM. The way to the LORD is difficult and I got weak.

I am back to constant prayer so I will not fall short because I love serving the Lord. I want to offer everything that I am back to HIM because without HIM...I am nothing. Perhaps you are in a difficult situation as well or maybe you are struggling...I know how you are feeling and our Lord Jesus with His Mother Mary are ever present to help us in our sorrow. All we need to do is to repent and ask for the grace and mercy to carry our load.

This is also why we have an online community(pls. check it out www.catholicfriends.multiply.com), for us to share ourselves with others...so that we may have pillars to hold onto in times of crisis...in times that we cannot handle all our problems...in times that we are in need of people to pray for us. And I THANK all those who have been praying me.

Let us pray fervently for one another that we will be able to grow and mature as Christians even though we encounter hardships in our lives. God bless us all.

my enemies have become my friends

2009-01-21T15:02:00.003+08:00

I've been swamped with chores and freelance writing work so I haven't been able to blog that much. I just want to share this and perhaps inspire you in some little way. If you have been a reader of my posts, you would've encountered me furious towards my neighbors and my uncle because they all had one particular attitude towards me and my family...and that is to create havoc and do all sorts of unpleasant things to piss us off.

I have been praying for guidance and my prayers would always be something like this : "Lord, please help me to understand my neighbors better. Help me to be humble and not to retaliate even if they do something bad against us." And every time they do something unpleasant I say a prayer for them. I bless them and I do my best not to be mad but of course I am a sinner and sometimes I erupt like a volcano too.

In my post welcoming the New Year, I mentioned that we didn't bother to greet our neighbors a "happy new year" because of many reasons. As the days passed, I slowly opened up my heart to these people who ridicule us...gradually I treated my neighbors kindly...as Rick Warren said in the purpose driven life book, show your enemies kindness and they will see the LORD in you.

This is what happened. I showed them the other side of me...the kindness, the goodness of my heart, the values of a Christian which I have by reaching out to them, speaking to them with meekness, treating them as I would want them to treat me... and last night two of my neighbors whom I despise a lot came over and was patronizing my store. I have a bench there and they sat, bought items and it was very surprising to eventually see them in my territory.

It was amazing because of the way I have been showing them my good side, they eventually turned a new leaf and treated me well. They don't litter that much or put their garbage in front of our house...and all those bad things they have been doing. It was changed. GOD changed their hearts. It was an answered PRAYER.

Some family members have been teasing me upon seeing this change...they said..."wow, now you are a friendly neighbor to your enemies"...I told them, well if this is the way to let them see CHRIST then I will make sacrifices and do my best to FORGIVE them and may the LORD continue to give me the wisdom and the patience to understand them more. Of course if we want CHANGE and PEACE , it has to begin with us.

my enemies have become my friends

2009-01-21T15:02:00.001+08:00

LOST FILIPINO COMMUNITY

2009-01-05T23:43:00.001+08:00

Unlike the previous years, welcoming the new year was different this time. I did not get to see or hear from many of my relatives, friends, neighbors even enemies. It was a rainy new year's eve and this is the first time we didn't go out to light firecrackers or greet people. New year is a time for change...a time for resolutions...a time for something good and better to do not only for ourselves but for others.

This year, we didn't reach out anymore to greet our community...we barely said a word to those people whom we considered neighbors...we just couldn't bear to say "happy new year" when in reality it was one sad year for us living in this area. How could you say "happy new year" to those who barely give RESPECT or REGARD for your well being?

As Christians we do our best to turn on a new leaf...to be more FORGIVING and CONSIDERATE...to understand and to reach out more to others. Like any other given day, doing what is RIGHT and what is GOOD should be easy but along the way there are THORNS and POTHOLES which will make you loose your balance.

I live in Barangay Daang Bakal Mandaluyong City, Philippines. It used to be a wonderful neighborhood. People knew each other, cared for each other and having the Filipino trait of helping each other...I grew up upholding these values within this community. It saddens my family that after 50 years of residence in this community, the values we have known has slowly faded...washed away by political bureaucracy, bribing, greed for domination and power tripping!

As you can see in these photos, garbage is carelessly dumped by residents everywhere.

Even volunteering street sweepers whom we have talked with bluntly said " we don't like to clean your streets because residents are irresponsible and they keep on littering "...and what do our local community officials do? "NOTHING"...when you call the community hall, no one is there...when you visit the hall, a local vendor is standing post there...where are the elected officials???...NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.

I don't even know the people who were elected because they never introduce themselves or walk from house to house, they don't even know the residents. I envy other communities who have good officials and good intentions for their residents.

Our street is DIRTY, NOISY with GIRLY BARS KTVs, POLLUTED with INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSES...
PEOPLE URINATING ON WALLS because they are DRUNKARDS...RESIDENTS MAKING THEIR PETS POOH ON OTHER PEOPLE'S FRONT YARDS...and to think these are human beings whom we consider as NEIGHBORS.

We have constantly pleaded...we clean the area...we extend KINDNESS and HUMILITY but tell me how long can you stand a community as such?

It is a NEW YEAR yet all things seem to be going for the worse...it's not PROGRESSIVE but a LOST COMMUNITY. All I can do is PRAY for these people...that they will be enlightened to act like human beings and to respect others. May the LORD JESUS CHRIST shine upon them.

2009 is here

2009-01-03T01:37:00.000+08:00

Officially this my first blog for the year 2009. I was not able to blog the last few days of 2008 because I was swamped with chores at home, attending to my dad and the family, taking my store business seriously plus writing for an exciting new LGTB magazine entitled Ketchup.

It was a blessed 2008, despite some trials and illnesses. I praise and thank the LORD for everything. Even if I had to quit my job, I still have the provisions I need because my GOD is a great GOD! I'm happy because I have the love of family and friends even if I've had heartaches and love tragedies.

I have met new people and I have grown to share more of myself to others. I am more FORGIVING than I used to be. It is surprising how things fall into the right place and how the wounds mend with only the scars to remind you of the mistakes you had and the lessons you have learned along the way. I have learned to appreciate what I have or whom I have now.

I have been harboring BITTERNESS inside me from people who've hurt me deeply all these years...but I can say that as my COLD heart lies inside me, I am ready to warm it again for a person who deserves me and whom I can share life and dreams with.

I do not have resolutions...I do not have expectations...what I have is FAITH and TRUST that this year 2009 will bring forth the path to more and more blessings. Perhaps when you get a little older you tend to let go and move forward to a better ONE.

I do have plans...let me share some...

1) ...to go to Bicol to visit Lia's resting place...visit her mother who treats me like her own daughter and whom I call Mommy Eve...I love you Lia, thank you for the wonderful memories.

2)...buy a new mobile phone because my old phone brings back bad memories...

3)...go to the beach for a week (Bohol or Batanes) with my special someone...

4)...stay in Baguio City for good...

5)...start teaching arts & crafts to street children or to help in missions...

For now it is a process....all we can do is let it happen the way it should happen and if doesn't then just go with the FLOW...there is always a PURPOSE ...a REASON...a SEASON...

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you...GOD bless!

The Carolers and my Polovoron

2008-12-17T01:44:00.001+08:00

I've been swamped with work here at home, busy with my store plus doing household chores. Our household help went home for good so i need to do the stuff she does when my other housemates(my sister, my cousin and my dad) are at work =) it's all right even if i am exhausted coz i want to do this for them and offer it to God.

Since the "Misa de Gallo" has started one of our Filipino traditions which I'm glad has not ceased to exist is the caroling of children. I know that most of you would say that they are annoying with their hand made instruments and with the never ending Tagalog Christmas carols you hear over and over again...I agree with you but this time I feel joyous seeing them bugging me at my store. It takes me back to my childhood days when I participated in caroling as well. I realized that sometimes we fail to see the real meaning of CHRISTMAS. Jesus Christ is the reason for the season, not MONEY or GIFTS, it is all about praying, repentance and making other people happy.

I don't give out money instead I gave the children candies and "Polvoron" --Polvoron is powdered milk candy, made of flour, sugar butter and powdered milk. I made these Polvoron so there's a labor of love in it. Although some of them were frustrated that I didn't give out money, most of them piled up in front of my store for the Polovoron treat. You can see their beaming smiles begging for more. One even said he'll just buy a piece(since I sell my polovoron in the store) for he was shy to ask for free but I still gave him one for free.They thanked me, gave me high fives,...I said "Merry Christmas" and they reciprocated the greeting and some even said "God bless you"! I told them as long as they don't bug me again for I had chores to do after that.

It is a simple gesture of generosity yet the reward is overwhelming for me. To see these children happy and eager to come back again the next day for another session of caroling gives me a sense of purpose. I hope that you will feel the spirit of CHRISTMAS and real meaning of this season as well.

the wanderer who visited my store...

2008-11-22T18:59:00.000+08:00

A man approached my store and asked for a little help. He was very dirty...haggard looking...but I gauge he was just in his mid 20's. He was a bit irrational but lucid enough, repeating his sentences...he said "pasensiya na po sa pangaabala, magandang hapon po, kaunting tulong lang po" (sorry for the inconveniece, good afternoon, may I ask for a little help)... I asked him if he wanted bread and he uttered..."kayo na po ang mag decide" (it's up to you to decide)...it dawned on me that this man was not ordinary, perhaps he had little education because in between his sentences he was speaking a bit of english.

He thanked me for the bread and asked for a cigarette, I gave him one and he said, just give me the least expensive one, I said, that is inexpensive so take it. After lighting his cigarette he took a plastic bag from his pocket and began cleaning the area with his bare hands. He was picking up the leaves, trash and other debris on the side walk. I told him that he doesn't have to clean up in return for the bread...he said "okay lang po wala naman ako ginagawa, mahirap po yung nagsasalita nang walang kausap" (it's better to do something than speaking by himself)...at this point I almost cried and felt pity for this person. I wondered where this man came from...why did he become a vagrant? I had so many questions...this was his photo...

and VIDEO

Seeing this man made me realize how fortunate I was. Perhaps GOD wanted to test my faithfulness since I was praying to HIM that I wanted to be a better servant. HE sent me this man to help for others to see CHRIST in me...since those passing by despised him. Some residents were taunting him and making fun of him. When he was done cleaning the area, he took the bread and thanked me again.

I prayed for the man and asked GOD to bless him...I just hope that I can help him again when he passes by. I hope I can do more for others like him...

to give or not to give...that is my question?

2008-11-22T00:24:00.000+08:00

Now that the holidays are here, I experience a lot of encounters here at my store. Strangers of all sorts...I don't know whom to believe and whom not to believe...I pray for discernment, that the Lord grants me wisdom to help those who are really in need. WHY do I say this...you see the STRANGERS I am talking about are people who ask for MONEY.

1. Three women said their homes were in the latest fire that hit just blocks away from here, so I gave them some money since they said these were for their children's meals. A week later, they came back again with the same story...but this time I asked them to go to our community center and ask for assistance which they did not accept well.

2. One man was showing me his identification card and a printed letter pointing out to me that he was deaf and mute....another was a young woman with the same paraphernalia and same disability so to speak...but both of them insisted that I give them money which I refused to and pointed them as well to the community center for assistance.

3. Men and women with guitars or other make shift instruments would suddenly sing and say they need donations for their church...but they cannot say which church they belong to...so I politely say that I can only donate to my church, the Catholic Diocese.

4. Jehovahs witness asking for a minute so they can share their word...and I also tell them, no, thank you very much but we are Roman Catholics.

5. Men and women with envelopes who'd ride in public transports with you and ask for MONEY for their church or organization...insisting that you give them donation...

These are just a few and my eldest sister even scolded me for not giving money because it is in the bible that we should give generously when someone asks for help...my sister said just give them money and with that I did my part as a CHRISTIAN, it is up to those people to be accountable to GOD if they will use the money for the right purpose or not...and I want to help and be generous but I prefer to give FOOD which I offer to most of the regular beggars who visit my store...than giving anything monetary since our country is a place where people equally take advantage of goodness...being the perceived as the top corrupt asian country and 131st in the world. It is a reputation that I am not proud of but that is a reality that has to be unceasingly prayed for.

I PRAY that I always do the right thing...that I can help others genuinely in need...that I will be able to give generously and that I will act without prejudice in my heart.

my neighbors...my enemies...

2008-11-20T22:50:00.000+08:00

Let me quote Rick Warren on Chapter 19 of his Purpose Driven Life book..."In every church and in every group, there is always at least one "difficult" peroson, usually more than one. These people may have special emotional needs, deep insecurities, irritating mannerisms, or poor social skills. You might call them EGR people--"Extra Grace Required." One key to courtesy is to understand where people are coming from. Discover their history. When you know what they've been through, you will be more understanding. Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less."

I was pondering and repeating all these in my mind. I am only human and I have my weaknesses especially when temptations get to me...especially when our neighbors continuously disrespect us...perhaps if you have read my previous blogs you would know my dilemma. The more I PRAY for my enemies, the more I AM TEMPTED to get angry. I have learned to ignore the noise our neighbors make, in fact I pray when they do this...I light a candle and put on some praise music. I have been joyful and forgiving for weeks now.

But a few days ago, I acted on TEMPTATION. I got angry again towards the same neighbors who makes noise...this time aside from the noise, they did something which really PISSED me off...they let their dog pee and litter in front of our house and in front of my store. They have been doing this for awhile and I have politely requested them to either pick up the litter or let their pet do their thing elsewhere since I am the one who cleans the pooh which most of the time is stepped on since it's all over the path way...but my plea fell on a deaf ear.

This time I didn't let my ANGER erupt like a volcano. I remembered to PRAY but inside me I felt violated...disrespected...hurt...and all other emotions which lead me to frustration. Instead of confronting them again (which I didn't do for I might say something harsh and do something I'd regret) I just bought a bottle of Creolina which is a poisonous disinfectant. It is usually used for poultry farms. I dosed the area with water then with Creolina to eliminate the feces and urine markings so the dog would not go there again...HOPEFULLY =(

I am trying to be a good CHRISTIAN and I want to be a good neighbor. I try to let others see CHRIST in me...I want them to realize their mistakes and do good...I try to be a good example...to show humility, sympathy, mercy, honesty, respect...it is a tough duty but I must do it because everything we do in this life, we are accountable to GOD. HE will judge us according to how we have used the talents, skills...the life HE has lent us...in the end, nothing else will matter.

I ask you my brothers and sisters to pray for me as well...because this is my daily batlleground ...on how I will deal with my neighbors...my enemies...and I am only human at times. The more I try to live a CHRISTIAN life...the more TEMPTATIONS come...the more I repent, do what is good and right...the more I fall down and sin. LORD help me to be a better servant

BEWARE of YM HACKERS

2008-11-18T18:38:00.000+08:00

REPOST FROM THE BLOG OF MY FRIEND ARIEL POSERIO...PLEASE PASS AND WARN OTHERS.THANKS.

My niece's Yahoo account got hacked yesterday and I almost got into trouble with the culprit's scheme to swindle anyone he could. Luckily, me and my niece were able to find out that her account has been compromised and have discovered the culprit's ploy. But unfortunately, one of my relative got almost scammed.

The culprit pretended my niece's identity and chat with our relatives and friends who are naive enough to determine the authenticity of my niece's real ID. Since my niece is having her sem break vacation in States, which I think the culprit is aware of, he would then offer his chatmate to sell him prepaid phone cards (in 500 denomination) at Php650 each. He would then asked for 50 pcs, send the pin codes thru email and will promise to pay once he gets back here in the Philippines this coming weekend.

One of my relatives was lured with his offer and almost fell into his trap. She already bought 50 pcs. of prepaid cards worth 25,000 and have already sent 3 pin codes to the culprit before I called her up to warn her. And just to prevent the pin codes that were sent from being used, she quickly disseminate them to her folks to use and load them right away. Luckily, 2 out of 3 pin codes were loaded up but the other one was already been possessed by the crook.

The culprit attempted to chat with me and used the same scheme to execute his ploy. Same style, same technic. And just to catch him whether he's in states or here in the philiippines, I gave him sets of fake pin codes (patterned on Globe's prepaid card pin code format). To my surprised, he was able to test all of them in less than 5 minutes. I assumed he's just somewhere here.

I was trying to lockdown my niece's account thru Yahoo's password recovery process but apparently, she used an expired alternative email. Yahoo usually send a link that would reset your account's password to a set alternative email once you take the password recovery process.

Now, the least thing we can do is to tell our friends and families about the incident and warned them to be more careful on whom they are chatting to.

And for the rest who experienced or witness similar incidents, I think it'll be ideal to share them for your friends and families to be alerted as well.

My mom's dying wish...

2008-11-08T22:43:00.000+08:00

When my mom was still alive, she always stayed at our provincial home in Baguio City because she had allergies (which I inherited =( so I have asthma). Baguio is the summer capital of the Philippines where the weather is cool, the air is fresh, vegetables thrive in farms...where life is simple and beautiful. This was my mom's dream...that my dad would eventually retire from his medical profession and we'd all stay there.

In one of my previous blogs I mentioned that we're selling our house here in Manila. The environment is so polluted not only with carbon monoxide but with harmful toxins coming from the metal factory which was allowed to operate right in front of our house. Plus the noise, the garbage, the rowdy neighborhood, and rumor mongering relatives who are envious of many things...sometimes I begin to wonder if this is still the same place I grew up.

My family is eager to move to the province. Once we find a buyer our prayers are answered. We have a sentimental value for our home here in Manila but if we think of our mom's wish, we understand why she wants us to move in the province. Sometimes we tend to forget about the beauty of simple living. We get caught up in the materials things the city has to offer but in reality, family is the only important thing in the world. And sharing your life with them, being able to live beautifully with them...preparing spiritually for eternity is far more important than all the world's riches.

As human beings we get tired of waiting for things to get better...we get irritated when things don't happen the way we plan it...when we want to have something better and yet it isn't granted, we pray but sometimes we fail to believe. I always tell myself that in HIS time all things will be beautiful. I know that GOD has a divine plan...that all things happen for a purpose...that one day we will be able to live the dream my mom has for all of us. I know that she is watching over us and that all these sufferings would end. I still believe in happy endings.

I hope that whatever situation you might be dealing with right now, you will be able to overcome the trials along the way. Please pray for me and my family and I will pray for you as well.

Servanthood is our mission!

2008-11-05T02:47:00.000+08:00

I was reading my purpose driven life book and the chapter was talking about servanthood. I realized that it is true many books on leadership were written and only a few on being a servant. I also realized that most of my previous work were more inclined to serving others and I kept on aiming for the leadership job. Before I resigned last June, I even bought a book "The Truth about Managing People" by Stephen Robbins.

It dawned on me today that GOD has always been giving me the type of work which is more of HIS kind..."Serving others"... yet I keep on failing HIM and I keep on going where I thought I should go. Thinking about the jobs I've had, I have met a lot of people along the way. Perhaps GOD intended it to happen because these people needed me to be there. Perhaps to help them, give counsel, inspire them...just to be of service to them.

Now that I have a little store, most days some children, teenagers or even adults who are less fortunate would come knocking asking for food. I've asked them often if there were other houses who would share but they said only one or two. Today, two boys roughly between the ages of 12-15 asked for food. I told them we didn't have food yet since we were just preparing to cook then I realized that I had some congee from our last night's meal. I gave them the congee and they kept on thanking me like five times even before they left. It almost made me cry. I pity those children who had to beg for food.

I hate the politicians and the government who only color their lives with investigations, who's corrupt and who's not...the kind of news you see on TV and the newspaper which never gets a good ending...seeing them in their SUVs and huge houses...bodyguards...lavish lifestyles which I barely wonder how they could afford with their meager government salaries. I don't want to say more...but I wish these people would do some real SERVING. Let us continue praying for our country and for our government officials.

I just hope that I could do more...I hope that GOD gives me the provisions to help others. And I know HE wants me to serve...I have been going the wrong direction but now I know where HE wants me to be...to be like HIM, serving others. I hope that you find the mission in your lives as well.

Good vs. Evil

2008-10-25T02:53:00.000+08:00

When I open my store this is my routine: Light a blessed candle, play praise music...clean the store, fix the items then sit down do my prayers and reading. First I read my purpose driven life which was given to me by my good Christian friend, Lita, years ago. I read it over and over again. Then I read "An Angel A day--stories of Angelic Encounters" by Ann Spangler. I have read this book several times as well and it serves as a guide. I then turn to my catholic daily bible reading guide to read the scriptures in my Bible. I have several books which I read~~Diary of St. Faustina, Our Daily Bread, Didache, St. Rose of Lima, patroness of the americas...at least one chapter or one page a day. These reading materials help me in my spiritual life.

In this fallen world, we struggle from temptations. We encounter a lot of trials and challenges. The Lord allows it to happen so we can build our character~~to help us refine our Christian life. I am only human and fall short at times, I get weak even if I arm myself with these spiritual armor.

Today I got tested again. If you have read my previous blog about URBANIDAD which means courtesy, perhaps you would understand better where my anger is coming from. I got angry again towards our neighbors "Kool Anime games and canteen" because they were making noise again as early as 11 a.m. with their karaoke bar singing (which should not be in a residential area) but then again, my uncle, their landlord... allows them to make noise since he said this is a democratic community. My uncle even argued with me about my family's intention of selling our home...he said that heaven and hell is here on earth and where ever I go, people are allowed to make noise. I told him that this neighborhood has definitely turned into hell!!! I took my sub woofer and blasted my stereo as well to kill off their noise! I also saw them throwing their trash in front of my store last night. I stooped down to their level...BAD BAD BAD@#!!

I then realized I acted on the temptation...I GOT ANGRY. I allowed hateful feelings flow inside me. But to a holy GOD even small indiscretions are serious sins. I then turned to HIM in prayer. I played a CD entitled "Mother of All"~~~a selection of Mama Mary's songs and prayers. I diverted my anger and my temptation into prayer and praise music.

Until now, it's 10 p.m. as I am writing this blog, my neighbors are still singing on top of their lungs, making a noise at this hour...they don't care about other people! I am in my store and it's not that I am testing myself but I am humbling myself to pray for my enemies. I am trying my best to understand them and not to react towards the wrong things they are doing to us.

I am sharing this because all of us have our weaknesses...we are not perfect. We are only human and we get angry when we reach our limitations. I only pray that GOD will continue to strengthen me, to humble me, to grant me the grace and mercy to act kindly towards my neighbors, how bad they may be. In fact we had power interruption and it rained awhile ago so I said to myself, God must have heard my prayers they couldn't sing again but the power is back so... =(

You may be in a situation where you are irritated or angry towards another person, I understand you, but it is better to lift everything to Our Father in heaven who listens to our cries. He will make things better in His time...He will make things beautiful. For now, let us immerse ourselves in prayer and when the temptation is too hard to bear, share it with those who can help you like what I am doing right now. It will help you bear the cross. God bless.

"there is no light"

2008-10-18T02:40:00.001+08:00

I want to share something which I find very touching and significant. I was closing my little store around midnight, when I saw an old man standing in front of our house...you see my little convenience store is just in front of our house and beside my store we have a Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.

He was pointing out something to me and softly uttered, "there is no light". I told him yes, we had to unplug the light of the Grotto since it was connected to our Christmas lantern which my dad said not to open yet till the holidays season is almost here.

It then dawned on me that the old man was right...I had to open Mama Mary's light...and seeing this man walking in staggered steps and stopping to make the sign of the cross in front of our Grotto...was not a coincidence but perhaps he was an angel telling me to do something for Our Blessed Virgin Mary's statue.

I've been devoting my prayers to Mama Mary and saying the rosary because her intercession is very powerful and my mother was a devotee as well and until her last breath she was clinging on to her rosary...my sister mentioned that if there's anything to ask GOD, ask it through Mama Mary's intercession which I have been doing and it will be granted.

One particular prayer to Mama Mary I've been reading daily is "A girl sweetheart's daily prayer" which was given by my 1st boyfriend...here's the prayer: O Mary, Model of pure love, and therefore of sweethearts, I beseech The to direct me in my choice of a future husband. Grant me especially wisdom and deliberation in this choice. Make both my friendship and courtship chaste, unselfish, prudent, thrifty, and cheerful. Be my companion in single as well in wedded life."

This prayer is significant to me as well since today I received a text message from my 1st boyfriend asking me to go out, have dinner and watch a movie with him ( he is still single like me) and we've always been friends. Of course, I said yes and until at this moment I'm writing this blog, he sent another message on my mobile phone asking if my sleeping patterns have gone back to normal and his last message was a symbol for a kiss....hmmmm...strangely interesting hahaha! I guess it's Mama Mary's way to convey to me that she hears my prayers =)

This incident with the old man is a simple gesture that Mama Mary is reminding me to give importance to her by lighting Her Grotto which I immediately did. I just took off the Christmas lantern and the man was happy to see the light at the Grotto and he walked away smiling.

Perhaps some of us our having difficulties in life right now...we are weighed down with problems and nothing seems to be going the way we want it to happen...I share this experience with you. Lift up your prayers to our Blessed Virgin Mary and to our Lord Jesus Christ. Let the light in your life shine bright and let God's light guide you to answered prayers...like the way Mama Mary is guiding me now to a new life.

my kind of "pursuit to happiness"

2008-10-11T02:06:00.000+08:00

I have been in many places and I have tried various jobs in my 15 years of working. I can still recall the days I had after graduation, way back in 1993...it was time to look for a job in the real world. The first few companies I had my interviews with didn't hire me, all for the same reason: I had no work history.

During those times I felt disappointed because how can a newly grad possibly have work experience unless he was working while getting an education. I was turned down by several companies until a friend told me of a job opening at this television network. I was getting desperate since six months have passed and I still haven't landed a decent job. I told myself, what the heck, I'll give it a shot or be unemployed for the rest of the year.

It was the break I have been waiting for. I took a copywriter's test,I passed and got in. My first job was as a publicity writer for The Filipino Channel. This was the era when this organization was in its first stages of exploring the world of tape service in North America to be of service to Filipinos worldwide. I am proud to be part of this pioneering endeavor. I have learned a great deal in this company. It was not my turf but I was able to do the job.

In the succeeding years I sailed on to various industries seeking the passion that I so ardently desired to have. I was always unsure of my writing prowess but this is where I believe GOD lead me to do.

Today, I have set my mind on pursuing this passion--writing. I created this blog to share my visions and aspirations in life. I want to do freelance work as a writer. I want to stick with what I have started with. I am currently unemployed but I have opened a small business, a small store in front of our house. I plan to make this profitable and to work on a part time basis.

I may be a penniless writer like Christian in the movie Moulin Rouge but I am glad when I see other people getting inspired with what I write; when I get to make a difference in other people's lives; when they appreciate what I have written. It may not be loaded with high polluting words but it is something I can be proud of and say "this is my work"...and that gives a different kind of high.

Incident Reports:For the safety of our children

2008-10-02T01:14:00.000+08:00

Hi Friends,

I'm sharing this email sent by my brother in law. I don't know the sources of these emails and if they are true but there would be no harm if we take precautions since it's Christmas season, it is expected that a lot of unscrupulous people are out there to take advantage.

You would probably say this would not happen to me or to anyone in my family but being aware is half the battle. One credible story I can attest to is about our family barber. He was in his late 40s early 50s I guess and we recently found out he died of a heart attack which was due to a robbery which happened to him. He was sort of hypnotized by a con man who made up a story which eventually led to him giving all his personal belongings without thinking. This incident got him depressed and led to his heart attack.

I have personally encountered unscrupulous characters inside TimeZone game arcade at Glorietta and Greenhills since I also frequent the place and play there with my nephews and nieces. There are many outsiders who sit and watch what you are doing and follow you around. When I give them the crazy look or what we say "PRANING" look, they usually get agitated and make other moves or leave you with your business. You just have to be really keen when you are outside. I'm not saying that all people are bad but always remember that bad guys nowadays look like the good guys. So you have to always be on the GUARD for yourself and your loved ones.

If you have read my previous blog about KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE '30s to the '70s, this would probably remind you how lucky we were in the old times when crime was seldom. We didn't have these gadgets with us which the thieves nowadays are after. Unfortunately our children, nephews, nieces, family members and we ourselves have in possession today which involves us to a greater RISK.

Keep on praying for our guardian angels to protect us and that the good Lord Jesus Christ and His Mother Mary will lead us and our families to safety at all times.

with prayers,
Ria

hello,

please read for safety of our children.

joy

Another incident forwarded to me.
Just want everybody to be aware of the different modus operandi. I already emailed timezone & attached stories forwarded to me of the
incidents that happened at timezone (glorietta & greenhills), I
recommended if they can put an emergency button to press when kids are being approached by strangers or when they are afraid or when they need help.

Hi Mhane,

i just read this email today, too late, Ashley was victimized yesterday night at about 7pm at Time Zone in Glorietta. She was with her friend while we were waiting for her at Jollibee. A woman approached her and said that she was her mom's friend and that her mom asked her to bring her to try on some clothes. She also asked for the celphone of Ashley's friend which the girl gave. She was brought to SM Makati, and was asked to try on some clothes while she held on to Ashley's bag. She even asked for the diamond earrings which Ashley was wearing, when Ash looked out the girl was gone already. In her bag was her two celphones, her wallet, school id. She must have been hypnotized or something for her to follow everything the girl asked her to do, although she did try to ask for her bag back before she went into the fitting room. Anyway, we are just
glad that she came back safe and sound. All the while we were already frantically looking for her because we had been calling her and she wasn't answering our calls. She was escorted back by a civilian guard from SM. The guards of Timezone and Ayala were very helpful and stayed with us the whole time, they even let us view their security camera recording where we saw the criminal. I can't say the same for SM though, their security officers were useless and worthless talking to because they had so many excuses for not showing the tapes, they wanted us to write a request which would be forwarded to their legal department before they could take any action, if ever they agreed. They were also giving excuses that the camera might not show the face because it might be too far, they didn't even try, and to think that the crime happened in their area of responsibility. Anyway, just a warning to all, it seems like criminals are now looking at kids to victimize and they've moved into the malls. Seems like no place is safe anymore in this God forsaken country, where criminals are on the loose and most of them are running or should i say ruining this country.
MADAMI NANG GANITO. FOR OUR INFORMATION.
=================================================

I never thought that my son will experience a similar incident as what
had happened in Trinoma because I had already warned him about it. But I guess, when a child is cornered and alone, he can be so confused, frightened and helpless and subsequently follows whatever is asked of him.

My son was playing with four of his friends at Time Zone
(the one in Greenhills Theater Mall) last Saturday (Sept. 20)
afternoon. They were all playing separately and far apart from each
other. A guy then approached my son and started scolding him that he was destroying the machine and he could be penalized for P100,000.00. He also warned my son that he will have a bad record in Greenhills for doing so. He kept on saying things to intimidate my son. He made my son believe that he was the owner of Time Zone. The employees of Time Zone did not mind this person who was pestering my son. My son attempted to call the attention of his classmate, but that guy would do all things to stop him. My son was able to shout the name of his classmate once but unfortunately Time Zone was too noisy and his call was left unheard. Finally, the guy told my son to go with him to the Greenhills office to clear his name. They went out of Time Zone and went to V-mall food court. While my son was walking towards V-mall, he felt that this man was not alone. There seemed to be people following them because when he tried to stop, people at the back would also stop. When they were in the food court, the guy told my son that he could not bring his things to the Greenhills office, so he brought out a plastic bag and asked him to put his PSP, cellphone and wallet into the plastic bag. He asked my son to seat and wait for him. That guy then went to talk with one of the personnel in Quantum, making it appear that he is depositing my son's things with the Quantum personnel. My son waited for maybe 10 minutes, and the guy disappeared. My son approached
several Quantum personnel and asked if somebody left a plastic bag with him. The Quantum personnel told my son that he was robbed and the guy will not come back anymore. Realizing that he had been fooled, my son rushed back to our store in Promenade.

To make things worst, when my son's classmates were asking Time Zone personnel about the disappearance of my son, they did not offer any assistance and would not give any information. There was supposed to be a guard at the door where my son went out, but at that time that my son left Time Zone, there was no guard at the door. It could have been that an accomplice had led the guard away from the main door. I am still not sure if there had been connivance between Time Zone personnel and the thief, but because of their indifference to this incident, please advise your son not to patronize this establishment anymore.

Please advise your children to refrain from bringing their PSP to public places. I think it was my son's PSP, although it was kept in his
pocket, that made him the target.

============ ========= ========= ====

Dear All,

Most often our urgent prayers regarding our children are for their
protection. It is hard to think about other aspects of their lives if
we are worried sick over their personal safety. Having to raise my
children on my own I had every reason to fear for their safety. So I
pray for the Lord's protection on a daily basis. I pray for their
protection from violence, molestation, kidnapping and accidents. "Hide them under the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who oppress them and from the deadly enemies who surround them."

Though my children have had their share of minor injuries including a couple that required an emergency room and stitches, nothing ever happened to them that came close to being kidnapped, held against their will or even victims of a hold-up until my son Renzo was involved in one. Monday afternoon, August 18 Renzo and 3 of his classmates were going to practice at our home.

Their meeting place was Trinoma Mall at 1pm . Renzo was accompanied by his elder brother till the time that Renzo was with his classmates. Renzo already with 2 classmates, Ram and Aaron waited for Richard 3rd classmate at Olympic Village 4th floor. While waiting they went thru soccer balls and boxing gloves. Soon after they received a text message from 3rd classmate Richard who was now waiting for them at Seattle's Best, 1st floor. They proceeded to meet Richard and as soon as they were complete they headed for our home but then a man approached them and identified himself as an employee of Olympic Village and even flashed an ID to the boys. The man informed them that they damaged an item and that they should follow him back to the store.

The man narrated every move the boys made and true enough one of them accidentally dropped a soccer ball. Before leaving Seattle 's Best, Richard the last classmate to arrive was told to stay behind and wait for their return.

The man then brought the 3 boys to the 4th floor Cinema Area. Ram and Aaron were told to give Renzo all their belongings (3 cell phones including Renzo's, an IPOD, a PSP and 2 wallets) and were ordered by the man to go to the restroom to wash their hands before the investigation. The boys followed as ordered. When they returned Renzo and the man was no longer there. Fearing for Renzo's safety and their other friend they headed back to Seattle 's Best.
Richard was still there but Renzo was no where to be found.

All three went back to Olympic Village and informed them of the man who introduced himself as an employee and that Renzo was missing. They were brought to the Trinoma Security Office also at the 4th floor and reported the incid nt. At 2:45pm at home, I received a phone call that every parent feared, "M'am, this is Ram, Renzo's classmate, M'am si Renzo po is missing. . . ." I couldn't believe what I was hearing I asked them where they were, what happened and who was this man they were talking about. I quickly headed to Trinoma to meet with them. I was scared, thoughts ran through my mind, all the what ifs and all I could think of was Renzo's safety. I called on the Lord, my dad and my mother-in-law to please keep my son safe. When I arrived at the Security office, my prayers were answered, there was Renzo, scared, pale, shaken-up and in-tears but most importantly safe and unharmed.

Having been convinced that they indeed damaged an item at Olympic Village, Renzo was told by this man that he is bringing him to the main office of Olympic Village. So they both walked all the way to West Avenue until they reached the building beside Caltex. The man told Renzo to stay outside the building and wait for his return. An hour had passed no sign of this man, Renzo approached the building security guard and asked if he had seen the man he was with enter their building and the guard said that no one entered their building at that time. Upon realizing what had just happened, Renzo hurriedly returned to Trinoma scared of thinking that the man might have returned for his friends and that something might have happened to them.

Little did Renzo know that from the time the Trinoma Security office was informed of the incident Renzo was already being paged constantly. The in-house detective of Trinoma decided to wait for
Renzo at Seattle 's Best thinking that he would return there. True
enough Renzo did return and upon seeing this scared boy the detective approached Renzo introduced himself and brought him safely to the Security Office.

Renzo and his classmate Ram was able to identify the man who
was with them through the Security Camera of Olympic Village. This man was following them from the time they entered Olympic Village up to the time they went to Seattle's Best. He watched every move they made and made sure that the boys had no accompanying adults with them.

As soon as Olympic Village releases the picture of this man to us I will post it and make known to everyone the identity of this man who
momentarily created fear in our lives. Angry? Yes I am angry; I want to knock-off this man should I see him. I am angry at myself for trusting my son will be safe on his own. I am disappointed that after all the serious talks I've had with my son on not talking to stranger's still he did not obey. As a parent no matter how much you want to protect your children, no matter how tight we pull the strings on them, our children will still continue to experience pain and still be careless
at times.

The good news though was that my son, our sons, were spared and for that I am grateful to the Lord. I know I will have this constant fear over their personal safety; we can't be everywhere, we can't see everything, we can't know everything but the Lord can and sure enough my prayers were answered.

Please pass this on to everyone you know who has teenage children daring to explore on their own. Never mind if they get angry for not being allowed to be on their own but at least you are sparing them from this trauma. Also please do not allow your children to bring gadgets outside of their home as these serve as baits for hold-up.

Tina

To all the KIDS who survived the 1930s to the '70's

2008-09-30T20:00:00.001+08:00

I read this from another multiply user albertfloyd who viewed my site and thought it was worth re-posting since I experienced most of the facts here being born in 1971. Life was all simple & exciting back then but now it’s more complicated and less fun. For those those Born 1930-1979, READ it…

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn’t get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.
As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-Aid made with sugar, but we weren’t overweight because, WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the
hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a
few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo’s, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150
channels on cable, no video movies or DVD’s, no surround-sound or CD’s, no cell
phones, no personal computer! s, no Internet or chat rooms…….WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents. We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and
tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend’s house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them! Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team.
Those who didn’t had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law! These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

If YOU are one of them…CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good. While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were. Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn’t it?!

It is never enough...

2008-09-28T21:09:00.001+08:00

In times of illness you cannot choose the day to be well. Last night I was down with asthma and my gall stones were acting up but I opted to get up and get out. I come from a large family, I am the 7th & youngest and most of my siblings are married with children. Most of my nephews and nieces are in college now so it is only during weekends that we get to converge in our house. Most of them live with their parents in a different city so the house where my siblings and I grew up with our parents is the main house where everyone gathers at least once a week, of course I still live in this house with my father and 1 older unmarried sister.

I wasn't feeling well but since my nephew and nieces came over, most of them would go straight to my room since they treat me like I am one of them though I'm their aunt. They kept on bugging me to get up and go out with them. They said it was time for "bonding"...even for just a cup of mocha or coffee...just to hang out with them. We had snacks and coffee at a local mall near our place. We had meaningful conversations about their education...about family problems, having jokes, just talking about almost anything. It was very touching because when they were young I took care of them and now they're young adults I still play an important role in their lives.

On our way home we bought some burgers for my dad since he requested it and his grandchildren were happy to buy him some. It was almost 2 a.m. in the morning and when we got home we accompanied my dad while he ate his take home snack and my nephews and nieces were entertaining their grandfather while eating doughnuts.

I felt teary eyed with this scenario because I wish my mom was alive to see her grandchildren all grown up. For her to see them being able to share these moments with us since my mom also took care of them when they were small. It was a simple magical time.

You see, most of us become busy with our lives, with our work, with so many things. We forget that moments with our families are the most important events. It may be as simple as what we did last night but to me, it was a priceless moment. It is something I will cherish and remember until I grow old. Giving them our time is the most valuable thing we can offer and I know they appreciated it, especially they knew I was ill. We should always find time for them even though sometimes we are not physically or financially able. It is our duty to lead them to a good life and to God's ways...for we will leave them behind to continue our legacy in this world.

I captured this event by taking pictures and video on my mobile camera because I want to remember this. When my mom died, I realized that no matter how long you spend time with your family, it will never be enough...especially when they are gone. You will miss them forever.

So take time to spend more of these priceless moments with your families, friends or loved ones while you can. It is God's gift to us. Make it worthwhile as simple as watching TV with them. Enjoy and be happy. God bless us all.

Perfect Timing

2008-09-26T03:23:00.000+08:00

I have been trying to come up with a new entry for my blog to share with friends and to everyone who probably will chance upon reading all the things I have written on this online journal. And VIOLA!!! I opened my "Didache" -daily bible reflections for Catholics and the reading for today is entitled "God's Perfect Timing"...isn't it timely? Just perfect timing!

I've been meaning to write a part two about the "URBANIDAD /Courtesy" topic I wrote about sometime a week ago...about how my neighbors are disrespectful and all that frustration I had but I realized that I can write about that some other day...for now let me write about something which is more relevant to what I experienced today.

A friend/old colleague rang me on my mobile phone and it has been awhile since we last spoke, I think it has been a year now. She needed someone to listen to her. Although she has been carrying the same problem since we last spoke, it really doesn't matter because the important thing was I listened to her. You see most of us need to release our stressors and we seldom find people who would just listen to us. Most of the time we cannot confide these problems with our families because we do not want to burden them or we'd rather not hear a long sermon and be scolded at.

It dawned on me that in a small way I was able to help this person. And I wondered, what would she have done if I wasn't available to listen? Maybe she'd flip out or get drunk...we don't know. What I'm trying to say is let us try to give some time to other people especially those whom we think is carrying a heavy load. We all have our own shares of problems but having someone to listen is the consolation. We may not be able to solve their problems but knowing that there is someone who empathizes with you is more than enough. Timing is important...nothing happens by chance, there is a purpose why I was tasked to listen today. I was getting bored and impatient about being idle, being ill and without a job and feeling useless instead GOD gave me an assignment to act on...to listen to a friend.

Going back to the reading at Didache : GOD's PERFECT TIME >> "There is an appointed time for everything" Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
REFLECTION: God is neither too late nor too early. He makes all things beautiful in His time.
PRAYER: I choose to wait on You Lord no matter how long it takes for I know You have prepared only the best for me.

$3 dollars

2008-09-17T01:35:00.001+08:00

Hi Friends...I shared with you a daily reflection entitled 'where I get my money' and thank you to every one who put in their prayers and kind words as well. GOD is truly a provider. Today, a messenger knocked on my door delivering an envelope for me. When I opened it, I was surprised to see a manager's check. It was dividend from a telecommunications stock I had. Although the amount was Php116.10 pesos which is roughly about $3 US dollars. It's not much but with it I can buy a meal and even if I walk like a hundred miles I surely wouldn't pick up any of that amount on the road by chance. This check could have come when I had a job or income but instead GOD choose to send it today. Isn't HE amazing!!! I am just thankful for the blessings no matter how small it may be.

Let me share another reflection I chanced upon today which I know is God's way to communicate that HE is taking good care of me and I should put my complete trust in HIM.
God bless you all.
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"GOTCHA" - Source:Didache, Daily Bible Reflections for Catholics
What do you wish? - Matthew 20:21

One time I needed P1,000 pesos to buy an ointment for my skin problem. At that time, I could think of only two sources where I could get the money. One was from my savings in the bank. Another was from the tithe--you know, our regular offering for the Lord--that my husband and I give to our prayer community. Giving tithes is a a manifestation that you so believe in God that you are willing to give money to your community so it can do its work for the Lord. It's actually a test of faith. How did I fare? READ on...

When it was time to give our tithe, just before handing the envelop to our Caring Group leader, I turned around and when no one was looking, I fished out the P1,000 pesos I needed for my ointment.

That very night when I was checking my mail, I saw an envelope with the familiar handwriting of my brother who lives in the United States. I just celebrated my birthday so I knew right away it was a card. Enclosed with the card was a $20-bill, which at the dollar-peso exchange rate at the time, amounted to more than P1,000 pesos.

I blushed as I stared at the money, and I could just imagine God grinning from ear-to-ear saying to me, "See you didn't have to deduct the money from your tithe!" You child of little faith, gotcha!"

REFLECTION: Every day we encounter trials--big and small--that test our faith in God. How do you fare, so far?

PRAYER: Jesus give me the grace to believe in You, to be truly convinced that You died for me, You rose from the dead, You are alive and You truly care for me to this very day!

Where I Get My Money

2008-09-15T14:34:00.000+08:00

Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never forsake you or abandon you." -- Hebrew 13:5

I believe that God is our Provider.
But once, I lost my job and I had no other source of income. For the first time in my life, I worried about money. I realized there were many things I could not do if I had no money.

Thus my belief that God would provide for me was put to a test. Theory gave way to reality; doctrine to actual living. It was time to live out the faith I professed.

I tried not to worry. Instead, I reminded myself again and again that God loves me. He cares for my welfare and He will provide for my needs. And God did not fail me. Soon, His blessings began flooding in. I landed a job that I not only loved but that also compensated me generously. Other avenues of income opened up and before long, I was earning more than I could spend!

Come to think of it, GOD is actually our employer, the real source of our income. Jobs may come and go, salaries may change, but His providence is constant. Knowing that will banish all fear for your future.

REFLECTION: We can always trust our unknown future to a known GOD.

PRAYER: Help me to always remember, Lord that You are my Provider and that You are really the source of my income

Source: Didache, Daily Bible Reflections for Catholics

COURTESY or URBANIDAD does it still exist?

2008-09-10T04:05:00.000+08:00

What does URBANIDAD or courtesy mean?
It means : courteous behavior: politeness. A courteous act or utterance. Well-mannered behavior toward others: courteousness, courtesy, genteelness, gentility, mannerliness, politeness, politesse. A courteous act or courteous acts that contribute to smoothness and ease in dealings and social relationships.

I was brought up by loving parents and a family who taught me well and instilled in me the good Filipino characteristics which I carry like a lighted torch. As a Filipino, I am proud to embody each trait which symbolizes my true character.

My question is...do people still have URBANIDAD inside them?
Why am I asking this?

My ancestors have lived in the municipality of Mandaluyong, Philippines since World War I and II...we have been occupying this piece of land that we have live at for more than 50 years...this is where our grandparents have lived and died...our relatives...our friends...we have been here longer than most of our neighbors.

Today our street, Romualdez located at Barangay Daang Bakal, Mandaluyong City Philippines is no longer the community we have been a part of all these years. Some of our old neighbors have sold their houses and moved elsewhere and our family intends to do the same even if we have sentimental values for the place where we have been born, raised and where we have spent our lifetime at, because most of our new neighbors do not have URBANIDAD.

Let me sight some examples why I say this..

1.)
Beside our house is KOOL ANIME which is a beerhouse posing to be a small general store slash eatery. It is also a recruitment house for women who would like to go to Japan as entertainers. They do not care if their music is loud enough to wake up everyone 500 miles away which plays until wee hours of the morning. Their customers spit, vomit, urinate at our perimeter walls or in front of our gate. They cause riots and disturbances when their customers are drunk. They park their vehicles carelessly in front our home despite our plea that my father is a practicing surgeon and we need a parking area for our patients. We have requested them a hundred times to do something to enclose the sound of their music since there is a law on NOISE POLLUTION and refrain from doing all these rude manners. We want to complain at the Barangay but even the service men of our barangay are patrons of this place. We have pleaded with our uncle who is their landlord for some considerations but everything falls on a deaf ear. How come these people who are not even original residents of this community have this right to disrepect us and our home showing no URBANIDAD? This is a residential area but do you think a girly bar should be in this zone?

2.)
Across our house is a metal hardware/metal manufacturing factory-SUPERSONIC Hardware or SSPI. They have 10-wheeler trucks cruising our road, parking in front of our driveway and again on our PATIENT's parking area. Their customers...various TRUCKS, AUVs, CARS ---you name it...cannot park on their side of the street because they prohibited them, instead they push them towards our area and they also ignore our plea since these vehicles are mostly diesel and fumigate our house with carbon monoxide. The owners of this hardware are chinese so you know how influential they are since they could operate in a residential zone with permits from the Mayor's Office...they even consult with my dad when they're ill and my dad doesn't charge them for "pakikisama" and yet where do we draw the line? Where is their sense of URBANIDAD and "pakikisama" with us, the original inhabitants of this community?

3.)
The tenants in our apartments contribute the same dilemma to us....by being NOISY, throwing garbage in front of our house, not paying their rents until 6mos. or simply ignoring the clauses in their contracts. We have taken legal action before but sadly it is no use to report this on the Barangay level or even higher because as landlords, you can't force them to pay...that's what the legal people told us and we didn't want to spend more on this issue so we just let it be. So do you think they have URBANIDAD?

I want to be a good Christian...I want to set good examples for the younger generation of my family...I want to be more forgiving...I try to...I honestly try to offer all these to GOD. I want to have peace with all of them but I am only human. I am tired of all these RUDENESS especially if you experience all these on a daily basis.

I used to enjoy this neighborhood...people get along fine...they share, they care, they have URBANIDAD.

So if you know anyone who would like to buy a house and lot here at Romualdez St. Barangay Daang Bakal near Kalentong Mandaluyong (it's at the back of Mandaluyong Ice Plant across Jose Rizal University at Shaw Boulevard, let me know, my house is FOR SALE please send me a message here at multiply.

The Best Birthday Gift

2008-09-08T02:19:00.000+08:00

I was writing about how simple my 37th birthday was in my previous blogs but I can't say that it was a simple birthday. In fact it was (as far as I can recall in my 37 years), it was the best birthday ever! I received the Best Birthday Gift...read on to know what it was.

I was not able to attend my birthday mass last Sept.1st 7a.m.due to unforeseen circumstances. I just prayed all day and heard mass on EWTN that night. I was feeling guilty since most of my past birthdays, it was the family tradition to hear mass.

The next day, Sept.2nd, my brother and sister-in-law invited me to a healing mass with a plenary indulgence intention at the St. Peter and Paul church in Makati City. It was the Eucharistic mass sponsored by their catholic community, Salt and Light for Christ. I went there with my Dad. My other brother was there as well(I only have 2 brothers but I have 4 sisters, I'm the 7th&youngest). So I told myself this would be my birthday mass in lieu of the other one. I did not expect that the mass would be celebrated by Bishop Ted Bacani and Fr. Larry Tan.

It was the first time I heard mass celebrated by Bishop Bacani...the first time I received the Holy Eucharist from Bishop Bacani and the first time I was blessed for my birthday by Bishop Bacani. This was the best birthday gift I have ever received in my lifetime. I was teary eyed at the altar. When the community sang a happy birthday song, I cried in happiness. Strangers were greeting me and I felt so blessed. This is not an ordinary event and I knew GOD intended it to happen because HE loved me so much.

The Best Birthday Gift did not end there.

Last Saturday, Sept.6 , I heard mass at the Divine Mercy Church with my two sisters since it was first Saturday. At the end of the mass before the priest gave the final blessing, he requested all the September birthday celebrants to come forward for a birthday blessing. We were prayed over and everyone sang a birthday song and we were given a prayer card with birthday greetings. Again I was overwhelmed with happiness.

I may not have some things in my life right now but having those BLESSINGS were far greater than having anything else in this world. It was truly a wonderful birthday...the BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT was from the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Birthday Realities 2008

2008-09-02T02:44:00.001+08:00

Thank you to everyone who remembered my birthday. I am truly blessed to have a wonderful LIFE. I have my family...tons of friends who took time out to greet me...from my high school and college, friends from = abs-cbn, sky cable, peoplesupport, bma, global and headstrong, online friends, family friends, social friends...thank you! thank you so much!

My 37th birthday was different from all my other birthdays! It was a very simple day for me... I didn't have a celebration or cooked anything special, I had fried galunggong with veggies and rice. I didn't sleep from Aug.31st to sunrise of Sept.1st not because it was my birthday...I took a sideline to do a transcription&translation of a movie and I had a tight Monday deadline so I forgot that my birthday falls on a Monday! hay hay hay!

Of course I didn't forget one important thing...you see everyday, I set my alarm to 5am this is what I call "worship&praise" time. I pray...read...worship...praise...and give back all the glory to GOD. Sometimes I sleep around 3am and I also make this hour as "hour of the spirit" , I pray, meditate and just let my spirit be free from all the worries of this temporal life. Nowadays I try to spend more time with HIM than anyone or anything else. It's hard to live a good life. I'm prone to temptations as well and I have my own shares of mistakes along the way.

We're only human beings...we get mad when our neighbors throw garbage in front our houses or urinate on the walls near our gates or sing karaoke all day until wee hours in the morning...when our bosses fail to see our efforts and someone incompetent gets promoted or paid more...when some of your so-called friends talk behind you...when your one truly love leaves you behind...when a jerk cuts you off in traffic or a jeepney driver keeps on insisting to seat one more passenger...these are just some of the things we try to avoid so we would not get irritated but life is just like that. The more you want less of it...the more it pisses you off.

So as a birthday gift for myself, I will continue to make my life better... to lessen negative reactions to situations...less worry...less stress...but how can I do that? It's not easy...suffering is already a part of our daily lives but we can offer it to GOD. We can change for the better...we can inspire other people...we can do little things for others...we can just be good persons...we must be more Christian like...we can always try...no one is perfect.

The "BER" months have begun...it's the last quarter of the year...we still have time to change whatever we can before a new year begins! SPEND more time with your families...with your good friends... with those people who love you and care for you. We get older each day so don't take things for granted. LIVE YOUR LIFE NOW...LOVE YOUR LIFE...for in the end, YOU go ALONE!

a place called "GLOBAL" and Sodom and Gomorrah

2008-08-30T04:39:00.000+08:00

Aug.29,2008 1:30 p.m. my good friend Hoho went to fetch me at home so I can fix my long overdue back pay from a previous work at Global...seriously...it's been a year since I left and with all the red tape...bring this...we need this and that episodes...clearance first etc. I ended up still with nothing because the guys in charge of this were on leave...waaaaahhhh!!!

It was okay...I wasn't that hung up with the money though I need it badly nowadays...I was happy to see old faces...friends...colleagues and enemies! Hehehe! In fact seeing them made me vigorously enthusiastic to test my positiveness which I have embodied since I left this place, which I told Fr. Tito Caluag (the chaplain & board member of abs-cbn) was like Sodom and Gomorrah --Sodom and Gomorrah have been used as metaphors for sinfulness and sexual deviation.

Anyway... it's a sad plight to see that after a year of being away from this place...NOTHING GOOD or POSITIVE has happened...the same old scrutiny of uncanny people like my old boss asking "so why is she here?" thinking that I am lurking to get back in (OH PLEASE!!! Spare me, twice is enough...thrice is to my demise!) ...wondering what the heck I'm there for? It's really none of their business! I'm there to see how my real friends are doing because I missed them...I wanted to say hello to people who treated me well when I was there...I also wanted to bump into my enemies to pray over them so they'd turn a new leaf....is that so bad to do?

Some friends asked me "so how are you?" I'd reply I'm fine just a bit ill with this and that..."so are you working?" I said NO I quit my job due to health reasons and some corporate bull crap plus I'm putting up my own sari-sari store business at home...so they said "how come you look good?" I said, I look beautiful because I got out of this place...I gave up on this negative environment and tried to live a positive one...and I am living it...like what I preached to three friends who were desperately seeking sanity during office hours...I said, "you see life here on earth is just temporary...work is just part of it. you can't live your life digesting the suppressors at the office. you must learn to let go even if it's hard 'coz when you don't get to wake up tomorrow, this office would still go on and they won't give a shit about what really happens to you after work,it's their job to push your buttons so you'd do your work for them but that's it... so start living a LIFE and enjoy every moment, take time to SMILE and LOVE! Prepare for the eternal life ahead...besides we will leave all these behind. stop making work rule your life! GO GET BACK YOUR LIFE"

I hope I was able to help some of them during my brief visit...I kept on chanting my prayers that I would not ingest the negativeness of the place and some of the fake characters who said hello. I pity those who haven't changed for the better...still sitting high in their corporate pedestals, all high and mighty, whipping their subordinates with their ego lasso trying to project that they were powerfully happy. OKAY FINE! If that makes you sleep at night...fine by me.

I just hope that as I storm the heavens with my prayers those who are high and mighty will humble themselves before they eventually look back and turn into a pillar of salt (like what happened at Sodom and Gomorrah)...I still believe in the goodness of people. I have faith that even the bad can become good...there is hope...or else if they don't change and continue in their evil ways...like what my friend Ariel P. said..."KARMA" has its ways!

i love him...

2008-08-25T03:07:00.000+08:00

Now I'm turning 37 in a week's time(you should read the blog prior to this one)
...I realized that I need to start a new chapter in my life. I want to have a child before I turn 40...I want to marry the one I love in front of my family and friends...I want to enjoy the rest of my days with the people who truly love me...

I can see that happening in a fast forward manner because in reality...people would always leave and it's my turn to close the doors behind me and start anew.

Leaving the one you love was the hardest thing to do in my life...I still loved so much but there was a place in the heart that I couldn't occupy...a place reserved for someone else...somehow I just couldn't get past it. There wasn't a day that I didn't think of this person...how much i miss and love. The hardest thing was not knowing if I was loved that much too...but I had to take my chances back then...now I know it's time that I have to let go completely and set myself free from a love that wasn't meant to be.

We shouldn't give up even if we end up without the one we love...miracles can happen everyday and who knows what might turn up...maybe someone even better.

And I'm happy that I found someone better...someone who respects me...someone who doesn't use me to fill in the gap or in their longing for love...someone who gives me unconditional love...someone who will be there for me when I fall down and make mistakes...someone who will be by my side to share all my dreams with...someone who will see me scuffled in the morning when I wake up...someone who'll see the real me inside and out and yet still love me just the same...

I love him...and I think of him the first thing when I wake up...I think of him every chance I get during the day...I never stop believing in his love...which has given me hope and direction...a chance to love...it's like seeing the light at the end of a tunnel...now everything has meaning...I am loved...I give my life and my all...nothing compares to a promise I have in him...

21 days to go...September 2008

2008-08-11T01:13:00.000+08:00

21 days na lang at "BER" months na naman! At kapag Setyembre na, isa lang ang ibig sabihin nito para sa akin...tatanda na naman ako ng isang taon dahil kaarawan ko na sa unang araw ng buwan na ito. Tuwing sasapit ang kaarawan ko, kadalasan wala akong trabaho at wala akong pera. Natatawa na lang ako kapag naiisip ko ito kasi parang nagkakataon palagi ang "tag-hirap" kapag birthday ko, pero okay lang naman kasi hindi naman ang karangyaan o pera ang mahalaga sa pagdiriwang na ito. Mas mahalaga na ako'y buhay pa at magdidiwang kasama ang mga mahal ko sa buhay.

Hindi ko masasabi na hindi ako masaya at walang narating ang buhay ko for the past 36 years...those who are close to me would know na I've been struggling to direct my career path pero kapag may naapi or ako ang naapi sa work place at di fair ang system at labag sa labor ang mga patakaran, siguradong isa ako sa mga umaalis! Bakit? Well, I can't work for an organization who doesn't give a shit about their workers. Nadala na kasi ako sa 5 yrs. ko na pagpapaalila sa una kong company sa ABS-CBN. Halos di na ako umuuwi, di ko na nakikita family ko, madalas wala ako sa important family gatherings dahil sobrang dedicated ko sa work tapos I would sleep at the office just to finish my work kasi isa ako sa pioneers ng TFC (The Filipino Channel) pero after all the hard work, corporate bull crap still prevails at kahit ako na ang next in line for promotion, yung nasa ilalim mo pa na tinuruan mo ang iaangat sa iyo at promote.Tama ba yun?!!!Tapos noong nag resign na ako to spend time with my family na, my mom died naman...too late di ba.

Marami na akong napuntahan na industria...hindi ako mapili sa work, basta kaya ko gawin at malinis na pagkakakitaan, papasukin ko yan. Napunta ako sa media, sa entertainment bar, sa cable, sa telecoms, sa hotel, sa pagmanage ng artista, sa information technology, sa pagsusulat sa medical magazine, sa pagtitinda at kung anu-ano pa. Pero ano nga ba ang gusto ko gawin sa buhay?

My dream is to have my own business...a coffee shop/bar/diner type of place. Yung tipong mga diner nung 1950's ang style na may counter top at bar stools...may coffee at ice cream din at may cake or pie of the day...pero dahil modern times na, may bar din pero shots lang ang tinda, walang beer parang coyote ugly. I love to cook, gusto ko sana mag-aral ng culinary arts and become a chef kaso di ko ma-afford kasi sobrang mahal ng tuition fee ngayon ...someone used to call me "my-hubby-chef" so na inspire ako dun lalo. Marami akong luto na kakaiba, kung ano meron na ingredients na available nagagawa kong imbento na dish. Specialty ko ang chicken inasal at beef lugaw...at dahil nga may sakit na ako sa gall bladder, i copied a salad na naikwento ng ate ko pero i modified it...yan ang "alugbati salad" which I eat daily with my organic rice. I would steam the alugbati leaves for 2 minutes then slice them into bite sizes, add fresh white onions, tomatoes, bell pepper, a dash of garlic powder, salt and pepper then add italian vinegrette dressing which i also mixed (olive oil, balsamic or cane vinegar, water and a packet of italian vinegrette powder which you can buy at groceries) and that's it!!! Ang sarap!

Going back to my birthday...marami ang nagtatanong kung kailan ang celebration...every year din pinapangarap ko ang bonggang party tulad noong debut ko or noong nag 13th birthday ako na may invitation pa. Siguro ang next party na ganito kapag naging 40 years old na ako.hehehe! Pasensiya na po mga friendships...bukod sa nagpapagaling pa ako at medyo on a major diet (isipin nyo naman dami bawal na food sakin pati na ang favorite ko alcohol na vodka at baileys) at dahil low on budget ako so di ako makapag celebrate nang husto.

I'll be happy with your greetings...enough blessing na ni Lord na I'm alive and here to celebrate that day knowing I'm blessed with my family and all of my friends...though I truly miss my mommy who used to celebrate this day with me every year at aakyat kami sa house namin sa Baguio kasi Baguio day din ang September 1st. Wala na akong mahihiling pa sa Panginoon kasi He has blessed my life tremendously for the past 36 years. Kahit mahirap ang buhay at maraming problema, okay lang kasi this is just a borrowed time and borrowed life...ang important is that we prepare for the eternal life...so material things are just temporary...so kahit wala akong asawa or partner in life, kahit wala akong pera, kahit wala akong sariling bahay o magarang kotse...marami akong dapat ipagpasalamat sa buhay ko. I'm happy how my life has been all these years and I'm thankful for the life I have. And I quote from the LWord "Live the Life you Love and Love the Life you Live"...

And so the countdown begins... see you on my birthday.