Still Taking It Further Some More

What's good about wishes is that you don't get disappointed whenever they don't come true. That is if you really understand what a wish is. Wishes are something that we cannot really grasp unless we set it as our goals. For two years now, I've been writing my wishlist at the end of the year and making it the basis of my recap of the year. The first time, I placed anything I had in mind, the second time, I only placed material things. This time, I don't really know what to write. But I guess this is a proper time this year to write my wishlist. The year is about to end and the coming year is beginning to give me an impression of a tough but fun year. So I am going to take it further still by writing down a wishlist and forgetting about it until the end of next year.

Here goes: 

1. DSLR CAMERA - This was in my list last year. I nearly was able to buy it but some things come up that necessitated sacrifice. I really feel the limits of my regular point-and-shoot camera and there are shots and angles that I couldn't get with it. I see the need to level up with a pro or at least a hobbyist camera.

2. LOVE LIFE - This isn't material. I know. Somehow I find myself seeking it as if I needed it. This year has been good to me that hopefully and prayerfully this would come along with the package 2012 would bring. I really wouldn't know, but this year I tried to learn how to act proper to win someone's attention. Hopefully it would come to fruition. A close friend even described it as "a comatose love life. It's just there but it's not moving." Whatever he meant by it, I'll just put it up to God.

3. WATCH / IPOD NANO - I added running this year to my list of sports. I think it would do well if I owned at least a decent sports watch to use for all sorts of sports or outdoor activities. An Ipod Nano is also a possibility since you could somewhat turn it into a sports watch. 

4. IPOD / IPHONE - This is not really a necessity but I still think it would be cool to own one. I'm not really a fad follower but seeing it's benefits, I kinda like owning one if I don't get the one above this first.

5. IPAD - This is another far off item. I tried using our clinic's Ipad for the therapy and it really rocks! Kids nowadays know how to use it so I guess it would really be a big help for my professional career to own one. I found out that most of the cards we use during therapy are available as applications on an IPad. Hopefully this would come.

6. HIKING STUFF - My brother packed most of the little hiking gear I was able to buy and shipped it with him to Palawan. I know that it wouldn't be in tip top shape when it gets back so I need to buy new stuff starting with a bag and shoes. I had the opportunity to buy hiking shoes two months ago but I figured that I won't be going to any mountains until the end of this year so I bought running shoes instead. Next year proves to be more of an outdoor year so I need to invest on new gear. 

7. HOUSE AND LOT  AND A CAR - This has been a recurring wish on my list and also so far the only two that you cannot get in a single year. Still, it's not bad to wish for it. 

This concludes the 7 wishes for the 2012. I pray that when I get back to it at the end of 2012, I'd get at least more than 50%. I guess I'll have to pray for it more. 

Still Taking It Further Post Script

It was at the end of 2009 when I first made a wishlist. At the end of the next year, I found out that I got 4 out of the 7 things on my wishlist which is a lot considering that 2 out of the 7 items were not something you could get in a year. I felt so blessed I made another wishlist in 2010. The same as before, 7 items. 

And same as before, I totally forgot about my wishlist until this month. 

And still same as before, I was overwhelmed by the blessings. 

God was too good that He gave me another 3/7. Still, three of these seven items couldn't be obtained in a year. You can view the whole list here. And here is what I got:

1. Book Collection - I was not able to complete Bob Ong's books since I found it pointless to complete them when I have already read all of them. However, I was able to complete Ambeth Ocampo's Looking Back Books and Budjette Tan's Trese comics. Apart from that majority of the books I bought for this year were Filipiniana. 

2. External DVD Drive - I was able to obtain an external DVD drive now my laptop could read DVDs and CDs. 

3. New Phone - I specifically wanted a touch screen phone. I got a QWERTY instead which is ironic since I once looked at a QWERTY phone with disgust. Now, I appreciate the QWERTY that I resolved not to get a touch screen phone anymore.

Though I only got 3 out of 7 from my wishlist, God has given me more than what I wished for 2011. He provided everything even if I never deserved it. Now I'm fueled again to put up a wishlist for 2012 this time, I'll make it more radical. Lord help me!

Why I Hate Cleaning

I had more than two weeks of Christmas break. 

For someone who doesn't even believe in the validity of the Christmas day as a day of Christ's birth, I still welcome the break with open arms and mouth. Sure, I may not have enough money because I don't get to work, but I get to rest and have time to do things like update my blog and catch up on the movies. 

Oh, I always update my blog and always get to watch a movie. :)

Still, it's nice to have time to do the things you've been itching to do especially now that I'm going to face a larger challenge next year. So for a few days, I'll be holed up in my room resting, typing and doing whatever.

Today, I had the strength and energy to clean up my black-hole of a room. Black hole because anything I put in it gets lost somewhere within the room. I had the impulse to clean or atleast rearrange things in my room. 

Now it is clean (for me, just don't come in here). 

While cleaning my room, I was reminded how I hated the chore. Sure, it gives me fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment. Sure, I get to lie down on a clean bed, a clear room and a dust free area. I was actually happy when I started, but when I got to my closet, I found something that brought tears to my eyes.

All the notes, cards, dedicated bookmarks, and letters that I got since high school until college came out of my closet. I couldn't help but read through them and be reminded of all the wishes people gave to me. Various occasions: Christmas, Valentine's Day, my birthday. All those messages came from close friends, classmates and friends who reminded me of how I was before. I couldn't help but be teary eyed. It is mushy I know, but for someone who's about to face a crazy ordeal after this year would really be propelled to tears. It is overwhelming to learn that I've touched so many people that they made efforts to write. 

If you're from I-Pythagoras '99-2000, II-Mendel 2000-2001, III-Dalton 2001-2002, IV-Newton 2002-2003, Batch '07 BSSP, and AMiCUS-UPM 2003-2007, thank you so much!

Books Read

Have you read more than 6 of these books? The BBC believes most people will have read only 6 of the 100 books listed…

Bold those books you’ve read in their entirety.

Italicize the ones you started but didn’t finish or read only an excerpt.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy.
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert 53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth.
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville 
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt.
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery 
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare 
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo 

I also have physical copies of the books I read to prove it! :D Those Italicized were ebooks hence, I couldn't finish because I don't like ebooks.

Stalker

I tried to use some stalking skills not to stalk a person but a company.

Yes, I tried to Google the clinic where I work.

I stalked an all mom's forum. Found a blogger mom, and still more forums.

What I found out was really shocking!

Actually, all I could do was smile at the prospect of finding out that the clinic is actually receiving all praises from our clients. Most of the moms were more than satisfied of the facilities plus they were all praises to our head OT. 

Wow! I never realized that I was actually working in a prestigious and well talked institution.

This just adds more pressure. 

Waaah!

What Happened Here?

What just happened here?

It's been a long time since I last wrote here. I never realized so much has changed to this site. My last post was in august. So much has happened since then. It's actually hard to maintain several blogs. 

Now, I'm seeing more changes as the days roll by. Come, next year, there are bigger and higher things that needed to be done. I'm just excited with the new line up of people. I pray that a lot of blessings will pour out after this. 

I'm just too optimistic.

Meanwhile, I expect to revive this site. More things to write about. More rants. :P

Just Wondered.

I just came back from a two-day-long road trip to search for the best retreat destination. We scourged the entire Tagaytay area to look for suitable retreat venues. We were looking for venues that could accommodate 60 people for two nights and two days with food. Part of our criteria is that the venue should allow team building activities (noise + large space), and a suitable conference hall wherein we could conduct our sessions.

Someone once commented why not make our retreat a camping style retreat with tents and the great outdoors as a venue. I have no problems about that, although some of my fellow youth may not agree. Some are not so comfortable with the lack of a suitable comfort room or the idea of sleeping under a tent with unfavorable weather conditions (you can't predict the rain!). It is also unfair for the facilitators if they would have to worry about cooking and food preparations. So to accommodate everyone, we had to find a good venue already with dormitory beds, enough comfort rooms to last several lifetimes and a food package that would cover all the meals during the stay. I had other personal criteria aside from those mentioned.

Hence we had to search for a venue. We made a quick (which is an overstatement) of our previous venue: Caleruega. Two years ago, we went there and had the best retreat so far. It became the benchmark (whatever that means) of any future retreat. Everyone was so hyped it, all facebook videos of the event became viral throughout the youth of our church. However, when we checked out the place, the venue has already been booked by a different organization. We were supposed to scout the surrounding venues but due to the heavy traffic that sunday (part of the four day long weekend) we had no choice but to take the fastest route home. Some of us had work early the next day  (no holiday=me) and some of us had a flight to catch.

Due to the dire circumstance of not having a venue for the retreat a month before the supposed date, we had to reschedule another day for occular inspection. I had to sacrifice one day (no holiday=me) from work to be able to scout for other venues with others who were on holiday hence, available. We were able to scout 6 other venues. It was an amazing road trip. We practically drove around Tagaytay City and stopped at every place that had a "retreat" on its name. We were amazed by the view of some. Others we didn't enjoy so much due to certain reasons.

On our trip, we all noticed one thing in common with all the retreat venues: all were run by priests or nuns of the Catholic Church.

Now, I have nothing against that denomination. Most of my friends are Catholics. I was actually amazed at the number of their retreat centers that really offered a great view or a great ambiance suitable for meditation and prayer. It goes to show that they value constant meditation and communication with God. Some of the venues we checked also had Bibles at each corner or at each sitting area. While resting you could meditate upon God's word. Talk about convenience!

What really bothered me was the fact that we're not the only ones who conduct retreats on a regular basis. I'm talking about other SDA youth ministries from other churches or areas who also annually conduct retreats or hikes or camp meetings in various locations. They may have different program sets or themes, but one thing is certain, SDAs love retreats, hikings, campings and the like. We're people who love the outdoors and nature. 

Because of this, I can't help but wonder how come we never had any SDA owned venue for a retreat? A campsite or a retreat center that would help any youth ministry with their venue problems. It doesn't have to be grand. A wide plot of grassland or forest could be enough. It has to be something that doesn't double as a school, and has the sole purpose of being a venue for retreats. It doesn't even have to be an exclusive venue, if we could accommodate other denominations, it would be better. Aside from being an income generating institution, it would also be another means of reaching out to other denominations so that you won't have to answer "What is an SDA?" every now and then. It could also have a free public access library which could be available to all who would rent as an additional amenity. That way, other denominations would also have access to our books which has the potential of drawing them closer to God. 

If we could only find the idea to invest in a retreat venue on top or at the side of a mountain, we wouldn't have any problems. 

The Youth Ministries is Alive!

I don't really know how to react. I guess the youth really is the backbone of the church.

I was sent on a beat weeks ago to gather information regarding the schedule of activities of all the ministries of the church from August to September. This is in line with the new ministry that is about to come out. It's called Engage and it's going to be the new publication of PAC. 

Since I already have an active role in the Youth Ministries, gathering their calendar of events was as easy as checking my daily schedule. The same goes with Makati Project Grow and the Deaf Ministry. I tried to contact Lifeline Chorale, our youth choir, and the Angels' echoes, the children's choir and gathered their activities. Next I contacted people from the Prison Ministries, Radio Ministries and Women's Ministries. Then, I inquired from our head deacon and the deaconesses about any up coming activities. Finally, I was able to ask the head of the Health Ministries for any medical missions and such for those months. I couldn't find the head of the Senior Citizens Ministries a.k.a. Young Once Ministries and the head of the Home and Family Ministries.

What I found out was really amazing. I don't actually know how to react, but it turns out that out of all the ministries, majority of the ministries headed by the youth have a full schedule. Other ministries don't even have a schedule for august or september. I figured they either made no plans or just made activities on the fly. 

Great job Youth! 

The Day Birthday

Because it's my birthday, I was inspired by a friend of mine, ate aye (http://angelaye18.wordpress.com), to write about what happened today and post it on my blog.

1) I had a great discussion with my Sabbath School Small Group. Lots of friends were there and we talked about the importance of showing reverence to God in worship and how important it is to know the God we worship. I really enjoyed the presence of everyone there.

2) I attended the Second divine worship and really got captivated by the song "I AM" and "No More Nights" embedded in the message of the speaker. It was a clear reminder that God is I Am and all I have to do is to trust Him, know Him and acknowledge his plans for my life. I was also blessed to serve for the deaf ministry as the interpreter during the prayers. I seem to get the hang of it. I enjoyed it a lot.

3) Surprised to see no one from the Youth Ministry core group after the service. They were all in their small group room. I got several CDs and huge birthday greeting from all of them. I loved those people.

4) Spent lunch with my cousins who came over to have the latest addition in our growing clan dedicated in church. It's not really a baptismal, it was more like a dedication service to encourage the parents to lead their kids in church. We had a hearty meal.

5) Running to and fro the deaf ministry fulfilling last minute duties such as providing them with fare and lunch budget for the next Sabbath. All the while preparing to leave for Fort Andres Bonifacio Adventist Church where the Area 8 Fellowship was supposed to be held. The deaf ministry are supposed to go as well, but I opted to go with the Makati Project Grow people for some personal reasons not against any ministry. 

6) Experienced the heavy rains on our way to FABAC. I forgot that every time, at this exact date, it rains. Had a great talk with some friends while on the bus and had a hilarious moment while waiting in the rain and riding the jeepney that would take us to FABAC, which was already jam packed when we came.

7) Really didn't feel anything during the afternoon program. Missed the sermon and missed out on the commitment message. It was somewhat disappointing, but I was blessed when the deaf ministry sang. Got a lot of hilarious moments with my deaf brothers as well. 

8) Escaped the social nights because someone also wanted to go home. Instead of going home, went straight to Market Market and had dinner. It was great night with friends including that someone. 

9) On our way home, our group separated to our destinations. Said someone had no choice but to go with me since we live somewhat near each other. Made small talk. Enjoyed the time and even walked that said someone home to cap the night.

10) Something got into my friend, Mike Duco. He posted one of the legendary photos on FB and didn't even bother to hide it from others. So before the night ended I had a lot of people posting on my wall with greetings. I intentionally didn't put my birthday on my profile so only a select few would remember. However, something came into Mike Duco that made him do crazy stuff. 

11) Technically not counted as part of the day and also this should only be up to 10, but had time to watch the CD I received this morning. Almost moved to tears by the volume of people who greeted on that CD. Nagsabwatan ang buong Youth Ministries sinama pa ang parents ko. Hmp! hahaha...

Great! hahaha...

25

An uncle once told me that life and your view of life would definitely change once you turned 25. 

I was in college back then and my imagination wandered to what would happen if I turned 25. I imagined my self discovering that I had super powers that would only manifest when I turned 25. Or maybe I was already a rockstar enjoying the fame and fortune and the thousands of fans flocking to my concerts each day. Or maybe, I woke up on my 25th birthday sounding like Aristotle or Socrates and filling my head with philosophical thoughts and eccentric inventions. 

I wondered what would happen to me when I turned 25? What radical change would happen? What part of me would change? 

I kept my uncles word and tried to watch and wait for the change that would come to me when I turn 25. 

Apparently that's today. And I don't seem to find any change in me. Probably a little wiser or more inspired than before, but nothing else seemed new to me. 

Nonetheless, I'm 25. So that's that.

Looking forward

I have no work for the third day this week. It's another stretch of vacation when just a week ago I spent a weekend on top of a mountain, then the week after that, I spent the long weekend on a great venue called tagaytay.

Now I have another long weekend.

What's sad about our profession though is that if you cancelled sessions, it meant you cancelled your pay. No work, no pay. regardless of reasons, unlike in some businesses, wherein you are entitled to sick leaves with pay or absence with pay, our profession is really lenient enough to allow you to be absent but don't expect any payment.

Because of this, lots of questions popped on my head. How long would I live like this? What else can I do to have steady flow of income and still do what I want to do?

I am not business minded and most of the people who try to give suggestions offer multi-level network businesses which I don't really like (remember the PONZI scheme). Now I am at a loss as to what business or sustainable activity I would do...

If you're striving for petty things, how then could you reach higher, far better things?"

Whoever thought that sports fests are a good way to bring fellowship, then they are dead wrong. Sports fest with competitive sports breed animosity and anger among brethren.

Looking Back

I can't imagine that I've been posting write ups, since 2005. Looking back at where I've started, I can't imagine how I was still able to post on 3 blog sites (actually 4 but the 4th one is hidden) up to this time. I tried to look back at my first (and still somewhat updated) blog, BLOG-TA. I got a lot of laughs looking at the comments on most articles (someone seemed to have the most comment on many articles) However, I still couldn't bring myself back to those perky articles I wrote. Probably one of these days, I could set myself to full writing mood to write those twisted stories mostly about the events of the day. Right now, I've settled on recording each day by making one haiku a day (also inspired by that frequent commenter on my blog) on MMASR and the (almost) weekly inspirational updates. I also post here occasionally mostly to rant about how the day has gone for me.

I hope I could still maintain these blogs until such a time the webmasters decide to close down.

Fervently praying that you're just too busy and not what I really feared.

Drained

It seems weird to admit that I'm feeling drained. After working for 6 straight days for a month, I cant help but admit that I needed a break. I needed to go somewhere fresh and green. Maybe a secluded garden or on top of a mountain. 

Looking back, I never had this kind of feeling before. I used to have activities 7 days a week including church activities, school activities and some outreach activities. Still think I can do it. I don't admit that I'm getting older, there's still a lot of things I wanted to see, hear, touch and experience. I'm not that old.

Maybe it's because things have become somewhat a routine. Sure the kids are act different each day, but still you have that feeling of going to work at 8 am or 9am, take a lunch break at around 11 or 12 noon and end by 5pm. It has become that kind of a routine for some years or months now. Whereas in college, schedules shift after 3 months or so and each day is a new lesson or a new experience. 

I hope I could have a change in routine. Maybe an earlier time out? Maybe a different day off? Or maybe a career in the academe? There's so many possibilities but it seems hard to find which path to take. I'll just leave it to God to tell me where to go. As of the moment, I guess there are lessons that I must learn.

New Addition to the Crew.

Got this just this week... It's got most of the features I wanted the wifi capability, the music, the decent camera, except for being QWERTY, it's fairly decent. The best part of it though is that I got it for free... :))

Hit Your Head With This.

Reading the book Messages to Young People by Ellen G. White is like taking a bottle and hitting your head with it. Lots of realizations that could cause you to blink, think at what you're doing and realize that you're making small mistakes. 

Consider the following quotations:

"You will not suffer lovesick sentimentalism to so blind your vision that you cannot discern the high claims that God has upon you as a Christian.--"

in short, being emo is bad.

"Those who love society frequently indulge this trait until it becomes an overruling passion. To dress, to visit places of amusement, to laugh and chat upon subjects altogether lighter than vanity, --this is the object of their lives. They cannot endure to read the Bible and contemplate heavenly things. They are miserable unless there is something to excite. They have not within them the power to be happy; but they depend for happiness upon the company of other youth as thoughtless and reckless as themselves. The powers which might be turned to noble purposes, they give to folly. . . ."

In short, no parties and small time enjoyments, because they do not give you real happiness...

"As disciples of Christ we shall not mingle with the world from a mere love of pleasure, to unite with them in folly. Such associations can result only in harm. We should never give sanction to sin by our words or our deeds, our silence or our presence. Wherever we go, we are to carry Jesus with us, and to reveal to others the preciousness of our Saviour. But those who try to preserve their religion by hiding it within stone walls lose precious opportunities of doing good."

in short, socialize and be friendly but be firm on not crossing the boundaries of your convictions and beliefs.

These are just few quotations from the book. If you wanted to find a straight path to a straight life, this book is a must read.

Pista!!

Ang tindi ng mga taga-Adora, bumuhos na ng malakas ang ulan, tinuloy pa rin ang pista. Mga basang sisiw na naglalaro sa kalye ang labas nila...

HOOOY tama na yan! magkakasakit kayo!!!

bwahahaha...

wala lang...

Read Forever

I posted this on FB as well. I really loved the anthem. I found this from one of the creators of Trese Comics, Budgette Tan. Here's his site: babblingpoint.blogspot.com. He even included the anthem text.

READ FOREVER

Til all the books I read are read
and all the pens are put down
and everything there is to learn is learned

Til tears are no longer shed
and the ziggers have all zigged
and the irony is all ironed out

Til the heroes retire
and the monsters return to their dens
and all the plots are wrapped up

Til there are no more twists and turns
No more guns in drawers
No more shaggy dogs

Til rhymes stop rhyming
and pots stop boiling
and everyone is happy and there’s nothing more say

Til that day

By hook or by crook
By book or by nook
I will read


CREDITS FROM : http://adsoftheworld.com/media/tv/barnes_noble_read_forever_anthem

Write.

I haven't written any post on any blog for two straight weeks. I've been updating my 365 project but I couldn't come up with a blog post that I could put on either of my blogs. I have become busy and overwhelmed at the same time. A lot of things happened in a span of two weeks. The first week was supposed to be a hiatus. I went on vacation somewhere. But the second week should have been a writing spree that didn't come. I could try to make up to it though with a new 100 day project coming into mind.

Doing something I've never done before. Hope it works!

what the heck did I do?

"You have choice. You can select joy over despair. You can select happiness over tears. You can select action over apathy. You can select growth over stagnation. You can select you. And you can select life." -- Leo Buscaglia

Waking the Dead

For several nights, I have been sleeping late to download data recovery softwares that would try to recover important data from my external hard disk. I don't know why, but it cannot be detected by my computer, thus I could not retrieve some of my files. I'm a noob so I don't know how to use the software properly.

I never dropped it. Although I cannot really tell because the day before it went dead, I was out of the house and I left it on my bed. I don't know what happened during that time. 

There are processes to retrieve the data, that I know, but it would cost me money and time. Both of which I don't have. I tried several trial programs. I figured if one of these at least was able to detect my drive and assign a drive letter to it, I would at least purchase the program and try to revive my almost dead hdd. 

None seem to work.

What else could I do? 

Not only do I have to retrieve those files, I also need to buy another hdd. 

Oh bother!

Reconnecting

As seventh-day adventists, we never practice baptism of babies. Thus, most children raised in SDA homes don't have godmothers or godfathers.

So it's a big wonder to most that as I grew up, I had a god mother. Yes, do. I only have one. She is my mom's best friend. 

The last time I heard of her was back in grade school. It was before the internet age. After that, she flew to Hawaii, never to be seen again. We used to email when I was in high school or college but suddenly we lost contact. She stopped responding until some of my messages bounced back.

Just this week, I tried to "organize" my email address book. I sent emails to long lost contact to confirm if this was still their email. If not, I'll delete their emails. I have friends in high school who created several email accounts but never used them. Then, I found her email. I tried to send a message, this time just asking how she is. I was amazed when I received a reply the next day. 

I wasn't overjoyed. Just a little bit surprised. I told my mom and she was overjoyed. I don't know why I didn't feel that way. Probably because we never had any connection in the first place. I grew up knowing that she existed. Then again, it's nice to learn that she's alive and well. I just hope I could get a gift from her on my birthday this time. just joking. :P

Sudden rush to the head.

It's amazing how emotions could play tricks on you.

Just today, out of no where I felt a sudden rush of sadness. I don't know why. The day hasn't started yet and here I was feeling sad. What's wrong?

It made me want to leave for home the moment I came in to work. 

Then I realized, I wasnt sad,

I was lazy. 

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”Jeremiah 17:7-8

how do I get to know you more?

Jitters.

My hands were clammy and cold. I felt like the smallest person in the universe. I mustered all my strength to talk in front of a crowd. I couldn't quite find my voice at first. I sounded like a squeaking mouse. I really am not good at preaching.

I could write full sermons or a full essay but I couldn't get myself to deliver it in front of a large crowd. I believe it is completely normal. Anyone would really feel scared when asked to stand in front of a large congregation and share a little piece of your life. 

I'm really glad it's over. Praise be to God.

Fall Down. Serve.

How many times have I asked God why I am doing this job? How many times have I left the question hanging and just served even though most times, I am beaten to a pulp by the kids who seem stronger than me. Most days I am over powered. Yesterday was the worst. Yet at the end of the day, God gives surprises. I was truly humbled over yesterday's request, I felt so small to receive so great a recommendation. This was all God's work, not mine.

So now, I'll still fall down and serve.

I still sincerely believe that this is a ministry in itself, thus whatever I have done, I do with the love of the Lord in my mind and in the best interests of the Ministry. Even though others like me may not decide to do likewise.

Tambay day! Yey! Got to do something productive like sleeping... :P

hates brats and emerging brats... argh... why do parents leave their kids under the nanny's clutches? Most of them don't care anyway...

"The day was perfect - it's we who were tampering with perfection" - Leo Buscaglia

Didn't have a date with one person, I had a date with 10 people. Great night with the Enterprayers Small Group. Pika lang ang food pero todo ang discussion at kulitan... solb na!! :))

I'm not one to celebrate valentines day, but here's a nice definition: "perhaps love is the process of my leading you gently back to yourself." - Saint-Exupery

Experienced one of the greatest Sabbaths ever.! :P

Power Nap, Power Play

Really got irritated today.

I was fortunate enough to have a three hour break. Though they were not consecutive breaks, I still enjoy the fact that after sometime, I would have one hour to do anything I want. I spend my first break eating lunch. The next was something that I really needed. I started at 8am so I was really drowsy by then, so I took a power nap. I informed my friends to wake me up before the end of my break. 

I plugged my ear phones and dozed off. I nearly dozed off until someone tapped me on the shoulder. I woke up startled and irritated, I haven't even been asleep for 10 minutes.  It was one of my colleagues and she was asking me to wake up to suggest things for supplies for the clinic. It was something that could actually wait. It wasn't really urgent and the moment I was already awake, she was already talking to one of our personnel and seemed to have given a fairly long list.

Aaargh! What the hell did she wake me up for?

Friendster revisited

Do you remember friendster? That's the forerunner of most social networks but now few people ever go there. Before the comments, the FBchat and the like button, there was the testimonials, the bulletin and, later on, the blog. Sadly though, myspace beat it 

Lately, I found myself revisiting my page. A lot has changed. The format tried to catch up with its many competitors including facebook, but somehow it couldn't. Yet it's still running. Maybe somewhere in this planet, there are still loyalists who visit and interact through their friendster account.

I visited the testimonials and melted. A lot of the testimonials disappeared probably because the users have been deleted when they transferred to facebook. Yet those that remain were still heart melters. Those testimonials were written way back 2005. Too bad it's gone, it somewhat tells you what people think of you. 

It made me wonder where are all those people? I hope and pray to God that they are well...

Be Lonely No More

I was browsing through my old posts on my friendster blog when I found this on one of the posts. Funny thing was I couldn't remember why I wrote this but it gave me the laughs. This was posted March 16, 2006. Whatever happened then, I didn't write it down, but I seemed to be so downcast maybe even emo.I think this is worth sharing though. so enjoy!

Flash. In one blink of an eye. I share a glimpse of humiliation. Just one vivid glance of a life that I would have to take for the next generations. And what did I do about it? Nothing. Like the advanced stutterer whose blocks catches him breathless and mimed, I became the immobile target of silence. As the running brooklet flowing stopped and froze at the sight of the cool breeze of winter, I became the same stillness, the same silence. And at the same time I became useless.

At this point, at this single moment among others, I felt as a lone tree on a hill. Pale, bare and vulnerable. Touched and agonized by the foul cold wind. The other trees mock me, where they should have grown alongside, they left me blissful.

Surmounting the obstacles alone, or rather left me with nothing to do. Most would have been greatful for having nothing to do, but for me it meant losing my self. Losing my credibility and status. It meant that I goofed. It meant that I had my chance but I blew it real time.

Maybe there really is time for change.

As the lone tree stands still on that hill, as the brooklet freezes and bows to the heavy blizzard, I know for a fact that they never cease to exist. The wind may howl but they would never extiguish that flicker of hope, of love and of God that has so kept both in a similar fate and made both stronger. As the brooklet that runs by and the tree that stands alone, I won’t cease to exist.

Maybe this is the reason for all the things that is happening to me.

Right at the exact moment, when little by little, I have learned to love and accept the path that I trod, I find myself alone and in despair. It seemed as though those that walked with me on this path has long since thought that I won’t be coming alone and would be better off leaving me to myself. But this time I would prove them wrong. This time I’d show them. I’d prove them. And this is why I had a second chance, a second shot to life. but this time I’ll be walking with those who went after me. But this time I’ll do better to make an impression. And I have GOd with me to do it…

See? Isn't it funny? I used lots of flowery words.Oh well...

Can't help but smile after reading my friendster blog posts since 2005... :))

Nangyari na ba yun sayo?

Yung pipindutin mo yung post sa gilid ng multiply, tapos nakatunganga ka lang at walang maisip?

Kung di pa, 

Pwes, eto na yun sa akin...

Dahil Chinese New Year, walang patients na pumasok the whole morning... TULOOOOOG! hahahaha...

K-Ball

Back in High School, I used to imagine that what it would be like to have cable TV. I used to imagine what movies, cartoons or sports channels I'd watch if ever we had one. I thought that maybe someday if ever I got work, I will subscribe to any cable providers. 

Now that I have been working for a long time, I still didn't get that subscription. The thought played on my mind today, but I ended up smiling because nowadays, I don't even spend more than 15 minutes in front of the TV. So what's the point?

If you're not happy with your job, then quit. It's no reason for you to be arrogant to your customers.

I can tell you're tired of being lonely Take my hand don't let go baby hold me Come to me and let me be your one and only So I can make it alright til' the morning

New Schemes. New Discoveries.

At the start of a new year, I finally decided to start a new hobby. I started writing Haiku or Japanese poetry. Although I admit there are some lapses to my understanding of the art, I still try to maintain the 17 moras or syllable pattern of the poems and the partially revealed themes of the poems. So far I have taken the burden of making one or two haiku a day and posting at least one each day on my wordpress blog.

This day marks the 20th day of writing the poems. So far, I have found an increase in readers. Because of this, I have to improve the craft as well as improve the articles I write. I have other things in mind like how to earn through blogging but I would have to study that further. As of now, I hope I could still keep posting articles and hopefully be blessing to other people in this simple way.