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!

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 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...

Still Taking It Further.

I'm so thankful to God for the past year. I got most of what I wanted. Out of the 7 things that I listed for my extended wish list last year, I got 4 of them without noticing it. 

I wanted to write another list for this year but I can't seem to figure out what I really wanted. It's hard to when you already feel satisfied with what I have - or am I? 

After posting my testimony on what God did this year, I tried to think hard. What do I want? I thought of a girlfriend but is that something money can buy? I don't think so. How about world peace? Nah, tried that last year but it didn't count for a wishlist. 

After weeks of patiently thinking and soul searching that even led me to the streets of Manila, I found out what I wanted. So after wiping the drool off my face, I wrote down some things that I wanted. Here they are:

1. Book Collection. I was able to exhaust all available books written by Robert Fughum in Booksale. I was also able to collect the current Looking Back series by Ambeth Ocampo and the TRESE comics by Budjette Tan and KaJO Baldisimo. I'm still waiting for the latest installments from these books. In the mean time, I hope to buy all books by Bob Ong. I started collecting this year and with the price of the books, I hope I could obtain them all before march. Yet this year, the real goal is the ever elusive, Pacific Rims by Rafe Bartholomew. A friend recommended it and since then, I have been in pursuit of the volume. My friend told me to buy it last May. It's December and it's almost January and I still haven't gotten a copy.

update: I already bought a copy of Pacific Rims. Now, I want a Filipiniana collection.

2. Ipad or Ipod. Whichever I could afford. This almost seemed like a joke. The moment I was able to save enough for an Ipod Touch this year, I ended up buying a notebook PC instead. The next time I saved enough, I bought a PSP. Still the next time, I booked a flight to CDO and Camiguin. Which also led to me being broke today. Still, it's good to have one. Especially the Ipad which has lots of therapy apps.

3. Portable DVD player or External DVD Drive. I wanted to watch DVDs. I still have to catch up on House, MD. and Man Vs. Wild. I also have lots of TV series on DVD that I want to watch. Friends recommend this and that but I can't watch it yet since the Gatey the laptop needs to be fixed. It's still wishful thinking and this one's purely on a whim.

4. DSLR Camera. I already have my trusty point and shoot digicam. I like it (but I still haven't paid for it in full), but there's something in me that wanted to take it on a higher level. I used to marvel at the G11 but now, I wanted to skip it and go higher with a Canon DSLR. I wanted to learn how to capture those great shots by my photographer friends. Maybe it could also be a good hobby for me. Better yet, it could be a good vocation for me. You'd never know, right?

5. House and lot. This time I'm serious after seeing the house a friend bought. It's not a mansion, it was actually humbling. I like the concept. A bungalow or a two story house would do. I also wanted a condo unit that I could put out for rent. Some plans for a passive income wouldn't hurt right? Maybe this house would be enough for me. Anything short of this is unacceptable. Kidding of course.

6. Car. I wanted wheels for myself but I wished for the house first because it's so unpractical to have  a car here in our neighborhood unless you have your own parking space. Any model would do as long as it can run and can reach Baguio or Ilocos Norte intact. Something like this wouldn't hurt though. If this is already available in the market. All I could think of if I see this is HOT WHEELS. Yep the toy. That I could get today.

7. Touch Screen Phone. This is just in case I couldn't get me an Iphone. I'm eyeing the my|phone or cherry mobile touch phone. Yep the one with the television. It has poor reviews I know but those reviews are from tech freaks who wanted more from the phone. Still, an android or a galaxy would still be good.

I sure hope God would still read my post and make this a fruitful year just like this year. I am not hoping to get all of this, but these are the things that I wish for this year. It's still wishful thinking.

How I wish.