26 things i thank the Lord for (this year) continued

11. Filipino Heroes. It always touches my heart in a very unique way whenever I learn of Filipinos who are doing excellently in their fields, bringing honor to our country. They somehow give me hope, and encourage me to continue loving my country.

12. Disappointments and pains. I found a way to see things, no matter how painful or hurtful they are, in a way that will strengthen me. These helped me to trust the Lord more and be comforted in the truth that He knows full well what He is doing and allowing to happen.

13. Laughter. There are times when things get stressful and demanding, and when I laugh, things get a bit lighter.

14. Opportunities. The Lord opens doors for me to see more of what He can do through me. There is also this thing that I can't tell you yet. Soon... :)

15. Love. There are times when I ask the Lord why up to now, I'm still single. Is it because I'm scary? [ang mag-agree dito uumbagin ko! Hehe] There are lots of things that I'm still afraid of, and most of the time He reminds me that He loves me and cares for me, He is more than enough. At kung meron mang para sa akin o wala, He will never stop loving me. :)

16. Grace. I'm reading Philip Yancey's What's So Amazing About Grace? [I never got the chance to finish it in college, so I'm trying my best to finish it this time.] Through this book, I made resolutions to be a bit more gracious. I won't tell you details so you won't expect too much from me. Hehe :)

17. New discoveries. I learned a few things that I can be good at, and I thank the Lord for these new discoveries. I may not be the best person in the eyes of many people, but I'm praying that some of the things I do (yeah, not all, though that should be the goal) bring a smile to His face.

18. Technology. I am not techie, nor a gadget addict. But I thank the Lord for the developments in our technology: making communication a lot easier, work more efficient, life more convenient though sometimes bit more complicated... Nevertheless, I appreciate the things that I understand and the things that I will soon learn about. There is no end to learning!

19. Hopes and Dreams. I have collected lots of dreams and wishes since I was a kid, and yes, not all of them were for me, but I thank the Lord for allowing me to dream, and for giving me hope that the best is yet to come. :)

20. Appreciation/Acceptance. I learned from experience that we can learn to appreciate and accept things or people when we decide to do so. Sometimes we fail to see the "beauty" or the good in them because we have decided even before knowing them that we don't like them. [Does this make sense?]

26 Things I thank the Lord for (this year)

1. Family. This year, I was given the opportunity to really feel and know that I'm needed. And at the same time see and acknowledge the fact that I need them in more ways than one.

 

2.  Friends. People who love me for what I am, who understand me and the peculiarity of my ways, who know me yet still love me.

 

3. Music. In spite and despite of me being me, He still allows me to sing. He gives music to my days whatever my mood or situation is.

 

4. Provision. Never, as in never ever have I lacked in anything that I need. The Lord's provision is always enough, and never late. Most of the time, He gives more than what I need, to be able to have some of what I want.

 

5. Health. By God's grace, I didn't need to file an SL (Sick Leave) throughout my almost 4 years of serving Him in OMFLit. :) (I'm turning 4 on the 29th!)

 

6. Protection. I commute to and from work daily, and I can always sense His protection over me. Thanks, Lord! :)

 

7. Wisdom. Counsel and wisdom of "more experienced" people helped me see different perspectives. Sometimes I learn from their experiences both good and bad.

 

8. Books. I work in a publishing company, and I learned to appreciate good books. They talk to me like good friends.:)

 

9. Choir. I haven't been able to sing with the choir back home lately, but I thank the Lord for them because I know they'll still accept me and forgive me for my misgivings.

 

10.High School friends. It's been years since I last saw them all but I always enjoy the times when we get together.

 

 

obviously, to be continued... hehehe

birthday wish

This birthday is medyo kakaiba for me. I can't really say na I have a WISH!

 

But since I was forced by some people to wish... hmmm... top of mind: GRACE, that is for me to be gracious to others, and to those who will need it. At dahil medyo matinding pananalangin ang kailangan dito, samahan nyo ko sa pagdulog sa Panginoon. :)

 

Isa pa, pwede? Birthday ko naman. ehehe :) a better Philippines, meaning a better Filipino. Kaya ito, effortan naman nating lahat.

 

Ayun po. :)

 

Happy birthday sa akin! :) Yung mga nakakalimot, may ilang oras pa kayo!  Hehehe :)

far away

have you ever felt like you are so far away?

like you're miles away from people you love, people you value, people you care for, your family?

yeah, it's sad. no, make that VERY sad.

there was a time in my life that i feared the feeling of being extremely sad. i made a decision to turn down an opportunity to work somewhere far because i felt that i will be very alone there... no close friends, no family. i don't regret making that decision, but sometimes i wonder how my life would have been if i didn't stay here...

how different my point of views, ways of thinking, ways of living, lifestyle might have been... would i be the "me" that i am now?

i have a friend working somewhere in the middle east. he left to work there as an architect with a one-year contract last May. [by the way he asked for his name to be spelled as R-I-C-H-A-R-D G-E-E-R-E should i want to mention him here. so i wont mention his name na lang. haha!]

it was actually his idea that i write something about "US. R LYF HIR" being far away... he went to work there last May and he told me how awfully sad it is to be so far... he cried for days! and he's not ashamed of it. big boys do cry. :)

so i asked him, "do you still cry now?" he said "not that much. though minsan nalulungkot pa rin."

he learned lessons about independence and interdependence. "you meet people of different races, get to mingle with them, and learn about their culture (he told me there are egyptian guys who don't take a bath for a week, and wear the same clothes to work. sa culture daw kasi nila "pag lalo bumabaho dun sila lalong lalaki sa mga babae sa kanila"), pero ang mabigat dito ay yung Law. sanay kasi tayo sa democracy. plus we can't worship freely!"

"mahirap nga... pero kahit ba paano may sense of fulfillment?"
"i really can't say pa... medyo? lalo na nakakapagpadala ako dyan kahit paano..."

of course, he knows why he is there so when i asked "hmmm... masaya ka ba ngayon?" he replied with "in a way siguro oo na. andito na ko eh so i must enjoy na lang and go on to meet my goals... the show must go on, ika nga! hehe"

the world won't stop revolving even when you're sad.

life goes on, we move on. we make the most out of it.

**oh, by the way, he also mentioned that he has 3 or4 gay-stalkers there which makes his life a bit difficult. hmmm... interesting. haha :)

sweet

that's one thing i'm not. and most of my close friends know that. i rarely express anything that can include me in the "sweet people" category. "brutal" mught be more appropriate. :)

but in my attempt to be "sweet", i went home last Saturday after doing my laundry, with a gift for my mom. :) it's easier to please my mom that's why. and i don't want to be disappointed the first time i make a conscious move. :)

what surprised me is this: when i arrived home, looking and feeling tired of course, i asked what's for dinner. ehehe :)

seriously, when i told my mom i have something for her, we went to their room, and i gave her my gift. nothing fancy, but something nice and pretty, syempre. something she can wear in the office, etc. ;) she liked it of course, i know her taste! :) but after that, i was the one surprised! she gave me the poncho i wasn't able to bring the last time i went home because it wasn't dry yet, a new skirt, and a new blouse.

di ko kinaya. mas mahal talaga ako ng nanay ko. i no longer depend on her for the things i need, but she still thinks of me and the things i might like. i used to "okray" my mom's fashion sense. but now that i think about it, it doesn't really matter. it's the thought that counts! very much. :)