another year of blessings

i know that this is more than a month overdue, but hey, it’s better late than never right? here are the blessings that i received last year..

1. no sickness! No fever, no flu. Not even colds or cough. Thank God.

2. Though I didn’t have any good experiences with dating, at least God saw me through these experiences. I’m grateul and glad that nothing bad happened to me.

3. Though there were pressure and frustrations at work, I’m thankful ’cause I learned so many things. I experienced developing in different environments. And of course, my first trip to the client.

4. Though the whole year was a roller coaster ride for me, I’m thankful cause I learned so many things in the circumstances that God gave me. And through these, I learned to appreciate my family, my friends and God’s comforting grace.

Thank you Lord, for another year of blessings.

anticipation

it’s less than a month before my birthday. i’ve started my countdown months before. talk about excited! hahahaa.. it’s just that i want to have something to look forward to. you’d be surprise if i tell you that i’ve already have plans on my homecoming trip on October (or December). lol. and i’ve prepared it last February!

as another year adds up to my age, i can’t help but think what happened to me for a year. i’ve been through a lot. i’ve learned so many things and i do believe that i’ve become more independent and hopefully wiser. i’ve made decisions (hard ones!) and i faced all the consequences following those decisions. i’ve made new friends who are all very nice.. and had some “almost” bfs (hehehe), who made my life here in japan a bit complicated (?). why almost? hmm.. because i almost said ‘yes’.

God has been good to me for 24 years. And He’s still taking care of me, inspite of the things that i’ve done, and things i didn’t do.

I’ll start a countdown tomorrow. Every count for a year in my age.. And i’ll share something unforgettable that happened that year. Wait for it!

When I met Alpha again

I went to Yokohama to fix my visa Septemeber last year. Since I was planning to go back to Manila on November 29, I needed to extend my visa and to apply for a re-entry permit.

While I was in Yokohama, I got the chance to meet my elementary friend Alpha. The last time that I saw this gal was n-years ago. hahaha.. I think it was 1999, graduation of our batch in my former school in Laguna. And she’s been here in Japan for more than 2 years.

She treated me to lunch in a garlic restaurant in Sakuragicho. After lunch, we went to Akihabara to canvass a digital camera. After hours of walking and non-stop chatting, we decided to go to Kawasaki City to eat ice cream. She said that she always go there just for the ice cream.

Before I met her again, I was wondering how she had changed. I mean, it’s been years since we last saw and talked to each other. But when I met her again, it’s like we’re the same people as we were when we were young. We changed physically but the friendship was still there and she’s still the person I knew back then. And I was really glad that I got to see and talk to her again.

Badminton Days..

When Menchie arrived here June of last year, we played badminton with our officemates. The court is just near our place. Around 20mins, by bike. Papunta pa lang dun, workout na. hehehe… The game was really fun! Sobrang competitive ni Takeuchi-san maglaro. Tapos sina Inukai at Yoshikawa, sobrang funny. Laging nagpapatawa. hehehe. Feeling ko nga mas napagod ako kakatawa kesa sa kakalaro. hahahaha..

Kakaiba rin, kasi since we’re playing with Japanese, our expressions were also Japanese. I usually caught myself saying “sugoi!” and “Eh?! daijoubu?”. And of course, mahirap humirit during the game kasi dapat in japanese ko rin sasabihin. hahahaha..

Ngayon, di na kami naglalaro ng badminton. Medyo busy na kami sa work and other things in our lives. Siguro pag hindi na masyadong malamig at busy, magyayaya ulit ako ng badminton.

amnesia of the heart?

There were so many things that I was doing in college that I’m having a hard time doing now. Being in SOLV taught me so many things, I could even say that it’s a kind of training ground for me.

i’ll list some of those things..

1. absolute honesty… telling the truth, even if it hurts (but it should be said in a brotherly/sisterly way)
2. 100% encouragement… encourage one another, especially in service, studies, problems, etc., etc., etc.
3. benefit of the doubt… give benefit of the doubt, don’t be quick to judge
4. consistent quality prayer time.. consists of scripture-reading, reflections, worship, intercessory (in any order)

there are also some things that i miss in SOLV..

1. worship with the brothers and sisters.. especially in the chapel. just pouring your hearts out to God. not thinking of anything else, but worshipping and praising God.. I miss those days!
2. cellgroup meetings.. non-stop chikahan, no holds barred. what’s good about this was that everything you say to your cellgroup, you’re assured that it stays within your cellgroup. especially if it’s a problem or concern. and also, you get to feel that you’re not alone in your problem, and that everybody’s praying for you.
3. RTRs and other publicity.. especially before CLS time. Very tiring, but I ‘m glad that I did those things. I get to testify about my love for God, and I also get to meet other people.
4. Prayer Meetings and other SOLV meetings.. really miss the activities and the talks and of course, the sharings!
5. Fellowships.. McDo after PMs.. tambay sa gazebo.. I just miss hanging out with my brothers and sisters. Just being there, even if we’re not doing anything. Studying together, eating together, playing together. Even sleeping together!

Shucks… I miss those times..

Aftermath..

The night before daddy died…

Ako na ung last na dumating sa bahay non. Nandon na si kuya bern saka si ate. sina Michael naman, tulog na. May pasok ata kasi si Michael non. Tapos, may inuwi ata si kuya bern na parang pang-asthma. So tina-try nila ung gamot. Tapos habang kumakain ako, sinabi ko sa kanila ung ginawa ko buong maghapon. Alam na nila na natanggap ako sa Murase and as early as October ung alis ko.. Tapos, pinakita ko rin sa kanila ung draft ng magiging allowance ko sa japan. Naglolokohan nga kami kung sino ung hahawak ng atm ko.. Masaya kami nung time na un.. Mga past 1130 na ata kami umakyat nina ate.. Unforgettable night…

i’ll leave the details of the morning that he died.. mejo hindi ko pa kaya balikan..

during the wake, people ask us kung bakit ganoon kami. Sa lamay kasi ni daddy, wala masyado umiiyak. Ang sagot lang ni mommy, kasi medyo accepted na namin.. Of course, malungkot kami. And we definitely miss daddy. And we had our own private moment na umiyak kami. But as my mommy said it, mas gugustuhin ni daddy na walang umiiyak. Kasi mas gusto ni daddy na masaya kami at walang iniisip na iba o problema. Alam ko, makakayanan namin itong sitwasyon na ito, hindi naman kami papabayaan ng Diyos. Ang mahihirapan lng kami, e iyong pag naaalala namin sya at kapag nami-miss namin sya. Sobrang close kasi ng family namin. Para lang kaming magkakaibigan, magkakabarkada. Ang iniisip ko nga ngayon, wala akong regret na naging tatay ko sya.. proud ako na tawaging anak ako ng tatay ko.. at alam ko rin na proud din sya na tawaging mga anak niya kami..

thank you na lng po sa lahat ng taong nakiramay. And thank you sa mga prayers nyo. Mejo okay na kami.. Accepted naman namin, but we will surely miss him.. Sabi nga ng kuya ko, kelangan muna namin pagdaanan ang bawat buwan at lahat ng okasyon ng wala si daddy.. And alam ko na hindi un magiging madali..

We miss you daddy… Sana maging masaya ka na dyan kasama ni Lord.. Ipagdasal mo kami ha? .. We love you daddy..

A year of God’s blessings and faithfulness

The year 2004 for me has been a very good year. Although I encountered lots of problems and concerns, I could still honestly say that GOD IS SO, SO GOOD and INDEED FAITHFUL! hehehe… I will tell you why…

1. This is the year that we finished our thesis and I graduated! YAHOO! After being delayed for more than a year, finally I finished my degree. It was a very humbling experience from God and lots of hardwork (and sleepless nights.. hehehe). Now I can proudly say to people (especially those who are consistently asking me when will I finish my thesis) that I am OFFICIALLY a graduate. In this experience, I really saw and felt God’s hands working in my life and working in our group and thesis. Pati na rin sa lahat-lahat na apektado ng thesis namin, nakita ko si God. He made this thesis a MIRACLE for me and my thesismate. And I know that you will agree with me if you hear the detailed story of our thesis.

2. I made new friends outside SOLV. Don’t get me wrong. I am friendly but I don’t have the opportunity to know other people from other communities. Last summer, I had an opportunity to attend CYA’s Summer Training Conference. I got to know other brothers and sisters from CYA, Risen Lord’s Vineyard and other communities. Ang saya-saya! hehehe… I even learned that one of the sisters from that conference is from my village and we even have a common friend. Ang galing! Small world talaga!

3. My first OFFICIAL niece is born. Official kasi anak un ng brother ko. She is Mikhaella James. hehehe… Every baby is a blessing from God. And she is truly a blessing.

4. I have a job! I received a text from the VP of the company that I want to join last December 29. It was really a surprise because I was not expecting any text from them. That is what I’ve been praying since the start of the Christmas dawn masses. And God answered my prayers! YAHOO! God is good!

5. SOLV Anniversary was a success! Happy 20th Anniversary! hehehe… I’m so happy to be a part of SOLV. Grabe! 20 years na ang SOLV. And looking back, ang dami nang pinagdaanan ng SOLV. Ang daming taong nakilala si God. And I know that they are being a good witness to God.

6. Healed relationships. I had some broken relationships with my friends. I am just thankful that we are already okay. Basta masaya ako na wala akong kaaway when I started 2005 and I am hopeful na wala akong masaktan in the future. AND MASAYA AKO KASI BUO NA ULIT ANG BARKADA NAMIN…

7. My brother had a new job and my sister a new car. wala lang… hehehe… it is still a blessing to my family.

8. Outreach. God gave me the oppotunity to help Ate Su in her volunteer works. Ang sarap ng feeling na alam mo na nakakatulong ka. If you want to join us, please feel free to contact me.

9. My sisters in SOLV went abroad. Sad ako kasi wala sila dito sa Pilipinas and we miss them very much, but I am happy as well kasi alam ko that God has other plans for them. I also know that God is with them and that He takes care of them. O di ba! Ang galing!

10. CLS. We had an opportunity to serve God and it was through the CLS. Blessing sya kasi nga we had an opportunity. We also had the resources, the people (Thanks Ate Flor!) and also the time to serve God. O di ba ang rich ng SOLV? hehehe… God provided all our needs in the CLS. Ganon katindi magdasal ang brothers and sisters. hehehe… Need prayers, anyone?

There are still more God’s blessings and faithfulness that I haven’t written yet. Madami pa. Some are small miracles. Some are simple things. But the thing is, God made these things possible despite my unfaithfulness, sinfulness and weakness. He loves me so! Ang spoiled ko ba? hehehe… OO naman! Anak yata ako ng Diyos! God Bless!

Lord of the Rings

yesterday, my mom and I went to SM North to watch LOTR. well, ok naman ung movie. kaya lang may mga parts na sobrang haba na mag-wo-wonder ka kung ano na ung nangyari sa iba. but all in all, the movie’s quite good.

gwapo talaga ni Legolas! and every time na kino-close up siya sa movie, ung mga girls sa movie house nagtitilian. natatawa na nga lang mommy ko and the guys na katabi. siyempre ako rin, bulong din ako sa mommy ko na ang gwapo ni Legolas. although may scene do’n na mukha siyang bakla. as in! swear! un ata ung time na nag-hug sila ni Aragon. mukha talaga siyang gay doon. anyways, kahit may scene siya na ganoon, gwapo pa rin niya! hehe… di masyado obvious na crush ko siya.

i am quite happy na napanood ko ung last LOTR movie. Happy rin ako kasi naintindihan ko ung story, unlike nung 2nd movie na hindi ko masyado naintindihan and ung 1st na hindi ko masyado feel ung story. and i am also quite happy kasi magkasama kami ng mommy ko nung pinanood namin un. this is one of those times when you’ll appreciate and treasure more the person you’re with than the movie that you saw with that person.