I'm a getting a year older


...which means another year to celebrate life's goodness. Yey!

I had just turned 19 and so glad a lot of friends were able to greet me.

Tine
Ate Cindy
Ate Abie
Mama Cath
Anne
Ehca
Prez
Janina
Elva
MaBeL
Anna
Tuesday
Kuya Alvin
Erel
Fhei
Kuya Den
Kuya Ysh
Rhonz
Dashtea
Kevin
Cohnieyh
Marge
Kuya Nan-Nan
Kuya Teng
JesSamiNe
Jessa Rei
Kuya Jer
Lovel
Jamie
Bonz
Rachel
Ate Chelle
Cindy
GeLLie
Ate & Morgan
Ate Mae

and everyone who greeted me. Thanks guys! You made me happy Ü

Mission accomplished!

I haven't been posting again since I was not around and had to do some "important" stuffs. A week before, I had to go to Batangas to meet other groupmates to make silly hats for the Halloween party for OBB (Operation Big Brother), which was held today for the special kids of Haven for Children. I didn't know I'd be hosting (Shocks! I feel uncomfy speaking in a crowd so this was my very first time to do Hosting. Glad I didn't faint. Whew! With the silly make ups on, wonder what I must've looked like.. Ahaha! Well, they say face ur fears so that was what I did (but I was unable to eat for the entire party.. poor me.) Nwei, I still feel good coz it turned out very successful. Praise God!

Our Asst. Senior counselor while doing the backdrop

Bamboo Organ in a church somewhere in Lipa

distant scenery while we're traveling on a bus

Humor need not be at the expense of others

I saw a racist video when I surfed Youtube against a Filipina maid since that was in the news last time. Rep. Risa Hontiveros asked BBC to issue a public apology for presenting a racist and humiliating depiction of a Filipina domestic worker but I heard BBC relucted saying it'd be interference in their freedom of speech. I just thought you don't have to be vocal about your rights that you forget your manners. This isn't the first time I heard something against Pinoy workers but the one I'm referring to insulted not only Filipinos working abroad but their families and fellowmen as well. I wonder what do these people know about what Pinoy overseas workers have to go through just to be able to get decent jobs. I wonder if they know what it's like leaving families back home for survival means yet they're not been given the kind of respect they deserve. If Pinoy domestic helpers and caregivers do not do their jobs, they should've considered the consequences to their homes and even to sick and old relatives.

Now whose job is more important?

Wanting God

I found this zen story while I was searching for an icebreaker...

A hermit was meditating by a river when a young man interrupted him. "Master, I wish to become your disciple," said the man. "Why?" replied the hermit. The young man thought for a moment. "Because I want to find God."

The master jumped up, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, dragged him into the river, and plunged his head under water. After holding him there for a minute, with him kicking and struggling to free himself, the master finally pulled him up out of the river. The young man coughed up water and gasped to get his breath. When he eventually quieted down, the master spoke. "Tell me, what did you want most of all when you were under water."

"Air!" answered the man.

"Very well," said the master. "Go home and come back to me when you want God as much as you just wanted air."

What is your reaction to this one?

Wow, i can really read now?!

is the title of the book I find so far as the funniest one I've ever read. Not only the humor but the ironies of the world we live today especially on Filipino way of life will make you get lost in this book. It narrates the detailed stories of a typical kid from his gradeschool and how he survived his college life. It is easygoing yet persuasive and a lot can be learned from this one.

Here are some of the things I learned from it:

1. I've learned that while you are growing up, there are many times that you'll stumble. Whether you rise up or not, life goes on and time will pass by.

2. I've learned that a recitation, a project, and a quiz are just little things to ruin your life and it's a huge mistake to forget and give up your dreams just to avoid terror teachers and tough subjects.

3. I've learned that there are many free lectures in the world. You'll be the one to make the syllabus. There're many teachers outside the school. It's your decision whom would you like to learn from. We are all enrolled in a single university. There are tough subjects but free. It's your lost if you drop. We will all graduate in different ways. The only diploma is the memory of whatever help or love we left in a world we once have wished to change.

Lasang Pinoy

T'was like a custom for us to eat streetfoods together after class. In a stall just a few walks away from school, we talk about the everyday experiences we've shared during class and so, just to break the monotony of these everyday scenarios, we feed our starving stomaches with just the right blend of streetfoods at very practical costs.
These quail eggs, kwek kwek in its colloquial usage, is our common favorite. Too bad, I have hives so eventually, I was not allowed to eat those. Well this habit has always been a part of the reasons why I still have hives up to these days. bet it has "egg-xacerbated" my allergies. hihi :) A couple of years from now, we'll be graduatiang and have different lives. We may go on separate ways but if only these kwek kwek had lips, they'd be testimonies of the bond we once shared.

Was there any point in your life when you've felt you weren't lucky enough?

I wasn't able to blog for the past week since I've been up to doing school stuffs- even at home. To be honest, this semester was one of the most grueling times I've had in the course of my study. Though I have not given up, I complained about having an unfair and inconsiderate professor as our biggest impediment as students. But not until I watched a documentary featuring children who usually go swimming about a kilometer just to be able to go to school. You must have oftentimes been annoyed by traffic and floods but can you imagine the risk those children might have gone through especially during a sulky weather? I've felt a feeling of mixed admiration and pity for them. Pity was obvious. Admiration was due to eagerness of having to swim with risky water in the hope of reaching something that could eventually change their lives.- forever. If you're someone who easily gives up pursuing your studies just because you don't like your classmates, you're not the best in class, you're not the teacher's pet, you want to skip classes, you hate your teachers, you don't have new bags, or simply because you feel sloth, realize how blessed you are and how you take those things for granted. Learn to open your eyes and you will see all that life has offered you.

Now... feel less fortunate?