Happy Day

Happy Birthday to my dear Sister Ruth and my dear friend Cel!

Happy first day of work for me. =)

Cel, san tayo? ;)

Nyahaha

Sorry guys, this is not an update on the IAGM post.

Happy Birthday to my blockmate, Philo groupmate, MIS groupmate, bridgemate (is there such a thing?), co-trainee Kelayski! How old are you? :)

IAGM!!!

My next post, 'pag di ako tinamad, would probably be a surprise to some people... Just read between the lines (and the title). =)

Learning the Hard Way

I'd like to apologize to my fellow bloggers for not updating my blog for the past month or so. My schedule was packed than ever. It's a good thing that God, great as He is, recognizes my frailties and that He shows mercy by giving me some time off from the busy environment and gather my strength for the upcoming activities this week.

The Regional YSA Conference we have been preparing for months was a blast! Though I cannot speak for everyone else, lots seemed to have the time of their lives. I especially enjoyed the community service section of the program. My team was assigned to the kids. Oh, how I love them! It feels good to see the spark in their eyes when you hand them a Zesto and a cupcake. It was even touching when they keep some of the food given so they could share it to those at their home, probably to their brothers or sisters. There, I felt how I was needed by people like them. Though the program would probably still be a success even if I wasn't there, knowing that some children was made happier at that particular moment, would be a comforting thought.

This morning and late this afternoon, I had the chance to read parts of Alma 51 and 52. If there's one thing I realize from this scripture block, it's about the stubborness of people - people who would rather learn it the hard way than just do what they know is right. The Lamanite people had to be defeated, with many of them suffering death, many times before they give up their weapons of war. But still, a number of them remain to be stubborn. Many times, in our relationships with our friends, family, loved ones, co-workers, etc., with whom we have become all too familiar with, with those whom we know would never leave us when things go desperate, we take lots of things for granted. We ignore their counsels, ignore even those important people, and when something happens, - poof! Too late. Sabi nga nila, kailangan pa natin mauntog para matuto. Hay.. nakakahiya man, I am one of those who take a lot of things for granted. A lot of times I insist on what I want. Stubborn kasi talaga ako. Lots of times I even ask in my prayers that I be blessed with this or that. It's kind of a weird punishment, but a lot of times I am given the things I asked for. After a while, I realize that that thing I wished for really wasn't the best for me after all. I should have trusted God's will, for He knows everything and has endured many things. I quote from Elder Valdez, our devotional speaker for the last day of the conference, wrote in his Powerpoint presentation, "There is no hurt He has not endured." My head is probably hard enough to crack this computer. Hehe. Now, I think this is His way of making me realize this. Why do we have to learn the hard way before we realize these kinds of things? Life, I guess, as Elder Valdez said, has its joys and disappointments. And this, is one of my life's disappointment.. tsk.. tsk..

'Nuff said about regrets. Ge, Sabs and the rest of the gang are planning a Christmas party. I don't have any ideas when, where, or what activities would take place but one things's for sure - rounds of BRIDGE wouldn't be left out. ;)

High School Life

I had a good laugh at this test.. as if I didn't expect this one.

Sorry, no can do..

Take the What High School
Stereotype Are You? quiz.

Happiness in Service

The other day I came out of the office and walked with Des to where my car was parked. It would probably take a 5-minute walk to get there. At that time, I was feeling quite down and my mind was preoccupied with a lot of things. Des and I walked silently. I thought about the many things in life inlcuding the recent events that had quite an impact to my plans, where I am now and what I would want to be. It might sound a bit general, but I guess each individual has his own unique reflections, however shallow or deep it might seem or sound. As we got near the parking lot, I noticed a girl searching through some trash bags. She got ahold of some rotten bread and searched for more. I remembered I had a piece of chocolate in my bag but we were past her already. I told myself that I would just give it to the girl on the way back since we'd be passing the same way. But I never had the chance to - she was gone. "Oh, well...," I told myself. On the way to Megamall, I stopped for a red light. A lame man knocked on my window and then I saw a boy selling sampaguita. I told myself I'd give the piece of chocolate to the little boy. A bit hesitant to open my window because the man kept knocking, I waited for him to stop and proceed to the next car while I struggled to take the piece of candy from my bag. He stopped alright. But by then, the boy was quite far from my car as well. Whew! Two opportunities to share the chocolate right under my nose, but that piece of chocoalte never had the chance to get out of my handbag. I felt bad. I realized that if I really wanted to, I could have called that young boy, or went back for that little girl, or even opened the window for the lame man and give them that piece of chocolate. You guys, don't let opportunities to serve pass you by just like that!

I can't believe I dwelt too much on my own dilemmas in life, when some people have far worse predicaments. If I had a tight spot that day, they had stiffer and more rigid ones! That made me realize how I should be truly grateful for the things that I have. Somehow, it put my life back into perspective.

Had I given that piece of chocolate to the girl with the trash bag, or the lame man, or the little boy with the sampaguita, I think, and would most likely, have felt better that day.

With some idle time at the office, Paul and I did some experiments with Microsoft Paint. At the same time, this will serve JC Ansis right for ridiculing the Eagles. Hehe.. :)

Haha.. JC's revenge. :)