Safe in His arms

"In the place I've found where I can hide
It's safe inside
In Your arms of love

Like a child who's helped throughout a storm
You keep me warm
In Your arms of love..."

(",)

Abu

I was surprised to see a new man in the house when I got home last Saturday from our music ministry rehearsals. He's Abu, a labrador given by Pastor Archie. Yup, we will be adopting him.

At first, I'm quite afraid to pat him or even come near him because he's big (perhaps almost my height if he'd stand on his hind legs). Maybe I was just not used to having big dogs for a pet. But he's very charming and playful. He reminds me of "Paul", the labrador who usually stays at the entrance of Standard Chartered bldg.

I know he still misses his original family, but he's adjusting pretty good at home. In fact, he's getting used to having morning walks with my dad. He even kept me company last night, with Mayumi of course. Both of them are getting along quite well, too.

Welcome home, Abu! :D

Abu, the labrador :)

the sleeping Abu
(",)

good buys :)

I took advantage of the Clearance Book Sale from our school's Foundation week celebration. Actually, I still have a lot of books queued to be read, but I just can't let this opportunity pass. hehehe... So there, I got myself several new books to add to my shelf. Hopefully I could read them during the upcoming sembreak. :)

Bible (New Living Translation) - got this for just Php 150.00. Perhaps it is being sold for more than 300 bucks in the bookstores. At last, I was able to replace my almost tattered small NIV Bible which I bought 6 years ago from the first ever salary I received. It wasn't easy to replace because of its sentimental value. hehehe... Anyway, I still use it sometimes even if I have this new one.

In the Presence of My Enemies (by Gracia Burnham) - this hardbound copy is originally sold at Php 300.00, but I bought it for just 100 bucks! Yes, I've been wanting to buy this book last year but you see, it pays to wait. hehehe... Now I can read more about this touching story of the American missionaries Martin and Gracia, who were held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf, how this tragedy affected their relationship with each other and with God and how they came out victorious in spite of it all (even in spite of Martin's death).

Smart Guide to Managing Personal Finance - the cheapest one I bought. Got it for just Php 50.00, but when I checked Amazon, it is worth around $19. cool! Well, I think I need this book to help me in the aspects of budgeting and saving, all part of being a good steward of God's blessings.

(",)

L.E.A.D. 4 Change

"L 4 C Youth Convergence"
Featuring: Pastor Roman Guevarra and the "Rise Up" band
Cavite Provincial Gymnasium
Trece Martirez City

I was privileged to take part once again in another Rise Up Youth convergence. It surely is a wonderful time whenever I join the rest of these young people praising and learning about God. Their energy and passion for the Lord are just contagious. Let me share some of my favorite parts in this convergence.


hundreds of young people ready to lead for change
JCKL gracefully danced to folk music as opening number
dance interpretation of Gary V.'s "Dati rati"
Pastor Roman's inspirational talk - L.E.A.D 4 Change!
Rex's version of "If ever you're in my arms again" (as God is a "God of Second Chances", He welcomes us to come back in His loving arms whenever we felt we have gone far away)
Brylle's rendition of Brian McKnight's "Home" (great song!)
this guy's version of "Shower me with your love" (Yes, nothing can truly compare to the kind of love that God has for each one of us)

I just wasn't able to capture this moment but I should say that my most favorite part in the event was when Pastor Roman asked us to go with our friends/churchmates and show our appreciation and love for them. It was a touching moment yet a joyful one as we sing "That's What Friends Are For" while group-hugging, with matching colorful confetti falling around. It was soooo wonderful! :D

L - earning from God's Word, counsel of wise people and other's experiences
E - arning by making use of our God-given potentials, and becoming generous in sharing our blessings
A - ccepting ourselves by acknowledging our weaknesses, enhancing our strengths and knowing our real identity as God's children
D - elighting ourselves in the Lord as we put our faith in Him and serve Him whole-heartedly

Most of the time, we are tempted to just go with the flow and do what everybody else does. But as we left the convergence, we are reminded once again and we take with us these valuable truths that will help enable us to become leaders who will truly lead for change! (",)

Friday night stop-overs

It was quite a relaxing Friday night compared to the previous busy Fridays I had a couple of months back.

First stop was at school. 6pm. "All We Need" - the concert was staged at WWCF's sanctuary. Various music students and faculty members graced the event. This was still in celebration of our Foundation week. I was really glad that my guests accepted my invitation in spite of their busy schedules. :D Thanks to Tabel, Tines, Ron and to my cousin Bhing who all watched the concert with me. Hopefully, they enjoyed the concert as well.

My favorite parts are the: (1) opening dance number (2) themesong of the koreanovela "Stairway to Heaven", sung by a korean girl (3) Sir Lem's rendition of the folk song "Katakataka" (we really enjoyed this!) (4) "Isang Lahi, Isang Dugo, Isang Musika" also sung by Sir Lem (great tenor voice! we all had goosebumps...) (5) Ate Mary Rose's version of "I Need You" by LeAnn Rimes (really powerful voice!) (6) Inspirational talk ("All We Need is... Love") (7) "Amazing Love" as sung by Sir Lem (8) and the finale number, Earth, Wind and Fire's "September"... We left the concert having this LSS! "Ba de ya - say do you remember...Ba de ya - dancing in September..." (hehehe...) I forgot to take pictures, though. (ooopps...sorry)

Next stop was at Baywalk. 8:30pm. Bhing and I took a cab going to Max's restaurant where we'll be meeting Kuya Aris, Ate Lucielle, Ate Olive, Mark, Carlyn and my sis. We had a sumptuous dinner while enjoying each other's stories. Special Thanks to kuya Aris and Ate Lucielle for the treat! :D

We strolled by the bay to look for a resto where we could listen to some good music. I was not sure whose choice it was but I just noticed that we stopped at a resto named "Kapalua", and we even occupied the table in front of the stage. I wasn't so comfortable being in that spot. But I guess it was Mark who really didn't enjoyed much of our stay there, especially when this gay performer started coming near our table. You should have seen the weird look on his face. We we're all laughing at him. hehehe... Sorry, I wasn't able to take his picture. Music was ok though not spectacular. We just ordered drinks and pica-pica which tasted ok as well. I just don't know about their main courses.

We bid each other goodbye at around 1 a.m. (The kids are getting sleepy already) They all travelled back to Cavite, while my sister and I slept at our cousin's place. It was a fun night for all of us. But I'm guessing, Mark will volunteer to choose the venue next time so as not to endanger himself again. hehehe... (",)

Perhaps...

"Perhaps, after all, romance did not come into one's life with pomp and blare, like a gay knight riding down;

...perhaps it crept to one's side like an old friend through quiet ways;

...perhaps it revealed itself in seeming prose, until some sudden shaft of illumination flung athwart its pages betrayed the rhythm and the music,

perhaps. . . perhaps. . .love unfolded naturally out of a beautiful friendship, as a golden-hearted rose slipping from its green sheath."

--Anne of Avonlea

food trip

I didn't report to work yesterday to finish my school paper which is due today. Apparently, my PC isn't working yet that's why I had to spend a couple of days at my cousin's place to work on her computer.

After spending about 3 hours staring, thinking and typing in front of the PC, I decided to take a break and go to Robinson's Place (Faura) after lunch. I was alone in the house anyway. Besides, I needed to buy some school supplies from National Bookstore.

I spent a couple of hours strolling and buying the stuff I needed. On my way back at my cousin's place, I decided to buy something to eat. I got myself a side salad and fries from Wendy's, chocolate shake from an ice cream store (i forgot the name), some chips and half gallon ice cream from the supermarket (supposedly for my cousins hehe...).

At least they kept my mind working until I finished my paper. For dinner, my cousin bought some barbeque and dinuguan. yuuuummy feast!

No wonder I could hardly fit in my jeans when I was dressing up this morning. (*sigh*) tsk, tsk... But I guess I would have to force myself to fit into them until tita Violy finishes the new ones I ordered. Either that or I would just have to get some exercise and a little (just a little) diet. hmmm......whatever. (",)

yipee!!!

After spending several precious weekends working in the office (not to mention spending 2 consecutive Saturdays working alone...huhu..), at last! I can once again enjoy the pleasure of being at home tomorrow. yey!

I've already submitted the final documents for our project last Wednesday. It's a product of more than 3 months of intensive testing activities. Thank God! It's finally over. We're just hoping to receive good feedback from France. :)

all smiles because it's my last working-on-a-weekend day in the office last Saturday (well, at least for this product release. hehe)
my vacant desk in the coming weekends :D

Hmmm...Hopefully, we won't be required to work overtime during weekends 'til the end of the year. (I'm keeping my fingers crossed) At least I could be a little more relaxed in the office in the coming weeks. But I guess not with school work though. Which reminds me, I have a 10-page paper due next week plus I have to revise my 20-page paper (in my other subject), also due next week. whew! Good thing, we don't have a class on Wednesday since it's our school's foundation week. At least that would give me a little more time to finish my deadlines. Which reminds me again, I have to follow up if my PC at home is already fixed. I'm thinking positive it's already fixed. Obviously, I really need it badly. (*sigh*)

Whew! can't wait for the sem-break and for that much awaited Bora vacation. Meantime, I think I would just have to enjoy the rest of the semester.

God bless you all and enjoy your weekend! (",)

Au Revoir

Sad talaga whenever I see people go especially when you already got used to spending good (or even bad) times with them. But I know that's inevitable and most of the time there's really a good reason why they should leave.

It all happened so fast. Just almost a year ago, I was rejoicing kase at last hindi na ako "one of the boys" in our team. Yep, there's already another girl named, Anne. Jokingly, I told her na lubos ang pasasalamat ko kase sa wakas hindi na ako ang laging aasarin ng mga kuya ko dito sa team. Well, that became quite true. hehehe...Si Anne ang naging ka-bonding ko sa breakfast, lunch, merienda, washroom breaks etc. since then. Nakakatuwa sya kase parang hindi nauubusan ng kwento at sa liit nyang yon naku, rinig hangaang sa buong hallway ang boses. hehe...hayy... But now, she has to leave the team for better opportunities. I'm sure mamimiss sya ng buong team.

We gave her a surprise despedida last Thursday, which was her last day here at OCS.

Max's lunch with Anne (sarap to the bones!)
the girls in pink
dati only girl, ngayon eto na kami (girls rule! hehe...)
IST team pag busog :P
watching the video tribute for Anne (gawa yan ni Ritche!)
the crying Anne while viewing the scrapbook na pinagpuyatan nila Tina, Ron, Van, Rolly & Maan, of course with the touching dedications from us :D
naku, naloka na yata! hehe...
last photo-op w/ Anne

Dahil ikaw ang unang nag resign sa team, tampo kami sayo Anne. hehehe.. joke lang. We will miss you talaga! We wish you all the best in your new company. I know we'll see you again someday! (",)