January 5, 2007 at 11:26 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
i can’t believe its 2007. i never even realize it was Christmas until the actual day itself. there are so many things to do last year that i was just glad when vacation time finally arrived. but it has been a great year and i am looking forward to this one. i’m turning 25 this year so this should be fun 
aside from this, here are the other things that im expecting:
1. learn to drive - ive been saying this for the past three years but i haven’t really done anything to make it happen.
2. financial breakthroughs for my family and me - need i say more?
3. get that 18 units for education! - okay maybe not the entire 18 units this year but at least six. i need to study again!
4. travel (here and abroad) - every time i travel, i just know i was born to see the world. so this year, i hope to see more of it. locally i want to see sagada (nitz, we better make this happen 
), palawan, ilocos, bohol and camiguin (paging Tita Ritz 
) . overseas, i guess i can start here in asia: hong kong, singapore, malaysia and thailand. i’ve had my passport stuck in the drawer for more than a year. i want to finally use it this time.
5. expand my social network - dont get me wrong, i love my friends and i there’s really nothing wrong with them. i just want to meet new people and learn from them.
6. improve my skills as a teacher - this is my first formal year of teaching and i could say that i learned A LOT. next school year will be a better one for me. be more patient and love your kids more 
7. learn to dance - i love what Antonio Banderas said in Take the Lead: "Do you want to dance? Then you were born to dance." I am definitely one of those people who are sooo bad in dancing I feel embarass even when I am dancing alone in my room. hope this year will finally change that.
8. be more health concious - it doesnt mean that i would diet every month and suddenly turn into a vegetarian. no way jose. i’ll just be more careful and exercise more. more time for badminton, swimming and jogging. but definitely no gym.
9. breakthrough for my small group - i’ve written this down for the past two years and nothing’s happening. i know that this is the year that we will finally see this happen.
10. some things are just too personal id rather keep it to myself
enjoy 2007 people
February 2, 2006 at 10:28 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
biernes na naman, tapos nanaman ang isang linggo ng pagtatrabaho…hay, ang hirap pala talaga kumita ng pera. dati hindi ako makapaghintay na maging empleyado, ngayon naman miss na miss ko na ang simpleng buhay ng estudyante. oo, may mga deadlines kang hahabulin, professors na kakalabanin at mga subjects na paghihirapan. pero mas madali ata sya kumpara sa paghahanap ng sapat na halaga pambayad sa mga bagay-bagay at pagpaplano sa mga susunod na taon ng buhay mo. may mga araw na gusto ko lang ng simpleng pamumuhay (payak na buhay, sabi nga ng kaibigan ko), pero alam ko namang hindi pwedeng habang buhay ay payak na lang ang buhay ko. di naman pwedeng lagi na lang ako masaya lang at walang patutunguhan. buti na lang nandyan si jesus para tulungan tayo. pano na lang di ba kng mag-isa tayo sa buhay? baka sa kangkungan tayo pulutin lahat…
January 30, 2006 at 8:53 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
isang hapon, sa opisina ng asul na karagatan sa gitna ng lungsod ng pasig…
officemate 1: ay, hindi ko papala friend si jon sa friendster. ano ba ang pangalan nya sa friendster?
officemate 2: jon
oo nga naman di ba? yan ang nangyayari sa mga taong kulang ng social life….
December 18, 2005 at 6:57 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
My 76-year old grandmother passed away last Monday and the entire week was devoted to her funeral wake and burial.
She might be old but it was still totally unexpected. We just had a reunion last Saturday and she seemed healthy compared to her previous appearances. We had a family gathering then because my youngest uncle came home from Australia. Being the youngest, or the bunso, in a brood of 11 children, they always consider him as the favorite of Nanay. The first time Nanay saw him last weekend, she cried out loud and said she was ready to die having seen her son once more. We brushed it off as one of Nanay’s dramatic moments never knowing that it was for real 
I grew up in my grandmothers’ house. My family didn’t have our own house so we live with my grandmother for 17 years. To say that I have a lot of memories with Nanay would be a grave understatement.
When I was young, I use to see Nanay as the enemy. She was the Gestapo, so to speak, in my life. I was usually left under her care whenever my mom and my dad are in the office. She would literally force me to take my afternoon siesta while the rest of the neighborhood kids are wallowing in the afternoon sun. She wouldn’t hesitate to chasten me, my sister or my cousins at the slightest sign of disobedience or laziness. When I was in high school my classmates have turned my house as the unofficial tambayan. And Nanay Rosa was right there to remind me to please be careful and not turn her house into a wasteland. She was a strong, opinionated type of woman. She speaks her mind and I believe the women in our family got that trait from her. She does what she wants and she doesn’t wait for anyone’s approval but God’s.
At the same time, she was the woman who taught me that family is one of the greatest gifts God can ever give us. She raised 11 children and she tried her best to make sure that each one of them is given opportunities to live a good life. I saw firsthand, how her children constantly communicated with her despite their hectic schedule and distance. Some of them migrated to another country yet they never fail to call her at least twice a week.
She taught me to love books at an early age. I remember sneaking in her room to read my very first Grisham novel, A Time to Kill, and my first Sheldon novel, Nothing Lasts Forever. I was only in 5th grade then, and the books were too mature for me but I read them. Her house was always filled with books, old and new, and she will pass on the books to me whenever she’s done with them. I even read the incestuous novels of VC Andrews because of her. (I can’t imagine why I read those books but I did 
)
Despite her serious stance, there were also lighter moments with Nanay. I will never forget the time when we were obsessed with finding the elusive Sarimanok in an ABS-CBN show. Finding 10 Sarimanoks and sending these as an entry will give you a chance to win P1M. We would literally watch every imaginable shows in that channel and hoping to see the elusive creature. I remember coming to her bedroom just to bother her whenever I feel bored. The fragrant scent of her powder will always greet as I enter the room. She had lots of knick-knacks that captured my sister and I’s attention. We would normally joke around and ask her to please pass it on to us when she’s dead 
The past few years have been cruel to her body as she suffered from parkinsons, hypertension and diabetes. I wasn’t used to seeing her so fragile and weak since I grew up seeing her independent from everyone else. I wouldn’t say that I am happy that she’s dead. But I am relieved that her suffering is finished and she is now in a place where no pain or disease could ever follow her. I know God has taken her to her permanent house and I know she chose to spend Christmas there 
December 1, 2005 at 10:52 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
the cell awards, or the E412 as they call it now, was held last wednesday at the fort. it’s one of those rare events i get to attend where people actually expects you to dress up (which unfortunately i haven’t been able to do). i’ve been priveledged enough to attend for the past 3 years and it always refreshes my spirit with regard to discipleship 
seeing people from all walks of life (doctors, entertainers, univ. students, children, housewives and even grandparents) all following Gods’ mandate to evangelize the lost and make disciples does wonders. hey, i am human after all. there are days when i get discouraged and wonder what the heck i’m doing following up someone who doesn’t even reply to your messages when you keep inviting someone who never falters in declining it, i often ask God why do i need to do this?
then the E412 (cell) awards comes and you are reminded that there is a reason for all of this. i remember what pastor steve said at the last part of the program…2 Peter 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. everything we do in this world as Christians will affect the people around us. we do not just disciple people to increase church attendance or as a hobby. we do not humble ourselves or aim for excellence to glorify us. we our doing it so that people will see the light and Jesus in our lives. 
i especially like the children who won awards. there was this one kid who won the pioneering award for starting a discipleship group on a place where one didn’t exist before. everyone can use some child like faith in their life it really doesn’t matter what industry you’re in or what position you have, it’s all a question of how willing you are to be used by God. sigh…i love my family
November 9, 2005 at 7:34 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
***Your Personality Profile***
You are dependable, popular, and observant.
Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness.
In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do.
You are unique, creative, and expressive.
You don’t mind waving your freak flag every once and a while.
And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!
The World’s Shortest Personality Test
http://www.blogthings.com/worldsshortestpersonalitytest/
i beg to disagree…im not moody anymore 
October 31, 2005 at 5:53 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
in a stage of my life where my peers are getting engaged, getting married, having children, under going a quarter life crises, worrying about bills, shifting careers and a variety of things that "adults" have to deal with, i am apparently still too young to accomplish some things…yep folks, apparently i am still too young to go to Korea. i went to the embassy for my visa interview last oct 19. i wouldn’t say i was overly confident but i was a bit assured that it’s already finished. i was a bit nervous but i never imagined that i would get rejected. i was shocked , i was stunned , i was speechless for a couple of minutes after the balding (im not bitter, im just stating a fact) Korean consul informed me that i still need to work for a couple of years before i visit their country.
and after months of preparation, it finally came crashing down at me that i was not going afterall. to say that the whole event was painful would be a grave understatement. i didn’t care if i looked stupid or crazy crying on the jeep that night. i cried shamelessly and i just couldn’t help it. i kept asking God why he pushed me to keep going when he never intended to bring me to that country. i kept thinking how difficult it would be to explain to my MPD’s and my family and my friends why the heck am i doing in the philippines for the next two weeks. why God…why? then i was reminded of a verse that i made me realize how much he has in store for me:
isaiah 54:2-4 Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spead out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.
Do not be afraid, you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace, you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For our Maker is your husband–the Lord Almighty is his name–the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.
reading this verse reassured me of his plans and how his love never ended when the consul gave his decision. it may not be the time for me but i do know it will happen someday. im still grateful because i was able to build a great relationship with all my MPD’s. they were people i already knew before but i have a deeper relationship with them as a result of this. i am grateful for the support that my family and friends have given me for the past few weeks. and i am grateful becasue despite all of these, i know my God still loves me there are still some things i need to deal with myself, my family and my cell. i’m still excited for his plans for my life
October 13, 2005 at 1:46 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
i had an exhausting yet eventful day kahapon. feeling ko roller coaster nga eh…sometimes you’re up and sometimes you’re down. it started last sunday, i asked permission from my boss to be absent so i could finally (woohoo!) process my visa. it turns out na malaking NO NO pala ang pagabsent and pinapasok pa rin nila ako. at first, i really hated it. hello nakakapagod kaya magpabalik balik ng ortigas to makati and then ortigas ulit. tpos dirediretso pa ang pagsasalita ko because i’m teaching, di ko pa ginagwa napapagod na ko but still, i obeyed and i went to work. i taught from 5am to 6:30 then i (literally) ran to the embassy. one thing i learned, God always honors our obedience. good thing we went there early dahil mahaba pala ang pila nila grabe! this entire trip is all by faith. it stretched to do things I never thought was possible. sabi nga namin sa team, paglipad pa lang ata ng eroplano dito iiyak na kmi after all we’ve been through. we still had some problems though. out of the 8 people na pumunta kahapon, tatlo lang kaming natanggap ang application my other five members were rejected and we had to think of ways to make their applications work. I honestly don’t know how to react kahapon. I was happy dahil walang problem yung application yet at the same time, I feel bad for my teammates. but I do know that they will get their visas approved, no matter what the embassy says. after all, my God is so much bigger than them of course pagbalik ko ng office, may mga bagong pangyayari din…kinausap ako ng boss ko to tell me that when i get back i would start working for the night shift huwaat?! nung una sinabi ko pagiisipan ko pa. di na pala pagiisipan kasi it’s either that or jobless na ko when i go home so i guess from waking up very early (as in 3am early) my body clock will shift to staying up real late (maybe 3am late din). God really is in control. i was praying for favor sa work and he gave me everything i asked for. natakot kasi ako that i would be jobless by the time i get back from this trip but i guess he had other plans. i don’t know why i keep worrying about stuff when he ALWAYS push through. you think and think of ways to get yourself out of a mess or diskartehan ang situation but in the end, His way is always the best. im SOO glad that im his daughter
September 22, 2005 at 9:13 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
Since tapos na ko sa office work at hinihintay ko na lang ang boss ko for our infamous meetings, naisipan kong patulan na ang quiz na ito ni joan 
Seven things you like the most:
1. waking up with the smell of breakfast cooking downstairs
2. swimming
3. bargain shopping!
4. cats (especially if they rub their bodies on your ankle and they make that cute purrrrr)
5. strawberry sundae
6. hanging out with my friends on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon or Saturday afternoons with my family
7. holidays!!!
Seven important things in your bedroom:
1. Bible
2. cellphone/alarm clock
3. books
4. mirror
5. clothes
6. computer
7. cd player
Seven random facts about you:
1. I want to have an MP3 player, PDA and a complete set of Narnia books (before I watch the movie version)
2. I have this secret dream to become a CIA agent or someone like that, I don’t know why
3. My favorite TV show at the moment is Veronica Mars. It’s one of the best shows I’ve watched and I like the fact na konti pa lang ang may alam nun right now
4. I don’t like Ben Affleck. Wala lang. I second the motion for Joan
5. I’m afraid of mouse, rats or anything that belongs to that family.
6. Eating out of someone else’s plate or food is one sign that you are definitely my friend
7. I have a baby sister who looks as if she’s my daughter
Seven things you plan to do before you die :
1. Go on a trip around the world for one year
2. Learn how to dance
3. Skydive and scuba dive
4. Live on a foreign country for at least three years
5. Go on a mission trip
6. Put up my own business (but I know what yet, maybe food?)
7. Learn a foreign language
Seven things you can do:
1. Watch TV the whole day
2. Stay awake for 24 hours
3. Swim 30 laps
4. Type really fast without looking at the screen
5. Write in steno
6. Introduce myself in Spanish
7. Learn how to cook meals easily
Seven things you can’t do:
1. I can’t play Chinese garter very well (mahirap tumalon)
2. I can’t eat corn if it’s not on a cob
3. I can’t hide it when I’m really angry with someone
4. I can’t understand why people like smoking so much.
5. I can’t play any musical instrument (but I hope to change that)
6. I can’t help but laugh when I’m really nervous
7. I can’t watch movies alone on a cinema
Seven things that attract you to the opposite sex:
1. Love for God
2. Compassion for all sorts of people, especially children
3. Looks
4. Intelligence and he should be street smart
5. Sense of humor
6. Love for his family
7. Genuine kindness
Seven things you say the most and are known for saying:
1. Hello good morning (opening line ko yan for my students)
2. Do you have any questions? (still for students)
3. Antok na ko
4. Kain tayo
5. Gutom ka na ba?
6. Okay, I have a question…(during warm-up ng cell meeting)
7. Any other phrases with a high pitched voice
Seven celeb crushes (whether local or foreign):
1. Jason Dohring (he plays Logan in Veronica Mars)
2. Colin Firth
3. Nick Stoltz
4. Johnny Depp (especially in Chocolat)
5. Adam Sandler
6. Jason Wade (singer of Lifehouse)
7. Aragorn of Lord of the Rings
Seven people you want to torture to take this quiz :
1. Carla
2. Heidi
3. Lao
4. Jeng
5. Vanj
6. Lei
7. and everyone else who reads this, pinagtiyagaan ko to so dapat kayo din
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) it’s heidi’s birthday celebration na rin so masaya talaga ito. walang tulugan, lots of food at siyempre kwento-kwento 