Friday, April 30, 2010

Sudden downpour




As soon as I got off the bus at Global City, it rained cats and dogs.

Though armed with my umbrella, I was drenched to the bone thigh down because the strong wind blew water in all directions. In spite of the seemingly cold impression a rain brings, the air was actually warm because all the heat from the ground began creeping up. The atmosphere was a weird mix of hot air, cold water and an unpleasant smell of drenched soil.

I couldn't hail a cab because the ones passing by all carried passengers already so I had to settle for a jeepney, otherwise I'd end up taking a shower on the streets.

When the jeepney came to a halt at the entrance to our condo village, the rain has stopped. I tried not to think of the walk from the gate to our unit's building which now seems lengthier and more dreadful than ever because it was a Friday and I just came from work. By then, I was already tired and sleepy. What I hated the most about the last stretch of my journey home was I had to walk with wet feet and squishy shoes. It was a very, very, very unpleasant feeling.

When I reached the condo unit, I actually cried after closing the door behind me while I was removing my shoes and putting down my bags. The fact that I have school tomorrow and that I'll be staying up late all night to finish requirements isn't exactly my recipe for a good start for the weekend. What a way to end the month.

So help me, God.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Maayong Buntag, Davao!



For the first time in my life, I have traveled to the farthest place away from my home within the boundaries of my homeland - Davao. The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) couldn't have held their 30th National Anniversary Celebration in a better place because Davao is associated with pearls (among many things) and that is just one of the many reasons why I think Davao is a great choice. :)


Davao is such an amazing place. To me, it's more like a province than a city really. When I arrived at the airport after an hour and forty five minutes of airplane travel, I quickly fell in love with it. It felt as if I have always been there although it was actually the first time I ever stepped foot on its land. Davao was familiar at the same time unknown to me.

For this trip, I was with my mom, my sister, my younger brother and one of my girl cousins together with the other delegates of the BCBP Lipa City Chapter. We went to three of the most popular places to visit there namely Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Eden Nature Park and Resort, and Jack's Ridge Resort and Restaurant. The group also toured around the city to see famous landmarks.

The actual National Anniversary Celebration was held at the extremely spacious Sports Complex of the Ateneo de Davao High School, where a college friend of mine, Jake, spent his four years of secondary education. We even met at SM Davao because he was home for the summer break. He drove us through the city to the markets where we can buy some pomelo and the famous durian fruit, which is said to "smell like hell but taste like heaven". Most people can't stand it but my family and I love it. Anyway, I jokingly told Jake that he looked more like the tourist than I am because he was wearing a cool Davao shirt when we saw each other. It was truly amazing to meet him there many miles away from the Metro Manila area. It's always good to see a familiar face.

There is so much I can say about Davao: the city is clean, the beaches are pristine, the food are simply mouthwatering, and the people very hospitable. I would love to go back; I will go back soon. Four days just wasn't enough to 'know Davao'.

Below are some of the photos I've taken during the trip from Pearl Farm and Eden Nature Park. You can hover on the pictures to see little captions I've written. :)







Davao definitely did not let me down. :)

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Have a break



Two more days until my Davao trip. I can't wait!

On the other hand, I also can't wait to have a nice, long, and deep sleep to make up for the unbelievable sleep debt I have incurred in the past five days. My sleep debt from college and its accompanying compounding interest has already taken its toll on me (and perhaps is continuing to); I don't want to add to it anymore. Health is wealth. I couldn't agree more. Don't desire to learn it the hard way (the way I did).

So... Davao, don't let me down! :)

Friday, April 16, 2010

Celebrations



April has been a really busy month right from the start. It has been a struggle for me to keep up with entries lately because I'm very tired by the end of the day and I would rather get my much needed sleep more than anything else. Nevertheless, I am very pleased that the past several days after Easter have been lived to the fullest.

Last April 7, my sister and my cousin graduated with their Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at the De La Salle Lipa Sentrum. I took my leave from work to be with her and the rest of my immediate and extended family to celebrate this huge milestone in my sister's and my cousin's lives. It was a grand time. :)


April 9 was Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), a national holiday.  There was no school or work but I had to take care of things I couldn't normally do on a workday.

Then April 10 rolled by - my first day of classes in graduate school. I was in the campus by 7:30 AM only to find out at near eight in the morning, sadly, that there were no classes that day because professors were still out and schedules were still being arranged. My classmate (who also happens to be my co-teacher at work) and I decided to have our ID pictures taken instead and finalize some adjustments in our class schedules while we were at school. Before leaving, we had a meaningful time talking about work, family... many things basically about growing up. Three years ago, we were students at the same college. Now, she has a family of her own and her first child is turning a year old in a month. I, on the other hand, am trying to achieve my goals one step at a time before, God-willing, settling down myself.

Later that same day, we met again during one of our head teachers' wedding reception at Rockwell, Makati City. It was a wonderful night of good food, great music, and lively dancing together with our other co-teachers and the newlyweds' family and guests.

Truly, there are many beginnings to be thankful for this month but it doesn't end there.


A Child Can Foundation, Inc. launched an "I Am Aware" Autism Awareness Campaign last April 12, 2010 Monday at Strumms on Jupiter St., Makati City. The event began with a short speech about autism and the pressing concerns on diagnoses and interventions as the number of individuals with autism are rising. The speech was followed by a touching video presentation showing A Child Can's commitment and passion in helping families and children with autism.

The fund-raising event was very well attended. Everybody enjoyed singing and dancing to the music of 8Track Band. My favorite songs were "Sunlight" by Kevyn Lettau, "Give It Up" by K.C. & The Sunshine Band, "Don't Know What To Say" by Ric Segreto and "More Today than Yesterday" by Spiral Starecase, which was the 8Track Band's final song. I couldn't have thought of a more perfect way to end the night (or morning, rather, because we left Strumms past two in the morning!).

Our sincerest thank you to everyone who supported the cause. God bless you all!


Yes, God has been very amazing, indeed, for providing for ACC and for me. Yesterday, April 15, officially marked my first year as a working citizen. I celebrated my first work anniversary by eating dinner at Red Ribbon. (I could've chosen a lovelier restaurant but I have to stick to a bit tighter budget this month than usual.) Though I had no one to rejoice the day with because all members of my family are in Lipa City, I experienced serene joy in my heart as I quietly remembered the year that was before I went to sleep.

At this point, all I can say is this: You gotta love what you do. :)

Sunday, April 4, 2010

New life




"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."
- Hebrews 1:3 (NIV) -

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