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. :)