Update from Down Under

It seems like we’ve been here for quite a long time now though its nearly two weeks lang since our arrival. Maybe it’s because I don’t get bored yet due to our busy schedule. (yeah, puro kami lakwatsa. Hahaha)

I know this vacation will gonna be great because this is God’s gift.

While we were still in the plane, just before we landed, guess what? We were welcomed lang naman by the sunrise. It was awesome! I can’t get the right words to describe it here, just imagine the wonderful colors of the sky at the dawn and paste a real red sun on it! Too bad I kept my camera in my other bag so I didn’t get a photo of it.

The main reason of our coming here is the wedding of my sister. All the hardwork and stresses were all paid off. The weather during the wedding was perfect! It was warm and windy. Sun shiny clear sky made the photos very good. Thanks to all the people I bugged to pray for the weather. J Was able to meet some colleagues of my sister, even the general manager was there! Plus I met a lot of Pinoys, maybe this is one of the reasons why I still don’t feel homesick too.

But I still feel “lutang” and I asked God to make His presence more tangible (well, I don’t know if it is the right word for that, haha). So on our 2nd Sunday here, the worship service was great, especially the message. I know God is answering my prayers. Without planning for it, the rest of that day was spent driving around the city of Melbourne with some good Christian friends. We had tasty authentic Vietnamese cuisine for lunch, more photo shootings on the road, and a nice warm chat over cups of frappe! (shouldn’t it be cool?? Nah, the weather then was warm too. J) Just before we parted ways and go to each of our homes, God sent a sunset scenery along the sea. It’s like Him waving goodbye and gladly saying we had a good day. Well for me, its not yet the end. During that night, I cried like I never did for more than 4 years. My eyes become a wellspring of tears that made it so bad the next morning. I felt the denying and dying to self, putting down my pride and humbly gave forgiveness, fear of my future, yet inspite of it all, I felt so close to my Lord. I really thank Him for the experience.

I met some single men: a youth pastor, a Malaysian Christian, a tall good looking businessman. (dgroup ng kagandahan, wag ma-praning, tapusin basahin ang blog before making any conclusion, hehe.) But I think I’m not that interested yet on that part. I am enjoying the sceneries more than choosing any prospects (do I sound too proud about it??? I hope not.)

We’ve been to some homes of Pinoy friends. Nakakatuwa meeting them and eating Pinoy dishes. My brother in law even treated me to a Japanese resto when he learned that I love sashimi. Yesterday we were travelling the whole day, going to beautiful spots of Port Campbell, Lorne and Alona bay. It was a good day too. I cooked the pasta we baon. In fairness, naubos sya. Yun lang kasi dala naming food. Hahaha!

The day we came here was very cold. They say it should be spring but it feels like winter. So when people ask me if I like it here, I always tell them yes except for the weather. Hahaha.

Its becoming warmer now and I don’t need to wear long sleeves when I sleep. I also enjoy it in the shower room, no more cold breeze to freeze me. Haha!

The photo posted here is a vineyard next to the church where my sister had her wedding. Isn't it awesome?

I’m sure God has a lot more in-store for me, for us, here. It’s just the second week…

Oh, I just got an SMS from my Ate from home the other day, Jumong started walking! I missed his first steps…

Life as it should be

I should . . .

I must . . .

I could have . . .

Why is it so easy to say one thing but do the other?

Why is it that man needs to wear two or more masks, depending on where he is or who is he with, and not be in his true self?

So many life's lessons but so few application.

So many teachings but less transformation.

Why is it so easy to forget the good things but so difficult to let go of the bad?

Why is it that we enjoy dwelling on the hurts, pains and worries and spend little time on the positive side of life?

Why do we always choose to satisfy the desires of the flesh and later regret our choices?

Why can't we just obey and enjoy the rewards of it?

The list can go on and on with the "why's" and "how come's".

But as for me, I will choose to live my life as it should be. It is hard and I will never perfect it here. I will commit mistakes, disappoint some people, and continue with my inadequacies and inefficiencies. But I stand firm and live my beautiful life according to the way of the Master. I know I can for God's grace is sufficient for me to make it through.

She is she

We've known each other since 1992, wayback in college. At one subject or another, we were seatmates. But we were not that close close. We both are part of this Tropang Tulog and Benigno-Carangan Clan. These are not sorority nor academic org, these are barkadas who have the same wavelength with the same topak.

After college, all of us were so excited to be employed and start our own career. I was hired in Bulacan, and the others in Manila, Laguna, and even in Bicol (!) And SHE then got her first job in a chocolate factory in Cainta. After sometime, she moved to Bataan. I stayed in Bulacan. I don't really know how it started but somehow we kept the addresses of each other and send/receive snail mails! We talked about everything, from our funny-weird-kaasar-serious moments at the office to anything that we find it interesting. Then she was hired in Singapore and I was still in Bulacan. Oh I thought the letter send/receive will be stopped, but to our surprise, it was even intensified. She would send me letters with postcards of countries and places she's assigned to. Until, we found a better and faster means of communication - email! Her boyfriend termed our mails as blog emails because almost everyday we send very long nobelas to each other, as if we never talked the other day. So imagine how long our emails when we have long weekends or holidays. And then there's even more real-time talk, SMS (which we don't usually use, expensive eh!) and YM! Communicating has been part of our system. We miss each other when one of us will not be connected to the net. And after all those years, we now are super close close.

We both love to write (especially long letters), we both love shopping (sale!!!), we both love eating (though not so obvious), we both love to laugh (THE!), we both love to just be with our laptop and chat. Countless emails and letters we have exchanged yet there are still more things to talk about.

And now she's on a business trip. I-net connection in her place is so slow but still she managed to send me one blog email. I do miss her too, since we are so hooked with FashMatch I created an outfit for her. And I named it as "bcoz i miss my bes."

Yes, she is my bestfriend.

Balik ka na Singapore bes, umalis ka na dyan! Hahaha

Bits en Pieces

Is this blog still in existence??? Haha, it's been more than one month now since my latest post. And just like my last entry, so many events and happenings have passed. So many times I attempted to write something, but time and chances will just come and go.

And now, I am wordless. Haha!

My current fascination (or addiction) is FashMatch! My bestfriend "influenced" me on trying it and now I am so hooked. And I always blame her for this new addiction. The funny thing is, she admits. Hahaha. Anyway FM, as me and my bes simply call it, is very relaxing and enjoyable. It's one of those girl thing (but there are also men who are into it). Just recently I realized (through the comment of one of the matchers) that the outfit we make are reflections of who we are. Eventhough I try to create a match for a specific purpose or person, my personality will still be added into it. And that makes me say that in everything we do, we leave a footprint in it. And in this life, what mark are you making? Sounds serious, but it's true.

Last week we had a women's encounter in Tagaytay. The place was so nice and the architecture and theme is Thai inspired. It's actually a combination of Pinoy and Thai. I love their coffee and the fresh salad too. But more than the pleasure of the flesh, the retreat is an eye-opener. The theme is about lies women believe and the Truth that sets them free. I hope my loved ones can attend the repeat of this retreat.

Looking forward for the coming months. Me and my nanay are visiting my sister in Australia. My first time, yey!

Breaktime

Tagal na pala since my last post. Been indulged with tons and tons of work . . . when it rains, dala ka payong! Hahaha.

I really wanted to write sooner but blame it to my workload, I can't make a time for it. Obviously now, I finally making another entry. Work is still full, but for now I need a short break and writing is a sort of relaxation... well, as for me.

What happened in the last weeks other than the very busy life at the office? Hmmm, for one I am happy (and joyful maybe) with what is going on in our department. Things and people are finally starting to move on. Problems and challenges will always be present, but things are getting better now. Praise God!

I had weird dreams for four consecutive nights, cannot tell them here though. It was so funny and at the same time so weird. I dreamt of people whom I haven't seen for a long time and of some who I regularly talk to. Basta, kakaiba. Nakakainis na nakakatuwa. Hahaha, gulo ko! Sometimes I wanted to meet a dream interpreter (somebody like Joseph or Daniel of the bible), those who can explain about my dreams. Meron pa kayang ganun ngayon, authentic and true???

Masaya ako lately, I still cannot figure out why, pero I feel so light talaga. I confided with my friends about me being complacent or just letting things make their way. I really can't explain it but I have this peaceful reactions to not so good circumstances and situations. I am not saying that I already have perfected how to handle tough times, its just I feel so contented and secured no matter what. I know, it's all about God . . . His grace, His love, His Spirit . . . This "peace" may pass, maybe sooner or later, but what matters most is the present. And I'm glad I am experiencing this solemn quietness of spirit.

Got to get back to work. "Fans" are waiting for me. Haha!