The Colors of Blessing (7 in '07)

On Christmas day we decided to make an artwork as a thanksgiving for 2007. Rommel listed down what needed to go in the thing, Rio took care of the drawings and I, well, made the border (lil stick figures)-- fun, fun, fun! This colorful masterpiece actually represents seven of our major faith encounters for the year (the "minors" would number a million).

R.A.I.N.B.O.W. of blessings, indeed!

R - etreat: We were blessed to experience and enjoy the Caliraya Recreation Center in Laguna, the Peninsula de Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas and Fort Ilocandia in Laoag City (for free)!


A - llergy-free. Rommel has recuperated from chronic allergy, just at the right time when we needed to cut on budget. More than the financial relief, we were grateful for the end of his painful ordeals with the needle everytime he visited the dermatologist.


I - t's a Party! Rio celebrated her 7th birthday this year. Family and friends are her greatest gifts from God!


N - ew school - Rio's transition into her new school (Neo-vision School) was easier that we imagined, thanks to friendly faculty and schoolmates! But before that, summer was doubly fun as she joined Trumpet's acting workshop, sponsored by Promil!


B - ack to school! I took the Sabbath year off work to get a master's degree at AIM --- the biggest leap of faith for us this year.


O - pportunities for growth! We are glad to have been involved in a study group for young couples, a weekly care group with the UP Diliman Navigators alumni, the DCBC Youth for my sister Matet, and continuous service opportunity as houseparents to the DCBC Student Center. Growing in faith through different communities have helped us go through a challenging year.


W - elcome to the family! The latest addition to the growing clan is PJ (Paul Jeremiah), who tied the knot with my sister Marjorie in December.


PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!

Lantern Parade (19.Dec.2007)

What did I get from watching this year's UP Lantern Parade?

-Aching muscles from walking, standing, tiptoe-ing and maneuvering to see the different gigantic creations;

-Aching heart for NOT being able to have a good vantage point;

-Aching neck for watching the amazing fireworks after the parade. AWESOME must be the right term, because it left me feeling "I had enough fireworks memory to last a year". (I heard the UP Centennial kickoff fireworks would even be better. Can't wait!);

-Aching tummy, because the food stalls were still a five-minute walk away, and I dare not lose my (by this time) already nice spot. Also, who would want to miss the next presentors - CFA! (Hahaha, obviously biased for College of Fine Arts. Initially I thought their obras this year are soooo simple compared to what they can do -- but hey, surprise, surprise: they still made my night, especially with oblation dancing the Papaya!);

-Finally, an aching head from thinking "I hope my classmates are enjoying this!" In the end I had to judge by their grouchiness, and they showed none! I therefore conclude they must have thought it was worth their trip. Thanks Murty, Aleem, and Pratap for coming all the way from the AIM campus!.

What an achy-breaky night. But hey, no pain, no gain! :)

Some photos (more at Murty's Flickr):

high tech conference

Today I had the rare opportunity to participate in an international video conference of young leaders from 12 ASEAN countries. Sponsored by the World Bank Knowledge Resource Center, this videoconference enabled us to glean from the wisdom and international experience of ASEAN Secretary General H.E. Ong Keng Yong and WB VP for East Asia and the Pacific James Adams.

Find out more at the Catalyst of Change (Philippines) blogspot.

Purr-fect

DO NOT AIM FOR A PERFECT MARRIAGE - there is no such thing, says Manong Willie at today's discussion group. Four or five of us young couples meet every month to discuss about marriage, using Manong's book "To Have and To Hold".

This afternoon we had the privilege to hear directly from the author himself, and he has this to say: Strive only to improve the relationship.

How?

We have heard the answer a million times. Proven true a million times, too. C-O-M-M-U-N-I-C-A-T-I-O-N. Manong says 95% of all problems have to do with communication.(The remaining 5% is due to deliberate wickedness -- hah!).

Two words for me: SHUT UP. Communication involves listening, and that's where I fail most of the time, at least with my hubby.

So okay, wish me the best, because I'm shutting up now. (I'm glad wiser people tell us what we need to know.)

Peace on earth!

And the semester comes to a close ...

Thank you, MDM friends, for a truly worthwhile Module I! This song is for you. Have a merry Christmas and enjoy your holidays!



FOR GOOD
(Composed by: Stephen Scwartz / "Wicked: The Musicale")

I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them and we help them in return

Well I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
(But) Because I knew you I have been changed for good

It well may be
That we will never meet again in this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You’ll be with me like a handprint on my heart

And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have rewritten mine
By being my friend
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a sky bird in a distant world

Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
(But) Because I knew you, because I knew you
I have been changed for good

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I’ve done you blame me for
But then I guess we know there’s blame to share
And none of it seems to matter anymore

Like a comet pulled from orbit (Like a ship blown from its mooring)
As it passes a sun (By a wind off the sea)
Like a stream that meets a boulder (Like a seed dropped by a sky bird)
Halfway through the wood (In a distant world)
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better
And because I knew you, because I knew you
Because I knew you I have been changed for good

Sili, Balut, Durian at Lambanog

At the AIM Christmas party, I was "pushed" into joining an eating contest. For the sake of the MDM class, hokey! Besides, balut was there, no problem!

Or so I thought... in addition to the 2 yummy-looking baluts, there were 3 large, red siling labuyo, durian, and a glassful of lambanog (palm wine)!

I can never survive that combination. I would have wanted to, y'know. But (thankfully) I realize there can be limits to adventuring (hmmm...very famous word these days, thanks to Sen. Trillanes).

So anyway, the survival tip: I enjoyed the durian, while waiting for someone to win (what a cheat I was hehe). Finally this Indian from the MBA class wins! Great!

The question I have not answered: was I scared about the chili? or the lambanog?

Guess :)