Miracles Still Do Happen

After praying for a year, it finally happened! Marc has prayed the sinner's prayer and has accepted Christ as his Savior. I am ecstatic and super excited for him! And what's great about it is the Lord's way on how it happened. It was not an instant thing... the both of us, as well as the people who love us went through a process of learning, praying, and believing. It was patience, frustrations, and lessons after lessons. Looking back through my quiet time journal, I browsed through a lot of impatient pleading, crying, bargaining, negotiating, learning, enlightenment, gratitude, shame, etc. at least on my part. In this experience alone, I feel a sense of fulfillment and eternal appreciation on what God has done and is still doing in my life. Praise Him who alone can save, praise Him for His mercy and grace.

I have shared what God is to me, I have mentioned Him a few times to Catholic friends in a weak attempt to instill a mustard seed in them. I have tried to impart my faith to others on an on and off basis, but I have never attempted to fully share the gospel to anyone. I have asked God repeatedly for an Aaron, a spokesperson who could assist... well, my idea was actually that he could do the talking and I could do the supporting. God had something different in mind, which I found out recently. I had the awesome privilege to share God's selfless act of loving and saving. It was a full blown intimate gospel sharing. The experience left me so blessed, I thought I got as much out of it as the person I shared it to. I was hit with the realization that I should've known a long time ago. It wasn't me who was doing the work. It was the Holy Spirit, and with the Holy Spirit using you and guiding you to share, there wouldn't be anything left not considered. In my case, it was an impromptu meet, yet I had my journal and my Won by One booklet with me. I had the verses written there days before, and everything just simply fell perfectly into place. In the course of sharing, I relived my own experience, times when I feel God's abounding love and grace. He gave His only Son to die for us. There is no greater love than this. It was a wonderful night.

Looks like I got my Christmas presents early this year! 

Christmas Wishlist

It's not too late, is it? Here's my wishlist in no particular order:

Lumix LX7

Vans Canvas Trainers (in the exact colors as shown)

Pink Blazer

Out of town vacation (that includes a relaxing soak in a tub)

HTC One (32Gb, white or black)

Too much? ^_^

Under Sun and Rain

Before the rainy season officially starts, our department went out for that final summer outing. Naambon resort at San Juan, Batangas isn't exactly what you call paradise, but if you're looking to rest, relax, enjoy the sound of crashing waves, and get away from the hustle and bustle of work (read: no mobile signal), it's the place for you.

Yes, absolutely no signal.

The place isn't ideal for swimming despite the beach because three steps from the shore, you'd find yourself surrounded by corals sharp enough to break the skin. It's good for snorkeling, I guess, since varieties of fish are already visible within a few feet from the resort edge. As with every place that has limited distractions, it is highly recommended for team bonding, may it be over alcohol, frisbee, or boodle fights.

Definition from www.urbandictionary.com

A downpour after our short swim made a perfect balance of sun and rain on this getaway. I think I really need that waterproof camera soon.

and Back (part 2)

...continued

We have now reached the top; it was time to settle down and have lunch. Ric had a ground cover big enough for all 11 of us to have lunch and take naps on. We shared our packed food and dozed off one by one for a good 30-45 minutes. After that, we started our descent. 

 
As I have been repeatedly proven wrong throughout this trip, I was yet again astonished upon realizing that going down was harder for me than going up. Here's my aftermath reasoning: By this time, half the gripping thingies on the soles of my shoes are gone, leaving me with no traction whatsoever. I was not only slipping off rocks and earth, I was even slipping on branches and fallen leaves. Marc had to block my foot using his so I had something to anchor to. Sand, soil, and pebbles kept finding their way inside my shoes, causing my feet to hurt more that they should. Also, I was deathly afraid of heights and every time I had to look down was pure torture.

From my learning experience in Sagada, the best way to descend a path with nothing to hold on to was by sitting on the ground and edging yourself slowly down from it. This was what I did, slipping and sliding on the way. Unfortunately, this took a really long while, and by the time we reached Papaya River (the small paradise I mentioned in part 1), I was way past exhausted. The group sans Gerich, Marc, and me, had fun cooling off by the mini falls doing poses, sharing jokes, and laughing at each other. They kept motioning for us to join them, but I was too drained to move. I had contented my self instead to pouring a liter on my head and arms to cool off.

A few more minutes after, I psyched myself up again convinced that the trail from that point on would be loads easier. I failed to factor in the fatigue and the soreness of every part of my body. Ric and Lexy had to alternate carrying my almost empty backpack in hopes of getting me to speed up a bit as we were slowly losing daylight. This time, the pace was slowly but surely moving with just a couple of rest stops to tide me over. After walking forever, we were back at the jump off point, at 7PM. I have made a 9-hour hike into a 12-hour one. 

Despite this, as I took my well deserved bath, I was really happy. It was a new accomplishment for me, a challenge conquered, and a new appreciation for nature, for life, and for friends. Marc, Ric, and Lexy had all the patience in the world to guide me through this. It was a really wonderful first time, and I owe it to them.

Been to Tarak (part 1)

I was so excited to do this post that I kept being distracted doing my MOP (method of procedure) for work this morning. Now that I've finally finished it, I'm actually at a loss where to start, so I guess I'll just dive right in.

There I was, too giddy and excited to care that I was about to embark on a super strenuous journey that will leave me drained and sore... I set out with the group full of energy and optimism for the hike ahead. We left my place around 3:15AM. Reached the jump off at 7, I think.

Being a level 4 climb, I had to expect some sort of difficulty so I decided to forgo doing vanity shots along the way. The trail started out 

--Intermission: At the start of this post I've gushed about how excited I was to finally be able to blog about my recent adventure, then half way through spilling narrations, this happens:

I lost my internet. For hours. Annoying. Really. Anyway--

As I was saying, the trail started out fairly easy. It was a long stretch of incline, about 15 degrees maybe. Despite my last minute attempt of weekly jogging to get myself into shape, I was huffing and puffing after the first 10 minutes. I had to stop and think about whether I really wanted this or not. The answer was a fast and easy yes! So I hauled myself and my backpack up the path, and ignored the tightness that I almost immediately felt in my chest. 

Think happy thoughts. I started remembering how ecstatic I was when I finally had this chance of climbing an actual mountain. I thought of how fulfilling this would be compared to my Sagada trek. I saw the company I had --they were laughing, joking, and everything was great again. The truth of what people say about challenges like this being as much psychological as it was physical was so darn real.

After the wash of fairy dust (the happy thoughts), I was good to go again. We started to observe the shrubbery thickening to eventually cover the road and leave a single beaten path. We had to climb over fallen trees a couple of times and swat a few bees along the way.

I remember thinking, if this is what a level 4 climb is, I could do this for 5 hours, easy. How wrong was I to assume that. After everything has been covered with flora, we found ourselves in the thick of the forest climbing steeper and steeper trails, until we finally reached this:

It's a little piece of paradise! I was in awe at how clear and comfortably cool the water was. The pictures I took don't actually do it justice. I wanted to stop right then and there and stay overnight, but obviously, we can't. So after 30 minutes of cooling down, resting, snacking, and taking pictures, we were back on the trail hiking up the 2nd half of the ridge.

The next part would be twice or thrice as hard, or so we were warned. Excruciatingly hard  was what I would call it. Surely it was at least 5 times as hard. Cliffs threatened every turn, and to say that I was scared of heights would be an understatement. I was petrified. I wore running shoes that has started to split its soles from the abuse I've been putting it through the past hour and a half or two. I started losing stable footholds and kept sliding off small rocks. As they fall a few feet and bounce off the edge of the path, I became increasingly aware of how much I underestimated the difficulty of this climb. Nonetheless, I kept pushing.

It felt like an obstacle course intended to torture lazy asses like me. I had to climb mounds with nothing to hold on to but branches and twigs that snap off without warning. The height of most of the rocks we had to climb over were higher than knee level, and I had to hold on for my dear life a few dozen times. You'd think I was exaggerating, but well, let's put it this way: this. is. not. for. beginners.

Pushing and pulling my way up, I finally reached the top. Thank God. Not without help, though. Tons of it, actually. Marc had to carry my bag for me on half a dozen buwis buhay moments. (I especially hated the part where rocks were sticking out a wall of earth and we had to climb Spiderman style to get to the other side.) Lexy had to wait for us a few times to make sure we don't get lost. It was all worth it though. The view at a thousand meters above sea level was breathtaking, both literally and figuratively. Again, no matter how much pictures I took, I would not be able to do justice on God's creation. At that moment, there it was... another reason to praise God. This time for being a God of beauty and greatness.

To be continued...

Checklist

Early this year, I had a list I of things I wanted to do for 2013. I'm doing a run through today to check which ones I have accomplished, and which ones I haven't.

1. Blog more often, at least 3 entries a month. -- Check!
2. Create and keep more memories. This means adventures, travel, and pictures, pictures, pictures! -- I actually planned on doing a scrapbook. Unfortunately, the lack of a printer held me back from this. So, this one is not yet accomplished.
3. Run regularly at least once a week. -- I have yet to declare a verdict on this yet since I have just recently started.
4. Cook more. -- Check!
5. Go to a beach at least once. -- Check!
6. Climb a mountain at least once. -- Not yet.
7. Ride a bike. -- Check! Done this with #3. Hoping to do this regularly.
8. Ice skate -- Not yet.
9. Attend Sunday service regularly -- Not yet. T_T
10. Be more faithful with my quiet times -- Not yet. T_T

4 out of 10 ain't bad.

Some More Plans

I've just decided that I want a jetsetter month! At this point, I think I'm way over my head, but this is what I really want... to go places, see sights, take pictures, keep memories. I love going somewhere new, trying things I haven't tried before. Of course, that includes the other two things I love most: eating and shopping. I want to revisit places I've been to when I was a child, but was too young to remember. I want to not worry about work or about life.

I have to plan it though. Budget's always a snag, but I'll find a way to make it work. How about August? Does August sound ok?

Happy New Year & Happy Birthday

Happy new year everyone!

Here's an updated list of the things I want to do or accomplish for the upcoming year:
1. Blog more often, at least 3 entries a month.
2. Create and keep more memories. This means adventures, travel, and pictures, pictures, pictures!
3. Run regularly at least once a week.
4. Cook more.
5. Go to a beach at least once.
6. Climb a mountain at least once.
7. Ride a bike.
8. Ice skate.
9. Attend Sunday service regularly.
10. Be more faithful with my quiet times.

In other news, I'm really really excited at the moment because I'm actually typing this on my new toy:

(Picture from http://www.hardwarezone.com.ph/)

Yes, it's pink. Don't you just love it? It's a Samsung series 5, slim. It's light and it's pretty. I can't get over how thin it is. I even got a load of freebies when I bought it. ^_^ Yey! A very advanced happy birthday to me!

Christmas Comes but Once a Year

I don't know what it is, but there's something about doing wishlists...

Here's mine for 2012:
1. I currently have an awesome Fossil watch already, but since I've recently revived my running, I would like a sporty one with a timer. G-Shock GR-8900-7DR or G-8900A-7D:

They'd probably be too big for my flimsy wrist, but hey, me want!

 

2. Now that I have more time for myself, I have been reading tons of books lately. I want the old Kindle. I don't really know if this is still available, or which version this one actually is, but here's a pic:

 

3. I want to go hiking. I've been wanting to since last year. Maybe it's time. 

 4. I want a vacation, peferably by a beach. A quiet place to relax and stop worrying about everything.

 

5. Additional 3 more checks on the list. (items 3 & 4 also here)

 



Advance Happy Birthday

dear God, thank You so very very much for giving me my perfect match. You have blessed me with a sweet, thoughtful, and loving boyfriend, and i could not ask for more.

Hohoho to Huhuhu

where do i get the christmas joy and cheer i hear so much about?

here's how i picture a perfect christmas setting:


minus the fireplace of course. a small but fully decorated tree, perfectly wrapped gifts (and patience not to open any of them 'til christmas eve), cozy couch with pillows and a blanket, and soft instrumental music. very inviting, very relaxing, sweet, and simple.

so, santa, here's what i want for christmas:


if you can't, this will do:

no gift wrapping necessary. ^_^

ok, back to reality. it's the 11th, and i haven't the slightest clue on how this year's christmas will turn out. having a stressful work environment (despite the buy-out) sucks so i'm looking for ways to make this december better. been calling my saturday overtimes "sacrificial saturdays" already. it's a crazy rat race and i can't even see the finish line.

dear bosses: you're scrooges, every last one of you!

somebody, somewhere, has to know the answer to my question. i need a serious boost on this chirstmas spirit thing!!

What I Want For Christmas

i know it's still a long way off, but what the heck, here's what i want for christmas this year:


too much?
it's a canon powershot sx230 hs, and right now it costs 21,950 php. i know, i know. i'm not techie, but it's really really pretty, and any camera i can use for macro photography works for me.

crossing my fingers for holiday sales, promos, and 0% installment plans!

(edit: i would settle for the sx220, without the gps, costing around 19,950 php. that's 2,000 php off! besides, it comes in purple! ^_^)