where bright minds meet

dahil ako ay petiks mode (well, sort-of) sa opis, naisipan kong bisitahin ang paborito kong tambayan. isang lugar na nagbabalik ng alaala ng buhay na aking pinanggalingan. kung saan inaruga at hinubog ako sa loob ng apat na taon.

this is where bright minds meet. read on. and suck in the UP culture.
nakakatuwa. parang nagmimistulang may isa o natatanging paraan ng pagsusulat ang mga taga-peyups.

i miss school :/

you call this a city?

how do you define a city city?

i would love to define things in my own terms, but first off, let's be safe about definitions so i "researched" such a simple word, and this is how the guys at wiki have defined it..

A city is an urban area that is differentiated from a town, village, or hamlet by size, population density, importance, or legal status. When people refer to cities, they generally include the suburbs. In most parts of the world, cities are generally substantial and nearly always have an urban core, but many have incorporated areas which have a very modest population, or a suburban or even mostly rural character, are designated as "cities". City can also be synonymous to "downtown" or a "city centre"

with that definition in mind, i reiterate, "an area that is suburban or even mostly rural in character can be designated as a city"... with that, i guess faraway land could then pass as a "city"

just recently (i think it was about a month ago), rumors were starting to spread about FL's (Faraway Land) cityhood. there was a clamor among the citizens, some were against it, while there were others who were in good support of the move. well, i was, a bit passive. why? coz i don't belong in this place. (bitchy i know)

kicking that indifferent me aside, i was a bit appalled at the thought that this sucky place was indeed approved of its cityhood. well, i was told not to "benchmark" things with what i've grown accustomed to.
but hello, would you consider. ever consider this a city when...

1) in fact most of its establishments close at 6pm!?!
2) business is NOT in full bloom. meaning, there are not much of economic action going on. i've even observed that most establishments come-and-go. not many venture into various engagements, or it isn't sustained, speaking bluntly. (but you can find a "mall" here, and there are hotels and inns, plus restaurants that could be likened to the ones in the metro, would these things count?)
3) i don't see the "big bee" anywhere. well, it's a taboo, but once you see "jollibee" or its equivalent, then it's a sign that the place is rather commercialized, and worthy to be called a city. (sidestory: a market research was conducted by jollibee a few years back, and they found out that... putting up a franchise here isn't feasible. maybe they'd want to re-consider, and do another study)
4) it's pitch black come sundown. well, there are light posts alright, but it's still to dark and unsafe to walk around. believe me. but rather than mugglers, you'd combat with stray dogs... i guess that's a breather?
5) i couldn't think much... well, i guess you'd have to see things for yourself...

(photos taken on a mundane saturday, i just thought this could be a "click happy" opportunity)


this is how the "city" looks like. yup, it's still suburban. i agree.


cityhood equals policemen? they're now spotted everywhere.
men in uniform. WTF. with this, traffic rules are now enforced. bah.


we had an inkling that the approval was all about a political plan.
tsk tsk. POLITICS was spelled all over it. Lintik na politika yan!:(

told you so. and now, you're starting to see "politicians sharing the victory" as if, they were behind everything. and yup, they've bombarded the "city" hall with these pieces of crap!


disclaimer: oh yeah, there's a good side to FL's "city"hood.
Things are now starting to get organized. I guess you can feel a tad bit of development.
should we be elated? well, let's give it to them for once.

saturday spur

a mundane saturday.
usually a work day for us here at faraway land.
toughluck, the power was out.

what better thing to do?
we opt to visit the beach to while our time away.

as we were walking. having some sand on our feet.
my friend, spotted another friend. and i saw that he has something interesting.
a SKIMBOARD! ooooh. it's been my dream to try 'em.
and i think i've thought out loud and he overheard me say,
"oooh. skimboard! let's try it!"

he caught my enthusiasm and handed us his cute pink skimboard.
we had the feel of it for some minutes, taking photos with it. posers i know.
then i asked him to demonstrate. it looked easy. again, it just looked it.
but i so want to try 'em, but had a thumping sense in me. scaredy cat? perhaps.

Quim (our skim instructor) was super patient and accommodating. he even lend us all his three skimboards so we could all give it a try. twas super fun, even if it left me some minor scratches and bruises. and there's a plus, he offered free classes on weekends! yup:) i sure hope that we could do this when i come back from the long vacay.

here are some highlights on this spur-of-the-moment tripping.


Quim, our patient teacher discussing matters
with me, the irritatingly inquisitive student.


i know we should do it, standing, but twas hard.
so he suggested that i try kneeling first. the more basic of the basics.


oopsie. that's me. slipping as i attempted to do skim standing up.
twas fun, but painful.


my remembrance. got scathed. scratches and bruises indeed.
but it's gonna come off.


OUCH! that's my beautiful knee right there.
so sweet right? haha. no biggie actually.

check out my site for more and more photos.

HE spoke to me...

I don't know if you'd believe me, but this happened just a few hours ago...

Is it divine intervention? or it is just THAT possible that GOD speaks to us?
and i mean, REALLY speak to us...

fresh from church. i would like to say that this day's Word was very timely.
The Pastor gave a soft introduction for this Sunday's food for the soul, and it was about

"Being strong in the midst of the storm..." (whatta cliche? you might say?)

after hearing a short anecdote for the topic, i quickly grabbed my pen and post-its to jot down vital information and tips i could use to "arm" me in the battle. well, it was nothing new and fancy to tell you quite frankly, every point given was something i've already heard over the years. growing up in church would sometimes give you that feeling that the messages said and uttered just seem to be in a "recycling" pattern, but the impact to one's life varies in a specific time and scenario.

well, i guess, this one hits the spot.

i believe i've mentioned how i'm having qualms and second thoughts about work. and how the environment seemed to add to that troubling feeling. but the bottom line to everything is that, i sort-of have a "lukewarm" status in my personal walk with God. i am not exactly religious, but i'd like to consider myself as someone who is spiritual. I put my personal relationship with my Maker to high regard, and acknowledge that it's a big part of my existence. so i guess, this Sunday's message was a type that gave me a tad stronger pat in the back (and have shaken me from my current status).

i would like to give you those three points
(because if i won't, we might digress to another topic due my unceasing yappery)

Point 1 Recognize the attack
if things don't seem to go our way. or the scenario have seemingly become f*cked up or what.
we have to acknowledge that it is no longer of God's.
we shouldn't tolerate such scenarios and take them as "punishments" or "well-deserved consequences" to our actions. (remember: God's plans are meant to prosper us and not do us harm. Jer 29:11)

before we can become victorious to any hurdle, we must acknowledge that it indeed an obstruction, a hurdle to pass, a problem to solve, a challenge we can win over.

so take note of step one, RECOGNIZE the attack.

Point 2 Fortify the faith
yes, we say that "testing" times are their to see how far we can stretch our faith in God. how much effort we'd give to persevere because we know that a rainbow comes after every storm.

and yes, we know that it is even easier said than done. Fortifying the faith doesn't mean mending things as it is already happening. Yes, we have to be strong in the MIDST of the storm, but what exactly did we do to prepare for it?

To fortify means to strengthen.
Strengthening the faith means building a strong wall around ourselves to shield us.
It entails a whole lot of work and effort, it means devoting our time to prayer and learning about God's Word. This is not a one-shot deal but a lifestyle that every Christian should grow accustomed to.
A personal struggle if i may add, but i know that it needs to be done for this is for my own good...

step two, is easier said than done, BUT it can be done... FORTIFY the faith.

Point 3 Get determined
determination is a rather big word. every success story lies on this 13-letter word.
our efforts would be worthless if we don't have this.
the driving force that we should all bear to really have a claim to that certain fame.

how is a recognized "hurdle" surpassed? through a fortified faith which rests on an individual's determination to become victorious, acknowledging that the battle can't be done on his own but through God's grace.

anyone who doesn't believe in a Supreme being would smirk at that remark. but i am not waning on it.
i am speaking from experience. i have seen how God has worked in my life, over the years.
and He was faithful when He said that He'd never leave me. i've learned much from life's lessons, and it has molded me to the person that i am now.

final step, get DETERMINED.
the world brings a lot of unending battles, and we can never faze from it.
always acknowledge that we are not alone, "if God is with us, who can be against us?"
_______________________________________________
funny how i was reminded of the Word that has been a personal confession since i cannot remember when...
but this sort-of became a "mantra" and i guess, this could never be out of season or what,

" I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST Who gives me strength" Phil 4:13

I guess that's the three-point tip rolled into one, don't you agree?

sidestory: to add to fact that God would never ever leave me, can i just share that...

just as the Pastor was wrapping up with his preaching, he suddenly approached me and uttered a very timely prayer. He prayed audibly in front of the whole congregation, laying his hand on my shoulder.

I believe that it was God who spoke to Him to minister to me. This was God's way of personally dealing with my scenario. The prayer was about my "bothering thoughts on work". I couldn't remember everything he prayed about coz i was in a state of shock. I never mentioned my blundering thoughts to anyone (not even to my closest friends at work), but i have personally experienced that God really knows what's in our hearts.

All i heard was that God would bring me to a job that i truly deserve. He sees my heart and knows what I aspire. I remember him mentioning about promotion and growth. Well, nothing was prayed in specific (as to where I'd go or what), but I still felt relieved for I know that God has acknowledged what I'm going through, and He has indeed prepared great plans for me. I was welling in tears as the pastor was praying, and was fervently agreeing to every word he has said.
That prayer was a declaration for my life, and i have received it!:)

It truly is exciting!
I am excited, even if I don't see the clear picture for the moment, but I know that greater things are set for me... All i have to do is fortify my faith in Him, and walk with my God in full determination. Yes, i know that it's never easy, but who ever said that it cannot be surpassed?

Get the word.
God speaks to us. as we continually seek Him. all the days of our lives...

processing

it's been eons since i last did this.

"how are you?"

can you seriously answer that the moment the requisite question comes flying your way?
just to make conversation, we'd start with "i'm good" or in Filipino, "okay lang ako."

but what exactly do we mean by that reply? how good are we in reality? and how OKAY is okay?

people ask me that when they'd want to start with "catching up" and i'd curtly say, "i'm good" or "steady spaghetti"... and whether to go down into details or not, is still undefined.

i would like to take the opportunity to dissect things.
delve into details to check on my personal disposition.

so how am i?

okay lang.
meaning...

(a) i'm in perfect health. i guess. if not for my periodic palpitations, and seemingly "gasps" for air.
(note to self: go and see a doctor...to know what this is all about.)

(b) i'm all in one piece!:) yup, my work has this sort-of risky aspect. (e. g. crossing rivers and seas, going up and down the mountains to name a few) but thank God, for safety.

let's get past the surface...
how am i? beyond what's seen.

(c) heart matters. hmm. i am STILL uninvolved and unattached, by choice if i may add. but don't get me wrong, i'm perfectly fine with the set-up... BECAUSE i'm still learning about the beguiling ways of men. kidding! well, let's say i appreciate being friends with them and being "attached" to anyone in specific is still kind of hazy for me. i so love being this carefree. just the same from then 'til now, i can gladly say that i'm still single and LOVING it! ( i don't know for how long though. haha.)

(d) spiritually. umm. i know that i've not been that diligent with my walk. i know that keeping constant communication with my Maker is a must. It is an integral part of being a Christian, and that my personal relationship with Him rests on it. honestly, i'm challenged about being consistent with my quiet time. I know that i need to refocus and realign things especially that...

(e) i'm having second thoughts about work. about a year and six months ago, i remember posting about how im going to be deployed to faraway land. how it's been a shock that my parents permitted me. my fears and qualms. consultations with my famille and very close friends, and they all said the same thing, "God wouldn't bring you to a place then leave you there. Sometimes, you have to leave your comfort zone to see how He is real in your life... step out of the box and exercise your faith."

well, i did just that and learned a lot of things in the process. it was a good mix of the good and not-so good ones. noticeable change emerged, and i can even sense that i have been fortified in that span of time. hmm, how you might ask? i felt that i've become more mature and tougher. more upfront and vocal about things. i guess it pays to be "trained" to face various types of people (from the simple townsmen to the prominent ones who hold some public position) and in different numbers if i may add. i have grown through the organization, and it was all because of God's big master plan.

but then again, erratic thoughts about leaving work (erratically) hit me. why oh why? is it because my closest workmates seem to find means in inching their way out? is it the "rumored" restructuring that would leave some of us unemployed? or is it the "survival of the fittest" drama that is currently happening in our ECCD network? i still can't bring myself to a single conclusion. still in a state of confusion, which they say is typical in development work.

as of press time, i've tried filing some job applications to various organizations and companies. and still in search of some. in doing this, my heart and mind is only "half" into-it because i still love what i do here. i believe in what i'm working for. the program that i'm handling deals with the critical years of the child, and it feels good that i am advocating for it. so why all the fuss right? well, i guess it's just the fact that it's tough to be super away from home. apart from your family especially in testing times. that's a major thing for me, but i guess you could never tell what life has in store. who knows what tomorrow might bring right?

so there, if asked if i'm good or what?
i can say that i basically am... it's just that there are teenie tiny cracks around the surface that needs to be refurbished. and i just hope that it would get done soon, just so i wouldn't end up shattered into pieces and all over the place...

but then again, please please...
keep me in your prayers.