As 2011 Ends

My 2011 started with so much hope and joy for what plans does God has in-store for me. I saw tears, felt heartaches, experienced failures. However, I know God is still in control of everything. He knows me from the inside out and I kept each promises of Him in my heart. Truly His love will cover you, the only thing to do is to ask and let Him take charge. 

I've met a lot of friends from January to December; stayed closer with my family and the ones who were with me through this year. I entered Bible School which was really my dream come true (we're halfway finishing it, we just finished 1st sem! weeeeee); did some exams; learned to handle my financial budget (and i continually wanted to learn more... please! lol); renewing my mind everyday which  I supposed not really an easy task to make, but with God's help, I can. 

Needless to say what happened all-year-round, here's some of the pictures highlighted on each month. 

January

like good old times

saturday's corniche 

my birthday

birthday at SB Hamad

Qatar Motor Show

February

together with new Al Ahli Staff

Al Mourjan with Conix and Sai

Band Mode

wed celeb of almira and aimee

March

together with youth - SOL

Qatar Marine Festival

April

who said i'm so excited for july's vacation?

fake despedida dinner of Conix

first gala of koinos... just after SG

May

Al Ahli's Nurses' Day

June

Koinos' Series Break

talking about girly stuff with joy, nina

kulitan at nursery

QBC 

July

Pinas Vacation

Isla De Gallo

Zoobic Safari

all day out with orie and jon

Vigan

sister and cousins

Sai's birthday

bestfriend with wifey

August

sushi night

Chey's Birthday

Harrieth's despedida

September

Souq Waqif

October

as it says

till we meet again Melai!

happy birthday mama

Ptr. Roman

November

with Ptra. Lulu

happy vacation olive

with len at W@W

final na toh. conix's despedida

December

merry christmas!

friendships

classmates

CFC batch 8 Christmas Party

SG at SB

with mitzi

ECAQ Family Day

To those who were not in the pictures, I still love you guys! You know who you are. =)

And for all of these, to God be all the glory!

A Different Kind of School

When i was a child, i'm one of those who enjoyed being in sunday school, listening to different bible stories, memorizing bible verses, and role-playing all the time. When secondary school came, I used to think that entering bible school would make u a pastor right away, should walk a sinless life and should be quiet and act finesse at all times, because people will look up to you, will ask lots of things concerning faith, morality and what do the bible stands, but then, others will wait on when you'll slip, so they will prove that what you're studying will just be a waste of time.

Then half of my college years came. And I stopped. I totally stopped my faith in Him. Yes, I'm attending Sunday services, but i know my life was not focused on Jesus anymore. I said to myself, i already know what to do with my life. No need for help. Furthermore, i realized something is missing. I also know what that is, but pride was just deeply rooted on me.

As i was already working, convictions upon convictions came in. From trash, God lifted me up once again. He restored my whole being, that includes my confidence in Him. Moreover, the idea for bible school springs up once again. i had second thoughts about it, but then, i was surprised that it all happened so fast. Truly, you will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart. He will reveal Himself to you. And i am just excited on what plans God have for me.

Obscure Beach Not Anymore

Paradise, beach sports, nightlife, fun fun fun. Those are few of the descriptions you can heard and think of when you talk about this small island in Aklan, Philippines. I've never been to Boracay until I'm 26 years old. Do I sound late bloomer beach buff here? lol. It's just always an earshot to me when friends are talking about what they call as haven. And so, in order for me to relate on whatever they're discussing, I'm tuning in where TV travel  shows and travel guide magazines are, knowing the stations, Puka Shell Beach, The Mall, sand castles and glass bottom boat ride. My travel research worked though. hahaha...

And finally, the pictures in the magazines and actions in the boob tube came to life! I experienced  the atmosphere of Boracay, felt its pristine sand, photographed the stunning orangey dramatic sunset, enjoyed the baratillo sale of pearls and other beach stuff, and familiarized its amusing nightlife. You can see the brightest of colors the people could have to put on, the cutest of skimpy swimsuits they can wear and the coolest of shades i can dream of having. 

I was accompanied by my sister and her family and I could say that the activities we had there was a fun-loving-modest-family type, having my nephew around. Moreover, the vacation was memorable having back the bonding time we once had. =)

Good times, even celebrated simply, are remarkable when it is shared with the people you loved dearly.

Parting is Tough

As I was making a letter for a friend who is leaving us for good (marrying the guy God gave her), I keep on thinking what would happen next? The pages of friendship we shared will have an ellipses for I believe it will continue as the Lord permits, moreover, another chapter of her life will open in a world of marriage. Mixed emotions sprung up as I remember the laughter, tears of joy, surprises, prayers, even open rebukes that connects us. 

Yes, I agree on what I feel to be glad for God's purpose is already prevailing in her life, however, I cannot deny the fact that a part of me saddens as the day of her departure comes near. It may be that my full-bleak blast does not drawn out yet. It is slowly sinking in me that a sister and a friend in one will not always be around when I needed someone to eat heavy meal (we always eat "kaing pang-manggagawa"), she's gonna be an overseas-phone call miles away when I needed someone to share a "girl-talk" over a cup of coffee or nothing at all, just the plain "how are you?" in a whole deeper sense. The generosity and being sincere of her will be missed. I always remember her saying, "If you are my friend, you'll be my friend until the end. I will defend you no matter what."

I wonder, is there someone who loves saying goodbye? The phrase see you soon, conversely ease the emotional side of departure. I might pretty much stick on the second term, coz life doesn't stop on saying the first term.

We live in a temporary world. What we see is fleeting. What we have is transitory. But one thing's for sure, when we hold on to God's promises, worries will be gone, doubt will fade, and the tears from our eyes that causes vagueness in it clears away. Let's go back to God, our first love.

When something I value is gone, when someone walks away, when everything seems not running smoothly as it used to be, I always remember this song from my youth camp before:

Go on loving you

This is my prayer, this is my cry
I want to go on loving you
All through the joy, all through the fire
I want to go on loving you
I want to go on loving you

Seasons may change, people depart
I want to go on loving you
In times of pain, when life is hard and when the journey seems so long
I want to go on loving you

Your love for me
New as the dawn, older than time
Stronger than death, greater than life
This love is mine

In everything, through all my life
I want to go on loving you
This is my prayer, this is my cry
I want to go on loving you
I want to go on loving you

Your love for me
New as the dawn, older than time
Stronger than death, greater than life
This love is mine

Parisian

Of all the places I've been to, I could say that Paris is one of the most romantic place to fall in love with. I've visited there last year (2010), very much thrilled with what is in the city that people are talking about. From Germany, my relatives and I traveled to Paris via ICE (Intercity-Express) train which is used as a high-speed train around Europe with a maximum speed of 300km/hr. 

While walking and looking for our hotel, my eyes are everywhere, scanning the scene, taking all the landscape in from what I watched in movies and tv series. We stayed in Hotel France Eiffel where it is just a walk away going to Eiffel Tower. After we put our things in our room, we go straight to the famous tower and upon seeing the Eiffel personally for the first time, I was dumbfounded by how big and wide it is! We went up to the top-most and enjoyed the view, taking pictures everywhere. From what I noticed, the reason why you get to see a good look from the top is because they don't have modern skyscrapers that will blocked the old, sturdy architectural design of the city. Among which are the Opera, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum and Asemblee Nationale to name a few.

Elite people will really have the reason why they love to be here, other than the fine, pricey restos they could enjoy, they get to indulge in bags, shoes and clothes, which for me, will worth the same as a house in our country! The costly-branded boutiques are like museums, putting all their artistry and elegance in it, inside and out.

A night life in Paris is maybe different from what we picture out. It means to say looking at the surroundings, taking pleasure of the bronze appearance of the environment that comes from Eiffel Tower. The passionate sense of the city will envelope you. I remember 2 Chinese old couples embracing each other while dancing under the Eiffel, maybe reminiscing how they first fell in love with each other. As I may have a sweet suggestion for guys: you can have a wedding proposal at the top-most of Eiffel, buy a glass of champagne (there's a champagne bar up there), present the engagement ring inside the glass and pronounce your sweep-me-off-my-feet, declaration of love to the person you want to be with for the rest of your life. Talk about sweetness!!!