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!!!

Coming Soon

How long will you actually wait for something to happen, for someone to come, for dreams to become reality? We live in a world full of uncertainties, always hoping to get what you want even if what you want will not benefit you in the long run. It's exhilarating to dream big. Far from what you can imagine, but will it come to pass in an arm's length, or will it be miles to where the reality paradise is?

They say being positive will give you a character. It will boost up your self-esteem. Will you still go on even if the waiting goes on and on, and never over?

                           

I'm writing this because I, myself, is in the loooong waaiiiting time, for dreams, for someone, for something, for everything to come along. People didn't see what is inside. They didn't feel what I feel when they bombard me with questions in which I don't have answers. Funny I think, I sometimes get irritated when people always ask me questions, however, I keep on asking God, He just listens.

If I may quote from the bible on what Habakkuk said to God and how God responded to him.  "I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what He will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint." "Then the Lord replied: 'Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.'" (Habakkuk 2:1-3)

God's time is different than ours. We may be tired of trying to get some answers but He has an appointed time for it. It may be that His purpose in your life is yet to come. That your testimony on how God molds you will be of greater impact first to people around you. Might as well be on the go to where God leads you, that His purpose will prevail in your life. Anyhow, we should have a grip on His promises because He is faithful on His Word. 

"Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:7-8. Let this be our prayer as we wait upon the Lord. 

Roger's Diner

My friend and I was looking for a place to eat. We planned to go to Souq Waqif, a place where varieties of flavors are located, from Asian cuisine to Mediterranean taste. However, the Eid Eve stopped us, causing traffic all over Doha. And so we decided to go from the nearest, nice place that we can think of and I suggested to try Roger's Diner. It's a new restaurant in Al Sadd. The place itself is very noticeable given that it is beside the famous Patchi and the sophisticated artistry of Lenotre, plus the bright lights that attracts you to come and dine with them. 

I can say that our second choice resto is a better alternative. The moment we come inside, we were gobsmacked by what we see, how spacious it is, its high-ceiling, the big airplane propeller, and the combination of red and black colors all over the place. It's pretty obvious that the place is inspired by aeronautics. The setting is like a mishmash of Friday's, Johnny Rockets and Army Navy. 

The crew is really accommodating. They assisted us on which is their bestsellers. The menu offers steak, burger, pizza, pasta, grilled chicken, ice cream, and coffee. We ordered grilled chicken barbecue with rice, double-size barbecue burger (we're after the bacon), peach and lemon ice tea. No starters for us, just the real deal. hahaha. 

If you want a cool, not-too-classy, not-too-pricey hang-out, you better pull yourself here and enjoy the air of Roger's Diner.