Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

The storm's out and the sun's shining so bright once again.
Typhoon Pedring was literally a thing of yesterday, having lasted for only a day...
It left some damage to our house and to ate's tummy (she claims that she now knows the feeling of getting stabbed:) but we are more than well, with a roof above our heads and strong walls that kept us safe, with more than enough food to fill our stomachs, and with the best company to spend a stormy no-electricity day with- each other...

Before we joked around, sang round songs and Christmas songs, and attempted to play Scrabble in the dark to enjoy ourselves, we remembered our loved ones and our fellow Filipinos in prayer...

...and once again, our hearts are overwhelmed with gratefulness for God's goodness and greatness in our family. Truly in God, being grateful is as natural as breathing because each day, He never fails to give us a million reasons and more to thank Him, and to love Him even more...

And so once again Father God, I give thanks with a grateful heart- for saving me, for your grace and mercy that you flood upon us each day, and for your love that is greater than any physical, emotional, and spiritual storm we may encounter. I love you, and I'm forever indebted to You for revealing yourself to me, and allowing me to experience the fullness of life each day in your presence.

Lots of love,
Katy

I Wanna Be a Master Minesweeper:)

...was momentarily just as sad as the yellow face above...9 mines?! just 9 mines! then I examined my right hand...it isn't sore or tired yet...I think I can play another round:)

This is my current obssession (exaggeration intended), although if I keep on losing or 'almost winning':), then the end will I guess be close to that because rarely do I give up on games I enjoy, especially on those that give me sooo much hope...haha

I thought 'I must really have a case of serious boredom' to enjoy it, but now that I've been hooked for weeks even in my busy-ness, it's really fun! I don't know anyone who thinks so too...haha... but fun is subjective anyway (defensive?! ang loser lang...haha)

I finished Tumblebugs after several months of playing and psp game Crash after more than a year so I can surely take my time with this. And when I win it, I'm gonna give my hand a relaxing massage then I'm gonna treat myself with a cup of Wendy's Frosty or whichever ice cream I fancy:)

Grabbed Photo Overload

Happy Birthday Julius! And thank you so much for the treat!
And it was so nice to have seen Bea plus Gerard, and Fatima again!

Thank God for occasions and photo-genius friends, I still get to have great photos without a great cam:)
We celebrated Julius' birthday at Aveneto, Trinoma last Saturday over dinner.
As usual I came home the earliest-10:15pm and I really thank God for the courage and strength I had that night. Peer pressure isn't just for teens, especially with the friends I have. Pressure kung pressure!
But of course I also know that they just want to spend more time with me. Sorry guys, I just could not make the compromise. I led the worship in our church, FCF, the next day and I'm so glad I did not party the previous night away:) Balance is the key. And yes, I'm so not spontaneous but I really value my commitments.

But thank you so much for the pictures! I love you guys!

The following photos were taken by my high school friend Toto and my bff for the longest time, Cathlyn (who also happen's to be Toto's girlfriend) using Toto's sosyal na camera:)

These one's are by Maru:)

Happy birthday again Julius!

Life is good with wonderful friends. Even peer-pressuring ones:p

Waiting and Holding On

This is one of the many personal reflection papers I arrive at whenever I feel down. And yes, I've been a little down inside these past days, seeing and hearing from and about people getting what they want, and what I've been wanting and praying for too. And no, I'm not in a poor/bad condition or stuck in an ugly circumstance I can't get out of. I am actually good and more than well, with so many reasons to thank God for...but I am still down...and I've learned that the only way I could settle this is to be honest with myself, to recognize the feeling to be able to let it go.


What do you think of the phrase 'Right Where I'm Supposed To Be'? While others use it as a cliche, I had to go through days of reflection to know and understand if this is true for my life. And just when I thought I had everything settled already, challenges come again, to shake me and remind me that life isn't about settling, but growing; and that God, the author of my life, is the only one who knows everything, and the only one I can hold on to.You would probably think that I take life very seriously; well not always, but this is one of the things I consider important.

When I started working, I was grateful but at the same time, I had my eyes set on something else. I thought it was a good thing, always having something better to look forward to. I had it all envisioned in my mind- the job I'd like to have, the post-grad studies I was gonna take, how I would go here and be like this after a certain amount of years. As they say, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. But the Word of God tells me something different...

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.


Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

And now that my heart is troubled, it is only in You Father God that I can find strength, comfort, and refuge. When I am weak, when I have done everything I could, when all I can do is wait, praying and keeping on believing; You are the strong, almighty and all-knowing God who hears my prayers, and who knows and does what is best.

Lord, as the song goes, You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Help me to just hold on and mean it, because my own heart is failing me; but not what I want, but Your will be done in my life. Help me understand Father, and to wait patiently, as you reveal each day your great and wonderful plan in my life.
Give me the strength to train myself, taking heart that "there is a perfect time for everything", and replacing all the bitterness and envy in my heart with thanksgiving, for all the blessings you continuously give to me and my family.

And with a renewed Spirit each day, fill my heart with joy and gladness as I choose to thank, to believe, and to remember your goodness and faithfulness, always and forever in my life.

My security is in You Father God, and once again I offer all my plans, wants and needs into your loving hands; You whose wisdom is unfathomable, and whose love, grace, and mercy endures forever.

And once again, my personal reflection ended in a prayer to God. I always find talking to God better than talking to myself. That goes to say that I don't trust in my own abilities, God-given they may be, as they're mixed up with my own will and many other things, ugly stuff included. I'd rather go straight to the source of all wisdom and understanding and be enlightened with His Word, for while there's a huge chance that I'll fail myself, I know God will never fail me.

I may not be exactly where I want to be, but in God, I know I'm right where I'm supposed to be. I actually have so many things to thank Him for! After more than a year, I'll be taking on the commitment and challenge of leading worship in church once again. It's familiar ground but I still am nervous; but I'm also very excited, very blessed, and grateful to serve my God this way once again. It was actually a reminder that He knows exactly when to throw things at me, that He's got big plans and purposes in my life. It's just that my human heart sometimes (most of the time actually) fails to recognize that God's perfect time, no matter how long I have to wait, will prevail and when it does, it will just blow me away:)

Thank you so so much Father God. I entrust my entire life unto thy loving hands. Thank you for the privilege of knowing You. May You grant me the grace each day to wait on You, and to give glory to your name in everything I do. I love you so much and always and forever, I am yours! Please never let me go:)

Super Late Bday Celebration!

I meant that in two ways...

Last Friday, September 2nd, I finally had the chance to meet up with my high school friends for the birthday treat I owe them. It was almost a month late (real birthday's Aug 5th) because my weekends for the past weeks have been filled by unexpected work duties and other birthday celebrations. We had a blast, like we always do, whether we're celebrating anything or just meeting up for coffee, though this one's different because aside from my birthday celebration, it was also April's send-off as she's going to KSA very soon for work. Not everyone were able to come but nevertheless, we enjoyed the night because it's always fun to be with my long-time friends Julius, Cathlyn, April, Ging, Maru, and Maka:)

What was supposed to be an intimate dinner though proceeded to a late-night videoke party. Lumelevel-up na talaga kami...or baka ako na lang...haha. It was my first time to be out with them 'til past 2 am. I actually didn't want to come at first but peer pressure won...haha...and I'm glad I did! I didn't know we could sing continuously for such a long time, pwede na magconcert!:)

Now let me allow the photos taken by Maru, April, Ging (and whoever's free to take the pic) to tell the story...

 cake's mine, cupcake's April's- spell unfair...haha

At Mesa- SM Megamall

Special thanks to Julius for the cake! We loved it!:)

agawan ng mic at Music Match, Metrowalk

mic's for the celebrator

love;) thank you guys!

I've been friends with these guys for more than 10 years now (wow! that's half of my life already), and some of them I've been friends with even longer. For Julius and Cathlyn, I'm talking about a lifetime long...haha...Thank you so much for belatedly celebrating my birthday with me! The subjects of our conversations are improving already as they're starting to be penetrated by grown-up stuff; but some things never change...like, I still have to go home the earliest, only this time, literal na early na at past 2 am!

God bless April as you venture into unknown lands! I'll be praying for you and always remember that we're just a message away if you need a piece of home:) And to the rest of us, cheers to productivity, level-up hangouts, and a lifetime of friendship to look forward to! We miss the others! 'Til our next date! (re: Julius' birthday treat...haha)

Thank you Lord for great friends!

Reading List: The Best of Philippine Literature

Here's another of my random internet finds from Yahoo!. The teaser in the bulletin read "Pinoy Literature's Best Ten" and being the avid reader that I am, there was no way I wouldn't check this out.

The writer, Gel Galang, listed the following must-reads, all by Filipino authors, in an enticing feature I'm sharing below with anyone out there- non-Yahoo readers or busy-bee young pros who don't get to read much lately.

1. GAGAMBA by F. Sionil Jose

Why you should read it
Almost 10 years after its release, the stories of poverty, prostitution, and injustice still resound in our society today. Aside from the critical observations of societal affairs and the upper class, there’s also the jab at God, religion, and the ultimate question, “Why?”
The Bida
Journalists, landlords, politicians—basically the “beautiful people” killed in the earthquake. Their stories take centerstage in the eyes of Gagamba, the storyteller.
The Badass
Tranquilino Penoy a.k.a. Gagamba, a cripple who sells sweepstakes at the entrance of Camarin and a survivor of the earthquake.


2. THE TWISTED SERIES by Jessica Zafra

Why you should read it
If you’re a ‘90s baby, an Eraserheads fan, a tennis fan, a cat lover, or a true cynic with a sharp taste for zing and snap, Jessica Zafra’s Twisted series will surely make you take off your rose-colored glasses and opt for her thick-rimmed ones.
The Bida
Everything. Everyone. Anything, especially world domination.
The Badass
The author, who else?


3. ILUSTRADO by Miguel Syjuco

Why you should read it
An ambitious novel that prods into the Philippine history, lifestyle, and society. Its being awarded the 2008 Man Asian Literary Prize grand winner is practically just icing on the cake, but justly given.
The Bida
Miguel—namesake of the author, but a name that he insists is purely fictional. As the student of Crispin Salvador, Miguel takes it upon himself to uncover the mystery of his mentor’s death.
The Badass
Crispin Salvador, literary lion, womanizer turned recluse, who stays in New York to finish his final masterpiece.


4. MY SAD REPUBLIC by Eric Gamalinda

Why you should read it
Passion and the Filipino-American war didn’t seem to make an interesting read—until this novel came along.
The Bida
A love triangle between a rich girl, a poor boy, and a tisoy gold digger, minus the cliché of your typical telenovela.
The Badass
Asuncion Madrigal, rich, sugarcane hacienda heiress with an attitude. Even when she’s caught in a fierce love triangle with farm boy Isio Magbuela and the rich Tomas Agustin, she’s hardly the damsel-in-distress who’d get swept off her feet. If anything, she swept them off theirs.


5. SOLEDAD'S SISTER by Butch Dalisay

Why you should read it
Dalisay’s prose. Succinct, powerful, muted, restrained, vulnerable, simple, classic.
The Bida
Aurora Cabahug. While the casket labeled with her name arrives from Jeddah and opens the story, Aurora is, in fact, very much alive as a singer in a nightclub.
The Badass
SPO2 Walter Zamora, the cop tasked to reunite the deceased sister with her only living family. Instead of the pot-bellied, ticket-waving, megalomaniac officers that we immediately think of, Walter comes as a mild but pleasant surprise.


6. MONDOMANILA by Norman Wilwayco

Why you should read it
If you’re a fan of transgressive fiction, but want to see how Chuck Palahniuk’s Fight Club or Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting would read in the context of Philippine society, this novel reveals the least expected, but most probable, place to find a cesspool of violence and obscenity—in one’s self.
The Bida
Tony de Guzman, the antihero in search of enlightenment.
The Badass
Tony’s thoughts and ramblings—the things he easily admits about himself—are those that most people would only say out loud on their deathbeds, if they ever would at all.


7. IN THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS by Michelle Cruz Skinner

Why you should read it
A follow-up to Balikbayan and Mango Seasons, this collection captures the essence of Filipino speech and chatter—even though it’s written in English.
The Bida
Choose from the characters of the 16 stories of migrant workers, families in the suburbs, teenage life, and more.
The Badass
Of all, Virgie in “Beautiful” stands out. Despite her fondness and affections for older foreigners that have a price, she does not think of herself as a prostitute.


8. NEWS OF THE SHAMAN by Karl de Mesa

Why you should read it
If you think you’ve seen the dirtiest, most fetid and putrid parts of our beloved city, these four novelas will take you for a ride with fading rock stars, druggie photographers, puppeteer politicians, and otherworldly creatures to a different Manila.
The Bida
Lucas the tripped-up photographer in “Faith in Poison” and “Angelorio.”
The Badass
Joaquin, the vocalist of Shadowland who committed suicide in “Bright Midnight.” Before you say “Kurt Cobain,” make sure to take in the unusual trips, the talking cars, and personal demons that come his way.


9. THE SKY OVER DIMAS by Vince Groyon

Why you should read it
It’s a story about a family straight out of a Jerry Springer episode—crazy dad, klepto mom, one dead brother, and another estranged one—but with the distinct flavor of Filipino craftsmanship.
The Bida
Rafael Torrecarion, the son who goes back to his hometown of Bacolod to bring his father out from his self-confinement in Dimas.
The Badass
George Torrecarion is the labeled local nutcase now rumored to be living with another girl in their hacienda. But he’s also the bearer of stinging truth about his family’s past.


10. THE WOMAN WHO HAD TWO NAVELS by Nick Joaquin

Why you should read it
A tragic story of a family where the mother and the daughter are constantly at muted war with each other, with only their men as their point of agreement and, ironically, disagreement.
The Bida
Connie Escobar, the woman who claims that she has two navels.
The Badass
Concha Vidal, if only for the fact that she got to her daughter’s husband first, and then gave her the spoils later on.

There's a lot of truth in what the writer said about "our local books seem-ing to have started collecting dust even in our own bookstores". I don't really get to buy as much books as I want to but reading doesn't have to equate with buying. Through friends and other connections, I find ways to read the books I fancy. Sadly though, they're mostly by foreign authors. I also have a list in mind of books I'd like to get for myself in time, but it has no Filipino authors included in it.

I've had the privilege of reading collections of Filipino stories back in college which was a gift from my sister. They were actually gifts- 2 books, both collections of stories by Filipino authors, one in Filipino and one in English. I read and enjoyed the Filipino book, but the one written in English seemed too hardcore for me, I think I was only able to read one story. It was more than a challenge to my vocabulary. I usually have the habit of looking up words I don't understand in the articles I read but with that book, either I was overwhelmed or I just wasn't interested at all. So aside from Noli and Fili, and the materials I had to read for my Philippine Literature subject back in college, my reading list is pretty much unpatriotic.  

Of the 10 books listed above, I've only had the chance to read some of Zafra's Twisted series. I've heard about the others in a trivial way, like something I've reviewed for a quiz bee..haha...but after reading the article above, I now have my eyes set on a few that roused my interest. I am not easily convinced by reviews, but they can charm me into trying to see for myself, to prove them either right or wrong based on my personal standards. When I was younger, I used to read anything I could lay my hands on, but the maturity that came with my age taught me to be vigilant with my choices, discriminating those that may not be good for me, overtly or discreetly. In the recent years, I found myself drawn to light, feel-good, yet wisdom-ful books. While I try to stay away from romance novels, they remain close to my heart. But what I've really been investing my time and my sight on these days are the Bible and other Christian books. I thank God for the faith, and for this longing in my heart to know Him more. May my eyes and thoughts give glory to your Name at all times. Let your Holy Spirit guide me in choosing my reads well, that, while I remain open, I may not invest my time and the knowledge and wisdom that comes from you, in understanding anything that could separate me from you.

So I'm keeping the list here, and hopefully I could cross them out one by one in the years to come. I'd probably won't get to read all of them in my lifetime (some of the subjects I particularly avoid or don't like), but this is my way of reminding myself to read more of books not just by Filipino authors, but especially those written in our native language as well.

Ber-ry Excited!

Finally, the -ber months are here! The 2nd quarter of the year had been a fun and busy time for me, but I'm so looking forward to more excitement and happy events that come with the BER- All Saint's Day vacation, Papa's birthday, and my favorite time of the year, Christmas!!!

I frequently view photos at the National Geographic site and when I came by this photo a few weeks ago, it just added all the more to my excitement for Christmas:)

Tsada! 

Photo and caption by Sarah Wager 
Aerial panorama of ancient town of Matera with tufa houses, Duomo and Campanile on hill beyond, at dusk with night illumination, Puglia, Southern Italy

While I claim to be a morning person, I do love dusk and starry-starry nights too! I've probably seen more sunsets than sunrises in my life and I've really stayed and waited at the beach a few times, alone or with friends, just to catch a majestic view of the colors of the setting sun, interplaying with the darkening sky. I actually find sunsets prettier than sunrises, with the different colors of various shades contrasting better with the looming darkness.

The photo above reminded me of Christmas movies I used to watch when I was younger, kulang na lang Auld Lang Syne and We Wish you A Merry Christmas as background music. At the same time, it reminded me of sunsets in La Union, and of our annual family reunion. Feelings like this only increase my desire for a camera...di bale, Christmas is near....and while God never fails to supply all my needs each day, it won't hurt to pray for a few wants every now and then:) Ask, believe, and I shall receive...in His perfect time!

I don't know if it's just me and my imagination or if the photo really has that effect in the minds of people. If it's just me, then I guess this is what happens when one spends the supposedly long-weekend vacation working one's ass off...haha...but thank you Lord for the inspiration, for little things to look forward to, and for things that remind me of home. Let tomorrow's dream become today's courage. Aja!