2009 Goals

I was struck with insight tonight. I've fallen asleep on the way home while gazillion things occupy my mind. Upon waking up, I realized why I have lots of things I'm aiming to accomplish yet none of it seems to be happening. I remember that goals should be "smart" (yey! thanks to Sir Rog).

S - specific
M - measurable
A - attainable
R - realistic
T - timely

So I decided to re-visit my mind of all those things I wish to achieve and identify which is a priority. I succeeded to name my Top 5 and so, here it is:

1.) Pass the civil service exam
2.) Have at least Php 30,000.00 in my bank account
3.) Get my drivers license
4.) Start my own business or partner with other MMG or with my Ate
5.) Go out of town with my family for vacation

Hmm..I guess all the rest are easy except #2. With my basic pay with Eton, it will be close to impossible. So I guess I really need to work on my #4..hehe

Now my life is starting to shape-up. May God give me discipline to accomplish all these..:-)

Missing my cousins

Its a sleepy hot afternoon but I don't feel like napping. It made me realize how quiet this house is without the usual buzz of my younger siblings (they're left at the bicol vacationing, lucky them!) and the adorable shrieks and giggles of my baby cousins.. Oohh..I totally miss them...



WARNING : Love for the camera runs in the family.. *wink

Macho Men

Ooops...what's with this???


Hardworking call center cuties


Drama princes

Mwah!!!

Bonding time..:-)

Mama, Bitoy, and Me doing the underrated PEACE sign

Ate Mae and Biboy

Guess what we're doing..hehe

Wahaha!

Let me share this video of them two..KAKA-GIGIL!!!! hahaha!

Aren't they the cutest? Miss them so much...:-(

CamSur Trip : Part 2

Black Saturday : Time for some fun under the Sun and the Beach!

CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) is the brainchild of Camarines Sur governor, LRay Villafuerte. It's for those people who seeks water fun and adventure. It houses two man-made lake, one is the Lago Del Rey (where this photo was taken) and the other for wake-boarding sport (which this summer haven is most famous for). It's located at the town of Pili, only 20 minutes away from Naga City, at the back of the provincial capitol. What I truly love about this place is the majestic view of Mt. Isarog, just take a look of that pic..;-)

Cabana #17

We rented this cozy cabana for only Php1,350.00, only walking distance from the lake.

This is me on our room, hehe..quite messy..tsktsk

It's a good bargain actually, twin-size beds, airconditioned, hot n' cold shower, plus 24 hours cable TV access..yeebah! Once you avail of any accommodation at the Villa, you're allowed to swim at the pool (near the restaurant and the lake for wakeboarding) for free.

The Cabanas during the night

The lights really brings out more drama to the cozy houses, doesn't it? Hmm..a romantic stroll along these paths perhaps?? *sigh. Though, no summer flings in sight, we're determined to have lots'a fun!!

At the Lago del Rey, soaking up the sun and the water-feel.

Love it here! Obvious ba? hehe

After the dip...

Vangie and Judy is now a certified CWC fan!

I guess I would have enjoyed it more if MMG were there..huhu Missed you there Izay and Macy. Next escapade, we shall all be there!

CamSur Trip : Part 1

Holy Week Escapade: Let's make this summer kick-off a blast!

Maundy Thursday : Vangie arrived at the Bus Terminal at exactly 7:30 PM, about 4 hours late from the original plan. So instead of going straight to Camsur Watersports Complex, I decided that we go home first to Tinambac.

Good Friday : Now probably the most important tip I can give when having an out-of-town trip is, MAKE A RESERVATION! Unfortunately one thing I forgot to make. We arrived at CamSur Watersports Complex only to find out that they are fully booked for the day. We changed plans and decided to find a place to stay at Naga City.

Duh! heehee

Enjoying the luxury of Crowne Hotel (and damn I did, I paid Php1,350.00 for this)

Happy and ready to rest!

Now though we really intend to have fun at this trip, we did not forget that it's still holy week so we had Bisita Iglesia at some of the churches around the city.

Naga City Cathedral

We also paid homage to the prestigious institution of Ateneo de Naga.

Ateneo de Naga University


The Pieta in its glory (still inside the campus)

As if I'm Mary Magdalene..heehee

Back at the hotel . . .(still the camera shy-pips that we are..tsktsk). Hindi pa rin nagbago, MMG pa rin..hehe

Last photo shoots before dozing off

(to be continued. . .)

ANDOY - a story of faith

Last Sunday, the priest shared a very inspiring story of faith that really touched me. It goes straight to my heart since my faith haven't been that iron-strong this past few weeks. I wanted to blog this but my memory's not that good in recalling the whole story so I tried searching for it in the net. Luckily I found something.

This story will forever remind me how to keep my faith in God above.

***

Somewhere in Milaor, Camarines Sur, Philippines there lived a fourth grader boy named Andoy who would follow this route to school everyday. He has to cross the rugged plains and cross the dangerous highway where vehicles are recklessly driving to and from. Once passed this highway, the boy would take a short cut by passing by the Church every morning just to say Hi to Jesus, and faithfully say his, "Magandang umaga po" in Bicol dialect.

A Priest, who was so happy to find innocence so uplifting in the morning, was faithfully watching the boy.

"Kamusta Andoy! Papasok ka na?"

Opo padre..." He would flash his innocent grin, the priest would be touched.

The priest was so concerned that one day he talked to Andoy, "From school...", he advised "do not cross the highway, you can pass through the Church and I can accompany you to the other side of the road... that way I can see that you are home safe.

"Thank you father."

"Why don't you go home? Why do you stay in this Church right after school?"

"I just want to say "Hi" to my friend, Jesus,"

The priest would leave the boy to spend time beside the altar, talking by himself, but the priest hid behind the altar to listen to what this boy has to say to his heavenly FATHER.

"You know my math exam was pretty bad today, but I did not cheat - although my seatmate is bullying me for notes ... I ate one cracker and drank my water, Itay had a bad season and all I can eat is this cracker. Thank you for this! I saw a poor kitten that was hungry and I know how he feels so I gave my last cracker to him ... funny but I am not that hungry. Look, this is my last pair of slippers ... I may have to walk barefooted next week .... you see this is about to be broken. But it is okay at least I am still going to school ... some says we will have a hard season this year and some of my classmates have already stopped going to school. Please help them get back to school again, please Jesus? ... Oh, you know, Inay had hit me again, it is painful, but I

know this pain will pass away, at least I still have a mother ... Jesus, you want to see my bruises? I know you can heal them ...here... here and....oh ... blood ... I guess you knew about this one huh? Please don't be mad at Inay. She is just tired and she worries for the food in our table and my schooling that is why she hits us ... Oh, I think I am in love ... there's this pretty girl in my class, her name is Anita ... do you think she will like me? Anyway, at least I know you will always like me, I don't have to be anybody just to please you, you are my very best friend! Hey your birthday is two months from now! Aren't you excited? I am! Wait till you see my gift for you.... But it is a surprise! I hope you will like it! Oops, I have to go..." then he stood up and calls out,

"Padre, padre, I am finished talking to my friend. You can accompany me to the other side of the road now"

Everyday this routine happens without fail for Andoy. Father Agaton shares this every Sunday to the people in his church because he has not seen a very pure faith and trust in Jesus, a very positive look at negative situations.

One Christmas day, Father Agaton was sick so he could not make it to Church, he was sent to the hospital. The Church was left to 4 manangs who would chant the rosary in 1000 miles per hour would not smile and always find fault in what you do. They are also very well versed in cursing if you irritate them! They were kneeling, saying their kilometric rosary when Andoy, coming from his Christmas party, playfully dashed in,

"Hello Jesus! I.

"P----! (a curse) bata ka! Alam mo nang may nagdadasal dito! Alis!"

Poor Andoy was so terrified, "Where's Father Agaton? He is supposed to help me cross the street.... And to be able to cross the street I will have to pass by this church ...not only that, I have to greet Jesus. Today is His birthday and I have a gift right here.... Just as he was about to get the gift out of his shirt, one manang pulled his shirt and threw him out of the church.

"Susmaryosep! (does a sign of the cross fervently) Alis kang bata ka, kung hindi matatamaan ka!

So the boy had no choice but to cross the dangerous side of the road in front of the church. He crossed. There was a blind curve. A fast moving bus came in. The boy was protecting his gift inside his shirt, so he was not looking. There was so little time. The bus hit Andoy and he died on the spot. A lot of people crowded the lifeless body of the young boy.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere a tall man wearing a white shirt and pants, a face so mild and gentle, but with eyes full of tears. He came and lifted the boy in his arms and he was crying.

The curious bystanders nudged the man in white, and asked, "Excuse me sir, are you related to this child? Do you know this child?"

The man, his face mourning and in agony answered, "He was my best friend."

He took the badly wrapped gift in the bloody chest of Andoy and placed it near his heart. He stood up and carried the boy away and they both disappeared in sight. The crowd was bewildered.

The next day, Father Agaton learned of the shocking news. He immediately
visited Andoy's house and wanted to learn more about the man in white. He asked Andoy's parents. "Do you know the man who took Andoy?"

"A man in white brought him here." sobbed the mother.

"What did he say?"

The father answered, "He did not say anything. He was mourning. We do not know him and yet he was very lonely at our son's death as if he knew our son very well. There was something peaceful and unexplainable about him. He brought my son home and then he smiled gently. He rubbed Andoy's hair away from his face and kissed him on his forehead. Then he whispered something to Andoy."

"What did he say?", asked the priest.

The father began, "He said to my son..."Thank you for the gift .... I will see you soon... you will be with me forever..."

Andoy's father continued, "You know for a while, I felt so wonderful. I cried, but I do not know why. All I know is that I cried tears of joy. I could not explain it father. When that man left, something peaceful came over me. I felt a deep sense of love inside. I could not explain the joy in my heart. I knew my boy is in heaven now ... but ... tell me father, who is this man that my son talks to everyday in your church. You should know because you are always there... except on the time of his death."

Father Agaton suddenly felt the tears welling in his eyes, with trembling knees, he murmured, "He was talking to no one.... but....JESUS."

***

Source : home.catholicweb.com/sanjoseparish/files/Inspirational_Stories/A_long_but_touching_story_of.do