Missin' my blog!

At last! I got some time to visit my blog!.its been almost 2 years since my last update.

With my new password set, I hoped to make regular post.. I missed to write here!! really!

SALAMAT!

For the past weeks, I've been busy with the preparation for the launching of our parish Jubilee celebration and God has been continuously giving me experiences to really enter with a deep sense of reflection and not just focus on the festivities that goes with it.

Being part of the core team for creative communications where we are in charge of promotions, research, documentation and public campaigns, God always reminded me that on top of everything, He is the one important! and His plans are greater than mine :).

I nearly cried when I attended the concelebrated mass last October 7 -- our fiesta (Our Lady of the Holy Rosary) and at the same time, the launching of the one year Jubilee celebration of our parish. Eric kept on saying to me that "ako ang ina ng lahat ng drama", kasi nga parati akong naiiyak. But this one is different.. Napapaiyak ako sa sobrang pasasalamat na binigyan ako ng pagkakataon ng Diyos na makilala Siya ng lubos-- that I was given an opportunity na kahit sa maliit ko na kakayanan, makapaglingkod ako sa Kanya. Because I'm part of the church. And it is true naman, that God has given me sooooooooo many blessings talaga all through the years.

How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me? ..I can't.. Because His blessings are overwhelming--continuous.--and unselfish. At hindi rin naman Siya nag aantay ng kapalit..But I can always say..Thank You... Salamat..Maraming, maraming salamat :)

Salamat dahil may isang Diyos ..salamat sa Mahal na Birhen.. Salamat sa mga pari.. salamat sa mga kaba barrio ko.. Salamat sa aking pamilya.. sa kaibigan.. sa mga nakasamaan ng loob.. Salamat sa isang simbahan na Siyang pumatnubay upang patuloy kong makilala ang Diyos sa bawat pangyayari....sa bawat pagtawa..sa bawat pagdurusa..sa bawat tagumpay.. sa bawat pagsubok sa buhay... Sa lahat ng aking naranasan, tunay na pwede kong isigaw sa Diyos na "SALAMAT!!!"

Our Altar, taken during the feast of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary last October 7.

At 32!

Today officially removes my age in the calendar BUT luckily, enrolment in the lotto numbers.. nyahahaha..It's my birthday today, July 15!yahoo!

I'm making a post on this blogsite before 12midnight, as I would like to thank all the people who are really part of my life...I hoped I can list them all before I fell asleep:)

Yesterday I received an advance greeting through email from a friend abroad with a very touching message :). Somebody sent a text message at 12midnight of July 15 ( the first who greeted this day) and my phone inbox was full today with all the warm greetings from my friends. My family had given me a breakfast greeting of "happy birthday". I attended the morning mass and God enlightened me through the life of St. Bonaventure (feast today) who makes use of his talents and efforts in serving God. My TYOC friends came to the house later today for dinner and we exchange "chats" and "laughs" that we missed when most of us are not around.

Ahhh!! what a day!!I'm really blessed to be sorrounded by wonderful people:)

At my age, where I felt that "this is it... i'm getting old.. no turning back...", I'm really thankful that I have experienced different facets of life -- rejections, persecutions, triumph, failures, successes-- that I get hold of all these events so I continue to grow. Life is not about age, --life is not planning either-- life is like our taste buds... might be bitter..might be sweet.. or sour sometimes.. ..But that's the way it is.. The most important thing is that there is a recognition of what it is.. define it.. accept it... learn from it... live to its purpose.

I thank God for this life.. for the gift of family, friends, officemates, community..I thank Him for everything. My only wish for my 32nd birthday is that God may grant me the gift of touching people's lives.. That I may live to the real purpose of my existence.

Happy birthday to me !!!

Viva ILOCOS!!!

For the past 6months since I revived this blogsite, I failed to regularly make a post.. But with my latest get away this weekend, I can't help but share the wonderful experience I had. :)..

I really wanted to travel... and I got fascinated with nature..For me getting into these places keep me relax and free. I'm a big fan of Wow Philippines tag line: "Tara na , Byahe Tayo" !. hehehe..I knew that there's a lot to discover here in our country---maybe comparable or better than the other places I visited abroad.

My officemate, Helen, actually opened the idea of going for a roadtrip to Ilocos. She was influenced by her sister who had joined their cousins on a trip in the region two weeks ago- who said that the place is really worth visiting. Actually, I really wanted to go there as well, but I had always a conflict with the schedule with my other set of friends. and for me a group trip will be wonderful!!So, when she asked me I'm ok to plan for a trip-- its a GO!!!hahaha!. I didn't think twice.. Its a YES.. !!

Let's look at the map.. We are passing the four regions up to the peak of North. Total hours of travel is ~12-14 hours--> up to Pagudpod)

So, getting people together, we set the date--It's June 11-14. We go for a tour package instead of a previous plan of driving our own cars, because we thought it will maximize the time since we dont knew that place well. And wow!! I believed we are so lucky to get the best reasonable tour package!Thanks to Jem and his wife!Everything was superb! (http://www.explorenorth.multiply.com/).

We initially plan to leave Manila at June11 at 11pm, but due to the pussycat dolls concert, its almost 1am when we get rid of the traffic and went ahead to the north.. It was really a looooooong travel but the whole time was well spent when we arrived there!

The group: (L-R) Doods, Edmond (Doods youngest brother), Lordgen, Bebeth(my friend), ako!, Lina, Ana, Helen, Mark ( We re gain our strength when we finally saw the "Laoag" sign! heheh)

Jem, our official photographer.. este..our great tour guide pala..

The first day was spent on tours within Ilocos Sur, specifically in Vigan. Vigan is famous on Spanish built houses, handicrafts, clay pottery, and Chavit Singson's Baluarte.

ehhemm..ehemm... nice vase... :) This is clay pottery "re-engineered". I better solder components than mold clay vases. Too bad I dont have the talent :(

Later in the afternoon, after buying market supplies for dinner and lunch picnic the next day, we went straight to Pagudpud. Everyone was tired but happy. The next day was the best.. The itinerary is just within Pagudpod--highlights were the trek to go to Kabigan falls, blue lagoon for our lunch..and we had banana boating there!! yehey!!..our last stop was the saud beach waiting for the sunset. Waaahh!! it was relaxing!

Pagudpod at a distant (did you noticed the curve in the map? I think this is a part of it. Imagine you in the middle of mountains and the vast South China Sea ! Wow this is really amazing!!)

at Kabigan Falls

Going Bananas :)

1st Batch :: Yey!! We are all first timers!! Yahoo!!

2nd Batch: Lordz, you are there again??!!heheheh

Leaving Pagudpud at 5AM

We woke up early for the last day, as we are heading back to Manila but will be passing through the Bangui windmills and back to Vigan again..

This is one of the best weekend getaway I had. Thanks to everyone--to Mark/Helen, Lina, Ana, Bebeth, Lordz, Doods and Edmond (mega thanks for the dinner !!) , and to Jem/wife for everything!!. Seeing the beauty of the north makes me proud that I'm a Filipino. It gives me a realization that there's so much to treasure here in our own country!

We are not happy, arent we? :)

Have a great week ahead everyone =)

Thanks to 2008 and Welcome 2009!!

My last post was dated back in 2006. Wow! Am glad blogger had this password recovery that reminds people like me that there is hope on those who kept on forgetting the password!! More power to blogger!! yehey!

I always believed that everything comes in proper timing. As I renew my blogpost, I'm writing at exactly 6 hours and 45minutes before 2009 begins..Just in time to rekindle the 2008 events :)

I had a great year, and eventough I know that God did gave me countless blessings at 2008, let me share a few highlights of it.



My Job:

1. Ups and downs at my job have given me better response to pressure inside and outside the organization.I believed I was more mature than before :)

2. I handled several people where my leadership was tested so many times, and each and everyone had made me realized that a leader is truly a servant .

3. Recessions happening recently challenges me to manage my finances better!!haha!! I should apply my financial management subjects at my MBA class. (i dont like accounting subjects!!waahh!)



My Family:

1. The more I saw my mom and titas and titos getting older everyday, the more I loved them :) and the more I realized that despite difficulties, everything is amazing!

2. We might not be a perfect family, but I loved and appreciate what I have right now. To me, having everyone around in the table during dinner time sharing the same old stories (hehe) is one of the best events of my life.

3. Having my counsins and second cousins and family around the place, always give me reason that there is no big problem that cannot be solved. I really got a big support from them.

My Friends:

1. My friends from childhood (The Young Once Club -TYOC) had a summer class program with the less fortunate kids!This was a great experience for us -- a time of bonding once again. As we have our different profession now, its good that we have one common activity like this. Ulitin natin to!

2. We have additions sa tropa. Romar and Richard got married. Welcome Sheila and Fe!! We expect our bulilits to be 6 next year -- joining Sean, Jannah, Dinmuel, Jeh-ar and Shantel, and more and more to come. Of course, Nancy had Dhenlord this year, so, goooo girl!. Hay, Bebeth, and Emma --kaya natin to!!hahah!

3. Of course, aside from my childhood friends, syrempre my officemates naman. Helen and Sheila and Alain got married this year. Congrats to their partners, Mark, Dex and Ryna..Yehey ako na lang ang single!! waahahah!! Also, Clemence gave birth to my inaanak Gaby..

My Community:

1. My Neo -catechumenal Community - we entered the Traditio and it was a difficult but a very fruitful step for me, really. I really appreciate the blessing this formation had brought in my everyday life. Aside from family and friends, my community is the source of my strength! Kaya lagi ako me will to go on!!

at maraming marami pa events... but I can't list them all at baka abutan ako ng 2009!

I thank God for a wonderful 2008!! Thank you po Lord ng maraming marami. I prayed and hoped that you will guide us as we welcome 2009!! Your ways are better than others.

God's plan is the best! Happy New Year !!!

Reminiscing.....

Two more weeks....and I'm going home....and this time..I really wanted to go.....
When I came here, its like having a big family -- a lot of GT engineers around, Cherry and I usually hang out after office hours -- wait until the mall closes...go to the gym..chat..and eat a lot after..hahahah!..explore new roads, getting lost..!!! that was fun....!!!

As I'm staying longer, a realized most of my colleagues going back (of course, because they came earlier..) and now we are only 2 left here, and my officemate is staying not really close to my apartment compound. So, I'm the only GT engineer in my compound and I need cheer up!! hey Rhea, smile and enjoy !!!.

I was browsing my old pics folder and I found some group pics that remind me when most of us are still here.



on my bday


Family pic??!! Jai, Coy, Rommel, Cherry , me at Monterey beach



Coy! shooting ba ito ng hunchback at Monterey??ano nangyari sa likod mo??, hehehe



abuchikik!!



Laban, pacman!!

Eto naman when Cocoy and Tonton left:


at Rommel's apartment: dale was taking the pic;lunch at Rommel's apt;

Livermore kulit pics:

ang gaan-gaan ng feeling....





ADSJ's picnic



I'm glad I'm in San Jose..Last time I was here I gained a lot of friends and I now that I'm alone I have a lot of time to visit them, chat and watch TFC...hehehehe ...

Oooops.time to get back to work... 'till next post!

God writes straight with crooked lines .....

Today is September 8, Mama Mary's birthday. :)

I was moved by one the reading reflections that my friend forwarded me today. This was really true :

God writes straight with crooked lines. His will is sovereign and always gets accomplished, eventually, one way or another.

It is true that Jesus came from a "not so perfect" family. In fact, the biblical names mentioned where he is rooted are those that is known to be sinners, robbers, etc..
And yet, God choses this genealogical line to save mankind--to protect His people. And through Mary and Joseph, God's plan came into reality.

Really, God writes our history. In our twisted lives, there sprung forth goodness and achievements. In the middle of crisis and weaknesses, God shows His might and power.

We may all be looking forward for having an ideal life -- a perfect family..Dreaming of that is good. But we should remember that we can't all have such kind of life. There would always be imperfections. We are created differently, unique, and with very specific history. And whatever our history is, eventough we think that its the worst history ever written--it is good and best for us. We may not know it at first, but God will reveal the goodness in it eventually, if there's acceptance from us.

God is always good. No doubt.. I can attest to that.......


Happy Birthday, Mama Mary!!!
May all of us have a great weekend!

Just around San Jose

Been here in the US for 2 months..Wheewww..I remember my last time here, that my friends and I always planned for a weekend getaway..Four hours off the road, with all the maps, snacks..etc...and at long weekends making long trips going to another state..10 -14 hours just driving..??!cool..That was fun!!..
But when I came back, I just realized that there are many places just around the place where I stayed that I've never been to. So, I'm gonna share to you some pictures on some places where my friends hang out on weekends.......just around San Jose.


Winchester Mystery House - Winshester Blvd-just across Stevens Creek

This house is a 160 room mansion that Mrs. Winchester, the heiress of the Winchester rifle fortune, lived in. In 1884, the wealthy widow named Sarah L. Winchester began a construction project of such magnitude that it was to occupy the lives of carpenters and craftsmen until her death thirty-eight years later.
She had such a fear of the spirits of those killed by the Winchester rifle that she created a very unique house. She had a fascination with the number 13 and never slept in the same bedroom 2 nights in a row. Some of the bizarre features are doors and windows opening onto blank walls: a staircase from the floor to the ceiling: a door opening outward to an 8 foot drop off: glass floors: a room you can go into but not out of the same door. [Patti, 07/13/2001]



Me and Piyu



with my Analog colleagues


Mt.Hamilton- Lick Observatory

The University of California's Lick Observatory, located in the Diablo Range east of San Jose, California, has a long and fascinating history. The legacy of the eccentric California millionaire James Lick, the Observatory was founded in 1888 and has been part of the University of California ever since. Lick Observatory has grown to keep pace with the changing demands of astronomy, and, after more than a century of operation, remains among the most productive research observatories in the world. (http://mthamilton.ucolick.org/public/history/)

It was also funny when learned from the tour guide that James Lick previously owned a place over in San Jose that is used to be a flower mill. and you know what ???!!! that was Lick Mill !!!! now that explains why it was called such... It is the place where we stayed!!what a coincidence.!!


the 120" telescope (huge!!) - the automated telescope so far the observatory had


A view from the observatory; the whole of San Jose.


NASA AMES Exploration Center- Moffet Field

Located ay the main gate of the NASA Ames at Moffet Field just off US101, the NASA exploration center offers a view of outer space experience. The facility boasts the largest Immersive Theater on the West Coast. The theater presents panoramic views of Mars and Saturn's rings as well as other eye-popping movies and special effects on a curved 40 foot wide screen. Content includes a true-color panorama taken by the rover Spirit of the "Cahokia" site on the Columbia Hills and images taken by the Cassini mission of Saturn can be viewed on the large screen. Some of the alien images are seen at twice the resolution of high definition television. (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/home/exploration.html)













my new weight!! (surprise!!) ..thanks to Yoga!! (just kidding!)
Now you have the idea how much do I weigh..(waaahh!!)



Rommel , Cherry and me.


The places are just a few minutes drive from our place..of course..except for the Lick Obervatory.(its only ~14 miles as per map, but the road is long and winding).It takes us about 50 minutes to go up....I do enjoyed the weekend...--see?! It really doesn't need long drive to go to good places,huh?!

May all of us have a good week ahead!! =)

Surprise!!

Two weeks ago, a health fair was launched at ADSiv--and it was really a fun activity..Actually, Dale just invited me...thanks to Dale.....I actually dont know anything about it at first..I just knew there are free snacks !!(hahah!)....so I came ..(just kidding)....

Well fortunately, aside from several health services booths, there are also goodies given free of charge as well as a raffle draw..You just need to fill up the form, and go to booths, have your form signed by the representatives, and when you have 10 signed boxes on your forms!that's it! you are qualified to join the raffle!!haah!!

Now the most exciting part. ...heheh..The winners are announced through email, but I was not included in the mailing list..hehe.he...How will I know if I won or not??!!! Thanks to Cris, for bringing the good news to me....hhaah!!

So.....I won...this....( I bet most of you will laugh knowing what I got!heheh)

introducing.......tsararannnn.......(fireworks, please!!!)

I got the complete YOGA kit!!! yehey!!

So what's inside???

A book, a DVD, and a YOGA mat!!! hahahah!!

Now I'm ready to start!!!.

Welcome to the YOGA class!!!!

May you all have a great weekend!!!

Back in the US!

Its been 3 years since I've been to California. It's nice that I was given a chance to visit this place again - chat with so many friends I gained with since I last came here and experience the beauty of this state. ( honestly, I feel that I was not really far away from home). Filipinos are all over the place.=)

I havent updated my blog for quite a while and since I came here a month , this is the only time since I posted my pics.. Busy??!!! heheh. busy on almost everything ---work, visiting friends, and going everywhere..!

July 4 weekend - trip to Los Angeles :



entrance to Disneyworld and California Adventure



the group at the Sleeping Beauty Castle - me, mayyang, rommel, jai

with Mulan

with Mickey =)

Mickey Toontown

Day 2 : Universal Studios (sa entrance lang..hhehe) and CityWalk, Hollywood

July 16, 2006 -Ate Marls bday picnic at Monterey Beach

group pic at the Lone Cypress - me, cherry,rommel,cocoy,ton,jai

I'll be staying here for 3 months. So far, I've been here for a month..Haaayy..many things changed, specifically in the place where I am staying and the building where I'm now working at..wheeew.Two more months to come, and I bet I will have a lot of new experiences to share.

May God always bless us always =) .