Thoughts

In the multitudes of holiday photo albums, Christmas and Happy New Year greeting messages, people being busy for the New Year Celebration, etc, etc, I doubt if many people would bother looking into this post. But right now it doesn't really matter, as long as I get to write what's been heavy in my mind lately.=]

The past couple of weeks made me think about a lot of things in my life.

School.
This year has been one of my major turnpoints in terms of my school life. It was a major decision to transfer campuses. It was one of my greatest answered prayers, to become part of UP Manila's Speech Pathology lateral program. I still can't describe that amazing feeling I felt when I found out that I passed, along with 10 others, out of the hundreds who applied for the program. I can't thank God enough for that wonderful opportunity and I can't wait to experience the bright future ahead of me as a Speech Pathologist.

However, this sem has been a challenge for me. I am barely passing all of my Chem quizzes, and I'm still getting used to the workload given to me. I am aware that I was distracted about a lot of things. And now that I'm back to my old self, I know I can still do better, and I can work harder. I know I passed SP because God knows I can do it. Although I'm not as bright as some of my kasabayans here in UP, I know by His grace, I can do this.=]

I also kind of missed UPD. They day I went to the lantern parade, I said to myself, "Ang gandang campus naman nitong iniwan ko!". The lush environment, that feeling you get when you walk in the University Avenue, those feelings of pride, joy, and liberty of being a UP student. Hahaha. I hate to say this but sa Diliman ko talaga pinaka-naramdaman na maging isang ganap na estudyante sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas. But of course, I wouldn't trade that for my course here in UPM. Hehe.=)

Friends.
It's hard being a transferee because you can only be friends with people to a certain degree. And to add to that, I'm not a barkada person. I'm didn't join an org during my freshie days because I was so bent on having good grades. But now, I'm getting there. I'm trying to know lots of people in my stay here in UPM. As for my current friends, I do miss many of them.

Heart Issues.
I don't know what to say. Haha. The aftermath of what happened to me weeks ago was enough to make me realize that there are bigger things to think about than wishing to have someone around. I have school to think about. I have my family and friends. I have God. I know I'm happy and I'm complete.

I've never been in a relationship, and I admit that because of that, I'm so vulnerable with these things. But now, I'm back to my old self. I don't want to be extremely affected with heart matters. There are some people right now whom I really admire, but I do not wish to go into that. I want to be friends with them without having the wrong motives. I'm really praying that He will guard my heart this time around. =]

Family.
One of the things that I look forward to during holidays is spending time with my family. Although there are some people who are missing, I'm so happy that He brought us through together for another year.

My family situation isn't what I imagined it to be when I was young. But I don't let myself get affected with this because God has His reasons why certain things happen. I accepted this long time ago, and I know that I can live with it. The only thing I've been praying for so long is that there would be no more feelings of remorse or unforgiveness between people in my family. I know things will happen in the right time.

Faith.
One of the greatest things that I challenged myself this year was to finish reading the Bible in one year. It was a step of faith that I decided to do last year. And now that I'm finally done, I'm so happy. I learned a lot of things by reading the whole book.

God has been so faithful to me, in every aspect of my life. I know that I faulted Him a lot of times this year, but still, He never forgets me. He made me pass one of my most difficult subjects, He let my Lolo recover from his degenerative illnesses. It's a miracle enough to realize that He let me experience another wonderful year.

Changing for the Better.
One of my biggest weaknesses is being sensitive and insecure about a lot of things, whether it be of my academic achievements, characteristics, or physical appearance.

I compare myself with girls whom I know can be "potentially" better than me in those aspects. I constantly seek approval from other people and I make a big fuss out of everything they say, whether it be something good or bad. I try too hard to please people, to make people appreciate me the way I want them to. I'm very conscious with everything I do.

But now, I wish to change these things. I wish to care less about what other people say.

I want to be better not because I want them to see me better, but because I want to be better for myself.

I want to be beautiful not because I want them to see me as beautiful, but because I want to be beautiful for myself.

Like what a classmate's blog said,

"It was never between you and them."

I wish to break free from these chains of insecurities and just be happy and contented with myself. I know this year is a good start. With Him by my side, I know I can be better. I'm so excited with how things will happen for me this year. I'm looking forward to lots of things. Weee! =]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!:)

Realizations

Lately, parang naiirita ako sa sarili ko. Especially what I talked about my last post. Grabe, ganun na ba ako ka-emo? Kainis talaga! I mean, hindi lang naman siya ang gwapo sa mundo diba. Nakafunction ako sa past ng wala siya. Edi shempre makakafunction din ako sa future ng wala siya! Right friends? Right? Hahaha.

It's a big, big world.
Yun yung narealize ko dun sa mga "quiet moments" ko nung lantern parade sa UPD (haha, grabe nagsenti pa eh noh.) Pero yun talaga ang pumasok sa isip ko nung time na yun. In that sea of people, an enlightenment took place in my heart. Chorva! Hahaha.

Madami pa akong makikilala. Madami pang gustong makakilala sakin. Malaki ang mundo at madami pang mga bagay na pwedeng gawin kesa magpaka-emo sa blogs at umupo sa corner at maglaslas to the max (joke!). "Go girl!! That's the spirit!!" Pero yun nga.

Life hasn't even started yet.
At saka, lately napansin ko, napapalibutan ako ng mga gwapo eh (online and offline. Ehem ehem.) Haha! Pero shempre behave lang ako. Dalagang Pilipina ako. Tsaka aanhin mo ang gwapo diba. Papakainin ka ba nun. Mukha lang yun. Isipin niyo nga girls! Bakit niyo gusto makakuha ng gwapo? Hindi ba para maipakita lang sa mundo na nakuha niyo siya at gusto niyo isipin nila na, "Wow, ang galing niya! Nakasungkit siya ng gwapo!" Pero deep down inside, hindi mo naman talaga mahal yung tao. He's just for decorative purposes. So in a sense, gusto mo lang pataasin yung ego mo. Kawawa naman si pogi, diba? But I'm not saying na wag na tayong lahat sa gwapo. Gwapo is just plus points, but that shouldn't be the main reason why you're ought to love a certain guy.

Pero shempre, hindi ko buburahin yung last post ko. It will serve as a reminder for me: "O, Geline, yan yung mga kabaduyan mo..."

I'm willing to wait for that person God has planned for me. I know he's just somewhere out there, patiently waiting for me too. Naks! Haha. Ah basta, I don't know who he is, but one thing I know for sure is he's worth all the waiting.

At saka isa pa, Paskong-Pasko. It's a season of merriment and laughter! Dapat alisin na lahat ng drama. And speaking of Christmas...shocks, Christmas na talaga. Ang bilis ng panahon! Excited na ako makipag-bonding with my family. Yun talaga ang gustong-gusto ko pag Christmas. Di bale ng walang gifts (pero sana meron haha), but what matters is the time we'll be spending together this season. It's Jesus' birthday! I can't describe how thankful I am because He has remained faithful to me and to everyone else in spite of the almost insurmountable problems this world is facing. Like what my friend said, "Jesus is the reason for the season!"

Here's a playlist I made to describe my mood today! Click if you wanna listen. =]

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

1. Where Is She - Justin Roman
2. I Don't Need A Man - Pussycat Dolls
3. Walking On Sunshine - Aly and AJ
4. The Christmas Song - Christina Aguilera

That's all my friends! This may be the last post I have before Noche Buena! I'm so excited! I'm so happy and contented. I hope you have a joyous, happy, luscious, ravishing, very very merry Christmas! Remember Who this season is all about. To Him be the glory!:D

Sad Goodbye.

As of 7:04 pm, EST, June 23, 2008,

I bid blogspot goodbye. I can't manage 3 of my personal websites anymore (Friendster, Multiply, and Blogspot) and apparently my blogspot has the least feedback. I'm cutting it off the list. =( So, ayun nga. Sadness pero, I have to do this narin. It's beneficial for my time management as well.

If you have a Multiply account, you can add me.

angelinesayoc

or if you don't, you can still view my page.

angelinesayoc.multiply.com

I'm thinking about limiting my Friendster as well. Like deleting my pics and putting just my latest one. O well. I have to think about it. See ya there guys.:)

David is a Very Vain Boy. Here is Proof!

Vain--in a good way. Like Me! How come we have so many things in common yet we're worlds apart (or continents apart to be precise)? Anyhoo, here are some super rare pictures of him on his past Myspace account. I laughed the whole day after seeing these pictures. For a guy, he's pretty vain...in a very adorable way!

Picture 1: The Not-So-Smiling-Emo-ish picture with the Negative Counterpart.

I know boys. They love to take "serious" pictures of themselves and they also try to post the negative-d version of it. Funny thing is, they upload both, but they're too shy to make the positive one the main picture, so they make the main picture the negative one. AM I RIGHT BOYS? Haha!

Picture 2: The Classic "Mirror with the Camera Blocking My Face".

Girls do this most of the time, but so do boys. HAHA. Oh my. This looks like he just gelled his hair in the bathroom. So much for bringing the camera in the banyo?

Picture 3: "I Wanna Show Only Half of My Face" Picture

Ok. This is really weird. I can't believe he's more creative when it comes to being vain. I don't even know how he did this?

Picture 4: Harnessing My Photoshop Skills Picture


Okay, Okay. 'Fess up. We all know we have some kind of Photoshopped self-pic one way or another. This is pretty cool. I know how to do this too. Hue/Saturation tricks. Go David! Right on!

Picture 5: I'll Take it in a Bad Angle So I Won't Be Too Vain Picture

This is obviously taken from a bad angle. I *almost* kinda know what's on his mind. "People might think I'm too vain! Ah, I know, I'll take a picture from a bad angle!" Nuff said. Haha.

Picture 5: Banyo Pic with My Sister Picture

Aww that's so cute! I can almost predict what happened during that day. He knew he looked good, and was almost ready to go with his family at the mall or something. So before they left, he asked his sister to take a picture with him in the bathroom. Kasi, if siya lang, edi shempre people would say he's too vain. Then he will post it in Myspace once they get home. AM I RIGHT DAVID? HAHA >:D

Oh. The vaininess of Archie. He's so funny, he doesn't even know it. I love this boy to bits and pieces. He is the coolest thing ever since Multiply existed!

What's Up

Hay, life.

UP Manila - First Reactions
I was more of being nervous rather than being excited being in UPM. Since I'm a lateral student, I don't have a block. I'm a floating person in every class. Almost all of my classmates are freshmen. But there were some 2 or three who are laterals as well. Let me tell you about my classes. My professors are all male, how weird is that? And about the freshmen--some were so pumped and they were trying to speak in the most elaborate English that they could to impress the class and the professor. I think it's a bit uncomfortable. But you never know. Maybe I was trying to do the same when I was a freshie too. So now I get why some upperclass people have some issues wih freshmen. Haha. :D

Super Schedule
I have a comfortable schedule as well, but it's something I should really get used to since now it's 5 days instead of 4. Mondays to Saturdays, no classes every Wednesday. My latest class ends at 4pm and the earliest ends at 12nn. My earliest starts at 7am. I am to wake up 4am every Friday. It's really something I should be consistent about. Noo!

I'm so happy that God keeps answering all my prayers and concerns about school.

Math. Gulp.
Overall, I'm having a good time in UPM. I hope I get to pass all my MSTs. They are all formula-based MSTs. Math 1, Math 11, and Nat Sci 1. I think it's gonna be a challenge for me. I'm praying and aiming for a grade not lower than 1.75, and with Math being one of my weaknesses, I have to ask God for help! Double work for me too, I guess.

Loveapalooza
As for other concerns, I'm happy that there are no 'distractions' as well, girls, if you know what I mean. :D It's one of the things I'm praying for. First, I was praying that I won't belong to a block so that I will have less chances of being distracted or extremely attached with my peers. So God answered that. I hope God answers my next prayer. That is for me not to have a crush or be attached to someone emotionally for the rest of my college life. I think for now, it's very inconvenient for me to preoccupy myself with heart matters, there are bigger things to think about. It will probably make me a dork-a-loo, but whatever. I can't really risk my studies over some boy who will make me cringe out of regret after 2 years, you know. I really hope God will make me feel indifferent with these matters, at least during my college years. And so far, I think I'm doing great! Magtatanan na nga kami ng honeypie babylicious ko eh. Hahaha! Kidding!

Bring it on!

My Lolo
Today, I wasn't able to go to Youth Worship. I visited my Lolo in Las Pinas Doctors Hospital. He's been in the ICU for 2 days, and was transferred to his own private room just this morning. He's suffering weakness and degenerative complications, most probably because of his age (he's 83). We don't have my mom at home right now, because she needs to be with my tita to tend to my Lolo for the rest of this night.

Everytime Lola says something to him that goes like this,
"Pa, ano? Pupunta na ba tayo ng LTO? Sige. Pagkagaling mo, pasama ka kay Chit. Parenew ka ng lisensya para mahatid-sundo mo mga apo mo, ha? Diba sabi mo gusto mo ulit magdrive?"

Or

"Pa, sasama ka ba samin sa Kenny Rogers sa Christmas? Pag magaling ka na, kakain ulit tayo dun."

There's this part of me that hurts and wish everything would be like it was before. I know I have no reason to doubt my prayers, but I really hate seeing him being at this state whereas before, he was so strong, he can talk to us straight. I'm always praying, everyday, that he will feel better again. I'm even asking many of my friends to pray for him as well.

Despite this struggle my whole family is going through, I know that God is teaching us something. Maybe it's to patch up the never-ending conflict between my grandparents and in-laws. Or the pickfights between my tito and tita. Or something about my mom and dad. Or it could be something about us. Or maybe even myself. Whatever it is, I know that God is using these circumstances to bring our whole family together in Him.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4 NIV)

"And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28 NIV)

God Gave It To Me (Finally)

I've been praying for this since November last year. As I was seated in the auditorium this afternoon, amidst the distant voices of my enthusiastic peers and speakers, I felt goosebumps running through my arms. My Form 5 intact, and a smile plastered on my face. This is it. The realization of my wishful plans for my future just came true. It just did.

After hundreds of applicants, who were eliminated by half based on grades, and underwent the nerve-wracking, question-bombarded interviews, I was part of the 11 people who qualified for the program. After a long week in Diliman running around, looking for people to sign your clearance, in PGH, waiting in the long line for the Physical Exam, all of them done with an oily face, a ponytailed hair, and a pair of sweaty eyebags, I just realized something. It's just one of those days where you stand back and say, "Whoa." It feels amazing.

Never in my least expectations before did I see myself studying in UP Manila. But from the start, I knew that there was "Someone" who led me here. That faithful day I felt heartbroken about my plate grades in Photography, I just knew that it was Him who brought me to that website. Because of Him, my thoughts became plans. Because of Him, my plans became true. God. It's all about Him. It's all about Him. There's so many things I can attest to why God put me in UP Diliman first before UP Manila; and I can truly say that now, I'm seeing the big picture He painted in this aspect of my life. God is so amazing and I'm almost frustrated that I can't express it enough in words. HE IS AMAZING.

Especially to God. My deepest gratitudes to my mom, who opened my eyes into pursuing this course. She was the one who advised me to get into this, and I cannot thank her enough. We were both praying for it. My Lolo and Lola, who helped us with my tuition, and who prayed for me as well. To my family, D-group and friends, and all the people who prayed for me. Thank you sooo much. Especially to God. I offer Him every part and parcel of this accomplishment.

I'm now under BS Speech Pathology program of UP Manila's College of Allied Medical Professions!

Sa sobrang saya ko, para na akong nagpakasal. Haha!

The Magic of "Pang-masa" Humor

Although I get a few 'hahahas' from selected episodes of The Simpsons (and maybe even lesser laughs from Family Guy and random Hollywood sitcoms), for me, nothing beats pang-masa humor.


Okay, so probably you have no idea what I mean or you can't relate at all. I'm talking about one of my guilty pleasures--watching the Willie of Fortune segment of ABS-CBN's Wowowee. I'm telling you, never does a segment end where our neighbors don't hear my loudest and obnoxious laughs.


Call me jologs or baduy, but what do I exactly find funny about the whole thing? Well, everything. I love how these people go about and deal with their lives as if they have lesser problems than us. I love the stories of the common Filipino masses. Sometimes, I do shed a tear or two because of their heart-rending kwentos. I also love how Willie Revillame brings out the funny side of each and every contestant. By being just themselves, audiences are already infected with laughter. It's amazing that these people are completely effortless yet they make me laugh more than Ellen Degeneres' punchlines.



It's my ultimate noontime pick-me-upper. I so love this segment of Wowowee. If you haven't seen Willie of Fortune yet, I'm pretty much guessing you should. If you can relate to me and love pang-masa humor as well, I'm promising you'll get good laughs from it. In many ways apart from its humor, Willie of Fortune is also a humbling and an eye-opener show that changed how I see every totoy, jun-jun, nene, arnel, juancho, geraldyn, and all those names and faces that put a smile to my face every noontime.

Still A Winner!

I just want to give the guy props for singing his heart out last night. The moment I heard him sing "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me", I couldn't help but cry. Yes. I was literally crying. That was the first time I cried over someone singing, let alone singing televised. He sang it with so much conviction, passion, everything. This guy is amazing. He has this ability to touch my heart with his voice, and his genuine humility and character never fails to win me over. He did his best, and the whole world will embrace his talent. He has so many things ahead of him, and I know God has better plans for Him in the future. I wish him success in all things--in his career, personal life, and his walk with the Lord.

This picture is so transparent. It's as if he wore his heart on his sleeve. He was trying not to cry, but you can evidently tell last night that he wanted to win this not just for himself, but to all those people who support him. I remember what Randy said about him during the Rock and Roll night: "You know, there's this one guy, once he hits the stage, he's always trying to win the whole thing." And last night, it was a knockout indeed. David, you are my American Idol!

It's so funny that I've never been much of a fangirl since Pierre Bouvier during my sophomore days. But this dude just blows me away! I never knew such a guy would exist. He is one in a million, and I'm sure American Idol will have a long time, if not, will never find another one like David.

The results have shown and David Cook has bagged the title of this season's most anticipated singing battle--American Idol. And I'm very happy with the outcome, I know he deserves it. In behalf of the Archie fans, congratulations! =)

The Mid-Schoolyear Complacency Syndrome (MSCS)

Though it may sound fancy, complicated and dorky, I know for a fact that most of us might or are already suffering from it. Around August to Novemver, how many times have you picked up your Bible, read a few lines or so, then asked God if "pwedeng bukas nalang ituloy"? Or has it occured to you that schooldays have been so busy that you skipped going to worship just for the sake of relaxing?

And there you are the morning after, feeling all guilty about it and wished that it were summer so that you can go on a retreat and be on fire again. Or even worse--you aren't even minding it at all!

I guess the question for us is, are we going to be dependent on retreats and camps for us to be connected with God again? As I was pondering on these thoughts yesterday, I was reminded once again that what I have with God is a relationship. Relationship involves commitment, and commitment is not solely based on feelings. Let me put it this way. A married couple, for example, will still communicate with each other in spite of busy schedules. The man can't say to the woman, "I'm kind of busy right now with things, maybe I'll meet you next month and I'll be in love with you again". It won't make any sense.

Same thing goes with our relationship with God. We can't have feelings and emotions as our basis for our love. It feels good at one point or another, but for the long run, it won't take us anywhere. And when things get rough, we can't just close Him out when we're dealing with other stuff. In fact, we should always consider Him in every decision we make--whether of mundane or red-letter issues.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
-Romans 8:28

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
-Jeremiah 29:11

Having said that, we can ask for His guidance on everything about school. From "God, should I get fried chicken and chopsuey, or tapsilog nalang?" to "Lord, are you burdening me to join this club?", He is listening. Say whatever. He listens.

This incoming schoolyear, it is a challange for everyone. I hope that we'll be as fervent when it comes to the Lord all throughout the year, and not just during summer. Let's break the vicious cycle of MSCS! Keep the fire burning for Him!

My First Ever American Idol Commentary - Top 3 Night

Okay, since it's my first time to finally have the effort to watch American Idol, I think it's time for me to make a commentary about the performances last night.

(Bear with me as I try to be purely objective here, since I'm a David Archuleta fan. I just love him! Hahaha! But anyways, here it goes)...

David Archuleta
And So It Goes - Paula chose a song for him that is kind of Josh Groban-esque. I love the haunting vibe and the beautiful orchestraic performance, but it saddens me that Paula gave him this very uncontemporary piece. This is limiting him and giving him a stereotype that he can only sing ballads, which I believe is very false.

With You - Vocally it was sung on the note, but what is missing here is attitude

and choreography. At the first part he fumbled on the words and his moves weren't fit for the song. David still doesn't have that level of confidence to sing these types of songs. Maybe if he did a little moonwalk and used the same hand gestures he did in "Stand By Me" then I think he had the potential to steal this round. An alternate RnB that he could've sang are songs by Ne-yo, like "So Sick" or "Because of You". It has no awkward-exclusively-for-black-people lyrics (boo, shawty, hot li'l figure), and the tune is simple, so maybe he can inject his runs.

Longer - I cannot criticize him for song choice, because he did his best with what was given to him. A rehearsal staff said that David wanted to sing the song on a different tempo and melody but the producers prohibited him. It just shows that he is trying his best to make the song his own--but the producers stopped him from doing so. What the heck was that?

Last words: David got the bum

deal with the judges and producer's choice--two sappy ballads? I think it wasn't fair on his part. However, I'm also very disappointed with how he delivered his choice as well. I was expecting to be blown away, but sadly, I wasn't.=(


Syesha Mercado
If I Ain't Got You - She sang it very well, and it was expected of her. I think she looks very gorgeous too. Being nitpicky, I think she didn't hit the note on "and I DON'T, want nothing at all". But overall, she did a really good job. She's my favorite female contestant on Idol, too.

Fever - If she wan't on Idol, I think it was a very, very nic

e performance. But sadly, AI is not a broadway-slash-Pussycat Dolls audition. Vocally, she did well, but the song choice is a mistake.

Hit Me Up - She gave her best of what was given to her. But I think it didn't make her shine--looks like a kiss of death performance for me. It's just one of those performances that you really forget. I wish the producers gave her really something to sing about. This is an awful decision on the producers' part. I feel the same as I did for Archuleta.

Last Words: Syesha did her best and I think she is a great performer. But like David Archuleta, she got a bum dea

l from the song choices.

David Cook

First Time I Ever Saw Your Face - This is my favorite performance from him that night. I think it was very touching and I loved the arrangement. Vocally, he was off-key on some parts and his falsettos were in the wrong places--but it's David Cook! He has the stage presence that will make the audiences

forget those flaws.

Dare You to Move - This should've been a good song for him, but for me, it was okay. The way I see it, this performance was rushed and it seemed to me that he did his best on the other two songs.

I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing - He got the best producer's choice. I wonder if he's the producer's favorite? Hahaha.:) Okay, objective, objective. I think he did equally great as on the First Time I Ever Saw Your Face. He always starts slow, picks up, then hits the glory note on the end, which I think was indeed expected of him. I agree with Simon, he won the night.

Last words: Cook did an awesome job. I think it was partly on the producers' and Simon's choice. Well, good for him. I know that he and Archuleta will be on the finals. May the best David win!

More Questionnaires :)

THE RULE:

People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs and replace any question they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves. Tag 8 people. Those who are tagged cannot refuse. You cannot tag the person who tagged you. Continue this game by sending this to 8 other people.


oo1. At what age do/did you wish to marry?
I don't really care as long as God plans it :)


oo2. Pirate, Ninja, Cowboy, or Samurai?
Samurai. Crush ko si Samurai Jack! Pogi!


oo3. Have you ever shoplifted?
Umm..NO! But ever thought of when I was a kid? YES.

oo4. Where would you like to go to the most?
Somewhere where the lights are yellow during the night and plaza is filled with happy people :) And the beach


oo5. What/who makes you happy at this moment?
God! He makes me happy.:)


oo6. When you encounter a sad moment, what do you do?
Write in my blog, and then pray. And sometimes maybe talk/text friends.


oo7. If you win $1 million, what would you do?
Give a portion of it to a charity! I'm so kind! Next thing is I would buy us a car and a new house


oo8. What is your biggest fear?
Not being able to accomplish my goals


oo9. List 3 good points of the person who tagged you.
Jikay - God fearing, friendly, sweet!!


o1O. How do you cope with boredom?
I watch Youtube vids! And play with my dog


o11. What kind of person do you hate the most?
People who take advantage, cocky people, insensitive jerks


o12. What is your ambition?
To travel the world, to be successful in everything that I do, to sponsor a charity, to have a family


o13. If you have one wish, what would you wish for?
Like what Jikay said - for all people of the world to understand how Christ came to love us!


o14. Given a chance to join a reality show, which one would you join?
If I could sing, I want to join American Idol (so that I can meet David Archuleta!!XD) but no. I'll probably join Big Brother or Amazing Race instead.


o15. Who will make your dream come true?
Jesus, my family and friends, and those people who support me along the way.


o16. It is already 2008, do you have any new year's resolution?
To be more productive and less anxious!


o17. What do you look forward in 2008?
Everything!


o18. Do you like someone right now?
Yes. A fangirl crush!>:P


o19. How many meals a day do you eat?
3 times. I try not to eat merienda but I can't help it



o2O. What are your goals in life?
To finish my studies, to have a stable job, to own a house and a car, to sponsor a charity, to have a family, to teach my kids about God's love, to travel the world, to accomplish wutevah God wants me to do!!!

YAHOO!
I'm tagging: Nobody!! Because you might get angry!>:O

My Opinion on New Age Spirituality

Kanina, I was watching one of the videos of my friend in Multiply about Oprah's church and web class about New Age philosophy. I have watched it for sometime, but I haven't given a clear thought about it.

As a Christian, it is heartbreaking to see a fellow believer turn from her ways just because she thought she had seen every part and parcel of society's constructs--its dilemmas and struggles to keep peace and stability--and dismisses that her faith is an aspect of her life that hinders her from empathizing with other people. It's as if she concluded that her relationship with God is one thing that keeps her from reaching out to others. For what? For world peace and love of humankind?

Someone break the news to her: there will be no ultimate, 100% guarantee peace on earth. And I'm not being cynical here. Jesus even said Himself:

"Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it." Matthew 10:34-39

Jesus came to separate those who are for Him and against Him. Peace will never happen on this earth for as long as many have complacent thoughts about life and its real purpose.

One of the most disturbing doctrines of New Age Spirituality is:
1.) Salvation comes from self.

This boils down to the idea that if a person can save himself, he ought to think that he will live forever without the help of some god or supernatural being. This doctrine also implies that as a person lives, he lives for himself and his people around him. He depends on himself.

But you know what? I think I just discovered something.

These virtues of self-reliance are synonymous to what the Theistic Satanists also possess. And it's hurtful to think that many Christians are being deceived, thinking that it is a new form of religion that will unite the earth.

In my opinion, New Age Spirituality is another deception that will entangle people into believing its supposedly 'good intentions'. More and more people will be tricked into thinking that this uprising is the solution to the divide that separates us as humans. But I urge fellow Christians to stand firm on their faith and hold on to what the Scriptures say.

PS: It's hard for me to write these things because I know some people might judge me for being narrow-minded, for being inhumane, for being self-righteous (nagpapakabanal). But tonight I just realized; what reason have I to be disheartened? I know what I believe in, and Christ is very real in my life. There's no reason for me to be ashamed for what I stand for.

Dumbfounded

Hay nako nako nako. I just found out something today. I was browsing through the updated Friendster pages in my account and I was really in shock. Or am I?

I thought I won't see anyone who's in Diliman there in Manila.
A clean slate. New faces. New circumstances.
But I just found out something.

Mister Ex-crush is going to Med school in UP Manila. Yes, the one I talked about in "Just a Boy". What a coincidence.

..And so? Yeah. So what? Is it worth caring about? I don't know. It's not like I'm gonna like him again. But why did I bother making this pointless post? I'm so confused. It's like there's this bit of me that still looks up to him even if he has a girlfriend... and there's also a bit of me that still look up to that other guy whom I admired since I was like, 14. It's like when it comes to these two guys, it never came to a point where there's closure because they are just those guys who are so close to my ideal. I like them, but they don't bother me that much. I look up to them because I like who they are.

But, "looking up to" someone doesn't mean anything diba? It's just plain admiration. Right? Right. Wala lang. Even though he doesn't know me, and he won't care, I just wish him the best.

Reborn Identity

Hello! Readers and stalkers (haha kidding!)! I just came home from camp yesterday and I can truly say that God made this camp a truly amazing experience for me. I'm so blessed to join this year's camp. As you all might or might not know, I have been having second thoughts upon joining camp, since we don't have the financial means for both I and my sister. But somebody became a blessing and were kind enough to sponsor us! God is really good--right then and there I knew that He really wanted me to join the camp.

Here are some highlights on the things that happened in camp.

Messages
The messages really hit me. If there was a metaphor to describe it, it's like a spear thrusting towards my heart. I knew that the speaker's message is about me, and I know that God wanted to say those things to me. I am so moved.

Praise and Worship Night
I cried my heart out during the worship night. I just can't forget that time where God was mightily moving in the crowd, everyone was lifting their hands and you can literally hear people crying and shouting "Jesus". Who else would have the power to move us mightily? No one else but God's Holy Spirit.

Breakout Groups
I love my D-group. They are such an amazing bunch of girls, and we shared a lot of things that we experienced during our walk with the Lord. I knew that God was working in each in every one of us and it's such a phenomenon that we never felt such comfort in sharing each other's personal lives. I just love them.

Fun
I went swimming with my girls and we did the slide thing. It was such a memorable experience. The joke time in the cabin, I can never forget that. The constant farting, hahaha! I can never forget that. THE FOOD! I love the food in camp. It's just the best. I love the cupcakes! And the never-ending selection of viands!

Camp is really the best and I'm so blessed to have joined again this summer. It's such a wonderful experience every year, only that this year is the BEST. God is really great!

Oh my David!

Dear, dear. Don't ask me who my favorite Idol contestant is, you'll obviously know who. Behold, I say it in bold,

DAVID ARCHULETA.

Once again I stand corrected, David is the epitome of the ideal guy. He's a 17-year-old Christian (but a Mormon at that) who lives in Murray, Utah, USA. He has a voice you can fall in love with any day, and an infectious, down-to-earth personality that you want every man in earth to possess. No wonder this guy IS the front runner of this season's American Idol. No wonder he solicited a miraculous bulk of American Idol viewers globally as of this year in spite of the show's at-the-verge-of-extinction ratings last season, especially here in Asia. Here is a performance from him:

David Archuleta's Rendition of Imagine by John Lennon

I get chills whenever I hear his runs. He has this soulful voice similar to Josh Groban's with a contemporary feel, and looks that could kill. Seriously kill. He has the boy next door looks, and is extremely photogenic. Who would not love that face?

Simon even said that he is "Good-looking." Randy called him "Blazing hot", and Paula said, "I wanted to squish you and hang you on my rear view mirror." (Yes, that was a positive comment, in a weird way I guess).

He is the type of guy you want your daughter to date. And can you believe that this STRAIGHT guy actually hasn't had any girlfriends yet? Despite the crumbling values and morality of the modern-day teen, David Archuleta definitely stands out by a mile. No wonder he is shining on American Idol. He has won the hearts of little tweens, of girls, guys, moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, and maybe even your pet because he is just so darn adorable.

Fangirl vibes! I just think that David is beyond amazing and he will sell a lot of records once he's out for the world.

And you know what? I think I just formed a conclusion.

DAVID AND I ARE THE PERFECT MATCH!

We both love God, we're both 17, he's taller than me, we both haven't had any exes, I also don't like rap, I like blue, I kind of like Thai food (uhh..yeah because it's similar to Filipino Food) and I play Neopets before! C'mon!!

Nah, just kidding. I'm just an ordinary girl who lives in this big blob of archipelago far far away and he doesn't even know that I am existing. But anywhoo, I'll support David's endeavors as long as I'm a fan. I'm an Arch Angel!

http://archuletafans.com