Grand Canyon album <—click me. Enjoy

    God is great! On the month of March, the day 31 of the year 2007. Moi, Julieann and mom went to the GK(gawad Kalinga) premiere movie night, and yes it was expensive but more on that later, it was a very inspiring night to say the least. It really is great to see so many people in there to support and perhaps was touched to actually one day make a difference to a family.

    And to hear all those people behind the movie to explain why they did this, is even better. Truly the Lord touched them in ways that they can never explain yet they pressed on in making about this movie. You can call me a critic and pessimist when it comes to things/events like these, in the back of my mind I was think that "ah ok, this is another propaganda, another charity that wants my money but wonder how many hands or deductions it will go through before it reaches out to the family in need, after all filipinos are like that, or another one of those spur of the moment things where people will get all excited to be in it but once the novelty wears off it’ll vanish like so many others before it, or another organization that is perhaps corrupt like the rest of the government is."

    Yet, being the catholic christian I am, I wanted to see what this one really offered and what it can do to help our less fortunate brothers and sisters, not what it can do for us, but what we, I mean WE can do to help, make a life a better. The great thing about GK is that its not part of the government(thank God), and its thinking/goal is different from that of any organization/charity. Instead of it, giving alms or money to the poor, the objective is to rehabilitate the family and give it a chance/dignity in a greater sense that GK will build you a home, now its up to you to do the next step. Its different and one that I believe will work, because I truly believe that by giving alms or money to the poor, they become spoiled and keep asking for more. And that is the wrong way of making a change, because there is literally too many and nothing accomplished by giving them money for the moment. Who knows what they are using that money for?

    Yet, GK restores my faith as a Filipino, my duty as Catholic Christian to help people in need. You actually see the results through the GK villages and it is happening fast. Often times, we get so tight with our money, but we are willing to spend it on meaningless things, and without hesitation too. Buy a new cellphone, buy a new TV, or a computer game, or the latest gadget to show to your friends, or to buy the latest fashion statement to be in. But ask yourself this question, do you really need it? Think with your heart and what you really are inside, dig deep, do you really need it? Did it make your life any better? do your so called friends have an ounce more respect to you? And when you die, do you think you will be able to bring all those to where you think you are headed? Lastly, where do you think all this gifts, whatever it is, came from?

    If for one moment, we just give a little something to someone who needs it more, then you could have very well made a difference to that person or the family. Another thing about GK is that it is not bound by religion, muslim, christian, catholic christian,and jew etc all working together towards one goal. I mean come one, its time we all stood up and be united as one and human race. I know I’m a shouting in a vast ocean here, but perhaps I can be heard as an echo. Lets stop with one reason we all are being seperated sometimes and that is our religion and in the end we are all worshipping the same God anyways, why not practice what we listen and preach.

   Why cant we be the same people that prays, acts, thinks and move inside the church whenever we are outside? I’m not perfect, nor will I ever be, but I can safely say at least for one moment in my life, I know I made a difference to a family. I don’t know them at the moment, but I want to meet them in the future and just say "thank you", I know we all have difference ways of helping, acting and supporting, but in my mind, by you reading this, I hope to have made a difference…God bless

    First of, I’d like to greet everyone Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! Are you done shopping yet? Forget getting me a gift already, just stay happy and be safe. And of course thank Him for the many blessings you have received this year. I can’t beleive how times flies so fast, it feels like in a blink of an eye, we are already there and here. Ah, yet I will never forget this year, for this year truly I have been blessed. I finally found my answered prayer in the person of my God’s gift and been thankful all my life and now so forever more. And to her, happy birthday my love, happy birthday. Truly, you are so blessed in so many ways.

   happy birthday Jesus!!!

        Today, marks the first time that I really got up close and personal with the less fortunate brothers and sisters in downtown L.A. and I must say that it was really a eye opening experience, one that I would never truly forget. To be there and actually witness the whole thing was surreal but at the same time I wasn’t scared at all, but rather touched and willingly with all my heart wanted to help them in small ways I can. But together as a group, I know we touched some people today, not everyone but at least perhaps a couple of souls. Events like these is one primary reason why I joined SFC, its to give back to the community who really needs help, admittedly I get more satisfaction with such. Because I feel like I’m actually doing something to make this world a better place, big goal yet achievable somehow.

        Definitely, experiences like these, is what gives me another reason, another perspective in life. Just looking at them, I can’t help but feel great, though that is selfish to say since I am doing it at there expense, but it helps me realize how truly blessed I am with my life right now. I have shelter, I have food in the table, we have showers, we have a comfortable bed, we have our love ones, we have I believe is a purpose in life, no matter what that is. And hey, for the first time I am actually glad to say I AM GLAD I FACE TRAFFIC EACH DAY! It means I have a job and making something for myself and the future. It seemed like they(the less fortunate) was just lost, and seemed to give up on life, and that  upsets me. All I can do for now, is pray for them, and pray that they need to do something with their lives, and they need to build a personal relationship with God. I think once they establish that, they will at some point in their lives, begin to realize there is more in this life than just rot in the streets, sleep in the streets just waiting for your turn to perhaps worst case is die.

       I just finished my meal with my family and I couldn’t help but just smile at them the whole time, I love my family, I love my friends, I love my God’s gift and her family, I love my HH and I’m glad to be there for them, being there with them. Random thoughts, but with a purpose…God bless

As I was praying today, deep thought and all. My eyes all of a sudden was fixated on the candle that was burning. At that moment, just realized how much the candle in my eyes and belief represented our life. To me like a candle, we were first molded by Him, we are all innocent and as white and fragile as can be. Once the candle is ready, it is then lit up and it almost as if like our life, once we are lit up by something, we have hope and dreams that we always think of. The smoke represented, the very essence of our being, we lose our childlikeness the way God intended us be.  Once the smoke goes up, its gone forever, just like when we hurt someone, once done, it can never be repaired, innocence lost
.  As the fire and smoke keep melting away, so does our body, and mind, but the spirit remains the same. the more the wax melts, the more the candle strengthens and shortens, like life, each time we grow more, we are much more defined in our hearts, mind and body. Our hearts learns each time we get our heart broken, with our minds, we grow more wiser as we learn more about life, and our body becomes stronger as time would let us, yet like the candle, our life is limited. Fire burns away the candle, like the world around us, every minute, every moment we lose our life because its just the way we were meant to be; temporary. From start to finish, the fire burns away, until the last moment, last smoke that goes up and just exhales, like life the moment of our death can mark the end of the chapter in our lives, and now what does it all mean? Like a candle, our life was meant for something, now its up for each and every person what they think they are, if you ask me, my light is for God….

      Yesterday was just tough, never imagined myself having that kind of day. First of was traffic, yes it was clogged so in spite of that, I still kept my cool. Then of the office I go, once I get there, we have a meeting and bad news is delivered, at first I was upset because I totally blamed myself for the mistakes, so the whole day I was just quiet and just doing my usual thing, instead of my usual self which is lighting up everyone and just generally giving eveyrone a good time. So my lead, took notice and talked to me, she told me that "its not my fault and that I shouldn’t blame myself squarely, because we were a team and each and one of us is responsible." I guess when she told me that, it gave me a sense of relief. And thanks to a friend of mine, whom I think God used to help me cheer up, thank you, I won’t mention her name, but you really gave me smile during the day. I was so annoying to you, yet you kept up hahaha. thank you, though I didn’t meet "Sam" like you promised, my eyes still hurt and feel like vomiting hahaha. But don’t worry I prayed for your intentions.

       After work, yes traffic as usual, but I just thought to myself, well "I’m now going that one place where I can just be at peace." I prayed for what seemed like an eternity, just talking to Him, thanking things could have been worse, and praying for a better tomorrow. Lord, sometimes I feel like I traverse this road, feeling lost, feeling lonely, lacking inspiration, feeling confused because I can’t please everyone, if only I could split myself up to a million pieces but I can’t, but somehow you make it all work out, in your mysterious will, I somehow find my way, and can’t help but feel inspired. Like today, I woke up feeling great, and come afternoon, my family and I just watched my niece enjoy herself in the pool, she was just having a blast, trying to wet me in the process(which she was successful at) and little moments like that, that define her time and our family memories. The weather is cooperative today too, not scorching but actually cool.  Thank you God for leading me that path, I myself can’t wait for september seattle conference, I cn’t wait to meet other people of the same interests and allow myself to share my experience and faith which is the most important thing to me. And maybe, just maybe, I find what I have been looking for….

Faithful Father

(Brian Doerksen)

Father, I can’t explain this kind of love
This kind of grace
I know I still break Your heart
And yet You run to welcome me

This is my song of praise to You
For who You are and all that You do
From the moment my life began
You have been faithful

Father, I love the way You hold me close
And say my name
I know when my life is through
My heart will find its home in You

This is my song of praise to You
For who You are and all that You do
From the moment my life began
You have been faithful
You will be faithful
Forever faithful

This is our song of praise to You
For who You are and all that You do
From before the world began
You have been faithful
You will be faithful
Forever faithful

Happy Birthday Ate Ella, Kuya Sem, Kuya Jay and Kuya Gil!! These birthdays reminds me always middle of the year already, how time fly so fast! Ang tatanda niyo na hahaha. Anyways, may you guys have many more to come. 

Can anyone dispute my claim that is quite possibly the best chocolate bar there is, and no I’m not advertising, but since time immemorial I have always thought Whatchamacalit was the best! Ever since I ate one during my childhood days, with its creamy, chewy taste(haha, josie hope you like that one)its always my first and foremost choice of choco bar Yay!! And now after the longest time of looking for this choco bar, I finally found it in our vendo machine!!!

Shifting Sand

by Caedmon’s Call

album: 40 Acres (1999)

Sometimes I believe all the liesSo I can do the things I should despiseAnd every day I am swayedBy whatever is on my mind

I hear it all depends on my faith So I'm feeling precariousThe only problem I have with these mysteries Is they're so mysterious

And like a consumer I've been thinkingIf I could just get a bit moreMore than my 15 minutes of faith,Then I'd be secure

(Chorus)My faith is like shifting sandChanged by every waveMy faith is like shifting sand So I stand on grace

I've begged you for some proof For my Thomas eyes to seeA slithering staff, a leperous handAnd lions resting lazily

A glimpse of your back-side gloryAnd this soaked altar going ablazeBut you know I've seen so muchI explained it away

Chorus

Waters rose as my doubts reignedMy sand-castle faith, it slipped awayFound myself standing on your graceIt'd been there all the time

(Chorus repeated)Stand on grace

   That sucks, my fish whom I called nemo(yeah it wasn’t original) just died on me, and I’m kinda sad right now, after taking care of him for so long, I guess I’m pretty saddened to just one day see him just not the usual morning friend I had, he was jsut lying there motionless, lifeless…this is why I know I don’t like having pets, cause I get attached to them and when they pass away, you feel like you just lost a part of you. Well hopefully you are in fish heaven now, rest in peace my friend.

    Well I just got done watching Extreme Homemake over and today’s show was very touching. Although sometimes I feel like the show really intends on being too emotional, and how their makesovers are impractical, I love the fact that they show real people and people who has given their lives to what cause they believe in. Today’s episode was about the Barnabas family and how they turned their home into a camp for the autistic, how thier earnings rarely benefits them, even their house seems like its rundown yet all the money goes through for the children. How can you not appreciate that, true people who gives so much to the community.  To these children, they are truly God’s gift and for them to have an extreme home makeover was well deserved. No matter how small, their actions reverberates like a huge tsunami, especially for these children who will never realize the real world around them, yet in my eyes, in the current world we live in, they are the lucky ones for not knowing…