Think Out Loud

NPA infested areas, military vehicles, a ride along steep mountains in a defective jeepney, unexplored islands, giant pacific waves, rainforests, heavy monsoon rains, a supertyphoon, a brush with death, a new lease of life... Mountains conquered, roads crossed, lost dreams awakened...Friendships formed, relationships rekindled, a "family" born...Hundreds of stories to tell; scores of lessons to share; thousands of memories to treasure.I had great expectations...

Merry Christmas! I know it's been a while since I posted something worthwhile here. A LOOOOT of things have happened lately. I'm thinking of backtracking to write about all of it here. Let's see. Maybe before the year ends. Hopefully I'll have the time and the inspiration to tell you all about it. But I have another reason why it took me this...

I work as a writer but I feel anything but a writer. In a month, I only do 20% of writing. I'm usually doing layouts, designing stuff (which is an extreme struggle to do when I'm uninspired) and other admin tasks. Though I do go out more often to cover activities, I still feel that I'm writing way too less for a writer....

While in the midst of extremely busy relief efforts, I received terrific news. I got in! Praise God for this good news! Even though I know that the path to my dream is not easy, I will continue to trust in God and believe in Him that He has the best and perfect plans for my life. Thank God for this blessing! ...

Road trip + sceneries + DLSR camera = perfect way to start September! It was a sudden trip to Nueva Ecija. My two companions were sent there to receive an award for the organization while I was sent there to cover it. I have been to Nueva Ecija before and I wasn't really that impressed with its landscapes. From what I remembered, it was...

Wow, I didn't realize it has been a long time since I posted an entry here. I can't imagine I skipped a whole month! Oh well, it's not because nothing has been going on in my life lately, or nothing worth blogging. In fact, it's the the other way around. A LOT of things have happened since I took that unplanned hiatus, and...

I was in 2 malls the whole afternoon yesterday. It's a typical Sunday bonding my family does after our church activities. First, we lounge around the ATC mall where the rich and famous shop and dine while we ordinary people admire them from afar. Then we go to the rowdy Festival Mall frequented by people ranging from the upper and middle class to...

It started a couple of weeks ago when my Mondays started to become interesting and eventful. It began when I donated blood to an elderly woman named Imelda. At first, I was declined because my monthly period is scheduled in four days. So after a trip to the hospital's lab, Fred (my officemate) and I went to talk and get to know Imelda...

Yesterday, the whole office was switched to "cleaning mode". Every one was armed with (surgical) masks and (surgical) gloves as we all went down on our hands and knees to clean our work spaces. Old files were exhumed and boxes were scattered all over the floor. Cabinets and drawers were drawn out and emptied. Blinds, windows and walls were cleaned for the first time...

I decided to continue my race to overseas masters application, but this time I'm going to try out a different university and a different scholarship grant. I spent the rest of the day thinking how I will battle out with the university issue. But I don't want to go into the details of that. One of the reasons why I decided to continue...

I GOT DECLINED. My application to take masteral studies in Massey was declined. And I don't really know what I'm feeling right now. Am I shocked? Maybe. Devastated? No, surprisingly not. But I couldn't say I found it unexpected. I was a little open-minded when I started this and maybe unknowingly, I have prepared myself to face and hear (or in this case,...

Once again we're back to the restless world of disaster relief. But this time, I think I already got the hang of it. I'm not as baffled as I was before. But there's still a lot of work to be done. After all, we are just beginning. On other matters, the result of the IELTS test will be released on Friday. I hope...

Jeremiah 29:11 I miss going on missions that stretch to two weeks. Missions where we do house-to-house visits. It helps me understand communities and family relationships more. At the same time, I also get to see and photograph beautiful natural sceneries. I hope I would develop on this task and do it more in a grander scale. From meeting with health aid beneficiaries, I...

That awkward moment when the guy who said "I love you" is married now. (Not that I took it seriously. Honestly, I care less about that guy. Probably the only thing that intrigued me was the idea that someone did marry him. Haha.) That awkward moment when the guy who said "I like you" is also married now. (I wasn't so surprised. A...

Jose Rizal's missing letter tucked inside his shoe. Anastasia Romanov's whereabouts. Amelia Earheart's crashed plane. There are things in life that would probably remain a mystery forever. God, in His sovereignty and wisdom, chose not to divulge every shrouded mystery in this world. Perhaps the truth would be too much to handle or maybe the truth doesn't really matter at all. Maybe it's...

I think the hardest stress to handle is emotional stress. I can work for 12 hours straight and do it for a month as long as I'm happy and enjoying what I'm doing. But if emotional stress gets in the way, I feel drained. It sucks the energy out of me. Just like today. I was already doing okay when suddenly - BAM!...

I love to write. I love to travel. I love taking pictures. But from where I am right now, I feel like I've already hit the ceiling. I need a new place to flow my creativity and interest. Lately, I've been flanked with a lot of administrative work and I don't really find it fun. Plus, I'm being boxed in with corporate rules...

I just clicked the SEND button. There's no turning back now. I just hope someone answers my email soon. And I hope the reply would be favorable. In the meantime, I'll use my Monday leave to good use by completing my papers. Then continue doing  the extremely important task I should be working on. I cannot be over confident about this. I need...

Sometimes, guys can be extremely insensitive - especially when they are courting someone. Gal friend is in town and we have bunch of activities planned for the next couple of weeks. In fact, we were planning on having an ice cream night out today and have a long delayed girl talk. Unfortunately, insensitive lovestruck guy had to ruin the plans. I was only...

I'm blogging using my new phone. I downloaded this blogger app and i want to see how it works. I know i owe you tons of blog entries but i'm just extremely busy. I hope i'll have some time out to gather and organize my thoughts and put it into writing. But you know what, I'm actually at work now so i gotta...

I have a confession to make: I AM A GIRLY-GIRL. Well okay, sometimes. Most of my friends may not believe this but there are times when I like girly stuff, like fashion. Sometimes I daydream wearing fashionable clothes instead of the drab ones I usually wear at work. Or wear stilettos instead of dirty sneakers; fashionable blouses (complete with the accessories) instead of...

I just had the WORK TALK with my roommates and I realized I am a totally normal human being. Don't patronize me. I may look like I have a very busy and interesting work life but there's always a time when I'm dead bored at work. Like now. When I feel like the fire of passion has been snuffed out. I end up...

FINALLY! A breathing time. I know this is a little late (very late), but i still want to share here in my blog my memorable experiences last 2011. Truly, 2011 was a year beyond measure. God blessed me with tons of surprises and granted many of my heart's desires. Even just a few weeks before the year ended, God had been gracious. I...

I can't believe I'll be saying this, but I can't wait to get back to the office. The past two weeks was anything but a vacation. Nobody could really blame any one for the disaster that happened a few days before Christmas. It's not like any one could have stopped mother nature from unleashing her fury for the sake of holidays. In fact,...