Think Out Loud

Nobody told me that writing a resignation letter would be this difficult. There are so many things I would like to say but I can't find the right words to say it. I'm too overwhelmed with the great memories I have in OB. During the past 3 years, I've collected hundreds of fond memories and learned thousands of lessons from the people I've worked with and from the experiences I've had. Putting my "Thank you" into words would simply not be enough.

Even though I had my occasional grumblings and complainings, I'm really gonna miss this place. In fact, this is where my career all began. My first job. My roommate said that the first job is the hardest to forget, especially when you had great experiences there. And I'm starting to believe her.

Childhood Dreams

There were so many things I wanted to be when I was young - a doctor, an astronaut, a scientist, a detective. But when I discovered this treasure called books, I knew what I seriously wanted to be when I grow up - a writer.

But deep inside, I knew that it would take a lot of years and experience before I can reach my dream. So when my dream was fulfilled sooner than I expected, I was surprised but immensely overjoyed. For my first job, I was a writer.

As I was reveling on this fact a few months ago, I suddenly realized that my dream has been fulfilled. So, what now? And God spoke to my heart. He told me that it’s time to make new dreams. He probably didn’t want me to become just a writer but to be something more.

Now, God is taking me out of my comfort zone and He is bringing me some place else to fulfill another dream of mine. It has always been my dream to earn a masters degree overseas in full scholarship. And God has granted it! Even though my journey is just beginning, with God with me, I know this journey will be exciting, amazing and memorable.

Life is sweet when you're walking through it with the Lord. And it's easy to conquer mountains because in your weakness, the Lord is strong. He'll fight for you.

So have you reached that point in your life when your dreams are already fulfilled? Are you wondering if there is something to still look forward to in your life?Be encouraged and dream new dreams! Develop yourself and make the best of who you are for God's glory!

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 for 2012 but the events that transpired were more than anything I have ever imagined. Thank you, Lord, for year 2012! Looking forward to the new and great things You have in store for me (and my friends and family) for 2013. You are good!

As 2012 ends, I bring back to You ALL praises, glory and honor.

In Jesus' Name, Amen!

A blessed and joyful 2013 to everyone! God bless!

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 long to post a new entry. When I posted that last entry dated October 18, I told myself that my next post is going to be about my scholarship application. The results came  later than I expected but finally, the results got out last week,

AND I GOT IN!!!

Praise God! It was weighing heavily on my mind the past few months and the wait was agonizing. Finally, it's here and the challenges are just about to begin. But let me share with you the three things (actually it's more than that but I'll just highlight 3) I learned from my application adventures:

1. God is true to His promises. When God tells you He will do it, He will do it. He never backs down on His word and He always keeps His promises. 
2. Trusting God is always the best option. God wanted me to surrender this dream to Him and I found myself having a hard time letting it go. I even surprised myself with my extreme unwillingness to let it go. It even had to go to a point where God had to put me in a situation just my faith in Him would grow stronger. Finally, I surrendered this dream to Him, trusting Him completely. And just like Abraham who got his Isaac back, God gave me the scholarship. And now, as I apply for the visa (that they say is a painstaking task), I continue to trust in Him that everything will be smooth because when God blesses, He adds no sorrow to it.
3. God provides. I had a lot of struggles while I was applying for this scholarship. I lack funds, I lack time, and I can't just abandon my job to blindly pursue the future. But God provided for my funds, even to the point that I was awarded as the Employee of the Month for May and received a financial award. There was also a time when God provided through my overtime pay. And even though I lacked the luxury of time, I received my papers in the nick of time. And the best thing about this is that as early as April, God brought to the office the person who would replace me and take over my tasks.  Truly, if God wills it, He will pave the way for you.

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.

Sometimes writing is becoming a burden. Not because I don't like it but because I'm not given the leisure of time to develop it. Even for the past 3 years, I haven't attended even 1 writing seminar.

It's getting really frustrating. I need to be inspired. I need to be creative.

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 just a province full of rice farms.

But we didn't realize that the place we were going to was the last town of the province and it sits almost in the boundary of Nueva Ecija and Aurora Province (and Aurora holds a special place in my heart). So it was a really big surprise for me to see mountains in plain-covered Nueva Ecija!

Hidden Valley

Amigas

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 a lot of those are certainly worth sharing.

Allow me.

XOXO