that feelings towards friends never change~

When I get to see my friends (my block mates) again after 4 months, I felt the same kind of happiness that I felt months back. Funny jokes, unrespectful and honest yet friendly remarks towards one another, taking wacky pictures spontaneously  and more was nostalgic. It seemed like nothing has changed. That's good. Errrr except for us being workers now and for new updates about love stories. :)

Dinner at Bacolod Chicken Inasal with
Ariel, Clang, Jeany, Korina, Lian, Lani and Teresa.
More memories captured in photos here. Click!
 

And.. I learned to love walking because it makes your time with a friend longer and you get to share stories more. I always loved walking with Lani and she feels the same way. While walking, she advices me about my decisions, shares interests with me which makes me want to talk to her more. And last night while we walked to the bus station, I told her scenes from a love story that she told could be made into a movie. It is the first time that she is happy about her friend's love story. I am glad. ^_^
 

When one is with friends, one will always be happy. ^___^ I don't want to end the day even. The miracle of friendship makes me wonder more than I wonder about the "7 wonders of the world."

 

that to be contented in the present is enough~

And to worry about the future, specifically your future is not much of an importance right now.

Or so I thought, or so what I want to think so. D:

I never felt more contented with my life as I am experiencing now. Though, I can say my money is not enough for my needs and I still could be labeled as "homeless" because I remain to be of no permanent address, I am happy with it. In fact, I now want to experience difficulty, learn from it and be motivated to do something to change the difficulty than what I previously thought. I think was far too lazy in the past because I wasn't doing the best effort I can in doing my work. I was addicted to Flyff then and the only thing I wanted to do day by day, was sleep or play Flyff.

Little Children Scavengers (SM2)

In just seconds things change. There was a point in time where in my mind there was only darkness and light and after that, my mind started questioning about what I do day by day, which values I treasure, which was important. Especially when I was exposed to SM2's poverty and experience their difficult life situation, it was like enlightenment though it may sound grand, but I don't have any way to explain it. Now, I care less about games and all other things I was acquainted to that now I see as unimportant.

It's a strange feeling to feel this way - to wake up early and not feel lazy but instead want to start work immediately and maximizing all the time to do advocacy, education and any other work to help ACCE.

In the future, I don't know where I will be. I don't know how poor or how rich I am but I don't seem to be anxious... if it's only for myself. The problem will come if I have my own family but then.. let's go back to the first sentence I scribbled in this blog. I don't want to worry about my future so much as long as I am contented with the present.

POSTSCRIPT:
Please support victims of Typhoon Ondoy and Typhoon Pepeng. See ACCE's relief operation flyer here. Click!

how times of crisis create venues of compassion and cooperation

by being a volunteer of World Vision's relief operation for a day.

The volume of donations received in cash and in kind of World Vision is amazing. From the vies of an outsider, they could easily implement relief operation without spending any penny from their fund since they already have many supporters. BUT, it was more heart-touching and wonderful to see people coming in to spend their day also as volunteers as seen in this picture..

It amazes me when people act to help others with no special reason
or with no agenda of receiving something in exchange in the end.

What I did today was so much different from what I originally expected - that is to go to Marikina and see how bad the typhoon's damage was with my eyes. In the end, I stayed with Gifts-In-Kind (GIK) team in the main office and counted donated food, toys and clothes per piece. It was a tiring day but I was glad to have found new friends. I am thinking of doing volunteer work for World Vision as a day care teacher maybe. As long as I have to deal with children would be fun with me - it's my pleasure~ ^_^

that perseverance can melt any kind of hindrance~

"Kung ayaw may dahilan. Kung gusto naman, maraming paraan" ~ Antukin, Rico Blanco

That was what I realized after spending a night with my seminarian friends at the Multi Purpose Health Center (MPHC) of Smokey Mountain 2. In the morning, we were asked what we want to do, either to stay at home because of the bad weather condition or continue going to Smokey Mountain and spend the day. We decided to go.

Redemptorist Seminarians with Smokey Mountain 2 (SM2) youth.
More pictures in here. Click!.

Though we had difficulty riding jeepneys, got our feet soaked in the dirty flood, struggled with our weak umbrellas easily tattered by the strong and finally, being in a confusion of weather to stay overnight or not, we still went on. Sharing ilfe experiences with poor people under a worst condition was far better than staying in the comfort of one's home worrying about them. In that night, I was able to hear life stories of the youth of Smokey Mountain. I want to take more action so as to prevent another youth to be given less a chance to experience life as a youth in its fullness.

that plans may change, be ready for anything~

"As much as you want to plan your life, it has a way of surprising you with unexpected things that will make you happier than you originally planned." - Lyra, 06/02/09

 

For example..
You plan to eat on Jollibee... errr I planned to eat in KFC for dinner tonight but the line was too long. I was very hungry and wanted to eat as soon as possible so I went to the stall beside KFC in Gateway's Foodcourt. The stall sells dumplings! In the end, I paid about 20 pesos less than the meal I already plan to eat and I discovered that Dumpling's strawberry iced tea is delicious! I 

Another one...
For so many years, one may have stayed in a relationship with someone she thought she loved. Yet, everyday, she thinks that there is something missing despite the current stability. And then in one sudden moment, she forgets about the years they shared as she met another guy who for some reason, felt like his 'Mr. Right". So she breaks up with Boyfriend for Long Years and for the next years, she never felt more happy! Actually, I hope this happy ending happens to me~ I pray so~

In my last year in college, I discovered the profession I really wanted to be part of - to be a doctor for children! BUT, after four months from being a fresh graduate from university, my plan has changed. Today's dream is more simple, more easy to reach, more fulfilling - I dream for more people to take action against poverty! In this light, I want to be professor of Social Work in the university to help students realize what I realized - and to feel what great happiness I feel in helping poor people presently. and simultaneously, continue being staff of ACCE-Philippines - a lifetime commitment, if I can. ^__^ I

that lacking sleep is better than sleeping all day~

because I've always been a deep sleeper, I never knew what I was missing. Last night, we spent time with Fine Interaction Team, ACCE-Japan Supporting team for Smokey Mountain. It was not a formal event but more like get-together of friends. While I was asleep, Tomomi, Koji and Shohei shared life stories which I regret not hearing. I could have learned more about them, understand them more and improve friendship but I was asleep.

So from now on, I will always try to make the most out of time because you never knew how important each minute is when it''s already too late as hours already passed.

And from now, I will change this blog to "what I learned today?" to keep it simple and so that I could easily write everyday. I missed you blog. Sorry, I was busy with the tour and summer camp. ^__^

5 second poem~

CHASing after you, I believe I'll always be.
Even though, often it's only your back, I see.
But I don't mind and you will never mind.
The magic you've done, only time will find.

It was all too sudden - knowing you.
Compatibility level suddenly went through.
Just like my poem, just like your haiku.
Writing is easy because of you~