Love like you've never loved before.

"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?" - Romans 2:1, 3 (New International Version)

God alone has the right to judge. I am a mere mortal and I am no God, so definitely judging others is not my right. I realized in judging others, I bring judgment to myself. I have sinned against God for I have trespassed His judgment. I am not perfect; therefore I am not in authority to judge. God judges all of us equally. He judges him, He judges her and He judges me. So if I judge another person, then I have just doubled God's judgment on me.

Yet, the Lord is full of love. Yes, He punishes us for the sins we have committed to discipline us because we are His children (Hebrews 12:5). His love is so great that Jesus was sent to us to save us from the consequences of our sins. He did not even spare His own Son to die a shameful death for people like us. Because of the death of Jesus Christ, we have been justified. And though we were not worthy, God still gave Jesus to us. An undeserved love. That is grace, my friend (Ephesians 2:8). We are confident that our salvation in Jesus is true. He died but did not stay dead for He resurrected from the grave and is now alive with our Father in heaven.

We live in a fallen world so expect temptation in every way. This is Satan's desperate attempt to gather as many people to rebel against God. He knows he is already defeated when Jesus took upon Himself the punishment of mankind... Death. Satan wants people to be one with him in turning their backs against God. But I have good news. Jesus offers salvation to everyone who is willing to receive it. This salvation, the love of God, is found in Jesus Christ alone. Once we have Jesus, no one, not even Satan can snatch us from God's hand and separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39, John 11:28). Isn't that a wonderful assurance?

It is inevitable that we sin as I've mentioned the obvious reason above. We are trapped in sin. But if we receive Jesus, we will be freed (John 8:36). Sin would no longer bind us for Jesus has freed us from it. As Paul said, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Once we've accepted Christ, we will be molded into His likeness. Nobody is too bad for Him. Jesus can change lives.

So having said that, we all know that we are all on the same level. Now, do we really have the right to judge others? No.

Instead...

For the believers, what we can do is encourage and pray for one another as we grow in our relationship with God. Let God's love overflow from us to others. If you know people who don't know the Lord Jesus yet, then share His good news. You are not to keep it for yourself. I pray that the Lord would grant all of us the zeal and boldness to open our mouths to speak of who Jesus Christ is. Besides, this is what God called us for.

For those who don't know Jesus and haven't accepted Him yet, seek the LORD your God and you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul (Deuteronomy 4:29). Oh how excited I am for you to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Prepare your hearts and accept Him with all willingness and humility and you will surely find a life that is so abundantly blessed that you can't stop praising the Lord.

We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, so let us not condemn each other. How would the people know that we are Jesus' disciples if we do not love one another? Jesus Himself said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)

It's gonna be a tough work but with God's grace, we will learn to love more and more.

King Kong

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Action & Adventure

King Kong is by far the saddest story I've ever witnessed. Yet it's a great movie nonetheless. Man's ignorance and greed, animal cruelty, a love not given a chance, desperation, dying for love. Name it, King Kong has it. This movie is a smorgasbord of emotions that makes it a pathetically entertaining film. It's actually a horror movie injected with love story all over the place. A nice mix if you ask me. Though the Kong was beastly and hideous, many fell in love with him. I know I did. The love story wasn't only between the mighty Kong and Anne (Naomi Watts). Watch the movie and you'll know what I mean. (I'm guessing you've already watched it, because I was among those last batch of people who saw the film)

Wonderfully directed by Mr. Peter Jackson. King Kong meets Jurassic Park and Chicago. Primitively brilliant! The cinematography, screenplay, casting, costumes and make-up, digital effects, and all that jazz was really awesome. I specifically love the city scene where King Kong rummages through the pandemic New Yorkers to look for his beautiful Anne and finally finds her. Such an "aaaww" moment. Perfectly depicts a man in desperate search for his one true love. It's sickeningly sweet.

Though I was never fond of ape films, King Kong sure won a spot in my "list-of-really-good-films-this-year". I was a skeptic at first because this 2005 remake may not meet my expectations of 'King Kong'. But after seeing what I've seen, I am now a believer.

King Kong is definitely an epitome of innocent love, and Peter Jackson was able to capture it beautifully. Watch it and fall in love.

The B1G retreat

It's one of the BIGgest blessings to me this year.

It is a world issue too, you know.

On the account of Genesis, God said to Adam and Eve:

"Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth." - Genesis 1:28 (English Standard Version)

Other versions read 'rule over...' What does it actually mean? To have dominion or to rule over the fishes, the birds, and every living thing that moves on the earth?

If you look up the world 'rule'  in the Webster, you read there that it is an exercise of authority or control. 'Dominion' was also defined there as supreme authority (in this context). In layman's term, we are to be stewards of God's creation, animals in particular.

I want you to click on these links below and tell me if this is what God meant when he commanded us to rule over or have dominion over them?

THIS

IS

SHOCKING

Okay, I am not asking you to sign up for the PETA campaign or anything like that, but I want you to open your eyes to reality that it IS happening. I know that there are more important issues like poverty, human rights, world peace and everything in between, but isn't this equally important as well, given the command God gave us? (yeah it is us, not Adam and Eve alone)

Personally, I want my children to see what a chinchilla is or how sleek and beautiful seals are. But I am afraid that soon, these animals along with all the others will slowly die without us even noticing it. Unless we don't see asong kalye anymore. Yet as stewards we should know what is happening to these animals that God told us to rule over. You may not be an animal lover but the Creator gave you the responsibility to take care of His creations. What will you tell God when you face Him and He starts asking where have all the bluewhales gone?

So, think about it and do your part. It's not only my world but yours too.

Dear CSA Batchmates

Dear CSA Batchmates,

Hi! How have you been? I hope all's well in your life right now.

I really don't know why I am writing this. Haha. It's raining. I hope that explains it. Man, I hate nostalgia when it hits you at a time like this (time check, 7:44AM). Crazy.

Well, I just really wanted to know how you guys have been. Basically, that's it. Have you already graduated? Found a new love? Learned a new language? Reconciled your relationship with God? Are you happily settled? Lost someone? Things like that.

Tsk, the questions I ask.

I may not have known each and everyone in the batch as personal as I have known my close circle of friends. But I am certain that at some point in our elementary (SK days even) and highschool years, we've made a connection. And since years have passed since we last spoke to each other, I'm wondering how you are now. Are you still that same giggly seatmate I had in 2nd year? Do you still drag yourself on the floor? Do you still write poems as hopeful as before? Are you still playing volleyball? Have you made a career out of spoofing our Statistics teacher? Do you still remember the time when we were making up stories about giant rulers and talking pencil cases? Do you still keep all your song compositions in a notebook? Don't you like walking in the rain anymore? Do you still adore ice scrambles like you did in 3rd grade? Do you still have that dashing smile everytime we pose for the class picture?

It's funny when I remember pieces of how my life was. Life in CSA that is. Oh how sweet it was back then!

I am just being grateful. I bet you cannot hate everything in your life, can you? No. Else you'll grow bitter.

I'm glad that somehow we became friends. That you're not just a batchmate but a real friend. You don't know how much I appreciate some things in my life now because of that moment we shared. You may not remember it anymore. But I bet if we get to see each other again and decide to sit down for coffee and talk, we'll start reminiscing and laughing and crying. *sigh*

Sorry for the drama there. Haha. I got carried away.

The rain is lovely, don't you think?

Goodness, what's wrong with me. A simple "kamusta" would have sufficed. But do I have to write this long to ask that? Pffft. Pardon my schizophrenic moment.

I just wanted to check that we haven't forgotten the times we had in CSA. When life was easy and uncomplicated. When our worries only meant incomplete assignments/projects, petty quarrel with a classmate, periodical exams, and angry teachers. Now, we all are experiencing the predicaments of the "grown-up" world. But hey, life's not too bad as we think it is.

I'm not expecting you to reply to this. Hahaha. I'm just feeling nostalgic. And I am not gonna die yet.

I miss CSA. But CSA won't be CSA if it weren't for you guys. So, thanks. *insert hugging YM emoticon*

I'll be praying for all of you. May God bless you abundantly.

"I thank my God every time I remember you." - Philippians 1:3

 N o r m i

"It is not great men who change the world, but weak men in the hands of God..."

QTT with mah best girlfriends

Dinner at MASAS for the celebration of our bdays (Sunshine and me). This was July of 2005.

Dinner @ Kroc 2

from my camphone

Baguio Trip July 2005

Stop over at La Union. Swam the Raois beaches. Went to Baguio. Walang katapusang roadtrip. Saya.

One Friday night

tama ba namang pag-usapan yan before bible study?? hehehe.

Mariposa ni Pat. Lakad lakad sa UST. D-group (actually si Dem lang chaka Nikos) hehehe.

CHS Team Dinner 16 Sept 2005 - Part 2

CHS Team Dinner 16 Sept 2005

Amazing race. Dencio's. Pictures. Kahit umuulan. Awarding ceremony. Kulitang walang humpay. At maraming pang iba.

For you Lord, this is my psalm

 A psalm written by Normi

How much do I know you Lord?
Have I really grasped who the Living Savior is as what the Bible tells?

I have studied and heard of Your Word,
from the pulpit and from group Bible studies,
from fellowship with other Christians as well.
But have you been active in my heart and my mind today?

Do I have enough knowledge to say I know you quite well?
What do I tell when someone asks me about You?
Are my words enough to describe Your majesty?

I don't want to be like the Pharisees,
All head-knowledge yet refuse to take it into their hearts.
Lord, I don't want to know a lot and not live it.
Instead, I want to live Your Word and know a lot.

Jesus, forgive me.
I admit most of the time I just let the paper absorb the notes I wrote
But not absorb it in my heart.
Shameful, I know.
And for this I am sorry.

I have been amazed by Your great love Lord.
Moved by such wonderful grace.
I have come to know my being because of You.
All these I have realized through Your Word.

I will study the Bible to know You more,
not to have information to get people's commendation.
I will learn the Scriptures and live every word of it
So that I can worship You in the way You want me to.

Thank you Jesus for Your life.
Thank you for mine.
Thank you that I have this relationship with you.
Unbreakable and forever.

Let me draw near to You. So close for me to feel Your touch.
I love you so much Jesus.
Oh how my heart aches longing for You.

You have never failed me. Not even once.
I want to do the same for You.

Burn in me Lord as I burn for You.
Fill me with Your Spirit and let Your Words overflow through me.
I want the people to know how marvelous You are.
I want them to experience Your unconditional love.

I want to know Thy Deeds,
From my heart not my head.
From my innermost soul I praise You.

Jesus, you will always have my heart, my soul, my being.
I will forever praise you until I see You face to face.
Meet me again as I open my Bible to learn about You.

The pencil sharpener and I

I just discovered a new interest of mine...

Sharpening pencils!!!

It's really fun! You know. The kind where you get giddy because your ice candy is finally frozen enough to enjoy *waves at Miss Beng* or when you just discovered a new creature in your backyard. I love the sharpening sound when I start to turn the handle and see the shavings of the pencil pile up in the little transparent box below. What a sight to see. For me it's like seeing falling cherry blossoms... Sakura according to my half-Japanese friend Eiyu. Happy happy joy joy.

My colleagues here might think I have lost it because I keep asking if they have pencils so that I can sharpen it for them. They all gave me the same look of cluelessness. "Why the heck would you like to sharpen my pencil?" asked one of them, "It makes me happy, that's why!" Then I just smiled.

Hahaha. Call me weird but in sharpening pencils I realized some deep thoughts (or not so deep). Yeah, God speaks in the weirdest circumstances sometimes. I'm just grateful He speaks to me at all.

Did it ever occur to you that we are like those pencils? I bet some of you have realized that. Our skills/talents are being used everyday, even in the simplest things. Similarly, we use the pencil until the lead runs out and we have to sharpen them again. Sometimes, even if it still can write, you want to sharpen it more. It's better to write with a newly sharpened pencil, don't you agree? Either way, the pencil still is a very helpful tool to many of us. I like writing with a pencil better than a pen. I'm a messy writer so erasing the traces of my mistakes is kind of a relief because I can start with a clean slate.

Each of us have different abilities. Different strengths. God deals with us and uses us in different ways. I sometimes think that when we are getting dull in what we do (just like the pencil that is no longer sharp), God sharpens us. He shaves off the excess so we can function well and be focused on the task He prepared us for. He removes "extra baggages" in our lives that are hindering us from doing our very purpose. It will hurt (oh most definitely!) when we go through the sharpening process, like the pencil going through the blades (except that they don't bleed). Nevertheless, the outcome of the sharpening is fulfilling. It's like you're brand new. All geared up for the new challenges that life will throw at you. Nice nice.

It's a cycle, you see. After some time, we'd feel like giving up again and dull in almost everything we do. Lost in seemingly endless tasks to the point that we feel useless. Countless problems start to say hello again and you begin to feel woozy and heavy at the same time. Yet behold, how good the Lord is! He doesn't let us stay in that state for a very long time. He doesn't want us to feel dull nor useless as we all are excellently and uniquely made by Him. Thus, God sharpens us until we see our beauty again. Oh what love!

Now, I am done with my pencil sharpening and I feel a sense of achievement doing that. I am now going to wait on God to sharpen me in the best way He wants me to be. Until that time comes, I'm going to accomplish the things that I need to do for the glory of His kingdom. Yeah yeah yeah!

Oh, I so love sharpening pencils!

Alam mo yung sagot pero di mo maalala

1. Ano ang title ng sitcom ni Lito Pimentel kung saan lumabas na tatay niya si Balut?
2. Sino ang ka-loveteam niya dito?
3. Ano ang pangalan ng lola sa Flor de Luna?
4. Sino ang mga bida sa "bagets"?
5. Sino ang mga leading lady nila?(5)
6. Sino-sino ang cast ng champoy? (6)
7. Saang sitcom unang tinawag na Bistek si Herbert Bautista?
8. Ano ang title ng sitcom ni Apeng Daldal?
9. Ano ang pangalan ng mga anak nila John and Marsha? (3)
10. Ano ang pangalan ng asawa ni Rolly sa John and Marsha?
11. Sino ang ka-loveteam ni Nikki Martel?
12. Sino ang kapatid ni Mon Alvir?
13. Saang TV show laging pinapatugtog ang "It's my turn /to see what I can
see?" sa closing credits?
14. Ano ang pangalan ni Freddie Webb sa Chicks to Chicks?
15. Sino ang original cast ng "Palibhasa Lalake"? (3)
16. Ano ang title ng movie ni Kuya Germs at ano ang theme song dito?
17. Ano ang unang TV series ni Judy Ann Santos?
18. Sino ang ka-partner ni Rey PJ Abellana sa Ana Lisa?
19. Ano ang title ng TV show nila Agot Isidro, William Martinez at Strawberry?
20. Sino ang ka-love triangle nila Sheryl Cruz at Romnick Sarmenta?

See you soon, Tyson.

You had shaved head then, when you first came. Never thought your stay here could be of any effect to us. But the Lord had a purpose.

Three-month stay beside the traintracks with lives you have touched. It was definitely more than a research study. God was teaching you to live a humble life and you have adapted very quickly. It was amazing how God used you in His ministry here. We were blessed to see how your faith in Him grew. You have encouraged us that living outside our comfort zones is not that scary after all. Faith in the Lord leads you to where you should be.

Some think you're quiet but we know you're not. If they only knew how our tummies ached when you start to talk! You never fail to make us smile Tyson. Weird as it may seem to this oriental culture of ours, you defied the usual just to brighten up our days.

The fellowship we had, the many experiences we shared, our passion to serve the Lord, were just some of the strings sewn together to bond this friendship we have. We are blessed by your life and encouraged by your faith and service to the Lord. Thank you.

And now that you're back home, always remember, you will always have us around when you decide to come back.

 

We just hope it will be soon 'coz we're missin' you terribly.

Alas! the complexities of life and love.

"Have I told you about the tension of the opposites?" he says.

The tension of the opposites?

"Life is a series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing but you are bound to do something else. Something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn't. You take certain things for granted, even when you know you should never take things for granted.

A tension of the opposites, like a pull on a rubber band. And most of us live somewhere in the middle."

Sounds like a wrestling match, I say.

"A wrestling match." He laughs. "Yes, you could describe life that way."

So which side wins, I ask?

"Which side wins?"

He smiles at me, the crinkled eyes, the crooked teeth.

Love wins. LOVE ALWAYS WINS.

- Tuesdays with Morrie

gettyimages

http://creative.gettyimages.com/source/home/home.aspx
check out photos and illustrations.

Know me more here.

http://tabulas.com/~normeee

Dinner @ Kroc

Reunion minus Jenny and Kris.. more pics to post soon.

payong kaibigan lang.

Live my friend, rather than just exist.

"I hate to think that all my current experiences will someday become stories with no point."
-Calvin

Uso ba 'to?

Margaux wanted me to take this quiz. so....

This is gonna be long.:-D

- Seven things that scare you:
1. I said it before, nothing can scare me out of my wits than FROGS!
2. Death of a loved one.
3. All the Filipinos migrating to another country (mga tipong Cubans migrating to the US)
4. waking up and realizing that I can't remember anything the night before
5. uncertainty
6. frustration
7. uselessness

Seven things you like the most:
1. Hungarian Sausage topped with blue cheese sa Wham!™ (and didn't I say no to pork before?? hehehe)
2. stars
3. enjoying nature
4. having quiet time with my Lord and Savior
5. mah fwendships!! *grouphug* (from neighborhood playmates to colleagues in ICS)
6. shopping shopping shopping
7. ei margaux, I like the smell of buttered popcorn too!! :-D

Seven important things in your room:
1. my Bible (though I have another one that I always carry in my bag)
2. yung mga CD/VCD/DVD/casette tapes/books of all sorts na nasa iba-ibang basket sa ilalim ng kama ko
3. loads and loads of boxes and containers full of wonderful and bittersweet memories
4. my bed
5. my 14" teevee
6. countless bags (backpacks, shoulder bags, body bags, hand bags, pouch bags, belt bag, airbag, libag, hahahaha joke!) that are stored way way up in my cabinet.
7. my bed op cors, how else would it be called my bedroom eh??

so nakikita nyo nang punung-puno ng anek-anek ang kwarto ko. Oh and by the way, it's pink! *girly swirls*

Seven random facts about you:
1. My shoe size is 7
2. I have three, very tall and good looking brothers who are talented in their own special way:)
3. When I love, I love with all that I am.
4. Jump ropes! yeah, jump rope is my thing.
5. whenever we have theater plays that involve a prostitute, I always end up getting that role. Well according to our director, I put justice to it, that's why. (i dunno if I should take that as a compliment or an insult, hahaha!)
6. I have 2 best friends, Carol and Sunshine. And looks like ima have 2 maids of honor on my wedding too!:-D
7. I have a small birthmark on my left arm.

Seven things you plan to do before you die:
1. adventure in the great African Safari
2. settle down and have a family. To raise my kids and see them serve and grow in the Lord.
3. Experience the Himalayas with Nikos.
4. Put up the orphanage that I've always planned and prayed for.
5. Give my family the luxuries they've always wanted.
6. arrange and document my last will and testament for people.
7. Hug and thank the people who've made life tough for me. For no matter how bitchy they are or how hard they made things for me, i still appreciate them for being a part of who I am.

Seven things you can do:
1. I can love you even if you are the most difficult person on earth.
2. I can play street basketball with boys. (kahit pa basa kilekile nila wala akong pakialam maka-depensa lang):P
3. cram everything in an hour (minutes even).
4. stretch my last 20 pesos for 3 straight days.
5. walk walk walk (wag lang naka heels please).
6. multi-tasking
7. I can dance ballroom. Swing anybody?;)

Seven things you can't do:
1. drown myself (kung sino may kaya nito, papalakpakan ko)
2. i can't stand a messed up room so I tend to go all OC and tidy it up.
3. human pretzel
4. give up my faith.
5. I can't leave this office right now and fly to Venice to have a nice quiet afternoon.
6. I can't eat dinuguan. Masyadong madilim na pagkain para sakin. (haha madilim, whatta term por an ulam)
7. be punctual (all my friends know this by heart hahaha). I know, i know it is a bad habit, but I'm trying to break it. So far sa office, all's good. Wala na akong memo! *tawiwit*

Seven things that attract you to the opposite sex:
1. personality
2. long-hair
3. mukhang barumbado pero malambing
4. rakistang itsura pero mabango
5. can laugh with me at the most outrageous things. Sense of humor is the key to a girl's heart guys.
6. talented. que sehodang musika, art o pagsusulat man yan.
7. eyes (kasali na ung lashes, brows and eye color):)

We usually go against the standards we have set for the man of our lives, but having the exact opposite (or not meeting most of the criteria) doesn't mean he's not gonna be the best for you. In fact, he could be everything and more!:)

Seven things you say the most:
1. blabber blabber
2. wuuuussaaaaa
3. haler!
4. wenk
5. tentenenenen
6. hooooo
7. ay sya!

Seven celeb crushes (whether local or foreign): (nix survey lang)
1. Brandon Boyd
2. Lindsay Lohan
3. Mark Abaya
4. Mark Wahlberg
5. Angelina Jolie
6. Ashton Kutcher
7. Adam Sandler

Seven people you want to see to take this quiz:
1. Mommy Rose
2. Kath (dahil alam kong wla kang ginagawa :p)
3. Gie (kasi gusto mo neto)
4. Mayette (dahil alam kong gagawin mo to, haha!)
5. Adox
6. Marica
7. At kung sino pang may gusto. Libre lang naman 'to. *grins*

ICS Peeps

mga katrabaho.

Friends until the end :)

jack-jack and piglet.. and the ninangs?

It's a blessing to have friends who journey with you as you grow deeper in your relationship with the Lord. We've laughed together, cried together, grew in our fatih, had conflicts, forgave and reconciled, and discovered God's calling for each and every one of us. We are each called by God to stand up, serve, take up our crosses and follow Him. In good times and in persecution Lord, we're with You.. ALL THE WAY!:)

Hotel Rwanda

"...They’re just gonna watch the news and say 'That's horrible!' Then they will just continue eating their dinners..."

Sad but true. Even I, am guilty of it. With the daily news focused on the killings, poverty, lies, hunger, sickness, indifferences and death, who can blame a person if he stopped caring because he's fed up? People minding their own businesses. Turning a blind eye on the truth. There’s chaos all over the place.

How many of us have really contemplated on what’s happening to our world today? How many of us have acted upon our “awa”? We’ve seen worst of the worst almost everyday, everywhere. Watch the horrible reports day in and day out and witness them happen all over again. Yet, did we do anything about it?

It’s as if a bucket of ice was poured out on me, I was awakened by that statement uttered by Joaquin Phoenix. At times, whenever I hear or see something bad on the news, I say to myself, “Grabe! Kawawa naman sila.” Then I go on with my life, because you have to admit, these things happen and you just have to accept it. Still, I wanted to do something more than just feeling sorry for them. People close to me knows what my passion is or what my heart is burdened by, they know how hard I have cried to the Lord for it. With the way things are and with where I am now, I am denying this from myself and gave it up, nonetheless. It’s been so long and you can say that I am tired. That’s just me though. My own issues. Own. Haha. How selfish of me. I have just made the world more complicated. I can feel the pang of hurt and guilt witnessing the desperation our world is in, for I know that I can do something about it yet I do not move.

“Why are the people cruel?” ― “Because of hate…”

Hotel Rwanda is a film that can give you a reality check. If you have been caught up with your own selfish desires (like I have), take your time off and watch this true story. ALONE, I must recommend so that you can internalize the film more. *The genocide in Rwanda in 1994 was a very brutal and merciless massacre. It stirred up the international arena. The United Nations, the world’s political leaders, the coward US, media and everybody else were disturbed by this inhumane act of discrimination. It was the most tragic event since the Holocaust. This film captures the story of a man, who has taken upon himself the responsibility to help his fellowmen despite the slow intervention of those supposed to be “protectors” of these people. It is heartbreaking yet encouraging. Only one man… but he was able to save more than 10 lives. Expect emotional stress so bring your Kleenex. It is sad to see events such as these happen. But do you realize that things like these happen all the time? It may not be in one place and it may not be genocide, just the same, death and discrimination have painted our world red. Think Moslems and Christians, the privileged and the uneducated, the fashionistas and the jologs.

Convenience breeds apathy. You ask me why? I believe that when everything is convenient in a person’s life, he tends to forget the world outside. The real world. It may also be that people with not so convenient lives won’t give a crap about the social problems of this world for they also have problems of their own. These people feel one with the distressing state of the world. So why the heck care for the others when they have worries themselves to attend to? Makes sense. Well, correct me if I’m wrong with my statements. These are just my personal observations.

But this perception is wrong.. VERY wrong. Our state is not an excuse to be nonchalant about the world issues that all of us are facing. We should actually be the exact opposite. Act now, intervene and do something to address that problem. “Awa” or complaining won’t do any good. These are mere words and emotions that could even add up to the dilemma.

We are all here for a purpose. Stop looking inward for that purpose. LOOK OUTWARD. See the world, find a need and fill it, and ask God’s guidance while you’re at that. The place where God needs you is where your active involvement and the world’s deep hunger meet. The Lord is calling you to your purpose and the world is crying out for that hand of yours to reach. Extend it. It isn’t a smooth road if you take the challenge. You will be tested. But keep in mind: “For you to be saturated in your purpose, you have to be stretched to the point that you’re gonna break.”

We know what is right and what is wrong. We’re not innocent kids anymore. We’re not perfect, so stop pointing out our indifferences. We are created uniquely, each one of us. Let’s not pin one another to the ground. Instead, share God’s Good News, spread the love and see the world change. We may not be able to conquer the whole ‘wall’, but our little ‘cracks’ can definitely break it down in the long run.

Have faith. Be optimistic. Don’t lose hope. God will never forsake you. These are just some of the truths and perspectives I’ve realized from the film. I may have issues of my own, but the world has far bigger and more important issues than I have. If I can share my light to the world, I better start now. I must help. I can’t do this alone though.

The world needs you. Would you be extending your hand?

 

* - 3 links provided for you that you may understand the Rwanda Genocide

Sige nga, kung kilala mo ko talaga

Take a shot. Let's see if you really know me.;)

- Make a list of 10 statements about yourself.
- 4 of the 10 statements must be lies.
- Post your list and have people guess which four are lies!

Game!

1. I am a Consular and Diplomatic Affairs Major.
2. Mahal ko si Kermit the Frog.
3. Movie Freak.
4. I can do a cartwheel-russian-split routine.
5. Katabi ko sa office si Eiyu Sasaki.
6. Patay na patay ako kay Wendell Ramos.
7. I was a ballet dancer before.
8. Mula't sapul nais ko nang maging piloto.
9. I have 16 first cousins.
10. Malapit na birthday ko, next week na!!!

**got this from Ian. Naaliw ako so nakisali na rin.:-D

Maligayang Kaarawan Ma.

 

//07:05:32 PM ~ 20th May 2005

Ma,

Napakarami kong gustong sabihin sayo, ngunit di ko alam kung saan ako magsisimula. Marami ka nang nagawa para sa pamilyang 'to. Kung sa hirap lang, matindi ang tiniis mo. Mula kay Papa, sa araw-araw na gastusin, sa mga kapatid mo, sa trabaho, sa kaibigan, at sa amin.. mga anak mo. Alam ko kung gaano karaming luha ang iniiyak mo, mula't sapul na iniluwal mo ko sa mundo. Hindi lingid sa lahat ng mga nakakakilala sa'yo kung gaano kalaki ang mga isinakripisyo mo para lang sa kasiyahan ng mga mahal mo sa buhay. Mas inuna mo ang kapakanan namin kaysa sa sarili mong mga hangad. Ni simpleng matiwasay na pagtulog ay ipinagkakait mo sa sarili mo, para lang makasiguro ka na lahat kami ay nasa mabuting kalagayan.

Hindi ka madamot. Lahat na ata ng kaya mong ibigay, naibigay mo na. Naitaguyod mo ang mga kapatid mo mula sa sarili mong pagsisikap. Lahat sila nakatapos ng kolehiyo dahil sa pagtitiyaga mo. Ikaw ang tumayong pangalawang ina, mula nang iwan kayo ni Lola. Tinitingala kita sa pagiging isang huwarang panganay mo. Lahat ng kasaganahan sa buhay ay pinalasap mo sa iyong mga mahal sa buhay. Kahit malayong kamag-anak pa yan. At kahit na nagkaroon ka ng sarili mong pamilya, hindi mo tinalikuran ang responsibilidad mo sa kanila. Ngayong wala na rin si Lolo, sigurado akong masaya siyang lumisan dahil nakita niya ang puspos mong pagmamahal sa lahat.

Lalo pa sa amin. Kaming mga anak mo na sunod ang lahat ng luho. Kahit wala ng pera, gumagawa ka ng paraan para lang makita mo kaming masaya, nakatawa. Sa mga kapatid ko. Hindi mo iniinda ang antok at pagod dahil sa paghihintay mo sa kanilang pag-uwi mula sa magdamagang pagbabasketbol. Kahit pabalang kang sinasagot sa bawat pagsita mo sa kanila'y patuloy ka pa rin sa pang-uunawa. Dala marahil ng impluwensiya ng barkada kaya nabubulagan sila sa pagmamalasakit mong ito. Akala nila'y pinagkakait mo sa kanila ang kaligayahang ito. Pero alam na alam kong para rin naman ito sa kanilang kabutihan. Paano pa kaya kay Papa? Ang pagmamahal na ibinibigay mo sa kanya ay walang katumbas. Walang katapusang pag-intindi at pagpapakumbaba ang iyong ipinapamalas. Saksi ako sa paghihinagpis mo noon. Kahit sa murang kaisipan ko'y naintindahan ko na kung ano ang tunay na pagmamahal. Hindi mo siya iniwan kahit pa ilang hirap at pasakit ang binigay nya sayo. Bagkus mas minahal mo pa siya ng walang pag-aalinlangan. Ehemplo ka ng isang mabuting asawa.

At sa akin. Alam mo kung ano ang pagkatao ko. Kung meron mang nakakakilala sa akin ng lubusan, ay ikaw na yon. Madalas din tayong magtalo kagaya rin ng ibang mag-ina, normal na senaryo na yon. Pero alam naman natin na di rin natin kayang tiisin ang isa't isa. Mahal kita Ma. Mahal na mahal.

Suwail akong anak ngunit hindi ka nagkimkim ng galit sa akin. Inintindi mo ako nung nagrebelde ako. Tinanggap mo ang mga minahal ko kahit labag sa kalooban mo, para lamang sa ikaliligaya ko. Yinakap mo ako nung panahong punung-puno ako ng kalungkutan. Ikaw ang nagbigay ng pag-asa sa'kin. Hindi mo ako itinatwa nang malaman mo ang nagawa kong kasalanan. Mas lalo mo pa akong hinagkan noon. Hindi mo ako sinigawan o sinampal man lang, kahit na yun ang karapat-dapat. Ang yakap mo ng gabing iyon ang pinaka-mainit sa lahat sapagkat noon ko naintindihan ang tunay na kahulugan ng pagiging isang ina.

Ma, tapos na marahil ang Mother's Day, pero sa puso ko, araw-araw kong ipagdiriwang ang kagandahan ng iyong pagkatao. At nagpupuri ako sa Diyos, dahil ikaw ang napili Niya upang maging Mama ko. Habang buhay kong ipagpapasalamat sa Kanya yon.

Happy Birthday po.

Nagmamahal,

Normi

 

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my family

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