W for Writing

About a month ago, I attended our Finance Department team building. There were so many inclusion exercises and one of them was for us to arrange ourselves according to the first letter of our hidden talent. I immediately placed myself towards the end of the line knowing that it was W that I represented.

Somebody asked me what it stands for.....is that Wrestling?? Hahahha....It was only then that I have realized how much I missed writing...Got so busy....maybe one of these days...I will find the time and the inspiration to write about something....

Will you dance with me?

Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine. I got to thinking one day about all those women on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible. How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word 'refrigeration' mean nothing to you? How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched 'Jeopardy' on television?I cannot count the times I called my sister and said, 'How about going to lunch in a half hour?' She would gas up and stammer, 'I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain.' And my personal favorite: 'It's Monday.' She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together. Because Americans cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect! We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Steve toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet... We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of 'I'm going to,' 'I plan on,' and 'Someday, when things are settled down a bit.' When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Roller blades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.. My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-Decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy. Now...go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to......not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting? Make sure you read this to the end; you will understand why I sent this to you. Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask ' How are you?' Do you hear the reply? When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, 'We'll do it tomorrow.' And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say 'Hi? When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift....Thrown away..... Life is not a race Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over. 'Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we might as well dance!

Seeing someone in somebody else's eyes

Time flies so fast. It's over 8 months now since my mother left. Though, I have already accepted it, there are times when I really wish I could still see her, talk to her ..kiss her... hug her....

Lots of time, especially when I am alone, I get weepy...I miss her most during weekends...... there is no reason for me now to go home to the province...

I missed her a lot when my daughter got chicken pox...no more nanay to consult to and ask what is the best thing to do......In the past, I can always call her, anytime, wherever, I may be....It is very different now....

On one occasion, I still remember calling her when I didn't know what ingredient to put first on the pan...which one comes first...from very mundane things to the most sensitive decisions I made...mother was a major part of everything...

Whenever, I have to go on business travel..I miss calling her to ask what she wanted me to bring her as 'pasalubong'......The last thing that she wanted was a pair of shoes when I was in China ...Sad that I was not able to buy it for her because I couldn't find her size...Sigh!

I miss sending daily text messages to ask about her health condition. Sad that a few weeks before she passed away, I lost my cellphone..so I failed to text her for several days....Sayang!

I have 1001 reasons for wanting to talk to her....... I miss giving her updates on what my daughter has been up to lately...How she is preparing for her college entrance.......

How I wish that both my parents could be there ... when Pam graduates this coming March ...What about nanay's promise to attend Pam's debut....what now?? Sigh!

I want to update her on the latest about my job....what is the best decision for me to take given several options.....I have other people to consult with..I have my husband..my sisters, brothers...but it's her advise I want to seek ....

I get misty eyed whenever I see senior citizens walking down the street, I get jealous of those people still enjoying their parents..

Mere watching older folks in the supermarket...in the department store..in restaurants makes me feel good inside.... especially when they are with their children... having great time together...It makes me remember the time when I still have them with me and we also went to the same places and had a sweet time...

I remember this one time when I asked them to go to Makati Med for their check up..then told them to join my family at Hotel Intercon......how happy they were then.....Later on, we bought some groceries from Rustan's for them to take home. They felt like they were rich, they said...I knew how they cherished that experience... How I long to relive that moment....

I want to spend my money on my parents because they were like kids in some ways...giving them what they lacked when they were younger.... was a bliss for me already........

Kudos to other children who also think this way....I share with you the joys and pleasure to have such privilege.

Likewise, I hate children who show disrespect to elders...those who neglect their parents....those who can't return the good things that their parents did to them, early on, in their lives....

I am moved by just watching on television elders who are crying and wanting for something...I make it a point to watch the late night TV show on QTV about reunions...because I see the happiness of older people, especially those that are about to die, as they get re united with their loved ones. ...

Most of the time, I cry with these people...I cherish with them the joyful moment of being together once again....

Whenever I see old, sick people, I somehow feel that I am closer to my mother...I really feel for those relatives taking care of their sick loved ones. I've been there.....

The experience of seeing my father's and then my mother's worsening health conditions made me empathize with older people. I have more respect now with senior citizens. I just love to see them smiling when given the simple joys of their lives.

One of these days, maybe I will go and visit the home for the aged. Why not? I am hoping to see my 'parents' in somebody else' s eyes......

God has taken back my parents but He made sure that I retain the compassion I have for them...This, I will give back to the elders who deserve appreciation and pampering at the late stages in their lives.

Vietnam Sojourn

My brief stay in Vietnam was exciting as well as tiring. The day I left Manila seemed to have given me a sign that everything will not go that well in terms of logistics. At first, I was not given the boarding pass for my connecting flight from Hongkong to Vietnam because according to the lady at the check in counter, the seats in the Vietnam Airlines were all blocked. I was already at the waiting lounge when I heard that my name was being paged in the PA. "Calling the attention of passenger......" I was given the boarding pass after all....I thought that everything would be okay moving forward. When I was already in HK, I had a hard time looking for my correct departure gate number....after several long minutes...i saw it just in time for my connecting flight to Vietnam....The seat that was assigned to me was the one near the emergency exit....well.....

When I arrived at Ho Chi Minh airport, I saw a counter for taxi service reservation. I immediately contracted a taxi to bring me to Sheraton Hotel because I was already tired. I paid $10.00 Thought it was okay because I have my receipt anyway, only to fnd out that the I was charged twice the regular fare.

When I arrived at the hotel, the receptionist checked my reservation then asked for my Amex card..I was signing the form when somebody approached me and asked if everything was okay. It was Lay Pin, my former manager.....who was one of the facilitators for the training. What I thought to be a relaxing dinner in my hotel room turned out to be a dinner in one of the restaurants nearby. I was amazed to know how much a bowl of noodles cost. It was VD26k. He, he,he... it was the most expensive bowl of noodles I have eaten. My strawberry drink cost me VD45k as well. I sipped it very slowly to really enjoy the flavor...Hmmnnn..I could be a millionaire soon in this country....
Everything went well during the 3 day training at A9. It rained in the afternoons. There are lots of contructions going on around the city. Given a number of years, Vietnam will flourish. The sea of bikers lording the streets seemed to scare the cars and buses around. I read from their newspaper that there were 375 casualties already due to unsafe practices on the streets since the beginning of the year only.

On the day that I was supposed to go home, Lay Pin and I decided to have breakfast in another restaurant. We were already rushing because my flight was at 10:00 am. When we arrived in the airport, Lay Pin told me that she will be the one to settle the taxi fare. "Go ahead and hurry up else you will miss your flight" She told me to just turn left after the entrance. Oh, my where is the entrance? The big door that I saw led to a restaurant...I retraced my footsteps to where LP and I separated and I saw her a few steps ahead of me. "LP wait" I am lost.....She graciously accompanied me to the check in counter and asked me to approach the ground attendant who was flashing the sign "Hongkong" to give me priority as my flight was already boarding. Fortunately, he obliged.

I was able to get into the departure gate on time...however, my flight to HK was delayed for about an hour. We arrived in HK about 2pm and by that time my connecting flight to Manila was already boarding. My! I still have to pass thru HK customs and then I have to ride the train to get into the departure gates...Not sure if I can still make it....I felt like going to the wash room but I just don't have the time....I got a push cart and put my laptop and my other hand carried baggage. I was practically running to gate 67. I was in gate 65 when the final call was given. Whew! Not sure if the airconditioning in HK airport was still working. I was perspiring and panting at the same time. I was thinking that when I come back to the office, I will tell the one in charge of our travel bookings not to give me too tight schedules for connecting flights.....
When I was inside the plane already, I just checked my correct seat number and went right away to the wash room. I was thankful that I made it. I washed my face and combed my hair.. I felt comfortable afterwards. I uttered a silent prayer of thanks that even my seat is not that far from the washroom. I was already relaxing on my seat, reading magazines when I happened to look at the direction of the washroom that I used...he, he..it was for the male passengers...never mind, they are not that exacting onboard....I will be arriving in Manila as scheduled....that was my last thought before I went to sleep.......
I was awakened by the announcement "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Manila" but I still can't open my eyes..I was still sleepy and exhausted but I have to hurry up else there will be a long line in the immigrations.

Passport stamped with arrival date...finally...I just need to grab my baggage and I can go......But where is my baggage???? I was already dizzy, frantically searching for my bag at the carousel.....until there are just a few people and bags left...Oh no, where's my bag???How come? It seems to me that misfortune has been enjoying my company..it doesn't want to leave me....One ground attendant approached me to say that I can either file a complaint and then they will deliver my baggage 3 days after or just wait for the next flight which will arrive in one hour....I said I will just wait...

I called up my husband who was already on his way to fetch me. He asked me to just send him text message when I am ready to meet him outside.....It was my first time to lose my baggage....i texted my pastor friend that maybe when he prayed for me to have a safe trip he did not include my baggage...well, my bag arrived one hour after...was able to leave the airport in peace after that....

I will always remember my first Vietnam trip for all the rushing, sweating, panting and waiting that I experienced as well as for the baffling turn of events.....

Bond Between Mother and Daughter

The bond between a mother and daughter is the most precious gift of all.
It is this unexplainable most fulfilling feeling that only 'that' mother and daughter can share.

A mother should never feel they have to stop protecting their daughter.
Of course they must let them make their own decisions
And let them grow as an individual
But they must never stop protecting or being a guide for their life.

A mother knows their daughter best..
And knows what's best for their happiness.
No matter how old that daughter is
She will always be her mother's baby, sister, and best friend.

And never forget, a daughter, will always want to be her mother's baby, sister, and best friend. No matter what may occur, a daughter never wants her mom to stop being that guide.
We will always need our moms; no matter how old we are.

Poem by: Jessica Michelle Felice

Ten Guidelines from God

Effective Immediately, please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. Please, follow these 10 guidelines.........

1. QUIT WORRYING:Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST:Something needs to be done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-listis long, I am after all... God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME: Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Me. Have the faith that I will take care ofall your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on My list. Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For My sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE: Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do my job.

5. TALK TO ME: I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your voice. I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest friend.

6. HAVE FAITH:I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me; you wouldn't want the view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much h bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE:You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT:I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe inonly six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND:Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please, know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF: As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by me for one reason only -- to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me. Don't ever forget......

Touch someone with your love. Rather than focus upon the thorns of life, smell the roses and count your blessings!!

The glorious sunset

At evening time it shall happen that it will be light. — Zechariah 14:7

It is wonderful to be young, with clear sight, acute hearing, elastic step, pulses drumming to the march of exhilarating health. But old age has glories that youth cannot know. It is a blessed old age indeed if it ends brightly at evening time. Old age celebrates the harvest — youth the sowing.

Like fruit in the fall, the harvest of old age will either dry up and wither, or grow mellow and sweeter as it ripens. You cannot escape the advancing years. Youth stays long enough only to strengthen our shoulders for the burdens ahead. Life leads inevitably to the evening time. But the best things are the oldest things — things that have endured and stood the test of time. God Himself — though not bound by time — is called the Ancient of Days (Dan. 7:9).

So don’t be ashamed to own your age. Everything that abides must become old: mountains, rivers, oceans, stars. But the evening time of life can be bright only if we have the One who is the Light as our evening Sun.

Nothing is sadder than an aging person facing eternity without Jesus. And nothing is sweeter than a gently mellowing Christian, still growing and resting in Christ as he faces God’s tomorrow with confidence. — M. R. De Haan, M.D.

So I journey with rejoicing Toward the city of God’s light. While each day my joy is deeper; And the pathway grows more bright. — Hoffman

SERENITY PRAYER

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life

And supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.
Amen.

Shanghai, China December 10-16, 2006

East Asia PCG Team Dinner at Tang Dynasty Restaurant in Pudong Plaza
Shirley and me at one of the malls near People Square in Puxi

My second time this year to visit Shanghai. It is nice to see again some familiar faces and places. Even my hotel room looked the same because I stayed in the same hotel. Funny feeling to be in the same place where I had a frightful experience last January. (I thought I was in Renaissance Pudong so I tried to open my hotel room to no avail and I got so confused why my key was not working and it turned out that I was in Renaissance Puxi):-(

I noticed that they have added one security measure. You need to insert your room card key to a slot in the same corner where you need to press the room numbers inside the elevator else you can't go up. If this measure was already implemented last time then I would have known that I was in the wrong hotel right away.

It was so cold during my weeklong stay. I had a chance to go to Yuan Garden once again. I enjoyed the 10 minute walk to the Pudong Plaza where Carrefour, KFC, Mcdo and other restaurants are.

A Poem for My Mom

Last November 14, my mother celebrated her 68th birthday.

For others who are physically fit, 68 might still be relatively a young age. But in my mom's case, it isn't so. She has been suffering from type 2 diabetes for so many years already. Her BP shoots up every so often. She is getting her daily shots of insulin. On top of this, she recently had a stroke which made walking a very hard task. Her legs are unstable and she has to depend on her cane a lot...Seeing her like that really makes my heart ache.

How I wish that we could go back to the days when mother is the source of strength...literally and figuratively....

Mother is really affected by the demise of my brother, then my father and then her mother and father in a span of 2 years. The doctor said that her case is aggravated by depression.....

I want to say so many things to her but her hearing has already deterioted. Her eyesight is the same. I can feel her loneliness whenever she envelopes me in her arms to give me a hug. I can feel how she she misses her children. I also want to always be by herside but I have a family now and our house is very far. She wouldn't also like to leave her house...

I also get affected by her tears whenever we got to leave her at the end of a visit. I am just relying on God's mercy for my Mom's condition. God only knows how much my Mom could take and God only knows when is the perfect time for all of us.

I did this poem during my HRM subject in my MBA class. Somehow my recent visit to my mother affected me so much. I couldn't concentrate on what the reporters were saying...so I gave way to my emotions and came up with the poem below.....




My Mom!

When I was a little girl
I look up to her with awe
Is there a thing that she can’t do?
She’s my idol for a lifetime
Though she seemed strict at times
Her love is one thing I am sure of from the start.

She would do everything
The house is clean
The clothes are washed
“Just study your lessons’
Was all she would say to us.

There were so many trying times in our lives
But Mom remained steadfast for us
She says – do focus on your studies
It’s the only thing we could give
We may have lacked other things
But not encouragement from Mom.

We have finished our courses in school
Working and with families now
How I loved to have her in my house.

Mom is very sickly now
Doesn’t want to leave her house
Dad is long gone now
But she is adamant to stay behind
I couldn’t visit her much as I want.

Her strength is slowly going out
Can’t walk independently now
Eyesight and hearing are not that good
How it tears my heart to see her like that.

I will lift my eyes to the maker
I will lift my eyes to the healer

God be near, calm my fear
I love her very much
But I know she got to go home sometime
Where she could once again be with Dad.

Please prepare us for that time
As I can’t bear to accept the thought right now

I also pray Lord that when it comes
She won’t suffer that much
I love her so dearly
Please spare her that….

I know that You, our Mighty God
Have numbered our days from the start
You’ll be there to welcome her back
And embrace her for a job well done!

Savior, please stay close beside,
Be my comfort, Lord, and guide,
When I’m troubled, tempted, tried,
May Your love and grace abide.

WISDOM OF THE SOUL

No one can ruin your day without your permission.
Most people will be about as happy as they decide to be…
Others can stop you temporarily, but only you can do it permanently!
Success stops when you do…

When your ship comes in, make sure you are willing to unload it.
You will never “have it all together.”
Life is a journey, not a destination, ENJOY THE TRIP!

The best way to escape your problem is to solve it.
Life’s precious moments do not have value unless they are shared.
Yesterday was the deadline for ALL complaints.

Look for opportunities, not guarantees.
Life is what’s coming…not what was!

When things go wrong, don’t go with them….

You do not have to attend every argument you are invited to.
Our eyes are placed in front because it is more important to look ahead than to look back.

Chengdu, Sichuan, China (Oct 15-21, 2006)

Group Picture of all CS Capital Analysts taken during the second day of our FTF




I will surely miss this group.. this is my last time to join the Capital FTF...as I am moving to CEA role....

CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

An "Angel" says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain.

Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety.

If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you, Jesus."

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans
8:31)

Somewhere Only We Know

I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete

Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?

Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?

[break]

Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

So if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
So why don't we go

This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?

Take a break from PLAN07

It's the time of the year when we try to develop our numbers for the coming year. It is a tedious work and involves a lot of partnership. Our manager knew it so he made sure that everyone gets a break. We went to a restaurant near our plant.
With PCG and Controls group are Matt and Mel....
taken just before we left.. with me is Leah's toy..I named it MIEL...(mike and angel)

Penang, Malaysia (August 13-16, 2006)

Another FTF meeting. I had a nice time bonding with my PCG family in MY.

Bali Hai Restaurant along Gurney Avenue
Facade of Evergreen Laurel Hotel where I stay regularly whenever I am in Penang. It feels good when the receptionist would always say "WELCOME BACK, MA'AM"


Taken in my hotel
Dinner with my MY PCG family in a Korean Restaurant in Gurney Plaza

Water of Baptism........

This is my daughter, Pam. She followed our Lord Jesus Christ in the water of baptism last May 27 at the age of 12 which is the right time for her to do so because she already understands.



Pastor Cris LLantino was the one who baptized her.



As a parent, I am happy that my daughter was baptized thru immersion. The bible says this is the right way to do it. Jesus Christ was baptized the same way...baptism is from the Greek word 'baptizo' which means to immerse.

We had a nice time on the pool afterwards, soaking our tired bodies to fight the heat of the summer......

Father's Day..

Yesterday, all fathers who attended the worship service in our church received coffee mugs with "I LOVE YOU DAD" inscription.

Before that, all fathers gave a special song number which had to be repeated because they got it wrong the first time.... Sons and daughters were called in to say something to their Dads. Kids thanked their Dads, said how much they love them and kissed them, too. I am sure that my husband felt good when it was Pam's turn.

After the service, we had Chinese food for lunch. It was our way to celebrate Father's Day.

Wearing Dad's Hat

Today would had been my father's 72nd birthday if he were still around...I intended to visit his grave last weekend but the weather did not cooperate..... Tonight, our family will have dinner to commemorate the birth of a wonderful, evermissed father ....

Two Sundays from now, the whole world will celebrate Father's day. It is sad that mine is already gone...

Last Saturday, I visited a store where I enjoyed looking at the displayed suggested gift items for Father's day. I bought a pin which says "World's Greatest Father" How I long to be able to give it to my father.... I decided to just attach the pin to his hat. However, I found out that his hat is now being used by my second brother... Maybe, wearing father's hat means a lot to him. Maybe he feels less lonely when he puts it on...maybe more than the protection that the hat brings it also gives my brother some 'strength'.....

More than anything else, I personally believe that when a son wears his dad's hat----he is showing respect to the person. This gesture shows that the son cherishes even the smallest thing the father had left behind...hat being one tangible connection between them....

It is like giving a salute....for recognizing the job well done...if this is so..then ...all your children would love to wear your old hat, Tatay as much as we want to take it off for you as well for a kind of father you had been to us...Hats off....

Chengdu, Sichuan, China May 21-25, 2006

My third time this year to go to our Chengdu site. I arrived in my hotel at about 3pm. I was about to put in order my personal belongings when Joy called to inform me that Steven will pick us up in an hour.

Steven has invited us to watch the US Red Coat band which I heard has about 300 members. The band will be in Shanghai next week.

I enjoyed watching the show as much as I enjoyed once again the camaraderie of my colleagues..