Departing Roxas

Holiday is over! Sad to say but we have to bid to our hometown goodbye. Anyways, I had so much fun during my stay there. The people, the place, the gifts! Back to missing mode again. Ha ha!

As we arrived in Manila, my sister insisted to have a picture with this giant Christmas tree. She is that appreciative always. That is why a lot of people appreciate her. Hihee.

By the way, a very thoughtful friend of mine dropped by at our house yesterday to deliver this yummy treat. I did not have the time to taste it back there so I brought it with me here in Manila. I am no expert when it comes to desserts, so I am not sure what this is called. I think she calls this chocolate mousse cake. Anyways, it was muy delicioso!

Ramboy's

The last time I went back home in Roxas, I've tasted the awesomest Liempo in our town! My sister did not get to go back home that time so mom and I decided to have dinner at Ramboy's tonight. We tagged along with us my two lovable cousins, Liann and Pebbles, the pretty one, Queenie. And also, Uncle Nonoy.

We were welcomed by a giant Christmas tree and endless Christmas lights that kindled the place beautifully. There were candy houses, a cute old train, plastic raindeers and more, that comprises Christmas tales, surrounded the place. You can have pretty cute pictures with it, which you can keep as a souvenir.

We then learned that their Liempo is.. how do I say this? It's sold out! Just like what I said, it's the best Liempo Roxas have, so there's no doubt about it. Leaving us with no choice, we ordered the rest in their menu that fairly catered our grumbling empty stomachs.

The premise was relatively small but spacious though. I also admire how the place was designed like it is in a small town, giving the perfect hometown ambiance.

Liann and Uncle Nonoy.

Queenie and Pebbles.

Me, Big sister and Mom.

We then learned that their Liempo is.. how do I say this? It's sold out! Just like what I said, it's the best Liempo Roxas have, so there's no doubt about it. Leaving us with no choice, we ordered the rest in their menu that fairly catered our grumbling empty stomachs.

Eating is our favorite time to bond as a family. Hahaha! Though sad to not have Liempo for dinner, I did enjoy this evening and the food! I really love going back to our province, like a child misses his blanket. I would not spend my holiday vacation any other way. 

A Reunion to Remember

Just before Christmas eve, our ever loved Tita Stella celebrates her birthday! Leo invited all of our high school classmates to attend the party. He did not expect a lot to come since tomorrow is Christmas and they may be preparing for the Noche Buena. Surprisingly, most of them came! I really hoped so because I only got two-day stay here in Roxas and I wanted to see them so badly!

Myra, getting prettier than ever!

I just have to upload this one! We look so happy that we look so funny.

After hours of chatting and catching up with each other, it's time for some lavish lunch! My favorite part! Ha ha! Kidding aside, Leo really has good cooks at their home, including his mom. Well, I took large portions for myself since I am in diet suspension. Laughs.

Somehow, it bothers me how messy my hair can get whenever I am eating.

What can I say? They're all beautiful effortlessly! I love them so much!

I have not seen these four for a long time though. Cedie, looking fierce, Josh, in his chinese state, Dianne, pretty as always and Karen,with her lovely smile.

Me, with the two who have the strangest sense of humor in our class which we love to laugh at until we can laugh no more.

And here is a picture with the birthday celebrant.

Afterwards, we gathered inside Leo's bedroom and had lots of funny conversations about ourselves. I will always miss being with them. Now I know, why the adults would often say high school is where you find your best-est friends.

Oops. Sorry. I was getting ready still.

I love this last photo so much. We look so cute and funny at the same time. I cannot wait for summer to come so I can see them again! And before I forget, thank you so much to my gorgeous seat mate, Kim, for the photos.

Have a merry and festive Christmas, everyone!

In the Cabin

Today we are traveling back to our province to spend the holidays there! Excited though, I am so bored inside this cabin. Good thing I brought my Amy Tan novel book with me! But the waves crashing this ferry felt like the sway of a cradle. I fell asleep effortlessly. So I decided to slid thru my sister's iPod Josh Harris' sermon about seeking God earnestly.  I thought, this is a great opportunity to spend some quiet time listening to God's Word. The text he preached about is Psalm 63.

Psalm of David. When he was in the dessert of Judah. 

You, God, are my God,  earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. ² I have seen you in the sanctuary    and beheld your power and your glory. ³ Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. ⁴ I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. ⁵ I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. ⁶ On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. ⁷ Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. ⁸ I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. ⁹ Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. ¹⁰ They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. ¹¹ But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

As I listened to this passage, my heart just melted. This is such a sweet declaration from a faithful follower of God! He describes the world like a dessert, nothing can satisfy his thirst but God. For only God can satisfy. I suddenly yearned for this kind of desire for God. I wanted to long for God more than I long for anything else in this world.

I admit I have been sparing my littlest time reading the Bible most often. I am so caught up with the belief that 'I have to finish this and that!' mindset. Building a house on sand, exactly! My poor view of the future blinded me from the light and stole away the peace that completely relying on God brings. This is rather sad and shameful.  How can I grow as a person when I am spiritually stagnant? Why should I strive to excel when my labor is all in vain? Why should I keep on holding unto the things that are fleeting when the hand of the One that never passes away is untiringly reaching out for mine?

My God is the water unendingly flowing like a river in the midst of a dessert. I will never go unprovided. I will never go ungratified. If I would choose to seek Him first, there would be nothing that couldn't be accomplished.

God is telling me, relax. I got your back! Enjoy the blessings I shower in your life. Use them to bless others and to bring Me glory. 

Here is a picture of my most treasured blessings! Mom and sister. :)

Coffee+Drizzle

I think the weather's lovely today. Little rain and chilly temperature.

I accompanied my sister to buy some coffee this afternoon. She redeemed her complimentary toffee nut latte she got from idonotknowwhere while I bought a cup of dark mocha frap and a honey glazed doughnut. The shop is one station away from our residence so we were caught by the rain on our way going back home. We rode a jeepney then so we could save ourselves from getting soaked.

As I threw my body on my pillows as we reached home, there was this thought that had been bugging me since last week. I was thinking how careless I was becoming. Yesterday, I spoke words out of depression and pride. So I was rolling back and forth in my bed trying to snooze when I decided to work out on eliminating my careless trait step by step. These are what I have come up with:

First, counting one two three. When in comes to heated conversations, it is best to calm myself first before saying anything. Angry words will not solve the problem, only worsen it. Also, speaking without thinking is an act of a foolish being. We cannot take back words once been said and we are a reflection of what comes out from our mouths. Therefore, I will do my best to count 1 2 3 prior to uttering, to think what could be the cost of saying something stupid: a friend? a sister? a reputation?, and to remember that Jesus never let out a word of hate to those who persecuted Him.

Second, my mouth is designed for praising the Lord. I remember reading a line from one of Ru de la Torre's published books which says, the mouth that curses cannot be the same mouth that worships the Lord. I was struck by it the first time I read it and was destined to bethink oneself of it. This is so true. My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. I am not supposed to make it an unholy one. I do not own this body. It's God's. Our future could also be predicted with what we choose to say. One word can either bring life or death.

Third, I am weak but my God is strong. I cannot do the said two without God enabling me to. I am powerless, weak and vulnerable. We all are. A mouth is unstoppable. We cannot overcome anything without God's spirit. Hence, I fully surrender it to God. I pray that He will bless me while I do my best to do what is pleasing to Him. I pray that He will help me to completely get rid of myself and to be filled by Him alone.