Troysdorf, Sieburg and Farm

germany, day 2: Lazy sunday afternoon at Troysdorf



because we had a very full sched the other day, we woke up late and started late. a bus ride away from st. agustine, we went to the small town of troysdorf. imagine a serene afternoon with only the sound of the cool afternoon breeze, some small talks from other diners, laughters from kids running around and playing, tic tacs of the shoes of people walking from all over, and add the metalic sound of the bikes running here and there--- oh, i love the mix! it's so relaxing, so lazy, so unpretencious, so unintimidating.


we had a wonderful al fresco lunch where we opted for their pork meal-- and it was yummy! it was a kinda cheap for german standard.

the whole ambiance is warm, it's like everybody knows everybody. people stopping in mid-track to greet others, families walking their dogs with their kids, lovers (yes, even as old as 70+!!!) parading along the road unmindful of others; and me, doing a mental note of all of these seemingly mundane activities. ahhhh, true essence of lazy afternoon with friends.




germany, day 2: Late afternoon thrift shopping at Siegburg


after a hearty meal at troysdorf, we resolved on burning those calories by walking. and tita brought us to the sunday thrift shop in the next town siegburg. when all the stores are closed (employee rates on a sunday is so high so most shops close on this day), many families take advantage of the plaza to do their own business--- selling merchandize, bazaars, and food! even kids sell items too! and who said that only pinoys are fond of hand-me-downs?

i found it difficult to get any souvenir with 'germany' written on it (maybe they are not that touristic-minded). so i just tried on getting ceramics with deutch language. we got five ceramics for five euro, can you beat that? oh, but the best part was--- when tita suddenly saw this chairs which she said she has been longing for eversince. we thought she was joking when she said she'll buy that. i though, 'ok, they will deliver'. but no, no, no, a bazaar does not have that service. and taxi is sooo expensive. so after tita paid them for fifty euros, mano and i exchanged shocked looks that says "are we seriously bringing this to the bus station?" the next picture will tell you the answer! i had so much fun taking photos---- that we missed the bus by a split second! so after all the walking, we got a cab!









very exhausted from carrying the chairs fashionably, as soon as she lied down on the bed, it's dreamland! haha!





germany, day 2: Early evening at the farm


after the tiring siegburg explorations, we opted for a cool evening walk within the neighborhood. it's 6pm, but it wasn't dark yet. we put on our sneakers and jogging pants, ready for any running needed. i was happy coz i only see these kinds of neigborhoods in the movies-- you know the posh gardens, quiet place, nice houses, NO GATES!, and full of trees stuff.




a few more minute of walking, i was awed at the view of a farmland! i saw horses, cows, farm houses! oh, i cannot take so much amazement in one day! haha! the view was great, with sunset canvassing this whole scene. we sat by a lonely bench, and enjoyed the moment for a while.

The Old Town (Alstadt)

walking in cobblestones was like walking back in time. now i understand why architects in dubai keep on using this feature in most of the property developments. it's the closest to reliving this european touch on the roads! the ticking of my boots on those algae-filled stones, and with the sound of authentic european music floating in the air, and with people talking in a different language -- this is like drifting me off to faraway land.

everywhere, people were just walking, biking, or eating al fresco, or drinking freshly brewed beer, or just simply standing out there in groups and talking endlessly! it's like a festival. there were alleys and bigger roads, but always, walkers will outnumber cars passing by.

then, wouldn't you believe--- there was a pinoy-videoke joint? and yes, the 'kabayan' spirit lives! we were walking past the joint when the guy by the door said 'kabayan!' in an obvious effort to get our attention. and he did! we managed a small talk, and he ushered us inside his videoke bar. and since we badly needed a CR (well, CRs does not come in handy in germany i guess), we took the opportunity to strike up a conversation, and ultimately, use the toilet. hehe. and of course, the guy told us we can't leave without singing a song! (as if i'd hesitate!). so there, in koln, i sang "til they take my heart away"...

that was just one adventure. a little later, in the midst of the crowd, a group of men approached us, wearing white shirt with german words written on it, with one guy wearing a wig. they told as that the guy in wig is already going to get married, and they were helping him to raise funds. how? well, for a kiss to the groom-to-be, we pay them one euro, or to whip him, two euros... hmm, of course we chose the cheaper one! hahah!

later, we walked towards the park and saw a stunt-- a girl walking by a tight rope! whoa, it's really difficult to earn money huh? and then, tired from all the walking and walking, we saw the locals lying lazily there on the grass, and did just like them. the difference was-- they were lying where the sun shines, and we were where the shade was. yeah. there were a lot of couples openly displaying their affection too. oh plz. there, as i lazily stretched my body on the grass, i looked up the sky, thanking God for bringing me to this wonderful place. i closed my eyes for a few minutes... later, mano walked away and came back with --- bradwurst! hmmm, it's impossible to finish this longggg suausage!

and of course, after resting, we walked again... and as we kept walking, we finally landed in the ------ shopping district! hmm, guess my feet really knows where to go! haha! the shopping area is not those huge malls, but just a row of single layer stores along a two-way road (closed to vehicles) which is full of people walking to and fro. we just let ourselves be swayed by the crowd. and here, when some of the stores have closed, the enterprising ones starts doing their street acts to earn money-- one pulled out the piano and started playing a nice music. a few blocks away, a guitarist. they play well, by the way. in the end of this stretch, i ended up empty handed, and mano and tita were the ones who managed to snuggled up some good buys.

and a little more walking, we finally ended back in the cathedral and to the Koln HBF station...

Rhine River Cruise

germany, day 1: rhine river cruise

before we went to germany, i already have this list of must-sees. always, this river cruise comes out on the top list. so, we did not let this opportunity pass by. just a walking distance from the koln cathedral by following the signs, you will see the marvelous rhine river stretching across the koln. it is one of the most important rivers in germany, running from netherlands to switzerland.

of course, we did not cross the whole stretch. we did only the one- hour-tour (which i now regret! i think we should have done the 2 hours so that we could have moved farther away from the city of koln and see castles). as we hopped on the boat, i felt i've been transported back in time... there was an english taped tour voice-over. i was so busy taking video and photos at the same time so i missed on some of the stories (i will just google it). i just saw numerous historical churches, posh houses and old buildings lining the river. there were also natural parks, the Lindt chocolate factory, one Deutch Olympics building, numerus bridges that romatically passes over our heads (im thinking of Before Sunrise here)... and oh, i'm so taken by the sight of people who were just strolling with friends by the river-side, walking the dogs, biking, picnic-ing, boating, and some who just lazily sit by the grass watching the world go by... isn't this just great? a really relaxed, lazy weekend afternoon. even if we were not able to see a lot of castles, these are enough eye feasts for me.

too bad it has to end. i looked at my watch, it was already 7:30pm and the sun was just about the set.

The Koln Cathedral and the Vibrant Plaza

germany, day 1: koln (cologne) cathedral



we went there on a saturday afternoon. it was our first day outside St Agustine. when you step out of the Koln HBF (train station) the grand cathedral greets you in all its majesty! being centuries old, locals said that a part of it is always under repair.








around it is the plaza which serves as rendezvous of people from all walks of life, doing all sorts of things -- meeting friends, drin king beers (oh yes, it's everywhere!), rallying your cause, performing streets acts to earn, people-watching, doing various fun traditional gimmicks for soon-to-be-wed couples which is a real treat to tourists like me, and so much more. i am amazed at the volume of people that we saw that weekend! it's like a festival of some sort!



and yes, having read it in the internet, we aimed to go up the Ascent of Tower to see the awesome view of the whole of Koln. but we were just not forewarned that there was no elevator!!! so we climbed up and up that narrow (maybe even a little claustrophobic, see photo) stairs of the cathedral tower! whew! it was like a neverending trail up, wherein we were ambivalent of continuing our climb up (we do not know how far it is still) or just quit and going down. well, we just kept going and going! haha! up there, unfortunately, the whole viewing place was covered with steel wires which somehow barred the nice view, thouhg i am sure it was done on a purpose. and everywhere, there were colorful vandalisms (yeah, even in this cathedral).


but then if you let the lense go thru the wire mesh, you will have these awesome photos of the whole of koln! the river rhine, the houses, the bridges...







and looking down, mano and i realized how far we have gone up!!! we were both shocked and at the same time laughing at this escapade! on our way down, we've seen people climbing up with the same expression of laughter, tiredness, anticipation and impatience all in the same measure!! i was tempted to tell them how far it is still--- but then, why be a party pooper! let them experience the same adventure anyways! and when we finally landed on the ground floor, i looked back at the "ticket booth" and it says, "509 steps, no lift"!!!! hmmm, not reading eh!

All in a Day!

Early morning, I got a call that one of our company cars was missing…

Lunch time, I received an email from my boss that he did not like the presentation that I did yesterday...

Afternoon, I got an email from our finance head that as of september, our sales was 2% short from YTD budget...

Late afternoon, one of our staff cried to me telling me her sad fight with another staff...

Early evening, I chatted with a friend, and he said that his wife may possibly has a relapse of cancer…

A few minutes more, a friend told me she will not be able to take the board exam and she's so down…

Later, another friend from another side of the globe told me that she was out of work the past two months because of her illness…

Before the day closed, I got a call from a friend who is having an argument with her girlfriend for unwanted pregnancy....

And another call from a girlfriend asking for help so that she can really free herself from a wrong relationship....


I closed my eyes…i prayed... i am so glad that He is our strength at times like this, when all seems to go wrong, all in a day!

Lord, I lift them all up t you…and let me have a restful sleep...

The Serenity of St. Agustine

germany, day 1

the travel from the airport to Tita's house was a mini-adventure for my eyes, though i knew they were already dead tired! the unfamiliar house architectures, to small cars, to blondes and green eyes, to teens dinking beer in the train, to empty roads and our empty bus.... we arrived in Tita's place at St. Agustine at around 10pm... and the whole neigborhood is already quiet and sleeping! it was around 25 minutes away from Koln... all you can hear was the sound of our luggage wheels rolling against the cobblestones. and i did not realize we were already whispering... shhhhh...it was such a quiet and serene neighborhood!

the next day, i woke up at 7am, it was still dark. i woke up again at 830am, and finally said my "Guten morgen!" appropriately ;) the view from the terrace was breathtaking. i just love to stay there while bird come a-chirpin, and the leaves a-swaying following the soft morning breeze... Tita said that we were so blessed today because the past days has been rainy, and today was the first day it was clear and sunny! God answers our prayers ;)


each morning after that, while Mano has to (ironically) do some last minute paper works... i would always sit by the terrace and just stare at all the greeneries, all the blue skies and white clouds that my eyes could reach. nothing comes into mind, except the peace and tranquility which i longed to have, and then blurt out "ang sarap mag bakasyon!"

The Clock is Ticking

sept 14, 240pm was our flight to germany from dubai.... we went to boarding gate25 at 2pm, the line was long, but guess what? inside the gate was empty-- everyone headed straight inside the cabin! whoa, talking about punctuality huh... mano and i were left outside coz we still need to do our last phone calls to different people...


sept 14, 730pm, landed in dusseldorf airport... the moment we set foot at the airport, we already knew we were in germany... why? every second counts! no matter how big our luggages were, we have to run and run from airport tram to the dusseldorf train station, to koln hauptfbahnhof, to siegburg station, and finally to the last bus, the st. agustin station! i do not know how we did it, but obviously, it was adrenaline rush! there was even no time for the dramatic hug by mano and her mom who has not met for 9 years, until we arrived inside the train! haha!

train and bus timings are right to the minute and they will not wait for you!... 8:48 pm; 9:10 pm and 10: 10 pm. if you miss it, get a cab!!! and cab fares are exhorbitantly high! so many travellers really use the train system. i wonder how germans were able to live in traffic-laden dubai? hmm..

since we are using the public transport (and very on-time they are!), we have to really follow strictly the timings! WELCOME TO DEUTCHLAND!

Back to Reality

oh yes, i just got back a few days ago to reality, from our dreamy and wonderful european adventures. as usual, when you're back from vacation, your workload has gone up neck deep-- what a great welcome treat, hehe.

with so many things that had happened, i do not know where to start...

let me just organize my thoughts first, and my thousands of picture files (yes, you read it right!) so that i can bring you close to where we've been -- germany and amsterdam. neighboring countries, but poles apart in many ways!

Sad but true -- Facts on Erap's Plunder Case

The verdict...
Deposed president Joseph Estrada was sentenced Wednesday by the Sandiganbayan's Special Division to life in prison and barred from holding public office again after being found guilty of the crime of plunder in a marathon six-year trial.


The plunder case...

Estrada bought the Boracay Mansion, a property consisting of a house located at No. 100 11th Street, New Manila, Quezon City, using P142 million jueteng (numbers racket) money.The bank deposits were P542.7 million (this is where tax went the past years!!!) including P200 million under the Erap Muslim Youth Foundation deposited with Equitable-PCI Bank, and the P189.7 million commission from the purchase of Belle Corporation Shares by the Social Security System and the Government Service Insurance System that ended up into the Jose Velarde account.

The guilty's innocent plea...

"As expected, this Special Division was created to convict me," Estrada told journalists as he was led out of the courtroom."What is important is the support of the people, and they have overwhelmingly acquitted me. This is a political decision," he said.

And this is the most perplexing, unbelieavable and sad fact...
"With only one-third (36 percent) of Filipinos believing that former President Joseph Estrada 'enriched himself with hundreds of millions of pesos from various corrupt practices while he was President,' 57 percent expected the Sandiganbayan would acquit him," ayon sa pahayag ng SWS sa http://www.sws.org.ph/.


For the complet story, click the link.
http://www.gmanews.tv/erapplundertrial/story/60237/Sandigan-verdict-Erap-guilty-of-plunder-cleared-of-perjury

Ramadan Blues

i can already feel ramadan even if it is still 2 days away (or until they have sighted the moon in the right crescent)...

our center is now relatively quieter (which is not good for our business! oh no!). many people are planning on going out of the country again. memorandum on changed office timings are circulated (we usually work just 6 hours during ramadan). we have given orientation to all our staff who has not yet experienced ramadan (no eating, drinking and loud laughing in public until 630pm in respect of the muslims). the nocturnals are rejoicing! mall timings have changed. our center will only be open from 7pm until 1 am. there is liquor ban the whole month, though i heard other bars were already allowed to serve alcohol. the muslims are more serene, more forgiving, less complaining, though there are extreme cases when some are more irritable because of lack of food and drink.

it's like the world is suddenly brought to a halt during the day, and goes crazy and festive during the night until wee hours in the morning.

for us as a company, it is budget-setting time for 2008. it is time of cleansing (of files and stockrooms! haha!)...it is time of reflecting (of past projects)... a time for planning (for 2008 action program)... and time for preparing (for the the Eid celebrations!)

and for our staff, it means sleeping at 6am, sleeping during the day, movie-marathons, chikahan-to-the-max, and eating-to-the-max!it's the time when the office people (morning timings) usually do not see the operations people (evening timings)...

for me personally, i like the serenity of ramadan. i've always bee exposed to the noise and chaos of being in an amusement park, so this is a welcome change for even just a few days of the year. it's like catching up on yourself and on your life, since there is nothing to do outside during the day! you have to be creative to enjoy this month, unless your sense of enjoyment is eating, sleeping, reading, watching movie, strolling at the parks at 2am-- all of which is just perfect for me!

Ramadan Kareem!

Visit Visa Holder dilemna in UAE!!!!

here they go again... this is how fast they can change policies here! and now, where will all the filipino visit visa holders go????


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No work visa for visitors
By Ahmed Abdul Aziz
4 September 2007

ABU DHABI – The Ministry of Labour (MoL) will not approve work visa applications for workers who have entered the UAE on visit visas, according to Saleh Al Jabri, head of the Firms Department in the MoL. “It is a clear violation of the Labour law as visitors are not allowed to work on visit visas,” he pointed out.
Al Jabri told Khaleej Times that any company desirous of employing an expatriate should obtain a temporary work permit or employment visa, not visit visa.
In case of violation, the employers would risk Dh10,000 fine and suspension of transactions for six months.
Sources at MoL said that the ministry had recently rejected an application that had been initially approved by the Abu Dhabi Naturalisation and Residency Department (ADNRD) because the company had sought to hire employees on visit visas.

link: http://www.khaleejtimes.ae/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile= data/theuae/ 2007/September/ theuae_September 118.xml§ion=theuae&col=

Kids' Greeters

last friday, for the second service in the church, mano and i volunteered to be the kids' greeters. being the first session after the 2-month summer break, there was influx of the kids, some pre-registered, some just registering. we were given a 5-minute briefing on how their process works. it was simple, but i can't believe i was anxious. they were only kids, but would you believe that there are times that my knees shake more with the comments from kids? why? because it is straight from the heart-- they say it as they please! no hitting around the bush, no window-dressing. case in point: mano was assisting a 'regular' attender, and he told me mano, "i have my bible". mano said "ok", and thought to herself 'so?' and before she can say another word, the kid just said impatiently, "ok, later" and turned his back. haha! later we learned, that when the kids bring their bible, we have to put a star somewhere!

then it was my encounter. the door opened and i saw this boy coming in. as the greeter, i smiled and enthusiastically said "good morning! are you registed?" and then he said with a poker-face, "i am just going to use the bathroom". "oh.... ok". after a few minutes, he came out, and said, still not smiling "thank you". mano and i just looked at each other, and laughed! we learned that this small boy, maybe about 5-6 years old, does not attend the children's session, but the adult session!

we spoke with the head teacher, and we said, "we'd like to be greeters again!" ;)


i remember the toddlers i used to teach in our sunday school in my manila church...

"teacher, why is your teeth moving when you talk?" said to a teacher wearing false teeth.

"teacher, dad fell asleep when we were having devotion last week" o-ow!

"teacher, i don't like to color" when told to do the activity for the day.

"teacher, why are you late?" ooppps, no excuses!

"teacher, i missed you last week" ohhhhhhh

"teacher, why did david kill goliath? it is ok to kill?" whew!

"teacher, i told my classmate do not pray to idols" the courage!

and so on and so forth....

kids... oh, i love them!... i love their candidness! i love the mix of innocence and simple logic. i love the age when you do not have to second guess their intentions, because what you see is what you get, and what you hear is what is real.

and best of all, when they say "i love you teacher!" with a kiss and a hug, it just really vanishes all the weariness away....

Othello, how are you?

othello... i met him last aug 30. we did not have a good start. he was sizing me up and did not seem to like me at first. as for me, i can only be very casual with him. i do not have a choice. i told mano i am so used to with his kind. and we will be breathing the same air for the next 4 days!!

second day, he kinda sent a different signal to me. i think now, we'll be friends... i was right. at 1 am, he did not let me sleep. he kept coming in and out of our room. he was lonely, very lonely. and we were there to keep him company.

third day, we rocked! we danced! we cuddled!

fourth day, he should not know i am leaving... i sneaked behind his back. no goodbyes... i shall return...


that was my encounter with my new canine friend! oh, i badly miss panda....

New weekend on this side of the globe

UAE did it last year... and Kuwai is following suit this year... when will the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Oman take this huge step???

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by Lynne Roberts on Sunday, 02 September 2007

Kuwait switched to a Friday-Saturday weekend yesterday from its original Thursday-Friday, bringing the country in line with most of its fellow Gulf states.The move, designed to give the state an extra day with major trading partners, met with objections from Islamist MPs who called it ‘unIslamic’ and said it was done to please the Western world. Clerics say Islam forbids the imitation of Jews and Christians, and that the decision has been imposed based on the interests of a small group of businessment is following suit

Proponents argue Islam neither prescribes nor prohibits Saturday as a day of rest, and say the move will boost the economy. The Thursday-Friday Muslim weekend is now applied only in Saudi Arabia and Oman out of all of the six GCC nations. In Saudi Arabia, an attempt to switch to a Friday-Saturday weekend was blocked by the Shura Council, but the initiative is still on the agenda.The change applies to public sector offices in Kuwait. Private sector companies are not bound to follow the government, but most already work to a Friday-Saturday weekend to be more in line with international markets.

When God does not make sense...

how can i explain to my colleague that God makes sense, when in a span of 2 years, she lost her grandmom, grand dad, father and now, her precious son?


how can i tell my friends that God knows everything that is happening when we lost a friend, including her son, in a car crash with a drunk driver on a new year's eve?

how can i convince my relative that God is the healer, when her mom lost the battle (on the eve of my birthday) with a seemingly simple sickness?

how can i comfort my single friends when they ask why God does not give to them a good gift they were asking for for years?

how can i appease my brother who has ever since been struggling with financial indebtedness, and has never seemed to have barely made it through?

the never ending whys... i do not have the answer. the never ending tears and pain... i can only point them to God, who i believe that even when He seems to not makes sense, He still makes sense! no amount of my explanation to them can satisfy, because only He, in His own ways, can comfort us, open our eyes and make us at peace...

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.

"Be still, and know that I am God" Ps 46:10.

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i read the book "When God does not Make Sense" by James Dobson given to me by MD and PD, and it is very liberating! ;)

Schengen visa, anyone?

applying for schengen visa... the feeling was like a mix of my first job interview and my finals in chem17.... go figure!

we woke up at 5am, went out of the villa at 545am.... we were at the embassy at 715am, and the office opens at 830am. we were the first in line but for some reason, we became 8th and 9th because they said they've been waiting downstairs, and we just walked past thru the security! well, we did not know! anyways, we did not argue anymore. mano said it is better that we see how it is done, so no. 8 is not that bad. while waiting, we managed to strike up a conversation with a south african stewardess, who was so perky and friendly. she said she cannot move without a visa, so she keeps renewing it every 6 mos. and even if she's been doing it always, she made us felt at home by empathising with our nervousness.

at 830am, they opened the office, and we were formally lined up. there were 5 bank-type windows (and yes, the typical venetian blinds!) and i realized "wow, everyone can hear what you are saying!". and then there was one glass booth for all german nationals.

then, two people were there on the other side of the glass window... hmm, they don't look like germans.... and oh, they smile! so they are not snobbish at all!! the indian family whom she is entertaining at that moment seemed to be so excited with his planned trip that he volunteers his stories about going to europe. the lady just kept smiling. and after the indian, i saw the local guy with 5 passports on hand. wow, they really have the money to do this with the whole family! and the girl spoke in arabic...hmmm, she really is not a consul, but just a receiver of the documents.

then my turn. i was nervous. maybe we overdid the 'impression side' as we were the only ones in office suits! i thought i had to make an impression that i can pay for this trip, and that i am coming back to UAE. i was so anxious what questions they might ask???? until, she saw my NOC certificate with the company logo, and beamingly she said "oh Adventureland! i always go there with my kids!" whoa, i hoped it was a 'ganda' point for me, haha!good conversation piece, so i followed it up with aksing her how often she goes there, where she lives, etc. just to relax me a bit. and it did the works. and then she asked for all of my documents (the online info was wrong! all the photocopies were not asked, and the application form need be in duplicate!). mano was on the other window. and she heard that her receiver spoke with my receiver, as if saying 'here's another one from Adventureland". cool!

then, i paid AED 300 (money down the drain if we do not get approved!) and we were given a receipt to wait for 10 days for the passport to be given back by TNT. yes, 10 waiting days..... the TNT guy who happened to be a kabayan, said that there are only 2% being rejected. i looked at the whole room.... there were only 10 filipinos... hmmm, that can make mano and me the 2%!?#$% haha! well, we just kept believing that it is all upto God now. nothing can be done on our side. the kabayan gave us these pamphlets about germany that really whetted our appetite the more!!..... oh, we just have to make our plan B super attractive so that we will not feel sooooo down in case we get rejected...


and just a few hours ago.... the TNT packet arrived, with my passport inside and....... the Schgenen visa stamped on it! yahoo!!!! we can finally plan our itinerary!!!!

Religious Freedom in UAE...

the first time i flew here to dubai, i thought the bible was not allowed. i brought it nevertheless. you see, UAE is known as an islamic country. but praise God, worship is not restricted here unlike in other countries such as saudi arabia. my churchmates in the philippines used to think that it was an underground thing. but no, we were blessed to be able to move freely as christians. i even pray in food courts before my meals... UAE (dubai in paticular) has become an open city, and christians are growing in numbers, even though churches are located only on 'church zones'.

but the sad thing is, when we experience this freedom week after week, our enthusiam for it usually goes to a lesser degree. and last friday, i had the rare moment of re-savoring this great privilege when we had a visitor in the church from maldives. maldives is known as the place which comes close to being called the paradise- idyllic island, blue seas, rich corals and marine life, friendly all year-round weather, and untouched nature! but to the christians, it is a terror place! christianity is banned. period.

so we can understand why our visitor was full of the spirit as he shared with us the joy he felt for being with a church for the first time, singing hymns and songs without worrying that somebody out there might hear us! his joy was even contagious! he enjoyed fellowshipping together, reading the bible, listening to the preaching and worshiping Him freely, undistractedly.

we are praying together that in time, they will be able to do the same in maldives... i covet your prayers for this... Matt 19:6 says "with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible".

Entertaining the Thieves

how would you react if you learned that your neighbor's house was ravaged by thieves, and instead of them driving the thieves away, they have welcomed them, entertained them and worst, fed them! they were robbed off of their wealth, and yet they even displayed the unbelievable stockholm syndrome. the thieves left, and a few days after, they kept coming back to your neighbor's house and robbed them more. and when they found nothing else to amass, they went to others' houses... and on to yours!!! how would you react? would you treat them the same???

i am sure that your reaction is an adamant "NO! they are thieves!!!" i am sure you would be preparing to fight them with all your might to safeguard your wealth. i am sure you would have been prepared to ask for help and plan your action. i am sure you would have faced the thieves with fierce anger and no amount of compromise will happen!!! this is how we will react when we are talking about physical wealth e.g money, house, car, furnitures, jewelries, etc...

but do you know that we are like the neighbor in so many ways? we welcome the thieves named 'negative discontent' or in escalated level 'covetousness' and let him rob off our wealth named 'happiness'? and they do not even deceive us by coming as wolves in sheeps' clothing. they present themselves to us as they are-- thieves in all its form and 'glory'! and that thief is such a parasite and we have been such willing hosts, willing victims, to the point that we even indulge in it! oh yes, we love rambling about our discontents in life! we keep entertaining the thoughts! we feed them by giving in to them, and inviting their close kins such as regret, sadness, envy and worst, covetousness. and we let all of them stay in our hearts until we ran out of happy thoughts!

i am not trying to be philosophical here, but sadly, this is the reality, the trap that many of us are falling into deeper everyday, which if we do not stop, will keep on stealing our happiness away... until we have no more to give... and as they say, if we lose money, we can easily regain it; but if we lose our happiness, no one can say the extent of salvaging methods we have to perform!

i want to share some of the anti-thief tactics that i found useful in my life:

1. "always remember that the thief is an enemy". never confuse it with friends. stop welcoming it, stop entertaining it, stop feeding it! Deut 20:4 "For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."

2. "it's all a matter of perspective". it's either half-full or half-empty. i choose to cultivate the half-full perspective! be slow to complaint and quick to thanksgiving. God's blessing is being showered on us every minute, everywhere, even at the most seemingly dark providence! Deut 6:12 "be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery"

3. "choose your company". if you surround yourself with perrenial complainers and you have such a weak resolve, it won't be surprising if you'd end up being one of them. Prov 24:1 "Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company"

4. "cultivate only the positive discontent". it is opposed to lazy contentment which is not good in equal measure to negative discontent. it is not bad to graze at greener pastures, as long as you can manage and properly balance both reality and your expectations of yourself and your life.

5. "laugh a lot!" don't wallow in discontent and its close cousins. don't give an opportunity for these to enter your life by filling it up by its antidotes - a lot of laughter, positivism, and good contentment.

life is so short to be wasted and given away to these thieves! fight the first signs and sight of it, and live life to the fullest! ;) c'est la vie!

Hymns and Tears

i seldom cry. but if there's one thing that never fails to make my tears fall, it is hymns that tell of what Jesus Christ has done for the sake of undeserving sinners like me. it brings me back to that day in january 1992 when, by HIs grace, He has opened my eyes to the understanding of that bitterwseet cross of calvary... below is one of my favorite humbling and heart piercing-hymn... i hope you read and digest each word...

Words by Thomas Kelly, 1804
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/t/stricken.htm

Stricken, smitten, and afflicted,
See Him dying on the tree!
’Tis the Christ by man rejected;
Yes, my soul, ’tis He, ’tis He!
’Tis the long expected prophet,
David’s Son, yet David’s Lord;
Proofs I see sufficient of it:
’Tis a true and faithful Word.

Tell me, ye who hear Him groaning,
Was there ever grief like His?
Friends through fear His cause disowning,
Foes insulting his distress:
Many hands were raised to wound Him,
None would interpose to save;
But the deepest stroke that pierced Him
Was the stroke that Justice gave.

Ye who think of sin but lightly,
Nor suppose the evil great,
Here may view its nature rightly,
Here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the Sacrifice appointed!
See Who bears the awful load!
’Tis the Word, the Lord’s Anointed,
Son of Man, and Son of God.

Here we have a firm foundation,
Here the refuge of the lost.
Christ the Rock of our salvation,
Christ the Name of which we boast.
Lamb of God for sinners wounded!
Sacrifice to cancel guilt!
None shall ever be confounded
Who on Him their hope have built.


who can fathom this great love? not i, for until now, it still amazes me, humbles me... there's so much depth in its beauty, and i only need to yield...

A Case of A Dead Filipina in Dubai

such a loss...it's not so safe after all... i hope justice would be served!

*****************************************************************************
Last Updated : Wednesday 22 Aug, 2007

Dubai - Police have recovered the decomposing body of a missing Filipina in the Jumeirah district of Dubai. Last week 7DAYS reported that 38-year-old housemaid Mary Ann Carbellido, had been missing since an early morning driving lesson on August 12.The victim's younger sister Anariza Tangan, 35, was contacted by Bur Dubai Police at 11am yesterday to identify the body at the morgue.

"Police told me that they found her behind a villa in Jumeirah and they believe that she had died five to six days ago," Anariza said.She said that when she went to view the body, she could not recognise her sister's face, which had turned black.Police showed her Mary Ann's silver watch, jewellery, and the black blazer and black jeans which she was wearing when she went missing.

"I could not go near the body which was wrapped except for her face. I was only able to positively identify her when the police showed me her belongings," Anariza said. Mary Ann has three children and a husband back in the Philippines , who she called at least three times a week. "I haven't informed anyone yet in the Philippines .

Her employer told me today that he will cooperate with the CID to trace the whereabouts of the person who took my sister to the driving school. He said that the person who drove her to her driving lesson has already left the country," Anariza said.The last time she saw Mary Ann was on August 10 when they visited friends in the Satwa area of Dubai .

"We didn't have any problems. We were so happy that day. I can't believe that she's gone forever now," her sister said.A spokesperson for the Philippine embassy told 7DAYS she believed the case was being treated as murder and that they would be monitoring the case closely with police.The family has requested the repatriation of Mary Ann's body back to her homeland.

Awakening the sleeping bookworm

mano is such a bookworm! every time she goes to the mall, she does not go home sans a book. and even her habibi is such an avid reader. and the more i spend time with her, the more i get brushed with this passion. i guess she has just awakened the sleeping bookworm in me! such a nice positive influence...

she gave me "tuesdays with morrie" last april, and it spoke strongly to me. and "teacher man" for my birthday which is my current read. she lent me colayco's book on investment, and the expat's guide to managing your money, and it enlightened me on many practical matters. and when she left for oman, i saw on her bed "rich dad, poor dad" which i breezed thru in 2 days! she also made me reminiscent and laughing out loud with abnkkbsknpl of bob ong! when we had a book sale at the church, we both bought "a woman after God's own heart" which i've finished a few weeks after. and i'm also done with "the devotionals for women" which has seasoned my thoughts with the essentials.

now, i enjoy more my bible reading. i enjoy my devotions. we discuss many things over a cup of coffee from our latests reads. i can't let a week pass without reading something, or let a moment pass, whether i am waiting for something, riding the car for a long drive, having my foot massage or lulling my mind to sleep. i always have bathroom books too! now, i get excited with bookstores. i get high with the sight and smell of books, old or new. mano and i enjoy quiet moments together - with good reads on hand! of course, this is squeezed within the time with my old friends -- the journals, the internet and the magazines.

i think i am already having information overload... but the reality is, the more i realize i know so little coz there is so much more to be learned out there! it's great to be a bookworm ;) thanks mano! i'm gonna read your "princess diary" soon. it is a shocking and revealing true accounts of a saudi arabian princess... and more book adventures to us!

How do I tax you? Let me count the ways...

nowhere else in the world (unless someone corrects me) would one still enjoy a "tax-free" living, except here in GCC (gulf cooperative council) countries like UAE. as an employee, it's such a huge weight off our backs. it has attracted so many expats, in fact 80% of the population are expats! and so many companies have invested here. there are even a number of freezone areas in every emirate. last august 22, it was stated in Gulf News "UAE has ranked 20th worldwide and third in the arab world for the best international investment destinations (international outsourcing and offshore services center)..."


but wait!!!! no need to pack your suitcases and come running here! there are a number of hidden creative taxations that you should know first...



for employees like me


1. housing - flat rents have soared high!!! so if your housing allowance has not increased the past years, it either means you need to make do with lower standard of room space, or you go as far as ajman (and yes, accept the traffic!). in 2002, we were renting a nice 3BR flat for only $6,250/annum. now, we can't find 3BR within our budget, so we opt for 2BR at $16,300/annum. do the math to get the rate of increase in a span of 5 yrs!


2. electricity and water - oh same story, but a little less cushioned than the flat rent stories.

3. food - prices of basic commodities have shot up by almost 30%! so your budget allocation for food has increased in the same proportion, unless you go the famous route of 'dieting'!

4. transportation - given that your transportation to-and-from office is free, your cab fare for your leisure activities has increased by almost 50% since 2003!

5. if you're a filipino - your salary converted to peso has decreased by almost 18% (from P55 to P45 dollar conversion in a span of 4 years!), considering that most salary levels has not increased, or if they did, only about 5-10%


6. dining out - even with restos mushrooming everywhere, it does not make the pricing pro-consumer. i guess the demand is still much higher than the supply!


so you're one blessed employee if the company pays for your housing, furnishings, water, electricity, clothing, car, gasoline, parking, phone bills, medical insurance and gym! ;)



for companies




1. emiratization - for every 50 employees, the company should hire one local (emirati) with a minimum salary of AED4000 ($1,086) for a high school graduate! plus you have to pay part of their pension, and give way to special working conditions for locals.


2. labor visas - visa fees per staff has crazily gone up by almost 500% since 2002! plus you need to surrender a bank guarantee of $1000 per staff!


3. parking fees - gone are the days when you can freely park anywhere! public roads are charging $0.27 per hour, $1.35 for 2 hours and $2.17 per 3 hours! i'm sure in a few years' time, the malls will start making money out this too!


4. salik tollway - here's another bygone privilege... no more free use of the Sheik Zayed road! salik, proclaimed to be created to reduce the traffic in that road (oh, yeah?!) was said to be amassing dirhams by now, what with $1 per passing, and $54 for fines!


5. promotional fees - i can't believe that each kind of flyer we have to pay $135 per month! plus we have to pay all kinds of concocted fees for every promo that we make (and it's darn expensive!) and on top of that, we have to pay the economic department and/or chamber of commerce (really confusing at times! double pay!) to participate in their lame promos!


6. fines, fines, fines - sometimes you will not be aware of a ruling, until someone from baladiya (municipality) gives you a notice of fine! oh well!


7. business permits - many of business process has modernized, but entails more fees. of course! modernization has a price tag!


well, at least, as what taxation was all about hundreds of ages ago, it is those who make much money a.k.a companies, that are being heavily 'taxed'!

Good Morning!

finally, i saw blue skies in UAE. i took this shot last week. all i had to do was wake up early! as in 630am, and there it is, in all it's beauty! with the white cirrus clouds cheerily spreading its layers. and i heard once again my winged-friends chirping and singing its songs. Oh, goodie goodie morning! ;)

The Chief End of Man

"The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever".


that is point no. 1 in the the westminster catechism. that is what i have always believed in upto now, but ashamedly erratic in practice. it is such a direct, happy and simple life goal, but 'self' and the 'enemy' has always complicated this. they make me a willing victim to 'merryland' and 'vanityland' and slowly blurs my vision.

i've toiled so hard to make my career CV flourishing (a stark difference with my spiritual CV), and i forget that it is supposed to be just a means (to achive my chief end), and not the end in itself. i keep forgetting. consciously and unconsiously.

one pastor said, "your life vision will guide your present action". and Matthew 6:21 says "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also". such a shame if God will reveal my heart right now. i'm glad He gives me mornings to start anew. new mercies. new hopes.


yes now, i have to focus back to my basic goal, cut out the unnecessary trimmings. i've to re-align my thoughts and efforts. i think i've detoured many times. i need His strenght, i need His guidance. Philippians 4:19 says "and my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus".

and to my investment plans? i know He wants me to be a good steward of His blessings while i am passing by in this world, and yet i have to keep remembering and keep living what Matthew 6:20 says: "but store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where no moth nor rust destroys, and thieves do not break in or steal".

The Good is the Enemy of the Best

i know that the bad is the enenemy of the good, so i avoid the bad...

but, i often forget that the good is the enemy of the best. having to choose between the good and the best is not always easy, especially if the good is in terms of material, and the best is in terms of spiritual. i am a sensual being, and so those that i can physically see, hear, touch and taste usually have a better grip of my decisions. i've tossed a number of times the good and the best choices, where i let the good win.

and so for my seemingly perennial crossroad, this has finally hammered down my ever-wavering thoughts...

Call-in Sick!

i just took a paracetamol. for 2 nights, i've been having bad cases of sore throat-- the first sign for me of low resistance. i gargled with bactidol, chewed losenges and ate hot munggo soup prepared by mano.

i know my body. every year, i have a once-a-year dose of fever, real sickness that lasts for days. maybe this is it for this year. maybe i should not supress it thru all these drugs, but let my body surrender...

maybe it is time that i stop trying to be strong always. accept that humans have down moments, and start appreciating that in my weakness, Someone and some people are my strength.

maybe it is time that i take things really slow. and acknowledge that this is my cooling down period of my shift from the fastlane to the slow lane.

maybe it is time that i put myself in the proper perspective. refrain from thinking that the company will suffer if i don't go to work. that actually sounds more vain, than concerned.

maybe it is time to accept deviations from plans. we plan for the day, but let God work out His plan accordingly.

maybe it is time to enjoy moments of solitude. and catch up on my latest readings such as teacher man, devotionals for women and so many others lying there on my side table.


it's not a bad idea after all to file for sick leave... and come back really refreshed and invigorated!

Wazzup? Keif? Musta?

i've always dreamed of having this special power of conversing in many languages. like Jason Bourne. he just speaks spanish, french, italian, whatever the language is spoken by the person he is talking to.

how do i do that when i don't even know a single dialect? i've always envied my college friends who speaks their province dialects. it seemed a nice 'secret' language in the company of many people.

so in this quest of mine, i would like to start with arabic. yeah, i know. i've been here for five years, and i've only thought of doing this only now? why? beats me! but i guess, it's never too late to start.

i bought an arabic book, with tapes which i usually play when i am driving so that it goes into my subconscious. it helps since my memory anyway always fails me. it's been 2 weeks, and i think i'm learning quite a bit:

welcome - marhaba! or more formal saalam mulaykum
reply - zain or bikhair or mulaykum maaslam
kumusta - keif halak? (to man) keif halik (to lady)
what's your name - shu ismak?
do you understant arabic/english - tefam arabi/inglesi?
no - la
yes - na'm or aiwa
i don't have money - ma andich fulus
no problem - ma fi mushkila
big problem - mushkila kabeera
Filipino - filipini


just like any skill, it has to be continually honed. i have to, so that i can move to the next level-- french! ;) wow, what a dream! haha! and i also would like to learn sign language and one pinoy dialect... one by one tetch... one by one...

A Baby Girl?!%# I'm sorry...

i thought it only happens in the outskirts. but seeing it on CNN recently confirms that getting rid of baby girls is widespread even in the supposed 'modern' cities of India. there, it is indeed raining men!

i have an indian officemate who testifies to this. he's from kerala, a province in india. i've asked the same question with other indians i know. while some dismiss it as an 'urban legend and so yesterday', others confirm its existence upto now. do you know that ultrasound machines were prohibited in some areas so that the couple will not know the sex of the baby?

and if asked why is this practiced, i only get one answer on why it happens --- the dowry being paid on the wedding day is so high, that most have to start saving as soon as the baby is born! but an indian friend of mine who was born and raised here in dubai defied this tradition. he had an arranged marriage but he did not ask for dowry! very good indeed! very unstifling for the in-laws.

in ending, as Oprah commented (when she featured this is her show), "if it's gonna be all boys, i wonder how will more baby boys be conceived without a woman?" you really wonder how...

if there is dowry for the groom, i hope there is 'labor gifts' for the mothers --- i guess this will equalize everything!

An Evening at Burj Al Arab

burj al arab is an iconic structure in dubai. it is said to be the tallest hotel in the world. set-off against the shore, and was dubbed the only 7-star hotel. all the rooms are suites (see left photo), and you cannot enter the passageway going to the hotel without a reservation (and take note, for reservations, they really get credit card numbers!!)

no, i did not get to stay in one of the suites coz i do not have $1000 to shell out. i am no dignitary nor celebrity. i did not get to ride one of the rolce royce parked outside the hotel. i did not get to use the world-class spa. nor did i get to touch the helipad at the top which saw tiger woods teeing off or the tennis champs playing!

but i get to take a peek at the exclusive seafood restaurant, and of course the grand lobby. it was a blast! this dinner would really make anyone's birthday special...

the first collage is at the waiting area of al mahara seafood resto. waiting for the submarine ride. yes, they have 'submarine' drama to bring the guests to the restaurant. next collage are pics inside! it can acommodate upto 10 people and runs for a minute. the windows run digital video images simulating under-the-sea voyage. and of course, the last collage is dinner time! can you believe that photography was not allowed inside? so these are stolen shots! i'm sorry, i can't help it! cannot let this moment pass my lens. i had a sumptuous seafood platter, superb german white wine and choco dessert! and see that giant aquarium beside us? lovely!

and now, the grand lobby pics! the first two pics here are from the net, coz vain as i may be, i forgot to take full shots of theses angles without me! haha! everything seems golden here! but it is just polished tanso and good lighting effect. in the collage pics (sorry, i'm in it gain!) i love the shot where i was peeking thru the squares with all these beautiful flowers!

oh, lovely evening! lovelier is the thought that, "wow, God blessed me with 33 years!" i couldn't be more thankful.

My Kabayans

it has always been a delight for me to say "kabayan!" (filipino term for countrymate) to pinoy strangers-- whether at the supermarket, restaurant, gym, mall, hotel, in Adventureland, on the phone, etc. it is a word which instantly connects me with these people. even some foreigners (who know other pinoys) use that word to just illicit smiles from our kabayans! one of our visitors who was here for a 5-day trip, and who has been elsewhere in the world, commented that pinoys here are friendlier to other pinoys. that i have to find out.

and each "kabayan" greeting is greeted back with a smile and usually with a question "matagal ka na dito?" (have you been here for a long time?). and that opens numerous work and personal tales that lasts a few minutes. most are always avid to share their stories, and i've always been eager to listen coz they teach me so much about life. precious encounters. whether we'd see each other again or not, the joy must be in connecting with someone they feel familiar with.

and i am glad that most of them say that they are treated well by their employers. if asked if they are happy, 50% says yes, 50% says no, on the basis of salary. there is still a wage discrimination -- if you are asian or non-arabic, both on the rank and file and the managerial level. it is a sad fact. there is no minimum wage law here. and among managers within the same company, usually a white and a local (emirati) manager earns higher than a pinoy manager.

but just the same, kabayans keep flocking here to dubai expecting greener pastures. some has good endings, others charge the bad result to experience.

wayback 2002, there were only a few of the so-called professionals here. i would often get the comment "you are the first Filipino manager i've dealt with". for them it must be flattery, for me it was an insult. exodus started in 2004 and was furhter boosted by the 'Dubai' movie of aga mulach and joh lloyd. but now 2007, it seems that all companies have their Pinoy clouts! and guess what? the reputation that we have gained thus far, are: hardworking, multi-tasking, very neat, and delivers good customer service. bravo!

so to my kabayans here: cheers and keep up the good work! whether the intention is to stay here and help the country thru dollar remittance, or to plough back to philippines the expertise and the savings gained here, i salute you!

Friendster vs Facebook

Friendster

i love friendster. i've touched-based with my long lost friends even wayback in elementary, in yes, friendster! how amazing can it be? it surprises me with the extent of its reach among the pinoy circle all over the world! it used to be the number one online social site, but it slid down and gave way to myspace. no. 1 or no. 2, just the same, when it comes to hooking up with my ex-classmates, ex-officemates-- nothing beats friendster! the true filipino online community! almost all people i know has an account, young ones and young once alike!

whenever i want to wile away time, i go to friendster and look at profiles and pictures of friends, or friends of friends, or friends of friends of friends... got it? i like flicking thru the pages of friends and strangers as well, and how they are doing now in life. new parents usually have their baby's photos on the first pic! newly weds have wedding pics, or the pre-nup pics and honeymoon pic, mala hollywood romance movies! those 'in a relationship' of course would banner who they are with at the moment! and the singletons---- their pets, travels, pamangkins and what-have-yous!

i am amazed at the 'how you are related' portion of friendster! i can't believe that my friend is also a friend of my friend! talking about 6-degrees of separation or in this case, relativity huh!

so now, whenever we take pictures here in the office, we make sure it is 'pang friendster'! haha.

Facebook

i also like facebook. salawahan! haha! blame its rise to stardom to prince william! but you see, for my non-pinoy friends, what they usually have is facebook. though i find the template kinda boring (blue and white), what they lack in color, they make up in applications! a whole lot of applications! even 30-ish people would enjoy these funky and interactive profile add-ons. right now i am still trying to figure out how to apply those to my profile!

facebook is not a good site if you wanna 'take a peek' at someone else's profile. all you'll see is their name (no nicknames, as opposed to friendsters' nickname mania... i wonder why!), thumbnail sized shots and the network they are part of. it's rare that one's profile is open for public (as far as my experience with flicking is concerned). you have to have the guts to 'add him/her as a friend' or 'poke him/ her' or 'send him/her a message'.

but one thing i enjoyed though is browsing thru all the clubs/organizations that facebook people have created! gazillions of them! it reminded me of my freshman days in college, when i'd apply in so many orgs and clubs, but ends up in maximum of 2 at the end of the year!

there you go with choices for online social networks.... so enjoy browsing!!!!!

Ciao! Arriverderci!

tues, my friend gelli introduced me to her three italian friends. we met in Vu's bar. after a few mintues of pleasantries, we instantly hit it off with discussions ranging from italy, to philippines, to business, to dubai, to each one's works. when we left them, we learned that they still jammed with the people from the other table, who happened to be-- you guessed it-- italians!

then thursday, they were invited by their new-found kababayans to a (italian) house party. they invited gelli, and gelli tagged me along, not wanting to feel left out. with nothing else to do, i agreed. plus, i think it sounded exciting! and an adventure...

at 10pm, gelli and i arrived at the villa by jumeirah. we were met by our friends, and then, by the host of the party. with all blondes, tall people, long noses and speaking italian, i suddenly felt out-of-place!!!!! they even separated me and gelli from the sitting arrangement in the dinner table, but was glad i was seated next to this cute italian guy ;)

the first part, as any social gathering is of relative strangers, was kinda awkward, especially when they started talking in their language. once in a while, when they remember us, they'd speak in english. hmm.... now i kinda know how it feels to be in a conversation where each word they speak is greek to me, and i really felt so lost! and the best conversation piece i can give is just a nod and a smile! now i can sympathize with foreigners in the company of pinoys who endlessly talk in tagalog! this is one of those times when i wish i had the power of linguistics!

but that part usually ends after a few minutes of ice breakers! and the big group talk disintegrates to small group talks... and that's when a cute seatmate comes in handy! unfortunately, to his right is a disarming pretty fil-italian! but he was kind enough to engage both of us in a good english talk...

now comes the part when they serve pasta... pasta... pasta... yes, in one plate, i was given 3 kinds of pasta! whew! one was carbonara, one was tomato-based and the other one was meat-based! i have to remember i was in an italian party. the noodle was so al dente, that i realized i liked my less al dente pinoy spaghetti so much more!

after the pasta feast... they served steak-- rare!!!! oh, haven't eaten a rare steak before, but with an adventurous palate, i tried it, and i liked it! and for dessert, i've tasted the best tiramisu i've tasted! i had two servings. i already lost my 'hiya'. and the hostess appreciated my fondness for her dessert.

then of course, wine flows like a river! they talk about different kinds of wine... wherein i only know 2-- red and white! they served different kinds of red wines, and different kinds of white wine, with each wine having a story of its own... and that simply means the table is filled with wine glasses! the last i've seen so many wine glasses on a table was during our home economics fine dining exam!

then, lastly, and the part closest to me--- was the picture-taking time! gelli took two shots, and left my camera on the table, and the guy beside me started taking candid shots of all of us, and even of the cherries in front of us! that was cool and fun!

then later still, as we let the food we ate settle in the inner corners of our tummies, there was the natural gravitating of the genders-- the guy talk there and the girl talk here! and some one-on-one talk on the living room...

at around 1 am, we bid ciao and arrideverci! it was a nice house party, and i would gladly be a willing victim next time gelli tags me along again...

London Bridge is Falling Down....

that was a cute nursery rhyme. but replace 'london' with 'minnesota', and it equals tragedy which happened last wednesady.

i was watching CNN, and caught the safety camera shot of the collapse of the minnesota bridge. i cannot believe it! in split second! i felt goose bumps all over me. can it be true? the whole bridge?!#$

the survivors were interviewed. the city officials gave statements. the safety specialists have something to say. the newscasters have their two-cents worth on the issues. like a thunderbolt, it once again awakened the people... the survivors felt being given the second chance at life...

if i were there, i wouldn't know if i'd have the presence of mind some of the people had at the scene of the tragedy. they immediately thought of rescuing others, of jumping out of their cars, of taking a photo of the whole thing...

and would i be prepared to meet my God? by God's grace, i can say 'yes'.

but since i was not there, and i am still here alive and kicking... He is giving me another chance to cherish the gift of life, a gift which i usually take for granted...

Does Life Imitate Art?

Scene 1: three months ago, afghan president is pressured to release its 5 terrorist prisoners in exchange for 1 italian reporter. he did.

Scene 2: the world community condemned this act.

Scene 3: two weeks ago, the terrorists kidnapped south korean christians riding a bus in ghazi province in kabul-khandar hi-way in afganistan. the demands --> release 8 taliban prisoners held by kabul, afghanistan government and pull out the korean armed forces in afghanistan.

Scene 4: kabul government did not heed.

Scene 5: talibans killed one hostage, the pastor. taliban pressured korea to pressure afghanistan, or else the remaining 22 will be killed. new deadline set.

Scene 6: kabul government said they will not release taliban prisoners.

Scene 7: talibans killed another hostage, and threatens to kill the others.

Scene 8: south korea pleads US intervention. others blame US for angering the talibans in 2001. korea government is in hot seat in deciding on this issue.

Scene 9: to be continued.....

i can't belive that what i am seeing are actual footages ad what i am reading are real stories, and not scenes from a movie. the sad thing is knowing that this does not end within 2 hours of reel-time. and that there is no assurance of victorious ending.

all i can do for now is to pray on bended knees, and seek the mercy of the Highest authority.