Light Bulb Moments

Admittedly, there was a slight hint of hesitation when I confirmed my attendance at the camp. Why? Because I knew I'd be the oldest camper this season or probably ever. How uncomfortable is the idea, huh? But then I remembered three things (I got the first two from hearing my friends' messages in the past)... One, children are never too old to honor God. (As for my case, I am not too old to learn and discover new things, most especially if it's for God's glory and honor.) Two, God calls us to go somewhere and He will show us the way. (It’s called stepping out of our comfort zones.) And lastly, my devotion on that day (when I was supposed to confirm my attendance) was entitled "bound to encourage.” (I thought to myself, “Hey, I'm invited to this year's Kainos. I should be encouraged.) So, I typed “yes” and hit send. You see how God operates? His plans are equally intricate and amazing, from day zero, to the days of the camp and to the aftermat...

Looking down, you'll see a part of this world's brokenness. And somehow, we all conformed to it out of survival. Oftentimes, we are all so fixated at making ends meet that we've forgotten to take things easy, pause for a while and look ahead to see a glimpse of a rare beauty that's speaks a lot of promises. A promise that tomorrow is another day. In fact, to have seen such beauty is already a gift. We lose our vision sometimes, but if we look up and keep believing, we'll always find our way. Remember that because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23) I see the world in light. Have you ever seen the wonder?

Why do you do what you do? For whom do you offer the things that you do? What is your primary concern when you make decisions? Can you imagine yourself doing something you don’t understand but you do it anyway out of obedience? I, myself, don’t fully understand the concept of obedience. It has been a constant struggle for me. However, the Bible is strewn with stories that teach us how to be obedient. Like Joseph for example. Joseph knew that he will be judged by others when he decided to obey God, when he chose to be with Mary. Yet he followed what God had instructed him to do. Despite the uncertainties and the struggles he and his bride might face, he trusted and obeyed God. A year ago, I was asked why I wanted to be an engineer. My answer at that time may not be wrong but the conversation showed me a new perspective. I was told that while my answer was for the right reasons, still, I should be doing the things that I do for a greater purpose. And that is for God’s glory ...

I have been praying earnestly about two things since I was a kid. I just found out a few minutes ago that one of those prayers is already answered. And while I'm at it, I realize that the other one was already answered a long time ago. Although I can't go into details about it, I want to share how blessed I feel right now (more than I do every single day) and how amazed I am with God for the nth time by showing to me how powerful a prayer can be. We can't deny the fact that there are things that seem impossible to us. I, myself, once thought that those prayers of mine were impossible. However, we are constantly being reminded that with God, nothing is impossible. (Luke 1:37) I am a dreamer, we can go talking all day about my dreams in life and still we won't be able to finish it. It's quite a long list. Honestly, I'm still trying to reach most of it. But despite the fact that there are only few of them which came true, I always feel secured kno...

Listen to your father, who gave you life; and don’t despise your mother when she gets old. - Proverbs 23:22 A righteous person’s father will be filled with joy; yes, he whose son is wise will rejoice in him. So let your father and mother be glad; let her who gave you birth rejoice. - Proverbs 23:24-25 Happy Father's Day! Father's Day 2016. My father is a retired Philippine army, but unlike other soldiers, he wasn’t really that strict. He’s not the stiff kind of a soldier father whom your friends would get scared of. My friends are actually friends with him. Some of you may think that it’s probably because I’m a girl and I’m the youngest. But I believe it’s because, he’s just naturally kind. In fact, at 64, he’s still the most polite person I know. Whenever he’s talking to someone, he would address him or her: “Sir”, “Ma’am”, “Nong” or “Nanay”, even if he’s the one older. My mother and siblings are Globe users (and me too), while my father is a Smart subscriber. But, whenever I...

It became a joke in the family that I am an adopted child. My brother and sister are like the male and female versions of each other which makes me looks different whenever the three of us are together. They are the spitting image of our father while I am our mother's juniora. But I may not have his physical attributes, I know that I am blessed enough with the characteristics I got from him that makes the bond I share with him quite different. More often than not, it's a serious talk with my mother or my siblings. But with my father, the moon and the stars, his plants in the farm, Manny Pacquiao, the action stars and many other not-so-serious topics are the center of our conversation. He is like my guy bestfriend. And if there's one person in the family whom I could easily talk to, it's him. As my brother-in-law would put it, he probably is the last person who would turn his back against me. He is simply kind and his patience is unbelievably long. For that alone, I am v...

Sleepless nights, borrowed time, and priceless effort doesn’t give you an “assured remark”, it doesn’t guarantee that you will get paid with a great price. The worth of something you want to achieve isn’t measured by these sacrifices; although sometimes, your critics would give credit to it. Yes, it seemed unfair knowing that you’ve invested so much on something and you will gain nothing, but that’s just it, you don’t get something for free, no matter how much time and money you’ve spent, or even if you put your health at risk. I’m not complaining, I’m just saying simply because, it’s what my mind has been dwelling on since this morning. And I realize that, it’s a matter of aiming for the best, that maybe, just maybe, it’s what our mentors would always want us to do, though each of them (even us, students), have our own ways of dealing with the idea of “aiming for the best” or even understanding things that has something to do with it. Ways that are oftentimes unfathomable to some peop...

Growing up, I’ve always been competitive and an achiever child, been into places at a young age because of my writing ability. But it is in becoming an Electronics and Communications Engineer that I value the essence of failing. During my third year, when I first failed, it was hard but the good thing is, it gave room for my personal enhancement and determination. What I’m try to say is, taking the same subject the second time around will make you understand better and more knowledgable in the field you chose and the more you gain, the more you’re determined to strive harder and learn more. Truth is, the opportunities that come to me were always catchy but not really to the best of my interest. And honestly speaking, mostly, it has something to do with my personal agenda and how great it would be to be part of something big. It’s not always about my need to be someone in the field I’ve chosen but to be someone in something that I’m compassionate about. I fear that I might not do well ...

Writing when sad is inspiring But when happy it's overwhelming Looking at you made me stopped moving Turns out, I haven’t been looking Somewhere along the road I'm even too surpised that I could It makes me wonder, “Is this real?” From Lola Conding's garden. Who knows exactly how I feel? Then and now, I thought it’s love I'll always do and  I guess I always have What tomorrow brings, it’s uncertain But letting go, is so right and certain I may be hesitant, still, goodbye, Love Time to welcome what I should have. - M

There are moments in my life when I’m too busy with almost everything, but I just stop in the middle of it, pick up any kind of pen close to me at the moment, look for my journal or make use of a scratched or clean piece of paper or even a 2-ply tissue, my lecture notes aren’t an exception either. I lay down my thoughts, let my mind and hand do the whole business of pouring my heart out . Words flowing smoothly from my brain down my spine straight to my inspired right hand until I get distracted and out of focus. Well, unfortunately, I easily get lost track of my thoughts, I’m bad at focusing on one goal and peace of mind seems like a kind of luxury that I still couldn’t afford until now. But even in those times of distraction and wilderness in my head, writing helps . It makes you say everything without ranting , you can mix all topics that come to your head, be a total freak for being so utterly nonsense while words are rambling on your paper. Random ideas or even organized write-up...

Journal, one of many. At the rack's edge lies A memoir of the old days All but covered with dust Unsure when unfolded last Inside were like "intestine" Rose turned brown, flattened Pile of letters, now yellowish Fragments damaged by silverfish Tales divulged once again Absurdly recalling the pain Nevertheless, I smiled I learned being that wild - M

The best communication is seen in paperrs. The best relationship is within your pen and paper. The best therapy is your pen. The best shock absorber is your paper. And the best pain reliever is writing. - M

As you start to bloom in the smoky forest, thorns unexpectedly came from you at the same time. It was like the ones in roses. I never thought it was possible. How? I don’t know. What? Maybe I could give you answers to the puzzle that you, yourself created. Clearly, you aren’t capable yet of handling things like that. It takes a lot of wisdom to see things that are invisible. And I who thinks knows better needs a lot of courage and strength to be patient enough to understand and get this through. Violet, apparently your name and whatever it stands for is quite contradicting. And I have to admit that, that’s how I see you now, different – one element defining two symbols. Sweet creature, your innocence isn’t leading you right. Your poisonous thorns are giving you away. Darling, it’s eating you up through immaturity instead of growth. I may not be perfect but I’m honestly wishing I could give you the same nourishment I got when I was at your stage. I am hopelessly wishing I could make it ...

It is your ear that keeps your balance. I have to admit that last Friday’s topic is probably the highlight of my journal about last week. I am not totally deaf but I find it hard to hear what people say most of the time since third grade. I don’t know what happened then, I don’t know how it started, all I remember was the time when I started to struggle hearing voices and noise. And believe me, it’s embarrassing sometimes not to hear what the person I’m talking to is saying. I’ve been scolded too, many times, for not hearing something clearly. And do you know that feeling when you’re talking to the person who intimidates you the most and you can’t hear clearly what that person was saying? The truth is, it was last Friday' discussion that made me realized that it is our ears that keep our balance. It gives direction. And at some point I came to thinking that there was this one time when we were playing “open-basket” with my playmates then suddenly, I felt something blocking my e...

To provide knowledge, to provide skills. Last week, prior to the day when we’re supposed to display the bulletin, I was with my group mates. We were working on our designs and stuff and the idea amazed me. I found out that sometimes, it’s a good idea to hang out with the people you’re not close with. I really had fun that Sunday afternoon. I found out how good the feeling was being with the people who doesn’t know me that much, I got the feeling that I have power and control over my personal issues in life by simply keeping in mind that those people I was with for eight hours, knew nothing about the dramas and hang-ups in me. And of course, I get to mingle with them, found out stories and things I never heard of. For a person like me who isn’t that friendly, it was bliss. It was like having a life outside my relationship with my family and close friends. I did get the idea why we discussed first behavioral safety, to prepare ourselves for the possible relationships that we might be abl...

I have so many regrets in life, things I did that wish I could still undo. But I've learned so many things from those regrets, so I guess it is safe to say that even if I'd be given the chance to shake the sands of time backwards, I still wouldn't have it any other way. Because the best thing that could ever happen to a person's life is to experience something exquisite in a short span of time with the memories attached to it that will surely be treasured for the rest of his/her life. Live life believing that everything happens for a reason. And if sometimes, we don't understand that reason, have faith that God has the power to make our worst nightmares into a wonderful dream as much as He has the power to value our suffering with an everlasting  joy in our hearts. What matters most is the fact that we learn something in every hardship and burden that we encounter. - M

Wherever possible, students should be given choices and responsibility for their own education. – Elizabeth Schultz The truth is, last Monday I was so sleepy inside the classroom, actually, all of my classes that day. I was too drained with all the school stuff around the previous night. And I honestly felt guilty for not paying attention to the discussion. Most especially because the teacher told us (that same day) that when he is discussing, that when he is inside the classroom, he give his all. It made me feel guilty. So the next two meetings, I did try my best to go to school with a complete sleep. Friday, the volunteers discussed about their fire evacuation plan from where they live. And of course, there were a lot of funny stuff during the discussion and I did have fun that morning despite the fact that I wasn’t feeling well. There was this one volunteer whose evacuation area is along the road where the teacher said was the place where the fire trucks are expected to park in time...

I ain't dumb, not even numb. I believe, really do, 'have learned to let it go. Honey, I did walk out, 'cause you made me doubt. But you came back 'thought you wouldn't knock. Iopened the window, I broke the wall. 'made me your shadow, Then I began to fall. I may be your last resort but one thing's for sure, and for what it's worth, I won't leave, I'm sure. - M

A well-developed mind, a passion to learn, and the ability to put knowledge to work are the new keys to the future. It’s funny how I thought I saw myself among the people problems discussed – self conscious, tactless, martyr, procrastinator and some other traits. Behavioral safety, maybe a part where mostly people wouldn’t see the relevance of our behavior and our safety. But I guess it’s safe to say that I think, I did see its relevance. You know, that feeling how sometimes you kept blaming yourself for behaving so off after messing or screwing some things up. Our behavior defines mostly who we are and personally speaking, seeing myself on those people problem made me think about the times that I ran into several problems and how did I behave before, on and after. Way back in high school, I end up having a fight with one of my classmates because of my tactlessness, Our behavior really affects our environment and all the people that surround us but I know that being an open-minded pers...

Two days before the game, we already have a clue on what to do during the game day, but honestly speaking I still didn’t get the whole idea of the game. Then when we were already on the ground, I did figure it out and I kept saying “Hala! Lingaw lage ni.” Seeing my classmates jumping from one plate to another knowing that the distances aren’t equal and the numbers aren’t arranged is really amusing. But that’s just it; it’s my version of the story. If I were one of those members of the group, I don’t think I could even suggest a brilliant tactic for us to make it on time without any errors. The heart of the game was for the group to work together without event talking about it. It’s like a mutual understanding between two persons, no words spoken and no signals delivered, and all that matters is that you have one goal, and that is to succeed. There were two things I’ve learned from the activity: one is that following instructions really matters, otherwise you’ll end up making mistakes; ...