A couple of weeks ago, my dad called me with news of his health that troubled me. There was blood in his bowel. He went to see the doctor because aside from the blood, it was very uncomfortable for him too. He was diagnosed with colon cancer. I wept when I received the news.
Dad and I had a falling over years ago which would qualify for another post. We seldom talk and when we do, it was short and civil. But, no matter how much wide that gap became, I was still affected. I lost my beloved grandfather to the big C almost 20 years ago, and I don't think I can stand losing someone else dear to me again. I hate that sickness. I hope the world will be rid of it soon.
I prayed hard, and asked for prayers. To those who cared enough to read my blog, they responded with comments saying they would. To all of you, I say thank you. Our prayers were heard, and after tests and a minor surgery on Friday, it was determined that his' was a Stage 1. Thank God it was caught early on, and merely by accident. The blood on his bowel was unrelated to the Big C. God is good, because he orchestrated that nerve to burst, thereby leading him to the doctor, and thus, discovering a Stage 1 cancer.
In another month, more tests, and possibly another surgery might be needed. I would ask you to please continue to pray for my dad. He may not be the best father in the world, but he's the one I was blessed with.
Most of all, to our Father in Heaven, thank You.... My heart sings with gladness.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Monday, January 24, 2005
Lost... and then Found!
Hubz called me on Friday night and he was panicking. He said he lost his wedding ring, and that he has turned the house upside down looking for it. Of course I was amused because even his mom and his grandma were helping him look for it. At the back of my mind, I was sort of imagining what type of wedding ring I'll request next, hehe! I know, I'm bad... but hey, a girl can dream of a diamond studded platinum wedding band can't she?
Ok, so I did a little research over the weekend, even sent a photo to hubz on the possible design. I also told him about some couples having two sets of wedding bands - one for daily use, and another for special occasions only. He said that was a good idea, until I told him how much platinums cost these days. He almost fell off his chair, tee-hee!
So, come Monday, he called me as soon as he got to work, to let me know he found his ring! He was so excited 'coz it was under his desk - a little hidden from view. So, all my illusions of a new wedding band went kapoot!
But, hey, I'm glad he found his wedding ring. After all, it's blessed, and it was the same ring we used to profess our undying love to each other - you know, the 'til death do us part piece.
Ok, so I did a little research over the weekend, even sent a photo to hubz on the possible design. I also told him about some couples having two sets of wedding bands - one for daily use, and another for special occasions only. He said that was a good idea, until I told him how much platinums cost these days. He almost fell off his chair, tee-hee!
So, come Monday, he called me as soon as he got to work, to let me know he found his ring! He was so excited 'coz it was under his desk - a little hidden from view. So, all my illusions of a new wedding band went kapoot!
But, hey, I'm glad he found his wedding ring. After all, it's blessed, and it was the same ring we used to profess our undying love to each other - you know, the 'til death do us part piece.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
In remembrance of....
Hubz sent me a text message today informing me that grandma's elder sister N passed away. She and grandma had a rift that started out so many years back. I don't even remember what that was about. It's sad because they have never been able to patch things up before she passed on.
I recalled vividly years ago (I was fresh out of college then) when we attended grandma's eldest sister's 80th birthday. Lola N was there in attendance as well. Through our prodding, grandma hugged Lola N, trying to bridge their gap but Lola N pushed her away. Their siblings were shocked of her reaction and of course, tried to appeal to her good heart. They even told her that since they're in their twilight years, they should just forgive and forget. Heck, I don't even know who should do the forgiving between the two of them. My heart went out to grandma because she humbled herself but received rejection and hurtful words.
I do hope that Lola N, wherever she is, has finally learned to let go of all the hatred she has harbored in her heart. It is only by forgiving that she will be able to experience peace. I will say silent prayers for you Lola N. May your soul rest in peace.
Let this be a lesson to everyone that life is short. There is no better feeling in the world than to let go of all the negative feelings we have towards other people. God knows I carry some of those in my heart, and through constant prayer, I am beginning to slowly patch things up with those I have burned bridges with. The Lord has taught me great lessons in life, and one of them, is not to take things for granted. After all, we will never know when He'll call us to join Him.
Sorry for the mushy blog. I am going through some very emotional times these days. Please pray for me and my family.
I recalled vividly years ago (I was fresh out of college then) when we attended grandma's eldest sister's 80th birthday. Lola N was there in attendance as well. Through our prodding, grandma hugged Lola N, trying to bridge their gap but Lola N pushed her away. Their siblings were shocked of her reaction and of course, tried to appeal to her good heart. They even told her that since they're in their twilight years, they should just forgive and forget. Heck, I don't even know who should do the forgiving between the two of them. My heart went out to grandma because she humbled herself but received rejection and hurtful words.
I do hope that Lola N, wherever she is, has finally learned to let go of all the hatred she has harbored in her heart. It is only by forgiving that she will be able to experience peace. I will say silent prayers for you Lola N. May your soul rest in peace.
Let this be a lesson to everyone that life is short. There is no better feeling in the world than to let go of all the negative feelings we have towards other people. God knows I carry some of those in my heart, and through constant prayer, I am beginning to slowly patch things up with those I have burned bridges with. The Lord has taught me great lessons in life, and one of them, is not to take things for granted. After all, we will never know when He'll call us to join Him.
Sorry for the mushy blog. I am going through some very emotional times these days. Please pray for me and my family.
Monday, January 10, 2005
The Year in Review
The past year, though still living on my own and away from hubz, brought me a lot of things and events to be thankful for. Good or bad, big or small, I have learned to be grateful for these things because it could easily be worse. I've been saying this over and over again, even when I had a bought with colds, cough, sore throat, on and off fever, I still feel blessed primarily because I'm alive.
Thank you dear Lord, for another year has passed. As I look forward to 2005, here are some of the milestones of the past year:
January – I attended a Cake Decorating class that filled up my Tuesday nights – baking and decorating a cake to bring to class on Wednesday evenings. The class was fun! Creating a well-decorated cake may be too time-consuming (it takes me about 4 hours to bake and decorate an 8” cake) but seeing the look on people’s eyes when I unveil my “masterpiece” and the praises I receive after they’ve tasted it, made all the effort worthwhile. Also, I have led a team of 10 staff to a successful off-release install. We started the project in November the previous year, and with about 5000+ man-hours, we delivered! The install was an uneventful one, which is a good thing, considering the hurdles that we had to overcome along the way.
February – Hubz and I celebrated Valentine’s Day over the phone. Nothing much to report this month, except my very eager countdown to April.
March – I finally got the camera I have been dreaming of for a long time! I wanted a digital SLR and I initially have my eyes on Nikon’s D100, but our wedding photographer (turned friend) advised me to wait for the D70 instead because it’s supposedly better than the D100. He was so right! The release date was March 2004, and I pre-ordered it way back in January. I have been drooling over digital SLRs for more than a year – justifying why I need to buy myself one. When I finally got my new camera in the mail, I was soooo ecstatic! Immediately after they released it, the website where I ordered it from has it backordered already! No wonder it was 2004’s Camera of the Year!!!!!
April – Thanks to the movie “The Passion of the Christ”, I had a very meaningful Lenten journey in 2004. I also got the promotion I have been hoping for a long time. The week prior to my long-awaited trip to Manila, roommate L’s friends from New Zealand – N & T came over for a visit. We took them to picturesque Yosemite. Then, on mid-April, I was home-bound to be with my husband. The night prior to my trip home, I couldn’t sleep because I was just sooo excited. I consider April and May my happiest months of the year because I get to be with my husband!!! It’s what long distance wives like me live for – year after year after year! We went to Corregidor the first week I was there. Because we were the only ones to stay in the island overnight, it was eerie and exciting at the same time. We were scaring ourselves off because of ghost stories around the island. Still, it felt good sleeping in the arms of my husband – my favorite place in the world…
May – I cooked up a surprise birthday party for hubz. With the help of some very close friends, I almost pulled it off. He got the hint at the last minute though, right when we were on our way to the venue. At the parking lot, he recognized the cars parked and I had to walk ahead so he wouldn’t see me giggling. I still have to pat myself in the back because he didn’t get the hunch until the day itself! We also celebrated our first year anniversary with my family and his’ at Villa Escudero. The only downside was, I wasn’t feeling very well – I was sick to my stomach the whole time – for personal reasons. In fact, I had to return to the US a week later than planned because they rushed me to the hospital on the day I was to fly back! Who knows, I just might be able to usher enough courage to write about this in my coming posts.
June – This is probably my most depressing month. After spending 5 weeks with my husband, I just couldn’t stop crying. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at our photos together, couldn’t even watch the video. Even when I was back in full throttle at work, it just isn’t the same. I come to work with puffy eyes and my attention constantly drifts away. I daydream a lot, I cry myself to sleep every night, I call often and talk with hubz for hours on end. If coming home was paradise, coming back without my husband is pure and absolute torture.
July – I have started to put into action something I read in “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”. I decided it was time I paid myself first. I opened a savings account entirely for that purpose and before long, the formula proved effective because my savings continued to grow, and I constrained my expenses to what is left of my savings and bills allotment.
August – I embarked on a new and somewhat-expensive hobby, thanks to the prodding of a dear friend, Christine. Because I have tons of photos waiting to be organized, I started scrapbooking, then later, cardmaking. I thoroughly enjoyed my new hobbies and tried to scrap almost every weekend. It somehow filled the void of not having my husband around. It also kept me busy scrap shopping, tee-hee!
September – On the day I celebrated my 31st birthday, my roommate and I also closed escrow on a rental property up in Sacramento. After the call from our realtor to greet me a happy birthday and to relay the good news, I just cried and cried – all because I couldn’t believe how much God has blessed me! On the third week of September, roommate L’s sister and her whole family visited from New Zealand. A few days later, they were gone, embarking on a very long and tedious drive to Yosemite, Tahoe, Arizona, Utah, Las Vegas, then back to SFO.
October – I led a semi-successful install into completion – the largest our company has ever seen, thus far. It was semi-successful because there were a few glitches in Production, but none that we could’ve caught. They were caused mainly by other systems outside the applications we’re responsible for – whew! The install was comprised of 25 projects, 18 staffs, and 21,000 man-hours! Because I deserved a much-needed break, I flew in to Las Vegas to meet with roommate L, her sister, and her sister’s family. I immensely enjoyed the trip!
November – Hubz and I celebrated our 10th year anniversary as gf/bf over the phone. It was nice to reminisce those good old years, but equally nostalgic as well! Then, we had another set of guests from Texas. Being the hospitable hosts, we took them to Sausalito, the City, then to Napa Valley.
December – This is one Christmas I didn’t feel like celebrating. I was not in the mood to decorate the house. For the first time in 6 years, we didn’t put up a tree. I was also grumpy that was why our neighbors dubbed me “Scrooge”. However, we spent Christmas Eve at Disneyland and California Adventure, which had been fun. We ended the year with a little get-together at home with very close friends and godchildren.
2004 came to an end abruptly fast, and 2005 is here to stay. May the coming year bring us all good health, happiness, peace, safety. Most of all, may the Lord continue to bless us all and shower us with His graces.
Here's to another fruitful year!
The past year, though still living on my own and away from hubz, brought me a lot of things and events to be thankful for. Good or bad, big or small, I have learned to be grateful for these things because it could easily be worse. I've been saying this over and over again, even when I had a bought with colds, cough, sore throat, on and off fever, I still feel blessed primarily because I'm alive.
Thank you dear Lord, for another year has passed. As I look forward to 2005, here are some of the milestones of the past year:
January – I attended a Cake Decorating class that filled up my Tuesday nights – baking and decorating a cake to bring to class on Wednesday evenings. The class was fun! Creating a well-decorated cake may be too time-consuming (it takes me about 4 hours to bake and decorate an 8” cake) but seeing the look on people’s eyes when I unveil my “masterpiece” and the praises I receive after they’ve tasted it, made all the effort worthwhile. Also, I have led a team of 10 staff to a successful off-release install. We started the project in November the previous year, and with about 5000+ man-hours, we delivered! The install was an uneventful one, which is a good thing, considering the hurdles that we had to overcome along the way.
February – Hubz and I celebrated Valentine’s Day over the phone. Nothing much to report this month, except my very eager countdown to April.
March – I finally got the camera I have been dreaming of for a long time! I wanted a digital SLR and I initially have my eyes on Nikon’s D100, but our wedding photographer (turned friend) advised me to wait for the D70 instead because it’s supposedly better than the D100. He was so right! The release date was March 2004, and I pre-ordered it way back in January. I have been drooling over digital SLRs for more than a year – justifying why I need to buy myself one. When I finally got my new camera in the mail, I was soooo ecstatic! Immediately after they released it, the website where I ordered it from has it backordered already! No wonder it was 2004’s Camera of the Year!!!!!
April – Thanks to the movie “The Passion of the Christ”, I had a very meaningful Lenten journey in 2004. I also got the promotion I have been hoping for a long time. The week prior to my long-awaited trip to Manila, roommate L’s friends from New Zealand – N & T came over for a visit. We took them to picturesque Yosemite. Then, on mid-April, I was home-bound to be with my husband. The night prior to my trip home, I couldn’t sleep because I was just sooo excited. I consider April and May my happiest months of the year because I get to be with my husband!!! It’s what long distance wives like me live for – year after year after year! We went to Corregidor the first week I was there. Because we were the only ones to stay in the island overnight, it was eerie and exciting at the same time. We were scaring ourselves off because of ghost stories around the island. Still, it felt good sleeping in the arms of my husband – my favorite place in the world…
May – I cooked up a surprise birthday party for hubz. With the help of some very close friends, I almost pulled it off. He got the hint at the last minute though, right when we were on our way to the venue. At the parking lot, he recognized the cars parked and I had to walk ahead so he wouldn’t see me giggling. I still have to pat myself in the back because he didn’t get the hunch until the day itself! We also celebrated our first year anniversary with my family and his’ at Villa Escudero. The only downside was, I wasn’t feeling very well – I was sick to my stomach the whole time – for personal reasons. In fact, I had to return to the US a week later than planned because they rushed me to the hospital on the day I was to fly back! Who knows, I just might be able to usher enough courage to write about this in my coming posts.
June – This is probably my most depressing month. After spending 5 weeks with my husband, I just couldn’t stop crying. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at our photos together, couldn’t even watch the video. Even when I was back in full throttle at work, it just isn’t the same. I come to work with puffy eyes and my attention constantly drifts away. I daydream a lot, I cry myself to sleep every night, I call often and talk with hubz for hours on end. If coming home was paradise, coming back without my husband is pure and absolute torture.
July – I have started to put into action something I read in “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”. I decided it was time I paid myself first. I opened a savings account entirely for that purpose and before long, the formula proved effective because my savings continued to grow, and I constrained my expenses to what is left of my savings and bills allotment.
August – I embarked on a new and somewhat-expensive hobby, thanks to the prodding of a dear friend, Christine. Because I have tons of photos waiting to be organized, I started scrapbooking, then later, cardmaking. I thoroughly enjoyed my new hobbies and tried to scrap almost every weekend. It somehow filled the void of not having my husband around. It also kept me busy scrap shopping, tee-hee!
September – On the day I celebrated my 31st birthday, my roommate and I also closed escrow on a rental property up in Sacramento. After the call from our realtor to greet me a happy birthday and to relay the good news, I just cried and cried – all because I couldn’t believe how much God has blessed me! On the third week of September, roommate L’s sister and her whole family visited from New Zealand. A few days later, they were gone, embarking on a very long and tedious drive to Yosemite, Tahoe, Arizona, Utah, Las Vegas, then back to SFO.
October – I led a semi-successful install into completion – the largest our company has ever seen, thus far. It was semi-successful because there were a few glitches in Production, but none that we could’ve caught. They were caused mainly by other systems outside the applications we’re responsible for – whew! The install was comprised of 25 projects, 18 staffs, and 21,000 man-hours! Because I deserved a much-needed break, I flew in to Las Vegas to meet with roommate L, her sister, and her sister’s family. I immensely enjoyed the trip!
November – Hubz and I celebrated our 10th year anniversary as gf/bf over the phone. It was nice to reminisce those good old years, but equally nostalgic as well! Then, we had another set of guests from Texas. Being the hospitable hosts, we took them to Sausalito, the City, then to Napa Valley.
December – This is one Christmas I didn’t feel like celebrating. I was not in the mood to decorate the house. For the first time in 6 years, we didn’t put up a tree. I was also grumpy that was why our neighbors dubbed me “Scrooge”. However, we spent Christmas Eve at Disneyland and California Adventure, which had been fun. We ended the year with a little get-together at home with very close friends and godchildren.
2004 came to an end abruptly fast, and 2005 is here to stay. May the coming year bring us all good health, happiness, peace, safety. Most of all, may the Lord continue to bless us all and shower us with His graces.
Here's to another fruitful year!
Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Monday, January 3, 2005
As we bid farewell to 2004, let me sum up the things I have learned that has proven useful. I hope to continue it on through 2005, and hopefully, add a few more along the way.
Pay yourself first. I have read this from the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki. I have decided to adapt it in my finances, and it has proven to be very effective. On top of my monthly budget is a specific amount I set aside for my savings. The remainder would then be divided towards other bills - from mortgage payments, to utilities, to little luxuries. In the past, I would usually buy the things I want and the remainder of it goes towards my savings. I reversed it in 2004. By doing so, I am making sure that my savings grow, while trying to live within what's left of it.
Live within your means. This isn't new. I have always lived a simple life - making sure that I don't overspend. Even when I want something, I think a number of times first before I give in to my whims. For instance, there's this digital SLR that I have always wanted to buy. It took me a year to finally decide to splurge on it. I was trying to justify whether it's practical or not, even amidst the prodding of my husband. I did a lot of calculations first and only when I'm sure that I'll be able to pay for it in the shortest time possible did I finally give in. Now, I am trying to justify whether I need a new PDA or not (my old one went bonkers almost a year ago), and this has been an ongoing debate for months now. You see, here in the US, it's so easy to incur so much debt because I get a lot credit card pre-approvals in the mail everyday. I don't allow myself to fall into these pitfalls. After all, I'd have to pay them sooner or later.
Invest, invest, invest. Do not put your future in the hands of the social security system, or the 401K, or your savings. By diversifying investments, you're somehow making sure that when one drops, you at least have your funds invested in other things.
If you can't invest in Real Estate, invest in jewelries. This, I have learned from my grandma, and has helped us through the years. Even when my grandma was earning a measly salary, she made sure she set aside a specific amount to afford jewelries - for herself, and for her two girls. Because my mom had a few valuable pieces (thanks to my grandma), she would bring it to a pawnshop whenever we needed money, and that would pull us through.
Do not take things for granted. From the recent calamities that struck Manila - all four storms, to the tsunami that hit some parts of Southeast Asia, God has proven yet again that we are not indispensable. What He has given us, He can take away anytime - including the gift of life.
Treat each day as if it is your last. God knows I have harbored enough ill feelings in my heart. Now, I am trying, with God's help, to forgive and finally, forget. It is going to be a long haul, and a tough ride. But, deep in my heart, I know that God will help me through.
The power of prayer. Over the years, I have been asked how I am able to survive being away from my loved ones. I have discovered long before the power of prayer. I talk to God when I feel down. I pray when I feel uneasy. I voice out my worries. I pray for my aspirations and dreams. I lift up my problems to Him. I take comfort in knowing that amidst it all, I am not alone. I hold on to His promise that He will be with me always, and I have proven that over and over again.
Pay yourself first. I have read this from the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki. I have decided to adapt it in my finances, and it has proven to be very effective. On top of my monthly budget is a specific amount I set aside for my savings. The remainder would then be divided towards other bills - from mortgage payments, to utilities, to little luxuries. In the past, I would usually buy the things I want and the remainder of it goes towards my savings. I reversed it in 2004. By doing so, I am making sure that my savings grow, while trying to live within what's left of it.
Live within your means. This isn't new. I have always lived a simple life - making sure that I don't overspend. Even when I want something, I think a number of times first before I give in to my whims. For instance, there's this digital SLR that I have always wanted to buy. It took me a year to finally decide to splurge on it. I was trying to justify whether it's practical or not, even amidst the prodding of my husband. I did a lot of calculations first and only when I'm sure that I'll be able to pay for it in the shortest time possible did I finally give in. Now, I am trying to justify whether I need a new PDA or not (my old one went bonkers almost a year ago), and this has been an ongoing debate for months now. You see, here in the US, it's so easy to incur so much debt because I get a lot credit card pre-approvals in the mail everyday. I don't allow myself to fall into these pitfalls. After all, I'd have to pay them sooner or later.
Invest, invest, invest. Do not put your future in the hands of the social security system, or the 401K, or your savings. By diversifying investments, you're somehow making sure that when one drops, you at least have your funds invested in other things.
If you can't invest in Real Estate, invest in jewelries. This, I have learned from my grandma, and has helped us through the years. Even when my grandma was earning a measly salary, she made sure she set aside a specific amount to afford jewelries - for herself, and for her two girls. Because my mom had a few valuable pieces (thanks to my grandma), she would bring it to a pawnshop whenever we needed money, and that would pull us through.
Do not take things for granted. From the recent calamities that struck Manila - all four storms, to the tsunami that hit some parts of Southeast Asia, God has proven yet again that we are not indispensable. What He has given us, He can take away anytime - including the gift of life.
Treat each day as if it is your last. God knows I have harbored enough ill feelings in my heart. Now, I am trying, with God's help, to forgive and finally, forget. It is going to be a long haul, and a tough ride. But, deep in my heart, I know that God will help me through.
The power of prayer. Over the years, I have been asked how I am able to survive being away from my loved ones. I have discovered long before the power of prayer. I talk to God when I feel down. I pray when I feel uneasy. I voice out my worries. I pray for my aspirations and dreams. I lift up my problems to Him. I take comfort in knowing that amidst it all, I am not alone. I hold on to His promise that He will be with me always, and I have proven that over and over again.
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