Thanks, 2013! Hello, 2014!

2013 was tough. It was one hell of a roller coaster ride. Instead of being bitter about everything that has happened, I'd rather be thankful because I know something great is in store for me this 2014. To sum the whole year up, it was all about "LESSONS." Yes, I know it's a boring cliche to be blogging about the lessons I've learned, but putting them into writing would hopefully make me remember them all throughout my life. So, here are the top 10 lessons:

1. Listen to your intuition no matter how unbelievable it may seem. Ignoring your instincts will harm you.

2. Bear in mind that people, emotions, circumstances, beliefs & dreams change. So never hold on to the past nor the present because they will be different tomorrow.

3. Have fun but never compromise your values & principles because in the end, consequences can break & destroy you. Worse, your guilt will haunt you forever. 

4. Loosen up! Stressors shouldn't be taken seriously. Spend more time in what matters most-- God, family, friends, yourself & others because they are what gives us real happiness.

5. Never ever get out of your way for other people because people who will stay in your life are those who are meant to travel the same road with you. Just make sure that you don't get lost & that the memories & lessons are worth the delay if you stop, detour or go back for them. 

6. If life gives you lemons, you have the choice either to take it all in & suffer from the extreme sourness, or, make lemonade out of it. Life, indeed, is how you make it!

7. The heart is indeed deceptive above all things. Who can trust it? Our safeguard against its deception is sticking to the truth that love is a principle. 

8. We don't meet people by accident. Some are meant to teach us lessons. Some of them will stay only for a season. Either we change their life or they change ours. One thing for sure is that they cross our path for a reason.

9. God has a good future prepared for us. What we've been through are supposed to prepare, strengthen & enable us for something greater. What's not good for us will be taken away since we aren't supposed to settle with mediocrity.

10. Worthy things don't come easy. Anything valuable & priceless requires effort, time, prayers and perseverance. As they say, "Easy come, easy go!"

My favorite 2013 photo because the:

*eyes tell of what the heart & soul has been through

*smile is for being a survivor

*uniform depicts poise under pressure

*bangs represent constant, unceasing change

I'm excited for 2014! I'm facing it with a smile, high hopes, new productive habits and more love. Bring it on, 2014!

RELIEF OPERATION TO YOLANDA VICTIMS

"Every good act is charity. A man's true wealth hereafter is 

the good that he does in this world to his fellows." -Moliere

HAIYAN (YOLANDA) was an extremely catastrophic super typhoon and is considered the most powerful of all super typhoons. November 8, 2013 will always be part of history for it is on this day that Yolanda took thousands of lives and wiped out almost all of Leyte & Samar. As to this day, the death toll is close to 6,000. 

Trying to rescue lives & rebuild the destroyed cities in Central Visayas has been an unending contributed effort of many countries around the world. For Filipinos around the globe, it means sacrificing our own comfort to be able to help the survivors. Klement '09 started collecting funds to help our 3 batchmates' families in Leyte. However, some donors and friends put in some money for distribution of relief goods. So we decided to have one. The original plan was to have it in Ormoc, Leyte. However, time and man-power wouldn't permit so we had to have it in Bogo, Cebu. With the help of friends in Cebu, the relief operation in Bogo was made possible. 

Final Preparations -- Dec. 7, 2013 (Saturday Night)

GSDH (General Santos Doctors' Hospital) Laboratory Department Representatives

It's humbling to be entrusted with P31,000 from them (to think we aren't an established charity organization). Thank you so much GSDH Laboratory Family!

GSDH Laboratory actively took part

 

 

We budgeted 100 packs with the following goods inside.
1. Lampara with 1 cup gas
2. Bath Soap
3. Family Sardines (2)
4. Instant Noodles (2)
5. Family Size Toothpaste
6. Toothbrushes (4)
7. Speed bar soap
8. Sachets of Shampoo (6)
9. Blanket
10. Big Bath Towel
11. Packs of Biscuits (2)
12. Pack of Sanitary Napkins
13. Matchboxes (10)






December 8, 2013

We left Cebu City at 5:00AM and arrived Bogo at 7:30AM.

Here's a sneak peak of the damage Yolanda brought to Northern Cebu.

The program started at 8:30AM & the venue was in Nailon SDA Church. We started with a prayer & some instructions from the organizers of the event. Roma Rica's Aunt from the US donated 50 sacks of rice repacked to accomodate 700 coupons/families. Before the distribution of goods, a 30-minute service with songs and an inspiring message from Pr. Pagunsan was held. The 700 beneficiaries were divided into 3 groups. Thus, the service & the distribution of goods were held 3 times. Our 100 packs of goods, however, because of its limited number, were distributed to families pre-listed as the most affected in that area. The event finished at around 12:30PM

They received a "lampara" for the first time. It was what they appreciated the most 
& it made them really happy coz it might take 3-4 months to fix their electricity.

A variety of vegetable seeds were provided.

Religious pamphlets/booklets/magazines were also distributed.

 
 

On our way home, there were people (mostly kids) by the road side. Most of them live far away from civilization but are now seen by the road side due to their desperate need. They are more less fortunate than the ones in the barios or barangays because they don't get reached by relief operations. We wish we had more to give but we had very little left from the main relief operation.  All of us were touched by these sights and wish we could raise funds to come back for these people by the road.

Smiling & saying thanks several times after receiving matchboxes
--a perfect example of the attitude of gratitude.

My heart melted when I saw how happy they were with biscuits.

Their smile tells the world they are happy despite it all.

Thank you so much donors, organizers, friends, supporters and Klement '09!

LOVE IS... (My "Valentine's Day" Thoughts)

Valentine's Day is focused on eros love so I might as well write about it. 

Today is Valentine's Day and I'm enjoying the atmosphere that's full of love love love. Yesterday, I couldn't count how many guys, young and old, bought something special for their loved ones. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social networking sites are flooded with posts and photos about love and appreciation. It made me wish that everyday would be Valentine's Day. Imagine people expressing their love and appreciation to each other everyday! Isn't that amazing? Isn't that what we all want? To love and be loved?

Yes, when we love, we intend to be happy. The world is full of pain, suffering and bitterness already. Why would I want to add to it? Why would YOU want to add to it? However, media has been brainwashing our minds that love is accompanied with hurts & pains. Our distorted reality teaches us to adopt to what is in this world. 

Many unfortunately grew up in dysfunctional families. Many think that dominance, violence, emotional pain, pride, dishonesty, resentment, bitterness, anger, unhappiness, jealousy, etc... are all part of loving. We have seen enough. We have experienced enough. When will we put a stop to it? When will we wake up from dilusion and fantasy? Is being in love enough? Is the thrill and excitement of magic enough to make it last? Is superficiality satisfying you?

Here is a common definition of love which has been taken for granted. It's depth has not been appreciated. If only everybody understands and lives by what 1st Corinthians 13 says, this world will surely be a better place.

If we only live with what 1st Cor. 13 tells us, I'm sure everyday will be Vaelntine's Day! Call me idealistic. Call me OA. Call me EMO. I don't damn care! I want a better life. I want a "little heaven" down here. Yes, it's possible! Ask MVCians. They'll tell you how close to perfect Dadz Legario's family is. His love cup overflows that everyone who comes close to him is showered with love. His home is a "little heaven" down here. It's rare, but I'm sure there are families like that too.

Why are there so much unnecessary fights? Why are there so many broken relationships? It's because so many people aren't "WHOLE." People expect to find happiness when they find the love of their lives. Fix yourself first before engaging in a relationship.I know I have no right to talk about perfect love but I have the yearning to have that kind of love. We cannot share what we don't have. We can't love without having love inside of us. Basing on my own experience, these things made me a better person. I hope it would help some of you too.

-KNOW YOURSELF

       (Luckily, we have self-awareness in nursing school. We were obliged to understand ourselves first before we were exposed to understand emotionally and mentally unstable people. So don't mess with nurses, we can drive you crazy! LOL! BTW, even if we don't get paid a lot, I'm sure many nurses will tell you they never regret becoming nurses. We understand human beings as a whole--emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually and socially.) Embrace and accept everything about yourself. Denying your weaknesses, covering up your imperfections, and rationalizing about who you are will get you stuck where you are. Fully understanding yourself will make you understand the world around you. Understanding is a foundation in forming relationships.

-LEARN FROM OTHERS' MISTAKES

       Yes, experience is the best teacher. Sometimes the experiences are so ugly that instead of making you learn, it destroys you slowly. Wise people know that they don't need to go through unnecessary pain to learn important lessons in life. If you have been foolish, or have been a victim, move on. Ugly memories and experiences are part of you. They should have taught you lessons. They should have made you a better person, not bitter.

-PRACTICE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

        A relationship is not a relationship if you don't communicate. It's sad that emotions are clearly seen on Facebook statuses. No wonder there are so many broken relationships these days. #1 reason--ineffective communication.

-READ BOOKS

        Rich knowledge and wisdom is found in the large jungle of diverse books. Self-help books are very powerful. Most importantly, the Bible and E.G. White books have clear instructions on how to handle relationships and live a better life. If only we strive to read, pray and spend more time with Jesus, this world would surely be a better place.

-GOD IS OUR EXAMPLE

        We are imperfect. No one's perfect. We even want to be loved just the way we are. We long for someone who would never try to change us. But everyday should be a quest to be Christ-like. It is only through being Christ-like that we would be able to overcome all the temptations, insecurities, bitterness and natural tendencies to do evil. It is only by being Christ-like that we become better people. It is only by being Christ-like that would make us able and capable of having a "little heaven" down here.

If I can't have a "little heaven" down here, then it's pointless to have relationships. I might just end up hurting myself and other people. What about you?