It's been a very gloomy day and the rain didn't stop pouring the whole day and up to this point in time it is still raining. However, amidst the gloominess in the sky, i didn't feel any gloominess in me. I woke up feeling good eventhough we had an issue last night with our maid and it somehow affected our sibling relationship but all is well now. I talked to Ate Esther this morning about the issue and she's back to her usual jolly personality again. I thank God for letting us experience that kind of thing and i'm so glad that we were able to handle it well without our parents' help, mommy just told me when i told her that was "bahala kau mag-decide dyan! bahala kau..." So it was up to us to do the decision-making part and i guess God just loosen my heart this morning because i didn't say what me & joyce planned to say to her last night. I just listened to her explanation and asked her if she's still happy working with us, and it looks like everything's fine now.

It's a holiday today and of course that means no classes again! I'm starting to feel na nga that prang ndi na ako pumapasok coz i've got a very light load:17 units for this semester and palagi pang walang class because of holidays and suspension of classes due to rallies and maybe if this rain didn't stop till tomorrow we might have another suspension because of floods at taft ave. particularly in our place Padre FAura St. saya 'no? NO!!! Yes you heard me right, i'm not liking it anymore! It's almost December and Christmas break is fast approaching and parang konti pa lng un mga lessons namin.

Anyways, for today we spent the whole afternoon at church for our handiworks' practice. We will be presenting on the Church's Christmas Eve service. Ah,Christmas! This would be our third year of spending Christmas without our parents, Jewel, Aunt A. & Ivy, Uncle Doods,& our flatmates.Although this year, we will be spending Christmas with Jayz and maybe Avi and Joyce( avi's sis) and hoping that our christmas homesickness would be lessened a bit. I never failed to ask God in my prayers that may this Christmas would be a different one for us, that we won't be shedding tears of sadness anymore because for the last two years of spending Christmas here in the Phils., during Christmas Eve we would just lie down on our beds and just wonder what our family in AD are doing and eating by then and we would just cry to sleep. I know that shouldn't be our attitude because we are supposed to know the real reason why we celebrate Christmas...

Christmas isn't about the gifts, the noche buenas, christmas decors, etc. It is all about remembering that on that day the ONE who gave us the greatest gift of all was born. So for this Christmas, it's all about that Baby who was born in a manger.

As little children we would dream of Christmas morn

With all the gifts and toys we knew we could find

But we never realize a Baby born one blessed night

GAve us the greatest gift of our lives

We are the reason that He gave His life

We are the reason that He suffered and died

To a world that was lost He gave all He could give

To show us the reason to live

As the years went by we learned more about gifts

By giving of oursleves and what that means

On a dark and cloudy day a man hunged crying in the rain

Because of Love...because of love...

I've finally found the reason for living

It's in giving every part of my life to Him

In all that I do, every word that i say

I'll be givin' my heart just for Him...for Him...

E:

You take the Stairway to
Heaven. Why
stay down when you can go up? You, my ambitious
friend, are going places,
following your dreams. Good for you. Few people
chase their dreams anymore.
Never give that up. You are heading up in the
world, making a name for yourself,
even if it's just a small group who know it. You're
finding your way and are
heading straight for the top. You've got all the
qualities of a great leader and
are probably a very optimistic individual. Though
you can be a bit selfish at
times and have a tendency to step over people in
your way. You must watch that.
You could end up hurting the ones you love if you
put your own goals above them.
Never lose faith in that dream of yours, but make
sure you can keep those close
to you because in the end they'll be the ones to
get you through the tough
times. You have found your place and yourself, few
can do so well and still
struggle to find themselves. Don't let go of that
sense of self you have even in
times of confusion, it will help you pull through.
Be careful of your ego too,
you could lose your balances and once you're at the
top, it's a very long way
down. So be mindful of others, strive forward to
reach your dream, whatever it
may be, be true to yourself, and you keep going up.
Don't let anyone pull you
down.

What Path Do You Take In Life? [X]For Guys and Gals! Pics and Lengthy Results.[X]
brought to you by Quizilla

A:

Your Beauty lies
in Innocence. Pure, sweet and child-like. You most
likely look far younger than
you are and your smile would brighten up anyone's
day. Seen as naive and
sheltered, you can be ignorant at times, but for
the most part, it's simply your
reputation preceding you. You are most likely
rather aware of the realities of
life. You are extremely good natured and
trustworthy. By the same token, you are
a bit too trusting. Be careful, few are as honest
and open as you. You might
seem girlish still with a love of dresses, ponies,
and things most might deem
you "too old for". But this doesn't
bother you. You enjoy your youth and are
going to make it last. After all you are only as
old as you feel.

Some Things
That Represent You:

Element:
Light, Wind Animal: Kitten Color:
White, Pink, Pastels Song:
Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney
Expression: Innocent Smile

Gemstone:
Diamond Mythological Creature: Unicorn
Planet:
Moon Hair Color: White Eye Color:
Silver

Quote: "A
stranger is just a friend you haven't met
yet."

Where Does Your Beauty Lie? ..::Original Pictures Are Back! Detailed Results::..

Got this from the friendster bulletin board. Most of it are true..hehe

Eventhough, we girls are hard to understand because of our mood swings and our being emotional plus the fact that we get to suffer and endure the pain of giving birth, i'm still glad and proud that i am a woman! yeah girl power!!!



The "REAL" 28 feelings of girls... =====================================

1. When a girl says she's sad, but she isn't crying, it means she's crying in her heart.
2. When she ignores you after you've done something wrong, it's best to give her some time to cool down before touching her heart with an apology.
3. A girl can't find anything to hate about the guy she loves (which is why it is so hard for her to "get over him" after the relationship's over.)
4. If a girl Loves a guy, he will always be on her mind every minute of the day, even though she flirts with other guys.
5. When the guy she likes smiles and stares deep into her eyes, she will melt.
6. A girl likes to hear compliments, but usually is not sure how to react to them.
7. If you don't like a girl who likes you, break it to her gently.
8. If a girl starts avoiding you after you reject her, leave her alone for a while. If you still treat her as a friend, talk to her.
9. Girls enjoy talking about what they feel. Music, poetry, drawings and writing are ways of expressing themselves (which explains why most girls like writing journals).
10. NEVER tell a girl that she is useless in anyway.
11. Being too serious can turn a girl off.
12. When the guy she likes calls her for the first time, the girl may act uninterested during the call. But as soon as the phone is back on the hook, she will whoop with joy and immediately start calling her friends to spread the news.
13. A smile means a lot to a girl.
14. If you like a girl, try making friends with her first. Let her get to know you.
15. If a girl says she can't go out with you because she has to study, leave her. But if she still calls you or expect a call from you, stay.
16. DON'T TRY TO GUESS WHAT A GIRL IS FEELING. Ask her.
17. Hearing the words "I Love You" is a great reassurance to a girl that she is beautiful.
18. After a girl falls in love with a guy, she'll wonder why she never noticed him before.
19. If you need tips on how to flirt with a girl, read romance stories.
20. When class pictures come out, a girl would first check who is standing next to her crush before actually looking at herself.
21. A girl's ex-crush will always be in her memory, but the guy she loves now stays in her heart.
22. Girls Love having fun!
23. A simple 'Hi' can brighten a girl's day.
24. A girl's best friends usually know best what she is feeling and going through.
25. GIRLS HATE IT WHEN A GUY PAYS ATTENTION TO THEM JUST TO GET TO THEIR "PRETTIER" FRIEND..
26. Love means devotion, caring and happiness to a girl, in that order.
27. Some girls care about looks, some care about brains, but ALL girls want a guy who will Love and care for them.
28. Girls want nothing more than to feel Loved.

Due to the nationwide strike of public transportations, our classes were suspened and because of that i was able to accomplish something i wasn't able to do for 2 years now and that was having a general clean-up and re-arranging of our room...hehe

i started at 8 in the morining and ended at 8 in the evening and i'm so dead tired and filthy. But i'm all refreshed and very clean na ngaun! And i'm so happy with the outcome of all the sweat and work i've done coz our room looks bigger now and very clean...and everything is in order from our closet to the tiny bistsi thingies in our dresser and cabinets.

Having this general clean-up brings back the old lee-ann, the very organized and "mahilig-mag-ayos-ng-room" na Lee-Ann. I hope not only that, but also the LeeAnn who's enthusiastic in her studies as well.I hope...
HOPE...Joyce's words last night kept on playing back on my mind the whole night and day..." 'wag kang maging hopeful! masasaktan ka lng..." It's funny how we sometimes hide what we really feel, acting like you're oK but you're not! Why do we do that? To forget? To think that you're oK would help you at least not to think about what's bothering you? Could that be?maybe...

PLANET INFINITY 

madamoiselle 

kunwari lng sila nagbabasa..effects lng nila yan! hehe 

Mommy Joyce with her baby Janna and the Tita..gosh! 

at Energy Lounge 

at sensasia with me and Naniel =) 

sweetness 

Prayer Garden... 

with my boyfriend...HAH! juz kiddin' dat's my baby bro...hehe 

peek-a-boo 

feelin' tall!!! 

sisters havin' their electric foot spa..nyahaha 

At Planet Infinity Lounge 

The one that got away
Source: The Manila Times
By: Mark J. Macapagal

In your life, you'll make note of a lot of people. Ones with whom you shared something special, ones who will always mean something. There's the one you first kissed, the one you first loved, the one you lost your virginity to, the one you put on a pedestal, the one you're with...and the one that got away.

Who is the one that got away? I guess it's that person with whom, everything was great, everything was perfect, but the timing was just wrong. There was no fault in the person, there was no flaw in the chemistry, but the cardsjust didn't fall the right way, I suppose.
I believe in the fact that ending up with someone, finding a longtime partner that is, does not lie merely in the other person. I can actually argue that an equal part, or maybe even the greater part, has to do with the matter of timing. It has to do with you being ready to settle down and commit to someone in a way that goes beyond the little niceties of giddy romance.

How often have you gone through it without even realizing it? When you're not ready to commit in that mature manner, it doesn't matter who you're with, it just doesn't work. Small problems become big; inconsequentials become dealbreakers simply because you're not ready and it shows. It's not that you and the person you're with are no good; it's just that it's not yet right, and little things become the flashpoint of that fact.
Then one day you're ready. You really are. And when this happens you'll be ready to settle down with someone. He or she may not be the most perfect, they might not be the brightest star of romance to ever have burned in your life, but it'll work because you're ready. It'll work because it's the right time and you'll make it work. And it'll make sense, it really will.

So that day comes when you're finally making sense of things, and you find yourself to be a different person. Things are different, your approach is different, you finally understand who you are and what you want, and you've become ready because the time has truly arrived. And mind you, there's no telling when this day will come. Hopefully you're single but you could be in a long-term relationship, you could be married with three kids, it doesn't matter. All you know is that you've changed, and for some reason, the one that got away, is the first person you think about.

You'll think about them because you'll wonder, "What if they were here today?" You'll wonder, "What if we were together now, with me as I am and not as I was?" That's what the one that got away is. The biggest "What if?" you'll have in your life.

If you're married, you'll just have to accept the fact that the one that got away, got away. Believe me, no matter how fairy tale you think your marriage is, this can happen to the best of us. But hopefully you're mature enough to realize that you're already with the one you're with and this is just another test of your commitment, one which will just strengthen your marriage when you get past it. Sure, you'll think about him/her every so often, but it's alright. It's never nice to live with a "might have been," but it happens.

Maybe the one that got away is the one who's already married. In which case it's the same thing. You just have to accept and know that your memories of that person will probably bring a nice little smile to your lips in the future when you're old and gray and reminiscing.
But if neither of that is the case, then it's different. What do you do if it's not yet too late? Simple...find him, find her. Because the very existence of a "one that got away" means that you'll always wonder, what if you got that one?

Ask him out to coffee, ask her out to a movie, it doesn't matter if you've dropped in from out of nowhere. You'd be surprised, you just might be "the one that got away" as well for the person who is your "the one that got away."

You might drop in from out of nowhere and it won't make a difference. If the timing is finally right, it'll all just fall into place somehow and you know, I'm thinking, it would be a great feeling, in the end, to be able to say to someone, "Hey you, you're the one that almost got away."

**************************************************

I got this from one of the blogs JC was blog hopping at.

I always believe that there's a right time for everything in life. But there are also these big "What If's?", it always makes me wonder, "what could have been if..this and that...blah blah blah..." sigh... when will i stop thinking about that?! why can't i just move on...i'm still so stuck up...and i'm not liking it...really!!!

It was the 22nd anniversary of Bread of Life Ministries yesterday and we were invited by our pastor to join the service in C77 after the afternoon service at the Mainplace. I was excited to go and see C77 cause I've been hearing a lot of comments on how it looks like, you'll never know that it's a church!

We were quite late because of the traffic and when we reached C77, Pastor Gerry was already preaching.I was amazed when i entered the convenarium, it looks like the cultural foundation's auditorium in Abu Dhabi, where we usually hold our major Kanyaw Presentations. Take note it's only the convenarium, wait till you see the Soularium, B-Room, Prayer Garden, Soul Shop, and Planet Infinity. With all of these wonderful and amazing places in C77, we were always reminded of how it all started.

Bread of Life started their foundation in prayer. Thus, before building a church, they first built a prayer mountain and from there the rest came. People would always say that the members of BOL are those rich and famous people, i thought that too myself BUT we were proved wrong! It is more of having members that we're willing to die to themselves for the advancement of the Kingdom of God and having an Awesome God. BOL envisioned to be a 21st century church with a 1st century heart of worship!

So much for that short info about BOL ministries, if you want to know more about it visit their website at www.crossroads77.com. So, after Ptr. Gerry preached he requested the band to play some songs and the P&W team started singing hymnal songs, just like the ones we sing in AD but this is better! Medyo nanibago ako coz i was expecting them to sing those usual contemporary-hillsongs-praise and worship songs but ayun nga it was more of hymnal songs with instruments. After 2 songs, Joyce told me that JP would tour us around C77 so we went outside the convenarium and went up to the Planet Infinity and we were like "Whoah!!!", "May church bang may gym and spa with matching jacuzzi, pool, and sauna? parang hotels na pinupuntahan namin sa AD!!!" You may be wondering why the gym, spa, etc?simple. We're in the 21st century and according to the pastors, people no longer want to hear those traditional "you-need-to-believe-and-accept-JC-in-ur-life-in-order-for-you-to-go-to-heaven-thingie", although that's still the rule, but we have to show it to them and not just tell them!

Oh well seeing all those facilities, especially at the gym,parang tuloy gusto ko na mag gym particularly at Planet Infinity..hehe ang layo nga lng...i have to go to QC from Cavite just to have my gym classes..haha We also tried the electric spa for FREE...nyahaha, and i really liked the foot massager...ang sarap...very relaxing! Then after touring the Planet Infinity, we went down to the Prayer Garden, Soularium, B-Room, SoulShop,& Power Station. While at the Prayer Garden, there were a group of young men, i think they were having a sort of sharing/BS time...then i immediately thought of us (me, avi, joyce and sarah) having our quiet talks there. After all the touring, it was about time to go home and we left QC around 10am and we were in Cavite already around 10:45, i guess..bilis 'no? How i wish it would always be like that, no traffic jams, then life would be so easier for us..QC would then be within reach now!

"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and soemone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 3:10-11

Just when the muslims celebrated their "Eid Al Fitr", which marks the end of their 40-day fasting or otherwise known as "Ramadan", we, youths on the other hand, had our prayer and fasting at Touch of Glory Prayer Mountain at Antipolo, Rizal.

We left Cavite Sunday night and reached the prayer mt. at around 10pm. When we went out of the van, we were amazed when we looked at the sky because of the countless stars that were shining so ever brightly.

So, we had our sharings,some inspiring talks from Ate Donna and Kuya Abet, and a lot of praying! I was able to share with my group those things i'm goin' through and while Ate Agnes gave some comforting and encouraging words, i couldn't stop those tears again! So that session lasted till 1 AM and we were sent to our own dorms to take some rest. I had a wonderful and peaceful rest.It was cold and to think there's no AC juz like in Tagaytay...sarap tumira dun! I alarmed my phone at 5:30 AM coz we'll be having our "Morning Watch" at 6:30 i thought..they changed it pala to 7:30. So i juz prepared myself and went out to enjoy the cool breeze of fresh air with Avi. Then around 7, Ate Jazzie talked to us youth and said that we'll meet at the conference room at 7:30 and for now we juz take the time to be with God na and avoid being with our friends...so Avi and I said to each other..."off muna ang buddy mode ha!" So i spent that time reading my Bible and enjoying the scenery. At the conference room, like i said, we had our morning watch. Ate Donna gave a short talk on how to communicate with God. She said," we always think that it's hard, but it's not! Let's not make it complicated...God is there and He's just waiting for you..." After that, they toured us around the prayer mountain and showed to us the prayer cells, prayer garden, the lagoon, etc. It really is SUPERB!!!

My encounter with God:
After everything, we were given the time till 1 PM to do what we want to do, but of course that means we have to spend it with God. So,me and Avi headed to the prayer cells and i was so excited to meet with God but as soon as i went inside the prayer cell, I didn't know how to start or what to do. Then suddenly, i just started worshipping God through singing (yeah i sung, si God naman un eh...hehe ndi ako nahihiya sa kanya kahit out of tune ako!). Then, i poured out everything to Him, actually i didn't concentrate on my prayer concerns, it is more of seeking God's presence, wanting to feel Him, and know that He really is there with me. I wanted to have a serious walk with Him, not an "on and off relationship" that i usually have. With that, He spoke to me through the passages of of Isaiah 40: 28-31

" Do you not know? Have you not heard?The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.HE will not grow tired or weary,and His understanding no one can fahtom.He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall;but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint."

When i went out of the prayer cell, it was already 11 AM and i didn't even realized it and then i continued reading scriptures at the prayer garden and after that i went back to the dorm and saw Avi and some of the girls taking a nap. I wanted to take a nap too, but i decided to visit the lib and read some books.So i went to the lib and i was the only one there and the librarian but around 12PM she reminded me of the time and i knew it's time to go out! So i went back to the dorm and took a 15 minute nap. Then we packed our things and headed to the convenarium for another sharing session. We basically shared about our personal encounter with God and it's nice to know that God deals with us in different ways. In Naniel's case,he shared with us that God dealt with him while taking a shower.He also gave an illustration with the heater. The heater was not functioning and he had no choice but to bear the icy cold water and he realized, that's the feeling of being cold with God. In his case kasi, he feels empty kasi..plain empty! He said, "the heater is our communication with God and when it's dysfunctional, we become cold..a feeling we won't like!"
After that sharing time, it was time for our breaking..chow time! Know what? i didn't felt any hunger and i'm so glad cause this was my first time to fast seriously because the previous fasting that i had, i always look at the time and see if it's time to eat na. I forgot the real reason why we fast, but thank God He let me understand the meaning of fasting now: it is emptying ourselves, not thinking of anything and just be still and know that He is God!

This was my mountain experience...a refreshing, reviving and revitalizing experience with God! I'm now back at my battle field and anytime soon i'll be attacked again, but knowing and holding on to God's promises to me, i know i will be fine, i'll win all those battles and i'll never be defeated by my attackers because God's by my side!

I got this from one of my all time fave book: Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul (not sure whether its book 1 or 2). So i just thought of sharing it here.

"What's important in life is how we treat each other."

Life isn't about keeping score. It's not about how many people you call and it's not about who you've dated, are dating or haven't dated at all. It isn't about who you've kissed, what sport you play, or which guy or girl likes you. It's not about your shoes or your hair or the color of your skin or where you live or go to school. In fact, it's not about grades, money, clothes, or colleges that accept you or not. Life isn't about if you have lots of friends, or if you are alone, and it's not about how accepted or unaccepted you are. Life just isn't about that.

But life is about who you love and who you hurt. It's about how you feel about yourself. It's about trust, happiness & compassion. It's about sticking up for your friends & replacing inner hate with love. Life is about avoiding jelousy, overcoming ignorance & building confidence. It's about what you say & what you mean. It's about seeing people for who they are and what they have. Most of all, it is about choosing to use your life to touch someone else's in a way that could never been achieved otherwise. These choices are what life's about.

Rise Up! -That was the subject header of my daddy's e-mail to me and that email was a comment on my Kapighatian entry.

Most of the frequent readers of my blog and that would be my parents, my bestfriend avi, joyce, jc and kuya raenielle were shocked with that entry. As you can see in the shout outz of Avi, she was giving me sermons already, you see bru is one of the few people who would always believe in me and would always encourage me to pursue and reach for my dreams. She really hated me when i said that I am boba...even my parents commented on that in their emails and I myself realized, what on earth was I thinking of?! I'm not boba... i've got brains, i understand and speak english, i know the flags and capitals of most Asian countries since I was in Grade 1, i know every part of the whole systems(skeletal,muscular,digestive, circulatory, excretory,& reproductive) of the cat, shark,turtle,chicken,frog& all the invertebrates...just kiddin' but at least i somehow have knowledge on it.Oh here's one more thing, i know the scientific names of most of the fruits and vegetables that we eat and the beautiful trees,plants & flowers around us. Don't believe me? Squash- Cucurbita maxima, Avocado- Persea americana, Gumamela- Hibiscus rosasinensis...hehe ayun lng 'lam ko...just joking! I just need some laugh. So, Lee-Ann you are not boba, ok?! Ok.

I guess i was just so really down with my grades that's why i was saying things that i shouldn't say. I was scared of not getting or being what i wanted to be. Wait a minute that statement wasn't right! God is in charge of your life LeeAnn, it is always His will not your will be done,here's a quote to ponder upon: "We all have dreams! But, if we are not navigated by the number one navigator and that is Christ, we are simply lost!" always remember that! Ok? oK. Let me re-phrase that statement, I am scared that what I wanted isn't what God wants for me. But how will i know what He wants for me? I have been praying for this since i was choosing what course to take. Is He just testing me? Probably.

This weekend I have been crying a lot because of this grade-attitude-career-future problem i'm having BUT with every tear that i shed, there are these words of encouragements, support,comfort, care, and love that i get from the people who cares a lot about me, again that's my parents, my sis & bro, my bestfriend, and friends. Joyce and Avi told tell me that grades don't measure your ability. Excellence is not all about grade, it is about your attitude, the way you handle these kind of situations...it is a matter of not giving up! "success seems 2 b largely a matter of hanging on aftr oders hv let go...dont lose hope sis.juz hang n der.ders lot of us hu beliv n u! cheer up!-a txt from joyce. Jayz, on the other hand sung my fave song and massaged my back while I was composing an email to my parents and i was trying not to cry but the words of comfort that was coming from the song and at the same time the things i was telling my parents,i wasn't able to hold back the tears anymore and it flowed down through my cheeks.

When the visions around you bring tears to your eyes
and all that surrounds you are secrets and lies
i'll be your strenght, I'll be give you hope
keepin' your faith when it's lost
the one you should call was standing here all along

and i will take you in my arms
and hold you right where you belong
till the day my life is through
this i promise you

I'm so thankful for these people who have helped me in a way to put a smile on my face,made me believe in myself again, and rise up again. Thanks Daddy and Mommy for your everlasting love and support,advices and most of all your sacrifices . Joyce & Avi, thanks for your encouragements and for always believing in me! Jc, thanks for that back massage..hehe and for singing that song ;) K. Raenielle thanks for always offering your help and lending ur ear and for those advices too, and Geno thanks for that text, yeah you're right God has a purpose why He allow these kind of things to happen to us, it is for us to learn! And of course, I won't forget, my God who have always been there and who have withstand my stuborness and my neglection of devoting and spending some time with Him. Lord, thank you!

Things in the past
Things yet unseen
Wishes and Dreams that are yet to come true
All my regrets and all my acclaims
the Joy and the Pain im making them Yours

Lord I offer my life to You
Everything I've been through
Use it for Your glory
Lord I offer my days to you
Lifting my praise to You
As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord, I offer You my life....

SPLANCHNA: symphaty, affection, or inward feelings

Got this new word from the sermon of the pastor this afternoon. He talked about having a heart for mission. Honestly,previous sermons about "mission" didn't catch my attention... mission to Korea, Europe,& Singapore...I just listened and didn't do anything, even pray for it! But, this afternoon i even shed a tear by hearing the need/importance of mission especially when Pastor Gerry told about his trip in Dubai.

DUBAI, the city of gold, the center for many tourist attractions,the city where we held most of our Kanyaw performances whenever it's the season of the Dubai Shopping Festival, it is also the place that we never miss to visit whenever we had our fieldtrips/outings, especially the ever-famous Diera City Center! I can say Dubai is one of the most beautiful city to visit in the whole world. According to Ptr. Gerry, he had visited a lot of countries already and have seen the famous infrastructures in these countries, from Malaysia's Petronas twin Tower to Chicago's Sears Tower, but Dubai's buildings are amazing and can't be compared to these other famous infrastructures. Dubai's fast modern development is attributed to the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahayan, the founding president/ leader of the seven emirates federation of the United Arab Emirates, the country where i was born and spent most of my childhood and teenage years. Last Nov. 2, I got a call from my Daddy and he told me the news that Sheikh Zayed passed away. He was a good leader and everybody loves him, not only his own people but even expatriates in UAE love him just the same.You won't hear a single word from people in that country that is against him, there are no rallyist that wants to overthrow him from his throne, and big billboards of his picture with his grandsons & grand daughters,falcons, and of course his rayban(this guy is a fun of sunglasses!) can be seen everywhere.

Going back to the sermon, Ptr Gerry asked us why Dubai's development just boomed so fast and why that city is so beautiful? He answered his question with, "their Sultan had a vision for his country, he's a muslim and even if he's gone already, he left *a legacy for his people to continue with..." However, despite of the city's grandeur, Ptr. Gerry was somehow dissappointed with the news he'd heard about the Filipino expatriates there, especially the Filipinas. He said Filipinas were called "kamsa" but i think that he means "kam hada?" which means, "how much?". Of course, not all Filipinas are like that, but we've been victims of that kind of impression.We would hear this ill-mannered Arabs say things like that to us. I could still remember what our 1st yr HS adviser, Mr. Jerry Jimenez told us,you would hear from some of the taxi drivers say "Filipini no. 1!!!" , it could mean two things: it's either their plain good people or good prostis! SAd isn't it? Then, Ptr. Gerry read an email to us, sent by the person who took care of him during his one day stay in Dubai. During the introductory part of the email, she thanked him for visiting Dubai and wished he could have stayed longer, but here's the part that made me cry:
She was offered to work in Cyprus, but she chose to stay in Dubai for she knows that our kababayans need a support group.Behind the city's astonishing beauty there are these Filipina maids that would jump from the buildings to escape from their amo's cruelty, maids beaten or sexually abused to death, maids who where tag along the family's day out but are just left on the other table with no food just to wait and watch the family eating their meal, and those Filipinos who have a better condition but have moral issues.

I've encountered these kind of people, i've been with them, seen them, and didn't care for them before. But now, as i've heard that sermon it gave me the passion, the desire to help these people in every way that I can. I'll end this entry with these sentence Ptr. Gerry mentioned:

"We are not to think of benefits, but of principles!!!"

[ March 21, 2005 I juz need to edit this entry now coz it's over and i don't want to remember how i felt that particular moment... what i've said shouldn't be said... Anyhow, IT'S OVER...i won't post anythng like anymore... what's important I'VE LEARNED MY LESSON!!! ]


Isa na namang hinaing, kabiguan, at pagluluksa ang ibabahagi ng inyong lingkod.

BAkit? Ano na namang drama yan LeeAnn?
.......................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................
......................................................................................................