The Best is Yet to Come

Sorry for the delayed post. Yes, I know I haven't blogged for a while, been busy of my oversea's applying so as doing my English twang tutorials for the Koreans, and getting back on the grind now.
Not just because I don't post here that much - I totally leave the blogging thing. I always getting this blog up and running & promise to share ideas what I'm cooking up.
I just simply love the text above, as you know - things have been so tight & difficult to describe since I arrived home for 6 months now. Plans has always been staying shortly in the Philippines, & back to my usual task of sharing my knowledge overseas in the form of teaching internationally.

Another cold lonesome Christmas again to celebrate, been asking what have I done so badly in the past that things is still so rough and tight till now? All tears have dried up & battered heart, no more words to say but my soul is in anguish. How long shall my unmitigated anguish continue?

They said, the best is yet to come. When is the best time to come? I'm so tired of being tired and tired of asking. Do prayer really works? I felt like talking to a wall when I pray, there's no answer or do the answer may be long and delayed?

My faith has been tested and dunno how far would I let myself to go, only heaven knows.

Photo Diary: Ifugao Rice Terraces ( Banaue and Batad ) Part II

It has been a rough couple of days , yet, the memories of my trip in Ifugao still fresh and vivid, for that -I just letting my eyes to linger on the pictures. As I partially traveled through Ifugao with a friend, I still remained awed of the full view of the Rice Terraces in Banaue and Batad. Though, I got tired and drained of the long trekking in Batad still the urge of going back there freeze in mind.
Honestly, I wasn't perfectly satisfied of my trip there so as the time was pretty short and limited, yet, the beauty continue to lure me of learning and discovering the hidden part of Banaue and Batad, really - there's so much more to see that could not be seen by a half day trip alone.
That challenges me to pack my bag again and enjoy the off beaten path of Ifugao again. Well, usually time prevent me of going out again, and that I need to sort out.
Herewith, are some of the pixies that we just took up there.

  

Photo Diary: Ifugao Rice Terraces ( Banaue and Batad )

I didn't completely realize Ifugao Rice Terraces ( Philippine Banaue & Batad Rice Terraces) could not only be seen and heard both on school books and TV show Well, I was there with a friend spending our long weekends amidst of the long hour trip and unfavorable weather. 

To savor more, posting some of the pics for eye feasting and salivating your travel instinct to see the place itself before it'll completely gone and be a story to hear about.

P.S. Banaue Rice Terraces is commonly thought of the 8th Wonder of the World, while Batad Rice Terraces is the UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Beauty of Ifugao Rice Terraces

'Twas a long week end when a good friend (thanks Michael O.for the treat) and I packed our bags headed up north of Philippines pride the Ifugao Rice Terraces.
The trip was rainy and foggy yet, it didn't hinder our plan to see this World's wonder.
Arriving at Banaue got my goose pimples up, it's really amazing and irreplaceable. 
I just found out that Batad is a different & far from Banaue that you really have to condition your legs for a long trekking. And it is the World Heritage Site by UNESCO while Banaue is the 8th Wonder's of the World. 
After all, I just noticed that I could no longer produces a lot of adrenaline in me for a long, far, steeply places as my knee caps started to ache. 
Biblically speaking,when tribulation comes I'd be among of those unable to run and walk on slopes and hardest places to trek, but then for sure God will send His angels for that matter.
After all, Banaue and Batad terraces are in danger, young people of today finding no pleasures of saving it just as their ancestors were expecting them to be.
 My trip to Banaue is incomparable.

The mushrooming of houses in Banaue, that doesn't beautify the place.

     UNESCO World Heritage, Batad Rice Terraces.
                                            

     This place truly wowed me.

Tappiya falls,down beneath the steeply hills of Batad.

An Angel to Watch Over Me - An Ode for Mothers

A song that melted my heart every time I play this song on purpose. I certainly do believe that mother's serves as angel, created by God designed to watch after her kids. This song would always bring a river of tears reminding me of my mother's unconditional love and care for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Sm8rjUyPs

She watched by my cradle 

    through long, sleepless nights

She taught me to pray as she knelt by my side

She guarded my childhood, 

     and all through the years

She echoed my laughter, she counted my tears

In the arms of my mother, I came to believe 

She taught me the meaning of courage and faith

She taught me to live with the Lord as my strength

She taught me to follow the pathway he marked

She guided my steps when the journey grew dark

And I know there were dangers that I could not see  

but God sent and angel to watch after me. 

She taught me to serve with a spirit that sings

She taught me to seek after heavenly things

And because of her love and her kindness and care

Because of the place that I hold in her prayers

And because of her goodness, I still believe

That God sent an angel to watch over me

When Life Gives You Lemons...

That's exactly what you are going to do when "Life gives you Lemons, Make Lemonade", meaning; that if live gives you something sour turn it sweet, make the best of what you're given.

I visited a friend on his work just a minute away from my whereabouts to talk something seriously, like life and eternal things. As I kept myself busy while he was attending errands, an article from Manila Bulletin caught my attention; " When Life Gives You Lemons..." it gave me so much irk to read the whole contents that made me to pause for a while and thought that I myself has been into Lemons in life.

Here is the excerpt of the article just the excerpt - I could not copy them all but to shorten the important ones.

" WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS..."
Focus on the positives:
 No matter how bad a situation may seem, it is always possible to find at least on positive thing about the situation if you try. Try your best to focus on what you have learned and gained from your experience rather than on what you have lost. 

Take away the emotion:
It is obviously difficult to view disappointments and setbacks in life without feeling some sort of emotion. Rather than getting carried away with your own interpretations of how disastrous things are, try to look at the situation a little more objectively. 

Be your own best friend:
We often see ourselves in the worst light, particularly when life isn't going how we want it to. However, it is important not to be hard on yourself just because something in your life hasn't worked out. Even the world's most beautiful and successful people have faced failure and rejection at some point in their lives. 

Get a support system:
You may think that dealing with your problems all by yourself is the "grown up" thing to do. However, all of us need support at times, and asking those you love for help is not a sign of weakness. 

Look to the future:
It is easy to get caught up in the "what ifs" and "why mes" when things go wrong in life. Dwelling on your own disappointment will not help the situation. As Alexander Graham Bell stated; When one door closes another door opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones which open for us. The situation may not feel great and it may seem fair, whether you like it or not. Rather than dwelling on what could have been, start planning now where you can go from here. 

Form a plan B:
Unfortunately in life our plan A doesn't always work out. Sometimes we have to wait a little longer than we would like for what we want, and sometimes those things just aren't meant to be at all. Remember there are many routes to happiness and just because one thing hasn't worked out that doesn't mean there's nothing to take its place. 

Seek Happiness:
We often think that happiness should be something that comes to us naturally, without any effort on our part. However, very often happiness is a choice, not something that just falls upon us of its own accord. Make a choice to be happy by becoming a positive thinker, surrounding yourself with supportive friends, doing the things that you enjoy and looking after yourself. Even if you don't feel like smiling or being happy right now, by acting how you want to feel, the feelings will often naturally follow.

Disclaimer: the article above was posted in Manila Bulletin and originally provided by www.realbuzz.com . The whole article here is not as completely as the original ones but being shortened.

Truly Enchanted and Be Enchanted - Siquijor

Siquijor is a far cry from other places around the Philippines, I am so proud of this island that it has not been influenced by much of the secularism and modernization of the world, though it's progress is pretty slow economically better yet, it has already attracted and enticed both locals and internationals to discover its enchanting beauty.

Who wouldn't be enchanted by this small paradise? The name itself would give an eerie glow feeling to every Filipinos if they'd heard Siquijor (because of the supernatural phenomena, etc) yet, as modern times strongly evolves the mind of every traveler demystify the island's rich in history, undeveloped beaches, caves, waterfalls, marine life, coral reefs, diving sites, and other natural wonders. The Pictures below would explain more instead of making myself the Blah, Blahs.

Disclaimer: Some of the photos aren't mine but taken from another blog.

My Enchanted Home

I rarely blog this time, neither updating it regularly - the fund is so tight this time. So glad to be back blogging, I miss talking and voicing out what's inside of me emotionally.
So busy lately attending the European Biblical Crusade & accompanying the four European guys who were assigned in my church. Being with them for two weeks on the island was a good recollection that brought a lot of pictures that reminded me of Poland.
I truly miss being surrounded by white people and being stared at every now then. Moreover, I have these feelings of loneliness when I left home, and leaving my parents away is a pain that is so hard to bear.
The enchanting beauty of the island of Siquijor never stopped me to love and long to stay more & explore its natural uniqueness yet, much to my regret I really have to bid my farewell & find a greener pasture for living. Pictures below will describe how the Europeans were enjoying their short stay in Siquijor.