Bathroom Diaries: Yosi

Last Thursday, I was able to have a chat with a new colleague...
It started with a normal hi, hello and getting to know you conversation; and since we were both not busy as it is almost end of day, our conversations leads from one topic to another, until we noticed bunch of people at the smoking area.

Then I asked her if she smokes; she said no. Good! Then she threw the same question on me. I said I used to... but I quit... few years ago.

She was surprised... then she asked me how I did it.
She told me that her dad is also a chain smoker and she hope that he can stop too...

He Will Be With Us.

Isaiah 43:2

At the times when worries and fears overtake our lives, those days when we almost give up, let us remember that there is God who promised that He will be with us...

Onwards and Upwards

Hello 2015!

I am looking forward to the bestest year ever...

I have my first-7-days reasons why:

01 Jan is FAMILY | This is the best place anyone can be... when we are with family.

After 7 years, I was able to celebrate New Year at home with all the "rounded" fruits on the table, colorful fireworks, loud firecrackers and a happy noisy extended family.

How Do I Unwrite the Past?

Sinong di pa naka-panood ng full trailer?
I believe out of 2M hits, isa ka sa nakapanood na...

That line hits me many times: Sapul!

Eto pa: How do I undo the mistakes?

Sana nga, ang buhay ay para lang keyboard ng computer. Puede kang mag ALT, CTRL at DELETE.

What we have is something different; IBA TAYO!

On the lift last Thursday, a colleague asked: "What's up for Friday?"
Then I smiled and answered: "Church day!:
"The whole day?" she curiously replied...

If you are a Christian, I know you certainly understand the excitement I have for Fridays (or Sundays on other parts of the world)... Church day is something that we all look forward to. Being with the family of God, the fellowship with one another and enjoying God's presence, praise and worship, the Word... It's different: IBA.

One Peace

On our travel every morning, the traffic is getting worst. The 45 minutes travel time is now 1 hr. and 5 mins. Accident is always present on the road which adds few more minutes... But despite the heat and  the hot headed drivers, my extended morning nap re-charged my battery for the day.

Office as usual is busy and stressful - for them. But on my corner, being isolated from the rest is quiet and relaxed, as if there is a blanket that shields me from tension from the outside forces... work flows smoothly on my side. Follow ups were made, deadlines were met and everything is organized. And as I always say, I am blessed with kind hearted superiors... they are God's bonus gift to me.

The System is Down!

This is what I just heard from the accounts and finance room. So now, at 4PM today, they are on siesta... actually, we were on siesta :)
There are not much work these days and people still has the so called 'holiday hang-over'! Plus the fact that it's weekend again... no body is in the mood to work any more!

Yet, despite of the less stress week, people seems restless and tired.
They walk as if they are racing. They talk in high pitch. Most were so focused on their computers as if they are answering some mathematical equation...

Sadly, we were used to being in motion at all times that we tend to forget to pause for a while. Even when there are opportunity to sit back and relax, we chose to keep ourselves busy.

SSNHL Episode

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

After seeing 3 ENT Specialist, 2 Otolaryngologists, a Neurologist, an Internist and a Dentist;  I was diagnosed to have SSNHL.
To those of you who are like me that just heard about this, you can click the link and check; that was what actually happened to me. I have also shared with you my personal experience when The Adventure Begins, with the initial diagnosis from ENT here in Dubai, before we headed to Manila as I was Listening With One Ear.

My audio gram : PTA 0.00

Listening With One Ear

I've been sick for a month already.
As I mentioned on my previous post, The Adventure Begins...
I'm getting used to the buzzing sound from my left ear, though being deaf is a different thing. It's embarrassing at  times, it is really difficult to catch up on conversations. But aside from the imbalance and headache... I am fine. 


Though it is alarming that I am becoming comfortable in listening with one ear... 

Last week, my brother and I flew back home for my medication. It was another test of faith as we were only chance passengers; the flight was full on our first attempt. We needed to wait for another day for the next flight.

On our way home, I prayed and claimed that God will give us seats on the next flight, may His will be done. But as we reached home, I went straight to the computer and search for some alternative routes. Malaysia first came to my mind. I checked flight details and the connecting flights. I even wrote them down; making it my 2nd option, if the Manila flight is full on our next attempt. Then I searched for few other options... but the Malaysia flight seems to be the best.

I asked my brother, who was sleeping then to check the details. He said it's fine, and he asked me back... I had second thoughts. Half of me is saying, go! while the other half seems to challenge my faith. Then I said, no, because I already claim that God will give us a seat on the Manila flight, the most convenient since it is direct flight.

Become Your Dream

A Colorful  & Prosperous 2012 to you!

Let me start this by sharing an excerpt from our CEO's New Year message to us... 

Mahatma Gandhi said: "Be the change you want to see in the world." 

And a year like 2011 in our region has certainly demonstrated the validity of this message. Across the Middle East and North Africa, people have made their voices heard, and I urge you to do 2 things: 

First, Listen. Filter the truth and understand the new world we live in.... 

Equally important to listening is having a point of view and taking action. Have your voice and let it be heard. Stand for what you believe and do what you love. We have the power, the talent and the ambition to be as powerful as far reaching as our dreams can take us... Realize and become your dream... 

Since Sunday, I have been thinking of topic for the year-end or new year article. I have been praying for wisdom on what to share to everyone.  

Shall I make a recap of what happened in 2011? A year - end repost perhaps? Or shall I make a list of my new year's resolution and to-do-and-not-to-do list for the year? 

Hence, you probably have read all the recap of 2011 - good and not so good things that happened in the past. And surely, you had prepared your new year's resolution as well (if you are that type) or at least had enumerated in mind things that you want to improve for the new year (that's my type). 

So it took me a week to finally open this page and started to write... thanks to our CEO for the inspiring words. 

Be the change you want to see in the world. 

God is a Great Fixer

FOR YOU WHO WONDERS IF YOU'VE PLAYED TOO LONG TO CHANGE, TAKE COURAGE FROM JACOB'S LEGACY. NO MAN IS TOO BAD FOR GOD. TO TRANSFORM A RIVERBOAT GAMBLER INTO A MAN OF FAITH WOULD BE NO EASY TASK. BUT FOR GOD, IT WAS ALL IN A NIGHT'S WORK.  - Max Lucado

I am a sinner... and we all are.
I have God... and we all have.
I accepted Him as a Lord of Savior of my life... have you?

People who knew me atleast 5 years ago can testify how much I've changed.
Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually... this isn't me few years back.

My life is a mess, and I have made several decisions that made it worst... wrong moves, wrong choices, wrong motives, wrong beliefs... until I quit.

Another Summer Passed...

It's a lovely day out there! Bright sunny day with cool breeze of winter wind.
Summer is finally over... just as quick as October.
Time runs fast; I have counted several summers here in UAE and have waited with enthusiasm for winters. This transition is significant for me. If you have noticed, I have written few blogs about this, annually -- when its almost winter.

What makes this time remarkable for me?
I guess, being in the Middle East, knowing that you are in the desert, having experience the heat of summer and have survived it,  makes this time an extra special above the other phases.

During this time, it feels good to look back few months back... while you are covering yourself from the sun and the hot wind that blows on your face. The feeling of survival and victory that you have overcome the scorching heat of summer.

This year, blazing wind blew several times... I know its not only me, but many of us had a searing summer.

One Sunny Day

We seldom see the beauty of our own backyard...
In the busy life that we have, we neglect to see what's instore for us in the surrounding environment.
And often, we plan to go far from our own place to relax and unwind.
But have we ever tried to look around you?
In your neighborhood? On the street next to yours?

On my previous post, you joined me on My Route  and you've seen the Sharjah-Dubai road on my way to work. The high rise buildings, vast dessert and the on-going constructions which symbolizes the continuous development and evolution of Dubai.

Now, let me show you one of Sharjah's beautiful spots.. the newly constructed buildings with ancient Arabic look... their old dhows and the new yachts...

I've seen the past and the future during this one sunny day - and a bright and shinny realization of what life was... is...  and would become.

 

My Route

This is my daily route.

From my place to office.

1 hour and 30 mins travel - one way.

---

This is my pick up point.

It's along Al Khan.

This is where my journey begins, every morning...

Hearing Sleigh Bells

Have you heard that ting-a-ling-ling these days?
The season of happy songs from the happy heart and happy souls is finally here.
We'll I haven't heard any Christmas carols on this side of the planet but the ting-a-ling-ling-ting-ting-a-ling-dong is buzzing on my ears... in my mind and in my heart.

Vision Board

3 years ago, I started to create and believe in the vision board - as mentioned in Rhonda Byrne's The Secret - Understanding the law of attraction - and the power of positive thinking.

My first vision board was not a board at all, I just posted a DVD cover of the movie - Dubai on my cabinet. It was 2007. Few months after that, I found myself in UAE.

Chocolates on October

October was another roller coaster month for me!
It was fast and had many loops... high and low days... straight and curved...

As I was browsing over my desk planner, I noticed many red marks and sad faces on it... many things happened... and those are NOT just ordinary incidents...
Now, I realized that its not just another roller coaster ride with thrill and excitement.

But October is indeed a month of surprises.
A box of chocolate...

The Life that is Truly Life

It's my 200th post. 
After saying Bye Bye Love on the 2nd year of Kali...
It's about time to let go of the life I planned to accept the life that is waiting for me.

As I randomly checked some of my previous posts, memories flashed back... actually, I cannot believe that I was able publish it and let people enter into my life.
From the story of The Good Samaritan...  and how I was EMBARRASSED by my nephew's faith and the many Happy Thoughts that we shared...
Different issues, personal stories, you got to know my family and friends, I was able to share my point of views, my dreams and frustrations, heartaches and pains, inspirations and goals...

Wrap Up

Have you noticed how quick August passed?
Today is the last for this month, while the rest were history.

Personally, this month was somehow memorable to me.
Being with my Nanay and Tatay until the10th day made it extra special. Happiness Overload! Every second was so valuable; as my tita said, it's priceless...

The 11th was the start of Ramadan, and since I am in a Muslim country and most of people are fasting, it is a general rule that the working hours were shortened from 8 to 6 :-) Aside from the 2 hours extra, work load was near to nothing... there were only few jobs to be done on this season...

The Value of Sharing

Life is not about having and getting...
but being and becoming.

Familiar? Because it's in my profile :)
That is one of my favorite quotations...
It applies to me and my vision of what life really is.

Aside from being passionate in writing and photography, I am here to share God's faithfulness in my life, on the people around me and in the world where I belong...

I am not a perfect example of what a Christian should be...
But my God is perfect. That is what I want to share.
And that is what we all need to attest...

One friend told me her feelings towards giving testimonies at the time when she still attended a Christian fellowship... that is the portion of the program/activity that she wants to avoid,  she felt uncomfortable in sharing her life story...
And she said that maybe, its because of she's still young then and lacking self confidence...

Or I can say that maybe, during 'her' time, the importance of testimonies wasn't explained enough that she didn't understand why it is necessary.

In our church (Phils.), giving testimonies is part of our Sunday service. And weekly, I heard people sharing how great our God is...
I remember being so naive before, not understanding what was happening around...
I found it so odd, that people are crying in front of the church... thanking God but crying at the same time.
There are some who I thought were so proud with their new businesses or new investments or careers...
Others have sick relatives and family members that were in trouble... but still, they were shouting Hallelujah!

Honestly, I thought they were OA then!
Yup... I did :-)

It took me some time before I understand why 'they' do that...
or rather...
I needed to have deeper relationship with Him, wider knowledge about Him, and strong faith in Him before I fully understand why people have to stand there in front, crying while saying their pieces and thanking the Lord...

And maybe, many finds me OA these days, too :-)

We always say, 'count your blessings...'
But after counting, what are we supposed to do?

In our weaknesses, others' may find their strength...
And where we failed, others may succeed.

For me, Christian living is like living in a fantasy world... each day is another miracle... never ending blessings... unlimited happiness and overwhelming joy...
Trials are there, but it won't bring me down... instead, it will draw me closer to Him.

And that wonderful Christian life experience shouldn't be a secret...
We should say it and share it and be proud of it.


In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15

Let your stories be heard...
Let others be inspired, not of what you have but who you've become through the grace of God.