* S I S T E R S *

Here we are! Hehe...
Tan, Jag, Jai, Len.

So, everybody thinks I'm the oldest since I'm the tallest... or maybe, because they said I'm the strictest.

Oh well....

Tina & I

My best buddy in high school came last Sunday. Such an awesome time together!

Galing Pook Awarding

Last night Aidz and I attended the awarding ceremony dinner for winners and finalists of the Galing Pook Award given to outstanding LGUs. The formal awarding ceremony was held in the morning at the Malacañan Palace with President Arroyo. I had fun at the event.

The Filipiniana Search

Yesterday, Aidz and I went to the mall to look for a Barong Tagalog (Filipino formal wear for men). We saw a lot of designs with prices ranging from reasonable to absurd. He tried fitting three or four of them. The designs are good; it’s really hard to pick the best. Anyway, he ended up buying the “latest” design which really looks great. I will see after tomorrow if I’ll be able to post it here. Yeah, we will be wearing formal Filipino attire (Filipiniana dress for me) for tomorrow’s awarding ceremony at Malacañang Palace. He invited me to come to their event. I went home last night to get mine. Today, I'll be looking for possible accessories. At least I got a purse--no way am I gonna buy that ridiculous price! haha!

nieces & nephew

I love these little ones.

a day at home

Tatay, siblings, and the kids

The CLAN Reunion Plan

I went home last night and the after dinner talks at the table stretched to many interesting topics. The most interesting topic was the plan for THE CLAN Reunion. My father really got a kick out of that. Well, for one, he’s the only one who actually carries the family name (being the only brother of three sisters). Also, our third generation only has one bearer (thus far) of the seven grandchildren. So the family name is secured by a three-year-old toddler, my nephew Aaron.

My cousin really wants this to push through. I believe we all do it’s just that no one really gives the time to make it happen. So, last Sunday after my siblings met with my cousins, they decided we will have it in summer.

I love our family. For one, my father’s family is really intact so-to-speak. We were raised to follow the old traditions and still cling to most of them. Even to some Filipinos, they find us old-fashioned. Anyway, I take pride in that.

We had a good time planning for summer’s reunion. It seemed that the organizer will be mainly us (my siblings and my cousin)—the younger generation as they call us. A theme popped in my mind: “Sixty-three and counting….” since there are already 63 of us from the clan’s root. I know it’ll be fun. We’re excited!

Martin Smith of Delirious

Back in circulation

God is awesome!

The three of us (Kuya, Jovell & myself) had been home for almost six weeks now. In that period, a lot of major events and activities had already happened here—-not to mention the most anticipated holidays. I am so blessed to have gone away but even more to come back. This certainly sounds trite, but anyway, “There’s no place like home.”

Right now, I’m busy preparing for the upcoming Anniversary Thanksgiving at Church on Sunday. I’m making bookmarks for giveaways. Also preparing for the bulletin, program, tarp, and hopefully, the radio script. Oh my, I need to finish before weekend!

Things are a little slow here in the office for the beginning of the year. It’s to my advantage, really, so I could do my personal work without so much pressure from my professional work. Thank God. And God’s continually blessing me with beautiful opportunities at work right now.

I wish to post a lot of pictures since we came back but for some reason, the blogger icons aren’t showing up. Too bad. I wonder if it’s just me or the glitch is from the main server.

The first month of the year is almost to its close. Anyway, I would still wish everybody a joyous and blessed new year!

In just two more weeks...

WE ARE COMING HOME!!! Yes, I can't wait!

Thank you, Lord for what You've done and all that You're going to do for us and in the ministry. It was a great time of ministry we experienced. Thank You.

I'm excited for Christmas in the Philippines. There's no place like home.

Announcement

For all interested parties:

We've finally updated the Dreamers' blog until early September. Please do visit us if you may. Thanks!

[For my "regular" visitors:

I'm actually in hiatus right now... I'm on a mission trip here in the United States and I could hardly go on the internet except to check my email once or twice a week. I apologize. However, the Dreamers' blog is where we try to update what's going on in our team and ministry. Thank you.

I miss blogging here!]

Pinay

Almost two more months to go...

Time flies. Little did we know that we've already spent almost four months of our lives here in the United States. In a matter of weeks, we'll be going back home! I can't wait!

I had so many great experiences while we're here. So many "first time(s)". It's fun.Most of all, it's a blessing and a privilege to be part of this ministry.

I give all the glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

bertdey-bertdeyan (Birthday)

Okay, so nagbertdeyan na nga ako dito. Actually, masaya naman. Akalain mo na ipag-order pa ako ni Ate Junice ng pancit at may padala pang pizza ang Filipiniana’s Delight. Si Bro. Mark naman, ipinag-bake ako ng kanyang famous chocolate cake—plus 19 lit candles. Wala na halos mapwestuhan! Sus, kung sakali pala at kasya, baka nga 26 candles pa yung nasa ibabaw ng cake!

Nung umaga, sinamahan namin si Sonia sa Seton Hospital. Okay naman ang result ng test niya; her tumor did not grow for the last two years. No threat. Amen.

Tumataba na ko dito. Well, at least, I gained more than a couple of pounds. Sige na nga, lima na since we came. Puro sa braso naman napupunta.

Anong bago now that I’m a year older? Regular kami nagwo-walking around Lake Merced (5 miles) everyday (Mondays-Fridays). Halos familiar na nga yung mga nakakasalubong naming eh. Lumalabas kami around 6 am. Natatapos ko on the average: one hour & 15 minutes.

Matagal na akong di nag-a-update. Nagjo-journal naman kasi ako kaya documented lahat ng nangyayari dito. Day 68 na yata today. Ang nakakalungkot lang, saying yung SIM card ko. Dinala ko kasi; nawala sa loob ko na di ko na mag-e-expire yun dito. Sayang talaga.

Wala na akong masabi pero marami aong iniisip. Pasensya na, di ako makapa-English right now; it’s safer this way. I miss blogging.

I wish to say this in English but right now, I would be writing in Filipino:


Hindi ko maintindihan pero atubili ako. Iba kasi lagi ang feeling kapag nase-seminar ka. Siguro, ganun din yung impression ng mga bata dito pag napapatawag sa Principal’s office. Ako, apat na beses na yatang nase-seminar for the same “offense”. Nanghihina ako after every meeting. Kasi, kahit wala naman akong ginagawang mali, pakiramdam ko lagi akong may kasalanan tuwing mase-seminar. Hay. Malinaw naman na hindi ako ang problema; at hindi rin naman ako sinisisi, pero, nakakapanghina pa rin ang kausapin nang ganun. “Shake it off, Len, shake it off!”

Away from home

Hi everyone! It's been 30 days since the first time we set foot on Cali-land this year. A lot of things had happened--and is happening and is expected to happen-- but for everything, we give Glory and Thanks to God! God is faithful and we are just overwhelmed by His goodness and work in the ministry. Even the people and circumstances that we encounter everyday; all seemed to be part of His wonderful plan.

i think it wont be long before i can officially claim to have gained weight. ironically, most of the time, i'm cooking when nobody invites us to eat somewhere else. anyway, i still believe my 97-pound weight since i first got here is no more.

i think time flies fast. nonetheless, there's one thing for sure: i miss home.

i'm doing great and so is the rest of the team. Thank God. please remember us in prayer.

May the name of the Lord be exalted in our lives everyday. May you be blessed more than you can imagine through Christ Jesus our Saviour. Take care.

Len

Check the Dreamers!

Hello bloggers!

i might not be able to update my personal blog religiously now but you can hear about what's going on with me and the team in our blog: The Dreamers. I linked it here on my blog beside my other theme blogs. hope you can give us a visit. God bless!

Pinay

Check us out here!

This blog is our "official" update section for our trip in the US. It's called, The Dreamers. Here's the address:

http://thedreamers08.blogspot.com/

Now in the US

This is the second day of our stay in the U.S. Tonight we'll minister at a youth group in a church here in Daly City. Next week we'll be in Sacramento to attend a conference.

I'm being religious with my journal because it's more accessible for me to update than to sign in everytime. If i have lots of time, i will try my best to update.

God is very good to us. We have a nice place to stay and the Lord is showing us a lot of favors everyday. We'll stay here for six months. Please remember us in prayer.

Thanks. God bless!

Len

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Long live the Philippines!

Today, we commemorate our 110 years of independence. We salute and honor our beloved heroes who laid down their lives for our freedom. Thank you for your selfless sacrifices and genuine love for our country. I hope that we give justice to what you have done for us.

God is faithful.

I could cry (out of joy) just thinking of God’s goodness in my life… in our life. Thank you, Lord. I received another miracle today. You are awesome, Lord. Thank You and I honor You.

I've been praying for God's miracle for us in this time. And He granted my prayer. Thank you, Lord. I didn't doubt it and He blessed me more than I expected! He has perfect timing. Thank you, Father. This is the year of God's favor! Amen!