My Photos with Bishop

I worked as a clinical instructor in one Catholic university for five years, with Bishop Roberto C. Mallari as the University president. During my stay, I took every chance to grab a photo with him. I don't exactly remember how my "stalking" started.:) I know though one reason I continued with it is the patience and kind accommodation of Bishop Bobet. I am a liitle bit disappointed that the other pixs with him are nowhere to be found in my files.:(

Feeling close lang.:)

Terno kami ni Bishop.

Tagaytay retreat 2012.

My last photo-op with him...for the time being.

I am writing this entry because come few days from now, Bishop Bobet will be installed as Auxilliary Bishop of San Jose, Nueva Ecija. I wish that thru this post I may share to people how honored and thankful I am for having been given the priviledge to work for and with this humble and kind-hearted man of God. He is so dedicated and passionate with his vocation that his holiness radiates immensely. Yeah, now I know this is the greatest reason for my photo ambush with him. I always had this unfathomable feeling of closeness with God afterwards. Bishop Mallari also has the extreme patience to listen to his employees' vents and woes, moreover, he would try to find ways to arrive at a win-win situation for parties involved.

Such that I have this habit of scribbling any thing on post-its, I keep one piece where I jotted down Bishop's homily message which I choose to peek then and now.

" Be humble always in front of the Lord."

"Your faith has cured you."

"The greatest treasure we have is genuine faith and love of God."

"Know in full certainty that God will intervene for us. Hope against hope."

I thank Bishop Bobet for making these photos possible, his cooperation,tolerance and understanding tickles and humbles me. On a greater part, I am thankful that our Archdiocese was gifted with a holy man who selflessly and joyfully serves the Lord with all his heart and soul. We are truly blessed.

Till I see Bishop Bobet again for another Kodak moment.:)

Hope.Help.Pray.

Twists and Turns

In the previous weeks,this was my state of being. Suffice to say, it hadn't change much. Pain and sadness still appear at an erratic and irregular pattern on with varying wavelengths. I have asked them kindly to leave however they seem to be in for an extended stay. Bad news. 

A lot of thoughts cloud my mind nowadays. I am somehow disappointed with the way I am handling the present adversities in my life. I know for a fact that challenges and problems are integral ingredients of living in this world. I know they are here to make us ready and strong for the tomorrows and everything in between that lie ahead. 

I would like to think that maybe, just maybe, God wants me to experience emptiness and sorrow to better appreciate hope and joy. I am baffled with the twists and turns encircling around me that I get to be catatonic not knowing exactly what to do. I remind myself of my favorite mantra "Happiness is a choice. Suffering is an option." Does this mean I am choosing suffering? Possibly, so I can better acknowledge the real deal that life is not a bed of roses. And how can I embrace happiness if I do not experience its antonym, right?

I am proud of myself because I don't slip in the deep hole of depression. I am always conscious of the signs I manifest, this is what happens when one loves Psychiatric Nursing. I'd like to believe that I am functioning my duties properly. Here at home, I get to manage chores and routine schedules, I come to work and mingle with people. I make time to see friends, I go out. I do dance aerobics to release endorphins which are happy neurotransmitters. And yes, I am able to bathe myself every day. So see, I am not in the depressed category. I am helping myself to be alright.I need to.I am my # 1 cheerleader.

The ache and disappointment hover around me any time, be it in a crowded and loud place where I exchange pleasantries and coffee with my girlfriends, when I am alone in the room. They stubbornly strike anywhere. 

I hate myself a little for being irritable and impatient with the cross that I carry because there I was before declaring my FAITH in the Lord. How could I say I have renewed faith in Him when I am crumbling into pieces with the recent unexpected events.Arrghhh,Michelle!!! Review yourself.

There is guilt inside me because I am thinking too much of what is/are lacking when I should be grateful for all the unasked blessings I receive. I feel guilty that I pray in a greater length for my own needs and wishes that at times, I forget to ask for God's help for others. I know just how effective and important it is as a Catholic to pray for others' petitions. I tried to calm myself down and made a firm resolve that if there is ONE thing I must not give up, it is the gift of PRAYING. I admit I am now in a position where almost every thing gives me unpleasant news. It becomes harder to pray, thoughts like "My prayers are not answered in the way I want ", or "Do I have the right to ask for His help when He already has given me so much" come to mind. When it becomes sooo unbearable, all that I can do is just converse with Jesus asking Him to hold me tight. I am a cry baby lately. My lacrimal ducts are in an active condition,I cry at any given day. I cry some more when I do not know anymore what to pray for,I'd like to believe that God hears our sobs just the same.I know I do not need to understand everything, I simply have to have a deep,true abiding faith.... that one day all will fall into place.

It is easy to lose in a battle of challenges and drown in the turbulent current of life. I however refuse to. I know that beyond all the unanswered questions and pending wishes lies a golden box of new hope and beginnings for a prettier, stronger and more solid ME. The uncertainty and inadequacy I know will vanish at the right time, they are in the now preparing me to become a more sensitive and rounded individual. Like I said, I can  feel it in my bones that Life is still and will always be beautiful.

Trust. Hope. Pray.

Food Overload and Tea

Last Saturday, I met with my younger set of buddies(Nursing batchmates) despite the gloomy weather. Soon as we were complete in attendance, one immediate agenda was made- EAT real food with rice!!! Oh yes, we were hungry monkeys. I was curious with a particular ihawan place in San Matias, my former students described the leche flan there as fantastic if not the best.

Meet Joie and Joida

Harry

 There's quite a number of "ningnangans' that sprouted in Sto Tomas that's why I call it the Ningnangan Capital Of Pampanga.Remember the word Funnside if you wish to try this recent food trip I had. It is what makes the difference. The place is not your ordinary grilling place, yung basta na lang sya sumulpot at tinayo. I have this impression the management gave aesthetic consideration serious thoughts. Maaliwalas the surroundings,the wash and toilet areas are clean enough and best of all, the usok is not horrible that you'd book for shampoo and conditioner soon as you go exit.

Happy bellies.

 Be patient though in waiting for the food to arrive on your table. I think it took us 20 minutes before we munched the real meal. Poor leche flan, it became the appetizer.:) We ordered liempo,chicken ass,liver,hotdogs and lotsa rice plus regular Coke. Who mentioned diet?:)

Pako salad and grilled liempo

 Thank you very much to the one who shouldered the bill. Guess who was it. Definitely it's not Mitzi.

Ube with cheese & the 2nd leche flan.:)

I mentioned the leche flan in the beginning statement. And yes, we can all agree it is delicious in the true meaning of the word. It melts so smoothly in your mouth, its creaminess and sweetness are within perfection. We had to have another whole serving of it, this time in its proper designation as dessert. The ube topped with cheese is just as yummy. Hay,aerobics dance with Richard Simmons for weight loss failed.

 Soon as our brains were informed our tummies are bondat and full as sapul, Harry suggested a cup of tea to ward off the heaviness of our GI system.

 Food is love and happiness. It tastes even better when accompanied with friends that have passed the test of times and turns. I do not get to be with these young RNs on a regular basis that is why I excitedly welcome every chance of meet-ups with them.  We miss our other friends, most of them live across the sea now.

Joidz, George, Atom and I

 Until the next celebration of PASSED exams,so who's next???:)

The "angled" shot of Chz.

 Eat.Laugh.Love.

Staycation II

Takoyaki we love.

As has been Ate Lan's routine , we stopped by at Marquee Mall before directing to our destination of stay-Mimosa in Clarkfield. Hay sana naman next time, medyo maiba na.:) Anywei, in the end it is still the company and people that matters and not the place.

Neat nooks before our invasion.

While the impeachment trial is playing...

Pedi and mani time.

We do nothing out of the ordinary while on break away from our abodes. We simply do things at a slow and comforting manner such that unknownst to us, rejuvenate and rekindle our bond.

Kidsss on break.

Margarita and mojitos night.

Massage to unlock the knots.

We are a group of individuals who find comfort and security with and from each other. Life is to be savored and enjoyed. Remember always that happiness is an entitlement we all deserve.

Live.Laugh.Play.

Photos grabbed from Bhanie,edited via Instagram and Pic collage.

Last Friday Night

Once the package of friendship has been opened, it can never be closed. It is a constant book always to be written , read and enjoyed.

Dinner with the Girls at Rodizio, Holiday Inn Clark

 For information, Rodizio is a fine dining restaurant situated at the 7th floor of Holiday Inn in Clark. Buffet and ala carte servings can be availed,depending on the guests' preferences (degree of starvation, gluttonous eyes,time to be wasted and waistlines).

 Table for 5. Sha,Kei,Ate Lan, Peng and I.

 Desserts for stressed girls.See the letters of these 2 words?

 Sharon and I enjoyed the mongolian barbecue prepped with spices. I think we had 3 servings of this dish. Peng and Ate Lan meanwhile were appreciative of the breads baked fresh from the oven.

"Ma'am, beef or pork? We all opted for beef. They were served in a funny way.

 For starters, we had tacos mexican soup and garden salad plus mongolian barbecue. I however proceeded right away to the chocolate fountain because I was already feeling dizzy with hunger. Hypoglycemia might attack me like what happened to Corona I had to halt it.

 I was not able to take photos of the main course -tenderloin,sirloin and lamb chops. You guessed it, I was already way too busy exploring and tasting what 's placed on my plate.

 We are all excited for Peng... 2 months from now.:)

 Coffee and desserts at the veranda.

What is sooo funny, Kei?:)

Wonder MOMS

 Last week was not a very happy week for me. Big fat tears were shed. It is safe to say though that whenever I am with these girlfriends, I get to feel better. The sense of acceptance and belongingness is always palpable. They are one great tool in reminding me that all will be owkei.

 My multi-tasking friends. Let me state that you are all doing a superb job in building a home filled with love and security for your families.

Timeless beauty of Ate Lan as captured by Bee.

 Just for Laughs. You may skip these photos if you wish.:)

Girls that "make-up together stay together.

 I super love the rest room's lighting. It has added drama to these shots.

 Waking at 5AM each day for her students-children does not take away Bee's bloom.

Insanity after gluttony.

 Friendship knows no season. It knows no time.Friendship has a sole intention of bringing people to a place called forever.

Eat. Pray.Love.