Visiting Kids at Beauty For Ashes

My Dichi (second elder sister) decided to give her boyfriend a surprise birthday party. A resounding "Happy Birthday Kuya Louie!" echoed through the grassy compound of Beauty For Ashes today, as the children sang, danced, laughed and enjoyed with a very much surprised Ahya Louie. (^^,)



Beauty For Ashes is a Children's home, founded by American missionaries Mr. Benjamin August Harter and his wife, Mrs. Betty Jo Harter. The purpose of the foundation is to give health support to sick children. As an extension, they give foster care to these kids whose parents could no longer support them after such illnesses, or who, in one way or another, abandoned them. Fortunate for these kids to still have people like them who paved the way for opportunities and second chances in life.



It is very much a surprise for us visitors to see the simple yet sophisticated way these kids were brought up in this foster home. They are comfortable with the English language. Bragging to us their very neat houses, school ribbons and awards, their tidy sleep and eating areas. The compound itself is surrounded by flowers, vegetables and fruits growing evidence of the hardwork these kids put on their gardening daily. Nine-year-old twins Kelly and Kaite, both with muscular dystrophy, are very smart and friendly. Trishia, an eight-year-old girl with down-syndrome is very sweet and polite. The older boys were very much caring with the younger ones. They pay attention to instructions, very much respectful and very friendly.

It was not difficult to make these kids happy. My Dichi, shobe (younger sister) and I prepared the prizes, loot bags, games and the favorite part, the "pabitin" (Filipino game of hanging bamboo frame tied with candies and toys: courtesy of google ;)) the birthday celebrant got to hand each kid the goodies plus some toys. All were smiling at the end of the day.

We ended our celebration by thanking them for allowing us to spend the day with them, but their endless thank you's, hugs and smiles left our heart light and happy. I wondered who was happier, the kids? or Us? hehe (^^,)

Cebu Cebu Cebu!!!

Poor me, this is my first time to travel to the queen city of the South. Happy me, finally I have!! haha..

My mom and sis, made the trip last May 12 right after election (of which I was not able to vote, my bad ^^,) and visited my cousins. Well actually, the initial purpose of the trip was to help Pao2x "relocate" find a job there, but it was mostly spent visiting relatives and cousins that I have not been able to meet yet.

Places we've visited, dined and enjoyed to: The taoist Temple,Water front Hotel Cebu, Port Cafe, The Majestic and Gelatissimo at SM, Giligans at the Ayala Mall and its wonderful terraces, CafeGeorg!, Marco Polo Hotel Cebu Plaza, Ding Qua Qua at JY near Yen's place, Kart ZONE! *(^^,)* and The Ching Palace.

My cousins from Cebu are so much younger than me, it felt funny to be the Achi (older sister). I saw Yen2x, cousin from CDO, again with whom I spent my 2nd grade summer with. We got to bond with Achi Tina, a second cousin and met Shot2x, another cousin that i never got to meet.

The best part of the trip was the Saturday my cousins and I went Go-karting at Kartzone (will definitely blog about this one), ate Icecream and (they) watched Nightmare at Elms St. (I couldn't stand horror).

Sad part, I didn't get to see my friend and her baby (but she's visiting Davao now) and I didn't get to try Skywalking at the Crown Regency. I could still get to try it some other time though.

The Cebu trip was great. We accomplished our goal, I really did get to meet my relatives. It was also really stress-relieving! I wish I could get more of these breaks, haha... till the next visit (^^,)

Iron Man 2; 5 out of 6 cinemas

Ironman2, here I come! and went. hehehe..

Watched Ironman2 this afternoon with pretty much-less background regarding the 1st movie. Shocked at the long line as early as 25 minutes before the show, considering it being shown in 5 out of 6 cinemas. Regardless, I enjoyed it.

I don't know if he was supposed to be a celebrity, but Tony Stark became one in this movie. His invention, handed down by his father, promoted peace and order in the United States but seemed to have posed a threat to the government, thus the court order for surrender of the "Iron man" suit. Though seemingly carefree, Stark hid the fact that usage of the suit has affected his health conditions which could lead to death, resulting to his carefree actions and mistrust from the citizens. On top of that (long pause) revenge came in the form of an old colleage's son, who has access on the same technology as Stark, and whose accent I can't simply understand. BUt it's an all's well that ends well movie, our hero saves the day!

The action was okay, save for a good fight scene given to Scarlett Johansson. The "techi-ness" was cool, loved the way Tony Stark shoved, flipped, pointed and snapped with his technology ( I always get awed by this in movies, sometimes I feel like a dork). I enjoyed the quirkiness of Robert Dow(ning-oooops!!)ney,Jr. He adds lightness to the movie and his heavy suit. There were a few not-so-interesting parts. It's a good watch for families, and for all ages.

It's a movie you could have fun talking about after (^^,)

"clash of the titans" or "persius vs. the cracken and hades"?

(too long a title...)

While every one else is rushing to watch the "Iron man 2", which I think without a doubt would be a good watch, considering most movie houses are showing it in 5 out of 6 cinemas, Saturday night movie date with my dad had us watching "Clash of the titans".

I have to agree with a client, it's not a movie worth watching in 3D.

The story? though I seem to have forgotten, was (as most epic/mythological movies are) "renovated" to suit viewers preferences.

The actor.. erm, not bad action, accent? very American! It's like "the scorpion king" all over again, you have epic people in epic costumes, with all the settings and dirt and smudges all over their faces and his accent gives it all off. Medusa looks good though. She's supposed to have green scales all over her face and body, but she gets to have a snakes body instead and a pretty digital face.

The effects? pretty much the same with most epic movies as our present technology could produce. On the average it was okay.

The thing that got me thinking though is the title? Where in the movie did the titans clashed exactly?

But, yeah my dad and I enjoyed the movie and by the way, the picture above? pretty much tells you how the sotry goes. LOL!

Goodbye Paperdolls, Hello Looklet.com

8:35, saturday morning finds me sitting on the sofa with Martha on Lifestyle Network. I have some things lined up for me today, namely: laundry, m&co, some other household thing that requires attention, my long list of asian novelas and movies, and dinner later with my highschool friends.

Before busying myself with these, i decide to take a quick moment and pour my creative juice in one of my recent fascinations (much influenced by my younger sisters), http://www.looklet.com/. "The world's first digital studio". What i used to enjoy as paperdolls back then, is now on the internet plus the large number of clothing, shoes, bags, hats, jewelry to choose from. Most are designer items which I could not imagine myself wearing. Two nights of clicking, mixing and matching has now resulted in my first four designs, yey me! LOL! (^^,) HOwever, I would rather they include more designs there. I occassionaly find myself with a design in mind but without the necessary item available...

Anyway, an inspiration has come into mind, i'd better go! LOL!

http://looklet.com/user/381730

BS: financial management

4/13/10 Parable of the Rich Fool

During my more than four years of functioning as New Accounts Clerk for Time Deposit, and beyond the customer service, paper works, cut-offs and investment-shuverloos, I have been fortunate to capture bits and pieces of God’s words and the bible through Michelle, my ever so patient, generous and faithful partner in crime. Tonight’s bible study brought to mind a sharing she once told me. It concerned us as being stewards of God’s creation. Slothful living is something not tolerable; well that’s putting it nicely.

We sometimes find it challenging to equate or relate the bible to today’s lifestyle or generation. And it is tougher when it relates to financial management. A few of the rather provocative questions asked during tonight’s bible verses were the following: (1.) at first thought, do you find the man foolish? (2.) Is it not that what he does common to us all? We work hard to earn enough to sustain ourselves and have a good retirement? (3.) Is God right in calling him a fool? (4) isn’t His teaching to us rather two ways? Not to store richess but to become generous, yet how do we become generous when we do not have anything to share?

Our bible study revolved around these learnings: God sees us beyond ourselves, beyond our actions and deeper within our “hearts”; our real intentions. To work hard and become rich per se is not a sin, we must bear in mind not to obsess over this richess and find security within these material things. Somehow in all these blessings we find ways to do good deeds, become generous. In the midst of all our financial success, we should find it in ourselves use it for His greater glory and for His intentions. In my opinion some of us are blessed financially while others are not so, in all these, God provides all that we need. What then is important? It is cultivating a life with God at the center, working hard to attain a greater life after our earthly life.

At the end of our rather short but meaningful sharing, achi Cathy, our group leader, shared a very inspirational story about a very successful and blessed man who later on decided to give up earthly possessions and heed God’s calling to minister and lived by faith. What’s so interesting bout this story is the fact that the calling was for both husband and wife who then had five children. And surprisingly, their children are living testimonies of God’s greatness, because all children are God-fearing, intelligent and achievers. When asked how they were able to do it, they simply can not say, they simply do not know.

This inspiring story led me to think of my family. With five girls in the family the youngest being only 6 then, my father had to depart our hometown to find a means to support us because of some rather depressing events in our, particularly his, life. For some time my mom who also had troubles of her own had to support us. I’d like to believe that because of God’s guidance and my parents constant prayers, my sisters and I are already graduates awaiting our own future in God’s time and hands.

I am not exactly a great person nor the best daughter that I wished and hoped I could have been and will be. I may have made crazy and bad decisions in my life, encountered rather difficult phases. The fact remains, I deeply appreciated my parents. I just want to acknowledge how much their sacrifice and faith has gotten us through life.

And while the last part of this blog does not fit its beginning (lol!) I am thankful for tonights learnings.

Time Management

After finishing up at the office, with aching wrist and fingers (both of the left and right hands), and locking the pending paper works inside drawers, I immediately texted my dear friend Joan. One of the things I’ve recently looked forward to during my weekdays is my “dinner-date-before-bible-study” (and the bible study off course) with Joan Dy. Her bubbly-ness never fails to cheer the ever so quiet me. And as usual, we finished dinner late and got to BS around almost 8.
There was once a time when i wanted to do so much, could have done soooo much, but had too little time. Ironically, if there is one thing that I seem to have most lately it would most probably be “TIME”. Too much time causes you to think, and though they say that thinking gains wisdom, with the rather “craziness” I have been experiencing in my life, I have just come to learn that… well, it could sometimes be unhealthy.
As it so happens, tonight’s (4/6/10) bible study was centred on the biblical context of time management. And I have got to say that this is my best bible study so far. By this I mean that I have gained the most insight out of our sharing. It’s not easy for me to write about my learnings because I’m not good at that, so I think its best that I write it this way (more of a reminder for me also):

1. Make proper use of the time you have; spend it doing things that are worthwhile. Worthwhile could mean helping somebody or living it for God.
2. There are three ways to live your life: (a) as if life’s a party; making the most out of it, getting the best out of life, enjoying what you have. (b) as if it’s a curse; with bitterness in your heart. (c) and as stewards; living it for God, doing everything for Him and finding meaning in it from Him.
3.Make good use of our talent, (and I guess in this context, time could also be considered). God may give some more and other less, it does not matter. It is when we make good use of it that counts. Because even to those who have less, God could even take it all away if He finds you wasting it.
4.Procrastination. Definitely USELESS. In my opinion and my understanding, it produces nothing, accomplishes nothing and could lead to wrong.
5. Delegation. We cannot do everything alone that is why God sends us help. It helps us accomplish more and serve better. I believe God delights in unity of His people and the arrogance of one could lead to his own frustration. With His Guidance and proper management, many will be served.
6. At the end of the day and of this life, He alone will judge us, according to how we have lived our lives, to how we have made use of His gifts.

As a final emphasis, I’d like to post verses from the bible that I found reflective of my life experiences so far, It is a very common bible entry, but It has once again gained my attention tonight:

“Man cannot hit on the right time to Act”

There is a time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot the plant
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build
A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn a time to dance
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them; a time to embrace and a time to be far from embraces
A time to seek and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to cast away.
A time to rend a time to sew; a time to be silent and a time to speak
A time to love and a time to hate; a time of war and a time of peace.

So… to connect this entry from beginning to end: thinking does gain wisdom, if led in the right track with His guidance. Thank you Lord for the time (--,)