Catching Up...

On Monday, All graduating students went to San Antonio Padua de Parish Church to have a practice for our Baccalaureate Mass for the following day. I was chosen to be the first reader. I always love reading. I became merrier because I'm using my reading skills for God, to give service to Him. And you know what? I am always chosen to be the reader for God. Why? Last time I had my retreat in Saint Michael's I was chosen to be a reader too, and I'll also be the one to lead the prayer in our Graduation Ceremony. I feel so blessed.

I also noticed that whatever skills you have you can use those to serve God. Just like my sister, she's good in dancing, and because of that she danced a praise song together with her classmates, and one of the teachers in my school was also chosen to sing the Psalm response because she has a wonderful voice.

After the practice we directly went home to have our lunch and to enjoy using my dad's Android!

On Tuesday, My family and I went to the church to attend the Baccalaureate Mass. After that, my adviser released the invitation for our graduation. The sequence of the program and the awards were printed there. I was overwhelmed when I read it. I was the only student in my batch to receive the most number of medals! I felt so proud and I know I made my parents proud too!

Below is the invitation:

(I'll be the one to invocate the program)

These are where you can read what awards I will be receiving on stage on my Graduation Day.

Just look for the name PAULE, Joana Erica Danielle B:

 service award

 academic award and best in computer

loyalty award (been there since 2001-2011)

After everything at the church we went to Duty Free to buy some goodies and other imported items like chocolate, clothes, foods, etc..and the main reason why I loved to be there because I can grab lots of fresh milks!! Yummm.. I'm addicted drinking those liquids. I even make them as an alternative for water (which is totally bad!)

I know all of us were already tired but we still proceeded to the mall at Metro Market! Market! to fix our wrist watch and buy my most awaited book of the last series of Fablehaven..

I can feel the over flowing of achievements from these days.

Wednesday, the graduating students were given a chance to have a rest day for all the practices we've been doing. My family decided to go to Pangasinan, which is a 5-hour drive when you go there. We left home at 1 in the morning and was able to be there by 6AM. It was a total hassle because I lacked sleep.We dropped by at the Manaoag Church to attend the mass and buy those special candles. We also bought some 'Tupig', a native food only here in the Philippines, which is so mouth watering!

 Because it was still early we visited our relative in Tarlac and had a little talk with them. I found something interesting inside the house. They have an OWL! It's adorable and friendly. It's like the Owl, Erol, of Ron Weasley in Harry Potter.

After an hour, the whole family decided to go back home before we reach dark. For us not to get bored we brought our laptops and watched TRON LEGACY inside the car.. amazing day I must say!

Before I forgot, we can never leave without some snacks with us so I put these inside my bag:

Lastly, On Thursday, my sister had her big event, her graduation day! We were all proud because she academically excelled and received an award for 3rd proficiency. For a treat, dad brought us in a restaurant for a family dinner.

I went home so drained. I lack sleep yet I forced myself to upload photos on Facebook because I can't wait to publish them on worldwideweb.

The following day will be my own graduation day! Will be posting here too.

Thank God for the wonderful days!

It's not easy you know...

... Chatting with a friend on FB who's not really your friend at all and you barely know that person, and worse he doesn't even know how to speak English! You have to use a translator just to have a communication with him and reply those questions you hardly understand.

Geez.. I am trying to be nice and friendly with that dude, when he suddenly said something like this:

"yo pienso que eres una diablita"

In Spanish means, I think you're a little devil. 

I was surprised.

What does he mean? I believe I didn't say anything wrong and I made sure that my grammar in Spanish is correct.

The only questions I gave a respond is when he asked me where do I live and how old I am. 

Now, you tell me, should I be called 'devil' for that?

Why are there some people who are so rude?

 Now I am regretting the moment I accepted his friend request! 

How do you do today?

Me?

There is suffering in life, and there are defeats. No one can avoid them. But it's better to lose some of the battles in the struggles for your dreams than to be defeated without ever knowing what you're fighting for.


And yet,

FAILURE !

I can't do anything else now :( It's too late.

Nothing more to ask for

Everyone dreams of a perfect someone..

someone funny, caring and thoughtful..

then I met you and I ended up NOTHING..................

......... Nothing more to ask for ♥

Smile!

(Click photo to enlarge)

Smile though your heart is aching 
Smile even though it's breaking 
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by 
If you smile through your fear and sorrow 
Smile and maybe tomorrow 
You'll see the sun come shining through for you 

Light up your face with gladness 
Hide every trace of sadness 
Although a tear may be ever so near 
That's the time you must keep on trying 
Smile, what's the use of crying? 
You'll find that life is still worthwhile 
If you just smile

I am missing that feeling

There's no thrill. When can I ever feel that again?

Since last Thursday up to this day, my batch and I are just having our graduation practice, and tomorrow will be the final one.

It feels so lame, so, so...(sigh) never mind, didn't even know the word to describe.

I want something new, even just for now. Heck, if I just know what to do.

@ St. Michael's Retreat House

At last, I'm home!

I had an overnight stay at Saint Michael's for the seniors' retreat.

I won't make this too vulgar because the speaker said so.

The retreat house is big, clean and peaceful. I was one of the students to be assigned at the clergy room.
No gadgets were allowed so I didn't bring my phone.

We started yesterday at 10 in the morning. Our sessions and other activities were fun. We talked a lot about our parents, family and God. Few about choosing the right friends. I was very emotional inside that session room. I had two handkerchiefs, both soaked in wet. I can't help but to cry. Tears kept falling. They were not tears of sadness, but of happiness. I know for so long that I am very lucky in life. I tried to stop the tears but didn't worked out, i'm just really such a crybaby.

We ended our activity last  night around 10:30. My roommates and I didn't sleep as soon as we entered the clergy room. We had our midnight snack, talked more, and I took a bath even I'm shivering in cold. I was only able to sleep for 4 hours or less.

By 6:15 in the morning, today, the mass had started and i am blessed to be chosen as the 2nd reader and felt more better because I was able to give service this Sunday even if  I'm not with my family together at the church.

We've shared so many stories, listened to their problems, prayed for each other and so much more. I just have to leave them there.

For the second time of my life, after 4 years, I have revived my spiritual and mental health. My heart has recovered from all the pain in the past and was healed by God. I feel so refreshing, accomplished, complete and thankful!

I got home safe and sound around 11:30 in the morning bringing the joy from the retreat house to my own home.

God is so good! :)

Full of Inspiration and Motivation

Good evening to you my friend.

I am just done with my Valedictory speech that I am talking about earlier @ LJ where you can read here.
And before I go to bed, let me tell you more about this very hour.

These past days, many people are making me feel great and fulfilling. Must be the way how I emit my feelings to others. And I am thankful to those people, and to God of course, He is always included in all the gratitudes that I am giving.

As I checked my twitter account, I was full of accomplishments for the compliments that I have read from people who follow me and at the same time I follow them back too.

Here's why: (Click the photo to enlarge)

(There are things that are easy to explain by showing than by saying)

.. and I never thought that not only few enjoy reading my blog, but there are many. And because of those people I just have a new strength to do more greater things in life.

I know that you know who you people are touching my life filling it with glory, love and happiness.

Thank you :)

Thank God, exams are over!

Woohoo!

I have nothing to worry now. No classes, no quizzes, no projects, no school academic activities.
This is good!

All I have to do now is attend all the practices in school---- for the graduation!


At last. I can sleep longer now.

I thank God for all of these.

Amen.

1st day had just finished!

I just got home from school.

It's my last examination week and i just had the first day.

So far, so good. I thank God for this wonderful day! I am thanking him for many sure answers. He answered my prayers, to give me the guidance and strength and to remember all what I have learned from the past.

I just hope this will continue until the end. (:

not to mention that I even think of my crush while answering my exam sheet ( for inspiration of course. I know you have one too!)

LOTS OF LOVE,
Erica

Things that are True

1. There's nothing like a mint-chocolate-chip ice cream cone on a hot day.


2. It is possible to do hard things - like a cycling class.


3. Once you've made up your mind, you can change anything about your life.


4. If you wish you were doing something else with your life - just do it. There's no reason not to.


5. People everywhere are just people. No funny business.


6. Sunshine feels REAL good.