How are you, blog?

When was the last time I posted an entry here? It seemed like a month had passed already, although it was just few days ago.

Anyway, my week was full of a lot of assignments to do, reports to prepare, and deadlines to meet, plus the time I spend having my training at the pep squad. I'd never been so stressful before. I've been lacking sleep consecutive days already and the result is I look older than what my age should really tell other people who see me.

I admit, I feel so anxious most of the time. I do everything just to finish all my jobs before the deadline to get high grades and be a dean's Lister, to have a good reputation in and out of the school, and to never fail the expectations of the people who knew about my capability.

It's hard, I know. I even attempt to give up several times, but it never happened, and thank you for that. I'm still this person/ student who strives harder to achieve a lot of things I want, to make my family proud of me and to reach my goals.

Aside from all the school works this week, I had my recollection last Friday. I was so blessed to attend that activity because I know God wants me to spend my whole day with Him. I felt renewed and spiritually heeled from all the sorrows I had in my life. I always remember Him every day and every night, and I know He is always by my side to always reach out.

The following day, Saturday, was the final examination of all first year students for their PE subject (I was exempted in that exam because I am a varsity, and varsities do not have to to attend that subject). They were graded with their cheerdance presentation and it was also a sort of competition w/ the other sections. I didn't join my blockmates because I danced at the opening w/ the pep squad (boy, I'm too proud to brag about it!) Not only that, my section was announced as the champions! That was equivalent to a perfect score for their final exam! Hooray for them! hooray for us!

The Pep Squad 

My champion blockmates!

Everything paid off knowing that news. Saturday was just the day for fun and merriment!

Oh, and have I told you that within those challenging days, there is always this one person who adds strength in me? He used to tell me that I'm strong, that we're both strong, that we can accomplish all the work given to us because we can. I love that boy so much. Too bad, we're both apart and busy with our own businesses. But that's okay, there will be a day that we'll meet and enjoy each others company  in wherever place we plan to go. I'm already happy to know that he is happy with all the activities he does, and the little time he spares to update me with his day.

It feels so good to be inspired--- to be in love with the guy who cares for me even without any words unleashed from his voice. I can strongly feel that in my heart *blushing*. Sigh. I can't wait for that special moment of my life :)

It's late in the evening again. I'd better be in bed now.

Good night, world! Let's always pray to have a better tomorrow!

I'll soon tell you what those are.

I wish you could all feel how great I feel right now! I'm just really excited because I'm learning so many new things and trying to do things that I've been meaning to do but haven't for some reason. 

Are you going to read this? If not, I don’t mind

I always tell myself to be true. Anything that appears in my mind and whatever I feel with so many comings and goings in my life I always blog it.

If I’m away from the computer, I write in on a scratch paper. To be honest with you, I get so pressured when other people tell me that my writing is good. And that’s really something. But who will really stay reading are my real friends and the people who love my blog.

That’s why when I get to read other’s blog I was never against with anything they post. Like me, they also have their own opinions, beliefs and events happening in their life. They are just being real and expressing their emotions. We just need to understand them. That’s what makes me appreciate different people, get inspired, learn from them and get ideas to post something on my blog (and sometimes even for my assignments, haha! like from Sir John Marine’s blog).


I salute every blogger in this world. They contribute a lot of help and knowledge to other people. They might sound harsh or not, but let’s face it we still get something out from them.


As long as we don’t step on other people and we know our limitations, everything will be fine.

When you get sad,

It means that you have experienced to be happy

Today, i feel like...

 

...writing more, blogging more, and doing more! this may be something shallow for you to make you happy, but this means a lot to me. The whole world, they view my blog everyday, no matter what i keep posting here, they just seem to enjoy.

I can certainly tell you that this is me!

Enjoy reading! :)

The Happy Life and what it has to offer.

Do you know of anyone who wants a happy life?
Do you know of anyone who deserves a happy life....

This is what i'd always ask people around me. Sure, they know what being happy means, but they are not aware that most of their happiness can be short-termed. Devouring the food that you love, falling in love with someone special, capturing the greatest sceneries you've ever seen, mingling with your best friends........ all those feelings can come and go in split seconds.
Because right after that, you are placed back to reality. Sometimes, reality just hits hard.
However, most of us are not aware that the "reality" can sometimes be a choice.
Even if you are forced to, you basically had a choice. A tough one maybe, but it is by choice.

So, why don't we try to look at things in a different aspect. For me, I chose this road less traveled because i chose to. In fact, i have learned so much, the process has been so rich and colourful to me. A roller-coaster right at the beginning, to a transitional phase and now, just waiting for the right moment to sprout. Seeds have been planted and i am now seeing some form of results.
The beauty of it? this is only just the beginning. I feel good. in fact, i feel awesome :)

Friday is for McDonald's and celebration Day!

My class starts at 10:30am every Friday. Since my school was having a mass at 7:30 am for celebrating Holy Spirit that day, I was not required to attend. I just followed my regular schedule. Our first class is Sociology and the professor asked us (blockmates) to go to the library and read other preferences for sociology and list them down at the course outline that was given to us at our first meeting. And so we did. When that period was over, Theology was our next class.

The time for our second subject is from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. Since 15 minutes passed already and our professor for that subject wasn’t there yet we decided to have a free cut. It so happened that it was one of my blockmates’ birthday so we all went to McDonald’s for lunch and to celebrate her special occasion.
Actually, our break should start at 1:30pm up to 3:00pm. But we happened to have 3 hours of break for that day. We all had fun and kept laughing the whole time with those stories we share to the whole group.

When it was time for our third and last class, Filipino, we all settled for the next professor to come. After waiting again for 15 minutes, there was no sign of her so we all jumped off from our seats and started packing up our things and some of them went home early, happy that we really didn’t have any class discussion that day.

Since I still have to attend the second screening for the pep squad try- out I stayed at school until 8pm. I did my best and everything to be a member of that team.
After the screening, I immediately went home because it’s already dark and I don’t want bad things to happen to me. I arrived home at 9:30 pm and was praying to receive a message from the squad that I did pass the try-out.

While having a dinner alone (cuz my family already had earlier), my phone beeped and I started to feel nervous. When the name appeared it was just my classmate sending a forward message and I felt disappointed. I continued spooning more food. My phone beeped again for the second time and I felt nervous again, when I saw who was the sender I started screaming and my heart started to beat fast. When I read the message, the pep squad was congratulating me being an official member of their team! I jumped around because of the overflowing joy I felt that instance when I received that message!

I felt so relieved and thankful to God that one of my dreams came true!

Now I can be seen on national television when we’ll compete!

8. I'm Happy

I like to think that i'm a positive person. And quite appropriately, number Eight is happiness. Kick eight down and you get infinity. So Infinite happiness.

Through the roller coaster of emotions that i've gone through in the past few days. Happiness is something that caps it all. My life is changing, in a good way. I'm at a really good place right now. And now that i'm here, i'm happy. And i know that everything WILL fall into place.

There's a sense of serenity that just fell on me like a soft invisible silk cloth falling from above.

Reformation

Lately, I’ve been going to the wrong direction and thinking in a wrong way.  I lost focus of what I always love to do and that is---- to BLOG.  To make some clarifications I asked myself,

“What’s wrong, Erica? What makes you down? How will you be successful if you’re always like this? What are the possible ways to put you on full strength again? Where is the eagerness you used to put in yourself to reach that goal? You need to answer these questions right here, right now. Don’t waste time. Come on! You used to repeat the phrase make use of my time again and again in your mind. But what are you doing? You’re just sitting there and looking at nowhere. Isn’t this the right time to use it? ”.

Don’t get me wrong, but I really talk to myself often.

Remember my last post before this? You can read it back if you want so you can understand clearly what I am talking about.

If you just know, Blogging is a big deal for me, earlier as now I am practicing myself for bigger purposes. I am putting myself to the test, to ready myself to make my career successful in the future, and this is a perfect way to start. I always wanted to be a WRITER. I love writing; I always have abundant imaginations and can make them out of a story.

I often picture myself holding a book in front of the Medias throwing questions of how I made it, that the book I have created is now a bestselling not only in my continent, but also worldwide. That my name is very famous and is always seen in magazines and newspapers, and paparazzi are everywhere to snap photos of me for their own article, and they might also put it in their blogs too. And that I’m well- known by people just like how Ophra Winfrey is right now, and so as Bill Gates, and the others.

Doesn’t it feel good to be true? I want these things to happen, I really do.

But in every big achievement it is necessary to start at the small one, because there is a saying, “In every thousand miles we start with one step”.  But how will it be as big as my imagination to make it in reality if in small areas I am not making a move?  I should stop being happy-go-lucky and should set a goal.

Just like yesterday, I know there’s something nice to blog about a grandpa and my unusual feeling of what happened that the readers will find it touching, but I didn’t post it because I’m lazy and tired. I’m tired because I’ve been doing nothing the whole day.  See? This is not good. When I get a job I can’t be like this. Do you get what I mean?

If you’re telling me that maybe I’m getting the wrong choice of career, you’re wrong. This is what I love, being in the industry of authors, editors, writers, columnists, etc. This is really the profession I wanted to take. I’m just being TOO LAZY.

And I find my courage again when a friend of mine, Mr. John Marine, had an article about blogging stuff which I find it absolutely true. He inspires many people across the world including me. And his words are very powerful and meaningful that you will get up from where you are seated and start doing what you really love that is good for you and for your career. I appreciate everything he does for me all the time.

If you want to meet him, just visit his blog here.

And this time, I’ll make it sure that I’m heading the right direction to success with God’s guidance.

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!

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

@ 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 :)

I am thankful now that...

I saw my name listed as one of the honor students AGAIN in our year level.

Hooray to me! I'm so happy!

I also thank God for this wonderful blessing, for guiding me, giving me strength and the knowledge to do my best to be part of this achievement.

That's not the only reason why I am so glad today. At  first quarter I made a good start, I was placed as 5th. Not bad. But when 2nd Quarter came, my rank went down, I was then placed 8th. Now, this 3rd quarter of  the school year I can't believe I came up to 4th. It's a miracle!

Well, I've always wanted this. I am so blessed, so, so blessed. I don't know what else to say. I just want to share with you my happiness, my bliss!

I made once more my parents proud! I will continue this until the very END.

So help me, God.

Selling Raffle Tickets to the Grade 4 Students

Remember my post last Wednesday?

These are the photos of the grade 4 pupils who loved to be included in the picture taking. 

 (Me, at the right side)

 (Poor Janred, he was pushed)

(LOL. The kid covered us at the back)

If everyday was like that, I'm sure all my stress will be gone easily when I arrive home (:

I love those kids!

Must be the wackiest day of his life

Hello there!

Starting yesterday we had our booth fair in our school as one of the activities  for the celebration of  the school's anniversary. ALLS is turning 19! 

and our section was assigned for the MARRIAGE BOOTH.

I didn't have any photos from yesterday's fun and excitement, only today. And I was so glad I have captured happy faces. Just like the grade 4 student below. I forgot his name. I only knew him as "Trudis". Anyway, I took pictures with him because he's so cute, bubbly and FUNNY.

 I asked him if he could take a picture with me. At first he was shy, then he finally agreed. He can't have a formal picture because he's laughing (: He still looks adorable though.

 I guess this kid is a joker. Making wacky shots (:

Finally, we had a proper picture together. I love this kid!

The Priest’s Sermon

Last night, my family and I attended a funeral mass, a funeral for a very young child God sent to heaven in an early time.

I met the mother’s teary eyes, but she tried smiling in front of us, and the other guests, to acknowledge that we were welcomed. I can sense the acceptance in her face, yet those cries were for how she’s going to miss her son.

The priest appeared soon as we entered the chapel. We were just in time. The room became silent and started the mass.

There was something about me that I have discovered recently. I am starting to love hearing sermons, singing praise songs and doing church service every Sunday. I wasn’t like this before when I was younger. I hate attending mass because it was so boring, I feel sleepy and I don’t understand what the Priest was talking about.
And now, I am admitting that being inside the church is cool, especially the part when the priest is giving sermons, examples and insights. That’s the part when I am really so alive. Why? because it is really interesting.

I remembered last time when the priest had said something about the WISH.

“Wish is like a gravity, you cannot see it, but you can feel it.
It’s like a nuclear power, you cannot see it but you can see the effect of it.
It’s like love that can also attract … “

Then he said more ..

“Do you wish in your wish with the name of Jesus?”

and lastly…

“These wishes will give to you in due time.”

That’s the time when I told myself that I will be forever in God’s side, that he has a lot of good stories to tell that I should always listen to …. and that God is also COOL!

Going back to the funeral mass, the priest had said something that made me more interested in listening.

Just like the wish, this one’s about DEATH.

One day, the priest approached the man crying before the coffin and asked, “Why are you crying?” , “Because he’s not coming back!”, the man’s only reply. The priest frowned and said, “You should be happy. Your tears are supposed to be tears of joy, not tears of sadness. We should all know that this is going to happen, losing the one we love. The only thing that you have to do when that person was still alive was to treasure everything, cared about him and made him feel that you loved him. At least when he was still alive both of you have to do something about it. You won’t be regretful.” Then he ended his story that way.

The lesson the priest wants us to learn is to value life, treasure the moments being with the one you love, and do good things while we are alive.

He also mentioned that let’s not use “dead” to the people who are literally dead because it will sound more sorrowful. instead, use words or phrases like “in peace”, “in heaven”, “in harmony”, where you will feel that it’s alright for that person to leave this earth.

Lastly, the priest had said a lot of good words, too good for the soul, lifting up the spirit of people listening that mass.
Amen

The end is near

It's not about the earth that I am talking about, or my life in near death. No. Those are not what the end is all about.

It's about school ...

My high school life is near to end in less than two months (can you imagine that?), and graduation is near! I feel so excited and sad at the same time. There are many reasons why. I know some of you had experienced my feelings before, and some of you who haven't yet will also feel the same as you're on your way to college.

My classmates counted the days in the calendar and said that we only have 55 days to go before leaving our school. I don't know how to react that moment. Like I said, my emotions are mixed up. Our adviser told us too, that by March 25, 2011, we'll be having the ceremony that will happen once in a lifetime, that is-- to graduate in high school!

Now, I don't know what else to do aside from completing my requirements and passing all the academic subjects. I fell like I want to fulfill something in my high school life. I just don't know what it is.

For now, I will do my best to make it on stage and make my parents proud!

God bless us.

Thanks be to God.

Thank you for the vision to read Your word.

Thank you for the wonderful scent of freshly blooming flowers.
Thank you for the refreshing spray of water coming off of the lake.
Thank you for strawberry season.
Thank you for bird songs.

Thank you for my amazingly supportive friends and family.

Nothing says "I Love You" like...

Some guys write it in ink within a card.

Others may write it in the sand on a beach.
My friend's husband on the other hand...