Entries for June, 2007

June 2, 2007

A REPOST
Posted at 04:41 AM

DESIDERATA

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
And remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly & clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull & ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud & aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain & bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing future of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity & disenchantment
it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness.
Beyond wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees & the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours & aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

"Desiderata" was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945). In 1956, the
rector of St. Paul's Church in Baltimore, Maryland, used the poem in a
collection of mimeographed inspirational material for his congregation.
Someone who subsequently printed it asserted that it was found in
Old St
.
Paul's Church, dated 1692. The year 1692 was the founding date of the church
and has nothing to do with the poem. See Fred D. Cavinder, "Desiderata",
_TWA Ambassador_, Aug. 1973, pp. 14-15.

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June 2, 2007

FOR MY FELLOW PILGRIMS
Posted at 06:39 AM

Travelogue For Exiles

by

Karl Shapiro

Look and remember. Look upon this sky;

Look deep and deep into the sea-clean air,

The unconfined, the terminus of prayer.

Speak now and speak into the hallowed dome.

What do you hear? What does the sky reply?

The heavens are taken: this is not your home.

Look and remember. Look upon this sea;

Look down and down into the tireless tide.

What of a life below, a life inside,

A tomb, a cradle in the curly foam?

The waves arise; sea-wind and sea agree

The waters are taken: this is not your home.

Look and remember. Look upon this land,

Far, far across the factories and the grass.

Surely, there, surely they will let you pass.

Speak then and ask the forest and the loam.

What do you hear? What does the land command?

The earth is taken: this is not your home.

So where is it? I know. =)

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June 6, 2007

HALF-YEAR
Posted at 04:21 AM

Half the year is over, the rest of 2007 is just beginning. What have I got to show for it?

ACADS: Well, I survived my first enrollment day in UP Diliman. Lost a lot of sweat and breath (and hopefully, some fat) in the endless trek up and down the stairs and to and from the hallways of benitez. I had to enlist and repick subjects around ten times; it is so unfair that freshmen grad students do not have priority for slots. I suddenly realized that UP Manila is far more merciful, and whoever invented the CRS should be given a substantial cash prize.

What sucks is that I have to take 3 undergrad subjects BEFORE i can take any major. At least the threatened tuition fee increase did not catch up to me, I only paid P500/unit. I managed to get into 2 classes that I never thought I would take (or even knew existed), simply because they are the only ones that would fit my sched. Starting June 16, I am back to school every Saturday 8:30am-2:30pm. Goodbye Singles Club Breakfasts...huhuhu.

CAREER: Also, by the end of June, I would become a regular employee here. Hurray! God has been good indeed. Now if I can just beat my 8 month record, hehe.

LOCALE: I just moved to another condo and hopefully will move into our own place in the next few weeks. I am now officially a Makati denizen!

MINISTRY: An invitation to join the steering committee for the IVPM Ortigas Chapter is a much-awaited answered prayer. I am excited to see how He will work in the coming months.

LOVELIFE: hehe. i do have a couple of crushes though. but still NBSB.

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June 7, 2007

BIRTHDAY TRIVIA
Posted at 01:57 AM

from:http://www.paulsadowski.com/BirthData.asp

21 July 1983

Your date of conception was on or about 28 October 1982 which was a Thursday.

You were born on a Thursday
under the astrological sign Cancer.
Your Life path number is 4.

Life Path Compatibility:
You are most compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 2, 4, 8, 11 & 22.
You should get along well with those with the Life Path numbers 6 & 7.
You are least compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 1, 3, 5 & 9.

The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2445536.5.
The golden number for 1983 is 8.
The epact number for 1983 is 16.
The year 1983 was not a leap year.

Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 2/13/1983 and ending 2/1/1984.
You were born in the Chinese year of the Pig.

Your Native American Zodiac sign is Woodpecker; your plant is Wild Rose.

You were born in the Egyptian month of Paopy, the second month of the season of Poret (Emergence - Fertile soil).

Your date of birth on the Hebrew calendar is 11 Av 5743.
Or if you were born after sundown then the date is 12 Av 5743.

The Mayan Calendar long count date of your birthday is 12.18.10.2.12 which is
12 baktun 18 katun 10 tun 2 uinal 12 kin

The Hijra (Islamic Calendar) date of your birth is Thursday, 10 Shavval 1403 (1403-10-10).

The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 3 April 1983.
The date of Orthodox Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 8 May 1983.
The date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) on your birth year was Wednesday 16 February 1983.
The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday 22 May 1983.
The date of Whisuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday 29 May 1983.
The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Thursday, 8 September 1983.
The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Tuesday, 29 March 1983.
The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday 15 February 1983.

As of 6/6/2007 1:54:27 PM EDT
You are 23 years old.
You are 287 months old.
You are 1,246 weeks old.
You are 8,721 days old.
You are 209,317 hours old.
You are 12,559,074 minutes old.
You are 753,544,467 seconds old.

Celebrities who share your birthday:
Hatty Jones (1988) Josh Hartnett (1978) Jon Lovitz (1957)
Michael Connelly (1956) Robin Williams (1952) Cat Stevens (1948)
Kenneth Starr (1946) Norman Jewison (1926) Don Knotts (1924)
Kay Starr (1922) Isaac Stern (1920) Marshall McLuhan (1911)
Ernest Hemingway (1899)

Top songs of 1983
Every Breath You Take by Police Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
Flashdance by Irene Cara Say Say Say by Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
All Night Long by Lionel Richie Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
Down Under by Men at Work Beat It by Michael Jackson
Islands In the Stream by Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton Baby, Come to Me by Patti Austin & James Ingram

Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 3.4133072407045 years old. (Life's just a big chewy bone for you!)

There are 45 days till your next birthday
on which your cake will have 24 candles.

Those 24 candles produce 24 BTUs,
or 6,048 calories of heat (that's only 6.0480 food Calories!) .
You can boil 2.74 US ounces of water with that many candles.

In 1983 there were approximately 3.6 million births in the US.
In 1983 the US population was approximately 226,545,805 people, 64.0 persons per square mile.
In 1983 in the US there were 2,444,000 marriages (10.5%) and 1,179,000 divorces (5%)
In 1983 in the US there were approximately 1,990,000 deaths (8.8 per 1000)
In the US a new person is born approximately every 8 seconds.
In the US one person dies approximately every 12 seconds.

In 1983 the population of Australia was approximately 15,483,496.
In 1983 there were approximately 242,570 births in Australia.
In 1983 in Australia there were approximately 114,860 marriages and 43,525 divorces.
In 1983 in Australia there were approximately 110,084 deaths.

Your birthstone is Ruby

The Mystical properties of Ruby

Ruby is said to open one's heart to love.

Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewelers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)

Carnelian

Your birth tree is

Elm Tree, the noble-mindedness
Pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, tends to a know-all-attitude and making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humour, practical.

There are 202 days till Christmas 2007!
There are 215 days till Orthodox Christmas!

The moon's phase on the day you were
born was waxing gibbous.

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June 7, 2007

NAME GAME
Posted at 02:01 AM

if my names determined my personality:

maria - manang

rita - casual

ilya - ladylike

MARIA

There are 5 letters in your name.
Those 5 letters total to 24
There are 3 vowels and 2 consonants in your name.

What your first name means:

Swedish	Female	Bitter.
Spanish	Female	Bitter.
Shakespearean	Female	'Love's Labours Lost' A lady attending on the Princess of France. 'Twelfth Night', also called 'What You Will' Olivia's waiting woman.
Norse	Female	Name not originally Norse but it appears in several sagas and is the name of King Harald Sigurdsson's daughter.
Latin	Female	Commonly-used variant of Mary: Wished-for child; rebellion; bitter. Popular with both Spanish and non-Spanish cultures.
Italian	Female	Bitter.
Hebrew	Female	Variant of Mary: Wished-for child; rebellion; bitter.
German	Female	Bitter.
French	Female	Bitter.

Your number is: 6

The characteristics of #6 are: Responsibility, protection, nurturing, community, balance, sympathy.

The expression or destiny for #6:
The number 6 Expression provides you a truly outstanding sense of responsibility, love, and balance. The 6 is helpful and ever conscientious, making you quite capable of rectifying and balancing any sort of inharmonious situation. You are a person very much inclined to give help and comfort to those in need. You have a natural penchant for working with the old, the young, the sick, or the underprivileged. Although you may have considerable creative and artistic talents, the chances are that you will devote yourself to an occupation that shows concern for the betterment of the community.

The positive side of the number 6 suggests that you are very loving, friendly, and appreciative of others. You have a depth of understanding that produces much sympathetic, kindness, and generosity. The qualities of the 6 make the finest and most concerned parent and one often deeply involved in domestic activities. Openness and honesty is apparent in your approach to all relationships.

If there is an excess of the number 6 in your makeup, you may exhibit some of the negative traits associated with this number. There may be a tendency for you to be too exacting and demanding of yourself. In this regard, you may at times sacrifice yourself (or your loved ones) for the welfare of others. In some cases, the over zealous 6 has difficulty distinguishing helping from interfering. You may have difficulty expressing your own individuality, because of involvement with responsibilities and causes. Like all with the Expression of the number 6, it's quite likely that you worry much too much.

Your Soul Urge number is: 11

A Soul Urge number of 11 means:
With the 11 Soul Urge, much of your thinking and interests relate to the abstract, the spiritual, and utopian dreams. You are motivated toward idealistic concepts, and the sharing of your ideas and concepts with humanity. This number is not one that is giving in a material or a practical sense, but rather one who desires to help mankind with a more abstract commodity such as religion, spiritualism, occult studies, or even psychic abilities.

If you possess the positive 11 Soul Urge traits, you have a dream of the perfect world; you are highly idealistic and inspirational. Your inner strength and devotion to your beliefs are extremely strong. You have a very good mind that is especially well equipped to handle the higher, more abstract forms of thought.

If there is an excess of 11 energy in your makeup, you may possess some the negative 11 traits. There is a tendency for the 11 to produce considerable amounts of nervous tension which is bought on by a very high level of awareness. You may be too sensitive and overly emotional. In some cases, these sensitivities and emotions are quite repressed, and this tends to add even more to the sense of nervousness in the makeup.

The strong 11 is not a very practical person because of the extreme idealism; often, there is a degree of self-deception present. There is usually a rather fixed idea of right and wrong held by those showing strong 11 traits, and with this very often is a resulting attitude of inflexibility.

Your Inner Dream number is: 4

An Inner Dream number of 4 means:
You dream of being a very solid citizen that people can depend upon. You strive for organization and predictable order. You want to be recognized as a person with a plan and the discipline to make that plan work like clockwork.

RITA

There are 4 letters in your name.
Those 4 letters total to 21
There are 2 vowels and 2 consonants in your name.

What your first name means:

Spanish Female Pearl.
Persian Female Variant of Margaret: Child of light. Famous Bearer: Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Greek Female Speaker. Can also be a variant of Margaret: Pearl.

Your number is: 3

The characteristics of #3 are: Expression, verbalization, socialization, the arts, the joy of living.

The expression or destiny for #3:
An Expression of 3 produces a quest for destiny with words along a variety of lines that may include writing, speaking, singing, acting or teaching; our entertainers, writers, litigators, teachers, salesmen, and composers. You also have the destiny to sell yourself or sell just about any product that comes along. You are imaginative in your presentation, and you may have creative talents in the arts, although these are more likely to be latent. You are an optimistic person that seems ever enthusiastic about life and living. You are friendly, loving and social, and people like you because you are charming and such a good conversationalist. Your ability to communicate may often inspire others. It is your role in life to inspire and motivate; to raise the spirits of those around you.

The negative side of number 3 Expression is superficiality. You may tend to scatter your forces and simply be too easygoing. It is advisable for the negative 3 to avoid dwelling on trivial matters, especially gossip.

Your Soul Urge number is: 1

A Soul Urge number of 1 means:
Your Soul Urge is the number 1. With a Soul Urge number of 1, you want to lead and direct, to work independent of supervision, by yourself or with subordinates. You take pride in your abilities and want to be recognized for them. You may seek opportunities to display your strength and usefulness, wanting to create and originate. In your desire to manage the big picture and the main issues, you may often leave the details to others.

The positive 1 Soul Urge is Ambitious and determined, a leader seeking opportunities. There is a great deal of honesty and loyalty in this character. If you possess positive 1 Soul Urge qualities, you are very attainment oriented and driven to success. You are a loyal friend and strictly fair in your business dealings.

The negative side of the 1 Soul Urge must be avoided. A negative 1 is apt to dominate situations and people; the home, the spouse, the family and the business. Emotions aren't strong in this nature. If you possess an excess of 1 energy, you may, at times, be boastful and egotistic. You must avoid being too critical and impatient of trifles. The great need of the 1 Soul Urge is the development of friendliness, and a sincere interest in people.

Your Inner Dream number is: 11

An Inner Dream number of 11 means:
You dream of casting the light of illumination; of being the true idealist. You secretly believe there is more to life than we can know or prove, and you would like to be provider of the 'word' from on high.

ILYA

There are 4 letters in your name.
Those 4 letters total to 20
There are 2 vowels and 2 consonants in your name.

What your first name means:
Russian Male Abbreviation of Elijah 'My God is Jehovah.'.

Your number is: 2

The characteristics of #2 are: Cooperation, adaptability, consideration of others, partnering, mediating.

The expression or destiny for #2:
A number 2 Expression gives you the tools to work very well with other people. Your destiny is in the role of the mediator and the peacemaker. In many ways you are dependent on others and seem to function best in a partnership or in some form of group activity. Modesty runs deep in your nature, and you can work comfortably without recognition of your accomplishments. Often, others get credit for your ideas, and this is of little real concern to your since you are such a willing team player. As you grow in this direction, you become sensitive to the feelings of others, you are ever diplomatic in handling complicated situations. Cooperative, courteous, and considerate, you have the capacity to become an outstanding facilitator. You know how to organize and handle people. You are a good detail person because you rarely overlook anything. Tactful and friendly, nearly everyone likes you.

The negative 2 personality can be over-sensitive and easily hurt. Too much of this number in your makeup can make you very shy and uncertain. Sometimes the excessive 2 energies makes one apathetic and somewhat indifferent to the job at hand; the ability to handle details is hampered in these cases.

Your Soul Urge number is: 1

Your Inner Dream number is: 1

An Inner Dream number of 1 means:
You dream of being a leader and one who is in charge. You want to be known for your courage, daring, and original ideas. You seek unconquered heights. People may get a first impression that you are very aggressive and sure of yourself.

1 tripped the light fantastic

June 9, 2007

Proverbs 13:12
Posted at 01:48 AM

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick..."

It is almost mid-June and still no sales...plenty of backed out, undecided and hard-to-reach customers though. Then my plans for pursuing the CWMC conflicted with my MA schedule.

"... but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life."

Lots of answered prayers though. Going back to school in diliman is definitely on top. Also, I'm thankful about being involved in the IVPM Ortigas chapter and going on a belated swimming outing with the Vesper choir.

And like Ate Jam, I have plenty of things to look forward to. Especially on June 28.

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June 11, 2007

FEBRUARY SONG
Posted at 10:12 PM

Where has that old friend gone
Lost in a February song
Tell him it won't be long
Til he opens his eyes, opens his eyes
Where is that simple day
Before colors broke into shades
And how did I ever fade
Into this life, into this life

And I never want to let you down
Forgive me if I slip away
When all that I've known is lost and found
I promise you I, I'll come back to you one day

People seem to be always leaving nowadays... Including me.

Morning is waking up
And sometimes it's more than just enough
When all that you need to love
Is in front of your eyes
It's in front of your eyes

And I never want to let you down
Forgive me if I slip away
Sometimes it's hard to find the ground
Cause I keep on falling as I try to get away
From this crazy world

And some of them, well, are better off far, far away. Or at least, just not so here. Denial is such a bittersweet thing.

And I never want to let you down
Forgive me if I slip away
When all that I've known is lost and found
I promise you I, I'll come back to you one day

Where has that old friend gone
Lost in a February song
Tell him it won't be long
Til he opens his eyes
Opens his eyes

I so feel this song right now...

1 tripped the light fantastic

June 20, 2007

6 WEIRD THINGS ABOUT ME
Posted at 12:13 AM

a super belated tag....

1. I laugh when I'm sad, shout when I'm happy, and cry when I'm furious. On average, my mood swings every half hour or so from happy-frustrated-bored-sad-giddy-scared-irritated-excited-comatose-etc-etc.

2. I have obssessive phases. For example, in Grade 6 I was able to memorize the libretto of Ms Saigon and Les Miserables even though I did not have a copy of the tapes. I also had this years long crush on **** that did not fade until a very humiliating expose. Once they know it, I don't like them anymore. Hehe.

3. My body clock is haywire. Even before I started working night shift, I could stay up for 30 hours straight then sleep for 16 hours straight. I also get hungry every 3 hours on the dot.

4. I read everywhere, anytime, and almost anything. I read while eating, in the loo, in the bus, while climbing stairs, during calls, while waiting. I also read in binges, fixating on an author or genre for months on end before moving to the next. Right now, I am almost through with the Xanth series.

5. I have sprained my left foot 3x and my right foot 2x in a span of 3 years. And I almost always get injured when I engage in sports or games.

6. I have 13 allergies... dustmite, cockroach, kapok, mango pollen, grass pollen, etc etc.

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June 21, 2007

WORTH THE WAIT
Posted at 11:43 PM

I am often (always) asked why I am still single and an NBSB. People would think that i am too choosy or busy or frigid. I usually end up having difficulty explaining why I choose to wait.

The letter below is one excellent reason; I got it from one of my ate's blogsite. With the numerous "distractions" around, I thank God for the timely reminder. It doesn't even have to apply to non-C's or those who don't belong to the same denomination...

I am waiting for a guy who loves God more than he loves me...or anything else. I am trusting that God would lead me to a partner, not just in life but in ministry, who also shares my calling for missions and teaching.

After seeing and grieving for several people in the same situation below, seeking a MAGOH (man after God's own heart) is NOT too much to ask. It is worth the wait.

An Open Letter to a Girl of God

Girl of God, as I watched you tonight, I wished for an opportunity to talk with you. I watched your beautiful face as you sang and worshipped. You reminded me of myself seven years ago. And then, after Church, I watched you as you got into that car with a boy who doesn’t know God. Oh yes, he was at Church tonight. I am sure that you would not accept the idea that, for him, this is just a means to an end.

Seven years ago I was in your shoes. I had known God since my early teens, and had grown up under God-annointed preaching and teaching. I didn’t lack boy friends or dates, as is so often the case in Churches where the girls outnumber the boys. Some very wonderful, consecrated young men came my way. But Satan who watches diligently and waits patiently to ensnare a soul, saw me one day as I was lukewarm. Oh, I was still going to Church and playing my accordion and singing and doing all the right things outwardly.

I met a young man at work. And before long, without anyone else’s knowing it, I felt I couldn’t live without him. He knew about my Church, and when he attended with me, he went to the altar and cried. And so I married him, while my family and those who loved me wept and agonized.

It was just six months later that I realized my soul was in danger and that I had to have a touch from god. Then the battle began. No, he wasn’t going to Church anymore. I could count on my fingers the number of times he went during the last seven years.

Before I married him, the thought of living without him was unbearable. “How lonely it would be!” I thought. But now I know what loneliness really is, and I’d like to tell you about.

Loneliness is receiving a blessing from God and going home to a man you can’t share it with. He isn’t interested; he’s watching television.

Loneliness is going to a Church social alone and watching the young couples enjoy God’s blessings together. You can go alone or stay home alone; he has other interests.

Loneliness is feeling the urgency of Christ’s coming and knowing that the one you love most on this earth is not ready, and shows no signs of caring.

Loneliness is seeing two children born and knowing that if your influence is to outweigh his, it will be a miracle.

Loneliness is going to a General conference and seeing young couples everywhere who are truly one and dedicated to god’s work, And there goes the young man who loved you once and wanted to marry you. He’s preaching the gospel now, he has never married. Oh God! Help me! I mustn’t think of it!

Loneliness is lying awake struggling with the suspicion that he’s unfaithful. Then comes the unbelievable pain knowing for sure. He doesn’t care if I know. She even calls me on the phone. After a time, he makes an effort to break it off. I vow to do everything humanly possible to keep this marriage together.

I will love him more and pray for him more. Seven years of my life are involved in this! There’s a little girl and a little boy!

Loneliness is now. My children and I will go home to a dark, empty apartment that will be my home until the lawyer says it’s over. I, who have always been afraid to stay alone, now welcome the peace and solitude.

As I look in the mirror; I see that seven years haven’t changed my face so much. But inside I am old, and something that was once alive and beautiful is now dead.

Of course, this is not an unusual story. The remarkable thing about it is that I am still living for God. I am thankful for my family and their prayers of intercession for me.

Oh, I am praying for you, girl of God! Please believe me when I tell you that no matter how wonderful he is, how loving, how tender—you cannot build a happy life upon disobedience to God’s Word.

You see no matter what the future holds for me, I have missed His perfect will for my life. I will never stop paying for breaking a commandment of God! Don’t let it happen to you!

“Be ye not equally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?”

2 Corinthians 6:12

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June 22, 2007

BEYOND MY CONTROL
Posted at 04:13 AM

My mood swing has been stuck in angry-frustrated mode the whole day. I am dialling and dialling and dialling (and pounding the phone too) but still not making my goals because of a nasty trend of voice mails and missing contact persons. Got a written warning for late just now because of my tardiness today. Ironically, I woke up an hour earlier than usual, but ended up wasting time while waiting for someone whose insensitivity knows no bounds.

I need someone to blame, and I can't even point to myself this time. Things have really been beyond my control. Then again, when have things ever gone perfectly according to my plan?

This is something I still have to learn:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.

serenity - Is this edible?

courage - I think I got too much of this.

wisdom - haaaay.

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June 23, 2007

NOT UPDATED
Posted at 01:29 AM

I just realized that this (not just referring to my previous entry) too shall pass...my mood swings, the ups, downs and in-betweens, the in crowd and the so-called stars, the powers-that-be and the they-who-must-not-be-named.

Here is a post from one of my churchmates and a lovely young lady who is on fire right now. =) There may be some cultural differences but I agree with the gist:

If they know of him at all, many folks think Ben Stein is just a quirky actor/comedian who talks in a monotone. He's also a very intelligent attorney who knows how to put ideas and words together in such a way as to sway juries and make people think clearly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary

Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart: I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important?

I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife.

Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are.

If this is what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.

Next confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?

I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.

But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina)

Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.

And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"

In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about and we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.

Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing?

2 tripped the light fantastic

June 26, 2007

REPOST
Posted at 01:31 AM

I posted this last year I think...and I mistakenly attributed it to Nelson Mandela, haha! Here is my deepest fear again, with the right source:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,Our presence automatically liberates others."

-Marianne Williamson

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June 26, 2007

SUNDO
Posted at 07:06 AM

by Imago

I.
Kay tagal kong sinusuyod ang buong mundo
Para hanapin, para hanapin ka
Nilibot ang distrito ng iyong lumbay
Pupulutin, pupulutin ka

Rerfrain:
Sinusundo kita,
Sinusundo

Chorus:
Asahan mong mula ngayon pag-ibig ko’y sayo
Asahan mong mula ngayon pag-ibig ko’y sayo

II.
Sa akin mo isabit ang iyong lumbay
Di kukulangin ang ibibigay
Isuko ang kaba tuluyan kang bumitaw
Ika’y manalig
Manalig ka..

Refrain:
Sinusundo kita
Sinusundo

Chorus:
Asahan mong mula ngayon pag-ibig ko’y sayo
Asahan mong mula ngayon pag-ibig ko’y sayo

Handa na sa liwanag mo
Sinuyod ang buong mundo
Maghihintay sayo’ng sundo

1 tripped the light fantastic

June 29, 2007

SOMEWHERE, SOMEHOW
Posted at 01:03 AM

by: michael w smith and amy grant

Standing in our silence
I hear my heart beating
And if only I could choose
I'd stay here with you
But hold me til the train is leaving
Somewhere down the line
After you're gone from sight
Our love will be the same
And, whispering your name,
I'll cling to you with all my might

Let me dream of you
But its true
And wake me up when this is over
Love will be there when this is over and

Chorus:
Somewhere far beyond today
I will find a way to find you
And somehow thru the lonely nights
I will leave a light in the dark
Let it lead you to my heart

There's a love inside us
Deep down inside
That goes without saying
Don't say a word
But I'll tell you just the same
And that love will fan the flame
And that flame will warm the heart that's waiting

You are mine and I'll wait for you my love
You are mine (it may take some time)
Even if it takes a lifetime
Tell me you'll wait

Chorus

Bridge:
And somewhere alone
I will be praying you home
I know that somehow our love

Our love will lead me to your arms

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