After All This Time

I saw you again. I was shocked to see you there last Saturday. I wasn't really expecting it, or you. Maybe if we hadn't turned back to the front door I wouldn't have seen you, or you me. It was you who saw me first. I wasn't really minding the people walking by, but suddenly there was a tap on my arm, and when I looked it was you. After nine months of silence and just wondering what happened and why everything turned out the way they did, I saw you. I didn't know what to think, what to do. When you looked at me it was like you were so glad to see me, but then when I looked at you I couldn't help the feeling of resentment over the unexplained things that came flooding back. But I fought it and I tried to act normal. I guess I didn't smile when I saw you because suddenly the smile was wiped off your face as well. But you came with us anyway. I acted nonchalantly the way you did. Call me pretender but that's really what I did. I pretended to be civil, to be polite, to be friendly despite the resentment I was feeling. I kept thinking to myself, "why am I even talking to you?" but I couldn't help myself. I guess I was giving you the chance to explain, but you didn't. Until we parted ways.

I texted you that night, asking how you were. I sent you a message that we needed to talk about the unresolved things, but you never replied. Finally, it really made me think that there was nothing I could do about it anymore if you didn't want to talk to me. But through someone's advice I gave you another chance. I texted you again that if you wanted to talk I will wait for you at this specific time and place. I guess it was hoping for too much to expect any reply. But though there wasn't any reply, I went there and waited. I gave one whole hour. I sat there, sipping my coffee and thinking how stupid I could be waiting for nothing. But I waited. One hour. But the minutes passed, and still nothing. To pass the time I tried to write a poem about that hour. I looked at my watch again, 5 minutes to 5. Then I received a text from you. You came. If the hour went by without hearing anything from you, it would have been goodbye forever, without resolution, without healing all the hurt. So, we talked, or rather I talked...all the resentment, all my hurt. You just stood there with the somber look on your face. I asked why you did what you did, but I wasn't satisfied with your reasons. But I just let it go. It's just time for me to stop hurting, to stop blaming myself because you know in your heart it wasn't me but rather your deceitful heart. After all this time I'm finally letting all my hurt go...I'm letting you go.

Sunsets

Did I ever mention here that I love to watch sunsets? It's true. If you make me choose between sunrise and sunset, I'd always go for sunset. I don't know why, but the sunset has more appeal to me than the sunrise. When I was still living at home I could watch beautiful sunsets that sometimes I tend to take them for granted. But when I got here in Manila, I rarely have the chance to watch the sun go down. When I go out of the office it's always dark already.

I was able to experience the sunset again when we went walking along Baywalk a few weeks ago. It was fun. Although the sunset could have been better if the sky wasn't overcast with clouds.

Here are some of the pictures I got with my camera.

Poem: Over and Done

An Answered Prayer

This day has been great! I feel so blessed! Once again I was given proof that God answers prayers. Lately I've been thinking of a way on how I can serve him in my own little way as a sign of my gratitude for all the goodness He continues to bestow in my life, and I prayed that He lead me to the path He wants me to take. I've made a post previously about my joining the Sign Language Seminar, and now I really believe that God led me to it.

Just this afternoon, after our class, our teacher Lychel requested me to stay behind, so I did. I was curious why because even though I always attend the class I've never really spoken that much to them,. But all of the people in the class are very friendly and nice. Anyway, we talked and I was really surprised when she asked me if I'd be willing to be a part of the core group for the Deaf Ministry. I immediately said yes! It was an answer to my prayer. I feel like I've found my place in God's vineyard and I feel so blessed to be given the chance to serve in this way. I really just can't contain my joy that's why I am writing about it here. Next Saturday I'll be sitting with them in front. I'm looking forward to it a lot. I just really hope I can do my part diligently as we reach out more into the silent world.

Back to History and Nature

I think it was two Sundays ago that my friends from work and I made our little adventure in the historical part of Manila. Care to take a guess where? Hmm, it was in Luneta Park! Hehe. It was fun! Our first stop was Lapu-Lapu's statue. He had great pictorial there. And then we checked out the Relief Map of the Philippines. We were just on our way to exploring the rest of the park when the rain came pouring. Good thing the Museu was open, so we just decided to explore the nation's treasures there. It was really our lucky day because there was no entrance fee. The guard there said it was free during Sundays. The rain was pouring down real hard there that is why we spent most of the day there. We didn't have the chance to go to Intramuros.

Our next stop was Ocean Park. Again we had a splendid time. There were all kinds of sea creatures - fish, starfish, and even sea horses! It was my first time to see one live.

Anyway, here are some photos of our little adventure with history and nature.

Reaching Out to the Silent World

I think it was back in high school or maybe elementary when I first became amazed by Sign Language. I used to refer to the illustrations at the back of my notebook then, and I imitate the figures of the hands drawn there. But as I got older...and busier, the interest left me as well. I guess it's just natural when one becomes wrapped up in other things. But, even though it's been years, I found out that, the desire to learn Sign Language hasn't entirely left me.

Last February, there was a Sign Language seminar at Pasay Adventist Church, which I joined. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend all sessions. If I remember it right, there were three, and I was only able to attend one.

But I was again given the chance to learn when someone from the PAC Deaf Ministry texted me, informing me about the upcoming Sign Language Seminar every Saturday afternoon. To make the long story short, I attended the first session last Saturday. We started with the basics. All in all, it was very interesting, especially interacting with the people in the silent world. I hope I can attend all 10 sessions and be used in reaching out to the silent world for HIS work...

Image: Talkwithyourhands

Something About the Ten Commandments

I have one question, do you know the Ten Commandments? If you are know all ten, then I’m pretty sure you can easily pinpoint what is wrong with this list. This picture was taken outside one of the most popular churches in Manila. I won’t say which one, it’s up to you to find out! My friends and I just went to that particular church just to have a look-see. I wasn’t really paying much attention to anything when these two tablets of stone with engraved words on them caught my eye. I read it and realized it was the Ten Commandments translated in Filipino. When I was reading it, I realized there was a discrepancy. I did a double take when I read the word Sunday in that commandments list, then after a few seconds I was also bothered because of its incorrect order.

You see if you will read in EXODUS 20:1-17, you will see there that the 4th commandment is “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.” And all translations of the Bible state the word Sabbath, meaning the seventh day of the week and NOT Sunday. The one posted in the tablature clearly states Sunday as the day of worship, when in fact the Bible clearly says it’s the Sabbath. Read Exodus 20:1-17 and see for yourself.