Sharing an inspirational message

I have been negligent in updating this blog. It does not mean that I have been offline. It just means that I have been busy with other things, especially my research. I just want to share this email message I received from a friend. Although I know that this message has been going around for a number of years. I've even received it also a number of times before. It's good to read it again.

To: YOU 
Date: TODAY 
From: GOD 
Subject: YOURSELF 
Reference: LIFE

This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day.
I love you. 

P.S. And, remember...
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.

Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.

If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work; think of the man who has been out of work for years.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!

Should you decide to send this to a friend; Thank you. You may have touched their life in ways you will never know!
Now, you have a nice day.



God 



God has seen you struggling,

God says it's over. 

A blessing is coming yourway. 

stamp lickin' good?

It's Christmas card sending time again! I bought some Christmas cards when I visited Toronto last October, and again some here in Stirling last month. I have been waiting for the time when I can go and post them. Today, Saturday, was a good time as this will be my last Saturday here. I go back to Thailand next Saturday. And the PO at the city centre is open on Saturdays until 1730 hrs. So there I was, with my 15 cards for the Philippines, and 2 cards for the UK. The PO staff gave me stamps for the international cards, and he put sticker stamps on the local cards. So I went to the side table where customers would usually prepare their stuff before sending them. I needed paste or glue or moist pad to moisten the stamps so they would stick. I could not find any, so I asked the staff. Can you believe what he told me I should do? He made sign language that I should lick the stamps to moisten them. What the ... ? Was he serious? In this day and age? I told him that is not allowed, it is not so hygienic? But he said they do not have this kind of thing coz they would just lick the stamps. I had 15 stamps and I would not do it! As I had an appointment with a friend in 10 minutes, I had to leave. Anyway I would just come back later then coz I still had other cards to post. I just considered it as another one of those strange or backward things that happen in this town.

In the afternoon I returned to the PO with the cards. I of course used moist tissue to stick the stamps on. And then I had another card that needed a stamp. And can you believe it? He did the sticking for me, by licking the stamp and putting it on the envelop! Yucky!!!! I will not tell whose card it is ... I just hope nothing will grow on the stamp while the card is making its way to the Philippines!

Then this PO guy asked me if I were from the Philippines, and whether I am from the north or south. I answered that I am from the central part. Coz he is married to a Filipina from the north! Strange? Small world? I just hope he did not get that habit of stamp licking from his wife...

Christmas ... It's the most wonderful time of the year! (charity cards from tesco)

can't do w/out

Today of all days this thing happened. My eyeglasses had an incident ... I sat on them, so you know what that means!

I was reading on the bed and then I felt sleepy. So I removed my glasses and then went to sleep. When I woke up after an hour (past 6pm), I looked for my glasses. I could not find them so I stood up and realised that I was sitting on them. One lens came off, and the frame was a bit deformed. Good it did not break coz it's a titanium frame. But I could not wear my glasses now. And I could not see clearly. So I have to work close to the computer monitor to see what I am typing. I still have lots to write for my paper. Need to go to the eye shop first thing tomorrow! I hope they can do repairs.

So my glasses are things I could not do without. I could hardly see anything clearly. And it is really important with all the readings I have to do now, and working with my files and data. I might get a headache and eye strain but I will keep working until my eyes feel tired and I have to rest.

double birthdays

Today, 12 Nov, our family celebrates the birthdays of my Mom and my younger sister. Happy birthday, Mom and Nene! May God shower you both with good health and strength, provide your needs always, and give you joy & peace day by day.

My Mom turns 78 while my sister turns 43. Wishing you all the best each day of your lives, especially that you can live life abundantly as you keep trusting the Lord. There is joy and peace in His presence.

Last October I had the opportunity to spend some time with my Mom, and most of my siblings. It was a short visit and I wish I could have stayed longer. We were busy, and not so busy at times. But one thing that is etched in my memory and still tugs at my heart (and tear ducts) was the last night, when I offered to apply massage oil on my mom's arms and legs. This is her ritual before going to sleep. I gave her some massage as well on her arms, hands, legs and feet. All I could think of was how much these have helped me over the years - the hard work she had done, at home, at work ... as I was growing up, how her hands held me up as I was starting to walk, etc. How much time she spent with all the housework, cooking, laundry, marketing, in addition to her job as a nurse in the local hospital. I felt emotional every time I think of it. Remembering how much she has done and sacrificed for all of us, it is such a small thing to spend a few minutes of my time to relieve her tiredness and pain that night. The next morning she said she slept well.

There are times when children (esp grown-up) feel lazy to do something such as this to their parents. However, it will really make them feel loved and cared for when we do it. So I hope we will never get tired to do acts of this kind to make our parents happy, and to be able to sleep well at night.

rain...ulan

it is still the rainy season. no, it's not over yet. it will probably go on forever. hope not. the kablogs journal has just released its double issue (sept-oct 2011) with the theme 'rain/ulan' plus the peba special. come and visit the page to read about special and inspiring articles.

The Rain as a Diversion

Ang Dala ng Ulan

Thank you, dear teachers!

I join everyone in celebrating World Teachers' Day today. It is a significant day to acknowledge, understand, appreciate the important contribution of teachers in educating the youth and also to development. Their dedication to their profession is remarkable, especially those who persevere despite the undesirable conditions such as low pay, airless/hot classrooms, lack of supplies and equipment, and sometimes lack of support and even respect from others. I hope that by having a World Teachers' day people will become more aware of the important roles teachers play in molding the minds of the youth to be better citizens. In the same way, I also hope teachers will continue to be dedicated to their profession, to keep learning, to keep mentoring, to continue to have a vision of a better world. May their love for learning be emulated by the students who will become future leaders in all aspects of our society - in their professional and personal lives. 

I give a toast to all my teachers who have shared their knowledge and skills with me through the years, who have contributed to my learning and growing, encouraging me to achieve what I can be, to test my limits, and to go even beyond my comfort zone - to learn more, and also to learn how to teach others. 

My heartfelt thanks to you all, dear teachers and professors!

September : summer is gone!

More than 3 weeks of September have already gone ... summer is also officially gone. The other day was the first day of autumn in the temperate world. Signs of autumn can already be seen, such as the changing colours of leaves, shorter days, colder temperature ... But sometimes during the week we can still experience warmth from the sun and blue skies. Just like today. It was warmer than the past days. And the sun was shining so bright I had to wear my shades. And I was sweating. Quite a good feeling actually. And I couldn't help just looking up towards the sky, to see the blue sky and the sparse white clouds. For a while there I felt I was back home. Nostalgia. Can't think of that now coz I have lots of work to do. This Tuesday I have a deadline for my paper. And I have to count the days now, to keep an eye on the calendar and manage my time so I can meet my deadlines.

I thank God that he makes the day nice even if I have to work hard. So it lifts my mood up. Although it makes me also think of not working inside the office and sitting in front of the computer. Coz the day is so nice that it would be good to just go out, walk around, see people looking so happy. But could not do that now. I have to finish this paper soonest. So I hope we can still have some sunshine and blue skies next week, after I have submitted my paper, so I can enjoy it.