Diversely United Forever

This is going to be the first time that I will be blogging about my ever dearest friends. They have the right to react on what i'm going to write in here but sad to say I can't edit it once I hit the publish button.

Four years ago, I happen to know these wonderful people in an English tutorial company. At that time, the only common among us is the ability to speak, write and teach English to Koreans in the most effective way. I'm pretty confident on that thing as we were among the tutors who got the most number of students that time. We entered the company carrying the extremes of our personalities. Up to this time, I just can't decipher the reason how come we were able to build this awesome friendship among us.

I would just be using nicknames as I describe them one by one in this post to maintain the value of confidentiality and for their safety as well as they will become prominent people in the future in their own fields (I'm pretty sure of it). The list is arranged is no particular order.

Lily Shengspher

The second tallest in the group. Among us, she is the most fashionable. She can wear any dress actually and it would always look good on her all the time. She is also the most generous in all aspects. May it be in food, time and most of all love. She initiates all our escapades and most of it are truly worth keeping. She is also the person in the group who tries to please everyone to the point of blaming the fault to herself. The latter is not a good attitude actually and she should minimize doing it. She is an independent woman, loving daughter and sister, great friend and most of all an endearing girl friend. My prayer for her is genuine happiness and may she be able to live happily ever after in good health and sound mind.

Akiko Yamashita

I guess I should say she's the toughest among us. Such a hardworking individual in the extent that she can manage to have 3 jobs in a day yet still wants to work more. She airs out her sentiments especially when it's about her work and rights. However, when things get serious, she will just shut up and rather not tell anyone what she's thinking. Among us, she is the one who can easily mingle with new people and most often open up conversations. Sad to say, she is the most forgetful person among us. If you're sending her sms, don't expect that she can reply immediately. Lucky for you if she's holding her phone, but if not, it will be read the next day. You should call her to reach her. Nevertheless, she is very dear to me. The gathering won't be the same if she's not present. She never missed one though. My prayer for her is genuine happiness and may she be able to live happily ever after in good health and sound mind.

Shinta Kilimanjaro

The youngest among us but I can say that she is the most terrible one. Don't you dare mess up with her or else you get to hear a long lecture in straight English. Despite her toughness, she is a sweet individual by heart especially to her real close friends. She is also a camera addict and can manage to strike a pose even though the shot is supposed to be candid. She calls herself "Bratinella", in short, she knows within herself that she is a brat and she is indeed a brat. However, she is very dear to me as well and since I don't have a little sister so I consider her to be one. My prayer for her is genuine happiness and may she be able to live happily ever after in good health and sound mind.

Theandish Seganya

She is my schoolmate way back college and we both belong to the nursing field. Most of the time, she is being described as a bubbly, tanned chick which is indeed true. When it comes to romantic relationships, she tends to give her all. I've seen her cried several times because of love-life related issues and I'm just happy that she's getting back on track this time. She is very dear to me also. Her laughter in every event that we were together adds up the positive energy of the entire scene. When you post something serious in your Facebook status, she is one of those who will comment first and will give a serious advice immediately. My prayer for her is genuine happiness and may she be able to live happily ever after in good health and sound mind.

Julia Angela Dauson

She is most often misinterpreted as a happy-go-lucky liberated chick. However, if you consider yourself as one of her true friends, then you wouldn't describe her that way. Julia is such a loving lady. When she's in-love, she is indeed in love. She is a person who is capable of adjusting in any field of work. In short she is a fast learner. She can dare to stand up against anyone when the issue involves her friends and family. Deep inside she is a fragile young lady who is also capable of getting hurt and I want to emphasize here and anywhere that she's not a b*tch in any way. Those who are integrating that awful word to her name don't really know the real Julia. My prayer for her is genuine happiness and may she be able to live happily ever after in good health and sound mind.

Paula Klum

She's the tallest in the group. At first, I can't really identify her true personality. In fact, my first impression upon seeing her in the workplace is that she is a person that I would be having a hard time dealing with. However, as time passed by, I can no longer use my first impression to describe her because she is totally the other way around. She is an intelligent young lady who has the potential to become a fine lawyer someday. She's knows her rights and responsibilities both legally and morally. My prayer for her is genuine happiness and may she be able to live happily ever after in good health and sound mind.

Janna Lee

She is the one whom I've known the longest. We went to the same College. We've met by accident in one of the school's overnight seminars and after a short chit-chat, we were able to find out that we came from the same hometown and we have a lot of common friends. Since then, the friendship just flourish amazingly. We joined the Korean tutorial company together when we were still having our review for our licensure exam. We do share a lot of problems and happiness in life. Because of that, I consider her not only as my best friend but also my dear sister. Sad thing she left the country the soonest time, but the distance didn't become a hindrance after all. We still update each other through instant messaging and emails. Now that she is in a foreign land, my prayer for her is to have genuine happiness and a happily lived life in good health and sound mind. I'm looking forward to see her and hug her tight.

Just imagine these people group together and in that particular gathering all you can feel is genuine happiness. The connection can't be explained. Maybe the reason behind is real friendship. We can have millions of friends but only few of them are true. I am 100% sure that these people won't forsake nor leave me in times of trouble and it is already proven and tested. We may not be together most of the time as we would be parting ways sooner or later, deep inside our hearts we would remain as friends until the end of time. As how I end each of their paragraphs, my prayer for them is genuine happiness and may we all be able to live happily ever after in good health and sound mind.

-niceurdaneta-

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Long Time No See

In the past few days, I was able to see my good old high school friends and the usual long talks and genuine laughter simply consumes our time. Our topics usually start with questions like "How are you?", "What keeps you busy these days?", "I've heard you're earning big time, how did you do it?" and the conversation goes on and on.

No matter how the discussion started, it would always go back to talking about the unforgettable moments that we had in the past. The countless funny encounters with the terror teachers, the weird love teams, embarrassing scenes, group victories and whole a lot more. I just can't explain why no matter how often we talk about those incidents, the amount of humor that goes along with it stays the same.

When our graduation happened eight (8) years ago, most us went on separate ways. There are few who went to the same university in the nearby city while some went solo in a far away land. Nevertheless, all of us are aiming to be successful someday.

It's been 8 years and it's about time to check each other. Thanks to the ever helpful social networking site Facebook because we could still update with each other despite the distance and sometimes chat on real time.

Few years more and we would all be seeing each other with our own families. Wherever in the world you are right now, I'm hoping and praying for your safety and well being. Until next time guys...

-niceurdaneta-

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God Centered Faith Conquers Self Centered Fear

The diagram on the side might be familiar to you. All of us might have encountered it in school in our psychology classes. It is called the Maslow's hierarchy of needs. If you're going to observe the second level from the bottom, it reads "Safety Needs". It's true, we all need safety and as much as possible, this is the very thing that we consider before pursuing anything. The first question that would most of the time come into our mind when we would try something new is that "Is it safe?"

Actually there is nothing wrong in considering safety. Especially that we are living in this dangerous world. However, how are we going to know that we are safe if we were not able to experience danger? I'm not saying that you are going to be reckless. Instead, I'm just encouraging you to be out in the open and face the world. You might be thinking that I'm putting you in great danger but if you're walking in faith of God, you should fear nothing. 

One of the stories in the old testament that we could site is the story of the soldier Joshua. He used to be the assistant of Moses and it has been inculcated into his mind that he's going to be the sidekick forever. When Moses died, the Lord talked to him. The Lord passed the responsibility of Moses to him for His people. Joshua hesitated to accept it. So many "what if's" came into his mind. He's afraid. However, the Lord told him (Joshua 1:9) "Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage, be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goeth"

 The verse was addressed not only to Joshua but to all of us. We all have fears, self-centered fears to be exact. To fight all these, we just need to have a God-centered faith. Life would be tough and would be unfair but fear not coz the Lord is with you. Mentors die, friends leave and changes happen but the Lord remains. He didn't promise a safe life instead He promised to be with you "withersoever thou goeth" (wherever you go)

-niceurdaneta-

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A Strange Puzzling Dream

Dreams are considered to be a fantasy world wherein our unconscious desires are seen. To others, they serve as a sign of what might happen in the future, while for some a look back to a forgotten past. Sometimes they are strange while there are times that they bring so much happiness. 

Before I go to sleep at this moment, let me share to you my dream last night. It was somewhat puzzling and after I woke up, I felt a feeling of combined happiness and confusion. If it is a reflection of our unconscious world, that dream could have been the result of my unconscious reaction to what the fortune teller told me that day (it has been our yearly habit among my closest friends to see a fortune teller on the first Tuesday of the year).

In my dream, I was in a big choco-drink event wherein all sectors of the community are present. My friend who happened to be the events coordinator of the choco company invited all of us to attend. The event clearly happened in Davao City. A group of young adults from Manila are invited to cover it. They were composed of photographers, bloggers and even news writers. I happen to know one of the photographers so when I learned that they are covering, I then looked for him. On my way to their booth, I saw a pretty girl at about my height carrying a clipboard. Upon seeing her, I was tachycardic (increased heartbeat) and I don't know why. I know the name of the girl but she doesn't know me. Then her companion called her. That confirmed her identity and that worsen my tachycardia. I left the place immediately, the feeling is so strange as if I want to cry.

Then I found myself going down the stair facade of a building heading to a large green ground. Someone waved his hand and later part I realized that the one waving is my photographer friend. While he's carrying his enormous DSLR, he told me to pose coz he's going to take a picture of my me. He kept on taking pictures when someone from my back hugged me. I wasn't able to see his face but I can immediately recognize him. He then whispered "Surprise!" I didn't turn my back, instead I asked him why he's here. He just replied  "I don't know, it's a surprise"

Not far from us, I then saw the pretty girl again, she's holding her clipboard very tight looking at us crying. I can feel that she's agonizing then someone approached her and they left. Then I was awaken by my phone's annoying alarm tone.

Such a strange dream. Up to this time, I can't imagine that that certain event will happen. It is not impossible though but the chances are very slim. It has a lot of meanings for sure and whatever it may be I'm not going to force myself to search for it. I'm just blogging it out.

-niceurdaneta-

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Remembering My 2010 As I Look Forward For my 2011

My 2010 has been filled with the extremes of life. In this very year, I was able to exprerience so much happiness as well as sadness. Nevertheless, I was able to learn a lot of important lessons in life.

This year, I was able to have my best birthday ever. Even though I wasn’t able to celebrate it with my family, my loving and true friends made it worth remembering. I also received the best birthday gift ever and that is the feeling of being valued more than any amount of money that you could imagine.

This year, I was able to purchase my Laptop computer with my hard earned money. This gadget has been my partner in times of boredom. Together with the internet connection, my loving laptop has been the instrument of allowing me to cope with the expensive demands of the city.

This year, I was able to prove who among the number of people that I know are my true friends. They are the one who stood by me during the time that I need them the most. I need not to mention their names in here because I’ve already included in my life and they know exactly who they are.

This year, I felt the great love of the Lord at all times. He may have given me challenges but all of those were bearable. He has never foresaken me even though at so many times I ignored Him.  I’m very thankful for all the blessings including the challenges that He has given.

Few days from now would be another year and I’m excited  to face it. I’m looking forward for a more challenging life and I’m confident that I could face it with the Lord’s help.

He has never forsaken me all throughout my 2010 and it is just rightful to payback not only this coming year but through my entire life.

I’m looking forward for a new job in 2011. Wherever it maybe, I’m praying for a safe place and loving people.

2011 would be a year of great changes but whatever it takes, I’m willing to embrace it for God’s glory. 

-niceurdaneta-

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Unexpected Tragedy

It was a very hot day. I went around the city to visit various government offices to request for documents. I even forgot to eat my lunch and most of the time I've been annoyed by the heat of the sun outside. I don't usually go out of my apartment if it's not going to be a very important appointment. After doing all my transactions outside, I went straight home. When I'm still inside the jeepney, I noticed that my phone's red light keeps on blinking. It is an indication that I've got messages. I just didn't mind it and decided to read it when I'm in the apartment already.

Then I reached my living room. Just like what I always do, I turned on the fan, the television and my laptop. I totally forgot to check my phone. I even kept myself busy by cooking something to eat first and had a cold shower. Then my phone beeped. I know it is not an SMS because I customized the ringtones of my messenger notifications. I know it is a message from my yahoo messenger. I then become curious who's sending me a message then. I checked my phone and found out that it's my cousin. Actually it's my aunt, she's just using my cousin's account. She wants to call me in the messenger but I can't answer her because my headset is not working well. So I just asked her what seems to be the problem. I can sense that she wanted to tell me something serious. As I checked my other notifications, all of the SMS in the inbox came from her with a similar message if she can call me.

She then shared to me that an accident happened between a bus and a motorcycle on a way to our hometown. Then my heart beat fast upon reading it. She is not going to share it to me if no one in the family is involved. She then told me that the one riding the motorcycle is her boyfriend. We already considered her boyfriend as part of the family and they've been in the relationship for quite a long time already. I already considered him as my second uncle (my aunt is a widow and her husband died more than 10 years ago due to motor accident as well).

She said that my uncle is in a serious condition. He's currently in the hospital with two of his ribs fractured affecting vital organs. Several days passed and just this morning, I received an SMS from my mom that my uncle died.

This is such an unexpected tragedy. However, I'm more concerned on my aunt. I'm thinking of the possibility that what if they got married last year and this tragedy happened. That was their plan last year but then there has been several things to consider that's why the wedding didn't materialize. Even though my uncle didn't turn out to be my aunt's second husband, his role in my aunt's life is somewhat similar.

It has been surely entertained in my aunt's mind the similarity of events. She might be thinking right now that there could have been something wrong in her. Even though she's not saying it but the possibility of thinking it is very big.

Things happen for a reason and even tragic accidents have hidden purposes. I'm just hoping that my aunt could recover immediately in as much as my uncle's relatives will recover that fast as well. It is not easy to lose someone you love dearly but then again our life is just a borrowed one and anytime it will be taken from us during times that we least expect it. Value life all the time.

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Together Again!

It's been a long time since the gang has been together and finally yesterday we were able to pull a short meet up. Two of us are already working in Finland (CJ and Lucky). Unexpectedly, Lucky is having his short vacation in the Philippines just to make use of his accumulated number of leaves in work. I happen to know his surprise come back so I sent everyone an SMS for this longed gathering.

All those living in Digos City were able to come as well as from Mati, Davao Oriental (Jhepoy). Well, most of us are from the nearby provinces and having this kind of gathering is really hard to organize. However, since Lucky came from a far away country and his presence is truly important, attendance is must no matter what. For those having a pm shift (Bal), swapped it to night shift and those having AM shift (Mikai) ask for an early out. For the medicine student Yda, she cut her class in the afternoon :D. Maryvic, Won2 and me are jobless so we are free anytime.

We decided to have the meet up at SM City Davao and the fun and long talks started as it used to be. Updating each other with our lives and talking about fun experiences in the past has been always fun. We did it over lunch at Mandarin and after the sumptuous meal courtesy of Lucky, we roamed around the shopping mall and took pictures. Then we went to Gaisano Mall to have snacks and end up in VoyzOut KTV until 12 midnight. Truly one of the moments worth keeping. Until next time guys! I had fun indeed! Great thanks to Lucky! 

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The LAST Events Of Today

It's been quite a while again that I haven't updated my blog. Basically because, as usual , I've been very busy. Today is October 29, 2010 and several LAST events will happen on this day. All of these last events are indeed very important as it defines a lot of changes in our lives afterwards.

To start the list, today is the LAST FRIDAY of the month. The last day of agony for those workers waiting for their salary in the month of October (workers who are having weekends as off days which includes IETLP Part Time Tutors). A hurray for that because it includes me!

Today is also the last day of my friend Sheng to suffer the fear of facing her speaking interviewer on her IELTS Test as today would be her exam day. She's been having this fear for so long and today it ends, finally. I wish to her good luck and may God bless her to provide her mind with numerous ideas on what to answer to her examiner. After this exam, it would then define her future in pursuing her New Zealand dream. I'm really hoping that she will get the best score that she needs.

Last event that would happen today and definitely not the least is that this would be my LAST DAY of WORK in IELTP (Intensive English Learning Tutorial Program). I posted my resignation letter a month ago in this blog and since November 1 is a holiday and we don't work on weekends so today is my last day. I owe a lot to this company as it has been the first company which invested their money for my skills and capabilities to teach the English language to their clients. I would truly miss my students wherein most of them stayed since  I started working here approximately 3 years ago. I would also miss the memories I shared with my friends who happened to be one those true friends I have in my life. Although I would still join the gang after their work, the laughter spent inside the office every after the 25 minute-class ends would be one of the funniest moments.

So much for it now, this day may have several last events but it's not the last day that I would stop living so I should get going now and start the things that I need to do. 'Til next time! :D

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Enjoying Eden Nature Park For the First Time

You're reading it right! For the first time, I was able to enjoy the beauty of Eden Nature Park of Davao City. Funny though because I've been living here for almost 7 years yet not a single moment I was able to visit this heavenly place. If not because of the pre-birthday celebration of one of my friends, then up to this very moment my idea about the place would only be based on their site's description.

For all those photo freaks like me, the whole day won't be enough to capture all those awesome pictures. You might be thinking right now how many cameras I brought for this escapade but believe it not, I'm a photo freak who doesn't own any digital camera. All of my pictures were taken from my loving BlackBerry Bold 9700. I'm just thankful that it's 3.2 megapixel camera with auto-focus plus a little help of Photoshop was able to satisfy my happiness. Please bear all those blurry pictures because my phone's camera can't capture moving objects because it is not like other digital cameras that you can manipulate the shutter settings.

We only spent half day in the park yet I was able to drain by fully charged battery. Supposedly the group has planned being there early, but just like the usual Filipino time phenomenon, our 8am assembly time has become 11am. We decided to eat our lunch first and off we go. The park is located at the foot of Mount Talomo, Toril, Davao City. It is approximately 12 kilometers from Toril proper. If you're situated in the downtown area of the city, Toril is way southward and is approximately 30 minute ride by private car. If you don't own a car, you also get to the place by riding a jeepney up to Crossing Bayabas, Toril. From there you will ride a motorcycle going up to the park for 50-60 pesos. According to the official website of Eden, the whole park contains 100,000 pine trees spreading throughout the vast 80 hectares land area. For a detailed information of the park, you can visit their site.

The group decided to ride a jeepney going up to the park and the fun begins...

Upon arriving at the area...

The park's map...

A walk under the woods...

My encounter with nature...

Of course your Eden Nature Park adventure won't be complete if it's without an Indiana Jones experience. We had ours on video...

For four hours, I was able to relax from my very tiring week. I know the next time I could enjoy this thing would be not so soon. I couldn't load all the photos here and some of my candid moments in the park were captured in my friends' camera and they just can't upload it immediately because just like me, they are also very busy during weekdays.


My friends would definitely get mad at me if I'm not going to mention them here. You can check their faces in their Facebook accounts


Sheryl Madlangbayan
Marian Elaine Dasal 
Kreng Balilahon
Marc Olorvida
Sheiryl Bacsarsa
Giovanne Vallecera

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Waiting Things To Untangle

Just like the picture shown on the left, my October is definitely tangled. As you can observe, this post is my first post since I submitted my resignation letter. After I did such act, a lot of weird, confusing and mind bogging things has arrived. So much job opportunities and I don't know which one to accept. All of them are promising, and has been offering awesome chances to pursue my dream which is to work in a foreign country. All my documents are ready and all I have to do is to wait and to wait is torture.

Last Sunday, I attended a church service and somehow I was given an enlightenment on what to do. The pastor's sermon was all about prayer and how everyone badly needs it. The whole church offered prayer to my confused mind and until now I'm still waiting for the Lord's ultimate answer. I'm expecting the unexpected though.

What's clear on me now is that I'm waiting. Waiting for something good and something worth the wait. I can deeply feel that something spectacular awaits me. I know life is vague and no one could really tell on what lies ahead. I've done my part and now I'm facing the consequences that it brings.

When October ends, I hope the tangled things are somehow untangled, I'm looking forward to it and I'm excited. Life is full of surprises and I love surprises. I know this post is a bit confusing as I jump from one idea to another. This post is definitely tangled just like what's happening in my life now. I'm just thankful that I have all the support persons that I need to face life and the Lord above all.

If you've read this post until the end, kudos to you, you've got the patience and I'm sure you would be looking forward to my next post. Maybe you're of those people who are interested to follow my life and wanted to know what I'm up to. You can be a friend or an enemy who just want to be updated. Enjoy!

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