Overflow

Today has certainly been one of my favorite days since I started working. :) I think it’s because of the entire “dress down” atmosphere today at the office; everyone just feels so “loose” and young and so college-like. :)

Today was also chicken day. Reg, Anne, Jane and I ate one whole chicken from the grocery. After waiting for thirty minutes, we ate and then talked about dogs and Philippine showbiz. :P Then we went back upstairs to resume work and around 2:00pm, the electricity went out, so we spent some time talking and waiting for the computers to go back on. The generators went back on, so we resumed work and then it went off again when electricity went on. I got trapped in the CR again (ProxCard, when will I get youuuuu?), and on the way up from the 28th floor, Sir Armand was there from a yosi break and then it was time to tag along for another meeting. The meeting had me laughing because of all the side comments and then I got to be formally introduced to Ms. Rox and Ms. Aileen, and now I’m formally known as the “colleague”. :p

Then it was time to go meet my parents for my brother’s birthday celebration so I said goodbye to everyone who are all heading to the opening of the Sportsfest for the company. I met my parents and on the way to SM Megamall, my boss sent me a message: By the way, good job on the competitor reports. We were commended by Ling.Ü Talk about happiness.

Then it’s eat-all-you-can-buffet at Saisaki for my brother’s birthday. He got to read the birthday greeting thanks to my dad’s WiFi laptop. We spent half the time laughing at each other and how embarrassed he is when some people sang songs to him as a greeting. :P

All in all…today is a good day. :) Plus it’s FRIDAY so that makes everything even better. :) Yeahbah.

So before I go to bed and go to dreamland, here’s a quote I got from one of the blogs I visited today. Perfect for today. :)

Stop for a second, breathe a quick prayer, and ask God to interrupt your plans, agendas, schedules, and to-do lists sometime this month to simply thrill you. As audacious as that sounds, it is not a daring request. You don’t really think that if you asked your Father in heaven to throw you a surprise party that He would give you a “White Elephant” exchange instead, do you? Can you dare to believe that God will get an even bigger kick out of delighting you than you will by being the recipient of His lavish love? God is bigger and sweeter and funner and wealthier and huge-r than you could ever imagine. But try anyway. Then ask boldly with expectation of His extravagant grace. (Lisa Whelchel)

Good night world! Have a great weekend! :)

Then and now.

Some of the people I know ask me if we are close, and if that was asked to me a few years earlier, I would’ve hesitated before answering. But now, whenever they ask me that, I say a big YES immediately. Because we are. Even if we don’t kiss when it’s peace-giving time during mass, or hug or whatever, I know that the casual text messages of “Labyu” mean the real thing.

I love that we can talk about almost anything, that you put up with me even if you have to fetch me from all places whenever I have no way of going home, that you tell me of your plans for the future. I love how we could laugh about our family quirks and our old childish fights and that you can be so protective of me if you want to. :) There are so many things I want to say to you, but I know you’re not much of a word-y and thoughts-spill-over person…so I’ll keep this simple. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KUYA! Like what the graphic says…I’m so lucky to have you as a brother! I know eventually we’ll have to settle down with our own families (naks) and stuff, but I will always be your little sister. :) And you will always be my one and only Kuya. :) I LOVE YOU! ♥ ♥ ♥

Thursday Thirteen # 6: The Word

I will be attending a Bible Study later at the office with (Ate) Jane during lunch time, and I am excited about it! I didn’t know there was something like that here. So in relation to that, this week’s Thursday Thirteen is thirteen of my favorite Bible verses. :)

Thirteen Favorite Bible Verses:

1. “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)
   This verse was my anchor verse back in high school, especially when I was always faced with stress from schoolwork. I was an overachiever back then, and I always seem to carry big amounts of schoolwork and even if it doesn’t show back then, I get really worn out in the middle of it. This verse reminds me that Christ will always give me strength for whatever I have to do. I particularly like The Message’s translation of this verse: “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” :)
2. “We bring nothing at birth, we take nothing with us at death. The Lord alone gives and takes. Praise the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21 CEV)
   I’ve always admired the story of how Job was faithful to God even in the midst of all his troubles. This particular verse reminds me that everything I have is from God and none is mine. It reminds me to praise God whatever my circumstance is. :)
3. “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” (Jeremiah 29:11 MSG)
   This verse used to be my banner verse for my love life. I can safely say I’ve grown up from that already, but still, this verse brings me hope, especially when I was kind of down on job hunting and post graduation woes. When things are just too blurry for me to see, it’s comforting to know that God has a plan that is for my good.
4. “I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.” (Isaiah 43:4 MSG)
   ♥ ♥ ♥ :)
5. “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” (Proverbs 3:5 MSG)
   This is for control freaks like me. :) I know that trusting God fully is one of the hard things to do in life, and this verse is a reminder of what I must always do.
6. “I shall keep silent and not open my mouth, for this is Your work.” (Psalm 39:10 Christian Community Bible)
   My mouth has gotten me in trouble for a lot of times. :P I was kind of sad about something and I badly needed enlightenment one night, so I was browsing through Psalms and I got this verse which just hit the bullseye. :D
7. “God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!” (Exodus 14:14 MSG)
   I love this translation of this verse, and it’s related to verse # 6. :)
8. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NAB)
   Sometimes when I get in the middle of something that I don’t understand or is difficult, I ask God why is it like that. And God simply answers me with this. I read somewhere that God reveals His will to us in bite-size pieces so we won’t be overwhelmed with how big His plan for us is. This verse also reminds me that whether it is good or bad, it will always work out for God’s purpose, which is one thing I know I can trust with my life. :)
9. “I want you to live as free of complications as possible. When you’re unmarried, you’re free to concentrate on simply pleasing the Master. Marriage involves you in all the nuts and bolts of domestic life and in wanting to please your spouse, leading to so many more demands on your attention. The time and energy that married people spend on caring for and nurturing each other, the unmarried can spend in becoming whole and holy instruments of God. I’m trying to be helpful and make it as easy as possible for you, not make things harder. All I want is for you to be able to develop a way of life in which you can spend plenty of time together with the Master without a lot of distractions.” (1 Corinthians 7:32-35 MSG)
   Haha, enough said. :) This is a reminder for singletons like me who get lonely once in a while. :P
10. “Let us not become weary in doing good for at proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9 NIV)
    There are times in my walk with God that I get tired of doing what I am doing and I wonder if all this YFC/SFC service and doing good is all worth it. We all get to that point (I believe it’s called burnout :p), and this verse saved me just in time from having another one of those.
11. “Here’s what I want: Give me a God-listening heart…” (1 Kings 3:9 MSG)
    Simple, straightforward and something I pray for as well.
12. “…and after you have suffered a little he will bring you to perfection…” (1 Peter 5:10 Christian Community Bible)
    The Thesis Verse! This verse has brought me through the hard times we all call thesis. :) Through all those consultations that made me squirm and those delayed defenses…this just got me through all the emotional and spiritual strain that thesis gave me. :)
13. “Incline my heart to follow Your will and not my own selfish desire.” (Psalm 119:36)
    My anchor verse for almost four years now. :D As my friend told me once, there’s nothing worth praying for than God’s will in your life. :)

* The Bibles I have available with me are the Christian Community Bible and The Message Bible. Much thanks to Bible Gateway for other translations. :)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Savannah from Savannah (Denise Hildreth)

Rating:

I’m coming home to prove something..to my city, my mother, and myself.It is a place known to most as Savannah. It is a place known to me as home. I wish I could tell you it was my love for this city that precipitated my return. But I did not return out of a mere longing for home. I returned because I have something to prove to home. I am Savannah…from Savannah.

Savannah from Savannah is the first part of the trilogy of Savannah Phillips, a twenty-four year old woman who has been named by her mother after their beloved Georgia town, Savannah. Savannah had just finished graduate school when she learns two things: 1) her favorite newspaper writer back home passed away and 2) her novel was chosen by a New York publishing house and it will be considered for publishing and she should go to their awards night. After a bit of squealing and all, she notices that the letter has her mother’s name. She puts two and two together and realized that her mother Victoria (Vicky) pulled some strings to get her there. She decided to go home and apply at the newspaper to continue the legacy of her favorite writer and to show her mom just who she is and that she doesn’t need any help — especially her’s — to reach her dreams.

Or does she? Savannah goes back home ready to prove things to her mother, but it turns out she has a lot more to find out not only about her mother but also about herself. (What a cheesy way to put it. :p)

(More…)

More Than Useless (Relient K)

Now this isn’t a review. I was listening to my trusty iPod and More Than Useless by Relient K played. I have to say that I love their album Mmhmm, but it’s been a while since I listened to any song in this album. I was refreshed with the familiar sound, and then I decided to look for the lyrics.

Well what do you know. I found a new theme song! :)

MORE THAN USELESS
Relient K
MMHMM

I feel like, I would like
To be somewhere else doing something that matters
And I’ll admit here, while I sit here
My mind wastes away and my doubts start to gather
Whats the purpose? It feels worthless
So unwanted like I’ve lost all my value
I can’t find it, not in the least bit
and I’m just scared, so scared that I’ll fail you

And sometimes I think that I’m not any good at all
And sometimes I wonder why, why I’m even here at all
But then you assure me

I’m a little more than useless
And when I think that I can’t do this
You promise me that I’ll get through this
And do something right
Do something right for once

So I say if I can’t, do something significant
I’ll opt to leave most opportunities wasted
And nothing trivial, that life could give me will
Measure up to what might have replaced it
Too late look, my date book
Is packed full of days that were empty and now gone
And I bet, that regret
Will prove to get me to improve in the long run

I notice, I know this
Week is a symbol of how I use my time
Resent it, I spent it
Convincing myself the world’s doing just fine
Without me
Doing anything of any consequence
Without me
Showing any sign of ever making sense
Of my time , it’s my life
And my right, to use it like I should
Like he would, for the good
Of everything that I would ever know

I’m a little more than useless
When I think that I can’t do this
You promise me that I’ll get through this
And do something right
Do something right for once

I want to highlight the parts that struck me the most but I think I’m going to end up highlighting the whole song if I do!

To those who are feeling useless, wanting to be somewhere else than where you are right now…cheer up! You’re not useless, just as I am not. :) We’re all where we are for a purpose, and never get tired in believing in that. :)

Thank You Lord for speaking to me through this song. Have a great day everyone! ♥