Every breath we take (Repost)

This was written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend. *The last line says it all. *

Dear Bertha,

I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them. I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank."Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now. I'm not sure what others would've done had they known they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was. I'm guessing; I'll never know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, tell myself that it is special.

Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.

Postnote- I reflected on this and I'm like "wow". We're all caught up with our daily grind and most of us don't even take time to thank Him for every bit of what we have right now. I'm just putting this out there, I really am thankful of all the things He gave to us, I hope one day I'll give back.

from Andee.

Apparently I havent told Andee, one of my SOJ friends that we're leaving...she said I was an ass for not telling her. I feel like one now! But this effort made me smile:) Thanks darling.

I am changing.

I've got great news, WE GOT IT! I'm not spilling what it is, but I'm really happy because we're one step closer to reaching that dream. I thank God for everything, He's awesome.

By the way, people have been observing me...and I got word that what they noticed of me is, I'VE CHANGED BIG TIME. I really dunno what to say to that you know, i don't think it's negative, certainly not that positive either on their part cause those people used to be my friends too, and I don't want them to think that just cause I switched sections, doesn't mean I don't value what we had back then. They say I'm not as happy as I used to be, and I'm not the energizer bunny anymore, they say I'm more serious this semester. I kind of agree you know, maybe because I know myself too...and i hope that no one hates me for it. Change is the only constant thing in this world. You can't be what you are all the time. I believe in that statement.

-carlo

A Dream Come True.

So I referred my friend, Joyce to Ate Chloe, our SOJ instructor to audition for School of Jocks, where I am a part of. I thought for a second that she wouldn't entertain the idea of being in radio but i was wrong, she wants a career in radio and I'm glad I did that.

When we went to the station, she was nervy...hahaha but yeah I know that she could pull it off, AND SHE PASSED THE AUDITION. I'm really happy for her, she deserved this. I just wish some of the people I want to refer are as good as her but you know, it's not like that.

I'm just happy that she's in, my efforts paid off:)) and her dream of being in radio is finally in full effect. Thank God.

Christmas Parties

Okay, so since I started college last year, I never had the chance to go to christmas parties anymore, probably because of the busy schedule we all have and whatnot. I miss receiving gifts, and giving them of course, and like I also miss that happy feeling that Christmas brings in all of us. I miss bringing and eating food and taking some home if i really wanted to, I miss the smile on my friends' faces and yeah I miss everything.

So what happened yesterday was a throwback kind of thing, we celebrated my friend's 18th birthday and also we had our little Christmas party in...LUNETA! You read that right! it's been waaaay too long since I set foot there, maybe I was 4 then when we first went. I was ecstatic when I found out that we will be having it there. So we had our own kris kringle, we ate, we took pictures and we gave other kids food, I think that's very compassionate of my friends. This party made our friendship a whole lot stronger. Thank you God:)

New slate.

So my friends and I settled what we have been feeling a while ago at school. It was really nice that you know, we managed to overcome something that we couldn’t control- MISUNDERSTANDINGS. To tell you honestly I didn’t want our group to ever be dissolved cause first, we have built trusts with each other and second, we had time to accept each and everyone for who we are no matter how different we seem from each other. WE LOVE. I think that we have a strong friendship.

I deleted my last entry about my friend, I felt so bad because I didn’t think she’ll read it. Some person managed to let her read it, I dunno why, maybe that person hates my guts for writing what I feel but either way I’ll just leave it to karma. I am happy that even though she read it, she still didn’t think differently of me, I told her that clearly I wasn’t thinking about our friendship when I wrote it and I apologized for posting a blog about her. I really do hope everything’s okay with us, and with our group. Lesson learned- THINK BEFORE YOU ACT. That one goes out not just to me but to everyone who had been in the same situation. Thank you Lord for letting us work this out.

Nothing can tear our friendship apart.

The BAHA Experience.

I will never forget September 26, 2009. Pano ba naman, it was the day that we struggled going home, we braved the waist deep flood and we witnessed all sorts of "paghihirap" para lang maging safe mula sa baha na iniwan ni Bagyong Ondoy.

From school, we took a pedicab to the underpass, then kain sa Master Siomai (I didn't like their siomai, sorry). Then we parted ways, Kris, Rachel, Emil and Thea were stranded at Lawton, good thing may unit sa Binondo Suites sina Emil, he managed to let the girls stay there while the 4 of us (Bernard, Krizzia, Quennie and I) went and took a jeep to Baclaran. We were not prepared for the worst.

We waited for 5 long hours just to head home, we even had a hotel plan. But we only had 600 overall so that plan was cut. Everything was absolutely dreadful, it was a disaster. Especially those who are in the low areas, I can't imagine how they will recover and start over from this. I do hope that everyone's helping out. I'm thanking God cause he kept us safe and our home is not damaged.