Come join us in our nesting place.

As a citizen of this country, I exercised my right to suffrage yesterday. Not my first time, but it felt like it was. Maybe because that was the country’s first automated election yesterday. And so the queues were unusually long (oh but lucky me, I’m pregg-o so I was given a “special treatment” and I was spared from the horror of waiting for hours to get my turn to vote). Then there were issues of failing machines (not in my area though) and pre-election controversies (haaay, it wouldn’t have surprised me if the election was postponed).

Nonetheless, filled with optimism that my one vote will make a difference, I cast my vote. As always.

And as always, I wish…

…that the Filipino people would realize that the country’s future is not solely in one person’s hands.

…that everyone will realize that we are now planting seeds for the future –of this country and of our children and our  children’s children.

…that during the election everyone voted with their conscience.

…that the elected leaders of this country will walk the talk and do what they say.

And lastly, I wish to meet the Genie in the Bottle to make these wishes a reality. *smile*

I’m glad to be back. I went to Pagadian for a very short business trip a couple of days ago.

I’m glad to be back in one piece. :-) :-) If you only knew the kind of places I’d pass  to and from Pagadian, I’m sure you’d understand the relief I’m feeling now. Of course, I meant no offense to people living in these areas which we labeled as critical. It’s that I feel secured to be back in CDO.

The going was the easiest as I was with two male colleagues (can I call a boss my colleague? hehe) in a company-owned vehicle. The ride back home was not -as I had to take a bus. I was so paranoid while on the bus. It was hard to relax when I was swamped with all the what-ifs in the world, nonetheless I was able to catch few winks before we reached Iligan.

What a beautiful day today! I can’t believe how much I missed the sun.

They always say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. That’s so true. (I’m guilty of complaining when it gets too warm here)

It’s been a long time since I last saw the sun…must have been 2 weeks!

Imagine to have dreary, dreary weather all the time! The past few days, whenever I went out and saw the downcast skies, I couldn’t help but wish for the sun.

And finally yesterday, it did peek on us but only for an hour or two. I had wanted to take some shots but I didn’t bring my camera to work.

But today is a glorious sunny day! I’m feeling happy.  Giddy really. I hope to get home early to get some outdoor shots done.

Thanks God for the sun!

It’s been awhile since I participated in Thankful Thursday. But I’m glad to get back to my usual Thursday routine now. *smile*

First, lemme greet everyone a Happy New Year. I’m positive that with prayers and hardwork we’ll get through this year just fine.

Second, for my thankful list, here are few of the things I’m thankful for this week:

- the roof that keeps us protected from the bad weather

- for packages we received yesterday from my brother.

-for the Internet -it keeps me posted with friends (offline and online) and loved ones who are thousands of miles away.

- that the rain has stopped already (the city has been declared to be in  the state of calamity due to  incessant rains causing flash floods and landslides)

- for wonderful people who are helping the flood victims. It’s just amazing that in times of calamity, there  are lots of generous people who are always willing  to help.

And before I end this post, here’s a shot I took when I visited the Divine Mercy Shrine in El Salvador.

Wanna join us for Thankful Thursday? Drop by the TT HQ. :-)

It is difficult to remain unaffected with what has happened in the country -i.e Typhoon Fengshen that has ravaged many parts of the country resulting to loss of lives and homes and the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy (where hundreds of bodies still unrecovered). I just couldn’t imagine how terrible it must be for those who lost their loved ones in the latest maritime disaster in the Philippine sea. I’m certainly having a hard time writing a thankful list now.

But I have to remind myself that in everything that has happened (and will happen), God has a purpose. I have to repeatedly tell myself that. So I will not -hard as it is- question God or His wisdom. And again, who am I to question Him.

It is hard to be thankful for a storm (literal or not) but I will say thank you for every storm (or typhoon), somehow it always brings us closer to you Lord.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand

I’m thankful for the agencies - and even countries- which are helping the victims of the typhoon.

I’m thankful for the divers who volunteered to help in the MV Princess of the Stars retrieval operation. Guide and strengthen them Lord. Strengthen the those who are still looking and waiting for news of their loved ones.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to bring our relatives and family together last Sunday to celebrate my parents and sister’s birthdays last Sunday. I’m thankful for the chance to celebrate their birthdays.

I’m thankful for God’s provisions. My mother told me this morning that the cost of LPG -much to her surprise- is now P700 ($16.3+) plus. But thank you Lord for helping us meet our needs.

Thank you for guiding me through difficulties in parenthood. I’m thankful for the warm hugs and wet kisses from my son.

For more of Thankful Thursday participants, please visit Iris.

Yes. Manny Pacquiao, a boxer by profession, is the ultimate antidote to traffic conditions.

I’m not saying that just because I’m a big fan of his but because I saw it myself. I have been seeing it all these years. I see how different the traffic situation is (from normal days) every time he has a fight. I saw it years ago. I saw it few months back.

Again, the reality stared at me today as I drove to a nearby restaurant. I only saw few motorists on the road.

Where are the jeepneys? The cars? So few, I could count them with my fingers. The traffic condition was so ideal. If I had not known his fight was set today, I’d have assumed that the public transportation group was on strike. Such was the effect of his fight.He obviously had everyone hooked on the TV, pay-per-view or whatever.

When Pacman, as Pacquiao is fondly called in Pinas, fights on the boxing ring (wherever in the world it may be), trust me, it’s a perfect day for a drive. And it’s a perfect day to drop by the grocery store. I did this last year and as expected, the queues were not that long.

And so goes the reason why I love this man - apart from the fact that he always brings home the bacon. Now, can we have him fight on the boxing ring every day?

Note: Today, Pacquiao wins the fight by split decision against Marquez. Venue: Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino. Official scorecards of the Pacquiao-Marquez fight: Jerry Roth, 115-112 (Marquez); Duane Ford, 115-112 (Pacquiao); and Tom Miller, 114-113 (Pacquiao). Read story here.