2011 Year of Challenges

I think everyone would agree when I say that year 2011 is the year of challenges for most people specially for the victims of disastrous calamities. In all my years, I can never think of any year that is as challenging as what the previous year have brought to everyone, even to me.

I remember, 2011 started with a challenge to my company's financial stability and throughout the year it has been a challenge for everyone of us - I think I've only received my salary 4x last year. My year ended with a big bang - I got terminated from my company.

Well, I actually resigned around the month of September but my resignation was denied. I'm glad they did because my wife had some serious health problems after that and to think she's all alone and has a baby coming. It was all according to His plan - it is what we always say and it really is what God had planned for us and it is the best.

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My Friend Pigeoto

 

Hey there! You alone?

 

You don't look happy to me. Any problem? Can I sit beside you? Okay, I'll just sit beside you anyways. Oh by the way, I am Pigeoto.

I know. You don't feel like talking. I mean who would talk to a bird? Especially a pigeon like me. Look at the other pigeons, they don't even wanna talk to me.

But you know what? Come back here again when you feel lonely or sad. I'll sit with you again even if you don't feel like talking. Just want you to know that you are much more valuable than I am to the Lord.

And please come back with some raisins, love those dehydrated grapes. See ya!

=== ^ ===

Just a pigeon who sat beside me while I'm looking for answer, God's answer. Maybe this really is what God wanted to tell me. Hey! I am not that emotional about my past problem. It's no big deal. I am just trying to share this wonderful moment I captured last Wednesday.

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To My Beloved Sister

My sister is losing hope already. She is trying to apply for a job here in Saudi Arabia as a food server and she's losing hope already. Her current situation is what's making her lose hope.

She is diabetic and already taking medication everyday (injection - ouch! for life). Sometimes no matter what we do isn't enough but that doesn't mean life is unfair. Here is my message for her.

Dear Sister,

Life is full of randomness. God didn't promise His people to always have a great time. Trust God in the Lord always and he'll give you something great. Pray and believe. If God didn't grant you what you wish for, that doesn't mean He won't answer your prayer. God has 3 probable answer, Yes, No or Wait.

If God says No, it doesn't mean He don't love you. It's because he has a greater plan for you, much better than you prayed for. So wait for it. Be patient.

If God says Wait, then you just have to wait and be patient.

If God says Yes, then thank God.

What ever God's answer is, we should just prepare for what ever PLAN he has set upon us. And be thankful always coz no matter what His answer to your prayer is - HE KNOWS IT'S BEST FOR YOU.

Don't lose hope, God loves you and we love you too. Continue praying and prepare yourself, if not this time - in the future.

All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28

This blog entry is dedicated to my dear sister. We are always here for you, especially me, your dear Kuya.

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A Walk To Remember

When was the last time you had a long walk with your family? If you can't remember then I think it's about time you have one now. It's best to do things while we have our strength.

It has always been about family. Why do we even work and struggle to live in a place where we are called foreigners?, where a lot of people look down on us? where others even struggle in having to wait for their long delayed salaries (probably this only happens in Saudi Arabia). Where others struggle a day working under the bright and hot sun.

I am blessed to have my family with me (I always thank God for it) and I pity all our kababayans out there who are working alone in this kind of place specially in Saudi Arabia. I get to spend a lot more quality time with my family whenever I want to.

Last night I asked my wife if we could go to the bay area near her former workplace. It's just near our house. It's not a few blocks away from us but it is quite near so we decided to go. The walk wasn't tiresome since it is quite windy. At first, we felt hot (coming from an air conditioned place of course) but apparently it became windy and it's a good thing that as we went near the bay side the wind started get cold (not so cold). We've walked from home to the bay area for about 25 minutes, I'm not really sure coz we did not notice the time.

We saw a lot of people there and we realized we are the only Filipinos walking there. With full of excitement, my son started running as soon as he saw the playground full of "friends". We told him to call other children "friends" not kids hehe and it's kinda cute when he say "Look Dad, there are lots of friends!".

I then realized that we should have done this back in Manila when we had our vacation. I should write it down. We brought our digital camera, I anticipated a really good view awaiting us and I'm glad we brought it with us. Took some pictures - KODAK moments! Guess you can call us the Kodak family coz we all love to have our pictures taken hehe! It's a good thing their government put up some of sort of machine to rehabilitate the bay area, I remembered the foul odor emitted by the water. It is smelly because they have closed some areas connecting it the sea brought by their continued expansion and reclamation. I heard they are going to make a new way to connect it to the sea - probably underground hehe.

We stayed at the bay area for about an hour or so. We just let Ize enjoy the moment with his local friends (Saudi children). It was almost Isha prayer (their last call for prayer for each day - night prayer, it is their longest prayer that takes about 20-30 minutes) when we left the area, again we walked.

We decided to retreat on a nearby grocery store called Marhaba in Hael Street. Good thing we brought Ize's stroller, he got tired of playing and slept while we are walking on our way to Marhaba. When we reached Marhaba it was closed for prayer so we have to wait for about 30 minutes. We took some pictures and made fun of their Pepsi billboard. When they opened, we bought some food supplies like egyptian bread (healthy bread - you should try it), youghart, juice and tinapa (I badly need it for my palabok that I'll be cooking later - my first attempt). I was always fascinated with Marhaba Superstore coz it looks elegant. I remembered we ate their along time ago and it felt like I am eating at the airport.

After we bought what we need we decided to go home but on our way we decided to just spend a few more minutes on the park along our way. By the way, we are still on our foot. The place could really use some tidying up, the trash is almost everywhere. We saw a lot of family there. Ize is already awake and wanted to run. We didn't allow him to play with the other kids coz we saw some broken bottles scattered and we're afraid he'll stumble on it. So we just took some pictures again hehe.

I got hungry and Ize could use some too so we decided to eat. We can see McDonald's banner from our location so we decided to go there and eat. It was out of our way but it is still near our place. We ordered McArabia (me and my wife's favorite) meal - UPSIZED it. I still have a few coupons with me given by a friend so I gave them my FREE McFlurry coupon and enjoyed it after our meal.

We went home happily. I'm surprised I didn't even get tired, it really helps to lose some weight. It was a great day. Again I thanked God for it. It was really a walk to remember.

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In Our Weakest Moments....

"In our weakest moments, God is free to do His greatest work in us." - Charles F. Stanley

Just a reminder for everyone including myself. Let not our weaknesses overpower us but let God overpower us during our weakness.

In times of trouble specially when I feel deprived or made a big mess out of something, I hide myself from God, I try to escape from Him. But was it beneficial to me? It just made me feel worst. Hiding and escaping was never the answer to our weakness. Let us not give-up on our weakness and lose hope but instead give it all up to God, our friend and our great comforter.

"Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Cor 12:10

Let us not also forget that there is always a reason for everything. There is always a reason why God allowed us to be weak, why He allowed us to make mistakes. The very first time a person sees his/her mistake, he/she knew that there is something wrong. The only question is, what are we going to do about it.

"We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." - Rom 8: 28

Don't stray far from God. Be there to witness His glory and let Him do His mighty works in you.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" - Matt 11: 28

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Delayed!

Nung thursday dapat ay lumipad na kami ng aking pamiya papuntang Hong Kong ang kaso yung naglalakad ng papel ko ay petiks mode at masyadong kampante na matatapos niya yung proseso ng aming papel ng isang araw lang. Mga ilang araw bago ang flight namin ay araw-araw akong tumatawag sa opisina upang ipaalala ang aming papel, sabi ko ay agahan ang pagpunta para kung may problema ay may oras pa sila para ayusin yung problema. Pero talagang kampante ang naglalakad ng papel namin kaya nilakad niya ang papel namin nung araw bago ang flight namin. Tulad ng inaaasahan, nagkaroon ng problema at hindi na nga nagawa ang aming papel. Meron daw problema kaya kailangan habulin yung isang branch ng Jawazat at heto pa nilakad yung papel mga 11am e hanggang 2pm lang ang government office so tulad din ng inaasahan hindi niya na naabutan ang kabilang opisina ng jawazat at ang kawawang pamilya ko ay di nakalipad sa dapat sanang flight namin.

Nagbayad tuloy ako ng extra na 1000SR+ (13,000 Pesos +) para sa rebooking ng hotel at rebooking ng mga ticket namin. Fees lang po iyong para sa pagbago o pabkansela ng mga booking namin. Nakakalungkot talaga at disappointing. Magpa-hanggang ngayon sa tuwing naaalala ko ay nakakasama talaga ng loob. Di naman nila babayaran yung pagkakamila nila kundi ako din.

So anong gagawin ko? Magmumukmok? Well, wala ding magagawa ang aking pagmumukmok pagkat nandoon na iyon, ika nga "the damage is done!". Gusto kong mag-wala pero kahit gawin ko iyon ay alam kong wala ring mangyayari at malamang lumala pa ang kaso. Talong-talo talaga. Para tuloy nagmumukhang nagbayad ako para sa bakasyon ko.

Well, gusto ko lang ihinga ang aking sama ng loob. Actually, marami-rami na ring sama ng loob ang naidulot ng kumpanya ko sa akin pero hindi ko na pinapansin yung iba. Ito lang latest ang medyo mahirap tanggapin pagkat ramdam ko talaga ang hirap na dinanas ko para makamit ang bakasyon ko.

Going back, apply pa lang ako ng vacation ay katakot-takot na hirap na ang dinanas ko. Andiyan papirmahin ko ang mga taong involve sa projects namin. Ang mahirap doon ay yung tao ay talaga namang mahirap hagilapin at napakalayo pa ng kanilang opisina - wala akong sasakyan at ang taxi ay 25SR (318 Pesos according to google), papunta pa lang iyon at pabalik ay ganun din.

Bago ko pa natapos ang pagpapapirma ay nawala na sa pwesto yung taong dapat na pipirma. Ganun kahirap hagilapin yung tao hehehe! Mahaba talaga ang kwento ng pag-apply pa lang ng vacation at mahirap paikliin basta isipin niyo na lang ginawa akong pingpong para lang makakuha ng approval sa vacation ko.

Ano bang maganda ang natamo ko sa aking mga kinaharap na hirap?
Well, in a way maganda rin na na-delay ako dahil sa nakatulong pa ako sa church namin na magawa yung mga kailangan para sa anniversary ng church. Nakabili pa ako ng ilang mga pasalubong. May na-remind sa akin ang aking experience.

Ano yung na-remind sa akin?
This is good. Actually, alam ko na ito noon pa pero nalilimutan natin ito minsan. Naramdaman ko kailan lang ng magpakawala ako ng pera for nothing. Talagang lungkot at galit ang naramdaman ko kasi hindi ko naman kasalanan ang lahat kundi sila at ako ang magbabayad. Pero in a good sense ano kaya kung positive ang tinungo ng pera ko.

Nasubukan niyo na bang magbigay ng tulong na ramdam niyo talaga? Ang ibig kong sabihin ay ganito. Kung magbibigay kayo ng limang pisong tulong sa isang bata o 100 pesos na tulong sa isang kapwa, ramdam niyo bang nakatulong kayo? Di ba hindi? Bakit kaya?

Explanation.
Kasi ang 100 pisong tulong na naibigay niyo ay barya lamang marahil sa inyo o mga sukli sa inyong pinagbibili. Paano kaya kung ang perang iyong ibibigay ay talagang inilaan at talaga namang mararamdaman mong may nawala sa inyo? Yung tipong sisimangot ang isang politiko pag pinakawalan niya ang halagang iyon na hindi naman siya ang makikinabang.

Isa pang napakagandang bagay, ano kaya sa tingin niyo ang pakiramdam ng taong umaako ng kasalanan ng iba? Yung nangyari kailan lang sa akin ay talaga namang siguro kahit sino ay maiinis, magagalit. Pero naisip ba natin kung ano ang naramdaman ng Panginoong Hesus nung inako niya lahat ng kasalanan natin at magbayad nito?

Hindi ko sinasabing dinanas ko na ang hirap na dinanas ng Panginoong Hesus pagkat hindi mapapantayan ang hirap na dinanas niya. Ang masasabi ko lang ay, naranasan kong magbayad para sa ginawang pagkakamali ng iba at ang hindi ito naging katanggap-tanggap sa akin.

Naranasan kong magbigay ng malaking halaga para sa aking sariling kapakanan at walang kabuluhang bagay at lungkot at galit ang naging resulta nito. Paano kaya kung ibinigay ko iyon sa Panginoon? Ramdam ko rin sigurado ang mawalan pero alam ko at ramdam ko na nakatulong ako sa kanyang mahalaga at banal na gawain.

Isa lamang itong repleksyon sa aking ispiritwal na buhay. Nawa ay naging aral din ito sa bawat isa. God bless po sa lahat.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

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You Want Challenge and Adventure?

No to challenge, no to failure! Is this you?
Every person has desire for an adventure but never wanted any challenge. Why? Because they are afraid of the outcome. They are afraid to fail. But what if I told you that there is an adventure that no matter if you fail or succeed, you will gain something. It is an adventure and also a challenge for everyone.

Observe yourself, is this true?
Have you ever done something relentlessly? Okay, let’s rephrase the question. Have you done something without thinking of others except yourself? It is something that we’ve done impulsively that reveals our true nature sometimes.

What is our true nature? Humans, even without being taught have tendencies of lying especially when they are in trouble or at fault. When you ask someone at fault with a quick question, they tend to stutter or sometimes will not answer until he/she have made thought of what to say.

When you do something for yourself or say something, have you made thought of what others might say? There are some people that say “I don’t care about what they say as long as I am doing something good”. Even if what you are about to do or say is good; it is still good to think of others. Why? Because not all good things for you will benefit others, sometimes it harms other people.

These are just questions that will greatly influence our daily life adventure.

Evaluate this.
Doing things or saying things without thinking of others is not a challenge. How is that? Imagine a sniper trying to kill a terrorist or someone holding a hostage. It won’t be a challenge if there isn’t any hostage or if he just shoots without really aiming hard. Aiming hard is like thinking of the hostage and being concern that he/she might be hurt by your action.

I remembered when I was new here in Jeddah, I was on the elevator with a person. I don’t know what’s his nationality. He asked me if I am a Filipino, so I answered him “Yes!” while smiling back at him. And then he said “Filipinos!” and then he sighed and then he smirked at me. Imagine how I felt that time. I don’t know what kind of Filipino he encountered before but associating me with that person really hurts me even if that person is also a Filipino. I didn’t do anything wrong that time except being a Filipino. I want to ask him what’s his nationality and then shout his nationality in his face just to let him feel what I feel or maybe worst. Well, that is intentional and not an impulsive thing but he still didn’t think of how I’ll feel. He maybe have said it to make himself feel good about what the other Filipino did to him.

What I am pointing here is how easy it is to do something or say something without thinking of others. There is no challenge in doing it and you don’t benefit anything except a temporary self-satisfaction. But on the other hand, it could leave a permanent scar to someone. In counter-terrorism, the hard part is saving lives without killing innocent people or even catching the leader alive or unharmed.

Level of Difficulty.So what is the challenge?
Can we do our daily things with other people at work, play, home or other places without hurting anyone? The level of difficulty is not set by others but by you. It will always depend on how you think while being with them or your attitude towards them. If you think badly of a person near you; even if you try to hide it, it will eventually show by your actions or will be revealed with a slip of your tongue.

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