Celebrating Cory as a Woman

This is not to pay tribute to the political career of the late former President Cory Aquino. This is not to complement and praise all that she did for the Philippines and the Filipinos. A lot of people have done that already and one more from me would hardly make a difference. This is about recognizing Cory as a woman.

Cory has been true to being a woman. Calm in the face of problems; firm in standing for and by her loved ones; finds contentment in giving support, encouragement, cheer and love when she knows that it is all she can give at the time but it doesn't mean she's given up helping; knows when to rise up, move forward and when to slow down and reflect; has a solid grasp of her values; and have faith strong enough to make little miracles for herself and others. These are the values that celebrate a woman. These are the traits that we women can find inside of us. We just have to acknowledge it and use it.

-chebong

2008 Summary

Inspired by the blog of my sister-at-heart Mec, I listed down some of the things that sums up my 2008. Here goes:

1. Something new that I did in 2008
- I went on a long road trip with Buboy and we went caving (twice!) which may be the most physical of all my activities in the past five years at least.
2. New year’s resolution
- I actually don’t have one except to try to keep writing on my thank you journal
3. What I want for 2009 that I did not get last year
- Baby

4. Most memorable experience or happening
- It’s still the road trip that Buboy and I did early 2008. It was the best two weeks of our lives together. It proves that we can live alone together, far from family and friends, have lots of fun and not kill each other :o)
5. Achievements
- Adjusted well enough back at work
6. Disappointments
- I don't try hard enough
7. Investments
- Probably the new insurance and retirement fund we bought
8. Splurge
- For me it has to be the dress I wore at Juvie and Benny’s wedding. I still can’t believe I paid that much for a beach dress!
9. Historical event
- Everyone will agree it has to be Obama winning the US presidency
10. Life lesson
- I can’t do everything and it's okay.. God sent someone special to help..

I cannot believe how hard it is to answer some of the items above, to think I chose them items! I guess I wasn’t really being conscious of what was happening to me last year. This is eye-opening! I shouldn’t miss what happens in my own life… I should be on top of it! I really should do better in my 2009 summary.

-chebong

How do you know that God loves you?

I know I’ve been yakking about how Buboy and I want so much to be parents and how I’ve been going through the challenges of infertility. I may sound frustrated and sometimes even desperate, and I do feel that way too sometimes. But generally, I feel blessed. I have a great, loving and supportive husband and an extended family that cares for us. I have a big network of friends from every angle of my life. I have work. And I am happy. I guess I’m contented enough that sometimes, if not often, I forget to pray.

But there are situations that automatically prompt me to call on God and HE never fails to make HIS presence felt. And it comforts me. I don’t know really how it works. I just call on HIM to send the Holy Spirit to help me get out whatever mess I’m in and HE’s there!

Here's the prayer I always sing inside my head when my heart starts to beat so fast I can hardly think. I learned this from school a long time ago that I’m not even sure if I have the words right. Nevertheless, this prayer has never let me down. Not even once.

“Come Holy Spirit I need You.
Come Holy Spirit I pray.
Come in Your own special power.
Come in Your own special way.”

Sometimes I like to think that God sends me little troubles to remind me of HIM. But then again, I also believe that God is there to help us get through the bumps we (stupidly) set on our life. These are the little everyday miracles that prove of God's love for us.

-chebong

i'm back

I haven’t written anything here in a long while. I bet the few friends who read this blog is thinking I’ve stopped writing. Well, a bit I guess since I get to spend time with Buboy and then I went back to working fulltime. But there are actually a lot of things I should be writing about because Buboy and I had a really wonderful vacation. I’ll try and write about that really SOON. Right now, I’ll just try to get back…

Anyway, we heard over the radio this morning that the Vatican released a NEW set of Seven Deadly Sins. Yes, they can do that and I don’t mind really. I just noticed that unlike the original list, the new one is more specific. This makes me wonder, have we really become insensitive and indifferent that the church has to spell it out for us?

Oh well, so much for my first entry this year. I promise myself to write at least a couple of times a week from now on.

-chebong

spiritual blessings

Just attended mass and with what happened to me this morning, i think it's just what i needed.

The priest said that during the lenten season (which will basically start next week, ash wednesday) God gives out a lot of blessings. And i started thinking about maybe God will finally allow me to win a lottery, or get a new job or better yet start a business, have a house and lot and a car (though the last two can wait). These are the things i've been dreaming about. These are the things i believe that would take care of all my problems. Hey, these are the things i need! the things everyone needs to enjoy life! Then the priest continued and said that God gives out not material blessings but spiritual blessings. And my spirit sank. Then i realized that's precisely the reason why i need God's spiritual blessings... especially now.

I used to be close to God, but then i started being busy and later on i'm just always tired... so tired that my prayers are becoming shorter every day--because i just got to have more sleep or more time to imagine what i want. I guess i need to slow down, look back and ask God to walk with me again.

-chebong