Mornings with a king

December 27, 2011

Tuesday

I suppose a reader may start questioning with my use of small letter “k” for the word king for the above title. Yes, I try my best to spend time everyday with the King, our God who indeed deserves the capital K, but the king I’m referring to in the title is a different royalty. Particularly, I spend my Monday and Tuesday mornings reading the book of Psalms, which compiles most of his hymns and songs to God- the man after God’s own heart- King David. My journey through the book of Psalms had been like reading and learning from his own journal. Ever wondered why he was called “a man after God’s own heart?

There exist many explanations, most I haven’t still read on, but I would like to impart that which I’ve learned in some of my mornings with this king.

King David was a typical person. He experienced several problems, he had felt pain, sorrow, and helplessness. He experienced betrayal from his own son, he was continually hunted by Saul to be killed and he had even committed adultery and murder.

But what made him entirely different from normal people aside from his crown was his faith. Anybody can speak of faith, anybody can say “I believe” but rarely does it genuinely show in their lives.

I find it very unlikely yet amazing how King David can sing a Worship song when he was there in the cave fleeing from Saul, running for his life. He did not measure God’s goodness and faithfulness in terms of the several problems he faced. If he did, I bet he would rather have known Him as the Great Problem-giver. He did not doubt His steadfast love and mercy when trials were the things that seemed constant and unchangeable. Yes, there were times, he was about to give in, give up, yet the following hymns he wrote showed how he continued in his faith. He believed in the true Character of God (Refuge, Most High, Rock, Shelter, Fortress, and many more) despite problems and regardless of his feelings. And God always proved Himself faithful in his life.

Yes, He is steadfast in His love, grace and mercy. But my mornings with this king, specifically this morning, made me ask myself:

Can I, like King David, say this and truly live it out:

“My heart is steadfast, O God,

My heart is steadfast!

I will sing and make melody!”

            (Psalm 57:7)

I could ask myself again, “Why was King David called the man after God’s own heart?” And an answer in my version is that he had the heart like Jesus’ - the steadfast heart.

It dawned on me that Christ-likeness is especially being faithful to God just as He is faithful to us.

God’s love and faithfulness is a given truth and promise for His people to hold on. But love and faithfulness to God on our part is a decision we make and commit ourselves to like the man after God’s own heart.

Apologies

December 27, 2011

Tuesday

Apologies

My apologies to:

the notebook I left unnoticed, unopened, and useless

my thoughts wasted, unpublished and left raw

my blog site left unvisited, inactive

my heart left recklessly overloaded with feelings I wasn't able to put into writing

to insights/ learning that I wasn't’t able to take account of

to experiences not recorded and memories not preserved in paper

to the heart that ached for its cry to write was not heeded

to the right hand withheld from what its been itching to do

to my mind, body, overdosed with sleeping, watching movies, eating and sloth

to my God for having to deal with my unfaithfulness and forgetfulness of Him

 

But most of all my apologies

To self

For wanting to be perfect, for wanting everything to be right, for being too hard on myself, for struggling to forgive you and for not realizing these things that I gave my apologies about our things we normally commit mistakes and err upon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terrible Illness: Straying

December 21, 2011

Wednesday (Late Entry as Always :O)

Symptoms of Straying:

-loss of appetite for devouring God’s words

-loss of prayer time

-heartache

-presence of unloving spirit

-attack of bad emotions

-impurity of thoughts

-God chaser turned to pleasure-seeking

-tendencies to relive past memories and past life

 

Effects:

-loss of peace

-inability to feel God’s presence

-disorganized priorities

-mismanagement of time and life

-overwhelming loneliness and feeling of emptiness

-lingering longing

-self-absorption

-lack of passion and excitement in the ministry

-unfocused purpose for living

 

Treatment:

                1. Make the decision to stop straying.

                2. Kneel down in prayer, humble yourself before Him. (Psalm 51)

                3. Acknowledge and confess your sins. (Psalm 51, 1 John 1:9)

                4. Receive God’s mercy, love and forgiveness.  (Psalm 103:10-14, 1 John 1:9, Hose 2:19-23)

                4. Walk in His light again. (Psalm 56:12-13, Hosea 3:5, Mark 8:34)

 

               

Prescription:

(Proven effective to a man who also had the same sickness in the name of David, Type of Straying: Adultery)

                Psalm 51: 10-12

                Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal Spirit in me.

                Do not banish me from your presence; do not take your Holy Spirit away from me.

                Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation, and make my heart willing to obey you.

 

                Straying far, away from the Lord is but the worst nightmare anyone could have.

                But it is also after turning back that one will be able to experience the astounding depth of his steadfast love and mercy. 

To XY Chromosomal Creatures

December 6,2011

It isn’t Valentine’s day nor Hearts day. The supposed to be celebrated season is the fast-approaching Christmas time. But I found myself looking at a pink rose, and a mysterious letter.

The pink rose came from an identified XY Chromosomal Creature (he had his name on it) and the mysterious letter was found void. It was no serious business of an aspiring Romeo, rather, it was but a joke.

 

I did not write to rant about not receiving a blue rose. (In fact, I secretly hoped I just did not because I felt everyone’s eyes on me when I was walking along the streets holding it) And I would not even express my disappointment about the people who were about to make me believe a mysterious person found time writing me a letter.

 

I would like to voice out what many other XX Chromosomal Creatures might be dying to express. Some words I’ve been repressing to blog about these past few days and weeks that had passed.

To XY Chromosomal Creatures,

Unlikely gift. Looking past the outward appearance is a very rare, unlikely gift you can possess. Admiring a lady for her mere beauty, is  but the lowest standard you can have.

Girls are to be admired because of their hearts not because of their FACES.

It is extremely disappointing when we saw each other for the first time and before I knew it you like me.

I have learned this the hard way- texting is NOT the way to a girl’s heart. Neither it is the way for friendship. For superficial interaction it is.

The real gauge of courage is how brave you are to talk to her personally.

INSTANT text messaging or messages through social networks are also the fastest way to prove your cowardice and spoil every bit of sincerity.

You have all the right to court girls when you have the money to treat her and buy her gifts from YOUR OWN salary. Don’t go robbing your parents’ wallets.

There is a great distinction between toys and girls. Just because you no longer play with the former doesn’t give you the license to play with the latter.

You protect us best when you keep your mouth shut about how you feel. Don’t act as if  Shakespeare has reincarnated himself in you.

If you’re lost in thoughts, thinking if you’re in love or what, I tell you, you are NOT, it’s just a sign that you have done nothing lately except for daydreaming.  

High school, college, including grade school boys, NOW is just not the time to pursue and win a girl’s heart – the fragile of most fragile organs.

I might have been so rough on this and I might have even spoke of  entirely my own ideals. If in some ways I have offended you,  please do pardon me.

But I know you also have lessons to give us girls. (Probably some of which I’ve stated above are also meant for us) So you can get even with us with all due righteousness.

                                    Guys, boys, men, XY Chromosomal Creatures, or however you want to be called, now is just NOT THE TIME.

“… that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.” Song of Songs 2:7

Memory and Industry Deficit (Late entry)

December 5, 2011                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Monday

I was walking under the rain a while ago. Probably, I need to pray regularly for a good rain-free weather.

No, I didn’t forget to bring an umbrella with me. I lost it permanently weeks ago.

First I lost my blue umbrella, and I realized it was gone a day after. I have left it somewhere in the church and I could hardly recall exactly why, when or how.

Then, my mother lent me my sister’s black umbrella, which was given to her by a special person. Why, for the love of forgetfulness! I have lost it too and could never recall where I left it. And for the record, I realized I lost it two days after!

My mother was very disappointed. She told me she would never buy me an umbrella ever AGAIN. And she’ll just buy me a raincoat. How awkward would that be, ME- wearing raincoat among the throng of college students in Manila!

I badly hope she too shall forget -- - - - all that she had said.

And earlier this morning, I was inside the bus, at around 5:15 am, when I realized I forgot two very important things at home:

(1)   My ID

(2)  My NSTP Shirt

I bet I am to receive the Youngest Memory Deficit Award any moment now. These two are but the most important things I needed for school, yet of all things, I forgot about them.

Alas, what happened to my memory?

 

Secondly, there is a great industry crisis that I am experiencing. Ironically, my last entry is about being inspired in studying, and recently Abbie had been feeling every bit of indolence possible. Worse, she gave in to it more than once.

Realizing how much I overly fuss over these things a while ago makes me laugh about it now.

When I tried to consult God about the insights He’d like to give me through these situations, he led me to this verse:

“The steadfast love of God endures all the day.” Psalms 52:1

His message was simple: no laziness, memory deficit of mine can outshine His steadfast love.

I did walk under the rain but it was the fewest of drops: “ambon”, I was still able to enter the school gate without my  ID, and most especially, the two quizzes which I wasn’t able to review for (due to my severe idleness) were moved for the next day.  Luck? No it’s His steadfast love. (He got me smiling right now.)  :)

I.N.S.P.I.R.E.D? :)

“For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?”

             Have you ever asked yourself this question? The wisest man that had ever lived on earth made mention the necessity of this question on the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 4 verse 8. For if not he said, toil or hard work is mere striving after the wind. And in our journey of studying, (or living even so) we’ll at one point or another get tired, or one day feel like never going to school again. For me, one effective way to drain these unhelpful thoughts is to redirect my focus on my inspirations. Have you found yours? Below are the ones that keep me I.N.S.P.I.R.E.D:

            The seat

            I once talked about taking the last seat on my entry about my first day last semester. Now, I’ll talk about a different kind of seat. In my greatest attempt to describe in words, this seat is a portable folding chair that is shaped like a box. Its top has a pink backdrop with blue, yellow, black, white and striped polka dots on it. It can both be a container and a chair. On top of it, I place a yellow cushion. This seat, a green table and my blue-colored lamp make up my newfound study place for this second semester. My father bought it for me. So whenever I sit on it, I’ll remember to study hard for my family. :)

           

            Alam mo, excited akong pumasok…

          Paano ba naman, ikaw teacher ko eh =))

          Talk about excitement to go to school and pick-up lines. These are the two things about my two great professors in Professional Education this 2^nd semester. I’d like to note these first two teachers of mine every M, T, Th, and F.

            First, our professor in Curriculum Development is not the type of teacher who’ll give you more than a hundred reasons to sleep or get bored in class. She is a conserver of time for not a minute is wasted during her discussions. She greets us “Good morning English Teachers!” with oozing energy and enthusiasm making it sink into me more what in the world I am studying for… yes, to be an English teacher! She has that very evident, flaming passion in teaching that I’m left in awe and inspired.

            The next is our very beautiful, intelligent ad young professor in Introduction to Special Education, Ms. Custodio. Aside from the fact that she looks our age, she also teaches well. Before our class begins, she would pick three to four class cards and those students that will be called will have to roll the die. The number that one will get will signify her designated task:

            1 - Tell the news for that day, be it foreign or local

            2 - Give one trivia         

            3 – Crack a joke

            4 –Give one knock-knock

            5 – Tell one pick-up line

            6 – Choose one from the five tasks

 

            What thrilled me is that I’ll be obliged to read the news everyday and even the preparation to crack a joke and a pick-up line. And the most nerve-racking for me is to give one knock-knock. Mind you, I already did! =D

            Kudos to these professors, they inspire me this much :).

 

            11-11-10 vs. 11-11-11

          If today was the November 10^th of last year, I’d be working on a project or assignment waiting for his text message. I’d be studying for a quiz or exam coupled with my dreams of finally spending time with him. He was in every thought of every little thing that I do, a thought I keep with me wherever I go. Back then, I wouldn’t be excited about going home as much that I was to see him. My motivation to continue to go to school and study was the notion of fulfilling my future plans… with him. This man had then seemed to be the world to me.

            This him was not Him that deserved a capital H. The Lord is the Him that unspeakably changed my world and thinking. He is the miraculous Lord who enabled me to let go of the very close attachment I had with that man. I have found the courage to write all these because of my amazement right now. How fast and unfathomable things changed!

            I’ll always be excited to go home every weekend in Cavite. I am even homesick more often than not. I made goals of studying for God, my family, future students and for a better self. I hardly use my cellphone or even wait for a text message. My thoughts will be drifting to God, to His word, then to Him again and the things that He seems to be telling me. I am looking forward every Sunday to go to church, teach the children, and worship Him. I am continuing to fall deeper in love with my family. I am seeing and realizing the deeper value of my friendships and relationships with people. My personal relationship with the Lord is my source of strength, the very reason I still continue to go to school and face each day. HE is now the world to me.

            Still searching for inspiration? You don’t have to go far and get them elsewhere… in your house, in your classrooms (hmmm baka ibang inspiration ang hanapin ah..Hahaha) and as you look up, you can find THEM.

            Then these inspirations will motivate you to go on in studying and in living. (Still by His grace and strength)

            Stay I.N.S.P.I.R.E.D! =)

           

 

The "write feeling" (A very late post)

October 31, 2011

Monday

The "write feeling"

                        It was the same feeling when I happen to scan through Jessica Zafra’s “Twisted”. Each of her essays were dated with the corresponding month and year they were written. I imagined her writing every night, before she slept, when she’s bored, or probably just whenever she suddenly thought of something to write. It was the very feeling of wanting to write something that could be published one day with my name as the author. It was an August 10, and we were looking for “America is in the Heart” at Power Books in Robinson’s Place, Ermita, Manila, not knowing that the book will also ignite the flame in me for writing. It was the autobiography of Carlos Bulosan who only had three years of schooling, spent his life devouring books, and then became a writer in his later years. How can a person with more than thirteen years of schooling not dream to write as well? If books were the things I had to spend my lifetime with, I have 53 years of doing so from an average life span’s point of view.

The same feeling was rekindled last Sunday night when a Pastor in our church finally had his book published. It is a book of humor and evangelism so generous for P200.00, I so desire to have a copy of. 

                        If multiply has “crushes” too (like the one in tumblr) maybe my ultimate crush would be Ate Joan :). Though she isn’t a professional writer yet, consider me an avid fan of her, her blog, and future books :). I think I made mention of words that meant she inspired me for two or three times in my last entry. She has a special way of flaming the “write” feeling in me.

                        The most recent culprit why I’m itching to write all these is the movie “Letters to Juliet”. From a fact checker, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) became a writer. I was not pro everything about the movie but what struck me most was her intense desire to be able to write. The sight of her eagerly writing on her notebook, her experiences in featuring her first story and finally when she passed her manuscript and sighed at her boss’ affirmation! Her work will be published!  I saw all wonder and gratefulness on her face.

                        This overriding feeling engulfs me right now.

“You are a lover of words… One day, you will write a book. People turn to you because you give voice to dreams, notice little things, and make otherwise impossible imaginings appear real. You are a rare bird who thinks the world is beautiful enough to try to figure it out, who has the courage to dive into your wild mind and go swimming there. You are someone who still believes in cloud watching, people watching, day dreaming, tomorrow, favorite colors, silver clouds, dandelions, and sorrow. Be sacred. Be cool. Be wild. Go far. Words do more than plant miracle seeds with you writing them.”

 

            This is from a friend’s Hallmark bookmark which I copied a year ago. It didn’t have the writer’s name on it, and I didn’t know it would perfectly fit here a year after.

            I have far yet to learn in my writing. I commit grammatical errors. I still have issues in the organization and coherence of my thoughts. I still doubt my own works and ideas. And very noticeable is that I rely on the “write” feeling I have. I go with the currents of feeling like writing and have not yet gone against the tide of persistently choosing to write as my commitment. But maybe every writer then passed through these stages of disbelief, times when they didn’t feel like writing, and moments when their errors get the most of them. But then if I’ll be asked of one gift that God gave me, writing would be my first thought. And through these series of events and “write” feelings, He may be reminding me that this gift that He gave me is my gift to Him. Passion means commitment. “Persistently decide to write regardless of the “write” feeling. This is a ministry He has entrusted writers,” shouts my soul.

In His hands, this gift will flourish; it will turn out into something I have never asked nor imagine.

What I want for Sembreak

Our 1st semester ended last October 14,2011 (Friday) yet I only felt the real start of our sembreak last October 21,2011 after finishing my term paper in Philippine Literature in English. I've procrastinated again. This and my old ways I hope to leave behind. I look forward to a renewed, refreshed me and a better semester this coming November.

Maybe I was ravenous for S-E-M-B-R-E-A-K that I simply lost control these past few days. I've become lax about almost everything. I've been watching movies, eating a lot, sleeping late and excessively. I felt like a glutton for REST and RELAXATION.

Sadly, this is not how sembreak is intended to function for us. A thought once popped out of my mind:

"Kapag may pasok di malaman kung anong unang gagawin, kapag walang pasok di malaman kung anong pwedeng gawin."

        #irony

Sembreak <3

During school days, we're geared up for battle. We prepare and know exactly that we have foes to fight soon. Yet during vacations like these, we are as if sent to a field without any requirements to fulfill. Thus, we are tempted to simply lie down out in the open, on the grass and gaze at the sky.

Rest isn't bad, relaxing neither, but too much of anything is always unhealthy and unhelpful. Our sembreak will work best for us if we do not lose sight of our focus and goals. Especially that this is not a long time vacation, we have less than a month (particularly for PNUans) to make the most of this opportunity.

We're being asked to relax but stay on guard, rest and prepare, reflect and plan for the fast approaching 2nd semester.

The experimental 1st sem will be the basis of what to do and what not to do for the 2nd sem.

Here's a to-do-list to keep track of a productive, fulfilled and fun vacation, inspired by Ate Joan. :))

WHAT I WANT FOR SEMBREAK:

(B.F.F Balance.Focus. Feasibility)

-  Quality devotional time :)

- Write articles again (at least 2)

- Accomplish Ministry concerns: Fix Sunday School supplies, class record and prayer album

- Read at least 1 book (The Life You've Always Wanted)

- Finalize my Life purpose statement (place them on bookmarks and one for posting)

- Recreation time (watch movies, volleyball and time for exercise!)

- Spend time with family :))

And one thing that I know I need to do, yet I don't really like to do, well, I want to do it because I need to do it... (do you even understand?) Haha.

Simply put, it's this one:

- Read debate handouts and write about "What Debating Does to me"

I'd like to prepare for our Saturday sessions. I know I'm having a hard time on this one so there's a call for hard work. I just said that, HARDWORK, really, for the second semester.

Hoping to fulfill this to-do-list :)

P.S.

THE RULE:

I was inspired by Ate Joan to impose a rule of early sleeping. Every 9:30pm, I'd like to be starting my way to dreamland. :)

Happy Sembreak! 

What to WRITE?

Running thoughts flood my mind, one rushing over another and I think they're brought about by the bulk of tasks I've been doing and I still need to do. 

It was a blessed relief we somehow got rid of "the figures" because we don't have any Math subject this 1st semester. But I find myself facing the blank paper innumerable times. We've been tasked (and we still are) to write different kinds of essays --- from descriptive, comparative, argumentative to occasional papers and end of term essays (not to mention two case studies). My school life as an English major turned out to be a writing course.

I have asked it so many times, What to write? (And the question itself I doubt if it's grammatically correct) 

Even during days when I attempt to write a blog --- I face a blank screen. 

The randomness of my thoughts simply finds itself expressed through pictures I specially handpicked from the internet. I hope these images paint the thousand words the captions could not fully describe. 

(writegroove.com)

Sadly, I could not upload the picture of my small pencil from my phone. So the one up here is a substitute. I simply reiterate --- Endless writing for the end times of the first semester. My pencil as small as that will support the italicized statement.

(http://www.mobilitysite.com)

I'm no tech savvy, but I've been longing for a net book or a laptop that I can call MINE. As always, it is preferably color blue. 

To my future net book, 

You have the very subtle ways of making me want you badly. Renting in computer shops or waiting for the right timing to borrow the laptop of my Ate in the dorm inconveniences me more often. I hope God will give you to me, miraculously,  and of course in the His soonest possible time line. 

By faith, 

Your  future owner 

(http://recruitingunblog.wordpress.com)

This one I won't write much about. There are sudden lurking monsters in my heart and they leave me writing this figure several times in my journal - - - - - </3. Well, brokenness of the heart  is no business alone of a longing lone individual. It could be a deep sense of inner turmoil.  Yet Daddy Lord quiets them down, someday soon, they will fully vanish.

(ph.88db.com)

After time immemorial, I've entered SM Manila again! Well, I bought some PASALUBONG (so excited to go home!) for my two sisters. I bought them from papemelroti and one from National Bookstore. You know what surprised  me? (1) The separation of the female and male entrance plus their very strict security and (2) The renovated National Bookstore! Weeeeee :) I missed school supplies hunting. 

By God's grace it's sembreak sooooooooon! God is so great that several deadlines of  requirements were extended til next week! Exams are even rescheduled on Friday. And really, to make the most of this ending semester is to give our best as well as sleep little, if still possible at all.

 #God really knows I am no superhuman

Finally, my God, Daddy, Best Friend ... Everything, never fails to make me

(sciencebuzz.org)

even during my "unblogged" days and every single day.

#my right to write

the randomness of  my thoughts

HIS Practical Test

Minutes ago, I told a classmate that I'll start reviewing, for it is the only clear thing that I can and I NEED to do now. 

But, 

I just can't.

Now is the very time I just want to burst out and cry and disappear and ...

It is stress.

Yes it is.

A reality we can so often ignore or try to rationalize or not even notice.

I am at loss for words. Or I do not just want to say piling tasks, busyness, unending to-do-lists again.(I just typed it, didn't I?)

I try to seek comfort, enlightenment, from where then it can come from?

I am only brought to one concrete realization.

PRAGMATISM.

If I added question marks to your brain, I'm sorry. But it's the very one word I could think of.

It has something to do with LEARNING through PRACTICE / practical application.

I had for so numerous, countless times (in much exaggeration) wrote of so many things regarding doing things with, for and because of the Lord, about God helping us, about Him as our comfort and strength and all ideologies, beliefs and principles in Christian life and studies.

I am grieved that at one point or in many instances, these things stay as mere knowledge. Idealistic ideas. Will they come to a reality in our lives or stay as what has been termed as mere "COGNITION" of the brain?

We learn things by doing, We know we learned if there is a change that took place.

What is happening at this very moment is God's practical test for me to apply the lessons, insights He had given me so generously. 

We stop just knowing. We start acting on what we know and believe in.

God's Words and the insights He gives are really meant to change lives.

May I continue to be changed through His practical tests. (especially on this one--- stress, studies)

Tada! A reaction paper in P.E. :D

Time for fun and excitement aside from our Sports and Recreation class had been, in my vocabulary, non-existent and long forgotten. The previous school days meant busyness and accomplishing piles of tasks. So this made me very excited for our PE III Outdoor Activity in Norzagaray, Bulacan last September 17, 2011, Saturday. Though I was tired that night before that day, I really woke up early in much anticipation. We were with BCEd majors inside the bus and somehow, the travel became a worthwhile experience because of their and my classmates’ energy and enthusiasm.

            When we finally arrive in Falcon Crest, we were immediately oriented about the procedures in rappelling and wall climbing. It looked so easy and effortless on the part of the facilitators who demonstrated it. But then, I was really nervous because I never experienced doing those things before and I thought I might have fear of heights. My apprehension was somehow subsided when each team showcased their yell. And when it was the Green Team’s turn (our turn), I simply wanted our cheering to come to an end, but at least, we managed to last for minutes in front! We had warm-up exercises before the activities began. Maybe it really set our bodies into “athletic conditions”.

            Rappelling was our first activity. I was delighted I somehow learned to make a makeshift harness and get geared up for this ultimate sport. Alphabetical was the order for the turns in engaging in each activity and that meant I was always third in the line. It was a blessing in disguise since I don’t wait much that could open ways to heighten my fears. The moment I was about to do the rappelling, I knew I was still afraid but it was so relieving that the activity wasn’t scary at all! It was so much fun that I wanted to repeat doing it. I really learned the importance of being “in control” of one’s pace and movement through this activity.

            Our second activity was crossing the Cargo net. It was hanging on the second floor and our face will be set on the ground while we crawl on it. I personally think that I performed least skilfully in this activity compared to my other performances. In my initial attempt to cross it, I lost balance so I was driven forward, face almost flat on the surface of the net. I heard my classmates exclaim a sigh of alarm. Yet I kept crawling in the fastest way I could. So with this 2nd activity, I learned the importance of continuing on despite faulty beginnings.

            Thirdly, we did the wall climb. I like this activity because I told myself it would be easy and when I was performing it, I stood corrected. It wasn’t that piece of cake I was expecting. As you climb higher, the pull of gravity makes it more difficult to go up. You also need to be aware of the stones you’ll be stepping on, so when you’re quite far, you’ll need to exert extra effort and strength to reach them. But the best thing about this activity is that I could really feel that in my attempts to go higher, the rope also does it part of elevating me upward. And the greatest reward is to reach the top and ring the bell.

            Our fourth activity, which was the requirement for us to be able to eat our lunch, was the pull-ups. It was a group activity so I did learn the value of team work. About 15 people had to lift the heaviest person in our class (through a rope) and will be blind folded. For us, it was Carla and she had to get an egg from the pail hanging near her and throw it to the catcher of the group who will also be her guide. In our first try, the egg fell on the ground. During our second attempt, the whole group pulling the rope guided Carla and she was then able to throw it well that our catcher caught the egg! Truly, team work works wonders!

            We ate a satisfying lunch meal and after that, we rested and at the same time bathed under the rain while waiting for the commencement of the next activities.

            Zip line was my favorite activity for the day. I so appreciated the wind, the sky, the trees and the whole sight of nature as I sped down and seemingly fly!

            The next two activities – tire swing and rope course were in my perception, the two most challenging tasks. They were much like obstacle courses and required more skills- balance, strength, endurance and agility. In both activities, I had moments of nearly falling down but I really learned to have the will to finish each activity. So when I gave my best, I succeeded and accomplished it. If we think we can --- we really can!

            In one of our Water Act activities, we had to cover the holes of a “pvc pipe” and one group mate will pour water until the 3 balls inside run out of the container. It was the most disappointing activity we have encountered because it took a very long time before we accomplished the goal of the game. So what I learned were patience and perseverance for us not to quit.

            I enjoyed the free swimming part and snack time after the strength-draining activities of the day. Though we did not win, the best part is that we learned a lot and at the same time, enjoyed while doing so. It was a great time for recreation, ‘till the next outdoor activity! :)