My Christmas Wishlist

 Since the holidays is fast approaching, every people I know are expecting gifts. 

Of course I am TOO!=)

So, for this year's holidays, I made a list of some things that my wishful self loves to attain.

Number 1:

Samsung Galaxy Tab.
(Who doesn't want to have this??)

Number 2:

White Dress.
After the HR White Party last 15Dec, I've realized that I don't have any white dress.
So it's now time to have one.=)

Number 3:

Old phone model.
I miss my Nokia 1100 (my first phone).
I'm tired of using touchscreen phones, I feel nothing when I text.

Number 4:

Vintage Dress.
I just like it.

Number 5:

Green Badminton Shoes.
Since I got hooked to playing badminton, I need a shoe that will match my green racket.=) 

Number 6:

Green Badminton Racket.
As I can see it clearly, the gut is also color green. Love it!
(Hope I can find one like this once I got to Manila) =)))

Number 7:

Green Tennis Racket.
Moms promised me that she'd teach me how to play lawn tennis.
I'm so excited!=)

These are just some of my "wants". More to come when I get bored again.=P

krow'shey

When I was in grade school, our TV was often damaged and we are left only with the radio to make us entertained. But time came when radios became boring and so we (my older sisters) would imitate our Mom seated in a corner – crocheting.

That was when I started how to learn to crochet, by imitation. My eldest sis (Ate Jam) and I started with making crocheted rings, bracelets and then ponytails which we did by covering rubber bands with crochet. Rubber bands as ponytails are not hair-friendly coz it tangles with the hair strands, but if it’s covered with crochet it can be removed easily.

While in high school, crocheting was not part of my past time coz I was inclined on reading novels that time. When I saw yarns one time while I was in college, my desire for crocheting was again restored. Since then, crocheting became a part of me: while watching a movie, talking to someone, pampaantok, etc., I am doing it.

Here are some of those I have made which are with me now. I have given a lot of small pouches to a lot of people as a gift or just a show of appreciation.=)

calculator case (since I was the one who spent for this calculator, I  have to take care of it.hehe)

my CASIO fx-570ES PLUS scientific calculator and its case (this is my best buddy in preparation for and during my board exam)

on the left is the Liz Claiborne handbag that Aunt Rose sent me, while the one on the right is a body bag which I made last Feb 2011 (I was supposed to give it to someone but unfortunately I don't know who's that someone) anyway, I was so surprised upon seeing the handbag that was sent here in Leyte from California by my auntie. It has the same pattern used (colors: green-dark blue-light blue). Thank you very much Auntie Rose!=)

a lady shoulder bag. This rainbow-colored yarn which came with a very stout hook is from my Auntie Rose.  I love that hook, I never there would be a hook like that.

cover for my internet usb stick. soo pink.=)

green pouch. This is what I usually do with my hook and yarn, a small pouch where I can put almost anything.=)

 How about you? Develop your skills and enjoy! ^_^

General Conference (Oct 2011)

How can a father raise a happy, well-adjusted daughter in today’s increasingly toxic world? The answer has been taught by the Lord’s prophets.

No words describe the sacred occasion when a new father holds a baby daughter in his arms for the first time. This year three of our sons have become new fathers of baby girls. As I watched our rugged, strong, rugby-playing son, Jon, hold his first baby daughter in his arms, he looked at her with a reverent tenderness, and then he looked at me with an expression that seemed to say, “How do I raise a girl?”

This morning I would like to speak to our sons and to all fathers. How can a father raise a happy, well-adjusted daughter in today’s increasingly toxic world? The answer has been taught by the Lord’s prophets. It is a simple answer, and it is true—“The most important thing a father can do for his [daughter] is to love [her] mother.”¹ By the way you love her mother, you will teach your daughter about tenderness, loyalty, respect, compassion, and devotion. She will learn from your example what to expect from young men and what qualities to seek in a future spouse. You can show your daughter by the way you love and honor your wife that she should never settle for less. Your example will teach your daughter to value womanhood. You are showing her that she is a daughter of our Heavenly Father, who loves her.

Love her mother so much that your marriage is celestial. A temple marriage for time and all eternity is worthy of your greatest efforts and highest priority. It was only after Nephi had completed the temple in the wilderness that he stated, “And … we lived after the manner of happiness.”² The “manner of happiness” is found in the temple. It is covenant keeping. Don’t let any influence come into your life or your home that would cause you to compromise your covenants or your commitment to your wife and family.

In Young Women we are helping your daughter understand her identity as a daughter of God and the importance of remaining virtuous and worthy to receive the blessings of the temple and of a temple marriage. We are teaching your daughter the importance of making and keeping sacred covenants. We are teaching her to commit now to live so that she can always be worthy to enter the temple and not to allow anything to delay, distract, or disqualify her from that goal. Your example, as her father, speaks louder than our important words. Young women worry about their fathers. Many express that their greatest desire is to be united eternally as a family. They want you to be there when they go to the temple or get married in the temple. Stay close to your daughter and help her prepare and remain worthy for the temple. When she turns 12, take her with you to the temple often to perform baptisms for your ancestors and others. She will cherish these memories forever.

Today’s popular culture tries to erode and demean your eternal role as a patriarch and father and minimize your most important responsibilities. These have been given to you “by divine design,” and as fathers you “are to preside over [your] families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for [your] families.”³

Fathers, you are the guardians of your homes, your wives, and your children. Today “it is not an easy thing to protect one’s family against intrusions of evil into [their] minds and spirits. … These influences can and do flow freely into the home. Satan [is very clever]. He need not break down the door.”⁴

You must be the guardians of virtue. “A priesthood holder is virtuous. Virtuous behavior implies that [you have] pure thoughts and clean actions. … Virtue is … an attribute of godliness.” It “is akin to holiness.”⁵ The Young Women values are Christlike attributes which include the value of virtue. We now call upon you to join with us in leading the world in a return to virtue. In order to do so, you “must practise virtue and holiness”⁶ by eliminating from your life anything that is evil and inconsistent with one who holds the holy priesthood of God. “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and … the Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion.”⁷ So be cautious about what you view in entertainment media or print. Your personal virtue will model for your daughters, and also your sons, what true strength and moral courage are. By being a guardian of virtue in your own life, in your home, and in the lives of your children, you are showing your wife and daughters what true love really is. Your personal purity will give you power.

You are your daughter’s guardian in more than the legal sense. Be present in your daughter’s life. Let her know your standards, your expectations, your hopes and dreams for her success and happiness. Interview her, get to know her friends and, when the time comes, her boyfriends. Help her understand the importance of education. Help her understand that the principle of modesty is a protection. Help her choose music and media that invite the Spirit and are consistent with her divine identity. Be an active part of her life. And if in her teenage years she should not come home from a date on time, go get her. She will resist and tell you that you have ruined her social life, but she will inwardly know that you love her and that you care enough to be her guardian.

You are not ordinary men. Because of your valiance in the premortal realms, you qualified to be leaders and to possess priesthood power. There you exhibited “exceeding faith and good works,” and you are here now to do the same.⁸ Your priesthood sets you apart.

Within a few weeks our three sons will have given their baby daughters a name and a blessing. I hope this will be the first of many priesthood blessings they receive from their fathers, because in the world in which they will grow up, they will need those blessings. Your daughter will cherish the priesthood and determine in her heart that this is what she wants in her future home and family. Always remember “that the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven” and can “be controlled … only upon the principles of righteousness.”⁹

Fathers, you are your daughter’s hero. My father was my hero. I used to wait on the steps of our home for him to arrive each night. He would pick me up and twirl me around and let me put my feet on top of his big shoes, and then he would dance me into the house. I loved the challenge of trying to follow his every footstep. I still do.

Did you know that your testimony has a powerful influence on your daughters? I knew my father had a testimony. I knew he loved the Lord. And because my father loved the Lord, I did too. I knew he cared about the widows because he took his vacation to paint the home of the widow who lived next door. I thought that was the greatest vacation our family ever had because he taught me how to paint! You will bless the life of your daughter for years to come if you will look for ways to spend time with her and to share your testimony with her.

In the Book of Mormon, Abish was converted by her father’s sharing with her his remarkable vision. For many years thereafter, she kept her testimony in her heart and lived righteously in a very wicked society. Then the time came when she could no longer be still, and she ran from house to house to share her testimony and the miracles she had witnessed in the king’s court. The power of Abish’s conversion and testimony was instrumental in changing an entire society. The people who heard her testify became a people who “were converted unto the Lord, [and] never did fall away,” and their sons became the stripling warriors!¹⁰

As the hymn says, “Rise up, O men of God!”¹¹ This is a call to you, the men who bear the holy priesthood of God. May it be said of you as was said of Captain Moroni:

“[He] was a strong and a mighty man; … a man of a perfect understanding; … a man who was firm in the faith of Christ. …

“… If all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; … the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.”¹²

Brethren, fathers, young men, “Be loyal to the royal within you.”¹³

So how do you raise a girl? Love her mother. Lead your family to the temple, be guardians of virtue, and magnify your priesthood. Fathers, you have been entrusted with our Heavenly Father’s royal daughters. They are virtuous and elect. It is my prayer that you will watch over them, strengthen them, model virtuous behavior, and teach them to follow in the Savior’s every footstep—for He lives! In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

NOTES:

Last October 9, 2011 I attended the general conference broadcast at Ormoc City Stake Center. I have the means to watch the general conference online but I preferred to travel at least 2hrs via bus to Ormoc City (from Isabel) and watch the prophets, apostles and servants of the Lord give their inspired messages to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all over the world.

We were a bit late, around 5mins, so we were not able to watch the prelude music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Despite being late, we were still able to find a nice spot to sit; and the Spirit immediately enveloped me as I listen to Pres. Ucthdorf as he conducted the conference.

I was taking notes while listening to the first speakers for me to remember the wonderful points they've stressed. And then Sis Elaine Dalton was called to the pulpit. As she narrate her message, a strong feeling grew within me and soon I felt tears flowing down from my eyes. I can't help it, the impact was so deep that it directed straightly through my heart as I remembered my family especially my parents who are in Manila.

I grew up not so close to my father since we was a military man, always assigned to various place here in the Philippines. During my grade school and high school days, he was just at home for like a month or two a year, not sure. The things that I remember while he was at home were: 

• the "PISO per TAGALOG word" fine which made us struggle to speak in English at home
• his lullaby/ies to Diego "Ti ayat, ti maysa nga ubing..." (I forgot the lines but the song goes like that)
• his show-off saying that artistas are just white (fair skin) because they iron (plantsa) their faces. And he did it (put a hanky on his face and the hot iron on his face) which resulted to a white circle on his face (burnt skin).haha

Those are just some. It might take me a lot of time remember the others. 

I am closer to Moms than Pops since she was always at home since I was born, but she never became my close friend. I seldom share with her what's happening to me, just my accomplishments in school and failures too. Secrets, noo.. My journals are my best friends. They know most of my activities, but still not all. 

I remember some of the sweet and caring instances my Mom showed me:

• 3rd year high school, I had some unknown allergy which produced large bumpy red marks on my legs and arms. Moms accompanied to a hospital near my school, the doctor gave me an anti-allergy shot just to relieve me from the itchy-ness since the cause of the allergy is not yet known. On the way home, the jeepney terminal was so far from the hospital so we have to walk a long distance, but then there was no jeepney in the terminal due to heavy traffic. So we rode a cab to my boarding house. The "bad" taxi driver dropped us on the gate only of the village since the road going to my boarding house is so narrow. So we walked again with my eyes fully closed, the effect of the anti-allergy shot, and my consciousness slowly leaving me. It was almost past 11pm. I told Moms that she can stay and sleep in my boarding house na lang since it's already late at night, but she preferred to travel back home (more than an hour and a half) since she have to attend to the needs of my younger brothers the next morning pa. Eventhough half conscious, I really felt the love of my mother at that time. I love you Moms.
• Board Exam days. She went to where we were staying for the board exam and brought me a lot of food and vitamins. I was mad at first coz she bought a A LOT of food and other "unnecessary" stuff but when my classmates told me, "and sweet naman ng Mama mo", I felt guilty. Sorry Moms. I Love you.
• My roommates at my dormitory also told me that they were envious about my Moms coz she often visited me and brought me foods and other stuff, eventhough I have small bros at home. One of them told me, "Limang taon na ako dito sa UP, pero never pa akong nabisita ng Mama ko.." I felt sorry for her, and myself too coz I did not see it that way. I was always busy at school and just took for granted my Moms commuting a long distance just to visit me at school. I am very blessed with you, Moms.

Those are just some of the soo many TLC acts of my Mom. As I was realizing these stuff, I really need to change myself, that I should be grateful with the things and people that I have. I am so much blessed with a wonderful family despite the so many trials. As Ate Mi told one of our Young Women, "The Lord put you in that family coz He knows that in that family, you will grow" Those are the words that I just keep on remembering for me to stay strong despite all odds. 

I miss them so much, YES. I want to go back to Manila as soon as possible, was my heart's cry. But as I remembered my purpose here in Leyte, I realized that it's time for me to learn how to grow by myself. I have to take care of myself and work hard for the present and the future.

I am very grateful that I attended the general conference which made me realize the importance of families. Soon I will also be having my own family and I hope that with the messages, lessons and teachings of the servants of the Lord will make me a good mother, wife and friend to my husband and children.=)

How about you, surely the messages in the General Conference had an impact on you too! Put in writing your experience so that you can remember it well.=)

Just Inspired

Following is one of the inspirational pieces made by my college batchmate and friend, Jerome Bantang. He is a man of around 23 years of age as of now, from Romblon but is now living in Quezon City. Jerome is a very good singer, guitarist, composer of songs, poems, stories and really good in doing research papers. His trademark is his long hair with ponytail that matches the color of his hair. So enough of the his background, here is one of his pieces:

As i remember it, he made this "poem" specially for Arz's birthday during our 4th year in college.


Special Friend

I can't give solutions to all of life's problems,

doubts, 

or fears.

But I can listen to you,

and together

we will search for answers.

I can't change your past with all it's heartache and pain,

nor the future with its untold stories.

But I can be there now when you need me to care.

I can't keep your feet from stumbling.

I can only offer my hand

that you may grasp it and not fall.

Your joys,

triumphs,

successes,

and happiness

are not mine;

Yet I can share in your laughter.

Your decisions in life are not mine to make,

nor to judge;

I can only support you,

encourage you,

and help you when you ask.

I can't prevent you from falling away from friendship,

from your values,

from me.

I can only pray for you,

talk to you

and wait for you.

I can't give you boundaries which I have determined for you,

But I can give you the room to change,

room to grow,

room to be yourself.

I can't keep your heart from breaking and hurting,

But I can cry with you,

help you pick up the pieces,

and put them back in place.

I can't tell you who you are.

I can only love you

and be your friend.

A Woman's Responsibility to Teach

As I was cleaning my files, I came across this wonderful  story. Here's the story:

Elder Frank Croft was a missionary in the southern United States in the early day s of the Church. He taught the gospel in an area where some of the people became very angry at his teachings. A mob of armed men forcefully took him into the woods, where they told him to remove all of his clothing above the waist. They tied his arms and body to a tree and prepared to lash his back until the blood flowed.

Elder Croft had no alternative but to do what the mob asked, but as he was doing so, a letter fell from his pocket. It had been written by his mother, who lived in Utah. A short time before, Elder Croft had written to his parents telling them about the mob violence, and this letter from his mother was an answer to his concerns. 

The letter said:

My beloved son, you must remember the words of the Savior when He said, 

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;”

 also 

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” 

Also remember the Savior upon the cross suffering from the sins of the world when He had uttered these immortal words, 

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Surely, my boy, they who are mistreating you Elders know not what they do or they would not do it.

Sometime, somewhere, they will understand and then they will regret their action and they will honor you for the glorious work you are doing. So be patient, my son, love those who mistreat you and say all manner of evil against you and the Lord will bless you and magnify you in their eyes and your mission will be gloriously successful.’”

The leader of the mob picked up the letter and began to read it. His face and eyes were so hard and cruel that Elder Croft knew no sympathy would come from him. He closed his eyes and waited for the beating to begin, silently thinking of his home and his beloved mother. 

He opened his eyes a few moments later and found that the leader had seated himself on a nearby stump and was rereading the letter. His face had undergone a great change. “Much of the hardness and cruelty in his face were gone; his eyes were slightly dimmed by moisture. His whole personality appeared to have changed. He would read a line or two or a paragraph and then sit and ponder, and deep down in the Elder’s conscience was the hope, yes, the conviction that the man’s heart had been touched by the loveliness and beauty of his mother’s letter.”

The man finally arose and said, “‘Feller, you must have a wonderful mother. You see, I once had one, too.’ Then, addressing the other member of the mob, he said, ‘Men, after reading this Mormon’s mother’s letter, I just can’t go ahead with the job. Maybe we had better let him go.’ Elder Croft was released and went his way” 

*After reading and pondering what I've read, I remembered my Mom and all of her teachings which benefited me a lot. Since I am away from home, the only thing I can do now is to do what she taught me and surely I know that I will be safe. I miss home, but come December, I'll see them again.^_^

Where am I?

Today is the 12th day since I came here in PASAR, LIDE, Isabel, Leyte.

How am I?

Well, I'm doing fine. It really is a big blessing that my roommate is a member too, so I have a kauban in most of our activities, including institute every Saturday and church every Sunday.

I've realized that I've receive a great blessing yesterday. During our afternoon activity, we were assigned to know the process done in Cathode Segregation. We hiked more than a kilometer to the port area under the extreme heat of the sun. Upon arriving at the port's area, the person assigned to entertain us asked if he can explain the process in bisaya (since most of PASAR's employee are from Visayas and Mindanao). I agreed that it's not a problem in my part coz I can just ask my groupmates (all of which speaks Bisaya) if dili nako kabalo sa iyahang ka-istoryahan. 

But the amazing thing happened. Every bisaya word that he uttered, I understood it clearly. I just looked at him amazingly, looking at the movement of his lips and I really knew what he was saying.

Till now, I can't really believe that I can understand a Bisaya conversation so quickly. Now, I just have a little difficulty composing sentences, adding conjunctions to every word, and stuff. But I can manage.=)

The Lord guided me all the way. He even helped me know the language so soon. I love Him so much. In exchange, I need to follow His commandments coz I won't deserve any blessing that He'd give me if ever.

I am happy that I am here now. I miss my family, yes, but not so much. There's so many people to know here.^_^

Take care, everyone!=) See you again when I see you.^_^

Ganbatte Kudasai!

Trip to Leyte

This entry aims to account for all of my experiences in Leyte. Here we go:

July 21, 2011 was our scheduled flight to Tacloban, Leyte via Philippine Air Lines (PAL) flight PR 391. With me are my batchmates: Cel, Katz, Dona, Mei, te Gern, Meeks, Les, Dex at Aids. Our itinerary included arrival in Tacloban on the 21^st and back to Manila by the 23^rd. Our trip was sponsored by PASAR, the only copper smelting company in this country. Everything's free except for the pasalubong expenses.

07/21

At around 6:30 AM, Pops accompanied me to Centennial 2 Airport. The travel via a cab took us around 40mins coz of the medium traffic at Gate 3 and somewhere in Villamor. I waited for some of my classmates till I checked-in. I first saw Cel and Meeks. Pops left me na since I’m with my classmates already. Lester, Katz and Aids had already checked-in. I thought I was the earliest.haha After checking-in our baggages, Dona, Mei and te Gern arrived na rin so sabay-sabay na kaming nagcheck-in.

my e-ticket & printed ticket

while waiting for my classmates. shown is Jacob, my CM Eclipse 1 phone.=)

We were so early. We waited for like an hour and a half till the plane left for Tacloban. While waiting in the terminal, everyone did their own stuff: from galaxy tabs, ipads, to phone calls, text mates, and cam vainness. I just did the last one.hahaha

smile Mei! behind her are Aids and Katz (while waiting for the plane)

Cel and Dona. namnamnamnam.. super sarap ng buttery-milky biscocho na dala ni Cel.=)

Mei and I. Cel took this pic, I think.=)

Aboard the plane, my seat is near the aisle, so I had a very limited view of what was outside. Beside me is a guy around 30’s who just slept throughout the flight. He just woke up when the guy nearest to the mirror dropped the snack wrapper on him while giving it to the flight stewardess. The snacks provided by PAL were: greaseless Happy peanuts and green Fudgee bar. Hot coffee and water was also available, no hot choco for kids. What would the kids drink, coffee? Oh no.. I don’t drink coffee so I just asked for water. I also borrowed a broadsheet for me to be updated on what’s happening na. I haven’t watched any news for the past month, I think.=(

There, I wasn’t able to sleep coz I need to be alert for whatever may happen.haha and it’s just my second time to fly a plane which will last for more than an hour. [my first was bound to Legaspi, Albay which was just like 45 mins]. But the flight seemed very fast. Soon, the captain announced that the plane is now ready for landing. We arrived at the Tacloban airport around 10:30 AM. Daniel Romualdez, as the airport is named, is situated near Leyte’s coast.

taken inside the plane, just after the plane had landed in Tacloban.

after getting off the plane

The service that would take us to PASAR, LIDE, Isabel, Leyte was already waiting for us. Since the trip would take us around 3 hours of travel by land, we ate muna at Robinsons’ Tacloban for an early lunch. The Supreme Bowl which I ordered at KFC doesn’t taste good, or maybe it was just the unfamiliar hot sauce that did not satisfy my taste buds. But no choice, I have to feed my intestines or else they’ll eat themselves and my mortal existence would be over.

Huwaatt? Where are we na? So there, I saw only a few shoppers in the mall, unlike in Manila where the flow of the people inside every mall is always either medium or heavy. We bought some packed pasalubong in the grocery din, where Cel helped us chose which tastes good and told us what island is it from.

while waiting for our orders to be taken. Dona, te Gern, Mei and Cel

for lunch.

Robinsons Place Tacloban

The 3-hour trip was sooo loooonngg.. as in! plus the added inconvenience in my seat coz it’s back support isn’t high. But I have no right to complain coz the company provided these all for free.

On the way, I saw some LDS chapels. One had a very large lot, mostly covered in grass. One is in the middle of a vast area of land. I always feel safe whenever I see LDS chapels coz it means that there are members in that area and that they would always be there to help me in case.=)

Upon arriving at the guesthouse of PASAR, rooms were assigned to us. The 4 boys shared a room; Dona, Mei & Ate Gern shared another; and Cel, Katz and I took the room #5.

Green Room. shown is Cel' and Katz' bed. I love this room coz it's soo green.=)

Yellow Room. the other girls' room. Dona, Mei and te Gern.

Prior to our interview the next day, we had to undergo a series of medical tests. 

Cel, Mei and Dona. while waiting at the hospital's lobby

te Gern & I.=)

Everyone was too tired to do any activity after dinner, except for the boys, I think.hehe

07/22 

Interview Day

the sequence of interviewee for today

My supposed 20-min interview took just around 10-15mins. I was seated in a "hot seat" where around 9-10 executives were the panel. Whew. Good thing it's over.haha After the interview, we still had to finish the series of medical tests.

in the hospital's lobby, still dressed in our formal attire

syempre, dapat kasama ako..hehe

Since the interview and medical tests were over, everyone just enjoyed the night. We had a photoshoot in our room, with Lester as the photographer (using his Canon SLR) and Meeko the stage manager. Here's some of the shots taken:

on Cel's bed. CW: Dona, Mei, Cel, and I

framed group pic. cool!=)

framed family pic (daw.haha)

teleserye kuno.haha but why am I smiling? haha

ow now..haha todo pose.=))

when we got tired of taking pics, we rested muna. Above is Mei with her galaxy tab, Les, Cel & I were seated on my bed watching The Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

07/23

Last day in PASAR.. 

my morning dose of Energen.=)

good bye Green Bed! I'm not sure if I could go back to PASAR again..

Since it's around 6am pa and my roommate is still asleep, as well as my other classmates. I took some time to take some pics of the guesthouse muna.=)

the pool. No one among us UP pips dared to swim in the pool, except the IIT boys.haha

I tried to capture a morning dew, but I think these ones were accumulated from the rainfall last night.

cute bonsai plant. I don't know what it's called.

just my hand under the water of the pool.=)

Around 7am, most are awake na except for Cel.haha Below is te Gern trying to wake up Cel. 

Last breakfast in PASAR:

viand choices..

I ordered a fish and a chix for breakfast.

ERDT pips. L-R: te Gern, kuya Joe (now works in PASAR), me and Dex

group pic at PASAR before going to Tacloban airport.
Up, L-R: Dex, Katz, Mei, te Gern
Down, L-R: Aids, Meeks, Mei, Cel, me
Les' the photographer

I really enjoyed this 3-day activity in PASAR. Surely none of us was able to seriously review during those 3-days but I know we all enjoyed it.=)




Picture Credits:
*Les' Canon DSLR [thanks for the pics!=)]
*my sis' Kodak point-and-shoot cam

Met Stuff

While having my ritual of studying for the upcoming Board Exam for Metallurgical Engineering graduates, I came across one slide which contained some words from the Old Testament that include some MetE terms that are very familiar to me. I cross-checked the passage in my King James version edition of the sacred book. It says:

“SURELY  there  is  a  vein  for  the silver,  and  a  place  for  gold  where they fine  it. Iron  is taken out of  the earth, and brass*  is molten out of the  stone.”  Job 28:1-2

*Of course brass can’t be “molten out of the stone” or taken out of the earth as it is. Coz as we know, and MetE’s must surely know, it is an alloy (or a mixture) of Copper and Zinc.

Well, that made me realize that truly, the scriptures mention a lot about metals, ores, precious gems and other MetE related stuff. So my curiosity again overpowered me and instead of studying for tomorrow’s review, I scanned the scriptures and looked for verses which contain the said MetE stuff. And here are some of what I’ve found:

Genesis 1:11-12

The  name  of  the  first  is  Pison: that  is  it which  compasseth  the whole  land  of  Havilah, where  there is gold ; And  the  gold  of  that land  is good: there  is  bdellium*  and  the onyx*  stone.

*bdellium - Aromatic gum resin; similar to myrrh (aromatic resin that is burned as incense and used in perfume)

*An onyx is a really beautiful variety of chalcedony (a quartz) that has black and white bands. During your spare time (just like NOW), you can quickly browse the net and search for pictures of precious stones/gems. They really are so eye-captivating!

Genesis 13:2

            And  Abram  was  very  rich  in cattle,  in silver, and in gold.

Genesis 24:22, 35, 53

            And  it  came  to  pass,  as  the camels had done drinking,  that  the man  took  a  golden  earring of half a  shekel* weight,  and  two  bracelets for her hands of ten  shekels weight of gold;

            And the LORD hath blessed my master  greatly;  and  he  is  become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds,  and silver, and gold,  and menservants, and maidservants, and camels,  and  asses.

            And  the  servant  brought  forth jewels of  silver,  and  jewels  of gold, and  raiment,  and  gave  them  to  Rebekah:  he  gave  also  to  her brother and to her mother precious  things.

*shekel - The basic unit of money in Israel

Genesis 41:42

            And Pharaoh took off his  ring from his hand,  and put  it upon  Joseph's  hand,  and  arrayed  him  in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;

Genesis 44:8

            Behold,  the  money, which  we found  in  our  sacks'  mouths,  we brought  again unto  thee  out  of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold?

Exodus 3:22

            But every woman shall  borrow of  her  neighbour,  and  of  her  that sojourneth  in  her  house,  jewels  of silver,  and  jewels  of  gold,  and  raiment :  and  ye  shall  put  them  upon your sons, and upon your daughters ; and ye  shall  spoil the Egyptians.

Exodus 11:2

            Speak now in the ears of the people,  and  let  every man  borrow  of his neighbour,  and every woman of her neighbour,  jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.

Exodus 12:35

            And  the  children  of  Israel  did according to the word of Moses ; and they  borrowed  of  the  Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold and raiment :

Exodus 20:23

            Ye  shall  not  make  with  me gods of  silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.

^_^ What I’ve learned from my Sunday school teacher is that “god” with a small “g” refers to idols or anything that’s worshipped aside from the Supreme Being who created us all. So be careful to what/whom you are referring to by using the proper letter.

The following series of verses from the 25^th chapter of Exodus mentioned a lot about gold, as well as silver and brass. Here, the Lord commanded the children of Israel to offer the Lord the said metals to be used to build a tabernacle, the ark of testimony, a table, and candlestick (as shown to Moses in the mount). We can also see here how the Lord gives commandments: very clear and exact (measurements, position, etc).

Exodus 25:3, 11-13, 17-18, 25, 24-26, 28, 31, 36, 38-39

            And this  is the offering which ye shall take of them;  gold, and  silver, and brass,

            And  thou  shalt overlay  it with pure gold, within and without  shalt thou overlay  it,  and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.

            And  thou  shalt  cast four rings of gold  for  it,  and  put  them  in  the four  corners  thereof;  and  two  rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings  in the other side of it.

            And  thou  shalt make  staves of shittim*  wood,  and  overlay  them with  gold.

            And thou  shalt make a  mercy* seat of pure gold:  two  cubits*  and  a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.

            And  thou  shalt  make two cherubims  of gold,  of beaten work shalt  thou make  them,  in  the  two ends of the mercy seat.

            And thou  shalt overlay  it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about. And thou shalt make unto  it a border of an hand breadth  round  about, and thou  shalt make a golden crown  to  the  border  thereof  round about. And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.

            And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood,  and  overlay  them with  gold,  that  the  table  may  be borne with them.

            And thou shalt make the dishes thereof,  and  spoons  thereof,  and covers thereof,  and  bowls  thereof, to  cover withal :  of pure  gold  shalt thou make them.

            And thou  shalt make a  candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the  candlestick  be made :  his shaft,  and  his  branches,  his  bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.

            Their knops and their branches shall be of  the same : all it shall be one

beaten work of pure gold.

            And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes  thereof,  shall  be  of pure

gold. Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all  these vessels.

*shittim - Shrubby thorny deciduous tree of southeastern United States with white flowers and small black drupaceous fruit

*cubit - An ancient unit of length based on the length of the forearm

*mercy refers to the Hebrew atonement-cover. Note that it was a golden slab of the same dimension as the top of the ark. A winged cherub was placed one arch end.

*snuff - of a greyish to yellowish brown

**More scripture hunting next time.=) Ang dami pala talaga masyado.hahaha Hope you are not yet bored, please continue reading my additional notes below. Arigatou/agyamanak/daghang salamat/thank you very much!=)

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

It is sad to know that other people misinterpret us that we do not rely on/read the Bible, only the Book of Mormon. But I do not blame them of course, it is a challenge actually for me to help them know who we really are, what we do, as well as our beliefs.=)  

So to clarify things up, we use the Book of Mormon, NOT as a substitute to the Bible, but as another book that testifies of Jesus Christ.

“The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God's dealings with the ancient  inhabitants of the Americas and  contains,  as does the Bible,  the fulness of the everlasting gospel.” (Introduction, Book of Mormon)

As a matter of fact, we study the Old and New Testament in our Seminary and Institute classes, Sunday School (this year’s curriculum is focused on the New Testament and last year was the Old Testament), as a reference to lessons in every Auxiliary organization, and a lot more.=)

There. =) I hope I’ve helped you increase your understanding and knowledge. Thanks!

***You want to have a copy of the Book of Mormon? I would be very grateful to GIVE you one. Just tell/text/call/e-mail me.=) It’s for FREE of course, just promise me that you’ll read it.=) Have a nice day!^_^

REFERENCES:

The Holy Bible. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. 1979.

Wordweb. 2006.