Must Read

Last week, my office mate suggested me to follow the blog: Everything in Budget
Since then, checking this site is in my to-do list every day.

Today, as I opened the site, the first post caught my attention.

Man Searches for the Owner of a Lost Wallet

The entry goes as follows:

As I walked home one freezing day, I stumbled on a wallet someone had lost in the street. I picked it up and looked inside to find some identification so I could call the owner. But the wallet contained only three dollars and a crumpled letter that looked as if it had been in there for years.

The envelope was worn and the only thing that was legible on it was the return address. I started to open the letter, hoping to find some clue. Then I saw the dateline--1924. The letter had been written almost sixty years ago.

It was written in a beautiful feminine handwriting on powder blue stationery with a little flower in the left-hand corner. It was a love letter that told the recipient, whose name appeared to be Michael, that the writer could not see him any more because her mother forbade it. Even so, she wrote that she would always love him. It was signed, Hannah.

It was a beautiful letter, but there was no way except for the name Michael, that the owner could be identified. Maybe if I called information, the operator could find a phone listing for the address on the envelope.

"Operator," I began, "this is an unusual request. I'm trying to find the owner of a wallet that I found. Is there anyway you can tell me if there is a phone number for an address that was on an envelope in the wallet?"

She suggested I speak with her supervisor, who hesitated for a moment then said, "Well, there is a phone listing at that address, but I can't give you the number." She said, as a courtesy, she would call that number, explain my story and would ask them if they wanted her to connect me. I waited a few minutes and then she was back on the line. "I have a party who will speak with you."

I asked the woman on the other end of the line if she knew anyone by the name of Hannah. She gasped, "Oh! We bought this house from a family who had a daughter named Hannah. But that was 30 years ago!" Would you know where that family could be located now?, I asked. "I remember that Hannah had to place her mother in a nursing home some years ago," the woman said. "Maybe if you got in touch with them they might be able to track down the daughter."

She gave me the name of the nursing home and I called the number. They told me the old lady had passed away some years ago but they did have a phone number for where they thought the daughter might be living. I thanked them and phoned. The woman who answered explained that Hannah herself was now living in a nursing home.

This whole thing was stupid, I thought to myself. Why was I making such a big deal over finding the owner of a wallet that had only three dollars and a letter that was almost 60 years old? Nevertheless, I called the nursing home in which Hannah was supposed to be living and the man who answered the phone told me, "Yes, Hannah is staying with us."

Even though it was already 10 p.m., I asked if I could come by to see her. "Well," he said hesitatingly, "if you want to take a chance, she might be in the day room watching television." I thanked him and drove over to the nursing home. The night nurse and a guard greeted me at the door. We went up to the third floor of the large building. In the day room, the nurse introduced me to Hannah.

She was a sweet, silver-haired old timer with a warm smile and a twinkle in her eye. I told her about finding the wallet and showed her the letter. The second she saw the powder blue envelope with that little flower on the left, she took a deep breath and said, "Young man, this letter was the last contact I ever had with Michael." She looked away for a moment deep in thought and then said Softly, "I loved him very much. But I was only 16 at the time and my mother felt I was too young. Oh, he was so handsome. He looked like Sean Connery, the actor."

"Yes," she continued. "Michael Goldstein was a wonderful person. If you should find him, tell him I think of him often. And," she hesitated for a moment, almost biting her lip, "tell him I still love him. You know," she said smiling as tears began to well up in her eyes, "I never did marry. I guess no one ever matched up to Michael..." I thanked Hannah and said goodbye.

I took the elevator to the first floor and as I stood by the door, the guard there asked, "Was the old lady able to help you?" I told him she had given me a lead. "At least I have a last name. But I think I'll let it go for a while. I spent almost the whole day trying to find the owner of this wallet." I had taken out the wallet, which was a simple brown leather case with red lacing on the side. When the guard saw it, he said, "Hey, wait a minute! That's Mr. Goldstein's wallet. I'd know it anywhere with that bright red lacing. He's always losing that wallet. I must have found it in the halls at least three times."

"Who's Mr. Goldstein?" I asked as my hand began to shake. "He's one of the old timers on the 8th floor. That's Mike Goldstein's wallet for sure. He must have lost it on one of his walks." I thanked the guard and quickly ran back to the nurse's office. I told her what the guard had said. We went back to the elevator and got on. I prayed that Mr. Goldstein would be up.

On the eighth floor, the floor nurse said, "I think he's still in the day room. He likes to read at night. He's a darling old man." We went to the only room that had any lights on and there was a man reading a book. The nurse went over to him and asked if he had lost his wallet. Mr. Goldstein looked up with surprise, put his hand in his back pocket and said, "Oh, it is missing!"

"This kind gentleman found a wallet and we wondered if it could be yours?" I handed Mr. Goldstein the wallet and the second he saw it, he smiled with relief and said, "Yes, that's it! It must have dropped out of my pocket this afternoon. I want to give you a reward." No, thank you, I said. "But I have to tell you something. I read the letter in the hope of finding out who owned the wallet." The smile on his face suddenly disappeared. "You read that letter?" "Not only did I read it, I think I know where Hannah is."

He suddenly grew pale. "Hannah? You know where she is? How is she? Is she still as pretty as she was? Please, please tell me," he begged. "She's fine...just as pretty as when you knew her." I said softly. The old man smiled with anticipation and asked, "Could you tell me where she is? I want to call her tomorrow." He grabbed my hand and said, "You know something, mister, I was so in love with that girl that when that letter came, my life literally ended. I never married. I guess I've always loved her."

"Mr. Goldstein," I said, "Come with me." We took the elevator down to the third floor. The hallways were darkened and only one or two little night-lights lit our way to the day room where Hannah was sitting alone watching the television. The nurse walked over to her. "Hannah," she said softly, pointing to Michael, who was waiting with me in the doorway. "Do you know this man?"

She adjusted her glasses, looked for a moment, but didn't say a word. Michael said softly, almost in a whisper, "Hannah, it's Michael. Do you remember me?" She gasped, "Michael! I don't believe it! Michael! It's you! My Michael!" He walked slowly towards her and they embraced. The nurse and I left with tears streaming down our faces. "See," I said. "See how the Good Lord works! If it's meant to be, it will be."

About three weeks later I got a call at my office from the nursing home. "Can you break away on Sunday to attend a wedding? Michael and Hannah are going to tie the knot!" It was a beautiful wedding with all the people at the nursing home dressed up to join in the celebration. Hannah wore a light beige dress and looked beautiful. Michael wore a dark blue suit and stood tall. They made me their best man.

The hospital gave them their own room and if you ever wanted to see a 76-year-old bride and a 79-year-old groom acting like two teenagers, you had to see this couple. A perfect ending for a love affair that had lasted nearly 60 years.

*******

does time need to take away all those years  just for two passionate beings to be together?

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.^_^

RN

relaxed night.RN.

This is my first pahinga since this year began. Exams, requirements, papers, and a lot of other tasks piled up when classes last January continued. I did not cram, coz I'm not used to, it's just that mentors really love to torture their students during the start of the year. Anyway, I'm not complaining, I'm loving all of the works, actually.=) I love learning a lot of things, just don't mention all of the stress I've experienced.^_^

I have three classes today. First is from 7-8:30am (EEE 3 lecture) , which I wasn't able to attend coz I arrived at my dormitory at around 7:30am na. Second class is from 9-10am (Geology 40 lecture). Dr. Arcilla discussed about the chemical composition of minerals and how to identify them. Third class is Geology 40 laboratory from 10-1pm. We finished the exercise on mineral identification till past 1:30pm, which really drained all my brain cells. Fourth class should be Plant Design from 1-4pm, but Doc Judge allowed us to discuss our project among ourselves, that's why we just had a brief meeting at our dormitory. Meeting ended around 3:30am. I was appointed as the treasurer, even though I want to be the sexy-tary, pasaway sila!=)

It was then that I was able to have my lunch /slash/ dinner. After eating a lot, my consciousness left me and I fell asleep. I woke up around 6pm. I checked the internet, good connection (there's wi-fi here) but there's nothing much to do -- emails: none, FB: none, ldsT: none, blogspot: pwede.=) I browsed through my page and thought that it was a kind of boring.

So here I am, modifying the design, and adding some apps while typing this entry. Oh, I am also looking for stuff that can help us with the Sunday Evening Discussion this 27th of February, right now.

Ngayon ko lang naalala..haha I have to research pala for the final process flowsheet  which will be the basis of our Plant Design miniature model. AND, contact Arzielle about our EEE 3 proposal reporting on Monday. Whew, these can be done later.hihi

Enjoy your night.=)

Additional:
This week is our school's fair pala. It's called as UP FAIR, and is held every third week of February every year. I attended one night last year and I did not like it,  DID NOT, really! I love music, but not the loud type [actually, right now I'm listening to some old songs, which are more pleasant to hear.=)]. Lots of booths which range from henna tattoos to statement shirts to a wide variety of foods can be seen inside. There's also a ferris wheel, a wall climbing spot and a mini zip line beside the stage.

Okay, that's it.=)

To end all of these, here are some quotes to live by, which is written at the package of the DOVE chocolates I'm eating:

"Remember, mistakes make life interesting."

"Life is tough -- give yourself a break!"

Adding to the last part: "..have a break, have a Kitkat" ^_^

Good night everyone! Have a nice evening.=) 1 hour and 15 minutes more to go and it's February 18th na.=) I'm going home tomorrow.=)

Happy Hearts Day!

Here's just a brief greeting to all of you.<3

Just want to share why this day every year is a special day for me:

It started last February 14, 2003 when I made a covenant with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. My older sis (Ate Mi) and I were baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And it was the greatest decision I've made that I know will help me be with my Father in Heaven after my life here on earth.

I know that every year on the 14th of February, will always be a special day for me. I hope that it will be the same for you too, whatever your reason may be.=)

Enjoy the day!<3

First Presidency Christmas Devotional 2010

Balanced Learning

Why does it seem like we always have lots of things to do? Plainly because:

"You are troubled over so many things and you have forgotten one thing, that is:
TO GIVE TIME; to listen and follow the teachings of the Lord."

That was the message of our Stake YSA Representative (sorry I forgot her name, but she's from Pasig 1st ward) during our sacrament meeting this Sunday. Hindi ako nakailag sa sinabi nya. Sapul na sapul ako. I've realized that balanced learning is really important. 


Balanced learning means: the effort that you dedicate to your secular learning must be the same amount of effort that you devote to learning the gospel. That's why I'm always stressed with my academic studies, simply because it's the only thing that I'm thinking from Mondays to Saturdays.


I once again remembered what our LDSSA president counseled to me, to follow the prophet. Okay. It's a real challenge for me to do that. I will surely need a lot of courage and dedication to the things that the prophets would have me to do.


Now, I know what I have to do first. I have to ask my Father in Heaven for help and guidance. If you too are in need of greater help, don't hesitate to ask Him. He's always available and willing to listen. Promise.=)

Myself or Others?

"masaklap yung feeling na wala kang friend. you're trying to approach others but it's them who's keeping their distance from you."

here's my only advice: 

"please don't think of yourself only, on how you look, on how popular you've become, and stuff. PLEASE, look around you. go out of your comfort zone and cheer up the lonely. talk with the deaf or even listen to the mute. at the end of the day, it's good to think that you made someone happy and feel special, even just for a while."

Sorry for the ka-emo-han. That was what I felt when I visited a certain place early this evening. I don't know if I look snobbish or an introvert. But I did my best to smile at people, even though they are strangers to me. Am I that so insensible that people can't feel my fear of being left alone?

I tried to follow Kuya Danel's advice to me: "Hazel. Make time for it pls. Follow the prophet. You will be a better student. Do yourself a favor and enroll," that's why I went to that place (aside from my main objective of asking for his help for a certain course which I have a difficulty these days). 

Entrance. I saw a lot of students. They look so happy, but not approachable. I showed a big smile, but no eye contact to anyone. Then I approached Kuya Danel. He was busy tutoring another student so he asked another girl to teach me. The "tutoring session" went fine, except for some sign convention mistakes. Slowly, 7pm came. Classes will start soon. I don't know which class I will attend. I know some people there but they suddenly disappeared. I went to the CR. I looked at myself. "Poor Hazel." I just told  myself, looking at the girl in the relfection. I called a friend to remind her of a favor. I felt happy listening to a friend's voice, even for just a while. Then other girls, chatting as they came, entered the CR, I felt inapposite again. I fixed myself then headed to the main entrance. I went to the jeepney terminal and commuted back to my dormitory.

I don’t know if what I did was right. I don’t know if my feeling of being out of place is proper.

Was it my lack, or others insensitiveness? =(

Mnemonics

One of the ways to easily memorize names is by using mnemonics. Mnemonics is defined as a device (such as rhyme or acronym) used to aid recall, as defined in WordWeb.
I remember in my Geol 11 (Elementary Geology) class way back 2007, my professor instructed us to make our own mnemonics of the Mohs' scale of hardness of minerals. Since I am a very obedient student, I used my not-so-very creative imagination and created my own mnemonic. Amazingly, I still remember the sequence of the Mohs' scale because of that mnemonic I invented 3 years ago. Here it is:

Taga -- TALC

Greenhills -- GYPSUM

Cubao -- CALCITE

Fifth -- FLUORITE

Avenue -- APATITE

Oscar -- ORTHOCLASE

Quezon -- QUARTZ

Tower -- TOPAZ

Corner -- CORUNDUM

Dasmariñas -- DIAMOND

In my Geol 40 (Mineralogy) class this semester, we are again asked to know the sequence of the mineral hardness, and of course it's peanuts on my part na.=)

Now, I'm working on memorizing the Bravais lattices which our Professors redundantly remind us that we will really need it for the board exam on August next year. I've recently invented another mnemonic and I hope I'll remember it till next year.=) Here it is:

CUltivated -- CUBIC

TETRApacked -- TETRAGONAL

Oatmeal -- ORTHORHOMBIC

HE -- HEXAGONAL

TRIGgered -- TRIGONAL

MOving TO the -- MONOCLINIC (and there are 2 types of this, since there's TO)

TRIcycle -- TRICLINIC

Whew! The words I chose doesn't make sense if combined in one sentence. But I hope it'll help me a bit in remembering the Bravais lattices.

How about you? Be creative! Let your imaginations run wild and think of your own mnemonics.=)

Dreams

When you dream of somebody, does that mean that that somebody is thinking of you at that moment; or you were just thinking of that somebody before you go to sleep?

I hope the former is true.☺

Realization

"Akala ko may babalikan pa ako, wala na pala"

Ai

--was what Aileen (BS MetE student from MSU-IIT, who also had her OJT in Rapu-rapu) told me upon sharing what happened between her and Clottey (nickname of her ex).

"Awww.." was all I could tell her, not because I felt sorry for them, but I came to realize that that was the proper term I should have uttered to myself upon arriving sa Manila. Of course, I also gave her some advice, advices that I too need to accept.

=§

This really hurts.=(

=(

The story is like the Korean video clip entitled KISS, which made me cry.=(

No Doubt

For sure they are all missing me (us).☺

I received a text message from Kuya Dong (Venerando Ecal, a shift supervisor of the base metal plant where I had my OJT last summer). I was surprised because I did not give him my number, only to the TSD pips and Met Techs. He said he got it from Francis, my partner during the shifting.

I miss the Biko made by Kuya Dong's wife (I think). It is not that sticky, and it has a very sweet after taste, which I really ♥.

Ma'am Aynah, our initial supervisor for our OJT, also sends me text messages often. But it's like a GM (general message), and it all talks about love and all the hearty things.☺

I also miss them, no doubt. That's part of growing up. You really have to miss some people...

UK Day today

Annie Rose and I saw a poster of a certain UK store yesterday, on our way to Meima's place. Upon seeing the promo, we agreed to return to that place.☺

So we went there after our last class. But we ate some snacks first before going there, because for sure, we'll be needing a lot of energy to scan the items there.

I was able to buy a Bossini-brand long pants, a green and white-striped knee-length skirt, and a gold tie for my bro. Guess how much did I spend??

UKs really are great stores for budget-limited students like me. Also, there are a lot of beautiful dresses, skirts, and office attires for almost only 10% of the branded ones. You just need to locate a great store.☺

I also believe that the brand doesn't matter as long as you know how to "magdala ng sarili".

Okay, so for others who thinks like me, let's enjoy UK shopping! ☺

Temple Dedication

I'm really so excited to attend the Cebu Temple Dedication broadcast on Sunday at the Pasig Chapel. We'll be watching it as a family, and I'm so happy that Mom and my younger brothers agreed to join Pop and I. Unfortunatey, Ate Jam will not be with us because she's at Iligan City. My 2nd sis, Ate Mi (now Sister Tibule), is serving in Butuan Mission, and I'm sure she'll also be able to watch that once in a lifetime event.

No cameras are allowed during the entire event, so I won't be able to show you how the temple looks like inside. However, there's a site I've visited just a while ago discussing about the display of the Salt Lake City Temple replica. I kept on saying 'Wow!' to every picture I saw. If you're interested, here are the links:

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/salt-lake-temple-model-fact-sheet

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/scaled-model-provides-salt-lake-temple-open-house-experience

Enjoy!☺

Until We Meet Again

I was browsing the lds.org site when I saw a link to a youtube video entitled: Until We Meet Again. Prophet Thomas S. Monson was narrating a story about a young boy who died at an early age. I was so touched by the message. I want to share it with you.



Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiRc84kihRM&feature=player_embedded

Geology Pips

These three are taking up BS Geology at Partido State University in Goa, Camarines Sur.
☺ Monique 'Nick' Israel
☺ Melody 'Melds'
☺ Jojo

Ang bading na litrato!haha Napa-pose namin ng ganyan si Jojo.haha! Todo ngiti pa sya.haha
From left to right: Monique, Melody, Me, Jojo. 
This photo was taken at the ROM pad. Francis was the cameraman.

inspiring verses

My attention was focused on these three verses while I was reading the Book of Mormon last night:

"Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;" Ether 12:26

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Ether 12:27

"...I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me--the fountain of all righteousness." Ether 12:28

IT Pips

My experience at Rapu-rapu will not be complete if I haven't met a lot of great people.
So, these are some of the people who completed each day of my life while at Rapu-Rapu:
☺ Maria Ednelyn 'Eds' Cañeta
☺ Femie Ann 'Fem' Alcera
☺ Mark 'Mark' Detablan
☺ Julius
☺ 'Maru'
☺ Arnold
These six teenagers are BS IT and BS ComSci students of Bicol University. Nakatutuwa silang kasama. Feeling ko teenager parin ako. ^_^

The above photo was taken at the Admin Bldg's lobby on May 17, 2010 (our last day sa Rapu). Medyo haggard na kami n'yan (kasi super dami naming inasikaso) pero naka-smile pa rin.
From left to right: Eds, Me, Fem, Mark, Ai, Sasa, Dona, Julius.
---
The following pictures were taken sa room nina Maru at Fem. Nambulabog ako kaya medyo magugulo ang itsura nila.hehe (di sila prepared).

above: Bagong gising si Eds.

above: Eds and I.

above:  Autoshot. Sa screen kami lahat nakatingin, hindi sa lens ng camera.haha

above: Autograph writing and eating Piattos. Hindi dumating ang boys, nasa gym pala sila, kaya kami kami na lang ang nag-bonding.
NOTE: Wala palang pic si Arnold. Sori!