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Reminders

We get sad, we get torn, we feel pain (Ecc 3:4 ; a time to weep and a time to laugh,) but this we should know; that nothing and no one can ever fully understand, help, and satisfy our deep longings because we are a finite being on an infinite yearnings.
Ecc 3: 11...He has also set eternity in the human heart;

so just relax and chill!

12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.

and remember our creator in the days of our youth. Ecc 12:1

Marginal Music

mar·gin·al

ˈmärjənl/

adjective

1.

of, relating to, or situated at the edge or margin of something.

This is just me. So marginal music is something on the edge. Probably on that edge thin line between Christian and secular.

If I Give it All to You

Dear Lord,

I know you renewed me. I am not the same person as I was before. I am not feeling the same feeling anymore, not acting the same acts as before, not controlling situations like I was doing before. You have changed me for the better, according to Your plan. Please help me remember Your grace that satisfies, that controls, that overwhelms,  that makes me forget myself and just focus on You.

Amen

Song for today: Will Reagan’s If I Give It All To You
Song’s just so fitting.

Halo Halo De Iloko | For the love

For the love of halo halo, I didn't want to miss visiting Halo Halo De Iloko during our La Union trip. On Day 1, we went to early and found out it will open by 9 or 10 in the morning and so we decided to move plans of eating there until the next day.

Come second day of our trip, after that super tiring hike in ZimZim Og, we went there and while waiting, ABS-CBN North Luzon reporter and cameraman approached us and asked us to try the halo halo without ice. I didn't want to be interviewed as I know I will get bullied by my former officemates in ABS-CBN Interactive once they see me on the TV. Cha, my friend, did the interview (hurray). After she tasted the halo halo and gave her comments, I asked them if I can finish the food. While eating, the cameraman took a glimpse of me and so I showed my thumbs up (thanking them for the free food).

Little did I know that it will be shown in Bandila and a former officemate took a screenshot of me on that very scene I did.

That screencap was posted in Facebook and within 12 hours, the photo garnered the most number of likes I ever had on Facebook! An instant celebrity I am for the day.

Pre-Birthday!

In the recent years, my life has gradually and massively changed. Those were hipster changes and it felt good on me, emotionally and well physically. I am no longer that emotional person I used to, just that sometimes, even the thought and meaning of happiness has been distorted and I no longer remember how it feels. Or even excitement for that matter.

But today, 3 days before my birthday, I got a an office delivery gift. For the first time in forever, the trick had me. My friend, she had me on this. That true friend who has been there for me since college. That true friend who is more or less like me. She gave me a surpise on a Friday before my Monday birthday and it brought about feelings of excitement and happiness and being touched I have never felt in the recent years. Thanks! This is just so awesome!

*Blogged right after receiving the gift.

Potipot Island

Potipot Island is one of the cheapest beach destinations from Manila.

From Manila, you can take buses going straight to Zambales. Victory Liner in Caloocan goes to Sta.Cruz stops in Daual, Candelaria, Zambales. Fare is P432.

From Daual, walk from mainland to shore and take a boat ride going to the island (5-min travel). The island is located roughly 1 km from the mainland shore of Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales.

 I spent about 1050 for the whole trip (my friend took care of food!)

What's good about the island?
- Source of water (which is important to me!)
- Good signal (Globe, Sun, Smart)
- Places where to pitch tents
- Renting tables and nipa huts
- Comfort rooms! (which is really comforting to me!)
- Grilling area
- Trees, tree houses for shade
- Clear waters
- A bus ride away from Manila
- Day visit is possible

Dermatographic Urticaria/ Hives and Art

I found this cool article of an artist that can turn her body into artistic medium. That's just so cool because I have the same case. This condition is an allergic reaction to contact with our skin. Any contact esp sharper contacts makes it release histamines that produces those artistic lines. The allergy/ or writing goes away easily though and is not painful.

To quote some on the article:

Brooklyn-based artist Ariana Page Russell takes the saying “being comfortable in your own skin” to an artful and literal degree.

Born with dermatographic urticaria, Russell takes advantage of this condition also known as “skin writing” to turn herself into a living, breathing work of art, photographing her sometimes beautiful, sometimes intricate, and sometimes itchy designs for a series titled Dermatographia.

I was diagnosed with dermatographic hives when I was 22 and finds it fun and fantastic to write on my skin. Sometimes people would look and feel strange on what I do. I could try what she does next time.

The Importance of Self Control and How to be a Self-controlled Man

To be able to control yourself is priceless, something supreme, a victory. A lot of people ruin their lives because of their uncontrollable spirit.

As we are but living in the flesh for the meantime, there are a lot of things that we are not able to control; eating, too much sleeping, laziness; to emotions as anger, guilt, fear, doubt.

We, in this bodies, are in a state of uncontrollable thoughts, acts, and deeds.

Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

To overcome this state, we must rely on God's Spirit to help us. This kind of submission takes training of bible reading, praying and hearing and hearing of God's Word.

I believe that we cannot be fully self-controlled on our own.

It might be ironic since it says self, that means it is "on us"; self-control. There are may self-help ideas we may receive from advices, books, and the internet, asking us to do it on your own. While those may be helpful, it will help us to build ourselves to discipline and sobriety for the meantime.

We can only be fully self-controlled if we allow God to control our lives, that is, to look unto Jesus how He possibly managed to be a self-controlled man while here on earth.

Until we have someone to look up to on how to be self-controlled, we would look at something that is finite to help us be finitely self-controlled. Jesus is beyond finite, since He was raised from the dead.

Below are some of ways how to develop self-control I found online.

------

Developing Biblical Self-Control
by Rick Warren

A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. Proverbs 25:28 (NLT)

People with self-control master their moods. They do not let their moods master them. Most of what gets done in the world is accomplished by people who do the right thing even when they don't feel like it: "A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls." (Proverbs 25:28, NLT)

People with self-control watch their words. They put their minds in gear before opening their mouths: "Be careful what you say and protect your life. A careless talker destroys himself." (Proverbs 13:3, TEV)

People with self-control restrain their reactions. How much can you take before you lose your cool? "If you are sensible, you will control your temper. When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it." (Proverbs 19:11, TEV)

People with self-control stick to their schedule. If you don't determine how you will spend your time, then others will decide for you: "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV)

People with self-control manage their money. They learn to live on less than what they make and they invest the difference. The value of a budget is that it tells your money where you want it to go rather than wondering where it went! "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has." (Proverbs 21:20, NIV)

People with self-control maintain their health. That way they can accomplish more and enjoy their achievements: "Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body ...." (1 Thessalonians 4:4, MSG)

In what areas do you need to develop for self-control? The disciplines you establish today will determine your success tomorrow.

But it takes more than just willpower for lasting self-control. It takes a power greater than yourself: "For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, TEV)

http://purposedriven.com/blogs/dailyhope/index.html?contentid=3502

Smart's FunFam Outing at 8 Waves

I was privileged to join SMART's annual-outing-of-your-choice with my friend, Hanna, who now works for SMART. It was an event for employees' families but since Hanna's parents lives in Tarlac, she has invited me to use the tickets with her.

Free transpo from Makati to Bulacan, Bulacan to Makati
Free AM snack, lunch, PM snack
With programs and games
Every visitor is of/ related to SMART
A freeloading experience!

Act As If: Oh MY My

One day, I'll marry you. For now, I am waiting.

Stand still, I’m dying to meet you
I’ve finally caught my breath, now I’ll take yours
It’s some kind of movie scene, it’s slow motion
And all our eyes, they’re on you

Oh my my, oh my my
You’ll never feel sorry for taking this broken city boy {girl}
Oh my my, oh my my
We’ll take to the hill side, wait for the world to find us

Cause all my mind is on you
Stand still, I’m dying to tell ya
I’ve finally made my move, now you make yours
It’s some kind of silver screen, it’s slow motion
And all my time is for you

Oh my my, oh my my
You’ll never feel sorry for taking this broken city boy
Oh my my, oh my my
We’ll take to the hill side, wait for the world to find us
Cause all my mind is on you

And I don’t see anything other
I see you and me
Please take me

Mt. Daraitan, Sampaloc, Tanay Rizal

One of the best hiking+trekking+caving+spelunking-experiences I had so far! Mount Daraitan is a hidden paradise and a great adventure to experience near Manila!

I'd often ask what's the difference between hiking and trekking. Here's what I've got from the net.

The main difference between the two is that hiking is mainly a leisure activity which is done by walking on well-made trails and man-made roads. However, trekking is more rigorous, and a more challenging activity. It tests one’s physical ability, endurance, and even their mental or psychological capacity.

Caving or a caver are those who were highly skilled, those who have equipments and gears. Spelunking, on the other hand is, the act of exploring a cave, other sources say it simply refers to an amateur caver.

We had 8 hours of foot travel with breaks as we climb the summit and decided to traverse that night. It was my first time to do a night trek and felt it was really fun, exciting, with bits and pieces of fears.

Here are some photos from Sir RJ and Beni's SLRs posted at PITS HIKERS FB Page.

Wear tights to protect you from the sharp edges in grassland.

 Bring lots of water!

Take five-minute breaks when you are tired and exhausted.

 Prepare to climb those rocks. 

 Have fun while inside the cave.

 Take time to buy halo halo along the road!

Be with fun people and bring camera!

Treat yourself to a good dinner!

For the itinerary posted on the Event created by PTS Hikers:

IT
Day 1
08:00 - Meet up in Cainta Junction (7-11)
08:15 - Ride Jeep bound to Tanay
10:00 - ETA Tanay / Rent Tricycle bound to Daraitan



Mon and Beni brought their cars so we didn't have to ride the jeep and tricycle!

11:30 - ETA Daraitan Brgy Hall / Eat Packed Lunch / 
We ate bruch at Jollibee Tanay

Pay Registation & Arrange Guides
12:45 - Prepare to climb
13:00 - Start Trek
15:00 - ETA Grasslands
17:00 - ETA Summit/Campsite. Pitch Tent

We decided to traverse right then and there but we ate dinner first!
18:00 - Cook Dinner
19:00 - Eat Dinner
Traverse from 7:40 to 1130. Night trek it was!
19:30 - Socials
22:00 - Lights out

Day 2
04:30 - Wake up, boil water for coffee/milo
05:00 - Cook Breakfast
05:30 - Eat Breakfast
We ate brunch (eggs, corned beef, luncheon meat, and sinigang!)
 06:00 - Break Camp
07:00 - Start Descent / Trek to Tinipak River
10:30 - ETA Tinipak River/Camp Site / Cook Lunch / Swim
12:00 - Eat Lunch
13:00 - Boulder hop to Tinipak Cave
13:30 - ETA Tinipak Cave / Spelunking
15:00 - Back at Campsite Trek to Brgy Hall
15:45 - ETA Bgy Hall / Clean up / Settle guide fees
16:30 - Ride Tricycle/Jeep back to Tanay
18:00 - ETA Tanay / Eat dinner somewhere
18:45 - Ride Jeep bound to EDSA Crossing / Cubao
21:30 - ETA EDSA Crossing / Cubao
Extra Details from last climb:

Guide Fee - 800 Php - summit then to Tinipak River
Tricycle Fee - 500 Php (4-5 persons) - Negotiable
Boat Fee - 5 Php (tawid lang ng ilog)
* Rough road ung papunta sa bayan ng Daraitan
* Parking ay nasa kabilang side ng ilog, tabing ilog lang ... yun pa ay kung may tulay, pede itawid. Nung last na punta ko, tinangay daw ng ilog ung tulay hehehe
* Masukal ung trail at Summit, except sa Grasslands na part
* Matutulis ung bato sa trail after grasslands at sa may summit
* Cogon ung damo sa grasslands (around 4 ft ung taas ng damo dati), kelangan ng arm & leg sleeves/warmers para di mahiwa sa damo
* Maliit lang ung camp site sa summit... mahihirapan isetup ung malalaking tent. Siguro mga 6-8 tents, puno na ung summit at dikit dikit na ung tents.
* May drinkable water sa trail papuntang summit, sa may waterfalls na part. Mga 2 hrs away from summit.
* May drinkable water din sa Tinipak River
* Pwede mag swimming... pero direkta sa araw ung ilog... mag sunblock
* May area dun na pwede mag dive pag mataas ung tubig sa ilog.