2011, Highlights of A Year That Was.

365 are the number of days that make a year. There are 12 months that make a year. These are just numbers, what matters the most are the moments you have spent with your loved ones and friends.

2011 is about to end and the best way to savor the last few days of this year is to look back on the things that happened, whether good or bad, things that all happened for a purpose. 2011 has been a fruitful season. A season to prune, a season to prepare and a season

Let me share to you few things that made my 2011 full of colors.

1.       An Answered Prayer

During the 2009 Prayer and Fasting, I was praying for a flat 1 grad in a major subject. During this time, it was the 2nds semester of my sophomore year in college, and before I reach graduation, there are lots of subjects to deal with. Lots of things happened when I started praying for that. I’ve received my grades and still none of them was able to make it. Until, my last semester in college came. It’s just one subject away from the finish line, and that was our hotel practicum. After undergoing two months of training in one of the best hotels, I processed the necessary papers then submitted to our adviser. Then came the day I’ve been waiting for, release of our grades for the last subject. To my surprise, it was an answered prayer. Everything was worth it, from sleepless nights making those reports to those duty hours at the hotel. I can’t describe what I look and feel when I saw my grade.

Though it took two years for my prayers to be granted, I know that God placed that event at the end of journey as a college student to appreciate His character and for me to stay into a character that God wanted me to be when I first encountered Him. And I really appreciated that.

2.       A Grand Finale

Life is not just any other reality show that most of us are fond of watching. We are living a life far beyond the celebrities we see on the television. You cannot pretend that you are the ones in the television, being watched by millions of people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But there is someone who always watches us 24/7, God.

From the moment I entered college, I aimed to finish the race with flying colors, and eventually land to a good job position. But everything was turned the other way around when I encountered Jesus. From that simple purpose, it turned out to be a purpose to follow God’s command, and that is to honor my parents.

My father has become my inspiration in aspiring to be the best and for the best. And it was on the 6^th of May, when that faithful day came to be, the graduation ceremony. It was a very solemn moment to us, together with my parents, as we witness a finale dream come to reality.

3. From One Point To Another

Have you tried crossing a point where you wanted to get there but whatever method you try, it seems that you can’t get there?

This may be one of the hardest points of my life, waiting for a job. During a period of almost 3 months, I almost became a desperate person, wanting everything to be done in just a snap of a finger.

During those 3 months, things seem so uncertain. I kept on thinking of what’s in store for me and questions keep on floating in my mind. I really feel useless.

After landing a job at the Department of Trade and Industry, I realized that those 3 months of waiting is a period of transition and preparation for the next phase of my life, to be a young professional and to prepare me on what God plans for my future.

I’m currently enjoying my work at the Department of Trade and Industry as an Administrative Aide. At first, I wasn’t enjoying my first month. But as the work progress on, I’m enjoying it. Amidst of the circumstances and the demands of the work, I bear in my mind what was happening are just a series of tests that will prove my worth on the position and to know what are my capabilities in a working environment.

As of now, this job is giving me insights that I never realize would come to me.

4. A Christmas Like No Other

It’s really nice to spend with your loved ones and friends and experiencing also the rush at shopping malls is quite fun.

This year, Christmas won’t be the same as compared to the Christmases I’ve spent few years back. There are a lot of new things for this year’s celebration. First is that I’m now employed, thus I do have something to share to my family and relatives. This is where I experienced rushing to the malls 2 days before Christmas. It was tiring yet fulfilling, excited to wrap those gifts and see what is the reaction of my family. J

Also, during this period, God spoke to me in situations I’ve seen during Christmas Eve. There are certain things that I’m very thankful for. Looking back from the day I was born up to this very moment, all the laughter, the hardships, the ups and downs of life, I can only say that God placed them in perfect timing.

I’m also thankful for God in giving my family the things what we have now. Though there are times that we feel hopeless and empty, I’m still thankful that He had given us enough to survive the challenges of everyday life.

There are more things that I’m grateful for 2011. I just picked the ones that have the greatest impact on my life. And what’s next? I don’t know. I do have plans for my future, but I do trust the One who holds my future. I’m sure that He planned a great story in all areas of my life.

I’m expecting a lot of greater things to happen for the year 2012, things which are distantly far from what happened last year, things that will put my faith and character to a test. There may be bad times around, but surely good ones are to follow.

Hope you enjoyed reading this blog. I appreciate your comments.

Have a marvellous year ahead.

“Be still and know that I am God.” –Psalm 46:10

11-11-11

This is a special day. Not only because of the unique arrangement, but for a simple reason. I’ll be celebrating my 3^rd month at work. Very simple right? However, literally simple, looking beyond, it means a lot for me.

Let me tell you the reason why I am so grateful for 11.11.11

Working in the Department of Trade and Industry as Administrative Aide in their Human Resources Department may seem so far from what course I have taken up during college. From a Hotel and Restaurant Management student to a young professional working in a filed of Human Resource Management, many have been asking me why did I entered the job that is not related to your course.

My answer?

Though I wasn’t working in a field or establishment that caters to the hospitality industry, I consider this job as a stepping stone for a better career in the future.

There's a deeper reason why did I accepted the job.

Right after graduation, I wanted to work already to help my family to earn a living. Deciding upon my own, I passed to several establishments, here and abroad. I had an interview for a coffeeshop, attended the initial screening, but at the end of the day, I received the verdict. I didn’t make it. It was so sad because I have studied the company and its products. Moving on, I decided to pass my resume at DTI due to my mother’s influence that I should try it.

I was able to have my exams and initial interview at DTI. I was waiting for their call for the next step. During this time of waiting, I was so bored and decided to find more opportunities. One day, a casual dining restaurant called me for an initial screening (interview and exams). I was surprised that during that day, everything was moving. I was already for medical requirements at the restaurant. But behind all this things that happened during that day, the position offered to me was not the position that I’ve applied for.

I have to choose between DTI and the restaurant… Praying hard every night, I decided to go with DTI. It was my parent’s decision. I don’t actually want to work there.

Now that it’s almost 3 months since I started working at DTI, I’m enjoying the work in a manner that cannot be explained with just a couple of words. I don’t exactly what describes what I’m feeling right now, but I’m sure that it was God who’s in the works.

With all those hazy things that surrounded my mind during the transition from being a student going to a young professional, I can say that every obstacle is worth it. I’ve learned a couple of things during this particular journey in my life:

Everything comes with a purpose. It came to you not to make you suffer, but to develop perseverance. After surpassing those tests, you character grows and hope is present. And He will not disappoint you until His promises are fulfilled. (Romans 5:3-5)

The 6th of May

It’s been a couple of years since I first step inside the walls of PUP. Now, it’s barely two months before the finale of my journey in the academe ends. I have been in the academe for 16 years. Within those 16 years of stay, I’ve seen and encountered many people from different walks of life, came across all sorts of tests, enjoyed the company of many friends and savoring the life of a student. As the 6^th of May comes (our graduation day), a new chapter in my life ends, yet another one makes its beginning.

I have been telling my stories since 2009. Hope you’re not getting bored of reading. I usually write whenever I had one-of-a-kind experience or the words just came out of a sudden. But anyways, let’s get back where we are talking.

I started knowing God and He became my Savior during the second semester way back when I was in my sophomore year in college. From that day, my life was never the same again. Lots of things happened, that I never thought that it would be. Many trials here and there, and battles everywhere. There are points that I wanted to give up, times where I can hardly see what would be the outcome of what’s happening, times where I lose hope. But with God’s grace, I’m here where I am standing right now.

Where would this journey take me? What will I be in the future?

A question that came out of my mind as I ponder on the things on my list and thinking of what lies ahead. There are times that I feel so uncertain. As I revisit my blogs, I remembered my journey, a journey of a lifetime, a journey that can’t be compared to any material thing, this is a journey that I’ll treasure forever.

The Compass and the Captain

These two things are representation of my companions along this great journey. The Compass is my Bible and the Captain is Jesus. They have been with me through this journey. Without them I might be able to engulf into what the world dictates.  

This journey in the academe isn’t that easy. But everything comes with a purpose, a purpose that would make you not to give up, but a purpose for you to persevere and to stand strong, a purpose to build your faith and learn to trust everything to Him. It was His hands who have been working in my life since the day I started knowing Him.

My success wouldn’t be possible without the help of the people around me, and that includes you! I’m very grateful that God has given me mentors, brother and sisters, and great companions like you! To everyone who helped me throughout my battle, a BIG THANKS for all you’ve given, may be material or not, or in prayers.

But above all else, it was GOD who made me through. He was the reason behind of what’s happening to me, He’s the sole reason for this celebration!

Godbless everyone!