A bit of summer in Bantayan island.

The girls and I conquered Bantayan island last weekend. To say that I was not properly psyched for this trip would be a complete 100% understatement; that I was to spend three days in a remote island with my girls — miles away from Manila and my workstation in the office — didn’t really sink in until I felt the sand in between my toes. Not to mention the sudden deflation of my ATM, lol.

They planned it all, lodging, bookings, etc. All I had to do was to say yes, show up for our 5:30am Saturday flight, and pay up. Since I’m not really big on leisure trips, it felt a little surreal to me that I was actually allotting time and effort for some fun. But I did, and surreal as all of it was, I can’t deny the fact that I had the time of my life with these girls!

We stayed at Anika Resort in the island. Well, place is definitely pretty. Let’s just say it will suffice if you’re particular only with a clean bed to sleep in and an air-conditioned room. Oh and if you can live without Wi-fi, deal with consistently mixed up orders, in-house food that could use more salt and pepper or sauce (or at least some form of art), and difficult masseuses. Hah!

At least we all understood that the accommodation situation wasn’t a problem to make a big deal of. The rooms still were nice and air-conditioned. Ha ha! We had our fun, in our own ways. Obviously. A day trip to Virgin Island, delectable seafood meals by locals,  a day trip around Cebu, and chilling out like I’ve never had in a looong time, I have to say the trip actually went beyond expectations. :)

I have to thank my girls one of these days. :)

Heart on the cross!

[Image via]

A few minutes ago, before I said good night to my siblings and began pounding my fingertips on the keyboard, I nonchalantly exclaimed (as if it had to be heard), “I need to write about my Holy week reflection! Otherwise, Holy week won’t happen!” A complete exaggeration.

Now here I am, a little clueless on how to write what I need to write. My mind has been scattered these past few weeks (should I say months?) and my emotions have been a perfect panorama of a storm. Some days are calm and peaceful. While there are days filled with worry and unsolicited pain, of which I was either the inflicted or the inflictor.

I’m stating these with no intentions of jiving into the drama of the season. I’m stating these as facts. For some reason, I have been a little more difficult than usual to both myself and the people around me. I beat myself for not being good enough, and it follows that I treat people the same way I’ve been treating myself. You think it stops there? I’ve also been consequentially angry at myself for being the way I’ve been (as if that would help anything).

“Lord! Make me less of a human!” I found myself desperately shouting in my head while I was at church yesterday. Had I been more of a supernatural, I would have enough capacity to understand other humans and be extra patient with them when needed. I wouldn’t even have to worry about my own flaws because I would have less of them, if not none! It was quite a fun plan to play around with in my head. Fool.

The inescapable truth is that I have the kind of patience the size of a peanut, a positivism that’s as fickle as a flickering light bulb, and an understanding that can sometimes be akin to that of a sloth’s. It’s enough to make anyone go, ‘It’s a bad time to be a human.’

Yet a single glance at the crucifix — taken in the proper context and in the proper disposition — made me feel just how loved I have been in spite myself. Do you know what that’s like? To know that you are loved in spite your mucky self? That mixed feeling of gratitude and hope is what I call elation.

If only I would acknowledge it more, then I’d be able to open my eyes to how this love raises me to a level above my own; how it sets me apart from all other things. If only I would constantly live my life in His presence, then I would be able to see this very same love in other people. I’d start seeing them through His eyes, with tender affection of patience and understanding. This very same love will free me from anger, pain, hatred, pride, arrogance, and my twisted sense of entitlement in picking on people’s flaws — as well as mine!

I was told that when people know they are loved, they feel powerful; as if they are capable of everything beyond their measly human abilities. I hope I give this love the justification it deserves.  Maybe by then I could start living a life of peace with God, His children, and myself.

Must-listen: Empty Space by Bukas Palad

Look back: March!

I’m posting this early, since I’m considering the Paschal Triduum as a month in itself lol (three intense days of worship can do that I suppose)!

This March was all about

1 Rides to work with dad on certified Pinoy streets.

2 Puppies, puppies, and more puppies!

3 Kitchen experiments — that actually worked!

4 Marketing ads I was really really ecstatic about.

5 Meals and goodies shared with old and new friends. :)

6 An office surprise from a man in a coat and tie!

7 Precious family time!

8 Catching up with old friends over crepes and chocolates.