Second Place! Mapua Cisco Skills Competition..

YAHOO! Some people maybe disappointed with second place, oh no, but not me, I am totally happy! Well, I guess my dear contestants are disappointed with themselves, but to me, its perfectly fine. The week's hardwork paid off. Two of my contestants took second and third places in the written exam. My kids also got a grade of 53 of 59 in the hands-on skills exam. I am not afraid (for my team) of losing, especially if my team was losing to the best of their batch, number 1 of their batch actually. The champion team was only ahead by 2%, they just forgot one item, or else they would have received a grade of 100% in the skills. I am more afraid of hearing from my students that some items on the exam were not taught to them (obviously by me) in Cisco 2. If my team and other teams are able to read this, kids, I am not disappointed. I just hope you also are not disappointed in me. I am happy with the results, I am more happy because you learned something from me and you learned from this experience. I just hope that you realize that you have it in you. You should know within yourselves that you are good, you are good enough and no one can tell you otherwise. You just have to believe! God bless you! And I am so proud of all of you! (",)

Change Venue: 2007 MITECCEAA Homecoming

We had to change the venue because of some unforeseen circumstances (GREED to be exact, greediness of the owners of the tasteless bar that is Bailamor). I hope everyone could still make it to the homecoming!

I will be posting updates as to the venue of this year's homecoming...

My name is spelled this way: Emma-Ruth

What's in a name? My name actually is a combination of my mother's and father's name. My mother's name is Emma and my father's name is Rey. During my mother's pregnancy, ultrasound was very expensive and my parents could not afford the service. So, they didn't know my gender until I was crying my lungs out at the Medical Center of Manila. The name they prepared for me was Christopher Rey (which is my younger brother's name) and when they found out that I was a girl, they immediately had to think of a girl's name. (I think my parents were not so creative so I ended up with this name.) And my name is spelled differently, there's a hyphen in between the two names. Although my birth certificate did not include the hyphen, my baptismal certificate did. I decided to drop the hyphen when I reached college because I had to write that straight little line in all my drawing plates and reports in my Engineering Drawing courses and Laboratories. It was such a laborious task because all our reports were written in engineering lettering. So instead of writing that hyphen, I opted to use a space instead. HEHEHE!

I was resting from all the checking I've been doing and I stumbled upon this interesting site. Its a site about Kabalarian Philosophy (I think the same philosophy that Madonna is known for) and the site gives an "analysis" of what a name means. I did it for fun and here are the results:

• Although the name Emma-Ruth creates idealism and the urge to help others, we emphasize that it causes an emotional intensity that is hard to control.
  
• This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and happiness, as well as cause health weaknesses in the nervous system.

• The name of Emma-Ruth makes you very idealistic, sensitive, and inspirational.
  
• If these qualities are not understood and properly directed through music, art, or other creative expression, you could become jealous and possessive of those close to you.
  
• Your feelings are so strong that you are inclined to build your life around certain individuals and become wrapped up in personal love rather than seeking into the deeper truths of life; thus you could suffer losses in your affections and shattered ideals.
  
• You are generous and people are drawn to you because of your friendly and sympathetic nature.

To those who know me, are all of these true? (",)

This Girl's Shallow Happiness

My pimples suddenly cleared up! Thank God! I've been feeling soooooo ugly these past few days because the little pimples (I call them pimplets) "sprouting" all over my face! Even under a mole! I hated it, and I wanted to visit the dermatologist. But after a few days after I got my period, it cleared up. It was just hormones! Now, no more pimples! (or at least until next month's hormones are released again!) Hahaha!

Am I shallow or what?! so what! hahaha! (",)

MiNSaN uLiT

Minsan, masarap umiyak. Para lang ilabas lahat ng saloobin at hinanakit sa mundo. Minsan, masarap tumahimik. Para mag isip at gawaan ng paraan ang mga bumabagabag sa utak. Minsan, masarap tumawa. Minsan, mahirap tumawa. Minsan, madali umiyak. Minsan, mahirap pigilin ang luha.

Sana mangyari yung minsan na wala akong isipin, wala akong maramdaman, wala munang babagabag. Kailan kaya mangyayari ang minsan na 'yun?

In Pain!

Nothing's new, I am sick again. During the peak of workload, my body just could not take the pressure. This time, its my voice that is suffering. I have this sharp pain in my throat and I am actually scared because in my profession, I can not lose my voice. I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE MY VOICE. I could not talk as loud as I used to. I could not talk for long periods of time. The "salabat" could not help me anymore. My colleagues advised me to rest, sleep for long hours. But I am rested, I sleep enough, almost 7 hours in fact. I really need to see a doctor. I just hope I could fit it in my busy schedule. I do hope and pray that it is not as bad as I think it is.

Graduation Day!

My batch 2003 students graduated today. Finally marking the end of an era. The end of their wonderful college days and the beginning of the exciting "career" days. Which got me to thinking, I've been teaching for more than six years now, which means that when these "kids" were in their first year of college, I was already with the Institute (?? mental institution?? hehehe..)

I've had wonderful experiences with these kids. Little did they know that I learned from them as much as they learned from me (I do hope so that they learned something from me). I wish them well. I pray that they lead successful careers and lives, be "assets" of the country, and serve the Lord while doing all these. Congratulations Graduates! I will miss you all! (",)

My Current Life Theme Song: Way Back Into Love

The song playing when my page is viewed is Way Back Into Love. I even uploaded a video by Richard Poon singing the same song. Click here to view. I'll upload 7th Soul's version once I capture the complete song (I have a snippet of it pa lang eh)

This song is such an inspiration. Here's the lyrics. And you'll understand why it is so.

I've been living with a shadow overhead
I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed
I've been lonely for so long
Trapped in the past
I just can't seem to move on

I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away
Just in case I ever need them again someday
I've been setting aside time
To clear a little space in the corners of my mind

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
Oh oh oh

I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine
I've been searching but i just don't see the signs
I know that it's out there
There's got to be something for my soul somewhere

I've been looking for someone to shed some light
Not somebody just to get me through the night
I could use some direction
And I'm open to your suggestions

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart again
I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end

Oh oh oh

There are moments when I don't know if it's real
Or if anybody feels the way I feel
I need inspiration
Not just another negotiation

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart to you
I'm hoping you'll show me what to do
And if you help me to start again
You know that I'll be there for you in the end

Oh oh oh

UPDATE! 6 - Day Holiday! (sana lang student pa ako!)

SIX - DAY HOLIDAY.. This is what it feels like to be working..

Since Wednesday, it has been raining cats and dogs in NCR. Of course, classes were cancelled and I would be very happy if not for the 2 - day seminar we had to attend in school. The kids are so lucky! If the government would announce that classes tomorrow will also be suspended, it would be a six - day holiday for them! Ggrrrr....

I'm still stuck here in the office, I could not leave yet because my car is still banned from the roads of Manila because of the Vehicle Reduction Scheme to control traffic in the city. I'd still have to wait for 7pm!

UPDATE: Friends from Singapore..

My friends came home from Singapore, one to celebrate his birthday, the other to make wedding arrangements. Some sort of reunion, although its not really like they left the country because we are in constant communication. Thanks to the internet generation! We went out last Saturday and last night for a small get - together.

superbowl dinner with james, sir leo, mam flor and mike

superbowl dinner and the rest of us (tayo tayo ang hair ko)

superbowl dinner with sir glen, marianne, marloun and james

sir glen and me at aruba

mike at aruba

In Love....... With Red and Pink Tulips

I really like tulips, but I used to like yellow tulips. But something changed, seeing a bunch of red and pink tulips really brighten my day! I just love looking at them! May ganito ba sa Pilipinas?

So nice to stare at them... Pink tulips..

Red Tulips

More tulips! Tulips everywhere!

To whom much is given, much is required

My title sounds like a line from the movie Spiderman (Great power comes with great responsibility), but it actually is a line from the Bible. I was so inspired with Father Boyd's sermon, that I included Today's Gospel in this blog.

We should not live in fear to show our love for Christ. I asked myself today, have I asked Jesus to come into my life, to live in me, to stay with me? Jesus is always with us, the question is, have I asked Him to stay? "Parang manliligaw na buntot ng buntot pero di naman pinapansin" as Father Boyd put it. Nakakatwa isipin, pero totoo. Ikaw, tinanong mo na ba sa sarili mo 'yan? "The Son of man will come at an unexpected hour", ikaw, handa ka na ba kapag dumating na ang oras na 'yon? It is never too late to accept Him in our lives. Gawin na natin ngayon, hangga't may oras pa. Habang kaya pa natin. Napaghahandaan nga natin ang mga exams, parties, wedding, gimik, di ba? Let us accept Christ in our lives, let receive God's grace, and live without fear because He is with us. (",)

Here's today's Gospel, from the Book of Luke, Chapter 12, verses 32 to 48:

32	"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33	Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
34	For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
35	"Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning,
36	and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks.
37	Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them.
38	If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants!
39	But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.
40	You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour."
41	Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?"
42	And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?
43	Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing.
44	Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
45	But if that servant says to himself, `My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,
46	the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will punish him, and put him with the unfaithful.
47	And that servant who knew his master's will, but did not make ready or act according to his will, shall receive a severe beating.
48	But he who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, shall receive a light beating. Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more.

Saturday Night Out

Going out is one of my guilty pleasures, I go out at least once a week, at any day of the week. It's sometimes tiring, but really, it's the highlight of my week, it's something to look forward to (aside from going to Church of course). My gimik buddies are normally my bestfriend Janine, or my officemates who have transformed into bowling addicts. Last Saturday, I went out with my college buddies, the F4, or Friday Four. We used to go out every Friday, to rant about the people in our lives (AHEM), have dinner at one of our favorite pizzarias (Don Hen) and just waste the night away.

We had dinner at Super Bowl of China at Glorietta 4, whose service really sucks by the way, and headed off to Tropezz to watch 7th soul. Dennis (who isn't in the picture) had to leave early because he has yet to pack his things because he left yesterday for the US. As usual, our conversations had similar points: work and gadgets. We are gadget freaks but not really geeks. Thank God no more "inquiries" about my now "non-existent" lovelife, I had nothing to share anyway, hehehe! I miss these guys.. I hope we'll be able to go out again like this. Just us 4. Just like before. (",)

Prayer of the Faithful..

Prayer of the Faithful..

EN'07 Rocks.. To the ends of the earth..

Parang rock concert.. Di mo aakalain na ganyan kadami ang tumanggap kay Kristo sa buhay nila! Madami pa ang di nakapunta... Nakakaoverwhelm talaga!

Passages of Encouragement

If you are feeling weary, down or just having a "blah" day, here are words of encourangement taken from the Bible:

Isaiah 40:28-31: "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

I am feeling a little down today, so I guess instead of wallowing in my "dark clouds", I looked for things that might make feel a little "light". I hope these words also encourage you, if you are having a bad day. (",)

To My Prayer Network: Maraming Salamat!!! Pasado Ako!!!

Hay Thank you God!!! Pasado ako sa BCMSN exam ko! Grabe, akala ko talaga I will not pass the exam, I was on the verge of crying, my palms were sweating kahit super lamig sa exam room, ang dami kasi lumabas sa hindi ko inaral. Buti na lang, God is so good to me, I asked for guidance, ibinigay Niya sakin yun! I got 987 of 1000! Thank you sa inyong lahat! Alam ko all of you prayed for me.. Thank you thank you!!

To God be the glory!!!

Request for Prayers

Sa lahat ng mga friends ko na makakabasa nito.. Wala lang.. I need your help.. Pag pray nyo lang po ako na sana maging successful po yung gagawin ko bukas. Yun lang po.. Thank you thank you!!!

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Early today, I received this text message from this person whom I was confiding in about something that was bothering me. His reply was, "Mataas kc masyado gus2 m...". It was like a slap in the face, that he was telling me the brutal truth. Or was it the truth? Was he telling me that I could not achieve something that I want? I was always told to dream big, aim high, aim for the sky, if in case I fail, I would have fallen on the roof and not on the ground. I would achieve better things if I aim for greater things.

I didn't know what to say to him. I was confused if he was trying to hurt me or was he being a friend because he was telling me the truth. But what he said hurt me. Hurt me a lot. He made me feel little. Inferior. Because I let him do that to me.

I don't want to feel that way again. Today, I made a decision, to stop wallowing in self - pity. Instead of feeling hurt, I will take it as a challenge. Something to push me more to achieve my goal. My Savior will carry me through this rough patch. I just know He will. (",)

Last night, something hit me, it was so simple and yet so true. And I so needed it. What am I talking about?

Last night, my bestfriend Janine and I went out to see our friend perform in Makati. He was performing with other artists and it was a very fun night. One of the artists was Acel Bisa (from Moonstar88), and she sang this song, Silver Lining, she explained it was like a glimpse of great things in the future. It just made me realize something, I need not ask God for what's in store for me, I need not ask God what, why, when and how. I know He has plans for me, great plans for me, I just need to follow the path He made for me and embrace His plans for me. I so loved the song, I decided to find the lyrics, but I got more! I found her site, and the song was uploaded in the site, it had an embeded music player and I got to listen to more of her songs. And I was able to get a link that I can post here. I hope you like this song as much as I do. (",)

You can visit her website: http://acel.eastcurrent.com for more info. But here's the lyrics of the song that I so love right now.

Silver Lining

Written by: Acel Bisa van Ommen
Music by: Acel Bisa van Ommen and Ronnie Ropal
Copyright 2005

I've been trying to read your mind
but i always end up puzzled and surprised
I see myself like I am blind
but you hold my hand and you lead me
coz i know i don't need to worry
i just let you be my guide

Coz i just see a silver lining
a glimpse of your promise to me
but it's not about what it is
or how or if but it's knowing the one who made it

I'd like to know what's in store
yeah it's big but i know for sure
that what i really need is you within my soul
sometimes I put you in a box
and I forget that you are God
but what really matters to you
is my heart

Coz i just see a silver lining
a glimpse of your promise to me
but it's not about what it is
or how or if but it's knowing the one who made it

it's not the promise
but the one who made it
it's you who made it happen
coz you love me

Last night, I asked my friend Richard, why he sounded different. He said it was because he will be trying to crossover to a new genre of music, standards. It was his last performance (that Janine and I will be able to watch) as an acoustic artist. It actually made me a little sad because of the songs he composed, not all of them can be 'transitioned' to standards format. He sounded so good singing his songs, he also sounded good singing standards (he sang samples for me, acapella, while I was driving), of course it will be different with a complete set of musicians to back him up. Janine and I will be watching him sing standards at Eastwood on May 16. Hhhmmm... Ano kaya ang bagong tunog niya?

Last night, I had an interesting night. It was a night full of thought. I promised myself some things, things I would do, things I would not do. I pray to God, that He give me strength to accomplish this promise. Thank you God for bringing me there last night!