FoUr ThiNgS

Four things about me you may not have ever known...

A) Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Assistant Accounts Manager at a UCbookstore
2. CAREgiver for a senior care company
3. Night Audit/Front Desk Clerk at a Santa Barbara Hotel
4. Catering staff for several catering companies in Santa Barbara

B) Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. Titanic
2. The Notebook
3. Life As A House
4. Pretty Woman

C) Four places I have lived:
1. Pampanga, philippines
2. Baguio City, Philippines
3. Vallejo, California
4. Santa Barbara, California

D) Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Gilmore Girls
2. 24
3. Will And Grace
4. Iron Chef

E) Four websites I visit often:
1. www.philnews.com
2. www.friendster.com
3. www.hotmail.com
4. www.pinoycook.net

F) Four places I have visited:
1. Disneyland, Anaheim
2. Universal Studios, Los Angeles
3. Las Vegas, Nevada
4. Reno, Nevada

G) Four of my favorite foods:
1. Pad-thai
2. Popeye's Chicken & Cajun rice
3. Kare-kare
4. Pork Ribs Sinigang

H) Four places I like to be right now:
1. Hawaii
2. Philippines
3. New York
4. Bora Bora or Fiji

I) Four properties I'd like to own:
1. a house in California
2. a condo unit in Metro Manila, Philippines
3. a vacation house in Tagaytay, Philippines
4. an H2, H3 or an Escalade

ThE mEaNiNg oF LiFe

--- an e-mail forward from a friend. Hope it enlightens you, too.

A ninety-one year old woman died after living a long dignified life.

When she met God she asked him something that had long bothered her.

If Man was created in God's image, and if all men are created equal, why do people treat each other so badly?

God replied that each person who enters our life has a unique Lesson to teach us. And it is only through these lessons that we learn about life, people, relationships and God.

This confused the woman, so God began to explain.

When someone lies to you, it teaches you that things are not always as they seem. The truth is often far beneath the surface. Look beyond the masks people wear if you want to know their heart. And remove your own masks to let people know yours.

When someone steals from you, it teaches you that nothing is forever. Always appreciate what you have, for you never know when you might lose it. And never, ever take your friends and family for granted because today is the only guarantee you have.

When someone inflicts an injury upon you, it teaches you that the human state is a fragile one. Protect and take care of your body as best as you can, it's the only thing you are sure to have here on earth.

When someone mocks you, it teaches you that no two people are alike. When you encounter people who are different from you, don't judge them by how they look or act; instead base your opinion on the contents of their heart.

When someone breaks your heart, it teaches you that loving someone does not always mean that person will love you back. But don't turn your back on love because when you find the right person, the joy that one person brings will make up for all the past hurts put together. Times ten.

When someone holds a grudge against you, it teaches you that everyone makes mistakes. When you are wronged, the most virtuous thing you can do is forgive the offender without pretense. Forgiving those who have hurt us is the most difficult and courageous thing Man can do.

When a loved one is unfaithful to you, it teaches you that resisting temptation is Man's greatest challenge. Be vigilant in your resistance against all temptation. By doing so you will be rewarded with an enduring sense of satisfaction far greater than the temporary pleasure by which you were tempted.

When someone cheats you, it teaches you that greed is the root of all evil. Aspire to make your dreams come true, no matter how lofty they may be. Do not feel guilty about your success, but never let an obsession with achieving your goals lead you to engage in malevolent activities.

When someone ridicules you, it teaches you that nobody is perfect. Accept people for their merits and be tolerant of their flaws. Do not ever reject someone for imperfections over which they have no control. Upon hearing the Lord's wisdom, the old woman became concerned that there were no lessons to be learned from Man's good deeds.

God replied that Man's capacity to love is the greatest gift he has. At the root of all kindness is love, and each act of love also teaches us a lesson.

The woman's curiosity deepening, God once again began to explain.

When someone loves us, it teaches us that love, kindness, charity, honesty, humility, forgiveness and acceptance can counteract all the evil in the world. For every good deed, there is one less evil deed. Man alone has the power to control the balance between good and evil, but because the lessons of love are not taught often enough, the power is too often abused.

When you enter someone's life, whether by plan, chance or coincidence, consider what your lesson will be. Will you teach love or a harsh lesson of reality? When you die will your life have resulted in more loving or hurting? More comfort or pain? More joy or sadness? Each one of us has power over the balance of love in the world. Use it wisely. Don't miss an opportunity to nudge the world's scale in the right direction.

Pass this lesson of love on to those you love and to those you have hurt. For each person who receives this, there will be a little less evil in the world and a little more love.

-Author Unknown

coNvErSaTiOn WiTh TiMi

Timi: Ate, why are we going back to the Philippines? A volcano is erupting, Manila is flooded when it rains, it’s very hot and humid, there are rallies and riots almost every day, and the government is a mess.
Cathy: I don’t know. Maybe because the Philippines is home for us and it will always be. It just feels better being home.
Timi: I agree. I am excited to go back there.
Cathy: So am I.

WhAt iS LoVe?

If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient;
Love is kind;
Love is not envious
or boastful
or arrogant or rude.
It does not insist on its own way;
It is not irritable
or resentful;
It does not rejoice in wrongdoing.
but rejoices in the truth.
It bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.
Love never ends.

And now faith, hope, and love abide these three:

And the greatest of these is LOVE.

1 Corinthians 13:1-8.13 NRSV

BeiNg 29

August 23, 2006

It’s my 29th birthday today. I am grateful for everything that has come my way. I am grateful for my loving and supportive family, my wonderful friends, my great job, my good health, and all the blessings that He has given me in the 29 years of my life. I will not ask for more, just for what’s best. To God is the glory!

Messages from friends:
-- Irene (via text): Hi malago! Hapi bday… musta date mu? Ninung mapalad na papa na abe mu anyang special day mu? Sana maging masaya ka lagi. Luv u. Miss u.
-- Rachel (via text): Happy birthday! Love and hugs from the accounting staff!
-- Lawrence (via text): Happy Birthday!
-- Tito Fed (via text): Keep your light shining by, holding your heart always close to God. Wishing you good health and happiness. Happy birthday!
-- Rich, Yeng, Richi, & Archi (via text): Hapi birthday! Ur not gettin’ any younger kumare. I know ala naka king kalendaryu. Hope you stay happy always. Happy birthday from us!
-- Adrian & Alvin (via text): Happy bday Ating Cathy… be happy always. May you have many more birthdays to come. We miss you. Take care always.
-- Tito Benny & Tita Tess (via text): Happy, happy birthday to you. More blessings to come.
-- Tita Fhel (via text & call): Today is God’s answer to last night’s prayer; to live another day, to recover wasted chances, to forgive and to be forgiving, and to say “Thank you Lord!” Good morning and have a blessed birthday. (She called, too, from the Philippines)
-- Ish (via text): Happy birthday mahal! Tanda mo na!
-- Alicia (via text): Don’t simply thank God for the blessings you receive but thank Him because He has chosen you to be blessed and be a blessing to others. Happy birthday! God bless you more and more.
-- Lorna (via text): Happy birthday Tale! Musta naka? Miss you na. Happy birthday, matwa naka. Lab u. Mwah!
-- Jules (via text): Happy Birthday!
-- Glenda (via text): 8 rules to be happy: 1. never hate, 2. don’t worry, 3. live simply, 4.expect a little, 5. give a lot, 6. always smile, 7. live with love, and 8. best of all, be with God. Happy b-day Mare. Love u!
-- Janine, Paolo, & Alyssa (via text): Happy birthday Ating Cathy! May you have many more birthdays to come. God bless you and take care.
-- Mary (via greeting card): Happy birthday to my best caregiver ever. Thank you for everything.
-- Ate Rho gave me a foot spa gift set, and we went to dinner with some of our co-workers at Buffet City. The food was great, and we had a wonderful time.
-- George called me from Korea, and I was so surprised. He’s been one of my good friends since high school. I felt very happy to receive a phone call from him. We haven’t seen each other since I visited the Philippines in May 2003.
-- James (via MySpace): Happy Birthday Catherine. Have a wonderful day today. Take care.
-- Lauren (via MySpace): Hey Cathy! I miss you. Happy birthday! I hope it is the best one yet.
-- Rachel (via MySpace): Happy birthday Cathy! Hope you are having an awesome day.
-- Bee (via MySpace): So I saw the little birthday hat under your picture. Happy birthday! Are you working today? You are huh?
-- Jeni (via Friendster): Ating Cath, advance happy birthday. Amiss kuna ing makipag-kwento keka.
-- Jonathan (via Friendster): Belated happy birthday Ating Cathy!
-- Cincin (via Friendster): Hi Cath! Happy birthday! Getting older, are we, okay lang basta young at heart. Anyways, I wish you all the best and good health. Take care.
-- Tet (via Friendster): Happy birthday! Wishing you the best. You deserve it. God bless.
-- Kuya Romeo (via Friendster): Happy birthday!
--Carlo (via Friendster): Happy birthday! Wishing you more blessings and good health.
-- Glenda (via Friendster): Happy, happy 29th birthday! Sana matupad ngan ning wishes mu lalo na king lovelife mu (pwede pakiabe mu kami rin?...hehehehe). Sana din datang ne ing prince mu. Lav u!...mwah!!!
-- Angelo (via E-card): Belated happy birthday... wishing you good health, happiness, and success in life.

-- And the best I have received was from my little sister, Timi (via greeting card): Happy birthday! I want to thank you for everything. I don't think I'll meet anyone as understanding as you. I know I'm a hard person to put up with, so thank you for being patient with me. Tou've been there for my triumphs and failures, to wipe away my tears and laugh with me, but especially to encourage me to do my best. I can't thank you enough. I will do my best to make you and Ma proud. I promise. And I do hope that everything you dream and wish for comes true, because if anyone in this world deserves to be happy, it is you. Thank you for being my best friend and inspiration. Happy birthday. I love you very much. [with her permission].


My birthday wish: To enjoy life, live well, learn and inspire more, and be able to fall in love with someone who will love me tirelessly, stand by me, and stay with me thru it all. Oh, and yeah, to lose some weight! LoL!

aLmOsT 29

August 20, 2006

I am turning 29 in 3 days. I have mix feelings about it --- happy, sad, depress, hopeful, stressed-out, excited --- and the list goes on. I know we all get older, as we do every year, but for some reason, I never imagined it coming to me. It's not because I don't want to get older, it's because I always have this feeling of not having done enough or what's best. Sometimes when I look around me, I feel that I have not accomplished as much as I should have for my age. I always have that feeling that I could have done more, looked better, traveled farther, read more, wrote more, etc. Regrets --- there’s always something to regret about in life. But I appreciate the fact that I am blessed. I have always been blessed.

As the wise says, do your best and there will be no room for regrets. We should only compete with ourselves, and no one else. Each one of us goes through a completely different life, and we will never know how to be in somebody else's shoe. We should only look at another person's life to give us inspiration and not to feel inferior or superior to them.

So what do I aspire to do? To always do my best, and become a better person everyday. And most importantly, to always have faith in Him.

Kami nAPO Muna

August 20, 2006

My favorite CD at the moment is Kami nAPO Muna, Tribute to the APO Hiking Society, performed by our local bands in the Philippines. The APO (Jim, Buboy, & Danny) are a musical genius. They are icons in the Philippine entertainment industry. I have much respect for their talent, their music, but above all, for their contribution to the Philippines, socially and politically. I will always love APO.

My favorite APO songs: Awit Ng Barkada, Panalangin, and Ewan

oN LoVe

August 10, 2006

From The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires,
Let these be your desires;
To melt and be like a running brook
that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart
and give thanks for another day of loving.
To rest at the noon hour and
meditate love’s ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for
the beloved in your heart and a song
of praise upon your lips.