May 25, 2010
7:30 PM
Passion World Tour 2010 - Manila

We missed Passion WT2008 and so we promised ourselves that we'll get tickets early for the 2010 Tour. True enough, we got our tickets early and was able to watch last night's concert at the Dome.

Having read Passion's blog, I can't help but agree with how Louie Giglio described the event that was last night - words fail. God's presence was truly and deeply felt by everyone, I for one could not contain the overwhelming gladness I have in my heart for being His child, for being there, able to sing and dance and praise and worship Him for all His goodness and greatness and love.

As Peewee and I were discussing, last night made us realize even more that we really belong there, in the crowd of people cheering for God, proclaiming His glory, sincerely feeling so so good to be a Christian, to be a part of HIStory.

Hearts ablaze, hands to God, all for His glory. Shout JESUS' fame!

Labels: Araneta, concert, music, Passion Manila, praise, worship

I remember that day when I cried to the Lord and finally surrendered my "love-life" to Him, after not having done so and insisting my way many times. I'm glad I did, because He surely gives the best if we obey.

Kung iisipin ko, talagang amazing kung paano kumilos si God para mabuo ang "love story" namin ni Peewee (aka Pards). May iilang nakakaalam ng history (as in history, tipong musmos pa, childhood crush, ganun) at alam kong kasama namin sila sa pagka-mangha at pagkagalak na rin, lalo na ngayon after having celebrated a year of being together, with God's goodness of course. I remember years back when I received a phone call from Peewee about his grief over a broken relationship. Honestly, nagulat ako at nagtaka that he called me kasi hindi naman talaga kami close, though we belong to the same "circle" of young people. I guess that was the start of an unexpected friendship we didn't even think would turn out to be much more special.

Then came the time when it was my turn to be in the same sorrowful state. I know the Lord used the people around me (you know who you are, thanks for the prayers!) to somehow ease the pain I was going through. At siyempre, isa siya sa mga taong andiyan lang at dumadamay, sabi niya nga, even if I didn't ask him to. Andiyan lang siya at in fairness hindi talaga siya nawala. Naalala ko ang aming long talks (mainly of sharing my stories and thoughts, nag-momoment kasi ako nun) and long walks, primarily to kill time and to distract myself then. Naalala ko nung dumating yung time na we felt something might be going on, but decided that we disregard whatever it might be - deadma lang, delikado kasi, the friendship was too valuable to lose. Naalala ko yung phase na we were praying to God to show us kung siya na ba or ako na ba, or hindi at friends lang talaga. We've had our share of emotional pain na kasi which we are sure to experience again if hindi kami ang plan ni God para sa isa't-isa. And I remember receiving that answer I've been praying for and then finally telling him. Tapos e telling friends na ang sumunod, with matching celebration pa sa Chowking.

Noong una akong ma-involve sa bf-gf relationship, natutunan ko na hindi pala lahat ng gusto mo - as in tipong fairy-tale scenarios, prince-charming-damsel-in-distress set-up, ay magkakatotoo. And I settled with that. Tinanggap ko na nga na ganun talaga, yung mga daydream mo, subset lang nun ang magmamaterialize, and that's fine kasi kaya nga daydream e. Kaya naman sobra kong nagulat na meron palang someone na swak dun sa "fairy-tale love story" I had in mind. Ang galing talaga ni God, alam Niya kung anong gusto ko at magpapasaya sa kin, at ibinigay Niya. All things worked together for good talaga, actually hindi lang for the good kundi for the best.

I am and forever will be grateful to the Lord for that. Ü

Labels: dreams, pards, praise, tales

During lunch, i overheard my officemates talking about how mungo beans are harvested.

"Di ba root crop yun?"
"Oo, huhukayin mo yung lupa tapos pupulutin mo isa-isa yung mga munggo."

They're joking, of course. But that got me wondering, exactly how do you arrive with the mungo beans? I know you get toge from "pre-mature mungo bean plants" - the bean sprouts. But how do you get to the bean stage?

"Parang sitaw yun tapos andun sa loob yung munggo."

Aaaa, right! Like the pods of peas. Hahaha, stupid me.

More info on Munggo

Labels: beans, bloopers, munggo, OT mode

INGREDIENTS:
1 kg potatoes
cooking oil
salt
pepper
Clara Ole dressings (honey mustard, thousand island, ceasar)

STORY:
After experiencing home made mojos by Kuya Jan, Peewee and I decided to do our version whenever we get the chance. And finally during this Holiday break, we had the chance.

First stop - Taytay market. We bought the potatoes and my goodness, I was surprised that potatoes cost P60 to P80 a kilo! round pepper is P5 a pack. Next was SM Supermarket where we bought the salt, cooking oil and the dressings. We picked three different dressings for variety.

After having bought everything we need, we went home to start our cooking project.

Yumyum!

Labels: cooking, foodtrip, mojos pards, vacation