"One, Two, Three..."

I remember first time holding Justine, she's so small! and remembering our first photo together, I had her in my arms, but I guess she already knew how to hold on to me. (as you can see, her right hand is clinging to my shoulder lol)

I know kids are not easy. but she can still be sweetest. (sweeter than her mom!) I'm glad I got to be with her this time, cause it is summer at the moment. Time is cruel. She is growing up, she fancies high heels now, she knows how to be pretty, she adores colors on her lips and looks at the mirror whenever she sees one. I don't know if I'll have a 'Justine' of my own, but for now, I am blessed to have her a my niece.

And next time I see her, we will have another sets of photos together, but different faces then.

"Hi Friends!"

My friends has been looking for me since I went home and atlast! We went first to this bbq house for dinner then we moved to Chili's for drinks. (while the others loved the Margarita-all-you-can-drink, I loved the All-refill-Nachos!)

Dig that!

Most of them I met in TW, so it was kinda weird seeing them here in Manila at first, like we were having our another "Fil-Chi" get together LOL. If we were back in TW, I would know for sure that we would not go home early. We would definitely hang out till someone drops out! I won't know when and where will be seeing each other again, but surely in the future.

"Sing A Long"

I knew that preparing for a wedding would take so much of your time! (I know.. I know.. it wasn't my own wedding) But what I'm trying to say was, friends had been texting me and asking when to meet up. But sadly, I only have three days to go and still haven't got my gown yet.

Anyways, I went to meet up with Lily before the night ended. It was nice seeing Auntie & Uncle again, I met them when they came here to visit few months ago. But aside from them, I was so glad to see Lily! I never expected to be dragged on stage to sing with her and we definitely sang more than one song!! Guess the love for singing will always stay in us.

"Growing Up"

After leaving Manila, I had never thought my friends would be able to find me, actually my elementary classmates. (Thanks FB!) It has been.. yikes! I don't think I would want to count. lol.

Seeing them last night was really amazing. The changes somehow are obvious, but at the same, the way we were back then are still there. Friends are really precious, so I'm gonna keep whomever I have in my life. I won't let it go easily.

"Trial"

My sister asked me to go for the trial make-up for the upcoming wedding on Sunday (nope.. not my wedding). With the hard rain and traffic, everything went well. (Thank you Lord).

Justine went with me that day and I took a picture of the two of us. She seemed very please with the work of the make up artist, wonder how will our make up comes out on Sunday =)

"Let's Go Green!"

I think I wasn't aware of what our activity that day when Ginette invited me to a round day trip to Yi-lan. It rained, it was moist, I need to walked the trails (bad ones and good ones), up high and down low. Went to the forest that day, I dont have any problem with walking, but when it rained. arghh! I lost my interest in taking photos suddenly ;(

And yeah the weather was weird, cause just one minute it was bright when I turned to capture another side of it, fog came in! freaky! Especially when we started heading to the woods to see divine trees. I wouldn't want to live there, no matter how quiet it is there.

LOL.

And by the end of the trip, I saw this frog just staring at the trees. I wasn't going to take a photo of it, but Ginette somehow convinced me. And I instantly knew what caption to write, "You have to kiss an awful lot of frogs before you find a prince.” - Graffito

Would you agree?

Anyways, in the end I did feel it was a very different experience for me. It was ok cause atleast I have something to remember and to look back. Thanks Gin for planning it! =)

"Up!"

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” - 1 Cor 13:7. That was the message for today's Our Daily Bread.

Things had been rough lately. Work. Relationships. Sometimes no matter how hard you try, things still mess up. Sometimes you mean it good, but others see it the other way instead. I understand that we can not judge people too quickly basing on just what we see, and yes i do believe that misunderstandings multiply (especially because we don't have the RIGHT INFORMATION in our hands). I'm still holding on to God's strong hands, for I know only in His care will I find peace in my heard, I will find the wisdom and know exactly what to do when I encounter hardtimes, looking up to Him from time to time (just like in this photo that was taken years ago from our Phung-Hu trip. I remember looking up and i felt this thing is so big, especially I do know how small I am only lol) and of course, knowing that God will not let me down, I will have surprises from Him. And when that time comes, l'll be ready. For I believe my God works in mysterious ways =)

"A Letter to My Friend"

Hi Gin. In a few hours, you’ll be leaving Taiwan na. I just want to say it’s been a colorful trip.

Remember our first meeting? I think it was at 101 food court and it was because of Jia. Funny ba? Cause we became more closer than you & her? (and me & her?) That was our first meeting dba? Seems like a long time now looking back. Parang ang dami ng nangyari sa atin. Our first road trip sa Taichung, even though it was raining hard, we still went and stayed up late playing cards, si Xian pa un 賭神 natin. You had some drinks, then at night tipsy ka na, but I think u went sober when u saw the kapre. HAHAHA! And then how u & Jo went making away because of the bed cover, ako tuloy yun nawalan. But buti nlang ang bait ng katabi ko, binigyan ako. HAHA. (and no, it wasn’t u na katabi ko, but si xian. Lol)

Gin, our numerous bar nights,… I couldn’t count how many times na, including the tipsy times & Sam bringing u home. For our heartbreaks, we were both there for each other. I wish you all the best in life Gin. I know you will make new memories when you get home with your other friends (and new ones), but hope u won’t forget us here. Coz ganyan nman dba? When someone comes, we tend to forget friends? Proven na yan so wag mag deny. Haha! Take good care of yourself there, especially going out on bars. Remember to slow down when iba na nafe-feel mo, or stop. I won’t be there to say to friends u had enough =(

I’ll miss u Gin.. I know it’s gonna be all new to you, but stay strong. Go with what you believe. Don’t be afraid to start anew, this is your life! Remember no one can tell you what to do unless you want it too. Pursue lomo ah? Sayang eh! Hope u like it even though ‘parang’ mahirap. But actually hindi nman. Haha. I’ll see u in a few weeks, don’t worry, I will definitely meet up with u guys! And Gin.. don’t forget. Even though we are not living in the same country, we still owe each other a trip! Remember ah.. its not bout the distance dba? =) We can still travel.. parang Kayla Nina / Trish & friends dba? We just need to plan ahead of time. I believe we can still do this. So don’t give up!!!

Luv u friend, remember to take care of urself there and enjoy Philippine life! Find the guy and remember to tell me the earliest about ur wedding date coz ako un need mag diet the most (buhoo!) =) Gin, thanks for everything. I’ll miss our times together talga. It wont be the same without you… pano na series ko? songs ko? who's gonna dedicate songs for me at ICRT? or un biglang sa msn would say ..'Ber, bleeding love o!!!' *sniff*I pray you find what you are looking for, yun matino ah! and don’t forget to keep me posted haha. Ingatz always Gin! Mwah & hugs!B

"NEVER ALONE"

The child of God never needs to fear abandonment. Even if people turn on us, friends forsake us, or circumstances separate us from loved ones, we are never alone. God has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).

This is not just a nice tune or clever lyrics offering an empty sentiment. It is the promise of God Himself to those who are the objects of His love.

He is there and He isn't going away.
With Christ, we will never walk alone.
-by Bill Crowder (from Our Daily Bread 2011)