Stressful Incidents before our Trip to Singapore

www.masterfile.com

After almost a month, I'm back at Singapore with my husband Roel, JoAnn my bff and her son AJ. But before this trip, napakaraming stress ang pinagdaanan namin. I wrote about this para na rin sa information ng mga taong may pagkakatulad sa sitwasyon namin. 

Our flight was originally scheduled August 10-13, 2013.

STRESS #1. Two months before our flight, bigla ko lang naalala na ang kasama pala naming bata, si AJ ay US Passport holder. Tinanong ko si Jo Ann kung parehas lang ba ang procedure at requirements when traveling abroad ang Filipino Citizen sa American? Napaisip kami. Then tumawag ako sa Bureau of Immigration Office dito sa Clark.

Heto ang conversation namin ng Immigration officer:

IO: Immigration Good Morning!
ME: Hello, magtatanong lang po ako. We will be traveling to SG pero may kasama po kaming bata na US Passport Holder. May additional requirements po ba para sa ganitong case pag mag tour sa ibang bansa?
IO: Saan po ipinanganak ang bata?
ME: Dito po sa Pilipinas
IO: May Philippine Passport po ba siya?
ME: Wala po
IO: First time po ba niyang lalabas ng bansa?
ME: Opo
IO: Paano po nakuha ng bata ang US Citizenship niya?
ME: Yung tatay po niya ay US Citizen at inapply po niya ang bata ng CRBA sa US Embassy sa Manila
IO: Ah, kailangan ninyo ng Exit Clearance or ECC
ME: Paano po makukuha yun? Kailan po pweding makuha?
IO: Punta lang po kayo dito sa Immigration Office mam, isama ninyo ang bata for picture-taking at finger-printing. Magdala po kayo ng Letter of Intent to Travel, copy ng flight itinerary ninyo, 3 pcs 2x2 picture ng bata, NSO birth certificate ng bata, marriage certificate ng parents at iba pang supporting documents. Pwedi pong kumuha at least 1 week before the travel dahil 30 days lang po ang validity nun. Makukuha niyo rin po after 2 hours.
ME: Magkano po ang bayad?
IO: Mam, hindi po namin ma-aasses ang dapat bayaran hanggang hindi po namin nakikita yung mga documents. Punta na lang po kayo dito.

Ayun, mukhang madali lang naman diba. Kaya nag search kami sa internet kung magkano ang binayaran ng ibang kagaya namin. May Php 3000 - 5000 daw. So, Jo Ann prepared Php 5000 for the ECC.

STRESS #2. One month before our flight, I received an email from AirAsia:

Dearest Valued Guest,

Philippines’ AirAsia has always taken great care when implementing any flight changes that may inconvenience you, our valued guest. Unfortunately, we have to suspend services between Singapore and Clark effective 1st August 2013 due to commercial considerations.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this flight suspension may cause you and we would like to offer you the following options:

   1. One-time transfer, at no extra cost, to an AirAsia flight on the same route on or before July 31st, 2013 (subject to availability)

  2.  One-time re-routing to any Philippines’ AirAsia flight within 30 days of the original flight date, subject to airport-specific taxes and surcharges (subject to availability)

  3.   Conversion of the value of the total fare to an online credit shell with a validity of 180 days

  4.   Full refund

OMG! Aigoo! What to do? We already have confirmed hotel booking for August 10-13 and it can't be refunded or modify. Nagmadali akong naghanap ng ibang flight sa ibang airline at mag re-refund na lang kami. Yung Cebu Pacific sa Manila ang lipad, Php 8000 ang amount. Sa Tiger naman walang flight sa Clark, Manila din at Php 7500 and amount. Meron pa akong nakita, Jetstar, Manila din Php 6500. Yung ticket namin sa AirAsia Php 3250 lang. Hay!

Tumawag ako sa central booking department ng Fragrance Hotel sa Singapore at nakiusap kung pwedeng i amend ang aming reservation. Kahit saang branch ng Fragrance okay lang. (We prefer Emerald kasi but it's fully booked kaya sa Sapphire kami confirm) I explained the situation and out of goodwill, he modified it to July 27-30 but we have to pay an extra $150 for rate difference.

STRESS #3.  I called AirAsia to move our flight to July 27-30. OMG again.... fully booked na ang July 30! Paano kami uuwi? Then the agent gave me another option, July 23-27.

Crossing our fingers, I called Mr. Edmund again of Fragrance Hotel, and with a lot of luck and prayers, pinagbigyan niya ang request ko. May available na rooms sa Emerald branch pero July 23-26 lang. I said it's ok at nagpabook na lang ako sa Sunflower branch para sa last day namin.

STRESS #4.  Five days before our flight, nagpunta ng BI si Jo Ann at AJ. Akala namin ok na ang lahat. Tumawag si Jo Ann informing me na kailangan magbayad ng penalty ni AJ dahil overstaying siya. BI computed the charges from the date his US Passport and CRBA was released. Php 12,000! Hay hindi namin alam na may binabayaran pala ang mga US Citizen dito sa Pilipinas. Wala namang nag inform sa amin. Wala din kaming alam na ganito pala. Wala naman ibang dapat sisihin. Bigla ko tuloy naalala ang prof. namin sa CEU na laging sinasabi "Ignorance of the law excuses no one!" Sabi sa BI, if may Philippine Passport lang ang bata, hindi na niya kailangan magbayad. Kinabukasan, bumalik si Jo sa BI upang magbayad at nakuha na niya ang kapirasong papel na nagkakahalaga ng Php 12,000++.

STRESS #5. On the day of our flight, ninenerbyos pa rin kami dahil baka hindi kami makaalis. Nakalagay kasI dun sa ECC ni AJ na subject for dero pa siya sa mga IO sa airport. At marami kaming nabasa at nabalitaan na marami daw passengers sa Clark na hindi pinapasakay kahit lehitimong turista naman. Offloaded kumbaga. When it was our turn na, medyo bata pa yung IO na na-assign sa pila namin. Medyo nagtagal din kami ng ilang minuto bago kami nakalusot. Yung babaeng nauna sa amin ay offloaded.

Sa tindi ng pinagdaanan naming stress para sa SG trip na ito, parang ayoko ng tumuloy, kaso nandito na e, marami ng nagastos.

Sa awa ng Diyos, nakarating na din kami ng Singapore.

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What's with Donut?

Recently, nagbukas ang dalawang branch ng donut brand dito sa SM Pampanga, ang Krispy Kreme at J.CO Donuts. Ano bang meron sa donut na ito at pinipilahan? Ang natikman ko pa lang ay ang Krispy Kreme. Medyo matamis. Hindi ko pa natitikman ang J.CO dahil wala akong tiyagang magpila ng kulang dalawang oras para lang makabili. Siguro darating ang araw na magsasawa din ang mga tao dito at ng makasingit na ako.

Ang mahabang pila sa JCO Donuts

Ang Pila sa Krispy Kreme

Masarap ba ang J.CO o overrated lang?

Which brand do you prefer?

Anong flavor ang masarap?

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Traveling with Purpose: The Toothbrush Project

I'm thinking of traveling with purpose, as part of my social responsibility. As much as possible I want to be a traveler not a tourist.  The idea came to me last year when I was asked to buy toothbrush for the dental mission of our company. May mura pa lang toothbrush. Colgate pa ang brand. When I read the blog of Pinay Solo Traveler, she has also a project while traveling. She's giving pencils and school supplies for the kids in places she's visiting. I thought kaya ko ring gawin ito. I hope.

http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/5050781/2/stock-illustration-5050781-happy-toothbrush.jpg

I choose toothbrush (maybe with small toothpaste) as my project. Marami kasi sa mga kabataan ngayon ang hindi mahilig mag toothbrush. Hindi pa ako nag start but I plan to start hopefully this year.

Because I usually travel on a budget, I will start small. I will start with maybe 50-100 toothbrush kit to distribute. Maybe sa isang school sa community or sa church.

It's time to give back to the community. Simple act can make a difference.

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Four Things I Learned from the Movie "It Takes a Man and a Woman"

Official Movie Poster

Dalawa. Dalawang beses kong pinanood ang movie ni John Lloyd at Sarah. This is not a movie review. I will not tell the history of the story as everyone knows it well. Dahil hindi ako maka-get over, I will just blog about it. I will talk about the things/lessons I learned. This is one of the best Filipino movies that is worth your money.

Watching the movie made me realized many things in life.

1.  TRUST

Trust is a big word. This is a big factor in any relationship. Sa panahon ngayon, mahirap na talaga ang magtiwala, sa relasyon, trabaho o sa anumang aspeto ng buhay. Sa trabaho, kung hindi mo nagawang mabuti ang trabaho mo, mawawalan ng tiwala sa iyo ang employer mo. Sa isang relasyon naman, ang tiwala ang pinakamahalaga. Kapag nasira ang tiwala, mahirap ng ibalik. Kapag ang tiwala nabawasan, sunud-sunod na ang hinala. Better yet, maghiwalay na lang. Gaya ni Laida (Sarah). Nasira ang tiwala niya sa tatay niya kaya ganoon na lang ang sakit ng sirain din ni Miggy (JL) ang kanyang tiwala. Kaya kailangang pakaingatan natin ang tiwalang ipinagkatiwala sa atin.

2.  FORGIVE

Mahirap talagang magpatawad. Ng masira ni Miggy ang tiwala ni Laida, hindi niya ito napatawad. Hindi niya binigyan ng second chance. Hindi naging madali para kay Laida ang magpatawad, ang patawarin ang kanyang tatay at si Miggy. Sabi ng nanay ni Laida "Forgiveness is a choice". Nagpatawad siya dahil mahal niya. In reality, It's easy to forget but to forgive will take time lalo na kung nasaktan tayo ng sobra. The movie teaches us to forgive and let go of the past. Sometimes people we love hurts us, it's okay to hate them for a while but we must learn to forgive to make us better person and to move forward.

3.  LOVE

Just like forgiveness, love is a choice. Love goes  hand in hand with trust. The movie teaches us about love of family. It also teaches us on how to love again. Kahit nasaktan tayo, patuloy pa rin tayong nagmamahal. Gaya ni Laida, sa dalawang taong paghihiwalay nila ni Miggy ay hindi nawala ang kayang pagmamahal. Gaya ng nanay ni Laida, kahit nagkahiwalay sila ng asawa niya, pinili niyang patawarin at mahalin ang kanyang asawa. Gaya ng mga kapatid ni Miggy, even though he messed up, they still  believe in him and support him because of love of family.

4.  BE GOOD

Ang pinakagusto ko sa lahat ay ang speech ng tatay ni Miggy about being good and always believe in goodness. I don't have a copy of the full transcript of the speech but it goes something like this (based from what I remembered)

"Being the best means being the least. Madalas sa kagustuhan nating maging pinakamagaling, nakakalimutan nating maging mabuti. To be good is being able to say sorry and to forgive those who hurt you. We lose sight of the fact that everyday is a struggle to just be better. Doing good is what kept my family together… for the future of our children, and for our children’s children. It’s not the easiest, but that is probably the best legacy that a person can leave behind – to always believe in goodness and just be a good man." – Luis Montenegro

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Bicycle Diaries: My First Bicycle

Dad brought us bicycles last week. Saan kaya ako mapapadpad nito? 

We brought them in Bamban Tarlac. Malapit lang. Sa boundary ng Tarlac at Pampanga. Paglagpas ng Xevera.... medyo malapit na... nakalimutan ko ang pangalan ng store...pero nasa tapat nya ang Burger Machine. Napakaraming bike. Malulula ka. Di ka makakapili ng mabuti. Mura kasi ang tinda nila kaya kami napadpad doon. Itong folding bike na binili ni daddy ay Php 1,900.00 lang. Compare dun sa nakita ko sa mall na 6,500 napakalaking mura. Sa may San Fernando (P) may bilihan din ng Japan surplus na bike. Mas mahal nga lang ng halos doble. So far... maganda naman ang takbo ng bike. Maayos ang speed (shimano) at may bonus pa akong basket!

Next, I'm planning to make a t-shirt design. Feeling namin....bikers club kami.lol. 

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At the end... It's just the two of us

Our friendship started way back in 1993 when we were in grade school. We were not even classmates. We met at the church when I joined the Children of May Immaculate or COMI. I don't know why we became friends since we are so much different. Di kami parehas ng favorites. She prefers yellow and i like blue. Lakwatsera ako siya hindi. She study hard ako happy-go-lucky. She dance well, ako parehong kaliwa ang paa, but I can sing better than her. hahaha. She's a worrier, I'm not.  She's a cry baby too. 

High school came and classmates na kami. We have our own set of friends inside the school but after class, kami na naman ang magkasama dahil lagi kaming tambay sa simbahan. Marami ng pinagdaanan ang friendship namin. There were times na hindi kami bati. I remember those times but I can't remember the cause of our misunderstanding. Those childish moments.

When we were in college, we still have each other. We were both studying at CEU Manila, with the same course. Still... we have our own set of friends.

After college, sa kasamaang palad...magkasama pa rin kami, lol. We both work in the same company. magkasama pa kami sa isang room. Those who know us were surprised that up to this time ay kami pa rin ang magkasama.

I remember those time when we both write letters to each other. Then nauso ang text, friendster and facebook. I still miss our letter writing. Now, I encourage her to blog. Meron na rin sya but still on process pa ang editing.

Over the 19 years, friends come and go..but still... we are the last one standing! At the end...It's still just the two of us.

I made this avp last 2010 on her birthday. I got busy these past few days kaya hindi ako nakagawa ng bago. 

Happy happy birthday to my soul sister... Love you.

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why do i feel sad?

why do i feel sad for no reason? i don't know whats wrong with me. i feel so down... i don't seem to have a problem. i can't seem to be happy about anything. 

i don't want to tell anyone (that's why i just expressed it here) because they might think me stupid or crazy and they might also think that i'm over exaggerating. i feel depressed. maybe from lack of sleep? lack of exercise?

i'm thinking of having a long vacation... somewhere were i can think over what's wrong with me.... i have several destinations in mind but i don't have budget for the vacation i'm longing. besides...my hubby can't accompany me because of his work.

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Love Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry

"Love Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry"

This is a famous line in the 1970 movie Love Story... It means that when you love each other...you don't have to say sorry.

 

when we announced that we were engaged...most of my married friends were sharing their experiences in their early life being married. isa sa mga payo nila ay kapag daw may hindi pagkakaunawaan mag-asawa, huwag palipasin ang magdamag ng di namin naaayos. ito din ang isa sa homily ng pari on our wedding day.

for over two years of being married... maraming pagkakataon na nagkakaroon kami ng conflict ng asawa ko... siguro dahil hindi pareho ang personality namin... hindi ko na maalala kung paano kami nagbabati. dahil parehong mataas ang pride namin.. there were times na hindi ko alam kung sino ang mauunang makikipagbati. hindi ko rin maalala kung may nagsabi ng sorry... but then what's wrong with saying sorry? if you love your partner.... though you already understand each other... may times na you need to say the word para maramdaman ang sincerity. may times din na pakiramdaman lang at ok na.

about a week ago... nagkaroon na naman kani ng hindi pagkakaunawaan... 5 days kaming di nagkikibuan... madalas hindi posible yung sinasabi nila na dapat bago matulog ay magkabati na... depende sa sitwasyon... depende sa reason. sa panglimang araw... di na ako nakatiis... sa isang yakap lang... ayun... bati na kami... walang salitang namutawi....walang sorry. ok na.

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7 Deadly Sins - Envy

sabi ni wikipedia....

like greed and lust, Envy is characterized by an insatiable desire. Envy is similar to jealousy in that they both feel discontent towards someones traits, status, abilities, or rewards. The difference is the envious also desire that entity and covet it. kindness is the corresponding virtue of envy...

sabi ng titser ko sa religion... masama daw ang ma inggit.... matutong makuntento kung anong meron ka...hay...napakahirap naman nito.... marami akong gusto (obviously wala ako).... 

Naiinggit ako.....

 - sa mga taong madalas mag-travel sa iba't-ibang lugar

 - sa mga mayroong bagong gadget (mine is old nokia phone)

 - sa mga babaeng may maraming anak

 - sa mga babaeng naka tuck-in (sexy)

 - sa mga taong 20/20 ang vision (mine is 600/600)

 - sa mga babaeng maganda ang paa

 - sa mga taong maganda ang buhok (no need for rebond)

 - sa mga taong malaki ang sweldo

 - sa mga taong walang utang

at marami pang iba!

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7 Deadly Sins - Pride

sabi ni wikipedia....

pride is considered as the most serious and the source of the 7. It is identified as a desire to be more important or attractive than others, failing to acknowledge the good work of others, and excessive love of self. it is also known as Vanity. Humility is the corresponding virtue of pride.

sabi ng titser ko sa religion, and pride daw ay isa sa 7 deadly sins... ngunit madalas hindi ito maiiwasan. paano kung may pagkakataon na nasaktan ka? paano kung na dis appoint ka sa isang bagay? paano kung napahiya ka? hindi rin maiiwasan na mangibabaw ang pride. it's natural to feel that you are more important than others. i want to say sorry pero paano? hindi naman ako ang may kasalanan? hay! pride pa rin ang umiiral!

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Paintings of 'Heartist' Joey Velasco

When I accidentally stumble upon a certain painting called "Hapag ng Pag-sa," I got interested in the painter.  I search for him in the internet but found out that he passed away last 2010. Joey Velasco was an entrepreneur who started painting to deal with the depression brought about by his illness. He suffered from kidney disease. I am trying to search for his website but with no luck, can't find it. Good thing I already saved jpeg files of his paintings when his website is still active.

Here are the masterpieces of Joey Velaco. (not sure if they are complete)

ALAY

ALAY KAY BERNS

ATROFIA YOU ARE MY STRENGTH

BE THE VOICE

BLESS MOTHER EARTH

BRAVEHEARTS

CAST ALL YOUR CARES UPON ME

FISHER OF MEN

 

GUSTO KO MAGING BAYANI

HAPAG NG PAGASA

HAPAG NG PAGIBIG

HEAL OUR LAND

HE IS MY KING

HELE

HILUMIN MO

I THIRST

IN THY WOUNDS

INNER STRENGTH

KAALAGAD

KAWANGIS KO SILA

LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH

LINGKOD

MANUNUBOS

MUNTING SIRENEO

MY HEART BEATS FOR YOU

NOURISH MY SOUL

PAGKAKASUBSOB

PALETA DE SANGRE

SUGAT

THAT I MAY SEE

THAT WE MAY BE ONE

THAT WE MAY LIVE

THY WILL BE DONE

DISCLAIMER:


I do not own or have the copyrights of the above pictures.

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Stabat Mater Dolorosa

Stabat mater dolorosa
juxta Crucem lacrimosa,
dum pendebat Filius.

Cuyus animam gementem,
contristatam et dolentem,
pertransivit gladius.

O quam tristis et afflicta
fuit illa benedicta
Mater Unigeniti.

Quae moerebat et dolebat,
Pia Mater cum videbat
Nati poenas incliti.

Quis est homo qui non fleret,
Matrem Christi si videret
in tanto supplicio?

Quis non posset contristari,
Christi Matrem contemplari
dolentem cum Filio? 


ENGLISH VERSION

At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.

Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword had pass'd.

Oh, how sad and sore distress'd
Was that Mother highly blest
Of the sole-begotten One!

Christ above in torment hangs;
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep,
Whelm'd in miseries so deep
Christ's dear Mother to behold?

Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,
In that Mother's pain untold?

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Lenten Bible Camp 2011

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Glitz&Glam Photobooth

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Glitz&Glam Photobooth offers the ability to catch candid and fun moments for your guests.

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sweet nothings

R: metaba ka bhe, anyang akilala daka kapayat mu...

A: a metaba ko? o ngeni mong metaba ku emunaku love?

R: syempre love daka jang mataba kapa... ika parin naman yan e..

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The Sound of Life
Jose Mari Chan

Can you hear the sound of life heard in the laughter of children at play
Can you hear the sound of voices sing feel the magic and joy they bring

[chorus]
Can you hear the laughter, can you hear the music
Sing with your heart, it’s the song of life
Can you hear it, can you feel it
It’s the magic in your heart, it’s the music the sound of life

Can you hear the christmas bells ring and the sound of the caroler’s tune
Can you hear the message far and near merry christmas the Lord is here

Can you hear the laughter, can you hear the music
Sing with your heart, it’s the sound of life

Can you hear it, can you feel it
Send the message loud and clear
Merry Christmas the Lord is here

Lalalalala…

[repeat chorus]

Can you hear the laughter, Can you hear the music
sing with your heart, it’s the song of life
can you hear it, can you feel it
it’s the magic in your heart, it’s the music the sound of life

Can you hear the message far and near
Merry Christmas the Lord is here
Can you hear the laughter, Can you hear the music
Sing with your heart, it’s the sound of life

Can you hear it, can you feel it
Send the message loud and clear
Merry Christmas the Lord is here

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Five (5) lessons about the way we treat people

1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.

During my second month of college, our professor

Gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student



And had breezed through the questions until I read

The last one:


"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the

Cleaning woman several times. She was tall,

Dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name?



I handed in my paper, leaving the last question

Blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if

The last question would count toward our quiz grade.



"Absolutely, " said the professor.. "In your careers,

You will meet many people. All are significant.. They

Deserve your attention and care, even if all you do

Is smile and say "hello.."



I've never forgotten that lesson.. I also learned her

Name was Dorothy.



2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain



One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American

Woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway

Trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had

Broken down and she desperately needed a ride.

Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.

A young white man stopped to help her, generally

Unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960's. The man

Took her to safety, helped her get assistance and

Put her into a taxicab.



She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his

Address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a

Knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a

Giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A

Special note was attached.



It read:

"Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway

The other night. The rain drenched not only my

Clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along.

Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying

Husbands''s bedside just before he passed away... God

Bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving

Others."



Sincerely,

Mrs. Nat King Cole.



3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those

Who serve.



In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less,

A 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and

Sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in

Front of him.



"How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.

"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.



The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and

Studied the coins in it.



"Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.



By now more people were waiting for a table and the

Waitress was growing impatient..



"Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied.



The little boy again counted his coins.



"I'll have the plain ice cream," he said.



The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on

The table and walked away The boy finished the ice

Cream, paid the cashier and left.. When the waitress

Came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the

Table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish,

Were two nickels and five pennies..



You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had

To have enough left to leave her a tip.



4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.



In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a

Roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if

Anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the

King's' wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by

And simply walked around it.. Many loudly blamed the

King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did

Anything about getting the stone out of the way.



Then a peasant came along carrying a load of

Vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the

Peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the

stone to the side of the road. After much pushing

and straining, he finally succeeded. After the

peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed

a purse lying in the road where the boulder had

been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note

from the King indicating that the gold was for the

person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The

peasant learned what many of us never understand!



Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve

our condition.



5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...



Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a

hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who

was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only

chance of recovery appeared to be a blood

transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had

miraculously survived the same disease and had

developed the antibodies needed to combat the

illness. The doctor explained the situation to her

little brother, and asked the little boy if he would

be willing to give his blood to his sister.



I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a

deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save

her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed

next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing

the color returning to her cheek. Then his face

grew pale and his smile faded.



He looked up at the doctor and asked with a

trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away".



Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the

doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his

sister all of his blood in order to save her.

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BE GRATEFUL

1. Today, before you say an unkind word, think of someone who can’t speak.
2. Before you complain about the taste of your food, think of someone who has nothing to eat.
3. Before you complain about your husband or wife, think of someone who’s crying out to GOD for a companion.
4. Today, before you complain about life, think of someone who departed too early from this earth.
5. Before you complain about your children, think of someone who desires children but are barren.
6. Before you argue about your dirty house, that someone didn’t clean or sweep, think of the people who are living in the streets.
7. Before whining about the distance you drive, think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
8. And when you are tired and complain about your job, think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.
9. But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another, remember that not one of us is without sin.
10. And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down, put a smile on your face and think: you’re alive and still around. And you can still put yourself in the loving mercies of the Savior.
Today may just be your day.

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finally....

Finally... the words that i'm waiting for...

"lets get married!"

whoooaaahh! i don't know what to say... i just stared at his face...

"really?"

"yes! when? you choose the date."

"yes! finally!"

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feeling of rejection

yesterday, i faced another rejection... again i felt the pain, the same feeling i felt 3 months ago... im longing for that thing to happen. for the second time, i found the courage to ask him... he answered me indirectly... i understand the situation but not his reasons...

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