Belated Happy Birthday, Happy Cum Laude, Advanced Happy Graduation!

Belated Happy Birthday!

Last April 15, I became twenteen... Nah, I'm not a teen anymore. I'm already 20 years old! I was actually thankful because I will be forced to be mature, though many remarked me as mature compared to my peers. In my lifetime, this year was the 2nd time my birthday fell on a Sunday. What better way to celebrate the day-I-came-to-be but by praising God with my Church family (which includes my biological family)? Singing praises to God, seeing the DVBS participants sing their theme song, hearing God's Word preached, partaking the Lord's Supper...and offering a song to Him.

I came from Calamba the day before for Jetu's wedding and arrived home late. I might not be in the best singing condition anyone can be in. My voice was hoarse. My eyes were droopy. I had coughs and colds. I still had a hard time singing with braces and occasional bleeding gums. Still, it is not for men but for God. That is the only way I can express my gratitude to the God who saved me and gave me 20 years to live. So...click here for the video of the song. The lyrics was made by me while the music was made by AJ Villanueva. I don't expect it to be applauded by singing experts. I was jittery as well since I am not used to singing ALONE. Just pay attention to the words of the song and I hope you'll be blessed! :)

Happy Cum Laude!

April 16, Monday. At 10 AM, I was already at church for Allie's piano lessons. After the lesson, I went to TriNoMa to meet AJ. AJ called me up when I was riding the FX. He exclaimed, "Ara...Cum laude ako!!! Grabe, sinagot ni Lord ang prayers ko!" I was about to cry because I have also been praying for his appeal to be granted. Truly, God answers prayers! When we saw each other, he was all smiles. I was, too. All I can say was, "Congratulations". It was awesome. The timing was perfect. It was a reason to celebrate and thank the Lord for His blessings!

After we ate lunch at Baliwag (walang diet-diet!), we proceeded to the MRT. Unfortunately, the MRT ran out of cards so they couldn't entertain passengers without stored-value tickets. We were forced to take a taxi to JAM Liner. We then boarded a bus headed to Balibago, Sta. Rosa. This is what I call an adventure! XD ENCHANTED KINGDOM!!! XD

So, we arrived at EK. It was my first time to see EK up close. AJ didn't see it for a long time. :D I took only a few pictures because I was afraid to get the digicam wet...or I might drop it. :))

This was a double celebration, for my birthday and for AJ being a cum laude! Yipee! We ended our day with a Banapple dinner. Great way to end a tiring day.

Advanced Happy Graduation!

NOT ANYMORE! We just had our graduation earlier today. T. Melissa also graduated from her Masters' Degree. The Cortes were there (Tita Vangie, Tito Tony, Pastor Jones, Kuya Joey, Ate Xands, Joaqui, and Ate Pulay!). Of course Tita Bee and Pastor Frank was there. IT FEELS SO GOOD TO HAVE A SABLAY ON MY SHOULDER. To think that I will have another chance to wear my sablay on my Bachelor's Degree graduation, I'm just thankful to God for all He has done in my life! (pictures of my graduation...to follow!)

Papa, Mama, and I ate dinner with AJ, Tita Bee, and Pastor Frank at King Bee Commonwealth. SARAP NG FOOD! XD

Thank you God for all the blessings You gave me, my family, and my loved ones (AJ and family, T. Melissa and family, etc.). This will be one unforgettable April for me! :D

Grateful

When this earthly life is popularly lived
By those who mock God's holy name
When every human threat comes with believing Him
I will cling to His promises alone

When I see the wondrous cross of Jesus
How His flesh was torn, saving sinners such as I
I forget all earthly wand'rings and focus on the prize
Grateful for the wondrous cross of Jesus

When sickness and death is just an inch away
Every resource was used up in every way
When every human pain makes the suff'ring hard to bear
I will cling to His hope alone

When I see the wondrous cross of Jesus
How He endured every curse, saving sinners such as I
I forget all earthly wand'rings and focus on the prize
Grateful for the wondrous cross of Jesus

The mercy of the Lord made Him leave His throne
To endure His Father's wrath
Putting on His blood-stained robe,
In His righteousness, I'm clothed
And I willingly took up His cross

When I see the wondrous cross of Jesus
How His Father took His life, giving breath to such as I
I believe this crucified Man rose up a glorious King
And chose me
To save me

I'll be forever grateful for the wondrous cross of Jesus

____________________

01mar2012

this is my first attempt to write a lyrics for a song

turned out really well!

thank you, Jesus Christ, for the cross -- the symbol of death that you made into a symbol of life and love

i'll be forever grateful!!!

-ara.janelle

Pira-pirasong Paghahangad

Paang sumasalang sa tubig
Malamig
Kaaya-ayang pakiramdam
Samyong mala-sampagita
Itinutulak ang mga daliri
Palalim sa malagkit na
Kasiyahan

Papel na sinulatan
Ng mga hinaing ng pagkabuhay
Inilapag sa tubig
Na tila diamante
Sa pag-silahis ng araw

Lutang, lutàng na mga pangarap
Ang pumalibot sa katawan
Pilit pang ikinawkaw ang binti
Pinakiramdaman ang mala-hiyelong
Pag-akap ng hangih
Humahampas sa natitirang
Bahaging pumupukaw sa ibabaw

Ng mga ibig abutin
Nilukot ang mga papel
Piniga sa uluhan
Ipinunas sa mga nangangatog na kalamnan
Hanggang sa nabalutan ng kabuuan
Ng pira-pirasong
Paghahangad

Muling umihip ang hangin
Nangatog ang mga papel
Dumanak ang lamig
Hanggang sa kalaliman
Ng katauhan

Sinumpa ang hangin
Nanigas ang tubig
Natanaw ang paninigas
Hanggang sa matang dilat
Ang umaalingawngaw na hangin
Ipinapamalas ang pighati

Ipinilas ang mga papel
Sa balat na nanlilimahid
Sa putik na kanina’y
Kasing-linaw ng nakaraang
Kasing dilim pagka-raan
Lumubog sa kumunoy
Ang buong katawan
Hanggang sa hindi na makahinga
Ang kalahatan
Sa dami ng mga pangarap
Na naging saksi sa tagumpay
Ng pagkalubog ng tuluyan

Tinanggap na ito na ang
Hantungan
Ng lahat ng inilapat
Sa libu-libong papel ng inaatim
Isang blankong papel
Ang tumambad sa mata
Na pilit inabot ng nanghihinang kamay

Isang blankong papel.
Blanko.

Natamasa ang tunay na kapayapaan
Sa isang papel
Naipahayag ang buhay
Na ipinamuhay
Sa mga papel
Na piniraso’t inilapat sa tubig
At sinulat ang sarili
Gamit ang putikan

Niyakap ang papel
Habang tuluyang lumulubog
Ang kasamang
Blanko.

____________________

02mar2012

This is for people whom everyone thought wasted their life, but they know they did not.

I'm praying for all of you, my persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ!

-ara.janelle

It has always been that way...

Yesterday was tiring...

Happy...

Confusing as well...

Should I be doing these things? Or am I wasting my time in doing so? Maybe I'm not meant to be in the limelight..

I always prefer to be in the backstage, never to be seen by anyone.

I can always do my best when no one sees me.

I don't know if I'll still be up to the challenge.

____________________

23jan12

after doing your best and feeling so discouraged at the same time,

so, how about that? :|

Top 100 Books (That I Like To Have and Read!)

1. The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
2. The Son of Neptune – Rick Riordan
3. The Lightning Thief
4. The Sea of Monsters
5. Battle of the Labyrinth
6. The Last Olympian
7. Pilgrim’s Progress – John Bunyan
8. The Divine Comedy – Dante Aleghieri
9. Perfume – Patrick Suskind
10. Catcher in the Rye – JD Salinger
11. Norweigan Wood – Haruki Murakami
12. 1Q84
13. New Spring – Robert Jordan
14. The Eye of the World
15. The Great Hunt
16. The Dragon Reborn
17. The Shadow Rising
18. The Fires of Heaven
19. Lord of Chaos
20. A Crown of Swords
21. The Path of Daggers
22. Winter’s Heart
23. Crossroads of Twilight
24. Knife of Dreams
25. The Gathering Storm
26. Towers of Midnight
27. A Memory of Light
28. The Radical Cross – AW Tozer
29. The Attributes of God
30. The Pursuit of God
31. Whatever Happened to Worship
32. Worship and Entertainment
33. Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories – Kenneth W. Osbeck
34. A Game of Thrones – George R. R. Martin
35. A Clash of Kings
36. A Storm of Swords
37. A Feast for Crows
38. A Dance with Dragons
39. The Winds of Winter
40. A Dream of Spring
41. The Twelfth Imam – Joel Rosenberg
42. The Tehran Initiative
43. Ezekiel Option
44. Stargirl – Jerry Spinelli
45. Love, Stargirl
46. Piercing the Darkness – Frank Peretti
47. Tilly
48. The Life of Pi – Yann Martel
49. Don’t Waste Your Life- John Piper
50. A Godward Life
51. History’s Most Spectacular Sin
52. Just The Way I Am: God’s Good Design in Disability
53. The Power of Words and the Wonder of God
54. Stand
55. A Sweet and Bitter Providence
56. When I Don’t Desire God
57. Contending for our All
58. Worship Matters – Bob Kauflin
59. Unbroken: A WWII Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption – Laura Hillenbrand
60. The Cross-Centerd Life – CJ Mahaney
61. Humility: True Greatness
62. 1,000 Places to Go to Before You Die – Patricia Schultz
63. The Mysterious Benedict Society: Mr. Benedict's Book of Perplexing Puzzles, Elusive Enigmas, and Curious Conundrums – Trenton Lee Stewart  in addition, I was able to read The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict!!!
64. The Tales of Beedle the Bard – JK Rowling
65. I Am Number Four – Pittacus Lore
66. On Ugliness – Umberto Eco
67. The Name of the Rose
68. The Hostile Hospital – Lemony Snicket
69. The Carnivorous Carnival
70. The Slippery Slope
71. The Grim Grotto
72. The Penultimate Peril
73. The End
74. A Grief Observed – CS Lewis
75. Screwtape Proposes a Toast
76. Out of the Silent Planet
77. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
78. The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
79. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
80. Love In The Time Of Cholera
81. A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
82. The Godfather – Mario Puzo
83. The Godfather Returns – Mark Winegardner
84. The Godfather’s Revenge
85. The Adventures of Sherlock Homes – Arthur Conan Doyle
86. Obsessed – Ted Dekker
87. Skin
88. Adam
89. Boneman’s Daughters
90. Bride Collector
91. The Priest’s Graveyard
92. Forbidden
93. Appointment with Death – Agatha Christie
94. Out of Oz – Gregory Maguire
95. The Forever War – Joe Haldeman
96. The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern
97. Wired – Douglas E. Richards
98. Right as Rain – Derek Strange & Terry Quinn
99. Kill Alex Cross – James Patterson
100. Zero Day – David Baldacci

In making this very long list, I discovered that I am leaning towards the SciFi, Mystery/Thriller, Fantasy, and Christian Lit genre. Amazing. HAHAHA :D