A bamboo and a spark of hope.

Change.

The only thing that is constant in this world. And perhaps, the one thing that was constant in my 2009. This is a tribute to the people and events that brought about changes in my life during the previous year.

People.

People that you know come and go. But for whatever reason why, you know that they came to change a part of you. They came maybe to let you experience happiness, or to teach you the true meaning of selflessness. Maybe to let you see that hidden courage inside of you that you didn't know was there. Yes, people that you know come and go, but they come for a reason and go by leaving you a lesson.

During the previous year I've said goodbye to some people who have been my source of happiness and hope for a while. And by parting ways I knew that my life would never be the same again. At first I thought they are bound to leave a hole. But it turned out that the goodbyes were to give way to new acquaintances. New people easily filled those holes as if there weren't really holes to fill in the first place. This doesn't mean that the old ones are easily forgotten. It was more like transforming goodbyes into something new, flourished by beautiful memories and helpful lessons of the past.

Yes, my life has never been the same again since then. Once in my life I have built dreams with people I hoped would be with me forever, only to wake up in the world of reality that nothing's permanent in this world. Something is bound to change. The only thing that should remain constant is how we welcome change. Be like a bamboo. A bamboo survives by bending with the wind. You can survive by adapting to every change that comes your way, even to life's most unexpected twist!

Events.

I had my own share of ups and downs in 2009. I won't deny it. The previous year was a difficult one not only for me but also for those whom I hold most dear. I am sure most people have had the same experiences we've gone through: suffered the pain of losing a loved one, have witnessed your once perfect home crumble, have had broken ties with friends, have seen your dreams at the brink of jeopardy, and have almost mastered the painful art of letting go of a lost love, or a lost dream.

The fact that life isn't as perfect as each of us wants it to be has been reiterated to me over and over and over during the past year. Same as the fact that a person may not always get what she wants no matter how bad she wants it. This year, however, I am starting with a clean slate, armed with the most effective means of retribution I could think of- hope. I am hopeful that with this fresh start, things are going to be different, and 2010 will be a great year for me. If everything is just a matter of perspective, then I choose to have a great one.

Let us all be hopeful this 2010! If you have had countless of unsuccessful resolutions for the past several years, may this be the one you can perfectly stick to, despite whatever it is you've gone through . :)

Pains, Lessons and Blessings. Part II

FRIENDS= HAPPINESS.

The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.




This one's a given. They are one of the few reasons why my sanity is still intact even though college has taken its toll on me since day one. They are one of the few reasons why I always look forward to sem breaks and holidays.


And Sharmaine, who has been my dearest friend since fourth grade. I've learned enough lessons from her to last me a lifetime. She reminds me of the type of person I wanted to become. And in times of troubles, when all others fail, hers is the hand I can always reach out to.
24/7.


HE LOVES YOU, SO BE NICE.

To love is to place our happiness in the happiness of another.


2008 was the year we turned two.
Sure, we do argue a lot. There were many times I refused to speak to him for days. But it still doesn't change the fact that two years later, I'm still in love with someone who makes me suuuper happy. And loves me dearly even though my mood swings proved to be a real pain in the ass time and time again. Who tries hard to keep up with my shopping sprees and treats complaining as a big no-no. Who treats my family as his own. Who holds my hand as if he's never ever gonna let go.

THANK YOU.
You're the very reason why I would love to believe in HAPPILY EVER AFTER. :)

Pains, Lessons and Blessings. Part I

"Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect and Thank God it can go."
****
2008 has been my own whirlpool of ups and downs. Got me close to tears at some point, crying my heart out in another, but happy and contented most of the time.

Lessons-

COURAGE.

The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing the heart.

There were a dozen times during the year when I have felt defeated.
I was almost in tears when I found out that Daddy was sick. That was by far, the biggest blow. I immediately prayed for him to be okay, but the damage was already done. One of the hardest parts, apart from from not-knowing and dealing with uncertainties is facing my shattered views. Just because he's the best father anyone could have ever had and he takes good care of everything, and he lifts you up even from the deepest pit of your darkest days, it doesn't mean that he has this impenetrable shield and he's always strong.
Those six months was among our darkest days, and I thank God with all my heart that it's all over now.
Yes, I've dealt with my shattered views about my father's health. But how I see him as a person will never change, or shatter like a broken glass. It's hard as steel.
He is still the world's greatest dad.

ACCEPTANCE.

Acceptance is not submission; it is acknowledgment of the facts of a situation. Then deciding what you're going to do about it.

One failed mark last semester was enough to send me locked up in my room for three straight days while crying non-stop. That sucks. A lot. But thankfully, I've gotten over it with a lot of prayer that everything will turn out fine. The thing about failure is (though it sucks a lot), it gives you the opportunity to bounce back higher.
Because of that subject, I'm taking different classes now for the first time. Technically. It's not really the first, but the first one's internship so that doesn't count. I had to face my first 200 hours of internship alone while everybody else had to take classes on Signals and Spectra again over the summer. (Remember when we filed a complaint regarding of our professor and I'm the only one among my friends who passed the subject. Yep, that's why.)
Now, I've decided to omit taking different classes on my things-that-I-hate-to-do-since-it-totally-sucks list. It does not really classify as overly-majorly bad. In fact, I'm happy that I'm taking different classes. It's good that I'm learning different things and I got to spend one whole day every week with Ann and Ria alone. And looking back, it's good that things got really shaky last semester break. Since I was too worried about the possibility of not graduating on time, I got Archie and myself into skipping the semester break and starting with our internship early to avoid schedule-problems. Now Archie, Billy and Gaudi, all three who expected to be summer grads are almost done with 400 hours of internship! Now all that's left for us to do is get pass this huge obstacle called thesis back to back with pre-board exams and we'll be done with school. For good. Best of luck to all of us!

CHARITY.

Kindness is contagious.

Probably one of the best things that I've done this year is embracing the gift of service by joining Charity Focus. Writing for HelpOthers.Org and touching other people's hearts from different places across the globe really IS something. This is certainly one good way of spreading my blessings brought by other people's kindness.


Too bad I'm too busy at school, I've posted only five stories so far. That's nothing compared to dozens of stories most volunteers post each day. I promise to make time during the weeks to come. Writing for HelpOthers.Org has become my sort of theraphy. My personal escape from my busy world. :) Here are some of my favorite comments posted to my stories.

From my story Smiles (April 14)

On Apr 16, 2008, lovebug says:
Life is very often, not a pretty picture, but you gave what you had. That is enough.

On Jul 13, 2008, Aurelia says:
Smile because what you did made a big difference in him...a few coins and a big smile...perfec combo. :0) ~Aurelia

From my story Straight From a Woman's Heart (April 16)

On Apr 16, 2008, martzi says:
it was proven that God really exist using the people around us. your sharing is really good. here is my smiles for you.

On May 1, 2008, lovebug says:
Sorry, it has taken so much time to catch up with your story of April 16th, it really touched my heart. Hope you will post again, I might learn something before my time is over.

From my post Happy Father's Day to my Angel In Disguise (June 15)

On Jun 15, 2008, wayfarer says:
Arnee, I used to sail with guys from Sierra Leone who did the same thing, worked at sea ten months a year to provide for their families. I thought it was heroic then and I still do. Your dad is a hero!

On Jun 15, 2008, lmil1954 says:
That is a wonderful tribute to your dad, arnee. You are blessed and so is he. Happy father's Day to all...and my daughter said it to me this morning too (and Im her mom) Love, Lida:)

On Jun 15, 2008, makesomeonesmile says:
That is great arnee! What a special dad and special person you are too!

From my story Love, Life and Service (July 8)

On Jul 8, 2008, JuneBug says:
Yes, a beautiful story! There were many services I have missed because of the pain of my disease. I always regret missing out. Then I came to the conclusion, I'm gonna hurt wherever I am, so might as well be in church with my church family and growing closer to God. Yes, He knows our pain well....:)

From my post Eight Lies of a Mother (August 29)

On Sep 1, 2008, warmth says:
i salute all the women i know of my life. Your story have inspired me to appreciate them. Thank u and God Bless u


There you go. The first part of my year-end report. Part II's due tomorrow. This is a promise I have to keep.
Gotta go. Gotta go. I still have to help mom with all the cooking. :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! Cheers to another chance to get it right!