2011: The year that was

My year 2011 ended with an unfortunate event, our house was caught on fire and was turned into ashes, but overall my year was spectacular. There were a lot blessings that came in this year. I want to share the good things that had happened in year 2011:

1. I started the year giving birth to my second daughter, Fraulein, she was left at the hospital for seven days because of infection but she has successfully recovered unharmed and healthy.
2. My husband's nasopalatine cyst operation was also a success.
3. I got a 5% raised in my salary.
4. I paid all my credit card debts.
5. My working colleagues and friends gave me financial support during the fire incident.
6. My family were all safe during the fire incident.
7. We are together as a family during Christmas and New Year's Eve.
8. I had my mid-year bonus and 13th month pay.
9. I had a new laptop.
10. My husband gave me a Rusty Lopez shoes.

These are the ten things I should be thankful about last 2011. I may not be rich, but I have a lot of friends, who are my precious gems, a treasure that can last forever.

Last working day in 2011

I'm so bored and I can't concentrate in my work. I have a lot of deliverables, but I can't focus on it. Well, I just leave them for 2012. Heheh!

Its December 29th today, this is the last day of work here in the Philippines because its a holiday tomorrow to commemorate the death of our National Hero "Jose Rizal". Today, the office is very gloomy and dull, only a few people reported. They are busy for the holidays and I think they are having their vacation. I was not able to file my leave because I want to save my leave for next year, because 12 days leave are convertible to cash. So, I better save them than take my leave, after all I don't have any vacation plans. No budget for that, have some important things to look at rather than that.

Today is a  gloomy day at the office, as we are nearing year 2012, it seems so dull and pale. We are not that excited or we are not looking forward to 2012, because our project will end on June 2012, and all of us will be left unemployed. But I'm not worried, I know that there are a lot of opportunities around I am positive about it. God really provides in time, we should be patient and always ask for His guidance in every endeavor we have.    

A rainbow of hope for Sendong Victims

December 20, 2011 - Four days after the destructive typhoon "Sendong" that had shattered dreams and stolen the lives of our brothers and sisters, a rainbow appeared in Cagayan de Oro City, one of the worst affected cities in the aftermath of the flood. The rainbow reminded us of the covenant of God to Noah after the great flood that hit our planet (B.C., thousand years ago). 

Photo: Credit to Yeb Sano

Excerpts from the Holy Bible (NIV):

When the land is dry, God tells Noah to leave the ark, and Noah offers a sacrifice to God. God resolves never again to curse the Earth, "for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth." God grants to Noah and his sons the right to kill animals and eat their meat, but forbids meat which has not been drained of its blood. Blood is proclaimed to be sacred, and the unauthorised taking of life is prohibited: "For your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man...Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image." God then establishes his covenant with Noah and his sons and with all living things, and places a rainbow in the clouds, "the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth."

It's a sign for the survivors of the tragic flood that they should get back to the Lord and keep their faith in Him always. God has made a promise in Cagayan de Oro, that never again will the great flood hit the city of "Golden Friendship".

Help Sendong Typhoon Victims

Let us help the victims of Typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City. As of today, the death toll is estimated to be 900, a senior government official said, as cities prepared mass burials for the victims. The number of dead bodies is expected to rise even further as more floating bodies are recovered after sunrise, said Benito Ramos, head of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Authorities likened the impact of tropical storm Washi to Ketsana, one of the country's most devastating storms which dumped huge amounts of rain on Manila and other parts of the country in 2009, killing more than 460 people. (Reference Article from Teodoro Aljibe | AFP News) Visit  http://www.sendongrelief.org/ and donate.

A million thanks

My family and I are very grateful for the wonderful people who have shared their support and love during our crisis. I am so blessed to have people around that are always there to give us strength and encouragement. These people gave us so much joy to move forward and start a new life together as a family. All I can say is.. THANK YOU.... IM THANKFUL..