The Blast of 2011

The year is not yet over and only few hours for another year. As I am few hours away from 2012, I can't help to reminisce how good this year is to me.

Blessings are overflowing although there were tough times I've been through but in the end I considered it as blessings as well - "blessings in disguise" as I called.

2011 I started the year right,although I am away from my family I am thankful I have my Doha family besides me and friends to celebrate in welcoming 2011. Their love and care is enough for me to warm the coldness of the weather.

 

Since I worked abroad I missed so many important family occasions but even I am physically absent, I tried my best to still be a part of the occasion by helping them in preparation. February 2011 when my nephew JJ was dedicated, despite I am away I've been a part by helping them in making their invitations and sending some stuffs for the party favor.

2011 is my year! For this year I entered into another book of my life - my 30s. March 9 marked down my 3 decades of existence on earth. I am so thankful with the Lord for all the blessings that He gave and never I thought any instances or time that He leave me. Even before I am so much excited to be 30, that's why I had so many celebrations - surprise party from my friends in the office, my household, and of course my own celebration.

March is the month that I first joined on my current Bible study cell group. I was really blessed of having them, on my BS group I was molded to be a better person especially on my spiritual life. Monday became a special night for me and full excitement because that's the time I can be with them to learn more about Him.

Moreover having my BS group also lifted my confidence to stand and to be used by God in the ministry. This year I was really blessed to be a part of God's ministry in Qatar International Christian Ministry (QICM), I am a part of program department as an emcee during Friday service. Thank you Lord for fulfilling my heart's desire to serve you.

2011 is full of gatherings and occasions with family and friends. There are a lot of happenings that really worth to be treasured - smiles, laughter, joys and happiness not only in the faces but more on the heart.

Eid Holidays is one of the most awaited days here in the middle east as only on these days people can enjoy few days away from the office and work loads. This year I really enjoyed those days - going around Doha and enjoying every day of it.

2011 brought me the experienced to travel outside Qatar for the first time. First destination: Dubai, UAE. I stayed away from Doha for 5 days to enjoyed the scenic view of its neighborhood; much more than the "gala & "pasyal" I was able to meet my friends that I didn't see for years and friend that I met in person for the first time.

2011 has been generous to me and to return the favor, I did few good deeds to help and reached people. Being with them and helping them feels me how blessed & thankful I am to Lord for all that He done in my life.

A few things that I am not used to do was tried - just a petty ones but I am happy to myself that I did - top on the list wear sneakers. Yup, everyone who know me knows that I don't wear rubber shoes, I don't know but ever since I don't buy a rubber shoes as I know I will not wear it, but this year I just tried to buy not a rubber shoes but sneakers style shoes and the first time I wore it one my colleague told me "ang ganda Jen, bagay sa'yo ibang porma"

Meeting friends in person for the first like what I've did last 2010 always excites me. But this time its kind of different. I met Abhie unexpectedly.  Even this is our first time to meet its just like we met before in person - no "hiya" or "ilang" moments. On my trip to Dubai I really make sure that I will meet Ivee, another friend of mine that I met on Multiply. My last morning in Dubai was spent talking with her, although "bitin" but we're really glad that we finally meet.

People come and go. If there's one thing I've learned on this year its letting go of people - don't cling on to them if they choose not to be with you. Don't be afraid to be friend with anyone even many of the people around say something about them, what matter is your personal relationship with that person. This year "maraming umalis pero mas marami ang nadagdag" and I will always be thankful to those people who stays with me and always behind me no matter what and no matter where. Thank you guys.

To my family - thank you very much Mommy & Daddy, BJay & Len for even I am away I always feel your guidance, comfort & love. Thank you also for your prayers - the best tool ever!

Walking in the journey called life is not always a bed of roses. You will not always find yourself  on the good side of your bed when you wake up each day. In life, there were rainy days and sometimes thunder but after that is a rainbow and sunshine that's whispers "its a new day, a new start, a new hope". If there's one great lessons I've learned this year is to lift up everything in my life to my Savior - Lord Jesus Christ. I am nothing without Him.

As I'm about to bid good bye to 2011, each memories I had for this year will always be treasured; places and experiences that I had will always be cherished; and people that I had & have will always be valued and I am always be thankful that you've been a part of my 2011 and a part of my life.

As I go along with my journey, I know its not going to be easy and smooth all the time but I know I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.

Thank you 2011 for a blessed year!

Welcome 2012 - I know you'll be better than 2011!

Have a blast & have a blessed 2012 to all of us.

God bless

Christmastime 2011

Christmas is the best time of the year. The time for giving; the time for forgiveness; the for reunions; the time for reaching out people - and to sum it up its the time of loving.

It's my second time in a row to celebrate Christmas away home - away with my parents and siblings. But I am really blessed of having my family here in Doha - my aunt, uncle, cousins and closed friends. In seasons like this they are my comforter to washed away my homesickness - the longing of being love and care by my immediate family. The coldness of the weather was ignored because of the warm of their comfort, care and love to me. 

Thank you Doha Family for the love and care :)  Taken last December 23, 2011 on our Christmas Party 2011.

Real friends are hard to find and finding one is such a great blessing. I am glad coz I am blessed by not only one. After more than five years of being together at work, last December 18, 2011 marked down our first Christmas Party as a group. It was called as "SMALL CHRISTMAS PARTY 2011" , ironic on its name as the prizes, venue and most especially the physical presence of each other. There are a lot of surprises, crying moments and never ending laughs, smiles, and joy in each other faces and hearts.

Those people are really a great blessings for me and I am very thankful to the Lord for each lives of them. Thank you guys for staying by my side not only to celebrate the Christmas Day but throughout 2011. I am looking forward for more moments being with you.

Regalo at Pasalubong

I am blessed with generous friends and people around me. I love receiving gifts, lahat naman siguro..hehehe but what i love in accepting those is the message behind that - that they remember me and they do love me :)

An early Christmas gifts from my best friend Tita Chie a.k.a Tita Ninang. She really knows whats best fit on me, a set of pearl accessories - necklace, earrings and bracelet. Super I love this set especially its pearl :)

Another from Tita Ninang :) pasalubong from her trip in Thailand. Sobrang natouch ako kasi even we're not seeing each other for quite sometimes di nya ako talaga nakakalimutan.

I envy his bag tag...hahaha kaya sa takot nya siguro na kuhanin ko yung bag tag nya, he bought me one when he went on vacation. Thanks Annilo a.k.a Bunso

People who are closed to me knows that I am a shoe fetish, I don't care about the brand nor the price even the cheapest one ok sa akin but no one among my friends give me a shoes instantly, I mean yung niregaluhan ako then it fits me, usually I am going with them to the mall and they pay for it, kaya naman super nasurprise din ako when a newly found friend gave me spad style shoes and its fit right - parang sinukat talaga :) Thank you Ronnel :)

He never fails to bring us pasalubong in his every trip and just few weeks ago, he went to Sri Lanka and this nice photo frame ang pasalubong nya. Thanks Marvin :) nice nice nice

Super thank you friends ^_^ I know in every gift I received there is a message saying " hey I remember you "

You became a part of my everyday even we're apart...
You've been my comforter when I am down...
You've been my shoulder to cry on....
You left me without any words....
I survived and used myself living without you...
But unexpectedly you showed up..........
I don't want to hold on to you again but i don't want to loose you as well.

missing you

Dear Blogspot,

Hi kumusta ka na?

Thank you for staying kahit nawalan na ako ng time sa'yo, thank you andito ka pa rin hindi katulad ng ka-friendster mo na nung magselos kasi ang attention ng lahat ay nasa facebook e nagclose na binitbit pa aang mga larawan at mga kwento ko....haysss

Hayaan mo I will try my best na magkwento sayo ng mga nangyari salife ko since I last visited you. Marami na rin akong naiwang kwento sana kahit hindi ko makwento lahat at least yung highlight lang...

Namiss kita super as in! Alam mo naman sau lang ako nakakapagkwento nang kahit ano...hindi ka kasi judgmental katulad ng iba, pag kinukwento ko sau hindi mo ibinobroadcast. At least dito may privacy ang mga posts ko :)

Promise ha hindi mo ako iiwanan ha?

Babalik ako para sa mga kwento ko but for now eto muna.

Love,

JENJEN :)

He's Just A Prayer Away

I’m in the ancestral house with my cousins. It seems that we are living in one house, just taking vacation maybe. My auntie wake up us to take bath but instead we all go on one side of the other bed to chat with one another. I grabbed my camera and asked them to pose until to my surprise I saw one old man to their side. I put down by cam a little bit to see who that old man is but to my surprise again he’s not there. I look on the lens again and I saw him once more. He has a long hair, he’s complexion is darker than ours, he doesn’t wear any shirts, all he have is dried leaves wrapped around on his waist just to cover the lower part of his body. As I am looking at him on the lens I can’t explain the feeling of being scared; scared in the sense that he may harm my cousins who’s that time are all laughing with one another. I called my cousin Les, to take a look on the lens to see the said creature and yes she saw it. I decided to click the button and captured the scenario even I know that the creature is on my cousins’ side. But to my surprise nothing has been captured, the picture is blurred and you cannot even recognize each faces not even a shadow.

I told to my cousins and to my aunt what I saw. I asked one of my guy cousins to play the guitar instead of screaming. I prayed for a moment and started to sing “Kay ganda kay ganda ng umaga kung si Hesus si Hesus ang inuna……araw-araw ay masaya, ano man ang problema ito ay kayang kaya…. puso ay masigla punong puno ng pag-asa dahil Sa’yo aming Ama. "

We sang praises over and over until the said creature was casted.

Good morning Ninang, a little voice whispered. It’s Mhaya, another creature – a talking bear of Les. Umaga na pala and to prepare myself to work.

Almost the whole day I am singing that song.

God revealed to me through that dream, to trust HIM completely and to lift up everything to HIM; to seek Him first always before anyone. He is our Creator and He knows what’s best for us.

Its only a dream that sooner or later may slip away from my memory but God's message will always be with me.

“Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it—the LORD is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known”. Jeremiah 32:2-3

God Bless Us!

Whenever you share the goodness in your heart, you always end up a winner because “Life is an echo.” It gives back what you have given!

BE A CHEERFUL GIVER :)

The Heart I Want to Have

This story really inspires me. I heard this two years  ago but everytime I read it, the impact to me is the same like the first time I heard it on our church.

Hope it will inspires you as well

God bless

Happy Hearts Day!

One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A large crowd gathered and they all admired his heart for it was perfect. There was not a mark or a flaw in it.

Yes, they all agreed it truly was the most beautiful heart they had ever seen. The young man was very proud and boasted more loudly about his beautiful heart. Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said,

"Why your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine." The crowd and the young man looked at the old man's heart. It was beating strongly, but full of scars, it had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in, but they didn't fit quite right and there were several jagged edges. In fact, in some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces were missing.

The people stared -- how can he say his heart is more beautiful, they thought? The young man looked at the old man's heart and saw its state and laughed. "You must be joking," he said. "Compare your heart with mine, mine is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears."

"Yes," said the old man, "yours is perfect looking but I would never trade with you. You see, every scar represents a person to whom I have given my love - I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them, and often they give me a piece of their heart which fits into the empty place in my heart, but because the pieces aren't exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of the love we shared. Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away, and the other person hasn't returned a piece of his heart to me. These are the empty gouges -- giving love is taking a chance. Although these gouges are painful, they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these people too, and I hope someday they may return and fill the space I have waiting. So now do you see what true beauty is?"

The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He walked up to the old man, reached into his perfect young and beautiful heart, and ripped a piece out. He offered it to the old man with trembling hands. The old man took his offering, placed it in his heart and then took a piece from his old scarred heart and placed it in the wound in the young man's heart. It fit, but not perfectly, as there were some jagged edges. The young man looked at his heart, not perfect anymore but more beautiful than ever, since love from the old man's heart flowed into his. They embraced and walked away side by side.

Express Yourself

A Blessed 2011

2010 has been good to me.
Thank you Lord for all the blessings that you've given to me and to my family.
I claimed it that 2011 will be a blessed one as well...
Happy New Year
Have a Blessed 2011