Nothing interesting, just feel like posting.

So we’re here in Hong Kong. Day one’s rough already, deadlines as soon as we hit the office heheh. But still nothing overwhelming, got to leave just several minutes after 6pm.

Didn’t really go anywhere else tonight, too tired. Well, tired in a wanna-relax kinda way, not in a wanna-sleep way. So yeah it’s midnight and I’m still up :P Really enjoying this room though, and glad I brought my speakers.

It’s almost 1am. Hope tomorrow won’t be as stressful as it looks like it’ll be.

At least there’s breakfast. :]

A DIY “bouquet” of 87 Chupachups, inside — a cow named Patches, a small red booklet and a simple card with a long, very personal poem. There are times when deep words work, but sometimes, or most of the time, it only matters that you’re sincere.

That cow at the lower right is Heath (all respects to the late Ledger), adorable cow hand puppet. Yay~

Fajitas, pasta and crayons. Mhmm. This one was very memorable. Thank you~

Also, belated Happy Birthday, Jess! Glad you had a great double celebration :]

This is the way that I say I’m Yours.

So with everything going on, you’d think that I’d want my life to revolve around me. If you do, you’d be correct. But that’s how we work I guess, it’s our default setting.

And because of that, I’ve taken these seven days off, a break from my routine. Seven days to spend time with my First Love — not because I have to, not because of anything I’m asking for or because of anything that I hope to prove, but because I want to.

In a world where anything and everything can take His place, it’s refreshing to stop and just go back to basics. I believe that God never stops speaking to us, it’s just us who stop listening.

All I need is You.

I was asked how I could stay so calm.

I remember an analogy, a small boat in the midst of a storm. It was given for another situation, but I think it’s one of the most accurate ways to describe my answer.

Romans 8:28.

How can you go wrong?

Your view of God is probably the most important factor in your life. It will determine your actions, decisions, your view of others, of problems, of life. My God is bigger than whatever problems or issues I have, and I believe without a doubt that He knows what’s best, all I have to do is trust Him. Even when it’s hard, when it hurts, or doesn’t make sense. He is my anchor. He has never, and I mean never, failed me. I mean that in a very real sense, so real it’s practically tangible.

Truth is, I’m not always calm. If you ask people who’ve known me for a long time, they know that I worry a lot. I think too much, they say, and I know that. Those are the times that I forget just how faithful God is. In as short a time as 2 years, I’ve been changed completely. Completely. I’m far from perfect, but I’m thankful that I’m not what I was.

“Rest in the thought that You’re watching over me.”

With Him on my side, it’s a majority.

A spur of insight.

I don’t know how at 21, people could assume that they know enough about the world to make it on their own.

As for me, I’m clueless.

For all the seemingly deep words, carefully calculated lines, and stories of experiences that may very well have added years to my life, I find it unthinkable that at 21, my judgment would be sound enough to know better than anyone else.

Five years ago, I might have fooled myself into thinking that I knew what I wanted, and that I was wise enough to go for it on my own. But time and again I’ve proven myself wrong, though thankfully spared from worse damages, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I do need help with my own life.

They say experience is the best teacher, and if there’s anything it has taught me, it’s that I have a lot more to learn.

“Don’t be naive,” she said casually, looking at me from the reflection on the mirror.

“I can’t help it,” I replied, “I’m only 21.”

There’s no hurry.

The ink of a pen, cake, anxiety attacks, quirks, changes, the difference between hollow and heartfelt laughter, the weight of words, coincidence, chaos.

I’m not a fan of emotions either. If I were, I’d be carrying a whole lot of regret with me now, nursing wounds I would have no one to blame for but myself. Just as you should never speak out of rage lest you say something you don’t really mean, I believe that in other situations, emotions should not cloud our mind.

Time, I realized, is a wise judge.

I love surprises.

I just got a message from one of my closest friends in gradeschool whom I haven’t seen in 8 years, saying she saw me at the RET lobby recently. She was there for a client.

Apparently me and my office seatmate Melanie have a lot of mutual friends and acquaintances, from church! And some of those people we both know, turns out Ali knows from school. Small world indeed.

New PC at work, finally. And it’s good enough to be a gaming PC. Alam na.

Just appreciating. Life is great.

Meaning.

Lessons can be learned in the strangest, most unexpected ways.

You look back at your life, you wonder how on Earth you’ve gone from point A to point B. You consider your insecurities, your apprehensions. You take the impressions you never knew you had of people, circumstances, of life.

And then suddenly things are put in perspective — the things you have to remember, the things you have to realize, the things you have to unlearn.

I’ll say it again. I believe that every single person in your life is there for a reason. That there’s something you can do to affect their lives, or they are there to affect yours. In my case to be honest, it’s either I miss it, give up on it, or I just don’t care at the moment. Occasionally though, there are people whom you meet who affect you, without trying to.

“As you light my way, I’ll follow You.”

I’m hearing what God’s been trying to teach me about trust, obedience, faith, and about Himself — and it took this unexpected way, by way of an unexpected person. I read You loud and clear.

This is the way that I say I’m Yours.

So with everything going on, you’d think that I’d want my life to revolve around me. If you do, you’d be correct. But that’s how we work I guess, it’s our default setting.

And because of that, I’ve taken these seven days off, a break from my routine. Seven days to spend time with my First Love — not because I have to, not because of anything I’m asking for or because of anything that I hope to prove, but because I want to.

In a world where anything and everything can take His place, it’s refreshing to stop and just go back to basics. I believe that God never stops speaking to us, it’s just us who stop listening.

All I need is You.

I was asked how I could stay so calm.

I remember an analogy, a small boat in the midst of a storm. It was given for another situation, but I think it’s one of the most accurate ways to describe my answer.

Romans 8:28.

How can you go wrong?

Your view of God is probably the most important factor in your life. It will determine your actions, decisions, your view of others, of problems, of life. My God is bigger than whatever problems or issues I have, and I believe without a doubt that He knows what’s best, all I have to do is trust Him. Even when it’s hard, when it hurts, or doesn’t make sense. He is my anchor. He has never, and I mean never, failed me. I mean that in a very real sense, so real it’s practically tangible.

Truth is, I’m not always calm. If you ask people who’ve known me for a long time, they know that I worry a lot. I think too much, they say, and I know that. Those are the times that I forget just how faithful God is. In as short a time as 2 years, I’ve been changed completely. Completely. I’m far from perfect, but I’m thankful that I’m not what I was.

“Rest in the thought that You’re watching over me.”

With Him on my side, it’s a majority.

A spur of insight.

I don’t know how at 21, people could assume that they know enough about the world to make it on their own.

As for me, I’m clueless.

For all the seemingly deep words, carefully calculated lines, and stories of experiences that may very well have added years to my life, I find it unthinkable that at 21, my judgment would be sound enough to know better than anyone else.

Five years ago, I might have fooled myself into thinking that I knew what I wanted, and that I was wise enough to go for it on my own. But time and again I’ve proven myself wrong, though thankfully spared from worse damages, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I do need help with my own life.

They say experience is the best teacher, and if there’s anything it has taught me, it’s that I have a lot more to learn.

“Don’t be naive,” she said casually, looking at me from the reflection on the mirror.

“I can’t help it,” I replied, “I’m only 21.”

There’s no hurry.

The ink of a pen, cake, anxiety attacks, quirks, changes, the difference between hollow and heartfelt laughter, the weight of words, coincidence, chaos.

I’m not a fan of emotions either. If I were, I’d be carrying a whole lot of regret with me now, nursing wounds I would have no one to blame for but myself. Just as you should never speak out of rage lest you say something you don’t really mean, I believe that in other situations, emotions should not cloud our mind.

Time, I realized, is a wise judge.

I love surprises.

I just got a message from one of my closest friends in gradeschool whom I haven’t seen in 8 years, saying she saw me at the RET lobby recently. She was there for a client.

Apparently me and my office seatmate Melanie have a lot of mutual friends and acquaintances, from church! And some of those people we both know, turns out Ali knows from school. Small world indeed.

New PC at work, finally. And it’s good enough to be a gaming PC. Alam na.

Just appreciating. Life is great.

Meaning.

Lessons can be learned in the strangest, most unexpected ways.

You look back at your life, you wonder how on Earth you’ve gone from point A to point B. You consider your insecurities, your apprehensions. You take the impressions you never knew you had of people, circumstances, of life.

And then suddenly things are put in perspective — the things you have to remember, the things you have to realize, the things you have to unlearn.

I’ll say it again. I believe that every single person in your life is there for a reason. That there’s something you can do to affect their lives, or they are there to affect yours. In my case to be honest, it’s either I miss it, give up on it, or I just don’t care at the moment. Occasionally though, there are people whom you meet who affect you, without trying to.

“As you light my way, I’ll follow You.”

I’m hearing what God’s been trying to teach me about trust, obedience, faith, and about Himself — and it took this unexpected way, by way of an unexpected person. I read You loud and clear.

2007 has been like every other year, and unlike any other year. Like all the years of my life so far, it came with so many blessings, and surely enough also with its own trials. But what those are in particular, they will always be unique.

People tend to look back at a year past hoping that the next year will be better — but sometimes not because they’re optimistic, but because they can only remember the bad things about that year. I honestly believe that it would be better for everyone to think of those things that they can be thankful for.

So having said that, here are some of the many things that I thank God for about 2007.

1. For the people who came into my life, especially those whom I hope will forever be in it.
2. For a job that I enjoy, the sense of accomplishment that comes with it, and a great work environment. Not to mention a nice new building with a wonderful view.
3. For my first trip outside the country, a very memorable experience.
4. For the health and happiness of my family, whom I love so much. Also for our newest family member, Bruce! Through all the trials this year, here we are.
5. For my sisters, who love me and are there for me always no matter how hard it has been for me to find time for them. They mean so much to me.
6. For friendships that have not changed through time, distance, shortcomings and misunderstandings.
7. For my own health and happiness, and even the material blessings.
8. For kind, heartfelt and sweet words.
9. For music and lights.
10. For every lesson learned, for everything that this year has taught me.

Can you believe that we’re only a few years away from the end of this decade? Life is speeding by so fast. I can still remember last year’s fireworks, I can still remember the things that were in my mind then, very similar but strangely unfamiliar compared to the things in it now.

Resolutions can be futile, but to me, making them is worthwhile. So here are 2008’s challenges for me.

1. To set my priorities straight — purposefully spend more time in music, drawing and reading.
2. To pay more attention to my room. I kid you not.
3. To pray more and worry less.

“Happy new year” is one of our most repeated annual cliché. Everyone says it, anyone you ask will probably say he means it, but for most if not all of us, that meaning is simply lost in those monotone greetings, the letters on our screens and our cellphones. But two things that I’ve learned about the floating concept of new years — new beginnings come every day, every hour, every moment. Also I believe that the year is what we make it. No amount of greetings will change your year if your heart and mind are not in the right place, but if they are, no amount of bad circumstances can ruin a year for you.

So, happy new year! c:

2007 has been like every other year, and unlike any other year. Like all the years of my life so far, it came with so many blessings, and surely enough also with its own trials. But what those are in particular, they will always be unique.

People tend to look back at a year past hoping that the next year will be better — but sometimes not because they’re optimistic, but because they can only remember the bad things about that year. I honestly believe that it would be better for everyone to think of those things that they can be thankful for.

So having said that, here are some of the many things that I thank God for about 2007.

1. For the people who came into my life, especially those whom I hope will forever be in it.
2. For a job that I enjoy, the sense of accomplishment that comes with it, and a great work environment. Not to mention a nice new building with a wonderful view.
3. For my first trip outside the country, a very memorable experience.
4. For the health and happiness of my family, whom I love so much. Also for our newest family member, Bruce! Through all the trials this year, here we are.
5. For my sisters, who love me and are there for me always no matter how hard it has been for me to find time for them. They mean so much to me.
6. For friendships that have not changed through time, distance, shortcomings and misunderstandings.
7. For my own health and happiness, and even the material blessings.
8. For kind, heartfelt and sweet words.
9. For music and lights.
10. For every lesson learned, for everything that this year has taught me.

Can you believe that we’re only a few years away from the end of this decade? Life is speeding by so fast. I can still remember last year’s fireworks, I can still remember the things that were in my mind then, very similar but strangely unfamiliar compared to the things in it now.

Resolutions can be futile, but to me, making them is worthwhile. So here are 2008’s challenges for me.

1. To set my priorities straight — purposefully spend more time in music, drawing and reading.
2. To pay more attention to my room. I kid you not.
3. To pray more and worry less.

“Happy new year” is one of our most repeated annual cliché. Everyone says it, anyone you ask will probably say he means it, but for most if not all of us, that meaning is simply lost in those monotone greetings, the letters on our screens and our cellphones. But two things that I’ve learned about the floating concept of new years — new beginnings come every day, every hour, every moment. Also I believe that the year is what we make it. No amount of greetings will change your year if your heart and mind are not in the right place, but if they are, no amount of bad circumstances can ruin a year for you.

So, happy new year! c:

Well my sites been down for the past few days so I couldn’t post this earlier. Anyways, Christmas here was simple, as it is every year in the Reyes home. But it was really nice. As for presents, I got silly stuff again (as they all know those are the stuff I like… if the antlers don’t give that away haha).

As I was telling a friend of mine, I really miss the feeling when I was a kid. That when Christmas came, there really was that “magic”. Just the sheer thrill from those presents under the tree, the cold weather, the special sound of bells from familiar Christmas carols. And I would look at my family, our pet, and I’d be so inexplicably happy. I didn’t have to try, or look for that feeling. It was there.

Maybe it’s naiveté? Or just because as a kid, it didn’t take much to feel that.

But he was right, when he told me, that this year it came when it was needed the most. So that simple statement got me thinking, again, that maybe sometimes it’s okay for things to get complicated. To lose that “easy” factor, to have to be sought instead of always just being there. To have to be fought for instead of always just being handed to us. Because it’s a good gauge of what we want, what’s important to us, how important we are to others, and what all of us to do to find that “magic”.

If indeed we are looking for it. If not, then maybe it’s just right that we don’t find it.

—

I know the date of the celebration of Jesus’ birth has been disputed a lot, but to me it doesn’t really matter. No words can describe how thankful I am that he did in fact come to die for my sins so that I wouldn’t have to, and that gratitude stands even outside the season.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. :)