Woodcutter’s Wisdom and Other Favorite Stories · Max Lucado

Woodcutter’s Wisdom and Other Favorite Stories · Max Lucado

Priceless Parables · Max Lucado

Priceless Parables · Max Lucado

One Flock · Max Lucado

I set my alarm at seven in the morning. I had a good sleep but I was woken up early by........that I didn't have any idea. I couldn't sleep back so I turned to google for some quotes reading. To my surpirse, I was directed to Max Lucado's website.

I am a fan, I have read his writings and many have inspired me, I was so happy all these years I didn't bother considering  him having his own site, I was just thinking his works were on forwarded emails only.

This one talks about unity. At first glance, for me  it sounds impossible to have millions of people be united. Perhaps because it's vague, we can be united in one aim or a single purpose but not as a whole. And even unity itself is a bit hard to define if we talk about humanity and it's diversity.

However, it is a realization that  indeed we don't need to aspire for unity nor invent it. It is something that is already existing only need to recognize. If we mind that fact that we are all united, at least of purpose to live our respective lives and loving the lives of other creations, then we are united after all and we are definitely one.

One Flock · Max Lucado

Childless Mother2

We just have our final exams for summer class and usually it is indeed an eventful time. I'm thankful that lots of students have done well and  I do really appreciate their efforts for the test.

I had this solid group of interior design  students, they were so united and apparently doing their job well, they had this impressive camaraderie though yes, some were not really part of the  group.

I have noticed this one student, Aphiwat. He was such a very  respectful student, yet a bit loner. He came to class late and seems couldn't  share the laughs the class had. I just thought he was the serious type and I could understand he didn't belong to the same section which he was studying with for summer class.

I was a bit surprised seeing him getting into my room with his shirt removed during the finals. He just had his white t-shirt showing his tattoos on his arms. He looked differently from a shy and timid gentleman to maybe a bit of a gangster. It was over time when he came in and I thought he was prepared for the exam later he just told me he wasn't ready.

I encouraged him not to worry about and just took the test as we're running out of time as the next batch of students were waiting outside.

I then started asking him questions and he kept saying "Ha??".  It's normal for some Thais to say that when they can't hear some words you say though it may appear very differently in my country, it could be rude. Anyway, I just repeated the question calmly and waited for his answers.

Later, he showed me an envelope with multiple hospital receipts as he was speaking Thai. I told him I didn't understand anything he said until he did the action and told me "teacher, the doctor said I'm crazy".

That was it, he was trying to explain that he's just been to the hospital. He was told he had a mental problem and had to take some medicines. He got so worried and restless, I counted he bumped into the chairs in the classroom for over  five times.

I felt my heart break, in an instant, I told myself, he didn't deserve what he was having. He was too kind and young to have the problem and  I felt so concerned about him.  I went through  with my other classes for exams nevertheless, and  later he went back peeping through my door.  I asked why, he told he left something.

I gave his stuff and again he bumped into the chairs which made some other students laughed at him.

I felt heavy after that, I just felt sad. And after the class, I saw his things right on the bench outside my room. They were his memory cards, ID, ATM. and some other documents.

I pity  him but I had no idea where he was, I got his things and submitted them to the English office and explained that the student left those.

I can imagine the other  discomfort the loss may offer and I feel sorry for him, really. I just hope that he can have his recovery the soonest and he can for sure finish school.  I can  mind the expenses the parents have for their student's education and it is not well to have anyone's child ending up mentally ill.

Hating the HEAT!

I'm not sure if it's just me but nowadays I think Bangkok is getting extremely hotter, no ,not warm, I mean really HOT and burning!  Yesterday I was off to work by nine in the morning but couldn't take the heatwave even by just taking a few steps from home for taxi and at night and past six in the evening still the heat was unbearable. It felt like a spank on the skin that  the pain stayed there.

I was early today for my 8.30 classes and I got a bit irritated in the same situation I had last night, I thought it was too early to feel the heat, it wasn't even eight and it was already very hot. It was kinda an agony going out fresh from the shower, well-groomed and by just minutes be soaked sweating.

Of course, I dislike the situation, it's quite annoying and it doesn't help lighten the mood. I think my temper gets so quick to rise  and I don't know it seems these days are of liking to get annoyed.

My classroom is air conditoned though it isn't really working well, I'm thankful at least it isn't  as inconvenient being outside. I didn't have the strength to face the sun rays by noon so I skipped lunch.  After classes, I starved to the maximum considering the energy I spent teaching.

This is what I find strange in Bangkok. Perhaps because we are far from the sea and we can't see any mountains around, I don't know. But in Cebu, regardless of the heat the wind is still cool and it's definitely humid. In there, it could be hot but never as uncomfortable as Bangkok. Worst, it's also a hassle to sleep at night, seems the AC can't get  through the heat that has been in the room at daytime. 

Anyway, I just hate the weather we  have and the hot spell in here. I have no idea for now when will this get better. Hate, hate, hate the heat!

Finally there!

My home vacay was awesome, it was great to see Papang again after the stroke. He was totally different from the last time I saw him and it was good at least he's getting better each day. It was nice also to see my paren't first grand child, baby Gab. She's so lovely, she's my youngest brother's daughter, she was born on Valentine's day.

When I'm home I see to it taking chances of having the food I missed and one of course is Chowking halo-halo. Love the kangkong and lauriat as well and I think it was cool of them having this new dish, orange chicken. It's like chicken sweet and sour added with real orange fruits. It's definitely mouth watering! And yes, who would forget  Jolibee's chicken joy, spag and palabok? :D Yes, basically the food that aren't  here in Bangkok. Of course, can't get rid of eat-all-u can indulgence, It was no surprise I gain more weight upon coming back.

                                      

Have visited one of my faves, Moon  Cafe and I was glad  hearing their expansion. I learnt they have a couple of branches already in the city and great one was in Ayala terraces.  Their tuna belly steak is good having enough serving on the plate at a very affordable price. Thought going there for a meal is surely worth it.

One of the highlights is meeting my long time high school friends, GESPIES. It's so amazing to keep the friendship going on for years, we are the magic eight and though been separated by distance, we still manage to have time for the friendship whether complete or not. That "Tubod spring" get way was merry and the pictorials fun were all awesome! Another memory to cherish for me.

Nice to meet my former colleagues as well despite of us no longer in the same company we used to work for. It has been years, over six I guess and it was remarkable to meet again. We do keep in touch via emails though but seeing each person in flesh is indeed a different story. It was quite touching of them spending time for the evening and one has to travel for three hours to get to the rendezvous.

It was finally wonderful also to have baby Gab's baptism, both her grandparents from mother and father side were at the ceremony, lucky angel, surely she's loved and adored, I myself likes her a lot, too.

I can still say my vist at home is short as I have to get back here quick for work, or else I'll lose income. In a situation of no work, no pay, yes, the days and the working hours  do matter. I should say it is expensive to travel  minding the expenses and the loss of income in some way but that's nothing to get back to those who are close to my heart and special people who have played major roles in my life,  that's definitely priceless.