i ♥ KC!

Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) has been Kawayan Camp-ing for the last 50 years!

These are SOME of the alumni of the month-long leadership training camp IVCF holds every summer from 1958 to present. Yesternight, about 130 grads came to reminisce of KCs past. We had an informal gathering and it was fun interacting with different batches represented there. When the group sang Tunay Kang Matapat as the closing song, I got goosebumps because it sounded really good. Parang praktisado lang with matching voicing and stuff. Ang galeng!

Raise your hand if you...
1) had tuko encounters
2) had to miss showers and rely on tabo and balde
3) wait in line at the cubicles for a bath
4) had an 'aying-aying,' 'prospect' or if you had ever been asked, 'sino na-aappreciate mo?'
5) had any form of nose-bleeding because of inductive Bible studies
6) had to make a book review of John Stott's Basic Christianity
7) washed dishes for 100 or so people
8) had successfully kept your quiet time for a whole month

Hurray for God's faithfulness over all these years. :) It's really amazing!

EDIT: pichoors stolen from zeela's digicam. waiting for paul's shots to steal. bow.

Meet My New BFF

CS Lewis, 21 (1919).

Okay. So he might be old... and dead... but that doesn't mean we can't/ couldn't have operated on the same wavelength. Pfft. Of course you can have best friends from a lifetime ago.

Think of the benefits. I won't be obliged to remember his birthday (even when I do) and send him a greeting. He doesn't have email. And nobody has to make an effort to see each other. One, he lived in England and two, he lived at the beginning of the century.

I say we can be best friends because according to his autobiography we have a lot in common. Starting off with a fascination with mythology and Greek literature. How unlikely is it to find someone who enjoyed reading other culture's beliefs and being perpetually amazed with the colorful characters and entertaining plots? It's all so magical. There's our love for writing, too. Just that his is refined, mine is bloggish but whadaheck, mebe I can learn from him.

He's a scholar, so am I (what? Aren't UP peeps 'iskolars?').  And he aced English, Philosophy, Literature and History, erm, I like these subjects.

I may not have gone from being atheist to Christian but I could probably overlook that history. Because now (or then for him) we even share the same belief! And a great friend we have in Jesus!

When I was younger, I wanted to major in Apologetics. Guess what he's good at? Righty-oh.

When he was younger, he was member of a club called the Inklings with JRR Tolkien. Guess what they do? They sit together to discuss story ideas and they have a special habit, something I'm famous for. They "amused themselves by having competitions to see who could read the famously bad prose of Amanda McKittrick Ros for the longest without laughing." Nazi much. Weeee.

Funny how I use the past tense in talking about my NEW best friend. Bow.

PS.
Doesn't he look something like Shia LeBoeuf, my recent ex?

PPS.
Philo much. Right. *shares inside joke with self*

PPPS.
Like him, I would be married out of friendship and not love like that exactly.
Psycho-babbling-girl say whut?! :))

'This Kind'

Two days of going through the same Biblical passage is like the Lord emphasizing what He wants me to grasp.

Martha, Martha.
Peter, Peter.

His repetition is enough of a gavel to strike a stubborn head. When the Lord says something twice in succession, it shows a deep concern and a dear-love-don't-you-just-get-it? compassion.

Thanks, Lord. I do get it now.

There are many situations when you could do all you could; when it's never a question of whether you are doing the right thing or not. You know for a fact that your 'steps' and action plan are from the Lord and yet it gets frustrating when the answer you hope for is delayed.

There must be something lacking.

Remember the basics. Or be reminded of the basics. Just as Jesus' disciples did when they failed at casting out an unclean spirit possessing a boy, if only they had remembered or understood sooner. There are just some situations, a kind where it takes more than planning and knee-jerk responses for solutions.

Sometimes, if not all the time, the solution does not require major dynamics but a resolve to get on your knees and focus on the object of your faith. God can cause all things to happen. In His time. At His call.

name calling

Saw this tag thing on friendster bulletins, so I thought, why do I have to wait to be tagged, ima do it anyhooz.

RULES: List all the names you were called by and the people who call you that. Tag at least 5 members of your contacts and give a comment on their site for them to know they've been tagged.

*Names that start with an x are read with a k. Owkei? Good.

1. Xaris- just about anyone who first met me between 1985-1998 and 2006-present; family and old friends.

2. Xaris Hope- my parents when they are mad; Kuya ND Erikson for fun; Eduardo when he feels like calling me that (as in “Umayos ka nga, Xaris Hope!”).

3. Xai- everyone who knows I like being called that. My best friends Gel, Cindy and Kathy, Arriane, Pie and Marose. Friends and acquaintances in Baguio and Diliman Prep [karunungan, kahusayan ang aming nakamtan]; family, close friends.

4. The Xaris- Thursday group, my best friends pa rin and most people who are my friendster friends.

5. Xaili- multiply friends; Rogerson Fernandez when we were after the same love interest.

6. Xalai- a privileged few.

7. Sanggre Xarissa- my sister Deedee; some Baguio crushes.

8. Dao Ming Xai- Breha dorm mates; some Baguio crushes.

9. Lord/Master/Diyosa Xai- younger Brehans.

10. Queen theXaris- the builders if the hype catches on, which I seriously doubt.

11. Baby- David Cook (as in Always be my Baby)

12. Kakai- freshmen high school friends from the other section because Pasteur hates me.

13. Paris- just about every Starbucks barista I’ve encountered; Ma’am Let and Jamaica.

14. McXaister/ XAILITAPTAP- Pie

15. Xaizer/ Xaisee- Kathy

16. Ms. Xai- officemates

17. Mare- Super Baguio friends

18. Gracie- Eduardo

19. Roomie- Roma

20. Haris/Sharis/Saris- people who don’t do their research before addressing moi.

21. Tamayo! –Sir Jawo.

22. Xaristopher- Kuya Nikos, the year we moved to another church.

23. Ate Xaiers- Iyatoter and Domeng (my room mates in junior year)

24. Xaixaixaixaixaixai- mga nangungulit like my Kuya when he’s being annoying.

25. Kakish- Deedee, my sister, when she was barely four and couldn’t pronounce my name; Tito Eg.

26. Psst/Hoy- bystanders and passersby. Mere mortals, soon-to-be minions.

27. Applepie- manong bok and Amorsolo friends.

28. Xai B for Boyd pa nga pala. anubaaa.

29. Dude- Pie, Jiar, kuya SR, Chef Jas, Chef Fresh and erm, Ashton Kutcher.

With over two-dozen names I go by, one has to wonder why I don’t have identity issues. Of course I do. You just don’t notice. Hahahaha.

Tagging…
1.    You who never address me with any of these names.
2.    You who call me at least one of these names.
3.    You who are rooting for Manny Pacquiao (go kill yourself).
4.    You who like spaghetti and mayonnaise.
5.    You who enjoy tagalog movies.

dada day

... A source of strength and of support
Right from the very start.

A special generosity and always affection, too
A Father means so many things
When he's a man like you...
-author unknown

it's hard to be a daddy's girl but you make it all worth while.
i love you daddykins.

*photos from pastor dave, sbcfamily.multiply.com

albus shots

suhmova pichoors taken by albus (my brilliant mac baby).

starring josiah's catering. haha. :D

This isn't too surprising

you are darkviolet #9400D3

Your dominant hues are blue and magenta. You're the one who goes to all the parties but doesn't quite fit in at every one... you know what you want, but are afraid of what the world might think of it. You're a little different and that's okay with them, and if you're smart it's okay with you too. Your saturation level is very high - you are all about getting things done. The world may think you work too hard but you have a lot to show for it, and it keeps you going. You shouldn't be afraid to lead people, because if you're doing it, it'll be done right. Your outlook on life is brighter than most people's. You like the idea of influencing things for the better and find hope in situations where others might give up. You're not exactly a bouncy sunshine but things in your world generally look up.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

***
If I could absorb all the sadness in the world, I would in a heartbeat. But then, I wouldn't want to deprive people of knowing what happiness is.

*link from alice and alex.

High School Musical 3

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Kids & Family

Go Figure.

:))

the xaris on TV (and what went on in her head)

This is a story of how the xaris ended up on a morning show. (And everything enclosed in a parenthesis is the REAL version.)

One day, an Umagang Kay Ganda SP phoned in for an exdeal (too bad the boss got it first as I would've said no). The next thing she knew, the xaris was working on details of the buffet (I had to produce a luau/grill theme in June in less than a day and I had to report to work at 3:30am). The boss said something like, 'ikaw na lang pumunta dun ah.' (At 3:30am call time? Seriously?) Being the good girl that she is, the xaris obliged. (At 3:30am call time? Seriously?)

The following day (at that ungodly hour) the xaris went to the set of UKG and saw to it that the production requirements were implemented (no, I sleep-walked through the whole preparation). The prod staff were always reminding us to get ready (for like, every other quarter hour). Soon (two decades later), we were advised that we're on the next segment.

The xaris somehow felt at home with cameras, production crews and PA's running all over (this would have been my life but gosh I don't think I'd live that long in it). The night before, they asked the xaris what name to flash at the screen and the numbers the viewers could call. The xaris from them on was known as Xaris Hope and no last name was given (because tamayo is another caterer and if i attach that, it would all be confusing. note to self: change that last name to cook).

Just when the xaris thought she couldn't wait long enough (my eyelids were dropping involuntarily!), Rica Peralejo (aaaaaaaah! ahlavyou ricaaaa!) got outside and briefed the xaris for their interview (my eyelids were very much cooperative now). She is such a lovely person and she verified that xaris was pronounced /karis/ (thank you, i wouldn't want to have been mis-named on TV, haha) and she went on to ask party questions.

The cameras started rolling (lights, camera, actiowwn!) and the next thing the xaris knew Rica was already talking to her (what, i was waiting for the make up people, tchh) with the camera crew in tow.

Rica: Umagang Kay Ganda, Xaris!
the xaris: Good morning (aah, on my best dj voice, too)!

blah blah blah

The interview went on and when Rica started moving on to the next segment, the xaris realized the last thing she said (i said 'more mura if you get it in bulk.' how conyo. more mura? sheesh). Finally, the xaris was ready to doze off (but that did not happen, i was on the look out for Donita).

And that was the xaris' five minutes on national tv (who of my friends were up at that hour? so much for tv appearances. but but but it was soooo much funnnn!).

NOTES:
*I did see Donita but she was running. How awkward would it have been if I blocked her way for a photo op, right?
*Of course you can't see the segment on youtube, what are you thinking?
*Of course i didn't record the segment, duh.
*I did get text messages from friends and loved ones that they saw me saying more mura. Yey. :)
*And yes, I had my pichoor taken with rica. :)

*We talked briefly about the Hillsong concert (we saw her there) and being Christians. hurray. :)
*And yes, thursday group, i did ask her to visit, hahahaha. :D

-nothing follows-

Sanguine-Choleric

This day can't get any worse. *dramatic sigh* I used to be sanguine-melancholic or just sanguine but *sigh* oh well.

I liked being melancholic. I really did. Even when it was a third of my sanguine score, I knew Sanguine-Melancholic did wonders for me. Things really change over a year, eh.

Sanguine-21 (S-11, W-10)
Choleric-11 (S-4, W-7)
Melancholy-6 (S-4, S-2)
Phlegmatic-2 (S-1, W-1)

Guess I have to embrace it,then. I put the cool in COOLeric.