bye bye for a while... I'll be joining Korinna in blog hibernation ^_^.

I want to get serious with all these stuff, and while I'm battling this memory loss, it should help me not to blog for a while since I'll just be focusing on other things...

Anime? blame it on me for getting hooked. I'll try again to be devoid of that for a month, besides I shall have the whole december downloading everything I've missed. =) So Naruto and Ichigo and Sakura-chan, I'll have to temporarily ward you off from me this time around, it has been an inspiring experience to watch you guys never giving up in all your endeavors, so shall I in this struggle. =). Yes, I'm glad you reminded me of that thing I lost years ago but I'm so sorry not to let you control my schedule anymore.

BTW, there's going to be a HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY on the 21st of OCTOBER, if you want to accompany me there in plain suits or glamorous attires, do contact me since I have a bunch of tickets to sell off. It's in chinablack, $12 per ticket, 1 drink, and the house pour costs $3 (cheaper than last year's) There's going to be a best costume competition, drinking competition, ghost hunting, dance showdown, etc. Do come down if you can spare some 3-5 hours of your time. =)

But really I'd be grateful kapag di malalaman ng main committee ang significance ng araw na iyan for me, di ko kasi yun party (and i have no plans of celebrating since I'm BROKE) and I'd feel sucky if they find out earlier or even during that night, mas ok pa sa akin na after the event na lang...and I'm pretty serious about this...

Thanks pala Kor =) wow, I'm touched na ginreet mo ako sa last post mo before finals =)...thanks a lot and love ya girl! =) Thankful ako, and I guess God blessed me with wonderful people who are more than enough as a present for all the birthdays of my life... =)

God is great...

and gee... It seems like God's plans are unfolding, the signs of the period coined as Rapture and Jesus' second coming are getting clearer as time passes by (you can find clues from Luke 25)... as a Christian, I am not surprised of these calamities and I wont be afraid because these things had to happen first. But I pray that we, Christians, will be prepared when the persecution/sufferings come... I pray that the Lord will keep us up the whole time, unswerving in faith when we are faced with all the obstacles as we live on... and I pray that He will strengthen us as we choose to spread the Gospel to those who need to know. See how many lives have been lost vainly? They didn't even have the opportunity to know Christ! And I'm so weak myself to continue solemnly standing up for my faith, spreading the Gospel to those who need them... Sharing the hope that we profess... I pray, that we will continue growing stronger in the Lord...

God bless us all in the finals! Stay faithful to God for He has always been faithful to us. Remember God is merciful, loving, patient and kind. Jesus cares for all of us...  ¶ 9:56 PM 0 comments

  dog lovers To all dog lovers out there, like me, here's some interesting piece of article (and do read the comment about it)

http://slate.msn.com/id/2127419/?GT1=7125

Quoting from John Katz: (it's interesting but I am not convinced entirely)
"The reality is, we don't know that much about what dogs think, because they can't tell us. Behaviorists tend to believe that dogs "think" in their own way—in sensory images involving their finely honed instincts. They're not capable of deviousness or spite. They love routine: Nothing seems to make them more comfortable than doing the same thing at the same time in the familiar way, day after day: We snack here, we poop there, we play over here. I am astonished at how little it takes to please them, how simple their lives can be if we don't complicate them."  ¶ 3:53 PM 0 comments

  suffering? The thought of having this memory loss writhes my heart. I thought it wasn't too serious only until some events have proven that this memory problem I'm having lately is utterly alarming...
Prabs comforted me though by advising me to make some effort of remembering, I can't be at all too late... However, he agreed that this thing is getting quite serious...

Im partly in the state of devastation... I pray that this would be over soon...  ¶ 12:39 AM 0 comments

  Giant squid anyone? The news is spreading, if you are interested in the search of giant squids, some Japanese scientists were actually able to record a video/ take shots of an actually live giant squid in its natural environment lured by a bait. The bait? Another squid? They actually eat their own kind probably because in the very depths of the seas, there aren't much variety, and if you really can't see those little food, eat your kind... Gee... What issue of survival! Go to Google and type "giant squid" you should find something good from national geographic or discovery websites... The footage was actually quite recent, around the 28th of September if I could correctly remember it. Go check out of your interest of those giant wiggly sea creatures =P

BTW, they were able to get a souvenir of a 6-foot long tentacle.. :D

TESTIGO! AS COOL AS EVER! ASTOUNDING TALAGA! I wonder how English version would turn out to be :D  ¶ 1:51 AM 0 comments

  they are so good at this! my first name..see the near accurate description! I tried Korinna, Joseph, Karen, Wayne, Robinson, Michael, Sarah and more, just scroll down for your names... Jeunesse name is also included!
(my names will be the last)

Your first name of Korinna

Although the name Korinna creates an interest in the deeper aspects of life, we emphasize that it causes a blunt expression that alienates others. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the lungs, heart, bronchial area, and tension or accidents to the head.
As Korinna you have a great love of nature and the out-of-doors. All the finer things of life and beauties of nature are an inspiration to you and you are attracted to the mysteries of nature. Difficulty in expression results in your being too positive, blunt, and candid in speech and although you are easily offended by others, you do not show it. You crave affection and understanding, but rarely find it as others do not understand you and accuse you of being cool and aloof. The average person would never realize the true depth of your nature.

Your first name of Joseph

Although the name Joseph creates the urge to understand and help others, we stress that it causes a blunt expression that alienates others. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the fluid systems, and tension or accidents to the head.
The name of Joseph creates a friendly, sociable, charming nature, but causes you to be too easily influenced by others. While you find it easy to meet and mix, and can appear agreeable and compromising in conversation, you can become unbending and forceful if pressed too far. Others learn that you cannot be told what to do and you seldom change your mind once it is made up. You prefer situations that allow a degree of independence, but are reluctant to take on a demanding work-load or responsibility.

Your first name of Karen

Although the name Karen creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it limits your versatility and scope, tuning you to technical details. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the elimination system, and through worry and mental tension.
Your first name of Karen gives you the desire for responsibility and takes you into practical pursuits. You would excel in work of a technical nature where concentration and attention to detail are important. Whatever you undertake, you have the patience and determination to do well. You feel a sense of security in positions of responsibility where progress is made through systematic, step-by-step procedures. However, you lack vision and you could become too involved in technical details, system, and routine. You do not readily adjust to changes in your routine.

Your name of Wayne

Although the name Wayne creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it causes a restless intensity that defies relaxation. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the solar plexus, and through worry and mental tension.
The name of Wayne creates a restless, creative nature that takes you into many ventures, but does not allow you to see things through to a satisfactory completion. Yours is a versatile, musical, artistic, but independent nature and you must have the freedom to express your creative ideas and abilities to be happy. An urge for independence causes dissatisfaction and frustration in close relationships and you find the "ties that bind" restricting. The qualities of this name would find a more constructive outlet in work that involves high-pressure selling or promotional activities, possibly in community affairs, for it contains a positive, driving power.

Your first name of Michael

Although the name Michael creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it can cause a superior, interfering expression whose favorite expression is "I know" when not combined with a balanced last name. This name, when not combined with a balanced last name, can also frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses through worry and mental tension.
Your name of Michael gives you a clever mind, good business judgment, a sense of responsibility, and an appreciation of the finer things of life. You are serious-minded and not inclined to make light of things even in little ways, and in your younger years you had more mature interests than others your age. Home and family mean a great deal to you and it is natural that you should desire the security of a peaceful, settled home environment where you can enjoy the companionship of family and friends. Whatever you set out to accomplish you do your very best to complete in accordance with what you consider to be right.

Your first name of Robinson

While the name Robinson creates the urge to be self-expressive and dramatic, we emphasize that it limits self-expression and friendly congeniality with a moody disposition. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the liver, bloodstream, heart, lungs and bronchial area.
The name of Robinson has given you an appreciation for many beautiful and refined aspects of life--music and art, literature, drama--and the outdoors, where you find much peace and relaxation, but it creates a far too sensitive nature. You sense and feel much that you do not understand, and sometimes you are alarmed at your thoughts and wonder about their origin. You rarely experience the tranquility that comes with stability of thinking or emotional control.

Your first name of Sarah

Though the name Sarah creates the urge to understand and help others, we emphasize that it causes procrastination, lack of confidence, and the inability to realize your goals and ambitions. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the fluid systems.
Your name of Sarah makes you easy-going and refined, but detracts from your physical vitality. You desire all the finer things in life--lovely clothes, home, furniture, and environment. However, procrastination is your worst enemy, and you find yourself lacking the ambition to make your dreams a reality often because of lack of confidence. People are inclined to take advantage of your sympathetic, tractable nature. You naturally attract people with problems who seek your understanding and advice.

Your first name of Cecilia

Although the name Cecilia creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it can cause a superior, interfering expression whose favorite expression is "I know" when not combined with a balanced last name. This name, when not combined with a balanced last name, can also frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses through worry and mental tension.
Your name of Cecilia gives you a clever mind, good business judgment, a sense of responsibility, and an appreciation of the finer things of life. You are serious-minded and not inclined to make light of things even in little ways, and in your younger years you had more mature interests than others your age. Home and family mean a great deal to you and it is natural that you should desire the security of a peaceful, settled home environment where you can enjoy the companionship of family and friends. Whatever you set out to accomplish you do your very best to complete in accordance with what you consider to be right.

Your first name of Ferron

The name Ferron creates the urge to be friendly and diplomatic, but we point out that it limits your versatility and vision, tuning you to technical details. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the fluid and elimination system.
The name of Ferron incorporates a potential aptitude for concentration and patient, logical thought along mechanical or scientific lines. You tend to prefer to follow normal routine rather than cope with the disruption and uncertainty entailed in trying something new. You gravitate to situations where you have stability and the opportunity to make slow step-by-step progress, preferably in a technical field. Procrastination and lack of self-confidence may restrict your success.

Your first name of Arthur

Although the name Arthur creates the urge to be both logical and technical, we emphasize that it causes a restless intensity that defies relaxation. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the elimination system, and solar plexus.
Your first name of Arthur creates a dual nature for you desire to systematize your life to progress step by step, but so frequently, you are taken into new experiences, instability, and change. You are intrigued by a challenge, especially in mechanical and technical fields. Scientific concepts appeal to you. You like activities that require physical effort as well as mental ingenuity. Your questioning, critical, practical nature makes you prove all ideas to your own satisfaction, rarely accepting anyone's word or ideas

Your first name of Cassy

Although the name Cassy creates the urge to be creative and original, we emphasize that it limits your versatility and scope, tuning you to technical details. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses and accidents to the head, and the elimination system.
Your first name of Cassy has made you a hard worker with a meticulous sense of detail. You have a great deal of patience and independence, and you can be relied upon to complete your undertakings. You could be inventive along scientific or practical lines. You are stable, trustworthy, homeloving, and logical in practical matters, but rather unresponsive to suggestions from others. You resist change.

Your first name of Missy

Although the name Missy creates idealism and the urge to help others, we emphasize that it limits your versatility and scope, tuning you to technical details. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the nervous system, and elimination system.
Your name of Missy creates a desire to be of service to others, but its practicality and attention to detail restrict spontaneity. This name creates much frustration, nervous tension, and personal unhappiness because you are not able to realize your ambitions and ideals. You desire your life to be orderly and systematized and you keep your surroundings neat and tidy, but others often see you as fussy over little things. You are a patient person and you will work hard one step at a time to accomplish your endeavours. You tend to be thorough in building a solid foundation of fact and logic, but are not inclined to pursue inspirational or creative expression as in music or the arts.

Your name of Maybeline

While the name Maybeline creates the urge to create harmony with people, we call attention to the fact that it causes a restless intensity that defies relaxation. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the fluid systems, and solar plexus.
Your name of Maybeline creates a desire for association with people and new experiences, many of which have been rather bitter. This name has given you a gregarious personality and a quick-thinking, creative, and versatile nature, but one that is very emotional. You desire change and travel and would enjoy opportunities that allowed you to be creative and to act independently, rather than to conform to system and routine. However, this name does not allow you to complete your undertakings, as farther fields always look greener.

Your name of Jeunesse

Although the name Jeunesse creates idealism and the urge to help others, we emphasize that it causes a materialistic approach that frustrates higher humanitarian qualities. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the nervous system, and reproductive organs.
Your name of Jeunesse has brought you enjoyment in working with people in circumstances in which you can organize and direct their efforts, preferably in an executive position. You are self-expressive, philanthropic, clever, and ambitious. You like to specialize in whatever you undertake. This name gives you an optimistic outlook on life. You appreciate good quality in all things and want the best money can buy. You have big ideals and dreams about the things you would like but you are not always willing to put forth the necessary effort, particularly if it means being subservient to others or having to work in an unimportant, menial capacity. Position and means are important to you and, in order to create this impression of affluence, you will spend even when it is not prudent to do so. You like to give the impression that you have everything under control.

Your first name of Ivy

Although the name Ivy creates idealism and the urge to help others, we emphasize that it causes procrastination, lack of confidence, and the inability to realize your goals and ambitions. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the nervous and fluid systems. Your name of Ivy creates a passive, friendly, easy-going nature, but your desire for sociability and the pleasant things in life makes you too easily influenced through your associations. You are too generous and if appealed to will give all you have because you find it difficult to say "no" and mean it. You do not like to create tension or friction and will try various means to avoid such situations. You are very idealistic. You have imagination and many ideas but lack the ambition and drive necessary to accomplish your undertakings.

Your first name of Gregorina

Although the name Gregorina creates the urge to be self-expressive and happy, it does limit your versatility and scope, tuning you to technical details. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the liver, bloodstream, and elimination system. Your name of Gregorina has given you a desire for self-expression and for positions that allow contact with people, free from the restrictions and monotony into which you are often drawn. Although you desire to be spontaneous and natural, you are often drawn into technical and methodical lines of endeavour and the practical aspects of life. You are friendly by nature, but you cannot enjoy complete ease in association because of a difficulty in expressing yourself.

Your first name of Molina

Although the name Molina creates an interest in the deeper aspects of life, we emphasize that it causes a blunt expression that alienates others. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the lungs, heart, bronchial area, and tension or accidents to the head. As Molina you have a great love of nature and the out-of-doors. All the finer things of life and beauties of nature are an inspiration to you and you are attracted to the mysteries of nature. Difficulty in expression results in your being too positive, blunt, and candid in speech and although you are easily offended by others, you do not show it. You crave affection and understanding, but rarely find it as others do not understand you and accuse you of being cool and aloof. The average person would never realize the true depth of your nature.

--GEE HOW CAN THEY KNOW SO MUCH? AND EVEN THE ME IN THE PAST THEY WERE ABLE TO TELL WITH JUST NAMES!!--- Ivy Gregorina Molina combined simply === slacker! hahaha AND I GUESS my name is also congruent to sickness... why why am i so like this? I can't help but slack off, waste time, procrastinate... Indeed I have so many ideas, but I really really lack the motivation to do things in this life... There is really no point on trying to be successful, we all end up the same way... Why why why I'm so lost in this? But I can't let my name dictate me for who I am... If I was all that, then what am I doing here in Singapore enjoying this nice scholarship? There's got to be more than that! (haha I'm really ivy gregorina molina described earlier! =P )

THIS POST SHOULD ALSO TELL YOU HOW I EVENTUALLY ENDED UP WASTING MY TIME ON NON-ESSENTIALS...

you can check for more names here : http://www.kabalarians.com/index.cfm/cfm/Your.cfm  ¶ 12:37 AM 0 comments

  champorado? haha... I had no idea how it eventually became a party... Champorado party may at first seem like a paradox... or at least I've never been to a big party with champorado as the main cuisine... =P The "party" wasn't big (around 10 people utmost) and I probably am a "bad" host for leaving earlier than everybody else... It's 2 am, and I'm dead sleepy but apparently got some energy to blog... Blog... oh blog... =P

Anyway, I know the champorado wasn't really that delectable champorado which we usually eat in the Philippines (and I bet it was not even close to our mothers' cooking) but I'm glad nothing was wasted except for that extra packet of rice from the canteen, and some mLs of condensed milk. Thanks to all those who came. It is fun to eat with people and have long chitchats afterwards. I really had fun and I was hoping we could have more gathering of the similar kind (nothing really special) some time next time. However, time can probably forbid since people are becoming more and more busy nowadays... Oh well... We will see... =)

Never knew Cassy was nice to talk to. Carina too! People certainly got some interesting stuff in them that makes them interesting! =D..hehe... Meeting that Kumar guy (whose name might have been too famous that I thought at first I really heard of him somewhere some time in the past) and Sunny too (the freshie psychology person!) Well, they're interesting bunch of conversationalists... I so wanted to converse with psychologist students like how I wanted to interview a Japanese. =D. You might not get the connection, but all I could tell is I really wanted to meet a Japanese person here in NUS and do some interviews for personal consumption=D. Think anime! =D. But Sunny is still a freshman so he's still probably a newbie about it... I actually want to hear out the principles of a psychologist; I want to hear out their explanations and the realizations after studying humans... Humans psychology is an interesting topic... Anyway, I guess I wasn't able to get much from our talks except those probablies that I may probably put to some use in the future... ^_^... Im happy for him, Sunny, because he already planned out what he wanted to become! If you ask me... Nah ah!

-digression-
And tama, nagbibinata na talaga si Wayne!hehehe....
---

The "Champorado party" was more like a party of studying people, aside from the out-of-the-blue and even far-out issues mostly were lessons and trivia discussions. It was interesting in its own right of course! Although it is some sort of another paradox, a party of studying people (gee i'm bad at labelling too)...

Anyway, now I'm really getting sleepy so this is it!
Hope everybody else will have a good night sleep!

God bless!

P.S.
Thanks to Gelo, and Robs, and Shamoy (the one who gave the idea of eating champorado =D), and Jayson, and Josh, and Wayne, and Cassy and Carina! =)
Thanks Karen for coming too kahit late na! Sabi pa ni Josh, the atmosphere changed when you came =D...hehe...  ¶ 2:09 AM 0 comments

  more relevant verses for me Colossians 2:20-23
"Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:"Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!" These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence"

--
Today is a tough day. But anyhow, I shall end it with a smile... =) SMILE!

There I feel lighter. =) It's good to know Jesus! He is deeply concerned with all of us that he disciplines us...  ¶ 10:55 PM 0 comments

  sharing (from a friend and this is very long!) I actually had this discussion with a Catholic last year, and she actually clarified some things out for me. And I find that she has a better ground on being a Catholic than many Catholics I've met in the Philippines, or so at least according to her reflections and knowledge about it. Of course, I'm going to keep the identity unknown because in the first place it was a personal letter for me. Actually this person have some background on Catholic history but along the way she keeps bringing out her uncertainties on certain subjects. But in the end actually, we two have the same desire, to stop the factions that divides us, the church, who believe in Jesus. Although after a year I have some clarifications of some of the things that were still a wonder to us before, I shall insert a bit but I'll post her email the way it was. She's actually wise not to mass email this discussion, at least not to leave negative impressions on the nonbelievers of this so-called divisions in the church. Here is what she said:

True there was no Roman Catholic church when Jesus built his "rock" upon Peter. Infact, after the time Jesus went back to the Father, I mean the one after Pentecost, (sorry la, my bible knowledge still very blur blur. I admit n working on it :P) he actually sent down the Holy Spirit to guide us. You see, during the Acts of the Apostle and such, there was no need to even call Christinaity, Christianity, or even call it a religion, coz like you said, it was like a lifestyle, but it was more than that to believers - It was new life. Many believed and converted but I do not think they identified themselves as Christians until the the Apostle Paul. He calls the people he writes to as my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and so on. Not sure if he even used the word Christianity, but of course the lingua franca then was not English... (but I have just read from the bible, in their language and at the time of Paul, the believers were called Christians-ibs)

Anyway, there was no need to know the Church by anything else as "the Church" then coz there was no other church. God meant the Christian God we all know now, believing in the teachings of Jesus meant baptism and being inducted into this new life. I don't think things were even considered a religion until quite some time later when most of England was converted (BTW history shows and we know that Christianity originated from Jerusalem ie. the Israel/Meditarranean area) the monarchy/state came to identify strongly with the "church."

But because of the Church saying, I believe it was Henry VIII, cannot get another wife, he called for a split, which was thence considered as the Church of England(COE) as he wanted a break from the seat of Christianity as was in Constantinopole I think. He made a lot of changes apart from that to distinguish COE from "Catholicism" but this didn't stop the accusations by the more "uptight" COEers who thought despite all the changes, the COE was still very alike to the Catholic church, as in very ritualistic n all. So there was a split, and thus we got the Transcendentalists, Calvinists, etc. and from them the Puritans who encouraged industry and self-depravation etc, and from whom we now have America because it was them who were mainly the first immigrants to US which is why the Minnesota area is called New England I believe. And the split/war that followed is what we now know as the great reformation movement... (Ok this ironically is a mega condensation of what I learnt from my The Renaissance and American Literature I modules I'm currently studying btw, so I still shaky in all this but above is the gist which may depart further from the truth than defining it I agree).

Anyway, the Roman Catholics weren't even called "Roman Catholics", but actually were named that by the Protestants when they split off, coz they didn't know what to call us coz before all this the Church was just that - the Church. "Roman" identifies us with the seat of the Pope in Rome, and Catholics was what the protestants gave us which means "Universal" and we really liked the term so I guess we adopted it. N I believe Catholicism was based in Constantinopole some time in history, but the seat of the Pope got transferred to Rome when there was some kind of schism which I think was a war. Not sure. But anyway the Church there is since known as the Orthodox Catholic Church, or Armenian Church (because of locality I believe) and apart from the Anglican high Catholics (like the parishoners of St. Andrews Cathedral, NOT the parishoners of St. Hilda's coz even among the Anglicans there is high and low etc...) the Armenian Church is the closest to Catholicism there is. And we Catholics believe that we were established by Jesus, not in the sense that Jesus came along and organized us into a religion, but like Dan (Brown?-ibs) says about our first Pope being Peter, and we can trace all our Popes to Jesus, coz the papalship is given by laying the hands on the next pope or something (but of course die before time, it means vatican help choose) So we can trace all our Popes back to then, coz no split, in that since then we have kept the basic tenets of the faith.And like the late Pope John Paul II we admit that there were many atrocities created and/or caused and/or supported by the Roman Catholic Church, like the Dark Ages, persecutions and the Holy Wars not one of the least. Many suffered like the "infidels", the Muslims/Turks, Jews, fellow Christians and even fellow Catholics, due to the misdirection or personal agendas or what of the clergy, and sometimes of even the church. Organized religion tends to get like that if read Sociolgy... But that is no excuse at all. But like the late Pope, I also hope for ecumenism, which is that once again we can truly live as true brothers and sisters of Christ, as I believe wat matters most is that we all believe in the one and same God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His son, and the Holy Spirit. What unites us is far greater than what separates us. I pray for the day that we will once again identify ourselves as Christians instead of Catholics, Methodists, Anglicans, Baptists etc. I hope this helps in clearing up any misgivings or unpleasantness caused, and really my understanding of all this is very "abridged" so I may be wrong or highly "diluted" things here and there so it would be better if you asked people who more solid in thier knowledge of Church history or read up more about all this coz it really is a lot and there is more to it than meets the eye, and do share what you learn with me, coz I think history is interesting to know. But don't let it wedge a greater divide than already there is, but search for ways we can come together. Peace.

Your Sister in Christ,
Anonymous

AND HERE'S ANOTHER EXCERPT OF HER NEXT EMAIL, in response to my further queries...

First is I am aware of the period in history when the bible, indeed education itself, was the exclusive right of the Priesthood or religious people. Much of literature had dwelt on this aspect, and indeed I ironically learnt this from reading literature again.

Secondly about the point about RC (Roman Catholics/Vatican/ppl with power etc.) inserting or taking out things from the bible to support the Mary claim, I have not heard of that yet. But whatever claims we use as evidence to support the privelege Mary holds you can find in the *Protestant* bibles like KJV etc. And definitely we do not agree with the supposed claim she is God (that is plain blasphemy but many misunderstand that we believe that) or we pray to her (we do not pray to her; we give her adorations, or we ask for her intercession, or we recognize the special relationship she has with Jesus and consequently recognize her as our mother too) I have to say that the people who give Catholics the worst flak is Catholics themselves who misplace their worship or emphasise the image more than the thought. The images are not idols but supposd to help us keep in mind the person, just like we have photographs of loved ones to remember them by. And the *Catholic* bible is only different from other bibles in nt what it didn't have, but what it has, an additional 7 or 8 books - I'm not sure. I think they are called the apocryptic (not sure spelling) books. I have heard about claims that Jesus is not Mary's one begotten son, especially with evidence from bible where Jesus called others his brother, but in that context, ie. those times, it was natural to call cousins brothers like many Indians and Chinese still do. However I believe whether Jesus had other siblings has little impact on what we believe, it matters more on who we believe is Lord and Saviour, and that is still Jesus.

Ok those are the two things that came up in my mind when reading thru your response, and on the other points have to say I have to agree with you.Just want to share with you one more story before I pen off:When I got baptised, I was 18 years old. I was at dinner with some teachers who I was closely acquainted with. One of them, an Anglican, knew of my baptism, and remarked to another who happens to be a Catholic that I got recently baptised.

The Catholic looked to me and just said, "Congratulations. The Catholic church has a very interesting and rich history. I'm sure you'll enjoy being a Catholic." I tried my best to contain my surprise.

You see, my Anglican teacher/friend introduced us coz she thought it was Good News that I finally got baptised, the Catholic friend gave me a very academic reply which I should say would have made me cringe otherwise. Because if the Catholic Church had an intersting and rich history, and no basis on the Truth, or no Jesus, or no faith, I would not even care, coz at the end of the day, it was God who made me convert, not the Catholic Church. I guess sometimes the RC community pride themselves too much in what they have accomplished or what than in what really matters, which is God, the Faith and Salvation and Hope bought for us by the death and ressurection of Christ.

I truly hope to go on, but work beckons, and truly will be glad to share and journey with you in discovering more about our Lord. Thanks for taking the time and effort to share with us your views, and I sure hope we can work towards more dialogue and understanding. Go in Peace to serve the Lord and God Bless always.

Your sister in Christ Always,
Anonymous

P.S.
I don't think I have read the whole bible myself too yet, because most of what I understand of the bible is through the readings and Gospel readings at masses, and on and off I read here and there, but always jumping and all. I'm trying to cultivate a bible reading habit in me, and hope you'll pray for me in achieving to this end. Also, my *history* of the church definitely is not definitive, and if you can find the time, do research more on it and correct me if I misrepresented things, but of course must be valid, but otherwise I'm sure the essence of it should be there.. I hope :P

SO THAT'S IT. I THOUGHT WHAT SHE SAID WAS INTERESTING AND EVEN ENLIGHTENING. EVEN UNTIL NOW I STILL THINK SO.  ¶ 6:25 PM 0 comments

  some answers this is in addition to the post I had before, the one with digression in the title. Anyway, I wasn't making empty claims and I can back up what I said with the verses I read just now.Here:

Freedom from Human Regulations Through Life with Christ
Col.2:6-8
"Do then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him. Rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ" NIV

Christ brings real life
Col 2: 6-8 CEV
"You have accpeted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation of your life. Be strong in your faith just as you were taught. And be grateful.

Don't let anyone fool you by using senseless arguments. These arguments may sound wise, but they are only human teachings. They come from the powers of this world and not from Christ."



So when a teaching doesn't come from the bible... I therefore conclude that it is human teaching.  ¶ 11:23 AM 0 comments

  back again I guess I'll never get tired blogging although I have committed numerous attempted "murders", and will be guilty again in the future. "Murder" as in annihilating this blog entirely because there will always be times when I would just want to detach myself totally and get a hermit-like break from the world. Anyway, I just can't for practically knowing that some time after staining my mouse with bloog (blog blood =P) I'd wish my blog, my dear online diary, is still alive with me. Yes, I may revive it somehow, but I'm way too lazy to put it back to it's original form before I "murdered" it.

So that's it! I've wasted gazillions of hours unproductive in the university sense. I better stop this university nonsense and act like how a student should. After all, even though I'm just human, I still am a student...

and I'm bad with making up titles I guess... =P  ¶ 3:55 PM 0 comments

  meow! heeh...

Anyway, my little red friend is now readily refreshed and kept on asking me about the continuation of my story. His persistence actually led me to this post. Not that I forgot to tell him, it was just that I was too busy everytime I remember... I feel sorry though for the long delay, he said he's going to fly off soon, so I better wrap things up neatly for him, at least to give him a wonderful farewell from me and from Earth.

So in continuation...

Shaider. Also a fellow narutard :D. I think he is not just pretty tall at such a young age, he is pretty nice as well. Easy and comfortable to get along with. It wasn't actually long when he was able to mingle with all of us when he came to the youth group. Si shaider, magaling magpose, and syempre he got the looks ya? He can pose fairly well =). He is also such a friendly and unselfish young man, willing to share what he can share I believe. It was fun borrowing his "bands" for a week. I get to wear cool stuff like that once in a while :P. It's pretty unusual for him not to be present in our youth meetings, but if ever he is going to be, he will be missed! He is always always present as far as I could remember. Kudos Shaider! If you ask me? He is the real idol! =) I see that he is going to be a very fine young man, a very fine young man indeed!

Rovin. Army guy! I noticed he developed some lean stuff, say muscles, lately since he appears to be bigger than I could remember. Maybeline's sweetie =). They definitely are a fine young couple in the Lord. May they grow stronger in the Lord together, stronger in all aspects I hope =). He's pretty nice too. He got this humor which I guess Maybeline loves =), but really he can be funny! He sometimes carry this dubious serious atmosphere but actually he's just kidding around-->again, sometimes! :P Maybeline and Rovin look good together =)... I just love hanging out with them. Certainly comfortable to be with. ;)

Michael... from NTU... haha, yet another narutard! but I guess he is more than just that. Say some famous TV series, Desperate Housewives, friends, etc... Most probably he got all the shows, specially the latest ones of course. He can be funny too; and I see he and Korinna are getting along well, probably because they just get along well with each other... eheh . =P Mabait naman itong taong to eh =) and nice to hang out with, rarely do I remember boring times with this guy. He is growing in the Lord too. I think he is reliable as well; although minsan late sa mga meetings like me, you can just definitely rely things on him. He can sing too! And dance! wee! talented nga pala itong taong to! hehee =)... Keep up!

Kuya Mark... Hmm... I never really know him as how I was able to know the guys I previopuosly mentioned, it's because he graduated from the youth already. But during the pregraduation times, I see that he is the type who likes to do the backstage work. I appreciate backstage people, they are the essential framework who unfortunately sometimes go unnoticed. But I know God all the more acknowledges their efforts!=). Mabait din si kuya Mark! As in, and he is pretty helpful. He may be quite but he is also dependable =). Cool kuya! =)

Kuya Pheng! Yey! Si kuya Pheng, ang guide ng youth =). Wow, I think I can say a lot about him. Pero definitely I do not want to start off and share some stuff without this: Thanks a lot Kuya Pheng for everything! I sincerely thank you for what you did. Thanks for your lovingly stretched out patience and understanding. Such an admirable patience. Thanks for sharing with us what you have unselfishly. Thanks a lot for not giving up on us, even that alone I appreciate so much! Kuya Pheng is such a nice big brother in the Lord. He is not at all KJ and he gets to get along with us, the youth. Although like everybody else is in the process of growing more in the Lord, I see that Kuya Pheng is going at a good phase and serves as a good model for all of us. Good luck na lang to his L life =), I'll pray for it. =) =) =) Masaya kasama si kuya Pheng and he will also definitely be missed when he is not around!...

Anyway, I guess all of these people will be missed when they are not around! =)

I told my little round red friend that it all end well in that. He replied that he was sad about leaving soon and he's kind of sick realizing that he can't actually meet all these people, friends, in person. However, he was happy to know that I have them in my life. Then, my little friend made a resolution for himself, that when he goes back to the heavens, he would search for good and wonderful friends so that when he sees me again, he too can share about his friends. Friends are such wonderful and precious treasures in this life and I guess having quite a good bunch of them is already being way wealthier than having all of Bill Gates' money combined =).

---------
after this, little red meteorite stepped outside, in my window pane. I gave him a little hug and kiss for I sure adored his company in my little prison. Later, when the clock stroke 1:17 am, he slowly float off waving goodbye to me... It is sad to see a new friend leave. But I know he will be fine =). And after the slow start-off stage, he suddenly blasted off at the speed of light, and I see him no more... =(

Gee... I wish I'd see him again...  ¶ 12:25 AM 0 comments

  digression: my stand about all those mass emails, concerning Catholics and Protestants... I can't be silent at least in this blog...

I DON'T CARE. I know my faith, and where I stand so I wouldn't be dissuaded by those sweeping statements. Not to brag or anything (as you may think I am as part of being you a human of course) I have read the bible, and even studied some parts of it; reading btw doesn't mean understanding, you cannot possibly understand the bible without the Holy Spirit so do not make sullen claims as if you understand. I know where my faith is founded and I do not care about how much Catholics would love to say about my "religion". I for one doesn't really believe that I'm doing religion, it's a lifestyle that I chose. I only fear then that other people would be swayed by it... Indeed it is easy to be swayed if you do not know your foundations... That guy, the author, as well loved to generalize his experiences, which I guess is too much.

Why is it that we treasure the bible too much? True, it isn't enough. Like I said without the Holy Spirit you will never be revealed with it's meanings. The bible for us is a guide, an important guide. Do you think we just accept everything it says without question? If you have read the bible you might have encountered the Berean people (oops not sure of spelling). They confirm whatever the preachers said by studying the bible... Note, studying not reading alone. Doubts are raised in studying and together they search for answers inside the bible... Do you think it is just a mere story book? How long have you been scanning it? It seems to me you've failed to see it's depth, you just read all the blah blahs and mark those phrases that appeals you and maybe make you look cool. I think it is deep that I for one admit I still don't understand everything in it or even most but I am searching for answers still and I want to study it even more. It is indeed the Word of God, in it stories of imperfect humans that God has revealed himself unto. There were failures too, but I guess that speaks of it;that the bible is for humans to read and learn from all their mistakes...

If you ask me? I'd rather have my belief based on the bible (by a range of different personalities from a span of 2500 years) rather than what those people say about religion stuff and stuff these days. Actually they probably are less than a hundred years old. How can they know God more than the bible? How can they please God without knowing it from the bible? How? Within that puny century (at most)? I'm _____. You may say you have a lot of other doctrines (of probably more than centuries) and the bible ain't enough for salvation. Isn't it that those other doctrines have in some way find their basis on the bible? Why, if you don't believe in the power of the bible then the issue should go back to you: you believe whatever they write without question. They too are written by imperfect humans; we, imperfect beings, are vessels of His Word to all people... And I guess I say it as something fortunately but sadly, or unfortunately but honored... we are undeserving vessels...

It is true that the bible ain't enough for salvation. And we aren't saying otherwise either. Read Ephesians 2:8-10. It only implies that your good works will never be recognized by Him without faith. Faith without work is futile. I guess it is never faith; it is pathetic to say you have faith but you don't do anything, you simply don't have enough faith to do it and it isn't faith at all but something you just kind of feel like knowing and wrongly labeled it as faith. Faith without action is never faith! From 1 Thes. 1:3 you'd know that work is produced by faith, labor prompted by love and endurance inspired by hope... So if you have faith then it is default that you do good works.

The bible is an important guide but it requires discernment, a lot of insight (even from experiences and other people too) and guidance by Him through the Holy Spirit to be fully comprehended. I doubt anyone has had though lately, it is tough. It isn't any easy book to read and from it you just can't take everything so literal that you'd be aghasted of all the seemingly absurd stuff. Not at all. So don't think it's just small! Stop being deceived too much by your senses! You are only fooling yourself if you claim you know so much about God without even reading the bible.

Deutoronomy 8:3 - "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers have known, to teach you that MAN DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT COMES FROM THE MOUTH OF THE LORD."

and this Word I believe is now written since God himself said in the bible that He will never be as open as He was back then until the time has come for Jesus to bring us back to Him. BTW, in the old testaments you'd read people talking to God, and there was even this one time when the Israelites heard God and they pleaded Moses to make Him stop because He is fearsome. They instead asked Moses to talk to Him and they would believe everything Moses would tell the people; Moses even wrote the things that God said to him.

Why? What a ridiculous action! I always believed that Protestants and Catholics believed in Jesus and in the same Father. What a silly action for the church to stab and divide itself. This is indeed the degradation of the churches as implied from Revelations. We shouldn't dwell on what divides us but rather on what unites us! If you really have faith in God, the better course of action is unity! Are you saying all these things just to make you look cool or boost you pride and/or ego? How long has it been that you've been pushed with that self?

Do you notice the change in the world? It is getting darker even though the sun is high up.  ¶ 11:11 AM 0 comments