Upgrade

Tonight, I have upgraded myself. Before the year ends, I can see the first fruit of my labor and my impulsiveness.

But what I would wanted to share about is on how much I am thankful to the Lord, that in this past weeks, I have the privilege of thinking if I will buy it or not. You see, not all people have the luxury of having enough budget for it. And so, in my prayers I would always thank God that I am able. I may not have the perfect job, nor Have I been paid high, I was able to one by one fulfill my dreams.

Lord, I thank you. Thank You for everything. I may not be Your perfect son, but I feel much loved by You. And that alone, is sufficient.

New Spirit from the Old Capital

I am writing this starting 12:29 am of October 10 on the bus heading back to Yokohama. Unfortunately, I don't have internet connection here so most probably, this will be posted few hours after, when I'm finally home.

I dared myself once again on an out-of-my-comfort-zone adventure, that is to go to Kyoto, 8 hours away from Tokyo via expressways, alone.

Ok, being alone is in my comfort zone, but being at least 8 hours away from anyone you know, that makes my nerves shiver. But because I took my own challenge, let me share to you some of my impressions.

I remembered a professor of mine telling us that Kyoto is just the reverse of Tokyo - the country's capital.

Yes it might be true. Kyoto is exactly the opposite of Tokyo.

It seems that Kyoto people are more laid back. Hurrying seems to be new to them. They stand on the right side of the escalator and walk on the left (but walking on the escalator is not the normal thing to do, unlike in Tokyo).

Buildings here are mostly not that high, which makes the feel like that of a rural area. But unexpectedly, this rural city has heavy traffic. This might be because the city has so many tourist and everyone is using the bus system most of the time.

But Kyoto should not be regarded as just mere reverse of the capital. For once, and for a long time, this city houses the most powerful persons in this country. It was the capital, the seat of throne to the emperor and the land of the feudal lords and shogun.

Rich in culture beautifully preserved, one must see this city to really apreciate Japanese history.

The beauty of this city - a mixture of nature and cultural heritage - is not comparable to the present capital.

And although on this trip I realized I belong to the big city and not to small town, Kyoto had made my stay here in Japan complete. And yes, it refreshed me from the stress of the big city.

PS: no sir, Kyoto is not just the reverse of Tokyo. They are two different cities. And their names don't correspond to the reverse of the other. Tokyo, the eastern capital and Kyoto, the capital metropolis are not the same.

CLP

As of ths writing, I am on the train going from from Zushi. I attended most probably my last Christian Life Program in Japan. How happy it is to be with these brothers and sisters of mine. And yes, I will definitely miss them.

Like this train has its shuten, my journey here in Japan will soon be over - and as much as you enjoy the ride, you have to get off from it once the terminal is reached.

I will miss these, bit surely God has a bigger and brighter plans for me. And as the last song awhile ago says - "I will be still, for You are God."

Stucked Underneath the Bed Rocks

As of this writing, I am once again stucked. The subway suddenly stopped in between two stations. The pilot keeps on saying something on the public address, of course I don't understand what he's saying. Should i freak out already? I just happen to be few meters underground. I hear the word Jishin.

Thank God the train is now moving. Two more stations. Please.

Aged

I found myself almost into tears when I saw an old man eating what he founds edible in the trash bin. I wonder where his children are, or does he ever had one.

You see, in this very progressive country, which I believe the generation of this man was the one who made it possible, many are still unaware of what is really happening around them. This country, who probably has ten times more national budget than what te Philippines have lacks compensation on the aged. I know you will say there are a lot of street elders in the Philippines as well, but picture the nations' wealth as a whole and you'll understand why it is happening in the Philippines.

You can not find a 60 year old lady attending to your burger at McDonalds, or cleaning your office toilets, or even watching over the direction posts. In here, it is the usual scene.

In a country where respect for elders are regarded as a national holiday, how can children abandon their old parents? I just can't equate respect with neglect.

Just my two cents.

Typhoon

This weather makes me feel like I am back home in the Philippines. Maybe, in a way, making me feel how I missed my beloved country. This weather is fetching me. I'm coming home.

Sana'y Pag-ibig na Lang

Finally, was able to find inspiration in doing this video for the Filipino-Japanese kids. O they are just so lovely. Kids would never really fail to inspire me. I made this video with my prayers that there will come a time that they will no longer hide their identity as a Filipino, that there would come a time that this little children will stand up and be proud, that there would come a time that they will understand the Philippine culture, that time will come this kids will grow up and be the new pillars of the Philippines, better, much better than what the present generation had handed over to them. I hope and pray, that in this simple ways of mine, I may help them, open their eyes, and be an inspiration.

Ganbarimasu next generation Global Filipino!!

Stranded

As of this writing, we are here at Shimbashi stranded. All JR lines bound to Yokohama are not moving. One Japanese here told it was because of a trouble in Shinagawa involving a person. Would it mean, someone tried to take his life again by jumping off the train rails? I hope not. Ihope not more serious than that.

The train is now moving, hopefully it will maintain this phasing. I miss my bed already.

Now Mobile

It's been awhile since I blogged. I found this new iPhone application wherein I can blog using my phone. Hopefully, this app will encourage me to write again. See you soon. :)

Prayer for a Better Me Day 9: Better Future Me

Lord God, I thank You for the future that You will be giving me. I know Father that the future You are giving me are the best, according to Your Heavenly Will. I pray that I may be the best of my own self today so that I could be the best of me in the future. Grant this through Jesus Christ, the Lord Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Amen.

Prayer for a Better Me Day 8: Better Self

Dear Lord, I thank You for giving me a good health physically, mentally and spiritually. I thank You for all the countless blessings You have poured upon me. I pray that I may be a better person for own self. I pray that I may respect my body as Your own temple by keeping it fit and health. I pray that I may continue to seek for knowledge and to seek You in everyday, in that way, I will glorify You through the works of my hands and mind. I ask this through Jesus Christ, the Perfect Model. Amen.

Prayer for a Better Me Day 7: Better SFC

Heavenly Father, You have given me the Singles for Christ as my community that walks with me through life towards knowing You and claiming You as the only God we have, and I thank You for that. Grant, that I may be a better member of this community. That I may continue to worship You while praying that my brothers and sisters will share this joy I have with You as well. I pray, that in times I feel like giving up on this community, You will hold my hand and direct me towards winning the pearl of great prize - Your greater glory. I ask this through Jesus, the Christ and Lord. Amen.

Prayer for a Better Me Day 6: Better Worker

Almighty God, I thank You for giving me the strength and knowledge to be part of the working class. I thank You Father for giving me the opportunity to have my dream job. I pray that I may be a good colleague to my officemates and that I may always try to be the best yet without compromising my dignity. I ask this through Christ, the Miracle Worker. Amen.

Prayer for a Better Me Day 5: Better Follower of Christ

Heavenly Father, You have called us to follow You, and I thank you for that. I pray, my Mighty King, that I may be a true follower of You, not by just word but by action as well. Strengthen my faith and give me courage to stand ready to accept the challenges in proclaiming Your greater glory. I ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Obedient Son, Our Model in Faithfulness. Amen.

Prayer for a Better Me Day 4: Better Citizen

Heavenly Father, I thank You for giving me the Philippines as my home. I praise You, Lord, for the wonders that You had poured upon our country. Almighty God, I pray that I may be a better Filipino - by continuously obeying the rules of the law and by proclaiming to the world how great we Filipinos are by working with integrity and effectiveness. This I ask though Jesus Christ, the Great Galilean. Amen.

Prayer for a Better Me Day 3: Better Friend

Truly Lord, You have made us as a social being. I thank you Father for the friendship that I am enjoying with the people around me. I pray that I may be the friend they can count on in times they needed one. I ask this through the Mighty Name of Jesus, our Best Friend. Amen.

Prayer for a Better Me Day 2: Better Brother

Heavenly Father, I thank you to have my sisters who had been supporting to me in all the endeavors that I had chosen to do. I ask you, my dear God, to make me a better brother to them, ever ready to stand in defense for them and to be a light in them through times that they encounter darkness. I ask this through our Brother, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer for a Better Me Day 1: Prayer to be a Better Son

Heavenly Father, 27 years ago, you gave me to papa and mama as your answer to their desire to have a son. I humbly ask You, Almighty King, that I may be the son they deserve and that I may live truly as Your gift to them. I ask this through Jesus Christ, The Lord, The Perfect Model of a Son, Amen.

Eulogy

Last night in the news, the father of the young actor who died in a car crash told how his son was - a loving, good son.

Now I wonder, when it would be my time to pass, what will people say about me. Will my family say "He's a good boy. He's loving. He's nice."? Will my friend consider me their best friend? I just wonder what I was to them.

I wonder how I had lived my life in the sight of everyone. How was I as a brother, or as a son, or as a friend? I wonder, what will the people hear on my eulogy. Moreover, will there be people attending it?

I don't know. What I do know is that I lived, am living and will live my life the way I know I should be.

PS: I am not wishing for my death soon. I don't want to die yet. Just the thought of it freaks me out. This was just a sudden thought in my mind.

The Day is Coming

This is my prayer for tonight: That the day will come when I finally meet a partner that will love me back. The day when I will no longer settle for just what was left, rather for what I am worth. The day when I will no longer be sleeping with a heavy heart but with but a smile in my face and a spirit full of hope and of joy.

I pray for a partner that will understand me, that will lift me up, that will cheer me up. A partner that will make me feel good about myself. Of whom is seeing the good in me rather the flaws I have. A partner that I love and loves me back.

I am deleting all the past hurts. I am deleting everything that will remind me of how I was unlovable. I am deleting everything that reminds me how crazy I had been.

From now on, I will be living my life in joy, in hope, in anticipation of the love that is to come - my future wife.

The day is coming. It will.
I hope. I believe. I pray.