Reborn Identity

Hello! Readers and stalkers (haha kidding!)! I just came home from camp yesterday and I can truly say that God made this camp a truly amazing experience for me. I'm so blessed to join this year's camp. As you all might or might not know, I have been having second thoughts upon joining camp, since we don't have the financial means for both I and my sister. But somebody became a blessing and were kind enough to sponsor us! God is really good--right then and there I knew that He really wanted me to join the camp.

Here are some highlights on the things that happened in camp.

Messages
The messages really hit me. If there was a metaphor to describe it, it's like a spear thrusting towards my heart. I knew that the speaker's message is about me, and I know that God wanted to say those things to me. I am so moved.

Praise and Worship Night
I cried my heart out during the worship night. I just can't forget that time where God was mightily moving in the crowd, everyone was lifting their hands and you can literally hear people crying and shouting "Jesus". Who else would have the power to move us mightily? No one else but God's Holy Spirit.

Breakout Groups
I love my D-group. They are such an amazing bunch of girls, and we shared a lot of things that we experienced during our walk with the Lord. I knew that God was working in each in every one of us and it's such a phenomenon that we never felt such comfort in sharing each other's personal lives. I just love them.

Fun
I went swimming with my girls and we did the slide thing. It was such a memorable experience. The joke time in the cabin, I can never forget that. The constant farting, hahaha! I can never forget that. THE FOOD! I love the food in camp. It's just the best. I love the cupcakes! And the never-ending selection of viands!

Camp is really the best and I'm so blessed to have joined again this summer. It's such a wonderful experience every year, only that this year is the BEST. God is really great!

Oh my David!

Dear, dear. Don't ask me who my favorite Idol contestant is, you'll obviously know who. Behold, I say it in bold,

DAVID ARCHULETA.

Once again I stand corrected, David is the epitome of the ideal guy. He's a 17-year-old Christian (but a Mormon at that) who lives in Murray, Utah, USA. He has a voice you can fall in love with any day, and an infectious, down-to-earth personality that you want every man in earth to possess. No wonder this guy IS the front runner of this season's American Idol. No wonder he solicited a miraculous bulk of American Idol viewers globally as of this year in spite of the show's at-the-verge-of-extinction ratings last season, especially here in Asia. Here is a performance from him:

David Archuleta's Rendition of Imagine by John Lennon

I get chills whenever I hear his runs. He has this soulful voice similar to Josh Groban's with a contemporary feel, and looks that could kill. Seriously kill. He has the boy next door looks, and is extremely photogenic. Who would not love that face?

Simon even said that he is "Good-looking." Randy called him "Blazing hot", and Paula said, "I wanted to squish you and hang you on my rear view mirror." (Yes, that was a positive comment, in a weird way I guess).

He is the type of guy you want your daughter to date. And can you believe that this STRAIGHT guy actually hasn't had any girlfriends yet? Despite the crumbling values and morality of the modern-day teen, David Archuleta definitely stands out by a mile. No wonder he is shining on American Idol. He has won the hearts of little tweens, of girls, guys, moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, and maybe even your pet because he is just so darn adorable.

Fangirl vibes! I just think that David is beyond amazing and he will sell a lot of records once he's out for the world.

And you know what? I think I just formed a conclusion.

DAVID AND I ARE THE PERFECT MATCH!

We both love God, we're both 17, he's taller than me, we both haven't had any exes, I also don't like rap, I like blue, I kind of like Thai food (uhh..yeah because it's similar to Filipino Food) and I play Neopets before! C'mon!!

Nah, just kidding. I'm just an ordinary girl who lives in this big blob of archipelago far far away and he doesn't even know that I am existing. But anywhoo, I'll support David's endeavors as long as I'm a fan. I'm an Arch Angel!

http://archuletafans.com

Interview Q & A

Ok. This is a simulated interview, if ever there would be one, for my transfer in UPM. Hahah. I'm such an OC! But anyway, here it goes!

1. What is the reason why you want to transfer to Speech Pathology? Isn't that a bit far-fetched from your previous course?

- There are many reasons why I want to transfer but the main reason why I would do so is because through experiencing my majors in Film, I realized that I am more inclined in Science-related subjects. I personally believe that it is the best choice for me since I would still want to pursue a course which has something to do with communication, only that it is leaning more on allied medicine rather than mass media. Other reasons would be the proximity from my home to my school and job opportunity.

2. What do you want to be after you graduate?

- I would like to be a licensed Speech Pathologist in a clinic or hospital, or in a specialized educational institution. Any will do, as long as I get to practice what I studied.

3. What makes you think you are fit for this course?

- I did a research on the subjects I'm going to take if ever I get through the transfer, and I can say that I'm really interested in them, and if I'm going to assess my previous grades, I think it's enough for me to make it through four years of being a BSSP student. And career-wise, I think I'm also fit because I have the patience in teaching as well. I've experienced tutoring people during high school and I've also managed to train my dog to do tricks as well.

I'm really hopeful. I really am. I'm always praying. I want to get this!:D

Thankful Beyond Words

I'm really thankful because lately I've had this thinking that I might not go to CCF's camp this summer. We don't have the money for camp this summer and my summer job's salary's not enough, and I was really hesitant to look for a sponsor. But I was reminded by my D-group leader, Ate Mika, that "God will always provide." And prior to that, I prayed sincerely if He wanted me to join camp this summer, it wouldn't be a problem for us. I know God would always make a way if it's His will.

And right now? Guess what! Last Sunday, someone actually paid for my expenses. I was really thankful because Ate Mika helped me find a sponsor. I owe her a big one.=) As for my sister, Tita Barbie is looking for people who might want to help us out. Things are turning out good and the bottom line is: WE'RE GOING TO CAMP! Yay! I'm so happy.

I'm so happy because if there's anything that made me closer to God, it would be the previous camps. In there, I got to know God better and I felt like I was free from distractions (like this computer, hahaha) and it's like a 4-day immersion into His presence with fellow young believers.

I'm also happy because this is the time for me to really enjoy camp. Last year was a mess, and I know there's a lot of distractions since I was interested with someone from the youth group. Right now, I can say that I'm not interested with anyone and I'm really excited that I will be enjoying God's presence without any distractions or other crappy things in mind.:-)

This might also be the LAST camp I'm attending since I'm going to catch up with my summer classes and I'm already 18 by that time! I think it's time for me to "spread my wings" and break free from this stage in life. I know there are lots of things God has planned ahead of me and I'm really looking forward to them. Whatever happens, I always keep this positive thought in mind:

"Whatever happens in my life, I know that He has planned it and as long as I trust Him, I can be sure that all things will work for the better and He will make me succeed."

The World Will Hate

Yesterday, I watched one of the most-anticipated events in the course of every season in American Idol--AI: Idol Gives Back. The how-abouts of the show gathered hoards of well-known celebrities across Hollywood to encourage American viewers to call AI's hotline for a cause. The proceeds will be used for charity in depressed parts of America and Africa.

However, a booming chain of reactions across cyberspace appeared when the Top 8 along with a Christian choir sang "Shout to the Lord" by Hillsong as a closing performance. Many said "it wasn't right", "why does religion have to be mixed with music", and "right down corny".

As a Christian, it made me think a lot. Why do many people have strong negative ideas about Christianity as a whole? I went over the internet to find verses about persecution and here is what I found:

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’

If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours."

- John 15:18-20

I realized that it's not the atheists who are the enemies, but the ignorance and narrow-mindedness that divides us. People stereotyping other people. Negative ideas being generalized. Distorted perceptions about one's culture and lifestyle. These things separate us and will continue to tear us apart until we do something to stop it.

As a Christian, I never wish to force other people into my side of thinking. I never wanted others to think that being a Christian equates to being self-righteous, nor do I want them to think that we are better people than them.

I'm not here to show you how wrong you are and how right I am. It was never my plan. It never became God's plan.

GOD COMMANDED ME, SO I AM HERE TO TESTIFY FOR HIM.
YET I AM HERE ONLY TO TESTIFY, NOT TO COMMAND YOU TO BELIEVE.
PAINSTAKINGLY. EVEN IF THE WORLD SHALL HATE ME FOR WHAT I DO AND WHAT I BELIEVE IN.

I have my faith. I believe that there's a place out there waiting for me. I believe in God. I believe in Jesus. I will never be ashamed.

Blog Time!

Have you ever had those days where you just want to blog but you have actually nothing to blog about? Apparently, there's no interesting thoughts going in my head right now. But here's some stuff that happened to me/I'm thinking about.

Okay, got all my grades. We're all better than last sem's. PWNED! Haha. I have to admit, I worked more conscentious this sem than the last because I have to, also admit that it was pretty much a caliber more difficult than the first sem. No really. Art Stud 2 was just an explosion of reports. Geog1 was filled with surprise quizzes and out-of-the-blue items in long tests. PE1 was just...lectures and memorization. Eek. Imagine a lecture PE. Kom2 was wow, Kom2 had me experience the most stressful time of my life. I had less than a day to finish a 50+ page research paper COMPLETE with all the documentations, appendix, table of contents and stuff. My majors were okay, but not as hard as my GEs. Film100 was just film reviews, so I just typed away. Haha. Photography was fun..and hard at the same time. I managed to finish all my plates way ahead from the deadline. Haha. Here's the list and my comment about it:

1.) Geog 1 - 1.0
Comment: I was expecting 1.25! well, what do you know? Hard work pays off. =p

2.) Art Stud2 - 1.25
Comment: I find it unfair really. I was expecting a 1.0. I found it unfair that everything is majorly based on groupworks and I have shed efforts more conscientiously in major parts of our group presentations. I guess my prof really can't notice me. Haha. Oh well that's life.

3.) PE 1 - 1.50
Comment: I was expecting a 2.0! I did poorly on the first exam. I also thought I didn't do well on the 2nd, although I had the highest score on the last exam. I mean, it wasn't even enough to reach an average of 90. Deyum! But I was shocked I got 1.50, I wondered, maybe that prof did justice because the exams her student teachers gave were way over the top for a PE class!

4.) Kom2 - 1.25
Comment: Hmm, it was actually what I expected. So no complaints.

5.) Film 100 - 1.50
Comment: Uhh, I can't think of any comment, though I was kind of hurt. Haha, was that weird? I literally "careered" my wits for the final paper.

6.) Film110 - 1.50
Comment: I'm satisfied enough. I was thinking: I don't care what grade I'll get basta it's not lower than 1.75.=p

Who else to thank? THANK GOD I made it though...the only thing I'm worrying about right now is my transfer to UPM. I'm waiting for my grades to be processed. Woo! Whatever happens this is still God's will, I'm going to pray and trust Him for everything.