Monday, October 27

Thank GOD Ginger's SAFE

One of the strangest reasons why I've put off driving for the longest time, is because I've always been scared of being in an accident. I seem to have recurrent nightmares of being caught in one, or being a victim of one. Working in the emergency room, seeing car crash victims does not help my fear at all. Don't even get me started on motorcycles.

Ever since I started driving, I've become more aware of how BAD our drivers are, especially (but NOT limited to) of public utility vehicles and large vehicles (like trucks and trailers). They literally drive like they just woke up one day, and decided to take the wheel of a vehicle, with no idea that they drive with other cars on the road. They don't understand that there are lines on the road for a reason, that there are signal lights and break lights for a reason, there are stop lights for a reason and there are road rules and signs for a reason. And it's not just because they're nice to look at.

I don't even want to rant about road courtesies and all that. The way someone drives can actually give you a glimpse of someone's personality and temperament. Now I understand road rage and the like - and I understand why having a gun in your glove compartment can be a very dangerous thing. And it's funny when people say how someone slow or cautious on the road 'drives like a girl.' I'd rather drive that way, than drive like it's my last day on earth.

Ginger was in an accident today. What started out to be an ordinary busy week for everyone, ended up as a true demonstration of God's faithfulness. And today is only Monday. It could've happened another way - and we could've been in the hospital right now, praying for a miracle. Thank God she's safe. We just realized how important it is to pray for safety every single day. Accidents happen, sometimes they're inevitable. But God's hand was in my sister's midst, even at a time like this.

Read her story.
************
Today started out like any ordinary Monday. I woke up a little late and of course, had the Monday blues. For the first time in a long time, I drove myself to work.

At around 10:00AM, I had just stopped in front of the stoplight in Ortigas Ext. (the Valle Verde 6 one before Luntala). I heard the squealing of brakes, the sound of metal against metal and the breaking of glasses. And, I felt my car lurch forward a couple of yards. I realized, "crap, I'm in a car accident and I'm going to be late for work."

I didn't think it was that bad. I was sitting down and i heard the vendors screaming outside "Ang bilis ng truck, nakikipagkarera sa bus!." Shakingly, I stepped out of the car. And I was shocked at what I saw. It was a 3 car collision.

There was a huge truck with it's windows smashed in. (the culprit of it all)

In front of him or behind me, there was a Destiny Cable van with the ladder down on the road beside me with all it's windows smashed in too. The passengers of the multicab were slightly injured due to the smashed glass. I took a picture of this when we already moved. See the
ladder on top? that fell off.


And then, there was me. Seeing all that, I was floored. I called two people; my dad and Winkle. It was all a blur actually. I called Winkle to say I was going to be late for work, originally thinking I'd still get to go. My hands were shaking which I only realized when the cops came to have my sign a paper and it's still shaking now as I write this now. They kept asking me if I was ok as the ambulance came. And I really was ok, rattled but ok. Praise God for that. However, that made me realize it was a bad accident and I had a close call. And I was really thankful. On a side note, it must have been pretty bad coz the other motorists were stopping to take pictures (salamat ha, at least you took pictures kahit you didnt help! hindi ako bitter, hindi :) haha)

I kept thinking what if:
- I had been in the one in front of the truck.
- the ladder had gone through my window instead of going on the side.

I don't want to imagine the answers to those what-ifs and I don't have to. And for that, I have only God to thank. I believe it's really His grace that I'm ok. It wasn't only the circumstance but the car I was in was miraculously not so damaged. Imagine, my car only got dented (even if the dent was really bad) and none of the windows were smashed or even the lights of the car. When you look at the damage on the other two cars, I'm just amazed and very, very thankful. I'm glad God still has other plans for me. :)

I'm also thankful my dad still wasn't in Vietnam so he kept me company in the police station and then I had lunch with him and my sister. Kudos to MMDA, Brgy. Ugong and PNP police in that area. I never thought I'd say this but thanks. They really ensured we were all fine and they made sure the process was quick. I'm also thankful none of us were badly injured especially for those in the Destiny van.

As I sit now at home and write this (my boss excused me from work, thanks :)), I can't help just feeling blessed. I will never take safety for granted ever again. So, I write this to say that yes, miracles still do happen, sometimes in the places where we expect them the least. And yes, He is always in control. Thank you Lord. Thank you. So in case you read this, say a prayer of thanks for me too. :)

Wednesday, October 22

happy thoughts.


Monday, October 20

Boracay.

I don't know why I'm feeling oddly melancholic and emotional at the same time. I don't even know how to explain what I'm feeling. I'm feeling somewhat sad, somewhat happy, somewhat depressed, somewhat excited, and overall hormonal all at the same time.

All papers in. All my requirements are complete. That means it's all a matter of time, and waiting. I have a feeling I'm leaving next month because the hospital has been following-up like crazy. I should definitely appreciate all this time and rest I have, because once work starts over there, I'll be busy, but I'll have tons of time too - and I'll be all alone. Ironic right? Woe is me and all that.

But hey, isn't that what I wanted?

It's funny how I'm currently dead broke... and in a matter of months, I'll be financially stable, but I'll be by myself, in a far away land. Away from everything I love and everything I'm used to. And away from everything I want to spend for. A girl can't really have everything.

I know what I need. I NEED to go to Boracay and see Vivid, and all our other friends on the island. I NEED to go crazy, and recall all our fun memories over there. I NEED lychee martinis, the Shark Attack bucket, malibu pineapples, our drink concoctions, a caramel macchiato from Del Sol. I NEED to watch the sunset and waste away the time on the beach. I NEED to go there, and not for the reasons people go there for.

I NEED to go there because it was a place where I felt at home. It was a place where I felt free. It was a place where I felt like myself. And I NEED to go HOME, even for a moment.

*Sigh* Miracles can happen. Please?

Friday, October 17

Numbered.

It's strange how my AMC results FINALLY arrive, on the day that Stel's manuscript is to be submitted. DIVINE intervention. Thank you, Lord.

Now I can START shopping seriously, and PREPARING myself seriously to LEAVE - more likely in a month.

Oh GOSH. Now it's feeling REAL. And everyone knows that the ONLY thing that will break my heart when I leave, is to be apart from HIM. The longest we've ever been apart is a MONTH. *Sigh*

A HEAVY heart. But I know I'm doing this for ME, and for US too.

Now my days are numbered.

Thursday, October 16

Weddings, weddings, weddings...






Everyone seems to be getting married. Hmm... :)

Wednesday, October 15

I WANT this!!



13-inch Aluminum Macbook.
Good things come to those who wait.

Tuesday, October 14

In this CRAZY life

I notice how I write more when I'm feeling sad or melacholic. Sometimes it becomes cathartic in a way. It's the first day in a long time I'm staying home. Since September came, there was a whole flurry of activities that Stel and I have been out almost every night. The realities of leaving soon has now gotten to me. My results have been resent to my Tita in Australia, and I know that as soon as the Medical Board receives the certified copy, I will leave in a month. The hospital is that persistent. Now that reality is sinking in, and I will leave anytime my visa comes out, I'm feeling excited and sad at the same time.

It doesn't even help that Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Spending it away from the people I love will be very trying and difficult. I cannot even imagine how it will be once that time comes.

I hate that it's raining like crazy outside. The weather has been crazy - you can never predict whether you'll wake up to pouring rain or a storm or a hot and humid day. I can only imagine how a country with four seasons is like these days because of global warming. We really have to do something about it in our own little way.

Things aren't getting any easier. Stel and I have been attending weddings left and right - that we can't help but feel the pressure. But we're both realistic, and we know what we both want at this point. I hope that the distance will allow us to grow apart, yet still together. It sounds so easy, and so simple. I know in my heart that whatever He wills, will be. That's how it should be.

Speaking of weddings, I wish that Stel sings this for me the day I walk down the aisle. :)


Song lyrics | Everything lyrics

Monday, October 6

Good things NEVER last

There's this little coffeeshop over at Wilson Street that serves passable coffee and pastries, a great ensaymada, and has the quaintness of the coffeeshop on Friends - reminds me of NYC.

The best thing about it is FREE WIFI, and FAST.

It's the best place to wait for Stel, there's ample parking space, plus it's near Cardinal. And the basement parking solves all the problems of going to Starbucks in Chili's/Promenade, or Mocha Blends/Nail Loft during these rainy days.

Stel and I were trying to figure out how long it would last - since each time we come, there's hardly anyone around. It's a big plus for us though, since we get to plug our laptops without the hassle of having people give you the EVIL EYE. Which I sincerely hate. I go to coffeeshops for REAL work - not to stream videos on Youtube or Surfthechannel, not to upload pictures, not to YM my friends, or to check my FB. That's what I do AT HOME. When I'm outside with my laptop, I do REAL WORK. And some inconsiderate people play their music SO LOUD (with the coffeeshop's piped in music in the background), they act like they own the place. I don't even care if they did, they're not AT HOME. Please.

During the last holiday, Stel and I were meeting to finalize his paper - but sadly, it was closed. We did see that coming. :(

Today, I enjoy the remaining days of its existence. They reopened, but only to finish up their stocks/inventory. No MORE coffee, no ensaymada.

But still, there's free wifi. And their chocolate ganache will be enough to get me through the next few hours. While I finalize some WORK.

Goodbye, East and Hudson. :( Where to next?

Thursday, October 2

'LUCKY' Night.





First time I got four 4s TWICE in a night, plus a 1-2-3-4-5-6 series, plus 4 of a kind, plus 2 trios. Basta marami.

I lost the GRAND PRIZE because I got four 4s and a LOWER number the second time.

Should've bought a LOTTO ticket. Stel and I were on a ROLL.