We served early dinner for some fifty senior citizens in a center in Oakland today. Some of them are homeless, some are not. The seniors must be registered with the center and then they would be eligible for dollar meal. Today it was green peas, corns, baked ham and dinner rolls, and due to our lack of information on legwork, no desserts.
As we were preparing for the dinner, they gathered at the tables and chatted with fellow tablemates. Coffee and tea were self-served and free. Occasionally, some of them came to us and asked for sugar, some asked for cookies to go with the coffee or tea. I brought out the sugar and moved the cookie jar to serving area. These proven to be illegal, as the receptionist, being a street smart, told us reasons why we are not supposed to leave those things out. Everything needed to be served because otherwise they will leave with the whole container for themselves. I paused not really understanding how one should behave wisely to somebody with a hard street life while preserving that person's dignity.
Some of us adults had reservation to actually interact with the people we served. "They smell," said one, the word "bum" came a lot from her. The Catholic school children who volunteers for their social hours seem to not minding anything though. Their parents taught them well. As for me, I volunteered the dish washing. The industrial dishwasher worked well as far as water and temperature go. The degreaser and bleach, on the other hand, seemed to be not properly sucked into the machine via the plastic tubes. We dried the dishes, mopped the floor, took out trash and left the center cleaner than we got in. An excellent team work with no unnecessary drama.
Afterward, some of us went together to feed ourselves dinner at a nearby Chinatown noodle place. What was sad about this is that we do not at all mind spending money for our meals, an amount that is nothing compared to what we get from our wages. That whole dollar the seniors spent on their meal this afternoon might be a big portion of what they have for the day's work. This also digresses me to contemplate about giving-- giving being the opposite of saving and spending. When we, the "haves", give, we tend to give from our abundance. That one story from the Bible about the poor widow that put her whole possession into collection basket tells us what might happen on the other side of the spectrum.
Speaking of Oakland, it is of course not the safest and cleanest city in the Bay Area. In fact, it is a whole different world from manicured community where my apartment and office are located. The sky is blue in my 'hood, the kids are playing in the park, people walk their dogs, and we put things on recycle bins. As I called my friend for direction--I was lost exiting a highway--I can clearly heard the sound of siren in the background. Another friend of mine was greeted with the view of a cop handcuffing a person as he exited the same highway.
All in all, I am glad for centers like this. We need to support people in need. A little of something, being time or money, goes further in this part of the world.
Showing posts with label Along the Line of Being Catholic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Along the Line of Being Catholic. Show all posts
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Much Ado About Nothing
One day on a meeting with the many groups and commissions at church back in CS, a favorite priest commented on my name, "it's Latin for the one who is nominated," he said. I smiled, mildly disagree. I have nothing in me that spells out L-E-A-D-E-R-S-H-I-P. I am good working with myself and from time to time can bring into reality some degree of successful fashion things that interest me. Working with others while assuming a leadership role need a whole other level of vigority, spontaneity, planning, and genuine believe in human beings, all that are incompatible with the silent side, anti-social me.
Despite the self assurance that I posses no leadership skills whatsoever, the namesake might, once again, be put in line what with the current politics at a certain non-profit, non-political, religious organization I am involved with. In an abridge version, a simple power overthrowing is on its way towards producing tragic consequence to the state of the organization. I am thinking in term of the ridiculousness of the situation, it is similar to the statue of Saddam Husein fatally befallen the masses around it.
In order to avoid the kind of doomsday everyone afraid of, some of the officers voicing their support for yours truly to man one of the key positions, that is as an interim President or a Vice President. I want to add a sexist point of view here, since none of the men is man enough to assume such positions (they are the ones that created the drama in the first place), why not make it an all women roles (although this can be dangerous also, we do not want to foster "feline belligerence" down the line). Anyway, back to being nominated, my take on the matter is that in addition to the lack of leadership ability, I simply don't have the virtue for such a heavy responsibility, not to mention this anxiety --that is well on its way to become a disorder-- I am suffering over the comeuppance of a certain proposal (BF, beware! Although, I doubt you read far down to this line. LoL!).
Let me work with myself to support the group. Let the drama dry out and all will be well again.
Despite the self assurance that I posses no leadership skills whatsoever, the namesake might, once again, be put in line what with the current politics at a certain non-profit, non-political, religious organization I am involved with. In an abridge version, a simple power overthrowing is on its way towards producing tragic consequence to the state of the organization. I am thinking in term of the ridiculousness of the situation, it is similar to the statue of Saddam Husein fatally befallen the masses around it.
In order to avoid the kind of doomsday everyone afraid of, some of the officers voicing their support for yours truly to man one of the key positions, that is as an interim President or a Vice President. I want to add a sexist point of view here, since none of the men is man enough to assume such positions (they are the ones that created the drama in the first place), why not make it an all women roles (although this can be dangerous also, we do not want to foster "feline belligerence" down the line). Anyway, back to being nominated, my take on the matter is that in addition to the lack of leadership ability, I simply don't have the virtue for such a heavy responsibility, not to mention this anxiety --that is well on its way to become a disorder-- I am suffering over the comeuppance of a certain proposal (BF, beware! Although, I doubt you read far down to this line. LoL!).
Let me work with myself to support the group. Let the drama dry out and all will be well again.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Monday, August 03, 2009
Back Log: July 18
Another volunteering chance served us on the 18th of July at MedShare, a fine institution formed in 1998 delivering surplus medical supplies from the US of A to all over the world.
The many types of medical supplies handled at this Northern California location.
The ready-to-be-shipped supplies in the background. Terry Monday is the Medshare person in charge on managing all volunteers.
We diligently sorted needles into pools of gauge size, type, and expiration dates.
The whole group posed customarily at the end of the event.
It was a lovely experience. We hope to come back.
The many types of medical supplies handled at this Northern California location.
The ready-to-be-shipped supplies in the background. Terry Monday is the Medshare person in charge on managing all volunteers.
We diligently sorted needles into pools of gauge size, type, and expiration dates.
The whole group posed customarily at the end of the event.
It was a lovely experience. We hope to come back.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Rant of the Week
I should've used a better judgment yesterday when my lazy body lulled my mind for a nap. I never take a so-called power nap--a few precious minutes and one will rise up energetically--it is always a long two-three hours one.
I woke up too early by my Sunday standard for a first showing of Harry Potter at 10:15 AM with the girls. After the nap, there was a momentous decision to go to the last Mass of the day or to replenish food supply. The end of Mass and the closing time of Trader Joe's are sadly congruent. Since I don't have the magical ability to disapparate right after communion, TJ's righteously won. And then the devil took my soul.
In a self I-told-you-so moment, I stayed awake till maybe 5:30 in the morning today. It successfully threw my plan to start the week with a bang at gym. I woke up 10 minutes past 11, just enough time to take a shower, wash and dry my hair (no flat ironing today), and lunch.
It's been closer to four months since I requested and underwent an alternative working hours. At first it worked perfectly fine, judging with the many progress I made over the first two months. The potency of the arrangement, however, is dimmer by the day, as machines are kept occupied until 7 at night. Leaving yours truly to many wasted productive hours spent on blogging, browsing the world wide web, and tending to fax machine(more on this later). Of course, those times are spent after gloriously finishing all the mundane clerical type of tasks. It seems that a graveyard shift will be more effective at this phase, research-wise.
As I finished sending out sample, I received an email from the International Students Service at school explaining the difficulty of faxing an important document to my company's fax machine. This document, I must note, has been gracefully and promptly finished on my request last week, a very good job, indeed. I gave the person another fax number as the hour ticks to 5 PM Texas time. She emailed me to let me know that this time the fax went through. She also asked to let her know if I successfully retrieved it. However, the fax line on our end didn't agree with the arrangement, prompting an error of end of job. I spent 20 minutes on the hotline to fix this problem to no avail. Apparently, the IT people had a problem with their phone line. Whoever it is that Murhpy guy. I salute you. I probably will find my luck to a copy a book written by Nick T. Spark, not to be confused with Nicholas Sparks.
Definitely not a good start of the week.
I woke up too early by my Sunday standard for a first showing of Harry Potter at 10:15 AM with the girls. After the nap, there was a momentous decision to go to the last Mass of the day or to replenish food supply. The end of Mass and the closing time of Trader Joe's are sadly congruent. Since I don't have the magical ability to disapparate right after communion, TJ's righteously won. And then the devil took my soul.
In a self I-told-you-so moment, I stayed awake till maybe 5:30 in the morning today. It successfully threw my plan to start the week with a bang at gym. I woke up 10 minutes past 11, just enough time to take a shower, wash and dry my hair (no flat ironing today), and lunch.
It's been closer to four months since I requested and underwent an alternative working hours. At first it worked perfectly fine, judging with the many progress I made over the first two months. The potency of the arrangement, however, is dimmer by the day, as machines are kept occupied until 7 at night. Leaving yours truly to many wasted productive hours spent on blogging, browsing the world wide web, and tending to fax machine(more on this later). Of course, those times are spent after gloriously finishing all the mundane clerical type of tasks. It seems that a graveyard shift will be more effective at this phase, research-wise.
As I finished sending out sample, I received an email from the International Students Service at school explaining the difficulty of faxing an important document to my company's fax machine. This document, I must note, has been gracefully and promptly finished on my request last week, a very good job, indeed. I gave the person another fax number as the hour ticks to 5 PM Texas time. She emailed me to let me know that this time the fax went through. She also asked to let her know if I successfully retrieved it. However, the fax line on our end didn't agree with the arrangement, prompting an error of end of job. I spent 20 minutes on the hotline to fix this problem to no avail. Apparently, the IT people had a problem with their phone line. Whoever it is that Murhpy guy. I salute you. I probably will find my luck to a copy a book written by Nick T. Spark, not to be confused with Nicholas Sparks.
Definitely not a good start of the week.
Monday, July 20, 2009
First Published Non-Semiconductor Related Work, LOL!
A little summary on Indonesian Catholic community around Bay Area I wrote for St. Justin's, Santa Clara. The church is where we celebrate second Sunday Masses in Bahasa Indonesia.
http://www.st-justin.org/weekly_bulletins/2009Archives/488800stjustin071909.pdf
Enjoy.
:D
http://www.st-justin.org/weekly_bulletins/2009Archives/488800stjustin071909.pdf
Enjoy.
:D
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Note-to-self
(Alternative) Examination of conscience for the act of contrition.
On one's relationship with:
In which I must conclude by borrowing the words of the Coldplay folks, I know Saint Peter won't call my name.
Sigh.
On one's relationship with:
- God
- Those nearest
- Everyone else
- God's other creatures
- Oneself
In which I must conclude by borrowing the words of the Coldplay folks, I know Saint Peter won't call my name.
Sigh.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Homily and OLOP
Another thing I miss about College Station, the other being working out at the Rec Center, is attending mass St. Mary's. I haven't felt at home in the many Catholic churches I have been to here and around town. One in particular is the popular OLOP. The feeling that I am merely a visitor as opposed to a parishioner has nothing to do with the two incidents there in which a man unsolicited giving me a pamphlet on dressing Marianly, one in the middle of Mass, one at the parking lot after. It is more about the homily.
To me the homily is one the most anticipated parts of Mass. All these times I haven't been able to get the gist of the homilies on the Masses offered at OLOP with different priest at different times. I'd say this is largely due to the state of the sound system which acoustic is probably affected, to my guess, by the structure of the church building itself. Second, it might be due to do with the way the sermon is presented. Back in St. Mary's, sermons were presented in a way that they were easy to comprehend that they almost certain touched bases every time. Although, at the OLOP cases, I couldn't really certain if each and every sermons were 'too heavy' as I couldn't hear it clearly every time.
This next time, I will try to sit closer to the altar and gather up an extra focus more during the sermon. All those yoga practices should be useful then.
To me the homily is one the most anticipated parts of Mass. All these times I haven't been able to get the gist of the homilies on the Masses offered at OLOP with different priest at different times. I'd say this is largely due to the state of the sound system which acoustic is probably affected, to my guess, by the structure of the church building itself. Second, it might be due to do with the way the sermon is presented. Back in St. Mary's, sermons were presented in a way that they were easy to comprehend that they almost certain touched bases every time. Although, at the OLOP cases, I couldn't really certain if each and every sermons were 'too heavy' as I couldn't hear it clearly every time.
This next time, I will try to sit closer to the altar and gather up an extra focus more during the sermon. All those yoga practices should be useful then.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Weekend
It's been a while since I've been involved in any type of volunteering work. The last time was visiting a retirement community back in good ol' CS. This Saturday, I went with a group of church friends to Oakland to work at a kitchen for the needy. We served gumbo with wild rice with a side of salad and bread, and donut or cake for dessert. If nothing else, the experience made me realize that we sometime forgot how grateful we are to be blessed with the ability to provide for ourselves. I like this kind of volunteering and have been considering doing it more frequently, at least once a month.
Serving the gumbo made me crave for a homemade one for dinner. I then called the BF for ingredients list and recipe. He used to work for a seafood place in his hometown during his high school years and might know a thing or to about making a perfect gumbo. In the middle of my cooking preparation, the BF texted me that he too was craving for some. We ended up cooking gumbo at the same time but 1000 miles away. Through out the cooking, we updated each other's tribulation: the roux took too long, mine is not dark enough, etc. I finished first and was planning to wait until he's done with his so we can eat the gumbo at the same time but my hunger took over. When he's done with the cooking he called me and we talked for more than an hour. It was just the cutest date this LDR had so far.
This afternoon, I went to a Mass said in my native language in a Mission church 20 something miles away from my place. The Mass was a celebration of the founding of the bay area Indonesian Catholic community as well as for an early Thanksgiving celebration. There was some kind of a worship dance performed in the middle of Mass. I'm not too sure what my feeling was about the appropriateness of this kind of activity. But at least the dance, the costume and the music were moderate enough to tone the effect down. Another worship activity was presented some time after. This time was in the form of a ballet performance. Needless to say, that for sure should be put into another time and place.
All in all, this weekend has been effective. I am looking forward for Monday. I am wondering how many people can say that they are looking forward for Mondays.
Serving the gumbo made me crave for a homemade one for dinner. I then called the BF for ingredients list and recipe. He used to work for a seafood place in his hometown during his high school years and might know a thing or to about making a perfect gumbo. In the middle of my cooking preparation, the BF texted me that he too was craving for some. We ended up cooking gumbo at the same time but 1000 miles away. Through out the cooking, we updated each other's tribulation: the roux took too long, mine is not dark enough, etc. I finished first and was planning to wait until he's done with his so we can eat the gumbo at the same time but my hunger took over. When he's done with the cooking he called me and we talked for more than an hour. It was just the cutest date this LDR had so far.
This afternoon, I went to a Mass said in my native language in a Mission church 20 something miles away from my place. The Mass was a celebration of the founding of the bay area Indonesian Catholic community as well as for an early Thanksgiving celebration. There was some kind of a worship dance performed in the middle of Mass. I'm not too sure what my feeling was about the appropriateness of this kind of activity. But at least the dance, the costume and the music were moderate enough to tone the effect down. Another worship activity was presented some time after. This time was in the form of a ballet performance. Needless to say, that for sure should be put into another time and place.
All in all, this weekend has been effective. I am looking forward for Monday. I am wondering how many people can say that they are looking forward for Mondays.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Wondering Too
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080116/ap_on_re_us/preacher_paternity
there are still 1500 members of that church... :P
mygoodness
But the results of a court-ordered paternity test revealed in October that Paulk is the biological father of his brother's son, D.E. Paulk, who is now head pastor at the church. <--- !!!
:P
there are still 1500 members of that church <== this is even weirder
ha ha
kok bisa sih disuruh paternity test ttg anak adeknya?
this will make a good Law & Order episode
maybe all sorts of lawsuit left and right
brothernya curiga kali
i'm willing to bet 90% of pastors have their own way of releasing sexual tension
it's just not natural...
you mean Catholic priests?
yeah that's what i meant
ha ha
yeah...I will inquire about this during confession...btw, Father..how do you...
yeah ask that
I will
bener ya tanyain
or I'll search priests blogs...see if they talk about that kind of stuff
hihihi
please report back
ok...this will take time
I'll probably get thrown into purgatory forever, if not straight to hell
Monday, December 24, 2007
'Twas the Night Before Christmas
I ran around three miles across campus. Just a perfect time to do such thing in the holiday season. There was no car and no one around. The sun was up high, and the weather was in the high 50's.
I also made a batch of Ms. S******'s chocolate almond toffee crackers recipe. I failed on the caramel, but it was still tasty. NY loves it. I'll bring some to the Christmas dinner tomorrow at G's.
We called Mom in the afternoon. It is hard for all of us. The first Christmas without my father. "Let's hope things are getting better by this time next year," says Mom.
I am going to midnight Mass and tomorrow's Christmas day Mass. "All hope failed on you," says Mr. Y. May the spirit of Christmas be upon all of us.
.
.
.
This song has been played over a diamond store commercial on TV. I couldn't help to post it up here. I think that possibly, maybe I'm falling for you.
Speaking of falling, I'd extend congratulations on my best friend and his bride on their wedding on December 23rd. Many happy years to follow!
I also made a batch of Ms. S******'s chocolate almond toffee crackers recipe. I failed on the caramel, but it was still tasty. NY loves it. I'll bring some to the Christmas dinner tomorrow at G's.
We called Mom in the afternoon. It is hard for all of us. The first Christmas without my father. "Let's hope things are getting better by this time next year," says Mom.
I am going to midnight Mass and tomorrow's Christmas day Mass. "All hope failed on you," says Mr. Y. May the spirit of Christmas be upon all of us.
.
.
.
This song has been played over a diamond store commercial on TV. I couldn't help to post it up here. I think that possibly, maybe I'm falling for you.
Speaking of falling, I'd extend congratulations on my best friend and his bride on their wedding on December 23rd. Many happy years to follow!
I think that possibly, maybe I'm falling for youI invited B to a choir concert at church two hours before the concert. We met a Korean guy who turned to be a post doc at his group and his wife. She asked B if I am his girlfriend. It was funny how the both of us said no. He walked me over to my apt, met with Bro and Sis, and ended up stayed for two hours mostly watching TV. We are going to a basketball game sometime in January. B seemed to blend well with my friends and family. Definitely a good thing.
Yes, there's a chance that I've fallen quite hard over you
I've seen the paths that your eyes wander down
I want to come too
I think that possibly, maybe I'm falling for you
No one understands me quite like you do
Through all of the shadowy corners of me
I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop
I love so much
All of the while I never knew
I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop
I love so much
All of the while I never knew
I think that possibly, maybe I'm falling for you
Yes, there's a chance that I've fallen quite hard over you
I've seen the waters that make your eyes shine
Now I'm shining too
Because oh because
I've fallen quite hard over over you
If I didn't know you, I'd rather not know
If I couldn't have you, I'd rather be alone
I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop
I love so much
All of the while I never knew
I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop
I love so much
All of the while, I never knew
All of the while , all of the while
--Coffee Shop, Landon Pigg
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Maria Maria
I got awaken several times from my sleep on Thursday night/Friday morning. As if on an autopilot, I prayed several Hail Mary's in the midst of going back to slumber. Something usually happened every time I experienced such sleeping trouble. I am guessing me saying the Hail Mary's was a divine mechanism to ease my mind of.
I went home around 5:20 PM the next day from school. St. Mary's is on my walking route. People were walking to church for the 5:30 Mass. So I decided to go Mass also. It is really not a bad idea to start one's weekend. What do I know, it was a Feast of Immaculate Conception (of Mary).
Coincidence? I don't think so.
I went on a date with this boy on Saturday, two months after he asked me out to lunch. http://notesfromthedungeon2.blogspot.com/2007/10/boys-again.html We went out to watch a play in a local theater in downtown Bryan. He called me 15 minutes before the play started. What kept him, I wonder. He didn't try to explain either. We arrived at the converted stage area on the third floor of a building just a few minutes after the play had started. It was a parody of Dicken's Christmas Carol spiced up with current pop cultures and what not. He laughed and he checked on me several times to make sure I enjoyed the play. I did.
He surprised me afterward by asking for a walk around the touristy downtown area. We even landed ourselves on a mom and pop's Mexican restaurant for a late dinner. The restaurant was closing in 15 minutes but we still got served nicely and promptly. He was being proper throughout the date. We kept our personal spaces intact. The guy is obviously not a chatterbox, he's more like yours truly actually.
He ended the date with an invitation to movie sometime. I agreed and I thanked him for the nice evening. All in all, things were more than what I had expected, though, I have no intention to develop the relationship into something more serious. I have set J on the highest pedestal these days. It seems natural to feel the indifference towards the poor guy.
I went home around 5:20 PM the next day from school. St. Mary's is on my walking route. People were walking to church for the 5:30 Mass. So I decided to go Mass also. It is really not a bad idea to start one's weekend. What do I know, it was a Feast of Immaculate Conception (of Mary).
Coincidence? I don't think so.
I went on a date with this boy on Saturday, two months after he asked me out to lunch. http://notesfromthedungeon2.blogspot.com/2007/10/boys-again.html We went out to watch a play in a local theater in downtown Bryan. He called me 15 minutes before the play started. What kept him, I wonder. He didn't try to explain either. We arrived at the converted stage area on the third floor of a building just a few minutes after the play had started. It was a parody of Dicken's Christmas Carol spiced up with current pop cultures and what not. He laughed and he checked on me several times to make sure I enjoyed the play. I did.
He surprised me afterward by asking for a walk around the touristy downtown area. We even landed ourselves on a mom and pop's Mexican restaurant for a late dinner. The restaurant was closing in 15 minutes but we still got served nicely and promptly. He was being proper throughout the date. We kept our personal spaces intact. The guy is obviously not a chatterbox, he's more like yours truly actually.
He ended the date with an invitation to movie sometime. I agreed and I thanked him for the nice evening. All in all, things were more than what I had expected, though, I have no intention to develop the relationship into something more serious. I have set J on the highest pedestal these days. It seems natural to feel the indifference towards the poor guy.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Before I Forgot
Just got back from ToT. Speaker was none other the Most Reverence Bishop Aymond of Diocese of Austin. My friend told me how they'd tried to get him to speak at our ToT for three years now, until last year when one of them met him in the airport and begged, so to speak, for his time for this year's ToT.
What I've learned from him, other than the gist of the talk it self, is that a good speaker now how to keep a short, clear, and edifying talk to accommodate for audience's attention span. He made it in less than 30 minutes but opened up the floor for questioning and discussion for another hour.
Things to keep in mind and to ponder later on:
What I've learned from him, other than the gist of the talk it self, is that a good speaker now how to keep a short, clear, and edifying talk to accommodate for audience's attention span. He made it in less than 30 minutes but opened up the floor for questioning and discussion for another hour.
Things to keep in mind and to ponder later on:
- Your relationships with others are reflective of your relationship with God.
- Relationship with God, like your relationships with others, has its up and down. Embrace it.
- Church was built by God, apostolic, and holy, but it also "runs" by human, and with that Church has human-like quality, i.e., bounds to make mistakes.
- Your image of God defines your relationship with him.
- The peril of separation between God from intellectual mind and God in heart.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Cryptic
You say You want diamonds on a ring of gold
You say You want your story to remain untold
But all the promises we made
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is You
You say You'll give me a highway with no one on it
A treasure just to look upon it
All the riches in the night
You say You'll give me eyes in a world of blindness
A river in a time of dryness
A harbor in the tempest
But all the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is You
You say You want your love to work out right
To last with me through the night
You say You want diamonds on a ring of gold
Your story to remain untold
Your love not to grow cold
All the promises we break
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is You
You
All I want is...You
All I want is...You
All I want is...You
You say You want your story to remain untold
But all the promises we made
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is You
You say You'll give me a highway with no one on it
A treasure just to look upon it
All the riches in the night
You say You'll give me eyes in a world of blindness
A river in a time of dryness
A harbor in the tempest
But all the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is You
You say You want your love to work out right
To last with me through the night
You say You want diamonds on a ring of gold
Your story to remain untold
Your love not to grow cold
All the promises we break
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is You
You
All I want is...You
All I want is...You
All I want is...You
--U2, All I Want is You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOUxXF49-Sw
J-Update, a.k.a. Things I Blogged About on Mondays and Tuesdays This Semester
What did you do this weekend?He readjusts the collars on my shirt, it takes me by surprise. I was wearing a sweater vest on top of the long-sleeves shirt. The neck area of the vest was cut a bit too high, resulted in an awkward positioning of the collars..
I ate steak. What's that little town that way?
S*nook?
Yeah..have you been to one of the steak places there?
So*do*lak?
No, the other one..
Wait...
It looks cramped...
Oh..
Yeah, I've been there...
.
.
What else did you do this weekend?He proceeded to tell how were the dates generally. It seemed he had fun. And me? Well, I feel I can move on from the so-called heartbreak easily these days. There are so many things to worry about and to focus in this life other than boys-related issues.
Not much. How was your date?
Which one?
There were more than one?
I had two, one on Tuesday, another one on Thursday
Different girls?
No, no, same girl.
Ah...
PS: have only slept for less than three hours today, and I didn't feel all that sleepy.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
tu es Petrus et super hanc petram
I made it a habit to stop by, and if possible, to attend Mass at the local Catholic church of the place I'm traveling in.
In NM last December, it was easy. Churches were aplenty. We visited Santa Fe's San Miguel, the oldest church in North America, and Loretto chapel, home of the miraculous hanging stairs. The sad thing was that the touristy atmosphere almost jettison the warm, sacred feeling. I wonder if people couldn't help but making the same empty devotion on their visit to the Notre Dame, Basilica di San Paolo, and all of the famous churches out there.
I visited St. Patrick's in downtown SF last April in the morning before I hoped on BART to the airport for my flight back to H-town. I sat still for a couple minutes with the soothing sound of waterfall in the background. I took enough pictures while admiring the architecture. It was unfortunate that I missed their Wednesday noontime concert.
In May back home, I noticed that St. Lusia Rumbai had significant architectural changes. They opened up the sidewalls and installed hanging wooden doors to accommodate the growing number of attendants and to provide better circulation. St. Maria at the capital city of the province was under renovation. I'm wondering about the mural they were working on at the half-dome. In both churches, it was such a nice experience to listen to Mass in the native language again.
The latest place of worship I visited was St. Matthew's not far from downtown Hillsboro, OR, just this last Thursday. I needed a place to cool down after the mentally draining interview with the biggest company in town. The doors were locked but as I was about to give up and drive away, I saw people went into a small building next door. It was the church office and chapel. And just what I needed the most, a Mass was going to be offered in a couple minutes. So there I was, sitting at the bilingual (English-Spanish) Mass, with my fellow brothers and sisters with the same thirst for worship. I look at those tired faces and admired their faith.
Onto the next churches, onto the next cities.
In NM last December, it was easy. Churches were aplenty. We visited Santa Fe's San Miguel, the oldest church in North America, and Loretto chapel, home of the miraculous hanging stairs. The sad thing was that the touristy atmosphere almost jettison the warm, sacred feeling. I wonder if people couldn't help but making the same empty devotion on their visit to the Notre Dame, Basilica di San Paolo, and all of the famous churches out there.
I visited St. Patrick's in downtown SF last April in the morning before I hoped on BART to the airport for my flight back to H-town. I sat still for a couple minutes with the soothing sound of waterfall in the background. I took enough pictures while admiring the architecture. It was unfortunate that I missed their Wednesday noontime concert.
In May back home, I noticed that St. Lusia Rumbai had significant architectural changes. They opened up the sidewalls and installed hanging wooden doors to accommodate the growing number of attendants and to provide better circulation. St. Maria at the capital city of the province was under renovation. I'm wondering about the mural they were working on at the half-dome. In both churches, it was such a nice experience to listen to Mass in the native language again.
The latest place of worship I visited was St. Matthew's not far from downtown Hillsboro, OR, just this last Thursday. I needed a place to cool down after the mentally draining interview with the biggest company in town. The doors were locked but as I was about to give up and drive away, I saw people went into a small building next door. It was the church office and chapel. And just what I needed the most, a Mass was going to be offered in a couple minutes. So there I was, sitting at the bilingual (English-Spanish) Mass, with my fellow brothers and sisters with the same thirst for worship. I look at those tired faces and admired their faith.
Onto the next churches, onto the next cities.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Apologetic
wow this is harsh...
"If I claim to hear radio transmissions in my head and I profess that I am an alien from Delgar-5 sent to save the world, I am hardly hire able and will likely be fired at the first opportunity, and I may even be committed for psychiatric treatment.But if I claim I talk daily to
some invisible man in the sky who metaphysically raped a virgin and impregnated her with his bastard son 2000 years ago
, just so that son could wander around the desert with a whore and a band of hippies prior to being sacrificed and resurrected for the future sin of mankind, oh yeah and on Sundays I EAT him... well there is nothing crazy about that. Right? That is a religious belief and should be respected."
those looney atheists :P
utter blasphemy
tee hee hee...
...and it was only yesterday after church that I picked up a handout on Catholic Apologetic.
"But do it with gentleness and
Thursday, June 14, 2007
I Finish Putting Together the Program for Saturday
Opening Song: On Eagle’s Wings (Gather 611)
Greeting
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We gather here today in the memory of Kilian Lumban Gaol, the loving husband of Karnatje Manurung and father of Helinda Nominanda, Stephanus Axnanda, Antonia Yoyada and Nicolas Alda. He passed away 40 days ago today.
Death does not end our relationship with God. With our prayers, God will bring his soul and the souls of other faithful departed into the eternal happiness of His heavenly kingdom. Please join us in the readings and songs provided in the booklet.
Opening Prayer
God our Father, full of compassion and love,
To know you is to live and to serve you is to reign. Cleanse us from all our sins, wipe away the tears of those affected by sin and death, and let us live a new life and bring us to an everlasting life.
We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
First Reading: Wisdom 3: 1-9
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 116: 9
I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.
Verse 1: How gracious is the Lord, and just; our God has
compassion. The Lord protects the simple hearts; I was helpless so he saved me.
Verse 2: I trusted even when I said: ‘I am sorely afflicted,’ and
when I said in my alarm: ‘No man, no man can be trusted.’
Verse 3: O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his
faithful. Your servant, Lord, your servant am I; you have loosened my bonds.
Alleluia (Gather 615)
Gospel: Luke 23: 33-43
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke
Glory to you, Lord
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Homily
Eulogy (by Antonia)
Our Father
General Intercessions
God of our ancestors in faith, by the covenant made on Mount Sinai You taught Your people to strengthen the bonds of family through faith, honor, and love. Look kindly upon Kilian Lumban Gaol, a father who sought to bind his children to You. Bring him to Your heavenly home where the saints dwell in blessedness and peace.
We pray to the Lord
Lord, hear our prayer
For all the deceased, look with love on our dying brothers and sisters, and make them one with Your Son in His suffering and death.
We pray to the Lord
Lord, hear our prayer
For those forgotten souls, spare them, O Lord. Let not the souls You have created be parted from You, their Creator.
We pray to the Lord
Lord, hear our prayer
For us in grief, be our refuge and comfort so that our sadness and sorrow may turn into the light and peace of Your Presence. Grant that at the end of our earthly pilgrimage we may be found in His company with our brothers and sisters.
We pray to the Lord
Lord, hear our prayer
Closing Prayer
Lord, death has hit us hard. It has made us aware of my own mortality and has challenged our faith. Yet, we hope in You. Your power over death and the rewards of your promised kingdom are the only consolations we find at this difficult time. Keep our faith and the faith of all who cared for us strong. Let us always be a source of support and comfort to one another.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit
Amen
Closing Song: The Hand of God Shall Hold You (Gather 859)
Please join us in a little reception at the Student Center.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Yesterday
In the morning...
Hey, do you want to go with me to the Mass today, Kak?Walking home at 6:15 PM...*sigh* (Daily Mass goers congregated outside)
Sure!
I'll see you at 5:30 at church.
OK.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Thunderstorm is Coming
question.... u probably know the bible luar dalem... are these verses real? http://www.whywontgodhealamputees.com/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=
Evil-Ridiculous-Disgusting-Bible-Verses
abis gak punya bible sih...can't check :P
bentar ...you can always find one online...
Exodus 35:2 is real
"For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a holy day, a sabbath of complete rest to the LORD; whoever does any work on it shall be put to death." ooooo...kay....
u better not be workin' on Sundays missie!
:P
:P
well they are all real
but you have to put them into context...and not taking them literally....
that's what a bible wisegirl would say
:P
:-O....well you might not think so...but there are plenty of "literalists"
yeah I know
I haven't read my bible for a long time....it's kinda hard to really "read" those
I know enough just to survive
hahaha...gue di hotel baca sedikit udah berair mata gue (ngantuk) lol
LOL
you have to read Psalm though
itu bagus buat orang sedih dan menderita
buat kalo elu lagi down
what? I never read the good things....
I just read the bad ones so I can argue about it on message boards lol
HUH
hahahahaha
Saturday, April 07, 2007
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