Maginaw ang ihip ng amihan

At kaysarap pakinggan

Himig ng Kapaskuhan

Ang lahat ay nagkakasiyahan

Lahat ay ipinagdiriwang

Kapanganakan ng Prinsipe ng Kapayapaan

Ang bugtong na anak ng Maykapal

Naparito sa sanlibutan upang

Iligtas ang bawat nilalang

Hesus, Buhay na Walang Hanggan

Estrelyang Kaningning-ningningan

Siya ang Daan, Katotohanan at Buhay

Umiibig sa iyo nang tunay

Sadyang dakila pagsinta Niyang dalisay

Mabiyayang Kapaskuhan! ;)

see, last wednesday, i was wearing this white tee.

then after some time, for reasons i don't know or maybe cannot fathom, it got dirt on it.
the feeling was so abnormal, wearing a dirty shirt. it was like i really wanted to take it off than reach rock-bottom with shame. when i managed to find a comfort room, i switched to a black shirt. ah, better.

then some pondering began. why was i itching to take the shirt off?

the answer: everybody would look at what's wrong with me rather than what i really am. they would look at that simple, small smudge that seem to have ruined my whole personality. even if didn't mean to have some black spots on my white shirt, they'd look at me like crazy-or at least that's what i think. i became so crazy to think about what others would tell me.


don't see the smudges. see the whitiest shirt on everyone. blemishes are NORMAL.

don't get freaked out with your smudges.

everybody has one.

and they aren't hiding it. you're just seeing the white shirt on them.

Got problems? Want advice on... Relationships? School? Fashion? Health? Food? Home DIY? Our self-proclaimed all-around guru, Donya Quixote, is at your disposal! Just put your questions in a comment (you can make it anonymous if you want), and watch out for her response in her next post.

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Ask The Donya: #2

Dear Donya,

I've read your comments as well as your advice, and I hope you could help me about this. My sister's ex is bothering me in a way that he texts and calls me a lot, saying that he loves me and misses me. I only saw him once and I DON'T like him.

He sends almost 15 texts a day and because I don't reply at all, he concludes that I also like him a bit. Ewww! I already told him that he won't get anything from me. But he doesn't stop texting/calling me. Because I am a Christian, I said that God loves him and that I dont want to be rude nor mean to him because that's not what our faith teaches (hehehe) so I begged him to stop sending messages, and guess what? He didn't.

He even haunts me in my dreams (huhu) I just wake up in the middle of the night palpitating because he was running after me in my dream. He got my primary pic in friendster and made it his background. And my name was in his textbox something. Huhu. Help. I know I am wonderfully made (hahaha) but I dont think I deserve this. Naks! Haha. He texted my brother once and told him that he would be courting me in our house this December. Eww again! Haay. Help!



Dear Unlucky,

I liken the uninvited persistent pursuer to the stubborn epidermal fungus. If not treated at all, it will spread to every part of your body/aspect of your life. If not treated properly, and you stop applying your medication as soon as your skin starts to clear up... IT'LL COME BACK! Oh noooo!

And as you can see from the image I have oh-so-tastefully attached, it won't be pretty. [To my sensitive readers, I apologize, and I hope you guys aren't eating... I just had to emphasize my point with a gross photo... that's mah styyyle.]

I know you've read my previous post on how to handle persistent people on the internet [which may be applied to texting, etc.], but to those of you out there who are experiencing similar problems and haven't read it yet, I recommend that you do.

Anyhoo, Unlucky, here's my advice.

• If he's just really makulit and just won't go away, just stop all correspondence. When you get his messages, erase them right away, and don't bother reading them, because you're too young to have blood pressure problems. Don't even text him to buzz off, because the mere fact that you texted may be enough to encourage his behavior.
• Do try to stop thinking about him. The fact that you're having nightmares about him means that you've been giving him too much thought than what's healthy.
  
  

  Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. - Philippians 4:8 (The Message, emphasis mine)

• You may not be able to change the way this boy acts towards you, but you can change the way you react. Don't let it bring you down, just go out and smell the flowers. Remember Reinhold Niebuhr's prayer:
  
  

  "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

I know it's hard being beautiful. *sigh* If only there was a step-by-step guide to get rid of persistent fungus-boys. And unlike tough acting Tinactin®, which is clinically proven to stop severe itching and the burning of athlete's foot, my advice has no approved therapeutic claims.

You know what works, though? Prayer. Works 100% of the time. Even something as tough as Tinactin® can't make a claim like that.


P.S. Regarding him visiting you this December at your house: God gave you a brother [and a dad] for a reason. Bwa ha ha ha.

Kalangitang asul, kaylapad, kaylawak

Reyno ng ulap na anyo’y malabulak

Ipinintang tila malalaking pakpak

Sinag na taglay ay kulay ginto’t pilak;

Tulad nitong langit ay ang pagmamahal

O, sadyang kaysarap at walang kapantay

Halina sa puso’t sa diwa’y kaygaan

Espasyo ay puno at nag-uumapaw

Salamat kay Hesus na handog ni Amang

Ubod ng biyayang kaytamis at lantay

S’yang Dios ng Pag-ibig, buhay ang inalay.

Blue sky, so vast, so wide

Heavenly realm of cottony clouds

Painted like great wings

With golden and silver rays;

Love is like heaven

So sweetly immeasurable

Joy to the heart, light to the soul

When filled, it overflows!

Thanks to Jesus, the Father gave

Lord of true sweet amazing grace

The God of Love, His life He laid.

Silahis ng langit sa dagat na bughaw,

Talindaw na himig, along kaydadalang,

Imbayog ng bangka sa bawat paglakbay,

Layag na payapa ang pabaon ni Amang;

Lambot ng payak at mapinong buhangin,

Waligwig ng ambon sa puno’y may lilim

Alindog, kariktan, yumi ng tanawin

Takdang sa pag-ahon, himlayang gupiling...

Estrelyang sinilang sa gabi S’yang gabay

Rayama hanggang sa pagsikat ng araw

Siyang kapiling sa paraisong lantay.

Shines of heaven to the blue ocean,

The native rowing song, the gentle waves

In every journey as the boat dances

Lots of peaceful sails our Father gave;

Living land lighted and so smooth and light

Water flowing forever, fountain of life

Awe, beauty and charm of the scenery

That resting-place is indeed the destiny!

Ever Star that was born, at night ‘tis the guide

Rises new every morning with Him

So until the life in paradise.

when you take a glance at someone, and you see something special with that someone, we commit the mistake of tagging that certain someone as the 'special someone.' We make the wrong turn of assuming that this someone can be OUR special someone. We overlook the fact that it was something about them, and NOT them, that made them special. then the mind and the body starts to function (or malfunction).

Whenever we see our 'special someone', we start to feel something really meant for our real special someone - that one who is special because of who he/she is, not just something with him/her - deserves.

Then you explode.
After that, you're in temporary utopia or a beautiful hell -
in other words, in a place you know wouldn't last.

Give it time.
Give it time you say.
Then it will turn out to what the best could be.

But in reality, you're nowhere.
You waste time, everything.


You then suddenly wish that it was all a dream.
Yes, that's what you call it.


A BIG MISTAKE.

I couldn't think of a typical nombre to represent the Pinoy masa. Juan dela Cruz and Mang Pandoy have become cliche names already. Inday's fine but equally cliche. So let's try Dodong.

(Buzz. EEEEEEEEeeeenk!)
A: No way, I don't like Dodong! So baduy! Come on, there are other nicer names! Think.
B: Precisely, Dodong is baduy so are the Filipinos.
A: But I'm not saying that Pinoys are generally Baduy. I just don't like Dodong.
B: The Filipino masa has been referred to as the baduy cluster of the Filipino society. Let's just accept such reality.
A: But if we use Dodong to represent the Filipinos, then I'd be represented as Dodong too. No way!
B: So how do you want to be represented, and what name would seem appropriate for such representation?
A: Why not Dodie?
B: Hahaha! So colonial. You're one of those Filipinos who choose to attach themselves with the notion that the Filipino would only be great or at least acceptable if we sound like our former colonizers or act like them. I beg to scratch Dodie from the options. Besides, it sound like Doding Daga.
A: But so is Dodong. Dodong daga?
B: Well... (stops for a while and thinks). I guess it doesn't really matter what name can best represent the Filipinos insofar as we do something to change the outside view and derogatory notion that all Filipinos are slaves and domestic helpers abroad -- and that even a Pinoy who works as an architect in Singapore or China-- is still seen as a low-regard member of any cosmopolitan society. Even if you change it to Dodie Macintosh or Chenelyn Saavedra whatsoever, the global perception towards the Filipinos is still unchanged.
A: (nalungkot tapos...) Sigh. Sa bagay. Pero I beg to disagree that name doesn't matter at all. It carries prestige and is of great significance to one's personality.
B: Well, you have a point there. Talaga, pati sa personality?
A: Yes. i think so. May nabasa akong ganyan dati kaso di ko ma-expound ngayon eh. Di ba? Teka, bakit ba napunta tayo sa global impression towards the Pinoy? Let's think micro lang.
B: So anong name na nga? And what's in a name ba talaga?
A: Let's ask them...
(and they look at you, yes, you. What do you think?)

What am I gonna put here? Hmmm... I really don't have a nice story to tell today. So random thoughts na lang muna. =)

1. Right now, I want to eat Pringles, sour cream and onion flavor.
2. I don't know how to drive yet.
3. My father will be home early tomorrow morning.
4. I enjoyed playing ultimate with my friends last thursday.
5. I want to play ultimate tomorrow.
6. KNL is still a part of the UP Diliman campus.
7. I haven't seen my sister for a while.
8. I want to read Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.
9. I have a favorite song but I don't know what the title and who the singer is.
10. Melvin will answer all of my questions tomorrow.
11. Chevy looks like a 4th year college student according to a freshie.
12. Benj would make a great leader of this country.
13. The rise of the Philippine peso is not good news per se.
14. Sarj is still not a member of this team.
15. Mega Faith Week won't be as easy as 1 2 3.
16. I miss playing foil.
17. I miss my dear brother-in-Christ, Ralph Ramos. He's in the hospital right now.
18. Kuya Aaron is taking his masters degree in UP but I haven't seen him around.
19. I can communicate while I'm sleeping.

Got problems? Want advice on... Relationships? School? Fashion? Health? Food? Home DIY? Our self-proclaimed all-around guru, Donya Quixote, is at your disposal! Just put your questions in a comment (you can make it anonymous if you want), and watch out for her response in her next post.

---

Ask The Donya: #1

Dear Donya,

I think I have done something very silly. I was online last night when someone private messaged me. Hindi ko siya kilala. Sabi niya nakuha niya raw yung email address ko sa isang site. I don't usually chat with strangers, pero dahil wala naman akong ibang kausap, nagreply ako.

One PM led to another, at hindi ko alam kung paano ito nangyari, pero nabigay ko yung number ko sa kaniya! Right after I pressed the enter button, narealize ko na katangahan yung ginawa ko, but it was too late, napress ko na.

Now, he's always texting me, tas ang sweet-sweet pa ng mga messages, nakakasuka na talaga. Nagyayaya pang magmeet. I want to block him but I think that would be too mean, tapos he has my number. Help! What should I do?


Dear Silly,

Oo nga, silly ka nga. Haha. Wag mo na yang ulitin, ha?

Judging from your letter, I'd say that you don't want to meet this boy [which is good, because no matter how I look at it, eyeball-ing is pretty dodgy... just my opinion though so don't kill me if you disagree]. If you do decide to meet, please do not meet him alone. By all means, bring a friend! Or two or three. There are a lot of people out there who may appear nice online but are in reality not nice at all. If you haven't already heard the horror stories, google "internet harassment" and "cyberstalking" for some enlightenment.

It is good that you are being considerate of this boy's feelings, but bear in mind that you have to look out for your own wellbeing as well. If you are really bothered by his messages, tell him gently that you don't feel comfortable with your correspondence anymore. You can ask him to stop contacting you on your cell phone. That should be enough. You can still chat with him, but don't hesitate to tell him if his messages are making you feel uncomfortable.

If that doesn't work, just stop entertaining him altogether. You are not obliged to reply to his texts and private messages. If he gets to be more of a problem, block him. It may seem mean, but after a while you'll be grateful you did it, trust me on this.

For you, and for those out there who still don't know what one should or shouldn't do when chatting to strangers, here are five guidelines.

1. Don't give out your real name. You can give your first name or nickname, but don't give out your full name. When chatting, refrain from using IDs like juan_delacruz21, because that totally gives it away.
   
2. Don't give out any classified information, such as your cell phone number, your home number, your home address [especially not your home address]. Not even your email address.
3. Don't reveal anyone else's names and phone numbers either. Not your mom's, not your second cousin's, not your Math17 seatmate's, no-one's.
   
4. Be nice. Even though you don't know these people, the golden rule still applies: treat them like you would like to be treated. If you get rude or unpleasant messages, you don't have reply. That block function is there for a reason.
   
5. Practice discretion. For example, make sure your display picture isn't going to provoke harassment. Girls, even just a little cleavage is enough to get unwanted attention.
   
6. BONUS: If you are minding your own business [i.e. not even in a chatroom] and you suddenly get an invitation from someone you don't know to view their webcam, STOP. Reject the invitation. [I learned this lesson the hard way. Boo.]

I hope that helped! To Silly, I wish you all the best. To all of you, remember: chat safely.

"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."

From The Truth Project.


What is church? Who is the church? What is the purpose of the church?
How does our culture today answer that question?

"Church is a religious building where people go to to talk to God, to pray to God."
- Sophie, shoe clerk

"Church is a place where stupid people go to feel better about themselves."
- Flash, tattoo artist

"The whole purpose of church, in my opinion, is to come before the Lord in reverence; out of love, not duty or requirement."
- Kyle, age 13

"Church is my extended family."
- Brian, improv comedian

How would you answer that question?

people want to live in the past.
they want to dwell in the good ol' days.

people want to know and rush the future.
to get things over with.

people don't realize that today is the best that they will ever have.


for today, we make history and we mold tomorrow-at the same time.

Why instead?
And why is the word split?
What's the point in all of this?

Instead means something in alternative for. In contrary to.
In Stead means to be in place of. To stand in behalf of.

This site aims to be contrary to what the Internet has been and is still is about. This is a site where we offer an alternative to the same old day-in, day-out stories of blogs everywhere.

We are In Stead. A team speaking, writing, blogging and standing in behalf of Our Lord and Savior Jesus---a privilege we all are proud of.

Aaron

Would you like to be part of Team In Stead? As long as you're ready, willing, and able to blog for Christ, all you have to do is email us at teaminstead@gmail.com to tell us you're interested, then wait for your invite.

Guidelines for Posting

1. Don't limit yourself! You don't have to write about spiritual things all the time. Write about anything and everything. Write about what makes you tick. What excites you. Write about what you want to write. Write with passion.
2. Try to have a point. Give us a reason to want to read your stuff.
   
3. As much as possible, keep your writing style consistent.
4. Try not to revolve too much on yourself and on things that most people can't relate to, unless it's necessary to the story/entry that you'd like to share. [e.g. Laila and I went to Jollibee and I ordered some french fries but she ate it all and then we went to watch a movie and then...] We would love to read about that in your personal blog though, so we do encourage you to write about it there. :)
5. Update as much as you can. Show us everything you've got! Keep on, keep on, keep on writing. But limit your posts to one post a day.
   

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