Stag Party

I was startled! 


Completely surprised that I was just tongue-tied and had a blank yet suspecting stare.


I am actually planning for one. And I even think yet unsure if a stag party is a party thrown-away for the engaged bachelor by close friends or the bachelor himself host it. 

Last Friday, I must say, was like an epic, first-of-its-kind, classic fun, and unconventional kind of stag party. I never knew it would be that early as I have my separate plan to throw a stag party for myself next week. 


Never did I thought that the culprits --SFC Dammam Boys, as masterminded by the Unit Leader Sattie McScotty would host a "Stag Party" (our modified verison) for me and bro. Roy when all I was expecting was just a Unit Assembly as he disclosed to me when we're talking about some details. He even told me that I should take a rest in the "creative department" of our Unit since I always take a critical role in almost all the creative side in any of the activities we do.


And so the party had began.


My suspicion grew bigger and clearer when I saw sets of condom in a box which at first I thought it was special balloons -- poor boy. LoL! hahaha! 


And so we were called in front. Two of us cross-seated. The first game was like a "bottom line" kind of stuff. People around were asked to look for any object from around the "House of Voices". Anything that they want to pick out or up and let them explain in a "naughty way" associating us why they choose that particular thing. It was funny though since some of them can't even ace how to deliver a funny/naughty explanation about the object they were holding. And it was like so off that bursting into laughter is like far from happening. Good thing, some were so spontaneous that rendered the everyone in audible laughter. It was like an ice-breaker since after that the fun continuously soaked in.


There comes a point where the top three funniest jokes graced with an opportunity to ask us with a "straight-forward & inside the-baul" kind of naughty question. I don't know if some thought that Roy and I would pass with a question or won't answer it. But to their surprise, we did what must be done. We answered all their questions without any second thoughts.  We're unsure if some were a bit shocked, or in disbelief. Or maybe they weren't even thinking that I've done this or done that. Well, surprises are surprises. You'll never know unless you've asked me before. It all boiled down on how far and deep have they knew me. LoL!


The crazy part of the party was when we grouped them into three and the boys had to present a "naughty dance" for us. This time, I can hardly hear due to the boisterous cheers and laughter surrounding the room. And what made it so wacky was that the performers didn't even realized they were videotaped by bro. Ken as I prodded him to do so. Sorry guys, I still need to grab a video copy from bro. Ken to upload it here. Just watch out for it.


That night was awesome. And the poker game wherein I lost 3 times and was punished to wear a blouse they borrowed from Sis. Mico . I can't hardly contain myself since the blouse was too-fit and the portion near the under arms was like tightly gripped and I was really uncomfy. They told me to wear it until the party is done, but I took it off after twenty minutes I guess.


You might wonder there ain't no girl wrapped in box as a present for us. Just to let you know, we are in a very strict country and having one would risk ourselves into a prison cell if caught in the act. So, we did the party in a modified version--our own version. A version safer and funnier.


Photos and Videos to be uploaded soon. 


ITUTULOY......

Doze-Off

Dozing-off which seemed like a thousand years?

This can’t be happening!

And it’s far from a writer’s block either. I have a number of topics to be written about but lately I have been such a “lazy bug” –a bitten lazy bug. I have been into “Me Time” for the past days and it’s killing me. I needed to wake up from the hiatus mode. It has been such a daze. It’s like I’m dozing-off for a thousand years.

Few days back, I randomly browsed the web for some blogging tips and here’s what I found. Just a thought of sharing it to you guys, especially for those who are about to start-up their blogging interest.  These are helpful tips that could make better your blog site. Take a full read and benefit from it.

 10 Commonly Done Mistakes Every Blogger Should Avoid

I ran across this helpful tips when I was browsing for a different thing. I won't say what's that about though. LoL! It's secret and you guys don't ask about it either. LoL! 

It seems like I'm just fillin' up the time where I could have made a more credible entry. But heck! I am so darn lazy these past forty-eight hours. I just feel like cuddling my pillows, listening to mellow songs, and sleep. It's like "Eat, Sleep, Cuddle" and not the "Eat, Pray, Love". LoL..hahaha. 

I guess, it a clear indication that winter is around the corner. As I quote our accountant saying: "Jay! it's like you've set your mind for the big day already" while he laughed audibly. 

And so guys, pagtiyagaan nyo na muna ang entry kong eto ha. Minsan dumadating talaga sa point ng isang "writer" ang mga ganitong mood. Walang ganang magsulat, walang ideyang pumapasok. Kumbaga sa pangingisda, madalang ang huli.

Okies, have a fun-filled read. LoL! :)  Scri-mi curind!

Life Song

How many of you have a life song in your lives? How many of you claim of a one great song that you can relate too much upon which hearing it would shed droplets of tears down your cheeks or would even lead you to crying a river? Not because you're hurt or in pain but it's because you feel overjoyed. It's like being in a cloud nine isn't enough to express how you feel. Perhaps many of us do have our own life song. Right? And here's one of the many life songs I have. Crazy enough that the title speaks of itself. LoL.. It's a Christian songs and it truly rocks. Who says Christian songs are boring? Who says such songs don't bring one into jumping or running across a concert arena. This one can make you do just that. 

As I was playing some popular music from my current favorite band "Boyce Avenue" while at work I was led back to re-visiting one of the many inspiring Christian songs I've always liked. A song from an awesome Christian band "CASTING CROWNS". And it's entitled "Life Song".


Suddenly, my body puts me in a worship mood. It pays to have a very encouraging Christian music to boost your energy to heed the call of worship. It gives you so much joy, so overflowing that it seem though you're in a certain ecstatic heights of joy.


The opening lyrics says: 

Empty hands held high, 

Such small sacrifice. 

If not join with my life;

I sing in vain tonight. 

May the words I say 

And the things I do. 

Make my life song sing;

Bring a smile to you."

It's a crazy thought that despite our location, despite tight security measures in a country where I'm currently at, it is no reason for us to sing our life song to our dear God. It does not hinders us to express our sincere gratitude for Him who is the provider of all that there is. 

That's why we are called "SFC Fearless". We brave all odds and we defy the famous notion here saying: "It's too risky to profess your faith here, we can't gather together because of this, because of that." I believe that wherever you are if God really calls you to serve He will work in mysterious ways to protect your being. True enough about this lines in the lyrics which says:

I wanna sign your name

Until the end of this day

Knowing that my heart was true

Let my life song sing to YOU.

Being Christian means fearless. It means pursuing HIM even death takes its toll on us. It's very hard to live out a Christian life. But that's what we are called for as Christians. We have to act upon what we believed in. We have to let go of our fear by converting it to courage. The amount of our fears is tantamount to the amount of courage we can have too.


So, be fearless in faith. Be bold and never be discouraged by tribulations or persecutions. 


As for me, I'm still in the process--aiming to be tough, to stay tough, and all the challenges I encounter are also my ingredients for my refinement.

This Christmas

Ang sabi sa kanta ng 2011 ABS-CBN Christmas Special "Ngayong pasko mangniningning ang Pilipino, Saan man sa mundo, tanaw nila ang liwanag mo."

When I saw this video, I quickly miss my family & my country. It has been three long years of not being able to celebrate yuletide season at home. The sad part of being in a foreign land is when Christmas season comes and all you can do is to watch television shows on TFC showcasing the merriment of the season --the least thing you can contain yourself into. Well, Yes, there are side by side discreet celebration (bawal kasi in a place where I'm at) with close friends but it doesn't fill the longing one has for their families back home. 


But nonetheless, though our absence are being missed, the idea that brings joy in me is that my family will be able to celebrate one with enough in our table. At least now, they can pick their choices of food without thinking if the budget would allow it. LoL, funny right? But that's how it was way back then. I mean, we can hardly put foodies of our choice in our table before. 


Coming from a modest family, there were times then that we weren't even thinking of preparing food because what we got from our pocket is not even for the purpose of spending it for celebration but for our daily existence. There is no pain in it I would say since we were raised in modesty with sense of contentment kung ano lang ang meron at nakakayanan ng parents namin. And we don't prod just to get what we want.


Though we have less food in our table, it didn't stopped us from enjoying the season. It didn't even appeared to me that we are less of a people. In fact, it's far more gratifying to me than having different dishes and menus only found in high end restaurants. For me, the essence of being together, feasting to our "small handa" with my family, waking up before midnight to a small noche buena treat and hearing fireworks from the neighborhood, greeting our family members "Maligayang Pasko" as well as our relatives had been so much more to me than any amount of material things. 


As kids, we were taught to be enduring, to be patient, to be contented of what we currently own, and to work hard to achieve what we want in life. The biggest learning experience I got from my parents is this: "Respect others always". And that to me is the most important value until this present day in my life.


And this Christmas, I'll pay homage once again to important people in my life. To people who were part of my shaping up. 


So I ask you, What will be your plans "This Christmas"?

The Well- Ordered Heart

The secret of life is pursuing one thing.

There is a pursuit that is worthy of our devotion. There is a goal that is achievable even in the most desperate of situations. It will produce good far beyond our own little sphere of influence. It is something that our souls long for; the life we've always wanted.

It is a quest for what might be called a well-ordered heart. The balanced-life paradigm assumes that our problem is external- a disorder in our schedule or our job or our season of life. But truly significant disorder is internal.

In order to have a well-ordered heart is to love the right thing, to the right degree, in the right way, with the right kind of love.

When our heart is well-ordered, we are not only increasingly free from sin, but also increasingly free from the desire of sin. If the heart were truly well-ordered, we would love people so much we would not want to deceive or manipulate or envy them. We would be transformed from the inside out.

Spiritual transformation cannot be orchestrated or controlled, but neither it is a random venture. We need a plan. We need to develop what is called a "rule of life". A rule involves a rhythm for living in which we can grow more intimately connected to God. Consider how you might arrange your day around the pursuit of a well-ordered heart.

Let me quote apostle Paul as he wrote to the church at Colossae, as the climax on instruction on transformed living. And here's what he said:

"Whatever you do in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him -- Colossians 3:17

Honestly, I am far from what I say here, but I am trying to achieve a state in myself wherein for once I'll be enjoying a well-ordered heart. And I know and firmly believe that it is achievable. I just need to simplify my life and detach from the worldly cultures that this generation popularly hooked in. It is because if the current culture doesn't work for me I don't necessarily have to buy them.

And so I say, are you living with a well-ordered heart? Are things in your life flow in accordance to the will of your heart? 

Feel free to post your thoughts in the comment portion of this post. I'll highly appreciate anyone spending time to share their insight about this post.


Have a nice read. God bless :)

P.S. -- Credit to the book of John Ortberg "Life To The Max" for some insights used in this post.

Victory

I was handpicked.  

I was short listed. 

I was chosen. 

Now, it’s official and it’s real. I will be competing as one of the finalists, along with the other two entries from KSA, in this year Middle East Conference “Reflection Writing Contest” in Doha, Qatar at the end of this month. A friendly competition that fosters comradeship and camaraderie all rooting from our love and faith in HIM.

Wow, I miss the feeling of excitement. Being thrilled, feeling goose bumps. The feeling of receiving positive news for something you’ve prayed for. As far back as I can remember, the last time I join in a competition was way back in my college days. I competed in Quiz bees (both in my course in Accountancy and other general quiz bees).

But this one is way too different. It’s in the field where I’m not even a degree holder or not even in my comfort zone. So, this makes it more exciting.

The competition I joined might be too trivial for some. Others may find it “just a fraction of a big thing”. But they may be missing the point about it. 

Victory for me is a different thing. It isn’t about the whole winning thing. It's neither about how big or small a competition is. It isn’t about the glitz and glamour that might be attached to it. And it isn’t about my own but it is about the opportunity given, plus the fulfillment of a passion. Moreover, it’s a passion that roots for the expression of love for our Savior.

The opportunity presented to me (us) in the community where I belong is more of a VICTORY already. And so, winning the highest place just plays a secondary importance. As I have been victorious in sharing to them the true reflection of myself.

A testament of my ever-growing faith to our God. A manifestation of what I have learned from the teachings and gradually living it out for my solid refinement as a Christian.

So, I say that real victory isn't about the fame, prestige, or glamour. But it is about the intention and effort of reaching the highest peak with only one thing in mind.

 "To honor him for the gift HE has endowed in me. The gift of writing."

Faith

If I let myself believe anything on insufficient evidence, they may be no great harm done by mere belief. It maybe true after all, or it may never have occasion to exhibit it in outward acts. But I cannot help doing this great wrong towards man, that I make myself credulous


The danger to society is not merely that it should believe wrong things, though that is great enough. But that it should become credulous, and lose the habit of testing things and inquiring into them, for then it must sink back into savagery.


An excerpt from WILLIAM KINGDON CLIFFORD


P.S. -- My own insights to follow --> :)

Full

As I was on my way toward the office this afternoon (shifting kasi ang work schedule ko) I was led to think of what's gonna be my Thursday night and whole Friday. I quickly halt walking and began a mental run down of my "usual busy schedule". And I just realized I am full for the night and until tomorrow.

Here are my errands to myself. Let's start with going out from the office.

7:30PM - Si Jay nakalabas na from the "enslaving office". I exaggerated it since once I sit down my station, I seldom get up to flex my body. Even doing a coffee or tea break I tend to forget. Why? doing procurement concerns, updating entries in our accounting system, encoding stock transfer, calling suppliers, doing Skype conversation with them, attending to my office mates work related queries. So enslaving right?

7:30-7:40PM - Si Jay ay on his way home na sa time na yan. Malapit lang naman ang office ko sa "flat" ko. Tawag nila dito sa ni-re-rent is "flat". Sort of an apartment.

7:40-8:00PM - Si Jay ay nagbibihis, bihis, bihis, then salang ng labahan sa washing (or kapag hindi bukas na LOL).

8:00PM -Si Jay is waiting for  his Unit Leader para sa HH (house hold meeting) namin.

9:00PM - Si Jay serious mode na. Simula ng HH (mga two hours din 'to) (If anyone ask what is it all about. PM me. hehe)

11:00PM -Finish na ang HH. It's either uuwi ako or matutulog nalang sa "House of Voices"--tawag namin sa flat ng aming leader. LoL. kasi dito nangyayari ang lahat. Hmmm..anong lahat..Lahat ng kasayahan. Birthday party, kantahan, movie marathon, assembly, tambay lang minsan at kung anu-ano pang aaliw sa aming lahat. LoL.

Teka, tinatamad na akong magsulat ng schedule ko sa Friday. May tawag kasi now that I need to respond - work mode na muna. 

TO BE CONTINUED?

United Colors Of Benetton

Why am I writing about the title above? I don't even know where this product brand originates, Yet,I’ll still borrow this name as I do this blog post.

I started writing years back, a time when blogging is not in the main stream yet. A time when pager is the “in thing” in communication, a time when texting is nowhere in sight yet.

And today, I must say nag-level up na si Spidey, nagba-blogging na. Salamat to me at sa sariling pagsisikap matuto ayun at natuto na rin ng paunti-unti. Ika nga take it slow ng “Freestyle”.

Surprisingly, my blog has been gaining audiences from around the world. A dream I was waiting even before. LoL. Mapangarap lang. hahaha.

So far, I have seen visitors in as far as Croydon, UK, Durres, Albania, Bangkok, Thailand, Singapore, Riyadh, KSA, Dubai, UAE, London, England, Athens, Greece, New Jersey, USA, Bay Area, California, and cities I never imagine of knowing. Though my “Live Visitor’s Feed” won’t show them all since it just maintained 10 new visitors at the most. Still I am happy for this result.

So,these visitors from different countries explains why I used United Colors of Benetton. It's because they came from different countries with various flag colors and I just associate them to the brand name.

These, along with my visitor friends are my driving force, my fuel, my inspiration to write....to continue to write.

And like U.C.O.B. This blog will be as varied as it can be, as assorted as it appear and as inspiring as it can become.

CHEERS to United Colors Of Benetton :)

Juicy Jay

It was quite sometime now since I've been actively blogging and only just now that I was intrigued to use a catchy name. A self-coined name way back in December of 2009 when we're having a random photo shoots in a seaside here in my current place. 

As far back as I can recall, it was a random photo shoot done by bro. Aris for the purpose of putting a calendar for 2010 based on the birthdays of the person participated and the title if I'm not mistaken was "HOMBRE DE CALENDARIO". LoL. What a name! hahaha!

This was what I'm talking about:

Juicy Jay

JUICY JAY? LoL, quite funny isn't it. I just want people to laugh their hearts out when they see my name on the upper right portion of my blog. Maybe it'll work, maybe it'll be awkward. But nonetheless, gagamitin ko pa rin 'to. Walang basagan ng trip. Kanya kanya lang yan. hahaha.

Hmmm..Will it arouse different reactions? Will it stereotyped me to someone I'm not. But then, it's up to the first impressionist and it's up to the personality diggers. LoL. 

While doing this entry I can't stop myself from laughing. Hahaha. Even me is quite in a bit disagreement. But, my purpose is just plain and simple. I just want to use a name to spread laughter and for readers to be in wide grin after they saw it. LOL! (What's happening to me? Jay, are you still in sanity?) LOL.

And the answer is YES! Yes, I am still in my sound mind. It's just the idea that creeps the hell out of me. LoL. Whatever reactions, comments, or beyond that it won't affect me or none will be ever matter, I am who I am. I am free to choose any pseudonym I want to. And no one can stop me except my own.

Just bear with me guys, And just laugh your hearts out boisterously. CHEERS!