2014: Part 1 - A Quick Look Back At 2013

The past year has been one-hell-of-a-good-ride with occasional bumps on the road. 

Why I said that? Well, 2013 just gave me more than what I want & need - and it's not always a kind of thing which makes me smile after. As usual, the book of 2013 won't be an interestingly must-read without those challenges that shared the limelight of an equally joyful year. 

In 2013, new friendship has been found and formed. People from different walks of life - equally exciting personalities entered the scene. Others made a grand entrance in my circle and some made their presence felt in a very memorable way. Few were notable and worth keeping while others I still need to discover and get to know more. There were so many great stories and wonderful meetings. The laughter we've shared were contagious and the fellowship was circled with so much positive energy and acceptance.

Hiatus No More

My almost five months hiatus in blogging had several shares of reasons behind. As much as I am tempted to scribble it here I’d rather keep mum of the reasons tailed on it.

Figuratively speaking, it’s like when God showered me with blessings, the devil worked double time to distract me forcing to experience with like a bunch of concerns.

I thought I was defiant but not.

Admittedly, one of the most vivid reasons is that “I simply lost my usual zest to write”. I’ve tried my hardest to write, to express, chronicle even the not so interesting part of it but I simply succumb to “mental block.

Of Movie Night and Life Lessons: Life of Pi

A while ago, I was able to watch the movie "Life of Pi" - if you're thinkin' that maybe I'm outdated already with movies, pardon me, I'm in a country where cinema is not part of their culture. The comfort of having a laptop and a shared downloaded movie from my community friend satisfied my eagerness to see the whole film as it had shared rave reviews and awesome appreciations.

Ngayon lang ulet nagkaroon ng time to write after watching a movie. Inspiring kasi ang movie kaya na-inspire ako ulet magsulat hehe! Palusot? haha!

Of Sunset, Dates, and Neighborhood Stroll with Little Caleb

A photo I took of the sun that is about to set with the "Dates" tree
as the back drop

It's been quite a while since my last entry. Some blogger friends would ask "Bakit wala ka nang new post?" Others would say "You have a reader in me, please post". How sweet and encouraging it is to receive such words. 

Messages sent directly to my inbox or if they happen to catch me online. Replies to which would just end like this "I'm pre-occupied with some important things as of the moment". 

Yes! and a big yes! As much as I want to write but there are some things which need high priority as well. So, these things that had occupied most of my time lately were the reasons of my being quite inactive in the blogging world. 

That's just life, sometimes we're prompted with lots of things that -whether we like it or not, we have to face quick & fair and square.

Anyway, I'm here now. At least I can offer you something light and bubbly- naks bubbly! may bubbles na kasama? haha!

Obstacles As Disguised Opportunities

I so miss my blog and writing of course. More so, I miss blog hopping - reading new posts from my blogger friends. Well, occasionally I browse some of my friends' entries but only for reading purpose minus the commenting. Like what I used to when I'm not ready yet to say any comment. I'd rather read and leave.

Negative Friends

Are you surrounded by them? Have you ever dealt with negative people before? If you have, you will know that the experience is quite a downer.

In our lives, we often encounter in our circle of influences those that belongs to the so called “negative friends” - often cynical, can't even smile with your ideas instead always finds a way to criticize them badly, too pessimistic most of the times and chooses destructive criticism over constructive. It's hard to have them around right? 

It's not that you don't want to have a long time friendship with them but it's just that if they have nothing to say good to you, it's better not to discuss anything with them. Never talk about anything that you care about to a negative person, they will literally drain your willpower.

It's How You Play It - A Mother's Day Tribute

During childhood, she’d always tells me “character is more important than any winning or success”. 

That in any battle in life, it is all about the performance you’ve shown regardless of winning or losing. It's how you play it!

Any pursuit of victory is a noble goal but the winners in life appreciate the pursuit more than the victory itself. 

Overtime For God

Early afternoon today, my wife and I together with our cute little boy Damien Caleb including mommy attended a community teaching in our CFC Center we discreetly called “EASTWOOD”. 

Uh! Wait, we’re not in the Philippines  yet haha! We called our CFC Center in Al Ahsa as such to adhere to our security protocol.

Why we have such an abiding attitude when it comes to security? Well, if you’ve been following this blog you may very well know where my current location is. If you’re a newbie here, a back read of few posts will give you a plausible hint.

In fact even our CFC Center in Khobar and Dammam had its own share of aliases. One we call as “ROCKWELL – where SFC activities are mostly held, the other one is “GLORIETTA” – where CFC activities happen. We even have one in Dammam with a name “THE FORT”. Mga famous and posh malls lang ang name ano..hahaha. So now I guess you know why we have to do such name calling of these places of our community activities.

A Quiet Hero

There are times when silence has the loudest voice. – Leroy Brownlow

Since I don't have any updates to share with you, I once again borrowed a story from Chicken Soup series which I think is a good read. As usual, I am inspired by the story and the wisdom that has been shared in it. Enjoy the story and have your own reflection after.

One of the most important lessons I learned from my stepfather is that true heroism is silent and sober. Heroes take journeys, fight wars, and battle incredible odds, but they never seek praise.

That Smoldering Good Looks Can Be A National Threat?

Omar Borkan Al Gala
Credit to the real owner of this photo

Few days ago, this was our topic. That three overly good looking men from UAE were expelled (deported) from Saudi Arabia during a cultural festival for quite a weird and irrational reason. 

We we're like wonderin' why would they be expelled if their purpose is just to represent their country for that festival. Weird right? 

But look at his face, somehow he resembled that of Jesus Christ in a quick look. Indeed, women will fall for him once they have sought him.