Embracing a New Chapter of Life...

**Well...Here I am again...Ü Making a "come back" after a long break from blogging haha!: (That's why I do have "utang" to you guys for not updating you earlier haha!Ü) Well anyways...Here it goes! ;P

After saying goodbyes to highschool days, it's the official start of another new chapter of life, "college life" that is...And it's already been 2 weeks since the start of classes for us "Thomasians".
Yup..."that" gives away the fact that I now study in the University of Santo Tomas. Ü
And I'm pretty sure that most of you thought I love singing so much(and I really do!♫) and so I'll be taking up Music in college.But sad to say----I'm not giving you guys false hopes but I'm currently studying in the College of Fine Arts and Design with the course of Interior Designing.Ü

Well,like I said,most of you didn't expect this.(Though quite a few of you already did see this coming... Ü ) My world didn't revolve around music alone...I also loved ART very much hehe...
It's actually my "first love" haha...♥ I learned to love it long before discovering my talent in singing...Believe it or not...haha!Had long been fascinated by colors and details,lighting,furniture,style and house facades. And so it had been my childhood dream to be an Interior Designer ever since...Ü

But before elaborating things regarding that "dream" of mine (in the next entry...Ü),
Let me narrate first about the changes that I'm currently experiencing...College life is indeed different from old highschool days.In short, you being in a new and bigger environment.
Wherein you tend to get lost at first due to it's vast area,meet with lots of different nationalities,with profs coming late for a class perfectly normal,having a very long and tiring sched---And so much more!

During our first day of classes,(that was a Wednesday) our professor for our first subject didn't show up!And us being freshmen who knew nothing about college scheds and rules,we waited for 3 hours!In a room with a freezing temperature!But that wee three hours of waiting made way for us to get in touch and know our blockmates. It's good that there are a few of them who were daring enough to break the ice by starting to try to get into a conversation with each of us.Doing it from one table to another.Never knew that my blockmates were so jolly and hyper!(and friendly too!) Though there were only a few of us who were Chinese and three of those were Korean and most of them who were Filipino,we all got along pretty well.From a silent room transforming into a noisy chat room... Ü Finally,the older ates and kuyas from the other room dismissed us nrin and let us knew a few things about professors coming late."You are given the right to leave or dismiss yourselves if it's already after 15 mins and the prof doesn't show up.Unless informed so..."So you can now probably tell the looks on our faces!Haha!Ü Never knew that there were such things such as 3 hour lecture subjects and 5 hour major subjects. Didn't know about about getting dismissed earlier or profs coming late or not showing up at all.To be frank,I was more shocked with such things as scheds rather than getting culture-shocked...And also found out later that professors not showing up for sessions is completely normal during the first few days of class...Well atleast now we know a little something!Ü

Breaks...Having classes from 7am-5pm or 6pm almost everyday,we usually have a one or two-hour lunchbreak.Usually scheduled around 10-12 or 11-12. And that's already for the whole day!And since our building( the Beato Angelico Building) is located in the corner between P.Noval and Espana,it's quite a distance from the university's food chain.(located near the UST Main Building) ----So we have to walk that distance everyday just to eat and satisfy ourselves.
Here's another prob...Most of the students in UST have their lunchbreaks scheduled from 10-12.Translating to bombarded restos and no places to eat.(Dining in a first-come first-served basis) So incase we don't find any luck,we just have our lunch take-outed and seek the aid of the university's Benavides Garden(or more popularly known as the "Lover's Lane") But it's not only designated for lovers ofcourse.Haha!Ü

Requirements...CFAD and Architecture course requirements only translate to one word...EXPENSIVE or in Tagalog MAGASTOS...(No need to elaborate...)

And since we're still in the first few days of classes and we still don't have much to do,we're usually dismissed earlier pa...So we get to roam around the campus.So I also just happen to find out that there are a lot of Stephenians in UST!It's as if it became our second home!Ü Seeing familiar faces everyday(atleast more than 10 from SSHS) People from our UECM Church family and also from my other former schools( St.Jude and PPCHA respectively)So that made it a whole lot easier for me to adapt to the new environment.Ü

Religion...Like most of the universities here in the Philippines,UST is also a university practicing a Catholic faith...But the thing is,it's not only a Catholic college,it's even officially given the title as the "Catholic University of the Philippines" So it's gonna be quite a challenge for me.(Since I'm a Protestant Christian) But thanks to my past experiences in St.Jude,it won't be much of a shock for me...Ü And with God by my side, I'm sure to be guided all my life through...Ü

I've still got a long way to go...And also a few more years in this university.
Still have more things to learn and discover about this new part of life.Ready to embrace it's every aspect.Walking hand in hand with God and keeping my faith strong as I now face new challenges and strive to step-up on each of these stones that'd eventually lead me to achieving my dream and a bright,successful future...Ü

**Till then...I'll keep you guys posted!Ü

Ten Years Older In Just a Few Days?!?

**Just came from our church's annual junior summer camp last May 24.Just decided to drop an entry here.Hehe...Ü

Older by ten years in just a span of few days?!?(I know some of you are already thinking that I'm mad or what...But surely am not....Ü) Is it possible?!?Yep...It is...(not literally though!Haha!)

(Like indicated above) So I was saying that I just came from camp 2 weeks ago...A junior/children's camp that is...Well it's true that I'm supposed to be used to these kinds of stuff since I've been to so many and have grown up with the event itself.From a tiny-winy camper,to a junior officer,and now a senior officer...Time really flew so fast that I didn't even notice it passed by so quickly!Before I was one of those who were taken cared of.Calling all the junior and senior officers "Achie" and "Ahia" Now I'm the one being called such!Sometimes I still can't accept the fact that times has changed situations so much.But,indeed,it has cause 8 years have already gone...

This year,our camp was held at Kuhala Bay Resort, Cardona,Rizal.Among all the camps that I've been through all these years, I'm sure that this one would be memorable for me.(Not that the other weren't!Ü) It's just that this one is a bit different.

This year,I went there as a senior officer for the second time around.(I had my first time last year 2007) But it was a whole new and different experience for me this year.Kids' age range is from 8-14 as it is every year.Only that this time around,we had younger campers.Their ages ranged from 7-10(Well,most of them...) And the number of counselors and senior officers this year were quite few...So it was indeed quite a challenge for most of us.Everything had to be done "hands-on"

From day one, it was already challenging.From the travel to the activities. In fact , so many things have happened.Something with the Arts and Craft part that we couldn't push through with it that day.So we ended up doing the Games that afternoon instead.It was the first time that I got to experience making water balloons and it's not that easy!Especially if you're doing it for the first time!So I really GOT WET...LOADS OF TIMES...But eventually,I got the hang of it..Haha! It was really fun also! And since we had younger kids,they were much more active and noisy.Much harder to control or hyper---to be exact...Yes,they really were...And who can forget the ever-so-notorious building 3 Rm.7?!? Most of us were stressed but in a good way atleast...Ü
And as officers,we had to abide all the rules of the camp.Since were supposed to be the ones to set as an example to all those kids.So our every move has to be watched.Cause if anything happens to them, we would be held responsible and we wouldn't like that.Would we?Ü

This year, I was a part of the music committee, as a back-up singer.We had so many songs and some of those had actions!I'm not really good with actions so I usually resist to do them and have someone else do them for me.But this was the first time around that I was actually forced to do them!And I enjoyed it too!Haha...Miraculously perhaps...Haha...Ü (I hate dancing kc...)
And the kids were also quite demanding when it comes to entertaining them.(counselors and senior officers acting,singing or making actions is a form of entertainment for them)

Each and every task turned out to be very big and important to us.Well,for the music committee, the "Praise Night" was the biggest to accomplish.It's mainly about singing,doing actions,having fun while glorifying the Lord through songs of praise.This year's theme was "animal" or "jungle" so we had prepared animal praise songs for them and even have them do their own costume!We had them make their own masks and paint their own animal shirts!Those were what they made during the arts and crafts portion...Ü

Though it was very tiresome,all of us had a great time.This whole experience taught us so many things in life and had also made us realize how hard it was for our parents to handle and take care of us from the day we were born.Taking care of kids isn't as easy as it seems to be.PATIENCE,in particular is one of the most valuable lessons that we have learned.(I'm pretty sure all the officers agree...Ü) Even more so should we really be thankful to our parents for having taken care of us.During the camp,we eventually grew up,learn to do our duties and tasks carefully and mature.And ofcourse, in the Godly way...Finally leaving Neverland...Ü

A Glance Ain't Enough...Why Don't You Take Another?!?

Waking up every morning,doing the usual daily routines,getting yourself busy and all that stuff...Probably,this is the daily lifestyle for most of us.But let's just pause for a while and start it with this part...:P

One of the first things that you probably do every morning right after you wake up is look in the mirror.What do you see???A person with eyes still half-open,a disastrous hair,with still a hint of sleepiness in his/her whole facial expression...(Yep,whether smiling or just plain bored and annoyed...) It would even look scarier if you hadn't gotten enough sleep the night before...(Yup,plus the eye bags and eyesores!) But after you've taken your shower,brushed your teeth,and done the first comb-through on your hair,the view looks a lot better.Further,after the final touches you do with your hair and apply a little touch of make-up,(I don't do this one... :P) the view even, more so, improves...

At first glance,you seem to find yourself unhappy about the way you look.Either your nose is too long or short,your eyes are of the wrong color,having a zit or two,or something's just wrong with your smile,or worse...you see everything about your face wrongly proportioned!Just as if looking at yourself in the mirror would give you a day-long eyesore! Okay...Just before you feel that you're the ugliest being who ever lived on earth...Try to look again...You might be seeing someone who has all the imperfections one could ever have and all that,but look even closer.----------Now what do you see???

You know you're a person who has unique skills.(and might even have one you could call your own!) You have the ability to make a difference.Not only in your life's situations,but also in other's lives as well.You are the right person for the job at hand.Though you might need to make a few adjustments regarding some of the situations,you see that you really do have the potential.Probably even the one who would lead the whole group to the success of that something you ought to do!

You know God is your Creator,and you clearly know that He created you perfectly.Even patterned upon His own image.And if you happen to think that you weren't given any special talents or gifts to develop and nurture,think again!You don't really have to know how to play an instrument,be good in academics,know how to sing or dance or even compose a poem or so to consider yourself gifted by God's grace!

Don't you know that knowing how to care or reach out to others is a God-given gift as well???Yes,it is...Though it might only seem to be a simple and an "anybody-can-do-that-thing" kind of situation,trust me,it isn't!Actually,if you just take another look,it ain't that simple.Not all can care like you do...Not all can also make feel one better when he or she is down like you do...(Others might even let them feel worse just by trying to attempt to!) It is a gift....And it's stated in His word.There are no such beings who are totally useless created by God!Each and every one of us is sure to have been entrusted with something by God.

There's no such person in the world without any talent or God-given gift.Even those who are mentally retarded or those who were born with disabilities do have their own specialties... Infact, animals and plants do too!You are a valuable person in God's eyes.For He created you with His own hands,and also treats you as a child of His own.The world was created perfect.But because of sin,it wasn't the same as before,and so are all it's inhabitants,including us.Yet still,God doesn't see our imperfections.But sees whatever He created in us beautiful.And even values our good more than anything else.Instead of just mumbling and getting yourself heated up there,maximize whatever He has given you.Use it to it's full potential in helping others or even by glorifying Him.So before we criticize ourselves on how ugly,unpleasant or how imperfect we look outwardly,put your "God-glasses" on and take another and even closer look...Ü

A Week Away From Civilization

Hey there!:) Just came back from YGC Youth Summer Camp last Saturday...Well,I was really exhausted so I just got to write my entry today.I got to have a six-day break from the bustling noise of Manila.Though I'm not that sure if it's called a "break" hehe...Anyways...The camp was entitled "Real or No Deal" and was held at Caliraya Recreation Center in Laguna from April 7-12,2008. (Actually,I just went there last December for our church's winter conference.:P)
This time,I went with some of my church friends to this camp.We traveled by bus and it was a pretty long drive from Manila.About 5 hours or so?Imagine that...Good thing we had a stop-over.Got to grab some coffee from Starbucks along the way...:) Upon arrival,we were all very tired from the long trip, and still had to ride a boat across the lake to get to the resort.Since we got there at 11:30,we immediately had to proceed with the opening program and the acquaintance games.Turns out,the rooms weren't ready yet.So after the games...It's chow time!Starvation much!(Yep...we were pretty hungry and were already eating horses!) and right after munching,siesta time...I grabbed the chance to replenish myself and get some needed sleep.During that evening,we had our first message.In this camp,we had to of the most renown speakers.Rev.David Cheung for the theme message and the evangelistic message (group A) and our church's very own Rev.Danny Reyes for the revival message of group B.The schedule of the camp was quite hectic...Despite having 5 days for all the activities,it was still a jam-packed sched for us.Though the sched seemed tight and all,I never regretted attending this camp.(I almost backed-out---due to some personal reasons.) My confirmation in UST was scheduled on April 8.Since I was in Caliraya,my parents had to be the ones to confirm for me...God had been so gracious that nothing went wrong.This time around,I got to experience the "Slip and Slide"(I wasn't able to experience it last December during our church's wintercon) It was so fun!!!Though dirty haha...It's a fun way of getting oneself dirty!You'd be sliding from a hill above,covered in soap water...All the way down to a whole puddle of mud!!!Yuck...but fun...:P We also had a sportsfest in our camp.The "algorithm march" was simply hilarious! Haha...:P For the last night...We had the awarding of camp ballots and some presentations wherein we had to present a bible story skit with having commercials as a twist.It was fun...:) The camp program committee had lots things in store for us for the whole camp.Never did we have any dull moment.Our team turned out to be the over-all winners in the camp activities.We were named "Phi's Angels" (since we had ahia Philemon as our head counselor in the team.) We got Starbucks Coffee gift certificates each as prizes...Neat Huh?!?Then after the awarding,we headed off to the lakeside to have some fellowship and some bonfire.We sang songs and ate underneath the beautiful silhouette of the starry sky ceiling.The sight was simply breathtaking...Had our last shots of the camp to make memories last...:P The camp had been fun...I learned a lot of things. Especially things about God and how vital and important His word is in our lives.Realizing how privileged I am to be chosen as one of His children.Some of us take His gift of salvation for granted.We should love Him for He is God.Not because of the things that we'd be gaining or benefiting from.We should realize His feelings or try putting ourselves in His shoes.Would He be happy or would He be pleased?We should always remember such questions in our mind before making any decision in our lives.I also learned that we should view things with an eternal perspective and not use worldly things as a basis in our lives.Aside from learning things about God,I also got to learn things about life as well...We had some of our camp counselors to discuss the special topics with us.They were really a great help and very informative since the topics were about the usual things that teenagers like us worry about or think about in our minds.(e.g. love life,family feud,media...etc...) Like any other camp,we had our own devotional groups with our very own counselors...Thus making the learning experience more fun.;P I'm greatly thankful that God gave me a chance to be able to experience such an event in life...To Him be all the glory...:P

YGC Youth Summer Camp 2008

Caliraya Recreational Center

A top view of the whole venue

Enjoying the obstacle course with Kristelle

Kristelle, Katherine and Me

Bonfire during the camp's last night

Goofing around with my fellow UECM colleagues

The group with Achie Mary Grace

**For the rest of the pics...Just visit http://pinksapphire08.multiply.com

A Night That Has Left a Mark In Our Lives

The day drew closer than I thought...March 29,2008 that is...The much long-awaited Grad Ball of SSHS Batch 07'-08'....(well,for some it is...hehe..:P) Another part of our highschool life and probably one of it's lasts.But definitely one of the most memorable and spectacular.Not only in our highschool life but also in our life as a whole.For you guys....Here goes my entry!:P

The Whole Table of Friends

I wasn't able to schedule any appointment for that.Haha...Goodness gracious...It's really good that I needed to get my do done earlier since they are already full with appointments by the afternoon!After getting it done,we(with my mom and sis) walked in Shakey's to grab some lunch and headed over St.Stephen's Parish for a before-performance rehearsal.By 2:00 we already left for Liberty Hall for my performance.After rendering the song,I left right away to go and get ready for the grad ball.My friend arrived just in time to fetch me.We then dropped by at his house in Dynasty Towers to get changed and eventually, set-off for the hotel.We were already in Makati around 5:20.It was extremely early and I didn't expect that we'd be so!Since Ongpin area had terrible traffic that day!Me and my friends heard about last year's "early-bird" award and we wouldn't want to be awarded "that" this year sincAt first,I wasn't really planning to attend our Senior's Night.Well,there are probably countless reasons why I didn't want to.But here are just some of the few...First and formost....The price of the ticket was quite expensive and quite unreasonable.(I asked some of my friends from other schools and it turns out that theirs was cheaper.) Secondly,being a female....EXACTLY...Countless expenses...Dress,shoes,bag,accessories,hair and make-up....(Hay...hirap mging gurl...)Less expenditures are required if you were a male.Aside from that,it also came to my mind that for a one-night-only-event,you really need to spend a lot of money!Definitely not my kind of persona...That's why my mentality was different...When it comes to those kinds of things...I'm definitely out....etcetera......And despite all these "anti-prom" reasons that I had in mind,I still ended up going in the end!It was definitely a last minute resort! (upto now I still can't believe that I my friends succeeded in pushing me regarding this matter---you know who you are....haha...:P) Well....Anyways...:P Started the day by waking up early,getting my things ready,the works....I had to go to school that day by 1:30 p.m. to meet up with Achie Pat and Pan Zhu Ren since I will be representing the school and had to perform in Liberty Hall for their ("Tsing Dian Tsiat") gathering.So I left the house at 9:00 am and got to Masangkay by 10:00 and had to crash the nearby salons to get my hair and make-up done!Sincee all those to be awarded are required to dance...Just to escape that,we ended up making circles around Makati and even dropped by Starbucks Coffee just to get our caffeine-fix since we're all feeling sleepy!Haha...Loooong story...:P We got to the hotel at exactly 6:20 just in time...It turned out na wala nman kwenta since the program also started late!Upon our arrival,there were already people around walking in the hotel lobby...Exploring and waiting for others to come.Our faces that day showed the glow of excitement even upon arrival.Clearly we were all very happy seeing each other all glammed-up for the night.Nagpipic sessions lahat ng tao pgdating plng sa lobby ng hotel.And then grabeh...We only later found out na sponsored by Candy Mag ang prom and they had a photo booth setted up.Asyd from Candy Mag tlgang nghire pa cla ng proffessional photog for the event...Shucks...The night was full of different faces and mixed emotions...Haha...So time came na mguumpisa na yng program and before we went in,we registered and even got a lot of freebies.So upon entering na talaga,they even had a sort of a"red carpet runway" setted up.We were all required to go in one by one ata or pwede by twos and had our pics taken tlga!Since our theme was "Old Hollywood". Ako I hate photog sessions...di me marunong mgpose and all that...haha...nkakailang rn kasi eh...Upto a point na I almost cried nung solo-solo for the studio picz....Pano b nman...Kung anu anong pnagawa skng pose at kng anu anu rn pinatatanggal haha!:P and then the whole room was really full of people...each of them anxiously waiting for their turn...Our food...Isn't as we expected it to be.The only buffet part was the dessert course of the meal.The rest were served.We were all starving at that point of time...To our dismay...the food seemed have to have veggies all the time...There's the aftertaste from the soup...and also each meal served turned out to be involved with veggies...Even the smell...Well...atleast we finally got the hang of that.There was hardly any food.The dessert part was the best na ata sa meals nmin.Moving on...We also had games...Such as modified bring me and musical chairs type of game with a twist...After all these things...Finally,the slowdance time came...Probably one of the most na iniiwasan ko sa prom...I even promised myself not to dance...Turns out in the end I broke my own promise!Haha...The dance was really unexpected.From the person who'll be asking you...To the people or partners that you don't expect to see together...To most of us,it was definitely a dream come true...:P (No elaboration needed...you know what I meant..:P)
Votation for the Mr. and Ms. titles and tally of scores followed.Denise even turned out to be Ms.Metamorphosis!!!In which I'm so proud of!Haha...(Love Yah Den!!!:P) They were awarded sashes amd trophies.Tiara and flowers for the Prom Queen.
Since the program ended pretty late,we weren't able to set off to Martini's anymore as we early planned to do so...We left at exactly 12:20.Since some of my friends have curfews to catch.Yup!"Cinderellas" in the car so we had to leave much much earlier than the others.They didn't reach their house at their curfew time though hehe...I was home by 1:00 am and finally ended the day with a night's sleep @ 2:00...(thought that's considered to be morning na haha!:P)That night,though I was filled with mixed emotions,I didn't regret attending such an event as I always expected, and even enjoyed every bit of the night.It's a wonderful and happy memory that I'll certainly not forget even through the years to come.

On the way home...With Erica and Denise

Double Trouble

Here it is...Just as promised...The "adlib" to my last entry here in my blog.
Like I said,we got back to Oxford Hotel by 9:10 since the mall wasn't far away and it only took us a 10 minute drive back.My pianist arrived back from dinner @10 pm.So i had to wait for him for almost an hour.But good thing that he's already in our meeting place before 10:30....Although... something really bad happened...Upon entering the room, a certain something had landed on my shoulder!(yep...you've guessed it....) Non-other than "Mr.Friendly Old Roach"!!!!Since it really gave me the creeps,it had me screaming all-over the room.Good thing,we were the only ones around the area!Well,annoyingly,my pianist remained calm and concentrated on what he's practicing....(yep...still playing on the keyboard...) and just calmly asked me---"Anu yun?Ipis ba?"---I was almost awed by his behavior...Becuase it really seemed he wasn't even shocked!His calm state didn't last for too long though...The roach remained still for quite sometime...So we decided to start practicing.But just before we started,it started to fly all-over the place again!And again it left me screaming!(I hate roaches...Especially flying ones!) Upto a point that I hid behind my pianist!Worse...I just couldn't stop screaming each time it flapped it's wings and hear it bump on the wall...My pianist then just decided to kill the roach for me.But after he himself saw how big it was....He also got scared!Though he still tried to be brave enough to try and kill it...But just before he was about to do so,it started to fly again!To his shock he also screamed!We both did!Then after running circles around the room,we just decided to postpone the rehearsal and we both scrammed out the door.We were still running out of fear till we reached the staircase..."Ay!Kailangan natin bumalik!Dali!" "Bakit?!?Anung gagawin mo?!?Hahabulin mo?!?" turns out.....He left his cellphone inside the room!Oh my.....Goodness!He urged me to go back with him but I was too scared...I did though...But i just waited outside the room and just waited for him to come outside...To make the long story short,we ended up laughing since we were actually both scared to death!haha...He's human afterall....Haha...PEACE!!!!:P So our supposed tobe catch-up rehearsal turned out to be a delayed rehearsal again after such an unfortunate incident...So we had to rush tomorrow morning so that we'd still be able to rehearse just a few mins. before the singspiration session...Instead of being a solution,it ended up being a DOUBLE TROUBLE for us...Luckily,by God's grace we were able to do the task well....:P

UECM Family Retreat 2008

Hey Guys!:P

Just got back from the retreat yesterday...:P Still feeling "groggy" (have to admit...haha...) I was even too tired to open the PC when I got home yesterday!I slept right away upon getting home.That's why I'm just typing my entry now haha...Well, anyways...:D

This year,our church's family retreat was again held @ Oxford Hotel, Clark Eco Zone,Pampanga from March 19-22,2008.And just like last year,we stayed there for four days and three nights.But we formally started the retreat on March 20,2008(the second day) since the first night was a given free stay at the hotel.So it's free time for us though not inclusive of dinner...(Aww...haha!:P) So that night we had to go and eat outside and had our dinner at SM City Clark.
Since it was Holy Wednesday...SM had to close exactly at 9pm that night.After munching,we tried to make a few circles till the clock striked @ exactly 9.Woah...it's the first time I got to get the chance to see SM closing!Haha...anyways...Moving on...:P
When we got back to the hotel,I had to meet up with my pianist for rehearsal...Since I was attested to be the songleader in the children's division.And we hadn't had much practice back in Manila.There were still many songs we had to rehearse and with the guitarist this time.(the guitarist is my younger bro by the way haha...) We got back by 9:10 since the mall wasn't far away and it only took us a 10 minute drive back.My pianist arrived back from dinner @10 pm.So i had to wait for him for almost an hour.But good thing that he's already in our meeting place before 10:30....Although something really bad happened...(I'll be posting that incident next....so just check it out...) So we weren't really able to practice that night.So I just decided to get some sleep.For this year,I was in another room and wasn't staying with my parents.I shared a room with my choirmates hehe...and was bedmates with our boksu's daughter Wenslyn.:P We had fun by the way haha...Anyways...:P
The next day,(the official start of my job) I had to wake up @5:30 am to take a shower,blowdry my hair,and drop by my parent's room.Have breakfast by 7am and be done by 7:30 to rush for rehearsal and a prayer meeting scheduled at 7:45.The session officially starts at exactly 8:00 for singspiration and split groups afterwards.My worship teammates can already go after singspi session and go to the adults division for their activities.As for me,I had to stay since I was also one of the assistant teachers for the junior division.(So practically speaking,I was in the children's division the whole retreat)So it was really a brand new experience for me.This is my first time ever to be one of the handlers in the kids division.I got to handle 10-12 year old kids.(together with Achie Olivia) They were the oldest in the pack.The group I handled included my two other sibs!(Imagine that!) Since they were the "big kids",we expected them to be already disciplined and mature....But we were wrong...They were noisy!Very noisy!And they could be very demanding kids too!Luckily by God's grace,we were able to find a way to gain control over them.Yep...(Thanks to the score board!haha!)We splitted the group of 13 kids into two groups and conducted a contest for the whole period of the retreat.Whoever gets the most points would be given prizes on the last day of the retreat.So that's what kept them glued on to their seats.Though we had a pretty hard time controlling them,it was still a worthwhile experience for me.Our afternoons were free except for the third day of the camp wherein we had to participate in the sportsfest portion of the retreat.So for that afternoon,I went to explore Paradise Ranch with some of my fellow churchmates and my cousins.It was a wild life sanctuary located just around Clark.Well we had a great time there!Saw animals,took a lot of pictures and ofcourse bonded with the group.Even though the heat of the sun was very dehydrating....We still had fun hehe...:D Then the respected sessions resumed at 7:00 pm after eating our dinner at 6:00.The same routine went on for the rest of the retreat.The sportsfest event was loads of fun!haha...cheerin' for you team and all...There was the traditional eating contest,a new singing contest,obstacle course,ever-mouthwatering marshmallow shoot-out and the usual relay games.The games were really fun so everybody had a great time participating.But most importantly,all of us got to learn more about God.There are many first-timers who got to know Christ and accepted Him as their personal Lord and Saviour.Everybody had a lot of fun and fellowship with one another ,altogether learning more about God and serving all for His glory.
I'm really thankful that He gave me such an opportunity of a new experience and also to be eble to serve Him while enjoying it at the same time...:P And I really hope that it would always be like this in the other years to come...:P