As I was growing up,
I have seen how Tatay generously
& sacrificially helped other people..
Even til now, He gives, & gives without reserve...
He doesn't know how to turn people away..
When people/relatives need help,
almost always they would come to him..
coz they know that Tatay will not rest until he is able to do something..

Tatay's kindness had cost us our farm's title and had almost cost us our farm..
We literally suffered financially when Tatay allowed his cousin to loan a big amount of money using our farm's title...
Tatay ended up paying the amount so we can just get the title back ...
And we almost didn't make it to college because all our finances were used paying for his cousin's loan..One time Tatay lend a part of our farm so his other cousin can earn a living out of it..
And it took us many years to get it back coz his cousin was so comfortable having it, he doesnt like to give it back..

I am proud of Tatay's heart..
But there are times when I resist it esp when i see that others are abusing his kindness..


Now that I am already grown-up,
I realized that I have a heart like Tatay..

I have a heart that easily feels for other people..
I have a heart that easily cries when people are hurt or in need..
I have a heart who doesn't know how to turn down a person in need
I have a heart who gives & gives even at times I don't have something for myself anymore..


Now I understand why it was so hard for Tatay to say no...
It's so hard not to be kind & not to help when its your nature to do so..
Everytime you hear someone's cry for help you don't think of anything else
but that you need to do something..
And every help that you withold makes you uneasy & not at peace..

But if there is one thing that i am angry about it's abuse..
Like tatay, I have a heart that is prone to abuse..
And its a sad fact,
that there are really people who just take advantage of your goodness..

Like the lady that I met yesterday..

I almost cried when she tried to share her life (tho it took a long time before we understand each other)

When she said she has no clothes,
I took some of my clothes (tho i don't have many) and gave it to her..
She said she was hungry, and so i cooked and let her eat..
She likes to stay in my house to rest & I let her rest..
Lunch came, she was hungry again..
I don't have food anymore, so I decided to take her out to eat (tho i never eat out myself because its too expensive)..
I brought her to the restaurant that i can afford, but she likes to eat elsewhere (a more expensive one)...
She likes to call someone but she has no money and so i took some coins and gave it to her..
She seemed so comfortable in my house that she just gets something from the ref or cook something when she wants to..(no permission asked)..
She slept in my bed when she got tired & woke up again to eat..
She stayed from10:a.m. til night until I have to ask her to go...
I have to let her go because I cannot let people sleep in this place when my employers won't agree..
But she refused to go.
She likes to sleep here she said..
With the help of my student , we calmly explain why she needs to go home..
It was a very long ordeal before she went out..
But before she went away, i took the only money left in my purse and gave it to her..
My student gave her money too..

I was very surprised when she asked for more...
We don't have money at hand so we told her so...
"Let me go back to your house to find some money"" she said...

That's the time when I said...."ENOUGH' "ENOUGH...
That's too much...
I have been tolerant with her for a very long time..
But I can't take her blatant ungratefulness & disrespect anymore..

She went away so angry..
That was the first time that somebody got angry with me because I was 'unkind'...
But I didn't regret that i acted that way...
I won't allow people to be abusive because I gave them the right & the opportunity to do so...


I wish I can learn to balance sympathy and reason..
Sympathy almost always wins in me..
Though at times it's not reasonable anymore..

Sarah gave me a book "The Alchemist as a gift.."
It's one of the best sellers..
I started reading it..
But I realized, i don't agree with most of its philosophy..
but I'l finish it anyway..
"Take what is beneficial, & throw away what's not"..

___________________________________________
We had wonderful time together with my students..
It's is our 2nd to the last sunday to be together..
And we can almost feel the 'gloom' of goodbyes..
Some of my students who were busy to come on Sunday,
came today..
And they said they will be here again on Sunday..
They took pictures..
We sing all the songs that i taught them...
They gave me their email add...

As much as i am excited to go home, I also feel sad leaving this place too..
My students and the church members have been like a family to me now...
_________________________________________
I received 3 pairs of socks from my other students..
Truly, a teacher is one of the most 'gifted' people in the world
_________________________________________________

I went out when 2 middle school students were so excited waving at me (I am like an american among Filipinos here
No matter how i act normally, & unnoticingly, people would still see that I have a different face)...
Anyway, I approached the two girls and they were excited speaking,
trying to remember the English that they learned...
We just feel comfortable...
I told them they can visit me when they have time..
Less than 1 hour after we part ways,
The two young people came to my house...
We eat Ramyon, and talked...
"We are your new friends" they said..
Yes, You are..I said..

The next day, they came again with another friend..
They brought some snacks..
And we spend time just having fun..

They said they will come on Sunday..
I hope so...

There are so many things that I want to do
& experience before going home
but I did not do because they're quite expensive to achieve..

But today the Lord has given me a very wonderful 'treat' through a family..

here are some of my joys today...

The pictures of Daegu in Spring..
I'd like to have pictures of all the seasons here
because I won't experience them again in Philippines..
Eun He's parent's used 1 roll of film taking pictures so I can bring them home..
Am so blessed..

I also rode the "Viking".

We eat hamburger (3rd time in 1 year.. hehehe)

Then they brought me to places where we can take many pictures and enjoy the beauty of the place..
The place where the water is flowing from a vey high and wide wall is so spectacular..
So cool and refreshing too

Then we went up to the tower (120 ft high)..There we saw Daegu City with all its tall buildings and beautiful scenery from up high.. So breathtaking..

Then they let me pose in the photo sticker machine and have my pics taken so I can have souvenir..

The last special treat was the "skyway..
Seeing it from afar, I thought If I could just take pictures of it, I'd be so happy..

To be able to experience riding in it is a very memorable experience for me..

I am extremely blessed today..
We are just like a family as we enjoy our times together..
I am really touched by the generosity & the expression of love that they lavished on me..

Thank you Lord for this memorable day.

I got a very wonderful gift today..
Inside a very beautiful blue box are 16 pink and red paper rosebuds..
personally made by my student's mother..
I cannot describe how beautiful they are.
The candy inside the rosebud makes it very refined
and curvy & just too delightful to see.
So I would rather not eat the candies inside..
I'd like to bring the gift home..

I feel elated receiving that token of appreciation..
I was told that it was her first time to make such paper flowers..
But if others would just see it,
they will be amazed & they will surely love/ appreciate it..

Just as I count the days when i will go home..
The people I have worked with
esp my student's and their mothers are counting too..

'Sonsengnim, Philippines katchi kanda..' My 8-year old student said..
(Let's go to Philippines together)..

I smiled..

Deep within, like them, I feel sad leaving this place too..
It has been my home for 1 year..

But sometimes we're being put in a place just for a time..
And when our assignment is done,
we need to move elsewhere where He leads us....

I am just happy that I was able to meet & know so many wonderful people in this place...
Being in korea has enriched my life so greatly..

Just the other night a hometown football game
My wife and I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldn’t help but think of the way things used to be.

She was the one that I’d wanted for all times
And each night I’d spend prayin’ that God would make her mine
And if he’d only grant me this wish I wished back then
I’d never ask for anything again.

(chorus)
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you’re talkin’ to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he don’t care
Some of god’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.

She wasn’t quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
Inn her eyes too it seemed
We tried to talk about the old days
There wasn’t much we could recall
I guess the lord knows what he’s doin’ after all.

And as she walked away and I looked at my wife
And then and there I thankedd the good lord
For the gifts in my life.

*chorus*
Some of god’s greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...
Some of god’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers...

very true..
i thank God for the many unanswered prayers too..
because later on in life, we'l realize..
It's a blessing that God didn't give what we asked for..
Coz we would have missed God's best
If He granted our "selfish" prayers..

There are places I remember all my life,
Though some have changed Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain.
All these places have their moments
Of lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I loved them all.
And with all these friends and lovers
There is no one that compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
And I know I will nver lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know'll often stop and think about them.
In my life I loved you more.

And I know I will never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know'll often stop and think about them.
In my life I loved you more
In my life I loved you more.


one of the meaningful songs i like..

A car stopped, while i was walking down the street..
It was my student's mother..
She cannot speak English so she just took my hand and press it real tight..
She tries to talk to me in Korean..
For a long time she never let go of my hand..
The way she holds it is her way of saying
"Thank you"..
She told me to email them when I get back home..

_________________________________________________________

"Happy Parents Day..Thank you so much"..
These were the simple words that I wrote in the card.. (these were what am sure they can understand)..
I took a rose & went upstairs and gave the card to samunim & muksanim (church's pastor)..

Samunim's face lighted up with joy..
Muksanim read the notes with a smile...

There children are all grown up/married and are far from home..
Somehow I have brought joy to them this parent's day
And for that I am happy..
They are like "parents" to me in this place..
______________________________________________________________

I was spending some time in the garden..
There's nothing to do..
There afar I saw one of the neighbors (grandmother)..
I usually meet her in the street while she strolls with her little grandson..
She saw me..
And she pushed the stroller towards the church..
I sense she's coming to talk to me,
So i took 1 rose from the garden (its parent's day)
And went out to meet her...

We talked in Korean..
She asked If I have friends here..
We'll I don't have really..
My friends are my student's and their mothers..

I played with the baby..
He was shy at first, but later on he giggles & smiles as I tease him..
"Imoya, srangheyo" The grandmother said..
Then the 2 year old put his hands on his head and motioned,
"I love you" while smiling so sweetly..

I enjoyed my one year stay here in Korea..
I feel that I somehow I have a place in the heart of these people too..

When you have a mother
who cares so much for you
that anything you want
becomes her desires
When you have a mother
who is so understanding that
no matter what is bothering you
she can make you smile
When you have a mother
who is so strong that
no matter what obstacles she faces
she is always confident in front of you
When you have a mother
who actively pursues her goals in life
but includes you in all her goals
you are very lucky indeed
Having a mother like this
makes it easy to grow up
into a loving, strong adult
Thank you for being this kind
of wonderful mother.
~Susan P Schutz~

I am proud and so blessed to have this kind of mother..
Nanay has always been a source of strength & inspiration to me..

This mother's day,
I just want to say thank you Nay
For being such a wonderful, loving mother to us..
I love you and I am proud that you are my mother..

A Mother's love is something
that no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendoured miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.

~Helen Steiner Rice~

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes

-Martina McBride

(James Slater)

I don't have a baby yet..
But I wanna save this song for my little ones someday because its very beautiful....
I cried when I heard it in a baby shower..
very meaningful..
This is also dedicated to nanay & tatay..
I pray that somehow I have brought joy & strength & blessing to you..
as you always do to me..
I love you both..