Are We But Sunday Christians?

This was the thought running in my head as I left church last Sunday.

When I look at the people inside the church looking all kind and holy, praying, singing to God, listening to the priest, saying "peace be with you," I can't help asking, where are these kind souls during the rest of the week? I don't see many of them during the rest of the week especially in crowded trains, or out on the streets in heavy traffic.

In these places, most of the people I see are grumbling, complaining and trying to get ahead of the others. 

Do we forget that we are children of God as soon as we are out of the church? That we are equals and not any better than the rest? That we ought to be nice to one another? And so, we are back in our ways - honking the car when someone blocks our way, pushing and shoving to get in the train?

And simple courtesies like greeting back the security guard welcoming us in the mall, looking at the face of a saleslady and replying a polite "no" if  she offers us something we're not interested in, thanking a fast food crew or a waiter for a glass of water served? 

Where are these good people? Do we transform to other beings when somewhere else or on other days, forgetting our manners?

Then it hit me, before I impose these things on others, I HAVE TO BE ONE. I have to be the one doing good, showing niceties and courtesies. If I don't get to change others, at least, I GOT TO CHANGE ME. 

Welcome to Paris!

Tour Eiffel

I've heard a lot of stories about the City of Lights! Some friends say, it's a magical place. Some say, so-so, nothing special, overrated. Some even warned me to be careful of pickpockets and especially because I was going alone, I would be an easy target. Huwatt??!!


Not only that.  a week before my flight to the City of Love, there was a terror attack wherein 12 people died at the Charlie Ebno magazine office.


I said to myself, the City of Lights is big. What are the chances that it's near where I'm staying at? Well, apparently, it was around Republique, about 5-minute walk to the apartment I reserved.


With my plane tickets and  Airbnb accommodation booked,  I chose to brave the city. I reasoned, the police will surely be on a heightened alert to prevent another attack. And the good thing, maybe the pickpockets will lie low because of police visibility.

Bridge over River Seine

Good thing that a few days before flying to Paris, I met up with my old  friend Joel  who loves the city with a capital L! And who's been planning to go back again since the time he visited in October. Did I say he loves Paris?


We met at a Parisian cafe called Paul, his choice, where I had macarons and tea, a prelude to what's in store for me at the City of Lights. He told me wonderful stories of his visit (on top of what he already long-messaged me on FB; thrice), where he went, what he ate, where he stayed. And I was charmed and it brought back my excitement to see this famed city.


I was so excited when I finally got to the airport as I kissed my sister and Dubai adieu. (I visited her; supposedly with my parents. But they couldn't fly with me so I went ahead. They followed after a month.)

But, the staff at the counter advised that the flight to Istanbul (for the connecting flight) was delayed by 2 hours or so. I got up so early only to be held up in the airport! Two words -- budget airline!

Anywho, I entertained myself by tinkering with my new Iphone (my sister's gift) while at the airport. Because the plane was delayed, I didn't make it to my connecting flight to Paris in time.

Arc de Triomphe

I had to kill time again in the cold Turkish city. As in snow cold. My first time to see actual snow, on the ground, piles of it.

When we boarded the plane, we had to take a bus, which us to the plane, which meant I was exposed outside the airport building and actually felt the harsh wind and cold, cold snow. Climbing up the stairs to the plane, I wanted to push everybody in front of me to get in right away. But alas, I was at the end. The last one to get in!

If it weren't for the delays, I would have been in my dream city by 130 pm. But I ended up arriving at 630 pm. That's half a day for touring gone. Sigh.

When the plane landed at Charles de Gaulle airport and we got out of the tube, we were greeted by policemen to check our passports. It was barely a week after the terror attack so it's understandable that the airport was manned by the police and military to replace immigration officers. I should point out though that the policeman who checked my passport was a tall and handsome chap.

When I scanned the airport and later the city, I noticed Parisian girls are lucky, they have a goodlooking police force. These are the times I say to myself, life is not fair!

I got out of CDG airport past 7pm. I took the metro, arrived at Goncourt station and walked a bit to the apartment. Welcome to Paris!

So this is the Eiffel Tower. 

Excerpt from Alex & Georg, my latest Nanowrimo novel

Photo taken at Fundacion Pacita, Batanes

Georg: I think there’s enough love to go around for everyone. It’s just that people...they’re stupid. They don’t know any better. They close their hearts and choose not to receive love.

Alex: You think?

Yeah. We say, I want love. I’m looking for love. But that's crazy, you don’t search for love. You have love right there in your heart. So, you just love.

And?

You just love. Be loving and lovable. Before you know it, it’s right there in front of you. 

He was still puzzled.

Georg: But we can’t tell what’s good for us. We can’t tell if it was staring us right in the eye and ready to strike at us.

He looks at her with amazement.

Georg: Words of wisdom. Think about it.

Alex: You just love. Those are your words of wisdom? 

Yes!

I say, you’re drunk.

No!

They look at each other and both laugh.

Georg: Think about it. When was the last time you found love? Or love found you?

Alex: You’re really pushing this?

Yes, I am. Come on, tell me. Tell me the whole story, the details, the circumstances. Were you exactly looking? 

No, I don’t think so.

Right! Because you don’t actually plan these things to happen. It just happens. Bam! And you’re hooked.

Artist Date

I can’t remember the last time I went to a museum, which is embarrassing  considering the fact that I claim to be an art enthusiast. My most memorable trip is when I went to Artscience Museum in Singapore where I saw Van Gogh’s art installations. It was like going in a candy store or a shoe store. I could have stayed there all day if it weren’t for my friends.

Yes, I like paintings most of all. I appreciate looking at the artist’s interplay of colors, first from a distance. Then going up close to see the strokes and to examine how the painter covered the canvas with colors. I try dissecting with my eyes which color was laid first and which came next. I am like a child at wonder, wondering how colors side by side create something and this something becomes a part of a picture.

I’m glad our office had an Artist’s Date today. I particularly liked Paco Rapagos’ works. The highlight was seeing 2 of Fernando Amorsolo’s murals. But it wasn’t what I expected. I like his familiar yellowish paintings with farm landscape. But just the same, I was in awe to see the maestro's masterpieces. The very fact that the murals are lifesize, was in itself amazing. 

Steve Jobs said, real artists ship. I have a half-finished painting at home, which I started a few months back. I keep telling myself to put the final strokes but haven’t till now. After an exposure to a world of colors, I am inspired to get back to my canvas. Maybe tonight. 

A Day in the Life of Sandy with her dog Dodo: On Rejection

Sandy: Rejection is God's protection. Where did I hear that?

Dodo: From dating coach Marni Bassista?

Sandy: Oh, so it's meant for people in the dating scene, huh? 

Dodo: Yeah, the idea is that as soon as you're rejected, you move on and say, next! It's better to think you're better off without him. Or at least, it's better for your morale to think that. Besides, why obsess on what could have been? Why bother when you're date is a no-show, a creep or a loser? It's better to work on yourself and just look forward to your next potential date. 

Sandy: Wow! You're sounding like a dating coach. How many Dating with Dignity videos have you seen?

Dodo: Just enough to know something. 

Sandy: Does it apply to other rejections in life? 

Dodo: Huh?

Sandy: You think it's God's protection too that my book got rejected by those snotty publishers? Because, I don't get it. I couldn't for the life of me understand how it's supposed to be helpful.

Dodo: Are you going to cry? Do you need a tissue?

Sandy: And I thought I was done with this issue. You know, not becoming published book author. I thought I have accepted the fact that maybe this is not the right time, not the right book... 

Dodo: How about a glass of water?

Sandy: I agonized over this a few months ago already when I got my latest rejection email and now, I have to go all over the pain again. All because I came across someone's careless generalization. 

Dodo: Maybe it's good to remind yourself of how you got over it the last time. Try.

Sandy still sulking and close to tears.

Dodo: It was a character's line in that TV series you don't like and have stopped watching after 3 episodes. The lady said something like, you just do what you can, put it out there and allow for the universe to respond. If it doesn't happen, it's not on you. It's not your fault. Sandy, it's not your fault.

Sandy: So I wrote a novel and sent it out to publishers. And the answer is a resounding and a consistent no-no-no-no. Every time I receive a no, it's like a stab in my heart. How could God plant a dream like that in my heart and not do something? I don't know what to do anymore. 

Dodo: For now, it's better to stop overanalyzing. So what if they didn't like it, they don't know anything. But you know what, cheesy as it was, I actually liked it.

Sandy: You read it?

Dodo: Yeah.

Sandy: My dog read my book and liked it. But he thinks it's cheesy. You think it's cheesy? 

Dodo: Yeah, soooo cheeeessssy! But I liked it.

Sandy: Hah! Thank you, Dodo. You just made my day. 

My Missing Pair of Scissors

God hears our prayers. 

But of course, everybody knows that. It's just amazing and unbelievably incredible when something you prayed for comes to life, jumps on you and says surprise, I'm here!

Am talking about this guy, David (not his real name) whom I prayed over at a retreat in July. Saw his post on FB recently that he now has a girlfriend! Wow! I'm so happy for him. And for me for I was used as God's instrument, sort of. God, you really listened to our prayer. And that was quick.

The thing is and the reason I remember him among the quite handful I prayed over that day was that during the talk and exercise, I noticed he wasn't really into it.(Or so I thought. Maybe I was being assuming and judgmental again. But that's another blog altogether.) And when he came to me for a prayer, he seemed a bit cool and nonchalant about it. Can you pray for me, he said and gave me a tight hug. He didn't elaborate on the details so I asked for healing, for peace, wisdom and prosperity and my favorite prayer for singles, that they find their one true love and start their own family soon.

I remember my very first answered prayer. I was in gradeschool and I had this new pair of scissors for art class. When I got home from school, I checked my pencil case, emptied it and so with my schoolbag, but no shiny pair of scissors. I was worried sick, my mom just bought it. I couldn't tell her it's missing, she'd think I'm irresponsible. I had to find it but I couldn't. So that night, I prayed to God to pls. put it back in my pencil case. I also prayed to Mama Mary for help and slept. The next day, when I got up, jumped right next to my study table and took out my pencil case. I held it and prayed over it. With confidence, I held and felt it. It was not the boxy type but the fabric type with zipper on top. And I felt something made of metal. Quickly, I unzipped it and there was my pair of scissors. My first miracle. How it got there? I don't know.

Remind me to ask God when I see Him face to face in Heaven. Right then, my young heart couldn't contain the joy I was feeling. I was elated and grateful. Just as now, when I receive God's precious answered prayers, be it simple or great. Be it for me or for others.

It feels good to have facilitated David's blessing, in a way. So, when I'm feeling dejected thinking God is not there or not listening, I have this and all the other answered prayers in the past to go back to and remind myself that God hears my prayers.;p

Fancy Flying Like A Bird

As a kid, like any other, I've always wanted to fly. I don't remember when and why exactly I dreamed of such but I suspect the picture hanging on the wall near my dad's drafting table did it. http://leefoster.photoshelter.com/image/I0000t88UO0OrPmw It was a simple picture of a colorful hang-glider soaring the sky and a man hanging and balancing himself. But I didn't just see a glider and a gliding man, I saw freedom. I felt the gust of wind on my face, the exhilarating joy and exuberance of flying like a bird. Every time, I'd look at the photo, I can't help but smile. I told myself, one day...when I grow up... Thus started my fascination on flying. That and watching birds soar the skies. Later, I changed my mind. I didn't think I can ever fly that hang-glider. Looking at the photo, I also felt a tinge of fear. I didn't think I could maneuver the thing, it was enormous for my frail body. And it's not exactly safe, I think. But it's the closest thing to flying like a bird. Maybe if I grew some muscles...  Then there was bungee jumping and later, sky diving. I never fancied free falling like a log with my feet tied to a rope to hold me back. I have this crazy idea in my head that if I do, I'd puke my intestines out. Although my lungs and heart might go first before my intestines.  But, the idea of jumping out of a plane thrilled me. And some ten years ago, with some friends, we talked about it no end. There was supposedly this short course program that will teach you the basics in the morning and let you jump in the afternoon. Then we were all pumped up and ready, the program was stopped for safety concerns. So, to this day, none of us have done it yet. Losers.   Good thing man invented planes. It's not as thrilling as the others but soaring the skies just the same, in a secured and comfy seat with movies, music and in-flight service.