Here in the Philippines, it has been a tradition that Filipinos go to church for nine days, as early as 4 A.M., before Christmas. This is called the Simbang Gabi or Dawn Masses.
This yearly endeavor has one purpose: the 9 masses are offered to God because He has given us the most wonderful gift we could ever receive - Jesus.
It is not easy to wake up early in the morning just to go to mass. Think about going to school or to work; takes all effort to get our butts out of bed.
But what is keeping the Filipinos from not making to these Dawn Masses? Is it their faith? Maybe. Is it the hope for a better Philippines? Maybe. Or is it because we think that if we complete the 9 masses, any wish we make will come true? More likely than not.
I think that the idea of doing thees has been distorted. Originally, this is to be offered to God. These would be like flowers given to our Father; for Him, it would really smell good this sacrifice of ours. But no! There are some people who don't do it for God, but for themselves. They think that if they show God that they are suffering (waking up early even though they only had 3, 4, or 5 hours of sleep) rather than sacrificing, they would win the favor of God and grant them their wishes.
I know that there are some people who are not like this. But for those who are, I'm a member of the club. But not anymore.
Two or three mornings ago, a priest, in his homily, taught me the REAL purpose of these endeavor. His mother was dying but he prayed to God that he will offer the masses to Him with the hopes that his mother will not die on the Christmas season. January or February, maybe. It was granted.
That's not all. He was completely blessed because of what he did. His sister returned to being a Christian. And his head priest gave him a new car!
Lesson learned: complete the 9 masses and your wishes will come true. NAW! Ha, ha, ha! These 9 masses should be offered to God together with our hearts, pure and full of humility, so that He will still continue blessing us not only for the holidays or for the next year but for our entire life.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
joyful over awesome nights and marie
It's been two nights already that I have been dreaming about you. Seems to me that the way you looked during our Christmas Party still is in my mind.
I have had a crush on you for two years now. It's more of like a friendly crush. I brushed aside any romantic feelings that was slowly building up every once in a while. I thought that our friendship is more valuable than any other thing in the world. But I also learned that for a romantic relationship to succeed, the friendship part should not be skipped.
Well, I'll do my best to take this relationship a step further. Good luck to me!
BTW, I made myself a vow for as long as I can remember that I wouldn't have an engineer or a nurse for a girlfriend. Now, the longest vow I have made in my entire life will be broken.
I thought that I should enjoy life and not restrain myself from any possibility that life has to offer me. And of course, I will trust God in this endeavor.
I have had a crush on you for two years now. It's more of like a friendly crush. I brushed aside any romantic feelings that was slowly building up every once in a while. I thought that our friendship is more valuable than any other thing in the world. But I also learned that for a romantic relationship to succeed, the friendship part should not be skipped.
Well, I'll do my best to take this relationship a step further. Good luck to me!
BTW, I made myself a vow for as long as I can remember that I wouldn't have an engineer or a nurse for a girlfriend. Now, the longest vow I have made in my entire life will be broken.
I thought that I should enjoy life and not restrain myself from any possibility that life has to offer me. And of course, I will trust God in this endeavor.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
MEN: BE A GREAT FIRST DATE!
by Evan Marc Katz
In a perfect world, all first dates would result in second dates. But in reality, some women are not going respond to you. But do you have any idea why? Did you know that there’s actually a skill to dating?
Oh, yes, there is. And the reason that you may fail the first-date test is not what you think. It has
Go ahead—be a man with a plan.
nothing to do with being tall, dark, and handsome, or taking her to the nicest restaurant in town. Being a great date has to do with one thing and one thing only: getting rid of your agenda and focusing on hers.
So what is her agenda? What do women want from men on first dates? I’m so glad you asked…
Have a plan
It’s not that “So…what do you want to do?” is a bad question, per se. I mean, of course you want to choose an activity that you know she likes. The thing is that, in asking her to come up with her own plan, you’re not establishing yourself as a leader. And generally, that’s what women want. A man who has ideas, a man who knows cool places, a man who can make reservations, name a time, and tell her when to be ready. Whether you choose a moderately priced, atmospheric bar in her part of town or suggest a museum that has an outdoor sculpture garden for strolling, by making a plan, you’re showing that you’re not just an average guy. And that’s the first step to building attraction and getting a second date.
Don’t try to impress
Have you ever met someone who tried too hard to impress you? Maybe it was some woman showing off about how many countries she’s visited or some coworker yapping about his Porsche, but either way, I’ll bet it was a turn-off. Then what is it
Warning: Over-complimenting is creepy.
about dating that turns us all into braggarts? I know there’s a temptation to show off all of the things that make you different, but resist it. Any woman worth dating will not be impressed by a man who’s trying to impress. The best dates are those who are confident without flaunting their wallet, resume, and a laundry list of accomplishments. And, by the way, if you think that “first date” means “nicest restaurant in the city,” think again. Women don’t want to be bought; they want to be valued and understood. Until you can do that, you’re going to have a hard time connecting on a date.
Be interested. Be interesting
Good conversation is like tennis. There’s a flow that can’t be scripted. She tells a story. You ask a question. She answers the question and asks you a different question. You tell a story. She relates another anecdote. Back and forth the conversation goes, until you’re both looking at your watches and wondering how it got to be so late. The key to making successful conversation is to ask relevant questions and genuinely listen to her answers. Too many times, we go on about ourselves without ever considering that our date might have something that she wants to say. So while you may come home thinking you had an amazing date who was a great listener, she’s wondering who the egomaniac was who couldn’t stop talking about himself.
Make her feel comfortable, not hunted
Yes, you think she’s attractive. Yes, there was some email flirting. Yes, it would be nice to eventually see each other naked. But now isn’t the time. Because it’s not about getting an immediate return on your investment. It’s about building trust. It’s about making it clear that your heart is in the right place. It’s about talking about connections with friends and family. It’s about alluding to a relationship in the future. While attraction is a part of dating, it’s easy to let your sexual desires turn her off. A compliment is nice. Over-complimenting is creepy. Ogling her—creepier still.
So with all these rules in your head, how can you possibly be yourself on date? Simple. Just channel your best self—the one you are around your best friends from college, the one you are with your closest family members. Around these people, you don’t try to “be” a certain way. You don’t want anything from them. You’re comfortable. You’re effortless. You’re yourself. Now you’re in a great space to date. Go ahead and enjoy it!
In a perfect world, all first dates would result in second dates. But in reality, some women are not going respond to you. But do you have any idea why? Did you know that there’s actually a skill to dating?
Oh, yes, there is. And the reason that you may fail the first-date test is not what you think. It has
Go ahead—be a man with a plan.
nothing to do with being tall, dark, and handsome, or taking her to the nicest restaurant in town. Being a great date has to do with one thing and one thing only: getting rid of your agenda and focusing on hers.
So what is her agenda? What do women want from men on first dates? I’m so glad you asked…
Have a plan
It’s not that “So…what do you want to do?” is a bad question, per se. I mean, of course you want to choose an activity that you know she likes. The thing is that, in asking her to come up with her own plan, you’re not establishing yourself as a leader. And generally, that’s what women want. A man who has ideas, a man who knows cool places, a man who can make reservations, name a time, and tell her when to be ready. Whether you choose a moderately priced, atmospheric bar in her part of town or suggest a museum that has an outdoor sculpture garden for strolling, by making a plan, you’re showing that you’re not just an average guy. And that’s the first step to building attraction and getting a second date.
Don’t try to impress
Have you ever met someone who tried too hard to impress you? Maybe it was some woman showing off about how many countries she’s visited or some coworker yapping about his Porsche, but either way, I’ll bet it was a turn-off. Then what is it
Warning: Over-complimenting is creepy.
about dating that turns us all into braggarts? I know there’s a temptation to show off all of the things that make you different, but resist it. Any woman worth dating will not be impressed by a man who’s trying to impress. The best dates are those who are confident without flaunting their wallet, resume, and a laundry list of accomplishments. And, by the way, if you think that “first date” means “nicest restaurant in the city,” think again. Women don’t want to be bought; they want to be valued and understood. Until you can do that, you’re going to have a hard time connecting on a date.
Be interested. Be interesting
Good conversation is like tennis. There’s a flow that can’t be scripted. She tells a story. You ask a question. She answers the question and asks you a different question. You tell a story. She relates another anecdote. Back and forth the conversation goes, until you’re both looking at your watches and wondering how it got to be so late. The key to making successful conversation is to ask relevant questions and genuinely listen to her answers. Too many times, we go on about ourselves without ever considering that our date might have something that she wants to say. So while you may come home thinking you had an amazing date who was a great listener, she’s wondering who the egomaniac was who couldn’t stop talking about himself.
Make her feel comfortable, not hunted
Yes, you think she’s attractive. Yes, there was some email flirting. Yes, it would be nice to eventually see each other naked. But now isn’t the time. Because it’s not about getting an immediate return on your investment. It’s about building trust. It’s about making it clear that your heart is in the right place. It’s about talking about connections with friends and family. It’s about alluding to a relationship in the future. While attraction is a part of dating, it’s easy to let your sexual desires turn her off. A compliment is nice. Over-complimenting is creepy. Ogling her—creepier still.
So with all these rules in your head, how can you possibly be yourself on date? Simple. Just channel your best self—the one you are around your best friends from college, the one you are with your closest family members. Around these people, you don’t try to “be” a certain way. You don’t want anything from them. You’re comfortable. You’re effortless. You’re yourself. Now you’re in a great space to date. Go ahead and enjoy it!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
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