Project 9

Finals
Monday that week was my last day of Finals. I submitted my last paper and had my last oral exam! After everything, Angelo and I watched Miss You Like Crazy at Trinoma. I didn't like the plot and I found it dragging in the middle of the movie. Nevertheless, Bea and John Lloyd look good together. :P

Thesis
Tuesday was Thesis day with Anya (and Ray). We went to UP for the printing and binding of our thesis. While waiting, we had lunch at Chocolate Kiss. Congratulations to us, Annie, We're finally done!

*BIG SMILES*

Clearance week
I started last Tuesday right after we submitted our Thesis, then finished everything last Thursday. Kamusta naman ang pabalik-balik! You'll see in the faces of those people waiting in line, how annoyed they were. Good thing Angelo was there to accompany me. After we submitted our clearance, we ate out with Rissa since Angelo was craving for Kare-Kare. We were supposed to eat at Barrio Fiesta, but ended eating at Lydia's Lechon. We ate Kare-kare, Lechon, Lechong Paksiw and Bituka. Someone wasn't satisfied with all that food so he insisted on having desert at Icebergs. I think I gained 10 pounds after. Thank you Rissa and Angelo. Sa uulitin. :D

Grades
Thank you Lord for a wonderful surprise. My QPI for this semester is 3.5, my highest QPI ever. I didn't expect it. Happy Mode!

Feeling Fat and Happy - Rica Gran

Project 6,7,8

Since I've been uber busy for the past 3 weeks because of finals, thesis and the like, i'll let the pictures do the talking except for Week 6. Week 6 was full of drama for me. hahaha! :D

Week 7

Post-Valentine's Gift. You make me smile! Thank you.

I love both of them. hihihihi!

Nanay's 90th birthday! Complete family picture.

Week 8

Happy Birthday Lolo Nes. Family Bonding again!

at Sonya's Garden

Yogurt Yogurt!

TOSH with Drew and Rissa

Loved

Have you ever felt so embarrassed and ashamed to the point that the only thing you want to do is to just disappear? And any form of goodness is something you cannot bear accepting. Yet despite this feeling of unworthiness, you still find yourself in the midst of the people who continue to love you.

This is what I'm experiencing right now, an unconditional love that is too surreal to believe.

I acknowledge that I am only human. Causing people pain was, is and will never be my intention because I, for one, have experienced getting hurt. But as much as I try not to hurt or disappoint anyone, I always end up doing so. Just the mere thought of being found out scares me. What if they won't understand and instead despise me even more? Thus, my way of coping is to just keep it to myself than to hurt other people. And the fact that I hurt people cause me greater pain especially if they are those people who I really love.

A guilty and regretful heart is never enough to compensate for all the wrongdoing. And if Karma's revenge is to let me feel double the pain, there is nothing I can do but to concede to it. Even if my mind wants to fight back, I just hold back and do nothing. This, in a way, is how I thought would fix things.

But I underestimate that unconditional love my God has for me. Friends and family never left my side. Disappointed? Yes. But despite the fact that I've hurt them, I cannot understand why they continue to love and care for someone like me. As I continue to deny them thinking that I don't deserve any of that love they're giving me, the more these people show in their small gestures that I am forgiven and will never be alone. They saw me at my worst. Home visits and phone calls were a regular thing, just to make sure I was okay. They took me to places where the only things which overflowed were laughter and good food. Simple notes, prayers and text messages to remind me that everything is going to be fine. All of these things made me realize how blessed I really am. I was preoccupied with myself that I have already forgotten all about these wonderful things.

"Find in your heart to forgive yourself." This was a big challenge to me. I was too hard on myself, but by doing this I somehow disregard the feelings of those people who never left my side. It was a time for me to let go and continue with my life. This is what I am doing right now. Little by little, I am releasing myself from all the hurts. A the same time, I receive with arms wide open all the love and support I can get from my family and friends.

I feel blessed to have my family and friends. I have a family who loves and cares for me, who listens to what I say and don't want to say, and who is willing to fight for me even if I did not ask anything from them. I have my friends who know what my strengths and weaknesses are, who give me a good dose of both love and tough love,who know the difference between enough and too much, and who are smart enough to know what is right from not.

To all these amazing people,
Please forgive me for all the pain I caused you and for taking you for granted.
Thank you for the love and care that you unconditionally gave me.
Bear in mind that I'm here for you as well, and I love you.

When was the last time you felt loved?

in-love ~ Rica Gran

P.S. I, personally, hate fights. Think whatever you want, but I seriously never wished anyone terrible. Nor did I wish anyone to experience what I've been going through. And if you happen to find yourself in the same situation sooner or later, find strength in God and the people you love. I hope you have an amazing and wonderful family and friends like mine. :D

Project 04

I would have to say that this week was a week overflowing with love. :)

Kythe Week

I promoted this here in my blog before. And i have to say that this project was a success. The event was held at the Colayco Pavillion. It had 4 booths. The photo competition booth gave free Hansels to those who voted. They also had a free photobooth. I love the placards and Kapitan Kimo. Written on the placards were "I cancervive.", "I dream of a world where Cancer is just a zodiac sign." and "Cancel Cancer." The third booth, where I spent most of my spare time, was called the Toy Workshop. Here, we made drums, maracas and toy cars to be given out to the Kythe kids. And the last booth was the blood drive booth. I'm so happy that I got Mico to donate blood (it was his first time.) and participate in the activities. He's lucky because the Kythe Week team were giving away a set of coloredpens to those who were able to go through all the booths. I wonder if he gave it to Berna. :D

Mico's "kumakandidato" pose. Good job Mr. Lifesaver.

Kythe Picnic
I can honestly say that I enjoyed our picnic. Everyone was willing to participate in the games. Angelo's chinese garter exhibition would have to be one of the highlights of that event. I also enjoyed the jamming sessions. I'm in love with Janelle's sweet voice. hihihi. One of the songs sung during the event was a song that has a special place in my heart, it was sung during the invocation.



Kythe Flying

I wasn't able to help during the set up since I had recollection that morning. But by 1:00pm, everything was already fixed and we were just waiting for the kids to come. We commenced the event with a Eucharistic celebration. Everyone was filled with the yummy Binalot (except for me and Adrianna). There were also free ice cream and cotton candy. The kids enjoyed the skit prepared by Kythe members. The parents were also able to relax and enjoy, thanks to the free massage by the blind people.

UBE Firetruck was there to give everyone a ride around the Belfield.

Not to mention, Marc Nelson came! Everyone wants to be close to him.

with Adrianna, and cute boy John Cena.

Congrats Mia and Angelo!

I salute your core team as well! You guys were amazing. :D

Immersion Recollection
I kept all of these in my heart.

• "We all have a share of poverty in our lives. We're just scared to admit it." - Recollection Master on poverty

• "The call for us is not only to step out of our comfort zone but to expand the territories of our comfort zone." - Ma'am Rina on our immersion experience

• "There are two types of love. The first kind of love is you love because you derive happiness in that person. The second kind of love is benevolence. You give love because you want to and you give it without asking for anything in return."; "Ask the Lord to give you the grace to forgive them." - Father on love and forgiveness

Send-off Dinner
Baby Eli will be leaving us sooner than we thought. But before their whole family leaves for the states, we gave a send-off dinner at Zhu, Fort Bonifacio. We also went to Venetian Mall at Mckinley Hill. Sayang, we weren't complete. Nevertheless, every moment spent with them is priceless.

First Draft
We were able to pass it on time! Good job to us Annie.

St. Scholastica LSS#16
I read the second reading for that day. Overrated but still one of my favorite readings.

1 Corinthians 13

loved ~ Rica Gran

Kythe Week 2010

"Healing through simple sharing and togetherness."
This is what Kythe is all about.


You can visit our booths and exhibit at the Colayco Pavillion starting January 25-29.
Vote for your favorite picture in our Photo Competition-Exhibit.
Have your picture taken in our photo booth.
Help us in making toys to be given to the cancer patients.
And be a LIFE SAVER by donating blood in our Blood Drive.

We will be having our Food Sale at LS Promenade. Do buy from World of Wieners, The Comfy Cup and Filibits. 5% of their earnings will go to Kythe's Advocacy Team.




But wait! There's more.

Everyone is invited to join us as we end this week with a bang!
What can you do? Be an ate/kuya for a day to our Kythe Kids. What to expect? Fun booths, Storytelling, Flying of Kites, Great Food, and UBE Fire Truck. See you there!

PS. You will never regret spending one afternoon with these Kids. Their smiles are simply priceless.

PSS. Good luck and Cograts in advance, Angelo and Mia.

Will Fly ~ Rica Gran

Twilight Saga: New Moon

I confess that I was one of Edward Cullen's little monsters. He was just too dreamy in the Twilight movie. And though I only read the first book, the concept of vampires and werewolves have never appealed to me this much.

I watched New Moon with Angelo and my cousins last Saturday at Eastwood. We all had an intimate and up close encounter with Bella, Edward and Jacob - movie seats were at the second row. Boy, did I fall in love with Jacob (but my heart still belongs to Edward).

Bella to Jacob: "You're beautiful."
I totally agree! hahaha.

After the movie, we ate dinner at Stackers. Angelo and I can't get over their chicken! Super yummy. We had to beg off on our Starbucks tradition because it's past my curfew with Angelo. Nevertheless, i really enjoyed my weekend.

Vampire Mode ~ Rica Gran