delight...

This evening may be just an ordinary one, but the simple joy that emanated from our grateful hearts made it an unforgettable one. Leo just got back and he brought with him our dear old Pong. Yup, our beloved 1303 VW Pong is back and we welcomed him with much love and excitement, hehe! oh, how we missed him so much! He was way different compared from the last time we saw him, way handsome in all aspects *wink*. We were in awe as we look at every detail of Pong's new look. OOohhhh! Leo and I were smiling from ear to ear. At long last, after a year of waiting, Pong's back.

When Leo came back, he didn't even bother to go inside our house, he shouted "ate, tara, drive natin si pong." So there, we decided to take Pong for a spin. We were like two little kids who were so excited with their newly restored toy, haha! Indescribable feeling indeed...nostalgic but blissful! After awhile, we went to Mcdo and ordered some evening snacks, hehe! He treated me out since i didn't bring any money with me (hey, his invite was sort of a spur of the moment thing, so i didn't bring anything with me).

As i've said, this was just one of those ordinary evenings between us brother and sister, but i guess the simplicity of just being together as we share the joy of having this simple blessing was the main thing that spelled the difference. And I guess, it is this kind of simple joy which make life more meaningful and beautiful.

I went out of our car and i looked up at the sky. I saw the moon, exquisitely smiling at me, as if sharing with me the joy that i felt that night. I smiled back and traced with my hand the shadow of its ring as if I've made a pact with this moon, my lovely moon, saying "you would surely witness scenes more beautiful than this, and your light would shine, glowing upon one's pure bliss."

I looked up and saw the moon smiling at me...
and what a delight it has shown to thee
that simple words and gestures could make
to a heart who loves for sole love's sake
~s-parcs~

Trust...

I guess one of the highlights I had this month was attending the Testimonial dinner that Naval Air Group (NAG) prepared for my dad. That morning, 17 March 2009, dad had his what they call “Champagne Flight” at NAG, Sangley Point, Cavite City. It was a privilege they give to those Naval Aviators who are about to retire (my dad will retire this April 2009). My dad flew the BN Islander, an aircraft he used to pilot in the past. I was not there that morning (I had my morning class) but when mom and leo told me about it, I knew I missed a lot. The experience was so surreal for my dad. As he related it to us, it was like he was flying through the past mementos, appreciating the wind that carried him through, thanking the sun that shined his path and recognizing the rains which made him stronger and wiser in his flight. The happiness, which was so evident in my dad that morning, was beyond words and description (will post some pictures as soon as I got dad’s camera). Seeing that joy emanating through him is a reward and treasure that no amount of money could ever match.

That evening, we did attend the Testimonial dinner. I believe it was a memorable night for my dad. An AVP was presented showing old pictures when he was young, when he joined the NAG and when he chose a career outside NAG (some young aviators went to our house and asked some old pictures of my dad). As I look at him watching the AVP, I could just smile knowing that my dad enjoys every minute of it.

There was a part there when my dad had to make a speech. It was a pretty lengthy one where he described all his trials and feats, his failures and successes, his ups and downs. But this is the one that I will never forget… at the end of his speech, he mentioned a particular verse, let me reiterate what he said in the latter part of his speech… teary eyed he said…

“In the past 60 years of my life, I have learned a lot of lessons. Life is not just a matter of making choices, but more so about making the right decisions. In making the right decisions in life, we need training, experience and most of all, wisdom… that can only come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In this, I would like to share this verse from the Bible written by King Solomon as he ruled the Kingdom of Israel with wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 says ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.’ This verse has guided me in so many major decisions I have. I may not have realized it then but looking back, I realized that it had indeed helped me make the right decision. God directed my path. He, too, can do that in your life…”

It was something that not only inspired the young aviators but also inspired me and Leo, his children. It was a good reminder for me as well because I, myself, was facing a crucial crossroad in life at that time and yes, was on the verge of making a major decision. I don’t know the future, no one does. But I know someone who knows, and I’m resting in the palm of His hand, I guess, that’s good enough comfort in this erratic unstable world, hehe! I should learn to cultivate that trust more in the Lord and acknowledge Him in every minute detail in my life… yes, that promise is there, God will direct my path.

My dad inspired me in a lot of ways. I know that his flight in life is not finished yet. He is still flying. He would still encounter a peaceful sky or stormy heavens. But the good thing that I have seen in him is that even if he had reached that highest point in his career, my dad still let God to be the sole Captain of his life. Kudos to you Capt. Eligio P. Parcon Jr. our captain, our father, our inspiration.

I'm back...

And so im back…

I guess it had to take a cold, dry cough and sore throat before I even had time to write here again, hahaha! Yeah, sometimes I get the message that God allows me to be sick sometimes so that I could have my rest, a mandatory one, that is. The first quarter of the year has been a very busy one for me. I was doing this extra “raket” at the end of December 2008 which kind of lasted til end-January 2009. It sort of overlapped with this another “raket” which started end-January . My February was a real busy and stressful one. Since we are supposed to finish this “raket” in a month, each day was counted as important one. Each day, I had certain tasks to finish and I had to juggle it altogether with my real job, which is teaching. My March was spent trying to catch up with my backlogs, yeah, trying to check some papers and other stuffs plus I still had to finish certain things with this recent “raket” as well, hehe! And there… boom… I got sick in the middle of this month… hahaha! It was funny actually, because I got sick during this time when I can relatively afford to get sick, hehe!

Despite it all, I saw how the Lord had been working mightily in my life. It amazes me whenever I would look back at the days that had just passed and I would smile… thinking… “Lord, I could not have done these without You.” It’s a blessing to be able to get through the day not worrying that things would mess up the next day because you know that God is with you and He is guiding you on what to do next. Oh, there were times when I would take a deep breath and say “Lord, I would do my best, please control the rest.” There were times when I would sigh and wonder how would I be able to pull this problem through, but right in the nick of time, God is there, sending His angels to help me; and rebuking me as if telling me “I told you I’ll help you.” I am in awe every time God would answer my prayers in ways that is way better than what I could have planned or imagined. Whenever I need to finish seemingly insurmountable functions, God would indeed send the very people I need in order to get the job done. Then I would look at God and say “You do know I need those people, don’t you? Thanks for sending them.” Of course there were still times when I would meet certain disarrays, but then again at the end of the day, I would see that God is teaching me some lessons, working on my character and maybe molding me for what He prepared for me in the future. He knows what I need and more...

Every time the ball rolls, I knew, God is there helping me carry my loads, guiding my path, preparing my trail and yes, teaching me lessons along the way.

God cares. He always does. He never faileth! God loves me! And it’s more than enough reason for me to smile… to be happy… to be just me.

@@@

Btw, for those who asked, yes, I was interviewed by Ka-blog, GMA in one of their episodes last February 2009, hehe! I was their resource psychologist on the topic of teen drinking. I never really told it to anyone except my family so to my friends who were quite upset, talagang wala lang talaga akong pinagsabihan, promise. Sabi ng ibang nakakita, kasama din daw ako sa commercial ng show na ito, since di naman ako masyadong nanonood ng tv, di ko nakita ang teaser ng palabas na ito, hehe! But yeah, I did try to find time to watch this show, hehe, and I took picture of it para naman may souvenir ako. Here…


Last year, April 2008, I was also interviewed for an article in Chalk Magazine June 2008 issue. I was their resource psychologist for an article about college kids overpartying, hehe! Yes, again, I didn’t tell it to anyone, hehe! While cleaning up my room, I saw the magazine and I did take some pictures of it, hehe! (oh yeah, I did highlight those phrases that were quoted from me, haha!)

Alas!

And so there it was...
A ghost from the past
whispers my name,
renders me lame.

a lie was told,
a shield i hold.
never am i sure,
intentions were pure.

you put out your scheme.
Found it out in dim,
don’t expect me to trust,
nor believe you at last.

to south, the wind blows,
the river so it flows,
taking another step,
moving on another depth.

closing my eyes
I wanted to cry
but no tear was found
and calmness sound

and so there it goes…
emotions and all its hosts
thrown in deep abyss
in exchange for some bliss.

Alas…
I am free…