Visita Iglesia! day 1 . . . .

MABUHAY!

Let's get to the point. In the Philippines, typically most Filipinos take the time this week because of Holy Week, to do a Visita Iglesia. A Visita Iglesia, which means visiting churches can be done anytime before Good Friday starting on Palm Sunday. In the Philippines, my grandmother has informed me that they will have their Visita Iglesia on Holy Tuesday. You might be asking what exactly do you do. Well to answer that question, you go to 14 different churches and at each church is one station (14 Stations of the Cross = 14 churches). You start with the introductory prayer at your original church and you end the concluding prayer at the church that you started with. The point of it is that you get to see the different churches and pray at them. At this point on in the Philippines people are busy flocking the streets and the roads are filled with buses going these Visita Iglesia's.

As a tradition of the Philippines, we decided that this year we would do that since it's a custom to our culture. So we started today in Fort Wayne with all of the churches that we passed by- which weren't a lot, and some of them were closed, but these are the churches that we went to and that we started at.

The First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death
Church: Saint Mary's of the Assumption
Location: Decatur, Indiana







The Second Station: Jesus Accepts the Cross
Church: Saint Joseph's
Location: Hessen Cassel, Fort Wayne, Indiana







The Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time
Church: Cathedral of Immaculate Conception
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana







The Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Mother
Church: Saint Mary's
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana







The Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene Helps Carry the Cross
Church: Saint Vincent de Paul
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana







Visita Iglesia Day 1 ... was a success! Even though we only did 5 today, we'll finish the 9 Stations remaining tomorrow in Ohio. There is going to be no problem looking for a church tomorrow!

Have A Great Day!

Spring Fever!

MABUHAY!

It is Wednesday of Spring Break! & I Am enjoying it! I wake up every morning at 5, with morning prayers, the holy hours, and most of all watch Mass at 8. I also get up every morning to make breakfast. I enjoy getting out there at 9 am, and start gardening. There are a couple of things that my mother and I are going to plant this year that we didn't last year, but we haven't discussed that yet. Here are a couple of pictures from around the house, that puts me in the Spring Fever mood!

Here is a picture of our new water system thingy. I don't know the official name for it, it's just that my mother and I got that idea from HGTV! SO here is out version of the water system.



The bird feeder (which I yet have to clean) in front of the yard. Notice the tulips blooming!



Another view of the front yard flower bed:



The plant/vegetable bed that sits next to the yard, we extended it:



The little garden that is next to the garage and the pathway that leads to the back yard:



The flower bush- well tree that sits next to the porch:



Of course, I took a couple of these flowers (whatever they are called), found a vase and made it a centerpiece at our dining table:




Have A Good Day!

Great Start to My Week!

MABUHAY!

Today, I had the opportunity to spend a day with a couple of church friends. Linda Muhlenkamp, Joe & Lori Jutte. I had such a great day with them. Linda called my mother the other day about visiting Fr. Amburger of Russia Ohio, so that we can talk about my Vocation. Now, I was excited- however things didn't go as plan.

What we did was, after church, Joe & Lori Jutte along with Linda Muhlenkamp took me along to Russia, Ohio to listen to some famous guy named Steve Ray who is a Catholic convert from Baptist. He explained the Bible really well, and he talked about what Catholics & Protestants have in common and what they disagreed with. Too be honest- I thought it was going to be one of those boring talks but it was really interesting and amusing. I finally have a more better understanding and appreciation for my religion.



Above is a picture of me and Steve Ray 15 minutes before the talk. I didn't get a picture with Father Amberger though, but I did enjoy a 15 minute talk with him before I had to go and before he had to get back to one of his Masses. This has been a great day to my Spring Break! I wonder what this week will bring? Hopefully it will be full of surprises!

HAVE A GOOD DAY!!

Such A Good Mentor

MABUHAY!

Today, at 3pm, Spring Break started!




There is a lot of good and bad into the comings weeks ahead after Spring Break. I titled this post "Such A Good Mentor" because of my teacher MR. Tatman. For all of you who are not aware, Mr. Tatman is getting a bypass heart surgery from what I know. Now- the problem is, he will be gone the rest of the school year, which means that our ECA, Writing Portfolio's, Book Reports, Speeches, the Honors English AP Words and most of all Shakespeare, is all up to the sub. Our permanent substitute happens to be Kemper Amstutz, the wife of the Mr. Amstutz (the band director). Now, I like her as a sub, had no problems with her, its just that I hope she can explain Shakespeare to us better than Mr. Tatman did!

Anyways, as I said about being a good mentor, it's true. Mr. Tatman, rarely stood up there and lectured but I learned so much! I mean really maybe once every 2 weeks or even 3 that he would get up there and lecture. It's ridiculous but I have to admit, I learned a lot in his class first semester! People that have had him in the past said that they have learned to appreciate Mr. T because they prepare him for college and thinking about it everyday, I have imagined about how college will be. I hope its as exciting as his class. With all of that said, this week is Spring Break, I'm looking forward to an exciting stress-free week not worrying about homework. Just gardening, attending Mass, cleaning and having fun with family and maybe acquaintances.

Mr. Tatman, if you are reading this, I'll pray for you. You're a tough guy and even though your not here for the rest of the year, I pray for a fast recovery, so that you can be back next year and make kid's life miserable :) and also, so that Speech Class next year will rock!

Have A Great Day!

Listening To Your Conscience. . . .

MABUHAY!

Today is Wednesday. I know that I haven't really been doing a good job about the posting for every Wednesday. It's just that I have been so busy. Anyways, today I am going to talk about listening to your conscience.

You might ask, what exactly is a conscience? To my understanding a conscience, is that little voice speaking in the back of your head telling you to do things that are right. I want to talk about conscience today because of the elections that are coming up this November. Now as a Conservative Catholic, I don't support Obama. That' because everything he wants has to go against the Church's teaching. For instance, watch this video of "The Vortex",



That video, has a lot to say about Barack Obama and his plan. Now there is one big upsetting news that has caused serious of controversy since the beginning of February. It's the HHS Mandate, which means that all and all Catholic Hospitals would have to provide/ give abortion to wanted mothers. Now the Church does not support that, however, coming next August, if they don't do as they are told, they will have to pay up to a million dollars just to keep the facility open. Here is another good video that describes the Catholic Church and Barack Obama.





Listen to what Cardinal Dolan of New York, has to say in response, from back in February.



This other video is what he said to Charlie Rose and Erica Hill on "CBS This Morning"




The last part is this graph that I found on Google Images.



I hope that after reading this, and watching the videos I have posted, I hope that you will make the right decision and listen to your conscience when it comes to election 2012.

Have A Good Day!

Luck of the Irish!

MABUHAY!

Today, we celebrate Saint Patrick's Day!



St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, the saint's religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast--on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.

from the History Channel



A delicious drink that I recommend you drink!



Have A Good Day!
Don't Forget to Wear Green!

ides of March!

MABUHAY!

Today is the ides of March! For all of you who do not know the ides of March, it's the 15th of March in the Roman Calendar. The ides of March is also when Julius Caesar died in the Tragedy Horror of Julius Caesar.



For all of you who do not know about it, thee great Shakespeare wrote the novel and is still popular today. Ironically Julius Caesar is what we are reading currently.




Too bad Mr. Tatman wasn't here to talk about the ides of March. I'm sure it would have been a wonderful presentation! Below is a little clip from the movie. If you haven't seen the movie, I suggest that you see it and follow along with the book too.



Have A Great Day!

+ 2

MABUHAY!

My fellow readers today is 14 of March 2012! Which means that it is Pi day! The number pi ~ 3.14 is today's day.



Now as I have blogged about in the past, Mrs. Sprunger, Mrs. Miller, Kris Patterson and I get together in Mrs. Miller's room to eat pie! We all have this cycle that we follow yearly so that we know who brings what. This year, the people that attended were Mrs. Sprunger, Mrs. Miller, Mr. McClung, Mr. McKean, Chris Inniger and I. There were a couple of people who came in and out and we were delighted. This year Mrs. Sprunger and Chris Inniger treated us to apple and sugar creme. They were delicious!

I titled this + 2 because of the two teachers that were added. Even though they didn't come to stay for a long time, they were still there to share the day with us. I have to admit- I had a great day catching up with a teacher that I haven't talked to in 2 years, and getting to know another teacher even better. Next year, Mrs. Miller and I are bringing the pie!

Have A Great Day!

Pass The Word!

MABUHAY!

Today there are two (2) major things happening.




Yup- officially today, it has been 10 years = 1 decade, that we are living in America. I can't say that these past 10 years have been the greatest, however, they are thee best 10 years ever! Since 2002, we arrived from the Philippine there have been so many things that has happened to us. To me, I have achieved a lot of accomplishments, and most of all I have grown up here in the good ole United States of America. For you who didn't know where we were the first 6 years we were in Georgia. Then we migrated up here north in 2008.

Since we arrived here in 2002, we have been to 12 states, 7 major US cities (Atlanta, New York, Chicago, San Antonio, Cincinnati, Washington DC, Seattle, and have been out of the country 3 times (Canada, Philippines '08, '11 and Europe). Also my grandparents and Filipino friends have visited us once. I have too say, 10 years in America has been a blast! I wonder what the next 10 years hold?

One thee other side of the major things happening today:



Yes- it has arrived the season finally of The Bachelor. We all know who he is going to pick (most likely Courtney) but I don't think no one likes her. I don't at least. I would crap my pants if he picked Lindzi but, I doubt it. We'll have to see tonight!

The final thing I want to talk about is the Kony 2012. I know that everyone has pretty much seen this, but I am still going to post it for those people who hasn't seen it yet!



Don't forget to watch this powerful video, don't forget to spread the word!



Have A Good Day!

3 Things ~ 3 Days..

MABUHAY!

It's Wednesday and today I get to blog about stuff and things. Today I want to talk about 3 things. They consist of the play this weekend, gardening, and 3rd week of Lent. First thing first. As we all know, South Adams Music Department puts on a musical every year. Last year being "Oklahoma" and this year being "Annie Get Your Gun". As we all know it is directed by Mr. Tatman (the English teacher), Mr. Amstutz (the band director) is in charge of the orchestra, Mrs. Thomson (the choir director) is in charge of the chorus. As far as the decorations go, I have no idea who is in charge of the make up and all that. Anyways, with only 2 days left until opening night, to all of the musical cast break a leg!




The second thing on the agenda is, gardening season! As most of you are aware, I like to garden. It's kind of a hobby of mines along with my mother and may I say, I enjoy gardening with her every morning of the Spring season! There are two things about this season that I agree on and disagree on.

1) Good Thing ~ the snow has barely touched the ground this year. Not complaining or anything. Let's keep it this way.
2) Bad Thing ~ it has been raining and it has pouring and drenched and the ground and soil has been so disgusting! It's hard to plant in that!



The final thing that I want to blog about is the 3rd Sunday of Lent. Here is the reading for this Sunday's Mass. Courtesy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website.

Gospel Jn 2:13-25




Since the Passover of the Jews was near,
Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves,
as well as the money changers seated there.
He made a whip out of cords
and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen,
and spilled the coins of the money changers
and overturned their tables,
and to those who sold doves he said,
"Take these out of here,
and stop making my Father's house a marketplace."
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture,
Zeal for your house will consume me.
At this the Jews answered and said to him,
"What sign can you show us for doing this?"
Jesus answered and said to them,
"Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up."
The Jews said,
"This temple has been under construction for forty-six years,
and you will raise it up in three days?"
But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
Therefore, when he was raised from the dead,
his disciples remembered that he had said this,
and they came to believe the Scripture
and the word Jesus had spoken.

While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
many began to believe in his name
when they saw the signs he was doing.
But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all,
and did not need anyone to testify about human nature.
He himself understood it well.

Have A Great Day!