24 September 2010
Dear Divine,
I'm about to go on a 10 day hectic work schedule. I'm bringing about 35+ youth from Bukidnon and North Mindanao to Agusan and Surigao for an exchange visit. This is part of the main program/project I work on now that I'm back with ESSC.
It's a bit of a stressful communication/organization really because it's a series of trips and dialogues along the way. I am basically coordinating with 6 various groups, 2 of which are universities and 2 are tribal communities in Agusan and Surigao. Feels like doing Site Investigation for JVP, but this time with more details and preparation was quite short - 3 weeks if I will really total it.
This might not allow me to check my email, FB and Multiply for awhile so I thought I'd write you now, before I start the work tomorrow.
I am glad to hear that you were smiling a lot last weekend. I heard that from Kris and Dindin and from the new executive director, Martin. He seems nice. I emailed him personally to thank him for visiting you and updating us - he replied to speak of you more. That was nice. It's good to hear about you. I also saw that PLATEFUL of food you ate while Kris and Dindin were there. That Shrimp looked huge and delicious. I'd probably be so envious not to be able to eat it.
Anyway,I was in Agusan and Surigao last Sun-Weds to finalize preparations for the visit and I had a series of openness and trust during that time.
1) I was such a snob on the Mby-CdO trip, the guy beside me was a bit of a snob too. In the middle of the two-hour trip, he took out a white rabbit candy. And then another, and offered "White Rabbit." I declined but thought, that was so polite of him to offer. In CDO already, to meet OMAR and MARK for dinner, I wasn't sure if the Jeep was going to go to the street I needed to go to. I asked the driver, who didn't reply. I was quite surprised to see the same guy I sat beside with in the bus and explain - yeah, don't worry it'll pass through Velez (the street I needed to go to), you might need to walk a bit though. I smiled. How generous of him - for the white rabbit and the information.
2) En route to Agusan(Butuan City), I needed to stop at CARMEN, Agusan for a meeting. The first time I went there I was with officemates and we had our service. This time, it was a matter of asking the driver (and the konduktor) to make sure to stop me at Carmen because it wasn't a normal stop for the bus. I needed to walk around the Mercado a bit to find the person I was meeting. I ask for directions and truly admire how helpful the people were.
3) Butuan - in butuan I needed to print a letter and photocopy it. It was the letter for the Urios University President. It was almost 1PM and I was rushing. I did my tasks, gave the letter in time and had late lunch in Chowking. It was there I realised I lost my coin purse (a cute one which my JVP batchmate Pat gave us during her Baby Shower). I tried to recall where I last used it and realised it was at the photocopying center. I checked in my hotel first after lunch but seriously thought of going back to the photocopying center to check if it was there.
I did go back and asked if I left my coinpurse there and if they kept it.
They did.
4) Bayugan - I didn't know how to get ther from Butuan but the traffic enforcer gladly showed me where the vans where and made sure to wait until I got in. The woman I sat beside with was from Bayugan and she was most kind to give me directions for where I was supposed to meet the person from the Manobo tribe.
4) Surigao back to Butuan - I needed to be back in Cagayan de Oro by Weds AM so I (and my companion Jana) had no choice but to travel ordinary bus evening of Tues to get to CdO by 4AM. It was 730PM, the bus was full, I told Jana to take the last seat. I was standing, for only a few minutes when an elderly man offered his seat. I tried to decline because he was quite old, slightly younger than my grandfather. He insisted, I gave in. Chivalry is not dead (atleast with the older people). I was guilty at first but finally was appeased when he was able to sit about 20 mins after.
I am a wanderer and I very much love to travel. I must admit though that in the recent past I haven't had the opportunity to travel much, especially on my own and in places new to me. That trip to Agusan and Surigao reminded me of the importance of Openness and Trust in my travels. I know that it is most important to be cautious, to always remember to be safe - but it is also important to Trust. To trust in the goodness of other people and to trust in the grace of God throughout my travel - throughout our lives.
And even if I am in deep sorrow and pain, I will try my best to Trust in the plan of God for you Divine. I will very much try. I will also very much try to Trust God's plan for us, your family and friends, who you will leave behind. But I think God will be ok for now when I say, I hate the fact that you had to have Cancer, especially at a young age. I dislike that you are in Pain.
Dear Divine,
I'm about to go on a 10 day hectic work schedule. I'm bringing about 35+ youth from Bukidnon and North Mindanao to Agusan and Surigao for an exchange visit. This is part of the main program/project I work on now that I'm back with ESSC.
It's a bit of a stressful communication/organization really because it's a series of trips and dialogues along the way. I am basically coordinating with 6 various groups, 2 of which are universities and 2 are tribal communities in Agusan and Surigao. Feels like doing Site Investigation for JVP, but this time with more details and preparation was quite short - 3 weeks if I will really total it.
This might not allow me to check my email, FB and Multiply for awhile so I thought I'd write you now, before I start the work tomorrow.
I am glad to hear that you were smiling a lot last weekend. I heard that from Kris and Dindin and from the new executive director, Martin. He seems nice. I emailed him personally to thank him for visiting you and updating us - he replied to speak of you more. That was nice. It's good to hear about you. I also saw that PLATEFUL of food you ate while Kris and Dindin were there. That Shrimp looked huge and delicious. I'd probably be so envious not to be able to eat it.
Anyway,I was in Agusan and Surigao last Sun-Weds to finalize preparations for the visit and I had a series of openness and trust during that time.
1) I was such a snob on the Mby-CdO trip, the guy beside me was a bit of a snob too. In the middle of the two-hour trip, he took out a white rabbit candy. And then another, and offered "White Rabbit." I declined but thought, that was so polite of him to offer. In CDO already, to meet OMAR and MARK for dinner, I wasn't sure if the Jeep was going to go to the street I needed to go to. I asked the driver, who didn't reply. I was quite surprised to see the same guy I sat beside with in the bus and explain - yeah, don't worry it'll pass through Velez (the street I needed to go to), you might need to walk a bit though. I smiled. How generous of him - for the white rabbit and the information.
2) En route to Agusan(Butuan City), I needed to stop at CARMEN, Agusan for a meeting. The first time I went there I was with officemates and we had our service. This time, it was a matter of asking the driver (and the konduktor) to make sure to stop me at Carmen because it wasn't a normal stop for the bus. I needed to walk around the Mercado a bit to find the person I was meeting. I ask for directions and truly admire how helpful the people were.
3) Butuan - in butuan I needed to print a letter and photocopy it. It was the letter for the Urios University President. It was almost 1PM and I was rushing. I did my tasks, gave the letter in time and had late lunch in Chowking. It was there I realised I lost my coin purse (a cute one which my JVP batchmate Pat gave us during her Baby Shower). I tried to recall where I last used it and realised it was at the photocopying center. I checked in my hotel first after lunch but seriously thought of going back to the photocopying center to check if it was there.
I did go back and asked if I left my coinpurse there and if they kept it.
They did. 4) Bayugan - I didn't know how to get ther from Butuan but the traffic enforcer gladly showed me where the vans where and made sure to wait until I got in. The woman I sat beside with was from Bayugan and she was most kind to give me directions for where I was supposed to meet the person from the Manobo tribe.
4) Surigao back to Butuan - I needed to be back in Cagayan de Oro by Weds AM so I (and my companion Jana) had no choice but to travel ordinary bus evening of Tues to get to CdO by 4AM. It was 730PM, the bus was full, I told Jana to take the last seat. I was standing, for only a few minutes when an elderly man offered his seat. I tried to decline because he was quite old, slightly younger than my grandfather. He insisted, I gave in. Chivalry is not dead (atleast with the older people). I was guilty at first but finally was appeased when he was able to sit about 20 mins after.
I am a wanderer and I very much love to travel. I must admit though that in the recent past I haven't had the opportunity to travel much, especially on my own and in places new to me. That trip to Agusan and Surigao reminded me of the importance of Openness and Trust in my travels. I know that it is most important to be cautious, to always remember to be safe - but it is also important to Trust. To trust in the goodness of other people and to trust in the grace of God throughout my travel - throughout our lives.
And even if I am in deep sorrow and pain, I will try my best to Trust in the plan of God for you Divine. I will very much try. I will also very much try to Trust God's plan for us, your family and friends, who you will leave behind. But I think God will be ok for now when I say, I hate the fact that you had to have Cancer, especially at a young age. I dislike that you are in Pain.
I think this entry reminds me of my personal philosophy to approach lite with skepticism but to live life with optimism.
ReplyDeleteI hate the fact that bad things happen to good people, that good people are fewer and fewer these days when we most need them.
ReplyDelete