ελπίδα, πίστη, αγάπη

The long weekend is finally over. It was quite tiring. Well, yes, it was. It all started with Sunday. Spent more time outside home. I went to church in the morning, attended our Youth Alpha Course then headed to SM Megamall for Aya's birthday in the afternoon. Some Gamer Clan buddies also came.

I called Joan in the evening to discuss our visit plan for Monday. It wasn't 11PM yet but both of us were so tired. We had a long Sunday. And good luck with Monday!

When Monday came, a lot of experiences were into our lives. First, Jojo came to our appointed meeting place on the dot while I came almost an hour earlier than the call-time because I almost didn't know. Let's just say I got confused. Well, we just laughed it off.

A lot more happened like these:
*Being chased by the AlphaLand guard and felt like being locked up inside the mall. Question is how did we even get there?
*The pink fence! We had to... I guess I'll just keep that a secret here. We told Ate Cess about it. Gosh, I'm grinning in amusement here.
*A pedicab driver did a sales-talk to us! We could've even walked ourselves all the way to the hospital if it wasn't raining, most especially if we knew how to get there in the first place.
*Joan and me waited for Kat and friends as well as for Ate Cess. They were held in the traffic because of INC's Manalo's funeral service.
*We were sent out of the hospital. The guards thought we were loitering.
*After we reasoned ourselves to get inside the hospital, we ended praying outside. Just outside.

Ate Cess treated us for lunch in McDo. Thank You, Lord, for Ate Cess! Keep blessing her. Amen. Kat, Jenna and Joan were also with us. It was a hearty lunch.

When we parted ways, Joan and me were still together in SM Makati and Glorietta. Yeah, hindi pa kami nagsasawa sa isa't isa. Actually, magkikita pa kami bukas. Haha!

For our purpose on Monday, I believe and I have the faith that it is done. Hallelujah!


Music:
No Doubt w/ Hayley Williams & Janelle Monae - Stand and Deliver

The Batangas Bulls and Cebu Dolphins had a Baseball match last Saturday, 20 June 2009, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Manila.

Neither team scored during the first four innings, but during the bottom half of the fifth inning the Cebu Dolphins did. They lead the game by 4 to nothing.

One of the ballplayers that caught my attention was the starting pitcher of the Dolphins, #12. I saw him walking to the mound during the first inning with a little difficulty, which he tried to conceal.

Albeit whatever was wrong in his gait, the fastballs he pitched were efficient. Dolphin #12 lost balance before leaving the third base during the fifth inning, but he still made it to the home plate. He was replaced by Pitcher #73 during the sixth inning.

The Batangas Bulls seemed to have lost the necessary defensive skills. They have committed errors giving way to the Dolphins to secure their places in the bases. One of which was when the Left Fielder slipped the ball from his glove and gave time for a Dolphin to race from first base to the third.

The next three innings brought nothing to the scoreboard, but the Bulls came back to life in the first half of the ninth inning. It was a 1-4 game against the Dolphins. The latter seemed determined not to let another Bull hit the home plate, and they succeeded on it. The Dolphins gave the Batangas Bulls the final strike out.

The Cebu Dolphins added another two scores on board and ended the game with 6-1 against the Batangas Bulls.

They had another match on Sunday, but I wasn't able to come and watch the game.

Related post: Saturday Afternoon Game

20 June 2009. I've been looking forward to this day because of three Baseball events. First, the NY Yankees are flying to Florida to for their interleague series. Second, Baseball Philippines is hosting a series of its own. The morning match is between the Alabang Tigers and Manila Sharks while in the afternoon it's between Batangas Bulls and Cebu Dolphins.

I wanted to watch all these games. But, like what the Rolling Stones said, "You can't always get what you want." Mr. Joe Girardi was right,  anything can happen in Baseball.

I woke up early to watch the live coverage of New York Yankees vs. Florida Marlins on ESPN, but I wasn't able to do so. Of all the days in the week, our cable operator chose Saturday to fix or work on something in our village. And of all the times in the day, they chose the time I've been waiting to watch the Yankees live on TV again. Thanks to MLB.com, I was able to have live updates of the game. But I always prefer the chance to see the actions and drama live.

The Yankees vs. Marlins game was set in the morning and albeit having no chance to watch the game live, I stayed in front of the computer. That meant no extra audience for the Sharks vs. Tigers, but I did come to the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in the afternoon to watch the Bulls vs. Dolphins. I was just in time for the match.

It was an exciting experience for me being in the ballpark. It was the first time I've been to one. I was also reminded, every now and then, that two of the legends of the New York Yankees, Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth, hit home run in the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium. They were actually the first and second ballplayers, respectively, to hit home run in the stadium. How I wish the Yankees will be in the same ballpark and play. I can already imagine the pinstripes batting and pitching. I'd love to see that day!

Music:
Ana Tsuchiya - Frozen Rose

It was Sunday night at ten when Tita Tess and me left for Isabela. We arrived at about six in the morning the following day. It was an eight-hour travel. But I didn't know if I was able to have some sleep. Naps, of course. But those were intermittent so I'm not so sure what happened during the trip.

I was in a way excited because it was my first time to be in Isabela. I love to travel. But we won't be staying long. We had to leave on that night at nine or ten. Another eight hours of sitting, which I loathed but had to endure.

Our purpose of stay was to help the FJC members who will teach and assist in the Vacation Bible School (VBS) this week. My task, of course, was to teach the dance to the teachers. I was also supposed to help teach how to make the crafts and stuff, but I fell asleep. I wonder how long. What a shame.

Because of that nap, it was already late when I found out that the Cagayan River is just a walking distance away from where we stood. We couldn't go to the river because it started raining. But I promised myself that I'll be coming back. I told them I shall return.

I was also able to make friends with some people, mostly the youth. And little children? I was actually surprised when baby Elizabeth allowed me to cradle her. I was a stranger. Maybe I was able to establish rapport. But, my charms didn't work with baby Adonis though I was able to play with him that night. Peek-a-boo! We had dinner in their house with Jireh and Elle Marie.

Albeit staying in Isabela for only 17 hours, it felt like I've been there for a couple of days. I was able to sleep or have a nap, and I have eaten a lot. Better say many times. And the most surprising thing to me? I was able to make new friends.

I'd love to be back in Isabela, not just to see the Cagayan River but also to do farmworks. Maybe I'd also try swimming in the river.

I am not so familiar with Eastern Luzon because when we travel up north, it's usually in Baguio or Pangasinan, which are both in the west. It was only yesterday dawn when I fully realized that we passed through Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija. I haven't been to both places. I should really refresh my Philippine Geographic knowledge.

Music: Hillsong United - All for Love
Mood: Nostalgic