Not a few people I know are planning their weddings this year or in 2009, including some of my close friends. I have already actually offered my help with preparations to my best friend in college.

I'm so happy to see people starting out the rest of their lives with someone else. My prayer for them is to find the strength and the courage to go though sickness and health, good times and bad, 'till death do them part, as those familiar vows say. And as always, may I add the strong belief in family life and openess to accept the children or the lack threof that God may desire for them?

The world may seem so cynical nowadays seeing that being non-commital is the way to go. And so many people seem to equate love as a mere feeling that comes and goes. In truth, love takes a lot of will power and is best seen when times are not so kind. It stays even if emotions or feelings are no longer there with wrinkles and the other's weaknesses taking their place.

And so, I salute you who are taking the rode of marriage, and I hope that you also try to understand those of us who may have taken another rode in order to be more available to serve God and our fellowmen.

I came accross this interesting interview on www.zenit.org about marriage and celibacy. It's a good read for everyone, married, celibate or still single and deciding which way to go. In the end, everything is a question of love.

You can read the article here.

Today, the third Sunday of January is the Feast of Santo Niño de Cebu, the biggest fiesta in the city, and I spent it as I usually do each year: Watching the revelry of the city sponsored street festival through the TV screen at home. Ditto with my siblings (we three sisters and a brother are a bunch of homebodies, you know…), although Mama brought my youngest sister with her to go off to an aunt’s house, to eat, not watch the festivities.

I missed the activities on the feast’s eve (Bisperas) including the fluvial parade and the procession (which I often attend in previous years) as I was on 24 hour duty at the hospital yesterday. I was already nursing a cold and sore throat then. After getting off from work this morning, I attended Holy Mass at our parish and then slept for part of the morning. When I got up, my illness (and the ill weather) got the better of me, so I decided to decline both invitations to go out that I got earlier in the week.

I know that it’s the equivalent of being a scrooge on Christmas, but I have always preferred a much quieter celebration, not some commercialized event where people are only sort of reminded that the purpose of the dancing and revelry it to honor our King and Lord in the image of a little child. He does want us to be temperate in the midsts of celebrating but it’s kind of hard when everyone is pigging out and getting drunk. At least, being sick and staying home, I have something to offer him up. Later this week, maybe I’ll pay him a visit at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, and light a candle for my intentions.

Viva Senyor Santo Niño! Pit Senyor!

We had the examiner who would be recommending to the board whether or not our training program would be accredited last Wednesday (January 9th). I don't know the outcome of it, but I think we'll get accredited. I mean, what could be the best day for it but the birthday of the founder of Opus Dei of which I an a part of, the 7th anniversary of my "special day", and 6 months to the day things were at a finality. I'm writing in a code-like manner again, but those who understand will know. Of course, no mention was made to anyone in my workplace... I always celebrate quietly, on my own, although the following day, I gave some sweets to the interns... I don;t think I'm growing at all... more like retrogressing... Oh, well, to have that maturity!

I made a great escape the following day, to celebrate the birthday of one of the interns... had to go back as soon as I can though since I was on duty... That's my life for now!

I'm so glad I have the weekend off (schedule switches) since I can go on my recollection and finally buy something to sleep on when I go on duty!

I had my first duty on the 1st of January... And what else would "greet" me but the "mess" one of my seniors got himself into after the New Year's Eve drinking spree.... I'm not going to go into details, but that's one more reason that I will never in my life get myself drunk... Then, after saying he's only be goen for lunch, my senior literally left me by myself but I got along well by myself... I think this is the shape of things to come!

I was out with high school friends (Herschel C., Rica S., Ayen L. and Kathie F.) on the 30th when Maya H., who recently came home (now back in Denmark) invited us for a day @ their beach house in Pinamungahan, Cebu. I think I gained a shade darker and a few pounds to boot... AND for the first time after several years,I got myself wet in a large body of water... the power of friendship indeed! I hope I can get hold of the pics and post it here later.... I think the memories of that day will last me until I get my next break, now that I'm in the midst of a demanding job-> residency training!