Some years fly by really fast that you wonder where all the time went. For me, this year wasn’t one of them.

I had a lot of good times this year, including countless bday parties, Christmas and New Year parties, a trip to Epcot, a trip to NY with Markie, a shower party, a binyag, and even a Pinoy-themed sporstfest (where I played ‘Chinese Garter’, which I had not done in 20 years). I made a lot of fantastic new friends. I learned a lot of new things, including many, many lessons in assertiveness.

Most of these I never imagined I would experience when I set off for this ‘land of promise’. Up close, the ‘greener pasture’ may not have been the glossy, air-brushed picture of my vain imaginings, but it comes pretty close. At least, it has not disappointed me too much, so far.

But one year away from family, wonderful, irreplaceable old friends, familiar surroundings and the person I love most (and my bestest friend in the world) is a year away too long.

This past year I’ve felt each day, each week, each month pass by. Not the least because I’ve been counting seconds, minutes and hours until my next phone conversation with Markie, or the next time that I get to actually see and hug him again.

If this past year were a DVD movie I could rewind, I would have that Markie and I made this trip together. That not being the case, I continue to count the seconds till I see him again. And I hope and pray that I will never again have to endure another year like this one.

A year away is good…for seeing the world, for growing up, for knowing myself better. But a year away from my love is a year away too, too long.

Posted under Navel-Gazing

Lord God, please grant wisdom to the voters who are on their way to the precincts today. May they vote for leaders who will seek the country’s greater good and not rob it for their own personal wealth and glory.

Please stay the hand of the violent and the malicious, that my countrymen can go out and vote in peace.

Father, please pour Your grace upon our country. We the citizens as well as our leaders may make mistakes time and again, but Your grace is greater and has the power to turn our mistakes into triumphs, in Your own good time.

Touch the hearts of the elected leaders, that perhaps, despite some of their own selfish intents, they will find themselves working for the country’s progress.

Lord, please set our nation on the road to recovery. And make it known that it is Your work and not simply ours, so that we will give You the praise and glory that belongs to You.

Turn the people’s hearts back to You, Lord, and help us heal our broken land.

Posted under Navel-Gazing