life and second chances

Today might just be a normal day for everyone else. But for me, today is a reminder of how lucky I am to be alive.

the Anawangin 11, a few hours before it happened. we were even joking afterwards that this could have been the perfect picture for our wake. *knock on wood*

3 years ago, one Saturday afternoon, in Anawangin Cove, 10 of my friends and I survived a near-death experience. We almost drowned due to an underwater current which has, unfortunately, cost lives of other people over the years. What was supposedly a fun afternoon in an isolated cove turned into the scariest and most peaceful day of my life.

this was us after the incident, a photo by a random person who was also there during that weekend. we were an accessory to his beautiful sunset photo. :P

that's me in a black jacket, the morning after, alone and staring at the sea.

another photo by a random person.

Today I am thankful for the second chance and life given to me and my friends. Today I am reminded of the things I promised myself three years ago.

Although work has been very stressful and exhausting lately, I still want to celebrate the 3rd year of my second life. I wasn’t able to go out with friends tonight to celebrate, but at this moment I offer a prayer of gratitude to Him. :)

reminder

5 more days till February 23. It’s going to be three years since that day when my friends and I were given another chance in life.

I know what I’m going through right now is so minor compared to what other people, even my close friends, are going through. But I’m just really stressed out. I’m really trying hard to not allow this to consume me, but I’m having a hard time doing it.

I’m holding on to that February 23, 2008 afternoon and the reasons why we got out of that situation safely and alive. I just need to be reminded that my work does not necessarily define who I am as a person, especially the things I hear from other people. That it’s just something that I need to do for a living.

I am in such a vulnerable place right now and I think I’m losing my self-confidence. I just need to be reminded that I was given a second chance for a reason. That it shouldn’t have to be this hard and consuming. It’s either I get myself out of this situation or I change my perspective of things. I just need to be reminded. Lord, remind me please.

this will be the last year

I don’t like what I’m doing. I hate it so much. No matter how much I try to rise above it, I just really can’t. To make it worse, I sometimes don’t get the people in the office and why they make a big issue out of everything, even the smallest of things.

But I know that I need to stay here for so many important reasons. That is why I need to be more patient.

So I will address this situation in a very logical way and will try not to let my emotions take over.

But I promise myself that I will try my very best to get out of this situation before the year ends.

humbling

It has been a very busy two weeks. I was supposed to post 2 blog posts but just couldn’t find the time to even finish them. Things and events in the office have been quite stressful lately. I woke up today with a throbbing headache at the lower back of my head. My officemate told me it’s stress- and tension- related. I was about to rant and describe them in detail here but when I opened the Boston Big Picture link this morning, I was humbled.

those eyes and those innocent smiles make you snap out of stressing about the unnecessary things in life and just be thankful. :)