Gustav and Hanna

Back in PI, I always watch CNN and Fox News Live and I watched how Katrina devastated Mississipi and New Orleans. It was so unbelievable! Exactly 3 years ago August 29th to be exact these 3 houses are just remnants of it's fury. I took these pictures last April. The first 2 is in Biloxi, Mississippi and the last is a picture in New Orleans. Biloxi is back in business. They have a new bridge that when you are there, you can see the whole place. In New Orleans, you still can see so many damage houses but the place still attracts tourists specially in French Quarters. Mississippi and New Orleans are very beautiful place. The scenery is so green yet, always a path of hurricanes. That Katrina really damaged these places.

According to Wikipedia, Katrina is one of the five deadliest hurricanes in the history of United States. Now, Gustav is coming, we felt the feeder band last night here in Florida, it is category 3 and becoming 4 when it reaches Mississippi, New Orleans and Texas too. Right now, our relatives in Biloxi went to Alabama...evacuation is really a good thing to do. People are taking it seriously. We just hope that it won't do so much damage, levee can sustain and no casualty.

Hanna is our concern now. It heads Florida and Central area is likely to be hit but we pray that it won't coz many places here are flooding. If we will be hit, flood area will not survive. All we can do is hope and pray.

Who Am I

This video was shared to me by Elena, a new found friend when we are processing our Medical Requirements for K1-Visa. She married to Hank, a preacher so, she always sent me religious stuff. This video really gives me a teary eyed. I consider myself as a lost child in terms of being detached from my religious routine and I would say I miss God in my life. I belong to a church choir up until high school. Every church activity you'll find me. Yet, my routine eventually detour to another direction basically not in the wrong way....just a BUSY life. School and work and not finding time to be with God in our usual time. Well, they say that God is like a bf...hehehe...jealous if you don't show up in your meeting place. But, even so, God always there when I needed him. Guess, it is a human nature that when we are weak, we find His strength and He is always there...because God is truly a loving God.

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Bridge:
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.


I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.


I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am yours.
I am yours.

This song gives me Peace amidst Trials. Would you agree?

Wanna have a $100 American Express Gift Card ?

I am just browsing some blog sites reading thoughts and knowing some ideas they have for today. It amazed me that people has tremendous knowledge to share about just anything. Of course it should be. After all, with all this comfort of technology, knowledge is attainable in just a click right? Lucky for us who had the opportunity of having this internet access of which we can blog and surf the net.

As of this time, I came across with Tiffany, she is giving away a hundred bucks, just go to her blog and leave her a comment telling her which of her posts is your favorite. When you read her blog, you'll be hook and can't help but give a comment. Wanna bet? Hmmm.... in my links , she is " One Woman's Rant's and Rave's. Have fun and goodluck.

Fay

Look how wide the weather band of Fay. The storm is still leaving in Florida Keys and its 9 AM in the morning here right now. From Orlando we are heading towards Miami International Airport. Very scary weather. By Thurdsday, some areas in Southern and Central Florida were flooded plus a touchdown of tornado which affected 51 houses in Barefoot Bay in Brevard County.

My Immortal by Evanescence

I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
'Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone

These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

[Chorus:]
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have
All of me

You used to captivate me
By your resonating light
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind
Your face it haunts
My once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away
All the sanity in me

These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

[Chorus]

I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone
But though you're still with me
I've been alone all along

[Chorus]

I Just like to listen to this on and on and on then, i am alright.Check it out!

Before Fay

We went to Miami yesterday because we have to pick up Sabina who came from Spain. Her trip was scheduled and no way to change it. We are scared coz look at the clouds, very furious. Anyway, we came home safely in Orlando and the tail end of Fays' bands is very much on our back. Today, it is here. Tornado warning is here too. Hoping everybody will be safe.

Hurricane: Fay

I am a bit worried today since Storm Fay is coming to Florida. People really are getting ready if worst comes. Our emergency supplies are prepared in one corner and from time to time, we have weather forecast on TV. Hurricanes are rated from weakest to strongest on a scale of 1 to 5. Wind speed is the determining factor in this case. To estimate the property damage and coastal flooding during landfall, the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is used. So, here it goes:

Category 1 winds: 74-95 mph
storm surge: 3-5 feet
damage category: minimal

Category 2 winds:96-110 mph
storm surge: 6-8 feet
damage category: moderate

Category 3 winds: 111-130 mph
storm surge: 9-12 feet
damage category: extensive

Category 4 winds: 131-155 mph
storm surge: 13-18 feet
damage category: extreme

Category 5 winds: 156 mph or more
storm surge: more than 18 feet
damage category: catastrophic

So, knowing the force of those categories really frightens me. But, prayer is my weapon and somehow it calms me.

Friend of Mine

I've known you for so long
You are a friend of mine
But is this all we'd ever be
I've loved you ever since
You are a friend of mine
and babe is this all we ever could be

CHORUS
You tell me things I'll never know
I'll show you love you've never shown
and then again where you go
I'm always at your side
You tell me 'bout the love you've had
I listen very eagerly
But deep inside you'll never see
This feeling of emptiness
that makes me feel sad
But then again I'm glad

I've known you all my life
You are a friend of mine
I know this is how it's gonna be
I've loved you then and I love you still
You're a friend of mine
Now I know friends
are all we ever could be
REPEAT CHORUS EXCEPT LAST LINE
But then again, then again
then again I'm glad

I was just listening to my music collection in PerfSpot having a nostalgic moment...hehehe...then I stumbled to an old song of Lea Salonga. I just remember my friend Roman Escobido who died few years ago because of car accident. Hmmm...yap...tragic end yet I remember having to rush early morning to Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes to confirm his fate. Well, this song was his favorite among many others. He always requested Myla, Vivian, Mylo and me to sing this song..on and on and on. He will use his convincing power to make us sing though. Got goose bump as I am writing this blog coz you know why? He died August. I think that was a 16th. It is 1 am on the 17th now so, when I heard the song and him flashing on my mind don't you think it's just odd? Coincidence right? I am thankful for this moment and certainly glad to remember him. He was really a good friend. We went to many places just to hang out and he loves to travel a lot. He likes the beach and just loves the nature. Summer of that year we went to Zamboanga with Sigrid visiting Dapitan and Dakak Park Beach Resort. We were just having a road trip down South of Mindanao .... not really a good idea for safe travel escapade but we did anyhow . So, that was the last trip we had. Now, its just a memory but a nice one to remember once in a while.

Historical Facts

Did you know that the Statue of Liberty National Monument is a gift from France? Yap. The copper-clad statue, dedicated on October 28, 1886, commemorates the centennial of the United States Declaration of Independence.

The people of France gave the Statue to the people of the United States over one hundred years ago in recognition of the friendship established during the American Revolution. Sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was commissioned to design the statue.

Honesty

A quality, condition, or characteristic of being fair, truthful, and morally upright.How many of us able to live morally upright nowadays? Gas is high, expensive basic commodities, high house rent ...etc ...etc... yet, we all are trying to be a good person each day. The moment we wake up each morning, temptation is just everywhere. We struggle to do good and be good because we are not perfect...who is anyway? That is why, I personally would give a commendation to Orlando Vending in Orlando International Airport for being honest to Maggie. Lastweek, she went to the breakroom in housekeeping department to buy a soda and she mistakenly put $21.00 in the vending machine of which the $20.00 bill is under the $1. Though its just $20.00 but, hey its money. The fact was, Maggie really can't pinpoint that her money was in that machine since she went to buy foods in different location in the airport premises. So, the last attempt was to call the office of that vending machine which was located in Commerce Drive. They give assurance that she will have it if the money is in it. To make the story short, she got her money back when the collector found out that the collection is over $20.00. It was remarkable! If they lied, nobody will know anyway right? Maggie didn't exactly knew how it happen. The bottom line is that some people choose to be honest and do good deeds despite of economic hardships. If others can, why can't we?

Spanish Language

Been here for four months in Florida and it was so surprising for me (caught off guard ) to get acquainted to Spanish Speaking friends. Infact, in my wedding, 60% of them came from Colombia, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Ecuador. This realization just came as a flashback since I have been working as a Volunteer in a Timeshare Hotel Resort for a month now and sure is...everyone speaks Spanish.

I was nervous like a first grader on my first day at work...LOL...everyone welcomed me in Spanish language. Good thing I understand "HOLA" , "Buenas Dias", "bienvenido"...then, someone tried to have a conversation to me "¿Es usted un nuevo trabajador aquí? ¿Cómo te llamas? All I could say is " I'm sorry, no habla Spanol"...responded with "mi, no habla English"....so, we understood.

They are so friendly people yet, language is truly a barrier in some cases. All they could do to communicate with me is give me signs. Some speaks elementary English so, it is better you know. So, I survived for a month. It is easy for me to learn and understand their language because I speak Visayan Dialect which has similarity with Spanish. Words like banyo, numero, mesa, casa, caja, cama, cocina...and many others.

They started talking to me word to word when they learned that I understand "poquito". Thus making my workplace a friendly place to learn culture and know people.

Crawfish

See the red thing? That is crawfish. It feels like home being in Biloxi, Mississippi. Since spicy food is my weakness, I couldn'nt help but eat so much. Truly yummy. This food is good to serve for outdoor party and get together.