Hari ini Jumat Pertama, Hari Pertama bulan April, Dua ribu sebelas

Today, on the first friday of the first day of the month, I proclaimed the Gospel in Bahasa Indonesia for the first time. Although reading seemed natural, it took three days to practice and one sleepness night to prepare. I was so nervous last night that although I tried to sleep early, I woke up every hour until it was time to take a bath and prepare for the mass. It was like reliving the tension I had during comprehensives and tribunal examinations when one could not possibly express in words the feelings of both excitement and fear. The former is brought about by the enthusiasm that finally a chapter wil end but a new one will begin, while the latter is caused by the uncertainty of the present and of the future. Although I admit that my comprehensives for masteral was the worst, today's experience is an entirely new species of its own.

Just when I thought that it was the end of firsts, I had a taste of my first Baskin-Robbins ice cream here in Surabaya. The taste of praline and love position (flavors of the ice cream) was heavenly. Particularly interesting is why one of the flavors is called love position. Aside from the red color because of the strawberries, I think one would just submit to the indulgence of eating it and feeling sleepy afterwards. The taste passes through your tongue then in to your stomach, but the sensation goes to the brain, and finally you would just like to go to your bed.

Another first later tonight, I will have my first confession with Romo Thoby Kraeng, SVD , during the first Friday mass with the Filipinos at the Adoration chapel beside Galaxy Mall.

Hari ini Senin, dua puluh delapan Maret, Dua ribu sebelas

What was originally planned asa bubur breakfast had a different but exciting twist. I usually pray morning prayers with the brothers right after the mass, but today Romo Adrian inivited me to join them for breakfast outside. His friend from Jakarta Pak Nikson came to Surabaya for a visit, and will go back to Jakarta today. We were joined by Pak and Ibu William to start our adventure to find a store which open this early for business. Unfortunately all three restaurants we went to were still closed, the theory is that because it was a monday and that it was too early. We ended up at a warung along the road, and by this I literally mean a "carinderia". It was not an accidental turn to that not so busy road, because our companions have tried, tasted, tested and I believe judged the food we were about to partake. It was my first time to eat in a warung here in Surabaya, and I tell you, the food was great, uenak! We had nasi kuning makassar, nasi kuning is yellow rice and makassar is the place, which also distinguishes the kind of nasi kuning we were eating. There was telor, bits of sweet meat, dried beef, sayur, and the other lauk I can not recognize, but mixed together, sama dengan a unique and satisfying breakfast. I almost forgot to mention the black soup, which I thought at first resembled dinuguan, a Filipino dish whose main ingredient is pork blood, but after tasting it, well it's just like beef noodle soup at Chowking, without the noodles.

hari ini minggu, dua puluh tujuh maret, dua ribu sebelas

Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sins that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)

There is a great cloud of witnesses amidst us, let us leave our sinfulness, embrace the faith and continue running the race. This is the message written on a piece of paper I picked during the monthly gathering of the youth here in the parish. Frankly speaking, I started my day with a bad mood, its the typical day when you got up from the wrong side of the bed, when your spirit is so down and you just wanted to stay longer sleeping. I have committed by Sunday mornings for Sunday school, were kids of parishioners attending the 10 am mass can go while waiting for their parents. I was not feeling so good this morning, so I sent a message to those in charge that I wont be coming in this morning, otherwise I might just scold the kids. I think it would be better this way than go their, pressure myself and sacrifice doing good for the children. But aside from the kids, what really inspires me and keeps me going every Sunday are the young and teen volunteers who spend their precious Sunday morning for the kids.They are my cloud of witnesses who keeps me going and who inspires me to continue with the race, the ministry which God has given us.

hari ini Sabtu, dua puluh enam Maret, Dua ribu sebelas

Thank God it's Saturday, but for me and the group of volunteers and parents it's thank God it's another Teen Catechism day. Since Ramo Adrian went to Pontianak to attend Romo Edmund's 30th Presbyteral Anniversary and wont be back sampai sore, the team had to work double time specially in preparing the talks. But before starting the whole afternoon affair, Yudi and I went for lunch at a nearby Mc Do branch. Curious as always, I asked my companion what is unique about Mc Do in Indonesia, what I mean is the food which can only be found at a Mc Do store in Indonesia. To my dismay there was none, so we had chicken meal which was called Panas komplit, Pa for Packet which is the combo itself and Nas for Nasi, so its Paket Nasi dengan ayam goreng dan sup. Probably what was unique about Mc Do here is not the selection of food but rather the sambal and the way people eat the paket, with their tanggan or hands. Yup, I tried to look for spoon and fork but Yudi told me that it is usually ate with hand, and it was only then I saw people actualy washing hands and eating with their hands. Not that we don't do it in the Philippines, we actually do in Kamayan restaurants, but not in Mc Do. Hehe and the rice was really RICE because it was packed like is can be shared by two people.

The whole session's main theme focuses on the importance of relationships and how the Church can be considered part of our social community or network. But ofcourse more than just being a temporal or earthly organization of group, the Church is first and foremost spiritual, it is the mystical body of Jesus Christ of which all baptized are members and Christ is the head. Although I think most of those who attended the talk liked the videos very much specially the video about Mari and her three puppies, I just hope and pray that the main meat, the goal and purpose of the whole Catechism class was understood and put to mind, if not put to heart.

After a day's work, I think the laborers deserved their wage, so I told the volunteers that maybe its good to go out and have dinner together. Fortunately Romo Adrian came and Ibu Wiewiek one of the grandmothers of the participants invited us to Lenmarc to eat dinner. Although we planned just to eat es puter, God provided us bread from heaven, not literally though. So Yudi drove the exceptionaly besar mobil paroki with me, Verena and Christine. We were welcomed by Romo Adrian and Ibu Wiewiek at the food channel, a modern day, hightech food court with all sorts of food items ranging from western like Italian to eastern food like Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean and of course traditional Indonesian food. I initialy ordered sushi and seaweed salad at the Japanese resto but Ibu Wiewiek asked me to try nasi padang at Saru Ratu, it's traditional rice meal with choice of dish such as rendang, sayur, gadu gadu with the ever famous green and red sambal. I tried beef rendang, crispy lung meat, sayur in saus kacang with bean and kamansi and green sambal with cucumber. To top it all up I got coke zero for my beverage, just to quench my thirst and counter the spicy taste. I think a ordered banyak so much so that Ibu Wiewiek's grandson remarked, how come I look so thin when in fact a ordered a lot, hehe.

We went off to our original plan to eat es puter so we left Ibu Wiewiek and family and went to the Loop to eat es puter, Well for those who do not know, it is traditional ice cream made fromfruits or other flavors such as avocado, durian, chocolate but using coconut milk. For Filipinos its like dirty ice cream but this one can be served on a coconut shell with kelapa mudah or young coconut meat. It look simple but I assure you, the taste is heavenly, hehe. What a way to end a stressful day, with my vocal cords all strained and here I am eating dengin sekali, es puter hehe, I feel that I won't have suaraku besok.

Lastly I would like to share a short reflection I had with today's Gospel about the prodigal son. While I was trying to look for an inspirational story from the Bible about people who wanted to live by themselves and be independent, the face of the young son came to my mind. Clearly, the young son made a belief that he can make it on his own, that with his father's wealth, he can live an independent and free existence. But the more he continued with thisself defeating illusion, the more he was proven wrong, that he actually needed people to exist, he particularly needed his family. In the end, he went back, planning to show remorse by giving way his rights as son and serving at his father's house as a slave. Butwe know the ending of the story right? The father never gave up his paternal relationship with he son. The father did not just acknowledge his son but intinsically affirmed first and foremost his being a father. He can never deny himself, God can never deny his relationship with his children even if often times his children because of false notions about themselves deny God. The lenten season challenges us to go back to the father, to reaffirm our relationship with him and try our best to be called true children of God.

Pro abortion protestors attack Catholic young people praying

hari ini Jumat, duapuluh lima Maret, dua ribu sebelas Hari Raya Kabar Sukacita

He [Jesus] is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

— Colossians 1:17 (NIV)

Thoughts...
Before there was an earth, universe, or nature, there was Jesus! He was before they were made. He will be after they are long gone. In fact, his power and his presence are what hold our world, our universe, and our nature together. He is the sustaining force, the enabling power, and the generous preserver of life as we know it. So since he could provide us these things and they are but a faint anticipation of what is yet to be, won't it be great to see him, just as he is, and share in his glory with him?!

My Prayer...
Thank you, Jesus, for your gracious providence this day. Thank you for creating this incredible world in which I live. You are worthy of all praise, honor, glory, and thanks! I look forward to the day, dear Lord, when I can worship you face to face, and give thanks to our Father with you, for his wonderful love. To you, and in your name, dear Jesus, I offer all my thanks and praise. Amen.

(an email from Jenica Joy Tolentino)

hari ini kamis, duapuluh empat Maret dua ribu sebelas

Do Not ...
Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others.
It is because we are different that each of us is special.
 
Do not set your goals by what other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you..
 
Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past nor for the future.
By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.
 
Do not give up when you still have something to give.
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.
It is a fragile thread that binds us to each other....
 
Do not be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
 
Do not shut love out of your life by saying it is impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give love.
 
Do not dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without hope; to be without hope is to be without purpose.
 
Do not run through life so fast that you forget not only where you have been, but also where you are going.
Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.

(From an email by Ms. Jennica Joy Tolentino, a classmate from DLSU)

Tomorrow is the Solemnity of the Anunciation, an event which changed the course of salvation history forever. With Mary's loving fiat, she embraced the God who created her in order to recreate a sinful world by bearing God's only son, the one who will start to bring God's kingdom in the world. This feast is particularly special because our novitiate house is named after the anunciation, a fiting name for those who are beginners in the order. Tomorrow likewise is the birthday of my dear batchmate Br. Bejay Namuag, OP, by the way only three of us were left from the original batch of 28 aspirants who entered the seminary in 1998. I think the message of the anunciation is simple and yet profound, it is a simple yes which entails a number of consequences. A yes which brought mary into the way of the cross with Christ, but it also led her to her glorious assumption with Jesus his son lifting her up to where she should belong, in heaven, with God's eternal bliss.

hari ini rabu, enambelas maret dua ribu sebelas

Had a very meaning ful class with pak yan kurniawan my bahasa indonesia teacher from IPH. What I like most about our class is that its stress free and it is done in such a friendly manner. Well ofcourse there are homework and seat work but since we try to make it light in such a non threatening manner, I have a positive feeling about this. I particulalrly how he tries to go with the learner'spacing, which I think should be basic in any learning relationship. Althoughthe classes are in the evening, we try to make our conversation as lively as possible. I am also free to express my thoughts and compare tagalog words with bahasa kata which makes it easier. I try not to pressure myself anymore in learning the language and go with the smooth flow of whatever will be the result of these classes.

I also had my third movie this afternoon with Ci Anna and Bryan entitled bounty hunter. The first two movies I had in Sutos which are the King's speech and Gnomeo and Juliet respectively. The bounty hunter is a romantic comedy about two divorces couple who found themselves reunited once again because of certain events related with their careers. Although I think the movie is for more mature audience particularly for married or those who are planning to settle down, it can likewise be enjoyed by children because of the comic antics in the movie. I guess the main lesson in the movie is communication. The couple should learn how to appreciate each others differences and learn to find common ground which would later serve as the knot which binds the relationship.

Lastly, just tonight, my batchmates brother Bejay, Fr. Mandy and Fr. Dexter called me through yahoo messenger. I am so happy that at least I saw a piece of home after more than a month in another country. It's a blessing because at least now I know that there are really people who miss me at home. Luckily my batchmate who will celebrate his birthday on Friday, March 25 was present thus I was able to greet him. God really works wonders in the most unexpected times and places, all we need to do is be present and accept whatever he is giving us. Don't be too choosey because we might miss a great opportunity just because we were lazy to catch God's grace or were too busy looking at other people's graces.

Hari ini Selasa, Dua puluh dua Maret, Dua ribu sebelas

Today I was invited by Bu Melissa and Pak Jimmy to go to their house which is inside an estate where the fabled Merlion of Surabaya is located. Citra land is dubbed as the Singapore of Surabaya, ultimately because of the statue of a Merlion (quite similar to that of Singapore) which is spewing water back to a man made lake. Bu Novy and Pak Mar fetched me from RM at around 5pm so that we can have picture taking with the Merlion. Earlier, I had a picture with the symbols of Surabaya, a shark and a buwaya, two images where Surabaya got its name. In that picture, I was drinking water from the mouth of the shark which flowed back to the river, now we attempt to recapture the same moment but now with the Merlion. The result was fantastic! Bagus!

After having our picture taken with the Merlion, we went to a lake side sea food restaurant called Bandar Surabaya, bandar literally means a port or harbour. We had a hearty dinner with ikan, kepiting (crabs were uenak!), kangkong goreng in sweet chili sauce, kelapa mudah, and uenak soup hehe forgot the name.

I admit that all I was expecting from this afternoon was the delicious lakeside dinner and picture taken with that awesome merlion, but I had more. Moments were family members and friends getting together are invaluable.

To top it all up, I was invited in Pak Jimmy's house where their kids Gerry and Kelly played the piano. I suddenly remembered similar instances in the Philippines where the kids are asked by parents to present their talents and skills whenever a visitor comes to ones house. But the best part of the visit was when Bu Melissa and the kids led me to their private prayer room where the family plays team building board games before praying together. Although playing and praying don't normally mix well, but in this case, both activity bonds the family closer together. As the family rosary would always emphasize: "The family that prays together, stays together", now I think that "a family that plays and prays together, laughs and stays closer together". I don't know here in Surabaya, but I seldom see families in the Philippines have private prayer rooms in their houses, which the family members actually use and spent quality time together. I for one, in our family, we do't have such a place or venue for family bonding and get together,except ofcourse during meal time when we are all expected to be present. After playing uno stacko, we prayed night prayers together, led by Kelly the youngest member of the family.

It is therefore a challenge and a task for all families to have such a time together. To find activities and venues were all can talk and know what is happening to each member of the family and to end the day by giving thanks and praising the Lord together in common prayer. We passed by a warung were they served es puter, traditional Indonesian ice cream made from various fruits and coconut milk, served inside coconut shells, before the family dropped me off at RM.

I am slowly begining to see what role the pastor has to play in this part of our pastoral ministry. It is to live with the people and try to understand how God can work in the priest's life and how God works in other people's lives. Everybody has a role to play, each one has something to give, all can be instruments of God's love and be opportuinities to have that God experience in the most ordinary circumstances of our lives.

Hari ini Minggu, Dua Puluh Maret, Dua ribu Sebelas

Sunday school disaster! I have always known and admitted that I am not good with kids, but that was when I did not even try to work with them in the first place. After some time with them, I am starting to discover a new side of my personality which is quite good with dealing with kids. By kids I mean age 0-10, because they are the ones who attend our english mass Sunday school every week. But today was different, today was my first experience of frustration and possible resignation. I always took things as challenging, and quiting was never in my vocabulary, but today I felt so useless that I almost gave up. It is true that no matter how long you study children psychology and method of teaching, you can never say you have seen it all until you start working with actual kids. This kid started seeking attention which I gave at first but later became violent when I started telling him to behave. He started banging his head on my stomach, started clinging to my legs and punching me. When my instincts told me that this childis problematic and that he is an attention seeker, my first reaction was to withdraw the stimulant which is attention giving. But again the child did not stop and the more he did his thing, the more I can not but attend to him. Finally I asked the other teachers if he was doing it everytime, the answer was negative, so I concluded that probably since I was a new face and that I initiallygave him attention then probably I can be a vulnerable victim. I asked them if its ok to let him out of the room, and they said yes, but I had to accompany him. I tried my best in talking with him, trying to persuade him, I even prayed to the Holy Spirit to help me, but to no avail the child was stern not to be moved. It was either him or me, so I let him be and tried to leave him, but watching over him. All those years of Philosophy, Theology, and Counseling all put to waste by a single case of this trouble child.

Tonight, as I reflect on the events today I realized one thing, that good intentions are not always enough. Applying what we know for the good of those to whom we minister is not as simple as data transfer. We have to have the ability to handle people and be humble enough to admit our limitations. I am planning to ask help from professional nursery and elementary teachers to help. If there are SPED or special education teachers, then much better. I saw a foe in the child, an enemy that had to be won over, but the result was a disaster. I should have treated him with care and respect, one that a father or a mother would give to a fragile and crying child. My being a counselor who studied a little bit of psychology took over when in fact I should have been a deacon, a religious brother who could have been more patient and compationate, taking the child as Christ would have done, not restraining them but rather inviting them to him. I am not yet ready in this kind of ministry, but I hope I don't loose heart in trying my best to reflect Jesus who specially loved the small ones.

Hari ini Sabtu, Hari Raya Santo Yusef suami Maria, Sembilanbelas Maret Dua Ribu Sebelas

CARING FOR A GOD WHO CARES

Joseph, her husband, was a righteous man. – Matthew 1:19

Imagine with me if you can... let’s go back in time and travel to Nazareth.

Put yourself in the shoes (or sandals) of Joseph. Imagine you are the earthly father of Jesus.

The reason for all creation was born in your midst.

You are tasked to protect the very God to whom you pray for protection. You will be providing for the needs of the Great Provider.

As your son’s first teacher, you will teach Him everything you know. You will teach to the God who knows everything.

You will carry the one who carries the whole world in His arms.

You are going to play hide and seek with God who sees everything.

You will put to sleep someone you hope never goes to sleep.

You will be able to make God laugh.

These are some of the wonderful things

Joseph did to his Son, Jesus.

Think: Jesus says that you can do all this to Him if you do them to the least of your brothers. Arun Gogna (gognaa1@yahoo.com) (email from Mr. Ramon Martillano)

St. Joseph has been one of my patron saints since I found a prayer addressed to him while I was searching some old books in our seminary library. This prayer was said by soldiers going to war, since theyare not sure whether or not they will be able to go back alive. Since then I have prayed this prayer together with my prayer to St. Therese of the Child Jesus, my favorite saint. St. Joseph more than just being the patron of the universal church and of departing souls, he has likewise played a major part of my life which I have put in the perifery until recently when I started praying to him. He is the patron saint in our barangay, San Jose, Concepcion, Tarlac. He is likewise the patron saint of my father's barangay in Capas, Tarlac in Aranguren. As I child, Iwas facinated with his image, holding Jesus so close to his heart and used to pray that he whisper my intentions to Jesus. As a Dominican, part of our daily prayer is the prayer to St. Joseph, a reminder that we must constantly ask God's help specially in doing our preaching ministry. He who taught Christ his first lessons on earth should likewise inspire us to bring people closer to Christ through our preaching.

I literally had a fruitful day today with Fr. Adrian who talked with certain people who wil be helping in the scholl the parish is planning to aid. Likewise, I accompanied him in giving a talk to young people who since they study in private schools are not given enough catechism and basic education about the faith. After the talk, Julie and her daughter cika invited me to have lunch with them. This kid although she is just 7 years old joins our teen catechism, and mind you she can take notes very well.

 After lunch, Ci Jo and family invited me to watch a 3D film with them in the evening entitled Gnomeo and Juliet, a funny adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet "gnome version". To top it all up, we had a hearty meal before the film and had es cream after. I had to wait for 30 years, and had to travel as far as Surabaya just to taste my first even Haagen Dazs ice cream!

Hari ini Jumat, Delapanbelas Maret Dua Ribu Sebelas

If I were in the Philippines, one of the conventual lenten observances that I would be doing is attending the stations of the cross around the parking area of Sto. Domingo Church, but I am not there am I? So the Indonesian version of it is Jalan Salib or Way of the Cross inside the Church. Today, I attended my first, and I just hope and pray it is not the last. Everything is the same except ofcourse the language and the venue, but both these factors gave the whole prayer a different taste and feeling. I purposely did not wear the habit in order to be with the people. I sat at the last pew of the Church in order to have a different view of the whole church and I really did. It is quite different when one is serving in front of the altar, where you have a limited view of what is happening because you are in front being observed by the people. The feeling is quite different when one becomes an expectator rather than the one being observed, and this made me nervous in a way. Another thing is the language, since I have limited bahasa in my pocket thus understanding what the prayers meant was quite difficult. The least I can do is to pronounce the words correctly and do it with the same pacing as the leaders. I felt like one of the participants of a choral recitation or sabayang pagbigkas contest were one is expected to recite with the group. It is just now that I realized how big the cross infront of the altar is. I would not have seen it unless I sat at the back portion of the church, be with the people and pray with them

Hari ini Kamis, Tujuhbelas Maret Dua ribu sebelas

Its another one of those days when you are faced with your laptop without any particular story to write nor insight to share. I guess everyone come in a point in there life when inspiration leaves you, in order to experience what spiritual writters call as spiritual dryness. I am not saying that I'm in one but this feeling more than just something to be afraid of should be embraced with a whole and trusting heart. Both men and women, holy or not, have experienced this kind of desert experience which in one way or the other helped them reach the heights of contemplative prayer at the end of their journey. Similarly, not having the inspiration to write anything does not totally mean that its the end of everything. It could be a breathing point where one pauses for a time in order to get a wider perspective of things, and be able to have a different perspective in life. Living a monotonous life can sometimes be boring, but monotony does not always mean stagnation. One can live a routine without necessarily being stale or stagnant. It all depends on how one views life and how to make the most out of it. It is in seeing the small opportunity for creativity which breaks the boring wall of monotony.

Hari ini Selasa, Limabelas Maret Dua ribu Sebelas

Another trip to Pasar Atum, but now with the Widjaja family. Unlike my first trip here where most of the toko were closed, I was greeted with a different side of Pasar Atum. The first time we went here, the driver did not know the way so we had to stop a number of times to ask tolong from the neighbors, luckily we made it alive, hehe and early. However we were too early and had to leave before lunchtime, so the result, I was able to jalan jalan on one side of the mall. This time we entered the other side of the gedung, much baru and more conducive for beli, hehe. It was the entrance in front of the old train station which kind of excited me because I like old buildings, gedung tua.

The first thing we did was to buy traditional Indonesian snacks which were generally rice cakes with coconut milk, local fruits, sweets and drinks. Ci Jo dan Joanna helped pick out clothes for me, while Meme and Co Luki tried teach me practical Bahasa words. I also taught Meme some tagalog word which are similar to bahasa but with different meaning like halaman, bunga, tulong, halaga, mula, salamat, etc. When we arrived at the DVD section of the mall, the kids started choosing movies so I picked some Asian horror films which ofcourse the kids did not even dare to look at.

Finally we ate lunch at one of the food stalls in the mall. I took a picture of this particular dish called ko lo kee which is practically sweet and sour chicken because of a funny experience I had earlier whenI had my hair cut last month. I tried to ask the owner of the salon if she knew Ci Jo the wife of Co luki, and she started laughing because according to her Co luki is a chinese dish. Now, I am face to face with Co luki or Ko lo kee so I did not miss the chance to order it. By the way Co luki was with us today, hehe

Hari ini Minggu, Maret Tigabelas, Dua ribu sebelas

Sundays in RM are always busy days, with all the masses, Sunday school and some invitations to go out and eat. This morning, I had a meeting the with the small class Sunday school group to see how they make preparations for the lessons and suggest some things on how more they can improve this ministry. Good intention is sometimes not always enough, since one has been excerting effort in something, why not give the best less the effort and good intention is put to waste. Three things I recommend them to do is to shift their approach from being teacher based, meaning the lessons all depend on the teachers to a program based type of planning which would involve integration suggested activities with catechism or Bible stories. This would allow the kids not only to distinguish between knowing which is the best picture but actually introducing them to God, Jesus and the Church. Second is to divide the class between the ones who need nannies and those who can attend by themselves. Aside from the practical fact that nannies take too much space in the room, psychologically, children with nannies who would roam around the room, cry, make noise etc. influence the other kids to do the same thus a more chaotic classroom. Lastly I told them to think out of the box and come up with new ideas, ofcourse the usual thing they are doing is good, but there can be room for improvement.

Later in the evening, Romo Adrian and I were invited to a post birthday celebration dinner of Wawa, whose birthday I won't forget because it is the same date as with my brother. With us is her husband Arry, Co Francis, Ibu Sophie and their three daughters Evelyn, Cheryl and Celine. We at at Myoung gao, a Korean restaurant not too far from the parish. I loved the food but it made me kenyang (full) in the end, hehe. I like Korean food in as much as I like Koren movies, Korean novelas and K music.

Hari ini Sabtu, 12 Maret 2011

I had to wake up early in the morning to accompany Romo Boedi while riding mountain bikes. The first major adjustment for me was the road. Since cars here are right hand drive, the flow of traffic likewise follows that orientation, so unlike the Philippines, here you have to take the left side of the road when driving. Another thing is that I am not really used to riding bikes although I know how to, but the distance we travelled this morning was relatively far for me. But everything paid well after seeing Citra land which is called the Singapore of Surabaya, literally because of the Merlion in a man made lake in the property. Also, it seems that Indonesians like putting rotundas, circles or satelites as they call them here, which are relatively ladder with status or great figures of horses, elephants or abstract art work. Its as if one is transported to European places where great monuments are built to decorate their edifices, road works and gateways.

We likewise stopped over two of the other relatively big parishes here in Surabaya, the Parish of Sanctus Jakobus in Citra land and Aloysius Gonzaga or Algonz near the Rumah Sakit Mitra Keluarga. Both could be said to  be well off in terms of building, construction and facility. But the later can boast to be the best, with Mary wearing gold in a quite big chapel outside the church. The main church was likewise relatively huge with Golden angels greeting those who enter its main door. The pastoran or priest house was likewise extraordinary, having  a good elevator and spectacular balcony where onecan view the sunrise. But most importantly, the priests in these parishes are very welcoming and warmly greets fellow priests with such enthusiasm and excitement as if they don’t regularly see each other.

Later during the day, we had the launching of our teen’s catechism, a project for english speaking youth Catholics from Redemptor Mundi and other parishes. Since I had been a member of the MUKHA AD, a youth group composed of both lay and student brothers, I tried to pattern ot after that. But as a famous saying would say, one man’s medicine can be another man’s poison. I can’t completely say that the program is a disaster nor a failure, but I think more assessment should be made as to the interest of the teens and how they would like to address their own personal issues at present. I also wonder if catechism is what theyreally need at present? Well, as per recommendation of people involved, we have to continue theprogram and evaluate later, and maybe we can do better next time. It was a tiring and enjoyable day, but what can be beneficial to the teens, that could be the more basic and essential question. It was a good start with God leading the way, may he direct its progress and see it to completion.

I am a bit worried because my laptop can’t receive wifi signal, actually it does but thereis something wrong with the connection, anyway I hope and pray it starts working again, I feel uneasy when some of my things are not working.

Hari ini Kamis, Sepuluh Maret Dua ribu sebelas

We went out to watch my first movie in Surabaya, the King's speech at Sutos. I admit that it was love at first sight, that I tried to memorize the name "Sutos" so I can come back. Unlike the usual box type SM malls, but quite similar to the space and atmosphere of Alabang town center, I was thrilled by its homey ambience, which subconsciously invited people to eat, relax and watch a film. And that is what we did, we watched a good film and ate at a very good Thai restaurant.

The King's speech is basically the story of King George VI, which features the part of his life where he tried to conquer his speech problem in order to give hope and inspiration to people during the WWII. The tagline of the movie is: It takes leadership to confront  a nation's fear, it takes friendship to conquers your own. It was the struggle of a duke, who had been pressured by the crown, compared to his brother and rediculed by his father. I particularly liked the role played by Lionel, the speech defect teacher who befriended the king and was more of a counselor psychologist than a language doctor. Although the duke and his wife initially came to Lionel for the mechanical techniques and ordered Lionel not to ask personal things to bring Bertie's (as he was called in the film) voice out, they finally found out that his problem was more than just speech. His was a deeper search of finding his voice amidst the many pressure and failed expectations which were subconsciously instilled in his young mind when he was still five years old. It was only after he acknowledged his personal struggles and problems that he was able to free himself from years of fear of rejection and inferiority. The irony of the story is that Lionel himself had to face his own fears and rejection in order to be the best aid he could possibly be. As they say,the best doctor is someone who had experienced the same illness, we call them wounded healers, which ultimately takes the example of Jesus, who himself was the wounded healer. As all good films would commence, the film ended with the victory of the human spirit over the enslaving power of fear.

And what better way to end this post- rabu abu affair than a sumptous meal at a Thai restaurant.

Hari ini Rabu Abu, Sembilan Maret Dua Ribu Sebelas

Bertobatlah dan percayalah kepada Injil, repent and believe in the Gospel. But what does it mean to repent and to believe? Faith is first and foremost God's grace, it is an inspiration which is inspired by the prime mover in the hearts of the faithful. People without any belief in anything can never have faith in anything. Therefore I think that men without God and without faith simply live their lives without a goal, direction and purpose. But since faith is grace, then people must pray for the grace to believe. Humans who are engrossed with material goods have no time to assk for the grace to believe. They are people who believe so much in themselves that they forget what or who they are in the world. Allured by the seeming goodness and truth in the material world, they are made to believe that they are masters of the world, demi gods in themselves thus there is no need for God. I believe that ash wednesday reminds us of the fact that man needs God and that without God, man is nothing. He was created from dust, and from dust he shall return. We give up the simple pleasures of the flesh to get in touch with our basic needs and feel that we are never complete unless we find fulfillment in God. Our physical hunger is a reminder of a much greater hunger which continuous to be unsatiated until we find fullness in God.

Ironically, I together with Elson and Suji our parish driver went to galaxy mall to have a jalan jalan. As if not eating breakfast was not enough torture, we went to a place of temptation, a modern day desert. It was my first time to really go out in a mall here in Surabaya with the sole purpose of jalan jalan and we did it on a day when we are suppose to fast. It felt worse because you were there and yet you are not allowed to eat anything, its like going around the fastfood, with the smell of food, and all you can do is look. Ofcourse we ate lunch because fasting allows us to eat one full meal on a fasting day but still no meat. I think the sacrifice here was more of knowing oneself and saying no to whatever the desires of the flesh maybe. Sarap sanang mag-ice cream, kumain ng burger, uminom ng starbucks, manood ng cine, pero hindi, kailangan magsacripisyo total twice a year lang naman tayong required gawin ito, hindi pa ba naman tayo susunod?

Aside from galaxy mall, we likewise went for a Surabaya tour of the Monumen Kapal Selam, a submarine used during the 1940's by the Indonesian navy, and was first launched in Surabaya. The monument has an interactive museum inside, which gives viewers a feel of how it is like to be insde a submarine. We also watched a vidio rama of  a documentary about the beginnings of the Indonesian navy and marines, citing their importance specially in protecting and patrolling the archipelago's borders.

Another must see along this river bank is the monument of a shark and a crocodile or "buwaya" which forms the letter S. I would like to believe that this is like the Merlion of Singapore, but in this case, the shark spews water to the crocodile and back to the river.