Here, today, in the warm bosom of family and home, I am renewed—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. There is so much to be thankful for.

1. I am thankful for challenges that came our (P and my) way last year that pushed us to be stronger, more courageous, and faithful in God.
2. I am thankful for God’s love and faith in us, for his guidance and protection, and his providing situations that helped reveal the true nature of people and things around us.
3. I am thankful for our families—simple, hardworking folks, with golden hearts—who raised us to have the right attitude and values, and who continue to inspire us to become better people.
4. I am thankful for our relative good health, for the simple joys brought about by being together, by our ability to find contentment and happiness with what we have, and for the chance to share our small blessings with others.
5. I am thankful for our true and lifelong friends, who have never let us down (and whom we have not let down either, we hope), who have gone through the crucible of life with us, and whose integrity, loyalty, truthfulness, love, support, and compassion are unequalled.
6. I am thankful for the help that we get from people who are not family (our household helps, for instance, whom we treat as family members, anyway), who despite their inability to get better opportunities for themselves and despite their financial challenges, still work hard for their living, serve us with loyalty and love, and try their best to live honest, upright lives without taking advantage of anyone.
7. I am thankful for genuine people, whose words and promises you can rely on.
8. I am thankful for mentors who unselfishly share their wisdom and life stories, for encouraging us to push boundaries and for providing us with inspiring examples of lives lived with courage and conviction.
9. I am thankful for the promise of a new and better day, for the chance to start anew. Such is the beauty of life—we can always begin again today.
10. I am always thankful for the truth, and for having a just God, who will always bring relief to the righteous and punishment to the wicked.

Absolutely love my new blog template! Thank you so much, Jun!

Maligayang bagong taon mga Lisondra!

Happy new year everyone!

is in love.”

Turned 34 today. Hurrah!

is friendship.

The very talented Elbert Or, together with girlfriend Lorra, has initiated an art collaboration project to commemorate the stories of tragedy, community, and hope brought about by Typhoon Ondoy. If you have something to share by way of artwork (traditional or digital), do send your contribution(s) to http://rebuild-starthere.blogspot.com. Visit the Start Here Web site for more details.

From http://rebuild-starthere.blogspot.com:

START HERE is currently collecting artwork from around the world inspired by relief efforts during the recent Typhoon Ondoy tragedy, with the aim of inspiring others to help in rebuilding affected communities in the Philippines.

Contributions must adhere to the project’s intended message of hope, creation, and rebuilding.

Traditional and digital art are both accepted, as are graphic designs, illustrations, and photographs; please refer to the guidelines for further details. The last day of submissions will be on November 26, 2009.