2012 Australian Open

2012 Australian Open

Monday, January 16, 2012

The Australian Open Tennis Tournament is the Grand Slam of the Asia Pacific. This is the first of the four majors in tennis held every third week of January. This year, the tournament runs from January 16 - 29. This is a hard court event held at Melbourne Park.

It's sad that Venus Williams is out of the tournament because of her autoimmune disease. It's always a delight to watch the Williams sisters play doubles and play against each other on singles. Although Serena Williams is playing this year, I have doubts with her physical condition. For the women, I am rooting for Victoria Azarenka and Petra Kvitova. 2011 women's champion is Kim Clijsters.

All time favorite and 16 grand slam title holder Roger Federer breezed through the first round against Alexander Kudryavtsev in straight sets this afternoon. I'm really hoping for Federer to win this year. But I guess it will not be easy because Rafael Nadal is in good shape and Novak Djokovic is the defending champion.

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The Healing God

The Healing God

Sunday, January 15, 2012

I heard the mass this morning officiated by Fr Joey Faller. Long before he became famous and acknowledged as the healing priest, our family already know him. Their family is known in the town of Lucban, Quezon which is my mom's hometown. We live four blocks away from them. 

When my mom got breast cancer in 2002, she would go to the province accompanied by my father to attend the healing mass. Fr Joey has been instrumental in the healing of my mom. Through him and my mom's strong faith in God, she got healed.

It has been ten years since my mom got healed. And I was surprised when Fr Joey announced today that Kamay ni Hesus is celebrating it's 10th anniversary also.

I have been to Kamay ni Hesus a number of times already. It is very convenient for us to visit anytime because our parents built a vacation house nearby.

I experience a certain kind of calm whenever I am there. I feel both being close to nature and to God.

Kamay ni Hesus healing mass is every Wednesday and Saturday, 930am til 12 noon. For any inquiries, you may get in touch with Doris Gracias at contact number 042.540.2206.

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Yesterday I Cried. I Did.

Yesterday I Cried. I Did.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

for all the things I had given, only to have them stolen;
for all the things I had asked for that had yet to show up;
for all the things I had accomplished,
only to give them away to people in circumstances,
which left me feeling empty, and battered and plain old used.

I cried because there really does come a time when the only thing left for me to do is cry.

Then the tears washed away obscure ideas, some bitterness, the feeling of mediocrity and being useless, frustrations and unmet expectations. My goals once again became clear. My thoughts more rational. My emotions stable. I have regained my feeling of self-worth. I am now more focused on what I want to achieve, how I want to achieve them. I no longer complain that I do not have enough time. I know all I have to do is give time.

The book Yesterday, I Cried is a gift from a dear friend who I finally gave time to meet up after 6 years of rescheduling. I told her that I could not progress with the book. I'm somehow stuck with the poem. Because every time I read the poem, I just want to savor all the unpleasant experiences in my life.

This morning as I was writing this entry, I opened the book once again. Turned to the last page of the book where she wrote a dedication:

                  Dear Roselle,


                               Just another tool for your life's journey.
                        This book clearly celebrates the many reasons
                        for living and loving joyfully -- but first, healing.

                                                                                Best,
                                                                                   Anne
                                                                                  7.Apr.11

Now I understand why I am not making any progress with this book and with my life. I am so consumed with hatred and pain. Somehow dwelling on them gives me a masochistic satisfaction. I am so entertained by the idea that I have some drama in life.

I must move on.
I must grow up.
But first, I need to heal.

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