Some updates

I am exhausted.

The past few weeks have been unbelievably busy with work and ministry.

Here are some updates:

• Been pretty busy at work preparing for publicity for the March issues of our magazines. March is usually a busy month for the company that I work for. It doesn’t help that we’re now a team of 4 people. Hard, but that’s that and we just have to take the challenge and make the most of what we have.
  
  
• Been very busy also with the Singles’ Ministry at church. We’re preparing for a Singles’ Getaway, which we’ve decided will happen on the last weekend of March. It’s fun working with a group of very diverse personalities. Tiring at times, because we usually work on the ministry after eight or more hours of our own respective work. But it’s all worth it — fulfilling and fun at the same time.
  
  
• I’m back in Gold’s Gym. Finally got to avail of the corporate package after a month of waiting. It feels great to be working out again. I went running for 40 minutes yesterday. Really great to get back on the groove.
  
  
• I am really happy about the growth of the small groups of women that I lead. I know it’s not a numbers thing. But every single week, new women come and attend the small group meetings. I had to start a new sked on Thursdays so there’s more room for women to attend my Sunday sked. But now both groups have at least 12 people. I am so grateful to God for entrusting these women to me. I don’t know why it’s happening now but I am just overwhelmed.
  
  
• One of the women who came last Thursday is one of the writers of this You Changed My Life, which is set to hit the moviehouses on Wednesday. I am SO excited. SO excited! Haha, I just had to say it twice.

What I'm Loving Now

Okay, I am absolutely going bonkers over this song. I first heard a snippet of it when American Idol contestant Anne Marie Boskovich sang two lines from a song she’d heard Kara Dioguardi sing in a concert in Nashville.

The song is called Strangers and Angels, written by Kara Dioguardi, Jess Cates, and Chris Tompkins.

Strangers and Angels
(as performed by Kara Dioguardi)

Why is that man taking up my time?
Bringing me down
‘cause he’s begging for a dime
Why don’t he get a job?

Why is that girl
Holding up the line
Don’t she know
I got somewhere to be
Got a busy life
Why don’t she hurry up

Sometimes it feels like
They’re all against me
Standing in my way

But what if these strangers
Are telling me something
Oh I gotta slow up
I’m always in a rush

What if these strangers
Are really my lessons
And the little I have
is gonna be enough

Maybe I should be thankful
Stop being so ungrateful
For all of these strangers

Coz what if they’re angels
What if they’re angels from above

So what if those kids
crossing the road
are keeping me
from somewhere
I’m not yet supposed to go
And they’re teaching me patience
Patience

We’re all living
Like we’re made of steel
Like the clock ain’t tickin’ away

But what if these strangers
Are telling me something
Oh I gotta slow up
I’m always in a rush

What if these strangers
Are really my lessons
And the little I have
is gonna be enough

Maybe I should be thankful
Stop being so ungrateful
For all of these strangers

Coz what if they’re angels
What if they’re angels from above

So what if that man
Who was taking up my time
Was about to say something
That was gonna change my life
I think I’ve figured it out

All of these strangers
Are telling me something
Oh I gotta slow up
I’m always in a rush

All of these strangers
Are really my lessons
And the little I have
is gonna be enough

Maybe I should be thankful
Stop being so ungrateful
For all of these strangers

Coz what if they’re angels
What if they’re angels from above

The AI fever is on!

I’ve been a fan of American Idol since season 3, when the show first aired in the Philippines through Star World.

Year after year, I would head on home early (or into our storage area at the office where we had a TV with cable) to watch every single episode.

American Idol has seen me through good times and bad. I remember watching Season 3 with my former significant other before we parted ways five years ago. Season 4 marked the beginning of the end. By the time the Top 12 of Season 4 had been decided, we had broken up and AI became my refuge. The following seasons were not as tumultuous but were exciting nevertheless.

Season 8 started a few weeks ago and I’ve already got some favorites:

Matt Breitzke - who auditioned in Kansas and sang “Ain’t No Sunshine.” I like underdogs. I liked Scott Savol, Taylor Hicks, and Elliott Yamin, who from their auditions didn’t seem like they would get far in the competition. He’s not young, current, or gorgeous. He’s your average American man with a blue collar job. But when you hear his voice, WOW! The man’s certainly got it.

Danny Gokey - who auditioned in Kansas and sang “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.” His wife had passed away and he wasn’t even sure if he was going to audition because he was overcome with grief. Well, I’m sure glad he went ahead and auditioned because the guy’s got soul! He’s pretty cute, too.

Anoop Desai - who auditioned in Kansas and sang “Grateful.” I didn’t expect that voice to come out of Anoop. But who auditions wearing slippers? Haha! He looks like a pretty funny guy. I think he might make it far in the competition.

Joanna Pacitti - who auditioned in Louisville and sang “We Belong.” She was already signed by a recording company but didn’t make it far. She looks like she’s gone through a lot and I’m glad she’s getting this break. Pretty girl, powerful vocals.

Alexis Grace - who auditioned in Louisville and sang “Dr. Feel Good.” Her name alone is ready for stardom. She’s cute and has a big voice.

Leneshe Young - who auditioned in Louisville and sang something she composed herself. Cool girl! Cool song! Very young, very fresh, wonderful voice.

Can’t wait for Hollwood week!