Counting my blessings.

It's been two weeks since I've been teaching my catechism class and believe me, it wasn't easy. For the past two weeks, I've been teaching these 80 kids about the Old Testament like the Story of Creation, Noah's Ark and they now know how to say the basic prayers and The Ten Commandments. But it's not always a one-way street. I also learned a valuable lesson that made an impact on my life. It's Gratitude. It's knowing that I'm more lucky blessed than them. and why I have a lot to thank God for everyday.  Why? Let me list some reasons why.

• I have a student whom I asked why she was absent and she said it was her brother's birthday and they celebrated it in a beach in Talisay. A public beach that doesn't have facilities or even a place to stay while I had been to Boracay, one of the best beaches in the world, twice.
• Most of my student doesn't an allowance for the day and is lucky enough if their mother will give them a peso or P5 to buy candy. While I complain if my mother gives me P100 a day. 
• They don't get enough sleep since they are required to wake up early to do chores while I can sleep as long as want and waking up with food on the table.
• Some of them haven't eaten in a restaurant in the city or even a fast food chain while I can eat wherever and whenever I want to eat. And I've tried some of the best in the city/country.
• Most of my students doesn't have a decent pair of slippers/shoes while I have a pair of Havaianas that I don't even use and dozens of pairs of shoes.
• Most of my students wears tattered clothes everyday while my closet is oozing out of clothes and I don't even wear some of my clothes twice.
• One of my students just witnessed his father go to jail after he whips his whole family and I thank God for not having a traumatic childhood and abusive parents. ( Hey Mommy and Papa, I know you're reading this :* )
• These kids doesn't have pencils (if they have, it's worn out) , ball point pens/pencils or bags while I don't even care if I lose mine and I have dozens of bags lying around the house.

It's hard to teach these kids when you always feel the guilt eating you up everyday and NO, I'm not making fun of these kids, I even salute them for having the will and determination to attend catechism classes and I can really see that in their hearts they want to know more about Jesus. They are what our future needs and everyday I pray they'll take the right path and when the hard times comes, they will make the right decisions. As they say, It's a big world and it's easy to get lost in it.

Was it even a Vacation?

.. because All I did was shopping . Lol. Aside from staying on a kick-ass room on the 26th floor in Crowne Regency, I pretty much didn't go anywhere in Manila. Poor me. But it was worth it though. I was able to shop at Robinson Galleria since it's adjacent to the hotel we're staying and I also eat my meals there (alone). One thing I like about our brief stay is that the mall was having a midnight sale (up to 70% off!)  and I don't have to worry about going home since the hotel has an own entrance to the mall. I shopped there until as long I could (alone.)

The next day, I was in Megamall the whole day! but I also went/walked (the heat was insane) to Shangrila to look for Harry Potter stuffs since they have a Barnes and Noble kiosk but mainly, I stayed in Megamall the whole day. Why? because of one store. Forever 21

. Do I need to repeat that? 

Forever 21.

'nuf said. The only reason why I wanted to go to Manila. The store is better than I imagined. I was reallllyyy starstrucked with the store.

 And do I need to remind to you that I'm an ignorant 17 year old  who loves clothes more than people and who lives in Cebu where we can only get Forever 21 clothes through online? 

The store is bigger than Rustan's. Everything was  beautiful and shiny and precious.

Okay, I think by now you get the point how magnificent the store was. I was shopping to my heart's content and until my parents' money has been used up. Lol. 

Did I mention I was doing this alone? 

If you asked why the word "alone" always comes up, it's not that I'm alone. My Mommy's with me but she's attending a national conference so I'm left with myself. And Charisse had classes and it was her Final's Week. 

So I guess, I'll just share pictures of me. Most of the pictures are taken in the hotel since it's where my mom is and she's the one taking pictures for me. =)) and the quality is not good since I was just using a point and shoot camera. HAHA Enjoy :)

The Colorful Life of Ceska :)

Papparazi

This is my twin sister, Charisse Ivy. :)

Photos by Me.

Minnie Mouse

One day, they will rule the world.

Catechism Students

If you have pencils, paper or crayons lying around your house, please contact me to I could give them to these kids who barely have enough money to support their education.

Thank You :)

Day 1- Recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

1. My complete name is Charmaine Inah Abas Calumpang
2. I'm 17 years old.
3. I love Cereal and Fruits.
4. I wear a purity ring.
5. I love the Philippines but I don't like living here.
6. I love reading! 
7. I never had a boyfriend. dun dun dun
8. I hate cats. 
9. I'm allergic to dust and heat.
10. I miss my high school life and friends. :(
11. I'd love to tour the world before I die. Who doesn't? :)
12. I want to be skinnnnnnnnyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.
13. I'm not a fan of Filipino Movies and Songs.
14. Favorite Movies: 500 days of Summer, Penelope, Stardust and anything on Disney =))))
15. Favorite Song: Terrfied - Katherine McPhee, Ever After - Bonnie Bailey, Iris - Goo Goo Dolls, Wake Up- Coheed and Cambria, You could be happy - Snow Patrol

Baby Kylie Calumpang :)