Yeah the Korean costume thing went out well, but I'm not blogging much about that here.. Check out my Multiply for pics. :)

So I'm back after.. 3 days? Spent a freaking night without the internet. Amazing, I spent one night without the internet.. HAHAHA. Anyway, I just got back from the Regional Youth Conference for this year, which was held in PWC. It was AWESOME, I'm serious (but I'd expect the ILC to be MORE awesome). I know some people who were supposed to be there didn't come for some reason which is kinda sad, since they missed out on A LOT of fun. The opening program was lively since we had worship immediately then the program, some dances numbers then the competitions. It was much of a bore during the competitions since we just sat outside the girls' quarters playing Mini Monopoly courtesy of Lavi. Then after that, we proceeded to our workshops. I attended the song writing workshop since it was the one that I'd be most interested in anyway.. I learned that when writing a song, it has to be personal and it's like a prayer. And yeah, don't be shy in expressing. Don't think what others say, it's just you and God. Anyway, after that was the Lord's Day. Pretty much like what the Jews did on Sabbath Day. Pass around the bread, drink wine (in our case, grape juice! lol) and pray. After that, we ate dinner and prepared ourselves for the BEST part of the RYC: PRAISE AND WORSHIP TO THE MAX.

This is my second time to take part in a praise and worship session. The first was in the High School Conference in CAP. Anyway, the first who shared during the session was Kuya Jonathan. He worked as a YFC missionary in the Carribean and he shared his experiences there. He told us that it was hard to convince the youth there to join the worship. Like, he stood on stage singing and clapping and jumping then the kids just stared at him. Pretty much like that. But in the end, the kids he handled finally got hang of the worship bit and joined in the fun. The second who shared was Kuya Flip and he shared to us his life as a teen in YFC. He was a member of YFC but he engaged in premarital sex and he was into drinking alcohol and liquor. But by God's grace, he was saved and he was changed. Also, he told us that in life, there are those "OH MY GOD" moments. But if there are those moments, there are also the "ONLY MY GRACE" moments. It really made me think of what good has God done to me but I never really noticed it or even the simplest luck I had actually possessed a deeper meaning. In my life, I've experience SOOOO MANY OH MY GOD moments. From really random ones to really messed up ones, I have too many to mention and as life passes it's amount increases.

Then the BESTEST part came: WORSHIP. A melancholic mix of upbeat and heartwarming slow songs filled the night with music. I just love the worship part. I don't really care about the other activities. I mainly go to YFC events to join the worship. It's like you and God have your tiny little space in between the crowds and in every passing worship that I attend, the "floating" sensation I feel gets more intense. As usual, I cry during worship since I release all my pain and I lift up all my worries, problems and intentions but this crying session was the most emotional so far. Yeah I won't mention why since it's too personal (no love related things involved, k?) but I felt relieved when I cried since I had my friends around me giving me big warm hugs. So to Che, Mariel (researchmate!), Micah and the other people, thanks for the hugs guys! And yes, I'd be looking forward to another worship session in our Youth Camp. Hope to relieve all the pain, again.

After the worship and finals night was sleeping time. I slept for about an hour only since my back hurt and I couldn't figure out what position was comfortable for me to sleep in. So I got up at around 4am with the other people who were joining the Fun Run. Mariel, Fati, Caith and I went to Lispher Inn to take a bath since Mariel's brother and yaya checked in there and we could use the bathroom. Gaaaah, it felt great to have another warm shower after I don't know how many years. I took a bath first and Mariel took the longest time to take a bath. HAHA. In between, Mariel's yaya told us about when Mariel was a kid and she asked us some stuff. Then after that, we walked back to PWC and assembled in the main venue for the Holy Mass. After the Mass was another session and I didn't really remember what the dude said but I remember was that he made us gather in groups and say a prayer together. As all nerds think alike, us Pisayers gathered in a circle, held hands and prayed fiercely. We prayed that no matter what happens to us whether we have jobs, our own families, our own careers, we're in college and other things, we would always stay together in praising God and glorifying Him. Mariel and I also prayed really really hard so that our research paper would be successful and we could join competitions and the like. Then, another worship session and a bit more crying, then it was all over.

Two days of heaven is over.

So after the RYC, I learned some important life lessons..

- God would always love me even if I suck sometimes. In God's eyes, I'm never a failure.
- Heaven is not a place but it is an unforgettable moment kept in our heart.
- God is gracious. He'd never let us down.
- Praising God is best done with the ones you love!

So to those who were there at the RYC, I LOVE YOU GUYS! I'm really glad we all had a great, great bond. God brought us all together therefore we shall LOVE HIM AND OFFER OUR LIVES TO HIM! Amen? AMEN.

So after the RYC (huhuhu), my parents got my things and we headed to Tito Bong's (aka Ate Ara's dad slash Ma'am Muico's husband) wake. It's pretty sad that Tito Bong died since he was one of the RYC's organizers (that's what I heard) and he really wanted us youth to go there and praise God. He was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer and he died 2 months and 5 days after the diagnosis at the age of 52 (woah, he's younger than my dad!). As I recall, I never really knew personally and the only time I saw him was during Ate Ara's graduation last year. Anyway, Ate Ara and I were talking about it and we kinda related since my mom's a cancer survivor and all. Ate Ara told me that she was well prepared for it and she's envious of her dad since he's in heaven with God (which is WAY better than Earth). Tito Bong lived a good life, I agree. Even if I didn't know him personally, I know that he did something amazing to make YFC a tool to make us youth closer to God. :)

After the chit chat about Tito Bong, Ate Ara and I talked about other things like the ILC and how YFC changed her life and what it is like to be an active member and all. We reminisced (naks!) the days back in Carnelian Sarykopa.. Hahaha. Ate Ara also shared to me that improving a bad habit must be done slowly but surely. Drastic changes bring drastic results, negative ones I guess. We also shared some secrets and from there, Ate Ara promised me something for our Youth Camp. Well, I won't keep my expectations high so that I wouldn't be frustrated. And, I'd be looking forward to another chika session with Ate Ara.. We got cut short since my parents already picked me up.

So that concluded my absolutely amazing weekend. Badminton mania during sembreak! And assignments. Blaaaaah.