Reminiscing the 5 degree freezing at Mt. Bromo! The people in this photo are literally scattetred all over the world! Miss you guys, so much. 

On Christmas & some sad things

I'm back and yes, I AM ALIVE. :) Very sad what happened and family and friends have been frantically calling me about the tragedy and as shameful as it is, I had no idea that part of Indonesia was already washed out by that movie-like incident. My sister called me and asked if I was ok, almost instantly after she turned on CNN. I have a rather paranoid family but my uncle says it's lessening thru the generations so now you can imagine how my grandmother was feeling when she saw CNN! Anyway, my sis told me that an intensity 8.9 earthquake shook Indonesia and I was sure I was in Indonesia and save for the sound of the rain on the roof, there was NOTHING. Then I turned on the TV and saw the horror, it was in Aceh. This is the westernmost tip of the island of Sumatra and Java (where Jakarta is) is to the east of the island. The tsunami moved towards the west, hitting Sri Lanka and all the other countries on that side in varied intensities. The other islands did not feel anything and Indonesia is a HUGE country so it's not unlikely. I feel so grateful (for being safe) and terrible at the same time, especially when I see the kids on TV. War has been going on in Aceh for quite a while now and perhaps it's a divine hand to stop everything once and for all, just sad that so many innocent lives had to be affected. Well, He has reasons and though we may not understand them now (especially to those who have lost their loved ones) nevertheless, we trust and leave everything to Him who knows best. Such a Christmas perhaps but then again, this is a reminder to one and all that things can happen, from the mundane to the earth-shaking ANYTIME and life is uncertain so we should live each day like it was the last day of our lives. And this is not just towards our own selves but live life in the sense that we touch others and be touched in return. Life is beautiful and people are to be loved and cared for, it shouldn't take a thousand deaths to realize these things. Merry Christmas to everyone and a better year ahead for the world! One filled with love, peace and respect for humanity! :)