Black Nazarene, Life Back in Corvallis, and the State of Sorrow

MORE ON THE FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE

This won't be too much longer there is much to cover this evening. As I look at the picture on the left, flashbacks of what that day was like go through my mind. I was quite amazed at the men who would cathc people's handkerchiefs or towels, wipe the image, and then throw it back to whoever handed it to them. According to my aunt, they always get it back to the right person. Talent! I am still inspired by the devotion that the people have for the Black Nazarene. One person said that these people sin throughout the year and then come back this time each year to ask for forgiveness. First of all... Not everybody there is like that, I'm sure. Also, how are we to know that that's what they do. Most importantly, we are all sinners who need to ask for forgiveness. Christ died on the cross so that we may be forgiven. What harm does it do to devote one day and seek forgiveness for the sins that we commit everyday? There is something so deeply moving about seeing so many people giving up their day (this was a weekday) to honor Jesus through their own suffering --seeking forgiveness.

It's difficult to describe what the streets looked like that day. It was just full of people.

This picture was taken from the elevated rail system (LRT) that we took going home. This whole street was full of people going towards the Basilica of the Black Nazarene, or otherwise known as Quiapo Church. This is just one street out of many. We were told that the image did not make it back to the Church until 10:00pm. A lot of people had been there since early in the morning to get a glimpse of the image. The organizers had changed the route this year and plenty of people were against this. Streets leading to the new route were blocked so they were forced to stick to the old route. Nobody really knew where to expect seeing the image because of all the confusion. We were very fortunate to have seen it fairly close. I was told that there was a reason for having seen it this close. I feel as if the blessings came from all the people who were there to honor the Black Nazarene and the opportunity to have been part of all this.

LIFE AFTER MANILA

I have to admit that leaving Manila was very tough. It was equally hard arriving in Oregon. I don't think I've quite recovered yet. I know I haven't gotten over the jetlag as evident by my waking up early, early in the morning and feeling hunger pangs at about 3:30am (7:30pm Manila time -- dinner time!). I miss the people. I miss the countless opportunities for activities around the city. I miss the life.

Upon arriving in Corvallis I thought I could go straight to work. I tried for about an hour and felt my eyes getting heavier by the second. My time at work hasn't been very productive because of other issues that need to be dealt with and my jetlag. I hope to recover soon because there's a lot of work that needs to be done.

NEWS FROM THE HEART

My time back has been very difficult because of other events that have occured in my life that I had to deal with right away. I am not quite sure how much I care to divulge, but feel the need to express my sorrow. I have lost someone very dear to my heart. It's not a death or anything as serious as that. Yet losing a friend has been so very hard for me to take; especially since it's someone I considered to be one of my best friends. Life takes its turns and continuing on with this friendship would just not be healthy for me. I never thought I could feel so much heartache. How could something that's supposed to be the right decision feel so horribly wrong?

I've been advised by so many people for the past few months to end this friendship because of how difficult it has been and because it just wasn't healthy. I clung on to false hopes and dreams. I also held on to the dearest friend I've ever had -- one that I felt understood me better than any other friend. This person always had just the right question to get me thinking. This person knew how to make me laugh. This friend was always ready to listen. This friend showed me what life following Jesus and His Gospel is all about. This friend taught me to be myself because being counter-cultural is OK. This friend has taken me to mountain tops and once worked 5 hours straight to bring me back down safely from one. This friend was somebody I could enjoy the clouds, the stars, and the quiet with. It saddens me that there were other plans for our lives and that being in each other's lives is just not one of those plans. I will miss this dear, dear friend of mine. I will forever treasure the memories we shared and pray only the best for this person.