My Ecclesial World

The Amazing Race 7 Season Finale Update

Synopsis

After suffering a flat tire and being stripped of all their money and possessions, married couple Uchenna & Joyce battled back from last place to win THE AMAZING RACE and the $1 million prize. Engaged couple Rob & Amber, who suffered a huge blow when Uchenna & Joyce got tickets on their flight to Miami at the last moment, took second place after becoming lost in Little Havana. A wrong turn heading to the airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico forced former POW and pageant queen Ron & Kelly to take a later flight to Miami, resulting in a third-place finish.

Route Markers: Leg 11

DETOUR: Raft It or Build It

Raft It: From Grant’s Level in Jamaica, Teams had to travel eight miles down the Rio Grande on a traditional bamboo raft, using only a pole to steer. Believing that eight miles was far too long to travel on the slow-moving river, all three remaining Teams decided against this option.

Build It: At Grant’s Level in Jamaica, Teams must build a bamboo raft using all parts correctly. Once they completed it, Teams must use the raft to cross the river; their next clue waited atop a hill on the other side. All three remaining Teams, Rob & Amber, Ron & Kelly and Uchenna & Joyce, chose to build rafts on this leg.

Roadblock

At Frenchman’s Cove, Jamaica, one Team member had to participate in the traditional Jamaican party game called the Limbo. In this version, each rung of the limbo stick corresponded to a departure time from Frenchman’s Cove the next morning. Teams had eight chances to achieve the earliest time, 8:15 am. Amber, Kelly and Joyce did the limbo for their Teams.

Route Markers: Leg 12

DETOUR: Pony Up or Tee It Up

Pony Up: At Rose Hall Great House Resort in Jamaica, Teams must participate in a local sport, horseback swimming, by riding a horse into the ocean. Once their horse started swimming, the racers must slide off and hold onto its tail as the horse swam around buoys and headed back to shore. No Team chose this option.

Tee It Up: At Rose Hall Great House Resort in Jamaica, Teams must don golf apparel and head to the driving range, where they must hit a golf ball into a 16-foot area 140 yards away to earn their next clue. All three remaining Teams, Rob & Amber, Ron & Kelly and Uchenna & Joyce, teed up on this final leg.

Roadblock

At the Castillo de San Felipe del Morro Fort in San Juan, Puerto Rico, one Team member had to jump off of a 30-foot bridge and swim 90 yards to retrieve the next clue. Amber, Ron and Uchenna performed this final Roadblock for their Teams.

Results

The teams finished in the following order in the first leg of this episode:
#1. Ron and Kelly.
#2. Rob and Amber.
#3. Uchenna and Joyce. (Stripped of money and possessions, start final leg without)

The teams finished in the following order in the second leg of this episode:
#1. Uchenna and Joyce. (Won the Amazing Race and the $1 Million Cash prize)
#2. Rob and Amber.
#3. Ron and Kelly.

Commentary

1. The best season yet after Amazing Race 5

2. Cheaters never win, and Romber cheated…

3. Uchenna and Joyce ran the race fair and well…therefore they simply deserve to win this race…

4. Watch out for The Amazing Race 8 Family Edition this fall…

May 8, 2005   Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (A) - White

First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 47
"God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord."
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23
Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

"And behold, I am with you always, until the end of age."
There are times when we feel we are down. These are the times when we experience trouble and difficulties. We often feel that we don’t have someone to accompany us, someone to share our stories and to ask for help. This is human reality. Not all the time there is someone that will give us help. We should face reality by ourselves. But we could talk to someone and ask for his presence. That is - God. He is the only one we could call upon and ask for help in our moments of silent reflection.

This is what Jesus was talking about the past few Sundays. We knew for a fact that Jesus is going back to heaven. This mystery we celebrate today - the Great Solemnity of the Lord’s Ascension. Jesus ascends to heaven body and soul and sits at the right hand of his Father. But before Jesus goes back to his origin, he entrusts something to his disciples. He entrusts to them the Church. In his incarnation, Jesus’ mission of salvation was introduced. During his public ministry, he taught of the kingdom of heaven for those who are worthy and is still open for those who are unworthy-turned-believers. During his Paschal Mystery, he made salvation possible through his death on the cross. In his resurrection, Jesus bridged the gap between salvation and rejection, equating the mystery of his humanity and divinity and making possible the redemption of mankind. Jesus shows God’s ultimate power. During the resurrection appearances, Jesus continues his mission through the different apparitions he made. And now, his ascension, Jesus caps his mission - His mission on earth is accomplished - that is for his part; but for the apostles’ part, this mission is simply the beginning. This is what we are still continuing up to this present time. This is the foundation of our mission.

What is our mission as Christians then? "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…" We are called as Christians to unite with Christians and to live as Christians. We make disciples when we practice our discipleship ourselves. We are in union with the discipleship in Christ. We should not only practice our Christian calling in our own places, but we should proclaim it to all peoples, not being hypocrites. "…baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,…" When we mean baptize, we don’t only mean baptism as a sacrament, but we mean bringing God’s gift of life to other people. We should bring this life through our faith. We should live this life in our faith. When we enlighten people with the truths of our faith, we "baptize" them in our faith. This is the uniqueness of our Christian mission. "…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." Jesus taught during his lifetime. These teachings should be practiced. Hence, the truth of our faith lies on the commands and teachings of Christ. We live as Christ’s disciples when we practice what he preached. When we bring out Christ’s teaching, we, also, should practice Christ’s teachings. As a summary, our mission is simply: to live out our faith patterned to Christ’s teachings and enlighten others with this faith.

Jesus left his disciples. But his presence is with them. He lives them a mission. They are the ones to act for this mission. He tells them that call upon the name of God in moments of awe and rejection, and God will come to the rescue. This is what we should as Christians be. There will come a time that in our lives, our mission will be accomplished.

Living as Christians

We have a mission. Jesus left it for us to continue. When we feel alone and hopeless in this mission, just call upon the name of the Lord and he will come immediately!

Special Section: 39th World Communications Day

Theme: "The Communications Media: At the Service of Understanding Among Peoples"

Modern technology places at our disposal unprecedented possibilities for good, for spreading the truth of our salvation in Jesus Christ and for fostering harmony and reconciliation. Yet its misuse can do untold harm, giving rise to misunderstanding, prejudice and even conflict. The theme chosen for the 2005 World Communications Day - "The Communications Media: At the Service of Understanding Among Peoples" - addresses an urgent need: to promote the unity of the human family through the use made of these great resources.

My prayer on this year’s World Communications Day is that the men and women of the media will play their part in breaking down the dividing walls of hostility in our world, walls that separate peoples and nations from one another, feeding misunderstanding and mistrust. May they use the resources at their disposal to strengthen the bonds of friendship and love that clearly signal the onset of the Kingdom of God here on earth.

- Pope John Paul II
from the Message of the Holy Father for
the 39th World Communications Day

May 8, 2005 is also MOTHERS’ DAY. May Mary, the Mother of all Mothers, be the ultimate model of humility and meekness. Mary’s motherhood is the definitive model of what a mother should be.

May 4 Wednesday
"Oh, shiyet!" while crossing the street

Today is our second to the last day in school. In chem, we had 2 lab activities. First we had ice cream making. Our group (Kev S., Tippy, Doms, Trish, Rexie and meh!) made two flavors: the fresh mango ice cream and cookies and cream. We were lucky coz we got to use two blenders so we were able to do the steps simultaneously. After that, we had tie-dye. I used green for my shirt. The nakakainis thing is that, I was wearning lab gown na nga, natuluan pa ng dye yung pants ko. So Mr. Cesar, the lab tech, gave me hydrogen tetrachloride para matanggal. Pero ayaw parin. So, anyways, matatanggal nman cguro yun in tym habang nilalabahan. After chem, I went to have the notes photocopied sa GS library. Then I gave (the gurls) them some notes so that they could use it in school. Tapos, tinamad na magturo si Ms. Marie Santos, so geom was free time.

After that, niyaya ako ni Trish na sumama sa 711. At first ayaw ko, pero napapayag nila ako! So sumama ako, first tym ko naglakad from LSGH to 711. Anyways, marami nman kmi: ako, ogie, kev s., trish, patricia, doms and tippy. Nung mag-cross na kmi ng street, I ran saying, "Oh, shit! The cars…" kc nman po, ang daming cars. Kev S. was laughin at meh. Pero okie lng. hehe… After that, bumili lng kmi ng drinks. Then Trish, Patricia and I went back to LSGH walking again. Nagulat nlng kmi na sumunod pala si Kev S. and Ogie.

Yun, dat was my first tym to walk from LSGH to 711.

May 5 Thursday
At last…Buhuhuhu…

Today is our last day for summer advanced. Late nako pumasok, dumating ako school mga 8:00am nah. First, sinamahan ko muna si Kuya Michael (driver) magpakabit ng car sticker. Then, I went to the room where they were not yet starting the party. SO, it was kinda’ boring…pero okie lng. Vitto, MickMick and I waited for the pizza sa lobby. Tapos we needed to cut it into half pa so we stayed sa art room where we borrowed Sir Randi’s bread knife. Since alam nmin na mauubos agad yun, kumuha na kmi ng tig-iisang slices. hehe…daya noh! Tapos party until 10+…

After 10:30 umalis na kmi papunta galleria. I decided to join Kevin S, Rexie, Doms, Tippy and Trish. Naglakad kmi from LSGH to Galle. First Tym! So pagdating nmin, andun na sina Ogie, Vitto at Mick. Then we had a studio pic taken. Tapos lunch kami sa kitaro. Tapos nag-ikot kami. Since aalis na sina Kev S. at Rexie at 1:30, natira nlng kmi 5. We watched "wedding date" afterwards. Itw as lyk My Best Friend’s Wedding. The same story line but hinaluan ng uniqueness nman siyempre. After movies, nag-ikot ulit. Then…we went down sa arcade kasi nagpasama c trish. Yun, nkita namin yung enerG dun…tapos my cellphone’s batt went empty…kaya nagpacharge kami dun sa cellphone shop sa basement…buti sinamahan ako ni Tippy! Thanks Tippy!!! Tapos, may sundo is coming na, so I went na to Aunt Anne’s with Tippy and Doms. Tapos nalaman ko na neighbors lang pala kmi ni Doms. So, since wala syang transpo pauwi, sinabay ko an sya pauwi. That’s my first real galle adventure ever…

Thanks Tippy, Doms, Trish, Rexie, Kev S. and Ogie!!! Our memories will be treasured forever!!! You’re the best!!! When is our next gig?!?! haha… c ya’ all soon…

Til the next bloggin’

This is our group pic:

(L-R) top: me, trsih, doms, tippy; bottom: ogie, rexie, kev s.

The Amazing Race 7 Update

May 4 Ep. 10
"Goodbye, Meredith & Gretchen…"

After missing a crucial flight in the previous leg, engaged couple Rob & Amber and former POW and pageant queen Ron & Kelly turned the tables, landing in London, England well ahead of married couple Uchenna & Joyce and retired married couple Meredith & Gretchen. By yielding Ron & Kelly, Rob & Amber maintained their lead en route to another first-place finish. Meanwhile, a grueling Detour finally took its toll on Meredith & Gretchen. When they stepped onto the mat in last place, Meredith & Gretchen became the eighth and final Team eliminated from THE AMAZING RACE. On his partner, Meredith commented, “This is an amazing woman. She’s the love of my life and my soul mate. I think she’s the most beautiful woman in the world.” Gretchen remarked, “We are so happy we came this far. All the things we’ve been able to do and friendships that we’ve made, it’s just been a totally incredible experience for the two of us.”

Commentary
I think Meredith and Gretchen have made an exceptional race…they will be remembered always as the first oldest team to stay in the Amazing Race for 11 legs. They are models of other contestants. It is true that they "won more than one million dollars for the memories and friendships" that they made during the race. It’s really for their one last big adventure. Kudos, to Meredith and Gretchen! You are the real winners of the Amazing Race 7!!!

P.S. Go to hell, Romber…

nice artwork by Kelly

A tribute to AR’s Meredith and Gretchen…

Today, classes resumed. A lot transpired. Ang daming kwento kahit nainis nnman ako sa test namin.

May 3 Tuesday
"That’s the algebra part…"

First things first, I woke up at 5:45am and ate breakfast. Then I slept again. I woke up mga 6:40am na. I had to rush. Nka-alis na ko ng bahay mga 7:10am. Gud thing walang traffic, I arrived at LSGH mga 7:25am na.

Chemistry
Chemistry is a bit of confusing already. The lessons are beginning to get tougher and tougher each day - if you don’t know what to do and what to multiply. We reviewed our lessons in stoichiometry and mole concept. Then Ms. Marie got mad. Its the first time I saw her get mad. She’s so nkakaawa…Poor her. My classmates naman kasi are really so noisy kasi eh. Anyways…she discussed also that we will have ICE CREAM MAKING tomorrow (lesson on emulsions). I was grouped with Kevin S., Doms, Tippy, Rexie and Trish. Ayun, we’re making different flavors: mango, cookies and cream and vanilla. Sorry, Lee, if I chose them over your group kasi it would be good if I joined coz they’ll not be here for the regular school year…next tym nlng. After that, while waiting for the Geom class to start, Kevin S. and I were talking to Fatima and she said that Ms. Dolly asked them to bring home the "cooked" frog backbone from their dissection last Thursday. Papagawin nnmang art ni Ms. Dolly…well, I can say, pwede na maging art teacher si Ms. Dolly! Tapus, we made kwento na on crushes with Tippy, Rexie, Doms and the others. Grabeh si Doms…patay na patay kay…may isa pa…*shhh*

Geometry
Pesteh! Geometry test was that HARD!!! Algebra kasi eh…Kevin S. and I were the last to pass the answer sheet…I left 6 questions hanging…and Ms. Marie Santos said, "That’s the algebra part…" with her intriguing laugh…Anyways, this is my lowest test…I bet…hey, but I got a 28/33 from my second test. My first test pala was bagsak, it was 42/65. Mr. Emlano got highest there - 64/65. Grabeh…talinoh! Extra/Supplementary lessons nlng kami tomorrow.

After class…
Went to Greenhills to eat lunch. Sina mommy, daddy and Trixie sumundo sakin. Then we went to grocery - to refill our food stock at home. I bought din ingridients for our ice cream-making project tom. Its our first and last lab activity together with the tie-dye. And then we went home nah. And here I am updating my blog.

Till the next bloggin….’cheers…

May 2 should have been a regular schoolday for me, but since it was declared a public holiday in lieu of May 1, we had no classes. The best part is…

May 2 Monday
Coffee break…

It was supposed to be a "luncheon" meeting…but it became a coffee meeting. Anyways, my Church friends (Ace and Sam) were scheduled to go out today: to eat and to make pasyal but we ended up to be meeting on sumthin. I left teh house for Greenhills mga 10:45am, arrived there at around 11am. Ang hirap tlga mag-park doon. Then Ace was there nah naghihintay sa labas ng Starbucks sa theatremall. We went inside and ordered our drinks. After that, this other guy, also from the youth of SSJ, entered. He is Ralph De Jesus, a college guy, na kinukwento sakin ni Ace na papalit sa kanya as Archdiocesan Head of the Youth. Then yun, we started the meeting with some kwento-kwento. Then Sam arrived too. Aba, na-op ako dahil ako lng ang high school at sila ay puro college na and in the same school: UST. Okie so the meeting went on. After an hour, dumating si Kaka, yung magaling kumanta, the president of the youth of SSJ. So we went on with the meeting and I ended up being the secretary, writing everything, then Ace gave me the job of printing and lay-outing the invitations and letters. Ako pa pinabili ng balloons. Anyways, the supposedly 1:00pm deadlyn of the mtg ended up delayed until 1:40pm. So, all-in-all, we had a good time listening to Ace’s hirits and finishing/accomplishing something for May 27’s activity. After that, sinabay ko na pauwi sina Ace and Ralph. I ended up also meeting 2 new people: Kaka (an acquaintance before) and Ralph (the other youth guy).

I went home afterwards and reviewed for our Math exam and Science evaluation.

Hot…hot…hot summer…the hot sun has invaded this part of the world again!!! Good thing there is what you call AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEM…a product of technology that makes your environment cooler amidst the heat of the sun.

This weekend is not boring, unlike the preceding weekend. The story goes…

April 29 Friday
Super Shopping Day…

Since SM Megamall is holding one of its mega sales of the year (the other one is on october), mommy and I (as always, the incredible shopping duo) went to Megamall. First stop was the Department store. She shopped for different plasticwares, and other home decorations which were marked off their original prices. Then I went to Giordano. They have this 70% Supersale for the month kasi magpapalit na sila ng collection. Bad thing is KORNY ang collection ng Giordano ngayon. Good thing, I did not buy anything from it. Then nagkita kami ni mommy sa Penshoppe. Madami mabibili kaya lang its just 10% off, so, nagsale pa sila! We can leave those for next time nalang. Then, we went to Sari-Sari Store (fashion store owned by Sharon Cuneta)where I saw this cool black polo with white pinstripes which was originally priced at P1899, now P399. The problem is it is the last stock and it is XL. During sales, alterations are not allowed. So, I did not get it. Mommy went to a ladies’ boutique, ako naman pumunta sa ABU (All Boxed-Up)…boutique siya ng pajamas and cutes polos. KORNY rin ang collection nila ngayon. Good thing: I didn’t buy anything. So nag-lunch nalang kami sa Maxx (fried Chicken store…). Then, I left mommy sa bench kasi I need to get my Sambuhay misslatte sa St. Pauls. Dumating na kasi ang subcription ko for May 2005. Then the masungit lady gave me this free book. It was very unusual of her. Anyways, we went back sa Dept. Store where I left mom while I do my shopping. I went to United Colors of Benetton, Oxygen, Memo, Guess, and Bossini. Wala pa rin ako nabili. Now while I was passing by, I saw this store, Blue Soda, where I saw this really cute green polo originally priced at P749.00…now P375. I got it. Its a steal. My first buy! Then sumunod is Blue Navy…yung shop na originally from Hong Kong din. Para siyang Gap. I saw this really cute white polo originally priced at P1400…now P700. Woah! Its really a steal! Kaya I got it na rin. Then, since napagod nako at halos naikot ko na buong Megamall, not to tell butas na rin ang bulsa ko, I stopped shopping nah. Madami rin kasing tao eh. Parang I shopped for 4 hours just to buy those 2 polos and some stuff. My gash. Then I saw mommy, ang dami na rin nabili. So we had to go home before we buy more.   

April 30 Saturday
Restday…

Since napagod kmi ni mommy sa shopping nung friday, we just stayed at home the whole day. One thing: AMAZING RACE 7 catch-up episodes marathon! Woah! From 1 pm to 6 pm - puro AR7 lang ginawa ko. Then internet, watch TV, update blog and sleep nah.

May 1 Sunday
Labor Day…

So…its Sunday today! Church day! I woke up at 9.45 am. Then morning routine. We have to leave home at 10:50am. We arrived at SSJ around 11:10am. Andun na si Jade, Nina and Sam. Wala nnman si Ace! Dalawang linggo ko na d nkikita yun ah! Anyways, Fr. Alex celebrated the mass. It was funny kasi at the end of the mass, he goes to the front near the people to bless the kids, then I said to the rest of the team that we should bless to the Father. Kaya yun, we blessed…haha…la lng…It was really hot sa commentator’s podium kahit i have my own electric fan there. They shouldve operated the aircon na kaya lng d pa prepared ang Church. Okie lang, tiis muna sa hot sun!

After mass, MEGA MALL again! to find out that the sale was extended until may 2, since it was declared a holiday! Nahirapan kami mag-park, gud thing na may umalis agad sa third floor parking. We went there just to buy the flowers mommy needs for the house decor. OKie, we ate at Yoshinoya. Yum…I really like their gyudon and miso soup, not to mention their mixed fruit iced tea. Then ikot ulit kami. Mas maraming sale item, mas maraming tao. Tinamad nako bumili ng kahit ano, I just got my VITAMIN E SOAP from The Body Shop. Yun lng then Ice monster kmi, watermelon ako then banana and langka si mommy. Tapos we went home. And I’m updating blog now.

Tomorrow…Sam, Ace and I have a scheduled meeting at Galleria. Kaya lang there are problems yata dahil may rally daw sa edsa shrine? i dunno…we’ll just find out tonight wat will happen!

Til’ the next blogging!