Finally survived the last week of the semester and it feels good to have all of my finals behind me. The past week was truly a mental struggle. There were a couple of days where I had to pull an all-nighter and if not, I slept just when the sun was about to rise. All-nighter. A term used by students when they neglect sleep usually for a reason of preparing themselves for a test that could make or break their career. I am a person who values sleep a lot so I was not in my best shape the entire week when I had to neglect one of the most treasured things in my life. I strenuously tried to retain a great load of information in my head with a half-awake mind. Every day, I sat in the corner of our couch, burning my brows from morning till dawn. (I have to acknowledge my family's sacrifice of not watching their favorite shows because of me.) The house was always so quiet that the usual sound you would hear was me murmur-reading the contents of Pharm or Patho.

It was a crazy week, I admit, but the Lord was faithful to supply me every day. I have not been able to spend personal morning time with the Lord because I could not wake up in time and I am immune to my alarm clock's nagging. But because I had been sleeping irregularly, I found myself awake at five in the morning which usually is the perfect time to talk to the Lord. I was able to do this a couple of times throughout the week and I just gotta say that it was the sweetest and most rewarding feeling of all! I miss feeling like that. The atmosphere was just peaceful and quiet. Your mind is empty of worries, thoughts and anxieties because you are just beginning your day. In my case, although I was preoccupied with my exam, the calm environment made it easy to really lose myself into the personal fellowship. The morning dew was fresh. The manna was rich. His grace was my supply. His presence was my rest. His life was my growth. There was the emptying then the filling. To His love I felt bound. To His bossoms I was drawn near. Throughout the day I was enjoying Him. Then I was thirsty for Him again, I was hungry again, and I was longing for His supply. The Lord used my week to gain me thoroughly and remind me how important and precious it is to spend and give my morning to the Lord. Every morning I have to fight the sloth inside me and be powered up in His word and presence.

First Bite Was The Sweetest

To all waffle lovers out there, who have not tried the authentic Belgian Waffle yet (by authentic I mean straight from Belgium made by Belgians), I am shockingly please to announce that America's very own IHOP beats waffles by a Belgian man any day.

My first bite was a struggle. I was given a plastic fork to dig into my little waffle in a little plate with generous amount of toppings. Oh btw, I forgot to mention waffles in Belgium are considered as street foods. So there's a plus to my comfort. What broke my heart was the lack of fluff my waffle had compared to IHOP's fattening fluffy buttermilk waffle. It is quite sad to eat that healthy, skinny waffle without the accustomed rich fat.

One thing I would credit them for is their adventurous toppings that can variously consist of different types of chocolates, fruits, ice creams and whatever your sweet tooth can crave. The beauty of it all can evidently attract passersby, especially tourists (ehem!)

Nonetheless it still pleases me to declare my first Belgian meal was their Belgian waffle. :)

Fly A Plane

From bucket list

Obtaining knowledge concerning the unknown helps decrease one's phobia towards it.

This, I realized when the mechanics of propellers, flaps and ailerons were briefly explained to me one hot summer day.

He took an hour to explain the significance of every part of the plane from outside and inside controls. I honestly was not able to absorb (half) of what he said for my brain was still processing the fact that I will be maneuvering a plane in less than 60 minutes. My sister was documenting so let's hope she captured the lesson including his name (which I also forget). I can be of no blame. Look at how overwhelming the cockpit is!

My excitement was beyond my own comprehension.And it all became real the moment I sat myself inside the cockpit. Good thing my sister was brave enough to trust me and sat in the passenger's seat. Notice how the aviator has to wear an aviator (excuse my awful pun).

Most of my time in the air was spent enjoying the view of Jones Beach and fancy Long Island beach houses.

And trying not to be nauseous from all the sudden dives and loop attempts that I dared myself to accomplish in that full hour of being above ground. My pink radio phone helped me listen to the code messages that my co-pilot was exchanging with traffic controller. Despite how gibberish their conversation was to me, that pink headphones served its purpose, look cute and lessen the migraines.

Although I had the privilege to push the throttle lever and pull the control wheel for take off, it was him who took over the landing. And we had a safe landing!

Thanks for flying with us folks!