It's been a while since I really "blogged", at least a year I believe. The last blog post I remember was still something I did for
Tropang Buangz, which is long gone by now. Mostly I have just been using my blogspace as an online archive for my photos, prose and poetry. So, with the time I have now, which should be spent auditing and working, I have decided to "blog."
Hmmm...question now is...where do I begin?
April 30th - Malibu Retreat Center Hunting DayA weekend I was so looking forward to after a week of corny, must-entertain jokes from sadist co-workers, hormonal bosses (two are pregnant) and everyday lunches of the same type of Hot Pockets (pepperoni) which never really filled me up.
So there we were, Clete by the driver's seat, moi (pronounced as
moy per the RnR Dictionary 1st Edition) on the fron passenger seat, and at the back seat of Clete's truck where Rheza and Teresa (Clete's daughter). Teresa had quite a sour stomach that day, poor lil' angel.
The first scheduled stop is the Salvation Army's Camping Grounds but we missed it on the way to Malibu so we decided to check out the Serra Retreat Center First which was owned and run by the Franciscans. The view from the retreat center was B-E-A-Utiful! A garden complete with benches was situated atop a cliff which overlooked some hills on one side, Pepperdine University on the side as well, and up front was the beach! The retreat center also had a nice and simple but beautiful labyrinth made of rocks with the center, and end, of the labyrith being a cross. Perfect for a retreat session/reflection on life! Clete, Rhez and I unanimously decided to use this venue for one of the Core Team's retreats.
Here are some photos taken at Serra Retreat Center (
click on photos to see larger versions)
A view of the cliff garden that overlooks the beach and the hills.
Rheza sitting by the cliff's edge.
The labyrinth.
After dropping by the gift shop we started to head back through the canyon trying to find the Salvation Army Camps. This time around we found the campsites. Teresa was still not feeling well and was left in the truck taking a nap while Clete, Rheza and i went around the two camp sites for a look-see. The place was huge and had complete facilities, conference rooms, mess halls, lodges and cabins, courts, swimming pools, campfire pits, wall climbing, a teepee, even frisbee golf! The works I tell you! Camp Gilmore, the smaller area, was the one we opted to rent out for one of the retreats.
Here are some snapshots from the campsites! (
Click on images to see larger versions.)
Rhez with her freebie lemonade and Clete...swing swing!
Moi & Clete...this is THE life.
A stream that flows through the Salvation Army's campsites.
After Camp Gilmore all our stomachs started grumbling and we headed back down the canyon towards the freeway, but first, a quick stop at Mickey D's (ika nga ng pinoy...McDo.)
Rheza and Teresa went to confession courtesy of the "bothered" Fr. John Kyebasuuta (is it two "u"s or two "a"s?) After that and a quick chat with Clete & Rheza, which knocked some sense into me, `twas off to Borders Bookstore, one of the little Heaven's on Earth, to pick up Ralph, then homeward bound.
May 1st Teresa's First Communion Teresa had her first communion during the LifeTeen Youth Mass at 5:30PM After which the teens got together with Clete, his family, and his wife's family to celebrate. Too bad Clete, Emeroy, I were not able to take pictures of Teresa actually having her first communion since we were all serving. But here is a group photo taken after mass and during cleanup!
Holy Family Youth Ministry...well a fraction of it.
At the back of Clete's truck.
