So, what about hurricane Katrina? It really shouldn't affect me right? Considering the fact that the country affected by it is halfway around the world from here. But it's not just a country, it's the US. So many of us filipinos have dreamed to go there they say is the modern day "land overflowing with milk and honey." Only this time, it's a land overflowing with milk and money. From where I work, we are definitely affected. Our client is based in the US and we are just the largest online travel agency in the US and maybe around the world. This means, a lot of travel has been affected by the hurricane and its aftermath. I received a lot of calls of travel plans cancelled, a much thought and well planned vacation postponed, business meetings rescheduled, a school fieldtrip rerouted, a house under water, tickets to be refunded, a wedding cancelled and the list is endless. At first, I had thought that I can just do my job, assist them as much as I could and move on. I was wrong. I had started to read the news online about Katrina, and to be honest, I am more aware and have a heart to its victim than to the plight and plea of my fellow countrymen. I don't browse to the local news to check as to what has been happening to my own country. I say to myself, "So, what's new anyway?"

Bottom line is, the future is not ours to tell as one song may put it quite appropriately. No matter how powerful and how successful a country may be, the US for example, we have NO control over the forces of nature. It's a disaster and no one can blame any one. Not even God. I've heard many lives affected, not by the dozens, not by the hundreds but by thousands and may be even millions. We mourn over the lives lost, properties destroyed and plans, plans, no matter how careful we planned them to be, we are still not in control. There are lessons to be learned from the disaster brought by hurricane Katrina, one lesson I can ponder from it is God's plan being not our plan and His ways being not our ways and being higher than our ways. In a way, I can only say that maybe God had intended to destroy some lives in order to spare thousands more. As heartless as it sounds He didn't even spare his own SON in order to save humanity from the consequences of sin. I know one thing for sure is that God longs to have communion with his creation. In difficult times, it is when we look up to ask for comfort and for help, it is when we realize that we need the help of something or someone higher than ourselves, it is when we realize that we can only do so much and the rest is up to God and most of all, it is when we seek His face. I read of a true story where it took a family years to build their dream house, everything was new and expensive, a multi million house that was built just right across a beautiful view of the ocean, only to be swept off by the hurricane in a day or two. The loss, the pain, the tragedy. Which brings me to a thought. Ever visited me at my house? Lovely isn't it? Cozy, warm and simply comfortable. Well, it took my family years to finally have our dream house. My family have invested a lot for that house and finally a beautiful home was established. It is not so conveniently located on top of a mountain, on a cliff that overlooks the city. Every Christmas and New Year, we celebrate with a view of fireworks all around us from the adjacent millionaire's village to the fireworks from houses and establishments below us. Maybe this year will be my last year to celebrate Christmas in that house, maybe or maybe not. We have put up our house for sale. I told you we were POOR right? Yeah! that kind of poor wherein you have to sell everything you own including your house to make ends meet. It's a long story and its not one I intend to post here. I dreamed, planned and hoped to spend my vacations in that house, wherever I may be, my home is still home and will always be where I feel at home. Get what I'm saying? I even dreamed of having my future bf propose at our balcony with a blanket of stars, cool breeze and spectacular lights of the city. Like what I wrote earlier, the future is not ours to tell... We're just looking for the right buyer and believe me, for a house with 6 bedrooms, a garage, a view and all that, we're selling it cheap. It pains me just thinking about what we're losing and I wish we didn't have to lose our source of income. Even if I work 24/7 it is not enough to pay skyrocketing bills. Unless, maybe if I marry a millionaire. Hahaha in my dreams! Besides, I marry for love and not for money. In a way I am thankful, rather than losing what we've worked for in a day or two, we had the time to enjoy our house. We even had the privilege of sharing its comforts to our friends and loved ones. All I will have are memories of that house on a cliff. Thank God even for memories. Rather than suffer sickness and the loss of a loved one, I am still better off losing our house. Who knows, maybe in the future, something bigger and better is ahead for me and my family. I have learned to never hold on too tightly something or someone. Maybe in time, they leave or tragedy strikes and you lose that something or someone. Always be open to change and always prepare for the future. Again, nothing beats than praying and trusting God that He is in control. When disaster strikes, when tragedy comes, when we suffer loss, when our plans fail, we're sure to keep the right attitude and be able to look beyond it.