I've been catching up on my mail lately and I have been inspired by what people have been seending. Normally I would just delete forwarded messages but I really couldn't help but be touched about this one email I got. Here it goes....
What does Love mean?
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4- to 8-year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."
Rebecca- age 8
When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."
Billy - age 4
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other."
Karl - age 5
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs."
Chrissy -age 6
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
Terri - age 4
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."
Danny - age 7
"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss"
Emily - age 8
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,"
Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday."
Noelle - age 7
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."
Tommy - age 6
"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."
Cindy - age 8
"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night."
Clare - age 6
"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."
Elaine-age 5
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."
Chris - age 7
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." (my personal favorite)
Mary Ann - age 4
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."
Lauren - age 4
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." (what an imagination)
Karen - age 7
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross."
Mark - age 6
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."
Jessica - age 8
And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.
The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry"
Friday, April 15, 2005
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Riding the Bus
Love is like waiting for a bus. When the bus comes, you look at it and you say to yourself "eeee...so full....cannot sit down, I'll wait for the next one."So you let the bus go and waited for the second bus. Then the second bus came, you looked at it and you said, "eeee...this bus is so old...so shabby!"
So you let the bus go and again, decided to wait for the next bus. After a while another bus came, it's not crowded,not old but you said, "eeee...not air conditioned...better wait for the next one." So again you let the bus go and decided to wait for the next
bus. Then the sky started to get dark as it was getting late. You panicked and jumped immediately inside the next bus. It is not until much later that you found out that you had boarded the wrong bus!
And you wasted your time and money just to get into the wrong one!
Even if an air conditioned bus comes, you can't ensure that the air conditioned bus won't break down or whether or not the airconditioner will be too cold for you.
Wanting to get what you want is not wrong. But it wouldn't hurt to give other people a chance. If you find that the "bus" doesn't suit you just press the red button and get off the bus! Hey, who
said life is fair??? The best thing to do is be observant and open-minded. If it doesn't suit you, get off.
I'm sure you've had this experience before. You saw a bus coming (the bus you want of course). You flagged it but the driver acted as if he did not see you and zoomed pass you! It just wasn't meant
for you!
The bottom line is, being loved is like waiting for a bus you want. Getting on the bus and appreciating the bus by giving it a chance depends totally on you. If you haven't made any choice, WALK!
Waking is like being single. The good side of it is you can still choose any bus you want...the rest who couldn't afford another ride would just have to be content with the bus they rode on, ugly
or not.
Also, sometimes it is better to choose a bus you are already familiar with rather than to gamble with a bus that is unfamiliar to you. But then again, life wouldn't be complete without the risks involved.But there is one bus that I failed to tell you
about.- the Bus you do not have to wait for, the Bus that will stop on its own and ask you if you wish to come inside, then take you for a joy ride for the rest of your life.
Hope you get to ride on that bus! :)
I got this thing from my bestfriend Yssa...I am happy to tell every one that I got on that bus...and because I chose well..I got the best ride...
So you let the bus go and again, decided to wait for the next bus. After a while another bus came, it's not crowded,not old but you said, "eeee...not air conditioned...better wait for the next one." So again you let the bus go and decided to wait for the next
bus. Then the sky started to get dark as it was getting late. You panicked and jumped immediately inside the next bus. It is not until much later that you found out that you had boarded the wrong bus!
And you wasted your time and money just to get into the wrong one!
Even if an air conditioned bus comes, you can't ensure that the air conditioned bus won't break down or whether or not the airconditioner will be too cold for you.
Wanting to get what you want is not wrong. But it wouldn't hurt to give other people a chance. If you find that the "bus" doesn't suit you just press the red button and get off the bus! Hey, who
said life is fair??? The best thing to do is be observant and open-minded. If it doesn't suit you, get off.
I'm sure you've had this experience before. You saw a bus coming (the bus you want of course). You flagged it but the driver acted as if he did not see you and zoomed pass you! It just wasn't meant
for you!
The bottom line is, being loved is like waiting for a bus you want. Getting on the bus and appreciating the bus by giving it a chance depends totally on you. If you haven't made any choice, WALK!
Waking is like being single. The good side of it is you can still choose any bus you want...the rest who couldn't afford another ride would just have to be content with the bus they rode on, ugly
or not.
Also, sometimes it is better to choose a bus you are already familiar with rather than to gamble with a bus that is unfamiliar to you. But then again, life wouldn't be complete without the risks involved.But there is one bus that I failed to tell you
about.- the Bus you do not have to wait for, the Bus that will stop on its own and ask you if you wish to come inside, then take you for a joy ride for the rest of your life.
Hope you get to ride on that bus! :)
I got this thing from my bestfriend Yssa...I am happy to tell every one that I got on that bus...and because I chose well..I got the best ride...
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Harmonica
Music flowing
Through sun-scorched lips
The melody,
Almost in tune with the wind
Almost in chorus with the sound of the busy street
The Rhythm
Seemingly melancholic
Strange yet familiar
Soothing yet disturbing
With memories so vivid
It was almost surreal
His eyes no longer see
The wonder of the world
His arms no longer hold
The face of a nameless child
His legs no longer tread
The path of the mighty
The air from his mouth
Speak of a forgotten past
Breathing into the harmonica
And out to the empty space
Where the living dwell
With lives as bleak as his
Jen
2004
was written for and inspired by the man with no name...
Through sun-scorched lips
The melody,
Almost in tune with the wind
Almost in chorus with the sound of the busy street
The Rhythm
Seemingly melancholic
Strange yet familiar
Soothing yet disturbing
With memories so vivid
It was almost surreal
His eyes no longer see
The wonder of the world
His arms no longer hold
The face of a nameless child
His legs no longer tread
The path of the mighty
The air from his mouth
Speak of a forgotten past
Breathing into the harmonica
And out to the empty space
Where the living dwell
With lives as bleak as his
Jen
2004
was written for and inspired by the man with no name...
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
When Hari ng Sablay Falls
Yesterday my brother got into a minor car accident that left him with a nasty lip bruise all because he chose to ride with his classmate all the way from Mamplasan to Makati. Apparently his friend had a history of over speeding and a couple of hit and runs.
My initial reaction was concern over my brother who has been accident prone ever since he was a kid. He would normally fall from a double deck bed or drop a glass of water so it wasn't really much of a surprise anymore when he got into this accident. Yet, I have to admit that this was different because he could have been seriously hurt or we could have lost him.
Among the four us, we all know that Jared is the most special sibling from the time he was born. He was a premature baby and he was able to fit into a shoe box. Every one thought he was not going to make it. In fact, he even had his baptism right there in Manila Sanitarium. When he was growing up, we noticed a lot of his quirky ways and mannerism. Almost always he would normally forget stuff even when you just mentioned it to him a couple of seconds ago. He would get bumps and bruises from being too hyper. One time, he even fell of a tricycle which left him with blood clots in his head. Inspite of his ways, Jared was very loving and sociable. He was able to mingle with people from all walks of life. He was also mature in dealing with his own problems. Moreover, he is one of the most popular and smart guys in his batch.
In his lifetime, my brother has probably endured a lot of pain that he already developed a high tolerance for it. Sometimes we would tease him and call him "hari ng sablay" (as in Sugarfree's current hit.) Inspite of this, I am proud that he is my brother. He is my ally and my friend and I wouldn't want to lose him over some freaking careless driver. Sometimes I worry about him but I guess I would have to leave him be to learn his lessons well.
Bro, take care of yourself ayt?
My initial reaction was concern over my brother who has been accident prone ever since he was a kid. He would normally fall from a double deck bed or drop a glass of water so it wasn't really much of a surprise anymore when he got into this accident. Yet, I have to admit that this was different because he could have been seriously hurt or we could have lost him.
Among the four us, we all know that Jared is the most special sibling from the time he was born. He was a premature baby and he was able to fit into a shoe box. Every one thought he was not going to make it. In fact, he even had his baptism right there in Manila Sanitarium. When he was growing up, we noticed a lot of his quirky ways and mannerism. Almost always he would normally forget stuff even when you just mentioned it to him a couple of seconds ago. He would get bumps and bruises from being too hyper. One time, he even fell of a tricycle which left him with blood clots in his head. Inspite of his ways, Jared was very loving and sociable. He was able to mingle with people from all walks of life. He was also mature in dealing with his own problems. Moreover, he is one of the most popular and smart guys in his batch.
In his lifetime, my brother has probably endured a lot of pain that he already developed a high tolerance for it. Sometimes we would tease him and call him "hari ng sablay" (as in Sugarfree's current hit.) Inspite of this, I am proud that he is my brother. He is my ally and my friend and I wouldn't want to lose him over some freaking careless driver. Sometimes I worry about him but I guess I would have to leave him be to learn his lessons well.
Bro, take care of yourself ayt?
Friday, March 18, 2005
Mom for a Day
Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together. ~Pearl S. Buck
Yesterday, I found myself babysitting two little boys. Their dad asked me to look out for them and watch the movie Robots since he will be out of the country on a business trip. I immediately said yes because one of those boys was my student.
Kienan showed me around the house and told me lots of stories while we were eating. I found myself scolding him and telling him not to talk because his mouth was full, or to sit down properly because he might fall. Memories of my mom doing the same thing to me flashed back into my head and then it occured to me that I was being a mom.
Later on, we went to Rockwell to meet up with his younger brother Kenny who was even more hyper than Kienan. Each of them held my hand while we were strolling at the mall. I was careful and cautious even when there were two helpers with me. I did not want anything to happen to them. I realized that this was probably what mothers feel all the time...that overwhelming responsibility over those little souls.
It was only during the past few years that I have developed a harmonious relationship with my mom. To me she was the most generous person but she was also such a nagger and control freak because she screams and scolds at us most of the time. But, then again because I have gotten older, I know now that my mom just loved us so much. So when she does a little bit of both hugging and screaming..it only means that we are loved.
For all the things you've done and sacrificed for us...thanks mom...
Yesterday, I found myself babysitting two little boys. Their dad asked me to look out for them and watch the movie Robots since he will be out of the country on a business trip. I immediately said yes because one of those boys was my student.
Kienan showed me around the house and told me lots of stories while we were eating. I found myself scolding him and telling him not to talk because his mouth was full, or to sit down properly because he might fall. Memories of my mom doing the same thing to me flashed back into my head and then it occured to me that I was being a mom.
Later on, we went to Rockwell to meet up with his younger brother Kenny who was even more hyper than Kienan. Each of them held my hand while we were strolling at the mall. I was careful and cautious even when there were two helpers with me. I did not want anything to happen to them. I realized that this was probably what mothers feel all the time...that overwhelming responsibility over those little souls.
It was only during the past few years that I have developed a harmonious relationship with my mom. To me she was the most generous person but she was also such a nagger and control freak because she screams and scolds at us most of the time. But, then again because I have gotten older, I know now that my mom just loved us so much. So when she does a little bit of both hugging and screaming..it only means that we are loved.
For all the things you've done and sacrificed for us...thanks mom...
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Intoxicated
You smell of fusion
drenched in perfume
and perspiration
Your eyes move as if
you were meant just to see me
your hands hold me
and it would tame me
you're intoxicating
and I am just an addict...
for everything you stand for.
for huni, life would never be the same without you...happy monthsary!
drenched in perfume
and perspiration
Your eyes move as if
you were meant just to see me
your hands hold me
and it would tame me
you're intoxicating
and I am just an addict...
for everything you stand for.
for huni, life would never be the same without you...happy monthsary!
Thursday, March 10, 2005
My Little Chinese Boy
The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this:
A human creature born abnormally, inhumanely sensitive.
To him...
a touch is a blow,
a sound is a noise,
a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover,
a lover is a god, and
failure is death.
--Pearl Buck
Kienan is a 6-yr. old little genius in math and english. Before I met him, I started to ask Lee on how to handle highly abled individuals or gifted children for that matter. Good thing he warned me about dealing with gifted children.
There I was thinking that it wasn't going to be that big of a task since I was to assist him only in language and arts class, an area that he was really very good at. Yet, two days of working with him was enough to make me feel drained but inside of me grows this fondness for this little chinese boy.
Kienan is usually agitated in class. If he is not stomping his feet, or walks around while the teacher is explaining, he would swallow his hand. He simply won't pay attention to his teacher. In a regular school, his actions would simply convey that he has an attitude problem but most of us know that beneath his behavior is a really good student. Give him an activity sheet and he'll be able to answer everything without asking questions or even when he wasn't listening.
I promised Kienan's dad that I would be his shadow teacher until the next school year. I took the risk of helping Kienan inspite of the fact that I'm going to be busy once Orange Chicken starts its operations because I know that he can cope with his classes later on. I believe in him, and I hope that those people or parents who have special children will also believe in their kids capabilities and talents. He may not be my own but it's still good practice for me just in case I have kids of my own in the near future.
A human creature born abnormally, inhumanely sensitive.
To him...
a touch is a blow,
a sound is a noise,
a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover,
a lover is a god, and
failure is death.
--Pearl Buck
Kienan is a 6-yr. old little genius in math and english. Before I met him, I started to ask Lee on how to handle highly abled individuals or gifted children for that matter. Good thing he warned me about dealing with gifted children.
There I was thinking that it wasn't going to be that big of a task since I was to assist him only in language and arts class, an area that he was really very good at. Yet, two days of working with him was enough to make me feel drained but inside of me grows this fondness for this little chinese boy.
Kienan is usually agitated in class. If he is not stomping his feet, or walks around while the teacher is explaining, he would swallow his hand. He simply won't pay attention to his teacher. In a regular school, his actions would simply convey that he has an attitude problem but most of us know that beneath his behavior is a really good student. Give him an activity sheet and he'll be able to answer everything without asking questions or even when he wasn't listening.
I promised Kienan's dad that I would be his shadow teacher until the next school year. I took the risk of helping Kienan inspite of the fact that I'm going to be busy once Orange Chicken starts its operations because I know that he can cope with his classes later on. I believe in him, and I hope that those people or parents who have special children will also believe in their kids capabilities and talents. He may not be my own but it's still good practice for me just in case I have kids of my own in the near future.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Imagine It Done.
Imagination works. It creates the blueprint of a plan, a dream, a goal, and an objective. It is a solitary thought that grows on its own when fed with ambition or the willingness to execute it into a practicable reality.--Jill Centino
Note: I got this quote from Anj's nice blog (thanks anj)...
I have always been very creative and imaginative. Certain names colors, pictures, and images appear in my head all the time. I write all these things down so that I won't be able to forget about it. After two years of working in different companies and getting myself into different fields, I am finally making my dream into a reality.
It's true what they say..when you can't sleep and stop thinking about something, you have to find a way to do whatever it is that you have to do. I felt that I wasn't cut out to be an employee and that I really wanted to be an entrepreneur.
Orange Chicken was born during those times when I couldn't sleep at night. Fortunately, I have a very supportive family. At the end of Feb or early March, we will be launching Orange Chicken. A dream that came true because of my imagination.
Note: I got this quote from Anj's nice blog (thanks anj)...
I have always been very creative and imaginative. Certain names colors, pictures, and images appear in my head all the time. I write all these things down so that I won't be able to forget about it. After two years of working in different companies and getting myself into different fields, I am finally making my dream into a reality.
It's true what they say..when you can't sleep and stop thinking about something, you have to find a way to do whatever it is that you have to do. I felt that I wasn't cut out to be an employee and that I really wanted to be an entrepreneur.
Orange Chicken was born during those times when I couldn't sleep at night. Fortunately, I have a very supportive family. At the end of Feb or early March, we will be launching Orange Chicken. A dream that came true because of my imagination.
Friday, February 04, 2005
Delicious Ambiguity
I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity.
--GILDA RADNER
I am very much contented with the little surprises of my life and yet I couldn't stop but think that the happiness and contentment that I am feeling right now will soon be over and replaced by misery. Quite a contradiction to my positive outlook on life.
I am scared that one day something really bad will happen and all these things that are going on in my life will soon be over in a second. Fear of the Unknown can really get to me sometimes but somehow despite the uncertainties, I still feel compelled to go on and indulge. After all, we only live once. Gilda Radner was right, life is a delicious ambiguity...and I have decided to enjoy it while I still can.
Oh and by the way, I don't regret ever taking the plunge and leaving Singledom..."Commitmenthood" agrees with me...
--GILDA RADNER
I am very much contented with the little surprises of my life and yet I couldn't stop but think that the happiness and contentment that I am feeling right now will soon be over and replaced by misery. Quite a contradiction to my positive outlook on life.
I am scared that one day something really bad will happen and all these things that are going on in my life will soon be over in a second. Fear of the Unknown can really get to me sometimes but somehow despite the uncertainties, I still feel compelled to go on and indulge. After all, we only live once. Gilda Radner was right, life is a delicious ambiguity...and I have decided to enjoy it while I still can.
Oh and by the way, I don't regret ever taking the plunge and leaving Singledom..."Commitmenthood" agrees with me...
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Saying goodbye to Singledom
Love is a choice -- not simply, or necessarily, a rational choice, but rather a willingness to be present to others without pretense or guile. Love is a conversion to humanity -- a willingness to participate with others in the healing of a broken world and broken lives. Love is the choice to experience life as a member of the human family, a partner in the dance of life, rather than as an alien in the world or as a deity above the world, aloof and apart from human flesh.
-- Carter Heyward
Passion for Justice
Other girls would love to have a commitment..I on the other hand think otherwise...I have been single (and happy) for so long that I actually don't remember how to be a girlfriend. I think I was traumatized by past lovers and guys who hurt me, then again, I think not. I dated, I went out with friends, I did everything I ever wanted. Freedom at its peak, so to speak.
Then one day someone came and told me he likes me. (What were you thinking?!!!)
Don't get me wrong, I didn't feed him food that has "gayuma" or anything of that sort. I was myself the whole time and the one thing I couldn't believe was that someone was capable of loving/liking me even if I didn't long for anyone. (Yes, at this point I realized I have been single for so long...)
I ran away from anything that resembled commitment (romantically that is...). Just thinking about having one makes me sick..you know, that whole can't breathe, hyperventilating, ulcer attack thing happens to me... (right osang?). But then again, maybe I was wrong all along...maybe that change I was looking for was just right under my nose. Maybe I needed to commit to someone in order to feel a sense of purpose...of being loved and loving in return.
So here I am at a crossroad trying to decide whether I want to take the plunge or not. I wish I had all the time in the world to decide...but I don't..and I am bad in making decisions. A part of me is telling me to do it and to take the risk, the other part says...hold on to singledom a little bit more.
Singledom was my refuge from anything resembling pain, hurt, anger, and emotion. In singledom I was allowed to be independent, to take whenever I want to take, to give what I can only give, to love what I only want to love, to seek what I only want to seek, to cry only for the joy of my daily triumphs...I wonder, what would happen to me if I leave singledom and move to the now alien territory called Commitment.
The thought is scary but I guess I'd have to dip my hands into it...sooner or later...who knows??
-- Carter Heyward
Passion for Justice
Other girls would love to have a commitment..I on the other hand think otherwise...I have been single (and happy) for so long that I actually don't remember how to be a girlfriend. I think I was traumatized by past lovers and guys who hurt me, then again, I think not. I dated, I went out with friends, I did everything I ever wanted. Freedom at its peak, so to speak.
Then one day someone came and told me he likes me. (What were you thinking?!!!)
Don't get me wrong, I didn't feed him food that has "gayuma" or anything of that sort. I was myself the whole time and the one thing I couldn't believe was that someone was capable of loving/liking me even if I didn't long for anyone. (Yes, at this point I realized I have been single for so long...)
I ran away from anything that resembled commitment (romantically that is...). Just thinking about having one makes me sick..you know, that whole can't breathe, hyperventilating, ulcer attack thing happens to me... (right osang?). But then again, maybe I was wrong all along...maybe that change I was looking for was just right under my nose. Maybe I needed to commit to someone in order to feel a sense of purpose...of being loved and loving in return.
So here I am at a crossroad trying to decide whether I want to take the plunge or not. I wish I had all the time in the world to decide...but I don't..and I am bad in making decisions. A part of me is telling me to do it and to take the risk, the other part says...hold on to singledom a little bit more.
Singledom was my refuge from anything resembling pain, hurt, anger, and emotion. In singledom I was allowed to be independent, to take whenever I want to take, to give what I can only give, to love what I only want to love, to seek what I only want to seek, to cry only for the joy of my daily triumphs...I wonder, what would happen to me if I leave singledom and move to the now alien territory called Commitment.
The thought is scary but I guess I'd have to dip my hands into it...sooner or later...who knows??
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Friday, December 17, 2004
Silent Mouth, Screaming Thoughts
I haven't really posted anything recent yet for december that's worth reading. I guess I have been too busy fixing things in my life. My so called-illness is back..yes, I have laryngitis again..and this is probably due to my stubborn streak. After gaining back my voice last May, I continued to indulge myself in the many things that the doctor told me not to do like smoking, drinking, eating spicy foods, chocolates, pizza, pasta, in short...anything good just to avoid getting sick again.
Today, I woke up with hardly any voice at all and my throat was hurting so bad I really think it's bleeding inside. Coughing felt like someone with long nails was scratching it. I have to conserve the only voice left in order to avoid getting into surgery to get out the nodes. (At least that was what the doc told me)
The only times I have been sick was now and during that time in March when I lost my voice. Twice in a year and my body takes it out on my throat and vocal chords. What a way to punish me for sleeping so late and working so hard. In a way, my body is secretly telling me that I am stressed and overworked..I am.
I'm taking a break from everything...except for writing..this is my only voice for now until my vocal chords are healed.
Today, I woke up with hardly any voice at all and my throat was hurting so bad I really think it's bleeding inside. Coughing felt like someone with long nails was scratching it. I have to conserve the only voice left in order to avoid getting into surgery to get out the nodes. (At least that was what the doc told me)
The only times I have been sick was now and during that time in March when I lost my voice. Twice in a year and my body takes it out on my throat and vocal chords. What a way to punish me for sleeping so late and working so hard. In a way, my body is secretly telling me that I am stressed and overworked..I am.
I'm taking a break from everything...except for writing..this is my only voice for now until my vocal chords are healed.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Choose Your Own Adventure
When I was three, I was concerned only with picking out which candy I want Mom to buy for me. In gradeschool, I was concerned with picking out my playmates, my favorite Barbie doll, and my favorite dress. In highschool, I was concerned with the kind of identity that I want to project, the clubs that can enhance my personality, the kind of friends I want to have. In college, it was choosing the right organization, the right course, and the best professors. It was also about choosing what to do after graduation. Then, after graduation, it was choosing between going to law school and working. I chose the latter.
From the time I was able to understand things, choices were handed down to me no matter how important or mundane it was. It felt like I was a character in a choose your own adventure book where you can see what happens if you choose a or b or c...the only difference is that in real life choose your own adventure, choosing one means you'll be left wondering what might have happened to you if you had chosen the other. I was never been able to go back to the start of the story and choose another path again. I think I speak for every one on this. Yet, in every decision I make, I keep in mind to have no regrets.
At 22, I know I made some bad choices especially in the men that I fall in love with (no pun intended..really..) My love for spontainety or getting myself into spur-of-the-moment things got me in trouble at one point or another. Sometimes my tactless mouth unintentionally hurt people I cared about. My lack of self-discipline and momentary depressions led me to gain more pounds rather than lose it. My choice to be really independent has led me to forget some values I held dearly. Admittedly, there is no one to blame but me and my quest to find my purpose in life.
I read this article entitled "Being Twenty-something" forwarded to me by a good friend, and it says that people my age are at their best and worst of times. It's true. I feel that I am at that point in my life where one minute I am laughing at a silly joke and then another I am ranting about the load at work, and sometimes there are moments where I feel like I am going in circles, going nowhere, trying to find my purpose in life.
Some say take my time, some say it'll pass...and I know it will...but for now the greatest challenge is choosing my own adventure and whatever was planned for me, making me, the heroine, a victor in the end. After all, isn't that what we all want?
For the people who taught me to believe in myself...
Monday, November 22, 2004
My Inner Strength...
Memories are like the scent of lemon grass
Has a sour taste but still very sweet
--The Scent of Lemon Grass by Jolin Tsai
This is long overdue..I haven't been able to update my blog...but anyway, here's a take on my recently concluded 22nd birthday....
It's not everyday that I turn 22. With every birthday comes realizations and promises from myself on things I have to do, avoid, and work on. I have so many things to be thankful for but these two things comprise all of it...
1. The gift of family and friends. I think that I am very lucky to have found genuine friends and a loving family who continue to support my decisions in life. Yes, I can be very stubborn at times but I try to back down once in a while. With the people in my life, I never really felt I had no room to grow. At 22, I feel that I am at my best where I can be virually almost anything that I want to be. How many people my age can say that?
2. Having a job that I love. I work hard because I love what I am doing. Training agrees with me and I have done it for so many years already. I don't get bored and I get to meet a lot of people. Each day is a learning experience. But don't get me wrong, it's not all milk and honey, I have to stay up late for OT to finish studying and preparing for class. I have to do a little paper work for evaluations and such but overall, the experience is well worth it.
Life is full of surprises and I am definitely surprised every day..in a good way that is...these people are what keeps me going...they are the reason why I still choose to live life...(so it's not true that being single sucks...it only sucks during christmas and valentine's day...haha)
Has a sour taste but still very sweet
--The Scent of Lemon Grass by Jolin Tsai
This is long overdue..I haven't been able to update my blog...but anyway, here's a take on my recently concluded 22nd birthday....
It's not everyday that I turn 22. With every birthday comes realizations and promises from myself on things I have to do, avoid, and work on. I have so many things to be thankful for but these two things comprise all of it...
1. The gift of family and friends. I think that I am very lucky to have found genuine friends and a loving family who continue to support my decisions in life. Yes, I can be very stubborn at times but I try to back down once in a while. With the people in my life, I never really felt I had no room to grow. At 22, I feel that I am at my best where I can be virually almost anything that I want to be. How many people my age can say that?
2. Having a job that I love. I work hard because I love what I am doing. Training agrees with me and I have done it for so many years already. I don't get bored and I get to meet a lot of people. Each day is a learning experience. But don't get me wrong, it's not all milk and honey, I have to stay up late for OT to finish studying and preparing for class. I have to do a little paper work for evaluations and such but overall, the experience is well worth it.
Life is full of surprises and I am definitely surprised every day..in a good way that is...these people are what keeps me going...they are the reason why I still choose to live life...(so it's not true that being single sucks...it only sucks during christmas and valentine's day...haha)
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Quotable Kids
Patintero, tumbang preso, piko, agawan base, langit-lupa, luksong baka, if you know these terms then you are part of my generation and probably the previous generations (mga oldies..hehehe). These are games that I used to play with my siblings, cousins and neighbors. Then there's the famous Barbie who debuted at the American Toy Fair in New York City in 1959. Imagine how old she is now! I don't remember my first Barbie but my favorite was the pregnant barbie who even had a baby inside her tummy. These days, most young girls play with Bratz, these hip looking dolls with pouting lips and sporting a look that says "don't mess with me". Now that is what they call "girl power".
Needless to say, my generation thrived on team work, They have bigger and better looking toys..with multi-functional capabilities but I don't think I would have traded them for the time I spent with my childhood friends.
When you look at kids today, they look like mini-clones of adults. Little girls wear miniature spaghetti straps and sandals. Kids don't wear dorky clothes anymore like the kids of the 80's (mighty kid rubber shoes, maong pants and loose t-shirts...and the like) and they also have a heightened sense of awareness that the world is not as innocent as it used to be. Here's a little something...
Scene 1: Mommy Joan explains to 10-year old Paulina on the meaning of abortion. Little did they know that 7-yr old Mika was listening in on their conversation and says, "Thank God you didn't do that to me mommy!"
Scene 2: Gabriel got a sad face stamp because he was very inattentive during class. The school clerk asked him why he got a sad face and Gab dismissed her by saying "So!" Not knowing that what he said was very rude.
Scene 3: Enrique hears his mom swore over something trivial, and says "bad ka mommy!"
The things that children say can sometimes surprise most of us...but they also speak the truth. How I wish I had the innocence of a child...
Needless to say, my generation thrived on team work, They have bigger and better looking toys..with multi-functional capabilities but I don't think I would have traded them for the time I spent with my childhood friends.
When you look at kids today, they look like mini-clones of adults. Little girls wear miniature spaghetti straps and sandals. Kids don't wear dorky clothes anymore like the kids of the 80's (mighty kid rubber shoes, maong pants and loose t-shirts...and the like) and they also have a heightened sense of awareness that the world is not as innocent as it used to be. Here's a little something...
Scene 1: Mommy Joan explains to 10-year old Paulina on the meaning of abortion. Little did they know that 7-yr old Mika was listening in on their conversation and says, "Thank God you didn't do that to me mommy!"
Scene 2: Gabriel got a sad face stamp because he was very inattentive during class. The school clerk asked him why he got a sad face and Gab dismissed her by saying "So!" Not knowing that what he said was very rude.
Scene 3: Enrique hears his mom swore over something trivial, and says "bad ka mommy!"
The things that children say can sometimes surprise most of us...but they also speak the truth. How I wish I had the innocence of a child...
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