Christmas Tree and Gifts on October?

I had assembled the 6-ft Christmas tree 3^rd week of October. I had already wrapped some gifts a week earlier. Then some exclamations of ‘why so early’?

Why not? I don’t believe that I am the only one doing the early gift wrapping and setting up the Christmas tree. On my part, I do them early because I don’t have much time. If I think of having this time, for example, to wrap the gifts, I wrap them, because most probably it will be difficult for me to find time doing them with inspiration. I always do things with passion, even with choosing the gifts and wrapping them. Not that I spend extravagantly for gaudy gifts and wrappers but I do wrap them neatly and pile them in order under or beside the Christmas tree.

And the Christmas tree. It gives me this feeling of hope and joy. It reminds me of the coming season. But does everybody know that the tree was once a pagan symbol of fertility? It became a Christian symbol of rebirth, according to information, when Marthin Luther got so awed by the beauty of fir trees that he brought one from the forest and lighted it with candles to remind his children of God’s creation.

So when do you set up your Christmas tree? The gifts can come later. (Anyway, my name’s only a four-letter one; very easy to remember.)

 

Para la juventud (For the youth)

You seldom read her thoughts but this piece really touched me. It made me uneasy with guilt because there were times that I had doubted her and her attitude. Please do not pass by not reading this. How I wish a considerable number of the youth of this generation will spare time reading:

Para sa Kabataan

It is my deepest sorrow that my literary prowess can not influence you in some jaded way.

With words, I can get these sentiments across to you. With your understanding shall the message only be clear. For it is in us that a great hero¹ once regarded the future to. We are the youth who will weave tomorrow for the upcoming generations for we owe it to them. It is our benevolent duty to surpass what is expected, to unearth the lost foundations of Filipino humanity, to lead time to come.

I am happily studying in college and when I’m done with my 1^st degree, I’ll take up another. Never in my life have I had this drive to keep on learning, for the world offers so much and yet I have so little time. Back in high school, I couldn’t wait to get my sorry hide out of school and it never occurred to my young, stupid brain that I’m still going to study.

A lot of things changed my perception of my once-hated duty: to study. My school, my course (since my parents supported what I wanted to take up) and the people I found and lost are some factors that sculpted my stubborn brain to what it is right now. It just hit me like a rolling volleyball that all of these books, words and equations are all helping hands in blue-printing my future.

YOU. Yes, you. Has it never occurred to you that you can’t forever hang on your parents’ wallets and credit cards? That you can’t be a burden to them who disregarded their needs and desires just to get you the latest, full-scale camera-cell phone? Let’s face it; we don’t pay for anything (that is if you have some sort of job, then I’m wrong). Technically, literally, our parents pay everything since the day we escaped from our mothers’ wombs ‘til we don’t get cold-cash-paying jobs.

All you need to do is to open your books, read and absorb what you think is non-sense right now. For heaven’s sake, STUDY! If you want to be a garbage man, then don’t. At least that pays. But with your fast-living lifestyle, overspending brigade, minimum wage ain’t enough for urban living.

GIMIK. GIMIK. GIMIK. Hey, there’s more to life than hanging out with your friends, shopping for some over-priced signature items, jamming endlessly for hours and hours and drinking SanMig or whatever beer brand there is. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t do this or that. You just have to know your priorities. If you’ve got your primary obligations set, then go gimik-gaga.

If rebelliousness is a form of laxative², then feel free to rebel. If you think that you’re gearing away from something normal and that you’re setting a trend, don’t you also think that you’re just copying some old-school renegade teen wearing black band shirts? Then you go around, pretending your some kind of rocker, coloring your nails black, ‘making a statement’. Why? Mostly people protest when their needs and desires aren’t met. Eh ikaw? What have your parents not given to you? Haven’t they provided everything basic and added whatever luxury we don’t need to survive? Plus, they gifted you with education – something that could not be stolen even if your brain were to be removed and dissected.

If this bores and makes you irritated, then it is my conclusion that this is the truth. It wouldn’t hurt to straighten up your ways. If you’re already on that path of being ‘good’, then hey! Saludo ako sa’yo. My gosh, this is very choppy.

¹ Jose Rizal

² drug used to promote bowel movement

 

– written by daughter Kay

Para la juventud (For the youth)

You seldom read her thoughts but this piece really touched me. It made me uneasy with guilt because there were times that I had doubted her and her attitude. Please do not pass by not reading this. How I wish a considerable number of the youth of this generation will spare time reading:

Para sa Kabataan

It is my deepest sorrow that my literary prowess can not influence you in some jaded way.

With words, I can get these sentiments across to you. With your understanding shall the message only be clear. For it is in us that a great hero¹ once regarded the future to. We are the youth who will weave tomorrow for the upcoming generations for we owe it to them. It is our benevolent duty to surpass what is expected, to unearth the lost foundations of Filipino humanity, to lead time to come.

I am happily studying in college and when I’m done with my 1^st degree, I’ll take up another. Never in my life have I had this drive to keep on learning, for the world offers so much and yet I have so little time. Back in high school, I couldn’t wait to get my sorry hide out of school and it never occurred to my young, stupid brain that I’m still going to study.

A lot of things changed my perception of my once-hated duty: to study. My school, my course (since my parents supported what I wanted to take up) and the people I found and lost are some factors that sculpted my stubborn brain to what it is right now. It just hit me like a rolling volleyball that all of these books, words and equations are all helping hands in blue-printing my future.

YOU. Yes, you. Has it never occurred to you that you can’t forever hang on your parents’ wallets and credit cards? That you can’t be a burden to them who disregarded their needs and desires just to get you the latest, full-scale camera-cell phone? Let’s face it; we don’t pay for anything (that is if you have some sort of job, then I’m wrong). Technically, literally, our parents pay everything since the day we escaped from our mothers’ wombs ‘til we don’t get cold-cash-paying jobs.

All you need to do is to open your books, read and absorb what you think is non-sense right now. For heaven’s sake, STUDY! If you want to be a garbage man, then don’t. At least that pays. But with your fast-living lifestyle, overspending brigade, minimum wage ain’t enough for urban living.

GIMIK. GIMIK. GIMIK. Hey, there’s more to life than hanging out with your friends, shopping for some over-priced signature items, jamming endlessly for hours and hours and drinking SanMig or whatever beer brand there is. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t do this or that. You just have to know your priorities. If you’ve got your primary obligations set, then go gimik-gaga.

If rebelliousness is a form of laxative², then feel free to rebel. If you think that you’re gearing away from something normal and that you’re setting a trend, don’t you also think that you’re just copying some old-school renegade teen wearing black band shirts? Then you go around, pretending your some kind of rocker, coloring your nails black, ‘making a statement’. Why? Mostly people protest when their needs and desires aren’t met. Eh ikaw? What have your parents not given to you? Haven’t they provided everything basic and added whatever luxury we don’t need to survive? Plus, they gifted you with education – something that could not be stolen even if your brain were to be removed and dissected.

If this bores and makes you irritated, then it is my conclusion that this is the truth. It wouldn’t hurt to straighten up your ways. If you’re already on that path of being ‘good’, then hey! Saludo ako sa’yo. My gosh, this is very choppy.

¹ Jose Rizal

² drug used to promote bowel movement

 

– written by daughter Kay

When a Person Refuses to Listen

Always there will be people who do not know how to listen. And what makes it worse; they are those older than you or those with authority over you. A simple thing becomes a problem. And the more you talk, the more they become bigger and complicated when all you want is to solve the predicament.

Then you wonder how the hell they ended up with the job responsibilities and position they presently have if they do not know how to deal with a simple problem. The hollowness of their brains knocks you down, off, out and over.

You decide to tone down your voice because they will not understand it. They will read it as INSUBORDINATION when all you want was plain resolution. Confrontations become misleading to them. They will look at you like one with a CONCEITED plaster on the forehead. You wanted to shout at them, “WAKE UP! Your brain is not functioning.” But you choose not to, because it will spoil your day. They will not understand anyway. Hello, it will be like an endless cycle without having to resolve what needs to be resolved.

Are you listening? Thank you.

Nexus: Kung Ikaw ang May-ari…

When a Person Refuses to Listen

Always there will be people who do not know how to listen. And what makes it worse; they are those older than you or those with authority over you. A simple thing becomes a problem. And the more you talk, the more they become bigger and complicated when all you want is to solve the predicament.

Then you wonder how the hell they ended up with the job responsibilities and position they presently have if they do not know how to deal with a simple problem. The hollowness of their brains knocks you down, off, out and over.

You decide to tone down your voice because they will not understand it. They will read it as INSUBORDINATION when all you want was plain resolution. Confrontations become misleading to them. They will look at you like one with a CONCEITED plaster on the forehead. You wanted to shout at them, “WAKE UP! Your brain is not functioning.” But you choose not to, because it will spoil your day. They will not understand anyway. Hello, it will be like an endless cycle without having to resolve what needs to be resolved.

Are you listening? Thank you.

Nexus: Kung Ikaw ang May-ari…

What Beautiful Creatures!

We went to one of these birthday celebrations. We were guided by the owner of the house to what he calls ‘garden’. In the middle of the ‘garden’, there stood a shack made of bamboo and worn planks of wood. The seats and table were made of wooden planks, too, nailed and put together to form to what they were intended to be. The ambiance was of nature. We were surrounded by plants; on one side were two groups of Milenyo-stricken bamboos which leaves meet at one point. It was such a lovely sight. All around were plants, most of them edible. I saw a duck having its water fill from a very small man-made pond, and white chickens and red crowned roosters, too.

When darkness slowly flooded the skies and the surroundings, we saw a beautiful creature shining among the bamboo plants. It was a firefly. It was such an exhilarating feeling to see that it was not alone. There were two of them alternately showing off their luminous bodies. Then as if one of them heard how we were awed by their presence, one of them flew towards me. I enveloped it with my hands. It stayed. It was awesome seeing it that way blinking its way on my palms. God truly made a wonderful world to live in.

What Beautiful Creatures!

We went to one of these birthday celebrations. We were guided by the owner of the house to what he calls ‘garden’. In the middle of the ‘garden’, there stood a shack made of bamboo and worn planks of wood. The seats and table were made of wooden planks, too, nailed and put together to form to what they were intended to be. The ambiance was of nature. We were surrounded by plants; on one side were two groups of Milenyo-stricken bamboos which leaves meet at one point. It was such a lovely sight. All around were plants, most of them edible. I saw a duck having its water fill from a very small man-made pond, and white chickens and red crowned roosters, too.

When darkness slowly flooded the skies and the surroundings, we saw a beautiful creature shining among the bamboo plants. It was a firefly. It was such an exhilarating feeling to see that it was not alone. There were two of them alternately showing off their luminous bodies. Then as if one of them heard how we were awed by their presence, one of them flew towards me. I enveloped it with my hands. It stayed. It was awesome seeing it that way blinking its way on my palms. God truly made a wonderful world to live in.

Looks Can Be Deceiving

Kay was early to school last Friday. I didn’t see her leave that morning. Then while I was at the canteen, I received a message:

Ma, may nambastos skin. Wala namang ngyari skin. Nakuha ko ung plate number. Nireklamo na namin sa pulis.

Though there was those assuring words “Wala namang ngyari skin. (meaning Wala namang nangyari sa akin.) “, I was panic-stricken. I called her up immediately.

It turned out that there was a car parked near Fine Arts Building. The man in the car asked her where Palma Hall is. Kay obligingly answered tne thirthish looking man (He was doing something inside the car in which Kay was unmindful of but noticed that there was an activity. She vaguely remembered that the man was like removing his belt.) After a while she sensed that the man wanted to bring her to her destination which she politely declined because the FA building was nearby. When she was about to leave, the ‘decent’ looking man stopped her and told her, “Sandali, tingnan mo ‘to.” To her surprise, the man’s fly was open!  She immediately left but jotted down the car’s plate number. When the guard went to where the car is, it was nowhere to be found.

My daughter sounded ok when I talked to her. Thank God that sicko didn’t go down from his car. It would be disadvantageous for her if that would be so. He could easily drag her inside the car if she got afraid or weakened with fright. She told me she did not think that the man will do such a thing because “mukha siyang matino“, and added that “he has that good look in the face”. As Papsie puts it, we can never be too trusting, looks can be deceiving.

I was so worried and angry at the same time I wanted to be like Jean Gray, or Storm. Or Darna. She also has that ability to fly fast to catch those contemptible a**holes, and give them lessons they wouldn’t forget.

Do you believe in Friday the 13th? I am not a believer of this myth. But it sure was not a good day for the whole family, especially to Kay.

Looks Can Be Deceiving

Kay was early to school last Friday. I didn’t see her leave that morning. Then while I was at the canteen, I received a message:

Ma, may nambastos skin. Wala namang ngyari skin. Nakuha ko ung plate number. Nireklamo na namin sa pulis.

Though there was those assuring words “Wala namang ngyari skin. (meaning Wala namang nangyari sa akin.) “, I was panic-stricken. I called her up immediately.

It turned out that there was a car parked near Fine Arts Building. The man in the car asked her where Palma Hall is. Kay obligingly answered tne thirthish looking man (He was doing something inside the car in which Kay was unmindful of but noticed that there was an activity. She vaguely remembered that the man was like removing his belt.) After a while she sensed that the man wanted to bring her to her destination which she politely declined because the FA building was nearby. When she was about to leave, the ‘decent’ looking man stopped her and told her, “Sandali, tingnan mo ‘to.” To her surprise, the man’s fly was open!  She immediately left but jotted down the car’s plate number. When the guard went to where the car is, it was nowhere to be found.

My daughter sounded ok when I talked to her. Thank God that sicko didn’t go down from his car. It would be disadvantageous for her if that would be so. He could easily drag her inside the car if she got afraid or weakened with fright. She told me she did not think that the man will do such a thing because “mukha siyang matino“, and added that “he has that good look in the face”. As Papsie puts it, we can never be too trusting, looks can be deceiving.

I was so worried and angry at the same time I wanted to be like Jean Gray, or Storm. Or Darna. She also has that ability to fly fast to catch those contemptible a**holes, and give them lessons they wouldn’t forget.

Do you believe in Friday the 13th? I am not a believer of this myth. But it sure was not a good day for the whole family, especially to Kay.

A Croc is Not a Crook

Got attracted to a message written at the back of a friend’s t-shirt:

It is an insult to crocodiles when they are compared to unsavory characters like corrupt politicians, greedy businessmen and selfish athletes.

– Crocodile Farming Institute, Palawan

Satirical. But are the crocs better than the crooks? They are both cold-blooded. They are both predators.

This can be a reason:

Originally, the crooks were of the Homo Sapiens class, which are primates, but with a brain larger than any other. With a larger brain, they should function better, learn more quickly, or respond more appropriately to situations. To act like a lesser primate demean the Hominidae family, and the Crocodylidae family, which from their birth bore those innate characteristics of being predators, and being cold-blooded, too. And here you are, humans, trying to be one, without the need but with greed. You are surely insulting their family and class.

A Croc is Not a Crook

Got attracted to a message written at the back of a friend’s t-shirt:

It is an insult to crocodiles when they are compared to unsavory characters like corrupt politicians, greedy businessmen and selfish athletes.

– Crocodile Farming Institute, Palawan

Satirical. But are the crocs better than the crooks? They are both cold-blooded. They are both predators.

This can be a reason:

Originally, the crooks were of the Homo Sapiens class, which are primates, but with a brain larger than any other. With a larger brain, they should function better, learn more quickly, or respond more appropriately to situations. To act like a lesser primate demean the Hominidae family, and the Crocodylidae family, which from their birth bore those innate characteristics of being predators, and being cold-blooded, too. And here you are, humans, trying to be one, without the need but with greed. You are surely insulting their family and class.

Body Fag is No Cure for Brain Fag

(HG Wells, When the Sleeper Wakes, p.7)

Mr. Isbister is probably right. No amount of laborious physical work could lessen mental fatigue. Even when you tire out your body, the mind keeps on spinning. Therefore, cease straining your physical strength. Let your mind flow but not the body. You cannot do two things at a time.

(Photo from here.)

Are you hungry for sleep but cannot get one? Sometimes that happens to me. There are times my mind is clogged with worries. When mental stress attacks I read until my mind becomes very tired. Or I watch boring television shows.

I noticed that the more I force myself to sleep, the more my thoughts prevail, the more I can’t sleep. That’s when I learned there is no use fighting the very awake mind.

Now, spare some time and share your technique beating mental stress.

Body Fag is No Cure for Brain Fag

(HG Wells, When the Sleeper Wakes, p.7)

Mr. Isbister is probably right. No amount of laborious physical work could lessen mental fatigue. Even when you tire out your body, the mind keeps on spinning. Therefore, cease straining your physical strength. Let your mind flow but not the body. You cannot do two things at a time.

(Photo from here.)

Are you hungry for sleep but cannot get one? Sometimes that happens to me. There are times my mind is clogged with worries. When mental stress attacks I read until my mind becomes very tired. Or I watch boring television shows.

I noticed that the more I force myself to sleep, the more my thoughts prevail, the more I can’t sleep. That’s when I learned there is no use fighting the very awake mind.

Now, spare some time and share your technique beating mental stress.

Snippets

I borrowed the title from one of the great and missed bloggers, AuroraBorealis, known as little teapot. These are actually, snippets of events.

The Howling

I had never experienced a howling gale. Last September 28, a few minutes after I had gone home (the company made sense finally letting us go home because of the typhoon), Milenyo was felt. Its winds angrily striked at any obstruction that came its way. What frightened me is the howling that sounded like a live creature ready to devour.

Incommunicado

Then almost the entire Metro Manila was incommunicado. No electricity, no signals from cell sites. Totally nothing to reach others. It was boring to stay at home without electricity really. Cooking was a diversion worth the time.

Sleep Talking

Somniloquy is the other word for it. What if your mate mentioned somebody’s name? What will you do? You get tired waiting for your name to be mentioned but it wasn’t mentioned. Then you suddenly heard this, “Miss, ang ganda mo, pwede ka ba makilala?” (Miss, you are so pretty, can i get your name?”)

Rare to-do List

I do Things to Do List at work. I put ok after every accomplishment. Here is Kay’s to-do list:

HOY KAY!

ika-27 ng Setyembre – Judo Interclass

ika-1 ng Oktubre – UAAP Judo Championship

ika-3 ng Oktubre – Deadline – final plate FA 10

Project ni Kuya Von

Farting is Sweet

The Art of Farting. Our family makes fun of it. It is gross, yes, but I think the way we treat this gross bodily function – the fun thing of bombarding the culprit with all sorts of teasing and jokes – binds our family. 😛 How do you treat it?

Snippets

I borrowed the title from one of the great and missed bloggers, AuroraBorealis, known as little teapot. These are actually, snippets of events.

The Howling

I had never experienced a howling gale. Last September 28, a few minutes after I had gone home (the company made sense finally letting us go home because of the typhoon), Milenyo was felt. Its winds angrily striked at any obstruction that came its way. What frightened me is the howling that sounded like a live creature ready to devour.

Incommunicado

Then almost the entire Metro Manila was incommunicado. No electricity, no signals from cell sites. Totally nothing to reach others. It was boring to stay at home without electricity really. Cooking was a diversion worth the time.

Sleep Talking

Somniloquy is the other word for it. What if your mate mentioned somebody’s name? What will you do? You get tired waiting for your name to be mentioned but it wasn’t mentioned. Then you suddenly heard this, “Miss, ang ganda mo, pwede ka ba makilala?” (Miss, you are so pretty, can i get your name?”)

Rare to-do List

I do Things to Do List at work. I put ok after every accomplishment. Here is Kay’s to-do list:

HOY KAY!

ika-27 ng Setyembre – Judo Interclass

ika-1 ng Oktubre – UAAP Judo Championship

ika-3 ng Oktubre – Deadline – final plate FA 10

Project ni Kuya Von

Farting is Sweet

The Art of Farting. Our family makes fun of it. It is gross, yes, but I think the way we treat this gross bodily function – the fun thing of bombarding the culprit with all sorts of teasing and jokes – binds our family. 😛 How do you treat it?