Contemplations

Over the week, I had been contemplating on some of life’s facts and realities:

Death

With a number of relatives dying (there is a total of 5 deaths this week), I cannot help but think once again about death, which I have written before. Life is indeed transitory. We only live once, we only die once. I don’t know about other people but I don’t think we can be ‘repeaters’ just like in college where we enroll for the subject again to make up for the failures. This leads me to watch over my mouth and my actions and filter my thoughts. While others wanted a ‘free’ life, I choose to live life according to what is right, and Godly. Difficult, eh? But there is nothing easy trying to achieve something.

Friends

Friends come and go. It may hurt to feel that those you consider as friends do not reciprocate the friendship you offer. The feeling that I am taken for granted is always a big lump in my throat. Probably they have reasons like my reasons when I suddenly detach myself from a relation. And probably they have reasons not like my reasons. I don’t care anymore. This, too, will pass.

Family

Is it fair to judge a person because of the kind of family he or she has? Often times, people has this tendency to utter words like “Di ba kamag-anak mo ‘yan?” (Isn’t he or she your relative?) It is giving me the impression that good or bad, that person (who is a relative) is a mirror image of a particular person. I say it is not fair. Every person has his unique persona and it will not be reasonable to say he is this and that because his relative is this and that.

Fear

I fear the time that I will be without Papsie.

Poverty, Poor People, the Government

We went to a funeral at Malabon and passed by a squatter’s area which is worse than any squatter’s area I have seen. Going home, we passed by another squatter’s area, and I don’t know if it’s connected with the first we saw. The picture was overwhelming in the sense that it could make anybody squirm with mixtures of pity, horror, and anger. The area teeming with people in squalor is not an easy picture to look at. What is the government doing about this? Have they not seen these places? Surely the boob tube has been feeding them bits of this squalor every now and then, but what have they done? How can they sleep with comfort, and feed their mouths with food galore? How can they live a life with their constituents, who had seated them, in moral degradation?

Contemplations

Over the week, I had been contemplating on some of life’s facts and realities:

Death

With a number of relatives dying (there is a total of 5 deaths this week), I cannot help but think once again about death, which I have written before. Life is indeed transitory. We only live once, we only die once. I don’t know about other people but I don’t think we can be ‘repeaters’ just like in college where we enroll for the subject again to make up for the failures. This leads me to watch over my mouth and my actions and filter my thoughts. While others wanted a ‘free’ life, I choose to live life according to what is right, and Godly. Difficult, eh? But there is nothing easy trying to achieve something.

Friends

Friends come and go. It may hurt to feel that those you consider as friends do not reciprocate the friendship you offer. The feeling that I am taken for granted is always a big lump in my throat. Probably they have reasons like my reasons when I suddenly detach myself from a relation. And probably they have reasons not like my reasons. I don’t care anymore. This, too, will pass.

Family

Is it fair to judge a person because of the kind of family he or she has? Often times, people has this tendency to utter words like “Di ba kamag-anak mo ‘yan?” (Isn’t he or she your relative?) It is giving me the impression that good or bad, that person (who is a relative) is a mirror image of a particular person. I say it is not fair. Every person has his unique persona and it will not be reasonable to say he is this and that because his relative is this and that.

Fear

I fear the time that I will be without Papsie.

Poverty, Poor People, the Government

We went to a funeral at Malabon and passed by a squatter’s area which is worse than any squatter’s area I have seen. Going home, we passed by another squatter’s area, and I don’t know if it’s connected with the first we saw. The picture was overwhelming in the sense that it could make anybody squirm with mixtures of pity, horror, and anger. The area teeming with people in squalor is not an easy picture to look at. What is the government doing about this? Have they not seen these places? Surely the boob tube has been feeding them bits of this squalor every now and then, but what have they done? How can they sleep with comfort, and feed their mouths with food galore? How can they live a life with their constituents, who had seated them, in moral degradation?

Imperfections and All

One day…

Me: (upon reaching home) Hello, everybody, I’m home!

Kay: (with a glum look) Hi, Ma. 3.0 ako sa **** subject! (I got 3.0 in ****).

Me: (affected) Talaga? Sayang, ‘no? (Really? What a wasted opportunity, ‘no?) Anyway, it’s good you did not fail.

Kay: Oo nga, e… (Yea…)

Me: But did you not talk to your professor and asked him if you can take the test some other day? You just came from the hospital that day, di ba (isn’t it)? (I knew the answer; a frustrated attempt to neutralize the disappointment.)

Kay:Di ba (Isn’t it that) I texted him and he told me ‘it would be difficult because he will be releasing the results the following week’?

Papsie: (from the kitchen, grinning) Hello, Ma! Si Kay ay may good news at bad news! Nasabi na ba ‘sa yo? (Kay has good and bad news? Did she tell you already?)

(Daryl laughs.)

Me: Oo (Yes)… (smiling)

Papsie:The good news – pasado siya (she passed)! The bad news – 3.0 ang grade niya (she got 3.0)!

(Kay’s face has a combination of a smile and a pout.)

A few minutes passed…

(Kuya E, Papsie’s brother, entered the house and went directly to the kitchen were Kay was.)

Kay: Tito E, 3.0 ako sa **** (I got 3.0 in ****)!

Kuya E: O? ‘Yun ba yung professor na mahirap kausapin? (Really? is that the prof you find difficult to deal with?)

Kay: Hindi. ‘Yun ang subject na me quizzes kami while I was in the hospital and the day after I was released, finals na.(No. That was the subject where we had quizzes while I was in the hospital and the day after I was released, it was our final exams.)

Kuya E: E, paano ‘yan? Di ka na pwedeng cum laude? (How about that: you can’t be a cum laude anymore?)

Kay: Pwede pa, GWA naman ang basis, e. Di na nga lang ako US, CS na lang. (I can still be, the basis is GWA. Though I am not qualified as US anymore but only CS.)

At the dining table…

Me: Natutuwa naman ako sa ‘yo, Kay (I admire you, Kay).

Kay: Bakit (Why)?

Me: Pati ‘yung pagkakaroon mo ng 3.0, ikinuwento mo kay Kuya E (You even told Kuya E the news about your 3.0 grade.)

Kay: Ang inisip ko kasi, baka naman sabihin nila, good news at achievements lang ang ikinukwento ko, ang bad news e hindi. (I thought that they might think I am only telling the good news and my achievements, and I am hiding the bad news).

Me: Well, I am happy of your acceptance of a not so good part of your life. While other people have that look na it’s like the end of the world, ikaw e, hindi, at tinanggap mo ang iyong pagkukulang (you did not, and accepted your weaknesses or your shortcomings).

Papsie: E, pa’no kasi nakita rin niya yung acceptance natin sa nangyari (She felt our acceptance to what had happened).

Kay: That would be my last 3.0… I promise.

Me: Don’t promise, try.

Daryl giggles.)

No matter how much planning and preparation you do, something will not turn out the way you wanted it to be. Yet even when those inevitable disappointments do indeed come, you can adapt and make the very most of them.

Life is not perfect and yet it can be perfectly wonderful. It’s great to aim for perfection, and even better to achieve excellence in spite of the imperfections you encounter. When people and situations refuse to cooperate, you can be amazingly adaptable. You can move toward excellence even in the most distressing, imperfect scenarios.

Though what you have is not perfect, you can work with it. Accept what you have, imperfections and all, with gratitude and enthusiasm. Don’t spend your time waiting for the perfect situation, something that is not very likely to come. Go ahead with life as it is, with the bumps and the pitfalls, and give your best to every moment.

— Ralph Marston

Imperfections and All

One day…

Me: (upon reaching home) Hello, everybody, I’m home!

Kay: (with a glum look) Hi, Ma. 3.0 ako sa **** subject! (I got 3.0 in ****).

Me: (affected) Talaga? Sayang, ‘no? (Really? What a wasted opportunity, ‘no?) Anyway, it’s good you did not fail.

Kay: Oo nga, e… (Yea…)

Me: But did you not talk to your professor and asked him if you can take the test some other day? You just came from the hospital that day, di ba (isn’t it)? (I knew the answer; a frustrated attempt to neutralize the disappointment.)

Kay:Di ba (Isn’t it that) I texted him and he told me ‘it would be difficult because he will be releasing the results the following week’?

Papsie: (from the kitchen, grinning) Hello, Ma! Si Kay ay may good news at bad news! Nasabi na ba ‘sa yo? (Kay has good and bad news? Did she tell you already?)

(Daryl laughs.)

Me: Oo (Yes)… (smiling)

Papsie:The good news – pasado siya (she passed)! The bad news – 3.0 ang grade niya (she got 3.0)!

(Kay’s face has a combination of a smile and a pout.)

A few minutes passed…

(Kuya E, Papsie’s brother, entered the house and went directly to the kitchen were Kay was.)

Kay: Tito E, 3.0 ako sa **** (I got 3.0 in ****)!

Kuya E: O? ‘Yun ba yung professor na mahirap kausapin? (Really? is that the prof you find difficult to deal with?)

Kay: Hindi. ‘Yun ang subject na me quizzes kami while I was in the hospital and the day after I was released, finals na.(No. That was the subject where we had quizzes while I was in the hospital and the day after I was released, it was our final exams.)

Kuya E: E, paano ‘yan? Di ka na pwedeng cum laude? (How about that: you can’t be a cum laude anymore?)

Kay: Pwede pa, GWA naman ang basis, e. Di na nga lang ako US, CS na lang. (I can still be, the basis is GWA. Though I am not qualified as US anymore but only CS.)

At the dining table…

Me: Natutuwa naman ako sa ‘yo, Kay (I admire you, Kay).

Kay: Bakit (Why)?

Me: Pati ‘yung pagkakaroon mo ng 3.0, ikinuwento mo kay Kuya E (You even told Kuya E the news about your 3.0 grade.)

Kay: Ang inisip ko kasi, baka naman sabihin nila, good news at achievements lang ang ikinukwento ko, ang bad news e hindi. (I thought that they might think I am only telling the good news and my achievements, and I am hiding the bad news).

Me: Well, I am happy of your acceptance of a not so good part of your life. While other people have that look na it’s like the end of the world, ikaw e, hindi, at tinanggap mo ang iyong pagkukulang (you did not, and accepted your weaknesses or your shortcomings).

Papsie: E, pa’no kasi nakita rin niya yung acceptance natin sa nangyari (She felt our acceptance to what had happened).

Kay: That would be my last 3.0… I promise.

Me: Don’t promise, try.

Daryl giggles.)

No matter how much planning and preparation you do, something will not turn out the way you wanted it to be. Yet even when those inevitable disappointments do indeed come, you can adapt and make the very most of them.

Life is not perfect and yet it can be perfectly wonderful. It’s great to aim for perfection, and even better to achieve excellence in spite of the imperfections you encounter. When people and situations refuse to cooperate, you can be amazingly adaptable. You can move toward excellence even in the most distressing, imperfect scenarios.

Though what you have is not perfect, you can work with it. Accept what you have, imperfections and all, with gratitude and enthusiasm. Don’t spend your time waiting for the perfect situation, something that is not very likely to come. Go ahead with life as it is, with the bumps and the pitfalls, and give your best to every moment.

— Ralph Marston

Stumbling

My nickname is simply Bing. I never thought it has an equal meaning and for goodness sake, not from the dictionary of street drugs ! Thanks to Stumble, I learned that bing has its drug related meaning as ‘enough for a drug for one injection’. Bings, which for me is a plural of Bing, has a meaning equal to ‘crack’.

On my sixth Stumble click, The Modern Library offers the readers the best 100 novels. You’ll find in this site how many of these best novels you had feasted your eyes on. Which reminds me, I have to practice my reading skills he he 😀

Next click brought me to Readprint, a free online library. It has a collection of books which you can read online. It also has a portion where there is a list of book authors. Just a click away and presto, you can read the pages of a book of a particular author, from its first chapter to the last chapter. Wonder if they can be printed?

My next stop transported me to an article on leadership – some pointers to be confident looking.What cracked me up is this comment:This article was so long I became uninterested. Talk about boring. If anyone wants to keep my attention, the subject needs to be a bit more lively than just boring statements. And talk about freedom of expression = impatience! 😀

That’s for tonight’s stumbling. Want to stumble, too?

Stumbling

My nickname is simply Bing. I never thought it has an equal meaning and for goodness sake, not from the dictionary of street drugs ! Thanks to Stumble, I learned that bing has its drug related meaning as ‘enough for a drug for one injection’. Bings, which for me is a plural of Bing, has a meaning equal to ‘crack’.

On my sixth Stumble click, The Modern Library offers the readers the best 100 novels. You’ll find in this site how many of these best novels you had feasted your eyes on. Which reminds me, I have to practice my reading skills he he 😀

Next click brought me to Readprint, a free online library. It has a collection of books which you can read online. It also has a portion where there is a list of book authors. Just a click away and presto, you can read the pages of a book of a particular author, from its first chapter to the last chapter. Wonder if they can be printed?

My next stop transported me to an article on leadership – some pointers to be confident looking.What cracked me up is this comment:This article was so long I became uninterested. Talk about boring. If anyone wants to keep my attention, the subject needs to be a bit more lively than just boring statements. And talk about freedom of expression = impatience! 😀

That’s for tonight’s stumbling. Want to stumble, too?

Social Networks

What do Friendster, Hi5, Tagged, Facebox, Jhoos, Ringo, LoveHappens, and the like have in common? They are social (and even dating) networks designed to one’s social and advertising or marketing needs. It got me hooked before to some of these networks because of the excitement to meet old and new friends, to read messages, testimonials and bulletins. Improvements to better their services are in progress. The skins of a profile, for example, can be revised or improved using some of the featured improvements. Quite an interesting feature because it gives the impression that you can have your personal touch to your profile or to the design or layout of your page. To add, almost all access to the different services are just a click away – trouble-free indulgence to the networks’ items.

But I have yet to delete some accounts. The others were already forgotten. In other words, my username and password to some of these networks were vanished from memory. And as I have said, the remaining ones will be deleted in the future (perhaps I can retain one). And future can mean two hours from here and now.

One would like to ask why. Simple! I don’t have time anymore to enjoy the luxury of visiting them, of responding to the messages and the bulletins, to post pictures, to add testimonials, or to revise the design and layout. And probably nobody cares anymore if there is a page for yours truly because yours truly does not reply and visit other pages anymore. I just cannot have time for these OTHER activities. The blogging deities alone cannot be satiated with my infrequent socializing. Why would I retain these pages which I have not visited for months? Admittedly, like blogging, having these pages in these social networks let me discover exciting new things and people. But I just don’t have the time. So, ‘delete this account’ they will go.

Can one ever forget testimonials like

she’s actually not the tita type…she is more of a friend..crazy and immature sometimes…but very responsible…ahh…one of the VERY FEW persons in *** na may sense kausap hehe…

Or funny messages like

I saw your pic with your lovely legs, and had to write. Thank you for sharing your pics.

Or photo messages like

Pretty.

Or even nasty messages like

Very Nice Body Shape, Yummmmmmmmm

They will never be forgotten – the sweet, the friendly, the nasty (or the terrifying) – they were the exciting part of the experience. It was really nice reading other people’s pages but I have grown out of these activities. I feel it is nonsense that I continue. Let the young, the unattached, the vibrant, the daring, the promising, or the energetic, enjoy! 😀

Social Networks

What do Friendster, Hi5, Tagged, Facebox, Jhoos, Ringo, LoveHappens, and the like have in common? They are social (and even dating) networks designed to one’s social and advertising or marketing needs. It got me hooked before to some of these networks because of the excitement to meet old and new friends, to read messages, testimonials and bulletins. Improvements to better their services are in progress. The skins of a profile, for example, can be revised or improved using some of the featured improvements. Quite an interesting feature because it gives the impression that you can have your personal touch to your profile or to the design or layout of your page. To add, almost all access to the different services are just a click away – trouble-free indulgence to the networks’ items.

But I have yet to delete some accounts. The others were already forgotten. In other words, my username and password to some of these networks were vanished from memory. And as I have said, the remaining ones will be deleted in the future (perhaps I can retain one). And future can mean two hours from here and now.

One would like to ask why. Simple! I don’t have time anymore to enjoy the luxury of visiting them, of responding to the messages and the bulletins, to post pictures, to add testimonials, or to revise the design and layout. And probably nobody cares anymore if there is a page for yours truly because yours truly does not reply and visit other pages anymore. I just cannot have time for these OTHER activities. The blogging deities alone cannot be satiated with my infrequent socializing. Why would I retain these pages which I have not visited for months? Admittedly, like blogging, having these pages in these social networks let me discover exciting new things and people. But I just don’t have the time. So, ‘delete this account’ they will go.

Can one ever forget testimonials like

she’s actually not the tita type…she is more of a friend..crazy and immature sometimes…but very responsible…ahh…one of the VERY FEW persons in *** na may sense kausap hehe…

Or funny messages like

I saw your pic with your lovely legs, and had to write. Thank you for sharing your pics.

Or photo messages like

Pretty.

Or even nasty messages like

Very Nice Body Shape, Yummmmmmmmm

They will never be forgotten – the sweet, the friendly, the nasty (or the terrifying) – they were the exciting part of the experience. It was really nice reading other people’s pages but I have grown out of these activities. I feel it is nonsense that I continue. Let the young, the unattached, the vibrant, the daring, the promising, or the energetic, enjoy! 😀

Sexiest

Written April 8, 2007

While this maybe a silly subject on Easter Sunday, I cannot miss this chance of jotting about ETC’s sexiest Hollywood stars. Of course, the women actresses are drop dead beautiful and gorgeous, and it would be easy to say that they all have the flair. But with the men actors, I can only agree with ETC on number 15, number 13, number 4 and number 2, namely Will Smith, George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp.

Why?

Will Smith because he is that epitome of a good guy. For me, that makes him sexy. His eyes are so gentle in contrast to his machismo. But it is also the eyes that would give me away.

George Clooney because he is funny and intelligent. His body is not that sexy to me but his eyes speak about many things. His movements are cool, too, which appeals to me as in command. He is really very confident looking.

Brad Pitt because he has that boyish but deadly charm. ‘Painfully good-looking’ very well suits him. His eyes, nose, and lips matches each other perfectly. His abs are adorable. Perfect fits the description.

Johnny Depp because he has that ‘bad boy’ lure. His talent speaks about how interesting this actor is. His eyes are not smiling eyes but they are so attractive. Quiet type men are also interesting. He looks like one mysterious man.

Who’s the sexiest for you?

Sexiest

Written April 8, 2007

While this maybe a silly subject on Easter Sunday, I cannot miss this chance of jotting about ETC’s sexiest Hollywood stars. Of course, the women actresses are drop dead beautiful and gorgeous, and it would be easy to say that they all have the flair. But with the men actors, I can only agree with ETC on number 15, number 13, number 4 and number 2, namely Will Smith, George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp.

Why?

Will Smith because he is that epitome of a good guy. For me, that makes him sexy. His eyes are so gentle in contrast to his machismo. But it is also the eyes that would give me away.

George Clooney because he is funny and intelligent. His body is not that sexy to me but his eyes speak about many things. His movements are cool, too, which appeals to me as in command. He is really very confident looking.

Brad Pitt because he has that boyish but deadly charm. ‘Painfully good-looking’ very well suits him. His eyes, nose, and lips matches each other perfectly. His abs are adorable. Perfect fits the description.

Johnny Depp because he has that ‘bad boy’ lure. His talent speaks about how interesting this actor is. His eyes are not smiling eyes but they are so attractive. Quiet type men are also interesting. He looks like one mysterious man.

Who’s the sexiest for you?

Sharing Everything Together

Sharing everything in life as a couple can be considered as one of the secrets of staying with each other for a long time. I believe it does not depend on you wearing all the time your wedding rings even if your ring fingers are already screaming out to remove them because they had grown bigger after years. No, I don’t think so. Your wedding rings or any other symbols cannot guarantee a long-time relationship. But I digress.

Both of you should share the laughter and the tears, the joys and the sorrow, the successes and the failures, or in short, the ups and downs of married life. There is a story I want to share with everybody about a sweet couple. Who could ever beat this?

The little old couple walked slowly into McDonalds that cold winter evening. They looked out of place amid the young families and young couples eating there that night. Some of the customers looked admiringly at them.

You could tell what the admirers were thinking. “Look, there is a couple who has been through a lot together, probably for 60 years or more!”

The little old man walked right up to the cash register, placed his order with no hesitation and then paid for their meal.

The couple took a table near the back wall and started taking food off the tray. There was one hamburger, one order of french fries and one drink.

The little old man unwrapped the plain hamburger and carefully cut it in half. He placed one half in front of his wife. Then he carefully counted out the french fries, divided them in two piles and neatly placed one pile in front of his wife. He took a sip of the drink, his wife took a sip and then set the cup down between them.

As the man began to eat his few bites of hamburger the crowd began to get restless. Again you could tell what they were thinking. “That poor old couple. All they can afford is one meal for the two of them.”

As the man began to eat his french fries one young man stood and cameover to the old couple’s table. He politely offered to buy another meal for the old couple to eat. The old man replied that they were just fine.They were used to sharing everything.

Then the crowd noticed that thelittle old lady hadn’t eaten a bite. She just sat there watching her husband eat and occasionally taking turns sipping the drink.

Again the young man came over and begged them to let him buy them something to eat. This time the lady explained that no, they were used to sharing everything together.

As the little old man finished eating and was wiping his face neatly with a napkin the young man could not stand it no longer.

Again he came over to their table and offered to buy some food. After being politely refused again he finally asked a question to the little old lady.

“Maam, why aren’t you eating? You said that you share everything. What is it that you are waiting for?”

She answered, “the teeth”.

Can you beat that?

By the way, yesterday was our wedding anniversary. It is a simple celebration with Fundador, Legends, Nagaraya, spaghetti, Piattos, and sisig. It was supposed to be a celebration for two. Then came the unexpected friends who joined. No regrets actually. It sort of added to the joy of still living together with loved ones and friends around.

It always feels good sharing life with you, Papsie.

Sharing Everything Together

Sharing everything in life as a couple can be considered as one of the secrets of staying with each other for a long time. I believe it does not depend on you wearing all the time your wedding rings even if your ring fingers are already screaming out to remove them because they had grown bigger after years. No, I don’t think so. Your wedding rings or any other symbols cannot guarantee a long-time relationship. But I digress.

Both of you should share the laughter and the tears, the joys and the sorrow, the successes and the failures, or in short, the ups and downs of married life. There is a story I want to share with everybody about a sweet couple. Who could ever beat this?

The little old couple walked slowly into McDonalds that cold winter evening. They looked out of place amid the young families and young couples eating there that night. Some of the customers looked admiringly at them.

You could tell what the admirers were thinking. “Look, there is a couple who has been through a lot together, probably for 60 years or more!”

The little old man walked right up to the cash register, placed his order with no hesitation and then paid for their meal.

The couple took a table near the back wall and started taking food off the tray. There was one hamburger, one order of french fries and one drink.

The little old man unwrapped the plain hamburger and carefully cut it in half. He placed one half in front of his wife. Then he carefully counted out the french fries, divided them in two piles and neatly placed one pile in front of his wife. He took a sip of the drink, his wife took a sip and then set the cup down between them.

As the man began to eat his few bites of hamburger the crowd began to get restless. Again you could tell what they were thinking. “That poor old couple. All they can afford is one meal for the two of them.”

As the man began to eat his french fries one young man stood and cameover to the old couple’s table. He politely offered to buy another meal for the old couple to eat. The old man replied that they were just fine.They were used to sharing everything.

Then the crowd noticed that thelittle old lady hadn’t eaten a bite. She just sat there watching her husband eat and occasionally taking turns sipping the drink.

Again the young man came over and begged them to let him buy them something to eat. This time the lady explained that no, they were used to sharing everything together.

As the little old man finished eating and was wiping his face neatly with a napkin the young man could not stand it no longer.

Again he came over to their table and offered to buy some food. After being politely refused again he finally asked a question to the little old lady.

“Maam, why aren’t you eating? You said that you share everything. What is it that you are waiting for?”

She answered, “the teeth”.

Can you beat that?

By the way, yesterday was our wedding anniversary. It is a simple celebration with Fundador, Legends, Nagaraya, spaghetti, Piattos, and sisig. It was supposed to be a celebration for two. Then came the unexpected friends who joined. No regrets actually. It sort of added to the joy of still living together with loved ones and friends around.

It always feels good sharing life with you, Papsie.