by Paramita
Kakayanin ko kaya?
surf ko mukha ko
magf-feeling surfer na naman ako sa sabado. dahil oktubre, bumalik na ang mga alon. at dahil lubos kaming nasiyahan sa la union, duon uli ang punta namin.
love ko talaga ang surfing at pinagpipilitan kong matuto kahit mahirap at kahit di pa rin ako marunong lumangoy. mababaw lang naman ang tubig at laging may nagbabantay sa yo. eto lang ang sport ko, kaya medyo kinakareer ko na rin kahit paano, kahit sa panaginip lang.
kanina, naramdaman ko na talagang kailangan may gawin ako na related sa surfing: eto ang kinalabasan. gumawa ako ng postcard. hehe. bukod duon, tinawagan ko na rin ang bus na sasakyan at tinext ang lugar na aming tutuluyan. aalis kami ng sabado ng madaling araw para makarating sa la union ng umaga. kakain ng agahan sa daan. matutulog at magpapahinga. sa hapon na ako mags-surf para di na ganon kainit at di na rin inaantok.
sa sabado, wish ko lang makarami ako ng tayo sa board. kahit 20% tayo at 80% semplang. pwede na siguro yan. sige, it-track ko ang aking stats. parang pro. parang totoo. o di ba? feeling talaga :)
Hallmark Smile
i have started to play around photos and add textures and text on them. i guess i just found a new hobby and interest.
this one was created using a photo of a shy girl, taken 3 years ago and a texture that was downloaded from the internet. she was a vendor selling candies and biscuits and soft drinks at the Luneta Park in Manila. in this, photo she is actually standing in front of their stall. i feel privileged and thankful to have her beautiful smile captured. sayang, i didnt even get to ask her name, i doubt if she will tell me kasi she seemed really shy and reserved. i wonder if she still works there. maybe i can go back and print some photos for her.
this one was created using a photo of a shy girl, taken 3 years ago and a texture that was downloaded from the internet. she was a vendor selling candies and biscuits and soft drinks at the Luneta Park in Manila. in this, photo she is actually standing in front of their stall. i feel privileged and thankful to have her beautiful smile captured. sayang, i didnt even get to ask her name, i doubt if she will tell me kasi she seemed really shy and reserved. i wonder if she still works there. maybe i can go back and print some photos for her.
Larawan Mula Palawan
Nakarating din ako ng Palawan sa wakas at nakita ang Puerto Princesa, Honday Bay at Sabang! Di ko na inabot ang El Nido dahil higit 8 oras pala ang layo nito mula sa kinaroroonan ko at kapos na sa oras at budget.
Kuha ang litratong ito noong isang buwan. Kung makikita nyo, ang layo ng agwat ko mula sa mga kasama ko. Naglakad kami mula sa resort sa may Sabang patungong Monkey Trail, papuntang Underground River. Halos dalawang oras na lakaran, maka-apat na beses na akyat baba sa mga hagdang-batong matarik. Dalawang oras ng hingal at pawis at uhaw. Napag-iiwanan ako ng mga kasamang dayuhan na tila daig pa si Speedy Gonzales sa bilis. Nawala ako sa loob ng gubat dahil sa kaka-litrato. Hindi uso sa mga dayuhan ang maghintayan. Tsk. Buti na lang binalikan nila ako makaraan ang kinse minutos. Mangiyak-ngiyak at galit na ako sa sarili ko at sa kasama kong nakuhang dalin ang bag ko, pero di nakuhang maghintay. Lintek, muntik na akong mag-ala Survivor sa Palawan! Nung sandaling yun, wala akong dalang kahit ano kundi ang SLR ko. Walang tubig, walang cellphone. Ni kendi wala. Wala kahit ano. Libag lang siguro. Nang nakita ko silang muli, galit at tuwa ang naramdaman ko.
Nang mawala ang galit ko dahil nakita kong na-guilty rin ang kasama ko, naglakad nang muli ako. Halos kalahating oras makalipas, narating na rin namin ang entrance sa Underground River. Dahil holiday nuon, dagsa ang mga turista. Karamihan ay Pilipino. May baong malalaking kaldero at nagpi-piknik habang naghihintay ng turn na makasakay sa plastic na banka papasok sa Underground River. Ayos naman na makita ang sikat na tourist spot, libre pala ang pagpasok duon. Kaso di ako okay sa naging tour guide dahil mahirap maunawaan ang kanyang salita. Pinilit kong intindihin at i-appreciate ang kanyang sinasabi pero halata sa mga kasama kong dayuhan ang frustration. Sa bandang dulo, di na lang kami nakinig nang husto at nag-concentrate na lang sa pagtingin ng mga kakaibang rock formations sa loob ng kweba. Dahil sobrang dilim, wala halos akong nakunan. At takot din akong mahulog ang SLR dahil makitid lang ang bangka at malalim ang tubig ruon. Halos 30ft o 50ft ata.
Hindi uso ang party dito di tulad sa Puerto Galera. Walang beer house o discohan pero may mga restaurant na pwede kainan nang kung ano anong masarap na putahe. Dahil mura ang accomodation namin (P600 per night sa dalawang tao), dito na lang kami bumawi. Tinodo namin ang budget sa pagkain!
Ang daming magagawa at makikita sa Palawan. Marami pa akong gusto ikuwento. Maraming islang maaring dalawin, trail na pwedeng lakarin, talon na pwedeng paliguan, ilog na pwedeng pagmasdan. Panalo talaga.
Apat na araw rin ako sa paraiso, pero parang kulang pa. Titiyakin kong bumalik sa archipelagong ito, pero siguradong matatagalan pa. Ngayong may passport na uli ako, uunahin ko munang makarating sa mga kalapit bansa dito sa Timog-Silangang Asia. Di ko pa kasi na-experience ito.
Eto pa ang ilan sa mga paborito kong litrato:
eto ang kalabaw na sumalubong sa amin sa sabang
mabatong parte ng sabang, tapat lang ito ng aming resort
eto ang bumungad sa akin pagdating ko ng sabang
sabang, palawan
Kuha ang litratong ito noong isang buwan. Kung makikita nyo, ang layo ng agwat ko mula sa mga kasama ko. Naglakad kami mula sa resort sa may Sabang patungong Monkey Trail, papuntang Underground River. Halos dalawang oras na lakaran, maka-apat na beses na akyat baba sa mga hagdang-batong matarik. Dalawang oras ng hingal at pawis at uhaw. Napag-iiwanan ako ng mga kasamang dayuhan na tila daig pa si Speedy Gonzales sa bilis. Nawala ako sa loob ng gubat dahil sa kaka-litrato. Hindi uso sa mga dayuhan ang maghintayan. Tsk. Buti na lang binalikan nila ako makaraan ang kinse minutos. Mangiyak-ngiyak at galit na ako sa sarili ko at sa kasama kong nakuhang dalin ang bag ko, pero di nakuhang maghintay. Lintek, muntik na akong mag-ala Survivor sa Palawan! Nung sandaling yun, wala akong dalang kahit ano kundi ang SLR ko. Walang tubig, walang cellphone. Ni kendi wala. Wala kahit ano. Libag lang siguro. Nang nakita ko silang muli, galit at tuwa ang naramdaman ko.
Nang mawala ang galit ko dahil nakita kong na-guilty rin ang kasama ko, naglakad nang muli ako. Halos kalahating oras makalipas, narating na rin namin ang entrance sa Underground River. Dahil holiday nuon, dagsa ang mga turista. Karamihan ay Pilipino. May baong malalaking kaldero at nagpi-piknik habang naghihintay ng turn na makasakay sa plastic na banka papasok sa Underground River. Ayos naman na makita ang sikat na tourist spot, libre pala ang pagpasok duon. Kaso di ako okay sa naging tour guide dahil mahirap maunawaan ang kanyang salita. Pinilit kong intindihin at i-appreciate ang kanyang sinasabi pero halata sa mga kasama kong dayuhan ang frustration. Sa bandang dulo, di na lang kami nakinig nang husto at nag-concentrate na lang sa pagtingin ng mga kakaibang rock formations sa loob ng kweba. Dahil sobrang dilim, wala halos akong nakunan. At takot din akong mahulog ang SLR dahil makitid lang ang bangka at malalim ang tubig ruon. Halos 30ft o 50ft ata.
Hindi uso ang party dito di tulad sa Puerto Galera. Walang beer house o discohan pero may mga restaurant na pwede kainan nang kung ano anong masarap na putahe. Dahil mura ang accomodation namin (P600 per night sa dalawang tao), dito na lang kami bumawi. Tinodo namin ang budget sa pagkain!
Ang daming magagawa at makikita sa Palawan. Marami pa akong gusto ikuwento. Maraming islang maaring dalawin, trail na pwedeng lakarin, talon na pwedeng paliguan, ilog na pwedeng pagmasdan. Panalo talaga.
Apat na araw rin ako sa paraiso, pero parang kulang pa. Titiyakin kong bumalik sa archipelagong ito, pero siguradong matatagalan pa. Ngayong may passport na uli ako, uunahin ko munang makarating sa mga kalapit bansa dito sa Timog-Silangang Asia. Di ko pa kasi na-experience ito.
Eto pa ang ilan sa mga paborito kong litrato:
eto ang kalabaw na sumalubong sa amin sa sabang
mabatong parte ng sabang, tapat lang ito ng aming resort
eto ang bumungad sa akin pagdating ko ng sabang
sabang, palawan
on our way to the underground river
the one inspired by ayn rand
i woke up today and saw a "blog.txt" file opened in my desktop PC. my dad has used the PC earlier to play "spiders" and he must have double-clicked on the file which was on the desktop unknowingly. i had almost forgotten about this file and was surprised to read what i had written months ago in it -- apparently during and after watching the video, "the law of attraction":
i want to be beautiful inside and outside.
i want to be able to wear beautiful clothes.
i want to have a smile in my face so that the people would come to know the grace that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ. i would like my friends and family to see the grace of the Lord in me so that they may know who my God is.
i want to find my soulmate, a man, a best friend whom i can grow old happily and content with. a man who will lead me closer to God.
i want to be able to support my family financially and abundantly.
i want to be able to take wonderful photos that people would seek out from all corners of the world. i want them to see God in my pictures and know that God who is forever loving and kind is with them.
i want to be healthy and live a long life. long enough to see my grandchildren and spend christmases with them.
i want to be able to travel to europe during summer.
i want to sing.
i want to grow deeper in my faith in God and to know God in a much deeper level and to love him and obey him more.
i want to be a woman who knows what it means to respect and to care and to have peace with myself, with God, and with others.
i want to be prosperous.
i want to be happy and make the people around me happy.
im a little hesitant to share the above with everyone, because they are very personal to me... but im writing them here just the same, if only to challenge myself to remain true to myself and to have a way of remembering who i wanted to be when i was younger. to be honest, when i read some of the things i had written (especially about the photography part), i laughed and felt somewhat embarassed for me! but then i realized, they may have been written months ago and they may sound silly now but i do remember writing (or more like, typing) them down with all honesty and truthfulness that i can find at the core of my being. these were my own thoughts and they were my dreams and the best thing i can do is embrace them instead of shove them off at the back of my mind and forget about them. sabi nga ni ayn rand, "the world we desired can be won... it exists, it is real, it is possible... (and the last part is my favorite)... it is yours." i really like that quote. obvious naman di ba, it's at the topmost portion of this blog!
here are my notes from the video. if you haven't seen it, you might find these absurd in the beginning and might easily dismiss it as just another "self-help" mechanism. however, to me the lessons are quite inspiring and have changed my perspective in a broader sense but at the same time allowed me to deal with the practical and more mundane problems we encounter in our daily lives better -- as long as i remember to apply it which lately, unfortunately, has not always been the case.
the law of attraction:
- make it clear in our minds what we want. we attract what we think about most.
- thoughts become things.
- every thought has a frequency. thoughts send out magnetic signals.
- creation is always happening. everytime an individual has a prolonged chronic way of thinking, they are in the creation process. something is going to manifest out of these thoughts.
- the mind is shaping the very thing that is being perceived.
- emotional guidance systems will help us understand what we're thinking. the thoughts cause our feelings.
- there are only two emotions: good (hope, happiness and love, optimism, contentment, belief, passion) and bad (guilt, anger, frustration, worry, blame, revenge)
- our feelings are a feedback mechanism. the better we feel, the more in alignment we are. the worse we feel, the more out of alignment we are.
- whatever it is you are feeling is a perfect reflection of what is in the process of becoming.
- you can begin to feel healthy, prosperous, or the love that surrounds you even if its not there. and the universe will correspond to the nature of your song.
- what you think and what you feel and what manifests is always a match.
- whatever thought has done in your life can be undone through a shift in your awareness.
- you create your own universe as you go along (winston churchill)
- guide your thoughts based upon they feel. be the creator of your own reality.
- the creative process is a step process. 1) ask what you want 2) answer - universe responds to your thoughts 3) receive
- pay attention to what you're attracted to.
- you can start with nothing. and out of nothing and out of no way, a way will be made.
- take the first step in faith. you dont have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
- how long will this take? its a matter of you being in alignment in the universe.
- most people offer the majority of their thoughts in response to what they are observing.
- all that we are is a result of what we have thought (buddha)
- start: with things you are grateful for. have an attitude of gratitude.
- powerful process: visualize. dwell upon the end result.
- its the feeling that creates the attraction
- when you have an inspired thought, you have to trust it and you have to act on it.
- next: list the positive aspects of the people you spend a lot of time with. things you like most about a person.
- you are the only one who creates your reality. no one else can think for you. only you. every bit of you.
- focus on what you want, not what you dont want
- lie: there's not enough good to go around
- truth: there's more than enough joy, love, idea in the world for everyone
- an affirmative thought is hundreds of times more powerful than a negative thought.
i know it sounds the same as what we've already heard dati pa when "the power of positive thinking" literature came out. it has been years since that book became a best-seller tapos eto na naman, "the law of attraction", a rephrasal, repackaging. but why is this re-surfacing after so many years and why did it become a best-seller yet again? i guess everyone needs a little bit of encouragement once in a while. or we all need to find a way to battle the negatives in the world, ourselves included. i really dont know... but i do know that there is something about affirmative thought and re-thinking these affirmative thoughts that must be good. im trying it out already as i write this! and without exaggeration, im telling you, i feel good about it :)
i want to be beautiful inside and outside.
i want to be able to wear beautiful clothes.
i want to have a smile in my face so that the people would come to know the grace that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ. i would like my friends and family to see the grace of the Lord in me so that they may know who my God is.
i want to find my soulmate, a man, a best friend whom i can grow old happily and content with. a man who will lead me closer to God.
i want to be able to support my family financially and abundantly.
i want to be able to take wonderful photos that people would seek out from all corners of the world. i want them to see God in my pictures and know that God who is forever loving and kind is with them.
i want to be healthy and live a long life. long enough to see my grandchildren and spend christmases with them.
i want to be able to travel to europe during summer.
i want to sing.
i want to grow deeper in my faith in God and to know God in a much deeper level and to love him and obey him more.
i want to be a woman who knows what it means to respect and to care and to have peace with myself, with God, and with others.
i want to be prosperous.
i want to be happy and make the people around me happy.
im a little hesitant to share the above with everyone, because they are very personal to me... but im writing them here just the same, if only to challenge myself to remain true to myself and to have a way of remembering who i wanted to be when i was younger. to be honest, when i read some of the things i had written (especially about the photography part), i laughed and felt somewhat embarassed for me! but then i realized, they may have been written months ago and they may sound silly now but i do remember writing (or more like, typing) them down with all honesty and truthfulness that i can find at the core of my being. these were my own thoughts and they were my dreams and the best thing i can do is embrace them instead of shove them off at the back of my mind and forget about them. sabi nga ni ayn rand, "the world we desired can be won... it exists, it is real, it is possible... (and the last part is my favorite)... it is yours." i really like that quote. obvious naman di ba, it's at the topmost portion of this blog!
here are my notes from the video. if you haven't seen it, you might find these absurd in the beginning and might easily dismiss it as just another "self-help" mechanism. however, to me the lessons are quite inspiring and have changed my perspective in a broader sense but at the same time allowed me to deal with the practical and more mundane problems we encounter in our daily lives better -- as long as i remember to apply it which lately, unfortunately, has not always been the case.
the law of attraction:
- make it clear in our minds what we want. we attract what we think about most.
- thoughts become things.
- every thought has a frequency. thoughts send out magnetic signals.
- creation is always happening. everytime an individual has a prolonged chronic way of thinking, they are in the creation process. something is going to manifest out of these thoughts.
- the mind is shaping the very thing that is being perceived.
- emotional guidance systems will help us understand what we're thinking. the thoughts cause our feelings.
- there are only two emotions: good (hope, happiness and love, optimism, contentment, belief, passion) and bad (guilt, anger, frustration, worry, blame, revenge)
- our feelings are a feedback mechanism. the better we feel, the more in alignment we are. the worse we feel, the more out of alignment we are.
- whatever it is you are feeling is a perfect reflection of what is in the process of becoming.
- you can begin to feel healthy, prosperous, or the love that surrounds you even if its not there. and the universe will correspond to the nature of your song.
- what you think and what you feel and what manifests is always a match.
- whatever thought has done in your life can be undone through a shift in your awareness.
- you create your own universe as you go along (winston churchill)
- guide your thoughts based upon they feel. be the creator of your own reality.
- the creative process is a step process. 1) ask what you want 2) answer - universe responds to your thoughts 3) receive
- pay attention to what you're attracted to.
- you can start with nothing. and out of nothing and out of no way, a way will be made.
- take the first step in faith. you dont have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
- how long will this take? its a matter of you being in alignment in the universe.
- most people offer the majority of their thoughts in response to what they are observing.
- all that we are is a result of what we have thought (buddha)
- start: with things you are grateful for. have an attitude of gratitude.
- powerful process: visualize. dwell upon the end result.
- its the feeling that creates the attraction
- when you have an inspired thought, you have to trust it and you have to act on it.
- next: list the positive aspects of the people you spend a lot of time with. things you like most about a person.
- you are the only one who creates your reality. no one else can think for you. only you. every bit of you.
- focus on what you want, not what you dont want
- lie: there's not enough good to go around
- truth: there's more than enough joy, love, idea in the world for everyone
- an affirmative thought is hundreds of times more powerful than a negative thought.
i know it sounds the same as what we've already heard dati pa when "the power of positive thinking" literature came out. it has been years since that book became a best-seller tapos eto na naman, "the law of attraction", a rephrasal, repackaging. but why is this re-surfacing after so many years and why did it become a best-seller yet again? i guess everyone needs a little bit of encouragement once in a while. or we all need to find a way to battle the negatives in the world, ourselves included. i really dont know... but i do know that there is something about affirmative thought and re-thinking these affirmative thoughts that must be good. im trying it out already as i write this! and without exaggeration, im telling you, i feel good about it :)
the one with gino and marjo
thanks to the organizers of aperturista's first ga, i was given the chance to shoot models at my alma mater. something i've always wanted to do ever since i started photography. i enjoyed shooting that day so much, that i stayed longer than i originally intended to. shooting with the other 20+ photographers was a challenge given that we had limited number of strobes, triggers and models at the start. but once you get the hang of it, you can concentrate on the subject and start having fun. salamat to the make-up artist (Julius Uy) and the models (Gino Cabrillas and Marjo Guzman) for putting up with us! i never heard a single complaint from the models even though there were instances that we would ask them to repeat again and again what they have already done before -- sit on the ground and look pensive, stand-up and face the wall then look at the camera, etc. at times we had to repeat their poses simply because we were not able to trigger our flash. i never heard them complain although they seemed tired at some point. galing, very impressive attitude! i hope to see them again in future shoots. nakakatuwa talaga.
anyway, sana matuwa rin kayo sa mga output, folks. there's more in my multiply site. feel free to check them out. thanks and God bless!
Gino Cabrillas
Marjo Guzman
anyway, sana matuwa rin kayo sa mga output, folks. there's more in my multiply site. feel free to check them out. thanks and God bless!
Gino Cabrillas
Marjo Guzman
the one from the Blue Man
something i read from mitch albom's "five people you meet in heaven" this morning:
the only time we waste
is the time we spend thinking we are alone
is the time we spend thinking we are alone
house rules
something i learned last night from watching the season 4 marathon of "house" on DVD:
the moment you stop questioning
would be the moment you stop hoping
inip
all i wanted to do today was look at photos from my trips to ilocos and la union earlier this year and post-process them -- crop them, change their hue, saturation, tilt them -- and then upload them to flickr and check to see if someone has made any comments on them or favorited them. here's a photo taken from my ilocos trip. there's more in my flickr account. old photos. newly edited.
hay.... i guess im still very much bummed about the cancellation of that travel photography class which we were organizing and was supposed to have been an overnight trip to bolinao on the last weekend of june. we were supposed to stay at puerto del sol and take pictures around. i was soooo looking forward to that. and then it got canceled due to budget constraints which we only learned about two weeks before the planned trip.
hay.... bakit ba ganon??? i wanted to see nature and get out of town. i wanted to take photos of those fishermen and the low tide and the lighthouse...
i wanted so much to do anything with photography that i asked the tricycle driver earlier to stop in the middle of the road so i can take photos of children on my way to work this morning. i had the camera mounted on the tripod before i made my unusual request and i had made several tests already while the tricycle was running to make sure exposure was somewhat alright. the photos turned out well. ill try to upload them soon.
hay... kelan na kaya uli ako makakalabas ng maynila at makakapag-shoot ng kalikasan, ng kapaligiran, ng pamayanan, ng mamamayan?!
hay... nakakainip.
estudyante slash opismeyt
tatlo sa mga naging estudyante ko nung isang taon ang nandito na rin sa avanade ngayon. yung dalawa sa kanila ay kasama sa larawan sa itaas -- eto yung dalawang lalaki mula sa kanan. kahit alam ko na natanggap sila sa kompanya, nagulat pa rin ako nang husto nang makita ko sila dito sa opisina kaninang umaga. akalain mo... parang kailan lang ng kinuha ang litratong ito. parang kailan lang ng naging titser ako. parang kailan lang nang turuan nila akong mag-billiard. ngayon, gradweyt na sila at may trabaho na! sana naman mailibre nila ako sa unang sweldo nila :)
nasaan na kaya yung iba... halos 20 kasi ang mga estudyante ko dati. naka-gradweyt na kaya lahat? yung isa raw nasa HP... e yung iba kaya?
this song was brought to us by the letter Q
this musical was full of surprises from start to end. no one wonder it has won a Tony for Best Musical.
you would think as an adult that you wouldn't want to watch any more of those silly muppets especially grown-up muppets. i must admit, the idea seemed a little bit corny at the beginning. however, you would be missing a lot if you dismiss the musical just like that. the characters of AvenueQ are nothing like the muppets and monsters from their Sesame Street counterparts. they do more than eat cookies all day or play with their rubber duckies or count sheeps in bed when they could not sleep. they do what many of us adults do: they work for a living, struggle to pay the rent, they lie, they cheat, they pretend to be someone they're not, they curse when they get mad, they surf the internet for things other than news or the weather, they go on with life even without purpose (ouch!), they hope and they get disappointed in the end, they go on following their dreams even when they dont have a clue how to get there.
you would think as an adult that you wouldn't want to watch any more of those silly muppets especially grown-up muppets. i must admit, the idea seemed a little bit corny at the beginning. however, you would be missing a lot if you dismiss the musical just like that. the characters of AvenueQ are nothing like the muppets and monsters from their Sesame Street counterparts. they do more than eat cookies all day or play with their rubber duckies or count sheeps in bed when they could not sleep. they do what many of us adults do: they work for a living, struggle to pay the rent, they lie, they cheat, they pretend to be someone they're not, they curse when they get mad, they surf the internet for things other than news or the weather, they go on with life even without purpose (ouch!), they hope and they get disappointed in the end, they go on following their dreams even when they dont have a clue how to get there.
before the playdate, i have listened to some of the songs from the soundtrack (more than a few times) and i thought i would be prepared to see it live on stage but i was sooo wrong! nothing could have prepared me for gary coleman's entrance, those uber kilig moments with kate monster and princeton, nicky and rod's "LQ" scenes and definitely nothing prepared me for that "puppet nudity" act. ugh! all my efforts were futile.
i wish you could have seen it if you werent able to... almost every song from the musical was every bit entertaining, both funny and wise at the same time. some are truly unforgettable and you can't help but relate to them. in fact, i think you should watch this musical if only to hear the muppets sing the song, "it sucks to be me" -- if you can not identify with this song, not even for a tiny bit... then you're not human!!!
here's the lyrics of the finale song, one of my personal favorites... an apt ending for the musical -- pregnant with truth and wisdom and meaning that when i heard them sing it, i did not know whether to laugh or cry!
Avenue Q cast, Manila production
Soundtrack: Avenue Q
Title: For Now
PRINCETON:
Why does everything have to be so hard?
GARY COLEMAN:
Maybe you'll never find your purpose.
CHRISTMAS EVE:
Lots of people don't.
PRINCETON:
But then- I don't know why I'm even alive!
KATE MONSTER:
Well, who does, really?
Everyone's a little bit unsatisfied.
BRIAN:
Everyone goes 'round a little empty inside.
GARY COLEMAN:
Take a breath,
Look around,
BRIAN:
Swallow your pride,
KATE MONSTER:
FOr now...
BRIAN, KATE, GARY, CHRISTMAS EVE:
For now...
NICKY:
Nothing lasts,
ROD:
Life goes on,
NICKY:
Full of surprises.
ROD:
You'll be faced with problems of all shapes and sizes.
CHRISTMAS EVE:
You're going to have to make a few compromises...
For now...
TREKKIE MONSTER:
For now...
ALL:
But only for now! (For now)
Only for now! (For now)
Only for now! (For now)
Only for now!
LUCY:
For now we're healthy.
BRIAN:
For now we're employed.
BAD IDEA BEARS:
For now we're happy...
KATE MONSTER:
If not overjoyed.
PRINCETON:
And we'll accept the things we cannot avoid, for now...
GARY COLEMAN:
For now...
TREKKIE MONSTER:
For now...
KATE MONSTER:
For now...
ALL:
But only for now! (For now)
Only for now! (For now)
Only for now! (For now)
Only for now!
Only for now!
(For now there's life!)
Only for now!
(For now there's love!)
Only for now!
(For now there's work!)
For now there's happiness!
But only for now!
(For now discomfort!)
Only for now!
(For now there's friendship!)
Only for now (For now!)
Only for now!
Only for now! (Sex!)
Is only for now! (Your hair!)
Is only for now! (George Bush!)
Is only for now!
Don't stress,
Relax,
Let life roll off your backs
Except for death and paying taxes,
Everything in life is only for now!
NICKY:
Each time you smile...
ALL:
...Only for now
KATE MONSTER:
It'll only last a while.
ALL:
...Only for now
PRINCETON:
Life may be scary...
ALL:
...Only for now
But it's only temporary
Ba-dum ba-dum
Ba-dum ba-dum
Ba dum ba-dum
Ba-da da da da
ba-da da-da da da-da
Ba-dum ba-da, ba-dum ba-da
ohhhh-
PRINCETON:
Everything in life is only for now.
-ooo-
of course, i still believe that there are things in life that are eternal and not just for now... and although there is something comforting about the temporary nature of things, there is also comfort in knowing that some things will never change and they will last more than a lifetime.
nth phone
this is my new phone as of 11am today :) its a nokia 2600 and was around php3400 in Greenhills. aside from its cheap price, some of the other features which i love are the FM radio, Expense Manager, camera and bluetooth. the games are not so bad rin. meron itong Sudoku at Galaxy Balls, hehe. its also a very slim phone which makes it ultra pretty. i also like this feature that allows me to assign a photo with a certain contact para makikita ko ang litrato nya pag tumawag sya sa akin -- haha, ang babaw no! wala kasing ganito yung dati kong phone. all it had was a flashlight :)
what i dont like about it is that its dual band (hence, i cannot use this if i go to US or Japan.... as if naman di ba... ) also, it does not have a card slot and the kit did not come with a USB cable so i dont have an idea yet how i can upload the photos i have taken so far :) anyone here who has a bluetooth-enabled laptop? i want to see how decent the photos are when uploaded. sana naman its not so bad.
for more information about this camera, you may go to: http://www.nokia.com.ph/A4803396
ayun lang folks. happy long weekend and God bless!
what i dont like about it is that its dual band (hence, i cannot use this if i go to US or Japan.... as if naman di ba... ) also, it does not have a card slot and the kit did not come with a USB cable so i dont have an idea yet how i can upload the photos i have taken so far :) anyone here who has a bluetooth-enabled laptop? i want to see how decent the photos are when uploaded. sana naman its not so bad.
for more information about this camera, you may go to: http://www.nokia.com.ph/A4803396
ayun lang folks. happy long weekend and God bless!
maybe someday
this little girl was looking at the bride almost the whole time their group photo was taken. the bride looked really pretty and this little girl must have thought she was a princess and the groom was her prince. awwww.
paalam, CG2
this is the avanade floor here at Cybergate 2. home to our project for almost 11 months. a few weeks from now, we would have to move to yet another location a few meters away from the CG2 building. the desk on the right with the white teddy bear is where i sit every single day for several hours during the work week. it has a view of EDSA, Rockwell and Makati and i can easily tell my friends the current traffic situation by just looking over. i would certainly miss this place. it's not the best work area in the world, but it was comfortable and i have control of the air conditioning! oh well.... ganon talaga.
My Nanay
birthday ng nanay ko nuong May 26 at pinicture-an ko sya nuong umaga. dahil hindi pa sya nakapagbihis at nakapag-pulbos man lang ng mukha, ilang sya na ngumiti at magpakuha. hindi raw sya maganda. eh hindi naman ako nakikinig sa kanya at pinagpatuloy ko ang pagkuha ng litrato nya. maganda naman kasi sya para sa akin. kung pangit sya eh di panget din ako di ba? hindi naman ata ako papayag ng ganyan :)
sya nga pala, kabilin-bilinan nya na wag ko ilagay sa internet ang litrato nya... pasaway ko talaga :) maligayang bati sa iyong kaarawan, Ma!
on falling
"Sometimes you wake up. Sometimes the fall kills you. And sometimes, when you fall, you fly." -Neil Gaiman
i hope next time, its the fall of the last kind.
i hope next time, its the fall of the last kind.
low tide
this photo was taken in cagbalete, quezon during our team-building outing this summer. the water was extremely low and the shore was obviously vacant except for patches of seaweeds (dead and living) and seashells on the almost white sand-covered sea floor. you will have to walk at least half a kilometer in order to get to that part of the sea deep enough for you to swim. it was an amazing thing to see.
My Learnings
the month of May was sort of a dry season for me in terms of blogging or even taking photos... but definitely not in terms of gaining knowledge or perspective on several things. here are some lessons i have learned from recent events and acquaintances:
- i have learned how to cook dutch pancakes: these are the kinds that have bacon and cheese on them. yumm!
- i have also learned how to cook this kind of tomato-based pasta/spaghetti: it has 1/4 kilo ground beef, fresh tomatoes sliced or cubed (without the seeds of course), some bell pepper, tomato sauce and some parmesan cheese. so i guess there's nothing all that different to it compared to your normal Filipino-style spaghetti except that it does not have hotdogs and it has those peppers as well. it's really good.
- i have learned how to play soccer, well at least from watching online videos :) i havent really played soccer in the field yet but i already know how to "dribble", kick or stop a flying ball at least in theory. i hope that this will help me somehow once the real games next soccer season begin.
- i have learned that some people shoot photos simply "to remember" or to "re-assure themselves that there is beauty in the world". i guess there need not be any other reason than this.
- i have learned that having a plan (about anything) really helps. really.
- i have learned (or still learning) to be less introspective and focus more on doing things. or starting to do things. at least it gets you somewhere.
- i have learned that i do not care so much where i am going or how i am getting there. what matters most to me is who i am on the journey with.
- i have learned that you do not need to explain yourself to the people who really care for you, because they will love you just the same. the same is true for those who dislike you, i suppose. no amount of explanation can convince them that you are not who they think you are.
- i have learned that mothers will always be on the OA-side of things when in comes to taking care of their children. well, at least i know at least one mother who is like this :)
- i have learned... or at least starting to believe... that living independently is 90% hardwork and 10% fun, but still i also think, its surely worth trying.
blurry
wala naman akong masabi kung hindi, haay....
haaaaay....
at isa pang haaaaaaaaaayyyyyy.....
hay.
haaaaay....
at isa pang haaaaaaaaaayyyyyy.....
hay.
feelings show
i became a fan as soon as i saw the mtv for "bubbly". she is my lola's favorite too :)
this photo was taken early march at glorietta activity center where colbie caillat had a live concert. i was not able to watch her perform but i was in time for the authograph signing, hehe. she looked really great and i bet she sounded great too. but of course, as usual, i was late and so i missed that. tsk.
this photo was taken early march at glorietta activity center where colbie caillat had a live concert. i was not able to watch her perform but i was in time for the authograph signing, hehe. she looked really great and i bet she sounded great too. but of course, as usual, i was late and so i missed that. tsk.
kotseng kuba
i really want one of them turtley volkswagen cars... hay kelan kaya, Lord? :)
photo was shot at the parking lot of SLU Campus in baguio. buti di dumating yung may-ari ng kotse, hehe. thanks ate mavic for posing!
photo was shot at the parking lot of SLU Campus in baguio. buti di dumating yung may-ari ng kotse, hehe. thanks ate mavic for posing!
It begins with One
ON APRIL 22, 2008, Earth Day, Starbucks will be treating you to a Php40 discount if you USE YOUR OWN TUMBLER/MUG in purchasing any of your favorite beverage at any Starbucks store in the Philippines.
• We recommend customers participating in this campaign to bring tumblers that have the proper insulation for either warm or cold drinks.
• Bottled water and pre-packed juices are not included in this campaign.
Who was your last?
Rule 1: If you opened this you GOTTA take it.
Rule 2: You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages you and asks
Rule 3: Only answer truthfully
"Who was your last?"
LAST PERSON.
1.Had a beer with?
~ APC Core Group
2.Went to the movies with?
~ Blurry
3.Went to the mall with?
~ Mavic
4.Talked on the phone
~ Robinson's Bank Personnel
5.Made you laugh?
~ Ken
6.You hugged?
~ Mom
7.You yelled at?
~ Skip
WOULD YOU RATHER...?
1. Pierce your nose or tongue?
~ ouch!
2 Be serious or be funny?
~ funny
3 Drink whole or skim milk?
~ soya na lang pwede?
4 Die in a fire or get shot?
~ get shot
ANSWER TRUTHFULLY...
1.Sun or moon?
~ sun
2. Winter or Fall?
~ fall
3 . Left or right?
~ left
4. Sunny or rainy?
~ sunny
5. Peach or Pear?
~ pear
6. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it?
~ twirl
7. Do You Cook?
~ nope, pero i fry
8. Current mood?
~ anxious excited
IN THE LAST WEEK HAVE YOU...
1. Kissed someone?
~ yes
2. Sang?
~ yes
3.Been hugged?
~ yes
4. Danced Crazy?
~ yes
5. Cried?
~ yes
Rule 2: You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages you and asks
Rule 3: Only answer truthfully
"Who was your last?"
LAST PERSON.
1.Had a beer with?
~ APC Core Group
2.Went to the movies with?
~ Blurry
3.Went to the mall with?
~ Mavic
4.Talked on the phone
~ Robinson's Bank Personnel
5.Made you laugh?
~ Ken
6.You hugged?
~ Mom
7.You yelled at?
~ Skip
WOULD YOU RATHER...?
1. Pierce your nose or tongue?
~ ouch!
2 Be serious or be funny?
~ funny
3 Drink whole or skim milk?
~ soya na lang pwede?
4 Die in a fire or get shot?
~ get shot
ANSWER TRUTHFULLY...
1.Sun or moon?
~ sun
2. Winter or Fall?
~ fall
3 . Left or right?
~ left
4. Sunny or rainy?
~ sunny
5. Peach or Pear?
~ pear
6. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it?
~ twirl
7. Do You Cook?
~ nope, pero i fry
8. Current mood?
~ anxious excited
IN THE LAST WEEK HAVE YOU...
1. Kissed someone?
~ yes
2. Sang?
~ yes
3.Been hugged?
~ yes
4. Danced Crazy?
~ yes
5. Cried?
~ yes
surf's up!
i always thought id be addicted to a water sport. i was sooo right :)
i never did any sports, not since i was 13 and slightly broke my thumb in a volleyball game. but last year, for some weird reasons, i had a prediction that im going to have a sport... i was so sure it would not be the usual badminton indoor kind... but a water sport. because although im not a strong swimmer, i love being in the water. in the tub... in the shower... in the pool... in the beach... id stay and soak up until my fingers get wrinkly.
i cant describe how good it felt riding waves... it wasnt easy at all to get up and balance yourself but once you're able to do it, it's sooo worth all the hassle. the trippin' and tumblin' and fumblin along the way. this is it for me, my only ultimate sport from now on as a human being!!!
i cant wait to get on the waves again... as in... i just love surfing!!!
im a surfer chick wannabe!
a jump shot at paoay church!
another reason why i have not been blogging that much lately... went on an ilocos tour and still busy editing 3G worth of photos. here's a picture from that trip -- a jump shot of our wacky group! observe how high their leap was! amazing :)
aloha!
hi friends, sorry if i have not been blogging lately. im a little bit busy with work and the photo club and was away for some travelling up north. im just doing a quickie blog to say "hello" from me to everyone! watch out for the photos!
...photo taken right before our surfing lessons in la union...bebe girl yuka
just cant get enough of this kawaii girl yuka! :) she's such a happy and lovely girl and i hope this photo brightens your day the same way that she brightens mine!
feel free to visit my multiply album to check out her other photos :)
feel free to visit my multiply album to check out her other photos :)
smile!
the pogi ako pose and the laban sign combined -- i think this is the ultimate pinoy kodak pose! natalo ata ang aking signature "peace" pose haha! this photo was taken while we were on the pasig river cruise. i just love the way the children were smiling in this picture. so playful and carefree and so happy!
the one with my favorite keychain
shot from Guido's condo last night at ISO100, 2 second shutter speed. tripod was used.
salamat, Guids for the photography lessons!
please do visit my blog at http://gezelle.blogspot.com
the one with the turtley images
to anyone who was redirected to my blog after click a google search query for "pictures of turtles" hoping to find actual pictures of turtles from this blog -- i have seen quite a few -- i hope to lessen your disappointment a little bit by posting this. here's a desktop or website background i've created for you. the original cartoon image was taken from Facebook.
here's another one from a place called 'avilon zoo'. im no marine biologist so i really don't know exactly what species this one is... i just call it, 'the snobbish' turtle.
feel the love this love month
i didn't know what to blog about today, but i knew i wanted to blog :) instead of telling you how my weekend went... i would like to share with you an article from bo sanchez' website which i just read a few minutes ago. hope this will inspire you to live a positive life amidst all the negatives in our world. you may notice that most of what he wrote is about giving love and magnifying love. i thought it was just too appropriate for this month and can't help but share it with you all. hope it blesses you today!
Here are 6 strategies on how you can be a blessing-magnet, and be positive in a negative world:
1. Feel the love. Receive the love from the people around you, no matter how small or imperfect. Celebrate every little gesture of love you receive. Make it a big thing! And you’ll discover that you’ll receive more and more love.
2. Be grateful. Give thanks for every small blessing you receive. Before going to sleep, count at least 5 blessings you received on that day. Be grateful even for the bad things, knowing there’s a blessing inside. Gratitude attracts more blessings to come your way.
3. Trust. Yes, do all you possibly can! But at the end of the day, stop worrying. Surrender and trust God instead. Believe that the best is yet to come.
4. Have a vision. When you have a detailed, graphic, exciting vision burning in your heart, you can’t help but be positive. And here’s my true-to-life experience: That powerful vision in your imagination will attract all the blessings you need to fulfill that vision. You’ll be surprised. The blessings will just come, rolling down at your feet, begging that you receive them.
5. Love yourself. Be deliberate in loving yourself. Respect yourself. Don’t belittle yourself, don’t limit yourself, and don’t call yourself derogatory names. Meet your needs. Aggressively care for yourself. When you do, others will respect you, love you, and meet your needs as well.
6. Love others. Whatever love you give, you receive it back multiplied. So wake up each morning because you want to love. Make love the purpose of your life. When you make love the reason for every thing that you do, even if there are dark storm clouds around you, the sun will always shine in your heart.
i especially like the part where he said, "feel the love" -- parang na-imagine ko ang sarili ko in an alice dixson pose saying, "i can feel it!" :) haha!
here's bo sanchez and me, by the way :) ill tell you about this picture one of these days.
Here are 6 strategies on how you can be a blessing-magnet, and be positive in a negative world:
1. Feel the love. Receive the love from the people around you, no matter how small or imperfect. Celebrate every little gesture of love you receive. Make it a big thing! And you’ll discover that you’ll receive more and more love.
2. Be grateful. Give thanks for every small blessing you receive. Before going to sleep, count at least 5 blessings you received on that day. Be grateful even for the bad things, knowing there’s a blessing inside. Gratitude attracts more blessings to come your way.
3. Trust. Yes, do all you possibly can! But at the end of the day, stop worrying. Surrender and trust God instead. Believe that the best is yet to come.
4. Have a vision. When you have a detailed, graphic, exciting vision burning in your heart, you can’t help but be positive. And here’s my true-to-life experience: That powerful vision in your imagination will attract all the blessings you need to fulfill that vision. You’ll be surprised. The blessings will just come, rolling down at your feet, begging that you receive them.
5. Love yourself. Be deliberate in loving yourself. Respect yourself. Don’t belittle yourself, don’t limit yourself, and don’t call yourself derogatory names. Meet your needs. Aggressively care for yourself. When you do, others will respect you, love you, and meet your needs as well.
6. Love others. Whatever love you give, you receive it back multiplied. So wake up each morning because you want to love. Make love the purpose of your life. When you make love the reason for every thing that you do, even if there are dark storm clouds around you, the sun will always shine in your heart.
i especially like the part where he said, "feel the love" -- parang na-imagine ko ang sarili ko in an alice dixson pose saying, "i can feel it!" :) haha!
here's bo sanchez and me, by the way :) ill tell you about this picture one of these days.
the one with the hanging balls
photo was taken just outside the greenbelt mall beside an art and history museum in makati city. it was a saturday afternoon. this is where the beautiful and the artsy and the moneyed folks hangout. we would dine and coffee and hangout there except we do not fit the third category, hehe. er... erase that... on second thought, im sure this place is something we can afford, but we (the low profile folks) don't want to be conspicuous or too out there and we'd like to keep things that way. wahehe. plus, those hanging balls scare me a little bit! ugh! more photos of greenbelt here. enjoy!
the one with the service award and a power ranger
in a few days, i will be "celebrating" my five years of stay in accenture and because of this, whether by choice or by default, my manager decided to award me with a service award. here's what he wrote:
"You are now entitled to partake of our SPF, not that we'd want you to retire at such a young age. To the contrary, I expect you to continue honing your tech'l, mgmt, and leadership skills with the same exemplary performance that you have shown during the 2 project engagements that I have had you as my project Team Lead. May you sustain your positive momentum, overcome your weaknesses, and strive harder to attain the goals that you have set for yourself (work/life balance included)."
the SPF stands for "Staff Provident Fund", sort of like a retirement fund that the company "saves" for its employees each month and can only be "withdrawn" from after 5 years of service. but not all. for 5 years, all you get is 30% of your SPF, i think, should you resign from the company.
"You are now entitled to partake of our SPF, not that we'd want you to retire at such a young age. To the contrary, I expect you to continue honing your tech'l, mgmt, and leadership skills with the same exemplary performance that you have shown during the 2 project engagements that I have had you as my project Team Lead. May you sustain your positive momentum, overcome your weaknesses, and strive harder to attain the goals that you have set for yourself (work/life balance included)."
the SPF stands for "Staff Provident Fund", sort of like a retirement fund that the company "saves" for its employees each month and can only be "withdrawn" from after 5 years of service. but not all. for 5 years, all you get is 30% of your SPF, i think, should you resign from the company.
so... this is the first time i received an award from this manager since he became my manger last 2006. naturally, i was surprised and a little skeptical.... im actually wondering whether i was given this award simply by default or whether i truly deserved it. i guess it's a little bit of both.
in accenture, these kinds of awards have equivalent points and these points can be converted to certain items like jewelries, appliances, GCs. here are a few things i can redeem with my current balance:
- Mattel 5-inch Triple Shot Batman Figure
- Imarflex Electric Kettle
- Imarflex Hair Dryer
- Ban Dai Red Mystic Light Power Ranger (wow....)
- Ein-O Science COG Smart Boxes - Volcano Science (er...)
- ...and last but not the least, another Bizu Pattisserie GC!
wow. after five years of working from accenture, i can take home a Ban Dai Red Mystic Light Power Ranger! :) no seriously, im happy for the award. i did not expect that in the first place. but the reward catalogue, they should really rethink that. seriously! it's awful! someone please, can anybody do that? why not put a starbucks GC in there. everyone likes coffee these days :)
PS: so now you know where my Bizu GC came from? :) im selling the one i got last year, hehe. see previous post for more details. thanks!
For Sale: Bizu Pattisserie GC worth P500
I'm selling my Bizu GC worth P500 for P450 only :) That's 10% savings!
Avail of their heart-shaped desserts and chocolate truffles and chocolate bars with premium nuts that comes in their limited edition jewelled box this Valentine's. Delicious gifts for that sweet someone.
You can also choose from their selection of tarts, cheesecakes, strawberry shortcakes, french cakes, macarons, all-day breakfast and freshly-baked breads, etc... all presented beautifully and tastefully! :)
View more of their menu at: http://www.bizupatisserie.com/
Avail of their heart-shaped desserts and chocolate truffles and chocolate bars with premium nuts that comes in their limited edition jewelled box this Valentine's. Delicious gifts for that sweet someone.
You can also choose from their selection of tarts, cheesecakes, strawberry shortcakes, french cakes, macarons, all-day breakfast and freshly-baked breads, etc... all presented beautifully and tastefully! :)
View more of their menu at: http://www.bizupatisserie.com/
Details: Cash Basis Only. Meeting Place at Robinson's Pioneer, Glorietta or Market Market. Contact me by replying to this post, emailing me or adding me to your YM. My Yahoo email is gfyrivera@yahoo.com
Thanks and have a good day!
Thanks and have a good day!
the one with the dearly departed
so i just want to say... today, im no longer gloomy. not quite the same as i was in my last post. to those who replied with their own thoughts about being gloomy, thank you very much. appreciated it with all my heart. but im not about to write anything cheerful either. not today.
today, nothing terrible happened... nothing humiliating or disappointing or discouraging took place. not at home nor at work nor in my private thoughts.
today, i am neither lost nor delirious, but i am obviously not bright nor shiny nor bubbly nor smiling either.
today, i am tired. from work and thinking and also from lack of sleep.
today, i am also sad. not the troublesome and blurry kind of sad. but a better kind of sad. last night i learned about someone's death. so i am sad for the loss of the family. they were close to me and i would spend days and nights at their home when i was younger, sharing family dinners with them and watching movies with them... sad because it's really hard to imagine their life without their loving father and dear husband and friend... my prayers go with them and also to the departed, my Tito Tony, who was genuinely kind to me and cheerful and warm from the moment i met him until the last day i saw him almost two years ago -- may his soul, through God's mercy and loving grace, rest in eternal peace.
today, i am also amazed. to witness what real friendships can turn into even after so many years of silence. to see what genuine love can do or undo and to see what it can become.
today, i am assured. that i was and always will, as do the dearly departed, remain beloved. and today, that is more than enough to bring tears of joy in my heart.
today, nothing terrible happened... nothing humiliating or disappointing or discouraging took place. not at home nor at work nor in my private thoughts.
today, i am neither lost nor delirious, but i am obviously not bright nor shiny nor bubbly nor smiling either.
today, i am tired. from work and thinking and also from lack of sleep.
today, i am also sad. not the troublesome and blurry kind of sad. but a better kind of sad. last night i learned about someone's death. so i am sad for the loss of the family. they were close to me and i would spend days and nights at their home when i was younger, sharing family dinners with them and watching movies with them... sad because it's really hard to imagine their life without their loving father and dear husband and friend... my prayers go with them and also to the departed, my Tito Tony, who was genuinely kind to me and cheerful and warm from the moment i met him until the last day i saw him almost two years ago -- may his soul, through God's mercy and loving grace, rest in eternal peace.
today, i am also amazed. to witness what real friendships can turn into even after so many years of silence. to see what genuine love can do or undo and to see what it can become.
today, i am assured. that i was and always will, as do the dearly departed, remain beloved. and today, that is more than enough to bring tears of joy in my heart.
For Sale: 2008 Starbucks Planner
To those of you who never got the chance to complete your promo cards but still dream of having your own 2008 Starbucks Planner or give it away as gift to loved ones, here's an offer hopefully is hard for you to resist (just like a serving of your favorite coffee or any Starbucks beverage)! I am selling a brand new 2008 Starbucks Planner for a very low price of Php800! This item is also being sold at P1100 to P1500 in sulit.com.ph and on eBay. No kidding.
Meet-up Place: Makati, Boni, Guadalupe, Taguig Area. Cash payment to be accepted upon delivery.
Please reply to this post or email me at gfyrivera@yahoo.com if interested.
If you have friends who might also be interested, kindly forward this post to them. Thanks and God bless!
the one where i become the scriptwriter of my life
because i want to be reminded of the life that i want in order to stay committed and inspired and not easily discouraged when problems come my way, i have finally decided to follow what many success authors and financial mentors have advised us to do -- write down our dreams. the writing part was easy. it's the figuring out what you want that's harder. since the beginning of the year, i have prayed and asked God to reveal His dreams for me. i have hesitated and doubted and questioned my own dreams, wondering if they were truly coming from the heart and God-inspired or simply influenced by what i know others expect or want from me.
here's what i came up with... a few have been added or subtracted as i write them down but for the most part, they still reflect what i truly want for my life.
- i want to be beautiful and to be gracious.
- i want to love and obey God more and i want to serve Him through church ministries.
- i want to become a faithful giver and a humble servant.
- i want to teach more and to share more.
- i want a career and not just a job.
- i want a happy and healthy family.
- i want to study in school again.
- i want to have loving and meaningful friendships.
- i want to live long enough and spend Christmases with my grandchildren.
- i want my own internet cafe and study center near my alma mater.
- i want a recreational center that students or churches can go to for their retreats or summer camps.
- i want a house by the beach.
- i want a hotel/resort by the beach.
- i want a vacation farm or an estate in Tagaytay.
- i want a 2-BR condo in makati. somewhere near a starbucks coffee shop.
- i want real estate properties to rent or sell.
- i want an orchard. i want to hang swings by the orchard.
- i want a house with a porch and wooden floors.
- i want a music room in the house. and i want to learn to play the guitar and master at least three songs in my lifetime!
- i want a library and a collection of my favorite movies and books.
- i want a basement where i can create art and a rooftop where i can go star-gazing.
- i want a family coaster and i want to take my family and friends on trips with it.
- i want to be a really good photographer. i want people to be inspired with my photos and look forward to seeing more. i want to earn money from being a photographer.
- i want to go traveling around europe with my best friend during summer and visit venice, rome, paris and prague.
- i want to go on photography tours around the country and around asia and visit tibet, china and cambodia. i also want to go to egypt and jerusalem.
- i want a husband whom i can look up to and grow old happily with, and read books to me by the beach or before going to bed.
- i want a beautiful sunset wedding.
- i want to go on photo and hiking trips with my son and my husband.
- i want a daughter and i want to buy pink dresses and white shoes for her.
- i want a beautiful portrait of myself and my family.
- i want a sailboat and i want to learn how to sail.
- i want a car and an SUV and i want to learn how to drive.
- i want to spend wedding anniversarries on the sailboat.
- i want a female, brown dog whom i can go sailing with.
- i want to die peacefully. i want songs of praises and worship to be sang at my wake and funeral.
- i want a gallery of photos during my wake rather than a casket with a dead body. i want to be cremated and i want some of my ashes to be thrown at sea and some to be used as fertilizer for the orchard.
- i want a prosperous and blessed life and a life of favor from God.
water drop
here's something i shot last night at my father's bathroom. i had to fire flash in order to freeze the motion and to highlight the ripples. read the full story from my photoblog.
let me know what you think!
this is how we party
here's a favorite from my christmas party set and would like to share to everyone. these are accenture employees who participated in a hip-hop dance course offered by the company for free. i enrolled in a dance course myself but unfortunately, was either too busy or too lazy to attend :p
some people really look good when they dance. some are shy but some look so free. for more photos, click on this photo and view my Flickr set.
by the way, you can also send my photos as e-cards by clicking here. hope you find one you think is worth sending over to your friends or loved ones.
lastly, i would like to announce the creation of my photoblog, "pinay and photoholic" -- this site will be obviously dedicated to photography and should already contain photos from my Flickr album and that of my brother's as well. really can't decide yet what title to give this new blog. my friend suggested, "photoccucinta" and i actually think that's cute, haha!
promises worth keeping
this was shared to me by a friend from college who became a wife, a mother and a widower before she would reach age 25. she encourages me by her life, her friendship and her many inspirational emails such as this one :) these are promises worth keeping not just this new year but in each year and each day that we are, and each day that we have.
PROMISE YOURSELF:
To dream more and not to hesitate.
To believe in yourself more.
To appreciate your family and friends for all the wonderful ways they make your life better.
To make each day special.
To become more independent and more willing to change.
To fill your life with special times and never lose sight of your dreams.
And when life seems overwhelming and you can't seem to get everything done... when there isn't enough time to relax and enjoy... when there are little rewards and you wonder if it's all worth it...
Never forget that there are... people who love you and care about you, people who want to help and support you, people who think you're very special and care a lot about you.
Remember HOPE is not closing your eyes to the difficulty, the risk, or the failure.
It is trusting that if you fail, you shall not fail forever.
And if you're hurt, you shall heal.
It is realizing that life is good, love is powerful and the future is full of promise.
Source: http://www.olamadsen.com
PROMISE YOURSELF:
To dream more and not to hesitate.
To believe in yourself more.
To appreciate your family and friends for all the wonderful ways they make your life better.
To make each day special.
To become more independent and more willing to change.
To fill your life with special times and never lose sight of your dreams.
And when life seems overwhelming and you can't seem to get everything done... when there isn't enough time to relax and enjoy... when there are little rewards and you wonder if it's all worth it...
Never forget that there are... people who love you and care about you, people who want to help and support you, people who think you're very special and care a lot about you.
Remember HOPE is not closing your eyes to the difficulty, the risk, or the failure.
It is trusting that if you fail, you shall not fail forever.
And if you're hurt, you shall heal.
It is realizing that life is good, love is powerful and the future is full of promise.
Source: http://www.olamadsen.com
first day at sunday school
just a break from all the posts related to money matters and ways to become rich. i would like to share with you a photo taken from the first day i helped around at sunday school. that day, i was assigned to teach basic good manners and right conduct to the kids. there were around 8 kids present that day and their ages would range from 4 to 8, i think.
after a brief prayer lead by the main teacher, it was my turn to teach the kids basic rules within our sunday school such as to be respectful to the teachers, to not shout or run during the class, to not fight with one another, to be helpful to others, to cleanup after eating or after playtime, to raise their hands when they have something to say, to listen when someone else is speaking, to be friendly to their classmates and even friendlier or extra patient to the little ones. through each lesson, i would translate the rules in filipino and ask them to give examples of what they had done in the past to demonstrate good behavior related to what is being discussed.
when i asked them to give examples of how they were helpful in the past, there was this one kid who kept on raising his hand and reciting almost the same thing over and over again, but replacing the name of the person he had helped. first time he recited, he told me that he helped his dad. next time, it was this teacher. and the following one, this other person. haha! it was a little annoying but funny at the same time.
i realized as i was making my powerpoint slide and during the class that many of the basic but most important stuff we would need in adult life were already taught to us early by our kindergarden/prep/sunday school teachers. darn. i should have paid more attention rather than suck my thumbs under the table.
there was even a book about this: all i really needed to know i learned in kindergarden by robert fulghum. i should get a copy of that one of these days. he may have been right after all.
top money mistakes
some five years ago, through the books "rich dad, poor dad" and "simplify and live the good life", i learned the importance of saving for your retirement as early as you can and the difference between an asset and a liability. i also learned that we should pay ourselves first and eliminate bad debts as soon as possible and to invest money instead of just saving it in the bank. despite knowing all of these basic money principles in my younger days, i was still bound to commit the following money mistakes the succeeding years:
- i had little discipline about money. it was enough for me to know that i was saving up a certain amount each pay day for the rainy days. i did not even know how much or what percent as long as i save up. and i saved up only after i had spent. when i would get bonuses, even those which i did not expect, i would buy first then save up what's left. that's how i was able to buy my relatively expensive digital point-and-shoot camera early 2005 (the cost was a little over $400). my company gave me a "productivity bonus" unexpectedly and without giving much thought, i decided to buy me my shiny new toy. if i had invested that bonus in a mutual fund, i would have earned more or less 10% each year and the amount could have doubled after maybe 7 or 8 years.
- after some time, upon realizing mistake #1, i became a saver. i did enroll for the savings and loans association in the company which would deduct 20% of my salary automatically each month and place that amount in a savings account shared by all the members of the association. the interest i would get from these savings would be relatively higher than what i could get in the bank. so, i followed the advice and paid myself first. it was 20% of what i was earning. however, after getting salary increases year after year, my contribution remained 20%. whenever i would get an increase, i would upgrade my lifestyle a little bit and keep spending the additional money i had managed to live without previously. this time i saved up first, but i did not have goals to increase my savings every year.
- i shopped for therapy and i bought things just to replace something i had lost. i would spend on shoes and clothes just because i felt "unpretty" that day. i would spend on food "just to feel happy". when i was in the US last year, i bought many items just because i was feeling a little depress that day. what's even worse about these spendings is that almost half of these purchases were bought in credit and were not within budget. i was spending money and incurring bad debts. i used my homesickness or loneliness as an excuse to spend. i was spending money i did not yet have and banks are charging me for it. totally huge mistake.
- i did not give back to the Lord faithfully. i have committed to giving back 10% of my earnings to the Lord's ministry but throughout the years, i would always find excuses to give less thinking that God understands. on some occassions, my excuses were valid. but on most, they were not. shame on me for spending what rightfully belongs to God and His church -- the workers, the pastors and their families and those who are in much greater need than me. despite this however, the Lord was merciful and faithful enough to allow me to realize my mistakes and continued to provide for everything me & my family needs and oftentimes, a little more. how loving our God really is!
- without any solid retirement plan or investments in place, i decided to purchase a condo unit. i have several reasons for getting my own place and living independently but looking back, it would have been wiser if i had invested some of my savings on mutual funds (which would eventually become my retirement fund) rather than spending all of it as downpayment for the house.
so there. my top money mistakes. avoid them as much as you can!
here's the last one i would like to share: i did not write down my Life Dreams when i first read about the importance of doing it. i thought it was not necessary thinking that our dreams will always remain with us forever, just like our own shadows. they will follow us anywhere we go. what a great mistake to have thought this way! because after a year or so, what i thought i wanted to happen in my life started to become blurry even for me. whatever goals or visions or passions i had 5 years ago, started to feel strange and foreign. i lost sight of what i wanted and i lost control of my own life. until recently, i felt like being a supporting actress in my own movie rather than the lead star.
if i think about it, if my dreams were clear to me from the beginning and i am constantly reminded of it, i could have avoided many of my money mistakes above. sayang!
write down your Life Dreams so you will stay focused and committed. ask God to reveal them to you if you have forgotten about them or still unsure. ask God to whisper them to your heart again and write them down as He does. next post, i will share with you my Life (and Death) Dreams.
the true millionaire's prayer
for the next couple of days or weeks, i will write to you about money and share with you a few things i have read from the book, "8 secrets of the truly rich", written by bo sanchez, the best-selling author of "simplify and live the good life" and also publisher of six magazines and founder of several organizations one of which takes care of the abandoned elderly. i am currently in the process of eliminating the financial clutter in my life and hopefully start creating abundance. this year, my goal is to eliminate bad debts and start investing money where it could grow exponentially. i will tell you a story in later posts why these two are almost coming true for me already.
i plan to share financial principles i am learning along the way in the hope that you will also learn a thing or two and maybe consider applying them in your life as well. it would also be better if i can get your thoughts and additional inputs on the subject of money as well.
the reason why im concerning myself a lot about money these days is simply because i have lack of it :) according to bo, money isn't the most important thing in the world, but it affects every important thing in the world. i could not agree with him more.
last year, my lack of money affected almost everything i am concerned about. it affected my family because i am sharing less than i used to, it affected my hobby because i could not buy accessories for my digital camera or join out-of-town photography trips, it affected my ministry and spiritual life because there were times when i would choose to stay home on sundays instead of join the service to avoid spending money on food and transportation. and worse, because i lack enough money, i also had to decrease the percentage of my earnings that i set aside each month to give back to our church and to God's ministry. i also had to stop sending P450 each month to world vision to help a child with his education. this is very heart-breaking for me.
this year, i choose to break free from all this and commit myself to becoming rich.
i have not finished reading the book. i am only on Secret #5, but it has become a blessing and a source of encouragement for me, not only because i am learning a lot about financial management but more so because it creates a balance between creating material wealth and gaining spiritual abundance at the same time. here's a prayer from the book that i would like to share to everyone:
in my succeeding posts, i will tell you what financial mistakes i have committed in the past, and how i plan to correct them by applying the principles in bo's book.
i plan to share financial principles i am learning along the way in the hope that you will also learn a thing or two and maybe consider applying them in your life as well. it would also be better if i can get your thoughts and additional inputs on the subject of money as well.
the reason why im concerning myself a lot about money these days is simply because i have lack of it :) according to bo, money isn't the most important thing in the world, but it affects every important thing in the world. i could not agree with him more.
last year, my lack of money affected almost everything i am concerned about. it affected my family because i am sharing less than i used to, it affected my hobby because i could not buy accessories for my digital camera or join out-of-town photography trips, it affected my ministry and spiritual life because there were times when i would choose to stay home on sundays instead of join the service to avoid spending money on food and transportation. and worse, because i lack enough money, i also had to decrease the percentage of my earnings that i set aside each month to give back to our church and to God's ministry. i also had to stop sending P450 each month to world vision to help a child with his education. this is very heart-breaking for me.
this year, i choose to break free from all this and commit myself to becoming rich.
i have not finished reading the book. i am only on Secret #5, but it has become a blessing and a source of encouragement for me, not only because i am learning a lot about financial management but more so because it creates a balance between creating material wealth and gaining spiritual abundance at the same time. here's a prayer from the book that i would like to share to everyone:
today, i ask You to bless me so that i may become a blessing.
Lord, I commit myself to enrich others.
But because I cannot give what I do not have,
I commit myself to become rich.
I commit myself to serve You and to serve the poor with my wealth.
Today, I open myself to the abundance of Your universe.
Use me as Your channel of love.
Give me the ability to create wealth that will bless the world.
Increase my financial wisdom and expand my territories.
I place my life in Your hands. Amen.
in my succeeding posts, i will tell you what financial mistakes i have committed in the past, and how i plan to correct them by applying the principles in bo's book.
100 Kwentong Peyups
Please forward to any UP alumni who might be interested. Kung totoong manunulat lang ako e malamang nagpadala na rin ako. I'm really looking forward to reading the stories that will be published in the Inquirer. Ayos siguro kung may kakilala akong malathala.
As part of UP's 100th year celebration, we are putting together '100 Kwentong Peyups', a series of columns which will appear in PDI and Philippine Star throughout the year. We invite all past students of any of the University of the Philippines' units to submit their stories. Submissions should:
As part of UP's 100th year celebration, we are putting together '100 Kwentong Peyups', a series of columns which will appear in PDI and Philippine Star throughout the year. We invite all past students of any of the University of the Philippines' units to submit their stories. Submissions should:
- Be a maximum of 1,000 words
- Be a personal experience and written in the 1st person
- Emotionally engaging --- funny, sad, scary, etc.
- Make the connection between the story and a life lesson that serves you well today.
If possible, please include an old photo/scanned memento. Please include your name, College or Unit and Course, and year you entered UP as well as your email address. If you remember your Student Number, even better.
Send your submissions to this email address: 100kwentongpeyups@campaignsandgrey.net
You will be notified via email if your story has been selected for publication or for use in other Centennial celebrations. Submissions will be accepted starting January 1, 2008.
one lonely planet
...imagine an abandoned and deserted world...i wanted a set that would depict a world that has been deserted and abandoned by its people, whether by choice or other reasons. here's the closest picture i can come up with. most photos are black and white, but some have been rendered with colors. my favorite ones would be "guardpost" and "crooked". please click on the above photo to view the gallery.
all photos taken in UP Diliman Campus on the first day of 2008. the reason why i wanted a set like this is so that we can realize how a single person can make a difference in this world. imagine how each of the picture would look like if there was at least one person in it. anyway, im sure you get the idea. let me know what you think of the photos :)
all photos taken in UP Diliman Campus on the first day of 2008. the reason why i wanted a set like this is so that we can realize how a single person can make a difference in this world. imagine how each of the picture would look like if there was at least one person in it. anyway, im sure you get the idea. let me know what you think of the photos :)
have a happy and blessed new year everyone!
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