knicnax

Don't Run Off Thinking You're Right and Telling Everyone that They're Wrong: On the Black Nazarene, Among Other Things

2012-01-10T17:41:00.003+08:00

This may be a late post but I just can't take it anymore. I am not a devotee nor an advocate of the Black Nazarene but sheesh, why don't the others just keep their ideas to themselves or to their groups?

A lot of people have been quoting the Bible about idolatry and fanaticism, how the Catholics have gone overboard with their devotion. How the Catholics pray and worship idols, like the saints and even *gasp* the Black Nazarene.

News Flash everyone, the Black Nazarene represents Jesus. JESUS CHRIST our SAVIOR.The devotees and what you call the "fanatics" worship JESUS. What's wrong with worshiping God?

The Black Nazarene is merely a symbol of faith, a representation of Jesus at one point in his life.

Is worth the trouble? Is it worth dying for?
I haven't been to any of these public displays of affection to the image of the Black Nazarene, or of any saint for that matter, but I believe, if you truly love someone, anything is worth doing. They believe in Jesus and in Jesus' healing power, thus people go to witness his love. Some manifest their love and adoration by helping pull the carriage. Is that wrong? Tell me is it wrong to love God and tell me it's wrong to go to Jesus and ask for your or your loved ones' healing?

Self Righteous Much?
Those who are casting stones on the Catholic faith, please stop assuming that you're right. Yes I know we have the Bible as our guide but can you personally guarantee that the people who pledge to do this every year will suffer the fires of hell? Only God can tell if we Catholics acted foolishly or not. It's not for you to decide. It's not for you to point fingers.

We should all learn something from our 'playground' days
When we were kids, we knew how to respect each other, or at least know to get along peacefully in the playground. You don't play on the seesaws when you see kids using it. You don't tell people off for using your favorite swing. Likewise, please learn how to respect our religion, just as we do respect yours. You don't see (or hear) us in tv and radio with tirades of nasty remarks about your religion. You don't see us posting in facebook nor twitter, our opinion about how you do things in your religion, so just please, respect us. I'm not saying don't talk about it, by all means, rant all you want, but do it in your group, unless you want to really start something up. Because really, a lot of us take our faith SERIOUSLY. We get hurt when people think wrongly of us, when people JUDGE us because we don''t do things in the normal expected way, as written by our ancestors, through the grace of God (Gee, doesn't that sound familiar? sounds like the *cough*pha*cough*ri*cough**cough**cough*).

Count your Blessings Insted of Sheep

2012-01-07T09:15:00.001+08:00

With what's happening with me and my family, God, prayer and support from family & friends keep our wits together. With nothing to do in the hospital but to eat, sleep, watch tv and play games on the computer, I have had a lot time to think, reflect and be thankful, that despite the fact that we're going through this again because one of the graft's in papa's heart bypass wasn't properly done.

An "honest mistake" papa's cardiologist said. "We can't really blame the surgeon". Yeah, okay. Can't blame the surgeon about it, but we don't have deep pockets like them. I could rant on and on and on about how unfair it is but that won't take me anywhere. Instead I tried channeling this frustration into something positive.

I know that we should be thankful about this, because like last year, what we're doing is preventive. We're preventing the incident that one day, papa'll just collapse because of a heart attack. We should be thankful and I am really really thankful.

We should also be thankful, that even though the price for the angioplasty is expensive, we can still manage to pay for it, or rather, we have friends that are willing to lend the money, and that I know we are able to pay the debt off. I am thankful that we have the means resources to make the procedure possible.

I am thankful that everything's going on fine and that a lot of family and friends are praying for papa's speedy and full recovery.

Luck and Idolatry - The Sin of the New Year

2012-01-02T09:26:00.000+08:00

I think that we (myself included) overrate the new year. What's the deal anyway? Aren't we supposed to celebrate everyday as a new year? If you look at it, today, January 2, 2012 is a new year cause it's 1 year after January 2, 2011. Just a thought.

And what's the deal with new year resolutions? I haven't made one for years. Do you really have to wait for the new year to be a better person?

I love festivities and parties; Games and food. I love that it's another holiday to celebrate. I don't mind the noise but I sure do mind the smoke. The smoke filled with gunpowder and other chemicals that make everything go BOOM and hazy. Maybe I'm irritable cause I am feeling that my lungs are so weak from all the allergies that I got this new year.

So were you able to complete your circle fruit basket and buy the various white thingies (salt, rice, etc). Were you able to waist about hours of your life waiting for the colored candles to burn out? Did you wear something polka-dot-ty and placed coins in your pockets, then jumped and jumped when the clock struck 12 midnight? Did you buy figurines and bracelets, feng shui and astrology books to aid in you bringing in luck this 2012?

This is what bothers me most during the New Year. It's not the smog, not the ear-splitting bangs of firecrackers. It's all these frenzy for good luck. We're supposed to be Catholics, or for the most part Christians. We all go to church and attend the Mass. We sing praises, we glorify God, we ask for forgiveness and thank Him for all our blessings. We were our best clothes to church and donate money, and yet, we rely on charms, furniture arrangement and bowls of fruit for luck. We base the trajectory of our year on which candle burned fastest. We base our decisions on what our astrology forecast for the year says. People, say what's wrong with inviting luck? And with luck they think prosperity of wealth. I find it sick. I find it terribly, terribly, terribly wrong. Do you seriously think that there's such a thing as luck? Do you seriously think that there's a force far more greater than God's, which when pleased (hence the offering of fruits and a barrage of other charms) will give you prosperity, more than what God will provide? Think now.

Luck is some sort of idolatry - without a physical idol that we can look at, but most people worship it. Most people worship luck, and the frightening part of it is that they are not aware of it. They think that they're not doing anything wrong. Forgive me for my over-analyzing mind, but I feel strongly about this and I am fearful that a lot of us (myself included) have broken the first commandment without realizing it.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you
Mathew 6 :33

Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies
Psalm 103:2-4

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28

Focus.... focus... FOCUS

2011-12-29T09:28:00.000+08:00

I've been attempting to update this blog for a few weeks now, but everytime I sit down and type something in, I feel like I'm slowly getitng in the zone and then - BAM! My mind goes blank and I feel like the wall of text in front of me just won't do for a blog post. I get lost in the middle of everything I'm trying to do.

2011 whizzed by as I tried to juggle and squeeze in everything I wanted to do. Maybe because deep down inside, I'm scared that the world might end next year and I didn't get to do what I wanted to do. I've been doing a lot of activities and I spent my year trying to hold on to everything. Trying to do everything. Maybe that's the reason why I can't blog properly. I'm trying to do so much that when I stop in the middle of my blogging just to check something, I totally loose my mojo.

To be honest, I have a lot of thoughts in my mind, contemplations about a lot of things that I'd love to put into writing, but just like with how my blogging streak is doing, the blogs haven't met my keyboard yet.

Maybe I'll find more time next year?

Will try to go 'No Poo' this weekend

2011-08-12T15:35:00.005+08:00

It's not what you think. I will of course make my bowels moves over the weekend. No Poo means not using the regular, store-bought-chemically-induced shampoos available in the market today. No Poo means not using shampoos and use another more environment-friendly (and possibly more healthful) alternative for cleaning your hair.

This blog is moved to http://sustainableearthliving.blogspot.com/ To read the entire blog, please click here

Save Your Body, Save Your Money, Save Your World

2011-08-12T14:57:00.006+08:00

Looking for inspiration
I was scouring the net to find an inspiration for a green blog and I found a lot of articles, most of them are boring though, or, too informative. Too much information to make your mind stop working and just stare blankly at the screen.

Since green living is closely related to living healthy, I found my way into a lot of healthy living articles and dawdled with those for a few minutes (or maybe hours, I dunno). There was this article about drinking wat

This blog is moved to http://sustainableearthliving.blogspot.com/ To read the entire blog, please click here

My Birthday gift wishlisht

2011-08-02T10:05:00.004+08:00

This is the second time that I'm not too hyped with my birthday. Does this feeling come with age? Well, I don't dread growing old, in fact, I welcome the idea very much. Can't wait to be 25!

Anyway, it's probably because I know that birthdays now isn't how it used to be when I wasn't working yet. If I want a party, I have to spend for it. Since I rarely have money, I don't throw a party. I just ride with my mum's party. If she tells me to invite someone, I'd be glad to invite a few friends.

Also one big factor is the gifts. I know it's wrong to be materialistic, but there's something about ripping presents that's super duper extra satisfying. It makes me smile!!! :) Come to think of it, I don't mind what's inside the wrapper, I just want to rip out the paper and find something orange inside! Haha! I know it's not very environment friendly, but that paper is recyclable. I could turn it to craft paper or that paper trashcan that I've been meaning to make! Oh the possibilities!!!

Anyway, as the title suggests, here's a list of what I want to receive for my birthday:

MONEY! If there's a person who would give this to me in a big package with lots of wrapping paper to tear, I'd be the happiest!
Soldering iron
Multimeter (tester)
Star screwdrivers. The small ones, for electronic stuff, like opening cellphones!
Orange backpack
Long rectangular pillow. Like a flat hotdog pillow!
Slippers
Orange pens (not necessarily orange-inked)
Magnets
Picture frames
Android phone/tab
Arduino board
Lego Mindstorms
Lego blocks
Orange measuring cups and spoons
Orange spatulas
Orange skin/silicon case/housing for my psp
White leather cellphone case for my e63 + white housing
Mitch Albom and Paulo Coelho books
A hard-bound copy of HP1 and HP2 books
A complete set of percy jackson books
A complete set of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel books
World Peace
A greener earth!

Of course, no birthday of mine would be complete without my mum's famous spaghetti and chocolate cake fro Shoppersville :)

Seriously, it wouldn't be complete without it. I was crestfallen last year cause I had no shoppersville chocolate cake on my birthday. I almost cried! What I did was to just sleep so that my birthday would be over. *sniff* remembering it still makes me upset :(

Paper's Not Really Saving The World

2011-07-29T08:35:00.002+08:00

Local Effort
Working in Ortigas Center has it's perks. Everything's near. Malls, fast food, restaurants and hospitals. Another perk is that you get to experience what Pasig City's boasting about. It's the "Green City" of Metro Manila.

Pasig city is now prohibiting QSRs (quick service restaurants and/or fast food chains) to use plastic bags for

This blog is moved to http://sustainableearthliving.blogspot.com/ To read the entire blog, please click here

My Calling - A Greener Earth

2011-07-28T14:15:00.000+08:00

Small Things, BIG IMPACT
I've been trying to live "green" for the past years. I believe that even small efforts will someday amount to a BIG impact. It's like the concept of Pondo ng Pinoy (Fund of the Filipinos): Kahit maliit, basta't malimit ay patungong langit (Small things, when given constantly, is towards Heaven). Pondo ng Pinoy is a fundraiser project of the Catholic Church. It aims to gather funds from 25 centavo coins.

Like the Pondo ng Pinoy Project, I plan to do my part to help the earth be more sustainable. I may be just

This blog is moved to http://sustainableearthliving.blogspot.com/ To read the entire blog, please click here

Privacy Policy - Visitor Rights

2011-07-28T13:50:00.002+08:00

If you require any more information or have any questions about my blog's privacy policy, please feel free to contact me by email at knicnax@gmail.com.

At www.knicnax.blogspot.com, the privacy of my blog's visitors is of extreme importance to me. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by www.knicnax.blogspot.com and how it is used.

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Saving the Earth and Keeping My Weight in Check - STAIRS

2011-07-12T09:05:00.003+08:00

I've never been a fan of elevators. Escalators, sure, but not elevators. Something about enclosed spaces, being inches apart from people you don't know, and being buoyed up and down by some rope is scary for me; but since I started working, I've been using the elevator constantly. It still makes me light headed, but then I can

This blog is moved to http://sustainableearthliving.blogspot.com/ To read the entire blog, please click here

Going Green

2011-07-07T10:10:00.002+08:00

I've always though of myself as being an environmentalist. I love nature and I do my part in helping preserve it. I feel that it's one of my missions in life. To help the earth sustain itself longer.

How I've helped
For years now, I've been helping in my own way, for a more sustainable environment. I've joined Earth Hour for 3 years already. I make it a point not to use plastic straws for my drinks, yes even for takeouts. Even if I'll drink the bevy during a car ride. No straws for me. As much as possible, I buy green eco bags when shopping, sometimes bring my own bag. When buying food (or anything actually), when I can carry the stuff

This blog is moved to http://sustainableearthliving.blogspot.com/ To read the entire blog, please click here

Jollibee Longganissa Breakfast

2011-06-10T08:49:00.007+08:00

I had a lot of time to kill this morning so I decided to eat breakfast somewhere to pass the time. I arrived at the office at 7am so naturally it's still closed. I can't sit on the floor cause I'm wearing a skirt so I had to go somewhere I can sit.

At first I wanted to go to 711 for a cheap breakfast, but realized that I wanted hot chocolate, so I dashed over to Jollibee Tycoon.

When I Got there, the place is already buzzing with early morning breakfasteers. Cool. So I'm not the only early person. Haha.

Anyway, Jollibee's breakfast menu comprises of traditional Filipino breakfast food (minus the plain pan de sal [de saw saw]). I love Jollibee's longganissa breakfast. So I ordered one, for dine in, with a hot chocolate and peach mango pie to boot. It cost me 112 Pesos. Bummer! So much for cheap breakfast! Haha! For 88 Pesos, you get to pieces of longganissa; a small, sunny side up, well done egg; and your choice of hot chocolate or pineapple juice, then the difference is a peach mango pie ;)

I'm a person who doesn't like eating longganissa, I hate how it tastes and how it feels like while chewing. I also hate how when I burp, it tastes like longganissa, no matter what you eat after. It's a sickening taste and feeling; but not with Jollibee's Longganissa breakfast. I really love how it tastes. It's just the right amount of longanissa sweetness. It doesn't look like it's been killed with saltpeter and it feels like hotdog in my mouth! PERFECT! It's really well worth the cost (well, for me who's a longganissa hater).

My Longganissa's were a little burned, which is exactly how I like it. Cripsy on the outside, soft and juicy on the inside (Chickenjoy?)

Now for the reason why I decided to eat at Jollibee despite the budget constraints, the hot choco. Jollibee's hot choco tastes really good! Of course Mcdonalds taste great as well, but if you're looking for the traditional tablea taste, then Jollibee's the nearest place where you can grab one for cheap. Of course authentic tablea hot chocolate does taste more rich than Jollibee's but for a quick fix, here it is. Everytime I drink hot Jollibee's hot chocolate, I can't help but remember a famouse Noli Me Tangere anecdote. This is Tsokolate Ah, but it still tastes good even if it isn't thick, plus it's served in an orange taza when dining in! YAAAAY ;)

Information Security

2011-04-29T08:12:00.003+08:00

It surprises me that a lot of people are giving away their information freely. No regard for their or others' security.

There are a lot of applications now that could pose as a threat. Social networking sites are examples of such applications that could be harmful for you in the long run.

How much are you worth?
Do you know how much companies would pay for information? Even for just simple demographics, like gender, age, location and nationality? Stuff as simple as that, companies would pay millions just to have it. Imagine how much information we put on our profile sheets in social networks? We put in our schools, our hobbies, pretty much everything about ourselves. Such information can be used by companies to make marketing strategies; to check how much of the market they have penetrated; to see which demographic (such as social class, gender, school, age, etc) would be most likely to buy their products. Which demographics would they target their ads and their products to. Imagine how much they would earn in profit if they properly market their wares. Much much more that how much they'll pay for your information.

Sure, nothing's wrong with having targeted ads. It's how a company will earn money. It's just like TV ads, right? WRONG! Maybe it's just a little soft. No real damage is done, you'll also benefit by finding stuff that you want easily, but, would you really want these companies to know much information about you? Remember, people operate these companies. People in the company have access to your information. They can pull your record out, find out who you are, where you live, how to contact you, what your hobbies are, and worse, how you look like.

Paranoia? Maybe.
There's this app that I really find preposterous. It's an app (webapp) that let's you post information about where you are. Don't people see the dangers of letting the whole world know where you are? You could be feeding information to stalkers. And it's not limited to this webapp either. People use microblogs and social networks to post where they are at the precise moment. People can use this information against you. Companies could also put this to use. They can send targeted ads to you again. Since they know where you are, your phone or laptop can be bombarded with targeted ads. Like this shop is near you, etc.

Advertisements
You may be wondering why I keep on going back to companies that do targeted advertisments. Well, their the biggest threat. It's the most possible users (or rather, it's already happening) that will exploit your information. These marketing strategies are a little scary for me, because they'll know how to convince you to buy, to spend your money. You're thinking that you did that on your own. You decided to buy something, but in reality, these companies have conditioned your mind into buying.

A Way Out
I know what you're thinking. "I don't have that kind of threat because I only share information with my friends". That's a LIE. Unless you know all your followers on twitter, your friends in fb, 4sq, myspace, friendster, ym, tumblr, plurk, etc, which I doubt, you're not safe. You can't be so sure that your information isn't in jeopardy.

You should make it a habit to read any webapp's (or website's) ToS (Terms of Service) and Privacy Policy. Both are equally important, but for the purposes of this blog, I would stress that you read the PRIVACY POLICY! A privacy policy is where the organization behind the webapp tells you what they do with your information, what they'll install on your computer (yes, browsing alone installs something in your computer, such as cookies and trackers), etc. Sometimes it's also stated in the ToS about what they'll do with your information. They should have a clause for not selling nor sharing your information. Make sure that it's stated. Otherwise your information would be sold or shared.

Of course, there's still a way around that ToS and PP, but it's still a way of safeguarding your info.

I hope y'all be more careful about your information.

What is love?

2011-04-06T12:56:00.002+08:00

I really am not in the mood to go into full blogging mode so here's just a few snippets off my brain on how I view love, or how to love me?:

I know that I love you because I decided to stay even if I have fallen out of love
Love is not a feeling. It's a choice; ~~and I chose you.~~
I love you not because I need you, but because I want you.
Don't tell me that you're sacrificing a lot for me. It's like your blaming me for your self inflicted pain. I'd rather you say, "I love making you happy"
On the note of sacrifice, I don't sacrifice. It's either I want to to make you happy/at ease, I don't want to, or I'll compromise, but never ever ever sacrifice.
I do expect you to know that "Ok lang" means it's not okay at all.
When I'm quiet, there is something terribly terribly wrong. I'm boisterous. I rarely shut up
When I'm enraged, that would be the best time to hug me, kiss me forehead and tell me you love me, even if I struggle and try to punch your face
When I say I want something out of the blue, I really want it, and I want to enjoy it with you
I love hugs and cuddles and snuggles. Remember, I'm a kitten ^o_o^
I love to tickle, poke and bite. You have to get used to it, or else!
I'm not the type that follows something blindly. The more you try to control me, the more I pull away, the more I make your hairs stand on end
I'm like a truffle. I'm hard on the outside but gooey on the inside, and above all, I'm heavenly!
There is a huge difference between I love you and Mahal kita.

Responsible Parenting and Prescription Condoms

2011-04-05T13:14:00.003+08:00

I first heard about this in my favorite radio program "The Morning Rush" in RX93.1. They have this segment in the radio station called "News @17" where the DJs give various news on the 17th minute of every hour.

Again this is one of those, am i allowed to say ~~stupid rules~~ that people make up. Even the pop approves of condom use (in certain circumstances). What's the deal with these lawmakers anyway? It's not like condoms can harm the guy, nor the girl. Prescription is needed for drugs that may have dangerous side effects. What's so dangerous in a condom? Will you use it to strangle someone?

In the risk of being excommunicated, yeah I think the Philippine Church is wrong in condemning contraceptives, especially condoms.

Abortion What?

I still don't understand why preventing the sperm cells from reaching the egg cell is abortion. Last time I checked, abortion is not synonymous to prevention.

Cause and Effect

One problem facing the Philippines is poverty, and if you haven't noticed, the number of the poor is increasing; and if you haven't where have you been living in the past 10 years? I believe that the reason why we are so poverty-stricken is because we have too much poor people who are popping out babies like there's no tomorrow.

Aside from the fact that politicians keep on stealing our tax money, the rest of the money that's put to legitimate use are mostly spent on subsidizing for the poor, especially when it's nearing elections. If we had fewer poor people, then we don't have to subsidize as much. Politicians wouldn't appear as though they're doing everything they can to help the poor, just because the poor gets them the votes. (Hey corrupt politicians, shouldn't you be making the lives of those who PAY THE TAXES better than those who don't?). Don't get me wrong, I'm not against the poor, nor their uncontrollable urge to fornicate and get pregnant. All I'm saying here is, the lesser the poor people are, the more we can use the money to advance and improve our nation.

A Not So Slippery Slope

You're probably outraged now about how badly I think of the poor, but here me out first; and remember, this doesn't only apply to the poor, this also applies to the middle class, and every Filipino family who's struggling to make ends meet.

Here goes:

When I was in 4th year college, a rally was hosted by my alma matter regarding RH bill. There was this girl saying that the RH bill is bad because it prevents big families. She says that big families are great. Big families are happy families. I was like "What the hell is this girl saying?". Sure, big families are more fun than smaller families, but that means more expenses, more mouths to feed, more brains to fill, more laundry, more baths, more of everything, and almost everything has a price now. Big families are great, yes, IF you can afford it.

Lessening the number of poor people will of course start with fewer poor kids. Fewer poor kids means that the parents can somehow help their children IQ or EQ growth. Since they can spend more time with each kid. Some could even afford to send their children to a private school.

Children with better IQ and EQ will most probably get scholarships in acclaimed Colleges and Universities in the Philippines, maybe even abroad. Since most people have the "employee" mindset (Get a good education to get a good job), having kids who graduated college is a big help in the family already. Family status upgrade! Country status UPGRADE!

Another Valid Premise, STD

Okay, let's not concentrate on family planning. Let's look at the more humane reason for using condoms, but again, this is just applicable to condoms.

Condoms, as we all know helps in preventing the spread of STDs and STIs. Prostitution and promiscuity is rampant now, people should have a way of protecting themselves. The church can't turn their cheek on this reality. It is really happening. Preventing people to use condoms and risk STD is worse than having all that children to support. At least children and family for the most part, give joy to parents. STDs don't give joy to anyone. It destroys lives. Would the church rather have a very sick society?

The Other Hand

The only thing that I think should be banned are IUDs, I mean, this device can really hurt the girl, and it actually prevents the zygote (fertilized egg) to attach to the uterus, which of course, in itself, already abortion.

I get that the Church wants to accomplish here. They're still trying to keep the people pure, which is great. Though their judgement is really clouded here.

If they want to prevent pre-marital sex, have the law prohibit the selling of condoms to minors, not just the birth control pills and IUDs.

If they want to prevent extra-marital sex, have a law that allows buying of condoms by couple, with their marriage certificate or something. It's really hard to prevent extra-marital sex, and it happens even without condoms.

Laws prohibiting the use of contraceptives doesn't prevent STDs, Pre-marital and extra-marital sex. It will just increase the number of unwanted pregnancies, illegal abortions and people with STDs. What the Church needs to do is to teach the proper values in a way that it will stick to the minds of people. Do what they have to do in their own niche, not meddle in the political aspects of life

The Doraemon Syndrome

2011-03-09T11:45:00.003+08:00

Last Sunday, during afternoon snack, Papa, my baby brother and I talking. I guess it had been a favorite past time of ours to bully my baby brother and rile him about his weight and his habits, because we eventually started bullying him. (Yes, Papa included). I dunno how we arrived at how my baby brother was like Nobita in Doraemon, but we did. Papa said that my baby brother's very much like Nobita who always regrets things. Papa said that at the start of the story, there's always something that Nobita has to do. As the story progresses, Nobita just carries on with what he wants and not what he's supposed to do, and when he's already in a tight spot, he'll realize his mistake and then turn to Doraemon for help. He'll borrow something or beg Doraemon to do something so that he can get out of the mess, or to fix the mess. Tsk tsk tsk. Nobita full of regrets and then using Doraemon to solve the problem. How very childish.

My baby brother retaliated by defending the show, saying that even if Nobita's like that, it's a good show, which papa countered by saying that it's not a good show at all. It teaches kids shortcuts. Then I remember that I posted somethng before (in Tumblr and FB) about instant gratification.

Instant gratification is very rampant right now. Everybody wants everything, and fast. Imagine how many fast food chains and fast food stand-alones are existing now? Why is ease of communication very important now? Why telco's are providing cheap rates for calling people up. Eveybody wants everything fast.

Instant gratifiction is two sides of a coin. It's both good and bad. It's good because through technological advancements and break-throughs we are now able to do much more. Doing a task that used to require 3 hours to do would now just take you an hour. BAM! Instant gratification at it's finest. Produtivity's getting a really really big boost due to instant gratification :)

On the down-side though, since we've acquired the instant gratiication mentality from being over-exposed to the benefits having having everything and doing everything fast, we tend to apply it in the subjective part of life. We now want our meals to cook faster, we now want our chores to be easier. We want to take the time from the tedious tasks and use the extra time for stuff that are unproductive, like playing for 40 hours on weekends or having your eyes glued on the boob tube until monday morning comes, and what's worse is that somehow, this mentality is slowly creeping up our logical faculties and start clouding our judgement. Young kids now want to do stuff that older kids do. older kids now want to do what teenagers and oung adults do. Teenagers and young adults now want to do what adults do. Thankfuly though the adults now don't want to do what old people do.

If you see the Y and Z generation now, you'll see what I mean.

It used to be that kids want to stay outdoors and play in the sun. It's such a chore to make them go back in the house to eat, to rest, to sleep, and especially to take a bath. They're always outside playing. They smell like they rolled on the pavement or somewhere putrid when they come home. Now kids are indoors playing with the computer or watching tv.

It used to be that teens stay indoors and talk to their prospective crushes or hang around with their friends, during DAYLIGHT. Now they go out at night and party, drink beer.

Young adults, sure they still go out and party, but now it's like they want to fornicate everywhere when drunk. They spend money like there's no tomorrow. You can see them owning the latest trends, just because they can and they want to. When it used be that you can only do that when you're kids have already graduated and you're enjoying your pension or salary by yourself/with your spouse.

Life's on the fast lane for everyone, and I bet like Nobita we'll be regretting living fast when we reach that age wherein you'd wish you were younger, or you'd wish that you did this and that. I bet mid-life crisis is worse for Generation Y and Z, and the worse part is, there's no Doraemon to save the day.

What makes a relationship strong?

2010-12-02T10:17:00.002+08:00

I haven't blogged for a few weeks already, I was pre-occupied with a lot of things, and love seems to be the number 1 culprit that drains me of my time.

Bry and I are almost turning two, but it feels like it's been forever. I dunno if it's even a good feeling or not. Is it good because it seems that we know each other well now. It feels like we can overcome anything. It feels like we're strong. On the other hand, you know the saying time flies when you're having fun? If it feels like forever, then does it follow that I'm not having fun?

Then I wondered how do we keep a relationship strong? It doesn't matter whether it's romantic or not. Love may be of different forms, but it's still love. How do we keep the fires burning?

Is it need? Like how we need our parents? Is it what makes relationships strong?

I personally don't think it is the need. If love were based on need, then everyone is unhappy. If you need someone to complete you, if you need someone to do something for you, then you'll be very unhappy, because your happiness will depend on someone else, who can easily fail you. Who can break your heart, unintentionally

Is it the feeling? Like how endorphins rush in when we see our loved one? Is it what relationships last long?

If love was based on feelings only, what will happen when the times get tough? When there are challenges? When loving hurts like hell? If the feeling of "love" is gone, is it over? I remember asking bry before why he loves me, he answered "kasi gusto ko" (because I want to). It was the best answer I ever heard from anyone. His answer brought me to 7th heaven! The feeling that someone wants you in their lives because they just want to is pure bliss. He doesn't need me, but he wants me to be with him. Wow!

Is it trust? Is it the small gestures? Is it the grand gestures? Is it lust?

It could be a lot of things. A lot of things to make a relationship strong and last until your dying day.

What the secret ingredient is, I have no idea, but I hope that we have it. 14 days :)

On Being Good and Discovery Channel's "The Colony"

2010-11-13T20:02:00.004+08:00

Are you good? I believe that anybody can be good. There's an inherent goodness in anyone. Yeah, sure, some people are down right meanies, but still, they are good to other people right?

I was watching The Colony in Discovery Channel just a few minutes ago. The Colony is a show where the setting was an aftermath of a huge disasters. There are a few people who survived the disaster and they're working together to survive. They have to work for everything that they'll need. They have to scavenge, find ways to make ends meet. Sometimes, people will come and steal the supplies they worked hard for (bummer!). They'll have to do this for about 50 days.

There are also a few expers who are interviewed from time to time, to explain the behavior of the people. Mostly psychologists, who discuss the reaction of the people on the show. Also there's this narrator.

Anyway, some expert said that there are 5 basic necessities that people need.

Food
Water
Shelter
Fire
Security

On day 1, the colony was able to secure the first 4.

The thing that bothers me is that, 3 people came up to them and asked for food and water. Almost everyone was reluctant to give anything. They keep on telling the people that they have nothing.

One man however talked to the other members of the colony and told them that they should give them to boxes of milk, since it has a lot of protein, and one answered that they shouldn't give anything because they will just ask for more, or keep on coming back to ask for stuff. Worse is that if they come across other people as well and tell them that they have food there.

The good guy insist that they should give something, so they gave him a jug of water and 1 box of milk. The 3 outsiders though wanted for more, so there was a scuffle. Then 2 days later, the 3 outsiders had a mob with them and ransacked the colony's shelter. They took food and medicine.

When the 3 outsiders were asking for food, I was alarmed that the colony wouldn't even consider giving food, also when the mob attacked to loot them.

Although the mob was instructed to loot them, and the colony was informed of possible looters since after all, this is a show; I really was alarmed at how selfish people were.

It made me think, for how long and how far can you be good to others? Are you just good now because you have something to give? Because you are now well-off? because your life is stable? What about when it all boils down to a survival game? Will you be like the colony or the mob? be selfish? Just think of yourself or your group? Will you refuse food and water to people who are suffering the same predicament is you are?

It's easy to say "Yes, I'll be good. I'll share whatever I have.". It's easy cause we're not in that situation yet, but what if we were now? For example, a big earthquake hit your place. You can't seem to see that help is coming. You and your family are all alive, but you only have a limited supply of food and water. Then a group of mean looking thugs come, will you deny them of food and water? Sharing it may mean dwindling the supplies faster. Will you still help? Will you still be good?

Who's fault is it?

2010-11-10T11:00:00.007+08:00

I know it's my fault, but still... IT SUCKS BIG TIME! There are a lot of reasons why it's my fault. I lacked hindsight and I just let what happened, happen. On the other hand, there a more reasons why it's not my fault. Like the other party's lack of being able to properly project, or anticipate what will happen.

But in the end, it will still boil down to me. It was my decision. So it's my fault. Don't you hate being responsible and mature? If I weren't I'd just point all my 10 fingers to the other party and rampage like mad! I'll throw a tantrum and backstab, and everything. Oh how I wish I was still in kindergarten!

I know I can't blog what really happened, so I'll just use a hypothetical scenario.

For example, a friend asked for a favor. You need to go somewhere, let's say in Bacolod, to do this favor for your friend. Your friend is willing to shoulder your airfare to and from Bacolod, no problem. The thing you'll do will take just a short time, probably 1 hour to 5 hours tops. All your travel expenses you incur to do the favor will also be paid. Plus an additional 150 Pesos for your food. So seeing that what you need to do is fairly easy, you gladly accept your friend's offer.

The problem is, you have never been to Bacolod, and you don't know anyone from Bacolod, no one will be there to stay with you, except your rendezvous person (rendezvous person?, the person you'll meet to help you out on the favor). The person, is also just someone that your friend asked for a favor. They aren't friends either. Probably someone your friend paid.

Anyway, since you thought that you should have someone with you, you suggested this to your friend. The answer was yes, you could bring someone, but the expenses for that someone will not be covered. Also, if you decide to stay longer, hotel fees and food for the rest of the stay won't be shouldered by the friend asking for a favor.

Since you knew that your friend was a little tight on cash, you let it slide. You just bring someone with you, just to be sure. I mean, you'll never know if you need anyone right? That's what I learned in girl scouting anyway. Never be without your buddy/buddies, in case something happens to you.

So you happened to bring a sibling with you, just so you have someone to watch your back, and a vacation with your sibling. You asked your parents to shoulder the airfare, and they agreed. Of course. They wouldn't want you to venture alone. Ticket costs 6000 because it's pick season and you'll travel in a few days time. Quite expensive, but it's okay. So everything's great. You're just waiting for your departure.

A few days before you leave for Bacolod, the trip was cancelled. Your friend wasn't ready with the things needed for the favor, so your friend told you that the trip will be put off at a later date. Okay. So you cancel your hotel accommodations. Your friend called you a week after and told you the trip was back on. Also your friend told you that you need to pay for the extra air fare, so you paid and then reserved a hotel room again. A day before your departure, the trip was canceled yet again.

You wanted to cancel your sibling's ticket already because you were informed that the trip will really push through mid week, since your sibling can't miss school, you just wanted to cancel. You were informed prior, that the ticket can't be refunded, but you were insistent that it could be, so you were told after it was consulted to the travel agent, that the ticket was refundable, but not in full. You let out a sigh of relief, at least a part of the very expensive ticket will be refunded.

Then, after a few days, your were told that the trip could be moved on a weekend. GREAT! You can bring your sibling after all! YAY! So you called up your parents to tell them that you'll bring your sibling all along. YAY!

The day after your rejoicing, you were told that there was an, additional charge for the ticket, which was almost amounting to 4000 Pesos. WHAT?! Oh, and btw, the ticket is again, non-refundable. WHAT?! WHY?! Well, it's because the ticket was on promo and it had restrictions. What restrictions? Well, it can't be refunded, thats what.! OH CRAP!

So you decided that you don't want your sibling to come along after all. No way are you shelling out additional dough! So you call your mum up, who was so disappointed and disgusted! She goes and tells you(in a very irate voice) "Ano ba tong pinasukan mo?! Kausapin mo ng mabuti yung agent. Linawin mo. Kayo nalang ng papa mo magusap!" (What did you get yourself into? Talk to the agent again and clear the details up. Talk to your dad!). So you call up your dad and explain the whole thing, and he goes "Ano ba tong pinasukan mo?!" (Didn't you here this already?). So your dad goes and asks you to get a break down of why the additional cost amounted to such. So you gave him the break down (and you're already breaking down. What the hell did you get yourself into?!). He told you he doesn't have that money right now, but if you need someone with you, he'll find a way (Oh if you were with him, you could kiss and hug him!). So you tell him you'll be okay on your own. So he said, well then just charge the 6000 pesos to experience. At least now, you already know.

and you finally break down and cry, and blog teary eyed!

Reservation in Heaven

2010-11-09T11:52:00.004+08:00

I remembered the homily of our parish priest last sunday. I was struck about how simple he explained the Gospel.

The Gospel yesterday was about death and resurrection. Below is last Sunday's Gospel (Nov 7, 2010)

Gospel: Lk 20:27–38 (or Lk 20:27, 34–38)
Some Sadducees arrived. These people claim that there is no resurrection and they asked Jesus this question, “Master, in the Scripture Moses told us: ‘If anyone dies leaving a wife but no children, his brother must take the wife, and the child to be born will be regarded as the child of the deceased man.’ Now, there were seven brothers; the first married a wife, but he died without children; and the second and the third took the wife; in fact all seven died leaving no children. Last of all the woman died. On the day of the resurrection, to which of them will the woman be wife? For the seven had her as wife.”
And Jesus replied, “Taking husband or wife is proper to people of this world, but for those who are considered worthy of the world to come and of resurrection from the dead, there is no more marriage. Besides, they cannot die for they are like the angels. They too are sons and daughters of God because they are born of the resurrection.
“Yes, the dead will be raised, and even Moses implied it in the passage about the burning bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. For he is God of the living and not of the dead, and for him all are alive.”

Now our parish priest said that he believes that Heaven uses a reservation system. You also need a ticket to go to heaven. To reserve a space in heaven, and the ticket to heaven, you have to pay in advance. His whole homily used this metaphor, and I was lapping it all up! I loved the metaphor!

His homily really made me think about what I have been doing in my life. Have I saved enough so I could buy that ticket, and a place to live in in heaven? Probably not. If I would sum up all the Good I have done, I would need a "promo" so that I could travel. Something similar to Cebu Pacific's Piso seat fare! Then, when I get to heaven, I probably wouldn't have enough to rent a small tent.

Yeah. I know I've done a lot that are good, but these things that I have done are still not enough. I would try my best to do good, and live my life as close as to how Jesus lived his. I'm not doing this all because I want to go to heaven. I'm doing this because I want to serve him. Maybe the reason why I'm not doing such a good job at it is because I'm not visualizing the prize.

Anyway, I made this blog, hoping that you too would do more good in this world God knows we need it. :)

Have a blessed life :)

Top 10 Rules that I live by

2010-11-09T09:51:00.002+08:00

Okay, so I was so pissed of this past few days, that I decided to post the rules that I live by in my FB account.

I was pissed because I believe in something that others do not. It really is just the reason why I get pissed off, why anybody gets pissed off, right? You can't persuade someone to share your opinion, and so you're pissed. It's really selfish of us right? Especially when we start looking for people who agree with us.

Anyway, here's my top 10:

You shall love your neighbor as You love yourself.
Don't do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you.
PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH. nufsed.
Excuses are for LOSERS. Take responsibility.
Gossiping and backstabbing are a double ended swords. Don't bother hurting yourself.
Be careful who you betray. You don't know who you're dealing with
Making others look and feel bad to make yourself feel good is like feeling great for a fire that's destroying your house
If you have nothing to do but to talk behind other people's back, especially mine, then by all means, do continue. It's our pleasure to make you feel so wretchedly worked up inside
I'm arrogant. Deal with it.
Yes. I'm threatening YOU

There.

I gotta work now so I can't give a long narrative of why these are my top 10. Maybe some other day?

P-Noy this and P-Noy that

2010-07-01T13:23:00.003+08:00

I'm not a P-Noy fan. I want to make this clear early on. I'm not a fan, definitely not a supporter. I'm just your average citizen, and probably more.

A trying-hard model citizen

I do try to live everyday by the law. I don't just cross the street, I cross on pedestrian lanes or over-passes. I don't litter. I obey traffic rules (not that I have a car but as a pedestrian and as someone who rides vehicles). I pay my taxes right. I earn clean and honest money. I'm just setting this straight because people might say I have no right to talk the way I am about to. Just to re-stress, I PAY MY TAXES RIGHT

Over-Rated
For me though, P-Noy is so over-rated. People regard him like a savior of some sort. Come on! He hasn't even done anything concrete yet. All he did was sit on a chair during senate sessions and be a good kid to mumi and the best brother to his sisters. Quite frankly, he's just an average citizen like me, who had the chance to be senator (who knows, I might have the chance too).

I understand that his parents did a lot for our country and that he's just continuing their legacy, but that's the whole point isn't it? It's their legacy. Not his. THEIRS.

I also dislike the fact that he has fans. FANS for crying out loud! celebrity much? And what's this about his inaugural speech? Wasn't that a lot of trash talking? There's no point of crying over spilled milk. The way he's formulated his speech in attacking the previous government, you can pretty much infer that his 6 years as president would be devoted to chasing the bad guys and not for the betterment of the good guys (his bosses, us). Boohoo for us.

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing bad about going after the corrupt, it's just that I would prefer that his government focus more on education, family planning and livelihood programs which would surely be more productive than going after the corrupt officials who'd do their best to evade all his efforts

Open doors and windows
I'm not closing my doors and windows for him though. I do hope that he'll be a great president and shut me up. I wish that in his first 3 years we could see at least 3, good and concrete projects that would be for the benefit of the common good

Permanently Invisible

2009-12-10T14:05:00.002+08:00

Yapos at Sapak

2009-12-09T13:48:00.003+08:00