Clutter and Niches

First John Grisham Experience -- The Appeal

2011-06-15T05:05:00.000-07:00

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I'm grateful of having met bookworms in the office.

A colleague is almost always holding a book every time I see him -- in the operations area, elevator and even in the FX on the way to the office. So I approached him one day and asked what he was reading. I don't remember exactly what it was but that conversation led him to lend me one of his books.

Having said that any book would be okay, I didn't have any idea about the book I was about to borrow until he brought it to me and said,"You might not like it."

"Nah. Don't say that. Let me read it." I replied.

He was right. Well, at first. I honestly was just dragging myself as I read the first quarter of the book. It was my first time to read such law-related literary work and another colleague's comment didn't help neither. "You're reading John Grisham's book?! Gosh! I never read John Grisham's. His books are just so..... much into law." I knew what she was talking about right at that moment.

The story is divided into three stages: The Appeal, The Campaign and The Opinion. I found the first part quite like a dull narrative. And then it slowly caught my full attention when I reached the second part. Afterwards, it made me curious and stirred up until the end.

It took me more than a month to reach the final chapter and the final sentence of John Grisham's novel, The Appeal. It may be unimpressive to me at first but this made me challenge myself to be open to a much different literary genre. Its no-happy-ending story made the antagonist savor his victory while leaving the protagonists defeated. Grisham gave me a glimpse of how politics has always been a dirty game and how possibly the Supreme Court justice can be as dirty. A profound reality check?

In the long run, I think John Grisham's novels are worth the read despite some ambiguities on political terms.

Josh Grisham accompanies me
as I'm having my foot spa.

--

Harmony (2010 Korean Movie): An Apercu

2011-05-14T05:38:00.000-07:00

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Another tearjerker. One of the best musical films I've seen. This film is added to my list of Korean movie favorites next to A Moment to Remember. I was surprised to find myself almost crying at the first few parts of the movie.

Now I know what my Korean student was talking about. Since schools and offices were closed plus she wanted to avoid the crowded places outside, this student of mine recommended the movie to her family during a holiday (Buddha's birthday) last week. Captivated by the touching story, she asked her family to watch the film too for she knew that they would also love it. Well, despite already knowing the scenes, ending or the whole story and all, she still found herself crying while watching the movie.

I got intrigued at the time my student was telling me about it. So I checked for movie posters on the internet and saw that one of the main casts was Kim Yunjin (from Lost) and that made me more curious.

Then as I was strolling through YouTube last night, I remembered to check its trailer. Man, I have never almost cried from just watching a trailer before!

Country: South Korea
Production Company: JK Film
Genre: Drama/ Musical
Director: Kang Dae Kyu
Starring: Kim Yun Jin, Na Moon Hee, Kang Hye Won, Jang Yeong Nam, Lee Da Hee, Jeong Su Yeong, Park Jun Myeon, Cha Jin Hyeok, Kim Jae Hwa, Ji Seong Won
Length: 115 mins
Date of release: 28th January, 2010

Shooting the film in an actual women's penitentiary, the globally-recognized actress Kim Yun-jin (Lost) leads an all-star veteran casts in Harmony, the most heartwarming film that will arouse your emotions. Jeong-hye (Kim Yun-jin) is sent to prison after killing her abusive husband. Then she gives birth to a child in jail who she must give up for adoption after 18 months. In order to let her child see the outside world, she resolves to organize a choir in exchange for a special day out with her son. Despite each prisoner has their own dark past, the choir unites together to sing the greatest harmony to express their love to their families.

A MUST-SEE MOVIE! Watch it while you can! Here's also its music video:

A MOTHER'S HAND HAS THE BEST HEALING POWER.

^_^

Overloaded Finale (Shoot Me!)

2011-04-28T11:26:00.000-07:00

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Kudos to me for finally publishing this post after more than half a year of staying as draft. Date Published: 15 July 2011 0___o

The last third of the year 2010 and the first two months of 2011 has been such a blessing.

Shoot Me!
(31 to 52 of 52)

- 26th Birthday -
Not so young yet not so old.

- A Sister's Gift -
Hmmm, do you agree with it?

- PM 1 Team Building -
My teammates and I had a blast one karaoke night partying with our four November birthday celebrators. Can you spot Spider Woman?

- Aissa's Christmas Party -
It's a blessing to see children with special needs like her being cheerful and confident.

- Baby Chin Chin's Christening -
We may be often apart but this friend of mine (now a super busy teacher and mother) will always be my twin.

- Just Sing a Song -
Another karaoke time with my "big" friend at her mother's house.

- Under My Umbrella-
It's me under my cute parapluie....in my room.

- Walk of Fame -
Velma Kelly and some other movie stars were in our company's Christmas party.

- I Yum Pizza! -
After hours of looking for a resto and after long minutes waiting for our order, these pizza finally landed on my taste buds. Christmas Eve with friends!

- Jesus' Birthday -
My sisters and I are all still together.

- First Christmas -
This was our first Christmas with her and her first with us.

- First Snap Together -
Meet KC, my sister's dear baby.

- Church's 7th Anniversary -
Despite some twists and turns, the Kids Ministry is still ongoing.

- Baby KC's Christening-
This christening also served as a family reunion since many of my cousins arrived to celebrate with us that day.

- Blue Car -
Meet my super energetic yet adorable godson.

- Colleague/Friend's Birthday -
This shot wasn't scripted. It was totally stolen and I like the way my expression was captured. Hehe.

- Playtime After Work -
What happens when there's a camera around after sitting and teaching for hours is this.

- Makeup Makeover -
Chuseok is a three-day holiday in Korea so I had lots of free time! Well, here's the result of staying awake overnight while having friends to talk and play makeups with.

- Tropical Chicken -
Meet my makeup artists. After staying awake overnight, my friends had our lunch at 4pm.

- Hmmmffff! -
I can't remember the last time I woke up early in the morning to go outside and exercise. I can't help it but laugh whenever I see this picture.

- Sessionistas 2011 -
The first concert I've ever watched in Araneta Center, Philippines.

- A Proud Aunt -
Such happiness is indescribable.

If it's not because of Carin's Shoot Me! challenge, I wouldn't enjoy... and... er... be challenged doing this weekly adventure. Although I obviously wasn't able to technically do and finish the challenge on time, I am still proud of myself for completing the task. Hehe. Blogging is therapeutic but sometimes motivation gets out of hand. Memes such as this help me get back into the swing of things.

I thank you Carin for starting this journey and I encourage you Church Lady to carry this on. Happy Blogging! ^^,

I ♥ Kevjumba!!!

2011-04-28T06:25:00.000-07:00

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Kevjumba is just one of the YouTube stars I am planning to write about soon. Among all the rising celebrities in the said video-sharing website, Kevin Wu is my ultimate favorite so far. I can't wait to write a short profile about him and on how he found me. Let me save it for later. :P

For now, take a look at one of Kev's awesome pics. Eric Sueyoshi did a very creative twist in this shot. I bet you can see that too! Love it!!!!

Thanks to KoreAm for this cool pic.

Confidence, Dude.

2011-04-28T05:09:00.000-07:00

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It so happened that a colleague offered a set of pretty sandals her friend was selling. And so, a close friend and I scanned through the pictures of the said products and made our choices. This close friend of mine suggested some pairs .......... which I mostly declined.

"That color doesn't suit me," I said.

"That style would make my feet look bigger," I added.

Then she frankly yet gently replied, "Why don't you try them? Look at Anne Curtis. She was asked what motivates her to sing even though obviously she couldn't. You know what she answered? Confidence. You should have that too, dude."

Anne Curtis is one of the hosts in Showtime, an early morning (formerly noon-time) variety show airing on ABS-CBN in the Philippines. Aside from the contestants, the judges and hosts get the chance to showcase their own talents as the madlang pipol shout, "sample! sample!"

* Madlang Pipol is a humorous phrase in the Philippines which means the public or people in general. The Taglish-ness of the term is what makes it funny. -- Tagaloglang.com

Piano Bathroom

2011-04-26T05:16:00.000-07:00

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Aside from diaries, greetings and some grammar questions or exercises, the Writing Board is another place to have interactions with students simply for fun.

Let me share to you an interesting place in South Korea which my student shared with me through the One on One Board two weeks ago. What an interesting, fun and amusing place to visit!

Welcome to the Piano Bathroom!

I wonder how big this grand piano is inside...

Can Yiruma play this piano? ^^,

How loud can this piano sound?

Oh, a piano staircase!

A cute fountain that is.

I love those blue walls!

Note: Photos were sourced from Naver, a Korean website. Aside from the pictures above, you may also see an artificial waterfall here.

Thanks Eun Ja for sharing these! ^_______^

Nobody Kills the Dance Floor Like QUEST CREW!!!

2011-04-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

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I got home from work one day, supah excited to watch Quest Crew vids again, saw this, watched it and almost screamed when it was over!!!

One of the best choreographies EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Quest Crew's AIRSTRIKE! set from the TAKEOVER in Melbourne, Australia.
(Video not mine. Make sure to drop by Quest Crew's Youtube channel.)

^^,

The Kite Runner: My Review

2011-03-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

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The Kite Runner is a novel by Khaled Hosseini. Published in 2003 by Riverhead Books, it is Hosseini's first novel,and was adapted into a film of the same name in 2007.

The Kite Runner tells the story of Amir, a young boy from the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Khan, who befriends Hassan, the son of his father's Hazara servant. The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of Afghanistan's monarchy through the Soviet invasion, the mass exodus of refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the rise of the Taliban regime.
- Wikipedia

I didn't. They told me I would cry but I didn't. But I was moved. Impressed. And most importantly, I learned as I was introduced to a different literary genre. Most of the novels I’ve read were fictional. The Kite Runner may be fictional in characters but some facts remain -- the Afghan history, child abuse and discrimination as well as the power of faith, hope and love.

SPOILER ALERT! Don't tell me I didn't warn you.

This is my first time to read a novel with an Islamic background. I got to learn some of Islamic cultures about:
- servant-master relationship
- usual conversation with opposite sex
- engagement and wedding

Now I know that a kite flying contest is not all about making a kite soar the highest. There are two competitions involved --- being the last one flying and catching the last one falling.

This novel made me go back to the first chapter upon reaching its mid part.

All the characters played significantly moving unique roles:

Amir’s guilt and struggles
Hassan’s sacrificial love
Assef’s sociopathic views
Baba’s life perspective
Ali’s fatherly love despite disability
Rahim Khan’s loyalty and mentorship
Soraya’s unexplained infertility
Sohrab’s silence
Sanaubar’s harlotry
Farid’s brave assistance
Farzana’s shyness
General Taheri’s unwavering expectation
Khala’s warmth and welcomeness

I hope that Khaled Hosseini would make a sequel of this novel. I wonder what went through Sohrab’s young mind – from his memories of his parents, grandma and Rahim Khan up to the time of their deaths, about the very right moment he was taken in and then out of the orphanage unfortunately becoming one of Assef’s toy (just like his father Hassan), when he met his father’s best friend Amir finding hope but then feeling betrayed at the end, while he spent his life in silence, while he sees how much Amir was genuinely working hard to win his trust again, and finally, when he unconciously gave Amir that very rare smile as they flew a kite together for the first time.

There is no happy ending. There is a challenging, realistic and inspiring ending.

Again, thanks TeaSea for lending me the book.
Photo courtesy of Gah-ehl. ^^,

The Kite Runner: An Apercu

2011-03-17T10:32:00.000-07:00

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Intrigued by a colleague's remark, I wondered what this book contains:

the book that made me cry, the writer who moved my nerves into a different dimension that traces the lines of inner emotions which fills the gap of evolution and bridges the gap of reality and most likely tearing apart the pieces of humanity from its solid identity..take time to read if you have time - TeaSea

The Kite Runner. Reading its pages and now reaching its tenth chapter, I can say that this literary work really "pulls every string in your heart to make it sing" (as commented by THE TIMES).

Innocence of childhood, different ethnicities, building and shattering friendship, betrayal, scandal, history and a mixture of Philia, Storge and Eros kinds of love -- these are what Khaled Hosseini's book has unfolded me so far.

I can't wait and imagine how this incredibly touching novel would end. What shall I discover as I unravel this written masterpiece?

(Book review to follow.)

Till then. ^^,

A Fresh Restart

2011-01-18T04:52:00.000-08:00

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Yep. Just dropping by the blogosphere (after several months!!!) to let you know that Clutter and Niches still exists. Well, lots of clutter had already piled up and now needs to be marshaled. This author hadn't written up her thoughts for a few months so it may took her a while to get back into the swing of things.

Thank you for your forbearance. See you! (--,

Mike Wazowski of Monsters Inc.

2010-11-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

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Mike is one of the lead characters in another Pixar animation, Monsters, Inc.

As Wikipedia puts it, the story takes place in Monstropolis, a city populated entirely by monsters. Monstropolis is not part of the human world, but it can be connected to children's bedrooms through their closet doors. When a door is properly activated, it becomes a portal between the monster world and the human world. The city's power supply is provided by Monsters, Inc., a utility company that employs monsters to scare children and extract energy from their screams. The company has a huge warehouse full of doors, work areas called "scare floors" where the doors are activated, and a special training room in which employees practice their scare skills. The company's best scarer is James "Sulley" Sullivan, whose assistant is his best friend, Michael "Mike" Wazowski.

Mike plays a very supportive, frank, energetic, funny and practical best friend and assistant of Sully. There is never a part in the movie where he feels inferior of Sully's status. He is one optimistic one-eyed monster. ^^,

Like this one: The tandem luckily become part of their company's new TV commercial. Who is jumping out of excitement and thrill? None other than Mike. Sully is already having much publicity and fame because of his "Best Scarer" status. Sully is one humble monster. He doesn't put his popularity in his head. As for Mike, it's understandable why he is so freaking thrilled about this. He isn't that famous. As the green monster excitedly awaits his TV appearance, the TV flashes this:

Who wouldn't be disappointed when your face gets covered by a company logo in your first ever TV appearance?!

....It's Mike Wazowski! I feel bad for him like Sully (look at Sully's face) because Mike seems about to cry after seeing the commercial when suddenly he starts jumping and hurraying and exclaiming, "I'm on TV!!!"

Next, after all the adventures of saving the company and the very cute toddler Boo, "scarers" become "laughers" as they shifted from collecting screams to collecting laughters which more effectively generate the whole Monstropolis and much better let children sleep at night. Popularity comes next and the tandem get the chance of being a magazine cover this time. Celia Mae, Mike's lover and the company's receptionist, calls his attention about the magazine and then he sees this:

Who wouldn't be disappointed when your face gets covered by a bar code in your first ever magazine cover?! Yeah, he is the one...

Celia Mae and I have the same reaction -- feeling sorry and supportive for Mike. But do we have to? Mike doesn't care about any damn bar code. All he has to say is, "I can't believe it. I am in the cover of a magazine!!!!!!!"

Sully is a warm-hearted monster. Boo is such an adorable kid. But Mike is my favorite among them. Talk about optimism....from a one-eyed monster. ^^,

Tips on How To Capture a Screen Shot of your Desktop or the Active Window in Windows. Thanks Sue Chastain. ^_~

Perplexed

2010-10-30T21:24:00.000-07:00

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"In life, there are two choices -- to move forward or stagnate. Let go of the things that can no longer be fixed. If you force to try to put them back, things will only get worse. Holding on is being brave, but sometimes moving on makes you even tougher."

-.-

In The Dead of Night

2010-10-29T21:03:00.000-07:00

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If you were asked what your favorite time of the day is, what would you answer?

MIDNIGHT.

Darkness caresses me these past few weeks along with the still silence during such hours . Her presence confronts and comforts me from my chaotic mind. She lets me be me. She isn't disturbed by my weird silence nor my glottal cries. She met my blank stares. I weep, whimper, sob. She listened. She is there and always comes back. Why is it just that she needs to be gone too soon?

Why can't they...she....cannot give me the time of day?

-.-

Wemmicks -- The Small Wooden People

2010-10-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

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If dots are overwhelming, so as the stars.

The Wemmicks were small wooden people. Each of the wooden people was carved by a woodworker named Eli. His workshop sat on a hill overlooking their village. Every Wemmick was different. Some had big noses, others had large eyes. Some were tall and others were short. Some wore hats, others wore coats. But all were made by the same carver and all lived in the village.

And all day, every day, the Wemmicks did the same thing: They gave each other stickers. Each Wemmick had a box of golden star stickers and a box of gray dot stickers. Up and down the streets all over the city, people could be seen sticking stars or dots on one another. The pretty ones, those with smooth wood and fine paint, always got stars. But if the wood was rough or the paint chipped, the Wemmicks gave dots. The talented ones got stars, too.. Some could lift big sticks high above their heads or jump over tall boxes. Still others knew big words or could sing very pretty songs. Everyone gave them stars.

Some Wemmicks had stars all over them! Every time they got a star it made them feel so good that they did something else and got another star. Others, though, could do little. They got dots. Punchinello was one of these. He tried to jump high like the others, but he always fell. And when he fell, the others would gather around and give him dots. Sometimes when he fell, it would scar his wood, so the people would give him more dots. He would try to explain why he fell and say something silly, and the Wemmicks would give him more dots.

After a while he had so many dots that he didn't want to go outside. He was afriad he would do something dumb such as forget his hat or step in the water, and then people would give him another dot. In fact, he had so many gray dots that some people would come up and give him one without reason. "He deserves lots of dots," the wooden people would agree with one another. "He's not a good wooden person." After a while Punchinello believed them. "I'm not a good wemmick," he would say.

The few times he went outside, he hung around other Wemmicks who had a lot of dots. He felt better around them. One day he met a Wemmick who was unlike any he'd ever met. She had no dots or stars. She was just wooden. Her name was Lulia. It wasn't that people didn't try to give her stickers; it's just that the stickers didn't stick. Some admired Lulia for having no dots, so they would run up and give her a star. But it would fall off. Some would look down on her for having no stars, so they would give her a dot. But it wouldn't stay either.

'That's the way I want to be’, thought Punchinello. 'I don't want anyone's marks.' So he asked the stickerless Wemmick how she did it. "It's easy," Lulia replied. Read more.

(Disclaimer: Short story and picture not mine. Each belongs to its respective owner.)

^^,

Barangay Election

2010-10-27T10:39:00.000-07:00

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On the spot. Sa mismong araw ng botohan ako nag-isip ng mga iboboto ko nitong Lunes para sa posisyon ng kapitan at mga kagawad. Sa tulong ni ate, nakumpleto din ang listahan. Hindi na sana ako boboto (tsk. tsk. not good). May mangyayari kayang kaaya-aya sa barangay o sa looban man lang namin? Hmmmmm. Malaman.

^^,

STOIC

2010-10-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

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Someone is seemingly indifferent to or unaffected by joy, grief, pleasure, or pain.

Are you stoic? Am I stoic? I guess. Haha! Talk about pessimism, melancholy and drama. Give vent to one's emotions. Or else...

...or else one will turn stoic. If not, eruptive and destructive.

A stoic person may not have any idea how to unburden himself of a strong pent-up emotion. Hence, the attitude. Maybe that person just wanted someone who attentively listens and genuinely cares and wisely counsels without judgment, accusations, indifference, disregard or belittlement. That person is perhaps so fearful of what and how to unburden worrying about things that aren't yet happening, that is, rejection, blame, mockery. He just wants to be understood and being misunderstood can be his worst fear. Expressing himself, including both positive and negative things, is a struggle. This person must have gathered all his strength and faced his fears in the past to somehow reach out but just had received a cold, offensive, hurtful response. Consequently, he unknowingly cowered himself in a shell of his own. And now that shell is so hard to break, to enter, to reach, to penetrate. He needs his façade.

He intended to help but ends up hurting the people he loves. He intended to change but ends up disliking himself more. He intended to love but ends up being apathetically stoic.

Stoic. Indifferent. Unaffected.

Is he a coward? Nope. Confused.
Is he unloved? Nope. Misunderstood.
Does he still have hope? Of course. If he chooses to.

His hurt maybe so small compared to yours. But it is not the size that matters. He is extremely hurt as he feels it. Your careless expressions, even your happiness, is rubbing salt into an open wound.

Erupting Volcano

2010-10-25T19:37:00.000-07:00

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I am apathetically...
... angry.
... jealous.
... envious.
... pitiful.
... hurt.
... mocked.
... resentful.
... grudging.
... hateful.

uninterested, passive, indifferent, sluggish, unmoved, stoic, stoical, unconcerned, listless, cold, impassive, unresponsive, phlegmatic, unfeeling, unemotional, torpid, emotionless, insensible

Loving Rain Pouring Down

2010-10-25T05:05:00.000-07:00

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Rain, rain, don't go away!

Please come again another day.

Cluelessly exiting the mall where I had my dinner break, I was welcomed by the whooshing wind and clattering rain. Clad in shorts, a thin blouse and a too old jacket (I almost forgot, a pair of sneakers too!), I stood there for a few minutes thinking whether to battle the weather or not. It was raining cats and dogs. Having only a spare of seven minutes that time, I ran.

My newly-bought cute umbrella should have been once more put to good use if I brought it with me when I left the office. But there was it - neatly folded and so dry.

Which was fun! Yes, fun! Fun? Fun! Because I am a rain person. Running under the rain felt so ME. I was happy. I was smiling despite getting wet and knowing that I still have four hours of work to do. Rain always makes me feel a lot better.

Do you know those movie scenes? Just look at this one:

(FYI: The movie clip is from the film "The Classic". I recommend this. I find the twist at the end unique and captivating.)

I felt like this. Just minus the guy. Carefree. Simply happy.

^^,

This Lullaby

2010-10-14T05:19:00.000-07:00

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But for now, I just sat there on the bed and listened to my song. The one that had been written for me by a man who knew me not at all, now sung by the one who knew me best. - Remy Starr

10.10.10

2010-10-11T01:10:00.000-07:00

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Spot me. Nah.

This is in my life list #13.

Sad that I wasn't able to join 10.10.10 Run For Pasig River. Seems fun, challenging and truly a worthwhile event! Kudos to all who made this possible.

Hoolahoopers in a fun run?! That's a hell of a lot of fun but this actually happened in the other side of the globe. I didn't know that there is a so-called World Hoop Day. I only heard it from Karen of Chookooloonks.

Oh, I miss running and hoolahooping! ^^,

(So up next is 11.11.11 and then 12.12.12. Sad to say, there would be no more 13.13.13 or 14.14.14 and the next and next after that. Tee hee!)

Simile Without The First "i"

2010-10-04T06:18:00.000-07:00

Kate, SMILE.
Unless you want to be as dry as this leaf.

So Small

2010-10-01T23:37:00.002-07:00

I need help to open up, to go ahead and let the light shine through

Oh it's hard on a rainy day
I wanna shut the world out
And just be left alone
It's so easy to get lost inside
A problem that seems so big at the time
It's like a river that's so wide
It swallows me whole

- adapted from Carrie Underwood's song "So Small"

Shoot Me! (30 of 52)

2010-09-30T20:47:00.000-07:00

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Who said it's hot in the Philippines?

I have two feet, the left and the right.
Let me show you a glimpse of my day as I go to work just after lunchtime.

Here is where I stop and wait for a jeepney. Across the road is the alley leading to our humble house.

After riding the country's undisputed public vehicle, the next stop is the "kinda" bus station. Believe me. Not all air-conditioned buses keep you from inconvenience.

Next, MRT train ride. Better sit where it's shady.

Riding an FX is actually more convenient than MRT train since I can avoid the tedious walks by doing so. I choose the train because it is a lot faster and cheaper. Consequently, I have to go on foot here.

And here.

Good thing trees are ever created to give shade to humankind. Oh, God, I thank Thee for Thy shade!

The sky is clear. I just hope the sunshine is not that always hot. Whew! Finally, I am almost there. Time to work after a weary walk. See ya!

Who said it's hot in the Philippines?

Ginormous List: 100+ Things

2010-09-27T06:55:00.000-07:00

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If it is not because of Karen of Chookooloonks, I wouldn't have been blogging about this.

I had second thoughts on writing down another to-do list. You see, there was this time when a dear friend and I decided to write down our plans for the next five years. That was on November of 2005. One more month and then comes our deadline. As it is turning out, only one of the things I wrote down is coming to reality. I can't help it but envy that friend of mine who is having a hell of fun in her job abroad. I felt like I couldn't bear setting a goal and eventually failing again in the end.

But I find myself doing it one more time. Karen helps me shake off my pessimistically inclined thoughts and is like a pat on my shoulder saying, "Give it a go." as I read and reread her advice on creating one's own life list.

It is not about always having big plans. Simple dreams are welcome such as having to taste blueberry yogurt. Satisfaction counts more than success.

Goal-setting is about adding moments of joy rather than adding moments of guilt.

It is more about recognizing and seizing opportunities and not about completing everything in the list.

Damn it!!! It is about having fun as one is going through life.

Hence, this list.

Not to mention, this is a challenging, inspiring and truly worthwhile centurial post! HURRAY!

have a shot of myself that looks something like this
go hiking
climb a mountain in Korea (or visit Cheju Island)
play 50 hymns on bell lyre
help Aissa compose an English sentence
watch a 3-D film
watch a 3-D film with my family
be an audience in one of Lea Salonga's musicals
bungee jump
sky line
have our house remodeled
join a fun run
be an audience in a TV show
teach in a formal school for at least a year
read (and understand) a Korean article
have a food trip in Van Gogh is Bipolar
make my own leche flan
have blueberry yogurt
enjoy a relaxing spa with my eldest sister
go to Disneyland
feed and run after a flock of birds at a park (and take a picture of it)
take a hot air balloon ride
grow something (flower, veggies, herbs, etc.) from a seed
go railbiking
learn how to bike (so I can also do #25)
fly a kite
play a Yiruma piece
construct my own wooden furniture
explore Sagada
tour Camiguin
have my teeth done
out of town with my family (aside from Cavite which is our hometown)
lead a bible study outside the church
compose and illustrate my own children's book
get married?
have a bedroom makeover
have a personal interview with someone about EDSA Revolution
wear hanbok
play go cart
try zipline
bathe in a sauna
have a studio pictorial with my family
actually see the One Day Poem Pavilion by Jiyeon Song
master some complicated origamis
meet Kevjumba in person!
meet some of the Youtubers I like and subscribed to
watch a live circus performance
jump and jump and jump on a trampoline
meet Ha Ji Won in person
watch a Korean drama on the big screen
watch Jang Kiha and the Faces' concert live!
go to Lotte World
ride T Express, a wooden roller coaster, in Everland

Oooops. Obviously there aren't 100 things here. YET.

Coming up with 100 items shouldn't necessarily be done in one sitting. I just have to make a goal of coming up with 100 and there is no need to beat myself up if it doesn't happen right away -- also one of the Chookooloonks advice. That said, this post will be updated from time to time and you are very much welcome to go back and check it out. ^^,

As how Karen ended her post:

So! There you have it: all you need to go write your own life list. So go on -- grab a cup of your favourite beverage, a piece of paper (or notebook or journal or, hell, your blog), and get started.
Go inspire yourself.

LIFE, HERE I AM AND HERE I COME! Heaven knows what, how and when I'll be scratching things off this life list. Note to self: It is about having fun as one is going through life!!!!!!!!

Which requires more courage

2010-09-26T04:32:00.000-07:00

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-- getting started or to keep doing what you have started?