The Bright Orange We Crave

I wish I could say 2024 did not open with dark skies and an almost relentless crying but it did. The atmosphere has been a dark shade of grey for a couple of weeks.

But today, the brightest yellow and orange opened the day. And I know I'm not alone in wishing this persists. Everyone has been craving the bright oran
ge, the heat, the sun in all its glory. To dry up the remnants of havoc left by the shear line weather and the LPA.

As of this post, I am aware that some areas in the region remain immersed in floodwaters. I know some are not with their families and are stuck in a place they would not dare cross because it's better to be far from loved ones safe than risk their lives crossing the unknown.

As the ray of orange peeks in the early morning, a new hope blossoms. After all, hope is one we must never let go of. It's the innate bright orange buried within us. No shades of grey can take it away from us.

Government and private efforts to provide temporary relief to the affected households are in motion. But it is the orange fire within us that will first and foremost push us to move. 

Where do we go from this? How do we prevent this from happening again?

The bright orange light points us to reassess our choices of leaders. To actively be part of the solution through thorough examination and evaluation of our own communities. We cannot sit idle and leave it to our leaders only to decide on what solutions to make.

Yes, it's been established that some infrastructures are apparently not [difficult] weather-proof. From hereon, government infrastructure designs should take these current damages into consideration and build lasting ones. And this is just one side of the obvious damages experienced by the province. 

The most critical issue of all is our neglect of the environment. What's been happening the past couple of days and weeks is almost like the environment washing itself to self-restoration...

(c) craiyon.com

Anyway, glad to bask under the bright orange today. 

 

August Rush

 Nah. This isn't some movie review entry. Take the title as it is.

It's not just a sprint. It's a  MARATHON. 

And while I know I shouldn't be squeezing this entry in amidst all the rushing, I need this breather so bad. My head is not a good place to be right now. It's like an internet browser with too many tabs and windows opened. My emotional health? Pretty much of it is dependent on what's happening above it so yeah, you get the picture. It's chaos.

I'm beating myself up for not being able to read a page or 2 of my current read daily. The only thing that keeps my sanity intact is escaping this world and be somewhere else - depends on where's my current read's setting. 

So I'm leaving this right here and find my antidote. This kind of chaos is not worth indulging especially when you're even made to look like you're not doing much. How easy it is for some people to reduce one's hard work into shit, really. That's takes a special talent and a thicker face. I am not made for this kind of world. 

Due Lies

 DISCLAIMER: The content doesn't have anything to do with the title. Just too lazy to come up with a better one. LOL

    Just like that, we're on the 7th month of the year, JULY. It's been said countless times that time seems to speed by. I don't know with you but my previous months feel like a distant memory. Ironic isn't it? Now that we have the technology to conveniently look at the past, the more it becomes distant to us. We yearn to feel and experience again the good times... and if you're a masochist, even the bad.

    I miss my mother. She's left us for almost 2 years now and you might think that the longer time passes, the easier it becomes. Yes and no. There are times when it gets easier; quite frankly, there are times I forget. But when I do remember, boy does it feel like something heavy is sitting on my chest.

    How do I deal with that? I cry while I listen to sad songs. I embrace my sadness and loneliness. I cry for the future that my mother won't be able to see most especially the kids growing up. I cry for the inevitable - the kids forgetting her. I cry for my shortcomings and failures; then and now. I mourn the could haves, should haves, and what-ifs.

    Mind you, my mother and I didn't have the best and closest relationship. We both possess strong personalities and sometimes, we clash. Now, I realize that it's the clash that's one of the things I miss. Those moments fueled me to do better and become stronger in facing life.

    Now that I'm swamped with so many things to do and tasks to accomplish both in work and personal life, I can't help but think about those moments. Mama's unique love language...

     July is my firstborn's birth month. Also happening this month is my daughter's assessment. I'll have two school kids this school year. 💪

PS: Also, this month 6 years ago, a life-changing decision I made turns out to be my hell now.

 

8 Years Later...

I am back. Not for good maybe. 
Maybe the next time I'll be out of the loop, it'll be another 8 or 10 or 12 years until I'll be back.
But I'm back. For now.
No matter how temporary this may be.

I can't even believe this one's still alive. I also fought it hard not to read my old entries. I am quite sure it'll only make me cringe. Haha

In as much as I want to provide you an update about what transpired in the last 8 years of my life, one entry would not suffice. So much had happened. So much.

My memory of this niche offering me comfort when I needed it is what [subconsciously] led me to logging in it again. It's like coming home after being absent for how many years. You go back to those special places where you spent much of your time and the memories start to keep flowing.

I'm giving myself a pep talk. I badly need it. This week is a little hellish. Hellish that I had to deactivate my Facebook account as my way of cutting out the hell. Lots of hell in this one. Well, that's how I feel. Am feeling...

Hellish days and weeks are just so depressing. You may think you are angry at someone or about something but really, when it all settles, you're left alone with that hole in your chest. It's a gaping hole that no amount of anger or inspiration can fill in. It's that hole that has to be revealed and acknowledged so that it can be closed.

I'm gonna say goodbye to this hole but for now, I'm gonna let it breathe. We both know it's gonna die anyway. We both know I will brush my knees off and will keep walking.

But tonight... I'm gonna feel this black hole gasping for its breath coz tonight... it's a friend.

An Obligatory Year-ender Blah

You may have read one too many of new year's resolutions and about how the year's about to end but I haven't. Not even one. And yes, it's not because I don't want to read any but I am just one of the many who tries to stretch the last remaining days of the year. Stubbornly trying to squeeze all types and forms of fun and family oriented activities I could think of for the last 2 days (we are set to go back home day after the first of January 2014). But it's just humanly impossible and giving in to the spontaneous and random never hurt, so yeah.

Thoughts before 2013 ends:

1. YOUR SELF SHOULD BE ON YOUR LIST of TOP PRIORITIES

 Well, ever since I became a mom I started finding the word priority a little absurd. There are things in life which are all equally important to us. Every time one asks me what's my priority, I mentally punch the person in the nose. Make it priorities for pete's sake! Being a mother is a priority for me. But so is my career (and other things!). And it literally hurts my brain to think I have to choose which of which is more important because they both or all are. If there's something you can do to never let choosing one over the other happen, DO IT.

You would never want to see yourself few years from now regretting and plenty of what if's. You can't give yourself fully to something if in your heart, there is that another thing that you deeply want and cared for. Challenges are meant to unleash ideas, creativity and MORE effort from you so release the Super You!

2. FAMILY MATTERS A LOT

Motherhood is both a blessing and a grace. It takes you to become a mother to understand your own mother. All the nagging you once found senseless and irritating are now filtered with understanding and patience. Now, I can't seem to look at my mother without feeling a little warm in my chest and remembering the years she endured to raise us, I admire her. I think you really come to a point wherein you see things differently and you feel closer to your siblings and parents and you're more tolerant of faults and shortcomings because you have come to accept that what your parents and siblings are is partly who you are. And I would love to see this light in a positive manner. I don't want to think about the flaws my siblings or my parents have and take that as a reflection of me because nothings comes out of all negative and dark stuff. I want to focus on what motivates me to become better.

3. TRUST IN YOUR STRENGTH AND THE GREATER SOURCE OF YOUR STRENGTH

I am neither a religious nor a spiritual person. You can't find me frequenting the church or constantly down on my knees praying. But I don't think I have to be one to know acknowledge that someone out there watches over me and carries me whenever I can't seem to take things anymore. Your faith is your greater source of strength so it's important to bank on it. This 2013, I have been awed and amazed a lot of times on how great He is. His works are never simple but if your faith is unyielding and paired with efforts of your own, things turn around and you come out a victor and more stronger and wiser.

Uhm. Here comes the infamous new year's resolutions:

1. Work hard

2. Speak gently

3. Speak the truth

4. Exercise

5. Do Yoga

6. Do boxing

7. Eat healthy

8. Travel light and enjoy!

9. Sleep 6-8 hours

10. Commute

11. Save

12. Invest

13. Keep in touch with friends and families

14. Be more patient

15. Be more tolerant

16. Be humble

17. Choose your battles

18. Be brave

19. Love yourself

20. Speak love

21. Drink a lot of water

22. Take care of your skin

23. Be spontaneous

24. Read more!

25. Write more!
26. Give without reservations
27. Receive with whole-heart
28. Be a woman for others
29. Study again
30. Explore possibilities 

This will do.

Hello 

eveyone!! :-)

The Christmas Spirit

This one could be another incoherent and jumping-from-one-point-to-the-other post from me but there's no stopping me. And I will not apologize for it either :)

My partner and I just finished watching two (2) Christmas [themed] movies (although he didn't really get to finish the second film but he made it pass the middle part so he's totally forgiven) and I can't help but be reminded that Christmas is just 90 more days away. Sounds like still a light year away but with how fast time seems to be going these days, the next time we wake up will be that December 25th almost everyone knows about.

You see, Christmas always have a special spot in my heart. And I didn't realize that till college. My memories of childhood Christmas vary from happy to sad and tragic but even the tragedies and misfortunes didn't get me to hate, not even a bit, Christmas. This is not to get poetic and melodramatic about the subject (although it will likely sound one) but I love Christmas for so many reasons. NO, it has nothing to do with all the food and the celebration and merry-making. I think they are the marshmallows in your hot chocolate.

I love Christmas because it never fails to remind me that no matter how dragging and difficult life has been for you the entire year (perhaps), there is one day you look forward to. It's like being trapped in a very long dark and dingy tunnel but knowing there is a light at the end of it, you crawl your way out. That one day may not be able to change your life in a very magnanimous (and it's crazy to expect such, really) way but the hope that you hold on to and the faith that you keep are more than enough to say LIFE WILL BE BETTER and you know it because you are capable of turning things around.

I love Christmas because as a child, I remember sneaking out at night when everybody was asleep and climbing to the top of our water reservoir and lying there feeling the cold air and counting the stars (literally). I don't know if anyone of you would agree or anyone of you seems to notice that there are more stars in the sky at night at the start of "-ber" months. The memory always makes me happy. 

It's like people have bigger hearts on Christmas. We forgive, we try to forget, we try to revive some dying relationships, we give, we give more, we ignore, we tolerate, we open our minds, we pray more, and we love more. For that, I love Christmas.

As for me, a new mother, a life-partner, a daughter, a sibling, a work mate and a friend, Christmas has been given more meaning since last year (the year my son was born). Christmas can't take away the troubles you and I have right now. That's a fact. But you can always think of Christmas as the fireplace that offers you warmth on cold December nights or the mainit na tsokolate at puto bumbong you make or bring home after the dawn mass.

I love Christmas simply as it is. Happy Christmas to you :)

PS: 

This is Iris's (Kate Winslet's) cottage in "The Holiday".
The house is like a fairy-tale come true, I like it so much.

The Christmas movies I mentioned above are "A Christmas Carol" and "The Holiday". The second one I may have watched more than twice, it's one of my favorite Christmas movies. Also, please check out "The Polar Express" - I have memorized the scenes and some lines of that movie. Who wouldn't when there isn't a week wherein that movie isn't played. It's one of the recent favorites of Franco. 

Half-life...

I may have spent more than half of my entire life being questioned, misunderstood, criticized, and judged by other people. But I couldn't care less. These people barely know me or may have had a quick encounter with me (but still, know less than 1% about me) Yes, this could be a me, myself, and I post (be warned). I owe it to myself. I am finally full and almost done with putting other people's best interest before me. I am barely hanging in there and I have nothing to blame but myself.

You see, it's easier to dismiss other people's negative thoughts and impressions about you but if it's your family, close friends, and people you thought you'd be sharing a significant part of your life with who misunderstood/judged you, you're shattered.

So here I am, asking myself how bad or worst of a person am I?

I am not out of the ordinary. When people have tried so hard to prove they are different from others, I'd say, what's wrong with being ordinary? I eat, I pray, I get mad and sometimes, I get even.

I might as well expound on the last point since this is where it's leading. People who really know me understand that whenever I raise my voice, that doesn't necessarily construe to getting mad. My voice also has this annoying high pitch that would make you want to choke my neck to see if it can get any lower and deeper. And sometimes, some people don't literally get what I'm saying so instead of asking me to explain further, they jump to their own mighty conclusions and take every word I said against me. Sounds like life, huh?

I could be a walking contradiction, but tell me who isn't and I will bow down before him/her and kiss his/her feet. And like any ordinary person, I get mad. Like really mad. But I don't get mad just for the heck of it. So don't fucking turn the tables and tell me I am a hating machine who's totally lost control of so much anger it becomes contagious because I have my middle finger to shove up your nose. Also, I like to be alone when I know I'm about to get mad so don't fucking follow me around nor take my silence as your chance to nag and then feel super about it because I stayed silent. You have no idea how much energy I have spent on that silence so if you break that, don't act all innocent and go saintly and preachy on me. FUCK YOU.

As I've said, I am barely hanging in there and to tell you upfront, I'm thinking of just letting go. Anything I have now, I've worked my ass to get them. I am where I am now because I believe hard work will get you somewhere.

But human as I am, I can also get mushy (you get the idea). And I sometimes, I get too mushy I forget about myself. My ways of expressing how mushy I am even gets misunderstood. Challenging people you care for and love to become better versions of themselves apparently don't work for everybody. The person you love will even take it out of context and take it as an insult and you're left wondering which part in whatever you said was meant to destroy that person.

I've fought a long fight. Fought against the flow because I am not really the go-with-the-flow type. I have a strong personality. Anyone who doesn't like that usually doesn't like me. I try to be friendly (because, I am introvert) and usually, I come out a victor. I gain new friends and I feel happy about it. I am a loyal friend. I will fight for a friend who's been judged and mistreated wrongfully. Yes, I could say I am a good friend.

I am a good sibling. I am not the perfect daughter but I am certainly not bad. I'm not a bad person. I am not a bad person. I am a believer in the goodness of every human being. And just because I get mad at you and tell you things any mad person could say, I am not a bad person. And even if I made you feel bad, I will regret it and will ask sorry for it because I am not a bad person.

But who cares? The people who really love you need no explanation and the people who really care would agree. I don't seem to be feeling anything of that sort exists in the past couple of months. So I consent myself to be weak and I will let go and start all over again.

Can't give love you don't have or no longer have.

Hooray for Yesterday!

Back from my seasonal hiatus. Yes, I have changed the title as well as the background. Here's to reviving this forgotten page!

You Can't Break a Woman

To a dear friend who currently deals with horrors surrounding marriage, this is for you.
To women who only find strength in crying, may you find strength in this piece.

YOU are special.

YOU deserve love and respect.

YOU may not be able to have everybody's respect but YOU can, at all times, refused to be disrespected.

YOU are loved. No matter how screwed up you were and your choices in the past. There is always that someone who will look at you and see you unchanged. And that someone will even drag you with force, bringing you back to them. Just so they could hug you tight. And you can start over again.

YOU are a mother not because you have given birth but because you've done sacrifices mothers would do for their children. And your job may be too far from well-compensated but you choose to do it right. With vigor and enthusiasm like a young man on his first day of work. You are a mother because you are the last one you think about. You worry in silence. You solve problems and they come unnoticed. But you don't mind because you are a mother. 

YOU are strong. And you have the potential to be the strongest. You are born with a heart of a warrior. Some people will put this to test and you have to be wary. They could strike you when you're least prepared. But you are strong. Even strongest when you're down on your knees.

YOU always have the bigger responsibility. That's what they say. When marriage is like walking on a thin sheet of glass, it is up to a woman to make the glass thicker. When the other one has let go of your hand, it is up to a woman to go search that hand and hold it once again ( and this could happen over and over). You often have the most number of forgiving to do... Because you're a woman.

YOU will often have the biggest share of the blame. Because you're a woman. 

But a woman who does it right but whose efforts are unrequited and was given crap instead, walk with your head high. You are unbreakable. But it doesn't hurt to break a face or two. Then exit with grace. 

"Come. There's a way to be good again."

This is just one of the many lines in Kite Runner that struck me. And today, this very line came into mind as I listened to the first man who made me cry, the first man I've argued with, the man who broke my heart first, yet, made me feel - everything was worth it. My father.

They say you know you've grown older when you're starting to look like your parents.

As for me, I was born old. An old soul. 

This served me both in good and bad ways.

I refuse to be manipulated. I speak my mind. I wasn't the best daughter there is. 

In so many ways, I made my parents hate and despise me. Made them cry by being me or because of the things I've done.

Although only a few made mention of this, one of the upsides of growing old is your privilege to bare your heart (and soul) to your parents. I tell you, grow old and you will rightfully gain that claim. 

Do not grow old in numbers but in wisdom. Outgrow negativities. Outgrow hurts in the past. Outgrow what if's. 

Outgrow angst.

But as you grow old, grow old in and with love.

Wisdom and love.

Wisdom lets you forgive. Love lets you forget and start a brand new beginning. 

In your journey, never let go of the people (they are rare to find) who will unpretentiously tell you,

"Come. There's a way to be good again."

Mona Lisa

Just as little boys are destined to be men, I believe that the ultimate destination of every little girl is motherhood. I remember having this as my first thought that day, December 30, 2011. And on that same day, I embraced motherhood.


When people here in CdO were (and still are) braving the havoc Sendong has left, there's been a saying that went viral and has led people to believe they weren't victims after all:


"I refuse to be a victim, I am a resource." 


And after having the confirmation I needed, I told myself and some friends:  


"I refuse to see this as a problem, this is GRACE."


Admittedly, I've already committed a mistake in thinking it wasn't a problem because it would mean, I initially saw it as one. I was immediately sorry. 


Since that day, I've been holding on to the joy this life inside me has been sharing with me. Like what I often tell my friends, I prefer joy over happiness. Joy is more lasting and isn't tied and dependent to situations. Sure, it may flicker at times but if you see beyond anxieties and doubts and hardships, its light becomes brighter, powerful.



My Joy


Whenever I pray (and please don't get the impression I am a prayerful person more so religious and spiritual), I always thank God for the gift of life I am living. And now, I am carrying a life inside me (I am typing this with the biggest grin on my face!) This is my Joy. The Joy of Life.


There may have been times that Joy had flickered on me (sometimes, it went on for days), I consciously fought back so I could regain and bring back its steady light. 

And just like before I could smile and cry and tell you I am happy at the same time not just because I can but because I am. And it may sound crazy to you but isn't that what we often tell our friends? "My mom's crazy [but I love her and her love's bigger than mine]"


My Strength


If you're looking for the strongest woman on Earth, look at your mother. That's strength and grace personified. And she will look back at you with love and admiration. 
I used to tell friends I could see myself as a good mother but not as a good partner. In a few months and the coming years, I've yet to see how good I can be. I could be both (for all I know) SHMG :-)

A Christmas Carol

If this is the end I've been dreading for the past couple of months, they are all coming to me rather harshly. But I deserve this, perhaps so. I shall not cover my eyes and pretend to see and hear nothing.

From this time on, Christmas died. And I say this with sobs in between. I won't apologize for my weakness now. Being strong didn't get me anywhere. Or maybe it did. To HELL.

I am not pessimistic either. Things are what they appear to be. Right now. 

I don't believe in goodbyes. True enough, they really hurt. Especially the ones that you didn't see coming. But goodbye isn't the end. It is the start.

In this large space continuum, I am but one tiny dust ONLY. I don't matter.

The God I usually depend on disowned me. I am on my own.

The safest form I can take now is that of a SHADOW.

Night comes. Light will come knocking few hours from now. Again, NO more Christmas.

The Man in the Bus

There's a reason why I sometimes prefer public bus over private/hired vehicles. I love being with people. Although at times and admittedly, they do annoy me (crying kids most especially), each trip I spend with them is worth the while. Worth the 2 and up hours.

Bus rides also paves the way for self assessment and evaluation. Questions like, "How did I do today?" "How did I do this week?" "What are the things I have to improve?" "What are the things I should get rid of or I should stop doing?" - are most often the sets of questions I ask myself while enjoying each gift of nature I see from my favorite seat - by the window.

The trance that I'm in when inside the running bus enables my mind to flow like a running water. Anything goes. Good and bad. I smile (even laugh) at embarrassing or funny memories. And I try to get control over my mind when it starts reminding me of bad/hurtful memories.

Having said this, during today's bus ride, I didn't really stop my brain when it started thinking about the doubts, vague plans, and uncertainties I have at present. In fact, I entertained them. Accompanied by a song that aggravated the depression that was growing, I became a little sad. I started thinking about how I fucked up in a lot of things and ctrl+alt+del is just impossible. Correcting them in a day is another impossibility. 

So I started thinking how "unfortunate" I was until I saw this man seated in front of me and God I felt ashamed right then and there. Realizing the message God must've sent me, I was sorry and I started counting my blessings. 

"Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving." - Kahlil Gibran

Whatnots

Today, I just want to free my mind (and soul) from all the troubles they've been having since August (of this year)

First:

The idea of leaving my job has occurred to me again. Shall I do it? I mean, I thought I've made up my mind I won't do it for the next 8 months but here it is again. And the question has really been stressing me out. 

I also know it's good to make stupid choices in life once in a while. That it'd make life worth living. Stupid NOT reckless. Reckless choices are the ones we make without thinking about the consequences. At least that's how I see it.

And leaving the team at this time of the year is just reckless and irresponsible and unfair to my workmates. I am praying things will turn around for me so I could see all things in a brighter, more positive perspective. Coz sometimes, when you're not sure about leaving, there's gotta be some things which are keeping you. What are they? What are their values that they make you hesitate? Is everything worth postponing?

Second:

"Is your Christmas happy Man?" - my friend asked me this the other day. And at the back of my mind, I would love to say, "Yes, it is."

Instead, I told her, "I don't know. I hope it's as happy as last year's."

Christmas is my most favorite season of the year. The most special celebration I look forward to. Not my birthday. Certainly not Valentine's. Christmas. If Santa Claus were true, I'd ask him to sprinkle me with dust of laughter, love, and happiness.

Laughter.

So I could laugh at the corniest jokes thrown. Laughter is good for the heart.

Love.

It's the strongest thing in the world. Enables you to forgive and forget and make new beginnings. It's the whole sense of Christmas.

Happiness.

They say happiness is a choice. Yes, it is. But it's not ALWAYS a simple choice. I think we all know it's just not. But with Santa's dust of happiness sprinkled on me, it'd make me see the light in every darkness. Happiness in every sadness. With this genuinely around, laughter becomes natural and all the acts of loving become easy.

Third:

Frienship and Family.

Two things which I can say I'm good at, while at the same time, suck at. If I can't be myself with one person, then he/she can't be my friend. This goes to everybody. I don't want to be with anyone whom I have to walk on tiptoes. Thanks but no thanks. I think that is only acceptable if you and that person have just known each other for a month, 3months max . But if you've been around each other for more than that and you still feel like you always have to choose your words and be mindful of what you are gonna do, for pete's sake, do away with that person. 

First and foremost, it should be yourself you have to please. Other people are secondary. And no, it's not being selfish. At all. It's called self-esteem.

So long as you don't step on other people's toe, you are fine. 

I am a friend but I'm not a 'blind' friend. I may tolerate bullshits but there's a limit to that. And this goes to my siblings too. Thing is, if you fucked up things, fix it. If there's no point fixing it or it's beyond fixing, leave it! No need to carry it with you. Simple as that. My real friends/siblings know that they can't have my support if they're the ones who messed things up. I stand up and defend other people, even people I don't know, but I make sure I have the facts. They're as important as being a friend/daughter/sibling.

Happy Birthday :-)

Oh I really thought it's tom! Ha! I even had it on my planner. Wrong date - wrong person it must have been. LOL
But happy birthday to you dear friend. (name-dropping strictly a no - NO)


Well anyway, I woke up to the neighbor's Shania Twain at full blast. There's no use staying in bed covering my head both with sheet and pillows. So I got up. Turned my music on (#nowplaying Lovers in Japan by Coldplay) and after this, I will go on with my morning ritual: COFFEE, COFFEE, COFFEE.


Here's my prayer for today:


Dear Lord,


As another month unfolds right in front of my eyes, I pray I will not be blind to the beauties of the morning especially to the warmth of the sun. It certainly is kinder in the early mornings it deserves humans' daily embrace.

I pray I would think about and pray for the people I care so much right before leaving the comforts of my bed. My love for them fills up a large space in my life and I intend to keep it that way.
By loving them, I pray I won't hurt them in any way. You see Lord, I have a rather different way of loving people, I think You can attest to that. 


I pray for their protection, for their strength, for their love. May You always be there for me as I ask for forgiveness to those I've (unintentionally) hurt, to those I've neglected, to those I've to let go.. 


And as I boldly seek others' forgiveness and absolution, may I also find the courage to forgive and love my self if I falter, fall down, and find myself in the pits. I pray for a bigger space filled with love in my heart. For love gives birth to everything. And may it give birth to more goodness and happiness. 


Amen.




#NowPlaying "Grown Up Christmas List" by Michael Buble

I'm Tough Coz Someone Broke my Heart and I Only Cried for Just a Year

This post is specially dedicated to my friend who made me realize how TOUGH I am. Krizza Mae Balog (oh you deserve a special mention like that!), this is for you :-)


So let's start this off with..


"You know how tough I am?"


And..


Maya just made me realize how tough I am by stating what I've been neglecting all along. She said, "May gani man makaya nimo na naa gihapon ka diha CdO where all your memories are."


And reading that, I was mentally like, "Holy guacamole! Hell yeah!"


I mean, for the FIRST time, I DID NOT run away. That's what I usually do, mind you. An escapist. But escapist NO MORE. Thank you for making me acknowledge the battles I've won May :-)


I'm positive whatever I'm gonna go through the next days, weeks, and months, I will survive. 


Cheers to The Bulls! :-)

Sunday

I woke up before 10 am. That may be a little late but considering I've slept around 2-ish (or something), that's just alright. Ha! Why am I defending it?? :P


For some reason, the first thing that came into my mind (while I was looking for my mobile phone charger) has been this:


"I know we're not exclusive but please be careful with me."


Guess I've said that to the wrong guy. Been with the wrong guy the past couple of months. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.


But isn't that what we always tell ourselves when people tend to hurt us? And I say I don't care if they know it or not. 


Also, I gotta be careful. I got a new friend who's been quite patient reading/scanning my entries and he has bluntly stated the obvious: 


"Ang emo ng mga posts mo." - ha! Isang malaking che! LOL


But that person is actually right. Oh well, for one, I don't stay in front of my pc drafting new entries when I'm too happy. 


That's what I'm trying now. *wink*


Despite last night's sullen mood, I woke up feeling okay; feeling hopeful. Life is good. I can feel God smiling at me. 


I'll keep on smiling :-)

Patrick: "Oh east! I thought you said weast."

Listening to: "Falling Out of Trees" by Barcelona

Pagpag

Ngayong gabi,
iniukit sa puso at utak na kailan ma'y hindi ka na iisipin.
At kung sakaling maglakbay man ang aking diwa at maisip ka,
aalahanin ang sakit na dinulot.
Kakamuhian ka gaya ng pagkamuhi'ng naramdaman nang
unti-unting nabatid ang umuusbong na gusto.

Gago ka.

Yun lang.

Ano ngayon kung nasaktan ako?
Pinaiyak mo lang ako,
panyo't konting singhot lang ang katapat nito.

Humayo ka.
Ako - tatayo. Babangon.
Gaya lang ng dati.

Salamat.


Kasalukuyang Pinakikinggan: "Someday" by All 4 One (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)

Pick a Finger

At times when your fears and doubts are magnified and become bigger than your dream or worse, your passion, you just want to give up. If there's a chance to run like there's no coming back or to wake up in an entirely different place where nobody knows you, you'd jump at it, even grab it the moment fate hands it down to you. 

To be honest about it, I've decided to finally quit [my job] last week. I told myself, I would do my best the next 3 months or so, then my graceful [hopeful] exit. 

I love my job. I really do. As of this writing, imagining the people I have the privilege to work with makes me cry; the farmers who have become close to me and who taught me about simple joys in life; even those who repeatedly cut me while giving lectures about stuff I didn't even learn in college. The latter has given me the patience which is one of the most notable virtues I admittedly lack/need.

But just like any relationships, sometimes, love [alone] isn't a guarantee that everything will be smooth and lasting. Love isn't enough to make you get off your bed and your hands off your comfortable pillows in the morning. 

I love my job but sometimes, I arrive late in our weekly staff meetings.

As Kuya Poloy (our Project Director) had put it, "If you have the passion, nothing is impossible." This, he realized while on a local bus on his way to one of our project areas. He said he woke up early that day to catch the bus and to leave the city (CdO) before 6 am yet the bus he was on was barely making a kilometer per hour. Frustrated and disappointed, he texted an officemate about his sentiments but didn't get the solution he wanted: private vehicle to the rescue.

Passion.

Is this something you may lose while living the daily life you got so used to? If I'd ask you what's your passion, will you be able to give me an answer faster than the blink of an eye? Or are you now living your passion? Putting it into a more concrete form and mastering it? Are we allowed to have two or more passions? Or you just have to have one?

Two things made say "I QUIT" but let those two things be mine to keep.

Challenge.

Making a decision is a challenge.

I never expected that I will be facing another challenge even before coming up with a final - irrevocable decision. The challenge came in the guise of simple acknowledgment. 

After finishing the assembly I was facilitating, Kuya Poloy gestured a high-five. And I didn't expect the words that followed: 

Kuya Poloy: "Congrats Trainer." "It took me 30 years to be able to do what you did but you were able to do it in a year. Kampante na'ko kung unsa man...(hanging)"

And FB app Message from God went straight to the core:

"On this day of your life, Manman, we believe God wants you to know ... that it's important not to invalidate your feelings. Your feelings are telling you something important. Do not rush to act on the first whim, take time to hear the full message."

I don't know what rules over what now but one thing's for sure, both my head and heart have some things to say I hope we go back to flipping coins.

Friends with Benefits

"It's not who you spend Friday night with, it's who you want to spend all Saturday with.."


Part I.


I wanna spend it with myself. I wanna date myself every weekend. I owe myself that. 


I've always made myself available for others. But haven't for myself. That's a fact. I'm not defending it. My defenses are getting weaker every week, every morning I wake up. 


The hard part? When I no longer know what I want. When reason and purpose turn evasive and I'm stuck with "why", "where", "how", "what", and "when". 


Routine is the water poured down to my fire of passion. Dying slowly. I, barely noticing.


I could shrug things off like I usually do. But not this time. This has been nagging at me since when. I owe myself an apology. An explanation. A date. Time. And love.


Love. "Have I stopped loving myself lately?", I ask. YES, at some point, I did. Or I haven't loved much. Provided much. There's always this gaping hole needed to be filled in. 


Like a man courting a woman, I'm gonna woo myself with books, movies, music, nature, friends and family. And my ace of aces: ADVENTURE


It is possible to be in different places every week. Be with different people every friggin' week. Have nature right at your face... yet, feel NOTHING at all. I'm an android in the making. I guess I am.


Remembering one of my favorite animated films (Up), I'm back to writing my own adventure. With myself (first) and with people who matter (second). 


To tend a plant, one needs to trim, clip, remove. Some things I've already removed in my life. Vices I'm better off without. And I'm trimming and clipping MORE. Habits, people, places, etc...


Amidst all these "losing touch with myself" spectacle, life never ceases to give me reasons to smile. One strong connection myself and my self share. Life is always good. 


Jamie: "You're emotionally unavailable?"
Dylan: "Oh, yeah."
Jamie: "I'm emotionally damaged!"


Part II.


Of the many things (monthly periods and pregnancy) women have to deal with, why didn't fate give men EMOTIONS to deal with?? Just a thought. 'Coz if there's a Man in every WoMan, then they're free to unburden us women from the task of handling emotions!


They say women are more emotional than men. Damn it! Are we?! LOL


Society implicitly requires our men to be a little emotion-less. Sometimes, I'm fine with that. Sometimes, I'm freakin' not. Friends who've been asking lately, here's the real score:


"I am emotionally unavailable because I may be emotionally fucked up."


Sad. But, true story.


(As I'm typing this, Colbie Caillat's I Never Told You is playing in the background. Cosmic intervention.)