52nd And Grinning

Guess who..
1. Loves to eat sardines with odong (local noodle)?
2. Tried wearing a watch that does not work?
3. Wears plastic bags over his shoes to make sure they do not end up dirty after a long motorcycle drive to work?
4. Makes the corniest jokes at home?
5. Is the all-around guy?
6. Sings with the choir during mass?
7. Fixes everything for everyone in the house?
8. Has been a really good model for his kids?
9. Always tries to provide everything for the family?
10.Is the hero within our humble abode?


Yay! It's no other than my Dad. He has been one of the greatest pleasures in my life. He has supported me, nurtured me, provided for me, cared for me and loved me dearly since the first few moments of my existence. His patience, hard work and spirit have always been an inspiration for me. On his day, I wish him better health and more reasons to smile (to show that glint of silver inside). Life has not been a piece of cake, but his belief in himself, determination and faith in God has made him strong enough to conquer and win the battles in life.

I love you, Papa!Happy Birthday!
I wish all the best for you today and always.

Things To Look Forward To In 2011

Inspired by a blog I've randomly run across with, I have created my own lists of expectations for the year 2011. Here is the official list.
> Pacquiao will win again (And this time, I should take the risk and place that bet with my dad, who keeps on saying Pacquiao would lose this time around)
> A cousin would get married (or cousins, if my wishes would come true!)
> I would be back to being an employee (With a nice uniform and office to work in *smiles*)
> Facebook will offer more games to entertain my poor soul.
> I will have more time to read.
> The value of the Philippine peso will increase (and so is the price of gas)
> Singapore will be overpopulated.
> A dear friend will find her true love (and not another worthless guy to date)
> I will be visiting my dad's birthplace after so many years of not being able to do so.
> I will kiss Bacolod again, and this time, he will be with me on the trip :)
> Camotes will become a dream come true.
> I will lose weight (even a single pound counts!)

**These are all for now. I will update the list as the year goes on and expectations are born. For now, cheers to the year ahead!!!!

01-01-11

It is the start of another year, and with it comes a lot of things. Since change has been inevitable since the start of time, this is something we are surely going to be facing a lot of as the year starts to unfold before our eyes.

Changes are naturally occurring. They happen because they do, because that is what they are supposed to do. It might seem a little scary for some, exciting for others and simply unknown for the rest, but one thing is for sure, change brings about something different. It might not be as good as we wish it to be or worse than what we might have hoped for, but it is there. The only thing we can do about it is to accept it and move on with it.

Today, I lost something really important to me especially at this most specific time in my life. It is saddening and scary, but I am choosing to take this positively. I choose to be challenged, empowered and inspired to strive and continue with what I have and wish, hope and pray for what I might soon have. After all, windows and doors cannot be completely closed all at the same time when someone is home. It is just natural for one, two or even more to be kept open for that very person inside the house. I have confidence in My Creator and I know He will provide. God is ♥♥♥!

Failing..But Not Giving Up

We all fail every now and then. Although it is not highly recommended to fail in everything that we do, no one expects anybody to succeed always, unless that person is out of his mind.

Hence, I failed. I failed to update this blog everyday as I initially intended to do when I set this up. Varied excuses are crowding my mind right at this minute as I try to justify to myself, since the promise was made to myself and no one else, why I have failed to do such a mundane task. Hectic schedule, sick PC or simple memory loss, whatever the case may be, the only thing that matters now is that I am back. I'm back not to save anyone but to give myself another chance, to redeem the promise I have made to myself. This time, I hope I will succeed. After all, it is all about standing up and trying again.

So, here goes!

The Dilemma On Work

Within the past couple of weeks, I have had a number of realizations. However, the most impacting one is regarding the employment condition in the country at the present time. More and more graduates, less and less jobs available for them to get into. In the long run, I think the value of quality education decreases to a level where it becomes completely unnecessary, not because it is unreliable or lacking but more because it is generally useless. There is no arena available for the said knowledge to be practiced in. There are no opportunities available for graduates of today and the near future.

I cannot go further to determine the cause of this dilemma since I believe it is a function of varied factors that are beyond my personal knowledge. However, I believe that there is an ultimate solution to every problem. In this case, it might take a complete reconstruction of the system (which involves a good enough of corruption to blow the entire universe to smaller pieces) and the wise distribution of the natural assets that our dearly beloved archipelago has been bestowed with. Whatever it takes, it can be done. The only thing lacking is the desire to make it happen, enough desire to power the nation and its constituents to take action and put things in the right perspective.

I really wish for the desire to be born at the soonest possible time. In fact, that would be on top of my Christmas wish list this year. Oh please dear Santa, hear me out!:)

Feeling the holiday cheer???!!!

"Joy to the World
The Lord has come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing!"

I used to sing this with so much candor and a building excitement within me as I await the Christmas season. That was years ago when things were simpler in my eyes. Of course, who wouldn't look forward to a season of so much happiness and cheer. It is the only part of the year when our ninongs and ninangs are obliged to wrap up something nice for us to be awed at. Whether it is a very plain dress or a simple toy, the thought of receiving a gift brings so much joy to my young and innocent heart. In addition to that, Christmas is the only time of the year when everything my tastebuds have been craving for all year are present right there on our dining table. Christmas was definitely a season to look forward to.

That was then. I'm not saying Christmas is hideous for me now. I'm not saying I don't look forward to it. But, things are a little different. The world is bigger, and responsibilities are wider.

Christmas is still the season of love and giving, but this time, it is my turn to give. It is not that I hate giving. The chance to give something to someone is heartwarming for me. It does not matter what that something is as long as I am pretty sure that the person I'm giving it to will find use of it, I feel a sense of fulfillment.

What I don't like about gift-giving during Christmas is how it tends to become a duty and a responsibility that has to be carried out. Instead of being an innate desire to share, it has become an output of the desire to please and act out of what is expected. I am a ninang to five kids, four of whom I have actually carried and prayed for during their baptism. With the other one, my name was just included in the list of godparents without my knowledge since I was not able to attend the ceremony. Now that the holidays are fast approaching, I am constantly bothered by the responsibility to give them something wrapped for Christmas. I just feel bad that instead of feeling the desire to give and share, I am wrapped in a sense of responsibility that I need to give.


Genuine giving is with open hands, arms and hearts and not an act of duty one has to perform to please someone else.

Despite all that;

Merry Christmas, everyone!