Repost: My Life According to the Eraserheads

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, answer these questions. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! Repost as "my life according to (band name)" Tag your music loving friends!

Favorite Local Band of all time:
Eraserheads!

Describe yourself:
Fruitcake (Fruitcake)

How do you feel:
Ligaya (Ultraelectromagneticpop)

Describe where you currently live:
Smallroom (Aloha Milkyway)

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
Trip to Jerusalem (Fruitcake)

Your favourite form of transportation:
Waiting for the bus (Cutterpillow)

Your best friend is(are):
Pare Ko (Ultraelectromageneticpop)

Your fear:
Sumtingevil (album unknown)

What is the best advice you have to give (pwede bang receive? hehe):
Palamig (Carbon Stereoxide) or Easy Ka Lang (Ultraelectromagneticpop)

Thought for the day:
Huwag mo ng Itanong (Cutterpillow)

How I would like to die:
With a Smile (Circus)

My soul's present condition:
Alapaap (Circus)

My motto:
Wala (Carbon Stereoxide)

First posted on Facebook.

Thoroughly enjoying my cup of Starbucks VIA™ Ready Brew Columbia blend! My take on it? Starbucks VIA™ Ready Brew is an awesome addition to Starbucks' already wonderful offerings!

Note, it doesn't taste like any over the counter instant coffee. In each cup of Starbucks VIA™ Ready Brew, you get to enjoy the fresh aroma and the rich and exquisite taste of Starbucks brewed coffee at a price that is more affordable (than most cafe bevs) and at a time and place of your choice. Whether you're chillaxing at home or shaking off a busy day at the office, Starbucks VIA™ Ready Brew gives you great coffee any time and any where without the hassle of a coffee maker or press :)

Goodbye crowded cafes, hello Starbucks VIA™ Ready Brew!

Not on One Man's Shoulders

It's been more than a hundred days since our eventful national elections. 100 days after and the country has already been placed in the global spotlight. 100 days after and people are beginning to grumble.

The grumbling does not surprise me. I was born in the 70's so I've had my fair share of presidents. And I've seen how they've muscled their way into power or how the public raised them on a pedestal declaring their chosen leader as the nation's savior.

Savior?! What?! As a people, why do we cling to the drama? Why does the Filipino look at himself as a damsel in distress always needing someone to sweep him off his feet and save him? Oh for crying out loud!

We as a people have had the same problem regarding our leaders and how we see ourselves - it's that we expect him or her to change our lives in an instant. Bad news, bros, that will never happen. Because our "salvation", "freedom", and the improvement of our lives cannot be depended on one person alone. With islands reaching 7,107 and a population of more than 90 Million, it is impossible for one man to bring our country together. Instead of placing the burden of kinship and deliverance on one man's shoulders, we should take it upon ourselves to reach out and yes, touch somebody's hand to make this country a better place - not only for foreigners, not only for the rich, but for the masses and for the children - our future.

So what do we do?

Let us not quibble unnecessarily. We have enough diseases that could kill the lot of us, so we don't need violence to shed any more blood. Let's talk. Let's share our feelings. Let's make an effort to build bridges instead of burning them.

Treat each other as if he were your brother/sister. Whatever religion you're in, these are the basic tenets - love and respect your God, neighbor, and the land you live on. As individuals, we will have differences, instead of hurting each other for being different, let us embrace this diversity.

Let us follow rules. Rules are there for a reason. Fill up necessary forms. Follow traffic regulations. Queue up (huwag sumingit!). Let us step away from the padrino/palakasan system.

Take care of our precious planet. We have only one. Let us not wait for foreigners to clean up our esteros. Let us not wait for the LGUs to start clean up drives. Let us pick up our own trash, and avoid littering altogether. Reuse, Reduce, Recycle!

These are things that we can begin with. All it takes is a simple step. And yes, there are things that our government can do for us, but we must also remember that we as a people have a role to play and the responsibility is ours by birth and by right. To quote the late president John F. Kennedy, "ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."



Sharing JFK's speech: http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/speeches/John_F_Kennedy/5.htm

Responsibility

The past few weeks have been traumatic for our country. But true to form, no one is taking responsibility.

There has been a lot of hate messages and mud slinging going around - towards the hostage taker, towards the media, towards the PNP, towards the SWAT, towards the administration, towards the DILG, towards the mayor, towards the vice-mayor, towards the usiseros... poop flying everywhere and everyone's saying the other person's poop stinks much worse then their own. Yes, true to form, a lot of people are yapping their butt-cheeks off, wagging their tongues, and pointing fingers.

So where does that leave us now? Be (one of) the most hated nations in the world? Be the laughing stock and butt of jokes for the next couple of decades? We're great at getting attention, and trying to divert attention. Must the KSP cling to the limelight?

The problem is, we seldom learn from our mistakes because we're too busy saving face, saving ourselves, and being "pasikat". Sigh. Let's not waste our time waiting for the "next big scoop" to get our attention. Let's not wait to jump on the next bandwagon.

Bangon Pilipinas!

Corruption in the Little Things

While on the bus on the way home, the bus driver's attention was called (several times) by the traffic enforcers (TE) - I was seated by the window on the row immediately behind the driver's seat. We were along Taft Avenue nearing the corner of Buendia. At the corner, the bus driver was stopped (well, not really stopped seeing as we were inching along our way) by the senior traffic enforcer (STE) who didn't look happy. He asked for the driver's license - the driver would make "pakiusap" - this happened 2 or 3 times - until the STE yelled "Lisensya!". The conductor got off the bus and tried to bribe STE who kept turning his back and walking away. A ticket was issued. The license was confiscated.

The bus driver and conductor kept yapping on the bus as they inched away from the curb, commenting on how terrible the STE was for being "masunget", "mayabang" and "hindi mapakiusapan".

Hearing their discussion made my blood boil. They were mad at the guy for enforcing the rules! They were mad at him because he didn't want to be bought! The only thing bad I can say about the STE is that he had a short fuse. But in the heat of the afternoon sun, with drivers and conductors trying to buy their way out of a ticket, who wouldn't have a short fuse?

That's corruption right there - bus driver and conductor wanted the easy way out. They wanted to get their way without having to pay for the consequences. But what they didn't anticipate is that there are still some people who cannot be bought - whose integrity cannot be swayed.

Walang corrupt kung walang mang-co-corrupt.

The Good Shepherd

The Gospel reading during the celebration of Good Shepherd Sunday came from the Gospel according to John 10:27-30, [Jesus said,] "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one."

It is my fervent hope that in the coming elections, we - as a people of God - will listen to His voice. That we - as a nation of our Lord - shall be guided by His Will and not our own. That our public officials and most especially those running for positions of power will espouse the virtues and values of a true and Good Shepherd.

Forward: Ruth's Story

Ruth went to her mailbox and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, found that there was no stamp, no postmark, and only her name and address. The letter read:

Dear Ruth,

I'm going to be in your neighborhood on Saturday afternoon. I'd like to drop by for a visit.

Love Always,

Jesus

Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table, "Why would the Lord want to visit me? I'm nobody special. I don't have anything to offer."

With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets, she reached into her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents. "Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least." She threw on her coat and hurried out the door.

A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk left Ruth with a grand total of twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home with her meager offerings tucked under her arm.

"Hey lady, can you help us, lady?" Ruth was so absorbed with her dinner plans that she barely noticed the two figures huddled in the alleyway outside the grocers. A man and a woman, both dressed in little more than rags.

"Look lady, I ain't got no job and my wife and I've been living out here on the streets, see, and well, it's getting cold and we're kinda hungry. If you could help us, we'd appreciate it."

Ruth looked at them; they were dirty, smelly and frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to. "Sir, I'd really like to help, but I'm a poor woman myself, all I have are a few cold cuts and some bread, and I have an important guest for dinner tonight..."

The couple nodded their heads sadly, "Yeah, well, ok lady, I understand. Thanks anyway." The man said, as he placed his arm around his wife's shoulders.

But as Ruth watched them leave, she felt a familiar twinge in her heart, "Sir, wait!" she called out. The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them.

"Why don't you take this food, I'll figure out something to serve my guest." handing the man her grocery bag.

"Thanks lady! Thanks a lot!" The man exclaimed with a toothless grin.

"Yes, thank you." His wife added, and Ruth could now see that the woman was shivering.

"You know, I have another coat at home. Here, take this one." Ruth slipped out of her jacket and handed it to the woman. Then, smiling, she turned and walked back home, without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.

Ruth was freezing by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she ad nothing to offer him. As she fumbled through her purse for her keys, she noticed another envelope sticking out of her mailbox. "That's odd," she said, "the mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day."

Dear Ruth,

It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.

Love Always,

Jesus

The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.

Insane Thoughts

Merriam-Webster's (online) dictionary defines insanity as

something utterly foolish or unreasonable

. A friend of mine and I had a nice chata regarding crazy people, and our discussion ended with both of us somehow thinking that there are no absolutely sane persons in the world. True, there are those who are without a doubt in need of therapy or medication, but then there are those who just have their own bouts with insanity. Can any person really claim soundness of mind or a healthy mindset at all times? Hmmm.

II CORINTHIANS 5:7

FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT

Lord, though I may not see You, You are indeed present.
For it is up to me to acknowledge Your presence.

Lord, though I may not see You, You are indeed with me.
There are times Lord that I feel so alone, without my family around, I feel lonely even though I am surrounded by so many people. However, it is up to me to recognize and see You in the people around me.

Lord, though I may not see You, You are holding me in the palm of Your hand.
Lord, I dont understand the things that are happening in my life. I dont understand the reason for the pain that I feel. But it is not up to me to understand, rather, it is up to me to accept Your will. And it is up to me to have faith in Your greatness, for you are a Just and Merciful God, and You shall not allow harm to come to your faithful servants.

Vows

Sometimes, you just get fed up with it all. Sigh. When will "I love you" be enough?

Faith answers this question!

Believing that the vows I took where not made in vain and having God as the center of our married life is vital. It's what keeps the marriage up, no matter how hard the winds of trouble blow.

I love my family, my child, and my husband. The vows I took where not just words uttered in the heat of the moment. Nosireebob. I had prayed to God and asked him if my decisions were right. Besides, not everything that's right and good easy to attain. And marriage is like that. It's lived on earth - and as humans are, we make a muck of things by being inconsistent at times.

But it is in God that I trust. It is to Him that we made our vows. And it is through Him, that we shall prevail.

Happy thoughts... Happy thoughts...

Ok, breathe...

After that unfortunate incident (re: fire). I couldn't sleep. I could barely eat (well, ok, that's a good thing, considering how FAT I've become). And I couldn't enjoy my leave.

Or so I thought.

Thursday afternoon, my daughter Meg did the cutest thing. She turned on her side and was lying on her stomach! This was the first time she did it! I was so excited I took a picture! (can't post it just yet, my cable's crappy).

Oooh, and the best part was when Marlon got home, I was telling him about it and she did it again (the little show off!)

Even though Marlon and I are facing so many problems right now, I'm still thankful that God has blessed us with a wonderful daughter. Meg is my inspiration. And even if I have to work 2 jobs, I will, just to be able to provide for my darling angel.

Oh for crying out loud!

Last Thursday, I filed for an emergency leave to take care of Meg. We were sleeping soundly (enough) when we were suddenly woken up by noise outside the house. There was a fire! Marlon got up and checked it out, I only peeked because I couldnt leave Meg alone. But by the sound of it, it was huge!

True enough, Marlon gave me the details - the entire market place was burning! The fire was blazing and it was eating up the market! Sheesh! That was unbelievable!

Why unbelievable? Because a few doors down from the market was the Fire Station. Why was the market place burning then?

Because the frigging fire station didnt have any water, that's why! Pathetic!!!

Responding fire stations came from QC, Parañaque, Pasay, and the like. Our fire station, fire trucks, and fire men couldnt do a damn thing.

The word in the street is that the fire wasnt an accident. Oh heck, even if it were, the place would have still burned down because our fire station doesnt have any water.

Think its unbelievable. Say it's stupid. Be outraged.

Shoots. That's exactly how I feel.

Wedding Bells

Our wedding last December 28, 2004. It was held at St. Joseph's Church (a.k.a Bamboo Organ) in Las Piñas City.

God isn't done with me yet.

The napkin is folded. God isn't done with me yet.

In yesterday's Gospel, our priest said that when Christ's apostle visited his tomb, the cloth or napkin covering Christ's face was found neatly folded.

Our priest said that it is Jewish tradition for a master to crumple his napkin after finishing his meal. (Supposedly as a sign for the servants to know that he has finished eating).

In relation to the Gospel, Christ's napkin being neatly folded meant that He isn't finished with us yet.

How many times do we think that our God has abandoned us? How many times do we think that we are alone in this world? How many times have our pain, suffering, and burdens broken our backs and our wills?

God isn't done with me yet. He is risen and alive. He has not forgotten me, for why would He, after saving me from my sin and destruction?

Today is Easter Monday. Thank you Lord for saving and giving life to your humble servant.

Passion

Someone asked Jesus, "How much do you love me?"
Jesus replied,"I love you this much." and he stretched his arms to the cross and died for us.

During this Holy Week (and thereafter), let us remember that Christ's passion and suffering on the cross is not simply a symbol of our faith, but an act of love to save us from our selves.

This Time

During this time, my family stays at home, going out only to attend to some chores and the mass. For others, it's a time to go to the malls, resorts, or other summer hot spots, for us, it's a time for quiet reflection and maybe rest. Some people become hyper during this time, cramming activities and trips while they can, for us, time seems to suspend itself, crawling at a snail's pace. We all spend our Holy Week differently, although it is hoped that it is not spent selfishly.

Birthpains

There's a little bit of sadness attached to the joy of having a child - sadness borne of the fear of making the same mistakes many parents make, sadness because you're leaving another life behind. But the joy is much greater and grander. Nothing can compare! The pain coursing through me as I tried to recover from the c-section seemed to vanish as I looked at my daughter, looked in awe at her tiny hands and feet, smiled tearfully at her face and sleeping form. Meg is my life now. And a more vibrant future it seems to be.

New Life, New Beginnings

I decided to set up a blogger account (again?). I have an account in LJ and blogspot (I think), but somehow I feel disconnected from them - I guess reading the previous posts make me think that the person who wrote that was another, different, person. I needed change, needed new life.

Blogger solved that, in part.

This time around I hope to write about being a woman. I thought, when I was much younger, more naive, that I was a woman then. But I realized wrong, I was just a girl playing grown up games.

In this new life I have, a woman in the true sense of the word, as a mother, wife, and sister to many other wonderful women out there, I plan to get rid of the baggage and the useless games.

So, good morning world, welcome to the new me!