Who Am I

I am very thankful God has not forsaken me. Last Thursday I attended the Memorial Celebration of Jesus Christ death anniversary in our church. God is always good. He "cares to know my name; he cares to feel my hurt." God is still true to his promise of a new Paradise in a new Earth. I am now reflecting on an inspiring song "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns. Hope you would like it as much as I did.

Who Am I - Casting Crowns

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You’ve done
Not because of what I’ve done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I’m calling
Lord, You catch me when I’m falling
And You’ve told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me
Not because of who I am
But because of what You’ve done

Not because of what I’ve done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I’m calling
Lord, You catch me when I’m falling
And You’ve told me who I am
I am Yours

Not because of who I am
But because of what You’ve done
Not because of what I’ve done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I’m calling
Lord, You catch me when I’m falling
And You’ve told me who I am

I am Yours
I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
‘Cause I am Yours
I am Yours.

Who Am I - Casting Crowns Music Code

Spending Summer Vacation

Teachers are given privileges to enjoy a two-month vacation. What a relief from our physically and emotionally demanding job! How about you? Whether you're working the 9 to 5 grind or self-employed, you need to take time away from work--extended time, like a good 10 days or more at least once each year, more often if you can. That means taking the time to renew and restore your overall well-being. Sometimes I stay right at home, but I set boundaries around my time and energy by screening my phone calls, spending very limited time on the computer, and not accepting any requests that don't support my overall well-being. This time is spent slowing down mentally and physically and doing things that make me happy and feel relaxed.

Even though I am at home, I let my family and friends know up front that I will not be available during this time. I highly recommend not taking your laptop on vacation and keeping your cell phone off as much as possible. If you must check for messages, check your caller id directory list at night, as this will minimize your impulse to return calls. I plan a retreat once a year; one that will revitalize and seek renewal of the mind, body and spirit. For example, I plan to go to a spa or get a massage. I plan to hike a mountain every morning. I practice meditation, met and connect with new people, attend nutrition and cooking classes, and end each day with a relaxing spa treatment. This type of vacation creates lasting results to your overall well-being. I also take at least one long weekend (Thursday or Friday thru Sunday) every quarter to create enriching experiences. Are you ready for a great summer vacation? I know you are as excited as I am. But remeber make a list of things you want to do to get started. It's a must not to spend more money than you budget. (Later I'll post here my list of things I want to do this whole summer vacation).

Taking a vacation can be as easy as sitting in the hammock in the back yard. But if you're going to be making your way to a summer resort, make sure you have all the funds you need to do what you want so you won't be stressed financially. Wherever you are, make sure you laugh each day. Laughter truly is one of the best medicines for lightening up our lives and helping us to feel a sense of joy every day. Do something you've never done before. A change is as good as a rest they say, and there's nothing more exhilarating than trying out an activity you've never pursued--especially while on vacation.

Whether it's scuba diving, trying a new food or learning a new board game, let your imagination run with ideas about how to spend some of those lazy summer days. Stay true to your health. Whether you're on vacation or at home or work, it's important to keep your health regime going on a consistent basis. Go ahead and indulge while you're on vacation, but do keep at least the basics of your daily health routine in place so your body and mind aren't confused or overwhelmed by a sudden change.

Remember that your quality of life is important, so keeping your routine going whether day-to-day or on vacation will serve you well in the long run. Give yourself 2 or 3 days after you come back from vacation before returning to work if you can. Going from major relaxation back to a hectic pace overnight can rev your body and mind up too soon. Having a day or two to unwind after your vacation helps the transition.

Graduation

What is graduation? Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graudates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also called commencement, convocation or invocation.

When ceremonies are associated, they usually include a procession of the academic staff and candidates. Beginning at the secondary school level in the Philippines, the candidates will almost always wear Toga, and increasingly faculty will do the same. At the college and university level, the faculty will usually wear academic dress at the formal ceremonies, as will the trustees and degree candidates. "Graduation" at the college and university level occurs when the presiding officer confers degrees upon candidates, either individually or en masse, even if graduates physically receive their diploma later at a smaller college or departmental ceremony.

I salute to the Filipino graduates! Be the change you want to see the world. I will write more about this article later. For now I have to enjoy my summer vacation.

Too Young to Die

I agree when they said that the future is not ours to control or hold. We don't know for sure what lies ahead of us. I'm also convinced that "every millisecond in our life is not a prerogative but a gift." Personally, I am afraid to die like most people I know (this sounds funny, but it's true). True enough,our life was given as a surprise gift and it will also be taken away from us in the same manner sooner or later. I'm still 26 years old with so many beautiful promises of life attached to me and to the people I care about. Knowing that life is too short, I want to be more functional as long as I live even if I am living a less perfect life. I want to put into use the best I could possibly give. I know I can do a lot of good things because there are so many good things I can contribute to mankind. I have to live on with my own dreams in a way many have lived theirs. My family and friends still need me. My country and community still need me. And as a teacher, many students need me, to change their lives for the better.But if I would die early(by the mere thought of it, it's really frightening!)I rather want it to happen painlessly and peacefully. (Who would ever wish a brutal death?) Of course I would not die that early because I know in my heart God has a lot of plans for me and that he wants me to be his testimonty of his New Government and a witness to the realization of a New Paradise on Earth. My journey is quite long and God wants me to reach the finishing line of my journey. I hope and pray that God would always lead me to the right path of life. Happy living.

My New Nest

It was mid-September in 2008 when the Schools Division Superintendent approved my request for re-assignment. Then I moved to a new school for greener pasture and to start again a new teaching journey. That school is Jacinto P. Elpa National High School (JPENHS). Upon seeing myself in JPENHS, I had a thought it would be a good new start.
My first two weeks of teaching in this school was a mixed feeling of excitement and amazement though that time I was still in an adjustment phase. I never realized it was a cultural shock in its gentler way. I was learning a lot from the ways and attitudes of the people around me, the crowd of students, the teachers and the administration and staff personnel. I easily got a long well with the people most specially in the third year campus where I was assigned, somehow because of my friendly nature. My colleagues are also very nice to me.
This school is really big. It comprises of four big campuses from first year to fourth year levels with over 3800 students in population. Each campus is managed by year level chairman or chairwoman. The overall in charged of the entire academe is the School Principal.

JPENHS is a public school that offers four curriculum: namely Revitalized Basic Education Curriculum (RBEC) funded by SEDIP, Special Science Curriculum commonly known as LRC (Learning Resource Center), Technology Vocational Curriculum (Tech. Voc course) and Sports Program Curriculum (SPC). The school also offers night classes for working students.

The RBEC students are the typical group of high school students with general average IQ. The Tech.Voc students are technically empowered group of students whose curriculum is specially designed for them to acquire life skills such as food technology, computer technology, garments, cosmetics, entrepreneurship and electrical technology. The SPC students are trained for sports development. Most of these students won in the Palarong Pambansa (National Sports Competition). The LRC group, on the other hand, is composed of students with higher IQ. The LRC students are usually the ones who bested in almost all academic competitions in regional or national level.

On my first day of service, I was introduced to my new class of exclusively all boys from RBEC and TechVoc curriculum. The subject was Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) specializing Electrical Technology. It was a totally new experience because I had not taught all-male class before. The course is not a problem because of my intensive knowledge in Physics. To gain a holding power over them, I had to project a quite strict image for awhile because you know boys are naturally playful, hard-headed and difficult to manage. This way I could make an easier command. Of course I would establish friendship and a sense of openness with them. And as much as possible I would like to be kind and approachable to my students.


On the following weeks I got used to the way things are happening in the campus. I even got the idea of the norms of the campus and on how the students and teachers assess one another.

Three months rolled by, after two grading periods, I was given a new assignment in LRC. I taught Statistics. It was another experience for me. This group of student is really brilliant. The LRC curriculum has more academic subjects compare to the other curriculum. The LRC students have advanced Mathematics and that includes Statistics and Advanced Science. Since it is special science curriculum, the students are required to conduct scientific researches. Much is expected from this group of students. They are the future leaders of their community. If their needs are fully catered, no wonder these students would excel in any aspect of life.

Life can get monotonous so I rather choose to engage in a more adventurous journey. Part of that journey is my work as teacher here. My feet are firmly planted in teaching. I don’t know how long I am meant to be here. It might be until I become very old enough. It is here where I can pursue my own dreams, and where, against all expectations, I have made a life. I know there is something good waiting to surprise me. But I take great comfort in the thought that for all the bad things that happened, one day I will reap all the happiness. Though, it’s not easy to forget the hurtful moments. It is not a smoke being blown away by a gust of wind. Teaching has brought me a certain measure of stability in my life. I still want to learn more out of life.

My life with problematic students has its peaks and valley. It is very challenging but very rewarding and fulfilling most of the time. It requires a lot of love and patience. It needs a lot of grace. It also requires a lot of support from family, teachers and the school administration.
Teaching requires strategy, passion and team work, knowing when to be aggressive and when to take defense and looking at challenges as opportunities. This makes me rethink what I already know about the work I chose and move to review it.

Teaching with students is a lifelong journey of hope, faith and love. The journey for us is still long, with many rough roads ahead. But I will keep taking that journey with them with the hope of helping them enjoy,

endure and conquer all that life brings. Thanks to those who share our roads.

This profession is like doing a lot of seed planting. Sometimes it looks as though none of these seeds are growing, but I should keep planting. When I look back, I know, I will see some trees. I just never know while planting which seeds God has chosen to grow into trees.

How to Overcome Sadness

How to Overcome Sadness

We all have bad days, but don't let them ruin how you feel about yourself or others.

Steps

1. List everything in your life you are thankful for and be happy. Put humour in your life! Learn to laugh at yourself or rent your favourite funny videos. Do not make any big decisions while you're in this state. Wait until you're feeling better so you can rationally weigh the ups and downs of your decisions. Do something that you enjoy or that will keep you busy, like clearing your house, volunteer, or read your favorite book.
2. Try to make some plans with your friends. Chances are that you'll have tons of fun. Don't expect too much of yourself. Face the things that you're dreading. Once you do, you're bound to feel a lot better. Buy yourself or someone else a gift. Relax. Take a long walk by yourself to think things over, take a bubble bath, or listen to soothing music. Be sure to get enough sleep by going to bed and waking up at reasonable times. Being tired makes you feel more stressed and annoyed.
3. Give someone a hug. Everybody likes those. It'll make both of you feel good. Know that what you are going through is very common. Talk to someone you trust about what you are feeling - they can help you sort through your emotions.
4. Get some exercise. When you exercise, your body makes more special chemicals called endorphins that help to improve your mood. Regular exercise will also help to maintain a regular even appetite and sleep schedule - both important to your mental state as well. Practice deep relaxation exercises. Pray or read something inspirational . Don't dwell on your weaknesses or mistakes. Think of things that you love about yourself or that you've done to help someone. Be proud of yourself and your accomplishments.
5. Prepare for tests early. Eat healthier meals and snacks. A good diet helps you both physically and mentally.
6. Set realistic goals. Always take things one step at a time. Stop worrying about things that may never happen. Find yourself. Find yourself. Get involved with things you like to do. Keep a journal. Your journal can act as someone you can always vent to and will never judge you. Make time for fun.
7. Do something totally selfless and anonymous - volunteer at a shelter or local treatment facility. Give thought to how much you have if you have a roof over your head, food to eat and are healthy.
8. Do not try to get rid of your bad thoughts especially in loss of a loved one- by fighting them when they came to your mind. Just let them move through your head, think of them, but don't let them take control over you. Manage them, for example if you are at work, leave them for a better time to think of. Struggling in order to get rid of some thoughts will make them stronger.
9. Remember that your mind is a battleground and you are the one who has to write the story of this battle. If you solve any problem inside your head, no longer it's of importance that if the truth is the way you like it or not. Is there anything happening in the real world when you don't know of it. In better words from works of Jean Baudrillard the French philosopher if a tree falls in the forest and no one is there, has the tree fallen at all?
• cry, not just about the bad stuff, but what you have to help deal with the bad stuff, friends, family, a possible lover, I know from experience, remembering that YOU ARE NOT ALONE and devoid of love, combined with tears of sadness, acrually obliterate your negative emotions. Don’t be afraid to do this.

Tips

• Relaxation and making time for fun are essential to making yourself feel better.
• If you are reading this to help someone else, the worst thing you can do is not to take the sadness seriously. The best thing you can do is to listen and tell that person that their sadness is real. Do not yell at them or dismiss them; you will only make that person crawl into his or her shell even more deeply.
• Help others

How to Post Comments in this Blog

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Personal and Inspirational Text Messages

I am blessed to have friends who always share their inner thoughts with me. They use their cell phones so our human connections are never hampered. These thoughts and personal text messages became my reminders and inspirations. I want to share these thoughts and messages with my blog readers that no matter what happens, all beautiful things in life must go on.

If what you see by the eye doesn't please you, then close your eyes and see from the heart, because the heart can see beauty more than the eyes can ever wander.

The winning horse doesn't know why it runs a race. It runs because of the whip and pain. Life is a race. If you are in pain then clearly God wants you to win.

You can't tap you back for a job well done, you can't hug yourself for comfort and you can't cry on your shoulders when tears fall and this way you have friends in your life to let them do whatever you can't.

The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to God can stand up to everything

Quality life doesn't mean having wealth, intelligence or power. It is how much kindness and love you give to others and the joy you get from it.

Never get discouraged when things go beyond your expectations. Always remember that the greatest story in life is not winning but rising every time we fall.

Through prayers God hears more than you see. He answers more than you ask. He gives more than you desire. All he needs is your heart and your time.

Friendship is a collection of hearts, ready to give, share, and understand. It never fades. It only reminds us that life is not perfect without a friend.

In life, you realize that the people you meet have a purpose. Some were put there to test you. Some would bring out the best in you. Some may cause you pain but you will learn to move on. So let go of the people who can't treat you right and hold on to those who love you back and see your worth.

Why is the windshield bigger than the rearview mirror? This is because what is ahead is more important than what is already behind.

Time alone can prove the worth of a person. As time goes by, we lose the false ones and keep the best because true people stay when all the rest are gone.

Don't miss the chances that life is giving you to spend with the people you love. Remember, in life there are no rewinds.

No one is born happy. But all of us are born with the ability to create happiness.

Life is indeed full of contradictions. Sometimes it's crazy to be sane; you need to fall to fly. People suffer because you care; you have to unlearn to know the lesson. You have to give up because you are strong. You have to be wrong to make things right. Nonetheless, life's complexities are also our sources of beauty. We need to cry to laugh again, fall apart to be whole again and get hurt to love again.

We postponed life while we are busy making a living so work like you don't need money, love like you never hurt and dance like no one is watching.

The deepest level of worship is praising God despite the pain, thanking God during trials, trusting him when tempted and loving him when seemed distant.

A word of love gives space to life, a word from a friend gives happiness to the heart and the word of God gives direction to our lives.

Learn to embrace the simplicity of life, learn to be satisfied with what is enough for you and desire more for heavenly reward.

Your failure is not your future. Defeat is not your destiny. You may be knocked down seven times but rise up because you're born to win.

You need to feel a bit deprived at times, a bit lonely and in a way incomplete because if you have gotten everything here on earth, would you still look up to heaven?

Sometimes we look much too far in a distance to find that one person to we could share our lives without realizing that often times they are just right in front of us, loving us quietly all this time.

Never push yourself to the limit. Humans do have limitations. Remember that even metals get tired, so rest if you must but never surrender.


God wants us to live like the grass. Even if it is stepped on, crushed, burned and cut, it always persists and grows back even greener and stronger.

Trials are not the reasons to give up but a challenge to improve you. Pain is not an excuse to back out but an inspiration to move on.

Happiness is a very subjective factor in one's life. Being happy doesn't depend on achieving what you want, but rather making the best out of what is given. Life is not fair, it never was. The only thing that can make you completely happy is contentment. Be contented of what you have but be sure to aim high and never stop believing you can do better every time. But if all else fails, don't forget that an ordinary person like you have an extraordinary God to back you up.

Desiderata

Desiderata is Latin for "Things to be Desired


Desiderata


Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

How to Live Life to the Fullest

Life is short, and everyone should live life to the fullest! You only get one chance to live. Make it the best. Each person lives differently, so make the spotlights shine on your life!

Transforming Your Life Changing your life is possible. See the process of Christian conversion www.gnmagazine.org/conversion

Achieve Your Dreams Positive Thinking and Real Mind Power - UndergroundTechniques! www.realmindpowerskills.com

How to be happy Watch this short video on the key To happiness and joy in knowing God www.HappinessAndGod.com

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Steps

1. Make a list of things you want to do before a certain birthday. For example, list thirty things you want to do before you turn thirty. Your list can be made up of places to visit, people to meet or befriend, improve talents or abilities to acquire, or just fun things to do. This way, you have some goals to aim at, and you can keep track of what you have done and what you still want to do.
2. Make a to-do list or a schedule every day! Don't just lay around all day without painting the fence, visiting Aunt Mary Ann, or finally taking that walk to the park. Have fun!
3. Remember "Carpe Diem" or "seize the day." - Live life in the moment. The only thing that is assured in life is this moment and death. So cherish every moment of life and make it worthwhile.
4. Try making life better for the less fortunate people in the world. They could be anyone, from an orphan in Africa to a pauper in Calcutta. Some dollars less in your account will not make a significant difference to you but will make an impact on someone's life. These are the deeds that make you happy in reality, knowing that you have made a difference.
5. Be comfortable with yourself. Love and accept yourself, even if others don't; especially so that you can show love (kindness) to others "as you would have them love you." Know who you are. You will naturally become an outgoing person if you can do this.
6. Have an internal locus of control (an internal locus of control implies the belief that one is largely in control of the things that happen to her/him), meaning be who you are and stay true no matter the situation. Be strong and continue to grow your entire life, as you are in control your own spirit and attitudes. No one can normally make you say or do anything that you don't want to do.
7. Accept other people, even if they're different. Really different. You don't have to like everyone, just show acceptance and tolerance, and you'll be cool with almost everyone (extremely important in connections later on). Also understand not everyone has your world view, thinks like you, or has the same values. But one thing everyone does want is to be treated kindly. You can't judge anyone else because you don't know what that person has been through and how one is affected. Not everyone reacts to the same situations the same way. Some have more tolerance than others. Judging anyone is purely to organize your own little world into making a little more sense at the other person's expense.
8. Find a purpose or meaning to your life. Whether that be a cause to help the world, religion, or just any kind of worthwhile goal (world domination only if you'll treat the world right).
9. Accept death. Yes, it can be scary. But it's going to happen, one day you will die. Let it echo through you, and you can begin to appreciate life. Trust you will be okay. Trust it or you'll go crazy. Live your life with the motto: " If I die now I die happy. " Wouldn't it be nice if supposedly you would die now to know that many people would attend your funeral because you've been a great person?
10. Stop caring what other people think about you. If you've done the previous step, then this one should be easy. Just apply faith and trust in the fact that you will die someday, to yourself, and press forward with the fact that you were meant to be yourself no matter what other people say.
11. Do something that scares you to death and you'll feel alive.

Tips

• Keep a diary or journal. It doesn't have to be fancy, or wordy, or confessional. Just make sure that you're recording information about your accomplishments. Even an ordinary day spent in a good mood is a kind of accomplishment. Whenever you feel as though your life is worthless, fraudulent, or otherwise rotten, refer to this diary as a much-needed reminder of happier times. More will come!
• Live each day as if it's your last! There's no day but today to do what you want.
• In this idealistic approach, it is also necessary to balance it with reality. Life is a balancing act, it requires constant effort.
• Stop listening to anyone but yourself sometimes, but then listen to everyone for some advice via experience in crucial matters. There is safety in a multitude of advisers, but you still decide for yourself!
• Clear up your mind every once in a while.
• Think positive! Avoid being surrounded by negative people.

Warnings

• Once you make a plan, follow it! There's no point in making a to-do list or a schedule if you aren't going to go through with it then don't do it.
• Do not whine about what you don't have. Enjoy what you have and desire, work towards what you want to have and you'll get it hopefully.
• Don't feel jealous of people who are either better looking or have more money, or for that matter have anything that you don't but desire. Try to achieve it by working hard and making things work for you. Beauty and materialistic things in life don't last very long. What lasts is your soul. So it is important to have a clean and beautiful soul.
• Be the miracle in someones life and your own, don't wait for a miracle to happen.

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Condoms aren't completely safe. A friend of mine was wearing one and got hit by a bus.

BOB RUBIN

Don't ask the barber whether you need a haircut.

DANIEL S. GREENBERG

If you cannot catch a bird of paradise, better take a wet hen.

NIKITA KHRUSCHEV

Never eat anything whose listed ingredients cover more than one-third the package.

JOSEPH LEONARD

Write injuries in dust, benefits in marble.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

People will accept your ideas much more readily if you tell them Benjamin Franklin said it first.

DAVID H. COMINS

Let your intentions create your methods and not the other way around.

THE AUTHOR although Benjamin Franklin said it first

Never keep up with the Joneses. Drag them down to your level. It's cheaper.

QUENTIN CRISP

You can't tell your friend if you've been cuckolded. Even if he doesn't laugh at you, he may put the information to personal use.

MICHEL DE MONTAIGNE

Put all your eggs in one basket and WATCH THAT BASKET!

MARK TWAIN

It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.

STUART'S LAW OF RETROACTION

Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.

ERMA BOMBECK

Don't go to piano bars where young, unemployed actors get up and sing. Definitely don't be a young, unemployed actor who gets up and sings.

TONY LANG

Live simply that others may simply live.

ELIZABETH SEATON

Murder is always a mistake. One should never do anything that one cannot talk about after dinner.

OSCAR WILDE

Always obey your superiors—if you have any.

MARK TWAIN

Dare to be naive.

R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER

Never underestimate a man who overestimates himself.

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and shoot down the middle.

PRAGMATIC CREED

The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that's the way to bet.

DAMON RUNYON

One does not moisten a stamp with the Niagara Falls.

P. W. R. FOOT

This warning from the New York City Department of Health Fraud: Be suspicious of any doctor who tries to take your temperature with his finger.

DAVID LETTERMAN

No leg's too short to reach the ground.

LYNDON IRVING

She that knows why knows wherefore.

JIM SNELL

He digs deepest who deepest digs.

ROGER WODDIS

My dear, I don't care what they do, so long as they don't do it in the street and frighten the horses.

MRS. PATRICK CAMPBELL

Never call a man a fool; borrow from him.

ADDISON MIZNER

If it might break, don't go near it.

HERBERT STEIN

Go through the motions anyway; you might get lucky.

THOMAS MAGNUM

When you handle yourself, use your head; when you handle others, use your heart.

DONNA REED

When the telephone rings, it is against the law not to answer it.

RING LARDNER

Comments from the public are always welcome in courts of law. When you start speaking, an usher will call "Silence in court" to ensure that you are heard without interruption.

PETER ALEXANDER

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LIFE

Life! Can't live with it, can't live without it.

CYNTHIA NELMA

There is more to life than increasing its speed.

MAHATMA GANDHI

Some people die at twenty-five and aren't buried until they are seventy-five.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

While alive, he lived.

MALCOLM FORBES etched on his tombstone

Life's experiments are great fun. This is but another one.

RUDYARD KIPLING

A man's life of any worth is a continual allegory.

JOHN KEATS

Unified, disciplined, armed with the secret powers of the atom and with knowledge as yet beyond dreaming, Life, forever dying to be born afresh, forever young and eager, will presently stand upon this earth as upon a footstool and stretch out its realm amidst the stars.

H. G. WELLS

There's an old joke: Two elderly women are at a Catskill Mountain resort and one of them says, "Boy, the food at this place is really terrible." The other one says, "Yeah, I know, and such small portions." Well, that's essentially how I feel about life.

Woody Allen opening lines to Annie Hall

The hardest years in life are those between ten and seventy.

HELEN HAYES AT AGE 83

Some say life is the thing, but I prefer reading.

RUTH RENDELL

We cannot be normal and alive at the same time.

E. M. CIORAN

Is life not a hundred times too short for us to stifle ourselves?

FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE

Who knows? Maybe my life belongs to God. Maybe it belongs to me. But I do know one thing: I'm damned if it belongs to the government.

ARTHUR HOPPE

I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.

DEUTERONOMY 30:19

Tom appeared on the sidewalk with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He surveyed the fence, and all gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down upon his spirit. Thirty yards of board fence nine feet high. Life to him seemed hollow, and existence but a burden.

MARK TWAIN TOM SAWYER

Life is too short to waste In critical peep or cynic bark, Quarrel or reprimand: 'Twill soon be dark; Up! Mind thine own aim, and God speed the mark!

RALPH WALDO EMERSON

What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner.

COLETTE

If I had to define life in a word, it would be: Life is creation.

CLAUDE BERNARD The Bulletin of New York Academy of Medicine

Dear friend, all theory is gray, And green the golden tree of life.

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

There must be more to life than having everything.

MAURICE SENDAK

There's got to be more to life than sittin' here watchin' Days of Our Lives and foldin' your Fruit of the Looms.

MAMA MAMA'S FAMILY

Remember that you ought to behave in life as you would at a banquet. As something is being passed around it comes to you; stretch out your hand, take a portion of it politely. It passes on; do not detain it. Or it has not come to you yet; do not project your desire to meet it, but wait until it comes in front of you. So act toward children, so toward a wife, so toward office, so toward wealth.

EPICTETUS

Grasshopper, look beyond the game, as you look beneath the surface of the pool to see its depths.

MASTER PO KUNG FU

Life teaches us to be less harsh with ourselves and with others.

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

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One Day, Some Day

Nothing can be more serious than the things involving matters of the heart. My love life is a total zelch. Yes, I am a hopeless romantic. But one day...some day...I know sunshine is just on the other side.

(originally written on May 18, 2008)
To HV 2008

All that is left to me is a dream
that can't be mine
My mind is telling me to say goodbye
While my heart is begging you to stay
How can I say I don't need you
When all I am fighting for
is the love I have for you?
I cross this line to let you know
how much you mean to me
Life and love isn't so fair sometimes
Between you and me the moment
slows down but the passing of time moves faster
I know one day, some day
our love and dreams would be one.
Let's grow in ourselves
I've come to this point to
be strong and brave
And let you choose the life you've ever cherished
It could be a gift or a cursed
But I know one day, some day
our prayers would be answered
And lovers like us would live like those stars in the night.

THe Missing Piece

Life is like a jigsaw puzzle that consists of a mass of irregularly shaped pieces. The objective of the puzzle is simple: to fit the pieces together to form a complete picture or image. I'm still not complete as a person. The image I projected is still not whole. I'm still looking for my "missing piece." I hope someday I would be able to complete my own puzzle.


(originally written on March 13, 2007)

















The Missing Piece

Everybody's looking for the missing piece in life
I've wasted much time searching for it
But I still can't find.

I've searched it in the people who share
their lives with me
I've searched it in the crowd
of strangers passing by
But oh, I still can't find.

It puzzles me
Life's a great mystery
People come and people go
I've got some real happiness
But they all lost too easily
Who could in this world make me whole?
I've learned to fight against the time.

I've traveled far and have reached distance places
But in a while I feel the emptiness in me
I've walked on the other side of the road
Hoping I could finally find it
But oh, I still can't find.

It puzzles me
Life's a great mystery
People come and people go
I've got some real happiness
But they all lost too easily
Who could in this world make me whole?
I've learned to fight against the time.

I've asked so many questions
But the answers are not enough
As I moved on, I realized there's only one to
a lasting joy,
In Him and in Him alone.

Health Important Tips

Health Important Tips

Share the following tips to people you care about. Kindness costs nothing.

1. Answer the phone by left ear.

2. Don't take pills with cold water.

3. Don't have huge meals after 5 PM.

4. Drink more water in the morning less than night.

5. Best sleeping time is from 10 PM to 4 in the morning.

6. Don't lie down immediately after taking medicine.

7. When battery is down to last bar, don't answer the phone as the radiation is 1000 times.

More tips next time.

Shot of Love.. is What I Need

I read The Bible today. It helped changed my negative line of thinking. When I do some reflections, my list of good and beautiful things that are happening in my life exceeds my list about bad and unpleasant ones. It's good news. It means that I am living a meaningful life. Why should I feel less fortunate? Why should I not count all my blessings? I need not be defeated by anything, not even negative thoughts.

Life in this world is not without challenges. But it must go on even if sometimes my pocket is empty, my finances go down the drain because of forces beyond control. The world around me sometimes lie in shambles. The whole universe conspires against me, threatening my very own existence. Times like these, I need a lot of shot of LOVE. What else can I do to make me feel alive? Should I still believe that faith, hope and love are the three things that last forever? But the greatest of all is love? How could I make the most impact on the other people?

We always think about global financial crisis, mass- layoffs and sky rocketing prices. Can we think some positive things for now like global abundance, global prosperity, global peace or global love?

I will encourage love in others. I will teach others especially myself, to be openly affectionate and loving. I can also give people permission to love me as some may be intimidated or fearful of rejection. I am convinced that we cannot change this world by the logic of knowledge, power and money, but we can change this world by the logic of true love.

Bakas ng Lumipas

Muli akong nagbaliktanaw sa isang kahapon…ang tamis at ang pait nito ay nagpapaalala sa akin na ang lahat ng bagay sa daigdig ay may sariling panahon.

Bakas ng Lumipas

Biyernes na at uwian na naman. Bakit ba kay dali ng araw? Pakiwari ko’y mabilis lang yata ang takbo ng panahon. Ramdam kong nagmamadali ang oras at tila ba may hinahabol. Talagang nakakahilo ang bawat pag-inog ng mundo. Naimpake ko na ang lahat ng aking mga dadalhin at ako’y papaalis na. Hinagod ko muna ng tingin ang kahubaran ng paligid. Tahimik. Walang sigla. Parang isang patay na pook. Walang kabuhay-buhay. Ang ingay na kanina pa lang nag-uugungan ay biglang naglaho na parang usok. Napansin kong nagsiuwian na ang lahat. Walang nagpaiwan.
Kalong ko na ang traveling bag. Natigilan ako sandali. Minsang paglingon ko’y natanawan ko ang isang libo’t-isang laksang kalungkutan na bumabalot sa isang napakalumang cottage. Ang sabi-sabi ay tira pa raw ito ng giyera noon at matagal din bago binalikan at tinirhang muli. Habang nag-aaral sa kolehiyo, sa lumang bahay na ito ako nakatira, nakibaka at natoto ng maraming bagay sa buhay. Ayaw kong damhin at daluyungin ang ibayong pangungulila sa aking pag-alis. Gusto ko nang iwaglit ang mga alaala ng mga nakalipas at ligaw na inahinasyong harot na sumasayaw sa isip ko.
Para akong naglalakad na nagbibilang. Marahan kong pinagmamasdan ang likas na kagandahang taglay ng SNAS pati na ang kabuuang sulok nito. Ngayon ko lang napansin na kahit saan mang direksyon ka titingin iisang kulay lang talaga ang iyong makikita, ang namamayaning kulay berde.
Dumidilim na ang paligid. Bumubuwag na ang maiitim na ulap sa himpapawid at tila uulan. Ang malamig na simoy ng hangin ay marahang dumadampi sa aking maselang katawan.
Pumapatak na ang ulan. Malakas! Bago ko naisipang tumakbo patungong Bangkal waiting shed ay nabasa na ng walang habag na ulan ang aking kabuuan.
Naglalangitngit ang panahon sabay ang nakabibinging ingay na likha ng kulog at kidlat. Nagpapalala ng aking panlalamig ang pambihirang ginaw sa paligid. Habang ginagala ang paningin, ang isip ko naman ay naglalakbay na parang tuksong idinuduyan ng imahinasyon at tuluyan nang nakasulyap sa nakaraan.
Malamig ang buwan. Isang gabi na walang kasing panglaw ang sumasalubong sa akin. Pilit kong inaliw ang sarili at pinaagmamasdang maigi ang makakapal na ulap na nakatabon sa bilog na buwan habang ang konting liwanag nito’y patuloy na tumatanglaw. Hanggang sa ngayon ay ginugulo at nililitis ang utak ko ng maraming mga katanungan na paulit-ulit sa aking balintataw. Bakit ba kay hirap abutin ang isang kapirasong pangarap? Sa tagal ng panahong inaalagaan ko ang isang munting hiyas ng karunungan, kailan ma’y hindi ko nalasap ang tamis ng kaligayahang taglay nito. Hindi pa siguro napapanahon, hndi pa siguro.
Sa katunayan ako ay binago ng panahon at tuluyan nang nakipagsabayan sa pagsulong. Ang larawang iyon ay di maiwawaglit sa dalampasigan ng aking kasaysayan. Habang ako’y nabubuhay kailangan kong maging marahas at matapang upang sa gayon ay malasap ko ang lamukot na tamis.
“Brod!” isang tinig.
“Sukli mo,” aniya ulit.
Parang namalik-mata ako, halatang nabigla at nagulat. Inabot sa akin ng maamong conductor ng jeep ang limang baryang peso. Hindi ako makapaniwalang nasa Aras-asan terminal na pala ako. Naramdaman ko na lamang na may luhang humihilom sa aking mga mata. Nang makababa na ay nababanaag at namumutawi sa aking mukha ang isang sigla- ako’y kiming napatawa.

Sa Aking Pagbabalik

Minsan nakagawa ako ng mga maling desisyon sa buhay. Totoong mahirap takasan ang bangungot ng nakaraan. Ano pa man ang mangyari sa akin, kailangan marunong akong bumangon muli. At ang mahalaga naniniwala akong may puwang sa puso ko ang pagbabago. Darating ang panahon na magtatagumpay ako at masasabi kong "sa wakas nalampasan ko rin at handa na sa aking muling pagbabalik."

Sa Aking Pagbabalik

Gabi iyon noong una kitang makilala. Kadalasan sa gabing kapares noon ay punung-puno ng nagkikislapang mga bituin ang kalawakan. Ang ningning ng mga ito’y tila pumupukaw sa damdaming matagal ding nauhaw sa pag-ibig. Ang sarap damhin ang simoy ng hanging sumasabay sa pagpintig ng aking puso. Pakiwari ko’y iyon na ang pinakasayang tagpo sa buhay ko lalo pa’t sinabi mong may malaki akong pag-asa sa puso mo.
Hanggang talampakan ang kaba ng dibdib ko noong una kitang pinagtapatan ng aking wagas na pagsuyo. Napansin mo siguro kung paano ako nautal at pinamulahan sa mukha. Ah, oo, ang mahalaga naman sa akin ay ang masabi ko sa iyo ang mga salitang gusto kong marinig mo.
Mula noon lagi ko nang pinanabikan ang muli nating pagkikita, hanggang sa tinungo mo rin ang aking hangaring maangkin ka. Halos naglulundag ako sa tuwa dahil sa wakas magnoyo na tayo!
Parang merong nagdidikta sa akin na ikaw na talaga ang lifetime partner ko. Nagsimulang naging makulay at punung-puno ng pag-ibig ang dati-rati’y malungkot kong mundo. Alam mo ba kung gaano ako kasaya sa tuwing kasama ka? Ikaw lang ang naging lahat-lahat sa akin.
Tuwing namamasyal tayo nag-uusap tayo ng kung anu-anong bagay. Pagkatapos nagtatawanan at naghahabulan. Minsan din nangangarap. Langit ang aking pakiramdam sa mga ganoong sandali dahil napatunayan kong mahal na mahal mo ako at gayundin naman ako sa iyo. Tayo na siguro ang may pinaka-sweetest love story in history.
Sa totoo lang, sa iyo umiikot ang aking mundo. At saka alam mo ba kung paano mo ako pinahanga? Matalino ka ngang talaga at napakaraming alam sa buhay. Nasa sa iyo ng lahat ang mga katangiang hinahanap ko. Ikaw ay tunay na mapagmahal, matiisin at mapagbigay. Magagawa mong magpakasakit at magpakahirap sa isang minamahal. Isa pang natutunan ko sa iyo ay ang mabuhay na hindi lamang para sa sarili kundi maging sa ibang tao lalo na sa mga nangangailangan. Natapos ko ang isang awit at ito’y inihahandog ko para sa iyo.Kapuri-puri ka namang talaga. Kaya, higit sa lahat, nagpapasalamat ako dahil ikaw ang mahal ko.
Noong una, inakala kong hindi magbabago ang lahat sa ating dalawa. Nakalimutan kong tao lang pala ako, maraming kahinaan at kapintasan sa buhay. Bigla na lang akong namangha nang paggising ko isang araw nawala na ang dati kong maamong katauhan. Pinaghihinaan ako ng loob. Agad akong nahumaling sa kinasasalamuhaang daigdig.
Pero hindi naman ako basta-basta sumusunod sa kung anu-anong kapanipaniwalang pinaiiral ng tao para mabuhay ng normal. Tumatagis sa utak ko ang katagang “hindi ako makapangyarihan na tulad mo!” Maaaring sabihin na bigla na lang akong nabubuhy sa ngalan ng aking sarili. Sariling malaya. Pero malaya nga ba talaga ako?
Hindi ko namalayan, tuluyan nang nagkalabuan tayo sa isa’t-isa Naging mapusok ako. Hindi ko magawang makinig sa kahit na anong paliwanag. Binulag ako ng aking takot at pangamba. Madalas kong itanong sa aking sarili kung bakit ako nagkakaganito. Ewan ko at lalong hindi ko alam.
Minsan lumuluha ako sa hinagpis, sa poot. Gusto kong ibulalas ang sakit ng dibdib na namamayani sa mga sandaling ako’y nag-iisa.
Palibhasa kasi magulo akong tao. Mahirap unawain kung minsan. Masyado akong ambisyoso at maraming bagay ang naglalaro sa aking isipan na gusto kong gawin at matupad kaya’t nawawalan ng konsentrasyon sa iisang larangan at kaya nabibigo. Hindi ko matukoy ng malinaw kung ano ang nais kong gawin o direksyon ng buhay ang dapat kong pagsikapang makamit.
Hindi ko makatkat sa aking isipan ang iyong mukhang punug-puno ng pag-asang magbabago ako at muling magbabalik sa piling mo.
Batid ko ngayon ang dahilan ng kasuklam-suklam na damdamin na aking pinagsisikapang malampasan. Naging sakim ko. Binulag ng sariling kahibangan. Naligaw habang nangangarap ng pansariling kaligayahan. Akala ko habam-buhay akong magiging tapat sa iyo. Dahil sa iyo, ngayon nabatid ko ang tunay na adhikain ko sa buhay. Natagpuan ko sa iyo ang kasagutan ng mga tanong na gumugulo sa akin. Nauunawaan ko na rin ang katuturan ng aking pagiging iyong “nilikha at kasuyo.” Marahil sa paglipas ng maraming unos at bagyo ay naintindihan ko na kung bakit ka nagpapakahirap at ipinagkaloob mo ang iyong sarili ng walang pagdadalawang isip.
Sadya ngang nagagamot ng panahon ang anumang sakit. Nahihilom nito ang anumang sugat. Pero ang piklat nito’y mananatiling palatandaan magdaan man ang maraming taon.
Inaamin ko ng buong puso, habang hinahanap ko ang aking sarili noon ay ni minsan hindi ka naiwaglit dito sa kasulok-sulukan ng aking puso. Kung kailangan muli kitang ligawan ay gagawin ko upang maibalik natin ang kahapon. Sana’y nariyan pa rin ako sa puso mo.
Ngayong gabi maglilitawan pa kaya ang mga bituin sa kalawakan? Sasabay pa kaya ang simoy ng hangin sa pagpintig ng aking puso? Magiging kakaiba siguro ito, taliwas sa mga nagdaang gabi sa aking buhay. Ewan ko, di ko masabi.
Nasa mga kataga na ang kahinugan ng aking isip na matagal ding pinanday ng maraming pagsubok. Bukas ay araw ng Linggo. Siguro naman ay handang-handa na ako makipagkita uli sa iyo, ang aking muling pagbabalik.