Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Bob Marley & Love

I grew up listening to Bob Marley - It's always been something that I enjoyed closing my eyes too. Till recently when I came across a post that had a ton of words from him that makes absolute sense. If only the right people will listen. Here's me plagiarizing the collection:


Bob Marley quotes (showing 1-50 of 87)

"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."
— Bob Marley
"Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life."
— Bob Marley
"You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters? She's not perfect - you aren't either, and the two of you may never be perfect together but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, hold onto her and give her the most you can. She may not be thinking about you every second of the day, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you can break - her heart. So don't hurt her, don't change her, don't analyze and don't expect more than she can give. Smile when she makes you happy, let her know when she makes you mad, and miss her when she's not there."
— Bob Marley
"Who are you to judge the life I live?
I know I'm not perfect
-and I don't live to be-
but before you start pointing fingers...
make sure you hands are clean!"
— Bob Marley
"The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for."
— Bob Marley
"None but ourselves can free our minds."
— Bob Marley
"Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet."
— Bob Marley
"love the life you live.
live the life you love."
— Bob Marley
"One love, one heart, one destiny."
— Bob Marley
"The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively"
— Bob Marley
"Don't Gain The World & Lose Your Soul, Wisdom Is Better Than Silver Or Gold."
— Bob Marley
"He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you."
— Bob Marley
"Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!"
— Bob Marley
"The good times of today are the sad thoughts of tomorrow."
— Bob Marley
"Don't worry about a thing, every little thing is gonna be alright"
— Bob Marley
"When one door is closed, don't you know that many more are open"
— Bob Marley
"Wake up and live "
— Bob Marley
"Live for yourself and you will live in vain;
Live for others, and you will live again."
— Bob Marley
"Judge not unless you judge yourself"
— Bob Marley
"Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery.
None but ourselves can free our minds."
— Bob Marley
"The people who were trying to make this world worse are not taking the day off. Why should I?"
— Bob Marley
"Herb is the healing of a nation, alcohol is the destruction."
— Bob Marley
"Love would never leave us alone"
— Bob Marley
"You have to be someone."
— Bob Marley
"I don't stand for black man's side, I don't stand for white man's side, I stand for God's side."
— Bob Marley
tags: black , god , men , music , side
"My fear is my only courage"
— Bob Marley
"Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you're living?"
— Bob Marley
"Though the road's been rocky it sure feels good to me."
— Bob Marley
"Better to die fighting for freedom then be a prisoner all the days of your life."
— Bob Marley
"Get up, stand up, Stand up for your rights. Get up, stand up, Don't give up the fight."
— Bob Marley (Bob Marley - Legend)
"One Love, One Heart, Let's get together and feel alright"
— Bob Marley (Bob Marley - Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and The Wailers)
"Overcome the devils with a thing called love. "
— Bob Marley
"Free speech carries with it some freedom to listen. "
— Bob Marley
"You can't find the right roads when the streets are paved."
— Bob Marley
"My music will go on forever. Maybe it's a fool say that, but when me know facts me can say facts. My music will go on forever."
— Bob Marley
"The winds that sometimes take something we love, are the same that bring us something we learn to love. Therefore we should not cry about something that was taken from us, but, yes, love what we have been given. Because what is really ours is never gone forever."
— Bob Marley
"There will never be no love at all."
— Bob Marley
"The best thing about music is that when it hits you, you feel no pain."
— Bob Marley
"You can fool some people some times but you cant fool all the people all the time"
— Bob Marley
"It's your own conscience
That is gonna remind you
That it's your heart and nobody else's
That is gonna judge."
— Bob Marley
"Me only have one ambition, y'know. I only have one thing I really like to see happen. I like to see mankind live together - black, white, Chinese, everyone - that's all."
— Bob Marley
"When you smoke the herb, it reveals you to yourself."
— Bob Marley
"In this bright future you can't forget your past."
— Bob Marley
"When the race gets hard to run. It means you just can't take the peace."
— Bob Marley
"Life and Jah are one in the same. Jah is the gift of existence. I am in some way eternal, I will never be duplicated. The singularity of every man and woman is Jah's gift. What we struggle to make of it is our sole gift to Jah. The process of what that struggle becomes, in time, the Truth."
— Bob Marley
"Herb is the unification of mankind."
— Bob Marley
"If you get down and you quarrel everyday, you're saying praises to the devil, I say."
— Bob Marley
"Don't give up the fight,
Stand up for your rights."
— Bob Marley
"Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny"
— Bob Marley
"Ziggy, when you go up bring me up and when you go down don't let me down. Stephen, Money can't buy you life." 
"Bob Marley isn't my name. I don't even know my name yet."
— Bob Marley
"Tell the children the truth."
— Bob Marley
"The stone that the builder refused shall be the head corner stone."
— Bob Marley
"until the end of the world,all whys will be answered,but now,you can only ask!"
— Bob Marley (Bob Marley: Talking)
"Until the philosophy which hold one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned...
Everything is war. Me say war.
That until the're no longer 1st class and 2nd class citizens of any nation...
Until the color of a man's skin is of
no more significa...nce than the color of his eyes, me say war. That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race me say war!"
— Bob Marley
"Man is a universe within himself."
— Bob Marley
"My music fights against the system that teaches to live and die."
— Bob Marley
"tell me what you think it means."
— Bob Marley
"Your Worst Enemy Could Be Your Best Friend && Your Best Friend Your Worst Enemy"
— Bob Marley
"Some Will Hate You Pretend They Love You Now Then Behind They Try To Eliminate You"
— Bob Marley
"The day you stop racing, is the day you win the race."
— Bob Marley
"My future is righteousness."
— Bob Marley
"Lively Up Yourself"
— Bob Marley
"Live the life you love, love the life you live"
— Bob Marley
"Everytime I plant a seed,he say kill it before it grow, he say kill it before they grow."
— Bob Marley
"Truth is, everybody is going to hurt you; You just gotta find the ones worth suffering for."
— Bob Marley
"I've been here before and will come again, but I'm not going this trip through."
— Bob Marley
"one love, one heart"
— Bob Marley
"I'n'I nah come to fight flesh and blood,
But spiritual wickedness in 'igh and low places.
So while they fight you down,
Stand firm and give Jah thanks and praises.
'Cos I'n'I no expect to be justified
by the laws of men - by the laws of men.
Oh, true they have found me guilty,
But through - through Jah proved my innocency."
— Bob Marley
"Don't forget your history nor your destiny"
— Bob Marley
"You just can't live that negative way.
You know what I mean. Make way for the positive day. Cause it's a new day..."
— Bob Marley
"good times of today, are the bad thoughts of tom."
— Bob Marley
"Puedes no ser su primero, su ultimo o su único. Ella amo antes y puede amar de nuevo. Pero si ella te ama ahora, Que otra cosa importa? Ella no es perfecta -tu tampoco lo eres, y los dos podrán nunca ser perfectos juntos, pero si ella te puede hacer reír, hacer que pienses las cosas dos veces, y puede admitir ser humana y cometer errores, Hazla tuya y dale lo mas que puedas. Puede que ella no piense en ti cada segundo del día, pero ella te dará una parte de su cuerpo que sabe es frágil - su corazón. Así que no la lastimes, no la cambies, no la analices y no esperes más de lo que ella pueda dar. Sonríe cuando te haga feliz, déjale saber cuándo te enfurezca y extráñala cuando no esté ahí."
— Bob Marley
"The Truth An Offense But Not A Sin"
— Bob Marley
"Reggae is my heart ♥
reggae is my soul"
— Bob Marley
"Os homens pensam que possuem uma mente, mas é a mente que os possui. Há pessoas que amam o poder, e outras que tem o poder de amar"
— Bob Marley
"Everyone is going to hurt you you just have to find the ones worth suffering for."
— Bob Marley
"a pot a cook but the food na kno"
— Bob Marley
"Who are you to judge the life I live?
I know I'm not perfect
-and I don't live to be-
but before you start pointing fingers...
make sure you hands are clean!"

"The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for."

"love the life you live.
live the life you love."

"Live for yourself and you will live in vain;
Live for others, and you will live again."


"Judge not unless you judge yourself"
— Bob Marley (Bob Marley - Legend)
"I truly believe"
— Bob Marley
"Quando você acha q sabe todas as perguntas vem à vida e muda todas as respostas"
— Bob Marley
"So if you are the big tree, we are the small axe. Ready to cut you down, to cut you down."
— Bob Marley
"Истината е, че всеки един човек ще те нарани. Просто трябва да намериш тези хора, заради които си струва да страдаш."
— Bob Marley
"Love the life you live. Live the life you love."
— Bob Marley
"i don't have any"
— Bob Marley
"My feet is my only carriage."
— Bob Marley

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Dear Lord,

I need a few things. Just a few. Nothing miraculous.

A nice shaded spot under a tree. A simple hammock. Some ice cold beer in a bucket - on a tropical beach, with clean sand and clear water.

I need no:

I need this pleasure right now. OK thanks.   
- humming air conditioning units in the background.
- tourists walking, chatting and milling about
- kids screaming
- no plastic chairs and no colorful umbrellas
- no waiters or servers
- no big hotel, building or resort behind me

I would like to bring my:
- my sun glasses
- some music
- a good long book
- my notebook and a pencil

Preferably somewhere remote, quiet, rough, untamed, no cell phone signal, desolate and away from the bustle - so I can see the stars at night when I wake up from my alcohol delivered slumber.

Why is something simple like this too much to ask? Please advise.

Thanks,

Jab

Google Maps

Out of sheer curiosity, I wanted to check the traffic situation of the whole United States. It worked. 


As expected, the densely populated cities have trouble spots. I hope you're not travelling between Spokane, WA and Missoula, MT. You'll encounter some slow downs there. 


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Loyalty

On August 6, 2011 - a weekend, most of us woke up to the news that a large helicopter came under fire and crashed in Afghanistan and crashed, killing all 38 occupants of the aircraft. This included 8 Afghan soldiers and 30 US military personnel, including a g special forces from the same unit as the SEAL team that made its assault and captured the Abbottabad compound eventually killing Osama Bin Laden.

Here's a snippet of a report on one of the service of one of the fallen soldiers.


"Petty Officer Jon T. Tumilson was laid to rest Friday in Rockford, Iowa, where an estimated 1,500 mourners came to pay respects for the fallen Navy SEAL, including his dog Hawkeye. In fact, Hakeye’s loyalty to his owner at the funeral was visible, creating a heart-wrenching image as he laid down by the casket of his owner during the entire service."* 











http://weaselzippers.us/2011/08/23/pic-of-the-day-dog-keeps-watch-over-fallen-seal%E2%80%99s-casket-during-funeral/

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

What do you get when you leave a megaphone on a podium in the middle of New York City?

Apparently, a lot of love.

"For our latest mission we constructed a custom wooden lectern with a megaphone holster and an attached sign that read, “Say Something Nice.” The lectern was placed in public spaces around New York and then left alone. We wanted to see what would happen if New Yorkers were given the opportunity to amplify their voices to “say something nice.”"


Say Something Nice
The way I see this is that, there's hope for humanity. People love to love. People love to share love. Unfortunately, the environment asks people to be cool sometimes too cool. Sometimes becoming to uncouth. 


This video is awesome. Can't wait for this to show up in Las Vegas. 

Scabs and rugrats






As I was perusing the Internet this morning, I came across a Russian LiveJournal account with this photo on it's banner. I smiled because I realized that in this world, there are still misfit groups like this that grow up learning about life's lessons as they earn more scabs on their knees and shins and elbows.

I was one of the boys that cruised the streets of our gated subdivision on his own bike every single day of the week. As soon as school ends, we all head home, change out of our school uniforms and meet up somewhere.

This is not a photo and me and my friends. 
During the summer, we would all meet up after breakfast, rest at someones house during the day when it's too hot , play outside in the afternoon and all get home as soon as it gets dark.

We knew what areas of our subdivision to avoid because there were dogs roaming around. We knew  the trees that we could climb, we knew which neighbors were nice enough to let us have fruits from their own trees and we knew where we can buy chilled water in plastic bags for 1 peso. We knew which walls to scale to go to the neighboring subdivisions.

We would visit the homes of the girls we liked, talked to them with their iron fences separating us, and if we're lucky and their parents are nice enough will be offered some mirienda, and be told that if we plan to court their daughters that we should do it properly, inside the house. Not on the street.



I wonder if my children will grow up with their crew. With his "barkada". In the Philippines, the idea of barkada or your group is largely responsible for teaching the sense of no man left behind, "walang iwanan". Everyone knew where the other one was. Everyone followed the leader, usually the oldest one in the group, even if it meant just a few weeks older. The eldest took care of everyone especially the youngest one. The boys will stand up for each other. They will face other boys and sometimes mangy dogs or older bullies.

They will help each other go over walls, fix their bikes and climb trees. Learn how to fish in the small ponds and creeks. Realize that worms aren't that disgusting, that caterpillars shouldn't be touched. Pornography was for shits and giggles and it was not a click away. Knowing how to fix your bike was a must and playing in mud is ok.

I'm trying to put myself in the shoes of the grown ups back on those days whom I came across when I was a kid, barely 10 - maybe even when I was 7 or 8. The security guards, the guy in the neighborhood store, the school bus driver, the local mechanic, even my friends' parents. I can't imagine how they saw me and why they would let me and the other kids just go out and roam around - how did they know that we will be back home later that day? We may be bruised and wounded a bit, but they knew we will be home.

We've had our share of accidents before. Maybe a trip or two to the local doctor. Maybe 10 or 12 stitches here and there. But you know what? No one blamed us. Our parents did not stop us from being who we were. We were just told to be more careful. And you know what? We knew that and we were.

We had video games back then, but we played with it when it gets too hot outside or when it's raining. We amused ourselves with playing street games, making makeshift basketball courts, playing hide and seek, swimming in the community pool, playing with fireworks, building kites and running in the rain.

Somehow I have faith that this life will come back. I can't imagine boys growing up another way. It builds character, and fosters all the value of taking care of one another, exploration, simple happiness, camaraderie, honesty and nonchalance.

Go forth, children with wounded knees, dirtied faces and calloused hands! The world is an adventure! It is yours to conquer! Just make sure you'll be home by sun down.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Why we need you Will and Kate - and what I expect from you.

There are two words that I will start with on this post: Royal Hooplah. 


Do not get me wrong, I actually appreciate the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. I'd be a hypocrite if I said I wouldn't want to marry a girl like her and be an actual prince (charming). I've come across quite a few people in real life and on media that have a different stand on the issue. 


Some people despise the royal family. It's existence. Some of my american friends say that America is founded on the idea of denouncing the King and Queen. Fine, that's arguable. But Britain has a different kind of government now from 1776, right? Some Britte say they despise the royal family because they have to pay for the existence of the family. That the royals lavish lifestyle is due to the hard work of society. Ok, arguable. 


Here's my point. Whether it's Will and Kate or any other royal, they have a responsibility to society much like anyone else in the position, or let me go further than that, anyone else in the limelight. 


In a world where people pine after rock stars, hip hop moguls, reality shows from New Jersey, overweight individuals and washed out child stars... In a world where everyone on TV has ''written" a book, has an energy drink, vodka with their name on it, perfume, clothing line, an album, in the movies, shoes and anything that we can consume - I think it is more than ever important to have people like William and Catherine. 


I would gladly pay taxes (each Britt pays a few pounds a year to keep the royal family) to have people like the Royals.


Here's my argument. Pick someone that's in the public eye that act and dress like skanks and meatheads, even the politicians don't help. Now, ask yourself, how many people do you see on TV act properly like how a real Lady and Gentleman should? Probably close to none. 


So there's my point. We are hypocrites by wanting to keep a society where everything we eat, buy, wear, drink and enjoy are making a few people on TV richer and richer. How much have we spent on the products that we bought because we saw someone on TV sell it or because it has their face on it? Every TV show has a product placement or a commercial that accompanies it. It could be dancing with the stars or a basketball game. It doesn't matter. It could be the morning news of the Sunday afternoon gossip parade. We watch em, the guys on TV and the companies that advertise with them make their riches from you and me, regular consumers. 


The world, and most everything consumed in is a product of marketing. From the TV shows you enjoy to the shoes you wear. And you are a sucker for that marketing, had bought into it and you're making someone rich and famous more rich and famous. 


To The Royals - the world is evolving. Children are more exposed to media that throws away values the moment it starts, so it's your job now to be examples to people. No one on TV shows how properly one should act anymore. Will and Kate's responsibility is to be an archetype of how a Gentleman and a Lady should. I pray that in their life in the future that they will be less controversial and be more of an inspiration. 





Thursday, April 21, 2011

This week - and the past 28 years.

It's amazing what you end up doing when you find yourself in between work while at work. 


After having spoken to a client about how much they are spending with us and what I thought would help them this year (More like, what quarter I need to sell them into), i decided to take a quick break and venture into SCUBA diving. 


Long story short, I've signed up for an open water scuba diving class. This means I will be, at the end of the program, dive in deep water up to a few dozen feet with a complete SCUBA equipment. 


I've always wanted to do this. Ever since I was a kid, I imagined myself diving into the depth of the deep sea and look at and see what the world has to offer down below. I can only begin to imagine the surreal colors that it has to offer. No amount of inches on a 1080p flat screen LED can rival the experience of it, I'm sure. 


So, I went down to the local Sports Chalet and picked up a few things. I bought a mask, some fins, a snorkel and some boots. I was so proud of myself. 


I'm actually going to do exactly what I said I would. Now if I can only be consisted with this, including sleeping early to wake up in the morning to go for a run or a swim. 


I had shared with a friend the good news and somewhat felt that I got shot down. Made me question what I did. The comment was "another expensive hobby". Validity to the comment is acceptable. But, don't I work hard enough to be able to do things that would make me happy? 


Is it improper to give yourself the experience that you would consider a life goal (among others) and make yourself feel good that you've accomplished something? Should I just disregard this and pursue it? Of course right? The great men of the past disregarded the warnings of their mothers and went on to scale the largest mountains and discover new land. Just to clarify, the friend I'm pertaining to is not my mom. 


My mom, however. That's another story. She tolerates my adventures. Even though she knows that climbing mountains, mountain biking and camping has a certain degree of danger to it, I've overheard her tell her friends one time that she is happy that I'm doing this rather than coming home drunk or smoking. 


I'm sure she can tell the difference in my mood too when I've done something I'm proud of. 


Reflecting on the past 28 years. I've observed that I've slowed down somehow on judging the world. I've added an extra step to my thinking. And that's thinking a bit more before saying something and/or reacting to something. 


Yes, I still fall trap to my own impulsiveness, but i find myself taking the high road more now than before and that's avoiding that road altogether. 


I've said once that I have the material things that I think I need right now. It will just be a matter of getting better versions of the existing one now. 


I'm proud of the fact that I'm saving more now (I'm making more too) and that I've become more flexible in being able to embark on certain things I've always wanted to do. 


People, friends, family are the physical conscience that help me take an extra step if I've found myself falling into the traps of my impulsiveness. People, friends and family are the also the driving force for my little and large success. They validate my existence and they are the ones who I go back to the end of the day and share my experience with. 


As a good friend had just said the other day, "God, I love living vicariously through you..."


Happy Birthday old man. Happy Birthday to me. 

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The Spinning Dancer Illusion

This drove me nuts this morning - Is she going left or is she going right?

Now, go grab a friend and ask him/her is the dancer is spinning clockwise or counter clockwise -

Crazy right?

Well, a japanese guy created this and... well, that says it all.

Have fun with it!

This below is a modified illustration to "help" you figure it out. uhm... yeah. 









http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Spinning_Dancer

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

June Road Trip Weather - In Celsius

Universal Studios Hollywood (20's)


June 4th is the first day of Summer Vacation for most kids in the US. Expect the place to be packed. It is important that we buy our front of line passes as early as possible since these are limited. 


It will be warm -  a bit humid. We will need to bring our own water in the park and a change of clothes (we can also get wet on some rides). 


If we get there early, as soon as the park opens, we will be able to see most of the park and get to ride almost all of the rides. 


The earlier we get done, the earlier we can start making our way to Las Vegas. Expected time of departure from Los Angeles should be 4pm. 


It will still be a four hour drive to Las Vegas. Rest in the car. Saturday night in Las Vegas is always fun. 


Las Vegas weather (upper 20's low 30's)


Warmer than Los Angeles. Warm, but dry. Meaning there will not be too much sweating, but it does not mean we are not losing moisture. Dry weather means accelerated moisture loss. Dry lips and skin. 


Gear up with your own lip gloss and sun glasses - hat's are optional. The weather will be similar in Arizona. 


Northern California


Yosemite Valley will be the same temperatures as the Bay Area. It will be cooler at night. It is essential that we will bring some cold weather gear as it may hit the teens in the evening. 


http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/90089


http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USNV0049

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

What a honeymoon

European Snowstorm in December @.dailymail.co.uk
Imagine getting married and asking yourself, "am I ready for this adventure?" If you were in these guys shoes, you'd be laughing back at that moment. 


Stefan and Erika, a newlywed Swedish couple went on a four month hiatus in what they hoped would be a great adventure (they did bring their infant baby with them). 


Tragic: More lives were lost during an earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand
Damage in Christ Church, New Zealand @.dailymail.co.uk
They started off in Munich, remember the epic blizzard that blanketed the whole of Europe? Yup. They were there. 


So, it being winter in the Northern Hemisphere, they decided to go down South. In Australia. Where they were met with a powerful snowstorm. Spent days in a shelter. 


They found their way to Brisbane - flooding of biblical proportions. 


Off to Perth! Bushfire. That's all I can report. 


Well, New Zealand sounds good round this time of year, they thought. Well, except for the 6.3 magnitude earthquake! 
They also witnessed first hand the devastating earthquake
in Japan @.dailymail.co.uk


So they proceed back up North. Guess where they were in March. Yup! Japan. And what happened in Japan? Yup. That. 


Finally - finally the couple made it to Bali. They were greeted by the warm smiles, the beautiful sand and a monsoon. Yup! More rain. 


Read the full article on The Daily Mail UK - pictures are there too.  


I personally thought that it would've been an amazing adventure. I am glad they are with each other. Imagine if one of them we're whining and bitching and moaning and does not know the meaning of turning lemons into...

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Consibrinus

About a year ago, something amazing happened - almost the whole family was here. We enjoyed each others company as usual. We all practically grew up together. We got to catch up - hang out. Basically did things we all used to do together.


Laugh. Dine. Lay in bed. Watch TV. Play video games. Read. Road Trip. Laugh at our parents and aunties. Sing. Take Pictures. 


This was special. This was after years of being apart. Miss them already actually. Terribly. 


Here's a quote I googled about cousins. Yeah yeah, Im not going to make up some cookie story on how I've stumbled upon it. I googled it. Google "Quotes on cousins..." so here - enjoy. 



So true  -  funny how it seems. Urk. That was almost a bad song. 



Going back to us. Well, what can I say? I guess other than, I can't wait till the next time. Hopefully all of us will be here and we are all 21 or older. That will make me, 30 something. Shit. 

Anyways. If you're my cousin and you're reading this. Yup! Anakangdelangmo. Miss you. 


Your first love -

It was Nietzsche who wrote "Love is a state in which man see's things; most widely different from what they are". 


That phrase can't be more true. Especially when it's an admiration that has spanned more than half a lifetime.

There was this girl who indirectly flipped the "in love" switch when I was ten years old. I remember the exact place and time and who I was with at the point. It was during recess in grade school - 4th grade actually. I was with my best friend then. We were looking down form the second floor and there she was. Crossing the open area. We've known her since pre-school. But for some reason, on that day, at that moment - something sparked.

Fast forward 18 years later - here I am. Secretly still hoping, that day will come when I can say she's mine. Secretly.

I'm not really sure what I feel for her. Is it the same type of regret that you feel when you know you should have done something but you didn't? Is it the same type of feeling that envelopes you when you had missed on a great opportunity? I'm not really sure.

Update on her. She is now separated from her husband. She married early. When we were 19, she got pregnant. I remember when that news was broken to me. I felt like those who told me were scared to tell me. I was really really wretched that time. I collected all the letters I got from her and the next weekend went up mount makiling in Los Banos and burned em. Yup! Burned em... Right next to the sulfur mud bath.

Stupid - I know. Senseless, absolutely. But it helped.

After that day - I went on a rampage. Girlfriend after girlfriend after girlfriend.

Don't get me wrong. I treasured every relationship I was with. I cared for my girlfriend. I appreciated the time. But even after every break up, I think of that first girl. The one that I saw from the second floor.

So, yeah. She has a daughter. I am one of her godfathers. We keep in touch. I send her several post cards and letters every year. Ironic, cause 15 years ago, I was exchanging letters with her mom.

So, recently I had an idea that maybe I should go do it. Tell her I like her still and show her what Im made of. But how? I'm so far away. So, being the boy scout that I am. I did some recon work. Yup! I asked people.

What did I learn? Well, that she's seeing someone. The person who told me this said, she's not sure, but yes, she's seeing someone at this point in time.

This sucks. I've got no letters to burn. But then again, I've got nothing to lose too.

Friday, January 7, 2011

I miss my youth

I was listening to a recently downloaded track - I know I have it illegally downloaded somewhere, but I wanted to give justice to it and buy it this time so I can hear it on my iphone.

It's Moonpools & Caterpillars "Soon". My lifelong friend Nikki had that CD when we were kids.

"When we were kids". It's a little funny cause I am an adult now. I enjoy it. The freedom, and its corresponding challenges. I look back though and part of me says, wow - that was quick. It's funny I know - but wow.

I grew up in a time when we watched the same TV shows and listened to the same music. It was cool when you know of music not being played on the radio. Really, the only source of music was, well - just live radio.

My generation grew up as the internet bloomed. Our chat rooms were confined to mirc. I wonder how that place is now. My generation welcomed this new technologically wrapped world with open arms while looking back on the last days of analog. We can understand when people say, back in the day. We can also adapt to when people mention the latest tech craze.

I am thankful for that.

However, I look back and even though the difference in the youth of today and twenty years ago has a vast chasm in between - I look back and see faces. Hear songs. Smell afternoons and feel the summers beating on my back.

I remember running out of the house as soon as I hear my friends clap their hands outside the house. That means it's play time. Summer time was amazing, because we had non stop time and did not have to involve our parents. We did not have to have them subscribe me to xbox live, pay for the internet, take care of my cellphone bill or get me the latest laptop or smartphone.

All we needed was to be there and to let them know where we are going. All we needed to do was be home by sunset.

Most of my friends were from the same school I went to. We didn't go a prestigious private school, nor did we go to the government run public schools. We were pretty much, middle class - middle of the road - decent and well mannered kids from the suburbs.

We enjoyed being away form the city life but being close enough to when we want to go on an urban odd-venture, we can.

Nikki - for example. Yes, she was everyones crush - including myself. But we qualified each other as people who think the same - who play along the same lines and get excited about almost the same things. Yes we argued a lot and there are things that I may disagree with her on - but I can say that if i were to get a handful of people who really know me. She's there.

She's outgoing, well spoken, well educated and can be your average kanto-kid to an elegant demi-god. She's definitely a best friend.

Cathy - when there was a Nikki - there was a Cathy. She's happily married now and of course, must devote most of not all her attention and love to the Mr.. but she never fails to deliver a sweet and only-from-cathy message when you need and deserve one.

Arden - arden arden arden. The friend whom I've shared the least amount of words with but the one whom I've shared the most amount of time with. We don't talk that much, only when we need to. But somehow, we know that our friendship is forever. And as far as we're concerned - it's been going on all out lives. We went through learning alcohol together, visiting our girlfriends at the same school together, losing the same girls at the same time, liking the same girl at the same time, crashing our bikes and finishing computer games together.

Why am I being melancholy and melodramatic right now? Well... there's no reason really. It's just one of those days. Must be the cirrus clouds.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Lakwatcha 2

Travel Tips when going abroad.

There are very general and common sense guidelines that one needs to know when you are travelling abroad, or even locally.

The past 10 years have brought huge changes in how we travel. Security is the main reason, but following closely to it is economics. There are certain things that we need to remember before you decide to go on that backpacking trip, that business trip or that emergency trip on a plane or even a train or a cruise.

Things to have -

No matter what happens, bring a jacket. Obviously, if your general destination is Las Vegas in the summer, a thinner jacket is needed. Here's why the jacket/windbreaker is essential:

Buildings and some vehicles are cold. Buses and airports become notoriously cold, especially in the summer. They naturally would crank that A/C up to max. After a few hours inside, your body would have acclimated and you suddenly would feel cold.

You'll never know when you're going to catch a cold and then suddenly you need a jacket.
Are you attending a seminar or a conference? Bring one, you WILL need it.
And for my favorite reason. Airport security checkpoints - I normally don't my loose change,
wallet, cellphone, money clip, cash, pens and passport in my pant pocket. I keep them in the jcaket
when I'm in the airport. My reason is, when it's time to pass through those machines, I can just easily take off
my jacket and everything I would have needed to remove from my pants is in there.
Efficiency is key. Once you've landed and reached your destination. Distribute your wallet,
cellphone etc. amongst your other pockets. (Note. Do not use this technique if you have a habit of leaving
your jackets in random places)

Bring and carry copies of your legal documents. Passports, ID's, VISA's etc. When going around town, carry
only the copies of those and keep the original in your bag. The only time you will need to show it, is
if a security official with a badge in a building like an airport asks for it. Other than that, show copies.

Also, always keep copies of these documents safely in a zip lock bag in all your luggage.

Bring a notebook (preferably a pocket sized moleskin). You will need also a pen. In that book write:
all your flight and transfer details
your telephone number
your itinerary
in case of emergency information
your home country's embassy or consulate information
words and phrases you might pick up along the way
hotel details
and many more things that you will, for sure, you dont want to keep in a device that runs out
of batteries.

Comfortable shoes. Yes. Fashion comes after function when travelling. Always. Now, some people might
find this crazy because they've been told to travel in fashion - my point is, when you're not coming home
to your own house later today, consider fashion after function. And besides, you can always be fashionable
and still have function before it.

Here are a few other items that you must always have with you before you go out into the world.

- Flashlight (LED is preferred, the smaller the better)
- Pen (Pencil preferred)
- Sunglasses (always, no matter where you are going)
- Needle and thread kit (you will love yourself for having this when you find yourself needing it)
- Any variant of dizziness pills, antihistamines, pain killer (not too much or else you'll be in trouble)
- a light good book
- zip lock bags
- poncho
- multi took kit (avoid the ones with large knives)
- snack bars
- bottled water (always purchase one after security at the airport - remember those guys who
got stuck on the plane)


These are items on top of the common sense and general things that you want to carry with you like
extra underwear and socks, a travel pillow (optional), camera(s) etc.

(--- insert more here)

Travelling abroad is always supposed to be fun but it doesn't have to always be a hassle. When you're
prepared, you are less stressed. Always employ a checklist and start one weeks in advance of a trip.
When you walk into a building, always be aware of the orientation of the building (NEWS-North, East, West, South)
Always look for the nearest exit. Find the closest restrooms. Try to pack light and pack prepared.

You don't have to overdo your preparation. 99% of the time, it will be uneventful.