Happy New Year!!!

The year is almost over...

I wish for more love, prosperity and peace of mind and heart...

Have a great year ahead everyone!

To live... To Love... To lose...

I woke up at the loud sound of thunder and the heavy pouring of the rain. I was caught in surprise and even got confused if a storm was coming. That didn't last long though. I find it odd that just the other day, I remember feeling the hot rays of the sun. And the heat it made me feel was real and unmistakable.

At one point I had to run and seek the shade under the tree. Otherwise, I would have burned.

Strange but true. Weird and mysterious.

Now, as I look outside the window, the sky seemed dark and gloomy.

Normally at this hour, I see the sun shining so bright.

I believe it's NOT showing up today.

I can't help but sigh and find myself in deep thought. After awhile, a weak smile managed to emerge on my face. These things I could never fully understand.

Things change. Nothing quite depicts that the way weather does.



Aleta/2004

Coffee...

Life is like having a cup of coffee. You sit by the window, lift the cup and take a sip... only to realize that somebody forgot to put the sugar.

Too lazy to go for it, you somehow struggle through that sugarless cup until you discover undissolved sugar crystals at the bottom. That's how life is, we sometimes forget to make an effort to value what is around us.

Look around... maybe the sweetness you are looking for is closer than you think.

Start your day right.
Flash a smile.
Have your coffee.
Make it sweet...

Points to Ponder

As you grow up, you learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love.

So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

Post-Halloween Fever....

Yeah.. I know halloween's over but I just think these pics are cute I had to blog it... hehehe

BREAKTIME...

A first-grade teacher, Ms Neelam was having trouble with one of her students. The teacher asked,"Boy, what is your problem?"

Boy answered, "I'm too smart for the first-grade. My sister is in the third-grade and I'm smarter than she is! I think I should be in the third-grade too!"

Ms. Neelam had enough. She took the boy to the principal's office. While the boy waited in the outer office, the teacher explained to the principal what the situation was. The principal told Ms Neelam he would give the boy a test, and if he failed to answer any of his questions he was to go back to the first-grade and behave. She agreed. Boy was brought in and the conditions were explainedto him and he agreed to take the test.

Principal: "What is 3 x 3?"

Boy: "9".

Principal: "What is 6 x 6?"

Boy: "36".

And so it went with every question the principal thought a third-grade should know. The principal looks at Ms. Neelam and tells her, "I think the Boy can go to the third-grade."Ms. Neelam says to the principal, "I have some of my own questions. Can I ask him ?" The principal and the boy both agree.

1. Ms. Neelam asks, "What does a cow have four of that Ih ave only two of?

Boy, after a moment "Legs."

2. Ms. Neelam: "What is in your pants that you have but Ido not have?"

Boy: "Pockets."

3. Ms. Neelam: What starts with a C and ends with a T, is hairy, oval, delicious and contains thin whitish liquid?

Boy: Coconut

4. Ms. Neelam: What goes in hard and pink then comes out soft and sticky?
The principal's eyes open really wide and before he could stop the answer, Boy was taking charge.

Boy: Bubblegum

5. Ms. Neelam: What does a man do standing up, a womandoes sitting down and a dog does on three legs? The principal's eyes open really wide and before he could stop the answer...

Boy: Shake hands

6. Ms. Neelam: Now I will ask some "Who am I" sort ofquestions, okay?

Boy: Yep.

7. Ms. Neelam: You stick your poles inside me. You tie me down to get me up. I get wet before you do.

Boy: Tent

8. Ms. Neelam: A finger goes in me. You fiddle with me when you're bored. The best man always has me first. The Principal was looking restless, a bit tense and took one large Patiala Vodka peg.

Boy: Wedding Ring

9. Ms. Neelam: I come in many sizes. When I'm not well, I drip. When you blow me, you feel good.

Boy: Nose

10. Ms. Neelam: I have a stiff shaft. My tip penetrates. I come with a quiver.

Boy: Arrow

11. Ms. Neelam: What word starts with a 'F' and ends in 'K' that means lot of heat and excitement?

Boy: Firetruck

12. Ms. Neelam: What word starts with a 'F' and ends in 'K' & if u dont get it u have to use ur hand.

Boy: Fork

13. Ms. Neelam: What is it that all men have one of it's longer on some men than on others, the pope doesn't use his and a man gives it to his wife after they're married?

Boy: SURNAME

14. Ms. Neelam: What part of the man has no bone but has muscles, has lots of veins, like pumping, & is responsible for making love ?

Boy: HEART.

The principal breathed a sigh of relief and said to the teacher,
"Send this Boy to the University, I got the last ten questions
wrong myself!"

this i don't understand...

Do I really have to go just to see if you would follow?


Why do people realize the value of what they have only after they have been lost?

Hawak Kamay...

Minsan madarama mong kay bigat

ng problema...

Minsan mahihirapan ka at masasabing

"di ko na kaya"...

Tumingin ka lang sa langit

Baka sakaling may masumpungan...

O di kaya ako'y tawagin

malalaman mong kahit kailan

Hawak kamay, di kita iiwan

sa paglakbay

Dito sa mundong walang katiyakan

Hawak kamay, di kita bibitawan sa paglalakbay..

Sa mundo ng kawalan...

Minsan madarama mo ang mundo'y

gumuguho sa ilalim ng iyong mga paa

at ang agos ng problema'y tinatangay ka...

Tumingin ka lang sa langit

Baka sakaling may masumpungan

O di kaya ako'y tawagin

malalaman mong kahit kailan

Hawak kamay, di kita iiwan sa paglakbay

Dito sa mundong walang katiyakan

Hawak kamay, di kita bibitawan sa paglalakbay

sa mundo ng kawalan...

Wag mong sabihing nag-iisa ka

Laging isiping may makakasama

Narito ako... Narito ako...

Hawak Kamay...

I can't help it... I am liking this new song written and popularized by this girl from ABS-CBN's Pinoy Dream Academy... the chorus is quite catchy and sweet and sincere... =)

"Hawak Kamay...

Di kita iiwan sa paglakbay...

Dito sa mundong walang katiyakan...

Hawak Kamay...

Di kita bibitawan sa paglalakbay...

Sa mundo ng kawalan..."

It sort of jives with the idea of me creating the blog... you know... this journey we call life...

Oh well, it's a good thing we now have our "power" back... This "Milenyo" storm is one for the books...

Once again, when "nature" strikes, we humans are helpless... I hope people see that there is more to this storm than meets the eye. It sure feels like GOD sending us a very strong message - a wake up call so to speak... whatever the specific message is, I live it up to us "mortals" to discern... very carefully... and to you - my message is - Hawak kamay... di kita iiwan sa paglakbay... dito sa mundong walang katiyakan...Hawak kamay di kita bibitawan sa paglalakbay...sa mundo ng kawalan....

A Special Message...

I believe in happy endings,

I believe in dreams come true.

I believe in LOVE that's meant to fill

Two hearts a lifetime through...

Which is just my way of saying...

I BELIEVE IN ME and YOU.

Keeping the Faith...

Your good heart shall tell you where to go...

Your sharp mind shall tell you how to get there...

and your deep LOVE for GOD shall guide you

on your way...

Hello everyone... as always, it has been very busy and

the coming days are no exception...

What's your excuse?

We always have choices.

If you are not doing something, it's because you are putting energy elsewhere. The question is not: "Why is this impossible?" The question is: What am I unwilling to do?"

When you say: "I'll do this thing. I don't care how hard it is" ---

Life then starts to support you.

So, where's the meaning?

We don't make our lives meaningful with one great deed. We have to see meaning in lots of little deeds, and find connection amongst them.

Being "there" is no better than being "here". If you want to find meaning, you pay attention to the moment- and it's in the moment that you find the rewards.

"Wherever you are, you aren't stuck -

you are a HUMAN BEING, NOT A TREE!"



Culled from: Follow Your Heart by Andrew Matthews

how sweet...

In the early morning,
I'm whispered awake by thoughts of you...

I'm at work,
going through the motions of the day...
but my head is filled with thoughts of you...

I'm running errands,
doing the shoulds and have-to's of life
but my step is light with love for you...

I'm with friends,
talking and laughing,
keeping up with their lives
but my heart beats in anticipation of you.

I'm near sleep,
my body tired from the day
but my mind is dancing
with everything about you...

... and then I wonder ...


Whatever did I used to think about before I spent all my time thinking about you? =)

just a piece of my mind tonight...

Life's been pretty hectic.. but to break the lull in this blog, I have to write something, right? At any rate, the realities everyday are all part of the decisions I take every single moment of my life...

so, what do I really have to share? hmnnn..... I guess Im too tired to really think. I just want to make my presence felt so I had to blog! hahaha.

just a last note before I sleep --- Complacency is the enemy of progress. If you want changes, act now and keep moving...

Tiring, but it's worth it in the end.

INNER PEACE(december 11,2003 7:34pm)

It's not something you can order in, like pizza supreme or a cheeseburger meal. Inner peace happens in small, but extraordinary moments.

Like when you find two (2) matching socks in the dryer or the clothes hamper. Or when your daily expenses matches your daily budget. Or maybe when you've just had the car fixed.

Inner peace is a kind of silence within -

within the bathroom

within the car

within your room

- anywhere you can hide.

People say "No one under the age of thirty (30) has inner peace." After that, they say it comes over you at anytime, like hiccups or deja vu.

Inner peace is as elusive as an ATM passcode..... as mysterious as the buttons on the latest cellphone model..... and as normal as peanut butter...

Perhaps I shouldn't worry about getting it. And I know I'll get it... maybe even sooner.

Emma Goldman sums it up....

"The ultimate end of all revolutionary social change is to establish the sanctity of human life, the dignity and the right of every human being to liberty and well-being."

Sophocles said:

Heaven never helps the man who does not act.

One of the many words of wisdom I put in my heart....

People always blame their circumstances for what they are. Though there are things in life we were born to live in, we have within us the power to make the change. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances that they want. And if they can't find them, they make them...


From James Allen: Every man is where he is by the law of his being. The thoughts which he has built into his character have brought him there, and in the arrangement of his life, there is no element of chance but all is a result of a law which cannot err.

Great Men and Little Men

Point to Ponder:

The real difference between men is energy. A strong will, a settled purpose and an invincible determination can accomplish almost anything; and on these things lie the distinction between GREAT MEN and LITTLE MEN.

The truth is, "MAN" is a short term for HUMANKIND. As a result of patriarchal society, we use "MAN" to refer to both male and female. So to clarify, this piece of thought does not only refer to the male species but to female species as well. The thing is, the "men" of this world, unscrupulously monopolized the term to refer only to males.

Lesson Number Two: ALL MAN ARE CREATED EQUAL. This means ALL HUMAN BEINGS, regardless of gender. Our differences has nothing to do with gender, but mainly because of one's CHARACTER.

Great Men and Little Men... it's up to you where you want to belong...

CHEERS

Excerpts from the theme song of the classic "Cheers" sitcom (in Boston, MA):

Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name
And they're always glad you came....
You wanna go where people know
Where troubles are all the same....
You wanna go where everybody knows your name....

Coffee at Starbucks... hmnnnn

Lucky day at Starbucks... The corner with two couches is empty. It's now my nook. And so I settle in, one leg crossed under the other... Nothing fancy today really...just me and my coffee keeping me company...I lean back and sip my grande mocha frappuccino...

And then, MAGIC happens...

My mind becomes a maze of exciting ideas. My heart beats fast and yet I feel serene...Something stirs inside me, a good blend of ideas and intuition mixed together. And, its happened before, this state of mind. Deja vu? Nope. But it sure feels like one. I wonder when was the last time I had this giddy feeling?

... last week when I found a copy of a song I really like...

... seeing my nephew smile so brightly when he figures out the computer game he was playing...

... the day I got my starbucks planner.......

... when I changed my bed sheets with newly laundered ones...

... and the list goes on...

As if prodding, I watch the whole room... There are listeners, and there are talkers. There are some who enjoy the company of silence while there are those who delight in sound. Everyone does their own thing in comfort. Being different by just being themselves. Can they see it too? Can they see it the way I do?Such colorful individuals in the huge canvass that is this coffeehouse. Like little moving paintings surrounding you. If my eyes could only immortalize them on paper for everyone to see...

That's it.

People are here in their favorite everyday moment.Everyone in their different moods; everyone in their comfort zones. Whether alone or with company, whether it's a person or a cup of coffee. In my head, I create their stories, weaving my own tales with theirs; illustrating them with hues that match their mood; locking them in a time capsule inside my head. I am Alice flown away to my own wonderland through these amazing thoughts.

And all these happening while I sit still...with my favorite mocha frappuccino for company.I grin and take another sip and look outside.

I better head home. It's getting late...

Whew...

I know everyone's busy but I'd like to say that I have never been this busy my whole life.. Development work is hard work.. requires dedication and the faith in what you do.. Otherwise, what the hell am I doing here right?... It's tiring physically, emotionally and mentally... You have to stay sharp and alert... You can't miss an opportunity in this very gruesome advocacy that we do.

Oh well, I do get tired.. My body can only take on too much...

I just needed a break I had to blog this. Haha.

Psychoanalysis

What distinguishes a suggestion from other kinds of psychical influence, such as a command or the giving of a piece of information or instruction, is that in the case of a suggestion, an idea is aroused in another person's brain which is not examined in regard to its origin but is accepted just as though it had arisen spontaneously in that brain. - Sigmund Freud

Passage Song of Solomon 4

Generally, talking about sex and sexual desire is simply "taboo" or "bastos". We were conditioned to feel like this from the very day we were born and most of us accepted it, while some defy it within the confines of their own world. Progressive thinkers have started challenging these things, and I join them in doing so. With the Catholic Church's strong opposition to sexuality education on the basis solely of their conservative views,or should I say denial of reality, and the recent pastoral letter on how the family is under siege, it all boils down to how they want people to feel strongly against "SEX" for all intents and purposes. I do resent that. One of my fascinating discoveries is knowing that the BIBLE itself, the basis of all religion, Catholicism included, talks about the existence of sexual longing and desire. I repeat, the BIBLE. Read on...


Song of Solomon 4

Lover

1 How beautiful you are, my darling!
Oh, how beautiful!
Your eyes behind your veil are doves.
Your hair is like a flock of goats
descending from Mount Gilead.

2 Your teeth are like a flock of sheep just shorn,
coming up from the washing.
Each has its twin;
not one of them is alone.

3 Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon;
your mouth is lovely.
Your temples behind your veil
are like the halves of a pomegranate.

4 Your neck is like the tower of David,
built with elegance;
on it hang a thousand shields,
all of them shields of warriors.

5 Your two breasts are like two fawns,
like twin fawns of a gazelle
that browse among the lilies.

6 Until the day breaks
and the shadows flee,
I will go to the mountain of myrrh
and to the hill of incense.

7 All beautiful you are, my darling;
there is no flaw in you.

8 Come with me from Lebanon, my bride,
come with me from Lebanon.
Descend from the crest of Amana,
from the top of Senir, the summit of Hermon,
from the lions' dens
and the mountain haunts of the leopards.

9 You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride;
you have stolen my heart
with one glance of your eyes,
with one jewel of your necklace.

10 How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride!
How much more pleasing is your love than wine,
and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice!

11 Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb, my bride;
milk and honey are under your tongue.
The fragrance of your garments is like that of Lebanon.

12 You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride;
you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain.

13 Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates
with choice fruits,
with henna and nard,

14 nard and saffron,
calamus and cinnamon,
with every kind of incense tree,
with myrrh and aloes
and all the finest spices.

15 You are a garden fountain,
a well of flowing water
streaming down from Lebanon.

Beloved

16 Awake, north wind,
and come, south wind!
Blow on my garden,
that its fragrance may spread abroad.
Let my lover come into his garden
and taste its choice fruits.

Now, after reading that, who do you think are sinners? People who recognize the truth about themselves and their sexuality, or those who distort the truth and deny us of knowing what we need to know?

Blog Mania

Ever since the idea of advocating through blogs dawned on me, it seems I couldn't stop... =)

I am currently developing a blog for the project I have been working on for the past year, and I am excited to launch it to my fellow advocates under my team...

Hopefully, through that blog, our RH advocacy reaches as many people as possible...

The wonders of technology... =)

Indulgence everyone....

You have to forgive me for using a pseudoname. You see, when I first learned about blogging, I couldn't imagine myself writing about myself and my thoughts and sharing them in the WWW-world wide web. Some things are just too personal to let the whole world know. My foremost concern was to avoid vulnerability as one's strengths and weaknesses are revealed through their writings. Oh no, I'm not about to show how vulnerable I can be. Not me...

But then, doing what I do, I saw the worth of blogging in putting forward my advocacy. I told myself that blogging my thoughts on certain issues and concerns can be beneficial and advantageous in spreading my ideas; or even just to spark the minds of curious readers. Opening one's mind to the ideas and knowledge I came to realize and will come to possess is enough to convince me to engage in blogging.

I'm a development worker, and I do advocacy on a matter that is highly controversial - Reproductive Health. Such profound concept considered in a country who claims to be very much Catholic as bordering to sacrilege, with the issues of sex, gender and violence all intertwined. How "holy" this country is...

To all of you out there, I don't have the luxury of time to always "blog" my own thoughts but I will make it a point to post matters and issues that would challenge the principles we were born to believe in. I am sure most of you have found yourselves frustrated and feeling betrayed by certain situations in your life when things you have always believed in suddenly turns out to be untrue.

It is my aim to open your eyes and encourage you to "think outside the box". And by this, I do not mean to instigate rebellion, I just intend to put into practice the basic exercise of freewill. I do not mean to deviate from religion as well, in fact, this is very much a mission in trying to defend and reclaim my religion, whose supremacy was monopolized by those who managed to instill in history their infallability.

Our God will never discriminate. The true giver of unconditional love, He gave us the best gift that separates us from animals and beasts. The gift of freewill.

Lesson number one: Exercise it. Use your freewill.

From hereon, join me in my journey to what life is truly about...

Agony of a Gnostic

By KSRA

It makes no sense
all those symbols
rituals,
gone awry
why take
a blessing
from someone
unworthy ?
his hands are dirty
by association,
his mind
even dirtier,
through confession

Compassion knows
no native soil
it sprouts
in unlikely potholes
and
grows
in between
barren rock
amid
the stoic faces
of saints
in the blank
stares
of devotees
perhaps
not nurtured
but
chanced upon

"Gnostic" - relating to, or possessing intellectual or spiritual knowledge; Late Latin Gnsticus, a Gnostic, from Late Greek Gnstikos, from Greek gnstikos, concerning knowledge, from gnsis, knowledge.
[American Heritage Dictionary 2000]

Blasphemy...

Thus it has been said, 'All great truth begins as blasphemy'. The first blasphemy is that God would speak to humans at all in this day and age. The second blasphemy is that God demands nothing of humans. The third blasphemy is that God and humans are One. The fourth and greatest blasphemy – the statement that will be the hardest for humans to accept – is that many of the most sacred beliefs of human beings are fallacies. They are simply false. False beliefs create mental constructions that do not serve you."

Neale Donald Walsch
The New Revelations: A Conversation with God