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Welcome Signs Words

"To laugh often and much... to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children . . . to leave the world a better place. . . & to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived...

This is to have succeeded
."

my random thoughts...

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Out on a LIMBO

MANILA, Philippines—I think I can be guilty most times of being an emotional fence sitter, racking up mileage points to and from my trips to limbo. It was easier earlier on in life, using pure idealism to propel me forward in making decisions, the world, being black and white through a teenager’s eyes was so much easier to make my oyster, or at least I thought. Adulthood and coming to terms with emotional upheavals slowly brought in more color, and definitely more static. So, finding clarity when lost in a feelings fog can make one reluctant to leave the limbo terminal. Not knowing the beginning or the end of what you’re going through can sometimes be extremely peaceful, as paradoxical as that sounds, it’s like being a permanent resident of Switzerland during the World War. It’s a neither here nor there Neverneverland and numbs the pain of having to choose one over the other. Ignorance is bliss, and limbo is bliss at its best.

There are of course, advantages and major disadvantages of being in this state. One thing that could be considered a pro is that it actually gives you some time to think and reflect. Honestly, like when you are unsure if your flight is leaving on time or is delayed you then surrender to the fact that you have to sit down or walk around lost in as many distractions as you can possible come up with. In come the scenarios swimming in your head, all the possible wonderful endings and all the disastrous ones, in fact, it becomes a mental Choose Your Own Adventure, and the best part about it is that the ending can change over and over again. That’s the fun part about being in limbo (OK, fun is relative) you allow yourself a certain amount of detachment in order to play and replay scenes from your life and permit yourself to rebook your destination, if at least, in an imaginary outcome atlas, with no hidden fees and surcharges. You become audience to your drama, so in that aspect, limbo rocks.

Another plus about limbo is that it allows reassessment, and for some, the chance to be vulnerable. Vulnerability is often scowled upon as a weakness, when the truth be told, showing vulnerability gives others a chance to help, when they would normally be turned away out of pride. There is no shame in admitting you need help, no one is expected to be strong day in and day out, and when the winds of confusion set in leaving us helpless in the hands of what we cannot control then humility takes over as well. We then learn that although we have to make decisions on our own, there are many around us who will help us ’til it’s time for that decision to be made, who act as support, sounding boards, sometimes even a shoulder to cry on or an understanding ear. We all crave definition in everything from our TV sets to our own lives but first we have to surf through our experiential channels in order to get the best reception, and this takes time. Limbo gives us a timeout and eventually a way out.

So on your way to destination definition, enjoy a couple of stopovers in limboland.


By Katrina A. Holigores
Inquirer

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

I read this somewhere...

How is one to live a moral and compassionate existence when one is fully aware of the blood, the horror inherent in life, when one finds darkness not only in one's culture but within oneself?

If there is a stage at which an individual life becomes truly adult, it must be when one grasps the irony in its unfolding and accepts responsibility for a life lived in the midst of such paradox.

One must live in the middle of contradiction, because if all contradiction were eliminated at once, life would collapse. There are simply no answers to some of the great pressing questions. You continue to live them out, making your life a worthy expression of leaning into the light.

Dorothy Thompson once said:

Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding; and that there is always tomorrow.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Blog Away...

It makes me feel good everytime I influence another "soul" to blog. It actually means that my own "blogs" are read, and that the very reasons why I blog make sense to some people - enough to encourage them to create their own blogs as well! =)

I guess if you do something with such passion, the energy does rub off on people. =)

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Weekend Hassles

The weekend has been pretty tough. Aside from the fact that "EGAY" did not leave without goodbye as he obviously made his presence felt around the metro (for the last time....) with all the rains and floods, family members have been falling ill.

For one I am still recuperating from cough and colds, and then my nephew (Nirro) had this toothache which led to having swollen gums and another nephew (cousin's son) having tonsilitis. Then my Mom's sugar count dropping so low it gave her chills and made her feel so sluggish... Then the unexpected fever of Nirro awhile ago which really turned things around...

We were at the supermarket doing groceries when he complained of feeling chilly... and then he was "hot"... we had to hurry up with the groceries and head home... stripped of details, things are under control at the moment, it does help that his mom (my sister) is a doctor but you know, when it's a member of the family getting sick, moreso her only child, she gets panicky.

In the final analysis, it maybe an exhausting day but it makes you feel good somehow... Makes you realize the value of having your "family" around for support...

Friday, August 17, 2007

Egay, etc...

It has been raining again even if "Egay", the storm's name, is leaving the country. Classes have been suspended last night to avoid the "delayed" announcement which the DepEd has been accused of, over and over as this leaves the students stranded, making things worse for them.

I still have "stuffy" nose and even if I am irritated by it, I can't do anything but bear with the "sneezing" and the "blowing" of my "red nose". Too early for Christmas. hehehe.

Anyway, I got this call to be consultant for the creation of a PHE (read as: Population, Health and Environment) compendium. But the budget's kinda low but it seems a worthwhile thing to do. So, we'll see. =)

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Aaaachooo!!!!

Because of the bad weather the past days, where I got myself wet from the rain in excitement to meet old pals, I came down with, not necessarily the flu, just simple cough and colds this weekend. Was having fever Saturday morning at 38 degrees Celsius and a terrible headache! not to mention my sinus aching so bad!

Anyway, I logged in the net once in a while yesterday and went to bed early... skipped eating except breakfast and here I am now. Had "arroz caldo" my mom prepared for me last night, which I failed to eat then, and took my meds. Hopefully, I feel better later. =)

Nobody likes being sick. Aaachooo!!!

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Last Day.

Today was the last day of their training (media friends) and so I had to see those coming from Sultan Kudarat. They were the ones I was supposed to meet last time (Monday evening...) but change of plans and I met with the others instead. I met Gina, Gary and Allan early morning for coffee at where else? Starbucks. =)

It was really good seeing them again, and as I posted the other day, these people have become my friends I couldn't help but care and look after their well being. It's just that they have worked so hard and dedicated much of their time doing RH/PopDev advocacy you couldn't help but be proud of these people and think of ways to sustain their initiatives and their group's existence.

These are good people working with good intentions, and the thought that they may get exploited breaks my heart. They deserve better. And damn, they deserve it now.



Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Bad Weather. Bad Timing.

Oh yeah, I know we need the rain and all that. But why does it have to happen now? Why this week when media friends are here in town? =(

It's not like they're here every so often and they come from all over the Philippines - Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. This wet and cold weather is the kind that makes you want to stay indoors. ANd I don't want to stay indoors. I want to go out and meet these people and spend as much time with them as I could. You know, in the process of doing the project with the UNFPA, these people have become so close to me and friendship has been established. And it's one treasure I hold so dearly in my heart. Anyway, I did meet some of them last time and here are some snapshots. (posted this as well in the media blog...)

That's Me and Ed General from Radyo ng Bayan - Jolo, Sulu...

Now that's EV Espiritu of Inquirer North Luzon (Based in Baguio City) and Cecil Abuy of RPN 9 Zamboanga, and coordinator for Tawi-Tawi.

And that's Papa Roy Calvo of Radyo ng Bayan-Borongan, Eastern Samar and Frank Cimatu, also from Inquirer-North Luzon (Baguio City).

Hopefully, I will be meeting the media from Sultan Kudarat later. The storm is getting in the way that I failed to meet with them yesterday. Bad Weather. Bad Timing.

Friday, August 03, 2007

VisualDNA

See the new add-on in my sidebar? =) Stumbled upon this site where you get to choose froma variety of visual images to answer a question. At the end of that "test", you get that "visualDNA" whose code can be embedded in a post or as one of the page elements of your site. Pretty Neat huh? =)

World's Largest Countries (by land mass)

  1. Russia 17,075,400 sq km, (6,592,812 sq miles)
  2. Canada 9,330,970 sq km, (3,612,187 sq miles)
  3. China 9,326,410 sq km, (3,600,927 sq miles)
  4. United States 9.166,600 sq km, (3,539,224 sq miles)
  5. Brazil 8,456,510 sq km, (3,265,059 sq miles)
  6. Australia 7,617,930 sq km, (2,941,283 sq miles)
  7. India 2,973,190 sq km, (1,147,949 sq miles)
  8. Argentina 2,736,690 sq km, (1,056,636 sq miles)
  9. Kazakhstan 2,717,300 sq km, (1,049,150 sq miles)
  10. Sudan 2,376,000 sq km, (917,374 sq miles)


SOURCE: http://www.cylist.com/List/400300113/