Cheapo

I'm cheap.

Hindi naman kami ganon kayaman. Tama lang and nakakaranas din kami ng mga crisis sa pera. Pinalaki kami nang hindi sumosobra kung ano ang kaya namin. Maaga pa e pinamukha na sa amin na hindi namin kayang bilhin ang lahat ng gusto namin. To this, I must say na naging mabuti ang mga magulang namin.

Nakapag-DLSU ako at lahat kaming magkakapatid e nakapaguniversity naman. Dahil sa paghihirap ng dad ko at pagbubudget ng mom ko, lahat ng priorities ay napagtutuunan naman ng pansin.

Enough of my cheapo history. Heto, nanalo na naman ako sa Jam 88.3! Haha talagang naghanda ako for this day. And I won this:


Hindi ako agad nagdinner para lang matiyempuhan yung cue na kailangan ko nang magtext. Medyo nahirapan din ako na magisip ng icocomment ko sa album ni Maria Mena kasi siyempre, kailangan pa-impress pero hindi dapat masyadong halata hehe. Dapat din pala na may pagkaheartfelt yung comment mo para mas natural kaya ang sabi ko, "Maria Mena sings like your bestfriend. From the soothing voice to the honest lyrics that never fail to touch your heart, she is truly a rare gem like a friend." Mejo corny no? Pero okay lang, panalo naman e.

Paborito ko kasi yung kanta niya na Never Mind Me. Pwede kong ulit-ulitin ng sampung beses tong kanta niya dahil sobrang nagagandahan ako sa lyrics at melody. Apparently, affected ako sa bawat kanta niya kaya nagtiyaga talaga akong hintayin yung segment ni Lana para lang malaman kung ano gagawin para makuha yung CD niya. Try niyo:


Sa bahay, wala pa sa sampu ang mga original cds. Kung hindi pinaburn e pirated ang mga yun. Mahal kasi yung original kaya sa pagkapanalo ko nito, dagdag na sa mga orig ang cd nato. Last Friday, nakuha ko na yung gift certificate at comic book na napalunan ko din sa Jam. Haha nakakatuwa naman.

So ayun. Cheapo talaga ako. Kumakain ako kahit san tsaka mahilig din ako sa ukay. Ang phone ko? Nung third year college pa ko. Mahilig din ako sa 3-in-1 na kape, kumain ng complete na burger sa hepa lane sa morayta at kumain ng fish balls dun. Hindi rin kami nakacable. Kaya nagtitiyaga na lang ako sa mga pirated na dvd para mapanood ung mga palabas sa US na gusto kong panoorin. Hindi rin kami nagpapacarwash. Kami-kami lang naglilinis ng sasakyan namin.

Nangangarap din naman ako na mamuhay ng mas masagana pa dito pero, tska na. Marami pa kong dapat na pagdaanan at paggastusan na mas importante. Wala pakong karapatan na mamuhay marangya kasi wala pa naman akong nararating. Pero heto ang malinaw, I won't work forever as a nurse. I'll put up a business and come up with a better plan than my dad. Nakikita ko kasi na dad is working really realy hard when in fact, you can do otherwise but still have all your needs answered.

Sa ngayon, masaya naman ang maging cheapo. Cheapo sa ilang bagay dahil kapag sa mas mahahalagang bagay, hindi kami nagtitipid. Nakakakuha naman ako ng mga bagay na gusto ko sa mas murang paraan, minsan, libre pa nga.

Nga pala, salamat ulit JAM 88.3 at sayo Lana!

Nakakainis

kasi aalis na si Pao papuntang TT, as in Trinidad and Tobago and God knows kung kelan mabubuo ulit ang tropa;

kasi uuwi na si May papuntang Isabela at matatagalan ulit bago siya makita;

kasi isa palang ang nagtatrabaho samin bilang tunay na nars;

kasi namimiss ko na ang tropa ko mula nung second year college hanggang ngayon kahit magkasama palang kami kanina;

kasi nakakamiss yung mga pinagsamahan namin nung college at yung ngayon;

kasi nakakamiss ang mga baon na pagkain ni Pat;

kasi nakakamiss ang pangungulit ni Chic;

kasi nakakamiss yung mga mata ni Isabel na may bahid ng kalokohan at kabutihan;

kasi nakakamiss yung natatanging boses ni May;

kasi nakakamiss yung mga kuwento ni Donna at ang kanyang tawa;

kasi nakakamiss yung ka-sweeetan nina Ann at Xtian;

kasi nakakamiss yung mga kanta ni Pao pati na rin ang kanyang pagsayaw;

kasi nakakamiss yung pang-aapi namin kay Isabel na laging game at hindi napipikon;

kasi nakakamiss yung mga libreng Mcflurry at Coke Float ni Pao;

kasi nakakamiss yung pagvivideoke lalo na sa Platinum pagkatapos ng Community;

kasi nakakamiss yung pag-inom habang todo-bigay sa pagkanta sa Platinum;

kasi nakakamiss yung pagpasa ng microphone para makakanta lahat sa videoke;

kasi nakakamiss yung asaran sa kung sino ang may pinakamataas na videoke grade;

kasi nakakamiss yung pag-alala kay Sir Caranguian ng Lit sa kanyang pagtuturo at pagpapatawa;

kasi nakakamiss yung mga nabokya kami sa exams sa Primary Health Care;

kasi nakakamiss yung paggawa ng Nursing Care Plans na minsan e palpak na simula sa assessment;

kasi nakakamiss yung mga antics ni MJ, the Super Boy at ang kanyang pambihirang costume;

kasi nakakamiss yung paggaya ni Pao kay Golem at ang pagsasaksakan nina Ann at Xtian para sa demo sa speech;

kasi nakakamiss yung paglibot ng Cornbits na blue sa buong klase habang hindi mapigilang magpunas ng ilong sa pag-eepistaxis sa mga tinuturo ni Sir Physics (?) sa kanyang klase sa SB 304;

kasi nakakamiss yung pag-oovernight kina Gretch para lang makagawa ng mga charts at table para sa CDX;

kasi nakakamiss yung pagpasok sa mga klase na wala pang tulog gawa ng paggawa ng CDX;

kasi nakakamiss yung nagkagrade kami ng 65 dahil hindi pa tapos ung spot map namin;

kasi nakakamiss yung paglibot sa buong Brgy. Parada ng Sta. Maria, Bulacan para magsurvey;

kasi nakakamiss magRLE;

kasi nakakamiss magPhysics kahit 20/100 ang grade namin lagi sa quizzes;

kasi nakakamiss pumasok sa FEU;

at higit sa lahat, nakakamiss yung pagsasamahang walang katulad (parang SMB lang) na tunay na humihigit sa pagsasamahan ng magkakapatid.





Mga KATROPA, mahal ko kayo at naiinis ako dahil hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko na lumuha sa magkahalong tuwa at pangungulila sa inyo.

Alam ko, magkikita-kita pa ulit tayo. Baka sa US nga lang o sa planeta ni May. Haha

God's Sense of Humor

I was whining few days ago about how hopeless my situation as a nurse or a college graduate; but here now, I am perplexed of which way to go.

Today, I was not thinking about being choice-less with my life as I have resolved to myself that it will come. My patience has somehow turned into a see-saw pattern that sometimes, I lose it but other times, it overshadows my anxiety.

I have talked to a friend who is waiting for her student visa in Australia. She'll go to a university and study again taking up a business course (FYI: She just passed the Nurses' Licensure Examination last December 2007). I asked her about the process of applying for the visa and she promised that she will mail the details to me once she gets her visa. Now, it seems that my parents are willing to spend a lot of money so I can go to Australia and start my career there. It seems logical for them that with this choice, I am able to bring my family there in no time. Besides, they are really in love with the country as both have been there for quite some time. For me, this is a tempting choice.

Another option for me is to take the NCLEX examination. The American Dream is still alluring for a lot of Filipinos just like me but the things is, the environment and the situation of the US has been unhealthy for a lot of people. With me, I can take the exam but I am just not sure if I am really that prepared. I have been reading books and listening to mp3 lectures as I also answer practice questions. Results of the practice questions are pretty decent and deep inside of me; I feel that I can make it with proper concentration. So tomorrow, I am in search for review centers. The only problem that I see here is that it may conflict with another option that I have- the employment in Egypt.

For five months now, I have been waiting for my working visa to be issued and until now, it has not been granted. Another batch of nurses are to be deployed this August 5 and the office assured us that we will surely be deployed ( by late August according to them) as well since they will be interviewing another batches of nurses for work. So there, three of us are left behind here in the Philippines. Question is when will this visa be released? I may waste a lot of time again by waiting for it and yet, I am hesitant to engage in another endeavor.

Time and again, my fear for making decisions has constantly played a part in me. I am about to make a decision for which it will surely change my life. Honestly, I am afraid of making a mistake or to say the least, making a decision. I know I must face this or I'll perish (figuratively and literally).

God certainly has a sense of humor. From being choice-less to perplexed with what to choose.

Thank God!

Nagkausap na kami ng parents ko. Somehow, lumiwanag ang isip ko. Ang ganda lang ng pakiramdam kasi alam mo, hindi ka nila minamadali. Walang pressure. They fully support you because they also understand my situation.

Nagmessage nako sa Friendster niya mismo. I just hope he answers. Nanghihinayang din ako sa pinagsamahan namin.

Benj, Banjo, Lein and Poan, thank you so much for listening to me. You are truly precious in my life. Salamat talaga. Kaluguran da kayu.ú

I know God will not forsake me. Just lead me Lord to whatever plans You have. Use me to whatever purpose You desire for me.

Eight Days to Go!

People, pwede niyo bang sabihin saken kung gano kahirap magreply sa email when in every other two days or so, nakakapaglog ka sa friendster?

I just find it odd dahil after all ng pinagsamahan sa pag-aayos ng papers, ganon na lang ba? Dahil nauna ka saken dun e kakalimutan mo na ko? Siguro karma to gawa ng pagsabi ko sa kanya dati na huwag na siyang magreply sa isang kakilala na naging prof ko naman sa school. Pano ba naman tong si prof, inaaway tong kasama ko e di siyempre mas logical na huwag nang pansinin si prof. Pero ba't ganun? Wala naman akong naalalang ginawang masama sa kanya para di siya sumagot saken.

Nagcocomment naman ako sa Friendster niya pero di pa rin siya sumasagot saken. Hay. I guess people are being people- insensitive at downright blunt. Well, ako to. Malay natin busy siya pero pwede rin sa kanya kung tama nga na nakalimutan na niya ako. Anyway, I am keeping my faith till August. I still have eight days to go to decide kung ipu-pursue ko pa ang Egypt. I'm sorry God if lumilitaw na binibigyan kita ng deadline. Kaso kasi, I feel na ang dami kong nasasayang na time.

Sexy!

Share ko lang tong text message na pinadala saken ni cams.

Kung magkakasexy movie ka, anong title ang gusto mo? Pili na!

1. Ang Kati ng Higad Mo

2. Napagod ang Bunganga sa Laki ng Tilapia

3. Ulo Pa Lang, Ulam Na

4. Gising na si Adan

5. Pasalat ng Peklat

6. Bubudburan Ko ng Niyog ang Mainit mong Pichi-pichi

7. Lawayan Mo Baka Mausog

8. Kapag Gumabi, Bumubuka ang Kabibe

9. Wag Mong Kamayin, Baka Mapanis

10. Nang Binuklat ang Aklat ni Isabel

11. Damang-dama Ko ang Galit Mo

12. Nang Tumapon ang Nata ni Cocoy

13. Langitngit ng Papag

Haha. Enjoy!

Umaaraw Umuulan!

Ang sarap ulitin ng kantang to.

Sige matutulog na muna ako. Kahit papano, bumuti na rin yung nararamdaman ko. Sana bukas iba naman ang maging kinalabasan. Goodnight! Heto yung kanta, Umaaraw Umuulan ng Rivermaya. Bye!

My Prayer

God,

I know that I don't have to question You on what You want for my life for eveything is under Your control. You are my Father and with that knowledge, there is no reason for me to doubt Your capabilities. But God, my imperfection and frailty as a human are taking their toll on me.

Forgive me Father for I know I should be more trusting and faithful to You. With You by my side, all is perfect in Your plans and timing. Again, forgive me Father.

As my Lord and Savior, I know that You never fail to bless us. Thank You for You have continually blessed our family with abundance that is immeasurable in human terms. Thank You for keeping us safe and healthy. Thank You for giving us the chance to feel Your majesty with all of Your creations.

Thank You Lord for You are so patient with me. I have failed You so many times. I keep on stumbling with my faith but Your embrace and voice just keeps me alive. Thank You Lord that even though I am not feeling well right now, You are there to be with me, to take my pain and comfort me. You know that I have been restless and anxious the past few days and somehow, I always fail to keep my promise to never doubt You. But then, thank You still for I know You never fail. Thank You for Your plans are better than my plans and Your time is always perfect. Thank You for You never grant the immaturity of my wishes. Thank You for You always know what is best for me and my family.

Lord, I just pray that You continue to bless my family, relatives and friends safety, peace and good health. I know that much of what we pray for You are based on how we view life and so help us to view life as You would want us to.

Give me strength Father, for I am about to give up and break down. Mold me O Lord and make me. I sincerely ask for Your guidance and total control of my life. I pray that I may never lose hope and sight in Your plans for me.

I pray O Lord to continue Your lordship on me. Thank You O Lord. I pray all of these to my one and only Savior and friend, Jesus. Amen

Oo ALam Ko!

Hay ba't ganon ang buhay?!

Five months na at ganon pa rin- naghihintay! Hanggang kelan nga ba ko maghihintay? Tsaka, pano ba malalaman kapag kailangan mo nang igive-up ang isang bagay na hindi na darating?

Pano ba masasabi na kailangan nang magmove-on? Sa totoo lang, ang hirap kapag wala kang masagot sa mga tanong na to. This week kasi, nagtext ako sa office kung may nasisilip ba silang pag-asa na aalis pa ko papunta ng Ehipto. At sa awa ng Diyos, wala pa raw silang natatanggap na email na paalisin nako.

Limang buwan. Yes! Tumataginting na limang buwan na ang lumipas nang maisipan kong subukan ang aking kapalaran sa ibang bansa. Ngunit sa mga di inaasahang pagkakataon, napag-iwanan ako kasama ng dalawa pa. Ang lupit di ba? Sana nakaisang buwan nako dun o kaya dalawa pa kung naisama ako sa unang batch. Minsan nga napapraning ako kung dahil ba wala akong experience o kung dahil ba ina-assign ako sa icu kahit walang experience kung kaya't hindi pa nirerelease ang visa ko.

Sa pagkakaalam ko naman, may mga fresh grads na kagaya ko ang nauna na saken kaso sa ward nga lang sila naka-assign. Yup, engrande ang area ko at ewan ko kung tama ba to. Madalas, kinakabahan ako. Kinakabahan kung ano mangyayari saken dun. Aaminin ko, hindi pa ako nakakalabas sa isla ng Luzon! Ibig sabihin, hindi pa rin ako nakakasakay ng eroplano o kaya barko na nagbibiyahe (nakasakay na kasi ako sa MV Doulos). Kaya excited din na kinakabahan.

Kagabi, nagkausap kami ng nanay ko. Nagupdate ako sa kanya na 'yun nga, wala pang balita kung aalis ako. Tinanong niya ko kung ano na balak ko- kung magNNCLEX o ituloy yung trabaho sa abroad. Sabi ko, maghihintay ako hanggang August para sa Egypt. Kung wala, magNNCLEX ako. Pinaka-emphasize ko na I want all options to be explored. With that, bumalik sa usapan ang pagpunta sa Australia. Dati, nagbabalak ang parents ko na pa-aralin ako dun ng three months then I'll be able to work as a nurse dun. So nagIELTS ako which I passed para sa qualifications sa Australia and nag-ayos ng mga requirements. Kapapasa ko pa lang nito at ang tatay ko e nasa Melbourne pa nun so it seemed okay na tumuloy dun. Ang problema at ang pinakamasakit na katotohanan e ang bulok na sistema ng ating gobyerno ang pumigil sa akin sa planong yon. Pano ba naman, 6 months pa ang hihintayin ko bago makuha ang board certificate! (FYI: ang board certificate ay yung document na parang diploma na galing sa PRC)

Naiintindihan ko na sadyang marami ang bilang naming mga nurses na pumasa at sa ginhawa ng tadhana, ang aking napakagandang apelyido e nagsisimula sa letrang 'S.' Kumusta naman, aabutin ng siyam siyam ang paghihintay dahil kailangang mauna pa sa akin ang mga nilalang na may apelyidong nagsisimula sa letrang 'A' hanggang 'R.' Siguro ito ang gusto ng aking kapalaran dahil sa mga ganitong panahon e natapos na ang kontrata ng aking mahal na ama at kinailangan na niyang umuwi dito sa Pinas. Nangangahulugan lamang na wala na akong pang-aral sa land down under. In short, change of plans na naman. So NCLEX, ikaw naman ang haharapin ko.

Maximum of six months ang hihintayin. Ito ay para lamang sa eligibility. Bukod dun, gagastos ka na ng mga sampung libo sa pagprocess ng mga papers na ipapadala. Habang naghihintay, review na ang aatupagin ko. At dahil sa mapagbirong tadhana, hindi pa rin makakita ng trabaho si ama kung kaya't naisipan kong mag-apply na sa mga hospitals sa Manila at Pampanga para naman e hindi na ako maging pabigat sa bahay. Ayun, apply lang ng apply hanggang nagsawa kami ni Sheng sa kaka-apply. Putik, wala man lang tumatawag samen! Haha nakakatawa dahil kung sino man ang nagsabi na naghihintay ang trabaho para sa amin ni Sheng na may parehong karangalan nung nakatapos ng kolehiyo ay mali sila.

Fast forward sa year 2008 (kasi mga bandang August 2007 lahat nagstart ang pag-aapply sa Ausralia). Wala pa ring tumatawag! This time din, nakaka-ilang buwan na rin ung mga pinadala naming documents para sa NCLEX. Siyet, ang hirap na ng sitwayon ng mga nurses dito sa Pinas! (Alam niyo na kung bakit based sa previous posts ko.) So being the resourceful that I am, naghanap ako sa Manila Bulletin ng mga job openings. Minsan, si dad din ang naghahanap for me until nga na masumpungan ang sa Egypt. Pasok ako sa requirements kaya yun, nagpasa ako. After a month, tinawagan ako for interview sa March 28 at naranasan ko ang unang job interview na parang hindi. Kasi, ung Egyptian na nag-interview, sinammurize lang yung laman ng contract. At bilang si desperado at hayok sa magandang pagkakataon, pumirma ako agad. In a week, nakapagfile ako ng mga documents na kailangan.

After a month, okay na lahat incuding the medical exam. After a month, isa pang month, isa pang month, isa pang month at isa pang month. Ganun na, wala nang nagbago. Naghihintay pa rin ako. Next week, umaasa ako na may magtext sa akin na narelease na ang visa ko. Pano naman, matatapos na ang July! Ang huling sabi kasi sakin, baka daw by end of July since kami nalang ang napag-iwanan and wala nang iba pa. Kaya daw kailangan na raw nilang mag-interview pa.

Whew. Matagal naba? Sobra na ba? Oo alam ko matagal na. Alam ko rin na kung di ko tinuloy to, baka nagtatraining nako sa Medical City o St Luke's. Alam ko rin na sana USRN na ako ngayon since maayos naman na yung mga requirements ko. Alam ko rin na sana nakapagtrabaho muna ako. Alam ko rin na martyr ako sa paghihintay. Alam ko rin na patient ako after all those years na nagdevelop ang mga muscles ko sa thigh at calf gawa ng mahahabang pila sa FEU at PRC. Alam ko na may pagkadumb na itong decision ko.

Sa lahat ng ito, alam ko kasi na naghintay nako nang ganito katagal at marami na akong pinalagpas na pagkakataon kaya ngayon pa ba ako susuko at bibigay?

Raincoats are for Rainy Days

How often do you watch news and after seeing it, you feel great? Well not often right?

This is somehow the reason why I don't watch news. Much more, watch the soap operas that plague the Philippine TV. I thought it would be more beneficial for me to just lock myself in my own room and read books. Actually, this has been my act for the past few days.

The Philippines is the only Christian country in Asia. True. Is this an advantage? Somehow, it is not if you are going to look at some aspects. Aspects that would show how it curtails certain progress or change.

It is not God who actually restrains changes. It is with people who somehow chose to narrow their minds. The people who have closed their minds to certain possibilities that could result in good.

Christianity should be an advantage for us right? A lot of developed countries are Christian. Catholicism, Protestantism and other religions all play part in the success of a nation.

So what about Christianity and news? It is because of the growing rift between the Catholic Church and the Legislative arm of our government rooted in the passing of the Reproductive Health Bill.

The Catholic Church is in total protest of the passing of the bill because one of the elements of the Bill is Family Planning. With it, the Bill will advocate the use of artificial means of contraception (Examples are condom, pills, etc.) in which the Catholic Church totally dismisses.

According to them, they would still prefer faithfulness and abstinence as top methods. Natural means of contraception would come next.

Excuse me but being a nurse, I know for a fact that the natural means of contraception is not highly effective. It is prone to a lot of errors and inconsistencies for since the body is also inconsistent.

And excuse me again, faithfulness and abstinence? Are you serious? Even Catholic priest are not keen on following these as evidenced by priests having children and worse, family. Recent scandals in Ireland and the U.S. would also point to priests committing homosexual activities in which the Pope himself had asked for apology to the public.

Here, they are trying to preach something of which some of their members cannot even follow. Do they actually believe people can be faithful to their partners or even to their vows of celibacy at all times?

What about threatening these politicians and urging public not to vote them in the next elections? Or the refusal of giving communion to these politicians? Whatever happened to the separation of the state and the church!

Are those not examples of abuse of power? I ask myself, did Jesus abused His authority? Please enlighten me.

If you will read the bill, it is actually comprehensive. I believe it is good and very timely. The bill is not just about artificial means of contraception. It has a lot of good things to offer when implemented properly. It encompasses the whole concept of reproductive health like maternal and child health, adolescent and youth health as well as men's reproductive health. Not to miss is responsible parenthood which I think should be a concern since time immemorial.

You can read the bill here: http://dirp3.pids.gov.ph/population/documents/HB4110.pdf

Rainy days are here again. Meaning cold days are here to stay. Meaning a lot of things can happen.

Raincoats are definitely in!

Green to Green Part III

Extremes. One on the upper level and the other on the lower side. Well, this is just the perception of people who really don't know the people from the two schools.

Coño versus jologs. Sosyal versus pasosyal. Maarte versus barubal. Overrated versus underrated.

These would be the view of many people. It just depends from which spectrum you are looking at.

I say this is purely B.S. To say the least, it is untrue, unfair and hurtful. These words are coming from an Archer turned Tams.

This is how I feel- HURT!

Somehow, this perception has crept into the consciousness of many people.
That the other should be given proper respect while the other left violated.
That the other should never kiss the ground while the other should never look up to the sky.

Let me ask you now, what sets the difference? Or the standard that you should believe and assimilate aforementioned thoughts? Is it the money? The reputation? The image?

Take for example the UAAP referee who got suspended indefinitely for not officiating fairly the game between DLSU and FEU.

Consequently, FEU lost the game. Uninspired and unmotivated with all the crap the referee had given them, they just lost it.

This I say is the real picture of the typical Filipino nowadays. Abused and harmed by a system that only few benefit.

Let me ask you now. Is it because the other one is rich and the other not-so? Or was the referee paid (this is just my theory)?

Is this how trivial the Filipino mind has become? Is this how the character of the average Filipino has become?

Think deeply. Ask with a goal in mind. Break the bondage of stereotypes and lift the cause of those neglected and unrecognized forces that somehow constitute the world as well.

The world is not just green and blue.

Green to Green Part II

Leaving DLSU was one of the most difficult things that I had to do in my entire life. Liberating but depressing. It was like my dreams are now shattered but stood in a new chance for rebirth.

My exodus was made difficult by DLSU and other factors. I had to go on several tests of my character as a person. Delayed grades. Failed subjects. Difficulty in finding the right school that I would like and the school that would accept me. Difficulty with family finances.

By May 2003 and after unsuccessfully finding schools that would accept me, I got to meet former high school classmates. They were studying at FEU then. With their recommendation of FEU, I tried.

I got in. I never experienced hassles. From then on, I never looked back.

Today, I am a registered nurse (but still jobless) and graduated in college with honors. I got new friends whom I know will stay true to me till the end of time. I got memories from here that I will forever cherish. I got to taste life as it is. No sugar-coating and embellishment. No hang-ups and no VIP treatment.

Raw. Realistic. First-hand. Grounded. This has been my life now. Actually, I could not ask for more.

Nevertheless, the "what-ifs" continue to pinch me once in a while.

Now here's the thing. I love these two schools. They compose me. They made me what I am now.

It's just that the image and the reputation of the schools tarnish how the world should be.

Green to Green Part I

I was an Archer. Yes, was is the right term because technically, I was there for only a year.

DLSU was my dream school. After passing the entrance examinations of all schools I applied for, it was no question that I'll go to DLSU. UP, UST and Mapua did not have that inviting prowess that DLSU had at that time. This always gives me conflicting thoughts if it was really a wrong decision or not. I'll talk about this in another post.

It has been five years since I left DLSU. I am a Tamarraw now. Still green though adorned with gold. This has become my color.

Let me talk now about these schools since an incident spurred my interest on writing this piece.

By March of 2002, I was ecstatic that I am going to college. College boy they would call me since they thought I was the most prepared to go to college. I can choose the school I like without having problems. Yeah right.

Come May, I was the earliest one to experience college life. As many would know, DLSU has three terms in one school year.

It made me excited but nervous. Scared. Unsure. Will I fit in? Back in high school, I did okay. I had friends and I can say that I was not a misfit.

Here I went to DLSU and my world started to change.

For one part, the system was great. From the Faculty, facilities, the educational system itself, the ambiance and the feeling were somehow surreal but good for me. Learning was never this exciting I thought.

On the other side, I kinda disliked some people. Those who live up to the name as "coño" and were unafraid of showing to the whole world that they indeed were such.

My classmates were somehow spurious. I mean some of them were not genuine as classmates or friends.

But I found real ones. Deep inside of me, I say that they were more than enough to have than befriend or meet other people at that time.

With my course, I felt tricked. I was not ready that it would be that hard.

And so I had to leave.

Hangganan

Nagbabadya
ang isang rebolusyon
sa
pamamagitan ng
pagbabago.


Yumayakap sa mga
balikat ng tagumpay
ang
mukha ng
pagkapagal.


Humahalik habang
sinasamyo ang
isang
hangin ng
pag-asa.

What's In a Name?

Would you ever want to wake up and go to school even if you know you'll be bullied? Or let's say just doing your own thing but you know, people will laugh at you?

You know that the reason is within you. It defines you. Basically, it's you. Yes, it's you-your name.

Take this for example. There is a great volleyball player in Russia who goes by the name of Semen Poltavsky.



Yes! Believe me. It is really his name! Mind you, he is such a great volleyball player that no words can describe how he hits the ball.

He serves and spikes the ball like there's no tomorrow. Watch this:



Nevertheless, my team for the Gold medal in the coming Beijing Olympics is still BRAZIL.

With his abilities, his name doesn't really matter if it is that horrible. I am just wondering what his parents were thinking when he was born.

Makes me thank my parents for my name.

No Place for Defeatists

I hate weaklings! Particularly, I hate those who wasted great opportunities in their lives.

While watching Pinoy Dream Academy, I could not believe how people throw the opportunity that will never come again in their lives.

Is it because you miss your family? You can't stand the pressure? Guilty of leaving your loved ones?

You should have thought about those before you decided to join. A lot of deserving people are waiting for this chance. Many would do anything just to be in your position.

It sucks because you are so selfish. You could have given the chance to other people.

We don't need people who are weak inside. Stand up for you are all grown up. Be strong for nobody said that life will be easy.
**********************************************************************

Randomness Part II

**********************************************************************

People are now texting me if I was the Charltoninho who wrote a letter to Ms. Susan Ople of the Manila Bulletin about jobless nurses.

Well, it was me. Somehow, I was afraid. Afraid that I might not represent my fellow nurses rightly.

All was changed when my friends told me that it was good. Some told me that it deserved a front page.

A lot of people also sent their sentiments in support of my letter to Ms. Susan.

Wow. This is great, I think. I just hope that it will reach the people who should really respond to this situation.

**********************************************************************

I miss my college friends.

My A23 friends, BSN 722 friends and from the other sections.

I wish that all of us be successful.

**********************************************************************

I won again. Yes, I won again at a radio contest.

I got myself one thousand worth of gift certificate from Gloria Jean's. That's a lot!

It was from Jam 88.3. Now, I have won myself the Marty Casey CD, id band and poster, a magazine and now the gift certificate.

The last two prizes have yet to be claimed.

I am waiting for Sunday to see if I won the 1000 worth of Globe prepaid card.

Veteran is what I have become out of these contests that I have joined.

I just wish that I get to win Lifehouse concert tickets.

**********************************************************************

Two weeks to go and I will yet to witness what will happen to my application for work abroad.

Five months is damn long. I could have achieved a great amount of improvement on my knowledge and skills in nursing.

By the time I'll get the visa and leave for Egypt, I promise myself to never waste time in improving myself and learning all the things that I could.

**********************************************************************

Letter To Myself

Dear Charltoninho,

For the past months, you have been trying to figure out what's going on with your life. Tired. Down. Weary. I say, take heart! You are doing just fine.

With so many issues confronting you as a person, take time to sift what should be thrown to waste. You know for a fact that you are a wonderful person. You don't have to let other people control you.

Destroy whatever limiting beliefs that you have. Fear, rejection, disappointment, failure and lack of abilities. You know that you are gifted. You are just afraid of not making it to the measurement of other people. You are what you are.

Forget about them. Those people who think differently about you. They do not complete your world. You live for yourself, for those who you love and for God.

You have so many questions and sometimes, you are unsuccessful of finding even a single answer. It is nice to know that not everything needs to be answered. Some are left undiscovered. Some are answered in due time. Yes, in due time. Perhaps, God's perfect time.

You may still have to wait a little longer than expected for your dreams and plans to be established. Be patient. Know that you will surpass all of these trials.

Again, take heart and be patient. Never stop improving yourself and caring for what and who truly matter to you.

Always,

You

Randomness

**********************************************************************

It is so hard to be left behind. What's worse? Being forgotten.

Before he left, my supposed-to-be mentor and older brother promised me to reach out and give me updates about my application.

Well, promises are indeed made to be broken. What is so hard in replying to my emails if you can update your Friendster account?

**********************************************************************

The Monster Mom is now an Angel Mom.

Due to the screaming fact that we did no wrong, she had a change of heart.

She was the one who reached out to me as I have confined myself to my room and not talk to her.

Who am I to refuse the reconciliation? She is after all my mother.

**********************************************************************

Some of my friends have read about my letter published in the Panorama.

My only wish is that I have represented my fellow nurses rightly before the reading public.

And that it will not end in just being a letter.

**********************************************************************

I am just so puzzled why my sister and I could not find jobs that would somehow augment our family's finances and be somehow independent and personally fulfilled.

We have toiled so much in our college years while sacrificing selfish desires.

Now what? I hope that tomorrow will be different for us.

**********************************************************************

Going National!

I made a letter a few weeks ago to Ms. Susan Ople of the Manila Bulletin. I shared the experiences of many newly-registered nurses (including me) here in our country.

Of us not having work as, of course, nurses.
Of us having to experience the grim reality that "palakasan" really exists.
Of us not being given attention by the government.
Of us ending up in different jobs like being employed as call center agents and med. reps.
Of us feeling unproductive.
Of us being depressed about our situation.



We used to have Manila Bulletin every Sunday but since my dad has gotten a job already, we decided to switch to the Philippine Star for entertainment purposes. It is because the bulk of Bulletin's issue every Sunday is about classified ads.

I thought Ms. Susan would not publish it in her column in the Panorama since she featured it already in her blog and so I dismissed the idea of having to wait for my letter to be featured in the Panorama of Manila Bulletin. But she did publish it.

Caught unaware of this event, my classmate and friend Shiela sent me a text message asking me if I was the one featured in Ms. Susan’s column. I said enthusiastically that it was really me.

Immediately, I sent a text message to my friend Weng asking him to secure me a copy of the Sunday issue since we had the Star at home. Luckily, he got one.

When Ms. Susan asked me if I wanted to share my letter, I said yes without batting an eyelash. I though that this would be a great opportunity to voice out our situation as nurses. So to all of you who were not able to have a copy, I am now sharing my letter to you (well, to some select friends like Mayora who regularly visits my blog):

“Hi Miss Susan! I am Charltoninho or Charlton for short. I am so overwhelmed that you actually gave time to visit my blog. I would like to apologize for not asking you for permission to link your blog at my own blog.

Every Sunday, I get to read Our Times in Philippine Panorama and I am an avid fan of yours. You have a very unique way of reaching out to your readers with your writings. With a broad range of topics, I always go to the last section of the Panorama just to read Our Times and you never fail to deliver. With the past issues, I think it would be also nice to share my own experiences about work.

I graduated in April of 2007 from one of the prestigious universities in Manila and past the licensure examination for nurses in June in that same year as well. I got good grades in college and got an award for performing well. My board rating is also decent. After a year of having accomplished those, I still got no job. I have applied at different hospitals hoping that with my good credentials, I can easily find one. However, I could not find one.

I am not alone in this situation. Most of my classmates and batch mates cannot find one as well. If there are some who got jobs, they either have a relative or family friend who works in a specific hospital. Most of the hospitals have frozen their hiring and would not accept newly registered nurses or even those who have graduated from the previous year.

What is left for us to do are the following:
a.) Apply as nurse volunteers. Here, some hospitals would provide allowance for the daily expenses of the nurse but most would not. It may be a good option but the time that you spent with the hospital is not really recognized when you are looking for a "real" job. All your hard work is not properly compensated.

b.) Apply as nurse trainees. This I think is a better one. You will really be exposed to the different areas of the hospital and get real experience. The problem? You have to pay a large sum of money! In addition, you also get to experience again the sad reality that you don't have connections for you to be easily accepted there. I know certain government hospitals who tolerate this system. They would only offer 20 slots for training and when you get accepted, you'll discover that there are 40 of you in the program with the other 20 not having to go the same procedure for application! That's absurd and unfair. They would also require applicants several trainings that cost a lot of money before being accepted in their program.

c.) Apply as call center agents, med. representatives, teach English to Koreans, etc. With many of us needing to start earning, a lot of nurses apply for jobs that are not related to our degree.

d.) Take the NCLEX, IELTS, etc. With the goal of working abroad, these examinations are required for you to be able to accomplish that. However, along these examinations as requirements is the need for you to have at least 2-3 years of hospital experience, which is somehow impossible now.

For months, I have been feeling down for not making any progress in my career. Well I guess this is the reality here in our country. It is just so ironic that some legislators would want us to stay here for some time to render service but do they really know the situation?

What makes it more frustrating is the fact that the "palakasan system" is still at play in our society. I am not bragging about my accomplishments but, am I really not better than those batch mates of mine whom I personally knew as happy-go-lucky students before? Or maybe, I am just unfortunate.

With the boom of nursing, not many of us have realized that there are a lot nurses being produced but there are fewer jobs available. I hope the government will realize this and the parents of would-be-college students.

Miss Susan, I have recently applied to a staff nurse position in another country. I am waiting for the working visa to be released. I'll update you if there has been any change in my status. Thank you so much for the time. It really means a lot to me.

God bless.ú”

Dilang Anghel

Ateneo won against UE. My prediction was right. Sorry Bro, but I got you again with this one. It's okay. I believe your team will win against DLSU.

For some time, I always made some predictions that came true. My brother is usually the victim like when he was moved to another section in his senior year. Like when LA Lakers, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs all beaten up in the NBA Finals in three different years. Like when DLSU won over UE last UAAP season.

My group mates in college were somehow also afraid if I made predictions particularly about their relationships with their boyfriends. Julie and her boyfriend during our second year in college had a "cool-off." Hazel also broke up with her boyfriend back in our senior year. But the worst break-up prediction was the one I made with Kirsty.





I think she and her boyfriend have been together for three years back then. I actually made a prediction that within six months, she will break up with him and if it will come true, she had to treat me for lunch. Very confident that they won't, she agreed. Many times, I reminded her of this deal only pissing her off in the end. Little did I know that their relationship was on the rocks.

Until I learned that they finally broke up. This happened in less than two months since I made the prediction. I felt bad and somehow felt a participation in their sad ending because as Kirsty would tell me, she would tell her boyfriend about my prediction. As if verifying from him that it won't happen.

Acknowledging her defeat, she approached me with tears in her eyes and asked me where I would like to have the treat. I declined. It felt heavy for me, for this event to come.

Sometimes, I make predictions just to piss my brother off. However, I feel bad for him when they come true.

Well, I wish that I had predicted a lot of things in my life. I wish that I knew that certain events would happen so that I was able to avoid them.

Perhaps they were all coincidences when I had those predictions that actually came true.

The Saga Continues!

The onslaught did not stop even as we got home. But before that, there was a moment of silence. Deafening. Awkward.

After collecting some confidence from her attacking prowess while we sat quiet and timid for our dinner, the fireballs started to blaze on us.



Yeah, we are spendthrift. This is according to Monster Mom since my sister would sometimes whine about lack of money and my youngest brother would perpetuate this as he would go on about with his baking classes.

Spendthrift? My sister did not buy anything today except for the goods that my mom asked her to buy. My brother? He just waited for my sister in the mall. Well, he bought some meat balls but that's it.

How about the very frugal mom? Well she just bought last Tuesday a new gym bag from Nike. Again, N-I-K-E!

Wanderers? As mentioned in the previous post, this is just my first voluntary trip outside home. How about my brothers? Their routine in Manila involves dorm-school-dorm. My sister on the other hand goes out everyday due to work.

The mother of all kindness? She goes to the mall to workout in the gym at least four times a week. This week, she only missed two days on her weekly regimen.

For some time, I have been saying to myself that the text message that I got few years back really hold some truth. I am sure that many have gotten the text message that we children first learned irony with our parents. Damn! I never knew that this could put so much affect me this day.

Whatever happened to leadership by example? Is this a class about irony? All my life, we have been very obedient to our parents. We never did drugs, never got married so early and until now, never smoke, never drunk booze (sometimes I do but that is just so seldom), never flunked in school, etc.

You may say that these actions are expected on us. But what about what is expected from her? Am I being selfish on this point or am I being too critical on her actions?

I really don't know. Help needed here as the saga continues.

Monster Mom Strikes Again!

Under normal circumstances, I would just stay home. I have become lazy going to the malls so I prefer to just sit around in our house. This week, I went out of our house three times- 1.) I served as a body guard while my mom withdrew some money from the bank; 2.) I helped her pay some dues in a nearby town and; 3.) I went to Manila to deliver some supplies to my twin brothers. That's just it.

Today, my sister had asked me if I will go to the mall and I said I'll think about it. After some careful thought, I finally decided to go to the mall knowing that my mom is already at home from the gym. So I bid goodbye to my wonderful and caring mom and she said okay after I left her some instructions on how to use the computer and open yahoo messenger since dad would be online later that day.

Arriving at the mall, I went to the bookstore and after 30 minutes or so; I proceeded to meet my brothers. My sister came shortly after. While going to the baggage counter, our aunt from UK called and so we talked to her. Suddenly, my sister's phone rang and it was Monster Mom! I sensed danger as I was the one tasked to answer her call.

Monster Mom: "Asan na kayo? Hindi pa kayo uuwi? Sinabi ko na sayo na huwag ka nang umalis pero tumuloy ka pa rin!" (Where are you? Are you not going home yet? I have told you not to leave but you still left!")

Me: "Huwag kang magalit. Ano ba problema mo?" (Don't be so angry. What seems to be the problem?)

(You have to note here that I answered her in my most calm way that I can ever answer her. This is a rare event.)

Monster Mom: "Panong hindi magagalit e ayaw gumana ng computer! Hindi mo naman talaga pinakita saken kung pano iooperate!" (How can I not be angry if the computer just won't work! You never really showed how to operate it!)

Me: "What do you mean na hindi gumagana?" (What do you mean it does not work?)

I was trying to elicit for information when I noticed that she hang up. A few minutes later, she called again. This happened three times. She not only said thunderous words but hurtful remarks to all four of us.

At that moment, I decided to leave and go home early just to let my sister and twin brothers enjoy the day. Preparing to leave, Monster Mom called again with Jonah on her side. I calmly gave instructions to Jonah but the Monster just kept on bickering by the side.

This is futile I said. Jonah then told me that she got it already. They just turned off the computer.

Since our supposed-to-be enjoyable day was spoiled, we decided to leave as soon as possible just to avoid the fire balls that would come out of Monster Mom's mouth. While in the jeepney, all four of us are trying to psyche ourselves to somehow turn on an internal music player so we can just go home without being burned by her words.

This is our life. Nothing unusual. We just have to be prepared always for the next attack of Monster Mom.

My Birthday Calculator

28 September 1985
Your date of conception was on or about 5 January 1985 which was a Saturday.

You were born on a Saturday
under the astrological sign Libra.
Your Life path number is 6.

Your fortune cookie reads:
All your hard work will soon pay off.

Life Path Compatibility:
You are most compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 3, 6 & 9.
You should get along well with those with the Life Path numbers 2, 4, 8, 11 & 22.
You are least compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 1, 5 & 7.

The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2446336.5.
The golden number for 1985 is 10.
The epact number for 1985 is 8.
The year 1985 was not a leap year.

Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 2/20/1985 and ending 2/8/1986.
You were born in the Chinese year of the Ox.

Your Native American Zodiac sign is Raven; your plant is Ivy.

You were born in the Egyptian month of Choiach, the fourth month of the season of Poret (Emergence - Fertile soil).

Your date of birth on the Hebrew calendar is 13 Tishri 5746.
Or if you were born after sundown then the date is 14 Tishri 5746.

The Mayan Calendar long count date of your birthday is 12.18.12.6.12 which is
12 baktun 18 katun 12 tun 6 uinal 12 kin

The Hijra (Islamic Calendar) date of your birth is Saturday, 13 Muharram 1406 (1406-1-13).

The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 7 April 1985.
The date of Orthodox Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 14 April 1985.
The date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) on your birth year was Wednesday 20 February 1985.
The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday 26 May 1985.
The date of Whisuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday 2 June 1985.
The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Monday, 16 September 1985.
The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Saturday, 6 April 1985.
The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday 19 February 1985.

As of 7/11/2008 1:41:13 PM EDT
You are 22 years old.
You are 274 months old.
You are 1,189 weeks old.
You are 8,322 days old.
You are 199,741 hours old.
You are 11,984,501 minutes old.
You are 719,070,073 seconds old.

Celebrities who share your birthday:
Skye Bartusiak (1992) Hilary Duff (1987) Gwyneth Paltrow (1972)
Naomi Watts (1968) Mira Sorvino (1967) Moon Unit Zappa (1967)
Janeane Garofalo (1964) Brigitte Bardot (1934) Arnold Stang (1925)
Marcello Mastroianni (1924) Al Capp (1909) Ed Sullivan (1901)

Top songs of 1985
Say You, Say Me by Lionel Richie We Are The World by USA for Africa
Careless Whisper by Wham! Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon
Money for Nothing by Dire Straits Shout by Tears for Fears
Broken Wings by Mr. Mister I Want to Know What Love Is by Foreigner
The Power of Love by Huey Lewis & the News Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears

Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 3.25714285714286 years old. (Life's just a big chewy bone for you!)

Your lucky day is Friday.
Your lucky number is 6.
Your ruling planet(s) is Venus.
Your lucky dates are 6th, 15th, 24th.
Your opposition sign is Aries.
Your opposition number(s) is 9.

Today is not one of your lucky days!

There are 79 days till your next birthday
on which your cake will have 23 candles.

Those 23 candles produce 23 BTUs,
or 5,796 calories of heat (that's only 5.7960 food Calories!) .
You can boil 2.63 US ounces of water with that many candles.


In 1985 there were approximately 3.7 million births in the US.
In 1985 the US population was approximately 226,545,805 people, 64.0 persons per square mile.
In 1985 in the US there were 2,425,000 marriages (10.2%) and 1,187,000 divorces (5%)
In 1985 in the US there were approximately 1,990,000 deaths (8.8 per 1000)
In the US a new person is born approximately every 8 seconds.
In the US one person dies approximately every 12 seconds.

In 1985 the population of Australia was approximately 15,900,566.
In 1985 there were approximately 247,348 births in Australia.
In 1985 in Australia there were approximately 115,493 marriages and 39,830 divorces.
In 1985 in Australia there were approximately 118,808 deaths.


Your birthstone is Sapphire

The Mystical properties of Sapphire

Though not meant to replace traditional medical treatment, Sapphire is used for clear thinking.
Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewelers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)

Agate, Moonstone, Lapis Lazuli

Your birth tree is

Hazelnut Tree, the Extraordinary
Charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make an impression, active fighter for social cause, popular, moody and capricious lover, honest and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgement.



There are 167 days till Christmas 2008!
There are 180 days till Orthodox Christmas!

The moon's phase on the day you were
born was waxing gibbous.

Try it also: www.paulsadowski.com

Name Meaning Again

You entered: ******** ******** *******
There are 23 letters in your name.
Those 23 letters total to 106
There are 9 vowels and 14 consonants in your name.

What your first name means:English Male A variant of Carlton, meaning peasants' settlement. Derived from a surname and place name based on the Old English.Free men's town. Famous bearers: American actor Charlton Heston.


Your number is: 7

The characteristics of #7 are: Analysis, understanding, knowledge, awareness, studious, meditating.

The expression or destiny for #7:
Thought, analysis, introspection, and seclusiveness are all characteristics of the expression number 7. The hallmark of the number 7 is a good mind, and especially good at searching out and finding the truth. You are so very capable of analyzing, judging and discriminating, that very little ever escapes your observation and deep understanding. You are the type of person that can really get involved in a search for wisdom or hidden truths, often becoming an authority on whatever it is your are focusing on. This can easily be of a technical or scientific nature, or it may be religious or occult, it matters very little, you pursue knowledge with the same sort of vigor. You can make a very fine teacher, or because of a natural inclination toward the spiritual, you may become deeply emerged in religious affairs or even psychic explorations. You tend to operate on a rather different wavelength, and many of your friends may not really know you very well. The positive aspects of the 7 expression are that you can be a true perfectionist in a very positive sense of the word. You are very logical, and usually employ a quite rational approach to most things you do. You can be so rational at times that you almost seem to lack emotion, and when you are faced with an emotional situation, you may have a bit of a problem coping with it. You have excellent capabilities to study and learn really deep and difficult subjects, and to search for hidden fundamentals. At full maturity you are likely to be a very peaceful and poised individual.

If there is an over supply of the number 7 in your makeup, the negative aspects of the number may be apparent. The chief negative of 7 relates to the limited degree of trust that you may have in people. A tendency to be highly introverted can make you a bit on the self-centered side, certainly very much self-contained . Because of this, you are not very adaptable, and you may tend to be overly critical and intolerant. You really like to work alone, at your own pace and in your own way. You neither show or understand emotions very well.

Your Soul Urge number is: 5

A Soul Urge number of 5 means:
The 5 soul urge or motivation would like to follow a life of freedom, excitement, adventure and unexpected happening. The idea of travel and freedom to roam intrigues you. You are very much the adventurer at heart. Not particularly concerned about your future or about getting ahead, you can seem superficial and unmotivated.

In a positive sense, the energies of the number 5 make you very adaptable and versatile. You have a natural resourcefulness and enthusiasm that may mark you as a progressive with a good mind and active imagination. You seem to have a natural inclination to be a pace-setter. You are attracted to the unusual and the fast paced.

You may be overly restless and impatient at times. You may dislike the routine work that you are engaged in, and tend to jump from activity to activity, without ever finishing anything. You may have difficulty with responsibility. You don't want to be tied down to a relationship, and it may be hard to commit to one person.

Your Inner Dream number is: 11

An Inner Dream number of 11 means:
You dream of casting the light of illumination; of being the true idealist. You secretly believe there is more to life than we can know or prove, and you would like to be provider of the 'word' from on high.

Try it: www.paulsadowski.com

Felicitaciones!

So my staying up late last night finally paid off. World Number 2 Rafael Nadal finally won the Wimbledon title held by World Number 1 Roger Federer for five straight years!

Even if I was just refreshing the page every minute or so, I was just so nervous for Rafa. Yes I am for Rafa because I think he works the hardest and for him to win this one is really timely for him.

We all know how great Roger is but then; the world still needs to see Rafa winning against Roger for him to be appreciated by many. I think that is unfair for someone like Rafa.

I wish I could have watched the match. Many are saying it is the greatest match ever with it lasting for more than four hours in five sets!

To Roger, congratulations as well. You are still the World’s Number One Tennis player.

To Rafa, job well done.

My Wishes For You!

I have special wishes for those people who did the unthinkable to my sister and to Jonah. I'd like to say that you just got your tickets to hell. Those things that you stole will only be with you for some time but the tickets you just reserved, they will go for eternity.

Easy come, easy go. And I must say that I strongly believe in KARMA. It may not come on material things but hell no! May you have the worst constipation in the whole world and medical history that you will regret being borne into this world! You will feel your bowels also moving out as your eyes are full of tears for pain that you never felt before. Or that you may reap that karma by having Sjögren's syndrome. By these, you won't have tears or any fluid that existed before in the body because your exocrine glands won't just produce. Or, you may just die, I mean die by some gruesome way of being stuck underneath a 16-wheeler truck with half of your body already mutilated but you are still breathing or you may just fall from a 50-story building, face first.

You even had the guts to say to Jonah that you know her and text her. I pity your lives that you even had to do these just to live, to get by with life. How sad and pathetic! We are trying to live a peaceful life but you just appear out of nowhere wanting to fuck up our lives. Well anyway, I have these wishes for you:

a.) May the money that you got from my sister give you enough money that in the end, you will be also robbed and shot dead in the forehead for you refused to give in.

b.) May the iPod that you stole be good enough for you that you always listen to it every minute of the day even at nights when the weather is stormy and flashes of lightning are everywhere that you end up being hit by 200,000,000 volts of electricity.

c.) May the cellphone that you robbed be of good use to you that you always use it to text and call your friends or family that in the end, you get enough radiation to cause your cells to mutate and be cancer cells giving you a brain tumor.

d.) May that experience and trauma that you caused to my sister and Jonah be returned to you in another way that you end up living your life in utmost fear that when you hear someone knocking on the door will cause you to lock yourselves up in the closet and to cry yourself to death.

I have many wishes for you. But, I will just keep them to myself. Maybe I will just pray that my wishes will come true for you because you are special, special in HELL!

Bring It On!

Been blank lately. At lost for what's going on. So many unfortunate events coming to my face. Totally out of my control.

My sister being robbed and Jonah being hurt by the heartless robbers. One family friend having myocardial infarction and passing away. Me not being included in the latest batch of nurses to be deployed in Egypt.

I have been thinking, "So what do these things want me to do? What do I have to learn?" for now, I don't know. Maybe it is time to stop thinking and just savor these moments and for a while stop being too rational over these things.

Yeah, savor and feel them. They make me human. They make me taste life.

I say just bring it on!