relo relo sinta

        I just noticed (after many, many, many years) that we have many clocks at home in Baguio. 

       Too many, in fact! 

       Everywhere I turned, there was this clock facing me with its incessant tick-tock-tick-tock sound that gets in your brain...  which is the reason why I removed the batery from one of the clocks in my bedroom -- the tick-tock sound literally drives me crazy especially when I'm lying in bed at night waiting for sleep to come.

       A couple of clocks were bought by mom from the department store while the rest were won as raffle prizes or Christmas giveaways by dad (he's really lucky when it comes to winning raffle prizes).

       Here they are in no particular order... all clocks galore!

At the living room...

At the dining area...

In my bedroom, above the mirror...

Here's the culprit!  Notice the time?  This one's at the headboard of my bed...

Another culprit inside my bedroom (Yup, there are THREE clocks in there!)

Even inside the toilet there's a clock to remind the user not to go overtime...

And inside the bathroom...

At the dirty kitchen...

This clock guards the entrance to mom and dad's room...

Here's a unique one...  a clock inside the cupboard to remind the time when you get some dishes out.

        So there's my clock story.  I didn't bother to check how many clocks there are inside my parent's room.  If I have three in my room, there must be six in theirs...  three for each of them, hehehe =)

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"This time like all times is a very good one if we but know what to do with it."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Burgundy Red!

        Mom really loves to color her hair: dark brown, light brown, reddish brown, black brown, etc., partly for fashion and partly to cover up some graying hair on her head.  She can be adventurous at times with the colors but it always comes out perfectly complimenting her beauty.

        So last Sunday, I got curious as to how I would look like with colored hair.  Instead of going to a salon to have my hair profesionally colored, I went to Mercury Drugstore nearby to look at what hair color formulations they have.  On their shelf display were Bigen, Revlon, L'Oreal, and a few other brands I haven't even heard of.

       Feeling a bit embarassed being in that portion of the store, my "shopping instinct" took over:  I quickly scanned the nearest shelf, zoomed in on a color I wanted, grabbed that box and hastily dashed off to the checkout counter hoping no one I knew would see me there.  And in less than 2 minutes I walked out of the store carrying a pack of L'Oreal Feria Burgundy Red Haircolor.

        The box contained all the items needed to color-your-hair-yourself: a color toner that you mix with a "developer" to activate the hair dye, an applicator bottle for quick, drip free application, a pair of gloves to keep my hands clean, and a conditioner to finish off the process.

        The instruction sheet specified that I keep the dye on my hair for 15-20 minutes for best results.  The dye was deep red in color, like the color of blood.  I opted to keep the dye on my hair for one hour for a really effective hair color treatment.  After one hour I rinsed off the solution from my hair and finished it off with the hair conditioner.

       After toweling my hair and allowing it to air-dry, I faced the mirror to see what my "new look" would be.

        The result:  Black hair, Black hair, Black hair!  All Black hair and no red at all!

        Bakit ganun?  What happened to the hair color???  Hindi tumalab sa buhok ko?

        It looks like the color just washed off my hair.

        Hehe, oh well...  Anyway, looking closer I found out that the few white hairs I had on my head were now colored Burgundy Red! 

        Cute!

        The cost:
        One bottle of L'Oreal Feria Burgundy Red Hair Color: P495.00
        Gasoline expense going to Mercury Drug: P5.00
        Total Cost: P500.00

        Number of white hair strands colored: Five (5)

        Cost per hair strand:  500/5 = P100.00 per hair strand

        Sigh...  I should have bought a pentel pen at one-tenth the cost and I could have colored my white hair with it na lang...  It could have been cheaper for me ;-)

        So there it goes... my hair color adventure. 

        Expensive no?   Hehehe.

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Credits: Dexter would like to thank the free services of Charry for my hair color and make-up...  oops... for the smile on my face pala, hehehe.
Cost:     Priceless!  ;-)

 

 

Practice... Thoroughness... Discipline

Practice makes permanent.

Thoroughness leads to excellence.

Discipline leads to success.

-Ariel Driz

Say CHEESY!!!

For the boys only... Have you ever longed to talk to a girl but you're at a loss for words? 

Have no fear, Dexter's here!

Presenting...  Dexter's Compilation of Cheesy Pick-up Lines! 

Guaranteed to make you basted in 5 seconds!

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BOY:  Hey what happend to your back?
GIRL: (checks her back) Huh? Why?
BOY:  I thought all angels had wings...

--------------------------------------------------

Here's a classic, ala Vic Sotto:

BOY:  May gusto ako itanong sa iyo, wag ka sanang magagalit...
GIRL: Ano yun?
BOY:  May NOBYO ka na ba? Pwede manligaw?

ehek ehek!

--------------------------------------------------

Heto pa:

BOY:  Are you a terrorist ?
GIRL: No, why ?
BOY:  Coz ur the BOMB!

naks naman!

--------------------------------------------------

Curious lang...

BOY:  Hey, may I look at the back of your shirt?
GIRL: Huh?!
BOY:  Please?
GIRL: Okay...
(Boy looks at the tag of the shirt)
BOY:  Sabi ka na nga ba eh...
GIRL: Ano?
BOY:  It says "MADE IN HEAVEN".

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BOY:  Miss, are you hurt???
GIRL: No, why?
BOY:  Aren't you an angel who fell down from heaven?

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When going to a costume party:

BOY:  I like your costume
GIRL: Huh? I'm not wearing one...
BOY:  You're dressed as a cake!
GIRL: Ano kamo? Paano yun?
BOY:  Because everyone wants to have a piece of you

--------------------------------------------------

Heto pa... basted in 30 seconds:

BOY:  Bet you 5 bucks I can kiss you and you won't feel it
GIRL: oh talaga? SIGE PUSTAHAN TAYO!

* Boy kisses her and pays her P5.

--------------------------------------------------

Another 30-seconder:

BOY:  Do you trust me?
GIRL: Yes
BOY:  close your eyes...

* Boy kisses girl
* Girl _______ boy (fill in the blank)

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More! More! More one-liners...

• Hey, did we meet before?  You look similar to me...


• You're like SuperFerry...  Talagang trip kita!


• You're like a yosi vendor...  Coz you give me Hope and More


• You're like Megamall...  You've got it all


• You're like my kuto...  I cant get you out of my head


• You're like my asthma... you take my breathe away


• You're like my pustiso.. 'coz I can't smile without you!


• I wish you were trash... so I could take you out.


• Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?


• Hi, my name is {insert your name here}, how do you like me so far?


• HI, I'm new in town, could I have directions to your house.


• May kasama ka ba?  Samahan na kita...


• I bet your name is Mickey, 'coz you're so fine!


• Do you have a name?  Or can I call you MINE?


• Be unique, be different!  Say YES!

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Pizza and Pansit!

        When in Lucban, Quezon, try to hunt for some street hawkers or go to the sidewalk eateries there for some authentic Pansit "Habhab".

        Made from rice flour, these local noodles acquired its name and developed its unique attraction by the way it is eaten. Otherwise known as Pancit Lucban, these noodles are hawked in the streets and served on a piece of banana leaf, sans fork or any other utensils. Thus, it is eaten straight from the leaf, licking permitted, "habhab" style.

         It is eaten with lots of raw onions and a sprinkling of chili-laced vinegar... truly a mouth watering treat!

         For some cuisine adventure, drop by Buddy's Pizza and Pansit House for some Pizza and Pansit (yup, it's pizza and pansit, not pizza and spaghetti).  At least in this place you get to use some cutlery while enjoying your pansit lucban.

                                    Haba Haba Pansit Habhab!

Pizzaaaaaaaaaa!   Yummy yum yum!

        Buddy's Pizza and Pansit House is located just beside the town plaza.

        Here are some other random trips taken during the trip:

BIG Ford Van for sale... P800k only.  This was parked outside the hotel in Lucena (forgot the name) where we had breakfast.

Hop on in the Captain's seat... fasten your seatbelts.

At the hotel's entrance you'll find two turtle doves pruning themselves in the water.  Now I know why they call them "turtle doves", hehe.

In Sariaya, Quezon: I was taking a picture of the mountain in the background... That's Mount Banahaw, the "power" mountain, and it's still an active volcano.

In Sariaya, Quezon again: this is the Pamilihang Bayan project of the government where farmers can "bagsak" their goodies.  The group I'm involved with will be helping farmers use organic farming practices to protect the environment's health while increasing harvest and yield.

        Oh, by the way, it's PAHIYAS Festival in Lucban this coming May 11-15, 2006.  Expect lots of people and tourists trooping over to that place.  Expect lots of food also. 

        I wanna go back to Lucban again for some Pansit Habhab! 

   Yummy pansit habhab!  It's OK to lick your lips while eating.

         Anybody wanna tag along?

        Oh well, if I can't go back, there's always the Buddy's Pizza outlet in Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City if ever I can't control my taste buds and I need to savor pansit habhab once again.  ;-)

~florent flora

On Eagle's Wings

        The eagle perches majestically on the evergreen branches, its sharp eyes surveying the landscape.  The wind starts to blow.  Without warning, the evergreen branch shakes.  The eagle spreads its wings, launches into the air and glides silently towards the mountain in the distance.  Just when it seems the eagle would crash into the mountain cliff wall, it moves its wings ever so slightly and begins to spiral upward, catching the updraft from the wind until it has gone up beyond the ridge.

        Beyond the mountain and into the plains, the eagle glides towards the dark clouds.  Under those clouds is a thermal - a column of air that rises upwards as it gets heated by the ground.  With outstretched wings, the eagle floats on the updraft and spirals upward to higher and higher heights until it is but a speck in the sky. Finally satisfied with its altitude, the eagle heads northward, its white head and tail feathers catching the sunlight as it sails out of view.

        The eagle flew with such grace and elegance with hardly any effort at all. (Eagles can fly up to 10,000 feet with barely a flap of their wings.)

        Soaring -- Eagles soar, most birds do not. 

        I can be an eagle! 

        Instead of profusely flapping my wings like a sparrow valiantly using up my energy so as not to fall back to earth, I can simply learn to stretch out my wings, relax, let go, and rest upon His strength to take me higher to where He wants me to go.

        This eagle will never become exhausted or weak from soaring.  I can be God's little eagle, waiting on Him, spreading my wings and soaring on His wind current to take me higher and higher to new spiritual heights.

        Thousands of years ago when ornithology wasn't even in the human vocabulary and when scientists still have to discover the mechanics of wind thermals and updrafts, Isaiah already knew the answer: "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles." (Isaiah 40:31)

        Amazing, isn't it?  :-)

~florent flora

Attack of the Mad Dogs

A couple of mad dogs attacked our house last holy week.  They kept on barking and running around like crazy until one of them fell off a cliff.

Here's a video of the attack:

 

Ghost Town

        While everyone had gone off to the provinces during the Holy Week Holidays, I opted to stay in Manila for a couple more days to do some much needed "housecleaning" and to have some time off for myself for a while.  There's nothing like a much needed respite after a very hectic 1st quarter with hardly any time for a breather.

        Good Friday came uneventfully.  I recall being so busy and stressed up with work and business during last year's Holy Week season that I even had second thoughts of going up to Baguio because of too much work back then.  This year I'm still busy alright... The difference is that I now have enough time to relax, stretch out a bit, and have some time reflecting about the relevance of the Holidays.

        And so after finishing up my stuff in the afternoon, I suited up my riding gear and prepped up my bike to explore what Metro Manila is like during this season.  This being a Good Friday, and knowing that the streets will be free of traffic, I reminded myself to ride defensively and to avoid being too reckless and riding too fast...  I don't want a repeat of the Good Friday incident I had back in college when I flew off a motorbike and landed on my head on the sand when its front wheel got stuck on the beach.  I really saw "stars" when I hit my head on the sand that time -- the kind of stars you see revolving around a person's head in a cartoon when he gets hit on the head.  I even wondered "hey, where did all these stars come from?"  Hehehe.

        So with my helmet and all, off I rode...

        Well, what can you expect... with everybody having gone off somewhere to enjoy the long weekend, Metro Manila looked like a ghost town!

        Here's some ghost town pics:

 

A very "clean" San Miguel Avenue, in front of the old Medical City.

 

Emerald Avenue in Ortigas Center.  No traffic, no noise.  I could even hear the wind blowing.

 

At the opposite side of Emerald Avenue.  Still no cars.

 

I would never risk riding on EDSA on an ordinary day, so this was an opportunity for me to ride through this famous highway.  See... very few vehicles!

 

Paseo de Roxas in Makati City.  "No Parking Anytime."

 

Makati Avenue with a cool wind blowing in front of Mandarin Hotel.

~florent flora

If Tomorrow Never Comes

This morning I received a "wierd" text message. 

It's "wierd" in a sort of way because it came from a friend.  He told me in his text message that "even though I may not know it, he loved me."

Ha?!

I scrolled back to confirm...  Yup, it came from him alright. 

Hmmm, perhaps it's a mis-sent message?  Or was my friend following Rustom Padilla in his footsteps?

I was about to text him back when I received another text message.  This time it came from his wife and she had the same message for me...  "even though I may not know it, she loved me."

Hehehe, ok, ok...  I think this is a season of loving eh?

So what's with this people?  Are they attending some kind of retreat in a far flung  boondock out there?

I'm not texting back until I found out.  ;-)

Anyway, here's a poem that's fit for this occassion...
   

IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES

If I knew it would be the last time
that I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
 
If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.
 
If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.
 
If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute or two
to stop and say I love you,
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.
 
If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.
 
For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything right.
 
There will always be another day
to say our I love you's,
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do's?"
 
But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget,
 
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance you get
to hold your loved one tight..
 
So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,
 
That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.
 
So hold your loved ones close today,
whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear,
 
Take time to say "I'm sorry, please forgive me,"
"thank you" or "it's okay".
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today

A Divine Dunking

        How does one prepare to get buried? 

        And how does one prepare for his own burial anyway?

        Ask me... I should know.

        This ain't an April Fool's Day joke:  I got "buried" last Sunday, April 2, 2006. 

        It took all of six weeks to prepare for my "burial".  Six Saturdays to be exact -- I attended Saturday afternoon classes for six weeks just to learn about it -- and how to prepare myself for it.

        April 2, 2006, my "burial" date, came very quickly to me... I woke up at 6:00AM and started my day (as always) with a special prayer of praise and thanksgiving.  Preparing for my burial meant that I had to take a bath (dapat lang!), put on some decent looking clothes with a little hint of cologne, shaved the stubble on my face, brushed my teeth, combed my hair and made sure that I didn't have any pimples growing on my nose at that time (have you ever seen anyone buried with a pimple on his nose anyway?)

        I also packed a set of extra clothes to bring for my "burial". 

        Having done all those preparations, I got into a taxicab and along the way I quickly prepared a short testimonial speech to say during that event.

        There were many people there, some I knew, some I didn't know. 

        "Kuya bakit wala ka kagabi?" someone asked me.

        "Ha, anong meron?" I asked in return.

        "Kumain lang kami sa Dampa.  Andami pa namang pagkain doon.  Akala ko busy ka lang.  Hindi mo natanggap ang e-mail?"

        "Ganun ba?  Nasa Baguio kasi ako noong Thursday and Friday kaya hindi ako nakapagbukas ng e-mail.  Tsk, sayang!"

        "Di bale, ikinain naman kita eh"

        Me: "Hehehe, ganun."

        Anyway, back to burial time...

        Barefoot, I walked to the pool of water in front of me.  Climbing down the stairs the water felt cool as it clung to my skin and my clothes.  The water was chest deep.  Having already given myself up to Christ and having accepted Him as my Lord and Saviour, I took a deep breath and let go of everything as the pastor lied me down into the water.  I clasped my hands in front of my face and quickly pinched my nose with my thumbs as I felt the water close over my head.

        Whoosh!

        I was submerged! 

        For a brief instant, everything became silent.  All I could hear was the water bubbling all around me, muffling out the sounds from the outside world.  I felt at peace in that cool environment.

        Then very quickly before I could drown I felt the pastor's strong hands pull me out of the water.

        Whoosh!

        Cool air welcomed me as I opened my mouth to take in another breath. 

        I looked up... 

        All I saw was the ceiling. 

        No bird from the sky. 

        No voice booming from the heavens.

        Ok, ok, what should I expect anyway?  ;-)

        My "burial" was over.

        Of course I was "baptized" when I was an infant.  Someone poured water on my forehead.  I'm sure of that...  I've got a baptismal certificate to prove it.  My ninongs and my ninangs claimed on my behalf that I have turned away from sin and believed in the gospel.  They also said that I have been cleansed of my "original sin" because of my baptism as an infant.

        Nothing wrong with that.

        This time, however, this new baptism means so much more.

* Baptism - taken from the greek word "bap-tid-zo", meaning "to immerse"

        This baptism will not cleanse me of my sins. Only confession does that.  ("If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:9)

        This baptism will also not guarantee my salvation and a place in heaven.  ("For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23)

        But having accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, I know that I am saved already, even with or without baptism.  ("For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" Romans 6:23)

        So why baptism once again for me?

        My baptism is my public testament that I am a Christian, that I am a part of God's family, that I confess Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, that I have accepted Him into my heart, and that I have allowed Him to be the ruler of my life.

        And what's the connection with baptism and burial?

        My immersion in water symbolized the "burial" of my old sinful self, in the same way that Jesus Christ died for my sins and was buried in the tomb.  And my being brought out of the water symbolized my being raised back in the "newness of life". 

        In effect, I have re-affirmed the vows my ninongs and ninangs made for me when I was an infant: I have turned away from sin and believed in the Gospel.

        Amen! :-)

        "Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into His death, so that as Christ was raised up from dead by the glory of the Father; even so we also should walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4

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"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me... I once was lost, but now am found... 'Twas blind but now I see."

Pamanhikan!

        Baguio by day is starting to look very much like Metro Manila nowadays, especially in the downtown area.  This mountain city now has its own share of traffic, pullution, crowded streets, garbage, and even those unkind mandurukots and snatchers.

        But wait 'til 5:00PM and you will see Baguio gradually transform itself into its rustic old self.  The fog starts to slowly come in, cooling the air with its dewdrops.  The raindrops could start to fall in a drizzle or in torrents, depending on its mood, cleaning the air of smog and dirt.  The air temperature drops dramatically.  The transformation completes itself once the sun has set and you begin to feel the crisp cold air kissing your face and biting your arms if by chance you forgot to bring your jacket or sweater with you. 

        Ahhh... there's still no place like Baguio!

        I hied off to Baguio yesterday trying to escape the hot, humid weather in Metro Manila.  It was really so hot and humid in Manila the past few days that I had to take along a spare shirt each time because the one I wear in the morning gets drenched with sweat by  noontime; I could even wring my shirt dry and fill a half a cup with my sweat.  Yikes!  Grabe! 

        Refreshing drink, anyone?  ;-)

        And wow did I get a treat when I got to Baguio yesterday!  The mountain city welcomed me with a very crisp rainshower, falling down in torrents and splaterring down on the tin roof with so loud a noise that I could hardly hear the stereo blaring out its music.  After the rain had washed down everything in its path, everything looked so clean and shiny and the air smelled so fresh and clean. 

        Of course I was in Baguio for a reason...  There's this ritual that every soon-to-be-married couple will have to undergo before they can tie the knot... the PAMANHIKAN.

        And before you get to thinking about anything else...  NO, it's NOT my pamanhikan. 

        Too bad, eh?  ;-)

        It's actually my sister's pamanhikan. 

        Or more accurately... my sister's fiance's pamanhikan. 

        Or most accurately, my sister's fiance's family's pamanhikan.

        I still don't know what my role will be in this event.  But I reckon that I would have to play the host for this night.  Mom and Dad are already stressed out with all the events happening so quickly that they really don't have any time to sit back and think things over.  It didn't help that sis was in SIngapore when she announced their wedding plans.  Kakatuwa nga.  It's been a rush of activities from the time sis announced the news that they're getting married. I even had to play the role of a pacifier and a mediator at one time... but all in good stead.  And by the way she's not preggy ha.  They just want to get married -- for love.  That's all. 

        Ain't that sweet?  :-)

        So here's a TOAST to Sis and Carlo... 

        Congratulations and Best Wishes to both of you! 

        Although the wedding is still a few weeks from now, I pray to God for both of you to be blessed with a wonderful life together, with Christ Jesus leading you both in your hearts and in your lives, and the Holy Spirit guiding you as you grow in your relationship with each other.

        As for me... don't ask me yet when I intend to get hitched ha. 

        Not yet, anyway <wink>

Ang Saya-Saya (Part II)

        One month ago I recall being so busy and so worried while traversing back and forth along C5 Road and along the West Service Road in South Superhighway trying to look for a small bag that must have fallen off my motorbike (assuming that no one snatched the bag while I was stopped in traffic).  I must have travelled back and forth four times before I decided to call it off and resign myself to the fact that I had lost my bag.  Inside my bag were my three cellphones, my passport, my ID, my house keys and some not-so-important documents.  Hay naku!  Like I said in an earlier blog post, "Ang Saya-Saya" talaga!

        While I experienced a sense of grief over the loss of my phones, my life took a very quick turn towards "simplification".  I no longer had an electronic planner to dictate what my schedule should be.  I don't have a digital notepad to write down thoughts and ideas.  And I don't have a digital organizer to keep people's contact numbers and addresses.  I also do not have my electronic Bible anymore -- it's an application on my XDA that contains all the books of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  I would often bring out my XDA, do a quick browse through the chapters and verses, and record my thoughts on the phone's notepad.  I just hope the person who has my phones now will take time to read through my notes...  I'm sure he/she will learn much from them. :)

        So now, with only my Nokia 6150 by my side, my schedule is relatively freed up.  I still maintain a notebook planner to remind me of meetings and other activities but I am now more flexible with my time.  I am now rid of that electronic gadget that keeps beeping incessantly to remind me of upcoming appointments, as if it was running my life.  Whew!  These small devices can be a source of stress sometimes.  I also have a journal now (a real notebook) where I write down thoughts and ideas.  My list of contact numbers is still maintained in my cellphone for quick and handy reference.  As for my Bible, I bring my leather bound New International Version English Bible with me now. 

        Since my work requires that I meet with a lot of people, I just noticed that the people I talk to relate with me better now that I don't have those hi-tech gadgets.  Many people are intimidated whenever I bring out my phones and lay them on the table like it was a gun or something.  Now they see me with my notebook planner with its handwritten entries, they see my journal and a glimpse of the notes I've written down, they see my Bible with the verses I've underlined and the notes I've written along its margins.  They also see my old 6150 phone with its worn-out keypad and a piece of rubber band wrapped around it to hold the battery in place.  When I meet with new people, they instantly relate with me when they see what I have, perhaps because they also have their own planners and journals or perhaps because it could be something that they can easily do and duplicate.

        I would not have discovered this "secret" if I still had my phones with me.

        And so after a month of doing my new "routine", I am suddenly blessed with some surprises.  I didn't have to spend a cent at all, yet I am now faced with a happy problem of what to do with three additional cellphones: a slightly used Nokia 6680 (similar to the one I lost) and two sparkling new Nokia N70 phones (a beige/brown unit and a silver/black unit). 

        Ayayayayay!  Salamat po, Lord!  Ang bait-bait naman ninyo talaga.  One month ago I lost three phones.  Now I have three phones again.  Hmmm... What does He want me to learn from this experience kaya? 

        For now, I am really just so thankful and happy.  :-)

        Having said that, I plan on using just one phone only, perhaps one of the N70 phones (which color, I still don't know... it's another happy problem, hehehe).  I will still maintain my trusty Nokia 6150 and use it with a Sun SIM card. 

        So now, I have a spare 6680 and a spare N70 that I can sell or give away to two lucky persons.  Anyone wanna treat me for some coffee at Seattle's Best?  ;-)

        I remember posting in my previous blog: "The Lord is able to give thee much more than this."

        How true!  Ang saya-saya talaga!

--------------------------------
"And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." (Psalm 50:15)

~florent flora

A Diamond in the Making

        Have you ever wondered why life seems to be an endless stream of tests, trials and hardships?  Try to get over one trial and almost immediately another one (or two) takes its place.

        Last Monday in the weekly group session I've been attending in Globe Telecom to study Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life" (Chapter 5), our group discussed about different metaphors to answer the question "How do you see your life?"

        Here are some answers we got from the group:

• Life is a circus


• Life is a puzzle


• Life is a symphony


• Life is a journey


• Life is an adventure


• Life is a battle


• Life is a race


• Life is like climbing a mountain


• Life is like a game of cards


• Life is life a roller coaster that goes up and down


• Life is like a "Gulong ng Palad", sometimes you're up, sometimes you're down, and sometimes you just go round and round

        In the same chapter, Rick Warren pointed out that "Life on earth is a Test".

        These tests are given to us for a reason:

1. To develop character


2. To reveal weaknesses


3. To prepare us for more responsibilities

        Tests can come in many forms: major changes (i.e. relocating our office), delayed promises (delayed revenues for the company), seemingly impossible problems (we lost our biggest client last December), unanswered prayers (lovelife-less dexter?), undeserved criticism (hanggang diyan ka na lang) and even senseless tragedies (oh my cellphones, my cellphones!)

        Having realized that God, in His infinite wisdom, allows these tests and trials to happen, I have come to welcome and accept these with an open heart.  Instead of complaining and asking "Why me, Lord? Why do I have to undergo all these tests?", I have learned to ask "Lord, what do you want me to learn from these tests?"

        Each test was a growth opportunity to deepen my character, to demonstrate Love, or to depend on Him.  God's answer was simple...  "Simply Trust Me." 

         Some tests seemed so overwhelming while others I didn't even notice at all.  The good news is that God wants me to pass all the tests of life.  I can always rely on what 1 Corinthians 10:13 says in the Bible: "God keeps His promise, and He will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, He will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out."

        Tests in our lives are like the heat and extreme pressure experienced by a lump of coal trapped underneath a mountain.  Over time, the extreme heat and pressure transforms the lump of coal into a hard lump of rough diamond.  Once unearthed, with careful chisel strokes, a jeweler makes big and small cuts to give the stone just the right facets to reflect the light.  This is true of us human beings too.  We don't have to love the painful chisel cuts that God subjects us to.  But it is crucial to remember that if God seems to allow pains in our lives, it is not to destroy us, but rather "to make us perfect."

        Diamonds don't glow on their own.  They don't have luminescence of their own.  But put these diamonds in light and they sparkle with fiery luminousity.  In the same way, God created us for the express purpose of reflecting into this world His very glory, the radiance of His character and the beauty of his transforming power.  This reflection happens only if we remain in His Light.

        Tests and trials are God's way of transforming us into perfect diamonds, so that when we are put into His Light we are able to reflect His glorious radiance.

        James 1:12 puts it so nicely: "Blessed are those who endure when they are tested.  When they pass the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."

        And what a crown it will be! 

        Ain't God wonderful?  :-)

~florent flora

Ten Guidelines From God

Here's a very interesting piece I received in my e-mail inbox:

Effective Immediately, please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. Please, follow these 10 guidelines

1. QUIT WORRYING

Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST

Something needs to be done or taken cared of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all... God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME

Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on My list. Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For My sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE

Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do my job.

5. TALK TO ME

I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your voice. I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest friend.

6. HAVE FAITH

I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me; you wouldn't want the view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE

You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT

I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND

Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please, know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF

As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by me for one reason only -- to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me.

 

Don't ever forget......

Touch someone with your love.
Rather than focus upon the thorns of life,
smell the roses and count your blessings!   

Star Wars Episode 0.5

        A long time ago

        In a galaxy far, far away

        When DOS was still "IN"

        This was how Jedi Geeks had fun...

        Featuring...  Star Wars in ASCII art format, using telnet.

        (Telnet was how jedi geeks connected to other computers and servers, during the time when Internet Explorer wasn't even in the mind of Bill Gates.  The other methods they used to connect to other computers were known via jedi geek acronyms such as FTP, SLIP, PPP, etc.)

        If you have time to spare, telnet to the server towel.blinkenlights.nl port 23 and enjoy the movie.

        Don't know how to telnet?

        Duh?

        On Windows, click on Start -> Run -> and type in "telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl" without the quotes.

        If by chance you're still using Windows 98 and telnet doesn't run, too bad.  You're out of luck.

        Live long and prosper!

        Oops, "May the force be with you!" pala :-)

~florent flora

Ang Teleponiko

CELLPHONE:

• 
  

  An electronic telecommunications device.

  
  


• 
  

  The term used currently in the United States, Canada and in other countries to refer to most mobile phones. It technically applies specifically to mobile phones which use a cellular network. (Source: Wikipedia)

  
  

        Finally, I am able to get some breathing space from my very hectic activities this month.  It seemed as if six months had passed by instead of just one month, what with all the things that I had done.

        Whew! 

        Amazingly, despite the very hectic schedule I was still able to accomplish many things... with God's grace of course.  Waking up each morning and dedicating the day to Him eases up the burden of having to do so many things at the same time.  Even my friends who notice how busy I am comment that it seems I don't have any problems at all.

         Well, that's true.  I really don't have any problems at all because I give them all to God, and I trust and put my faith in Him that He will take care of these problems for me.  Psalm 55:22 says "Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."  How true it is!

        And so it's not surprising that I didn't even have time to think about my cellphones that I lost less than a month ago.  I was fortunate enough to have a spare Nokia 6150 stashed away in the house to use for my telecommunications needs.  The phone has proved itself trusty and dependable in many situations.  I can even take it out of my pocket and answer a call while riding a jeepney without worrying that it might attract the attention of a cellphone snatcher or holdupper. 

        The phone is perfect to use when making a call since the microphone sits exactly in front of my mouth when I'm talking to it, thus I don't have to talk as loud and I don't have to use my other hand to "bridge" the microphone to my mouth in a noisy environment.

        The only drawback is that the keys are stone hard!  As in!  My thumb hurts everytime I use the phone to text.  I had resorted to using my right thumb, and then my left thumb, and than back to my right.  Now I don't text as often as before... once in a while na lang.  So those who are "nakukulitan" to my text messages now have a (temporary) respite. ;-)

        Last Sunday I was going through my things at home and I discovered another phone!  It was actually my very first GSM phone (and I think the very first GSM phone produced by Nokia)... the Nokia 1610!

        The phone is made in Finland, produced sometime in the mid-90s, it only has 2 text lines on the screen and can send text messages in ALL CAPS ONLY.  The phone has 5 ringing tones with volume control.  The battery has a standby time of 20 hours and a charging time of 5 hours.  It's also has a 4-cm. fixed antenna and weighs in at 250 grams (or 1/4 kilo).  It's absolutely GIGANTIC! 

        The phone still works and it is definitely an authentic vintage piece of phone now.

        Hmmmm... maybe I should bring this phone along to the next party that I get invited to.  It will make a very "nice" conversation piece (and also a very nice whack-you-in-the-head device to anyone who tries to ridicule the phone)

---------------------------------------
Here's my phone wish list:

1. Something not too fancy or expensive so that I won't cry if I lose the phone again.


2. Preferably with a camera so that I can take instant pictures for my blog.


3. A big memory card to contain all those photos (and mp3 files also)


4. Optional: FM radio to tune in to Love Radio all the time everytime ;-)


5. Calendar (to organize my schedule)


6. Notepad (to record some blog ideas while on the move)

Hmmm... another 6680 would do just fine.  Or the newer N70 perhaps?  The N90 would be too much of an overkill for me.

Oh well, dream on dexter.  For now I'm still happy with my trusty little 6150.  :-)

The Return of the Comeback

        I'm back online once again in our new office!  After moving from Ortigas Center to our temporary office in Makati last November, we're back again in good ol' Pasig City this merry month of March.  This time, our office is right along the edge of Ortigas Center, away from the maddening call center crowd in Emerald Avenue and very near the upscale crowd of the University of Asia and the Pacific, where the very first Hotshots Flame Grilled Burger outlet was born.

        It took Smart WiFi almost two weeks to complete the transfer and installation of the WiFI antenna in our new office.  We were all suffering from Internet withdrawal symptoms already and everyone chorused "haay salamat" almost all at the same time when the Smart WiFi installers arrived at our doorstep.

        So all's well that ends well once again.  Our office is at the fourth floor of a five story, brand new condo building, with lots of light and fresh air.  The building has ample parking space at the ground floor, a secure, guarded entry and our very own dedicated mailbox with a cute key.  We even have free use of the penthouse roofdesk for parties, meetings and conventions, or just plain star gazing at night to capture that inspiring moment. 

        As for food, there's lots of places to eat in the area.  Just give me a buzz whenever you wander by our friendly neighborhood and let's try out some tasty and juicy Hotshots flame grilled burgers.

        So on with the fun...  Here's something I got from my friendster e-mail that's worth passing on... I think everyone has already received this in their inboxes:

15 Things You Probably Never Knew or Thought About

1. At least 5 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.


2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.


3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.


4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.


5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.


6. You mean the world to someone.


7. If not for you, someone may not be living.


8. You are special and unique.


9. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.


10. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.


11. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.


12. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you believe in yourself, probably, sooner or later, you will get it.


13. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.


14. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know.


15. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

        Of course, the message comes with the obligatory instruction: "Send this letter to all the people you care about, Including the person who sent this to you.  If you do so, You will certainly brighten someone's day and might change their perspective on life, for the better."

Un-wired

        I'm still waiting for some good soul to call me up or contact me if ever they have gotten hold of the bag that I lost.  So far, no one's contacted me so it seems that my phones are gone for good.  Also inside that bag is my company ID, my house keys, a T-shirt, some billing statements and brochures, and, just recently, I just remembered that I had my Passport inside the bag also!  Ayayayay!  What on earth was that Passport doing there???  Looks like I will have to file a police report so that I can apply for a new passport with DFA.  Grrrr... 

        Anyway, I got my replacement SIM from Smart last Monday afternoon, the same day that I lost my phones.  The customer service officer who assisted me must have noted that I lost another phone (a Nokia 3650) less than a year ago and so she was kind enough to provide me with a spare SIM (in addition to my replacement SIM) so that in case I would lose my phone again, I would have my spare SIM handy and ready for activation.  Wow, how considerate of her! 

        As for Globe, I still don't have my replacement SIM.  Tsk, tsk, too bad for them.  My Sun SIM is a prepaid one so I would have to buy another prepaid SIM (and that would mean a change in my Sun Cellular number).

        I was told to wait 24 hours for my Smart SIM to be activated.

        I searched for my old phone that was stashed away somewhere at home and when I found it I quickly put in the new SIM card.  As expected I didn't get any signal since the SIM card has not been activated yet.

        Wednesday, 48 hours later, I still was not getting a signal on my phone.  How come?  Has the SIM card not been activated yet?  I remembered that I still had my prepaid Talk'NText SIm card with me.  I inserted the Talk'NText SIM card into the phone but I didn't get any signal either.  Hmmm, maybe that SIM card has been deactivated already from prolonged non-use.  So I put in another Sun Cellular SIM card (dami kong SIM cards, noh?) and presto, instant signal for me!  However when I put back the Smart or Talk'NText SIM cards the phone didn't get any signal.  Hmmm, what gives?

        So I took another phone to test the SIM cards with (dami kong phones, noh?  Actually these are just bits and pieces of phones, I had to assemble and mix-and-match the components together to get a working unit, hehe).  I found out there was something wrong with my original phone and it wouldn't accept hi-memory SIM cards.  I was about to call up Smart Customer Service and complain that my SIM card still was not activated.  Ay mali pala si dexter  :-)

        I'm rebuilding my phonebook again.

        So Friends, Filipinos and countrymen, just message to me your contact information (mobile numbers and landline numbers) along with your birthdays also so that I would not forget them.  My smart number is still the name, 0918-888-0617, so you can text to me your numbers also (no business cards pls.)

        Ciao!  Happy texting!

Ang saya-saya!

        There's one lucky person who hit jackpot today...  and it's not me.

        This morning I woke up early to fix up my bike because of some wobbling that I kept experiencing whenever I went above 100kph on the highway.  It was as if the bike was shaking it's head saying "no! no!" as soon as I reached that speed, and it keeps on wobbling and shaking its head and won't stop until I slow down.  The culprits, as I found out, were loose spokes at the back wheel, meaning the wheels weren't actually turning around in a circle as the bike went.  I was afraid that the head wobble might worsen and go into a deadly tank slapper if I didn't find out what's wrong with the bike and fix it quickly.

        And so after making sure that the rear wheel spokes were all tight and aligned correctly, I put on my riding gear and strapped my bag at the rear of the bike and made sure that the bungee cords holding my bag were all tight and secure.

        Vroooom!

        Off I went down C5 towards South Superhighway.  There was very little traffic and so I increased speed gradually until I got to 100kph.  I felt for any telltale head wobble but there was none to speak of and so I quickly twisted the throttle and went faster to 120kph.  The wind blast was great!  The wind buffeted my body and whistled past my helmet but there was no wobble at all.  The bike was so stable I could actually let go of the handlebars and the bike would coast along happily without complaining.  I zoomed past the cars and the trucks and quickly rode through the bumpy service road towards Alabang.

        As I was nearing my destination, I moved my arm towards the back of my bike to feel if my bag was still securely fastened.

        Wala!

        As in my bag wasn't there!

        I looked at the back and all I saw were the bungee straps that were supposed to hold my bag in place. 

        Patay!  Either my bag fell off somewhere along the way or someone snatched it while I was stopped.  But then I remember that I only stopped once at the Sucat interchange when I waited for the traffic officer to signal me to proceed.  Such is the beauty of riding a bike - from Pateros to Sucat it was non-stop all the way.  Traffic was never a hindrance. 

        I quickly made a beeline and retraced my route back hoping that my bag just fell off somewhere and that no one had picked it up yet.

        Anyway, long story short... I lost my bag.

        I called my my cellphones (which were inside my bag) but the phones only rang.  No one answered the phone.  Maybe people saw the bag but they were afraid to touch it thinking there might be a bomb inside?

        So I texted my phones and left a message there giving instructions to the finder to contact me if ever a good soul found my bag.

        I'm still waiting...  I just called up my phones again but the "subscriber could not be reached" anymore.

        Tsk tsk.

        That's one lucky fellow who got my bag.

        I had my house keys in there also.  Now, when it comes to securing the house, I'm one security freak.  I had gone great lengths to secure my house since I often leave it unattended.  Even a determined thief will have a hard time breaking in and entering the house.  To get inside, I had to call up the caretaker of the house to destroy a window just so I could get in and retrieve my spare keys.  (ok, ok, so sue me for leaving my spare keys inside the house and not depositing them somewhere safe outside.)

        I now accept my loss.  So here's my requiem piece for my phones.  Goodbye XDAii, 6680 and 6150.  Gone also are my pictures, my messages, my notes, my journal, and my contact list.  Good thing I didn't have any provocative pictures in those phones, hehehe.

        Oh well, life goes on.  True, it's a painful loss.  And call me stupid for being so careless.  Stupid, stupid, stupid.  Aaaarrghhh!

        I'll try not to fret at this loss.  But I would rather listen to the whisper, "The Lord is able to give thee much more than this."

        Thank God I'm still alive to enjoy His blessings and I am grateful to Him for this experience.  I still trust in Him... always.

-----------------------------------------
"And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this." (2 Chronicles 25:9)

 

More Than Words

        "How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways..."  So goes the saying. 

        But how do you express such feelings of love when it is true and from the bottom of your heart?  How do you express it without using the words "I Love You"?

        If we could go back to the age of innocence and watch how children do it, we can gain a lot of wisdom from there. 

        Adults should do it like children do it.

        Babies and small children have a divine method of expressing love and feelings.  Children show you how YOU could do it the best possible way.

        Children just LOVE.

        Children smile from eyes to eyes (not just from ear to ear).  Children smile from the bottom of their heart.

        Children never ask questions like "WHY?"

        Children hug, kiss and caress.

        Children ACCEPT YOUR love.

        Children accept ALL love even if a few minutes before they have been spanked or otherwise hurt by their mother or father.

        Children never say I am sorry - children LOVE to PROVE that they ARE sorry whenever they may have caused real pain to someone!

        THAT is the way to express love.

        That is the method to express YOUR true love and forgiveness as well as to PROVE full reconciliation

        NO talking

        NO asking

        NO questions of ANY kind

        Just love - pure love accompanied by a LONG, sweet and gentle hug!

        Just pure, unadulterated love.

        Love the single MOST direct way.

        Children never fear to hug nor to be hugged if true love is the reason to hug them.

        So why should YOU - an adult fear true love if TRUE love is what YOU feel toward the ONE YOU want to express YOUR love and your feelings

        Show true feelings.

        Feelings NEVER can be expressed in words.

        True love feelings can ONLY be expressed in gentle sweet action.

        PROOF OF LOVE IS ALL that is needed.

        Proof of love can only come from a true heart.

        Have courage to show your love, forgiveness and prove full reconciliation the sweetest and most powerful way like children.

        Instantly.

        Spontaneously.

        With a smile from the bottom of your heart.

        Looking into the eyes of the one you love.

        Deep into the eyes to establish a soul to soul connection of love.

        Once this soul to soul connection is established all past is instantly and fully dissolved in love.

        YOUR love and the love from the one looking into your eyes.

        True love has the power to instantly heal ALL past hurts.

        Your past hurts as well as the past hurts of any other person.

---------------------------------
"The one who does not love has not known God. For God is love." 1 John 4:8

A Close Encounter of the 3rd Kind

        Yesterday at around 11PM I rode on my motorcycle to savor the cool evening air and to drop by the Citibank office in Paseo de Roxas to pay off my Credit Card bills.  Since it was already late at night, I felt kinda tired and sleepy already and I reckoned it will be risky to ride in such a condition.

        A bit of coffee and sandwich wouldn't hurt, I told myself, and so I left the motorcycle parked in front of the building and started walking towards the Petron Gasoline station located at the corner of Gil Puyat and Makati Avenue. 

        As I was approaching the corner of Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas (in front of the HSBC Savings Bank) I spotted a lady all by her lonesome self at the corner, presumably waiting for a taxi.  She was wearing tight fitting jeans and a tanktop that showed her bare shoulders and very long hair. 

        I continued walking.  As I neared her I took a closer look so that I could see how she would look like from up close.

        Hmmmmm.... 

        She has a cute butt eh?  And my!  What broad shoulders! 

        The light shone on her face and I saw her chiselled looks with a prominent jaw and cheekbones.  She noticed my presence and, turning her face towards me, we made eye contact.

        Immediately, as our eyes met, I got shivers down my spine, my hands started to sweat and my heart seemed to beat double time...  But it wasn't because I was attracted to her... 

        That "lady" I was admiring turned out to be a "barako baby!"

        Alarms went off inside my head.  Lights started flashing.  Adrenalin quickly pumped through my veins... 

        It was either fight or flight for me. 

        I started walking faster.  Left... right... left... right... not looking back.

        I thought I had already walked a good distance away from her when I slowed down.  As I relaxed my pace I could hear someone mumbling behind me.  I didn't bother looking back.  Maybe it's just the wind playing tricks on me. 

        I continued walking.

        The voice behind me started getting louder and out of the corner of my eye I noticed that it was this lady (or barako baby) walking behind me.  She (or HE) continued mumbling but I could not understand what she (or HE) was saying.  Maybe she (or HE) was talking to someone on her (or HIS) phone. 

        Or so I thought.

        She (or HE) was now about to overtake me.  We were in front of UCPB Building in Makati Avenue when I glanced at her (or HIM) and I noticed that she (or HE) wasn't talking on the phone at all!  She continued her mumbling while looking straight at me with dagger eyes as if she wanted to eat me whole. 

        What the...???! 

        I still could not understand what she was mumbling about.

        I stopped in my tracks, planted my feet firmly, turned towards her (or HIM), and matched her dagger looks with my very own version of Annakin Skywalker's fiery eyes when he was dueling with Obi-Wan Kenobi in Mustafar in Star Wars III - Revenge of the Sith.

        With the loudest voice that I could muster, I looked at her (or HIM) in the eyes and yelled at her (or HIM) from close range. 

Me: "WHY?????"

         My voice could have been loud enough to be heard from the other side of Makati Avenue. I could see the whites of her (or HIS) eyes growing large as she (or HE) reeled back from surprise.

Her (or HIM):  Huh???

        Realizing that she (or HE) couldn't possibly understand the context of my question, I continued my verbal offensive.

Me: "WHY ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME???"

        She (or HE) immediately stepped back and started walking towards the stairs of UCPB Building, away from me , and mumbling loudly this time.

Her (or HIM): I'm not following you...  (with pa-cute voice)

        She (or HE) is now on the defensive!

Me: "DON'T FOLLOW ME, OK!??"

        She (or HE) sat on the stairs sulking.  Happily relieved that I got rid of her (or HIM), I quickly walked away. 

        She mumbled loudly again.

Her (or HIM): "You're so suplado..."

        Without looking back ('coz I had this stupid grin already on my face) I talked back to her in typical Dexter speak:

Me: "Yeah, I know!"

-------------------------------------
Lesson learned:  Never make eye contact with people you don't want to mess around with.

Random Shots

Here are some random shots taken with my phone cam during the Christmas Holidays:

Row, row, row your boat at the Burnham Lake.  Did you know that the water in the lake is actually chest deep only?

This was taken somewhere in Tarlac while traversing a "shortcut" to Baguio (alternate route kuno) that actually added 1 hour to our travel time.   Ano daw yung Xerox???

Here's a sign outside a barber shop in Magsaysay Avenue in Baguio City.  Translated in Tagalog, "Pukis" actually means "Gupit".  Did you have anything else in mind?  ;-)

This is the Giant 200-ft Ferris Wheel at the new Euro Show Carnival in Fort Bonifacio.  The photo does not do justice to the Ferris Wheel.  You should see how the wheel is spinning while the lights are blinking, giving the illusion like the wheel might roll off its spindle and come crashing down the road.

P.S. Euro Show Carnival started operating last December 30, 2005 and will continue to operate until March 2006 only.  It is open from 6:00pm to 2:00AM everyday.  Tara lets!

Ahhh... Love!!!

(Writer's Block! -- the most dreaded "disease" that can ever afflict a writer.  And I've got it!  Aaarghhh.  It must be the Christmas and New Year events that did it.  I'll have to build up momentum once again, so for now, I'll mix and match some thoughts, notes and ideas that I've casually jotted down on my phone's notepad for the past year... wow, my phone's notepad function has its use after all.)

 
        So here it is -- it's not yet Valentine's Day but this being the start of a new year, I'll attempt to write about making this year a "Love Theme" or a "Love Episode" or "Love me Tender" or "whatever-you-wanna-call-it-love" syndrome.

        So what is love anyway?

        Here's some wacky definitions:

"Love is a heterogenous conglomeration of absurdity calculated to bamboozle the anatomy of the individual who becomes intoxicated with its abominable and irresistible power."

      - and -

"Love is a feeling you feel when you feel that you're going to get a feeling that you never felt before. "

        Huh?  Say that again???

        But seriously now... 

        One of the greatest descriptions of love is found in the Scripture: "Love is patient, love is kind; It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps ho record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, it always protects, always believes, always hopes, always perseveres." (l Cor. 13:4-7)

        After that comes the profound statement: "Love never fails." (verse 8)

        And what's the shortest, most profound statement on love?  Again it is found in the Bible -- just three words: "God is love." (1 John 4:8)

        Many people think that they are in love when in fact they are only infatuated.  Love's counterfeit is infatuation. 

        So how do we distinguish which is which? 

        Infatuation is ruled by feelings alone.

        But love's feelings are ruled by principle.  True love has feelings - Tender feelings which are put in the human heart by a caring God. In true love, all feelings are under the control of principle.

        Infatuation is in a hurry. 

        But love takes time.  We can build a shack overnight.  But if we are building a house that will stand the fury of a typhoon, that takes time.

        Infatuation is a ditch into which narrow-eyed people fall.

        While love is a ladder onto which wide-eyed people climb. In a sense, we do not "fall in love". rather, we "climb on to love".

        What's the recipe for love? 

        It's called J.O.Y.

J for Jesus - love Jesus best of all.
O for others - love your partner and other people better than sourself
Y for you - love yourself last.

        Ok ngarud!  That's my piece. 

        Let's make this year a "Love Year" for everyone!

Retrospecting...

        It's now 2006!  Another year to live, a new hope, a fresh start, and many many things to look forward to for the next 12 months and beyond.

        Looking back at 2005, I could say that the past year was very significant for me in many aspects.  Much of the most significant events happened in the latter half of the year; The first half of the year was basically a "boring" period with me getting involved in a card distribution business that I eventually closed down since it was taking too much of my time, effort and resources.  After I freed myself of that bondage, things serendipitically fell into place...

        So here they are, in no particular order... my year 2005 in a nutshell

1. I lost my old Nokia 3650 cellphone... I actually left it inside a taxicab.  I realized it too late as I saw the taxicab speeding away after I had alighted infront of our house.


2. My project proposal (CameraSafe for Nokia Series60 phones) landed in the Top 10 of the Smart-Nokia SIP Apps Challenge.  Too bad I didn't land in the Top 5...


3. I received a cash grant from Smart for the development of the CameraSafe application.


4. Smart also gave me a brand new Nokia 6680 phone (Yipee!  pamalit sa nawalang 3650)


5. I celebrated my birthday in the air on a Tiger Airways flight from Singapore to Clark, together with Tiger's reknowned "masungit" stewardesses.


6. And I fell in Jesus' loving embrace  :-)


7. My parents, my sis and me had the time of our lives in Singapore and Thailand as we got "reunited" and enjoyed each other's company while travelling together (my sis had been working in Singapore for more than a year already, my parents are based in Baguio, while I'm based in Manila)


8. Someone gave me a copy of the book "The Purpose Driven Life" last June.


9. I started reading that book only last November.  I haven't finished reading it yet.


10. I'm a member of the "Loser's Club"!  I was able to lose 15 pounds in a four month period while simultaneously trimming down my waistline by four inches  (Wanna know my "loser's secret"?)


11. I was able to achieve my goal of running 5 kilometers in under 30 minutes and my rest pulse rate is now 60 beats per minute =)


12. Finally, I was able to make amends with people with whom I've held grudges with for so many years already, or those who held grudges against me.  All it took was a phone call and enough guts to say "sorry, it was my fault"  =)

 

A blessed happy new year to one and all!