At The Crossroads...

Yesterday, I thought of writing something about Paramore’s "The Only Exception” for today’s post. But a part of me held back; maybe because the song is kind of cheesy in some sense or that dwelling on it is not really a good idea. Last night, confusing and negative thoughts ruled my head. And so, I decided to do something that I should’ve done ages ago.

Feels like I’m facing the crossroads of destiny these days. I’m trying to figure out which type of personality suits me best; because, honestly, I’m not sticking to one. Thus, I no longer know which is comfortable or not. I could still remember that I’m not friendly before or not as friendly as I am now. I was a home-buddy who’s so moody and choosy. But I guess I can naturally attract people without even trying so hard to get close to.

The thing is, I didn’t know how to respond or cherish the way people, or the so-called friends, treat me. I have always thought that it’s not my responsibility to do anything, especially if I wasn’t the one who initiated the bond. I mingle; but I don’t really make it a big deal. That’s when fate got interested in me. I met friends who value companionship like it’s a part of their life force.

I didn’t know what to do at first. But I was sure I wanted to be like them for I enjoyed having faithful friends. And so I managed to change and become someone else – someone cheerful and friendly enough to make bonds with just anybody. Something I thought was incredible and long-lasting. But I was wrong.

I wasn’t inherently nice and sociable; I thought I can do anything without being touchy. I believed that bonds such as friendship and romantic relationships would only make you vulnerable and feeble. And as days go by, I’d find more and more reasons confirming such claims. This kind of person that’s only concerned of protecting one’s self is perhaps my inner and natural self - the old personality that’s trying so hard to resurface now. Of course, it’s almost successful.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t regret being the kind of person that most people think I am. It was fun and memorable. But I’m sure I never exposed the real me yet; not even to my very close friends. They have much to learn, that is. But I guess I no longer have the inclination to be loving, caring and friendly. I have gone beyond the limits. I forgot to deal with friendship in moderation. I got lost in the bliss and promises of such thing. And so I suffered much. I became prone to pain, jealousy and other pathetic stuff. I may be bitter, but I should’ve awakened myself earlier. 
 

A friend told me that I should not change myself, especially if I’m not really comfortable with the idea. I think he’s right and so I’m trying to lessen the bonds I have now; before I get consumed by nasty feelings. I still haven’t overcome that sickness and I thought being the opposite would help eliminate its existence. But no, it only made things worst. Hence, I’ll try to be my old self again. We’ll see if I can manage. Hope “they” understand. Test is inevitable, eh?! :D

Hey friend, you managed to “jinx” me a couple of times already. It did work. Remember when you said yesterday that “You’re in a good mood today, but yesterday was not. How about tomorrow?” Haha. I guess this is it.

Friends, if you think I'm being unreasonable or something, please feel free to pinch me back to reality. ;)

Claim It and It Shall Be Given To You

It's not always that we are given what we really want. Sometimes, we've got to be contented with what we have and no longer ask for what we cannot get. Even being a spoiled brat has its limits. However, if you truly deserve it, then it goes without saying. Ask for it, claim it, work for it, wait, and you shall reap favorable results. Oh my, I feel that I have so many things to be thankful for. 

"Good things always come to those who wait." That's the lesson I learned from the anime (Saiunkoku Monogatari) I watched yesterday. I didnt think that it would apply to me for today or that what I've been wishing for would eventually come true (I even forgot about it). Well, maybe that's why Patience is a virtue, eh?!

I'm not really a patient person. Despite being indecisive, I am also impulsive; which frequently leads me to many forms of trouble and regrets. I never thought that this moment would come. I've never felt this satisfied and blessed.. Well, when talking about work, that is. :D

I dont make sense, I know. But I cant help but write and post this rant. I'm just happy that I get to work with my friend now. Haha. Yeah, another shallow reason to rejoice. But even the simplest and smallest of things can make me happy. You dont have to look for bigger or extreme reasons to be happy, right? Or spend much just to enjoy yourself? I'm a practical person; but I'm also a splurge-spender. Haha

I'm just trying to remind myself that If I truly want something, then I should go for it. Claim it. If I dont, how could I attract success? But of course, I know this is not applicable to each and every situation. There will always be something, or someone, that I'd like to have but can never really own or get. Too bad but that's the way things are. Oh well, I'll just have to thank whatever comes my way.

Looking forward to working with you friend. I hope we'll be fine. :))

And thanks to the early morning "jinx" of another friend. I think that helped a lot. ;)

Life.. or Something Like it... ^_^

Oh yeah, I am now officially a 24 year old "semi-adult." Why the term? Well, it's because I still cant find a good direction. I mean, what the heck have I been doing all this time? Where am I heading to or why am I here? Thinking about your purpose in life, kinda sucks. And so I just keep on living for the moment. Cant I just live for today? Do I really have to worry about the future?

Well, it's not that I dont think about my future. But getting anxious about it may just shorten your life. Stress can be deadly, you know. And so I just enjoy living every moment of my life; though, not really. I mean, in life, things dong always go your way. No matter how good a planner you are, loads of things can hinder you from getting what you want. And usually, the path that you've never thought of, is actually the one that's meant for you. So dont go cursing all the roadblocks you get to deal with along the way. Those sources of pain and suffering would actually become your strength and driving force to keep moving on.

Days before my birthday, I have encountered so many heartbreaking stuff and realized a lot of things which I normally ignore. It's like I came to my senses. I was being tested and forced to make very difficult decisions. Every step I took was so damn hard I never thought I could make it. But I know, such things would keep on coming. And though they may be hard or would try to take the best out of me, they will never be impossible to defeat. Just how mysterious, challenging and beautiful life can be.

2.4

My 24th birthday is fast approaching and I never thought that, like last year, I'd be busy as hell. Busy with summer getaways and gatherings, that is. I am thinking of giving myself some challenges. At first, I thought of doing them on my 25th; but why not do it now, eh? Who knows, I wont live long anymore. We really cant predict our lives, anyway. I want to come out of my shell and explore the real essence of living. It sucks to be stuck in a routine kind of life. And so I'm letting my adventurous side out. Since loads of things are trying to bug me these days, I might as well pour them out to declutter my mind. So let me share to you 24 things that I organized through various categories:
 

4 Things I learned along the way...

- People who expect a lot and demand too much are always likely not to get what they want.. and even need.

- No matter how many friends you have, though they're the best ones, there'll always come a time that you'd feel alone or would even choose to be. But your own self, your real lifetime best friend, would always come to the rescue and would never fail to keep you company.

- The world is so vast.. yet when you go to the right places (unexpectedly), you'll be surprised and amazed of how smart and gifted a lot of people are... makes me wonder just how magnificent life really is if you only live it to the fullest.

- You will hurt people around you either because you really care.. or you just dont.

4 Things I'll Always Remember...

- The feeling after someone you never thought would talk to you would make an effort to do so.

- The strenght and perseverance of my mother and those painful expriences that made us all strong and better persons.

- The gratitude of having wonderful friends and being blessed while others are so unfortunate.

- Whenever you feel the drive, the inspiration and the timing go hand in hand, keep moving and dont give up without fighting.

4 Things I miss...

- The laughter of a complete family and the reunion with once close relatives
- Being pampered so dearly despite throwing tantrums, being so selfish and stupid.
- School, the clean river and beaches, the many trees and green sceneries.
- Talking and being with people who were always with you when you were younger...

4 Things I'm Afraid of...

- Losing important memories
- Spider (Thanks to Jimmy I slightly overcame it)
- Making decsions which are not only wrong but can hurt those people I love
- Not being able to tell my loved ones that I really do care.. despite being like "this"..

4 Things I Want To Do But Still Cant...

- Travel around the world!!! lol
- Martial Arts/kung Fu? Well, I can If I Really Want to.. ;)
- Karting/kart race
- Engage into some serious or romantic relatioships/commitment? lols

4 Things I'll Dare To Myself...

- talk to "selected" strangers... not for long, of course.. lol
- hug and/or kiss (people I like/love, of course..lol) as much as possible.. even just for a day :)
- walkathon? or explore local places..
- make my friends dare me.. ahahah

Guess I'm Ready...

I have been digging the album of Lady Antebellum for a week already. I just like this type of musicians. Their kind of music would always light up my heart; and their melody, it's just so catchy. But the one song that I really cant get off my mind is this: 

Lady Antebellum, "Ready To Love Again"

Seems I was walking in the wrong direction
I barely recognized my own reflection, no
Scared of love, but scared of life alone
Seems I've been playin' on the safe side baby
Building walls around my heart to save me, oh
But it's time for me to let it go.

Yeah, I'm ready to feel now
No longer am I 'fraid of the fall down
It must be time to move on now
Without the fear of how it might end
I guess I'm ready to love again.

Just when you think that love will never find you
You run away but still it's right behind you, oh
It's just something that we can't control

Yeah, I'm ready to feel now
No longer am I 'fraid of the fall down
It must be time to move on now
Without the fear of how it might end
I guess I'm ready to love again.

So come and find me
I'll be waiting up for you
I'll be holding out for you tonight

Yeah, I'm ready to feel now
No longer am I 'fraid of the fall down
It must be time to move on now
Without the fear of how it might end
I guess I'm ready, ready to love again.

I'm not sure If I can relate to this now. Sure, I'm in a so-called "relationship." But something I'm in doubt of. Well, maybe I'm just up for something complicated. Hopefully, we can really work things out. It's still too early to give up on us.

When Boredom Gets You Down

Are you inclined to getting bored? Do you have that one dull day to live by? Are you sick of locking yourself into your room or being a couch potato in your house whenever you're not up to something or have nowhere to go? Like you're wishing that boring weekends or a "have-nothing-to-do when given a break from work" would never ever come again. Well, let me share to you some things that you can do if you happen to have a day that you dont know how to spend.

I think the list goes down to all those things which you dont normally do. It really pays to do something new from time to time. Doing routines can certainly suck up your life. Besides, these "things to do where you're bored" are also ways to improve yourself. It's like hitting two birds with just one stone. So deal with your boredom by trying any of the following:

• Read history even if you dont fancy it that much. You'll be surprised on how interesting events were from the past. Or Get to know your ancestors by tracing down your family tree.

• Go for a walk with a memory box and a camera. Take photos of random things or those which arouse your curiosity. Collect random stuff as you go along the way. And then, make up stories or poems out of it.

• Have some short talks with various strangers; especially with the old ones who need some company. You can also volunteer in charity works or something like that.

• Rent movies that you havent seen yet. Or stroll around your neighborhood. And if you have the means, pamper yourself with either a facial or a massage.

• Try to fly a kite or catch a fish. If you like babies or kids, try babysitting. Visiting either an orphanage or a home for the aged can be so heart-warming and fulfilling.

• Make your friends or anyone close to your heart special by sending them notes or lists of the things you truly like about them.

• Maybe it's time to pay attention to your home or room cleaning. See what you can do to efficiently remodel your house. Have a garage sale.

• Rearrange or paint your room, look for some ideas to reuse or recycle old and unused stuff like old clothes and the like. Not only that you can sharpen your creativity as you can also become productive through reusing or recycling.

• When it's raining, go out and play with the kids. It's still not too late to splash in the puddle. Play the games you once liked when you were just a kid.

• Play with your food or anything where you can come up with your own masterpiece. Of course, dont forget to take pictures of it.

• Or, wake up your dormant creative side. You can draw, write or create something artistic. Make use of the things around you. You dont have to spend much just to show the world that you're talented or creative. Make a scrapbook or try to cross-stitch.

• Create your own comics or manga; you dont have to be a real artist just to be able to come up with a good story and sketches.

• And if you still dont have your own blog, try setting up one. You'll be surprise on how you'll get hooked into it and how much time you can past up.

• Learn how to cook or bake. Experiment. Then, ask your friends to come over. Have a picnic. You can even tape your cooking adventure as if you're a host from a cooking show or something.

Something I found that's really fun:

• Organize a traveling meal with your friends (works best if you all live close together). Go to House #1 for appetizers, House #2 for salad, House #3 for soup, House #4 for the main course, and House #5 for dessert.

• You can also try to plant either trees or flowers. Challenge yourself whether you can really make something grow. Discover the wonders of giving life.

Go on an alphabet walk. Pick a letter of the alphabet and find as many things as you can that begin with that letter. Or, try to find something that begins with each letter of the alphabet.

• Make your own time capsule. Imagine what it would be like in the future. Then write something to those people you think could uncover your time capsule. You can address it to your future wife, or kids maybe. Or something that you want to tell yourself when you're already old or dying. :D

Write down your list in a piece of paper and cut each of them out. Store it in a jar that you're going to label "pick one if bored." And try to accomplish any of these things until you're back to your normal mode.

How To Deal With A Heartbreak

Being heartbroken is the same, common old story that everyone knows - one heart is holding on while the other is already letting go. Good for you if the separation has been done in a polite and acceptable way; something like you and your partner has talked about and that you both decided to end things once and for all. If things arent really going well with your partner recently, then coping with a breakup is somewhat no longer a big deal. But how about if you were just left in the corner, feeling stupid since there were no signs of it or that you didnt saw it coming and no goodbyes made it clear?

As you can see, most cases of a heartbreak are usually because the other person just went off all of a sudden without a notice, leaving the other one clueless and waiting in vain. To deal with a heartbreak is perhaps one of the causes of extreme anxiety or depression that may lead to something more serious if left untreated. Some people end up killing themselves due to too much pressure and the so-called unbearable pain of having a heartbreak; it's as if you are actually or literally suffering from a broken heart.

No matter how you look at it, going through a heartbreak is never easy and swift. Though most people have already accepted in their hearts and anticipated the occurrence of a heartbreak whenever they would enter a relationship or commitment, you just cant always deal with things as if it doesn't really matter. And normally, you cant practice what you preach to others. Whether you are the best advisor in the whole universe or a first-timer in the world of love, dating and relationships, surviving a heartbreak would always take some time and effort as well as a lifting support from your other loved ones. Sometimes, it takes more than that to successfully move on and get over it.

It wont help if you keep reminiscing your past. It's natural that you, from time to time, would browse through your happy photos together and remember the sweet old days. But doing it every hour of the day would definitely keep that fire of longing burning. This may also lead to pathetic questioning of yourself as to what went wrong and what have you done; stuff like that. Dont kid yourself by trying to blame everything on you and that, maybe, there still hope if you patch things up. You know deep down in yourself whether it s truly over or not, so dont dwell on unrealistic issues. And of course, it pays to have a friend or family member listen to your sentiments; it can help lessen the burden and the pain or sadness.

There are so many ways on how you can efficiently and smoothly deal with a heartbreak. But various techniques would never take effect if you still haven't accepted in both your mind and heart that every thing's over. Without acceptance and the motivation to keep going with your life as it is, it would be quite difficult to get over your painful past. And come on, can those "emo" quotes and music you keep on digging would be able to lend you a hand? Geez, give yourself a break. It's already tough just to think about the definition of being heartbroken. So while you still can, chin up and do your best to feel and look good, it's not yet the end of the world, you know. ;)   

The Fear Of Losing Memory

Each and every creature in this world, be it an animal or a human, has its own set of memories to ponder. In fact, a great part of our brain is filled with various memories from range of sources accumulated over time. Whether it is a good memory or not, the information you were able to collect and store in your brain will always be a part of you; unless you are going to suffer from a kind of mental disorder like Amnesia or Alzheimer's disease.

I have always feared Alzheimer's disease and other mental disorders. For me, losing one's ability to think or comprehend and respond rationally would truly be a disastrous and a heartbreaking condition. I dont want to experience having a hard time dealing with any cognitive impairments; and of course, I dont want any of my family members and friends to go through such tragedy.

I know, and maybe most of us are also aware, that many of the health problems we tend to face are products of our own actions in terms of choosing and living a kind of lifestyle. Cancer and other life-threatening diseases should no longer be a surprise for those who are consistently abusing their mind and body. We all know the consequences of our actions or the possible outcomes of doing something that is way beyond what's acceptable. Thus, there should be no room for blaming and stuff.

I tend to be forgetful nowadays. It's not really an alarming thing yet. But what I'm really worried about is my mom. She had been complaining and showing signs of aging; including recurrent moments of forgetfulness and being somewhat lost. I know she had been through a lot and I'm not the kind of daughter who would always make her feel loved and supported. *sigh*. Yes, guilty as charged. And I know there shouldnt be any excuse as to how I should act. I know, I should be responsible and caring for my mom more than anybody else would. But, I just dont know how, dont have the courage or I dont really care enough. :(

When I watched "The Notebook", a movie inspired by Nicholas Sparks' novel, it really inspired and broke my heart. That's also one thing that encouraged me to write a daily journal accounting each and every thing I've done for each day or recording everything that happened. But of course, my laziness took over. It's so saddening for the one who lose the memory as well as to his or her loved ones. Some folks with such dilemma end up dying after years of pain and suffering. I just dont want to deal with it. And so, I really pray, that not a single form of mental and even physical problem would come out of the picture and take the best out of everyone I love.

How Should You Blog? pt.2

So how should you really blog? What are the best ways to tell the world about your posts or whatever it is that you can offer? Is there some kind of a rule to follow just to be able to blog well? Should those rules be strictly followed? What could happen if you just do things on your own? Should you really take blogging etiquettes into consideration?

More and more people are into blogging nowadays, and usually it's because of money. While some people create blogs to openly express their admiration to their favorite celebs or to put their enemies into a pinch, there are also those who dont care about adsense, backlinks or traffic and other promotional stuff; they're people like me or maybe those who simply want to show off their writing skills.

Well, whatever your motive for blogging is, you should always remember that you are not the only one doing it. Other people's thoughts and feelings should also be considered. As such, you cant simply go around writing stuff that only focuses on criticizing someone or do the things which can offend your fellow bloggers. So to avoid any blogging trouble, why dont you have a glimpse of the following blogging etiquettes that I'm gonna share to you:

1. Dont tell the whole world what you dont want anyone to know.

There should be a limit as to how open you should be. Remember, millions of people surf the net everyday. Even if you are not sharing your blog to anyone, dont post things that should be left confidential; whether it's yours or your friend's secret.

2. If you dont have anything to post, let it be. Dont copy other people's contents as an alternative.

There are loads of free software which can help you rewrite or spin contents to avoid duplication. Though this is not entirely a good thing since it still means copying but merely revising, it's way better than simply posting everything from the other person's post without any alteration.

3. Always return the favor.

If a fellow blogger with a topical blog would ask to exchange links with you, be polite in giving a response. it can help promote your site if you want; if not, decline appropriately. If you're using other bloggers' images or parts of a content, see to it that you give credit in the form of links pointing back to the owner's site.

4. Respect other people's opinion. Though you are also entitled to your own, dont let negative feedbacks get to you.

Your blog or site would somehow reflect your reputation. So make sure you be yourself without being overboard. Minimize accusations and other offensive statements, particularly when commenting. If you came across with disrepectful folks, leave them be.

5. If you're sharing information and stuff, always check what you've done. Take time to edit/update.

See to it that links are working, spellings are correct and you have a good grammar. Doing this can create a good impression. Learn how you can improve your blogging or your blog for an instance. Moreover, if you enabled your comments sections, take time to give responses to your visitors.  

How Should You Blog?

People blog for so many reasons. The reasons why and how people blog vary from one another. You can find bloggers who take blogging to the heart because of the profits he or she can gain. There are also those who blog simply to share their writing skills or whatever interesting information they have. Some folks do it because they were told to do so; just like me. lol.

Yep, personally, I'm not really an active blogger. I have my own blog which only a few people know of, including this. For now, I'm taking for granted my own blog (uhm, as always? ahaha) as I should consistently manage this one. Well, you can say this is also my own blog, but not something that I did out of my whim. But hey, it's worth the time and chance to learn or share more.

Anyway, whether you blog for money or for other reasons, there is always a right way to do it. Believe it or not, but the blogosphere also has its own "uwritten" rules or the so-called blogging etiquette. Actually, it's common sense. If you want people to come to your website or blog as well as keep them coming back, you should learn how to do things the right or respectable way.

Though you have the right to freely express your thoughts, take note that you're writing online and that loads of people all over the world might read it. And chances are, you may also get criticized. There are so many ways on how to blog effectively according to your own purpose of blogging. If you want to acheve success through blogging or make money with your blog, dont casually spit out random thoughts and unnecessary rants. Try to focus on something worthwhile.

As you can see, this blog is not that promoted or optimized. I mean, I havent shared this with my friends or blooger friends and other people I know. Since I wasnt given an order to promote or optimize it all over the net, I didnt bother submitting it to various sites which can help spread the word. Actually, I'm thankful about that. haha. I dont really like to show-off, though I want to share people stuff I was able to collect.

If you're reading this, still dont have a blog but is planning to set up one, take time to think about the purpose why you want to do so. Are you up for money-making? Then find the right niche. Research and explore before jumping in to the world of blogging ang and Internet marketing. But if you simply want to have an online journal, you dont have to sweat it out that much. Just learn the right blogging etiquettes. The Internet, or the blogosphere for an instance, is not a world solely designed for your own use. So if you want to enjoy your blogging experience, see to it that you consider the to-dos and the dos and don'ts.

I intended to share some of the important blogging etiquettes that one should bear in mind and practice in this post. But I ended up talking about other less significant things. So watch out for it on my next post. :D

The Cool And Fun Way To Shake Your Salt and Pepper

The most common condiments that you can find in almost every household or restaurants are the salt and pepper. Many people just cant live to eat without the use of either a salt or pepper or both. The kind of taste or flavoring that both salt and pepper can add to any of your dish  sure is incomparable. While some people should not consume too much salt or pepper because of an existing illness, sufficient amount of such condiments can actually bring a blissful feeling in your dining.

Now how about if you have cool salt and pepper shakers to make your dinining experience more fun and appetizing? Have you come across with cool and funky designs for salt and pepper shakers? Why dont you take a look at these? I'm sure you'd be drooling to have any of these cool salt + pepper shakers:

Want to play with them first? But, I dont think they're for kids, though :D

How To Achieve Success in Life

Nobody wants to fail; that's a given. Although failures in life can help lead us to more and better opportunities, some people let obstacles take the best out of them. And that's where the idea of success becomes quite impossible or a very difficult thing to achieve. Humans are born with unique strenght and abilities to wtihstand any trials. And with the aid of both friends and families, things get easier to come by. However, amny folks lack the will to move on and keep going. There are also those who simple want to be spoonfed all their lives.

But life doesnt always go our way. If you choose a path, there'll always be roadblocks and stuff to hinder you from successfully reaching your destiny. Trials, obstacles and things like these are life's way of turning us into better indivduals; it's also a way to strenghten bonds and relationships. Without the many dilemmas we tend to face each and every day, life would be as boring as watching the time fly while you're not doing anything. And there's nothing really productive with mere imagining, thinking or planning. If there's something you want to be successful at, you should see to it that you can do whatever it takes to make it happen.

Now let me share to you some of the rules or to-dos one should always bear in mind if he or she wants to be successful in all or most of the aspects in life:

1. Do not blame others for your misfortunes. The things happening to you, be it good or bad, are products of your own choices or decisions. Face the reality and the consequences of your own actions. Excuses are only for the losers who never seek to win. 

2. Just thinking or planning is not doing. Good luck rarely comes to the inactive and less confident. Hard work and perseverance as well as patience are your tools in making your dreams come true.

3. Focus on the important things in life. If you spend too long worrying about the small things, that’s all you’ll end up with.  Combat stress as efficient and as fast as you can. If you feel you can no longer take the load, spend some time to breathe.

4. Failure is progress. Every mistake is a step closer to success as long as you learn from it.  If you think that things are getting more complicated and more difficult, that's the signal that success is going to be at hand sooner or later. Never give up.

5. Share your success with others; either you learn from the masters or be one of them. Successful people work together and build winning relationships.  The more you surround yourself with successful and positive people, the more you learn and build.

6. Love yourself and take pride in everything that you do. Celebrate each and every success while always keeping your feet on the ground. Reward yourself even with the simplest of things. Work hard but don't push yourself to the limits. There's always a time for everything. Time and effort management should be practiced.

Focus on what you Want and not on what you Don’t. The things you didnt do when you should've done it are more regretful than those you did despite the unfavorable results. Success is a mindset. It's not merely because you dont have any luck or something. People who work harder get luckier; or should I say, more blessed. Good things would always come to those who know how to act and wait. So if you want success, go get it. Becoming successful is not as easy as buying a candy from a store. You must work hard to earn it. And if you're not going to move now, then when?

Friggin' Sick x_x

I'm sick and yet I'm still at work. It's not that I'm really busy and all; however, isnt getting sick a warning sign to stop working your ass out and get some break? lol. I have been having a hard time breathing due to runny nose and mild cough. Sooner or later, I'd feel feverish and dizzy. It's a good thing that I can still manage. And more importantly, it's Friday.  Since it's the last day of the workweek, I just forced myself to report for duty despite my condition.

It really sucks to get sick, especially if you have so many things to do. It's either you're working so hard that you end up taking your health for granted or you're really taking your health for granted. haha. Anyway, I just hope I can get through this sickness of mine while I'm still not that busy. I have to get myself prepared for the next busy weeks. Just grateful that I dont have a lot of burdens nowadays. And while I'm worrying about this simple or common illness, other people are suffering from more serious health conditions.

Who's Got The Eye?

I like images, photos and stuff like that. It always mazaes me how some people can capture breathtaking moments, sceneries and even funny or memorable stolen shots. For me, the best photographers are those who can find the right angle and the proper timing. Not everyone can simply point and shoot and then be able to achieve really great photos. It takes a good eye to catch a good picture. 

While photography can be learned, for me, it is a form of art accomplished only by those who are given the extraordinary eye and mind; to catch a prospect and build unique concepts out of it. And mind you, though I can appreciate people who have good skills in terms of enhancing photos or images, I'd still prefer raw photos taken out of talent and perfect timing.

Now let me share to you some of the photos that really caught my interest. These photos were taken either coincidentally or through a perfect timing and a good eyesight:

Are they not fun and cool to look at? :D

Prevention Is Still Better Than Cure

Prevention, in various aspects, is perhaps one of the most taken for granted actions by humans. The worst thing is that most people know the importance of prevention and how it can be done yet they keep on doing the opposite. As a result, instead of being able to avoid any dilemmas from coming your way, you are likely to deal with more trouble that you'd certainly regret all your life.

Not following any preventive measures is usually noticeable in people's health and lifestyle. You can see a lot of people suffering from various health conditions that they can actually prevent from happening. Either such folks dont know how to prevent a certain disease from manifesting or they are, like most people do, ignoring the essence of effective prevention methods. Even cancer can be prevented just like obesity, high blood pressure and other diseases which are taking a toll on many people's health and overall wellbeing.

Just as how effective and powerful prevention is  when it comes to our health and lifestyle, the same goes for the manner by which we are interacting with our families, friends and other folks around us. Embracing the importance of prevention can certainly avoid any forms of misunderstandings, pointless arguments and the like. Prevention can retain the beauty and wonder of relationship. If you see to that you can prevent from doing anything harmful to your friends or partner in life, you can be assured of a peaceful and harmonious living.

Taking Risks and Chances ^_^

Lately, I've been dealing with a lot of circumstances wherein I need to decide whether or not I should take chances. I'm at the crossroad wherein I am faced with situations entangled with complicated forms of risks. Though I had a hard time making up my mind, I knew I had to take one step forward; or I'll end up regretting not doing anything. As you can see, not doing anything is more regretful than doing something bad or wrong. We all are given chances to correct our mistakes; so why not take the risks?

Life is about making choices. What happens n your life depends on how courageous you are in decding which risks to take and not. There are loads of paths to take; whatever you choose, it will lead you to something that you truly deserve. Things happen for a reason and chances are given according to your needs or the situation that you're n. Though you may find that some options are quite puzzling, it is only after you carefully weigh things out and consider what your heart is calling out for that you can come up with the best decision for future remarkable results. 

The risks that you tend to face in your daily life may bring forth harm or dilemmas if you simply take it lightly. Choices should be made for the better. Taking risks would either help you grow or ruin your life; it all depends on yur manner of thinking. But we are bron as rational individuals. Think hard before making decisions particularly if it concerns serious matters in your life. As for me, though I'm not really a decisive kind of person, it is through the support and guidance of my friends that I am able to surpass it all.

Be Thy Thankful

There are so many things to be grateful for, especially nowadays that a lot of calamities are making our lives more miserable. not everyone is blessed with a good life; only few families can actually say that they are happy and contented. The rest of the world id crying in pain and suffering. Either the fluctuating economy is to be blamed or the effects of our neglect and abuse to out Mother Earth. But really, blaming or pointing fingers can never solve anything; instead, it would only worsen the case and cause further dilemmas.

I am, honestly, one of those people who tend to forget giving thanks for all the blessings I'm enjoying. I tend to get overwhelmed of all the good things happening to my life that I end up not having the sufficient time to meditate and call unto Him. Of course, for that, I feel so guilty and not deserving. But nevertheless, God knows how thankful I am for having a kind of life which is far better than those who are suffering in Haiti and the rest of the poor and in a state-of-calamity areas.

 I thank Him for each and wonderful day that He's given me and His mercy despite our complaints and discontentment. I am thankful for each new day, that which if it never came, I am sure to regret. We can never tell what's going to happen next in our lives. Maybe n just a matter of minutes, your heart would suddenly stop beating without the reasons that any physicians could ever explain. Scary, is it not?

Death is inevitable. Thus, we all should learn how to cherish each and every moment. Make the best out of everything. Always be thankful for all the blessings no matter how small or simple they appear to be. And as much as possible, be a bleassing to the needy. No matter how small the favor you are doing for others, in the eyes of the Lord, you are highly-praised and appreciated. So be thy thankful while you still can.

Random Realizations...

It's when you age up that you tend to realize
how far have you been gone...
what you actually accomplished...
and if you ever did made the things you need to
and ought to be doing...

It's the time when thoughts of whether you were happy
from all of those years that passed...
whether you were able to satisfy yourself
and of course, those that you care and love the most...

Reality checked and you discovered
that so many things have changed....
from those petty stuffs you indulged yourself in
up to those big decisions that you made...

Now why is it that we...
even though been bugged by these thoughts...
remain to be just the person that we used to be...
we know we must change and its for the better...
but we still tend to hold on
to those that we know
are not just good enough?

So what does it really takes
for us to make a move?
and does the motive of changing
limits only to one's self?
does it not extend to changing
not only the ways of an individual...
but also for the whole humanity itself?

We change for the reason
that we no longer get what we want
by staying just the way we were...
but change is ought not to be the reason
for just satisfying one's needs or wants...
change comes from the thought...
that you do it for the general welfare.

Then when is the best time to make the move?
Is it after we are diagnosed of some serious disease?
we lost a loved one due to our vices and the like?
Or maybe just the time when we feel
that we are no longer living in a world
that was intented for humans?

The time to make a change
doesnt need the "best" timing to make it up.
change can never wait...
It is something for us to do and keep doing.
An effort that we should have done
a very long time ago
up to the very present....

How soon is now?
Change calls for the action...
Are we there yet?!
It's never too late if we start doing it now.
The end is near...
Should we wait for the moment
that all we need is change...
but life doesnt have it...anymore...

Broken Pieces

It has been.. hmmm... cant remember anymore..maybe, "blank" months or years since the last time I saw my dad. Mom and dad got separated when I was about to finish high school. And the sad part is, it happened a month before Christmas. So whenever December would come and he's still not with us, bad memories would keep on haunting me. Until now, it's still so painful to think about the past. Of course, we've kind of moved on. However, we cant deny that we badly miss and need him.

That being said, it's obvious that I'm one of those who belong to a broken family. Loads of bad things happened to our family and so I'm proud to say that we were able to survive. Thanks to my patient and courageous mom who never dared to give up on us. She had always worked so hard and dealt with things efficiently without complaining. I am so proud of my mom though she cant feel my appreciation for her. I'm not really the showy type. When it comes to my family, I'm kind of different compared when I am outside our home. I'm the reserved type, and sometimes, the worst kind of daughter. But I've always wanted the best for my family. I want to give them everything they need; I feel pathetic and useless whenever I cant do whatever they need from me. But nevertheless, thank God that I have a wonderful and blessed family.

Though broken, I dont really feel like there's something missing because of my family's warm support and ever-dearest presence. Added with the love and concern of my friends, I tend to forget all the heart-breaking memories I've had. Now, going through anything is no longer a problem. Of course, God is our refuge and strenght. He's the most gracious, loving and merciful father I'd never want to lose. Without a father like him, I'd be nothing. He keeps my family strong and safe. He's filling all the missng pieces and fixing what needs be. Though I can still find myself regretting all the things that happened, I know, there are reasons behind. And my parent's separation might've been the best thing for us. I just hope that my father is well. And that we can see him again, before it's too late.

Is Marriage No Longer A Sacred Thing?

When talking about marriage, we all have different opinions or point of views. While some people take marriage as something sacred and essential to one's life, there are also those who think that marriage is like being imprisoned or living a miserable kind of life. Well, it really depends. Marriage can be really like a hellish trap for those who have been forced to do so. However, for two lovers who want to spend the rest of their lives together, it is  the beginning of a new wonderful life.  

Marriage has different meanings, depending on what kind of person or entity would define it. As I've said, people's outlook on marriage differs from one another. As from the Bible, a man and woman, when married, become "one flesh." This oneness is manifested most fully in the physical union of sexual intimacy. "So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate" (Matthew 19:6).

On the other hand, according to Wikipedia, Marriage is a social union or legal contract between individuals that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found. Such a union may also be called matrimony, while the ceremony that marks its beginning is usually called a wedding.

Sad thing is, it's been decades already since the time when many people are no longer treating marriage as a sacred vow or a union of two souls before God to create a better future for the world which He created. And nowadays, worst things are even happening, particularly in terms of marriage and having or keeping a complete happy family. More and more broken families have reached the surface. As a result, more and more teens are on a rampage. A lot of people coming from a broken family are not living a good kind of life; either they would engage their selves into drugs and various crimes or would also end up building their own miserable family.

There are many different reasons why people marry. It may be because of an obligation or legal matters, an arranged marriage or a declaration of love under the sacred oath. Of course, the most common reason why a man marries a woman is that because they both want it to happen; whether or not they already have kids or none. But nowadays, when two people decide to get married, a lot of folks would either think that their marriage wont be a success or that divorce and annulment is already in inevitable thing. Just how pathetic is that? Broken families have become a trend. Ad lucky for you if you belong to a harmonious and complete family.