Internet Disruption in Asia

The reason for Internet slow-down this past few days is due to earthquake happened in Taiwan on Tuesday, December 26. The two undersea data transmission cables under the Pacific Ocean were ruptured causing a massive break-down of all telecommunications in Asia. I read that Asia might still experience a slow internet connection until the coming New Year. Now that some people are net dependent in all their business and personal transactions, find it somewhat frustrating if they can't connect to the world wide web.

Read the Articles :

Quake highlights fragility of telecoms network - MSNBC

Asia Internet slowly comes back online - Yahoo! News

A Day After . . .

Christmas day is over, having a good time with the family is still the best part of it. Our place was the venue for the celebration this year however it should have been my aunt's place. But every member of the family want it to be in our house. My mom was telling me that when she called my grandmother everyone was saying they want Christmas took place in our house. I was laughing because we don't have anything to prepare, it was decided early on that my aunt is the host this year. So just to make it happen they brought the prepared foods in our house. Everything was great and the house was filled with noise and laughter. The only gift I got is a scent spray given by my aunt, Pear Glacè silkening body splash by Victoria's Secret GARDEN. My cousin was asking me to choose between Pear Glacè and Endless Love. I was wavering if I should choose Endless Love over Pear Glacè because I kinda like the smell of it too. But I ended up choosing Pear Glacè because its scent is mild and besides I like its color (lighter shade of apple green), haha~ ^_^ sometimes color affects my taste too. Yesterday all the family was present including my uncle, aunt and two other cousins that live in the states now through Yahoo messenger, and even though our 'Tatay' (my grandfather) is not here with us anymore I know he's gladly watching us and happily celebrated Christmas with the whole family. We miss him dearly especially my grandmother who just the thought of him makes her cry. I like about Christmas is the get together of the whole family, you can see them and share laughters with them. What I don't like about it is the same question I was always asked over and over and over again... "So, do you have a boyfriend?" and the recently asked question to me now is "Oh, where is he? What happened?" and "How old are you?" and "Are you planning to have a family". I really hate it when they started asking me this questions. Along with the sudden surprises of news of one of the member of the family. As far as I remember there hasn't been a get-together that there's no shocking revelation that happened in my family. This year its about my cousin conceiving, as expected I wouldn't be off the hook on the topic. As soon as they saw me the bomb was dropped on me "Oh, she's expecting when will it be your turn?" sarcastically I told them "How can I conceive when I don't have a boyfriend in the first place." Are they insane? They know I don't have a boyfriend so why are they asking me that BIG STUPID QUESTION, its not like I would suddenly conceive because my cousin was expecting. I am not the Virgin Mary for God's sake but WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? ask me this question. They were telling me to hurry up and got myself a boyfriend or someone who I can marry and have children on my own because I'm not getting any younger. Yeah, Yeah my cousin is a year younger than me and she's expecting now but what can I do she has a boyfriend and I don't. Am I supposed to blame myself for not having a boyfriend at my age and it's not my fault that she got pregnant first and not me. Ah! how frustrating! That's why sometimes I would rather be alone by myself because that's the only time I feel sane in this world. The only person that I can say who makes sense is my other aunt. When we were talking in the balcony along with my mom, my other aunt and my uncle the topic of 'boyfriend' was mentioned again. I like what she said, "Maybe they were not meant to be and maybe she was looking for someone else." Its the only sensible words I have heard in all of the nonsense talking that took place earlier that day. Yes I agree with her on that, we are not meant to be and I'm looking for someone who I can share the rest of my life with. I believe that he is out there because God has someone else planned for me. And for now I would happily enjoy my life.

SMILE! Because LIFE is so wonderful to frown about, right!

(image credit : cyworld kr)

Happy Holidays!!!

Noche Buena

Christmas Eve in the Philippines is the festive celebration of Filipinos at the strike of midnight. A tradition in the Filipino culture where an abundance of foods are prepared. Family members dine together and happily enjoy the night. For most-wealthy families the foods you'll see on their dinner table is a feast... different kinds of delicacies mostly you'll find in a high-class restaurant, a roast chicken, a roast beef, a mouth watering desserts and a high-quality wine. For the fortunate families the foods we can see are bread, Christmas ham, hotdogs, a hot chocolate and a cake for dessert. But for the most less fortunate families who can't afford to buy a chocolate mix to drink, a pack of hotdogs, a box of ham, a loaf of bread... all they can do is let pass the big event and treat it as an ordinary midnight and go on with their usual routine in life. But in spite of their condition some of them celebrate it happily and merrily without foods on their table. As long as they are together they enjoy the festive night along with the spirit of the holiday.

So this is the season of love and joy and the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Christ. Celebrate it with love in our hearts and filled with joy in our life and peace for mankind.

5 more days to go . . .

5 GOLDEN RULES FOR FINDING YOUR LIFE PARTNER

by Rabbi Dov Heller, M.A.

A relationship coach lays out his 5 golden rules for evaluating the prospects of long-term success. When it comes to making the decision about choosing a life partner, no one wants to make a mistake. Yet, with a divorce rate of close to 50 percent, it appears that many are making serious mistakes in their approach to finding Mr/Ms Right! If you ask most couples who are engaged why they're getting married, they'll say: "We're in love." I believe this is the #1 mistake people make when they date. Choosing a life partner should never be based on love (alone). Though this may sound not politically correct, there's a profound truth here. Love (alone) is not the basis for getting married. Rather, love is the result of a good marriage. When the other ingredients are right, then the love will come. Let me say it again: You can't build a lifetime relationship on love alone. You need a lot more.


Here are five questions you must ask yourself if you're serious about finding and keeping a life partner.


QUESTION #1:
Do we share a common life purpose?

Why is this so important? Let me put it this way: If you're married for 20 or 30 years, that's a long time to live with someone. What do you plan to do with each other all that time? Travel, eat and jog together? You need to share something deeper and more meaningful. You need a common life purpose. Two things can happen in a marriage. You can grow together, or you can grow apart. 50 percent of the people out there are growing apart. To make a marriage work, you need to know what you want out of life - bottom line - and marry someone who wants the same thing.


QUESTION #2:
Do I feel safe expressing my feelings and thoughts with this person?

This question goes to the core of the quality of your relationship. Feeling safe means you can communicate openly with this person. The basis of having good communication is trust! i.e. trust that I won't get "punished" or hurt for expressing my honest thoughts and feelings. A colleague of mine defines an abusive person as someone with whom you feel afraid to express your thoughts and feelings. Be honest with yourself on this one. Make sure you feel emotionally safe with the person you plan to marry.


QUESTION #3:
Is he/she a mensch?

A mensch is someone who is a refined and sensitive person. How can you test? Here are some suggestions.

1. Do they work on personal growth on a regular basis?
2. Are they serious about improving themselves?
A teacher of mine defines a good person as "someone who is always striving to be good and do the right thing". "So, ask about your significant other: What do they do with their time? Is this person materialistic?" Usually, a materialistic person is not someone whose top priority is character refinement. There are essentially two types of people in the world: People who are dedicated to personal growth and people who are dedicated to seeking comfort. Someone whose goal in life is to be comfortable will put personal comfort ahead of doing the right thing. You need to know that before walking down the aisle.


QUESTION #4:
How does he/she treat other people?

The one most important thing that makes any relationship work is the ability to give. By giving, we mean the ability to give another person pleasure.
Ask: Is this someone who enjoys giving pleasure to others or are they wrapped up in themselves and self-absorbed? To measure this, think about the following:

1. How do they treat people whom they do not have to be nice to, such as waiters, bus boys, taxi drivers, etc?
2. How do they treat parents and siblings? Do they have gratitude and appreciation?
3. Do they show respect? If they don't have gratitude for the people who have given them everything, you cannot expect that they'll have gratitude for you - who can't do nearly as much for them!
4. Do they gossip and speak badly about others? Someone who gossips cannot be someone who loves others. You can be sure that someone who treats others poorly, will eventually treat you poorly as well.


QUESTION #5:
Is there anything I'm hoping to change about this person after we're married?

Too many people make the mistake of marrying someone with the intention of trying to "improve" them after they're married. As a colleague of mine puts it, "You can probably expect someone to change after marriage ... for the worse!" If you cannot fully accept this person the way they are now, then you are not ready to marry them.


In conclusion, dating doesn't have to be difficult and treacherous. The key is to try leading a little more with your head and less with your heart. It pays to be as objective as possible when you are dating, to be sure to ask questions that will help you get to the key issues. Falling in love is a great feeling, but when you wake up with a ring on your finger, you don't want to find yourself in trouble because you didn't do your homework.


HOW WILL I KNOW IF I'VE MET THE PERSON I SHOULD MARRY?

The choice of a marriage partner should not be based on "I get a warm, wonderful feeling whenever we're together and I want to have that warm wonderful feeling forever, so let's go get married". Feelings, as we have discussed, have no logic on their own. They need to be acknowledged, of course, but they need considerable assistance from your brain.

Marriage means choosing the person you will spend the rest of your life with. This, as you may have guessed, is a very long time to spend with one person. This person will live with you, eat meals with you, sleep with you and go on vacation with you. More important yet, this person will share your children. You need to choose wisely. The decision should not be made based on feelings alone. You need to ask yourself some tough questions. The decisions have to be made on solid considerations.

Will this person be a good partner? Is she mature enough to put her own selfish desires aside to look out for what is best for the family? Is he prepared to be a good provider? What is his track record? Is he responsible enough to get a good job and keep it? Will this person be a good parent? Can you stand the thought of your children turning out exactly like this person? They will, you know. Children spend a lot of time with their parents and consequently pick up many or most of their parents' character traits. You had better like your spouse's traits a lot because you will be seeing them again in your children. If something were to happen to you, would you completely trust this person, alone, with the task of raising and forming your children? This is not a pleasant thought, but it is an important consideration. Not everyone dies at a ripe old age with great grandchildren gathered around the bed. Sometimes a parent dies and leaves young children in the care of the other parent. If you feel that you would need to be around to correct or lessen this person's influence on your children, then you are considering the wrong person.

Does this person share your faith in God? God does not give us children so that we can mould them into the coolest, most popular people in school. Our job is to get them to heaven. To do that, we need to raise them believing in God. It is tough to do that if only one parent believes. Saying "This is right and that is wrong, and I want you to ignore Mommy until you are thirty-five" does not work. Small children ask about eight million questions in a single day. The answers to those questions go a long way toward forming the kind of adults they will become. Who will be answering those questions for your children?

Does this person you are marrying have sexual self-control? Single people sometimes have this idea that marriage is just some kind of lifelong sex festival and that as long as they have each other, they will never be tempted by other people. Wrong! There are many times in every marriage when one partner or the other is sexually unavailable - illness, the last months of pregnancy, travel. There are also times when spouses, just get on each others' nerves. At times like this, other people can seem very appealing. That can be dangerous, because there are plenty of very attractive people out there who are willing to make themselves available to married men and women. Do you want someone who has never said "no" to sex? If he is not good at saying "no" at eighteen, it won't be different at forty. Do you want to worry about whether or not your Spouse is being faithful?


These are very important questions, and if you are not comfortable with all of the answers, you should definitely not marry this person.


None if this is to say that feelings play no role at all in a marriage decision. You don't have to, "Well, I suppose that you would make a good spouse and parent, so even though I don't particularly like you I guess I'll marry you'. You need to be happy and excited about the prospect of spending your life with someone. Your brain however must acknowledge that this person as a good choice.


Don't listen to your heart alone nor your head alone. Wait until your heart and head agree.


Though fate won't always do what we desire; still, we can set the world on fire.

The Four Agreements

by Don Miguel Ruiz

Everything we do is based on agreements we have made - agreements with ourselves, with other people, with God, with life. But the most important agreements are the ones we make with ourselves. In these agreements we tell ourselves who we are, how to behave, what is possible, what is impossible. One single agreement is not such a problem, but we have many agreements that come from fear, deplete our energy, and diminish our self-worth.

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don't Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

How Strange . . .

Someone you really don't know and haven't met personally knows who you are. Strange ? ! . . . >You keep remembering the past events happened in your life that maybe you have seen that person and that you have just forgotten about it. But even though how much you've search your brain you can't quite seem to remember. And that leaves you a big question mark ? .

William Forrester

"If we wait too long we risk learning that life is not a game lost nor won... but simply, most often, it is a game that is not played."

Finding Forrester

Autodesk Viz 4

Alone

(credit: image found at photobucket)

Three Word-Phrases That Can Enrich Every Relationship

There are many things that we can do to perk up and strengthen our interpersonal relationships. Yet the most effective involves the saying of just three words. When spoken or conveyed, these statements have the power to forge new friendships, deepen old ones and restore relationships that have cooled.

The following three-word phrases can enrich every relationship.

I'll be there. If you have ever had to call a friend in the middle of the night, to take a sick child to hospital, or when your car has broken down some miles from home, you will know how good it feels to hear the phrase "I'll be there."Being there for another person is th e greatest gift we can give. When we are truly present for other people, important things happen to them and us. We are renewed in love and friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually. Being there is at the very core of civility.

I miss you. Perhaps more marriages could be saved and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely said to each other "I miss you." This powerful affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired and loved. Consider how ecstatic you would feel, if you received an unexpected phone call from your spouse in the middle of your workday, just to say "I miss you."

I respect you. Respect is another way of showing love. Respect conveys the feeling that another person is a true equal. If you talk to your children as if they were adults you will strengthen the bonds and become close friends. This applies to all interpersonal relationships.

Maybe you're right. This phrase is highly effective in diffusing an argument and restoring frayed emotions. The flip side to "maybe your right" is the humility of admitting, "maybe I'm wrong". Let's face it. When you have a heated argument with someone, all you do is cement the other person's point of view. They, or you, will not change their stance and you run the risk of seriously damaging the relationship between you. Saying "maybe you're right" can open the door to further explore the subject, in which you may then have the opportunity to get your view across in a more rational manner.

Please forgive me. Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. A man should never be ashamed to own up that he has been in the wrong, which is saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

I thank you. Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who don't take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.

Count on me. A friend is one who walks in when others walk out. Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship; it is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those that are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there indicating "you can count on me."

Let me help. The best of friends see a need and try to fill it. When they spot a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they pitch in and help.

I understand you. People become closer and enjoy each other more if they feel the other person accepts and understands them. Letting your spouse know in so many little ways that you understand them, is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship. This applies to any relationship.

Go for it. We are all unique individuals. Don't try to get your friends to conform to your ideals. Support them in pursuing their interests, no matter how weird they seem to you. Everyone has dreams, dreams that are unique to that person only. Support and encourage your friends to follow their dreams. Tell them to "go for it."

I love you. Perhaps the most important three words that you can say. Telling someone that you truly love them satisfies a person's deepest emotional needs. The need to belong, to feel appreciated and to be wanted. Your family, your friends and you, all need to hear those three little words. "I love you."

GOD BLESS YOU! (These are 3 words too, right?)

Standing on Top of the World

A sidewalk chalk art by chalk artist Julian Beever


here is the chalk globe drawn in the sidewalk view from the side...

8 Ways To Handle An Argument

Let's face it, no one is perfect. No matter how hard you try, or how loving and respectful of a couple you are, you are bound to get into a disagreement once in a while. With a few tips though, it doesn't have to be something that can harm your relationship. The next time you feel an argument starting to form keep in mind these 8 ways to handle an argument!

1. Give your partner enough space to voice his or her concerns.
I'm sure you hate it when people interrupt you; give your partner the same respect -- even if you don't agree with what they are saying.

2. Make an extra effort to really understand what you partner is trying to say.
It is very easy to fall into the trap of thinking you know what they are saying, when in fact you may not have a clue. If your partner feels like you understand what they are saying, you'll find a way to end the argument far more quickly.

3. Don't say something you'll regret later.
Always consider your relationship like a glass. It is sturdy, tough, beautiful and clear when taken care of, but if it is mistreated or mishandled it can end up scratched, cracked or even broken. Take care in choosing the words you say when you are in the heat of the moment.

4. Don't bring in past woes.
The past is the past... let it stay there. If you dwell on past occurrences, you'll never find a solution for the future your partner will feel less loved and respected, and you will always feel negatively towards your partner. People make mistakes. Give your partner the chance to recover from them, and encourage and support them when they make the right choices.

5. Learn to compromise.
If you can learn to compromise, you'll find yourself in fewer disagreements. If you don't like something, then agree with your partner to find some middle ground. This also applies the other way. Be willing to come up with alternative solutions for things your partner doesn't like as well!

6. Realize that no matter what you say, you both may not agree on the issue at hand.
An argument is typically started because you want someone to agree with you about something. You think that the other person must not know all the facts, so you begin to explain it to them. The more your partner still disagrees with you, the more upset you usually get. But, if you realize that sometimes it is best to just let yourselves agree to disagree -- you'll show your partner that you not only respect their opinion, but respect their individuality as well. You never know, maybe later on they (or even you!) might change their mind.

7. Make a commitment to talk about the situation until it is handled.
It's far too easy to run off and avoid your partner, or give them the silent treatment. Instead, make a commitment right now to each other to respect each other enough to work it out -- even if it takes all night. Nothing is unsolvable when you are working together to truly find a peaceful resolution.

8. Make your relationship with your partner your first concern when you are in the middle of a disagreement.
This does not mean bend over backwards for them or compromise your integrity. Just keep in mind that the person you are arguing with is your best friend, lover and soul mate. If you both keep that at the forefront of your mind in an argument, it will keep what matters most away from cruel words or intent -- your heart!


Finally, I leave you with one thought on preventing arguments. Let your partner know exactly when something upsets you. I've found that many people tend to not speak up when something bothers them, thinking that it is trivial to mention it. Unfortunately, what happens is after repeated times of not speaking up, some small occurrence happens and it ends up being the straw that broke the camel's back. The other partner, more often than not, has no clue what they are upset about and therefore thinks they are over-reacting. If you find yourself in this situation, deal with each thing as it happens. Don't let things build up until you explode.

MU Online

'Sigh...' I really, really miss playing this game.

Procrastination

pro·cras·ti·nate (prō-krăs'tə-nāt'), v., -nat·ed, -nat·ing. -v.i. 1. to defer action; delay : to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost. -v.t. 2. to put off till another day or time; defer; delay. -pro·cras'ti·na'tion n., pro·cras'ti·na'tor n.

* * * * *

I'm doing it again and I hate it when this happens to me. I'm like SpongeBob SquarePants in one of the episode where Mrs. Puff assigned the class to write an 800-word essay about what not to do at a stoplight. Excited as he is looking forward in writing the essay, unfortunately distraction keeps getting on his way. Experiencing a writer's block as soon as he sits down to write. Unlike SpongeBob I'm not procrastinating on writing an essay or anything, it's all about on my life. I'm procrastinating for almost a month now and I should take action on it. For a month... I should have finished this task that I'm suppose to do. First was to arrange the things needed in getting a passport (yes, you read it right I don't have a passport yet unlike my 3 yr old cousin). Second was e-mailing someone and I can't say why I should e-mail him, its more on a personal basis (as if it was that too personal... haha~).

J: 'Sigh' I really have to finish all of this by the end of this coming month. Wake up! Wake up! Stop procrastinating and complete this simple task.
C: Gee, here you go again... You always keep on saying, I'll do it later... I'll do it tomorrow...
J: Yeah, Yeah, I get your point.
C: You better get it or else mom will be bugging you about it.
J: No she won't.
C: Uhm, yah she will.
J: No she won't, if she does then I shouldn't be writing this.
C: Okay, fine. Just do it and finish it.
J: Yes, yes I will. Stop bugging me.

Here I go again talking to myself... Ah! you really should get a hold of yourself, 돌팅아 !

(image credit: cyworld korea)

Aquarius

Born under the sign of Aquarius, an astrological sign, which is associated with the constellation Aquarius. Under the tropical zodiac, Aquarius is occupied by the Sun from January 21 to February 19, and under the sidereal zodiac, it is currently from February 13 to March 14.
Aquarius is the eleventh sign of the Zodiac and associated with future ideas and the unusual. Individuals born under this sign are thought to have a creative, challenging, entertaining, progressive, stimulating, and independent character, but one which is also prone to rebelliousness, coldness, erraticism, cowardice, and impracticality. In terms of anatomy, Aquarius is said to rule the legs from knees to ankles and the circulation of blood. In terms of geography Aquarius is linked with Sweden, Canada, Ethiopia and Poland.
Physically, individuals born under the sign of Aquarius supposedly tend to have a vague expression, straight and silky hair, finely chiseled features, and a tall and slender figure. The males are often said to tend to be rather effeminate in appearance and the females somewhat broad-shouldered and masculine.
Aquarius is traditionally thought be ruled by the planet Saturn, but in more recent years many astrologers have labelled Uranus as the ruler or co-ruler of Aquarius, attributing the erraticism associated with the Sign to the planet's influence. In mythology Aquarius is often with the mythological figure of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, from the Greek myth of the Trojan War. Aquarius is also associated with the Greco-Roman god Uranus/Caelus and sometimes the god Cronus/Saturn.

(source : Wikipedia)

The Hardest Things In Love :

1. Flashing your smile to someone you don't want to see.
2. Bringing back the feeling you've learned to forget.
3. Showing that you care.
4. Finding a way to mend a broken heart.
5. Learning that you've been used by someone you truly love.
6. Saying "i love you" when you mean it and when you don't
7. Letting go of a person you've just learned to love.
8. Realizing that you love somebody you've just taken for granted.
9. Realizing that you love the person you've just broken up with.
10. Waiting for promises you know he/she will never keep.
11. Saying your love for someone who loves somebody else.
12. Reminiscing the good times you shared together.
13. Shielding your heart to love somebody.
14. Trying to hide what you really feel.
15. Having a commitment w/ someone that you know would not last.
16. Trying to hide the tears that involuntarily fall from your eyes.
17. Sharing the one you love w/ someone else.
18. Loving a person too much.
19. Giving up someone you never thought of giving up.
20. Falling in love for the first time.
21. Loving someone you haven't seen.
22. Having the right love at the wrong time.
23. Exerting effort to make the relationship last or work.
24. Not being appreciated when you know you've given your best.
25. Taking the risk to fall in love again .
26. Hiding your relationship from someone else.
27. Controlling your feelings to avoid hurting a friend.
28. Choosing between 2 persons whom you really love.
29. Finding out that you can never have the person you just let go of back.
30. Seeing the person you love with someone else.
31. Falling in love with someone you didn't mean to fall in love with.
32. Letting go of someone who was never yours...
33. Finding the perfect guy/girl...with only one problem... he/she doesn't love you.
34. Giving your heart to someone who doesn't give a damn about you.
35. When the one you love doesn't even know you exist.
36. Pretending you're OK when inside you're dying.
37. Saying "I Love You" not knowing how the person will respond/reply
38. Keeping the feelings to yourself... and when you finally let it out, it's too late.
39. Having to listen to the one you love talk about the one he/she loves.
40. Staying friends even though you both know that you both have very strong feelings for one another.

SAKURA ドロップス

Utada Hikaru

(credit : yumiko124)

Joey Potter

"How can you assume to be friends with someone when all you think about when you look at him is how much more you really want?"

Dawson's Creek

(image credit : dawson's creek official site)

Dawson's Creek

Love ♥

(credit: Yahoo images)

love (lŭv), loved, lov·ing.
-n.
1. the profoundly tender or passionate affection for a person of the opposite sex.
2. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.
3. sexual passion or desire, or its gratification.
4. a person toward whom love is felt; beloved person; sweetheart.
5. (used in direct address as a term of endearment, affection, or the like) : Would you like to see a movie, love?
6. a love affair; amour.
7. (cap.) a personification of sexual affection, as Eros or Cupid.
8. affectionate concern for the well-being of others: a love of little children; the love of one's neighbor.
9. strong predilection or liking for anything: her love of books.
10. the object or thing so liked: The theater was her great love.
11. the benevolent affection of God for His creatures, or the reverent affection due from them to God.
12. Chiefly tennis. a score of zero; nothing.
13. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter L.
14. for love, a. out of affection or liking; for pleasure. b. without compensation; gratuitously : He took care of the poor for love.
15. for the love of, in consideration of; for the sake of: For the love of mercy, stop that noise.
16. in love (with), feeling deep affection or passion for (a person, idea, occupation, etc.) ; enamored of : in love with life; in love with one's work.
17. make love, a. to embrace and kiss as lovers. b. to engage in sexual intercourse.
18. no love lost, dislike ; animosity : There was no love lost between the two brothers. [ME ; OE lufu; c. OFris luve, OHG luba, Goth lubō]
-v.t. 19. to have love or affection for: All her pupils love her.
20. to have a profoundly tender or passionate affection for (a person of the opposite sex).
21. to have a strong liking for; take great pleasure in: to love music; She loves to go dancing.
22. to need or require; benefit greatly from: Plants love sunlight.
23. to make love to; have sexual intercourse with.
-v.i. 24. to have love or affection, esp. for one of the opposite sex. [ME lov(i)en, OE lufian; c. OFris luvia, OHG to love, L lubére (later libére) to please; akin to LIEF]
-Syn.
1. tenderness, fondness, predilection, warmth, passion, adoration. 1, 2. LOVE, AFFECTION, DEVOTION all mean a deep and enduring emotional regard, usually for another person. Love may apply to various kinds of regard: the charity of the Creator, reverent adoration toward God or toward a person, the relation of parent and child, the regard of friends for each other, romantic feelings for one of the opposite sex, etc. AFFECTION is a fondness for persons of either sex, that is enduring and tender, but calm. DEVOTION is an intense love and steadfast, enduring loyalty to a person; it may also imply consecration to a cause. 2. liking, inclination, regard, friendliness. 19. like. 20. adore, adulate, worship.
-Ant. 1, 2. hatred, dislike. 19, 20. detest, hate.


Quotes :

"Love: A temporary insanity curable by marriage or by the removal of the patient from the influences under which he incurred the disorder. This disease, like caries and many other ailments, is prevalent only among civilized races living under artificial conditions; barbarous nations breathing pure air and eating simple food enjoy immunity from its ravages. It is sometimes fatal, but more frequently to the physician than to the patient". - Ambrose Bierce in The Devil's Dictionary

"Love is passion, obsession, someone you can't live without. If you don't start with that, what are you going to end up with? Fall head over heels. I say find someone you can love like crazy and who'll love you the same way back. And how do you find him? Forget your head and listen to your heart. I'm not hearing any heart. Run the risk, if you get hurt, you'll come back. Because, the truth is there is no sense living your life without this. To make the journey and not fall deeply in love - well, you haven't lived a life at all. You have to try. Because if you haven't tried, you haven't lived". - William Parrish, from the movie Meet Joe Black

"I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love". - Mother Teresa

(image credit: cyworld korea)

(note: meaning taken from Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary)
(credit: Wikiquote for the quotes)

Stolen

Dashboard Confessional

(credit: punkmeistertwo)

the song in this music video is the single version (fast tempo) and goes very well with the vid., but i still prefer the album version (slow tempo).

Official site

anyway here's the album version... performance of Stolen by Dashboard Confessional on the NBC Today Show.

(credit: tofans)

Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas

Are You All Right?

I'm alright... I'm alright... I'm alright... I'm alright... I'm alright...

I know it's been a crazy week for me, the rantings and ravings, the crazy 'hurt... ing' conversation with myself and liking your hair. All in all I know I've been crazy on myself again. I know I have ended the story of your book and that I should never re-read them again. But this past week I have re-read the story again, I have opened the book that was supposed to stay closed forever. Now I have to close it again and left it laying around somewhere until it's lost forever and nowhere to be found. Things that is lost forever cannot be found.... right? You have stolen my heart from me and I know i can't get it back. So I will leave it where it was or hide it deeper and have a new fresh one instead. I like looking at you, liking how your new hair looks good on you however I have to wake up and face reality. I can't go on living in my own fairy tale.

I am all right!

ABNKKBSNPLAKo?

Carrie

I Like... Your Hair...

I never imagine you with a long hair, not the long... long like some rock star or some painter, artist's. It's like the hairstyle of 소지섭, he's a korean actor in which I'm very fond of (hmm more like an addiction haha~ :D). Something like that but his is a little bit longer than yours. I really like your hair now... it compliments your looks. I have no idea that you will grow your hair like that because I always pictured you with a clean cut hair. But hey, who am I to tell you these things, probably some people around you will ask you to cut your hair. As for my point of view if given the chance to tell you, for me honestly, it looks great on you... you should keep it that way.

Bad Day?

Is it a bad day? I guess not... maybe I'm just ranting and raving for things I'm not suppose to rant and rave about. Bad Day is when things don't go your way just for a day, a freakin' one day. Not when it starts the other day or the other day before that, its more than one day. Forgive the rantings and ravings that you're going to read here but it's better to let it out than keep it bottled up inside. It all started last Sunday, infront of my computer editing my friendster and myspace profile's. It came out pretty well and satisfying, well for me. Then after a couple of hours I suddenly felt this heavy feeling inside of my chest. I find myself harder to breathe, it's like something inside me was squashing my heart slowly and painfully. As time pass... seconds, minutes and I still feel it. I guess hurting is one bloody hell of a thing that one can feel. Yes I'm hurting... hurt to see the reality, the life of someone I knew... being happy.

C: Hurting!? You are hurt... ing!? Think twice honey, you're not hurting because you have no rights for it.
J: Yes, I know that.. you don't have to tell that to my face. I'm aware of the fact that I don't have the right to feel hurt... ing!
C: Then why are you ranting about "hurt.. ing!?"
J: Can you for once go my way... just this once, SHUT UP! Can you?
C: Fine, go right ahead be my guest. I'm not the one who's going to feel the bloody thing called "hurt... ing!"
J: Right... So can I proceed now. Thank You!

And for the crazy things I just said.. Yes I don't have the right to feel hurt about this, because it wasn't mine to feel in the first place. It is easier to let go of something that have been yours than letting go of something that never been yours. Like hurting because someone left and hurt you than hurting because he's not aware that you are hurting. Aishh... I'm not making any sense here, not a bit.

C: Now I get it... that's why you blogged that 'SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL, SPEAK NO EVIL'
J: So...
C: Nothing... Nothing... Continue with the "hurt... ing!" thing.
J: Ahhh I'm stopping now, Okay... Happy? Fine I'll stop right now.
C: Oh Bollocks!
J: Stop cussing. Sshhhhhhh.
C: Oh never mind...

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

Sometimes it is better to close your EYES, so you can't see what you don't want to SEE. To close your EARS, so you can't hear what you don't want to HEAR. To close your MOUTH, so you can't say what you don't want to SAY.
To be able to see the truth hurts that you can't bear to look at it. To be able to hear, hurts more because hearing the truth accompanies seeing the reality. Contrary to what you're telling to yourself it doesn't hurt. We can't escape the truth... it's either you accept it and live with it or reject it and live with lies all your life. Acceptance is much easier to do, hurt will eventually fade as time passes by. Rejecting will only burden the hurt, which will slowly eat and consumed your body and soul.

(image credit : popartuk.com)

Four Past Midnight

Life, Death and Mankind

To live in this world is something that a human being can be greatful of. That no matter what life brings you, still you know that you are alive, breathing and surviving. As what the lines says in the movie Cast Away, "I have to keep breathing because tomorrow the Sun will rise, who knows what the tide could bring."

Being alive in this world requires us to go through the process of the cycle of life. We live and eventually we will die, thats the nature of it. But our death is not the end to the journey of our lives, its only the beginning of another path that we must take to complete the cycle. Between Life and Death there is a thin line that connects us from the time we are born and from the time we die. Where in that line there is a story woven in our own ways we never suspected. A connection of our lives with other people's lives, overlapping and affects in a way we didn't know.

George Washington Carver, quoted "How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these."

Everyone of us was created unique, because i know that never in the history of mankind that we have another person who is exactly the same as we are. Even twins are not exactly the same as who they are, each has their own unique qualities. So, don't say that you are exactly just like me because i really am not. What we do is what we are but sometimes what we don't do is what makes who we really are. And sometimes, "the choices we make dictates the lives we live" as what Mr. Bill Rago said in the movie Renaissance Man. Thus mankind did what makes out of him.

Mixed Blessings

Drive Me Crazy Soundtrack

Rome + Juliet Soundtrack

Romeo & Juliet 1968

Romeo & Juliet 1996

10 Things I Hate About You Soundtrack

You can erase someone from your mind.
Getting them out of your heart is another story.

I hate the way you talk to me
And the way you cut your hair.
I hate the way you drive my car.
I hate it when you stare.
I hate your big dumb combat boots
And the way you read my mind.
I hate you so much it makes me sick,
It even makes me rhyme.
I hate the way you're always right.
I hate it when you lie.
I hate it when you make me laugh;
Even worse when you make me cry.
I hate it when you're not around
And the fact that you didn't call,
But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you;
Not even close;
Not even a little bit;
Not even at all.

Nobuta wo Produce

野ブタ。をプロデュース

an old article

The One That Got Away

By: Mark J. Macapagal
Source: The Manila Times, June 24, 2003

In your life, you'll make note of a lot of people. Ones with whom you shared something special, ones who will always mean something. There's the one you first kissed, the one you first loved, the one you put on a pedestal, the one you're with ... and the one that got away.

Who is the one that got away? I guess it's that person with who everything was great, everything was perfect, but the timing was just wrong. There was no fault in the person, there was no flaw in the chemistry, but the cards just didn't fall the right way, I suppose.

I believe in the fact that ending with someone, finding a longtime partner that is does not lie merely in the other person. I can actually argue that an equal part, or maybe even the greater part, has to do with the matter of timing. It has to do with you being ready to settle down and commit to someone in a way that goes beyond the little niceties of giddy romance.

How often have you gone through it without realizing it? When you're not ready to commit in that mature manner, it doesn't matter who you're with, it just doesn't work. Small problems become big; inconsequentials become deal breakers simply because you're not ready and it shows. It's not that you and the person you're with are no good; it's just that it's not yet right, and little things become the flashpoint of that fact.

Then one day you're ready. You really are. And when this happens you'll be ready to settle down with someone. He or she may not be the most perfect, they might not be the brightest star of romance to ever have burned in your life, but it'll work because you're ready. It'll work because it's the right time and you'll make it work. And it'll make sense, it really will.

So that day comes when you're finally making sense of things, and you find yourself to be a different person. Things are different, your approach is different, you finally understand who you are and what you want, and you've become ready because the time has truly arrived. And mind you, there's no telling when this day will come. Hopefully you're single but you could be in a long-term relationship, you could be married with three kids, it doesn't matter.

All you know is that you've changed, and for some reason, the one that got away, is the first person you think about.

You'll think about them because you'll wonder, "What if they were here today?" You'll wonder, "What if we were together now, with me as I am and not as I was?" That's what the one that got away is. The biggest "What if?" you'll have in your life.

If you're married, you'll just have to accept the fact that the one that got away, got away. Believe me, no matter how fairy tale you think your marriage is, this can happen to the best of us. But hopefully you're mature enough to realize that you're already with the one you're with and this is just another test of your commitment, one which will just strengthen your marriage when you get past it. Sure, you'll think about him/her every so often, but it's alright. It's never nice to live with a "might have been," but it happens.

Maybe the one that got away is the one who's already married. In which case it's the same thing. You just have to accept and know that your memories of that person will probably bring a nice little smile to your lips in the future when you're old and gray and reminiscing. But if neither of that is the case, then it's different. What do you do if it's not yet too late? Simple ... find him, find her. Because the very existence of a "the one that got away" means that you'll always wonder, what if you got that one?

Ask him out to coffee, ask her out to a movie, it doesn't matter if you've dropped in from out of nowhere. You'd be surprised, you just might be "the one that got away" as well for the person who is your "the one that got away."

You might drop in from out of nowhere and it won't make a difference. If the timing is finally right, it'll all just fall into place somehow and you know, I'm thinking, it would be a great feeling, in the end, to be able to say to someone, "Hey you, you're the one that almost got away."

If Only She Knew

I know she loves you and I can't interfere
So I'll just have to sit back and watch
My world disappear

Michelle Branch

5 Laws of LiFE You Can Depend On

1. This too shall pass. Nothing stays the same. The only constant in life is change. With every decision we make, we initiate change. Even when we decide not to decide, life still goes on, and changes still occur. When we are in a state of discomfort, sadness, grief, or pain, we know that because life goes on, change will bring us some kind of relief. And because even comfort, happiness, and all good things also pass, we know that we need to appreciate and cherish each precious, fleeting moment.


2. Time heals. The timepiece of life never stops. Neither does it pause for those who celebrate, speed up for those who are impatient, nor slow down for those who fear tomorrow. Time ticks a regular rhythm that steadily brings new moments, new days, and new seasons. As time pushes forward, we take new steps, face new challenges, and create new opportunities. And as life goes on, we are forced to move past our episodes of disappointment, sorrow, or despair. More than anything else, time heals not just broken bones but broken hearts as well.


3. Ask and you shall receive. People won't know what you want unless you ask for it. Dreams and goals are just wishes until you act on them, and acting on them often requires that you ask for answers, for assistance, or for something tangible. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help, but when you come forward, only then will the world know what to give you. Just ask and know that miracles can happen.


4. You can have anything, but not everything. Life offers us infinite possibilities. With hard work, determination, and perseverance, we can achieve anything. If we are willing to pay the price and go the extra mile, we can have whatever our hearts desire. But no matter how hard we try, we can't have everything. Life is a balancing act of wins, losses, and trade-offs...we gain some and we lose some.


5. What goes around comes around. It's the universal law of nature: do to others what you want others to do to you, because whatever you sow, you reap; whatever you give, you get back ten-fold. It doesn't hurt to smile, or be kind, or extend a helping hand. You never know when or how, but every act of goodness always returns to the GIVER. Give one today and receive ten tomorrow.

Goodbye To You

And it hurts to want everything and nothing at the same time
I want what's yours
And I want whats mine
I want you
But I'm not giving in this time

Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to
The one thing that I tried to hold on to

And when the stars fall
I will lie awake
You're my shooting star

Michelle Branch

Manila Cathedral

[photo by : Thorsten]

Minor Basilica if the Immaculate Conception

House M.D.

CSI : NY

CSI :

My Sassy Girl

love is all you need

Happy Halloween!

the first and the last time...

ten years have passed and many things haved happened. i have been a fool half of those years for not knowing i haved loved someone close to me. making me crazy for finding out this person has feelings for me too. but it's too late for me to show and say what my heart truely feels, now that you're with someone else. avoiding you is the only way because i know it is the best thing to do. however some situations come and our paths would crossed again. trying my best to flash a sweet smile though deep down inside i'm hurting. everytime you smile i can't help but to tell myself, it should have been mine and i'm the reason behind those smiles. just the thought of it leaves me in a wonderful fantasy even for a moment. then when reality kicks in, it seems that there's always this needle comes bursting my made-up world. all that is left is a hazy gray sky, as i gazed upon a horizon of nothingness. you never know how haved i wished that you could have faced me and have taken the risk of telling me what's inside your heart. the time when the both of us were still free, then maybe back then you haved saved me from wasting my time loving someone who doesn't deserved the affection i haved given. but as those time passed i'd come to realize, i can't force things that aren't meant to be. that things just don't go the way i want them to... because we know life would always be unfair and reality is just cruel. i know now that i have to let go and hanging on to something that's not real won't do me any good. it seems that my book was opened for so long and i'm stucked in this page hoping the succeding lines of the story would change. the time has come for me to finally end the story and close the book to be able to start a new story to read on. inspite of everything, i am thankful that you haved spared a portion of your heart to me... for the feelings you felt for me. it is enough for me to know that somehow i have been a part of your life and touched your heart. i am sorry if i have hurt you in any way i wasn't aware of. so now i want to wish you a happy life, all the blessings in the world and be healthy always. it's the only thing i can do in return for the good deeds you haved shown me. i will never forget someone like you in my life and you'll be a memory which will always be in my heart. so for the first and the last time i'm going to say... I'M SORRY, I LOVE YOU.

♥josephine♥

Empire Records Soundtrack

really cool songs