Hurts Like Heaven.

The wheel of fate is still relaxed on its time off and I think it forgotten about us a bit down low. Having thought of it, deep inside it's still amazing how the clock works and how it surprises you by the minute you've done something amazing to the world, especially to its people. Why do the most surreal things happen before, during and after sleep...? There's something mysterious yet so beautiful about it and what holds through the darkness of the night. For whatever our curiosity instills us, and to bad dreams that wake us up panting with eyes wide open... I'm grateful still for having this life treat me like a princess from time to time.  The kid in me kind of woke up. Thank you, you, you and you, all of you :)

Surf and Music Festival 2012 at La Union.

Nothing much to say, let some photos do the talking because I'm lazy to do that now. But there are a few words to describe about this event, those are... Stoked, awesome and wasaque! Good people, great music, the sun, the beach and the surf and never-ending amats and tawanan. What more could you ask for? Puuuts! :D

with Radio Active Sago. Hi Lourd!

THE Clothing's 3rd Year Anniversary.

Last night at Cubao X... TH3!!!!

 Ha! I missed this office... Ronac Art Center.

 Egg Fiasco! Naks! Pa-autograph! Hahahaha itlog!

Si sir Carrot Bombing hahahahahaha

Affini-Tea.

I needed to face reality outside and its humidity, so I went out for a walk, a really long walk that is.. It rained again so these streets are still dirty of course, and wet, but it's okay. I just had to let out a good sweat and what a great feeling it was for me even with the sticky heat. This day moved me once again, as I saw different faces and different races. Real people... Thoughts flooded my mind as i walked slow, then fast, and again slow... Depending on which is in front of me. I noticed the road and realized something simple yet so complex to us and to our psyche. See, in life and reality...we have these roads with holes, rocky ones, or dirt roads; to make your walking or driving go slow. I just thought... well, isn't it the same what we face during life's struggles? Yea, I know we have these tons of quotes saying "Life is like a road" blah blah blah.. but we don't really comprehend its meaning and how we should define it. Maybe it's just a bit of a nudge that when things go wrong or rough, we feel like it takes forever for us to realize what's ahead of us because we are too busy complaining and whining about the problem. So when we get to the easy and open thoroughfare, we go too fast without thinking... Without speed limits. And also, without realizing in just a blink of an eye, the thoughts you invested with the valuable time you had during the slow rides was just a total absolute waste of energy. Well, like I said, it's just a thought in my head. The day looked so promising and I was overwhelmed that life is truly a blessing to all of us. We should be grateful everyday of what we have. Even if you only have 20 pesos in your shorts, even if you see a lot of amiss in what surrounds you. Don't look. There's a big difference in what you see and what you look at. Tea anyone? I hoarded today. Bought 5. Chrysanthemum, Assam, Honeydew, Barley and Wintermelon. But of course, I am willing to share :) 

Evening Sun.

I am indeed ready to go through a maturation process, regardless of my age. A requirement of absolute integrity and commitment in all arenas of my life... To this, I know deep in my heart that now, I am very clear on where my line in the sand is, and what I will and will not put up to this. There will be no more dragging anyone's heart here. I've been through enough losses over the past few years to understand that there's no point in getting even, as we see life as a passionate and deeply emotionally exercise to human connection. Very deep and like the ocean, we can never really see the bottom of this. So let me take you on a journey beyond the literal surface of things. What a gorgeous sunset we have in the Manila skyline today... with a tad bit of rain. Hi eternal Father, shall we merge again? :) and as always... You keep me going. You are truly majestic, Your Highness. 

Photo credits to Nicolo Santiago

Almon Marina

Since, I haven't blogged for a long time... This post, again, will be about food. This is an extraordinary dinner for me, because what I felt while eating this grub at Almon Marina last night was beyond happiness. Anyway, I had to take a photo of the food presentation we ordered. I only had Bruschetta with apples and Gruyere cheese though. That is my favorite. Naaamm! :)

  cute bite-size rice:)

ribs platter

bruschetta

yum yum yum

mango benne from Mary Grace

"It's the journey... Not the destination."

It's really amazing how your life changes every day. You will never know what you'll face each day. I was waiting at the boarding gate at the LAX airport, then a man on a wheelchair assisted by the airport crew was seated beside me. The flight going back to the Philippines got delayed by an hour and all the people waiting to be boarded wanted to be seated already and sleep, and were a bit upset, but we all know that we have to be patient. The man beside me asked me "Anong oras kaya tayo papapasukin?", and I answered, "11:10pm po ata nakalagay po sa boarding pass", he then replied, "gustong gusto ko na matulog e, ang sakit sakit ng paa ko (he meant his leg though)". I wondered why so I asked him, "Ano pong nangyari?", he said, "May cancer ako", I was surprised by his answer because he said it with a slight smile on his face; I replied cautiously, not wanting the man to be offended and said "Saan po?" and he replied, "sa dugo", "ang sakit e parang malalaking pasa, parang pinalo ka ng maraming beses sa fraternity.", I said, "ah ganun po ba yun"; he even showed me his hand that he also said was in pain and looked like there's blood clots all over. I asked him why he was alone and if he were being cured in the US, he answered "yes" and I was told that because nobody was available to be with him during his trip and said he is from Cleveland and wanted a direct flight to the Philippines. I had to ask if he was on chemotherapy and he said that he's done and the hep-lock was dislodged already and so I said, "oh buti naman po", I was told that he just needed a break so he'll go back home, rest and eat lots of healthy foods to regain his strength. I told him to just stay positive and to visualize his healing everyday. He said, "gagaling naman" with a smile that seemed like a mix of sadness and happiness. That short conversation with the man got me, that moment got my mind wandering and looked to my son in my arms sleeping. I thought of how lucky we are that we're not fighting a battle that if looked at an angle, is already lost right from the start. But I don't think of it that way, I know that deep inside that man's heart is a light at the end of the tunnel and chose to fight for survival. This happened to me before on the flight to Las Vegas, a man randomly approached me and started talking to me, he noticed my tattoo, "I'm sorry, I had to ask, what does your tattoo mean?" and I replied, "It's a Marquesan design, you know, like a tribal one" then he asked me basic questions a person would ask at an airport like, "Where you headed?", "How long have you been here?", "Where are you from?" and the like. We talked about business travels ('cos he travels for work), countries we've been to and how I'll starve in China because art isn't really a priority in the country. He asked about how the lifestyle of Filipinos. I then found out he has five sons who each have a Filipina girlfriend. Then he started asking quite odd questions, "Are you happy?", I honestly wasn't that surprised because I saw it coming, I answered with a smile, "That's actually the question in my head right now, I'm still in search", he asked why and I said because I again, told him, was lost. I asked him why he was asking and he said because he's interested and told me that the moment he boards his plane on the way to Denver, we will never see each other again, so I thought that's true and he doesn't know me personally, it wouldn't hurt sharing a few things to this old man anyway, I could even learn from him. See, it's not the places you've been... For me, it's the people you meet. Strangers to you that you have random conversations with, people that seem you've known for just five minutes then never after, people you encounter not knowing his or her real story is but you appreciate their perception anyway, people you exchange smiles with, people you've said hello and goodbye the next minute. After all, whatever you say to them, whatever story of your life you tell them, in the end... It doesn't really matter. But you know within and beyond yourself, that you were moved by those simple smiles and wave goodbye, and good conversations you had with them. You're life's not going to be the same. It changed your life forever.