Community Ride

17 November 2013

My first photomarathon

Thank you Canon for the invitation to join...and most of all we do not have to pay anything. Happy to know the proceeds goes to the people affected typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan. 16 November 2013

adventure or nothing

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable

Hellen Keller

Pilipinas kong mahal nawa'y maghilom ang mga sugat na dulot ng bagyong ito.

I can't sleep. Sad. As a friend aptly put...the cycle of helplessness must end.

One word

One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life. That word is love. ~Sophocles (496-406 BC) Greek Playwright

Bicycle Diaries

Heaven On Earth

To love is great. To be loved is wonderful. But to be loved by the person we love is #HeavenOnEarth. (Paulo Coelho). I cannot even begin to describe how these words struck a chord within me and was inspired each time I read through them. These words have such power and presence. Makes me treasure the love that I have in my heart. We do what we do for many reason. Most of the things we do and act upon is because of our loves. It would be indeed heaven on earth to be mindful and kind rather than...I have to remind myself of these each day. To choose to be loving kahit ano pa man.

critical mass ride today

Today I had a long bike ride route around metro manila. There were several first things I did today. Biked on EDSA from Boni Serrano to Anapolis. Passed by Quiapo bridge again almost on full speed without a scratch yey! thank God for keeping me safe. I think and I feel its about 40 km. Not even the tour day. Had to breakaway from peloton going home and its just 6 of us...then became 3 then 2. Passed by Araneta underpass at full speed to catch up with the guys. My heart was pumping and had to summon enough courage to do this without the peloton. I felt the power of gravity pushing me forward as I intermittenty feather break. Felt the power of the vehicles swish by me. Staying close to the wall. Focused on my path...bit worried of the road condition. And it seems like forever that underpass. Upon exiting, I was awashed with relief to see the street level again. In my mind...pedal, pedal, pedal and it seems like my leg has a mind of its own. But had to pace myself and we had to take a few minutes break. My legs haven't seen this kind of action in months wahaha. In pain but a good kind of pain, knowing that I did something and finished it...even though I almost chickened out. Had a great weekend and then some :)

liberated streets

The rest of the country do not have work today. But we have work. Among the family members am the only one who has work today. No not really complaining because I was able to get things done today and I did not do anythig that I don't like or feel forced. The good eh scratch that, the best thing about today is that there was no traffic going towork, I was literally flying compared to my daily drive. And the drive home was a blast also below 20 minutes...if not for the downpour midway going home...I could have gone faster.Such a liberating experience holiday traffic means no traffic. Small blessings that are great. Oh well as for the little things that get to me...well that would be a topic for another post. Love writing these rants. :)

messy heart

A whole heart is a messy heart and if I may add is a happy heart. Another nugget of wisdom I picked up from my readings this morning. There is so much on my mind. There are so many thigs I want to do. I guess these makes up the messy random thoughts. Things I love arealways on my mind. Traveling, my photography, my little one and not so little one :) the loves of my life. I believe people are blessed with big hearts. The only limiting boundry is our own thoughts. I believe my family and I are blessed with big messy hearts. The loves of my life keep me centered. excited for the many "projects" in mind. Top of the list cycling adventures, travel father than we have traveled before, and more ways of being able to serve. :)

a new age

After many years of blogging...happy now that I can directly blog from our mobile device. This is my second post using the tablet. Amazed at the technology. Now I really do not have to literally go up and open the pc or laptop to blog. Yey! Imagine what it would be like in the future. Posibilities are endless. Now I can take notes while still half asleep. Exciting thing is I can travel and write on the go. Or still in bed and my pjs.

view from the dark side

Realized that indeed anger is from the dark side. It consumes ones positive energy overpowering reason to a fault. Now that I am able to write about this...there is some sense of sanity. The residual feeling is sadness to be unable to control your own emotions. I guess that is why there are anger management options. But how do you manage that moment that feeds the dark side. In Filipino we have a sayin:"nagdilim ang paningin ko." Literaly means the darknesshas taken over your vision. It is not a good place to be. Another life lesson to always choose the light...choose to wait it out...just drift...do not hang on to that anger...do not feed it...keep calm... there is so much wisdom in those words.The lesson yesterday...drift. wait for the positive energy that is your default...the goodness in you...to be kind than to be right. Such a lesson in humility and patience.

Beethoven yan Nanay

I was watching a video which I posted on my FB wall earlier tonight. Just before bed time and then called the little girl to watch and listen with me. Its a flash mob somewhere in Europe... a little girl gave a coin to a street performer who had a cello...later join in by a full orchestra and the music is so familiar and an eternal beauty ...can't say what it was... and the little girl got really excited-- it's Beethoven Nanay-- I heard it from the Little Einsteins.

over the rainbow

During one of our recent trip to Coron, while on the plane the little girl and I saw a rainbow. She said look we are over the rainbow. I took a photo of that -- I will post later. Brought me much joy. Here are the photos.

Mountain Dew

I can still remember that bliss from taking that first sip of Mountain Dew. I was very young then and saved a few day's worth of snack money to afford the new drink in town. Simple things makes me happy. Like... seeing a rainbow...kissing my little girl and smelling her hair...the anticipation of traveling...traveling...taking photos...staring at them...sipping my favorite drink (which have changed over the years by the way)

Lunch talk

Yesterday we were eating at lunch and got to sharing our childhood hardships. My constant lunchmate said that when she was young her baon was just 25 cents- peso cent. I shared the times that I had to walk a few kilometers just to get to school. We are now just thankful that we are blessed, but still mindful to share these blessings and to still live simply. We got to talk about how each one of us have our own challenges in life. One can never understand what people are going through in each of our lives. So let us just be kind to each other.

Put your Arse where your heart is

Tonight I got the message loud and clear that if you really want to do something you love. You have to put yourself right there where your heart is most blissful. Where your happiness is. Got the message from Oprah and Stephen Pressfield. I did not believe it because they just said it, but because it is. Just is the truth. You know when you hear something that feels right. If you want to be a writer put yourself there in front of the key board-- and here I am. Not because I want to be a writer but for the longest time I wanted to blog about stuff. Big and small stuff happening. Mainly to ignore the craziness and centering on what really matters. Been promising myself to share my happiness. I am happy. Little things makes me happy. Acts of kindness makes me happy. Just knowing makes me happy. Little stuff like receiving the message I got tonight got me here and writing. Amazing that you are even reading this =) I am happy that even just one person reads this. Yes I turned off the commenting a long time ago. Sorry just my own rants and raves please. I am happy being able to get that photograph of people doing things they love...people doing very ordinary things, rare moments that will not happen again. So I am happy behind the camera. Love looking at pictures. Love traveling...so there I will put my arse where my heart is <3

Rain in El Nido

It rains,even in paradise. I love the rain.

Dream come true.

What do you do when a dream comes true? Many moons ago, while sitting on a beach in a remote and far flung island, I made an impossible statement. It was not a dream really. I was fully awake. I spoke to the vastness of the ocean before me. Never thought that it would be heard. Impossible yet possible (now that I get to ponder on it). I was amazed when I realized it that it came true...even without doing anything...the Universe unfolded as it should. I distinctly remember a line and it goes like this (with an inner sense of surrender to the matter at hand): "Not now, in another lifetime, maybe..." and there lies the possibility of it all, now, looking back.

He said

it is important to care for the temple of your body. Even more important is your spirit, which is the light within that temple. A beautiful temple may attract others, but it is the light that will touch hearts. ~God wants you to know Daisy

Nasa puso

"Ang himalà ay nasa puso ng tao, nasa puso nating lahat" -Elsa (Himala, cerca 1982) The miracle is in our hearts. I've heard again the inner prompting to write. Recent events just this week is transforming the lives of many. I voted. Before I was able to vote, back in November a story that will fill a whole episode so suffice it to say that I had to "fight" to regain that right to vote. If you watched the movie Lincoln women during his time cannot vote. Unimaginable for them at that time. Monday, 13th of May, my heart was full of hope that my dear country will get another chance at that possible transformation...that miracle of change. Many may feel contrary and is resigned after knowing the result. I voted with hope and for those that I believe can bring about a concept of change and...possibly a miracle. But then again, the miracle is in our hearts. Anything is possible if we can fuel that change that is needed starting with our everyday lives. A resolution to change that is heartfelt.

Bike to Work: Day 1

My No Impact Experiment

Next week will be the No Impact Week here at the office. Basically, the week long experiment will encourage people to lessen their carbon impact on the planet. Make an impact, by not making an impact. (Medyo hindi maganda yung tag line na yon...anyway). Last week when we were being invited to participate in the experiment, I was ambivalent at first as I have been doing most of the stuff that are being promoted. Until a day or two ago, I realized that this is the perfect opportunity to try my own experiment that I've been thinking of trying but haven't gotten a chance to try out. Yes so here goes... First stop I need to fill out the pre-experiment survey. I am sharing here some of the Q and As...for posterity! Q: No Impact Week is an experiment in lower-impact living. What will be the result of your experiment? What are your expectations for how it will affect your life? Please keep a copy of this hypothesis to refer back to it at the end of the week. My Answer: Most of the stuff for low impact I've done already. I haven't eaten red meat (pork and beef) since 1997, I always have reusable bag with me, reduced plastic, involved in environmental movements. But this one, presented a leveled up personal challenge for me. I will hope to conduct my own experiment if I can do this...if I can really bike to work from Quezon City. God help me! Let's do this! Q: What is your reason for taking part in the No Impact Week? My Answer: Conduct a personal experiment if I can bike to work. I've thought about it in the past but never got around doing it. The opportunity presented itself and I think it is time to take on the challenge. =) labpisnraknrol =)

Peace

Peace...in our hearts, in our minds, in our world..for this coming year. (Baguio, January 1st 2013)

New Year's Prayer

kindness, patience, peace. We celebrated the coming of the new year up in the cordillera.For a long time, I've been wanting to reflect more, read, ponder...write and of course photograph rare moments that will never pass us by again. On the look out for signs. Serendipity. And found many...it will not be logical to share them all here or to even attempt to put them in writing. I guess I can for some of the most logical ones. Messages from Him are like silent whispers of prayer...that takes active listening. I found affirmations indeed of His love for us. In the simple things. One great reminder again, I learned a bit ashamedly on my side in the situation that happened...that indeed His plans are greater than ours. We have plans and ideas and preconceived notions that this is this and that is that... but putting the pieces together if we just let it flow...His plans are always always the best. He is a Father and He takes care of us indeed. Been wanting to post my resolutions for the new year but that is not my internal tradition. As I thought about it ...would be good to have a list to go back to in the future. But a few days ago, was inspired to write a prayer for the year. A mantra. kindness, patience, peace.

Lunch under the trees

Yesterday was a great day. At the simplicity of it all I found solace. Thank You God. This time of the year a lot of things going on that take your time and attention, work, busy work, domestic demands and yet despite of these, there are nuggets of joy that can be found. Had a late lunch yesterday, an egg salad sandwich. While still warm in my hands I chanced upon to look at the garden at 1:30 in the afternoon. I walked outside and welcomed the warm sunny weather. I missed eating in the garden. I sat there under the trees' shade while chewing my sandwich... I looked up and saw the blue almost cloudless sky and I felt truly grateful. 8 days before Christmas.

Unang gabi ng Simbang Gabi

I cant remember the last time that I went to the 4:30AM simbang gabi mass. Today with nostalgia about my childhood memories of the ritual...I went on my own. A sense of longing for inner peace and a renewed heart urged me to fill in that emptiness. A compelling sense emptiness seems more apparent during the advent season. I guess this is why a search for meaning is more palpable. A retreat from the usual routine. I guess I know in my heart that the search for the place to reflect is not just a place where you can see the great expanse of the sea and the sky nor in a quiet place. I've come to realize that the search is more inward and the sense of place is in your heart. Even in the loud noise of your surroundings you may be able to find your own peace and Self realization. Yesterday almost unknowingly my eyes poured out. A sense of knowing. Things are the same but they are not the same. Something has changed. Only you can sense the shift. And a yearning for the Universe to bless your heart.

First Day of School

Today marked another rite of passage in the little girls life. Like all rites of passage it is bitter-sweet. Whether the ritual of our lives are public or private, it comes with it a sense of we-made-it, of fulfillment and of joy but with a sense of time flying pass right before us, leaving us looking back. Today, we found ourselves, the little girl and I, looking at old travel photos. Earlier today, we prepared things needed for the first day of school. The past weeks we were talking to school registrar, fitting uniforms, buying books, touring the big new school and ensuring safety with the school bus service. All these things made the little girl excited reading her books in advance, asking details about the school and even wearing her ID at home when we got it last week. Last night I was anxious and a bit worried that she will be on her own now. When I left the house everything was ready, gave her a bath, little pep talk, prepared her baon (snack), school bag. She was happy. We did some picture taking session before I left knowing all is well and taken cared of as we have been incrementally preparing for weeks now. Later, after school when I got home that I learned that she cried. Just before the school bus arrived, she buried her face in a pillow and cried said Manang. But eventually she got up and bravely went to school on her own for the first time in her life. I took photos of these moments. Like all rites of passage, I know this is a moment to be treasured. God bless you Isay! We love you very much.

Coron an enchanted island

Home of the Tagbanua Tribe, haven of biodiversity and of enchanted places






Ten years ago I did a solo trip to Coron, as a gift to another year towards adulthood. Armed with borrowed diving gear and a few pesos in my pocket and a lot of luck, I was able to explore the islands. This year I came back with my little girl and the hubby to celebrate yet again another significant year in our lives. And yes, the island is as beautiful as the first time I laid my eyes on its shore.

The warm ocean water calling you to her embrace, the mountains staring at you with delight and the wind playing with your hair, whispering. The sun kissing your skin that has been pale for so long. A smile in my heart wrapped my being just being there. And much more that leave me speechless.

It took me hours to choose which photo to share, I have hundreds and these are the few that can capture a portion of those moments. Just looking at them brings me much joy.

Tour of the Fireflies (Part 3) 2011 until the next flight

In my mind we are all nomads. Some people to a greater degree than others. Our pace may be different from others, at times faster and at times slower. My feet either want to hike, walk and as in the images below pedal away.

Today am at a halt and here now remembering the sense of being able to travel with the ones you love, near or far brings much joy. Way after, months later and years later these recollections will be a source of inspiration. Indeed.

Manila City Hall
Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila Bay
Tiendesitas, Pasig
Photos by Dino Leoncarlo Calderon

Tour of the Fireflies (Part 2) The birth of Duncan

As we ride out from Tiendesita's, I realized I am cycling together with my childhood Asian superheroes-- the Power Rangers. They were in complete uniform... i can hear them shout out "Pink 5". We were in a level of energy that can emanate from 10,000 plus bikers.



As far as you can see in this photo, those are all bikers. Quiapo area proved to be one of the most challenging sectors of the route.

It was also Palm Sunday and we passed by the masses sprawling on to plaza Miranda. From these photos you can just gauge the number of participants to this year's Tour of the Fireflies.


This stretch of the Quezon bridge is where I literally and figuratively flew out of control while full speed downhill. This baptized my then unnamed dslr...split into two and when I realized that it is still alive-- I named it Duncan MakQuiapo after the immortal Duncan MacLeod. Ayos!

Tour of the Fireflies (Part 1)

Woke up early to prepare everything that we need for our first cycling adventure as a family. Bikes checked, cycling gloves check, arm protectors check, helmets check, giant kid carrier seat check, ice cold drinks in coolers check. For those who know me and climbed mountains with me, they know my philosophy. One should find a way to reward one's self upon reaching the summit or destination. An ice-cold rootbeer or gatorade, the drink of your choice is the best. The reason why I made sure that there is a cooler attached to my bike come the day of the Tour.

Got a new folding bike, named it Hannibal after the ancient general of old. Hannibal is one tough cookie I must say, you will know in the coming post why. That bit of the story deserves its own entry. Our maiden voyage was a great adventure--42 kilometers from Ortigas, Pasig to CCP, Manila Bay and back. Let me just say that I haven't a done any cycling for a long time until this day of the tour.

This adventure deserves a space in this blog for the ultimate experience that it is for me and our family. This is my little girl's first long haul cycling tour with Nanay and Tatay right here in one of the most challenging roads in the world - Manila, Philippines.

Angkor Wat

The second cake

The little girl turned five. I just want to thank God for the blessing that she is.

Seafood Kare kare at Kanin Club

sleepy na this was intended for my other blog Pinay Mountain Chef

Meteor Showers

"Spectacular" Double Meteor Shower This Week

Many years ago more than a decade I should say that I witnessed a meteor shower that up to this day, I have not seen anything like what I saw in Baguio one cool crisp night up in the cordilleras.

The sky was literally raining with shooting stars. We had to spread a "malong" in the parking lot to be able to have the widest view of the sky.

Sigh...

wondering when will I ever see that kind again?

Rainy days are here again

Drove through traffic at a crawling pace. I am literally swimming in traffic this morning. When you are driving alone at this kind of pace, the mind tends to wander.

Nothing is permanent but change. The wheels of change are turning, fast. Faster than I think I can keep up. In my mind I am thinking that things need to change in many aspects of my life.

Been wanting that dream house. Should I just settle for a house house? I want a garden, a house I can call home with a great view. I want my own room with a bed that is huge and comfortable. Sigh these are my dream now.

Been dreaming of other things too. Of course you would have guessed. Yes that trip to Europe again Greece and specifically Santorini. I should be writing these really to make them manifest. And yes, South America Brazil, Argentina. Sigh.

I want to make small changes too. In my everyday life, change the time I go to work, meditate more, write more of these thoughts before I completely forget that I have these small dreams too.

I want a clean house. no clutter. I want a walk in closet with just enough clothes that I don't get confused what to wear. Haha.

Been wanting and dreaming. So what is the difference of wanting and dreaming?

Mt. Isarog

Mt. Isarog is breath taking. Climbed the mountain many years ago and now just looking at it makes me re-live and cherish and re-experience its trails. Moss, mossy, soft under my feet, a stairway of moss covered branches strewn by time and the elements hid the earth beneath. A green carpet to paradise. Pieces of my old recollection of the trail and the mountain.

Destined for greatness

Today I was really inspired by an article shared by my good friend Earnest. Love it so much I just have to quote it here in its entirety.

Destined for greatness

By Harvey John Garcia

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 07:38:00 03/22/2011

Filed Under: Youth, Family

DEAR MAKOY,

I hope you don’t hate me when you grow up for not being there on your birthday. I am writing this soon after your fourth birthday in a foreign land. When I say foreign, I mean that I am scared stiff and I do not know what I am doing here, but I am here and I am living.

I am in the United States right now. To be specific, I am sitting on a felled log one meter away from a river. I am feeling cold. My fingers are getting numb (another good motivation to write). The place where I am in is called Skykomish. It is up in Washington state. And I am in a forest. My crew and I are fixing a trail here, and I am teaching some young people along the way, trying to develop them into capable young adults.

Who is doing that for you? You have your Mom and Dad, and throw in your Mama Old. I am not a bit worried. They raised me, so I believe you are in good hands. It is just that I wish I were part of your life right now.

I hope that when you look back at your life some time in the future, you won’t hate me for not being there on your second and third birthdays, too. I feel horrible and useless as your uncle. Though I know that our small, tightly knit family is there to give you the warmth you need, I still feel guilty for not spoiling you against your parents’ set rules; you are a child only once. But though I may not be there for you physically, you should know that I have been always with you in spirit.

Sometimes I delude myself with the thought that it is my fate to travel far away from the people I love. I feel nomadic. At times it is a blessing. I can tell you stuff that I have done, places I have seen, people that I have met and experiences that endeared the world to me more.

I have a set of journals that I started writing after college. I hope one day to give it to you. I want you to laugh, squirm and learn from my experiences, the same way I felt when my Mom, your Mama Old, told me about hers. I want you to be proud of my accomplishments, disappointed by my failures and inspired by the occasion when I got up after each fall. I want you to see my humanity. Hopefully, this will help you understand yours.

In your lifetime I want you to learn three things. One is that love is unconditional. There is no prerequisite to love. It does not grow old, fade or want the same magnitude in return. It is a given. From the moment you were born, you became the adhesive that united us all. You are one of my inspirations to live. For this, I love you.

Don’t be afraid to love. Uncertainty is always there and nothing will change that. It is what makes the world dynamic. It is the only certain thing: change. So don’t be afraid to dive into something you are not sure of. Just make sure that you are doing it for all the right reasons.

Second is, you have the world for yourself. You only need to grasp it. Believe me, you will experience hardships in life. But that is not the hard part; you can get over those easily. You have my genes, and we bounce back fast. The more difficult times will be when you get over those bumps on the road and they lead you to peaks of success. Then you will have to decide how you will falter, fade, retain and graciously settle down into a comfortable state. Believe it or not, there is no single accomplishment. Everything is a cycle. You will have ups and downs, but as you grow old you get to decide whether the next up is higher or the next down is lower.

You will learn so much and teach so much to others. You will not be prepared for life because if you are, the whole experience will be meaningless. The most you can hope for is to have a stable footing. Always look around to see us, your family, your friends, your favorite thing in this planet. We will always be in the sidelines for you and to see where you are in the compass of life. Fill your backpack with knowledge and skills. Raise your head to the sky and dive into the ocean, metaphorically and physically. Always, always see yourself as a part of the web of life. Nature is the greatest mentor there is.

Third and last is that you will be great. Every person is destined for greatness. I know you will make your mark in this world. It does not matter how many people you touch with your light, it is the intensity that you blind them with that really matters. You will become as great in the same proportion as how much you put into the effort. But do not rush into it. Have a good start and keep a steady pace. In the end, the race is always against yourself.

I will be going back to work now and try to teach six young men some lessons. Maybe tonight, I will brew coffee and stare blankly at the sky. I will be tucked under a sleeping bag in my tent tonight, and I will be happy.

Oh, the most important piece of advice I can give to you is to always look up to the sky and realize how significantly small and how significantly big you are. Everything is a part of you. It took millions and millions of years for you to become you, and now you are alive.

(Harvey John Garcia, 28, is an assistant scientist at the International Rice Research Institute.)

Dear Isay,

When you are older I want to share these same thoughts with you. I am also excited for the many possibilities that life have in store for us.

Love you very much.

Nanay Day

Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake

For the longest time I've wanted to visit this mountain. In a span of 10 years, friends have climbed the long route, pre-4 x 4 cars, some the short cut route and I always had to do something else. Had to finish a job, or just be somewhere else. I guess things indeed happen for a reason. I am glad that I waited because I was able to experience this one with my daughter. It is her first mountain climbing adventure and I am glad I am with her to share this experience. This climb also marked a special time in my life.

The crater lake was a magnificent site to behold. Digital dslrs can only capture a 2D. The vast expanse engulfs your being as you approach the crater lake. Nature's strength and beauty surrounding you 360 degrees, puts things in perspective of how small we are yet still a part of the greater scheme of things.

While hiking through the trail to arrive here, the trails were marked with lahar and ash stocked up to create a new landscape-- a moonscape I would imagine. There were intermittent pounding in my heart and day-after-tomorrow thoughts as we walk through the gorge of gray ash and it started to drizzle. A visual essay is posted at my other blog Pinay Mountain Chef.

The gateway to Mt. Pinatubo is Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac, while talking to Mang Orlan our guide he mentioned that they are preparing for a barrio fiesta on the 16th. Hmmm I thought and smiled to myself. Do you believe in coincidence?

Take nothing

Take nothing but pictures

Leave nothing but foot prints

Kill nothing but time

--Baltimore Grotto

Take nothing but the water of the other group

Leave nothing but TP

Kill nothing but "kuko"

--MM

just remembering the memorable quotes from MM's newsletter which I thought previously as "Tarakyatayo". Visit Our Simple Joys by Ruby Bayan.

Plants vs Mowers

One of my favorite pictures.

Taken before we unsuccessfully mow the lawn of friend at Renton. The neighbor whom we borrowed the mower got out of his house and cut the grass himself after hearing us trying to struggle to cut the grass.

Congratulations AG

You are a living inspiration. Congratulations AG Sano!

Declared as the newest WWF Hero.

wanderlust

Been bitten by wanderlust for the past few days. Just booked two international trips for the whole family!

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Ongpin

We had Chinese New Year dinner at President's Tea House along Salazar St. at Ongpin- Manila's China Town. The food was good you can view it in my other blog Pinay Mt. Chef.

Despite a fully loaded workday trying to beat that 5 PM exodus of people, still wasn't able to leave early. In the trains at around 6:30 ish sardine time at the MRT. Arrive at carriedo station and took a "kuliglig" to Ongpin.

It's dinner with good friends and why do we go accross town braving traffic and congestion of masses people on the streets?

The belief is that on new year's eve, it is very lucky if you will be able to witness the dragon dance. Here in the photo was the only encounter with a dragon. A small boy inside trying to run around the streets with this dragon head. I think they just finished a dance.

The night cap was coffee and chance to chat with my buddy it was her birthday.

Walking the streets of Ongpin... the air was full of beating of the drums, people buying lucky charms and filing long line just to buy "tikoy". We even bumped into our dear neighbors along the way. The night was warm and Manila's streets are alive with life.

It was intoxicating. Love it!

Relax, off you go

This morning I tried the fb application and see what God would like to say to me today:

"Yes, of course, you want to control so everything happens in just the way you want it. But at the end of the day, we control nothing, - it's all in God's hands, - has always been, and will always be. So, do what you can, and then let go, and let God handle the rest."

True. I realized that we do plan our lives, plan our travels, budget our finances, schedule this and that. But eventually in the greater scheme of things...there are other things that is not under our control. Sometimes we think we influence the outcome by our own efforts by our "strategic planning" but in the end we should also prepare ourselves and our hearts that not everything will can be controlled.

The grace is to be able to accept what happens. Not like "trying-not-to-have-a-heart-attack-mode" just trying to accept what happened. I can just imagine someone here hahaha.

Anyway, there you go. I guess this is my message to relax let go and that He will take care of the rest.

Yey.

celebrate each moment

The Columbia River

Pondering on beginnings. Anywhere we find ourselves in this journey, we try to think of where we are going or where we are from. We often forget to enjoy the moment that is given to us. It is indeed a joy to the spirit just to enjoy what we have before us. Celebrate life. Yes despite the trails, hardships, or problems we encounter each day is something to celebrate and be thankful for. What we have is now. I just we just need to make the best of it. There will be moments happier than others. But it is the difficult times that make us appreciate the happy moments more.

Flowers

about the photo: flowers at the wedding of James and Donna

Why do we send flowers when someone is sick, not feeling good?

I guess because it makes people, well most people feel better.

Just looking at these flowers makes me feel better already.

Been down with the cold and fever this weekend.

Painting dolphins

Dolphins Love Freedom an advocacy of our friend A.G. Sano. Painting 23,000 dolphins to represent the number of dolphins dying every year in the hidden cove of Taiji, Japan.

The first advocacy joined by my little girl.

On borrowed time

Vietnam Memorial in Portland, Oregon Photo during my 2010 summer trip

This week...

A father of a friend passed away

A mother of a friend lost her battle with cancer

A friend twelve years my junior is starting her fight against cancer

To them I offer my prayers and send my love.

At these times, I ponder on my own mortality. I think of beginnings and endings. How time is borrowed. Just thinking of the time we are given to express our love to our family and friends. Why do we wait and wait until we say we love them?

Back to Yoga

Really happy to attend my yoga class with my favorite instructor Sharon. I missed it. Just a months time and I felt stiff coming back. But as the class started and we began relaxing into our postures I felt better and more in tune. Love Yoga. Good to be back.

If I Had My Life Over

If I Had My Life Over - I'd Pick More Daisies

Nadine Stair

If I had my life to live over, I'd dare to make more mistakes next time. I'd relax, I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.

Recalling 2010

Looking at my archives, I realized that I have only written during the month of January last year 2010. I am once again revisiting and reviving this blog. I guess I felt the need to write again and reach out there. I had my reservations to write my thoughts the past year. But in hindsight, I realize that indeed our memories do sometimes fail us when we try to recall the wonderful things that happened to us. I believe that sharing my thoughts in this journal will help me find myself again and recall how beautiful life is.

Hopefully this year 2011, I will be able to share my joy with you, travels and adventure and inner journey and searching. I want to claim back this space I have created and set aside for a while.

There is pining in my heart.

Yosemite

A dream come true for me to visit this place. Yosemite was one of the places I wanted to visit. Still in my bucket list to visit again and stay longer.

Love Actually

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m2T5yfgsZ0

2010 New Year in the Cordilleras

We welcomed the new year up in the mountains. Baguio is a city in the Cordilleras. This is one of the very few times that I celebrated the year not at home. This is a start I believe of a year full of new things, of discovery and travels.

The photo was taken from the window of our hotel room up in the hills. Amazing to see the fireworks at eye level and even looking down at them sometimes in the valley.

In the coming post I will be sharing more pictures of our latest adventures.

Thank you Lord for your blessings

Matthew 13:12 "For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.

5 years na ang blog na ito

Yes 5 years na pala ang blog na ito. Saan ka pa? Thank you to the Universe for this space. Thank you for the inspiration. Iba talaga pag ginagalit ka ano marami kang masusulat--hehehehe

Sabi nga ng isang housemate, ikaw ang bida ng istorya ng buhay mo. :)

Dahil wala na nagbabasa ng blog na ito, OK na ulit magsulat ng mag sulat dahil lahat sila nasa facebook na. mwahahahahha.

create your own happiness

"Oftentimes you give others the opportunity to create your happiness, and many times they fail to create it the way you want it. Why? Because only one person can be in charge of your joy, of your bliss, and that's you. So even your parent, your child, your spouse---they do not have the control to create your happiness. They simply have the opportunity to share in your happiness. Your joy lies within you." --Lisa Nichols

Dinner with good old friends :)

Last night I had a good dinner with an old friend and her teenage daughter. Just to let you know how long we have been friends, I knew the kid since she was 2 years old and now she is 3rd year high school.

It was a great dinner. Had my favorite stuffed mushrooms on top of a creamy bed of three kinds of cheese. There is always a first as I tasted my first ever artichoke dip. When we ordered it I thought I would she the whole artichoke hehehehe... anyway I did enjoy the dinner.

Thank you for good friends indeed.

words

"The central fact of my life has been the existence of words and the possibility of weaving those words into poetry..." Jorge Luis Borjes

Love

You cannot give love unless you have love.

Now I understand and felt this at its core.

You cannot get water from an empty well.

life in letters

Today we sent a letter to Ate Rose in Sweden for her coming birthday on the 21st ...we traced Isay's hand on the card and sent our love in words... and pictures.

I remember when I was younger I love receiving letters. I kept them all in the province at the old ancestral house where I grew up. Eventually they were thrown away while I was away... well to purge the house of trash. But anyway, that was a good memory keeping those letters and re-reading it when I was in grade school.

Funny how we easily forget of good memories. Try as I may, I cannot remember the details of those letters that gave so much joy. I guess that is the beauty of writing in a journal. You can remember those memories. Exactly how things happened... those words will transport you to the time that you were excited, elated or even scared. Sigh.

It is good to write.

Sad that people do not write anymore.

It is always a choice to be happy

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all it's sham drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

-- Max Ehrmann


When I was a young girl I received this poem from Inay. I am thankful that I am reminded today.

Happiness is a choice.

Purge

It felt good to purge the things that you do not need anymore. Old magazines, old files, old books, and all that trash that is piled up in the cabinet. Now I can make more space for the new books. Just getting rid of all that clutter made me feel good. I felt the cleaning exercise is good for my soul. Purge. Purge. Purge. One should take the time to throw away the garbage that has accumulated through the years. Let go of that junk. When you haven't missed it in a year, have not used it for a year, have not looked at it for sometime... you know it is time to throw it away.

Where do I get this inspiration, you might ask? Well from Clean House! We really need to un-clutter our place to make that space for the things that really matter.

Create that space.

Make something new.

Liberating.

Ito pala hinahanap ko na word to describe it e.

Liberating.

Trees do not strain to grow

I remember the peach tree in Kung Fu Panda when I received this message. We cannot tell the tree to grow. It just grows.

Isay's purple blouse

When I go to the office, I usually wear my nuetral colors, black, brown, white-- as a sort of uniform colors for me and my wardrobe. Occasionally I wear my red blouse-- but it is a bit old now. The color is a bit faded (kupas na ika nga). Then there was this day I got a chance to buy this purple a bit shiny purple blouse. I loved it when I saw it. I tried it on and it fits. Very well I thought.

Then after that shopping spree, the blouse just hang in my clothes rack. I saw it everyday as I choose my usual black and browns. In my mind oh no i might not be able to wear this ah... well... but Isay love it. She will grab it and wear it like a robe and walk around the house. She claimed it to be her blouse.

Many weeks later. About last week, I finally decided to wear it to work. Isay was furious saying "blouse ko yan!" ( that's my blouse). I just explained that nanay will just wear it to work this time and borrow it.

When I got to the office, true enough, I was showered with compliments and up till I got home tatay and even manang approved my wearing this new color.

Haay...

I just realized now that indeed, we should not be afraid to wear our colors.

Happy.

grateful

I am once again reminded that the greatest power in the Universe is to express your gratitude.

Indeed I am thankful for all the blessings that I continue to receive in life. I will continue the reason why I made this blog in the first place... that this will serve as the record of the many good things in life that I am blessed with.

My cup continues to overflow with blessings. I am amazed that once a few moons ago some of the things that are manifesting in my life right now are just thoughts. But now they are reality. There is wisdom indeed that when you pray you need to be specific for what you pray for. But we all know that God is not a vending machine. He really wants to bless us. We just need to ask. if there is one prayer that we can pray many many times over in the course of the day-- that is to say "Thank You".

1. Thank you for my family who continually gives me unconditional love and my source of inspiration
2. Thank you for Isay. Who often reminds me "it's OK Nanay". She has said this to many times over at the most appropriate time. She is such an old soul.
3. Thank you for my hubby who is the most wonderful friend, lover, companion, and everything in between.
4. Thank you for friends far and wide who inspires me to increase our achievement quotient every time.
5. Thank you for good health of my family. There was a time a week or two ago that I had sore throat and I cannot drink water--- that was the ultimate reminder that even the smallest things can give you happiness. I am so happy now that I am able to drink water with my usual globglobglob sound ehehehe.

6. The list will continue on...

mga araw sa tag ulan

ultimately supposedly our reflections will lead to the re-discovery of our true passions in life.

me gusta vacaciones

This week we finished Spanish class for the year. Next year I hope to continue on with my intermediate classes. The classes are so fun and funny. The last memory of the words that are still ringing in my ear is I want to go on a vacation.

I just want to go.

Bumangon ka

We were watching Go negosyo about Balaw balaw. The owner is sharing about the business. He said: darating ang mga araw na parang ayaw mo na, wag mo lang pansinin, tapos bumangon ka.

simple napaka simple. bumangon ka.

His Team

It has been a while since I wrote in this blog. I think it came to pass that I've been to the desert in my writing and sharing. Life went on and the world kept turning. It felt like I was dead yet I was alive. Many things happened the past months. Big things small things. sometimes the smallest things are the ones that give me such inspiration.

I felt today that I received a message. He told me. I heard from someone He sent His word. "Whatever you do, wherever you are God wants you in His Team".

I was struck.

And was moved to write


and now share again.