Shower the People...

I heard this old James Taylor song over the radio, on my way to work this morning.

Shower the People

You can play the game and you can act out the part
Though you know it wasn't written for you
But tell me, how can you stand there with your broken heart
Ashamed of playing the fool
One thing can lead to another; it doesn't take any sacrifice
Oh, father and mother,and sister and brother
if it feels nice, don't think twice (yes)

Shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel
Things are gonna be just fine if you only will(do as i say, yeah)
Shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel
Things are gonna be much better if you only will

You can run but you cannot hide
This is widely known
And what you plan to do with your foolish pride
When you're all by yourself alone
Once you tell somebody the way that you feel
You can feel it beginning to ease
I think it's true what they say about the squeaky wheel
Always getting the grease.

Better to shower the people you love with love
(Yes and) show them the way that you feel
(I know) Things are gonna be just fine if you only will
(what i'd like to do to you)
Shower the people you love with love
Show them the way you feel
Things are gonna be much better if you only will

Shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel

They say in every life
They say the rain must fall
Just like the pouring rain
Make it rain
Make it rain
Love, love, love is sunshine oh
Make it rain
Love, love, love is sunshine yeah

I've always liked this song, but I found myself thinking that if more people paid attention to the lines, a lot more would love it.

There's a Kris Kringle category we're having this year which goes, "Ano sa tingin mo ang soundtrack ng buhay ng baby mo?"

I figure, I would have lived a really good life, if at my funeral, somebody would say that I had this for my life's soundtrack.

Shower the people you love with love...

What's In Your Dash?

I first heard this poem by Linda Ellis quoted on a CD..

The Dash Poem
by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

©1996 Linda Ellis

http://www.thedashmovie.com/

This is a good read, albeit "scary". Scares me to think that my dash, with all that I still have left undone & unspoken, could be a short one. But borrowed time is all we really ever have, isn't it? No negotiations, no bargaining for more.

Used in conversation, the word "between" has this connotation of "limbo" or "transit". In between jobs. In between relationships. In between here and there. Funny how we pay most attention to "start" and "end", to "here" and "there", when in fact, just as the poem says, what's most important is what's between birth and death.

Life is what happens in between.

So, what's in your dash?

:)

Of Whales & Fairies...

I saw this video in a business convention a couple of weeks back, and until now, the images are still stuck in my head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeXuZexUIc4

For some weird reason, I ended up crying after seeing it.

Growing up, kids are always taught to color within the lines, literally and figuratively. We even carry this with us as we get older. Sadly, needing to be right or to do things right stifles our creativity and even our sense of self. Staying within the lines sometimes ends up to mean staying inside the box.

This video from the Japanese Ad Council was a pretty good reminder that it's ok to let kids' (and even our) imagination run wild.

And it's in that line of thinking that I ended up loving this picture of my inaanak, Gabbie.

I had promised her butterfly wings for Halloween, and although it took a while, I eventually got her something close to what she first wanted.

It was so funny though that she wanted to wear it upside-down, saying that the pointed part should be stick up. So funny how she came up with the idea of using her frilly socks for gloves. Perfect little Dyosa.

Mom wanted to correct the orientation of the wings, saying she'd quickly ruin her new costume with how she was wearing it. Kept her from doing so. After all, the costume fit exactly what Gabbie had in mind, right Gab? :)

One Day as a Lion

I first saw this John Gotti quote as Pitt's YM status message. (Salamat ulit Pitt!)

"It's better to live one day as a lion than a hundred years as a lamb."

True, true.

Turns out that the quote, or a picture of it least, inspired the name of the band, "One Day as A Lion".

I haven't listened to how their music sounds, but I've picked up some good lines from the lyrics:

"If you fear dying then you're already dead" -- from If You Fear Dying
"One day I say today we live as a lion" -- from One Day as a Lion

Something to keep in mind. Better yet, something to live out. :)

Getting Good

Just some random thoughts...

Have you ever had that feeling of getting good at doing something that you just wanted to keep on doing it for as long as you could?
Some people get really good at doing their work. Some people do it with a sport, or a hobby.
And then, there are those who get good at loving people in their lives. They get so good, they never quit.
Probably one of the best things you could ever get good at, I think.

Thought for the Day...

august 19 AM, at the office

My thought for the day has been sponsored by my Splenda packet for my kapeng barako ;)




"Surrender to the sweetness."

(Haha. Sorry, couldn't resist taping the note to my mug. Hangover from the John Lloyd-Sarah Geronimo movie ;P )

Go try a random act of sweetness for today.

Courage

In the spirit of the Olympics.... hehe. :)

This is such a cool Nike ad. (thanks siops!)

http://www.nike.com/nikecourage/ct/

Everything you need is already inside.

too good not to share...

I Love the World

I haven't been watching a lot of TV lately, so last night was the first time for me to watch this Discovery Channel vid, when a friend of mine sent me the link. (thanks again siops!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5BxymuiAxQ

I love the mountains,
I love the clear blue skies
I love big bridges
I love when great whites fly
I love the whole world
And all its sights and sounds
Boom-de-yadda, boom-de-yadda
I love the oceans
I love real dirty things
I love to go fast
I love Egyptian kings
I love the whole world
And all its craziness
Boom-de-yadda, boom-de-yadda
I love arachnids
I love hot magma
I love the giant squids
I love the whole world
It's such a brilliant place
Boom-de-yadda, boom-de-yadda

Yeah, I would have to agree, the world is just awesome. And it's got me singing, boom-de-yadda, boom-de-yadda. ;o)

It's Not the Arrow; It's the Indian

"It's not the arrow; it's the Indian.."
If there's one thing I'd remember from Dennis Balangue's photography class, that would be it.

Sometime last July, I finally gave in to starting something in my I've-always-wanted-to-do list, do good (at the very least, decent) photography. I figured that Filipinas Heritage Library's Digital Photography for Point-and-Shoot Camera Users was a pretty good way to kick things off. (Rivka, thank you, thank you, for the invite.)

It's a one-day affair which starts off with the basics of the camera & photography, and takes you through different techniques of taking pictures. There were about 20 or so in our class, from different ages and backgrounds, and the only thing we had in common was that we were all starting from scratch. Some of us, myself included, have never even touched our camera manuals. ;o) We also had varying reasons for taking the seminar, from doing travel photography, to documenting events, to just maximizing the money shelled out for the newly-purchased "toys".

More than the lecture, I think the best parts of the learning came during the hands-on exercises, the actual picture-taking. After each "seatwork", we'd regroup and review the work each one had done. By the end of the day, Dennis had us taking pretty good, professional-looking shots which you'd think would have come from a DSLR. (so you see, it's really the Indian.)

But more than the photography, I had actually gotten a lot more head fakes from it. About how getting good in photography had so much to do with control, to enable you to communicate. About how, much like everything else in life, you had to see the pictures first in your mind. About how, after learning all the rules, it's actually ok to break them.

The seminar comes with the materials and your meals for the day. FHL even threw in GCs for a couple of free 4R prints. Considering that, and everything else I had learned, I'd say I got more than my money's worth. Probably a small price to pay for something which could actually end up being a passion.

If photography's something you've always wanted to try, this is worth checking out. :)

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Check out http://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/ for the schedule of the other photography classes. Filipinas Heritage Library also offers other classes such as writing. They have a wide collection of Filipiniana material, both for browsing and for sale. The Library's also a good venue to rent for various occasions. (Trust me, nerdy as it may sound, it's really a nice place to hang out in.)

Dennis Balangue is a semi-professional photographer who among other things, has done a lot of work with local celebrities. You can check out his works at http://bubuy12.multiply.com/.

Of Ice Cream and Childhood Memories

I have a distinct childhood memory of going on a nursery fieldtrip to the Ice Cream house along Aurora Blvd. I remember being with my dad then. I remember how neat it was to watch the ice cream being made, and to eat scoops of it after.

Cut to 27 years later. The new job this year has lead me to different routes home, going through Aurora. It takes me quite a while to have my second visit, but hey, you never grow too old to have ice cream, right?

Although it was in the same familiar place, the Nestlé Creamery had a "new" look with the remodeling done in the recent years. You can still order ice cream by the scoop, and they kept most of the old favorites - the banana splits, the cobblers, the sundaes and so many other oh-it's-going-to-be-a-happy-day desserts. They also have new & interesting treats, like the marble slab concoctions. (We had the Eskimo Choco Decadence - it's a must-try. I've also heard that the Blueberry Crumble is good.) Oh, and you still can get ice cream cakes too.

* Jerome whipping up a Blueberry Crumble.

They've expanded the menu to include meals like pasta, sandwiches, pizza and salads, making the Creamery a really good spot for the family's lunch or dinner (and dessert of course).

* It's going to take more than just a few visits to go through this list. =P

And if you haven't had your fill by the time you need to go, there's a little area at the side selling ice cream gallons and other good pasalubong stuff.

Something for the kids and the kid-in-you to try. Go have fun. :)

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Open everyday, the Nestlé Creamery is located inside the Nestle Ice Cream compound along Aurora Blvd. You can give them a call at (632) 415-7872.

Citylights

Simply the best seats in the house. :)

Dinner that night was at the Skyline at the 31st floor of Vivere Suites, in Filinvest Corporate City.

I must say that this has been one of the better al fresco dinners I've had, especially with the spectacular views of the metropolis. If you're not one to be fond of heights, you can go have yourself seated near the infinity pool instead, and still get a good "view".

I've heard different reviews about their menu, but I was pretty happy with my lengua that night. Then again, regardless of your dining preferences, for the view alone, dinner at the Skyline is still something to put on your things-I-should-do-in-this-lifetime list.


They're generally open as early as 5:30 from Sunday to Wednesday and 6AM from Thursdays to Saturdays. I would suppose breakfast with a view would be an interesting experience as well. (Already on my to-do list :) )


Go check it out. Do bring your loved ones. (And don't forget the camera.)


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Vivere Suites is located at 5102 Bridgeway Ave., cor. Asean Drive, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang. You can check out their website -- http://viveresuites.com/. Best to call first to make a reservation -- (+632) 771-7777. Ask for the Alpha table. :)

Happiness...

The other day, while driving to work, I saw the back of the shirt of a guy selling cigarettes.

It read, "Happiness needs no cause..."

True, true.. Not always easy I know, but if I could, if we all could, be happy just because, the world might actually end up a much brighter place.

Happiness just because.

There. Too good not to share.

Grounded

I found it appropriate to have this as my first post. A prayer, to keep things, and myself, grounded.

I've heard Mass a couple of times last June in the Parish of Holy Sacrifice in UP Diliman. Although I don't go there often, I've always found the priests' homilies uplifting and thought-provoking. And the Chapel itself, more than being unique, I've always found to be welcoming. The funny thing is, in the occasions I've gone there, last June was the first time I actually noticed the prayer they say before Mass ends.

Prayer of Sacrifice
Lord of the Holy Sacrifice, your saving oblation on the cross has given me new life. May I always recall your holy sacrifice on the cross and do it in remembrance of you. When tempted by selfishness, inspire me to be taken as an unworthy sacrifice. When burdened by envy, let me become an instrument of blessing for others. When afflicted by anger and pride, grant me the humility to be broken and given for others. When unsettled by anguish and troubled by worries, give me encouragement.

May your Spirit move my heart to see in your outstretched arms your loving embrace of everyone that I, too, may welcome others with the same love in an open hand. Teach my mind and direct my will to humbly endure the pain of undeserved suffering even when my intent was good and done what is right. May I understand that it is in the holy sacrifice of your wounds that my brokenness is healed. May I see in your sacrifice on the cross not only death and defeat but victory and life.

Loving Father, may the holy sacrifice of your Son cleanse my soul, strengthen my heart, pardon my past and restore me in your peace. May I always adore you by uniting myself in His holy sacrifice, the sacrament of your divine love. May I learn to sacrifice my own comfort, plans and dreams if it is not for your glory and the good of others.

With Mary, the mother of Jesus, who joined her heart with the sacrifice of her Son, may I become a holy sacrifice of love and service for others. Gathered around the altar of love, may all be united in listening to your word and sharing the one bread and cup and become one people, offering one holy sacrifice. Amen.

Fr. Raymond Arre
Parish of the Holy Sacrifice
University of the Philippines
Solemnity of Corpus Christi
June 18, 2006

I have a few prayers that I hold dear, but I think this is one of the best that I can start my day with. Esp. for the days when I am busiest going after what I want in life. It's a difficult prayer actually. Masakit sa puso. May I learn to sacrifice my own comfort, plans and dreams if it is not for your glory and the good of others.
But it's a good one, the right one, nonetheless.

too good not to share.

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For more info on the Parish of Holy Sacrifice, do visit -- http://www.holysacrifice.net