Ready to Become a Silver-Plus-One Adult

When I was about to celebrate my birthday last year, I wrote Looking Back Before I Turn Silver. Reading that post brought me back to that very time I was writing it. Along with the memories, emotions were rekindled as I recited each word. I was having so many hesitations, doubts and uncertainties as I was nearing silver because I took a leap of faith in terms of career and life. Maybe, I was experiencing "quarter life" crisis then ( self diagnosis just to justify what I was experiencing ☺). 

Then  I turned 25 years old. Being at mid-twenties was trying to become adult and young at the same time. I am an adult in terms of making decisions and handling finances I have been always rational and logical in making decisions but this time I am more cautious. When I decide now, I consider the implications in the future. Yes! I am visualizing my future. Everything must be in alignment with what I want to become in the future. In handling finances, I am paying my obligations to be debt free. I am not splurging and the good news is I am starting to invest. It may sound pretentious but I am doing it. As of now, it is not that much but I am starting and taking it seriously. However, I do not pressure myself to be stingy old man. I still know how to have and that keeps me young. 

This month is my birthday month again. I am going to be a year older. I won't be stagnant in the past and enough of looking back.  I just want to be more optimistic than I ever was. I like that my birthday is the penultimate day of the year because my wishes are also like my new year's resolution. What I want to condition my mind are the following listed below (well just a few of them worth sharing in public)

1. To be deft free
2. To start investing in stocks wherein I will be managing my own portfolio.
3. To be in a romantic relationship (HOPEFULLY)
4. To read daily the bible (enriching spiritual aspect)
5. To start earning my MBA (God permits)

I guess I can look forward for another year with so much positivity. I just have to surrender to Him for I know God will grant the dreams, ambitions and desires that I really need in this lifetime. So bring it on. I am ready to be a 26-year-old adult.

Today's Music: Our God by Chris Tomlin

I heard this song first time when I attended Kerygma Conference 2012. It has been awhile but this song still never fails to inspire and uplift me everytime. So, I am sharing this here. Enjoy!

Water you turned into wine

Opened the eyes of the blind

There's no one like you, none like you

Into the darkness you shine

Out of the ashes we rise

There's no one like you, none like you

Our god is greater, our god is stronger

God you are higher than any other

Our god is healer, awesome in power our god, our god

Into the darkness you shine

Out of the ashes we rise

There's no one like you, none like you

Our god is greater, our god is stronger

God you are higher than any other

Our god is healer, awesome in power our god, our god

Our god is greater, our god is stronger

God you are higher than any other

Our god is healer, awesome in power our god, our god

And if our god is for us

Then who could ever stop us?

And if our god is with us

Then what could stand against?

And if our god is for us

Then who could ever stop us?

And if our god is with us

Then what could stand against?

What could stand against?

Our god is greater, our god is stronger

God you are higher than any other

Our god is healer, awesome in power our god, our god

Our god is greater, our god is stronger

God you are higher than any other

Our god is healer, awesome in power our god, our god

And if our god is for us

Then who could ever stop us?

And if our god is with us

Then what could stand against?

And if our god is for us

Then who could ever stop us?

And if our god is with us

Then what could stand against?

Then what could stand against?

Our god is greater, our god is stronger

God you are higher than any other

Our god is healer, awesome in power our god, our god

Our god is greater, our god is stronger

God you are higher than any other

Our god is healer, awesome in power our god, our god

http://artists.letssingit.com/chris-tomlin-lyrics-our-god-49brjdh#axzz3Er3ThUTH

Miss Universe Question and Answer Portion

I admit that beauty pageants interest me especially Miss Universe. I like the parade of national costumes, flaunting of their gorgeous curves of the candidates in their swimwear and elegantly sashaying of the evening gowns. However, I always look forward to my favorite part which is the question and answer portion. I commend candidates how they are able to quickly generate answers to life's boggling questions and making an impact as they convey what they believe in.

I commented on some answers by beauty aspirants. I say she could have answered this way, stressed that point, and concluded more her message. Candidates may hate me if they're going to hear me. So to make this even, I take this self-imposed challenge. I will answer some memorable Miss Universe questions.

Miss Universe 1997: Brook Lee of USA
Question: If there would be no rules on your life in one day, and you could do something outrageous what would it be and why?
Her answer: I would eat everything. You don't understand. I will eat everything twice.
My answer: I would go the nearest pub and have a drink or two so that I could gain confidence to literally follow Dr. Seuss’ advice to dance like nobody’s watching.

Miss Universe 2002: Oxana Fedorova of Russia
Question: What makes you blush?
Her answer: When I say the wrong things.
My answer: When I sometimes fart in public places and someone actually heard it??????? Hahahaha ☺

Miss Universe 2012: Janine Tugonon of Philippines 
Question: Do you think speaking English should be pre-requisite? Why or why not?
Her answer: For me, being Miss Universe is not just about knowing how to speak a specific language, its being able to influence and inspire other people. So whatever language you have as long as your heart is deserve and you have a strong mind to show to.. To show to people, then you can be Miss Universe. Thank you.
My answer: I have always believed that the universal language is not the language spoken by lips but it is the language conveyed and understood by the heart. And that is the language of love. If you have a heart who knows how to love, then it is the best asset to become a Miss Universe. 

Miss Universe 2008: Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela
Question: Which have it easier in life: men or women?
Her answer: God made us to share and have differences, but big differences?  I don't think so. The difference is that men think, they think that the faster way to go to a point is to go straight, and women know that the faster way to go to a point is go the curves and fix every curls.
My answer: Life is made easier or harder not because of being a male or female but it is because of the person’s choice. The quality of life depends on the quality of our decisions. Don’t blame gender because in the beginning, we are created equal. What’s for Adam is for Eve and what’s for Eve is for Adam. 

Those are my answers without facing a big audience, wearing high heels and the pressure of representing my country. If all those and more are present, I might puke. Thank heavens I chose not to be a beauty queen. ☺

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Nothing But A Big Sigh

Just hold it right there because before I will formally start writing this post I am going to let out an unimaginable more you can picture big sigh.

Ok. It made me a bit better.

I am optimistic person. I prefer to look at the brighter side of life. When a friend, workmate, or anyone who is at one of those lowest moments of his/her life, most of the time, I let him/her realize that better days are coming. There are moments in our lives that happen for a reason. We may not understand why these are all happening but in time it will all make sense. To inject uplifting words may sound cliché but I prefer to utter and listen because it gives hope to hold on.

However, this positive vibe that I have is tested these days. And I have been letting out deep and big sighs just what I did earlier ago. Those sighs indicate that I have so many things bothering me and as of the moment I can’t resolve them. Not able to find resolution immediately adds uneasiness to my current state of mind. Also, I am running out of patience because I am racing with time. Unfortunately, I feel that I can’t keep up with time. The world turns on a steady speed. It is not affected if my own world seems to slow down. It would go on turning and it wouldn’t wait for me.

There are many suspended plans, unfulfilled goals and unattained targets. I cannot go on the next chapter of my life if I leave all these hanging. Time is one of major factors I have to consider in achieving them. It may not be the right time now for them to unravel but I am just going to sigh (again) and hold to a hope that it can’t rain forever. 

The Normal Heart: Movie About The Universal Language

The Normal Heart is a HBO movie. The trailer can particularly capture the attention of the LGBT community because it is about the struggle of gay men led by Ned Weeks played by Mark Ruffalo in the 1980s at the city of New York as they fight for awareness of a nameless disease which is known now as AIDS caused by HIV. The movie is directed by Ryan Murphy and based on the play written by Larry Kramer which is the right combination to keep a person in anticipation.

In the movie, Dr. Emma Brookner played by Julia Roberts called gay activist Ned Weeks to inform the gay community and eventually the government that there was a type of cancer that only infected gays and it was easily labelled as gay cancer. So Weeks started it in the best way he could do. He started with his friends. It was not an easy task because telling them this type of cancer, aside from it was still unconfirmed and without official research, this would entail prevention of the spreading of the disease by having to stop sex. The thought of abstinence among the gay men could not be embraced by them because they felt taking away from them to express their love was like snatching from them the only right they only held.

One of the steps taken by Weeks to inform the public about gay cancer was meeting Felix Turner immortalized by Matt Bomer who was a closeted gay and New York Times writer/ reporter. This wasn’t the first time they met each other but Weeks couldn’t remember their first rendezvous. It was only Turner who could remember it. The two were obviously attracted to each other. They fell in love, made plans together and eventually lived together. Unfortunately, throughout the movie Turner got infected by the disease but they stayed together. Turner’s body was getting worst but he was able to heal relationship of his partner’s relationship with his brother which was tainted at that time.

As one by one of their colleagues died including Turner, the New York gay community acknowledged and accepted that there must have been done about the illness. After having to fight tooth and nail, Weeks and the rest of the advocates were successful to catch the attention of the government to allot budget for the study and research on this gay cancer.

This masterpiece should not be only watched by every gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender but all of us, regardless of gender orientation/ preference, must enjoy this flick because it talked about the universal language that every human has spoken and understood. And that language is love.

It conveyed brotherly kind of love which considers the welfare of others. Thru the initiative of Dr. Brookner and fast acceptance of Weeks to awaken the consciousness of others about the life threatening disease, they took the first steps to stop infecting others and spreading it.

The movie also shows the truth about how romantic love must be. Weeks and Turner stayed true to their promises of love which unconditional. They love each without inhibitions and qualms. They remained on each other arms up to last breath.

Lastly, the normal heart touched the subject about love for oneself. Loving oneself first is essential to be able to love others. One must be healed and got over of his/her personal scars, accepted all his/her imperfection and maximized his/her strengths and potentials.

If the world would only speak the universal language, there would be no misunderstanding that leads to doubt and confusion. If each person comprehends one language, no discrimination and prejudice would happen. And if love could just rule the world, then this world is a better place to live in because each possesses normal heart.

>>To know more about the movie, click here.

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Love Letter to My Future Mahal (3)

Today's Music: Strangers by Seven Lions

I have featured non-EDM songs in my "Today's Music" posts because I have so many favorites and I don't want to flood my blogsite with mostly EDM. However, this track deserves to be featured. I like the lyrics and the beat. The song makes me want to sing, dance and indulge with my favorite drink. Enjoy!

Nothing more than strangers passing by on the street 

Memories are fading though it's only been a week 

All the little things are gone 

All the things we use to be 

Nobody can take us down cause 

There was only you and me 

And without you I can't be 

You're the universe to me 

You're the air in my lungs 

You're the fields where I run 

You're the sky where I'm floating 

It's you 

It's you 

Without you I can't be 

You're the universe to me 

You're the air in my lungs 

You're the fields where I run 

You're the sky where I'm floating 

It's you 

It's you 

Don't wanna be a stranger 

Wanna be the one you need 

I can be your world, 

Your life 

Your lover 

All for free 

All the little things come back 

The things we used to be 

Nobody can take us down 

There was only you and me 

And without you I can't be 

You're the universe to me 

You're the air in my lungs 

You're the fields where I run 

You're the sky where I'm floating
http://www.lyrics3e.com/seven-lions-strangers-ft-shane-54-lyrics/

The Day My World Stood Still

Yes! You read it right. The title of this post is taken from a movie. It was not because the world has gone thru a disastrous time that made me to borrow the title. It was just a personal experience. That personal experience happened to be mine. My experience. My world.

Beginning of this year, almost all of us listed what we wanted to change, achieve and other matters we have called since time immemorial as New Year’s Resolution. Personally, I only kept a few important goals and resolutions. One of those resolutions I listed was TO BE IN A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP. For me to be always reminded and put me on “attack” mode, I set a deadline to make it happen. Without any consideration, March 31, 2014 was the deadline or 1st quarter of 2014.

If you feel the urgency, impossibility or simply find my resolution funny, please don’t judge me. Don’t laugh at me because I have had enough. Most of my friends, if not all, were bewildered with this and find it funny. They couldn’t help themselves to laugh.  My relationship status as single has never changed since birth. My heart has been a virgin for 25 years. I am just a poor boy waiting for someone to love me. 

In each day of the first quarter, I felt jittery as I faced it daily. Like most of us say that every day is another day, I held on to that promise but I couldn’t help myself to feel anxious about my goal. Time went by so fast that I couldn’t even cope up. I have this one particular person who I thought was the realization of my resolution but as of writing of this post, nothing is happening. I guess we are better off as friends. Nevertheless, first three months of this year went by so fast. It was so fast that it left me so way behind. 

March 31, 2014 passed and today is April 2, 2014. I am still single. I fail to realize my resolution.  I feel a little sad but I am laughing as I write this post. I am laughing because I have been crazy for three months.  What was I thinking for setting a deadline for my love life to prosper? LOL!

There are really some aspects that cannot be planned. One of those is the love aspect. Out of this crazy three-month experience, I have learned one lesson. True love transcends time. If I want to experience a love that lasts beyond lifetime, a love that’s forever, I should be patient. True love waits. It is more than enough to make my world stands still.

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Today's Music: Bless The Broken Road by Rascal Flatts

I set out on a narrow way many years ago

Hoping I would find true love along the broken road

But I got lost a time or two

Wiped my brow and kept pushing through

I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

Chorus:

Every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

I think about the years I spent just passing through

I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you

But you just smile and take my hand

You've been there you understand

It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Chorus:

Every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

Now I'm just rollin' home into my lover's arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you

http://artists.letssingit.com/rascal-flatts-lyrics-bless-the-broken-road-l3mm24t#axzz2wYSCp7WE

Senior Citizens: "Please Still Include Us"

How does one feel when he/she is at his/her youth? Isn't he/she having the time of his/her life? Isn't he/she allowed to experience all that life has to offer? Isn't he/she beautiful? Isn't he/she entitled to be young, wild and free? Isn't he/she capable of doing everything?

I am on my youth now and I am enjoying every moment of it. In professional aspect, I have earned my bachelor’s degree and got the corresponding professional title for it. I have been working for over three years now. This is the moment in my life that I can navigate my life where I choose to go. Physically, I am strong and feel healthy. I seldom get sick except for having asthma attacks once in a while. I am very appreciative of myself. I feel I am at my most attractive and desirable stage. I am more comfortable and confident about myself than I was years younger ago. At this time also, I do my share as Filipino Citizen. Since I turned 18 years old and registered as voter, I have never missed to exercise my political suffrage. To say "youth is the spring time of life" may sound cliché but this is how I truly feel right now because I can do whatever I desire because I am capable and able.

When youth fades, what will happen to me? Will I still have the same level of enjoyment that I am experiencing now? I am much aware that I will not be as healthy as now when I'll be old. But will I be as enthusiastic about life by then? At present, I am opinionated and participative of what's happening in our politics. I always take a stand of what I believe. For that reason, I am driven to really exercise my right to vote. I am still hoping those elected officials are doing to protect the people especially less fortunate, vulnerable and weak. When I'll reach old age, I will be defenceless, vulnerable and weak. Will I be constitutionally protected by then?

RA 9994 - The Expanded Senior Citizens Act is one of the country's laws that tackles about senior citizens. As a young professional, this makes me happy because there are privileges I am going to enjoy when I'll reach old age. I was able to know this act because my present job has to do with senior citizens. Part of the job is that I have to deal face to face with our Lolos and Lolas. Every time I give to them one of the additional grants stipulated on this act I can't help but to know a portion of their life. It is good to know that our government gives importance to our elderly.

Moment of belonging.Group of senior citizens expecting for their stipend.

As I do my duties I realized that parents will always be parents. My heart melts with this. Out of that meager stipend they received they would still share it to their children and even to their grandchildren.

However, there were also painful real life situations I've encountered. To have many children is not an assurance that one of your sons/daughters will take care of you when you will be old and weak. I've witnessed some of the Lolos and Lolas who diligently went to the site to claim their grants alone. There was no one to assist them. When asked if why they were alone they would only say that all of his/her children were busy with their own families or already left and lived in another place. Some of them would tell that they didn't want to disturb the busy life of his/her children. 

What had taken me a back immensely was most of our senior citizens felt they were already disconnected to the society, to the family. From my point of view, to feel left out, neglected or alone crushes a person's sense of belonging. I have never wanted to feel alone. And to feel that way is the worst kind of ordeal I don't want to encounter. Loneliness is a dangerous killer. It can kill you slowly yet painfully.

When all of us reached the age of majority, we started to plan how our life to be in the future. We visualized that we would be employed in a stable and great company. For some of us, to own a business would be the greatest achievement. When we would already be financially independent, most of us would like to have a family on our own. A few of us would consider living a life of singleness whether in a holy order or not. In order to achieve that detailed plan or our life, we promised that we would do great in our studies believing that education is the key to a better future. And when we earned our diploma or were already capable to survive the challenging world, we took off to realize those plans.

We have referred the life after schooling as the real world and this real world, once we set foot on it, took the best of us. It forced us to be always to be preoccupied in our chosen career. Manic Monday, busy Tuesday, stressful Wednesday, hectic Thursday and deadline Friday were our labels for weekdays. When Saturday and Sunday come, we would pamper ourselves. We would be tired but we would never give up because of our eagerness to make our plans realized. 

There is nothing wrong having those personal plans in life. Also, there is nothing wrong realizing those personal plans. What we fail to include in our personal plans are our parents. While we are so focused with our life, our parents age, get old and weak. It is just right and our time to give back to the people who have given us all without asking any in return. It is accordingly right to fly back to the people who gave us wings to take greater heights in our life. We should remember when we were still not able to walk, they were our feet. When we were still not able to talk, they were our voice. When we were still not able to see the wonders of the world, they were our eyes. So who are we to neglect them when we are now able and capable? Who are we not to take care of them? Who are we to be selfish?

More than what the government can extend to our elderly, let start from us. Let’s be generous to the closest senior citizens in us by distance and by blood. Let’s include our parents.

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Recent Life Ventures: Four-Day Valentine’s Celebration

Valentine’s Day is a big deal for people who are in a relationship because today they are allowed to express their love in the most romantic ways possible. Chocolates, roses, love letters and fluffy stuff toys are some of the usual gifts. Love songs complete the whole mood of mushiness of this event. On this day, those who have partners go early out of office, work or class in order to spend dinner date or simply quality time with their special someone.

However, I as single and not in a relationship status, need not feel alone on this day. Instead of spending the event in just one day, I celebrated it in four days. Valentine’s Day doesn’t discredit any single to celebrate it joyfully. It could be celebrated having a dinner with friends, family or something out of the box.

My celebration started on February 13, 2014. I spent time with my Almighty Father. I prayed for the obvious reason. I prayed for love. I prayed for the love of my life to come into my life sooner than I expected.

Sta. Ana Parish Church

On February 14, 2014, I gave out my gifts to my 3 friends and when office work was done I partied at Sunsets Beach Park, Island Garden City of Samal. The event was called Back2Love. I went there with the Party Fun People. I enjoyed so much that I forgot to take my own photos of the event. I just missed a blog worthy event.

After that day, I went and danced the night away at the event called The Flight (The Flight Hit Turbulence) in The White House Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge in Camella North Point, Bajada, Davao City. 

On February 15, 2014, I spent again time with my Almighty Father. I attended the Sunday mass and I realized that there are so many aspects of life. So I prayed not only for the love aspect of my life but for the totality of myself.

Love Letter to My Future Mahal (2)

You can also read my Love Letter to My Future Mahal (1)

Today's Music: Chocolate by The 1975

This is one of the those songs that I don't need to understand the meaning. I just want to listen over and over again until the lyrics and melody echo in my head. This is a good to song to beat the manic Monday.

 

Hey, now, call it a split, because you know that you will
Oh, you bite your friends like chocolate
You said, we go where nobody knows
We got guns hidden under our petticoats
Oh, we're never gonna quit it
No, we're never gonna quit it, no

Run run away from the boys in blue
Oh, my car smells like chocolate
Hey, now, think about what to do
I think about what to say
Think about how to think
Pause it, play it, pause it, play it, pause it

We go where nobody knows
With guns hidden under our petticoats
Oh, we're never gonna quit it
No, we're never gonna quit it, no

Yeah, we're dressed in black from head to toe
We've got guns hidden under our petticoats
Oh, we're never gonna quit it
No, we're never gonna quit it, no

Now you're never gonna quit it
Now you're never gonna quit it
Now you're never gonna quit it
If you don't stop smoking it, that's what she said

She said, we're dressed in black
Head to toe
We've got guns hidden under our petticoats
And we're never gonna quit it
No, we're never gonna quit it, no

Hey, now, we're building up speed as we're approaching a hill
(Approaching a hill, approaching a hill, approaching a...)
Oh, my hair smells like chocolate
Hey now, you say you're gonna quit it but you're never gonna quit it
Go get it, go get it, go get it, go get it, go!
Play cool

Oh, you said, we'll go where nobody knows
With guns hidden under our petticoats
Oh, we're never gonna quit it
No, we're never gonna quit it, no

Yeah, we're dressed in black from head to toe
We got guns hidden under our petticoats
Oh, we're never gonna quit it
No, we're never gonna quit it, no

Well I think we better go
Seriously better go
Said the feds are here you know
Seriously better go
Well I think we better go
Said the feds are here you know
Said Rebecca better know
Seriously better go

We'll go where nobody knows
With guns hidden under our petticoats
Oh, we're never gonna quit it
No, we're never gonna quit it, no
Yeah, we're dressed in black from head to toe
We got guns hidden under our petticoats
Oh, we're never gonna quit it
No, we're never gonna quit it, no
No, no, no

Well I think we better go
Seriously better go
Said the feds are here you know
Seriously better go
Well I think we better go
Said the feds are here you know
Said Rebecca better know
Seriously better go

http://artists.letssingit.com/the-1975-lyrics-chocolate-vr8nmws#axzz2st44ob00  

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