...my own mortality blues...

Earlier today, I was given the news that another person we know had passed away... a sudden heart attack at the tender age of 38 Years Old.... way too young, of course... He was for the most part, like myself, a very fit person with hardly any vices... so his untimely passing was both a shocking surprise and a blow of some sorts in my own psyche...

This event totally put me into a tailspin for the most part of today and tonite... upon hearing the news I automatically stated feeling a sharp pain in my heart - as if something was pinching it... of course, it was most likely nothing but my imagination and my fear getting the best of me...

WHY FEAR? well, let's see : 1) often I have been told by family and friends about their dreams of my own untimely demise ....; 2) A few times now, I have had my fortune told to be told that: "though am pretty much a fit person - I still will, most likely suffer heart problems... and I was assured they are not of the Romantic Kind.... (that's another story, another blog....) Though I do not usually believe in fortune tellers - it just gives me causes to ponder as am told this by three different fortune tellers - from different countries, at that: USA, Philippines & Taiwan.... 3 different people.... 3 different languages.... all basically saying the same thing.... Enough to give one nightmares and causes to worry right???

Now, couple all that with my own physical being... Am still for the most part very healthy.... still NO on DRUGS, SMOKING, DRINKING & PARTYING... with my only VICES being an ADDICT COLLECTOR (Death To My Wallet) & SWEETS (Death to my FLAT TUMMY)... Still, as I previously BLOGGED - this last visit to Manila - I was diagnosed as being on the verge of having HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE... and it was deduced to STRESS as the main factor to this sudden state.... so am being told to watch what I eat... not to over exhert myself.... and to STRESS LESS....

STRESS LESS!!! Can one really do so??? I mean, I think that I am pretty good at dealing with problems that comes my way as BEST as I COULD.... and knowing when to ACCEPT things I cannot change and to just let them be... still, I would be the first to admit that THINGS do still get to me... I still do end up with sleepless nights thinking, over thinking these things... and with this sudden news - am sure I will have more sleepless nights...

Mind you am not wishing for IMMORTALITY -- just that when it is my time to go, I will be at a point in my life when everything is just right, all as it should be...; that I know deep in my heart that I have done right by the people I love and care for....; that somehow, i have left my own mark in this world - however tiny that may be...

TRUTH

Truth which is merely told is quick to be forgotten; truth which is discovered lasts a lifetime.

-William Barclay

Mabuhay Philippines!!!

Yesterday, June 30th, 2010 - the Philippines Inaugurated the country's 15th President, Noy Noy Aquino. He is the son of much beloved former President, Cory Aquino & the country's slain martyr that became the symbol for People Power, Ninoy Aquino. Here's hoping that the apple really does not fall far from the tree... and that he can actually do some good for the country - especially curtailing all the corruptions that runs rampantly in all aspects of the government and the nation in all levels...

Of course none of this can be attained without the help, the voice of the people, the Pilipinos... so let's all do our share.... LESS TALK, MORE ACTIONS.... this reminds me of the famous line spoken by a much loved/admired former President of the United States, the late great, John F Kennedy:

"...ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."

President Aquino's Full Speech:

Internationally known Filipina Singer singing the Philippine's National Anthem:

end of the month - again!!!!

wow... once again I find myself at the end of the month - and with no BLOG entry for a little over a week.... when in Manila - I try to get online as much as I can.... try to catch up with FB and Blogging - but somehow, the days just keep flying by and I am not able to UPDATE or check here and there.... good thing am still able to catch up with my emails or I would totally be in trouble -- and sooooo behind.... lols....

so half the year is over.... with so many things on my agenda - sometimes I feel that for every step forward I make, I take two steps back..... when do I ever get to catch up - really catch up.... still too many things to deal with: family, financial, work, personal, etc.... as if that is not enough - I recently found out that am on the Verge of actually suffering from High Blood Pressure.... for three days, while in Manila - my Blood Pressure was monitored and it was just getting up there.....haiiiis.... when can I catch a break???

Oh well, just THANKFUL for KRISPY KREME treats once a month... am sure against the Doctor's Orders.... hahahahahahaha

Am ✈✈✈✈✈✈...

and I feel so lucky and touched by an angel as I ran into my FAVE Priest from St Christopher's Church, Taipei, Reverend Tajonera M.M.... now I know am not supposed to be picky when it comes to who presides over the masses I attend - but I cannot help it... His HOMILIES just speaks to me more.... maybe it is what he talks about, the way he talks about them... well, not maybe - it is all that....

Sadly he does not hold masses often as he is a whole lot more busier with UGNAYAN, an organization that helps out the Migrants of the Philippines during their time here in Taiwan.

well, am just glad to have bumped into him here at CKS.... had to write about the excitement right away as I also have a bit of time before my flight....

Happy Father's Day To All Dads!!!!

for some of us - myself included, this is the most fitting way to give tribute to our Dads....

"He didn't tell me to live; he lived and let me watch him do it."

~Clarence Budington Kelland

a little break here, a little break there....

another Friday is upon us... another week over.... sometimes I really wonder where the time goes.... not just me but seems like everyone else that knows me well enough... they wonder how I fill my days up... what ould I possibly busy myself with all day long - each and every passing day....

hahahahaha as if it's not obvious enough - BLOGGING, and the INTERNET, of course!!! hahahaha just kidding - better correct myself or else, people might truly believe this and think that I do not ahve a life....

well, I do not think anyone would truly understand... working for yourself, at home, truly is even more hectic and time consuming than anyone could possibly tell you.... between doing all the thinhgs you need to do to take care of biz (following up on orders; corresponding with people: factory, companies, customers; billing, processing and shipping orders, etc..) one needs to attend to house matters as you see it around you - so there is no escaping.... then you are the one delegated to take care of all chores (laundry, ironing, cleaning) and errands (post office, bank, grocery, etc...) as your time is more flexible....

so what if I take moments here and there to check my FB account and my BLOG... and even an occassional YOU TUBE... these, as well as taking a walk by the river.... or to the book shop...; or coffee with Juliana (the only one I know in TAIWAN who can relate to this post am sure - hahahahaha) are the only things that breaks the monotony of my days and keep me sane.... they do envigorate and refresh me to face more challenges that comes my way.... TRULY!!!

so at the end of the day, contrary to everyone else's belief, you are tired... and you feel that you ahve accomplished a lot....i mean "bringing home the bacon and still, frying it in a pan " is no small feat.... I SALUTE ALL OF YOU, HOUSEWIVES & HOUSE HUSBANDS OF THE WORLD.... you have my RESPECT & ADMIRATION!

and speaking of breaks here and there - here's something I just got out of YOU TUBE... it is Stupid, mindless, insane & definitely Hilarious - a good one for this entry's Fridae Funnees

The What, Where & When of the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival

WHAT: The boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival are traditional customs to attempts to rescue the patriotic poet Chu Yuan. Chu Yuan drowned on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in 277 B.C. Chinese citizens now throw bamboo leaves filled with cooked rice into the water. Therefore the fish could eat the rice rather than the hero poet. This later on turned into the custom of eating tzungtzu (rouzhong or sticky rice) and rice dumplings.The Best & Worst Part of Chinese Dragon Boat Festival: The season for the YUMMY STICKY RICE.... I always end up eating way too much.... waaaah!!!

The celebration's is a time for protection from evil and disease for the rest of the year. It is done so by different practices such as hanging healthy herbs on the front door, drinking nutritious concoctions, and displaying portraits of evil's nemesis, Chung Kuei. If one manages to stand an egg on it's end at exactly 12:00 noon, the following year will be a lucky one.

The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated by boat races in the shape of dragons. Competing teams row their boats forward to a drumbeat racing to reach the finish end first.


WHEN: The Dragon Boat Festival is a lunar holiday, occurring on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (that is today this year -- June 16th, 2010)

WHERE: The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival is a significant holiday celebrated in China, and all over the world where there are people of Chinese origins.

Happy Chinese Dragon Boat Festival

"grateful... duly grateful, I am..."

now and again, the feeling of loneliness gets the BEST of US... yes myself included... and when we let this DEPRESSION get the BEST of US - we go deeper and deeper... lower and lower - till we feel so LOST, ALONE and worst, WITHOUT HOPE...

been seeing a lot of POSTS lately about being SAD, feelings of Emptiness and of ALONEness.... I cannot help but be affected by it... especially from those whom I consider friends... family... love ones... after all, we are all CONNECTED one way or another... I wish that there is something I could do or say to CHEER YOU UP.... to GIVE YOU HOPE.... to MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER.... to MAKE YOU FEEL THAT THERE REALLY ARE MANY THINGS IN LIFE TO STILL BE GRATEFUL FOR...

Alas, am not well versed in such matters.... now am I ARTICULATE enough to spread Words of Wisdom... instead, I will SHARE with you a song written by John Bucchino - it is touching and sentimental... cheesy and corny... but it will remind you of all the LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE THAT MAKES IT WORTHWHILE TO GET UP EACH & EVERY MORNING.....

===============================
I first heard this many years ago from Australia's David Campbell CD.. and loved it ever since.... now and again, I play it just to be reminded of all the things I have to be GRATEFUL for....

GRATEFUL

I've got a roof over my head,
I've got a warm place to sleep.
Some nights I lie awake counting gifts
Instead of counting sheep.
I've got a heart that can hold love,
I've got a mind that can think.
There may be times when I lose the light
And let my spirits sink,
But I can't stay depressed
When I remember how I'm blessed

Grateful, grateful,
Truly grateful I am.
Grateful, grateful,
Truly blessed
And duly grateful.
In a city of strangers,
I've got a family of friends.
No matter what rocks and brambles fill the way,
I know that they will stay until the end.
I feel a hand holding my hand --
It's not a hand you can see
But, on the road to the promised land,
This hand will shepherd me
Through delight and despair,
Holding tight and always there.
Grateful, grateful,
Truly grateful I am.
Grateful, grateful,
Truly blessed
And duly grateful.
It's not that I don't want a lot
Or hope for more, or dream of more,
But giving thanks for what I've got
Makes me so much happier than keeping score.
In a world that can bring pain,
I will still take each chance --
For I believe that, whatever the terrain,
Our feet can learn to dance.
Whatever stone life may sling,
We can moan or we can sing.
Grateful, grateful,
Truly grateful I am.
Grateful, grateful.
Truly blessed
And duly grateful.

the little things....

haiiiis.... with the rain in Taipei going on almost a week now - it's enough to make one go insane.... I mean I am told it will be SUNNY & beautiful by Wednesday and today, Tuesday, should already start to IMPROVE.... but so far, even with the birds out chirping away, the rain still falls.... so I figured, I BLOG about it and hope that someone up there will take note and actually give us a break from all this rain... LOL!

Now as you know, I really do not m,ind the rain much.... I actually love the sounds of the falling rain on my window pane.... love taking walks in the rain now and again..... and I even relish the run by the river after it rains (sans the puddles to avoid - and there are lots that is it more like an obstacle course than a leisurely run - hahahahahahah)... Still, I look forward to the BREAKS FROM THIS HARD RAIN..... then am able to run my errands... go for walks in the market or the book store.... go for a real run by the river.... and get energized to get dressed and see friends and the world - not be bogged down with the feeling of gloominess from the dark clouds and the thoughts of getting wet, no matter how one tries to avoid the rain....

Still, am not all about griping today.... there are still many things to be THANKFUL for - little things that matters a lot, a whole lot... like the following: the rainy season marks the season of certain fave fruits in Taiwan such as Grapes, Lychees, Mangoes...; rainy days are GREAT DAYS to spend visiting the Library and discovering new magazines - such as DPI (Art & Illustration magazine) - a new fave..: catching up with the Premiums am collecting...; and many other surprises, little ones that brings so much joys, like waking up to find an email telling me that YAHOO! editorial chose to include 2 photos of mine in their FLICKR "DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL 2010" album... it is always good to know that others are checking out my blogs and photos ...

Fruits from Nantou, couteasy of Lyn & Shaun

DPI Magazine

New Addition to my Premium Toy C0llections

and Surprising Notifications

Hidetoshi Nakata

He has to be ASIA's answer to Mr David Beckham... just as stylish and a total Metrosexual!!! I was always looking out for his TV and Magazine appearances as he was always stylishly changing his looks - from head to toes - like a total fashionista that he is - on (and even more so) and off the soccer field!!! Sadly, he has hung up his soccer shoes - but am happy that he is still very much visible in the fashion/entertainment scene... with the latest being part of the "X Marks the Spot" brand new ad campaign for Calvin Klein undies...

Below is a BLOG I did on Hidetoshi Nakata way back in 2007 elsewhere... thought I would bring it over here, as I will be doing, now and then, with a few FAVE Blogs of mine... hahahahahaha

Introducing: Hidetoshi Nakata (Nov. 2007)

One of the BEST reason to get into SOCCER.... too bad I hear he is already retiring/retired.... am pretty sure though that he will be gracing a lot of magazines/TV shows to come..... Just got the latest M's Magazine with him on the cover.... his hair is long now... still hi-lited.... for me he is a TOTAL IDOL/STYLE ICON -- on or off the field; in or out of his uniform; heck, with or without clothes!!! hahahahaha

FIFA misses you both....

Hidetoshi Nakata

David Beckham

HECK, I miss you both on FIFA!!!

(just THANKFUL for the Undie Ads, hahahaha..)