1.I once read this proverb about how gossip hurts at least three people: the ones being talked about, those who hear it, and those who spread it. This year, I've been all three, and wow, masakit nga. It dawned on me that hey, I have a life, and I'd rather find something better to do with my time.
2.I realized that in most cases, the things that annoy me about the people I love, are also the very things that I adore about them. So sa mga kaibigan kong sensitive, stoic, walang preno, makulit, malakas mang-asar, mashadong maganda/pogi, at iba pa... I love you guys and girls just the way you are. And I wouldn't change a single thing about you.;)
3.“Over-thinking leads to over-drinking.”
4.Bad news is never easy. It's not easy to hear, it's not easy to deliver. But if you have someone who sticks with you through the worst news, then you know you've found someone special. =)
5.Complacency sucks. NEVER give in to this.
6.Never over-estimate your gas tank; or better yet, make sure you that carry ample gas before heading to a drinking session at a friend's place.
7.“Before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean” –Bob Marley
8.http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=169360638661 –Bob Ong
10.The sitcom How I Met Your Mother rocks. (Yes, it took me this long to catch up. Sorry naman. Haha.)
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Happiness doesn't have to come in the form of a paycheck or a party.
Always smile about the little good things, but never let the small mean ones get you down.
I used to say that to myself all the time, but I’ve somehow forgotten about that mantra during these last few months. But because this week has been all about the little things, I’m reminded that it’s about time I go back to paying attention to the small stuff that really get me.
Like pleasant YM chats/offline messages. Or the fact that someone can still remember details about incidents from seven months ago. Or the perfect tint of sunglasses. Then there was that conversation that I was able to strike up with Cute Fifth Floor Guy because I noticed his new haircut. Not to mention the regular phone calls that Krisi and I have been having in the morning and at lunch. Finally, I love the fact that certain people are starting to warm up to me. (It’s about time!)
Yep, I’m glad to say that the past couple of days have been full of nice little occurrences that keep a spring in my step. It’s the little things that keep me genuinely happy, and it’s too bad that I’ve overlooked these bite-sized blessings during the last number of months.
It dawned on me that I’ve been so focused on work and on other people’s lives that I missed the details that really matter. I’ve also been so focused on “fun” that I failed to see that having fun and being happy are not necessarily the same.
Of course, it doesn’t mean that I won’t pay attention at work, nor will I stop chasing good times with fun-loving people. I suppose it’s just realizing that happiness doesn’t have to come in the form of a paycheck or a party. Gasgas as it may sound, I don’t have to look too far, because there are many small yet significant events happening all around us, all the time. :)
***
One BIG thing did take place this week, and that was the No Doubt concert last Wednesday. The band was, as expected, totally awesome. Not only did they play all my favorite songs, but the energy level of their performance was so high, I was singing and *gasp* dancing/jumping the whole time.
When I got home, I didn’t feel an ounce of drowsiness. Classic talaga. It was definitely one of the most FTW nights of the year. Cheers, Krisi! Sa uulitin! =)
I used to say that to myself all the time, but I’ve somehow forgotten about that mantra during these last few months. But because this week has been all about the little things, I’m reminded that it’s about time I go back to paying attention to the small stuff that really get me.
Like pleasant YM chats/offline messages. Or the fact that someone can still remember details about incidents from seven months ago. Or the perfect tint of sunglasses. Then there was that conversation that I was able to strike up with Cute Fifth Floor Guy because I noticed his new haircut. Not to mention the regular phone calls that Krisi and I have been having in the morning and at lunch. Finally, I love the fact that certain people are starting to warm up to me. (It’s about time!)
Yep, I’m glad to say that the past couple of days have been full of nice little occurrences that keep a spring in my step. It’s the little things that keep me genuinely happy, and it’s too bad that I’ve overlooked these bite-sized blessings during the last number of months.
It dawned on me that I’ve been so focused on work and on other people’s lives that I missed the details that really matter. I’ve also been so focused on “fun” that I failed to see that having fun and being happy are not necessarily the same.
Of course, it doesn’t mean that I won’t pay attention at work, nor will I stop chasing good times with fun-loving people. I suppose it’s just realizing that happiness doesn’t have to come in the form of a paycheck or a party. Gasgas as it may sound, I don’t have to look too far, because there are many small yet significant events happening all around us, all the time. :)
***
One BIG thing did take place this week, and that was the No Doubt concert last Wednesday. The band was, as expected, totally awesome. Not only did they play all my favorite songs, but the energy level of their performance was so high, I was singing and *gasp* dancing/jumping the whole time.
When I got home, I didn’t feel an ounce of drowsiness. Classic talaga. It was definitely one of the most FTW nights of the year. Cheers, Krisi! Sa uulitin! =)
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
I'm taking a break from all the multitasking to be pensive.
You know we just don’t recognize the most significant moments of our lives while they’re happening. Back then I thought, well, there’ll be other days. I didn’t realize that that was the only day. (Field of Dreams)
Not applicable to everyone, of course. Anyway, the first part caught my attention. If I thought about the importance of certain moments while they were happening ("This moment is so important, I MUST cherish it."), wouldn't all that thinking get in the way?
I think that the weight of significant incidents can be felt most either BEFORE or AFTER they occur. Either we anticipate something too much, or we look back at it with overwhelming regret or fondness.
I'm not making much sense, am I? Oh well. Back to work.
Not applicable to everyone, of course. Anyway, the first part caught my attention. If I thought about the importance of certain moments while they were happening ("This moment is so important, I MUST cherish it."), wouldn't all that thinking get in the way?
I think that the weight of significant incidents can be felt most either BEFORE or AFTER they occur. Either we anticipate something too much, or we look back at it with overwhelming regret or fondness.
I'm not making much sense, am I? Oh well. Back to work.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Heartbreak in Retrospect
I was browsing through last year's posts and I found this:
I love you. But it’s not enough. It’s not enough for my heart or yours. I know that love is supposed to be unconditional, and how one shouldn’t expect anything in return, but this only applies to people who are not in danger of losing themselves. Yes, loving someone unconditionally is a good thing, I’m not gonna argue with that. But loving someone unconditionally without compromising the love that you have for yourself? Now that’s a GREAT love.
I guess we’re not meant for greatness.
(06/02/2008)
—-
That was me nine months ago. Back then, it felt like I was in chains and there was only one person who possessed the key to free me. (Not that I wanted to be freed.) But it later dawned on me that all I was in love with was a ghost--a faint manifestation of something I desperately wanted. I was clinging to something that barely even existed, I could only catch it in shadowy corners and fleeting moments.
Disillusionment was a bitch. But a valuable realization came with it too: Ghosts can’t carry keys and to hell with that, I didn't even need one. It all came down to strength. Strength brought about by unyielding will and love for one’s self. I found that all along, that was all I needed to liberate myself from the chains that I was in. (I also hada little help from my favorite people, of course.) In any case, reading that post from last year makes want to go back, so I can hug my former self and say, "Honey, you'll be laughing at this in no time".
To slightly digress, I'm reminded of this conversation I recently had with someone. He said something like, "Some women complicate things only to realize later that THEY are the problem". Save for the women only part, I can't say I blame him for saying that. But the up-side to this is finding that the solution is within ourselves too. Trust me, there is no feeling more liberating than that. Of course, we find solutions in different ways. There are times when answers creep up on us unexpectedly, while other times, reality decides to give us a bitch-slap. Either way, we learn something. And yeah, it's tempting to wish that I could go straight to the solution and skip the complicated part, but where's the fun in that?
Postscript:
While I'm able to laugh and roll my eyes at the drama of the past, a part of me still revisits it--not out of nostalgia or heartache, but out of vindictiveness and disdain. Writing this made me see that it's time to completely stop the re-runs of that particular season of The Chessie Show. No more anger, and no more plots of revenge. Just good riddance and Last Words by The Real Tuesday Weld playing in the background. It's a song with sad lyrics and a number of lines that I can relate to, but its melody is something that I can only describe as glad and optimistic. Not to mention a line that could not sound any sweeter to my ears:
These are the last words that I will say to you. =)
I love you. But it’s not enough. It’s not enough for my heart or yours. I know that love is supposed to be unconditional, and how one shouldn’t expect anything in return, but this only applies to people who are not in danger of losing themselves. Yes, loving someone unconditionally is a good thing, I’m not gonna argue with that. But loving someone unconditionally without compromising the love that you have for yourself? Now that’s a GREAT love.
I guess we’re not meant for greatness.
(06/02/2008)
—-
That was me nine months ago. Back then, it felt like I was in chains and there was only one person who possessed the key to free me. (Not that I wanted to be freed.) But it later dawned on me that all I was in love with was a ghost--a faint manifestation of something I desperately wanted. I was clinging to something that barely even existed, I could only catch it in shadowy corners and fleeting moments.
Disillusionment was a bitch. But a valuable realization came with it too: Ghosts can’t carry keys and to hell with that, I didn't even need one. It all came down to strength. Strength brought about by unyielding will and love for one’s self. I found that all along, that was all I needed to liberate myself from the chains that I was in. (I also had
To slightly digress, I'm reminded of this conversation I recently had with someone. He said something like, "Some women complicate things only to realize later that THEY are the problem". Save for the women only part, I can't say I blame him for saying that. But the up-side to this is finding that the solution is within ourselves too. Trust me, there is no feeling more liberating than that. Of course, we find solutions in different ways. There are times when answers creep up on us unexpectedly, while other times, reality decides to give us a bitch-slap. Either way, we learn something. And yeah, it's tempting to wish that I could go straight to the solution and skip the complicated part, but where's the fun in that?
Postscript:
While I'm able to laugh and roll my eyes at the drama of the past, a part of me still revisits it--not out of nostalgia or heartache, but out of vindictiveness and disdain. Writing this made me see that it's time to completely stop the re-runs of that particular season of The Chessie Show. No more anger, and no more plots of revenge. Just good riddance and Last Words by The Real Tuesday Weld playing in the background. It's a song with sad lyrics and a number of lines that I can relate to, but its melody is something that I can only describe as glad and optimistic. Not to mention a line that could not sound any sweeter to my ears:
These are the last words that I will say to you. =)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
On a Scale from What to What?
When I hear somebody sigh, ‘Life is hard,’ I am always tempted to ask, ‘Compared to what?’
When describing something, how many times have we used the “Scale from one to ten” method? Loads, right? We label one side of the scale with an adjective and put the opposite of that word on the other side. Hot to cold. Fierce to tame. And usually, we associate concrete things to these adjectives. Fire and ice; a lion and a lamb.
We create these scales and yardsticks in our minds because it’s easier to wrap our heads around a concept if we have something to compare it to.
Leave it to the notion of “existence” to be an exception to that. I mean, going back to the quotation above, when asked how hard living is, is it right to answer this using our yardsticks? If so, what are we supposed to put on each end of the stick? (Life and Death? Life and... (someone else's) Life?)
Tama na nga. Puro ka tanong eh. I guess it just goes to show that life is way too big and elusive to be placed on the measuring instruments in our heads.
And maybe I’m over-analyzing again. For all I know, Sydney J. Harris merely wanted to tell us to stop complaining about life and just start living it.
--Sydney J. Harris
When describing something, how many times have we used the “Scale from one to ten” method? Loads, right? We label one side of the scale with an adjective and put the opposite of that word on the other side. Hot to cold. Fierce to tame. And usually, we associate concrete things to these adjectives. Fire and ice; a lion and a lamb.
We create these scales and yardsticks in our minds because it’s easier to wrap our heads around a concept if we have something to compare it to.
Leave it to the notion of “existence” to be an exception to that. I mean, going back to the quotation above, when asked how hard living is, is it right to answer this using our yardsticks? If so, what are we supposed to put on each end of the stick? (Life and Death? Life and... (someone else's) Life?)
Tama na nga. Puro ka tanong eh. I guess it just goes to show that life is way too big and elusive to be placed on the measuring instruments in our heads.
And maybe I’m over-analyzing again. For all I know, Sydney J. Harris merely wanted to tell us to stop complaining about life and just start living it.
Friday, February 13, 2009
She said what?
September 2008 --A typical slow morning at work (or so I thought):
Dana (Filipina receptionist): I’ve been looking all over for you. Mrs. Kim is asking for two copies.
Chessie: Copies of what?
Dana: I don’t know. All she said was ‘two copies’. I assumed that you're already up to speed.
Chessie: Crap. Mrs. Kim is going to kill me. (Our boss was very stern towards people who were slow or irresponsible.)
*I find Mrs. Kim in the conference room with two visitors.
Chessie: You wanted to see me?
Mrs. Kim: Yes, yes. Give me two coffees.
Chessie: Ohhhh. COFFEE. Alright, hold on.
(I fetched them their cups of coffee, and then proceeded to attack Dana who was already giggling at her desk.)
Yes, my former office mates and I still get a kick out of remembering that story, but lately, it feels like I'm in a pirated version of a movie with bad audio and lousy subtitles. It makes me want to pull my hair out. I mean, come on, people speaking the same language have enough trouble understanding each other as it is.
But I shut up, I listen, and I muse. The the more I think about it, the more I see that this hair-pulling desire is coming from a different frustration. It's not the fact that there are different native tongues out there, because honestly, I think these things are very crucial here. Heck, would the country that I'm in right now even exist without all that diversity? I doubt it. Language helps define a nation, and without it, a country's culture wouldn't be as distinct. Or as rich. Or as beautiful. And as an advocate of all things pretty, I don't have any business putting this on the language barrier.
Besides, body language and intonation count just as much as whatever's being said out loud. Instead of "barrier", it's way better to attach "challenge" to the whole concept because it makes us think outside and beyond spoken words. There are more ways to interact with other human beings and finding them could even make us better individuals--the types who are more considerate and creative. Or at the very least, we become people who think and use our heads before opening our mouths.
Needless to say, I'm no longer in an environment where I can use my love for words as much as I'd like. Sentences need to be as brief and as simple as possible, and sometimes that means kissing those prepositions, conjunctions, and other parts of speech goodbye. I guess I just miss being around people who share the same passions that I have. Yes, that is really what's making me want to pull my hair out.
That, and the fact that I've seen how most of my Asian and Hispanic office mates work. Most of them are very smart and talented. It's just too bad that their admirable traits are overshadowed by heavy accents and slow-speak. Oh well, if all else fails, we can always hire a translator, right?
Dana (Filipina receptionist): I’ve been looking all over for you. Mrs. Kim is asking for two copies.
Chessie: Copies of what?
Dana: I don’t know. All she said was ‘two copies’. I assumed that you're already up to speed.
Chessie: Crap. Mrs. Kim is going to kill me. (Our boss was very stern towards people who were slow or irresponsible.)
*I find Mrs. Kim in the conference room with two visitors.
Chessie: You wanted to see me?
Mrs. Kim: Yes, yes. Give me two coffees.
Chessie: Ohhhh. COFFEE. Alright, hold on.
(I fetched them their cups of coffee, and then proceeded to attack Dana who was already giggling at her desk.)
Yes, my former office mates and I still get a kick out of remembering that story, but lately, it feels like I'm in a pirated version of a movie with bad audio and lousy subtitles. It makes me want to pull my hair out. I mean, come on, people speaking the same language have enough trouble understanding each other as it is.
But I shut up, I listen, and I muse. The the more I think about it, the more I see that this hair-pulling desire is coming from a different frustration. It's not the fact that there are different native tongues out there, because honestly, I think these things are very crucial here. Heck, would the country that I'm in right now even exist without all that diversity? I doubt it. Language helps define a nation, and without it, a country's culture wouldn't be as distinct. Or as rich. Or as beautiful. And as an advocate of all things pretty, I don't have any business putting this on the language barrier.
Besides, body language and intonation count just as much as whatever's being said out loud. Instead of "barrier", it's way better to attach "challenge" to the whole concept because it makes us think outside and beyond spoken words. There are more ways to interact with other human beings and finding them could even make us better individuals--the types who are more considerate and creative. Or at the very least, we become people who think and use our heads before opening our mouths.
Needless to say, I'm no longer in an environment where I can use my love for words as much as I'd like. Sentences need to be as brief and as simple as possible, and sometimes that means kissing those prepositions, conjunctions, and other parts of speech goodbye. I guess I just miss being around people who share the same passions that I have. Yes, that is really what's making me want to pull my hair out.
That, and the fact that I've seen how most of my Asian and Hispanic office mates work. Most of them are very smart and talented. It's just too bad that their admirable traits are overshadowed by heavy accents and slow-speak. Oh well, if all else fails, we can always hire a translator, right?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
On Movement and Holding Back
There are times when I think that some people have such a high regard for me that I don’t deserve it. I get queasy thinking about how I may not be able to live up to expectations, and one of my biggest fears is to hear the words, “You’re not the person I thought you were” from someone that I care about.
But then there are people who treat me like a kid; like I’m supposed to fade into the background, because I’m not ready to play with the big guys yet. And I don’t like THAT either.
So where does that leave me?
The answer seems obvious at first. The proactive, empowering solution is to be that person that the good people expect me to become. Stop brooding, and just grow up and move it—one way or another. It’s that simple, right?
I wish.
Being hasty in terms of progress can do more harm than good. If you move forward too fast, too soon, you’re bound to leave something behind and you’re bound to miss a few good stops along the way.
That makes me think that life really is a journey. Clichéd as it may seem, I believe that life is this road trip (not fun if you don’t spend it with friends and loved ones) with winding highways, turns, and stopovers. And for the past couple of months, I’ve just been going straight--on cruise control. Yes, I’m moving forward, I manage to keep up with the times and I continue to breathe, not to mention age, but am I really getting somewhere?
I’m safe where I am right now. Somewhat happy and I’m not starving, but I’m not living my ideal life either. Besides, I know that all this safety will take its toll sometime soon. Which is why I’m contemplating on the best way to move forward. Only, it’s not that simple because of the internal (self-esteem, emotions) and external (social, economic) factors in the back seat.
Vehicle metaphors aside, pondering about life, the present, and future puts the song *cringe* Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman inside my head. (Go on, gag or laugh at the triteness of it all.=P)
But seriously, the line “all I need is time” is relatable, but it’s vexing as well, especially for someone who doesn’t have patience as her strong suit. It poses a certain question: When it comes to waiting for yourself, exactly how much time should be allowed?
But then there are people who treat me like a kid; like I’m supposed to fade into the background, because I’m not ready to play with the big guys yet. And I don’t like THAT either.
So where does that leave me?
The answer seems obvious at first. The proactive, empowering solution is to be that person that the good people expect me to become. Stop brooding, and just grow up and move it—one way or another. It’s that simple, right?
I wish.
Being hasty in terms of progress can do more harm than good. If you move forward too fast, too soon, you’re bound to leave something behind and you’re bound to miss a few good stops along the way.
That makes me think that life really is a journey. Clichéd as it may seem, I believe that life is this road trip (not fun if you don’t spend it with friends and loved ones) with winding highways, turns, and stopovers. And for the past couple of months, I’ve just been going straight--on cruise control. Yes, I’m moving forward, I manage to keep up with the times and I continue to breathe, not to mention age, but am I really getting somewhere?
I’m safe where I am right now. Somewhat happy and I’m not starving, but I’m not living my ideal life either. Besides, I know that all this safety will take its toll sometime soon. Which is why I’m contemplating on the best way to move forward. Only, it’s not that simple because of the internal (self-esteem, emotions) and external (social, economic) factors in the back seat.
Vehicle metaphors aside, pondering about life, the present, and future puts the song *cringe* Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman inside my head. (Go on, gag or laugh at the triteness of it all.=P)
But seriously, the line “all I need is time” is relatable, but it’s vexing as well, especially for someone who doesn’t have patience as her strong suit. It poses a certain question: When it comes to waiting for yourself, exactly how much time should be allowed?
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