happy song. so good i wanna dance along to it =P

Coldplay - Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall

I turn the music up, I got my records on
I shut the world outside until the lights come on
Maybe the streets alight, Maybe the trees are gone
I feel my heart start beating to my favourite song

And all the kids they dance, all the kids all night
Until monday morning feels another life
I turn the music up
I'm on a roll this time
And heaven is in sight

I turn the music up, I got my records on
From underneath the rubble, sing a rebel song
Don't want to see another generation drop
I'd rather be a comma than a full stop

Maybe I'm in the black, Maybe I'm on my knees
Maybe I'm in the gap between the two trapezes
But my heart is beating and my pulses start
Cathedrals in my heart

As we saw oh this light I swear you, emerge blinking into
To tell me it's alright
As we soar walls, Every siren is a symphony
And every tear's a waterfall
Is a Waterfall
Every tear
Is a Waterfall

So you can hurt, hurt me bad
But still I'll raise the flag


Every tear
Every tear
Every teardrop is a Waterfall

Every tear
Every tear
Every teardrop is a Waterfall

big heart. bigger wolves.

b-hello.

g-hello.

b-you need help?

g-who doesn't?

b-is that your heart?

g-yeah.

b-it's big.

g-it's small now.

b-small?

g-it was bigger before.

b-scary.

g-yeah, that's my problem.



(story of my life. click the link below to see the whole story.)




Another Chance - Roger Sanchez




---o0o---


famous last words:


"People are afraid of people with big, pure, loving, kind, giving and sharing hearts. People get suspicious about genuiness and openness.. they think there's something wrong with you and that you are probably up to something. Truth is, goodness is still around, it's just that we've gotten too comfortable with the other side."

"Whatever you give to a woman, she's going to multiply.  If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.  If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.  If you give her your smile, she'll give you her heart.  She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.  So if you give her any crap, you will receive a ton of shit."

(taken out of my journal)

03.06.2011/3am

Dear God,

I actually do not know where to start.

This is supposed to be a 'thank You' note.  And I'll start with saying thank You so much that we did get pass through our recent dilemma.  Fasha is doing fine now.  he just needs to regain his normal weight and in 6 months he'll go back to UST Hospital to check up on his colon again.  Who would have thought miracles do happen and it did happen to us.  I remember we were told (at the other hospital) about the chance of the polyp being malignant because of its size.  We just prayed hard, I guess.   Thank You that we didn't need before operation.  Thank You that my company granted my an emergency loan that got used up for my father's 2nd colonoscopy.  Thank You for Medicard, we used it up so well.

Thank You for my college friends who loved me dearly.  and very sincerely.  With them, I feel so special, like I mattered.  Thank You for Aneth, who's become my confidant,  my rock, my reality check and my best friend. 

Thank You for our cats - because they're the only ones I could hug when I badly needed one.

Thank You for my friends who checked up on me when I was down.  I won't forget each of them.

Thank You for Your neverending patience.  For my answered prayers.  I don't know what I've done to deserve all of this.

xoxo/Pach

theme number 4: lalalove

*the art of compressing other people's works to one collected thought. 

complete photos here:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.282162591793748.78990.100000000275787&type=1

Five Things to Know About Anger

(repost)


Anger is a frequently misunderstood emotion. People confuse it with aggression and violence, they think of it as mostly unhealthy, and they fail to recognize the times in their lives when their anger has been positive.
To try and rectify those misunderstandings, here are five important things to know about anger.


Anger is different from aggression

Often, anger is confused with aggression. However, the two experiences are actually quite different. Anger is an emotion. It is the mild frustration one might feel when his or her spouse forgets to make dinner reservations to the rage some feels when treated truly cruelly.


Aggression, meanwhile, is a behavior where the intention is to harm someone or something. Aggression can be physical like hitting, slapping, or pushing someone. It can also be verbal like name calling, using foul language, or other sorts of insults. So, if you are driving along and someone cuts you off by making a turn in front of you, anger is the emotion you feel while aggression might be your behavioral response to the event (e.g., honking, aversive hand gestures).


The reason this distinction is important is because anger often results without an aggressive response. In the example I just used of a person being cut off by another driver, most people would get angry but few would engage in any sort of behavior designed to harm the offending party.




People get angry under fairly predictable circumstances


People become angry when faced with situations that they see as unpleasant and unfair. They will get even angrier if they blame someone else for the situation or think that it could have been avoided.
Why, then, do some people get angry more often than others? It's not that they are faced with these sorts of circumstances more often than other people. It's that they are more likely to perceive situations as meeting these criteria than other people. For example, if you are waiting in line at the grocery store and someone cuts in to the line ahead of you. You could read that situation in a couple of different ways (e.g., that person knew I was here and cut me off on purpose vs. that person must not have seen me). One of those interpretations will lead to greater feelings of anger because you are interpreting the situation as unpleasant, unfair, voidable, intentional, etc.




Anger is not inherently bad


One of the most common misconceptions about anger is that it is bad for you. It's not. In fact, anger is a valuable emotion as it helps people confront injustice. It alerts us to the fact that we have been wronged or treated unfairly and it energizes us to respond to that injustice. Much like hunger motivates us to eat, thirst motivates us to drink, and fear motivates us to avoid things that are dangerous, anger motivates us to respond to confrontation and unfairness.




Anger can be expressed in many different ways


Perhaps one of the reasons why people confuse anger and aggression is because they think of anger as only being expressed in aggressive ways. In truth, however, anger can be expressed in an infinite number of ways. Yes, aggression is one of them. However, so is assertiveness, problem solving, exercise, suppression, etc. In fact, while the appropriate response when angry depends on the context of the situation, the best way to express anger is usually through some sort of prosocial, problem-solving behavior. In other words, the best approach is usually to try and solve whatever problem caused the anger in the first place.




Anger can cause a variety of problems for people


Everyone knows that anger can be problematic for people. We have all read about cases of people who lost their temper and hurt someone or hurt themselves. However, people don't always recognize the scope of the types of problems that can emerge from anger. While arguments, damaged relationships, physical fights, and risky driving are fairly common, we see several other types of consequences that emerge from maladaptive anger. For example, it's not uncommon for people to damage property, intentionally or unintentionally, while in a fit of rage. It's also not uncommon for people to abuse substances, including nicotine and alcohol, when angry. Chronic anger has been known to lead to long-term health consequences and, finally, anger can lead people to experience other uncomfortable emotions like sadness, fear, or guilt.

me gots myself a new muse

no, i'm not nice to everyone. and no, i am not flirting with everyone. i'm nice to only you. i am flirting with only you.

funny, i do not see myself that way. i guess i'm not a woman after all





you + me

(click the photo to enlarge)



How I Fell in Love With Russell Brand

He was on the rehearsal of MTV Awards 2009, on the stage, when someone threw a bottle on him.  It was Katy Perry.  They exchanged witty and sarcastic one-liners to each other on the stage while the MTV crew watched and laughed at them.  At that time Russel felt sick to his stomach as he wondered why he was feeling very weird.  After his rehearsal he went to Katy and talked for a bit.  He saw her metal bangle and said. "nice bracelet".  Katy responded thanks, took off the bracelet, and wore it to Russel. 


When Russel was about to leave he went to see Katy again to return the bracelet.  "We should talk more", said Rusell.  And Katy wittingly answered, "And how are we able to do that, smoke signals?"



Russell gave Katy his cellphone number which Katy took - a sign that she was interested.  As he was about to leave, he gave out the bracelet but Katy refused to get it and said that he should keep it to remind Russell of her.  But Russell looked at her, realizing the reason why he felt sick and weird all along, quietly answered, "I don't need this to remind me of you."

---


Great story of how Russell fell for Katy.  I read this on parts of his new book.  Ugh.  I know very little about Russell but I instantly had a crush on him the moment I saw his face on the trailer of Forgetting Sarah Marshall.  I love his being since then..  for me, he is the epitome of sexy.  Specially his English accent. rawrrr


Ah yes, I am finally admitting it - Russel Brand has secretly been my longtime crush.  I do not know why I didn't tell anyone.  Well, not until now.  yihee.  I just think he has a good soul to back up his good looks. =)

theme number 4: places.

Lamps of Morocco



Phuket from Dusk 'til Dawn



How to Alleviate Anger

"Anger is one letter away from danger."




I'm starting this pitch by saying 'accept love and sincerity and goodness without question.  Not everyone is out to get you.




There are many things to be angry about - disappointments, frustrations, indifferences, character clashes, very pushy people, failed expectations, delays, stupidity, insensitivity - name it - we all experienced it.  It's just that each of us treats it differently.  Some people enjoy the presence of anger in their hearts.  In my case, I stopped giving too much time thinking about it.  mainly because I was given a second chance at life.  I am alive, God never cease to show miracles in my life, I got NOTHING to be angry about.




But anger is innate, an initial reaction, and I still get angry sometimes.  But I know my way around it now.  For example - I know I write good stuff when I'm angry so whenever I am pissed off - I isolate and write.  I don't give my time dwelling on anger, it is beneath me.  I do not let it reside in my heart.




And I realized I've got to alleviate pain and anger in my heart because it only gets in the way of me being a freespirit.  I just breathe, devour, savor and chomp on life like a crazy motherfucker.  Life is fun, life is short - live it or it will pass you by.




I'm showing you the good stuff here.  I'm not saying I am a good person - I'm just sharing my how-to's (if in case you haven't realized it yet.  check out most of my blog titles.  i want to be the how-to girl like Andi of "How to Lose a Guy". wink wink. ambitious much)  


And lastly, we have got to take out the anger because seriously, we don't benefit from it at all.  We'll even harbor more negative thoughts that comes with being angry - like pain, bitterness, revenge, envy, and getting stressed.

fight club, one of my favorite violent films of all time =)

quick fix: how to de-stress in less than a minute

(repost)


---o0o---

1. Read a Poem

Take 45 seconds to savor a single haiku, or read over your favorite sonnet. Beautiful language can really twist your mind in a way that helps to push away the cares of the day.

And even if poetry isn’t really your thing, you might find enjoyment in reading something with a humorous bent. Think Shel Silverstein, Ogden Nash, or Dr. Seuss.

2. Blow Off Some Steam

Get up and get moving, just for the amount of time it takes to hum a couple rounds of “Happy Birthday”. If you can burn off some of that nervous energy, you’ll feel energized, refreshed, and far more mentally capable of handling the stresses of your day.

If you can get some sun in during those precious few seconds, so much the better. Never underestimate the power of fresh air and sunshine to improve your mood.

3. Follow Your Nose

I’ve written about the benefits of aromatherapy in a previous post here, and I’m still impressed by the speed with which a single sniff of perfume can change my mood. If you don’t have essential oils on hand, peel an orange at your desk and crush the rind in your hand to release the scent of the orange. Orange is a great scent to help you feel energized and rejuvenated.

4. Elevate Your Brain

Meditate, pray, commune with nature…whatever works for you. Take a few moments to center yourself, open your mind, and get spiritual…if that sort of thing is helpful for you.

5. Pump Your Jam

There’s a reason that sporting arenas play songs when introducing the starting lineup for a sports team. The right song can change your outlook on life in under 45 seconds. The trick is to find a song snippet that works for you.

Maybe it’s the “Tro lo lo” guy, something off a Jock Jams compilation album, or the over-the-top intro to “The Final Countdown”. Alternatively, maybe a snippet of something classical would be better for calming you. It comes down to personal preference, and exactly what about your day has got you so stressed out.

6. Don’t Forget to Breathe

Breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth. Slowly. Repeat. Make sure the breaths are steady and full.

It’s just that simple.

7. Chuckle

Hit the randomizer button on your favorite web comic, engage in cube warfare with a co-worker, or check out a website that offers a “Joke of the Day” service. Laughter really is the best medicine, and if you can laugh away the stress, your outlook for the rest of the day will be a lot more rosy.

8. Organize

Sometimes the best way to tackle stress is to clean house and get organized. Set up a new email filter, organize your paperwork, clean the clutter off your desk, or something along those lines. When you have all your ducks in a row, so to speak, your workload will seem a lot more manageable.

9. Snuggle Up

Get cuddly with a pet, a blanket, a favorite sweater….anything soft that you stroke with your fingertips. Just like Lenny in “Of Mice and Men”, most people find that they reach their “happy place” when touching something soft like fur or textiles. Scratching a dog or cat behind the ears can help to quickly lower your blood pressure…if there aren’t any pets allowed in your office, try carrying a lucky rabbit’s foot.

10. Chow Down

Eating or drinking helps to relax us. That’s why we give pacifiers to babies. Just try to make sure you’re making smart food choices (ie, choose a crunchy apple over a bag of potato chips).

Conclusion

There just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. Stress management is an incredibly important tool, and the more techniques you can master to lower your blood pressure, the better. With just 45 seconds, you can de-stress and re-focus your mind to maximize your productivity.

why do i enjoy listening



I get to learn more.  when a person talks about something that interests me, i listen.  i dig out every information i could get about it.  i leave happy with my newly acquired knowledge.  the one i'm talking to leaves happy because she gets to teach and share.  it's a win-win situation, actually. =)

the longer she speaks, the more i see her clearly.  if you listen to someone talking about her story for a certain period of time, you'll get to know who she really is - underneath all the stories she had been telling me.

i like to play with the selfishness of the 'conversation narcissists' without them knowin it (they don't even know they are one).   conversation narcissists are narrow-minded people who only talks about themselves and how awesome they think their lives are.  i love hearing their stories.  it tests my patience level on how long can i get to tolerate it.  and it only validates that between the 2 of us, i am not the spotlight hugger.  of course it makes me feel good - best of all, feeding their ego without them knowing it is so much fun!  that's what they get from giveing me useless information. meanie =)

while the other person talks, my mind wanders.   it's not because the story i'm hearing is not interesting, but because i like to visualize what i hear.

my mind is constantly pushed to its limit (but in a good way).  when i'm in the middle of a serious conversation, my mind gets to think harder as to what (a) comforting words, (b) words of wisdom, and (c) good advices i must give - all at the same time, as fast as possible.  and words should be well-chosen depending on the person i am talking to. 

*all i enjoy is a great, spontaneous, informative and sometimes sexy (haha) conversation.  and since i have a hard time speaking up and expressign myself, i mastered the other end - the art of listening.  what i didn't know is it'd be so much fun.  and that i'd be good at it.  =)

famous last words:

fall in love with an activist because...

(copied from my friend's notes. cheers, maya)


---o0o---




You could have the worst hair day of your life, she wouldn't care.. with her way of life, she's had worse.




You won't need to take her to a fancy restaurant, fine dining was never her thing.. she would rather eat  with her hands in the company of farmers.




You could shout at her all you want, she would just smile.. she does it everyday.. to assert for your rights..




She doesn't care if you're rich or poor..  After all, she does understand class struggle.




You can be frank in front of her, in fact, she would like that very much.




Criticism and self-criticism are second nature to her. She always wants to improve herself.




She isn't afraid to make the first move. Don't worry she's no bimbo. 




It's just that she believes in the equality of sexes. And she's knows that women hold half the sky. 




When you have a fight, it's never all your fault. She knows that partly, she was to blame. Because she is a dialectical materialist.




She's never boring. As long as social injustice and inequality exists, you won't run out of things to talk about.




She's very good at sharing her life with someone. Maybe it has something to do with their practice of collective living.




Being articulate is a skill she has come to master. And she will have no trouble telling you how much she loves you.




P.S. There's a catch. You should know that you're not the only person who owns her heart. You share it with the poor, the sick, the hungry, and the oppressed.

girlcrush alert! girlcrush alert!

homegrown.

when everything around me goes chaotic, when everyone around me kept on babbling things that don't interest me anymore (because they've talked about it to me way too fucking much.  i have patience, alright, but i can only take so much, specially when the topic of discussion is nonsense)...

i go away and refuel.

and my most favorite place is our home.

---

marikina can get quiet at times; but most of the time it's not.  videoke every weekend seems to be my neighbor's pasttime here.  but i don't mind.  i'm with my family.  they make me happy in a way that no one else could ever do.  there really is a different kind of bond with family.  even if the nagging with the mom never stops =)

actually, like everyone else, i'm at my most comfortable at home.  when i'm here, i just sit here at my 'thinking chair' (hahaha, a name i got from blues clues).  at weekends, i just write all night, read all day (be it broadsheets or new old books my siblings recently purchased), and pig out.  and talk about news.  and catch up.  and talk about things i never get to talk with anyone else.

when shit gets too overwhelming, my mind craves for something new, something good; and i always go get it - so when i go back to the world i can face everyone with a fresh start (free of all the shit i've taken in); with a heart and head open again for all the babbling.  and that 'something good' has always been family, my home.

my stomach, heart and mind gets all the fuel it need when i am here. 

theme number 3: people

I love that you get cold when it is 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle in your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.


-- When Harry Met Sally

for aneth.

13

there are people you meet in life and you would call them friends - but you tend to keep just 5 percent of them that knows the real you and lets you be you.. and loves you for you.

the eight of us were friends since college.  we became close even if the only thing we had in common was our course.  each of us were entirely different from one another.  some of us are tamed and some of us are outrageous.  and despite all the differences, we tolerate each others' quirks.  even after thirteen years.  the secret to staying together is the sincerity of offering and showing friendship - no hidden agendas.  walang plastikan, walang pasikatan.

after seeing other bunch of friend with their other sets of friends, i couldn't be prouder to have my 5% friends.  i'm so lucky to be a part of them, and on my side, through thick or thin, year by year.  i'm so proud that we grew up to be matured and level headed individuals who respects each others' decisions and ways of life.  and above all else - we all share the same brand of humor.  and that is priceless.

...and what i've learned most in life - i've learned it from them.  or with them.

---o0o---

Arlene Joy.  Cristina.  Donna Faye.  Lellaine.  Maricel.  Melanie.  Richelle May. 

meet my "5%" friends. <3