The Ocean of My Being

I love today's date! October 10, 2010. 10-10-10! It's like a perfect score or something! Hehe:) I've always been one to believe in signs, omens and symbolism. And, I am perfectly convinced that this date is a very good omen. So, I have also decided to write My Secret 10.10.10 Resolutions list, which, as the name suggests, is something very personal and secret that I cannot and I am not willing to divulge to any other person. Suffice it to say, this is a list of 10 Rules that I would like to live by from now on. Now, because this is such a special date, I just cannot let it pass without writing a new entry. I thought of writing something special for this blog entry. I couldn't decide on what to write since there are about a million thoughts swarming in the ocean that is my brain. Ironically, the more ideas I have, the more difficult it is for me to choose. I guess it's like being in a restaurant where there is a huge open buffet table full of all kinds of food that...

First of all, I'd like to greet everyone a very HAPPY RAMADHAN ! It's that time of the year once more-- the time for reflection, introspection and cleansing. If there's anything that the last two Ramadhans have taught me, it's to make the most of every Ramadhan that passes in my life. I mean, two Ramadhans ago, Abi (my father) was still with us and we never thought or imagined that that would be his last Ramadhan with us. It's an invaluable lesson that the ulama (Islamic scholars) keep on reminding us about-- how fleeting life can be-- but I truly learned and realized the truth of only when I actually had a personal and unforgettable albeit sad experience proving it, that is Abi's death. So, this Ramadhan and the following Ramadhans that I will still live to see and experience, I resolve to make the most of and give/do what's required of me as God's creation and what is due to Him. Insha-Allah. ------------ Another Death in August The month August will...

The past days proved to be thinking and doing days for me. Doing, because I have been busy with a lot of things. Thinking, because I've been doing a lot of thinking. And, of course, when one does that, there's a lot of realizations that finally sink in. So, just like anybody else, I've reached a lot of realizations in the past days. Realizations that are life-changing and life-defining, I'd say. There are some that I deem too personal to share and there are some that are, in general, realizations anyone my age would actually have. One realization I had that's so great it has overwhelmed me is the fact that I've come, yet again, to realize how much I want to have a baby. Well, not now, of course! But, at least, before I die, I'd like to have a child and know how it feels to have one. I know for a fact that one of the greatest, if not the greatest, fulfillment in a woman's life is when she becomes a mother. Babies are being born to my friends and cousins l...

Hello! It's been a long time! *winks!* So, what have I been up to these past days? Well, from the early part of June up until about a week ago, there was only one thing that occupied my mind most parts of my days aside, of course, from my classes and that's the World Cup! I actually can't believe the month-long World Cup had come and gone. It feels like it just started yesterday and, now, it's done! I have always been a football/soccer fan since my early teenage years and, of course, like every soccer fan in the world, the World Cup, which takes place every 4 years, is one event I always look forward to. It is, for me, the most important sports event in the world. Much bigger than the Olympics itself in my opinion. And, I've always had the item, to watch the World Cup in person and be one with every soccer fan in the country where it's held , in my Bucket List . Though this year's World Cup was devastating for me since all of my teams got eliminated very ea...

Paalam is a very sad word. It's the Tagalog word for "goodbye" and, for some reason, I find it waaay sadder than the latter. Two nights ago, the Apo Hiking Society , my all-time favorite Filipino singing group, staged the last of their series of farewell concerts after they decided to disband after 41 years of making great music. The final concert was aptly entitled Paalam nAPO! I wasn't at the concert, not even in the one that was held in Cagayan de Oro. I had to settle for the pictures and videos posted on Facebook and Twitter . I really wanted to watch at least one concert in the series, but time and circumstance weren't on my side. I could've gone to CdO for the concert there, but I had work. I would've wanted to go to Manila and watch the final concert at the Music Museum , but, well, I didn't have that much money. The thing is, now that I think about it, it was just as well because it would've been too painful for me. It would've been t...

Lanao del Sur is one of the most beautiful places in the country, what with the serene view of the great and historic Lake Lanao and the beauteous Sacred Mountain , also known as the Sleeping Lady because of the seemingly peaceful, sleeping lady formed by the magnificent mountain range’s shapes. Such beautiful scene, really. The province is also gifted with rich natural resources and is home to a people and culture unique and different from any other peoples and cultures of the country. I remember my father saying that when one outsider comes to visit Lanao del Sur , as soon as he sets foot in the area, he will surely see and feel the difference. It was as though he was transported to another planet. That’s how unique and special this place is, he would say. Having been born and raised in the area, I’d say with confidence that I am quite aware of the things that have been taking place in the land as well as the issues concerning her people. There is just so much good to say about th...

Since today is Mother's Day, I'd like to begin this entry by greeting all mothers out there a very HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! And, of course, most especially to my mom!:) I haven't been able to blog for a long time because I have a very hectic schedule this summer and because my Internet connection had been problematic the past weeks. There were times when I'd wanted to blog, but I couldn't open Blogger. It was really frustrating. But, for a few days now, it's been okay. I hope it continues to be like this. Thanks to the technical team of Discovery Net Service. It's been a very tiring summer. I'm handling three classes, one of which is a Monday-to-Saturday class. But, it's been so much fun. It's really true what they say, when you love what you're doing, you don't feel the exhaustion. Some people ask me if I ever get tired. Of course, I do. But, being tired doesn't mean I need to stop what I do, does it? I'd be more lost and out of i...

Many of my former students, especially those who became very close to me and eventually became my younger brothers and sisters, graduated this year. And, I wrote this letter to and for them. These words really come from the bottom of my heart. For those to whom this is written, you know who you are... Dear Graduate, Greetings of peace! You have reached a very crucial part of your life, one of the most important crossroads of your life. I know that it can be a little scary at times, but I assure you, things will be just fine if you actually want them to. Just trust and believe in yourself, do what you have to do, and never, ever forget God’s huge role in your life and you will not go wrong. This may be a time of utmost confusion for some of you. You’re not sure what to do. Heck, you’re not even sure what’s good and/or right for you. Well, that’s the real world for you! Welcome to the real world! Life in this side may not be a bed of roses. Things will sometimes turn bad, things may not ...

We used to be really close. We liked the same things, we ate together, we walked together, we went to class together. We had fun, you know, the kind of fun that you get from the simplest of things. Sometimes, we'd sit silent and we'd feel really contented and happy where we were. It was the kind of friendship that didn't require words or too much effort from both sides. It was the most natural thing. Then, we had a major misunderstanding. A really big one. Actually, it started with something really silly, but it grew bigger and bigger by the day. Neither of us admitted fault; neither of us said sorry. So, what started out as a really good friendship ended in hatred and anger. We couldn't stand each other. We literally wanted to kill each other. It was that bad. Then, one night, I was doing my usual Internet surfing, I saw my ex-friend online. Although we hated each other like mad, no, we didn't delete each other from our Facebook friends' list. Without wasting a...

Happy 30th birthday to me! :) One's birthday does not come everyday and, so, before this beautiful day ends, I'd like to write about how I spent it and maybe share some realizations and thoughts along the way. The day was a beautiful and well-balanced one. Good weather, good times, good memories, good food, good friends! I truly hope and pray that this year will be a good one, in every aspect, for me and my loved ones. As soon as the clock struck 12 midnight and the 23rd of March 2010 officially started, I received birthday greeting text messages from very special people. I couldn't stop smiling as the text messages and the FB messages came pouring. Birthdays are supposed to make us feel special, even just for the day, and special I did feel. And, more than anything, I am thankful to every single person who made me feel that way. I slept very late (early morning), but woke up quite early because I had some things I needed to finish and submit at the department. I woke up w...