Happy New Year!

I woke up this morning with a bad cold and dry cough.  The smog from last night's revelry is the culprit.  At least, everybody has calmed down. It seems that the excitement of the New Year is almost over in my neighborhood.  Today was peaceful except for a random sound of a distant firecracker and a videoke party two apartments down the street.  But Fritz was still fidgety so I decided to take him out to his favorite place for a relaxing stroll.  Traffic to Bonifacio High Street was a breeze---I wish it was New Year's day everyday.:p

Fritz and I were glad to see this new extension of High Street---a new playground!  The new mall has not been opened yet but the gardens and fountains are open for people to enjoy.  Here are some snapshots I took this evening.  I apologize for the blurry photos---I forgot to set my point & shoot.

There have been a lot of changes in my life in 2011.  And I believe they were all for the better..."perpetual optimism is a force multiplier."  Everyday, I consciously focus on the positive, see the brighter side of things.  Time and again, I have proven that enthusiasm and optimism have a ripple effect.  With a "can do" attitude, anything is possible.

This year, I resolve to resist the urge to spend on unnecessary things; take stock of what's really important, and let go of  things [and people] that don't inspire me or give me joy.

I look at this New Year with renewed hope and a prayer for strength to weather whatever storm that may come my way.  Life is fragile, everyday counts.  Let's be kind to one another.  

To my family and friends (virtual and in real time), I wish you an excellent health, someone to love [and who loves you back], achievement of your goals, strength of spirit and boundless energy to enjoy life.  Continue to dream!  

Wishing you a rockin' New Year!

Linking to Smiling Sally's Blue Monday

A nameless river [Watery Wednesday]

@ mirandablue

There was no name to remember this river by.  I was a stranger to its turquoise ripples, there was no memory waiting to surface as I watched the current whirl around the rocks.  

I didn't know the river's twists and turns; its scents were sweet but unfamiliar.

Every rock and blade of grass didn't know the texture of my skin; the trees crouching by its banks didn't know my name. 

Yet every playful splash, every refreshing spray, was an embrace.  Its whispers and murmurs sang of journeys I have yet to take.

@ mirandablue

 Trust in what you love, continue to do it, and it will take you where you need to go. ~ Natalie Goldberg

@ mirandablue

Brgy. Purisima, Manapla, Negros Occidental

April 2011

Posted for Watery Wednesday

Dusky glow [SWF]

@ mirandablue

The last glowing moments while the quiet stillness of dusk weaves music from light and water.  

Weightless as the warm breezes, I watched this poetry of silence cast shadows over the shore.   I held hands with darkness until only the music of the waves remain.

@ mirandablue

Punta Bulata, Negros Occidental
March 2011

Posted for Sky-Watch Friday

Home again...

@ mirandablue

Hello! I am back after an almost 3-week absence. Did you miss me?:p  It was an invigorating time away from my desk, from the noise of the city and daily routine.  I've reconnected with old friends and relatives, reacquainted myself with the place where I grew up, meandered through roads I've never taken before, and along the way rediscovered the many amazing things that I thought I have forgotten.  

Find what brings you joy and go there.

-- Jan Phillips

@mirandablue

Golden Clouds [SWF]

@ mirandablue

Looking at the golden clouds feels like listening to a haunting piece of music.  Straining  my ears to hear the faintest echo and capture the fading melody.  I would like to hold on to it's warmth, wishing this golden moment to linger.  But like smoke, it was fleeting...it stayed just long enough to take my breath away.

@ mirandablue

Posted for Sky-watch Friday

Liquid [Likido]

@ mirandablue

Pagbigyan mo muna ako.  Katulad ng aking 4-year old na pamangkin, naaaliw ako manood ng iba't-ibang kulay ng tubig na patalon-talon at sumasayaw sa kanta ni Lady Gaga.  Bawat palit ng kulay at galaw, dapat makuhanan ng litrato.  Tuwang-tuwa si YanYan, ayaw ng umuwi.:p

YanYan @ mirandablue

Tubig---pinakamahalagang likido at sentro ng buhay.  Likas yata sa tao ang maakit sa kahit anumang porma at kilos ng tubig.  Hindi nga ba nakakabighani ang hampas ng alon sa dalampasigan, ang dumadagundong na tubig sa talon, ang batis na tahimik na dumadaloy, ang walang-patid na agos ng ilog at patak ng ulan?  

At alam natin pareho na ang pagmumuni-muni at ang tubig ay laging pinagtatagpo ng tadhana.

                    *******************

Indulge me, please.  Like my 4-year old nephew, I am one of those who is mesmerized by this colorful  fountain dancing to the tune of Lady Gaga. I was as spellbound as this little boy at every color, at every movement.  He was having so much fun, he didn't want to go home.:p

Water---the most essential liquid and hub of life.  I believe that we have this innate attraction to any movement and form of water.  Aren't you fascinated at the waves that crash to the shore,  at the thundering waterfalls, at the quiet stream, at the never-ending movement of the river and at every drop of rain?  And we both know that reflection and water are always destined to meet.

More refreshing liquids at Litratong Pinoy

@ mirandablue

For Thursday Two Questions - you are invited to join and answer these questions:

1.  What are the things that mesmerize you?

2.  When was the last time someone or something held you spellbound?

Fountains at Eastwood Mall @ mirandablue

Thoughts at sundown [SWF]

@ mirandablue

From the same spot on the roof, the sunset sky is different everyday.  The deepening colors, the cloud formations, the distant lights---they are constantly changing.  Couldn't help but compare it to everyday life.  Physical, material things and experiences are ever-changing. If you're in a bad situation, it'll change.  If you're in a good situation, it'll change.  And it came to pass...so we may learn something, so we may grow, so we could be aware of where our path is headed, so we could celebrate those seemingly inconsequential events that lift us up, so we could enjoy the time we have. 


These were taken on Saturday, October 30th, my birthday.  A couple of my friends came over and we enjoyed this fleeting beauty over beer and wine and jovial conversation.

@ mirandablue

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

-- Reinhold Niebuhr

@ mirandablue

Posted for Skywatch Friday

Silent, quiet [Tahimik]

         @ mirandablue         Silent Companion by Seb Chua

Gusto kong bigyan pugay si Seb Chua, ang gumawa ng sculpture na ito sa Eastwood Mall.  Istatwa ng aso at tao na tinawag n'yang "Silent Companion". 

click to enlarge

Nakakalungkot ang kalagayan ng maraming aspin na pakalat-kalat sa kalsada.  Naturingan na "man's best-friend" pero bakit maraming umaabuso sa aso?  Nag-aalala ako kapag umuulan kung may nasisilungan ba sila.  Nakakakain ba sila at hindi pinag-mamalupitan?

Ang pag-alaga ng anumang hayop ay isang responsibilidad.  Nagugutom, nauuhaw, nasasaktan at nangangailangan sila ng kalinga.  Sana h'wag balewalain at pabayaan na lang.

Si Fritz, ang aking tahimik na kaibigan at kasama.  Naghihintay at masayang sumasalubong sa akin sa pinto, taga-gising ko sa umaga, nakakapawi sa pagod, nakakapagpangiti at nakakapagpasaya sa akin, at tahimik na nakikinig lang sa mga hinaing ko.  Hindi man s'ya nakakapagsalita, alam n'yang mahal ko s'ya.  At sa pagkawag lang ng kanyang buntot, alam kong masaya din s'ya.

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

@ mirandablue                                                                                                             Fritz- My Silent Companion

“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.”

For Thursday Two Questions:
1.  Would you prefer silence or angry words?
2.  If your dog/cat could talk, what would he/she tell you?

LP: Gusto/Ginusto

 

Sa dami ng gusto ko, di ko alam kung ano isusulat ko.  But right this minute, gusto ko ng bakasyon grande!  Sa isang magandang lugar na malapit sa dagat o ilog, tahimik, pwedeng magbasa maghapon habang nakahiga sa duyan, walang ulan at maaliwalas ang hangin.  Pero kailangan ko nga ba ng bakasyon, o nangangati lang ang paa ko?  Sa mga bagay-bagay naman, gusto ko ng bagong cell phone kasi may tantrum na itong cell phone ko.  Gusto ko rin ng bahay sa tabi ng bangin---hindi dahil gusto kong tumalon ha, gusto ko lang magandang view  pag-gising ko sa umaga.  At ang pinakagusto ko sa lahat...sana mag-desisyon na ang dapat mag-desisyon para hindi na ako mag-iisip ng kung anu-ano.:p  

My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions, but in the fewness of my wants.  ~J. Brotherton

 

 Posted for Litratong Pinoy

Bubbles [Photo Hunt]

"Words are mere bubbles of water, but deeds are drops of gold."

~ Chinese proverb

The new president and vice-president were proclaimed by Congress the other day. People from different sectors are expecting the newly elected leaders to fulfill their promises of reforms and seriously address the issues of corruption that hounded the Arroyo administration. Noynoy Aquino promised "change" while on the campaign trail---I hope he would back it up with actions as soon as he assumes office.

Happy 112th Independence Day, Philippines!

Posted for Photo Hunt

Life's a beach [Watery & Outdoor Wednesday]

The beach is in my blood, like a sea turtle, I always return to it instinctively. When we were kids, the beach was the only place where we could play in the sand, splash in the water, and soak in the sun without our mother getting mad. The only place we were allowed to get dirty, get wet, walk and run barefoot. I am always happy when I'm at the beach...when I smell the salty water, feel the sea breezes, listen to the gentle lapping waves---they create a sense of peace.

"At the beach, life is different. Time doesn't move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides and follow the sun."

Posted for Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

LP: Pagbabago [change]

at the shores of Cagbalete Island

Napapansin mo ba ang mga pagbabago sa iyong kapaligiran? Ang mga lugar na dating di binabaha, ngayon lumulubog na sa tubig kahit sa konting ulan lang. Ang dating malalapad na baybayin, kapiraso na lang ang natitira dahil sa soil erosion bunga ng mabilis na pagtaas ng dagat at maling pamamahala at abuso ng ating coastal resources. Katulad ng mga punong ito sa dalampasigan ng Cagbalete Island---kinain na ng dagat ang pampang at ang mga ugat ay halos wala ng makapitan. Baka balang araw pati tayo ay wala na rin makakapitan kapag patuloy na tumaas ang tubig ng mga karagatan dala ng climate change. Di ko alam kung kakayanin ng powers natin ang susunod na great flood.

Did you notice the changes in your environment? The places that never experienced flooding in the past are now under water after a moderate downpour. The wide shores of our childhood are almost gone due to soil erosion brought about by rapid rise of sea level and mismanagement and abuse of coastal resources. Like these trees at the shores of Cagbalete Island, the roots could barely hold on to the soil---and a few years from now, these trees would be gone, too. If the sea levels continue to rise, and we don't do the right thing to save this planet, then we would be like these trees, holding on but slowly losing our grip. I don't know if we'd survive the next great flood.

Sana ang batang ito ay hindi magiging illegal logger paglaki n'ya kundi magiging earth warrior. Sa bawat pang-aabuso natin sa ating kapaligiran, tandaan natin na hindi natin minana ang planetang ito sa ating mga ninuno kundihiniram lang n atin sa ating mga anak.

Hopefully this boy would grow up to be an earth warrior rather than becoming an illegal logger. Each time we abuse our environment, be reminded that "we do not inherit this planet from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children".

in the forest of Caramoan

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

Remembering Basud [Watery & Outdoor Wednesday]

dropping anchor at Hda. Basud, Lahuy Island

I remember this beach---where the wind blows through my hair. The warm sun bathes my skin. Soft golden sand caresses my feet. The waves are gently rippling and the trees gracefully swaying against the breeze. The rising tides lift our small yellow boat. We have rain today, ominous clouds at the horizon...is summer ending so soon? But the air is hot and humid still, even Fritz is lethargic. And I sit here, sweat trickles down my forehead, sluggish in this dog day afternoon, remembering the sun-soaked, carefree moments at Basud.

Posted for Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday

LP: Stranger

Ako ay parang Miss Congeniality noong bata pa. Kapag may nagtatanong ng directions, lagi akong nagpeprisinta. Isang hapon, mga 8 years old yata ako, naglalakad ako pauwi galing sa eskwelahan nang may huminto na owner-type jeep at nagtatanong kung saan ang bahay ng dating principal. Binigyan ko sila ng direksyon at para di sila maligaw, isinama nila ako papunta sa bahay na hinahanap nila. Dumaan ang sasakyan sa bahay ng lolo ko, nasa front-seat ako at nag-wave pa ako sa aking tiyahin. Pagdating sa bahay ng dating principal, nagpasalamat ang driver at bumaba na rin ako sa sasakyan. Nagulat at natakot ako nang makita ko ang aking tiyahin na nagmamadaling bumababa sa tricycle at namumutla. Bakit daw ako sumakay sa sasakyan ng taong di ko kilala, at pinagalitan ako.

Hindi ko naintindihan. Di ba laging sinasabi ng guro, maging matulungin? Heto tumulong ka na, pinagalitan ka pa. At galit na sabi naman ng nanay ko--- Basta! h'wag makipag-usap sa taong di mo kilala dahil mapanganib ang mundo. Syempre, nangatwiran pa ako--malapit lang naman yon e, sa kabilang kanto lang.

Sa aking paglaki, nakita ko ang maraming estranghero na dinadala ng tatay ko sa bahay. May mga batang na-rescue sa pang-aabuso ng magulang, mga taong walang mapuntahan, o naliligaw ng landas. Ang mga estranghero pala ay mga kaibigan na di pa natin nakikilala.

Tama si Shirley MacLaine sa sinabing n'yang "Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends." Pero ngayon, gets ko na ang katwiran ng nanay ko. At kung may anak ako, mahigpit ko rin na ipagbibilin ang "don't talk to strangers." :p

Ang mga nasa litrato pala ay mga kaibigan ko. Pero at one time or another, estranghero rin kami sa isa't isa.

I was little Miss Congeniality when I was a kid. When someone asks for directions, I would always volunteer. One afternoon when I was about 8 years old, I was walking home from school when an owner-type jeep stopped by and asked for directions to a former principal's house. I did my best to give them directions but worried that they would lose their way, the driver asked me to accompany them. I sat on the front-seat and we passed my grandfather's house, I even waved to my aunt. When we arrived at the principal's home, the driver said thank you and I climbed down from the vehicle. But I was surprised to see my aunt getting down from a tricycle looking pale. She almost shook me and asked why I went with strangers, she was very angry.

I was confused. My teacher always said to be always helpful. But my mother, with a lot of hostility, told me to never talk to strangers. "Why?", I asked. "Because the world is a dangerous place," she said. But it was just down the corner, I reasoned innocently.:p

Growing up, I met a lot of strangers my father brought home. Children rescued from abusive parents, people with no place to go, strays who needed a place to eat and sleep for a while. Strangers are friends we haven't met yet.

I agree with Shirley MacLaine when she said, "Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends." As a grown-up, I understand my mother's logic...and if I have a child, I would advise her/him not to talk to strangers.:p

The persons in these photos are not strangers, they're my friends. But at one time or the other, we were strangers.

with friends and strangers

Posted for Litratong Pinoy