myfavoritetimeoftheyear

Happy Holidays everyone! :)

dog days are over

Life is what you make it.

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"Happiness hit her like a bullet in the back | the dog days are over | the dog days are done."

- Dog Days Are Over, Florence & The Machine

you/world

Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard.

Do not let the pain make you hate.

Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness.

Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place.

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"A moment, a love, a dream, a laugh, a kiss, a cry."

- Sweet Disposition, The Temper Trap

bad dreams

I've had more bad dreams the past 2 weeks than I've ever had in my 24 years of existence. There have been explanations that bad dreams represent the things you fear the most, or they serve as premonitions for what's about to happen. I don't know if I should believe either. Earlier today, I came across this article from a friend's tweet, I think this explains it best. At least for the time being.

Top 7 Lessons Learned on Dealing with Bad Emotions

Any other interpretations?

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"Obsessed, depressed at the same time

I can't even walk in a straight line."

- Just A Feeling, Maroon 5

make me a library

Source: Photography Served

Came across this photo on Tumblr and staring at it brought me back to winter in Australia, 2006. I had a lot of time on my hands, exploring Perth on my own, and when my feet retired there was always the library willing to take me in. On my first week, I was so jumpy I didn't know where to start. I shuffled between the city library and the state library, browsing through endless aisles of these hardbound goodies. I eventually found my spot in a cozy corner in the city lib, where the librarian was a friendly Vietnamese lady who offered me a permanent resident borrowers card because I was there every single day.

The extent of modern and updated titles is amazing. None of those forgotten pieces about to fall apart, but a lot of new releases hot off the press. I love the smell of freshly bound paper, just like how coffee addicts react to hot brewed coffee. On my first visit, I thought I was in a bookstore as they had almost every single magazine to suit a wide variety of interests, they even had Instyle! I wonder when the Philippines would consider spicing up the National Library. That would be the day.

Libraries, and some select bookstores for that matter, always make me feel safe. Enough of this daydreaming, back to work.

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"You've got to love libraries. You've got to love books. You've got to love poetry. You've got to love everything about literature. Then, you can pick the one thing you love the most and write about it."

- Ray Bradbury

urgent emergency

Cliches only become what they are - overused, familiar, unoriginal - because they apply to almost everyone. Try to get to the bottom of it, and you'll be able to relate at one point or another.

My Dad sent me an email this morning, and it was about an analogy on life we've heard before. But I guess things can have a different effect on you, depending on your current state of mind, where you are in your life. If I read this 5 years ago, I'd probably have a slightly varied take on it.

Sharing an excerpt:

"Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air - WORK, FAMILY, HEALTH, FRIENDS & SPIRIT.

You will soon understand that WORK is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other 4 balls - FAMILY, HEALTH, FRIENDS, SPIRIT - are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for it.

Work efficiently during office hours and leave on time. Give the necessary time to your family, your partner, your friends, and proper rest."

We're all caught up in the rush that is called work. We always complain about time, the lack of it and how it goes by too fast. We always reason out that we're too busy for this and that, but we're all aware that's never an excuse. Before we know it, we've missed out on life. Let's all try to slow down and focus on what really matters. Now there's your cliche.

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"I can't explain the urgency, it's an urgent emergency."

- Urgent Emergency, Cara Beth Satalino

wasted time.

I still can't get over it. I was looking forward to the weekend since Monday and all I get is a wasted Saturday. That's time I can't get back.

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"How much wasted time will you survive?"

- Duncan Sheik, Wishful Thinking

waiting is a b*tch.

I REALLY, REALLY HATE WAITING.

time out

Source: House of Turquoise

I normally don't do check ups, and I try to avoid taking meds as much as I can, but today I just had to take a trip to the MD. I've been feeling really out of it the past few days, and I've been sick on more occasions this year - it's almost always been that perennial cold. Must really be the lack of exercise and decent sleep, plus the moody weather. Virus please go away now.

Maybe what I need is a long, quiet break. Away from the hustle and bustle of the metro. Away from deadlines, meetings and presentations. I need fresh air, home cooked meals, peace. Where do i find this? If you know where this is, can you take me there?

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"Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here..here comes the sun and I say, it's all right."

- Here Comes The Sun, The Beatles

wise words from Lady Gaga

"Some women choose to follow men, and some women choose to follow their dreams. If you're wondering which way to go, remember that your career will never wake up and tell you that it doesn't love you anymore."

- Lady Gaga

bigger steps

The past few months have marked major milestones for my friends and their relationships. Some of them got engaged, some have been preoccupied with wedding preparations, while others decided to take some time off and find themselves again. Conversations nowadays are becoming more and more about things only grown ups used to talk about. Some of my guy friends mull about their anticipation in starting a family and building houses, their fears about the uncertainty of investments or lack of decent savings. With the girls, among a million other things we analyze, we often get stuck debating when the best time is to get married, if there ever is a best time.

K & I celebrated our own milestone too, having reached our first year mark a few weeks ago. There's been a lot to be grateful for. It’s amazing how I am able to laugh and rant and discuss anything and everything with him, or just sit back in silence and get lost in my thoughts; the comfort I find in those opposite moments stays the same. If you find that person who can revel in your spoken and unspoken muses, you must say a prayer of thanks.

Here’s a piece I lifted off my friend’s blog, which we took up not too long ago in Theology 131. I had a hard time understanding what it meant at the time, but now I think I finally get the point.

Love is a temporary madness,
it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.
And when it subsides you have to make a decision.
You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together
that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.
Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathlessness,
it is not excitement,
it is not the promulgation of eternal passion.
That is just being "in love" which any fool can do.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away,
and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.
Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground,
and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches,
they find that they are one tree and not two.

From Captain Corelli's Mandolin
by Louis de Bernière

pause/step back.

June has been the fastest month of the year so far. Can't believe 2010's halfway through. On some days I curse the clock for ticking too slowly, but on most days I find myself begging time to slow down. Before we know it, it'll be Christmas again, then a few weeks after, I hit 25.

I revisited some journal entries which I wrote a few weeks after college, at the time when I attempted to figure out what I wanted to do. I jotted down my 5 and 10 year goals, tried to envision what a 25 and 30-year-old me would be like.

I guess I'm not too far from all those scribbles. I'd like to think I'm in a really good place right now, and for that I am immensely grateful. It was definitely not a walk in the park, but I guess it's all part of growing up and finding your way through this puzzle. I've learned that patience pays off, that silence is powerful, and that positivity can go a long way. There's still a lot to learn, and keeping an open mind and a kind heart can get you places.

So here's to the rest of the year, it's going to be great. :)

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"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

- Plato

lighten up!

It's been such a hectic week with Mama in town from LA and 2 big clients ripping my head off with requirements and presentations. I know I shouldn't be complaining but I guess pressure got the best of me. 4 hours of sleep everyday doesn't exactly make me the most pleasant person around. My apologies to the people I snapped at, it was nothing personal.

I feel really lightheaded and weak right now but I don't care, I'm still heading out to see my favorite people later. Can't wait for another round of togetherness. It just keeps my sanity, you know?

I guess this week has taught me to let go and not take life so seriously. It's way too short to be all sulky and cranky.

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"Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars?"

- Airplanes, B.O.B. featuring Hayley Williams

Tuesdays

Tuesday is such a useless day, don't you think?

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"Monday, you can hold your head

Tuesday, Wednesday stay in bed."

- Friday I'm In Love, The Cure

actions/words

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"Take some responsibility, it's not like the movies."

- Urgent Emergency, Cara Beth Satalino

random

It's been a while since I last posted here. Blame it on Twitter and micro-blogging, Tumblr and the convenience of letting photos speak for themselves. Blame it on my laziness and lack of better vocabulary.

A lot has happened in the last month or so. I started doing Yoga, which I really enjoy.

Source: Bliss Yoga Manila

It's a good way to relax your mind, improve your blood circulation, and detoxify. Initially, it was intimidating because most of the students have been practicing Yoga for years and knew the poses even with their eyes closed. Good thing the instructors at Bliss were very flexible during my first few classes, they adjusted the pace so that the newbies could keep up. And I did feel the flow of positive energy after each session, which just felt great! On the road to being a Yogini! :)

Another thing that's keeping me on my toes now is a major project at home. Can't say much about it yet, but I'll definitely post an entry about it when I already can.

Grateful for everything else, whether convenient or inconvenient.

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"You don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord."

- People Get Ready

where does my time go?

Source: Tumblr

I've always wanted a library of my own, inspired by the massive hall the Beast gave to Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. I told myself that if I had my own place, there would definitely a comfortable spot for my books. I can already imagine them sitting together in rustic, wooden bookshelves.

I really miss reading. I waste a lot of my time on the internet, just like what I'm doing now. Better get back to those books.

it's the bolder thing to do.

Because it is the bolder thing to do.

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"The frustration I see when I tell you I like some company breaks my heart."

- The Bolder Thing To Do, Gregory & The Hawk

and many more.

Source: Tumblr via Jennifer Tang

Be in it. To this moment, and many more.

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"Here we are, here we be, both together now finally."

- Kickin' With You, Jason Mraz

immensely grateful

Today's entry in God Calling was striking. It was about trust and leaving everything to Him. We tend to get in the way of His plans, because we want things done our way. As I turn another year older, I'm glad I'm slowly learning to be patient and wait for great things to unfold in His time. :)

Thank You for an amazing 24th, it's been one of my happiest birthdays to date.

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"Today was a fairytale...All that I can say is it's getting so much clearer."

- Today Was A Fairytale, Taylor Swift

argh.

Minsan lang ako mag-blog ng ganito, word vomit kasi. I'm just thinking out loud, so walang coherence. May gusto lang akong sabihin. NAIINIS ako sayo. As in major. Abuso ka na ha. Before you even say PMS, hindi to PMS kasi alam ko sched ko. Effort eh. I've just grown tired of stretching my patience for you.

Grow up, you're not a little boy anymore.

wake up and eat cheesecake.

let her be.

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"And if the sun comes up tomorrow, let her be...Let her be."

- Let Her Cry, Hootie & The Blowfish

2010

It's mid January already. I will cheer up and dream bigger this year.

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"At worst I feel bad for a while, but then I just smile. I go ahead and smile."

- Smile, Lily Allen