Musings of the Uninspired

"…there could have been no two hearts so open,
no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison, no countenances so beloved.
Now they were as strangers; nay, worse than strangers, for they could
never become acquainted."
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...........................-from Persuasion (Jane Austen), Chapter 8
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It’s a good thing the north part of Metro Manila got out early from the Luzon-wide brownout issue. Fresh from the wrath of the storm Milenyo, Ethel and I decided on staying at home for the weekend to unwind from a very busy week. But as a couple, our main means of unwinding is to watch a nice romantic movie. Since theatres and malls in Manila will most likely be crowded these days according since people would want to escape from life without electricity and convinience, we decided on meeting both ends- We decided on watching the movie "The Lake House" on DVD in the comforts of our house’s simple entertainment system.
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The "Lake House" tells the story of a romance that spans years but involves, suprisingly, no nudity, no violence and only a few kisses. The main characters exemplify compassion for those suffering, respect for elders, and love for their family, things the movies and TV have seem to forgotten. It succeeds despite being based on two paradoxes: time travel, and the ability of two people to have conversations that even with the time logic established by the film, probably impossible. Yet it didn’t bother me in the slightest. Take time travel: You could easily get distracted by its logical flaws and contradictory time lines. However, I just decided to simply accept it as a premise, no questions asked and the it worked for me, time travel on an emotional, not temporal, logic.
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For this movie it works like this. Kate Forster (Sandra Bullock) , a doctor, lives in a glass house built on stilts over a lake north of Chicago. She is moving out and leaves a note for the next tenant, Alex Wyler(Keanu Reeves). He reads the note and replies to her thinking she has the wrong house, because "no one has lived in this house for years." She writes back to disagree. It evolves that he thinks it is 2004 and she thinks it is 2006, and perhaps she moved in after he left, instead of moving out before he arrived, although that wouldn’t fit with — but never mind.
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This correspondence continues as they leave their letters in the mailbox beside the sidewalk that leads to the bridge that leads to the glass house. No one writes snail mail any more since everyone would choose texting or sending emails instead. And the simple act of writing the letters, sending them, and how the characters saved and cherished them was touching in itself, especially as they learn to love and wait for true love’s mysterious and unpredictable timing.
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They also have the same dog. That’s never explained but never mind. The key element in "The Lake House" that gives it more than a rueful sense of loss is that although Alex’s letters originate in 2004 and Kate’s in 2006, he is after all still alive in 2006, and what is more, she after all was alive in 2004. Is there a way for them to send letters across the gap that will allow them to meet where she was in 2004, or she where will be in 2006, or vice-versa? It is, although it involves many paradoxes, including the one that in 2004 all of this is ahead of both of them, and in 2006 Alex knows everything but Kate either knows nothing, or knows it too late to act on it. None of this prevents her letter of romantic anguish: That was you that I met!
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During the movie I’m trying to do the math: It should be possible, given enough ingenuity, for them to eventually spend 2007 together, especially since he can theoretically keep the letters he received from her in 2004 and ask her out on a date and show them to her, although by then she’d know she wrote them — or would she?
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And there are the other problems in their lives, Reeves is dealing with his father, played by Christopher Plummer, a famous Chicago architect. The old man is an egocentric genius who designed the Lake House, which his son dislikes because, like Louis himself, it lives in isolation; there aren’t even any stairs to get down to the water. Alex is an architect himself, currently debasing himself with suburban condos, and Kate’s lost her father and ended a relationship with someone simply because she was unable to open her heart up to him, to anyone, until she got the letters.
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In one scene, she writes him from 2006 and asks him to go to a train station on her father’s birthday in 2004 where she had forgotten a book intended for her Dad (now deceased) as a gift. He does, and finds the book, Pursuasion by Jane Austin, as he sees her pulling out on the train. She of course sees only a stranger.
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Later in the film when she’s asked him not to write her as they can never meet, she discovers the book he’d retrieved for her hidden where she might find it. She opens it up (and it’s noticably worn, like he’s re-read time and again) and she reads the last couple sentences from the 3rd paragraph in Chapter 8 - “…could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison, no countenances so beloved” that he’s bookmarked for her with a dried rose. At that point, Ethel was openly in tears. Me, too.
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There’s this one scene that I love where Alex invites Kate for a walk in Chicago. This scene shows the brilliance of those involved in the movie’s cinematography, as smooth pastel colors of the windy city was deviced to capture the spirit of the scene. "Kate, I’m here with you. Thanks for the lovely Saturday together." Written on a usual downtown hall, and a sweet smile from her face. Reminds me of those short walks with a good friend along Shaw Boulevard months ago. Although moments like this never really last, it’s good to keep something from those moments that will stay with me in a long time, like how that message were on that Chicago wall.
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The "first fight" scene was also memorable. Here we see Kate and Alex on two ends of the screen, conversing. It was amazing how the fim makers rendered the possibility of having the two characters, separated by time, metaphorically exchange their thoughts in one place.
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But enough of the plot and its paradoxes. What I responded to in the movie is its fundamental romantic impulse. It makes us hope these two people will somehow meet, or meet again. The simple act of fate perhaps that brought these two people together, how their lives had intertwined for years without them truly knowing it.
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You may call it God’s design, or you may call it fate. But there are too many coincidences in the world that bring us to certain places, and people in our lives.
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I never had any intention of living along one of the Great Lakes. I’m just a boy from the province, who goes to the city everyday to earn a living, meet friends, new and old, and sometimes have fun. One day, while looking far at the Laguna Lake from one of the highest floors in our office building, something nudged me into the moment of decision that shaped my destiny. And here I happily remain years later. And in that time, certain people have happened across my path, and have become so dear to my heart, where for a random day at work, a random trip, I never would have met them at all. Fate - perhaps. But definitely a gift.
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As for the dog in the movie. well, maybe dogs just live outside time.
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Note: I regret only one thing after watching the movie- I should have seen this movie first before it’s Korean counterpart "Il Mare". Anyway, the song that’s playing right now is "This Never Happened Before" by Paul McCartney, part of the movie’s soundtrack. Enjoy!

On one side of Ortigas Center is a church built in honor of St. Francis of Asissi. It’s a wonder how, in the middle of a cold busy city, one can find a place of calm solitude and silence. A perfect resting place for sad weary souls.
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I heard this inspiring story from this guy I know- inspiring because it could or could have already happened to any of us. The memory was still clear for this young fellow. He had seen bright days in his lifetime that he’s convinced he will never see darkness until he perishes. That made him feel incomplete. So one happy day, he went to St. Asissi’s chapel and, as usual, grateful to God for all the blessings that he had received so far. His life was basically heaven. But he said he is not entirely happy. He asked for something that would make him complete. It would appear unlikely sane for others, but to this guy, what he wanted was clear- he wanted something that he hadn’t seen so far. He wanted to see dark days. He wanted it quickly, he had no time to wait.
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God has a good sense of humor sometimes, for He surely had it that day. He chuckled, "If that’s what you want, child." He waved His Almighty hands and, immediately, dark clouds reigned the sky. The first day of the rainy season came that day, all thanks to him.
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The next months rendered harsh for the weak hearted creature. Unfortunate events came striking his strength to bits- for the first time, he experienced the rotten truths of life that he had never felt before. His trust was betrayed by closest confidants. Friendships weakened because of this. Unexpectedly, Death made his presence felt for his family and some of his loved ones. Resources became scarce and he succumbed to daily struggles for survival. The inspiration that once fueled his artistry never came, thus, rendering life dull everyday. Worse, his worth which was once celebrated by his circles started to diminish- he felt the world did not need his existence anymore. He felt as if he was NOTHING. Indeed, he ceased to be the center of the universe. He lost almost everything. The bright days were over for this poor unfortunate soul.
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And so quickly he almost submitted himself to self-destruction. He came complete but damaged, satisfied but not anymore willing. As fulfilment was achieved, so was his end of days. That’s how it felt, at least- life’s irony at it’s best.
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Dying slowly and almost blindly, he walked in the rain, accepted defeat and never knowing where destiny would take him at that point. He missed the bright days, and would do anything to have them back. He even would give anything to have the recent months taken away from him, even if it would render him incomplete. Then, as he passed by the old church, he remembered the prayer. Soaking wet, feeling sickly and caring for nothing but to reach his final destination, he again pleeded for solitude. to the Man St. Francis of Asissi was taking from the cross.
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"God, I hope you’re still in a good mood, for I am not. If it’s possible for you to turn back time, please grant this last wish from your poor servant."
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"No, child. I only deal with perfection- You wanted perfection and I don’t take away what’s already there. Besides, I never gave you the dark days that you once desired. You just dimmed the light for you."
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"Then, please take the light back, or at least, lead me to where the switch is."
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The Lord chuckled, "Yup! Good thing I’m still in a good mood, my child…"
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After shedding some tears, he went out and saw two rainbows side by side. Then it felt Christmas again. The rainy season was over. He realized he can now see light in all it’s variance, for he had seen the dark, the absence of light and colors. Smiling, he went home satisfied with what he already has. However, to forget those whom he dealt with in the absence of the light where his attention was directed, he never came back.
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You win some, you lose some. That’s what life basically is. You can’t have everything. Nothing’s perfect. You just have to deal with whatever comes to you.
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It’s human nature to resolve to looking up in the heavens in the midst of hopelessness. Somewhere there’s a being whose existence is higher than us, who can provide things that has been taken from us- from things that we consider precious to answers to questions that add weariness to our weak minds. It’s very rare that God answers prayers only days after you make them. Does it depend on where you bid your requests? Does it matter how frequently you asked for things that are desired? Maybe.
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So the lesson of the story? Be careful what you wish/pray for. You’ll never know when God’s in a mood for tragic comedy.
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For now, I’m still waiting for my prayers to be answered. But at least, I let God know I have the patience to wait.
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Peeps! Just so you know, here are links to my other blogs and online stuff…
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Katie vs. The Philippines

http://hatephilippines.blogspot.com
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One of my closest friends, Katie Torres, started this blog with her rantings regarding her misadventures in the Philippines. I did most of the layout, graphics and the design. Later, I also did some entries. It’s a great collaboration, actually.
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Adel’s/Katie’s Deviantart Page

http://yodacomics.deviantart.com
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Another collaboration. Most of my Photoshop artworks are posted here. This website features the "Katie vs. Lyndon Gregorio" series. Katie and Lyndon did the art there. Nice read, indeed.
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Adel’s Zoto Gallery

http://adel.zoto.com/galleries
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My only online album. Just images that I created using my Olympus 1.3 megapixel camera and Photoshop CS2. So far, there are just a number of pictures posted here. Most of ‘em are results from my attempt to do artistic photography. Some say I did a great job, some say "Nahhh. You can do better." Whatever.

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Yodacomics

http://www.geocities.com/yodacomics
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This site features old comicstrips that I made during my BSU days. Only a few knows what really happens inside the faculty room.
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Musings of the Uninspired

http://adelramos.wordpress.com
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My latest blog. I have only an entry, so far. I’m planning on putting there all things in life related to family, home, work and whatever comes to mind. Most likely, it’ll just be about work. I’d be using Contribute 4 to add/edit entries in this blog, and I only have this software in the office. Too bad. Cool stuff, though- you can use Contribute 4 for Blogger too!
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D.W.O.
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My secret blog. If screaming silently is possible, this is it’s evidence. This is where I leave all questions unanswered, deep feelings that deconstruct certainties, and all memories that ought to be forgotten. This blog is where my heart rests after a long week of reality’s scrutinies.

I admit I’m having an affair and only a few knows of it.
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March 1999- the first time I saw her, I immediately knew it was love at first sight. We were inseparable since then. I could still vividly remember our best days together.

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She is witness to the most significant events of my life. She has always been there when I had a my first date, first kiss… she even was kind enough to accompany me on my way to church on my wedding day. She’s been there to support me when I needed the drive to confess what I really felt for my beloved. I’ve been in love so many times since then, and she never failed to be there to sing love songs that prove and strengthen my feelings’ worth.
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She knows every twist of my mood, and she’s always been there, ready to take me as far as we both can go when I need to go away from the world that hurts me. She lets me borrow and hug her pillows to hide the tears. I remember one time when both of us needed to stop for a while in an unplanned but long drive home. It was around 3 o’clock in the morning. The rest of the world was still sleeping, and we chose the best place where to vent out some unwanted grudges. Out in the open field, where only the stars above us to see us, she’d let me cry and shout out all the grievances that I have kept in me for months then. In her light and her silence, I stayed there until I could not cry anymore. It was the saddest day of my life, and she was there to accompany me. I’d say she’s my roving solitude, my traveling peace of mind.
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I know her moods and style too. In fact, I think I know too much about her already. I know how to handle her during her mood swings. When she’s not feeling fine, I know where to take her. Whenever I try to buy her something that would accentuate her curves and appeal, she always finds a way to avoid or dismiss it. She is quite confident about her looks, and she knows she does not need jewels and gifts to catch my or anyone’s attention. She need not those fancy accessories, she always say. And it’s true- Over the years, she remains a stunner even in her simplicity.
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She’s always been so dependable, never failed to make me glad that I have her everytime I see her. Sometimes, when I’m lonely and alone at home, she lets me stay inside her hiding place, lets me hear a song or two, read a book, contemplate on some things, or just take a short nap until I feel finally better.
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She loves it whenever we are both caught in the rain and a big traffic jam, just like I do. She knows I’ll stay with her longer as I keep myself confined in her presence, while everyone else runs or hides from chaos. I’d just turn on the radio, tune in to the radio station that we both like, and let the hours pass until we get through the storm. Yup! She keeps me safe in our journeys, and I am happy whenever I take care of her. I’m never myself when I know something’s wrong or if she’s not feeling fine. One time, she got bruised and so sick, I had to take her to a place where she’d be taken care of as swiftly as possible. She had to stay there for a week until she got better. Oh those were the days when my mind never found peace. When she recovered and got back, it was a day that called for a celebration. We went out for a swift getaway, just the two of us. Free as birds flying in the blue skies, we went as far as her feet can take me.
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When she’s away, it’s like a significant part of me is missing. Whenever she’s out of my sight and with someone else due to a very significant reason, an emergency perhaps, I pray that she’d be alright, for I know she and I have a bond that no one can break. I know she’s most efficient when I’m with her. I make sure that she’s in safe hands, or there’s no going away for her or with her.
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Velocity and freedom is what best defines our friendship. We are happiest whenever we are alone on long road trips. We both love speed- whenever we go faster than anyone else on the expressway, we could hear our hearts scream together, wanting for more.  Velocity and freedom- The faster we go, the more we become one. The more we become one, the more we feel free.
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I still love her and consider her as a very dear friend, but everyone need not worry about it. It’s not like I’m having a forbidden affair or something. I’m just talking about Camille. She’s my car- a spruce-green 1997 Mitshubishi Lancer beauty.

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Captain Adel’s log- Stardate 09.16.2006. I’ve already gone halfway through the Star Trek: Voyager series, and so far, I’m still amazed by everthing about almost every episode of the series- from the philosophy tackled in every episode to production in general.

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I specifically love how each episode deals with essential human dilemmas. For instance, in episode 111 titled "The Disease", one of the main characters, Ensign Harry Kim, the most renowned junior officer of USS Voyager who has never failed to adhere to Starfleet’s regulations and has never failed his captain’s trust so far, encounters this predicament:

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Will you exchange honor, integrity and principles for a forbidden love?

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Harry Kim falls in love with a beautiful alien named Tal, who is also known as a brilliant engineer in her collective. Under strict compliance of the United Federation of Planet’s Prime Directive, no Starfleet member is allowed to have emotional attachments, much more have intimate "nights", with an alien spicies without the consent of his superior officers and clearance from the resident doctor. But who can ever stop someone when he’s infected with the disease unfeeling creatures like the Borg calls "a disease"?

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After having been caught, Captain Janeway calls for Kim and the dialogue ensues…

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Janeway: "You’ve got 30 seconds before I have Tuvok (Voyager’s Chief Security Office) drag you to Sickbay."

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Kim: "Captain, I am not sick! I didn’t disobey your orders because I’m under some alien influence. I disobeyed your orders because Tal and I are in love, and it’s not right for you to keep us apart!"

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Janeway: "Listen to yourself. You don’t sound like the Harry Kim I know."

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Kim: "Good. I have served on this ship and said ‘yes, ma’am’ to all of your orders, but not this time!"

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Janeway: "You’re willing to risk your rank, your career over this?"

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Kim: "Have you ever been in love, Captain?"

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Janeway: "Your point?"

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Kim: "Did your skin ever flush when you’re near another person, did your stomach feel like someone hulled it out with a knife when you’re apart, did your throat ever swell when you realised it was over? Seven, Seven of Nine, told me that love’s like a disease. Well maybe it is, pheromones, endorphins, chemicals in our blood, changing our responses, physical discomfort, but any way you look at it, it’s still love."

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Janeway: "For the sake of argument, let’s say you’re right. Your feelings for Tal are no different than mine for, what, the man I was engaged to marry. Well, I lost him, and you’re going to lose Tal, you know that. What the Doctor is offering you is a way to ease the pain."

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Kim: "That man you were going to marry. If you could’ve just taken a hypospray to make yourself stop loving him, so that it didn’t hurt so much when you were away from him, would you have done that?"

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Later, Captain Janeway still noted Kim’s violations on his records, but acknowledges the feelings that he had felt for the alien woman, and the reason why Harry chose to live through it.

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Kim: "Maybe I’m not the perfect officer any more."

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Janeway: "Maybe not, but you’re a better man."

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The episode ends with Seven of Nine, a former Borg who seeks what it means to be human, thanking Kim for completing a particular task in her department.

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Seven: "You’re attempting to distract yourself from your emotional damage."

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Kim: "I wish it could say it was working."

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Seven: "A treatment to relieve your condition was available and yet you refused."

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Kim: "I’ve got a disease but I’m willing to live with the symptoms. Doesn’t make much sense, does it."

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Seven: "I assumed that romantic love was a human weakness but clearly it can also be a source of strength. Perhaps my analogy was flawed. Love is NOT a disease… Get well soon."

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Indeed, the strongest of strong foundations and the straightest of straight paths are vulnerable when love strikes. It’s not a matter of whether or not you have a choice when you fall in love with someone, or whether or not your feelings would be reciprocated. It’s the way you face it, endure it, consider it either as a blessing or a curse, and makes it the best possible person that you can be.

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This is the type of entertainment that I seek everyday before I go to sleep. Only a sigh defines intellectual (and perhaps emotional) satisfaction as the credits roll. Since holodeck technology is yet to be invented and leisurely away missions aren’t feasible for the next couple of weeks due to lack of resources (budget, that is), weekend DVD marathons like this one will do for now.

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Computer. End and save log.

Whenever something big would happen to me in the near future, my body somehow provides me with a forecast, sort of bracing itself for a storm or a big party. Usually, it involves getting really sick (but not so seriously) for no apparent reason. Wala lang- it’s, perhaps, just reason enough to stay at home and reflect, most of the time in my room where I finding solitude is the easiest.
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When I was young, I catch cold of flu a few days before a schoolwide field trip. In college, I get sick days before the midterms or finals exam. If I remember correctly, I got a very nasty cold before the day I got married. The same thing happened before I graduated from college and the big interview before I got my current job.
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Lately, I had recurring fever and sore throat that forced me to spend three days resting at home. I have not been feeling well in the past few weeks. A lot of people are beginning to notice that I’ve grown thin and been losing a lot of weight already. My wife and my mom are starting to get worried. I always tell them that it’s because I’ve been spending a lot of time on the stationary bike lately. And everyone should be happy, my very first diet program is actually working! But they have a point, my body seems to be getting weaker and non-resistant to illness by the day. And no, it’s not because I’ve been smoking, I already quit last month, and already have gone through the "rehab" days.
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I don’t really think I’m THAT sick. The feeling is very similar to how my whole being looked forward to something new and exciting that would happen later on- only this time, I’m not sure what to expect. I see nothing ahead except from expected results from small plans that had been carried on in the past few years. Getting the house finally done, for instance. Though, it feels I’ll be facing a new phase in my life as soon as my body recovers. It’s about time because I’m already getting bored of where I am now- life has been becoming a routine and less challenging lately. I just hope that this has something to do with my plans on going abroad.
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I’m both excited and agitated. What’s in store for me in the coming days? I know I’ve prepared for a lot of things, but what is it that would finally give me news, good or bad? What is it that would provide me with answers that would alter my course through life?
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Amidst questions, I keep myself on track. For now, my focus is on getting my self in shape again. My dream of losing considerable weight from the belly up has already been fulfilled, I think it’s time to gain some muscles. My brothers should be able to guide me through it, although I’m not sure if it’s possible to follow a distinct workout schedule due to the nature of my work. But hey! If other people can do it, so can I, can’t I?
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As for the bleak unclear future, let it come. Change could either be good or bad, but one thing is for sure- it’s inevitable. I just hope I’m prepared when it arrives. It wouldn’t be cool if I welcome it without a smile on my face.

Life is a big musical. I can’t live without a song everyday. Every task, every place needs to have it’s corresponding hymn. I have a themesong for every close friend that I have. My life has it’s own soundtrack- helps me mentally record events that I’d want to remember whenever needed. This is why I need to get an iPod. Or any MP3 Player that has more storage capacity. I’m getting tired of sorting my songs everyday. I love my cute 256KB Muvo, but isn’t it human nature to want more?
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Two of my favorite movies- 50 First Dates (starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrimore) and You’ve Got Mail (starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan) end with the song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". I’m just wondering which version is better- one has a touch of Hawaiian, the other has a real classic taste. Nah. It really would not matter after watching either of the movies, wouldn’t it?
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Riding on an FX taxi on my way from work last Saturday, I saw two brightly colored rainbows side by side on a field near the north expressway. They appeared just when the sun began to peek behind gray clouds. A combination of the sun’s rays and these two rainbows spreading colors on the dull gray skies- It was simply breathtaking.
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It’s amazing how people could last 20-30 years on the same job, the same routines, the same lifestyle without getting psychologically affected. I mean, how boring could life be if you stay in one place that long? Maybe the secret is to spend all the vacation and sick leaves every year, not minding how much you’d be getting if you just convert it to cash. For teachers, though, they don’t need VLs for a change of pace since vacation comes every summer. This is one of the many reasons why I miss teaching. If only the government would pay much attention (and budget) for education.
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I’m almost 30, and I still have a long way to being one of the richest man in town. I’m beginning to think that I’d have better luck outside this country. If only I could speed up the process and have me migrated to my dream city, NYC, in a flash. Oh well, I’m just crossing my fingers and hoping that next year would be much better than this one.
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New York City seems to be a wonderful place to spend your prime years in. In the years to come, I see myself getting an apartment in the Big Apple, having a stable job in multimedia or web design, with Ethel doing shifts on a nearby hospital and Luke going to school on the next block. Could life be simple in the biggest busiest city in the world? Is life there as fun as how it is portrayed on TV or in the movies? I wonder how it is like to spend some quality family time in Central Park.
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When I was a kid, I’ve always thought that if I’m going to have a girlfriend, she’ll be the only one- The One for me. I’ve never thought of breaking somebody’s heart and having another girlfriend after that. I think I got the "fairytale love affair" idea from reading lots of romantic local comics in the 80s such as Filipino, Liwayway, Aliwan and Tagalog comics. I wonder if there still are sari stores out there that offer cheap comics for the layman’s lazy afternoon reading pleasure? Anyway, lucky me, my love life turned out to be almost how stories are told in these affordable reads- classic romance. I didn’t have a formal relationship, even in college, until I met my Ethel. She’s the reason why I still believe in destiny until now when almost everyone seems to have forgotten about it already.
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Year 2004 to 2005 was the year of Lucky Me! Pancit Canton. Aside from the fact that it’s the easiest and quickest solution to grumbling tummies and budgetary issues, there’s something beyond the salty dry noodles, you’ll never leave it out as an option whenever you get hungry. Addicting. And ever wondered why you get a little jumpy after a Lucky Me! meal? Oooh… maybe the secret ingredient is caffeine, eh? Nah… it could be just plain old vetsin.
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What’s the English term for vetsin? Or is it already it’s English term? No, monosodium glutamate is it’s chemical name.
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End of random thoughts. How can you top that last entry?
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Others would think of camping. Spending some time for picnic in a park. Or going to church, perhaps. But for most Filipinos, there’s one place where spending Sunday afternoons is all worth it- in one of those SM malls.
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Malling must be written in the Filipino’s DNA. Well, at least the idea was already written in one of the most popular songs of Yano, entitled "Esem".
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Pamoy-amoy, di naman makakain

Busog na sa tubig

Gutom nailipas din

Patuloy ang laboy

Walang iisipin

Kailangang magsaya, kailangang magpahangin

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The story exactly depicts one part of my daily life as freshman in UP Diliman. You see, I didn’t live in a dormitory or an apartment on my first year in college. I chose to be the probinsyano who painstakingly took bus rides from Malolos to SM City back and forth everyday to start and end each day. I pass by the mall to take another ride from the mall to the campus. It was basically a small taste of cool air-conditoined atmosphere before spending the whole day in a sweltering classroom. It was really window shopping in it’s most basic sense everyday.
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But no daily self-inflicted pity should be seen here. Let’s say it became part of daily routine. It was, actually, privilege not bestowed among many students who choose to stay in-campus. It’s something that most Filipinos would endulge themselves every Sunday afternoon. It’s a daily walk-in-the-park!
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If I’m not mistaken, they started building SM Malls in EDSA sometime 1980s. Quiapo’s tiangges were not quite threatened by the presence of a gigantic (then) high-class shopping place, as Filipinos could only afford less. What made it click after some years? Of course, the wide air-conditioned corridors that provide an momentary escape not only from the tropical heat, but from reality as well. Pampalipas oras, as they say.
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Gumagabi na

Ako’y uuwi na

Tapos na ang saya

Balik sa problema

At bukas ng umaga

Uulitin ko pa ba ang kahibangang ito

Sa tingin ko hindi na

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I had a chance to go to SM Mall of Asia last Sunday with Luke and Ethel. The place is ridiculously huge- even bigger than Megamall, I think. It’s so big that they have separate buildings for signature shops and the main department store. To cover the whole place will take a day or two, and oh boy, it could definitely mean much discomfort on your feet and leg muscles. And if you’ll notice, there’s a severe lack of chairs or benches for people to rest on. If the people who built the place really knows about the Filipino lifestyle, they should have known that malls are populated everyday (or at least every weekend) not because of sales, but because of leisure. They should have placed more benches there, for crying out loud! (I’m beginning to sound like a grumpy old man, ain’t I? Specially with the fact that I didn’t hear any complaints from Luke the whole day. :-p  Or is it the place was so thickly filled up with people last Sunday I was barely able to see a place to rest on?
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No, we didn’t cover SM Mall of Asia’s entirety last Sunday. Ethel and I still have to witness what they call the IMAX experience. (Maybe when Spiderman 3 comes out.) We didn’t have time to see our favorite shops like Bench, Alexandria, Comicbook Alley, National Bookstore, Toby’s, etc. We didn’t have time to have a taste of Thai or Chinese cousines which is one of the main reasons why the place is called "Mall of Asia". We didn’t have time to have Luke play in Toy Kingdom. It’s as if the place is designed mainly to have people run out of time roaming around, so that they’d surely come back for more.
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No, I’m not complaining. And no, I’m not saying this Mall Mania is a bad aspect of the Filipino society. Is it an addiction? Is it a bad habit? Depends on how you look at it. As far as I’m concerned, I still have SM City’s The Block to conquer. I have Filipino blood running through my veins, you know.