Do Talk To Strangers

When we were little, we were told not to talk to strangers. And now, books for grown ups tell otherwise. It is said that it boosts confidence. It develops our personality when we learn how to start conversations with strangers. And I add, it gives new appreciation of life.

While commuting on my way home, I was seated beside the driver of a public vehicle. It was kinda late at night. All I really wanted that time was to close my eyes, keep my mind at rest and was hoping to take a short nap during the ride. I've just closed my eyes when the driver started talking.

He was asking where my place was. But instead of being pissed off, I acknowledged his question and answered him back politely. You know why? Because he was so polite, too. Then the conversation continued. He started talking about his family. He was married with four children but his wife was in Japan working. She had not come home for 3 years. Their 4th grade child chose to study there to be with his/her mother. (I failed to ask if it was a daughter or a son.) Just like any other OFW, the wife sacrificed the joy of being with her family just to give them comfortable lives. The husband was left to take of their children. In the morning, he was a "house-band" and at night, he drove. According to him, it wasn't about money that he worked for. His wife provided more than enough. It was some kind of a diversion from his everyday role as a "house-band". He needed to do something for himself also.

I felt his longing. Three years! Omg! Even with Skype, the loneliness still seemed to be so unbearable. I suggested that maybe they could just start a business. (*Sigh*.. As if they hadn't thought of that. Well, I was just offering a thought. Maybe. Just maybe that one in a trillion chance they might have not thought about it. Hehe..) But he said that if they only knew how. (At these times, I wished that everyone had a rich knowledge on business so they'd not leave home to earn a living.) My heart was as if crumpled and my throat was tight. I felt for him. He seemed to be contented. At least that was how he projected. But I knew there were silent prayers that someday, their family would be completely together again. And I said the same silent prayer.

It was a whole different experience for me as I had everytime with a complete stranger. I love hearing other people's stories. It makes me admire the wisdom of people, get inspired by their stories, and at the same time it makes me grateful for the simple things that I sometimes neglect.

We'll never know who these strangers will be in our lives and what lessons they can contribute to our appreciation of human experience. :)

Who Would You Stop Loving?

"If you could stop loving someone, who would it be?"

Such a strange question. I came across this while I was searching for a reflective question. Something that would help me evaluate my life, my heart. And this one struck me.

How could one want to stop loving someone? That is just so strange for me. And then a name of a friend came in to me. And I thought yeah! It was a valid question after all.

She's been loving this person for so long and thinks it's unhealthy for her already. She tried several times to let go of the love. Tried different strategies. But it just didn't work.

And as I type now, I can point out more situations where one should really stop loving someone. And the common reason, that love has turned out to be harmful for the heart already. At these times where the hearts prove to be more powerful than the minds, the mind SAYS.... (Oh! This is an understatement.) The mind SHOUTS no!!! But the heart pretends to be deaf.

Who would you stop loving? And if a person comes to your mind, would you really WANT to stop loving? Or do you NEED to stop loving him/her?

I Miss Cooking

I was a self-acclaimed chef. That was when my hands and my heart were so fired up for cooking. Hehe... And that acclamation happened only once in my life at about a month or so. After that, it seemed that I had a low heart to cook so "bongga" again. :(

My family loves cooking - Ilonggo dishes at that. My father's specialties are the "pang-fiesta" dishes. My mother enjoys preparing desserts. My sister and brothers love innovating my parents' dishes. They put a modern touch. (With modern, I mean the styles of slices of the ingredients, the presentation, etc.) Their creativity comes out with every dish.

Me? I'm the one who arranges the table. And just waits for everything to be served. That is when I'm in a good mood. But oftentimes, I just wait. :)

But with an eye-opening on how food is important for the family, the joy it brings to the people, I found myself wishing to be the "cooker".

And so, one summer I got so passionate about learning how to cook formally. I got into a cooking school for a month. And I found myself indulged in every step towards a great dish! Yey!

I learned how to market. I learned about the existence of strange names of vegetables, oils, wines, pastas, and sauces. Everyday I was looking forward to a new learning. It was a great achievement for me! :)

(My apron then.)

(Before I continue, I have a secret to share. There was a hidden agenda why I wanted to learn how to cook. Ready? This is something petty and maybe funny. Hehe.. But anyway... Here it goes. At that time, I felt I was preparing myself for an ideal marriage. And an ideal wife should know how to cook. And so I needed to know how. What's funny? I wasn't in a relationship that time... Well, for future purposes. Hehe..)

And after I graduated, I enjoyed cooking for my family. It takes me hours to finish one dish but everything's worth my every effort after. My mother got excited for everything that was new that I served. She was my greatest fan. (As always..Thanks Ma!) :) She would savor every taste and would ask several things which nurtured my desire even more.

My brothers, on the other hand, would eat everything on their plates, would have another served or two and then would complain about the taste after. They would comment on being overly salty, overly sweet, sometimes lack of whatever not so nice they could think about. *Sigh* Were brothers made to pull down spirits? So glad mothers exist.

(In one of my cooking classes)

But my glorious days of cooking were gone. I haven't cooked good and real food for quite a long time. :(

When I started living in BQ, I got used to preparing easy-to-prepare dishes and worse, the instant ones. And I have noone here to share my joy of cooking with. When I go home, I just rest and enjoy the luxury of my parents' cooking for me. Well, I sometimes cook but not at a bounty just like then.

I soooooo miss cooking. Not in a sad mode but with an excitement that if I'll cook again, it would be so much more special. :)

Smile Because It Happened

Don't cry because it is over !!! Smile because it happened...

I happened to have read this as I was checking a friend's wall on Facebook. And it was as if there was something in the statement that it left a magical mark in my heart. And it brought me to a reflection.

When something ends, more often than usual, the pain would just be so unbearable that we would think it's the end of the world. And we can't help but wallow over our sorrows. And we tend to forget the growth it would bring to our inner being. Everything would just be so dark, so hopeless. Feelings of unworthiness would creep in through every nerve. And we would cry so hard!

It's seldom that we remember to smile because it happened. Whatever that thing is, however painful, we soon should realize that it was a significant part of who we have become... :)

I hope that magical mark would always remind me to smile...

Just A Spontaneous Wednesday

It was a Wednesday and we didn't know what to do!

Here in Mindanao State University, Wednesday is an activity day for students. It's a free day for teachers (some of the teachers). Not for me. I have a 3-hour class on Wednesdays. My first time ever! I so love having Wednesday classes. It's a cure from having idle moments. After work, I usually just get back in my cave and study again for next Wednesday's lessons. But I felt so alone already! And so, with my eyes closed, I walked away from my planner and flew my way to the city to enjoy a free afternoon.

I was with Laiza. We ate our happy food. Jollibee! I soooooooo love you! You take my loneliness away. Hehe.. I know it's not good to indulge oneself on junkfoods. But I can't help it! It just makes me soooo happy! :)


We strolled and I had a facial. Another happy moment! :)

And we didn't know what to do after. It was so early to go home. And I wasn't ready to spend another lonely night in BQ. And so we decided to disturb Ate Doli's peaceful evening. (She's a co-worker.)

We bought Bounty Fresh Chooks To Go (another favorite) and hopped our way with joyful hearts at Ate Doli's.



The rain fell so hard while we were there. I had to borrow slippers to not ruin my mother's shoes :).

And we walked through the rain! Ohhh.. How I love the rain. It's just my all-time-favorite moment. Nothing beats the music that the raindrops make, the cold breeze that touches my skin, and the cleansing feeling that it gives.

(It was a chillin' cold ride. Eeeeee...)

Life's simple pleasures are truly what makes it more exciting! :)

Children Make Me Happy

Last Sunday was a surprise! :)

I go home only on weekends so I always see to it to spend quality time with family. I love Sundays most especially. It's when everyone's at home. Lunch time is the happiest. Talks and laughters would reign all over the house.

But last Sunday was extra special. We were visited by tons of children. Hehe.. I just exaggerated that one. There were just actually four. But to us, that's a lot since we're all grown up and nieces are far. Thus, visits of children always excite us.


Revson and Heart are constant visitors. They are my most loved cousins. It's because of them that I discovered my love for children.


It was the first visit of Floy2x and Ella. They are not actually relatives. They are my cousins' cousins. The son and daughter of Shiela, my Aunt's sister-in-law.


I so love children. Their laughs and giggles are music to my ear. Even their cries, too. They are undeniably adorable. Children are like angels. They remind me that earth is still a wonderful place to live in. And that I believe, I'll be a wonderful mother :)

I'm Alive

I'm loving this song of Celine Dion at these moments. I love Celine Dion! :)

This is my latest song in my MP3 player. I needed some dance songs to get my cells moving after amazing mood swings. Happy moves create happy thoughts! I wanna move my feet and lift my hands, sway my hips and sing on top of my lungs. Whew! I really am so glad I'm alive :)

"I'm Alive"

Mmmm...
I get wings to fly
Oh, I'm alive

When you call on me
When I hear you breath
I get wings to fly
I feel that I'm alive

When you look at me
I can touch the sky
I know that I'm alive

When you bless the day
I just drift away
All my worries die
I'm glad that I'm alive

You've set my heart on fire
Filled me with love
Made me a woman on clouds above

I couldn't get much higher
My spirit takes flight
'Cause I'm alive

(When you call on me)
When you call on me
(When I hear you breath)
When I hear you breath
I get wings to fly
I feel that I'm alive
I am alive

(When you reach for me)
When you reach for me
Raising spirits high
God knows that

That I'll be the one
Standing by

Through good and through trying times

And it's only begun
I can't wait for the rest of my life

(When you call on me)
When you call on me
(When you reach for me)
When you reach for me
I get wings to fly
I feel that

(When you bless the day)
When you bless, you bless the day
I just drift away
All my worries die
I'm glad that I'm alive

When you bless the day
(I just drift away)
I just drift away
All my worries die
I know that I'm alive

I get wings to fly
God knows that I'm alive

This is my new happy song. Stay happy world! :)