Back To School

Tomorrow is the start of fall classes in CCC and that means my lazy days are over. It's a start of another gruelling days of work and school plus kid's homework. For four months my schedule will be hectic again. What a life! Well,  two more semesters to go and I'll be done with school. I can't believe how far I've gone already, considering that I only do part- time classes. Time surely passes by quickly!

I just hope my classes won't be that hard. From the whispers of my previous class, they said ,one of my professors is very difficult and she give them a hard time. so, I'll just keep my fingers crossed hoping I'll be spared. Oh boy! I'm sure this will be an interesting semester.

Tips in Dealing With a Difficult Co-Worker

   Have you ever felt stress-out at work because of someone who's difficult to work with? Do you experience being so upset that you want to smack that person? I know it's hard to just sit still and pretend that he/she doesn't affect you. So how do you react when face with this situation? Here are some tips to help you go through the day without losing your control.

• Take a deep breath and calm your nerves even though deep inside you want to shake the living daylights of that person.

• Show your sweetest smile and pretend she doesn’t affect you, though you’re seething with anger.

• Bite your tongue off and show her the blood and tell her she’s the next victim (hahaha just kidding).

• Just ignore her and do your work to the best of your ability, sooner she will realize that you’re not interested in conversing with her.

• If she won’t shut off and still bothers you, then talk to your supervisor.

For A Dear Friend

Dear Chicks,

I think of you today. How you've been. It's been so long since we've last saw each other. The last time i heard from you was when i was working in Taiwan, that was like thirteen years ago. Sorry i wasn't able to reply coz' i accidentally lost your address, so clumsy of me to do that. I was hoping you'd write again but you didn't. I guess you must be upset of my silence.

Lots of things happened in my life. I got married and have two kids now. How about you? I'm sure you have lots .the last time you wrote, you have three already and counting. I know you want a big family and I presume you got your wish. Knowing you, you'll move heaven and earth just to make your dreams come true.

It would be great to see you again and your family. I miss the friendship we had. We had lots of fun and memories of our freshman years in college .Remember how we used to skip classes if we don't like the teacher and hang out instead in the boardinghouse or go to the movie theater? How about locking one of our professor for showing up late in class? that was hilarious.Good he was a good sport and didn't fail us.Those were the carefree days.

I really enjoyed in your company. You were such a caring and good person. I hope you're doing well in everything you do.You'll always be one of my best friend and I treasured our friendship very much.Here's to a wish hoping that someday our paths will cross again. I will always be your friend.






les

Love Letter Straight from the Heart

Dear Dada,

       How time  flew  fast! Can you believe that its been nine years of togetherness since our lives collide in Yahoo Chat? Who would have thought that you are the answered prayer on that one fateful night? I really believe in the saying that, "Love happens in unexpected places and in your most unexpected moments".You erase my doubts and skepticism that love can exists in the internet coz' it really does.

    It was really unbelievable. You easily captured my heart on those three hours of non- stop talk. Maybe because we shared the same interests and passions in life. You don't believe in divorce though you've been in one, and I, too  have the same sentiments. Marriage to me is sacred and it should be kept forever. Being with you is the most exciting ride of my life. We have our ups and downs. We laugh. We cry. I get mad, and you are too, but it doesn't hinder us to love each other and besides,  it's  part of every relationship, right?Many people say that, fighting spices up ones marriage, as long as it's not brutal.  The good thing is, we don't dwell too much on our shortcomings  but accept each other with open arms.

  Nobody's perfect. I have my imperfections and you have yours. Compromising each others needs is the only way we can do to make this union last. I want to thank you for putting up with me through these years.For putting up my  childishness once in awhile, for my being a brat, as what you always say. For my actions that makes you  irritated sometimes that you want to bang your head in the wall. For preparing my food every morning though you're tired to get up and for loving me with no bounds. I feel really special and I could never ask for another husband like you! You're one in a million.

  Do you know what's the best thing you've given me? It's not the diamond jewelries or the flowers, but our  two precious  angels. They are the best gifts with no compare. We have our share of sleepless nights watching these two, feeding and changing diapers. But look how they've grown so quickly! I can't believe that Jaden will be in second grade and Jira in Kindergarten . Before we know it, they'll be in college and working and raising a family of their own.

 As we journey  together in this world, I promise that I will love you forever and that I would never leave at your side (except when I'll get mad and kick you, hahaha just kidding). For that, I promise. I love you dearly and always will.


Your Loving Wife,

Les

Life of Pi

Do you believe in God? Is your faith strong enough that can withstand the test of time? What is faith? According to the bible, "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen. It gives us assurance about things we cannot see" (Hebrew 11: 1-2). It is in this belief that Pi clings to life when he is shipwrecked for 227 days and alone in the Pacific Ocean. The book, Life of Pi by Yann Martel tells a story of a young Indian boy, Piscine Molitor Patel, known as "Pi" who grows up in a zoo in Pondicherry, India. He is a pious and smart boy who at a young age, gains an interest in different religions in search for a deeper meaning and love of God. Pi grew up being a Hindu and his curiosity and love of God leads him to embrace two other religions and incorporate it into his life. His encounter with his atheist biology teacher, Mr. Kumar, who says that, "Religion is darkness" (Martel 34) makes him realize the incredible power of belief. This resolves him to learn other religions. At age 14, he meets Jesus Christ via a catholic priest named Father Martin. He asks to be baptized. Soon after, he meets another Mr. Kumar who devoutly practices Islam and he converts to Islam as well. Pi happily practices all three religions simultaneously despite the objections of his parents and religious leaders. When the three wise men confront and let him choose one religion, he quickly says, "Bapu Gandhi said, 'all religions are true', I just want to love God" (Martel 87). Pi is driven to learn these religions due to his love for God. Though the principles of each religion contradict each other, but for Pi, it is about faith and belief to the Almighty. He realizes that even if these religions have different rituals and prayers, still, they share the same common denominator and that is, to love God. To Pi, it does not matter how many religions a person worships as long as the person believes and have faith in the Creator. Such is his devotion and beliefs without holding any doubts in his heart. In this story, through the character of Pi, Yann Martel proves to us how hard and trying but ultimately rewarding it can be to have faith when face with difficulties.

Pi's faith is tested when the Tsimtsum- the ship he is in with his family capsized in the Pacific Ocean while on the way to Canada. He finds himself being orphaned and alone with everyone and everything he has ever known sink into the ocean. With only the hyena, orangutan, zebra and the Bengal tiger--Richard Parker for company in the lifeboat, the only thing that Pi is able to hold on to is his faith. Against all odds, Pi continues to honor God on the boat by making time each day to say some prayers. Even in the face of extreme adversity and fear, Pi not only makes room for himself in prayers but also for his parents, brother and the animals in the boat that has been killed by Richard Parker. He even prays for the first fish that he kills. He states that, "I never forget to include this fish in my prayers" (Martel 231). Being a vegetarian and religious, it pains him so much to squeeze the life out of the fish but he has to do it in order to survive.

Though Pi has a strong belief in God, he cannot help but doubt his faith after a few days while drifting in the ocean. He says that, "I was giving up. I would have given up-if a voice hadn’t made itself heard in my heart. The voice said, "I will not die. I refuse it" (Martel 186). He wants to give up living because of fear from the tiger and the predicament he is in, but upon hearing the voice, it resolves him and revives his will not to succumb to death. Instead of moping and cowering in fear, he starts planning for survival and thinks of ways how to tame Richard Parker. Pi is no match against a monstrous beast. Having limited food, water and knowledge of the sea, Pi feels powerless but having faith during tough times helps him stay in focus.

Pi's faith has inspired his will to live when he says,” so long as God is with me, I will not die" (Martel 186).His faith in God becomes his constant source of hope in a hopeless situation. His beliefs that God will not let him die in the vast seas, but instead, will deliver him to safety in due time uplifts his sagging spirit. Pi believes that God is with him and will carry him all the way throughout his ordeal. Even if he cannot see God in person but in his heart, he is alive and cheering him to go on.

Pi's belief goes with him throughout his journey. It becomes as important as food and water while on the lifeboat. One time he wakes up in the middle of the night and feels terrified looking at the wide expanse of the ocean, he "mumbled words of Muslim prayer and went back to sleep" (Martel 224). He is able to fall asleep comforted by his prayers. Prayers are a very important part of Pi’s day. He prays during sunrise, midmorning, late afternoon, sunset and night (Martel 240). He calls out to God and make sure to include Him on the list of what he has. He never forgets to thank God for the fishes and the turtles that he catches and for the tiger who provides him companionship and comfort. This only shows how Pi's unwavering faith stays with him and makes him calm despite his horrible situation.

At times, Pi often comes close of losing and giving up his faith after the constant suffering he faces on the boat, but as always he is able to restore and keep it burning in his heart. He states that,” the blackness would stir and eventually go away, and God would remain, a shining point of light in my heart. I would go on loving" (Martel 264). Pi's faith is dwindling at times and there is an element of despair in it but by clinging to his beliefs, it appeases and enables him to fight his loneliness and tribulations. Pi has strong faith in God that he is able to fend off his anxiety and fear. He realizes that God must have tested his faith and how far he can endure. He knows that God must have a reason for him to be spared from death. His beliefs that he has been given a miracle makes him more determined to survive and face the obstacles.

Throughout his ordeal, no matter how bad things got, Pi "turns to God" (Martel 358) and finds hope and comfort in it. Though no one can prove God's existence, yet his presence keeps Pi alive. He surrenders everything to God and let Him leads the way. When he lands in the beach in Mexico, he says, “It was like the cheek of God, and somewhere two eyes are glittering with pleasure and a mouth was smiling at having me there" (Martel 360). God is not gone and did not leave him throughout his trying times. Without that faith that deeply rooted in his heart, Pi would have given up dozen of times. Through all of his trials, he never surrenders and keeps on going.

Yann Martel tells us that no matter how brutal life is, having faith will give a person the strength to carry on. That a belief in God can be hard when times are difficult, but through strong faith as Pi shows to us, can persevere and rise up. His message to the reader is not about holding on to a particular religion but it is about having faith in something that you cannot see. Through the story of Pi and Richard Parker, Martel shows to us how sticking to one’s belief can be the most important thing in the world. At the end, the reader may choose to believe or not, that whatever beliefs you have about God, no matter how superficial or deep it is, you will have a better story in your life.

The Power Of Prayers

As we pass through this world, once in a while, we feel that gnawing feeling of hopelessness and desolation. Sometimes, we feel that the whole universe had crushed upon us and seems there's no way out. When you think that family and friends can't help to ease your pain, say a little prayer.

Prayer can move mountains.It can heal a troubled heart. It calms your inner being and still your restless soul. It gives you comfort and peace. It opens our eyes and extends our horizons. It sheds light into the darkness of our fears and our sorrows, our joys and hopes, our shame and our pride. It gives us new ways of seeing life and relationships .Your prayer may not be answered right away or may not be answered at all, but He's listening. He Knows your sufferings. He knows your thoughts and feelings.

The power of prayer is awesome and immeasurable. Don't drown yourself in misery, instead reach out to Him and ask for enlightenment. Why not do it now?

Remembering My Father

He was a person besieged with addiction--alcohol and cigarettes. The substance that he put in his body on a daily basis killed him while still in his fifties. I used to think that it was very irresponsible for him to do that-- leaving his family to cope up without the head of the house.

But now i realized that addiction is something you can't fight without the help of a professional.It's a chronic disease that will eat a person slowly until it's too late for help. That's what killed my papa.

Despite his imperfections , i still love him and miss him everyday. I used to wonder what my life would be like if he's still alive. I know for a fact that he was a very possessive and protective father. I can attest to that. He and Ma would fight because of me being left alone in the house . I was the apple of his eyes. What can i say, being the youngest daughter, i have all the love and attention. I was spoiled rotten, not with money because we're poor, but with love.

If he's alive today, i'm sure he'll be happy to see how our lives have changed.Gone was the small bamboo house we used to live in-- it's been replaced by a nice concrete bungalow. it may not be at par with others but still it looks modest . Everybody got their own families, except cito who's always bound in the house.Life is not that hard anymore and we're so blessed with many wonderful things. I'm sure he's grinning from ear to ear while watching his grandkids from above and proud of our accomplishments.

Wherever you are papa, you are greatly missed and that you're never forgotten. Everytime father's day come, I think of you and wish you're able to see my kids. Jaden is more like you, he got your personality and charm.Sorry if i don't visit in your grave often, i live so many miles apart, but you're always in my prayer.

Love you,

nday

Dear Lazy

I know its hard to resist you when you sits in, in my being. You're like a glue that sticks and hard to get off. Why is it that you choose to bug me during my most vulnerable moments? fighting you is impossible, i might as well give in to being lazy...that's what i have become for these past days. thanks to you, for rubbing it on me.

yours,

lazybones

My Inspiration to Write

Growing up in a remote village, we didn’t have access to a public library. Even our school didn’t have one. Learning English as a second language was a struggle because we didn’t have enough resources to study with. We relied mainly on the teacher’s knowledge and some very old books that I couldn’t even read some of the pages clearly.

Going to high school was a big change. I noticed that my classmates were more advanced in their command of English. So, I frequented the library as often as I could just to keep up. My fascination with books knew no bounds, from Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Mills & Boon and up to fiction and autobiographies of famous people. I was so hooked on those books that sometimes my mom scolded me because I didn’t do my assigned household chores anymore. Sometimes, she would threaten to burn the books. Words like, “Books won’t get you anywhere” was an everyday litany of my mom then. She married young and didn’t finish School so I understood her sentiments. Little did she know that books helped me a lot in widening my vocabulary as well as enhancing my ability to communicate and to write.

Reading books inspires me to write. I copied every passage which seemed interesting and meaningful. Verses, poems and adages found their way in my notebook. I would jot down words that were quite unfamiliar and that I would seldom come across. Whenever I was upset by something or feeling down and melancholy, I would write. It became like a therapy to me. It uplifts my spirit. I could vent out all my anger and frustrations without being laughed at or ridiculed. I discovered I could write more when I was at peace with my surroundings and in a joyous mood. I had a favorite tree in our backyard that I used to climb atop and would scribble notes there. Sometimes, I would sit in the middle of our ricefield and write some observations about the beauty of nature, about how beautiful life is, and about my dreams and goals.

When I went away to college for a couple of years, I wrote lengthy letters to my parents. Being a father’s favorite, my dad would get upset and worried if he didn’t hear anything from me and would show up unexpectedly in my dormitory. It was an overnight trip by boat so sometimes I felt bad about it. Since then it became a rule that I should write as often as I could. During those times, writing became a part of my everyday life. I would exchange mail with friends from other places just to catch up with the latest gossips or just to keep in touch. Oftentimes, I would drop a few notes to my brothers.

Although I’m fond of writing, I didn’t give much thought about developing it until I met my husband .We had a long distance relationship in which it hurt so much to be so far away from each other that I would just console myself by making poems for him. Amidst the humming of the machines in my work area, there I would be, trying to rhyme some words. Some of it ended in the trash can, but others landed on his hands. There’s one composition that he liked so much that he enlarged and framed it and presented it to me when we got married.

Despite a hectic schedule, once in a while I still write .Mostly it’s about my kids little actions that I wouldn’t want my husband to miss-funny things they did, silly faces they made and words they‘re trying to say that brought laughter in the air. All those things I put into the paper so that they’ll know what they were like when they’re growing up and how they brought so much joy into our life.

As I scanned through the pages of my old notebook, I can’t help but smile. It brought back memories from the past and how my life was changed throughout the years .It’s a reflection of who I was and who I have become. I’m glad I was able to bring back those times through the power of writing.