Not Your Average 14 Year-old

2014 started with my first trip to Dubai. I had full six days to admire the city and appreciate its magical appeal. It was like Disney's Aladdin, my favorite cartoon of all time came to life right before my very eyes. It was a city with the most audacious projects in terms of infrastructure. Each and every turn you'll see something majestic and grand. They have the Burj Al Arab (World's tallest all-suite hotel), Burj Khalifa (World's tallest tower) and Dubai Mall (World's biggest mall) just to name a few. 

My personal favorite was this view of the Atlantis Resort in Palm Jumeirah. 

And as they say, all good things come to an end.

Coming home little did I know, another twist of fate is about to happen. From a very euphoric state to extreme despair. A very heart broken me. It was a problematic time, I was not performing well, I was not getting along with people and I was not myself. This continued on for several months and I can't figure out what went wrong. I don't like what I'm doing, I don't like what I'm getting and simply don't like to do anything. It seemed like everything that I'm trying to accomplish was failing every single time. I was on the brink of giving up.

Until one afternoon, I was spending time with my 14 year-old niece in her bedroom. She showed me a photo of a grafitti she saw near her school and it says "I love you (my niece's full name)". So asked her what if the person who wrote that was not her type, how would she react. She told me with her exact words "Ok lang yun tita at least may nagka-crush saken" (That's ok at least there's someone out there who likes me). "Be thankful for what you have" she even added.

This girl never fails to amaze me. I then realized I must stop complaining and start moving forward. Stop dwelling in the past and appreciate whatever or whoever is around you even if you may have wanted something else. There is always a reason why some things in our life stay and some go, most of the time you don't fully understand why but sooner or later you'll definitely know, you'll definitely grow.

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened"- Dr. Seus

JEEP

It is dubbed as the king of Philippine's major thoroughfares; the most accessible & widely-used mode of transportation. This piece of colorful and unique machinery has graced the pages of several travel books and magazines all over the world. It has gone beyond just a public transport system but an icon of culture, which brings a truly unique Philippine experience!

Every time I see one, I'm always reminded of a particular incident happened to me in the past. [insert melodramatic music here] It was 6:45 a.m. at the Central station of LRT. I was running late for my 7 am final exam on Microbiology. So I rushed towards the street where the jeeps were waiting. As soon as I sat down in an empty jeep, the driver immediately blazed through Lawton to Espana. Usually drivers wait for more passengers before going. But this time it was different.

True enough we made it just right on time. To show my appreciation to the driver, I intended to pay him more than the usual. But instead of accepting my payment, he insisted to give my change back. Since I was in a hurry I didn't bother to count them. Only to realize later in the afternoon that he even gave me student's discount.

For sure not all jeepney drivers would do the same but I was fortunate enough to have met at least one. This experience taught me that there are still a lot of people around us willing to help without expecting anything in return.

From merely an icon of culture made of metal to an icon of goodness made of people with a heart. That's how I feel whenever I see a jeep today. I know somehow, somewhere there are few more good people around waiting for that one opportunity to show it.

So tell me, when was the last time you helped someone in need?

7:55 AM

I arrived at exactly 7:55 A.M. today. Not bad for an 8 A.M. target.

Time is a valuable and irrevocable resource. In fact, as I turn the corner of the street to the parking lot I was surprised to see that 10 minutes already elapsed. It is comparable to singing 3 happy birthday songs or cooking instant noodles. But it sure feels like it was just seconds.

If time is money, I wonder how my financial statement would look like.

From this day forward, I will cherish every moment of my everyday because there is no replay button in real life. No matter how things turn out, I will choose to possess a happy and grateful heart that appreciates life in full circle.

SUN

The sun shined brightly today.

I felt the warmth of its embrace as I walk in the streets of Makati. It felt good to see the sun shine again after a week of pouring rain. Somehow it made me feel better and a little less melancholic. Suddenly my mood changed. I almost wanted to sing Kevyn Lettau’s Sunlight out loud where the lyrics go “I think about the morning and it warms my heart”.

It is amazing how certain things around us can affect us. How a small gesture of appreciation, thoughtfulness and concern could warm our hearts and make us smile, or how some trivial things make us sad. But ultimately, it is our perception of things that can make us feel the way we feel.

Then, I realized just like the sun we also have a certain effect on others. Good or bad we don’t have any control. And that is the hardest part of it all.

On Love and Inspiration

I’m not a writer until this came
It just felt right, words flowing endlessly on my mind
Love is not only seen between two people
It can take different forms and expression
Surprisingly can be hidden under ones nose
See it even when your eyes are closed
Feel it even when you’re all alone

Love is there all around
Sometimes you only need to know yourself to find love
It is not in another person’s presence
It is not in the flowers or chocolates and gifts given
It is in you, it is in me too

You’ll know love when you find love as they say
The real love for me is that it cannot be taken away
The love within your heart
That transcends time and heals all wounds

Self love can destroy you only if you allow it to overwhelm your trueness
But self love if used fittingly can bring you love and inspiration
That can last for all seasons
It will enable you to connect with your Infinite Intelligence
A guiding force of great opportunities not known by your average thought

A discovery of a deeper realm of self
A journey that you’ll never forget
It will change your life, as it changed mine

I’ve searched for love in so many directions
Changed myself to adapt to a thousand different fallacies
I thought I had it all in control
But all is temporary until
True love and inspiration came from the genius
The genius within me hiding all these years
Waiting to be recognized and to be unleashed

Before I’m just someone who happens to do all sorts of things trying to please
But today, I am that someone who can do all sorts of things with great love, effort and profound understanding of self and the power of the infinite

The passion
The intense and burning desire
Backed by faith and nurtured with love
Anything and everything is possible
I LIVE my life exactly the way I want

I know exactly what I want
I know exactly what to do
I know that I am doing exactly the things that are meant for me to do
In my own pace, in my own race

Today, I am a different person

Better than yesterday

Even better tomorrow and a day after tomorrow

Until all my tomorrows are done.