A Turning Point

It was one great tragedy that happened in my hometown, Iloilo. It was a flash flood that went from ground to neck-high in 5 minutes. It happened one Saturday night...
I was still at was at work in Manila, when my best friend called and told me that Iloilo is experiencing the worst flood ever. I immediately called my dad, I expected the worst, yet it never occurred to me...My dad said that they are already staying on the ceiling of our house, just below the roof...they said they had no electricity, all our things drowned by the water, and that I had to get off the phone, since they might still need the phone.

It was like a movie, it played on my mind, it was raining hard, they are soaking wet in darkness, on the ceiling of our house, wondering if the rain would stop or the water would subside. My dad, mom, sister, uncle and our helper were all trapped there...I don't think they slept during that night.
So, I didn't text them or call them, because they might need the phones. Although, I really wanted to. I sent them loads for their phones, hoping they really won't need to use it.
I wasn't able to concentrate on my work that night, I called and texted my other cousins in Iloilo, asking for updates, asking if the rain already stopped.
The following Sunday morning, my mom texted that the flood has subsided, however nothing was spared from the flood, all our things gone, my dad's business, cars and appliances.

I was just so glad that everyone was ok. My mom said that in the nearby area where my lola was, my uncles and aunts had difficulty in saving my bedridden lola from the water. Fortunately, they had a 2-storey house.

My mom and dad said it was really a traumatic experience, and I told them not to worry, since I prayed hard to God that they will all be safe.

I never really knew how it was when Hurricane Katrina hit Florida, now I know that it wasn't easy what they had to go through.

My bosses at work heard about the news, I was so touched that they were concerned about me. I even cried when I was telling my boss about it. I was trying to sound nonchalant, but couldn't help it.

They highly encouraged me to take a Vacation Leave, although I know I would have tons of work when I get back. So, I did. I had a ticket booked to Iloilo 2 weeks before the typhoon for my dad's birthday, but I canceled it, since my mom and dad insisted that we don't need to go home yet.

The flood drained everything from us and left the house and our things with mud.

But, I guess this is the turning point of our lives. It's something that would challenge me and my family. Something, that would shake us and remind us what really matters.

Psych

I was watching this TV series in a DVD marathon, and I was quite amused with the story. It's about Shawn, the head "psychic" of the police department. He's not really a psychic though, just very observant and intuitive, although he wants to make people believe he's for real. It's kinda Nancy Drew-y but with the comic effect.

I'm now addicted to a lot of TV series, I still have a lot of DVDs lined up and I just want to take a looong vacation leave just to finish watching them.

*Sigh* Now, I just wish I have a 42" Sony Bravia HDTv to watch all my DVDs... =D (that would fit perfectly inside my room!).

Random Ramblings

I guess there's really nothing much to talk about. You see when it comes to blogging, I'm really like a painter, I'll only paint when I feel like it, or when I have an inspiration. Just like, today, I just feel like blogging. I don't want it to be forced or habitual that becomes like an obligation to those who read my blog. I think I have a few hits every now and then, I don't put tags in my blog. Only a few of my friends read this, just for update on what's happening in my life. So, I'm an unpredictable blogger.
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I'm now addicted again to DOTA TFT, a strategy game online or through LAN. "Again" because last time I remembered back in 2005, I spent around 15k just by playing DOTA in online shops. Don't get me wrong, I've always been addicted to PC games, Nintendo, "game and watch", Mario, Twin Bee, etc when I was in grade school. I used to sneak out of the house until around 7pm just to play in shops, squatters' area, with or without my guy cousin. In high school, I was addicted to Tetris, Othello, Pinball, Solitaire (yes even this). In college, I almost got addicted to counterstrike (but I found it to violent), I was a SIMs addict though, I confess.
Now, I'm back to my old habits again. Yes, they die hard. And they resurrect fast.
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Can you still be friends with your ex?
Again, this is just trail of thought writing...But really, can you?
Check out Gossip Girl S1 when Blair Warldorf and Nathaniel Archibald broke up, tried to go on separate ways, but still wants to be with each other.
At the back of their minds, doubts would always lurk.

I don't think I can, I mean past is past right? Who needs to have those can of worms opened again? Or better yet, just listen to what your heart says...

My Best Friend's Wedding

It was great to be reunited with your friends. How I'll miss them! Definitely one of the most memorable milestones in our lives.





Check out the pictures at these links:

My Multiply Site
Mitz's Multiply - she has a better camera!

'Til we meet again...

Human Age

A friend recommended this site. It's like Tomagotchi/SIMs. Your character will undergo the process of evolution if you take care of it. I'm still new at this, so I'm really just trying it out. It's hard living in the uncivilized world!
Here's the site below:

Virtual human development game



www.human-age.com

By posting this, I get to earn 40 kneecaps! Yey! I now have money to spend.

Kokology Kraze

In our training class, we were supposed to learn about technical stuff, like DNS, TCIP, PING, IPCONFIG, etc...Boring!
But, I'm always looking forward to ice breakers like Brain Benders, charades, Jeopardy, and just recently Kokology!

As per Wikipedia , Kokology is the study of kokoro which in Japanese means "mind" or "spirit". It's a psychological game, that would help you discover yourself.

Here's the first Kokology that we did. Now if you want to answer, remember to write down the first thought that you have and don't think about it too much, this is really a good one:

Deep in the Mountains

The mountains and the sea—nature has a power that draws us to her. After all we are all nature’s children, born into her world and fed on her bounty. No matter what marvels technology may develop, getting back to nature lets us feel truly alive. Medical science may make advances, but the best medicine will always be nature’s own healing power.

Your next journey will take you back to that green world, and what better setting for you to rediscover your natural self?

1. You have set off to climb a mountain, in search of a fabulously rare stone. What is your impression of the mountain as you stand at its foot?

2. After a hard search, you still haven’t found the stone, and now the sun has fallen. What will you do next?

3. You have finally discovered the stone you were seeking. What kind of stone is it? Describe its size, weight, and value.

4. Now it is time to come down from the mountain and return home. What parting words do you have for the mountain, and what is its reply?

Now if you want to know the interpretation of your answer click here.
Let me know what happened and I'll share my answer to you, too! =D

I Can See Clearly Now by Anne Murray

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)

Sun-Shiny day.
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I've been prayin' for
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

Look all around, there's nothin' but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin' but blue skies

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

Mai, asked me what my type of songs are when she was trying to decide for a wedding song.
I thought about it and I really don't have a specific genre in mind. But thinking about it, I like the ones with the words "beach", "sun", "sea", "sand", etc.
So, I think most songs of Bob Marley like that, also the Beach Boys... so I think it might be something like Reggae. Yup, that's it... I like Reggae songs, I like the beat of the drums and the happy rhythm. =D
I guess it fits my hopeless optimistic personality.