Chasing Joy

I want to dedicate this space to a former office-mate who recently passed away due to brain tumor. I wanted to write about this probably because I felt a tinge of guilt or that admittedly, it makes me sad to think about him and about this sad circumstance. The week before Teody got comatose and consequently passed away, he went to visit me at the office- like he always did. Quite often than anybody who had ever visited me. He did that for one reason: he had longed, needed to get back to work at the CSC again. I knew he was gonna mention his pending work application. He was persistent in trying to be re-employed. And it dawned on me, since his coterminous employment with the ended in February 2011, Teody had struggled to get back to a more stable job. He had struggled for five years to make ends meet. Maybe I never really truly understood how much he needed it- not for himself but for his family. But even if I understood it clearly, I knew then and I know now that I could ...

For the past two days, I've been following CNN's coverage of Pope Francis' trip to the US. From day one when the Pope was received by Obama in the White House as Head of State to his address in the US Congress and the United Nations. For two days,I didn't get hold of the remote control to change channels. I almost didn't want to blink for a second- lest I miss a thing that the Holy Father would do or say. I am not an American; nor have I ever stepped in the US soil. But I know and I have seen what America is- I read about it everyday. I watched it on TV every night. That is why this entire visit of Pope Francis, so far, is turning out as surprising to me as how CNN journalists see it. You see, this is the most powerful country in the world and it's clear that despite its power and riches, it still longs for the fundamental and most important thing in the world. Love, compassion, humility, solidarity. I haven't seen the USA - with all it's personaliti...

I like all things philosophical. So I knew that I was going to like this movie even before I actually saw it. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty . Never have I imagined Afghanistan, Greenland and Iceland in a single movie. It was a feast in the eye. More than the visual effects though, I am drawn to the movie because I see myself in it. And when you see yourself in something, that something becomes meaningful to you. I’m a day-dreamer, too. I think I have a few episodes of zoning out but not the kind that Walter Mitty does. I would day-dream about another kind of life. I dream of me being a different person...living somewhere, being somewhere, doing something else. (Now, that's a confession.) I'm glad I saw this film. It's a great way to be inspired at the beginning of the year. I am never more alive than when I am in another place. A new place. A foreign land… And this movie reminds me of that. I wanna see the world. Really see it. My life starts right here. Right now. ...

The great Oprah said we don't always become what we want to and most of the times, we don't get what we want. But don't lose heart, because everything will be all right. Yes, everything will be all right. I t's a new year, a new start. Same old dreams (with a bit of new ones, too). On the first day of 2014, and bringing with me the lessons of the past year, with a renewed sense of hope and energy, I find myself eager to see the world (world as a relative term :-) ) again.  Really see it. The way I used to. Like a wanderer's fearless motivation...an explorer's curious imagination... Or simply, just like my old self- finding some beautiful place and getting lost. I have grown up (and old) to know that there's no other way. Here we go, 2014 !

It was Friday night. And I was in love all over again. Out to a concert with one of my closest friends and we were in for a real musical treat. I believe Aiza Seguerra's anniversary concert - Bente Singko, was one of the best local concerts I've ever seen. What with an orchestra conducted by one great Filipino musician, Gerald Salonga. It was unassuming. Straightforward. No frills. Just plain talent. Soulful songs. And when songs get too personal, I couldn't help but sing my heart out. That's when I knew I never really forgotten what love was..nor did love really leave me. Now that can be told. After watching the concert and sipping a glass of mangojito That night, I had a glass of mangojito. As if love was not enough to pull my spirits up. Cheers to those who are in love and always will be!

It dawned on me that everything in life is never ending. Your needs, wants, desires and even your hopes and dreams are consistently being met up . Even your search for that one true thing seems to be a  continuing saga. It's an epic trail of finding and suspecting and learning  and moving on again. Just when you thought you found it, just when your hopes were high, suddenly life would show you otherwise. But I just cant stop now. Nor can I turn my back. The search continues. I may have to change course but it ain't over yet. 

I obviously overdid the entire days off from work. Office resumes tomorrow and I find myself wishing I should have gone to the beach. I was visualizing sitting on white sands, staring at the vastness of the sea and just thinking blankly- not forcing myself to certain thoughts. Whatever comes to mind, comes to mind. I feel most free when I'm doing just that. I now ask myself why do I always feel strong about seeing seas rather than mountains, or plain fields, or skyscrapers...each time I get this need to indulge in deep thoughts. When I stare at the seas, I could stare for so long without blinking. It is a picture of infinity. My thoughts could run endless and limitless as the seas. The seas to me are both a wonder and a scare. Being in the water is fun and water gives life, as they always say. Yet again, people also take risk of drowning themselves in the water. It's not all life and beauty. There can also be tragedy and fear. Which is pretty fair I guess. Life is something lik...