Inside and Out

I was waiting for my turn at the grocery express lane when the bagger accidentally dropped a pack of chips bought by the paying customer who turns out to be the tall, elegant, and beautifully poised woman in front of me in the line. The woman shouted at the bagger and cursed a lot, drawing attention from those around her. She then asked where the restroom is, and walked away cursing again because the comfort room is far from the grocery. It was my turn to pay when the bagger said, "She's beautiful but her attitude isn't." The cashier answered, "Looks are deceiving." I, myself, was surprised by how the woman reacted, all just for a bag of chips and a distant restroom. Well, at least she's potty-trained.^^

There are people who suffer not from failure but from success. They are those who become slaves of power, fortune, and beauty that they forget the essentials.

Being physically attractive, rich, and famous is nice, but having that inner beauty makes a person a whole lot beautiful.

(Photo: The reason for my soiled jeans and flops.^^ A small seedling struggling against extreme weathers in order to survive, silently and humbly as it grows to be a plant even bigger and more beautiful than those around it. May it remain humble enough to give shade to the smaller bushes.)

Hanging On

Some 24 hours ago, I was in a gut-wrenching state of confusion. Or should I call it a state of shock. To stabilise myself A.S.A.P.; I took a vacation at a resort spa somewhere in South.

If I were me 24 hours ago, I could have slapped my face with sense, and got spared of a day of loneliness I thought I could never bear. I am currently at the rooftop of a resthouse overlooking the serene beach, trying to cheat on life. I realized that I can have a small cup of tea while sitting on a relaxing chair and feel like I own the beach right before my eyes. The beach along which I walked alone this morning.

You might have had long walks by the beach before but definitely it's not with me. Because my strolls along the shore are boring as I take those times to ponder about the small things I don't usually pay attention to. My beach walks taught me that water is the best-tasting drink in the world, contrary to popular belief. But those moments, old-fashioned as they may seem, have saved me from drowning.

(Photo: a lantern at the resort spa, a lantern hanging on like me)

Simple Joys of Life

I let Nica get hold of my camera for a while. She had a great time taking pictures of the window, the stairs, her mom, cousins, and everybody else at the party. She had a good grip and knows how to focus. I had my camera back, and I was about to take a wacky photo of Wendell, myself, and her when she suddenly reached out for the shutter button and clicked. The resulting photo is blurry (as Wendell tickled me.. LOL), but clear enough to show how I enjoy being with these kids:

After her tiring photography lessons, Nica sat on my right thigh, hugged my left knee, and asked, "Can we do this again on Christmas?" I asked her back, "Why wait until Christmas?" Her face beamed with a smile and right there and then, I leaned back, pointed my camera at her, and captured a photo that would remind her of moments that I, myself, will never forget:



(Photos: priceless moments with my nephew Wendell and niece Nica)

Post-birthday Post

I turned 28 last October 13. I spent the whole day of my birthday at work. I noticed this petri dish of an antibiotic sensitivity assay I did the day before. The bacteria showed to be sensitive to several antibiotics, thereby creating zones of clearing in the culture medium, which to my delight appeared like Mickey Mouse's head. Aside from being my favorite cartoon character, I found the Mickey Mouse figures really cute that I did not regret spending my birthday with germs (LOL). After all, they gave me a lovely present.^^

(Photo: An E. coli isolate dreaming to make it to the Walt Disney Productions.)

Rainy Days and Saturdays

The raging storm has passed, we're not sure if there would be another one coming. Many people were left homeless, many were dead, and everyone found battling against it a terrible experience really (I'm talking based on experience).

Some of my relatives and friends are victims, too. But they got through easily because of a lot of people who helped, considering they also have a positive outlook in life and believe that the aftermath, too, shall pass. Lucky for them. Lucky for us. But how about the less fortunate ones, the poor people who once lived in small cardboard houses and now have completely nowhere to go? They only count on the kind hearts of generous people they hope do exist.

I have to say I was disappointed (again, as they always disappoint me) with politicians especially those who are running for the presidential election next year. They are so busy announcing about their contributions for the storm victims on radio, TV, and newspapers. Some even had their faces printed on packs of instant noodles (unbelievable..) and their names in bold prints on the plastic bags containing the relief goods (damn..). They went to evacuation centers with media and cameramen, showing their good deeds to everyone and on air; smiling and waving like they're on the limelight. What I wanted to point out is if they sincerely wanted to be of help, they would do it even without anybody looking. They took advantage of the situation to campaign for the elections that delivery of relief goods were even delayed because many of them wanted their "acts of kindness" to be seen by everyone. Their cameramen were the ones riding the boats (like they are aboard Noah's Ark) instead of the poor typhoon victims who needed to be transported to a safer place because the flood is still above the waist level in the particular area.

Many victims are now sick, suffering from skin diseases, diarrhea, fever, cough, and colds. There is still shortage of medicines and the nation is calling for kind-hearted doctors who could conduct medical missions to help the ill. That reminded me of my dream of becoming a doctor, but I wasn't able to pursue studying medicine because we didn't have that much to send me to med school. Anyway, I'm happy with my current profession and I know that we can always be of help to other people no matter where we are, in our own special ways. I know that no matter how little, it will make a difference. Besides, I believe that the prayers we incorporate into each bag of goods will be heard by God. We just have to keep the faith, and keep the keeping.

(Photo: As the saying goes; we must not ask God for a lighter rain, just pray for a bigger umbrella.)