#13: The Touch System

Daddy:  Anak, kunin natin yung libreng cellphone ko...ano bang libre?
Katrina:  Samsung Champ
Daddy:  Pakita nga kung ano yun!
Katrina:  Eto, o!
Daddy:  Anong features? (after reading...)  Aba, touch system pala eh!  Wow!  Touch system pa pala to, anak!  Okay ba yung touch system?  Touch system na yung sayo?  Mahal ba pag touch system?

(At paulit ulit tong touch system na to!  Hahaha!)

#12: Cathartic Weekend

This is the rest that matters.

When you're able to somehow know what's important.  Because you had time.  And you've thought about it. And you were serious when you say there is that space for freedom and choice.  And so you write it.  Then the next thing you do is profess it to some of the closest people even if you're not yet so sure if you make sense.  But nevertheless they believe in you and they think its a good plan.  Then to you tell you mother (this will happen soon).  For now, you go back again thinking you will have to work and plan how you'll survive day by day.  But at least now you have an end in mind.  And you're somehow excited.  Because you know what's important.  And that gives you the reason to carry on.

#11: Bitter sweet

Seriously?!

#10: Obsurd

The incorrect spelling of absurd. A reminder how overly incorrect and ridiculous it is to think that you are, in it's most cosmic form, enthralled by somebody. Whom you later find out is already married.

#9: Twang is just another something something

It was you just passing by.  And your lines.  And I've been shy.  But  I hope to see you again.

#8: Conjunction disconnection

I think of nothing.  After all, I'm not yet done.  I'm taking things slowly.  And the world is moving fast.  I just realized how much I need rest.  So, it's 3am and I'm up.  My heart is weary about things.  But I need to pray harder.  I took time to sit in silence.  Whereas I thought I know I could be better.  And so I just need to go back to work.  Therefore, I realize where I am.  I see how it's going to be at least for the next days. Since I'll be somehow ready.

#7: Please don't wake me, no don't shake me

When I wake up early in the morning,
Lift my head, I'm still yawning
When I'm in the middle of a dream
Stay in bed, float up stream

Please don't wake me, no
don't shake me
Leave me where I am
I'm only sleeping

Everybody seems to think I'm lazy
I don't mind, I think they're crazy
Running everywhere at such a speed
Till they find, there's no need

Please don't spoil my day
I'm miles away
And after all
I'm only sleeping

Keeping an eye on the world going by my window
Taking my time

Lying there and staring at the ceiling
Waiting for a sleepy feeling

Please don't spoil my day
I'm miles away
And after all
I'm only sleeping

Keeping an eye on the world going by my window
Taking my time

When I wake up early in the morning,
Lift my head, I'm still yawning
When I'm in the middle of a dream
Stay in bed, float up stream

Please don't wake me, no
don't shake me
Leave me where I am
I'm only sleeping 

-Beatles

#6: Last Night's Prayer

Please help me view the world with a different set of eyes.

#5: Work 2

My work is like this movie.  It makes me so afraid to fall asleep.  And when I do, it's a real nightmare-  Ohhh noooo!!!  What have I done?!@#$  I fell asleeeeep!!! Noooo!

#4: Riley

Riley is a rat. He eats leftovers and lives inside a shoe. He is what he is and he is content with his life. He enjoys his life, and he doesn't have to live long.  When you start comparing your life with Riley, you might get depressed over the fact that a rat's life is better than yours.

What is it about us that make us not satisfied with what we have?  Is Riley content with his life because he is a rat?  And we're not because we're human beings?  Is contentment the goal to happiness?  Or when there is happiness, we feel content?  What is so wrong about wanting more?  What is wrong about a good amount of ambition?  Why is it that the world was designed to completely nurture and support us and yet we we feel incomplete?

I don't know.  I can only suspect that Riley is happy and content because he is a rat and a rat's life isn't that complicated.  But in any case, if I do get to know the answer, I promise to write about it...if I'm still alive.

#3: My World is a Joni Mitchell Song

I did this in a workshop.  And this is what I found out about my world now...

The biggest continent includes my my students, my teaching and my family.
About the same size are conversations with friends and maybe, that 'spiritual' or 'philosophical' side of me now- reflecting about my dreams and aspirations and my purpose.
Followed by my degree or my studies.
Sadly, the smallest is my passion for music and arts.

And there I am, in a boat.  Trying to make the connections, not exactly the fastest way to wherever.

I am on a lonely road and I am traveling
traveling, traveling, traveling
Looking for something, what can it be
Oh I hate you some, I hate you some
I love you some


I'm posting this because I want to remind myself of how I robbed myself of passion and life to cope with the demands of my work.
I'm posting this because this tells me where I am, and maybe its natural that my world now is like this, but I want to see it change.
I'm posting this because I want to prove myself that I can change and that I can live a balanced life.
I'm posting this because I want to see my world expand and grow without forgetting who I am.
I'm posting this to remind me to play the drums again.
And I'm posting this to remind me that I had dreams that I can pursue, despite.

#2: Captain America and Captain Barbel

I think the movie greatly exemplified some of the Western culture namely:

• how super heroes are made by their people or by themselves (democracy and the advancement in research)
• collaboration- most of their heroes work with a team of people who are also accountable for the success
• America as a super power

Our super heroes also greatly exemplify some of the Filipino culture namely:

• reliance or dependence on others to have super powers- swallowing a stone, holding a barbel, the need of anting-anting- without them, they're helpless 
• lack of collaboration-  Darna, Captain Barbel, Lastic Man usually worked alone, until they get caught by their families
• lack of originality-  Captain America- Captain Barbel, Lastic Man is like Mr. Fantastic, Darna dressed up like Wonder Woman
• Filipinos as the underdogs, yet eventually cope and win
• Our super heroes are usually poor and with a simple lifestyle- the love for the masa

I guess this is to say how the simple cartoons and comics are able to form a picture of our identity as a nation.  And right there and then, we somehow see what's wrong...and what's admirable at some point.

#1: Work

I realized that most of the time, my relationship with my work is like divorce...where I stay for the kids.