> The Life Of Michael Jackson









> Another Michael

I am one of those Michaels who may not necessarily been named after him but wouldn’t mind being tagged as one. After all, who wouldn’t wish to be like him? When I heard Myah saying the news, I immediately confirmed/googled it. Everyone expressed how they feel bad about it and how in some way or another, his legacy, his music created an impact on their lives.

Michael Jackson’s half century was lived almost wholly in the glare of the media searchlight, so hardly surprising that his death yesterday is causing a real stir. It’s odd, really.

Obviously I’ve never met him, never even seen him in concert. But the news of his death has definitely made an impact. The means of news spreading in the early 21st. century has ensured that his death was first tentatively announced on a showbiz website, spread quickly across the blogs, was given coverage before it was confirmed on 24 hour news sites like Sky and the more cautious BBC, and has resulted in loads of status comments on facebook. The status comments are both ones of shock [usually a brief RIP], some regret, and quite a deal of humour and references to the controversies of his legal battles over his actions with under-age boys.

Clearly not everyone feels the same about the eccentric artist. Regardless of how you feel about him, one has to recognize the man was a great musician, talented beyond belief and suffered greatly, as many artists do. His unexpected death is going to give all of his fans a hard blow. He touched millions, and that in and of itself is a feat on it’s own. He changed the face of music, not only his own but also how music was presented including choreography and costumes as well as music video presentation, particularly the “Thriller” album video production.

I’m more than touched by the sad loss of a controversial person who also held many treasured memories in my childhood. He may have had a rocky life but he gave so many so much and he paid for it dearly in the press, who loved to make him the sacrificial pig. He will dearly be missed. He is the next John Lenon, Elvis Presley, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix. The ones who leave us before their time is due and before the public has begun to get enough of them.

“If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.” - Michael Jackson

I do not think that I could truly and honestly put into words what Michael Jackson meant to me, but I can tell you that it was something more then words can describe. Some of my earliest and fondest memories involve the performer, the legend, and the man they call the King of Pop. The fact that this extraordinary man has passed has still not hit me in full, but I already cannot help but wonder why such an inspirational talent was taken much too soon.

Michael Jackson was one of the few performers in this world who had been to hell and back and still possess the rare ability to rise above the ashes, like a phoenix, and be able to inspire and move millions in this world. He will be greatly missed by those millions of fans, including me. I write this with a heavy-heart and tear-streaked cheeks, knowing that the ache that has manifested itself within my heart will remain as the world and I come to terms with this terrible loss.

To you Katukayo Michael, you are gone, but will not be forgotten.

> Old? Are You?

Last weekend, my cousins came over our place to celebrate my younger brother’s birthday. It was one of those rare ocassion that we get to bond and to hear about each other’s WTFs [pun intended].

It’s funny to realize how time already affected our thoughts about life, what we enjoy and what we pursue. It’s eerie when you have one of those “I’m getting too old for this shit” moments. You tell yourself that you aren’t getting old. Your sister or brother, or cousins smirk when you say it, and you know that you aren’t “that” old. Are you?

You’re preparing for a few rounds of beer pong at a kegger and suddenly you realize that you’re getting to be the old guy at the party. Not the really old guy, but that’s coming too. Everybody’s calling me Kuya already. I’m already the oldest in the family [from my Mother's side] who’s left unmarried. So when the hell did this happen? Why just yesterday you were in college boozing it up with your buddies, being the favorite young apo of your Lolo and now it’s… damn. It’s more than four years later and you’re wondering if all that boozing is finally beginning to catch up with you. You can’t quite figure out when all that time passed.

There’ll be times where you come to a party alone you end up partnering up with some little shit whose pants are hanging so low that you can see six inches of his boxer shorts and a clear outline of his buttocks whether you want to or not. He’s wearing a wifebeater and he’s got the faintest trace of a five o’clock shadow where his excuse-for-a-mustache is attempting to grown in. This is commonly referred to as a Glen Burnie Stache.

I am beginning to realize now what my parents were thinking when I left the house in my teenage years, although I swear that my pants were never “that” low around my waist. At worst I would be showing an inch of boxers, buttocks fully contained within the pants.

When you recover from your trip down memory lane, the youngster is busy raving about how he can drink all night without hangovers. Concurrently he is halfway through a fifth of gin, a 30-pack of Marlboro Lights, three 40’s of Winston Lights.. and tells you that it’s no problem, he’s had more with supper.

Right. I remember those days, proclaiming that I was indestructable with my Ka-Baste’98 in tow, immune to hangovers, invincible, waterproof, and invisible… all at the same time. I was right, too. No hangovers for whatever reason, no matter what sludge [that was passed for booze] was consumed the previous days. The invisibility came in handy too.

These days, two beers and it’s hangover time in the morning. It doesn’t matter how much you attempt to rehydrate yourself the night before, you still wake up feeling like ass. Those younger days are over, even if they were only a year or two ago. Pass the Advil, please.

> He’s Over

I was really surprised yesterday when I received a message from Skad. He asked me to call him, and so I obliged. It has been quite a while since we had a converstaion. How-are-yous and what-has-beens have been uttered until we came to the point of talking about what made us connected or the person which serves as our common denominator [Kiko].

With every relationship, there is always the anxiety of whether it will last long or be cut short by unpleasant circumstances or unwanted events. People go through varied breakups and anguish of a lost love. Though unfavorable in itself, the degree of each happening is diverse. It can be amicable or it can be rough for individuals involved. Regardless of how each relationship ends, no one certainly wants to go through such phase. Getting over a lost love is dealt with differently by various people. There are those who are strong enough to face the pain, while others beg for strength to cope. Nevertheless, to get over a lost love, you must learn to comprehend and accept all that had happened.

It was a relief that finally, he’s emotionally stable and can just smile about the things that happened. It’s quite encouraging how he can now look back in his lost relationship and examine closely what happened and why they happened. I just like what I usually say, do not entirely blame yourself for what happened. It may not be completely your fault or was never really your fault. By really thinking of all the reasons why it all ended will help you fully understand that it definitely takes two individuals to build a relationship. Yet at times, one antagonistic person is enough to destroy and end it.

It’s funny how your “supposedly committed” couple-friends end up “pursuing” each other’s partner. And then there will be the issue of trust, infidelity, betrayal and selfishness. It is essential for you to take the time to identify which area or areas in your past relationship that you failed or somehow contributed to its demise to aid you in your future relationship for you to avoid the same missteps.

Accepting the pain of a lost love will help you recover more easily rather than not facing the painful truth. Cry if you feel like it. Getting over a lost love does not go by without shedding tears, feeling hurt and alone and sometimes, it even feels like you messed up. Accept your share of mistakes in the relationship. Taking such responsibility is healthy, but also keep in mind that you are a great person who is worthy to be loved. Denial is also natural but acceptance will better help you recover and move on.

I’ll be seeing him this weekend and I know there will be more stories to tell. For now I’ll just be happy for having another friend “getting over” the dillema of breaking up.

> One Liter Of Gratitude

I love writing, reading books, watching movies or even simple stories.

The past few weeks, I have been doing a lot of reading and TV watching. I love everything that touches the heart and soul in a variety of ways. Some may make you feel uplifted, others angry or frustrated, and still others may make you feel sad or melancholy. I can still remember Paulo Coelho as a writer who can change the way you think. After reading his Alchemist I became an ardent fan of his. In this book I found him to be one of the most gifted writers of our time. He has portrayed the life of a guileless village girl who by force of circumstances becomes a prostitute. The way she accepts the life of a courtesan not out of choice but out of compulsions beyond her control. The narrative makes us feel sorry for that hapless girl, no hatred. In such a story there is no vulgarity any where. Great writers of Paulo Coelho’s class only can do it. My heart was so heavy when I finished that novel. What a practical girl she becomes after so much of experience and decides to take the plunge into family life also with ease. Fantastic novel. If you have not read it please read it. It is worth reading.

Another story caught my “currently” sentimental state. Have you heard about the Japanese Tele Novela – One Liter of Tears?

This beautifully moving drama is based on the real-life struggles of a 15-year-old girl named Aya who suffered from an incurable disease, but lived life to the fullest until her death at 25. The script is based on the diary Aya kept writing until she could no longer hold a pen.

Aya’s only wish was “to live.” By carefully depicting Aya’s earnest desire to live, and the love of her family, friends, and lover, the drama, “One Litre of Tears” wishes to deliver her simple but strong message: “Just being alive is such a lovely and wonderful thing.”

These made me realize that there are really so many thing we should be thankful for. We wake up in every morning in an age of unprecedented comfort. We live in luxury that would have been the envy of kings.

We enjoy freedom of thought, conscience and religion few in history were ever allowed. In many ways we really do have it good. So much of the modern convenience we take for granted did not exist a few generations ago.

Our lives and relationships will be blessed if we can instill gratitude into our character. Our thankfulness needs to sink to a deeper, more personal level. That’s what happens when we recognize the grace of Christ and our indebtedness for His atonement.

Gratitude unburdens our spirit from negative emotions and gives room for charity in our hearts. It opens the windows of heaven to work miracles in our lives. It shines light in our caring for others.

Our expressions of thanks should be specific. Vague wording and broad generalizations don’t serve much useful purpose. Expressing gratitude for particular attributes and actions can motivate character growth in those areas. And on a personal level, gratitude instills in our own hearts proper feelings of respect for each other which makes enduring love possible.

The series is rather short compared to other dramas. It is definitely worth watching and I would recommend it to anyone. The theme song, Walang Hanggan by Wency Cornejo featuring Cookie Chua, fits well with the drama and the emotions that the characters go through. Overall, it’s an incredibly emotional drama series that will definitely touch your heart.

Walang Hanggan (One Liter Of Tears OST) – Wency Cornejo feat Cookie Chua

> Fulfilling Weekend

This weekend was so relaxing. I felt like I accomplished everything I set out to do, but only the fun stuff, which was a nice change of pace.

I spent time watching and catching up with so much of my TV addiction stuff which of course I always find enjoyable. I had the chance to bond with some friends for lunch and mall strolling.

Got some new reading at the bookstore. This book that I’ve been eyeing for a while was finally marked down and I had to get it. I just love the cutout cover. I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but it really is beautiful. The book itself is enjoyable too.

I got so sick of all same old-same old I’ve been wearing, that I went out and purchased a new pang-porma pair. I needed a dose of spring and just went for it, even if I suspect that it makes me look a little too easter basket-y [you know I dig plaids].

I woke up early and did the grocery shopping. It was all fun and it felt really good. I think I’ll be doing that again very soon. It was my follow-up attempt to be a more responsible Kuya to my younger siblings and I’m proud of myself that it turned out so well. My mother will be so proud.

I have decided to get ourselves a new computer set this week and to continue on accomplishing my “to do list”. Hurrah! I love happy endings.

So after taking a few days to recharge my physical and mental batteries, I’m again back on the blogging wagon.  I really didn’t have anything new to share the last couple of days as I still suffer from post Boracay blues. I thought I would sit back, take it all in, and let it process. Surprisingly, nothing that exciting happened. I have come to realize that I lead a pretty structured and scheduled, spontaneous life. What? Yeah, I’m really good at deciding to do something on a whim, however they are the same things almost every time. I could sit and stare at the TV for hours and then all of a sudden “lets go out”.  I’m glad the whole Boracay escapade happened and some others jumped on the wagon too. Now, I think it would be nice to get dressed up with a bunch of friends and go out for dinner. I don’t mean dressed up like last yesterday, I mean shirt and tie stuff. Although going out in public with someone new would be great too! Edit this part please.

And yeah, I’m having this photo space for Jo-Ann because I wasn’t been able to attend her surprise birthday party. 

JO-ANN

> Boracay ‘09

The initial plan was to visit Singapore, Malaysia and nearby countries. But we kept putting it off. So when Al [yes, we have the same name] texted me about the change of plan, I hesitated at first.

I didn’t feel comfortable with the idea that I’ll be with his friends [like they were more than 20?] I barely knew. I have met most of them from a birthday party before but was not given the chance to truly bond.

When the plan pursued, weather forecast started to bother me. The hassles of the travel made me feel anxious. First, I did not think that the weather will cooperate for a perfect Boracay trip and the transfers from plane to land vehicle to boat to land vehicle didn’t sound like child’s play. Then, the work loads, the finances and other stuffs started to pile up. Then, we transferred place, new gadgets and plane tickets sounded too much of a luxury. But all of that is now behind us and we finally went last week.

Sure, the sun shown and the fine white sand on the beach didn’t scorch my feet even under the midday heat.

Sure, the sunset was picture pretty. But as our first day in Boracay drew to a close, I was more than ready to voice out my disappointment. I wasn’t impressed, I didn’t find it relaxing, I didn’t understand what the big deal was. I didn’t feel how it used to be there. I suppose it’s just fashionable to be seen in Boracay. It’s hip to be with the hip crowd, that sort of thing. Vlads [first timer] even mentioned that Boracay was just over rated. Really, I felt no excitement at the fact that I had to jostle my way through the crowded beach.

But then again, I have to admit that it was too early at that point to judge Boracay after having seen nothing but White Beach. By dinner time, I was willing to concede that the tables on the brightly lit beach did have a charm all their own. Still, I don’t feel the previous Boracay feeling, I kept wishing there will be more to Boracay than what I have been seeing so far. Good thing we played cards [lucky nine] where the one who loses will be painted with “uling” all over the face. I then realized, it’s not all the Boracay thing-y that I need, but the company of good and friendly people. The night was then filled with laughters and cheers.

There’ll be no perfect way to describe the next few days but through these photos.

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Thank you Reno, Joan, Chester, Steff, Rizza, Marvin, Ton, Al, Josef, Doy, Vlads, Andrew, Takay, Ciay, Aira, Charlie, MV and Maan’s Group. You rock!

> Post-Bora

I had a great unplugged-from-the-grid long weekend, from which I finally got back from late last Tuesday. This morning I actually sat in front of my computer and, though I had a million things to say, couldn’t seem to get them down right on the blog.

Instead, here are some pictures of me spending time with great friends and enjoying the analog life.

bora01

bora02

I might have the brains to write down the details tomorrow.

 

> Happy Friends

It has always been a pleasant experience to eat with friends. You get to talk, share food and laugh your hearts out. I always think that friends who laugh together stay together. Don’t you agree? There may be times when you are having some sort of cold vibes with your friend and suddenly your friend says something incredibly funny. You crack up and the laughter breaks the ice. It maybe the joke is too banal for anyone else to laugh at it, but that doesn’t matter, does it? There are always some inside jokes that you share with your friends and these have become part of the fabric of your friendship. The point is that you “get” each other’s sense of humor.

happymoments

I have some ever-green jokes that I share with my friends as well, like different lines from funny movies or jokes from stand-up comics. Or my reaction when I made a fool of myself or where my stupidity let loose. Reminiscing the funny moments or our lives, the old times you shared with old friends even with those who could not consider you as a friend anymore. Sometimes it seems as if it happened yesterday, while sometimes it seems as if the events happened in some other lifetime.

With friends in tow, I can’t ask for more.

> Boracay Na!

Few more hours and I’ll be off to Boracay. I’m really excited and at the same time praying that Mother Nature will be with us. Please dont send your rain army there. Please, please, pretty please…?

boracay09

> Charice’s Note To God

In this fast-paced times, we often forget to set some time for prayer. In our effort to make money or to finish our worldly tasks, we forget to talk to our God.

While I was still in college and living with my Uncle’s family [he's a Baptist Church Pastor], He would usually ask me, How’s your prayer life? My answer would always be, good, fine, great!

Now, I just pray before meals so I just imagine if he’ll ask me again. “What prayer life? I don’t have a prayer life. I’m too busy!” Yes, we are all quite busy, but is that a legitimate excuse?

We all make time for what we value the most. Have you gotten into the good habit of talking to Him on a regular basis?

This one caught my attention earlier.

For the third time in her young, promising career, Charice made an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show. The internet singing sensation debuted her first single titled “Note to God.” The haunting and emotionally charged single was produced by the legendary David Foster and written by Grammy winner, Diane Warren. Charice’s performance is part of a special episode marking the finale of “Oprah’s Search for the World’s Smartest and Most Talented Kids”.

Like Winfrey, one of the world’s most influential women, Charice herself was teary eyed as she belted out the last part of the song amid cheers and applause from the audience.

> Chipmunked Charice

I was searching for new songs to be downloaded for my Bora vacation when I heard Charice’s Fingerprint song playing. Since it’s been a while I havent featured anything about her, I decided to check for updates. You know how I admire Charice and this blog has been a witness and a good follower of her every move. Anyway, Charice is in the cast of Alvin and the Chipmunks 2, a live action-animation production by 20th Century Fox currently shooting in L.A. and slated to be shown in the Philippines in January 2010.

In the scene, Charice represents her school at a singing contest in which she sings the Alicia Keys’ song No One, competing with other contestants that include The Chipmunks. We all know that Alvin and the Chipmunks is a five-time Grammy winning and one-time American Music Award winning animated music group created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. in 1958. It is composed of three singing animated chipmunks: Alvin, the mischievous trouble-maker who quickly became the star of the group; Simon, the tall, bespectacled intellectual; and Theodore, the chubby, impressionable sweetheart. The trio is managed by their human father and confidant, David Seville, and were named after the executives of their original record label, Liberty Records: Alvin Bennett [the president], Simon Waronker [the founder and owner] and Theodore Keep [the chief engineer].

Since then, the Chipmunks have recorded several albums, one of them consisting of Beatles songs which should be familiar to baby boomers. They have also done TV shows and a few movies, the last having been Alvin and the Chipmunks in 2007 with Justin Long [former boyfriend of Drew Barrymore] as Alvin.

Truly, Charice will be a part of the success of this movie and even though there are still speculations on how big a role she is slated to play, the fact that she is part of a major movie is good enough. More than enough actually.

Here’s another to spice up our day.

> Lead Me

I have been busy for the last few days. My check up will be tomorrow, Friday. I have the next day to prepare for my trip, which will begin on Monday until Tuesday. It is now Thursday [I'm not making a day review, I'm not even trying to make sense, I'm just thinking of which word will be next to construct this entry], 9:31 AM and I should be preparing to sleep already.

This is the 4th day of my desperate attempt to build my “let’s-get-organized-paradigm”. Another day of static thinking and static ways. Today I’ll embrace flexibility in thought, action and design.

Gone now are the days when regret reign unchecked and unanswered. Gone are the fleeting moments of glory and triumph. Gone are the wallowing fortnights of guilt and despair. For now, there is now. All that remains is all that ever was.

I will become not the victim of society.

Just a random thought.

 And yeah, I just created a new “tagalog” blog site.

> Let’s Be Organized

I’m trying to be more organized nowadays. I realized how lazy I’ve been and I’m having a hard time getting over it already. I’ve been almost two years here in my company already and I haven’t filed my clearance from my previous company yet. I always have this pathetic excuse of not going. I still have my back pay and if they will follow the regular business procedure, I can still have my 10k+ commission. I don’t have SSS ID, TIN ID, NBI ID or any government issued IDs. That’s the main reason I usually have a hard time doing business transactions because I cannot present any aside from my company ID and yet I was not doing anything.

Last Monday, I applied for my SSS ID and then I Realized I need to see a dentist for my prophylaxis really soon. It has been almost a year since my last visit. I had already cancelled three times, and I couldn’t cancel again, so I need to force myself to go.

My Aunt’s Lola told me the story of why she got all her teeth pulled when she was 24 years old. She says her bottom teeth were beautiful, all straight, white and perfect. It was the top molars that kept getting “rotting from the inside out”.  I think she also said her front teeth had a cavity in between them since she was a teenager and so she had a big filling there.

She was four months pregnant and one day she just decided she was getting her teeth pulled. She went to the “Thrifty Credit Dentist” and he pulled all of the teeth in the right side of her mouth one day, and the left the next day.  Shortly after she left his office she began to hemorrhage.  Luckily she knew a friend that was able to help her stop the bleeding by stuffing a wad of gauze in between her gums and told her to clamp her mouth shut tight.

The dentist didn’t make impressions of her teeth, and handed her a set of teeth to use. They never fit. She said she eventually went to Mexico and they made her a set of “horse” teeth. She said they were so huge she couldn’t even shut her mouth around her teeth.

So after that she went for a solid year with no teeth. She learned to gum everything but carrots, she said.

Her husband finally found a second job that he could take on to get together the money needed for her new teeth. After all they had six children at home, the youngest just over a year old, so she couldn’t go out and work a job. Especially since she had no training and didn’t even have a high school education. This was in the 1960’s I guess.

I was having an anxiety attack about my dentist visit, and I have to tell you, the story she told me wasn’t helping.

Finally she finished and told me the moral of the story is to go to the dentist and take care of my teeth.

But do you know that it is possible to remineralize your teeth? Did you know that you can heal cavities? Yes, it is possible.  If any dentists know about it, they probably don’t mention it because the dietary changes that must be adopted are significant.

One day I’ll put up a post on the things you need to remineralize your teeth. But for now, I’ll tell you the first thing you need to stop doing is stop using commercial toothpaste of any kind that contains glycerin. This is because the glycerin coats your teeth and prevents your teeth from remineralizing.

Uh, about my title.  I need to ask my dentist to drill and fill a small surface cavity on one of my molars.

> Heartburn

I still feel sick today. I have this gnawing or burning stomach pain since Saturday. I feel so bloated, nauseated and the heartburn’s killing me. It must be my chronic dyspepsia or the acid reflux. I thought I’ll be rushed to the hospital again the other night. I used a binder for my stomach and forced my self to sleep.

ouch

I woke up with the sound of the wind tapping my window. I felt a little better so I tried to have buttermilk and some biscuits. Oh yeah, I saw Xmen Origins : Wolverine and enjoyed it! I thought it was more like a comic book format, skipping from one scene to another quickly. Others didn’t like that but I found the characters engaging, and it zipped along at a neat pace!

Uh well, that was my weekend. I hope I’ll get better because the pain’s rising again. Ouch!

> New Moon’s Official Movie Trailer

Another stressful week started. Good thing I had the chance to meet Bella and Edward again, and Jacob too!

The latest hype surrounding “Twilight” is of course the release of this trailer. I’m sure my cousin Mikky will be all too excited again especially now that she’ll be studying here in Manila already. The last time I saw her, I gave her my Twilight book because she was dying to have one. It is obvious that the internet will be flooded with the reviews of this 15-second footage of the New Moon trailer, but does that matter? Yes, it certainly does. The innumerable reviews does matter in terms of its effect on the Twilight fans.

The official trailer of the New Moon providing a sneak preview of the whats in store will not only heighten the anticipation of the fans but will also function as a kind of a barometer, with which one can gauge viewability of the “New Moon”.

Additionally, the official trailer of the New Moon will also act as my own mean to satisfy my Twilight anticipation knowing the fact that Edward won’t be gracing the screen long.

I love the novels. I’ve read each of them twice already and can’t wait to see the trailer, but I’m getting exhausted by all of the ridiculous headlines I see around the web. After enduring all of the craziness, I’m really hoping the trailer blows me away. I don’t want to get to a point where I’m like, I just don’t care anymore.

So here it is.

> Our Nina

Nina, my officemate/true friend bade goodbye last Friday. She’ll be seeking for greener pasture and raking better opportunities. We love her dearly for everything about her. It’s sad but I know it will make her happy.

Anyway, this is the card I made for her. We [I, Kelly, Z, Almsie, Carlo, Nina] had dinner at C2 Shangri La Plaza and enjoyed our last moments [at least as officemates] together. I will miss her so much. 

nina_card

> Catch Me, I’m Single

Edward, our shift manager and a friend announced that he just got out of a 5 year relationship. We talked about our attitude towards relationship and up to what extent we can allow ourself to do. he’s the I’ll-give-you-all type while I remained to be the paranoid and NSA type of guy.

I enjoy my life and does not even consider or not seeing myself into a relationship in the coming days. Each has his own stand or words to say about being single. One in particular stands out everyday: sad being single. Of course I have no idea who the people are typing those three timid little words. I don’t know if they are male or female. What race they are. But none of that matters of course. I have the same message: Don’t be. Another one that comes up is a variation of being recently single after a relationship split.

available

The benefits of being single may not outweigh the benefits of being in a relationship for you personally, but put things in perspective. Now it’s just you. You don’t have to answer to someone else when you want to go out and do things without the other person — oh like boys’ night out, a boy’s frolic to a the local strip joint, a quick road trip, etc. I’m being slightly tongue in cheek on at least one of those suggestions. Bottom line: Claim your freedom! I’m not insensitive enough to say “get over it.” That’s unrealistic. You deserve the right to be broken up about being broken up. Have your moment. Then get past it. Yep, this is all advice and I know my disclaimer says this isn’t an advice blog. It isn’t. But I hope it’s a haven for everyone who feels upset, sad, disappointed about becoming single or still being single.

He or she will come along with so many other good things so just enjoy the time you have now.Reevaluate. Look at this as a time to reflect. Yep, that sounds sappy. But just do it. Reflect with a glass of wine if you must. Reflect with the pictures you have with friends. Write a blog. Whatever gets you focused. I like a combo of all three myself. Er, maybe not that first one…

Exercise realistic optimism: Once you are over being in the dumps, see this as an opportunity for a chance to start again but realize that you need to always be prepared to be alone. Share your day with another person who is single. The stories alone should brighten your outlook. There is always something to laugh about — trust me.

All of these suggestions are also good for those who are sad being single, still. But really, there’s nothing to be sad about. Embark in new things you could never experience with another person. Just reevaluate.

Singles out there, I’m single. Fiery hot!

> Beautiful Cheater

I just came back from my lunch break earlier when a guy friend called, asking me if I know anything going on between her girl and another guy. He was really devastated and all. I assured him that I don’t know any and just advised him to stay home and don’t do anything stupid and consider the thought that he might just be reacting way too much… Whew! here I am again.

cheater

With all the media hype sex scandals are getting nowadays, I remember Dra. Vicki Belo saying “I keep trying to see the purpose behind this, and for women to realize that they have to be careful, and for women to realize that if somebody has a girlfriend, you shouldn’t go in there and steal him,” – in an interview aired over GMA’s Unang Balita.

If you’re suspecting that your partner is doing bullshit behind you think for a minute about how your partner might try to dismiss your accusations [we were just joking around, I was just flirting, it was a misunderstanding, we are just friends, nothing happened, etc.]. If you can anticipate how your partner is likely to respond, you can try to gather the evidence you need to counter what he or she says.

The important things to keep in mind are being thorough in finding evidence, taking notes on any little thing, and saving everything.

Sadly, too many relationships end from cheating partners. I am not sure if the cheaters realize how much damage they are truly causing to someone they say they loved! Most people in some way or another have had to deal with this major epidemic. There are many people that will argue that monogamy is unnatural and that is why people are all too often tempted by others. I have to disagree since being in love is one of the greatest feeling is the world, but I do understand how easy it is to be tempted.

My side? I just believe that these cheaters will soon find what they really need and deserve.

There are some signs of cheating that are not always obvious to the partner being cheated on. Sure, staying out late constantly, giving you lame excuses for not being with you, and sly phone calls in the middle of the night are all clear signs that something is going on. However, there are a few others that will surprise you. Here are a couple of the less common ones.

Is your partner taking better care of himself or herself? A change in hairstyle, shopping for a new wardrobe [especially if it is without you], increasing trips to the gym can all be warning signs of an affair.

Has your partner’s taste in things suddenly changed? For example, his choice in music could be fast moving in another direction, or she I had access to the symphony.

Does your better half spend more time at the PC and less time with you? The internet has been one of the best communication tools of choice for cheaters. It agony and the capability to wipe the evidence with a few keystrokes.

Is your partner more irritable? He or she may be every one of reasons: it is a good way to self-justify his behavior, and also serves as a good excuse for her to “go for a drive” to cool off. Or heat up.

Is there suddenly a new cell phone that your better half uses often? Frequently cheaters desire a technique to speak with their paramours that belongs only to them. Not only does it permit them more privacy, but also gives them a feeling of the safety that incorporates isolation from the rest of the world.

Has your partner cheated before? If this is so you are likely the next victim if other indications of a cheating partner are present. It may be hard for habitual cheaters to switch habits.

Beautiful Liar – Shakira

There are so many ways to catch a cheating partner so just open your eyes and be sensitive. She might look too beautiful now but have you tried asking, is she doing that for me? or for somebody else? Come on. Ask.

> Never Say Die

Do you still remember the last line of the American Civil War novel “Gone With The Wind”? where Scarlett O’Hara said “Tara. Home. I’ll go home, and I’ll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day”?

This joins “Fiddle-dee-dee!” and “Great balls of fire!” as lines spoken by Scarlett O’Hara that have become commonplace in the language.

And Ted Kennedy’s “The hope still lives” — deep, inspired words — “And the dream shall never die.”

Have you watched the new Lucky Me commercial which features an adorable kid crying because he was not chosen for a basketball team?

 

Young boy:
12 lang ang napili sa tryout
Pang-13 ako
Praktis ako nang praktis
Huhuhuuuu… may uniform na ‘ko
‘Nay, bakit?

Voice over:
‘Pag Nanay ka alam mo’ng magpapasarap sa araw niyang masaklap.

Mother: Mag Lucky Me ka muna. Ano’ng sabi ng Nanay?

Young boy : Never say die
Mother: Ano pa?
Young boy: Tomorrow’s another day

Young man : Our dreams shall never die!

I remember my young nephew every time I watch this. I miss him so much but can’t do anything to be with him yet. He never failed to touch my heart.

I would usually call his Mom [my sister] everytime its flashed on the tube “Ang anak mo!”

Let us keep it alive in all that we do; because so much can be done, if we would just believe in that dream, and then act on it.