Travels and Adventures

I'm just an ordinary person who loves to communicate through writing rather than talking :). I'm not extraordinary at writing either; it's just something I enjoy besides reading and singing. I created this blog because I believe there are a lot of you like me out there and I want to learn about you and your experiences. I'm less outgoing than the average female- that I know- but I'm flexible and easygoing enough to enjoy what should be enjoyed. I admit I became a little 'kill joy' once when I had a 'not-so-mature' boyfriend and I lost some 'not-so-understanding' and 'quick-to-judge' friends. I'm not so proud about that and of course I can't blame it all on him (or them) and if I could turn back the time, I would. It was just as well because I learned who my real friends are. Life must go on. I thank those people who stood by me despite of what happened. Thank you so much. You know who you are. I'm glad I have you as my friends.:)

Now, let me ask you: do you love to travel? I do. Although I don't always get the chance to do so what with work and all, but when I get the chance I make sure I enjoy it as much as I can. I love going to other places especially those that get me closer to nature because I don't get to do that often nowadays. Nature has its way of soothing my hurts, troubles and worries. It helps me solve (though sometimes temporarily) my problems. It makes me open up my mind to possibilities, and it boosts my creativity. Do you feel the same? A lot of people I know do. Its ironic though that some of us who grew up in rural areas would eventually prefer to live in the hustle and bustle of a city - like me. But I always like to go back and savor the clean air and the peace and quiet that most rural areas bring. I could sigh right now because I miss San Carlos City where I grew up and spent most of my childhood and teenage years. It's a small city in Negros Occidental, about an hour and a half from Bacolod City by bus or vehicle for hire (v-hire) and about four to six hours by bus from Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. It's a relatively peaceful city; most of the folks are pretty simple although a good many of them are wealthy hacienderos or hacienderas. Perhaps I could post some pictures of my hometown- it's a nice place really, perfect for soul-searching activities (and after all, home is where the heart is, right?) Yes, I'd definitely include some photos here. Anyways, I'd not been to many places in the Philippines but I've been to a few with great memories, and one very exciting experience in Singapore. See some of the photos I'll be posting later! :)

And oh, I'd love to hear about your experiences too; anything at all. Be it about family, love, friends or your travels. Feel free to share them here :)

The Nose Knows

In this world, there are what you call people who are on the mission of finding out as much juicy details about other people as possible. You find them at the workplace, at school, and just about anywhere. In the English-speaking countries like the U.S., they are called Nosy Parkers or Nosy Nellies. In the Philippines, we call them Juan Usyusero or Maria Usyusera.

Based on some experiences which prodded me to find out more about these type of persons, I learned that there are those who ask you direct questions that just take you by surprise, and those more creative ones who will start off with general chit-chat, complementing you even, and finally lulling you into a false sense of security as they prepare to knock you off your guard and provoke some kind of reaction from you.

There are probably exceptions for being an usyusero or an usyusera. That is- if you were a doctor because you want an accurate diagnosis, a researcher because you want to know the facts, a reporter because you want the details of an event, or if you were simply in show business— because “the more you know the juiciest details about a person (celebrity), the better.” The public will love it and they will love you. Or so you think. If the situation were reversed and you were the hotshot celebrity, you would probably put more value on privacy, don’t you think?

Sure, we are naturally curious beings. Our curiosity enabled us to explore the wonders of the universe, to discover medicines for grave illnesses, and to do things that we never thought possible in the past. The thing is-- sometimes, we just get way over the line that we step on other people’s shoes. We just don’t know when to back down. We want to satisfy our curiosity because we want to be able to say, “I know something you don’t know.” Then it leads to gossip. Ah. That old sick cycle goes on.

Being a nosy parker or a nosy nellie could be put to positive use in the office. And I mean only POSITIVE. By being positively nosy, you will be able to tap the special skills of a colleague because you will know his strengths, talents and skills. For example, you would discover one who may have a hidden talent for cooking very well, or another with a certain case of OCD and may be able to help in organizing events (yes, having obsessive-compulsive disorder could help). Perhaps another may have the hidden ability to write well or may have the uncanny ability of fixing things that may be useful in some situations.Still you may discover that others have the ability of editing and making great videos or making illustrious brochures or leaflets or designing things and lay outing so that their abilities may be used in preparing the office’s publications as well as presentations during special events. True-- there are people who tend to hide their abilities not only because they are shy, but simply because people just don’t know it yet. It is also true that people with special talents are just waiting to be appreciated and given the chance to show what they can do.

You must admit, it is very difficult to keep to yourself “something you know that others don’t know” about another person. So why not make it positive? Instead of passing around life-altering, upsetting or damaging information about a colleague or the office, you try spreading inspiring and heartwarming ones. Simple? Not really. Nothing is ever so easy. Even so, you just try.

On the flipside of being nosy, I don’t know if it is really out of sheer concern for another person that makes you ask the nosy questions. Sometimes, aware or unaware, you probe into parts of his life that he has every right to keep private. Don’t you notice the other person’s uneasiness or terse replies? You should be able to take the hint. I guess it’s his subtle way of saying, “you are annoying me” or “you are out of bounds.” I’m sure you would prefer these over being directly told off.

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss. What you don’t know can’t hurt you. Well, you can’t be held responsible for the unknown, except perhaps, your duty to uphold the law. Sometimes, not knowing a secret or the full details about someone could pay off in the future. What with the challenge of today’s society, you should focus more on looking after yourself rather than sticking your nose into other people’s affairs.

A good friend once told me about an acquaintance of hers who seemed to pry into others’ private lives at every opportunity he got. He wanted to know it all, and his friends dubbed him, “the Nose.” Whenever he was around and prying, they say, “Hey, the Nose knows.” But remember-- the Nose could be you too, if you’re not careful.

Yes, it is time to take pride in knowing more of yourself first before knowing others. You will realize just how rewarding it is.

Goodbye King of Pop

Like most people the world over, I was shocked to hear about Michael Jackson's aka MJ's or Jacko's death. I thought somebody was just telling a big, rotten joke. Then, I found out it was for real. I was like-- HUH? And I read on the net and heard over the radio that he died of heart attack. I wondered if it really was the cause of his death or if there was foul play. After all, not everyone is taken by his fancy moves and his captivating music. Anyway, it'd be a topic for another time. Right now, I'd like to share my thoughts about the man known as the 'King of Pop.'

Despite all scandals and controversies he faced, there's no denying the fact that he contributed much to the world of music. He truly deserved his title like no other. He was a rare person who's talent would be long remembered and cherished for generations. He was not only famous in life but in death as well. His memorial service today, attended by 8,750 fans and big celebrities plus an estimated gathering of 250,000 would prove it.

I was in my elementary years when I first heard and saw MJ on television. I especially loved 'Thriller,' which my friends and I used to sing over and over again and danced to the tune of whenever we could. His music was sensational, we thought. His concerts were always elaborate and a hit. Everyone I knew was a fan. After Thriller, his 'She's Out of My Life,' had me totally mesmerized. No revivals of the song could match his version. He not only sang it, but felt it, and was one with it. If you listened to it really well, it was like he wept at the end of the last note. No artist has ever matched that, for me. I also love his 'You are Not Alone,' and 'Heal the World.' The latter was like an anthem for us young people back then.

But like they say, some good things never last. Maybe it just ended too soon. There will never be another Michael Jackson, but there will be his great memory. Today, he was laid to rest at the Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Goodbye, MJ. May you be happy for all eternity.

Celebrities and Scandals

The recent celebrity scandals (involving sex videos) have put most of us Filipinos in a sort of frenzied roust – perhaps even those in some parts of the world who happen to know these celebrities. Well, in some countries, this is really not such a big deal. It’s quite ordinary for some celebrities to be involved in scandals in various forms – sex videos just one of them. Even the late King of Pop was not exempt - may he rest in peace (he will be greatly missed).

The thing is, we Filipinos are generally a conservative lot. Although we may have been exposed to liberal ways, there will always be a part of us that’s conventional. In many ways, it’s an advantage, yet in some ways it’s not. For instance, it’s an advantage because being conservative enables us to guard our dignity, honor, and integrity which are a very important part of us. On the other hand, it is a disadvantage because we would tend to linger on a scandal longer than necessary. I mean, I find it ridiculous that we would talk about it for days. We tend to pass our judgment without really knowing the person or persons well.

Generally, most people anywhere in the world would have the same reaction. People talk about other people all the time, especially those involved in scandals or controversies. But Filipinos, I observed, based on what I see and hear on television and my interactions with others, are quite ‘lookers’ of the past. I observed that it’s hard for them to move on and let go of what was. I don’t know if this is one reason why we are where we are now, economically and politically. Well, these are just my thoughts and observations. One thing is clear for me, though, we are fighters… Now, back to celebrities and controversies.

My point is, we do admire celebrities (I do too, but I’m a bit anti-social). We laugh with them, we cry with them and we loathe them, perhaps, whenever they do something foolish. It’s like we know them so well from the roles they play and from their personality profiles on showbiz news. But are they really who we believe they are? Actually, I admire Katrina Halili’s resolve to fight back no matter what. But I’m annoyed at her at the same time for blaming it all on Hayden Kho. I believe it takes two to tango.

Surprisingly, I approve of Maricar Reyes' choosing to be quiet and calm (I would suppose she is) amid the controversy. She probably figured if she reacted, it would just fuel up the issue all the more. May be it was her, may be it was not. She never admitted it, I think. It makes some wonder why and say she’s wild. Well, her reaction or lack of just goes to show she didn’t care what other people think. May be she knows herself well, her limits, and where she stands. She is after all, responsible for her actions. I would say she carried herself well. Or maybe she’s keeping it all inside, waiting for the right opportunity to tell her story. Whatever it is, I would say she’s a professional (undertones or without). I give her that.

Broken Vow

Have you ever loved someone wholly and wholeheartedly and hoped that you could spend the rest of your life with him, but only to find out in the end that it could never be because he broke your trust? You were aware of his past but he told you he has changed. You trusted him because you saw he did – for a time...until you’re starting to believe he could never change. I wanted to prove that ‘once a player is always a player’ doesn’t apply to every once-a-player-turned–straight. I refused to give up then, and may be there’s still this part of me that refuses to do so. Just a tiny-weenie bit of hope left.

For me, it’s very important that I could trust the man I would be with for the rest of my life. I really thought I could, but now I’m not so sure. I’m confused, mad, disappointed, annoyed, and most of all I feel betrayed. A vow has been broken. I’m not so sure if I could trust him again. How can you trust a man who tells you he loves you very much, yet he ‘plays’ with someone else behind your back? He tells you it was just nothing, that they were just friends? How lame can that excuse get?

The thing is, unlike the woman in the song who didn’t know the ‘other one,’ I know her...I sometimes see her. And I trusted him when he said they knew each other before and they were friends. Then, you catcha portion of a text conversation which tells you that something is going on. Yes, it hurts. It hurts very much. I need to give myself some time to think about this. The question that keeps on playing in the mind right now is, “can I ever trust him again?’