A hole-in-being

I need to write.

Before drawing, I really planned to make a sculpture-like 3D figure, abstract, but would show “me”. But something came into my mind – a hole-in-being. A topic discussed in our philosophy subject (Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl). So I thought about drawing a doughnut – an illustraition of an object with a hole which is likened to human beings having something missing in their being. This hole is described as something that is naturally present in humans and is to be filled as they live on their lives. I don’t know, maybe in searching for meaning, we eventually fill this hole up.

So I was planning to create a replica of myself. Something that is sculpture-like, shows the fullness of a figure, and doesn’t exactly show the hole in it.

And here it is. It actually looked like a teardrop with a hole so evident. I just used pencil marks to give some depth to it.

Then an idea came, more like a realization. Teardrops or any drop of liquid which are irregularly thrown, with holes, deformed or in whatever way, will eventually seek its most stable, founded form, a sphere, perfect with no holes. It attracts molecules of its own, obtaining the least surface area, becoming full before it touches the ground.

To reality!

i'm called to be back to reality! Haha!

Yeah, i've actually been asleep in my comforts and little luxuries these couple of weeks... i'm on our semestral break - no school. i spent the days helping Ma and Pa and my siblings keep the house in order, watching TV shows and movies, doing stuffs on computers, etc.  it was a good way to spend time.. i've actually learned a lot from the movies i've watched - Something Borrowed, Leap Year, The Hunger Games, She's the Man, Anastasia (1997).. But somewhere inside me i know i should be doing more.. i feel like i'm in deep slumber, nothing to offer to the world.

Fortunately, today, i've read a post on our university group challenging an assembly of leaders in the school. WOAH! As in overness!! Haha! it really received lots of comments and criticisms and likes!. if you could see the comments, you could really witness a heated debate going on. Haha! But, more than the fun it brought me, it actually moved me to really be vigilant about the things and issues going on around us.. we might not notice, but they can actually kill us day by day, if that's their motive.. i'm not very good at expression, but let me tell you this, the post moved me enough to wake me up. Of course, with due credits to our commenters. .:)

i'm not so sure though about what i should do.. but, now, i am certain that more than reflections, i should act on something. i understand that it is the Lord's will that should be done, but man also has to do his part.

May God bless us all! :D

~ Thanks, Mr. Karlo David! :)

”Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do.” 
   ~ Helen Keller 

credits: http://o2jottings.blogspot.com/

Jesus

He hungered - but He fed thousands...
He was wearied, but He is the Rest of them that are weary...
He was heavy with sleep, but He walked lightly over the sea...
He prays, but He hears prayers.
He weeps, but he causes tears to cease.
He asks where Lazarus was laid, for He was Man; but He raises Lazarus, for He was God.
He is sold, and very cheap, for it is only thirty pieces of silver; but He redeems the world...
As a sheep He is led to the slaughter, but He is the Shepherd of Israel, and now of the whole world also.
As a Lamb He is silent, yet He is the Word...
He is...wounded, but He healeth every disease...
He dies, but He gives life...

If the one gives you a starting point for your error, let the others put an end to it.

Gregory Nazianzen, c329 - 389/390 AD
(from T.Oden's "The Word of Life", p185)

credits to: http://damaskathoughts.blogspot.com/

T.Hu.G.

"Find out who you are and do it on purpose." ~ Dolly Parton

A picture paints a thousand words. How about a film?

from 

 http://hungergamespics.com/the-hunger-games-mockingjay-brought-to-life/

I. Watched The Hunger Games today. Beautiful. But more than the beauty it brought me, it reminded me of something very valuable - People Power. Most of the Filipinos forget its worth. But you should know that it is not dead. Perhaps it has to be rekindled. But how? 

More than thinking of ways to do it, let's just do it. 

II. The film setting was very unlikely to happen. Given that people nowadays are so into Human rights protection, civil liberties, protection for children, etc., how could people turn to be monster-like in the future? But that's what it does - films intend to capture you into another world and make you believe that it exists. And perhaps that is what Suzanne Collins needs to do to convey her message.

III. When i thought about the impossibility of people turning into monsters. i thought for a while, "how could that be impossible?" Today, you could see people killing other people, brutally, mercilessly. It really is not surprising that someday, more people would do the same. How could this become a reality? Being a human being, i am aware that i have limitations, although i don't know all of them. Being a Christian, i know that people could do things beyond their limitations. How is this? - through the help of the Holy Spirit! In relation to people doing things humans are not supposed to do, one party to blame here are the evil forces. You see, it really is up to us to submit to anything. We could submit to these "evil forces" and start being really bad. Or we could submit ourselves to the power of God and start doing things that would give people a glimpse of heaven. It really is up to us. 

As for the world. A lot of people end up being slaves of evil while some are fools for God, but there are also people who chose nothing. For all these people, let us pray for them. For those slaves of evil, may they be free, truly free and heed the call of goodness inherent in their being. For the fools for God, may they continue to be steadfast in their faith and touch more people with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For those who chose nothing, may they become the best person they could be by choosing the common good. May we all do something to make this world more beautiful. A lot of work is needed to be done. i may die before getting there, but it is the journey that matters.

IV. i sparked with hope when president Snow said, "Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear." And indeed it is. We just have to hope, and do something.. as in do something. 

Help us, Lord.

**written and typed on different days

No Mercy!!

Just want to share my realization regarding the beloved children on the streets..

Sometimes i see them lying down, sleeping on those dirty pavements..
Sometimes i see them coming to me, approaching other more people..
Sometimes i see them running along and across  roads ..
Somehow, i pity them for what they are, and for what they cannot do while, and especially while they are still young..
i pity them for the limitations that have caused boundaries in their lives.

Yet for some days ago, i was able to understand that i am not supposed to pity them!
i am not supposed to look down on them and show them mercy, give them money..
They do not need mercy..
What they need is justice!
Children have the right to shelter, the right to food and proper nutrition, the right to education, the right to recreation, and not just playing down the streets..

Children, we should not forget, are human beings.. what could my mercy do for them?
i should, instead, treat them as brave young people.. knowing that like me, they have abilities, they have dreams, they have hopes and ambitions..

These children don't just need food for everyday survival, they need love and care and education...
they need to know that they have dreams they need to realize
they have to know that their future is bigger than what they seem to have now..
they have to understand their abilities and know their purpose and become fully alive..

Again, they need love... and what they need are people who could understand what is deeper than what most of us see..

So i begin my day, praying for justice and trying to be the justice that they need.

So, please, help me, Father.

Kerygma Bible Reflections

WHY WE DON’T HAVE TO BE SCARED

For I am with you, to deliver and rescue you, says the Lord. – Jeremiah 15:20

       When Francis was only four years old, we watched Jurassic Park I. I was worried about the scary parts of the movie. Especially when a ferocious Tyrannosaurus Rex bites the bald lawyer sitting on the potty. How morbid. So right before the T. Rex chomped half of the lawyer’s body, I covered my son’s eyes. He protested, “I want to see that, Daddy. It’s the fun part.”
       After the movie, I asked him, “Weren’t you scared?” He said, “I watched the movie before. I know the ending.”
       He knows the ending that’s why he wasn’t scared.
       Friend, are you worried about your problems? Are you anxious over what will happen tomorrow? Listen. God knows the last chapter of your life. And from what I hear, it’s very good. Glorious even. You have a happy ending.
       You may be going through tough times now but fear not. Believe that you’ll be stronger. Your faith will be purer. Your heart will be bigger. And you’ll be more blessed than ever.
       Because the best is yet to come.

              ~Bo Sanchez (bosanchez@kerygmafamily.com)

just like in the old eras

i like it! :) it looks so simple yet elegant and sophisticated! Haha!

live to love. feel loved everyday. give love everyday.

"some say, love, it is a
hunger - an endless 
aching need..
i say, love, it is a flower,
and you,
it's only seed.."

                      ~ the Rose
      sung by Bette Midler

late at night, while i was riding a jeepney, going home, i was seated across two old people, one boy, the other girl. i looked at them and thought what business they could have attended to. they did not look like they went home from work because they weren't wearing working clothes and they were quite old to work. i did not push the analysis further and my mind wandered someplace. minutes passed and they finally reached their destination. the man went out of the jeepney first, very slowly. he was having a really hard time going out. with his frail body, he bent halfway down just to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling while going out. the lady also bent down and slowly went out of the jeepney behind the man. everybody were looking at them, like eying down their every move.. :) the man finally got out. and i got what i hoped for.. ;) i looked at him as he stepped on the road, waiting and watching.. you see, after going out, he did not move to the road side, instead, in spite of his very fragile body, he waited by the back of the jeepney and received the hand of the lady, carefully assisting her as she climbed down the little jeepney stairs. :D

witnessing what i witnessed allowed me to really appreciate the presence of love, whether you are young or old, it exists. and i thank the couple for reminding me that.. :)) 

live to love. feel loved everyday. give love everyday.

Pictures: Trees Cocooned in Webs After Flood

Pictures: Trees Cocooned in Webs After Flood

i hope You understand that there are so many people around me who are very difficult to love. Yet You always remind me that i should love my neighbors as i love myself. That is why i am asking for the strength, the courage, and the desire from You to love them. With Your love, may i be able to walk another mile in service for others.

i am currently doing some research for my chemical process industries report. But as always, something is bothering me. i just need to talk to somebody who can understand me without limits. so i turned to You. Use me, guide me, all for You alone.

i promise to You, this year, i won't be settling for mediocrity in everything that i do. i love You, and that's because You loved me first.

♥

"i will not offer to the Lord, my God, sacrifices that have cost me nothing." ~2 Samuel 24:24 (TEV)

sometimes, i don't understand what the Lord is telling me to do...

Ten Basic Environmental Rules

1. Prioritize environmental preservation

   We shall comply with all laws, regulations, and agreements in all of our business activities. Taking into consideration biodiversity, we shall place the highest priority on environmental preservation in the manufacture, handling, use, sale, transport, and waste disposal of products.

2. Prevent global warming

   We shall promote energy conservation and work to reduce our unit energy consumption and our carbon dioxide emissions.

3. Achieve zero emissions of environmental pollutants

   We shall strive continuously to reduce our emissions with the ultimate goal of achieving zero emissions of hazardous chemical substances and waste materials into the environment.

4. Use safer chemical substances

   We shall collect, maintain, and provide information on the health and environmental effects of the chemical substances we handle while striving to use safer chemical substances.

5. Promoting Recycling

   We shall develop recycling technologies for products, containers, and packaging and cooperate with society in promoting the recovery and reuse of such items.

6. Improve the level of environmental management

   We shall work to maintain and improve the level of our environmental management while working to upgrade our environmental management technology and skills, performing self auditing, and taking other measures.

7. Contribute to society through environmental improvement technologies and products

   We shall meet the challenge of developing new technologies and shall contribute to society through environmental improvement technologies as well as products that place a low burden on the environment.

8. Improve the environmental management of our overseas businesses

   In our overseas business activities, we shall place top priority on complying with local laws and regulations, and further, we shall manage those businesses in accordance with the management standards of Toray Group.

9. Improve employees' environmental awareness

   We shall strive to improve our employees' awareness of environmental issues through environmental education, social activities, internal communications activities, and other means.

10. Share environmental information with society

   We shall deepen mutual understanding of Toray Group environmental policies and practices by widely publicizing our environmental preservation efforts and their results in environmental reports and other publications directed at local communities, investors, and the media.

source: 'Toray' Innovation by Chemistry

credits to my brother, Karlo.. had he not done his assignment, i wouldn't have read this.. ;)

Solving an infinite surd..

If an infinite surd is like (√(6+√(6+√(6+√(6...),to solve it, follow these steps: 

Set x = √(6+√(6+√(6+√(6... 

therefore x2 = 6+√(6+√(6+√(6+√(6... 

therefore x2 = 6+x 

therefore 6+x-x2 = 0.
source: How do you solve an infinite surd?

"Jim, will you find the remote control for me?", his mother had called for the seventh  time
He, obviously annoyed, answered back, "of all your 11 children, why is it me you're always calling?"
"That's because I love you, dear."
"Yeah, loving me involves lots of errands, huh?"
"Of course! Of all my children,  it's only your name that I remember."

credits to my father

Throwing our garbage everywhere destroys the essence of the trash can's existence. And you'll ask me, "So what?"...

we'll be making a new definition for a trash can - the Earth.

disneycosplayftw: From the artist’s description...

disneycosplayftw: From the artist’s description...

Finger with nails, Nails with nail polish!

☺

i was planning on showcasing my amazing artwork about my nail polish (joke!)... until the experience of trying to do so taught me something new about fingers, nails and nail polish.. :)

i've learned that like me, when i was still a baby, my fingers also crawled and tried to walk.

...fingersteps...

they're also kind of shy sometimes - tries to see the world outside, though

HIGH FIVES!

Would you like to play a game of Pen Pen de Sarapen?

Pen pen de sarapen de kutsilyo de armasen 

Haw haw de carabao de batuten

Sayang pula tatlong pera

Sayang puti tatlong salapi

Bugbog manggang hinog!

(this was the version of the game i've known since i was a child)

and i don't know what this chant means..

My nails could sometimes be sensitive and tend to bite

RAWR!

ms. prim and proper

a closer look on mah mastahpeice!

are you saying they are seductive(part 1)? :)

ms. seductive II

they're holding on to something and they don't know why.. 

yo! this reminds me of a Filipino TV show - Y Speak.

Wow! they sure do show their activist side!

i'm on the process of totally finding the right angle for a good shot at my project..

looks like i'm not there yet.. lol!

"one man with courage is a majority" ~ Thomas Jefferson
btw, it was Karen, a friend of mine, who shared to me this verse.. and she's living it! :)

they vow to serve their countrymen and to love their country

interested in wires?

perhaps this shows my inclination to engineering.. :)

The greatest lesson this activity unintentionally taught me was that hands reveal to people a part of a person's identity.. they are only one part of the whole human anatomy, but through the years, this hand, these fingers and nails, had been  my companion in learning, studying, committing mistakes and learning life's lessons.. Having a hand is a privilege, so i better use it wisely.

thank God!

By the way if you were Sherlock, what could you deduce on these images? :)

C-Man inspired me

It's funny how one moment could change a lifetime and how a song could fill a person up.

     I've never really been attracted to him - his looks, his way of singing, his hairstyle ... he was, for me, an ordinary rocker-looking guy.. ergo, he's not my type.

     It was Saturday (March 24 in our country) when I saw him perform again on stage... he was the last to perform and the person before him got a standing ovation from the judges for her performance. He, however, sang the song flawlessly (as I observed no flaws while he was singing).. I felt lost in his performance because of the ambiance of the place (as seen on TV) and because of the camera angles, or maybe because of the piano.. I was a bit inspired, but I dismissed the feeling right away.. Finishing the song, the judges gave their positive comments about his performance.. Then the host asked him, "Just before you started to play... what were you thinking about in that moment 'cause you were taking your time?" ... He answered, "I've been praying before this whole thing 'cause tonight was a big moment for me and I was just collecting myself and saying, 'God use me.' I want Him to shine through first and foremost "

     ... After saying that, I was so shocked...awed... silenced... He is a Christian! He has deceived me! 

...

      Rather, i misjudged him.

   A few days after watching him on TV, I researched and watched the video of his performance on the internet and was touched even more by the whole thing! Suddenly, i realized how beautiful his voice is, how beautiful the melody is, how beautiful he is... I continued tracking him.. and finding out that he already has inspired a lot of people, I was so overwhelmed by his continuous and unfailing efforts to share the Lord to people.. as he always says.. love God. love music. love people.. .. The recent song he chose to sing on the show also touched me.. its lyrics says, "how can i stand here with You and not be moved by You?" he said it is his favorite worship song (a song by Lighthouse).. and listening to him singing, i understood it by its lyrics right away - how can i encounter God and not be moved by His awesomeness? :) it's like we're so far (he is in America and i'm in Philippines) yet it sinks deep within me.. it's like God is revealing Himself to me through him!

     Maybe i'll be admiring him for  a long time.. But i'll be getting his message for sure, and i'll be telling it to you.. love God and love His people! Be messengers of His love and his Word!

     He is Colton Dixon, by the way. Remember him; he doesn't want to be forgotten..  And in remembering him, remember the mighty God. :)

P.S. This is the video from American idol Season 11: his version of Piano Man originally sung by Billy Joel

Getting good grades is really something, but it is not everything.

I was a bit sad the day before yesterday because my younger brother and I fought again. But last evening, we learned to forgive each other.

He asked both I and my younger sister to answer a riddle. The three of us started discussing about riddles.. Then my mother and father joined us. My father also grabbed his turn in asking all of us.. His riddles though were rather silly and really needs you to ask him for some clues.. When he tells you the answer and we'd tell him.. "Why didn't you give that as a clue?" He always answered, "You didn't ask me." So the game continued and all of us went laughing for silly answers to questions.. Until sometime, one of our visitors, my aunt, hearing the commotion, suddenly joined us.. The moment she started delivering her riddle story, we laughed, because that was really unexpected of her.. my brother, immediately solved her riddle which made all of us laugh even more.. we were telling her how old her riddle was.. Hahahahha! lol..

So there the night went.. I continued what I was doing at our computer.. Just thinking to myself that our family was blessed last night to have been given the opportunity to bond.. :)

The Gift of a Mommy from Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul

I'd like to share you this story, one of the many here in this book that has touched my heart a lot.. This story was submitted by Nan Pinkston. 

I'm sorry i did not type the whole thing again first, because it is time consuming; second; i want to avoid plagiarism.. :) BE BLESSED IN READING THIS!.. :)

 

 

http://www.amorfrancis.com/inspirational-a-chat-with-jesus.php

A CHAT WITH JESUS CHRIST...

Jesus: Hello. Did you call me?

Man: Called you? No. Who is this?

Jesus: This is Jesus. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat.

Man: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something.

Jesus: What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.

Man: Don’t know. But I can’t find free time. Life has become hectic. It’s rush hour all the time.

Jesus: Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.

Man: I understand. But I still can’t figure out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.

Jesus: Well I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.

Man: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?

Jesus: Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.

Man: why are we then constantly unhappy?

Jesus: Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That’s why you are not happy.

Man: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?

Jesus: Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.

Man: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty.

Jesus: Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.

Man: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?

Jesus: Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don’t suffer. With that experience their life become better not bitter.

Man: You mean to say such experience is useful?

Jesus: Yes. In every term, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.

Man: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can’t we be free from problems?

Jesus: Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons (to) Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.

Man: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don’t know where we are heading.

Jesus: If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.

Man: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?

Jesus: Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.

Man: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?

Jesus: Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.

Man: What surprises you about people?

Jesus: When they suffer they ask, “why me? When they prosper, they never ask “Why me” Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth.

Man: Sometimes I ask, who I am, why am I here. I can’t get the answer.

Jesus: Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.

Man: How can I get the best out of life?

Jesus: Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

Man: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.

Jesus: There are no unanswered prayers. At times the answer is NO.

Man: Thank you for this wonderful chat. I am so happy to start the day with a new sense of inspiration.

Jesus: Well. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don’t believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.

Man: Thank you so much.

Jesus: You are always welcome. Have a good day my friend.

‎" Always remember, God's Word is the Word for YOU ".

from ate Mylyn Mye. I'm so thankful! :)

I'm sorry for ate Mai.. She just lost her loved mother on a new year. May God bless her mother's soul and guide her on her journey to paradise. Let's say a little prayer for her mother and her mother's loved ones who are left behind..